Karen Koslowitz
| Karen Koslowitz | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Koslowitz in 2011. | |
| Member of the New York City Council from the 29th District | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Melinda Katz |
| Constituency | Forest Hills, Rego Park, Kew Gardens, Richmond Hill and Elmhurst |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Bronx, New York |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Website | NYC Council: District 29 |
Karen Koslowitz is a Democratic New York City Councilwoman representing the 29th District of Queens, which includes Forest Hills, Rego Park, Kew Gardens and parts of Maspeth, Richmond Hill and Elmhurst.
From 2002 to 2009, she served as Deputy Borough President in the administration of Queens Borough President Helen Marshall. As Deputy she presided over a county of 2.2 million people in the most diverse area of the United States. Among her main responsibilities were to oversee Constituent Services and the borough’s 14 Community Boards.
Biography
Koslowitz began her career in the private sector at Fischbach and Moore, Inc., electrical contractors. She entered public service as a Legislative Aide for Congressman Gary Ackerman (D-NY), and subsequently for Council member Arthur Katzman. She then became the full-time Special Assistant and Queens Ombudsman to City Council President Andrew Stein.
She was elected to the New York City Council, serving the 29th Councilmanic District in Queens. The district includes Forest Hills, Rego Park, Maspeth, Kew Gardens, and Richmond Hill. She held this position starting in 1991 when she succeeded Arthur Katzman in a special election.
Koslowitz sat on the Aging, Civil Service & Labor and General Welfare committees of the New York City Council. She was Chair of the Committee on Consumer Affairs. She pursued the closure of an all-nude club in a residential area, and she introduced legislation to ensure that this type of club may not open in similar neighborhoods. She successfully opposed a sludge plant opening in Maspeth. [citation needed]
In 2001, Koslowitz stepped down because of term limits, remaining in government as an appointed Deputy Borough President for Queens. She returned to the City Council in 2009, winning in a five-person Democratic Primary with the backing of the local Democratic Party leadership. She was reelected in 2013 with 91 percent of the vote, defeating an independent candidate.
Personal life
Koslowitz's parents immigrated from Krakow, Poland, settling in the Soundview section of The Bronx. She was raised in the Bronx, where she attended James Monroe High School. She has two daughters, Heidi and Marcia.
External links
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Arthur Katzman |
New York City Council, 29th District 1991–2001 |
Succeeded by Melinda Katz |
| Preceded by Melinda Katz |
New York City Council, District 29th District 2010–present |
Incumbent |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
