The Road To City Hall: Borough President

Marc Crawford Leavitt Profile

BY TIFFANY HAUFE

Wednesday, August 19, 2009 1:55 PM EDT

Name: Marc Crawford Leavitt

Age: 60

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Area Serving: Borough of Queens

Occupation: Leavitt is a practicing private attorney and pro bono counsel, who has served his Sunnyside community for more than 30 years. He was elected in 1980 to a three-year term on Community Board 3. Leavitt is the former president of the Sunnyside Kiwanis Club, where he maintains an active membership.

Money raised thus far: More than $80,000

Why did you decide to run for Borough President? An avid civic activist, Leavitt said that borough leadership is not active enough. “I think Queens is the multicultural heart of the greatest city in the world, and we don’t get enough credit for it,” said Leavitt.

Leavitt decided to run after term limits were extended and current Borough President Helen Marshall decided to run for re-election. When Assemblymember Audrey Pheffer decided not to run against Marshall, Leavitt said he felt that, “something [was] wrong with this picture.”

What are two major issues affecting your community? “I think the perception of how government functions is inadequate,” said Leavitt, who would hold political forums for citizens, if elected. “In the age of Obama, people want a new kind of relationship with the government and elected officials.”

Another important issue to Leavitt is the “multiple main streets” whose “mom and pop stores are the backbone and heart of the economy in Queens.” “We need to support these businesses on each main street,” said Leavitt, who is a supporter of the Small Business Survival Act, which would protect businesses renewing their commercial leases.

What is the first thing you would focus on if elected? “Strengthening our community by making everyone feel prouder,” said Leavitt, who would “highlight the specialness of Queens” through community events, such as annual international book festivals, and would promote diversity by celebrating a different Queens neighborhood every month.