42nd City Council District

1. What is the most important issue in Council District 42 you would address if elected?

Economic Development. There is no real plan for local economic development; the creation of local jobs, opportunities for entrepreneurship, and job training are all key components of my strategy. It would impact crime, provide work opportunities for all including youth, and allows residents a better quality of life.

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

Youth Development: the need for educational, recreational, and cultural opportunities for youth throughout the district. Housing: access to quality, affordable housing especially for seniors and families, and access to new home ownership in this challenging credit market. Crime: the need to continue the progress of the past few years and to keep high crime from returning to the district. Education: addressing the crisis of 50% of adults in the district with no high school diploma and providing free or low-cost college degree programs. Healthcare: the district continues to be in crisis regarding access to low-cost, quality healthcare, including stronger prevention programs. Transportation: too many residents of the district travel by both bus and train to get to work; when the MTA threatens schedule and bus-line cuts it directly impacts commute times, senior travel, and local commerce.

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

I have a strong, well-established record as a servant of the district, and a reputation as a good listener of the needs of the community. I'll partner with residents, merchants, clergy, community groups, and other elected officials to create a true strategic plan that acknowledges the interrelationships between the economy, education, crime, housing, healthcare, transportation, and the environment. I'll be the councilman that brings people together, not divides or ignores them, and I'll do it in the same positive, hopeful spirit as our new President, Barack Obama.

(Reprinted as supplied by the candidate.)

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