7th City Council District

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

As your Councilmember, I will lead the fight for REAL AFFORDABLE Housing Rent control laws and affordable housing formulas should be the responsibility of the City Council-not Albany. Our small businesses will not be able to survive much longer with the current rent laws. They are the backbone of our district's economy, generating jobs and providing vital services for our inhabitants. As tough as the laws appears to be, irresponsible landlords are still getting away with way too many violations. Inspectors MUST BE required to handle complaints in a specified amount of time AND, to notify the complainants of its findings. Every building in the city should be inspected on a regular basis. It's more cost effective to be proactive than to be reactive.

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

The future always belong to the young must work - really work - to make sure that our kids get prepare for the future improving our traditional educational system, we must provide other alternatives to them. Creating vocational programs in our own neighborhood and developing partnership programs between local businesses and schools, will go a long way to accomplish just that. Too many of our kids are "fingerprinted" before they reach the age of 18. Again; it's cheaper to be proactive than to be reactive. This is doable and must be done.

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

Been there, done that. Experience. As a first generation immigrant I started at the very bottom and worked my way up. I came to NY from the Dominican Republic in 1978 and worked in a bodega, as a cab driver, janitor, then teacher, Police officer, NYPD supervisor, Sergeant's union delegate, community and tenant organizer. I know the issues first hand and, as I had done it all my life, I will fight to find solutions.

(Reprinted as supplied by the candidate.)

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