By MOHAMED FARGHALY
mfarghaly@queensledger.com
Jonathan Rinaldi is making his mark as the Republican candidate for the open City Council District 30 seat, hoping to bring meaningful change to the neighborhoods of Maspeth, Glendale, Middle Village, Ridgewood, and parts of Woodhaven and Woodside.
A lifelong resident of Queens, Rinaldi has deep roots in the community, having attended local Forest Hills schools and now raising three children, aged 19, 16, and 12, in the same neighborhood he calls home. Rinaldi’s campaign is fueled by a passion for local issues, with a focus on improving public infrastructure, housing, and ensuring the community’s needs are met.
Rinaldi’s passion for the issues in his community isn’t new. Throughout his life, he’s always sought ways to make a difference — both through his actions and his outspoken opinions. He speaks candidly about his views, whether it’s addressing the growing concern about illegal immigration, local crime, or the overbearing influence of political agendas.
“If the illegals can get things for free, why aren’t we making sure our elderly are taken care of?” Rinaldi said in a roundtable interview with the Queens Ledger.
Rinaldi’s comments reflect the ongoing debate in New York City over immigration and resource allocation. As the city grapples with a surge in migrant arrivals, Rinaldi’s statement underscores his frustration with what he perceives as a disparity in the treatment of immigrants and the city’s elderly population. His criticism comes amid heightened discussions about the costs associated with providing services to migrants, with many residents expressing concerns about the strain on public resources.
Part of Rinaldi’s direct approach is his strong advocacy for Section nine housing. He argues that the government should take responsibility for managing infrastructure, transportation, and public properties to support its citizens, especially those in need of affordable housing.
Section nine public housing refers to the federal program established under the 1937 U.S. Housing Act, designed to provide decent, safe, and affordable rental housing for low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities. While public housing can range from single-family homes to high-rise apartments, its primary goal has been to address the housing needs of economically disadvantaged communities.
“My opinion is that public property is public property,” he said. “I’m a big supporter of section nine. What they did with the city’s big plan to get the people off of the city’s payroll is to do this ‘City of Yes’ thing where some of these buildings have section eight apartments. Why is it not section nine? How come section nine is non transferable? Section nine is federally funded. Your utilities are covered.”
His frustration with New York’s infrastructure is a frequent topic in his conversations. He wants to do away with tolls and congestion pricing, which he views as regressive taxes that burden working families. His disdain for the overcharging and unnecessary bureaucracy within the MTA is no secret, either.
“New York City’s public transportation system is broken. The MTA is a bloated, inefficient bureaucracy that has failed the people of Queens and the entire city,” Rinaldi said. “Our subways and buses are unreliable, filthy, and unsafe. Crime is rampant, and despite billions of taxpayer dollars being funneled into the system, it never seems to improve. Instead of continuing to pour money into a failing system, we should take a bold, common-sense approach: replace the MTA with a new, publicly-run transit agency that offers free transportation for all New Yorkers.”
His criticism of local government and the political system doesn’t stop there. He believes that political agendas are often hidden and buried from public view.
“There are things going on behind closed doors, and people don’t even know it,” he said. For Rinaldi, transparency is key to making meaningful changes in his community.
Rinaldi’s campaign isn’t just about fixing broken systems or challenging corrupt politicians — it’s about leaving a legacy for his three children. He admits that he’s doing it not just for his own future, but for theirs.
“I’m doing this to educate my kids,” he said. His desire to protect and nurture his family informs many of his political positions.
Rinaldi has consistently expressed opposition to the Cooper Rapid Rehousing Center in Glendale, pledging that, if elected, he would work to shut down the shelter on his first day in office. His stance stems from concerns that the shelter’s presence is detrimental to the surrounding community. Local residents have voiced frustrations with the shelter’s impact on the neighborhood over the years. Among the key issues are reports of shelter residents loitering in nearby Pinocchio Park, adjacent to a local elementary school, and an overall lack of activities for residents during their non-working hours. This has contributed to heightened anxiety about safety and a strain on local resources, particularly emergency services.
The shelter’s response, led by Westhab, has focused on its commitment to providing supportive services to homeless individuals, including case management, employment assistance, and housing placement. However, the shelter’s efforts to engage with the community have been met with resistance.
Rinaldi emphasized his proactive approach to addressing neighborhood issues, stating that he would not wait for bureaucratic processes to resolve local problems. He referenced a situation in Glendale where residents had concerns about trees hanging over their homes, posing a potential danger. Instead of relying on the parks department, Rinaldi said he would personally take action, such as cutting the trees down himself. He stressed that, when it comes to his community, he is committed to handling problems directly, using the power of the community to address concerns without waiting for government intervention.
“I’m not the kind of person that’s going to wait for the parks department, if somebody comes to me and says, I got a problem, I’ll go and I’ll put a ladder up and I’ll cut the tree down myself,” Rinaldi said. “I don’t need to wait for the bureaucracy when it comes to my community. When it comes to my community, one thing I will never do is wait for the bureaucracy. I’ll go and handle it, and I’ll handle it with the power of the community.
Rinaldi’s reputation in his district is also shaped by his past efforts to help others, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. He helped those in need and, even more controversially, assisted people in becoming parents through sperm donations. Though some have criticized him for this, he remains proud of his contributions.
“During COVID, I helped a lot of people, I helped people have children,” he said.
Rinaldi has been involved in an ongoing legal dispute related to an incident at the “Jesus is the Answer” food pantry on Liberty Avenue. According to Rinaldi, two years ago, he noticed a long line of people waiting outside the pantry, which was closed due to a landlord-tenant dispute. Inside the pantry, there were perishable items like milk, poultry, and meat that he felt could not be wasted while people were in need. Rinaldi alleges that in an effort to help, he broke into the pantry to distribute the food. This action led to legal trouble, and Rinaldi is still facing prosecution, a situation he claims is politically motivated.
Through the issues, he has assembled a team to ensure his campaign stays on track, auditing petitions, and scrutinizing his opponents. He has voiced concerns about potential corruption, such as other candidates stealing public funds, forging signatures and faking the address of their residence.
“At the end of the day, I really just care about the truth and transparency, and I have the courage to make sure that you know our interests are represented,” he said.
Rinaldi believes voters should support him because of his commitment to truth, transparency, and advocating for the community’s best interests. He emphasizes his courage to stand up for what he believes is right, ensuring that residents have access to public information and that their concerns are addressed. Rinaldi is firm in his promise to take immediate action if elected, vowing to eliminate the Glendale shelter on his first day in office and prevent any future shelters from being placed in the district.
