1. What is the most important issue in Council District 7 you would address if elected?

In 2001’s voter guide, I stated that I would work to “Eliminate the preposterous MTA practice of skipping YOUR stop on the 1/9 train ONLY above 137th Street.” Of ten candidates running no one else seem to care or even acknowledge this as an issue affecting our district. As of June of this year, the MTA finally stopped this practice. As your representative I would be a strong advocate for improving transportation to keep up with our economically expanding neighborhood.

2. What other important issues would you address if elected?

As a reporter for Rent Wars, I have seen the human face of our housing crisis. I know people who struggle paycheck to paycheck to just to pay the rent and survive as I did many years ago. New housing development is improving our housing stock while pricing out long term residents. I believe that city and state government must actively build affordable long term housing in addition to the private housing development that is ongoing. I would work to stop the use of traffic tickets, fees, fines as a means of revenue while redirecting police to focus on dangerous crimes rather than revenue enhancement.

3. What makes you the best candidate for this office?

We need someone who will stand by our community: I was raised by a single mother on welfare, lived in a foster home, attended our public schools, graduated from Harvard Law School, and returned to my community. Today I teach college students at John Jay College, defend our cab drivers, our tenants, our immigrants, and our senior citizens. We need someone who can effectively fight for all of us.

(Reprinted as supplied by the candidate.)

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