Incumbent Bill de Blasio
Runs for Public Advocate
By Harold Egeln
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
WINDSOR TERRACE – In a scene reminiscent of the large cast of candidates running for president two years ago, seven candidates for the 39th City Council District made their cases for their public service eligibility at a Windsor Terrace Alliance forum. All are Democrats eager to replace outgoing Democrat Councilman Bill de Blasio, running for City Public Advocate.
The forum was the first occasion that gathered all the candidates vying to represent this important district, which includes Borough Park, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Columbia Street, Kensington, Park Slope and Windsor Terrace.
After being introduced by Alliance Co-Founders Mike Brown and Lauren Elvers Collins, most candidates told the audience at Bishop Ford Catholic Central High School last Thursday evening that there was general agreement among them on many issues. But each emphasized they had become candidates via different routes in community and government experience.
“I think the same things will be said by all the candidates but with different words,” said Craig Hammerman, Community Board 6 district manager since 1993, and assistant district manager before that. “We need smaller classrooms, support for police on street beat and stimulating the local economy.”
“There is only one here who is actually doing something about these issues, that I’ve been doing as a professional city employee for 19 years. I will not need any on-the-job training,” said Hammerman, noting that Board 6 covers half of the council district.
Next was businessman John Heyer of Carroll Gardens, special assistant to Borough President Marty Markowitz. “I want more affordable housing and to create an atmosphere where people can stay in their neighborhoods. Education is also on top of my list,” said Heyer, whose wife is a teacher.
“I advocate tax education credits for parochial schools,” he said, noting two Catholic schools in Windsor Terrace that must merge to survive. “As a business owner, we’re getting hit hard with more taxes and sanitation tickets, which is inadvertent taxation.”
“We need strong public service and smarter development,” said Brad Lander, Pratt Center for Community Development director, citing results of his survey of 300 community residents.
The fiscal crisis is at top, with 84 percent wanting to save vital public services such as education and public safety, and 75 percent wanting smarter development with affordable and environmentally sustainable housing. Lander cited “real results” when he was the Fifth Avenue Committee executive director, “when over 500 units of affordable housing were created.” He also cited his work at Pratt on Windsor Terrace re-zoning and Sunset Park waterfront redevelopment.
De Blasio’s predecessor, local attorney and former Councilman Stephen DiBrienza, serving from 1986 to 2001, said his previous service does not entitle him to “special attention.” As a councilman he said he worked for “positive change.”
“We need smaller class sizes. We need to make sure we have a livable city,” he said, noting dangers of government “running roughshod on our neighborhoods.” DiBrienza, noting the many candidates, said, “I still have the passion and dedication for public service and I’m ready for it again.”
Community activist and attorney Gary Reilly, a Board 6 member who is active in Carroll Gardens and Gowanus groups, told of his top issues. “They are transportation, affordable and sustainable development, seniors staying in our communities with adequate funding for senior centers and education with regeneration from within schools.”
“We need universal application of pre-k, infrastructure investment, making sure our businesses stay here, and to keep transportation affordable,” said Reilly, who is also on the board of Independent Neighborhood Democrats.
“I’m a problem solver with the main question being: Do we have the tools to get things done? Are we saving money?” said Josh Skaller, Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats president and Democracy For NYC field director. “I am for reform and transparency in government.”
He criticized the current educational system. “There’s confusion about governance of schools and the application of the process of mayoral control.”
“I am a fighter for the average middle-class person and family,” said Bob Zuckerman, Gowanus Community Development Corporation executive director and Independent Neighborhood Democrats president. He called for tax credit assessments for retailers who own their own business and stronger public-private partnerships.
“We have a real opportunity with the economic stimulus package to create green jobs in the Gowanus corridor,” he said. On council service, Zuckerman said, “I’m in favor of making the City Council position a full time position.”
