NEW YORK: Council Member Peter F. Vallone Jr. has applauded Public Advocate Bill de Blasio for his report proving that Queens businesses have been overly inspected and unfairly fined by the City – a problem Vallone has been constantly calling attention to and working to eliminate.
According to the study, the Department of Consumer Affairs more than doubled its inspections of businesses in Queens between 2010 and 2012, with borough shops being fined 22 percent more than those in Manhattan. Furthermore, seven of the 10 neighborhoods issued the most violations from the Health Department are in Queens, based on the report.
Vallone, who ran his family’s law firm for over a decade, has been a long-time proponent of easing government regulations on small businesses and replacing obsolete violations and fines – which he believes hinders the growth of the businesses – with verbal warnings. As a member of the City Council’s Health Committee, the Council Member will also be a co-sponsor of Speaker Christine Quinn’s legislation reducing fines for restaurants for non-health violations and streamlining the appeals process for businesses.
“As one of the only small business people in office, I have long been saying that Queens businesses have been unfairly hurt by over aggressive enforcement for years. But now, thanks to Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, we have the indisputable facts to back it up,” said Council Member Vallone. “Small businesses are the backbone of Queens, and they provide the jobs and pay the taxes that support this City.
usinesses should be helped in keeping their doors open – not fined until their doors close.”
India Post News Service
