35th City Council District

1. What is the most important issue in Council District 35 you would address if elected?

As a fundamental fix to many problems, the issue I am most concerned with is education. It has abandoned our children. Despite being second in spending, we are 30th in graduation rate. Only 58 percent of our kids are graduating. In our Latino community, it is 52 percent. Among black males, it is around 30 percent. Nearly 70 percent of black males are dropping out. This is a crisis. But there is a lot we can do. First, we need to change our psychology on this issue - more money is not the solution. Then, we need to expand charter schools, provide choice for parents, expand GED programs for adults, and establish mentoring programs that connect college and at-risk high school students. Finally, we need to engage parents and re-establish a real sense of community in the education of our children.

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

Too many of us are in financial limbo, making too little to survive and too much for support. That is why I will put aside politics and fight for affordable housing. We need to ensure every new development in our community includes affordable housing. Second, we need to implement congestion pricing and use the revenue to reduce MTA fares. We can no longer pick at the pockets of poor and working families to fund our public transit. It is not fair. We will no longer tolerate fare hikes.

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

In these critical moments, I have the experience, temperament, and vision to lead us in the right direction. I will be a strong and honest voice for change not just within government but within our communities.

(Reprinted as supplied by the candidate.)

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