Council debate is a Queens slugfest

Kevin Ryan

Democratic City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley and her Republican opponent Craig Caruana made nice before Monday night’s slugfest.

Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley laced into her Republican challenger as a “lackey” who talks “out of both sides of his mouth” — but Crowley is just is an excuse-making pol who doesn’t share the values of conservative Queens, the opponent retorted.

The first debate between Crowley (D-Middle Village) and Craig Caruana was a feisty affair that started with a battle over a controversial arts venue called the Knockdown Center — and didn’t let up.

Crowley said the sprawling Maspeth center would create jobs.

“My opponent opposes this,” Crowley said. “He doesn’t have the ability to think outside the box.”

But Caruana earned cheers from the crowd at Our Lady of Hope in Middle Village by returning fire that his opposition is not about jobs.

“It’s about hipsters coming in from out of the area, creating a club that doesn’t represent our values,” said the 30-year-old political newcomer.

Caruana pointed out Crowley accepted political contributions from investors in the center but she said it had no impact on her stance.

And that was just the first five minutes.

Caruana is hoping to unseat Crowley in the district which includes some of the more conservative parts of Queens – such as Middle Village, Glendale and Maspeth. The seat was held by Republicans before Crowley was elected in 2008.

Crowley has tried to focus her campaign on her experience in government.

“I’ve worked hard for my district,” said Crowley. “Once I got to City Hall I had to learn how to fight.”

But Caruana said she has failed to listen to the needs of her constituents.

Supporters from both camps screamed throughout the debate as the candidates each tried to get the last word in.

Crowley, who had her discretionary funding slashed after clashing with City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, bristled when Caruana criticized her for not delivering for the district.

“He is pandering to the voters and speaking out of both sides of his mouth,” she said. “Do you stand for reform or are you going to be the next Speaker’s lackey?”

Caruana said he would pursue participatory budgeting to get local residents involved in how to spend a portion of that money.

“It’s tough to get discretionary funding,” he said. “It’s the job and excuses don’t cut it.”

lcolangelo@nydailynews.com

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