Residents in parts of Queens and the Bronx are voicing growing dissatisfaction with their elected representative, citing a perceived lack of local engagement and poor constituent services. Concerns are mounting that national attention and personal branding may be taking priority over neighborhood needs.
Several community members have reported difficulty reaching local district offices, despite the offices receiving nearly $2 million annually in taxpayer funding. One location is only open one weekday, and the other is closed on Fridays. Calls often go unanswered, and residents are frequently instructed to schedule appointments even for routine issues.
Once-regular public forums have become increasingly rare. When meetings do occur, constituents say they are often tightly controlled, with limited opportunities to ask questions. In some instances, the representative does not attend in person, opting instead to participate remotely. This has left some locals feeling unheard and overlooked.
“She doesn’t seem to be present anymore,” said one resident of Woodside, Queens. “It’s like the community is an afterthought.”
Tensions came to a head during a recent public event in Jackson Heights, where the representative stayed for less than an hour and answered only a handful of questions before leaving. The meeting had already been rescheduled from an earlier date due to health concerns following a national speaking tour.
Critics argue that core local issues—such as employment opportunities, traffic congestion, and neighborhood safety—are being overshadowed by a focus on broader political ambitions. One Jackson Heights resident expressed disappointment, saying, “She used to be more accessible. Now it feels like we’re just a stepping stone for bigger goals.”
A City Council candidate from Elmhurst described the situation as one where residents feel like tenants without a landlord, noting the disconnect between local challenges and the representative’s current visibility in the district.
As frustration builds, residents say they hope for more consistent communication and genuine attention to the concerns of the people who live and work in the area.