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January 25, 2008
De Blasio, Yassky Replacements Start to Campaign
This morning the Brooklyn Paper has stories about the candidates who are looking to replace Councilmember Bill de Blasio (our next Borough President?) and Councilmember David Yassky (our next Comptroller?). Five hopefuls have already announced their intentions to vie for de Blasio's seat in the 39th District (which includes Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Columbia Street, some of Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington, and Boro Park), while only three candidates (so far) have said they're running to replace Yassky as the Council rep for the 33rd District (which covers Brooklyn Heights, Greenpoint; parts of Williamsburg, some of Park Slope, and Boerum Hill). Here's a rundown of the candidates' bona fides and platforms:
39th District
Craig Hammerman: CB6 district manager; says he's pushing for “affordability, sustainability and livability.”
Brad Lander: Director of the Pratt Center for Community Development; focusing on affordable housing and urban planning.
Gary Reilly: Lawyer, member of CGNA, writes nabe blog; wants to focus on improving mass transit.
Josh Skaller: IT director, Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats president; chief priority would be education.
Bob Zuckerman: Executive director of the Gowanus Canal Community Development Corporation, CB6 member; pushing government reform.
33rd District:
Steve Levin: Chief of staff to Assemblyman Vito Lopez; focused on affordable housing.
Jo Anne Simon: Democratic District Leader; broad platform includes education and land use.
Evan Thies: Nonprofit adviser, CB1 member; taking on district growth.
Let the races begin.
A Five-For-All to replace DeBlasio [Brooklyn Paper]
Three-Way for Yassky’s Seat in Heights, W’burg [Brooklyn Paper]
Q&A: Brad Lander On His Run for City Council [Brownstoner]
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Comments
In a borough as diverse as Brooklyn, the glaring whiteness of these candidates is disappointing. And only one woman in the bunch is pretty sad, too.
Posted by: curiositykilledthecat at January 25, 2008 9:54 AM
In a borough as diverse as Brooklyn, the district lines are drawn in a glaringly gerrymandered manner, resulting in the segregation of 'white' districts and 'black' districts. How else can you describe Yassky's district - through no fault of his own - magically jumping from brooklyn Heights to Williamsburg, skipping all of Fort Greene and Clinton Hill along the way?
Posted by: guest at January 25, 2008 10:08 AM
Based on name alone we have to go with the Hammerman
Posted by: guest at January 25, 2008 10:08 AM
To Curiousity Killed the Cat:
Bob Zuckerman is an openly gay candidate. That's diversity, isn't it?
Posted by: guest at January 25, 2008 10:24 AM
Historically minorioties vote in much smaller numbers than whites. Call it whatever you want, but minorities are not going to run if they dont even show up at the polls.
Posted by: guest at January 25, 2008 10:26 AM
10:08, racial "gerrymandering" is intended to empower non-whites by facilitating the election of representatives-of-color. Just wait for the first white person to run for the 35th (Mary Pinkett's old) council district. That will be a very interesting race ... er, pun not intended.
Posted by: guest at January 25, 2008 10:39 AM
It should be noted that Thies is Yassky's former chief of staff.
Posted by: guest at January 25, 2008 10:57 AM
Bill de Blah Blah as our borough president? No way... I'd pay money (in fact, will pay money) not to see that happen.
He is the worst kind of a pol - and a really, really bad neighbor. His house brings down property value of the entire block.
Posted by: guest at January 25, 2008 11:34 AM
He lowers the tone 11:34?
Posted by: guest at January 25, 2008 11:45 AM
Yeah...lots of profound diversity here...
Posted by: guest at January 25, 2008 11:57 AM
Yeah...lots of profound diversity in the candidate choices. Wow...
Posted by: guest at January 25, 2008 11:58 AM
Craig Hammerman is the only candidate with facial hair OR glasses.
Posted by: guest at January 25, 2008 12:33 PM
Diversity is more than skin tone; at least half of the candidates are Jewish.
Posted by: guest at January 25, 2008 12:50 PM
I'd vote for Levin. He's cute. :)
Posted by: guest at January 25, 2008 1:18 PM
Any R's running in these races?
Posted by: guest at January 25, 2008 2:02 PM
R's dont typically run in these races because it would be an absolute wate of time and money - hows that for diversity?
Posted by: guest at January 25, 2008 10:16 PM
Well, sometimes R's run, but often someone needs to be talked into it. Even if someone volunteers to be the R candidate, they very rarely face opposition in the primary, so they don't need to be out there as early as the guys and gal above.
Posted by: guest at January 26, 2008 11:49 AM
Historically speaking, a Conservative has a better chance of being elected in Brooklyn than a Republican. Anyone who has read Bill Buckley's "The Unmaking of a Mayor" will know what I mean.
Posted by: guest at January 26, 2008 6:00 PM
Can we go outside the monastery for candidates? A nice cabal of limousine liberals to complement the mediocrities the meddling ministers will give us in neighboring constituencies!
Posted by: guest at January 26, 2008 6:03 PM
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