As a Jackson Heights resident, I am one of the many who are opposed to the issuance of a operating license for the newsstand that was constructed in front of the Foodtown Supermarket, located at 76-10 37th Avenue.

It is troubling that while attempts to open this newsstand were consistently opposed by Queens Community Board 3 for several years, the New York City government has moved forward to issue a newsstand license anyway.

It is more troubling to learn that if particular specifications set by the Department of Consumer Affairs and Department of Transportation are met by a newsstand license applicant, the City must issue a license – regardless of the community’s input.

The Community Board rightfully serves as a mouthpiece of this community, and it’s position on these and other issues, must be respected. Further, we elect our City Council Members to advocate for our community on a wide range of matters.

As is the case with sidewalk café licenses, community boards and the City Council should have the power to make recommendations and ultimately deny licenses for newsstands if they are not in the best interest of a community.

After all, newsstands open up for business to serve the needs of the surrounding public – if the public they seek to serve does not support their presence, the City should similarly be in a position to reject a new vendor license.

In the short term, we demand action be taken with regard to the abovementioned newsstand. As the addition is not in our interests, the community respectfully asks that the license issued by the Department of Consumer Affairs be revoked.