JACKSON HEIGHTS — The candidates for Queens borough president will discuss their ideas on sustainability at a forum tonight, the first discussion focused on the environment during the campaign, according to organizers.
Councilman Peter Vallone, former councilwoman Melinda Katz, State Senator Tony Avella and Councilman Leroy Comrie are all vying to replace Helen Marshall as the borough's president.
State Senator Jose Peralta, who represents the area in, dropped out of the race in May.
The forum is sponsored by the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and the Jackson Heights Beautification Group, with support from other borough-wide environmental groups.
The candidates will discuss their ideas about the environment, clean energy, park use and more, says Dan Hendrick, Vice President of External Affairs at the New York League of Conservation Voters. The majority of the questions, he said, will come from the audience.
"Queens is facing so many different types of sustainability questions because of Sandy," Hendrick said. The borough president, because of their involvement in the land use process, can play a "really important role" in protecting the borough and utilizing space, he said.
The forum will be held at the Community Methodist Church in Jackson Heights, at 81-10 35th Ave. The doors open at 7 p.m.