[NYtenants-online] On the Public Advocate Race - and why it matters
Tenant
tenant@tenant.net
Tue, 04 Sep 2001 10:51:30 -0400
NYtenants Online/TenantNet 9/4/01
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IN THIS ISSUE ...
1. Tough Choices
2. DiBrienza's Tenant Platform
3. Met Council Endorses Steve DiBrienza for Public Advocate
4. Biography: Stephen DiBrienza
5. How to Help Elect Steve Dibrienza as Public Advocate
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TOUGH CHOICES FOR PUBLIC ADVOCATE
While the City's focus is appropriately on who will be the successor to
Rudy Giuliani, the race for Public Advocate is heating up and is very
interesting. Mark Green has been the City's only Public Advocate, a
position created after the 1989 Charter Revision and is only vaguely
defined, so Green's successor has an opportunity to make the job something
similar or something greater than we saw from Mark Green. The PA is also
the official to take over the mayoralty if something happens to the mayor.
There are actually some good choices in this race. Three candidates stand
out: Steve DiBrienza, currently a City Council member from Brooklyn who is
losing that position due to term-limits; Scott Stringer, an Assembly Member
from the West Side of Manhattan and Norman Siegel, former Director of the
New York Civil Liberties Union. Any of these candidates would make a
credible Public Advocate.
Kathryn Freed, also a term-limited City Council member, is also running.
Freed has done some good things, but her campaign appears not to have
gathered much steam. Willie Colon is a salsa singer and offers little.
Then there is Betsy Gotbaum, former Commissioner of Parks and Recreation
under David Dinkins. Gotbaum has high name recognition and has raised the
most money, but has little in popular support -- she appears to have relied
upon hiring campaign workers rather than put together an effective
volunteer field operation. And with the Times' endorsement, you can be sure
Gotbaum would be an anti-neighborhood tool of the New York Times Real
Estate machine --- she's bought, lock, stock and barrel.
Indeed, Gotbaum's campaign is raising eyebrows as it appears she might have
paid a number of City Council candidates to "piggy-back" on the other
candidates' campaigns, paying for various costs in return for implied
endorsements. Her "coalition" press release fails to mention the attached
financial strings. After hearing this rumor, we checked the Campaign
Finance Board and indeed found some "donations" by Gotbaum to some
candidates for City Council -- one large contribution in particular that
the recipient City Council candidate failed to disclose as a contribution
on his contributor listing. This bears further investigation. In essence,
it appears Gotbaum is buying campaign machinery from other candidates.
As Director of the NYCLU, Norman Siegel has been consistent and vigilant in
protecting the civil rights of citizens, but even with high visibility and
earned respect, Siegel is seen as too much of a one-issue candidate. The
PA's job requires more -- even more than Mark Green made of it. Why, for
instance, can't the PA go after the failings of DHCR, HPD, Housing Court
and other City and State agencies that encumber tenants rights in a morass
of bureaucracy? Green never did with a real estate developer brother.
Although we understand that Siegel does have a tenant advocacy background,
it's not current and robust.
Scott Stringer, indeed, has fought for the west side tenants and
neighborhoods (where we're located). We can't fault him on that. Indeed,
Scott will remind you (many times) that he was the only downstate Democrat
to vote against the Shel Silver-Mike McKee Rent Reform Act of 1997, where
rent regulations were eviscerated. But at the same time Silver had all the
votes he needed locked up. Scott was there for the community on the Eighth
Avenue Zoning, on many Upper West Side issues and against Rudy's Stadium --
the latter being something outgoing City Councilmember Ronnie Eldridge has
failed to do. But as a member of the Assembly Housing Committee, we didn't
hear his protests against Housing Committee Chair Vito Lopez's do-nothing
policies. Stringer has strong ties to many political clubs and is not as
independent as we would like -- for example, his accepting endorsements
from the so-called Liberal Party and by the anti-community, pro-landlord,
pro-development and Giuliani-endorsing McManus Club are mind-boggling given
the ongoing destruction of the west side. Scott is basically a good person
and a credible candidate, but ...
Then there's Steve DiBrienza, probably the only loudmouth we've ever liked.
He is loud and strident, but in a good and endearing way. He's the guy who
takes on the bully who kicked sand in your face. Watching him take on Rudy,
Welfare Chief Jason Turner, Rudy's bully Jake Menges and others -- you get
the feeling this guy has a quality that should not be lost -- and certainly
independent. He stood up to Peter Vallone's bullying on the lead-paint
bill. The only thing we can fault him on is missing the vote on the
contentious Eighth Avenue Air Rights Zoning in 1998. And for some strange
reason -- we don't know why -- DiBrienza has not become (like Siegel has
become) the lightning-rod for liberal bashing.
The VILLAGE VOICE reports:
"The 11-way race for Public Advocate has attracted fewer [real estate]
industry dollars, but almost all of them have gone to former parks
commissioner Betsy Gotbaum, who has netted $22,825 from the purses of Lew
Rudin, the Litwin family, Tishman-Speyer, and Mendik. Scott Stringer, a
pro-tenant state legislator, got a measly $4650 from Litwin and
Tishman-Speyer combined, but even that amount was quadruple the pittance
given to Kathryn Freed, an outgoing City Council member who got $1000 from
Rudin. Former ACLU executive director Norm Siegel and outgoing Brooklyn
City Council member Steve DiBrienza have the honor of receiving zero
dollars from real estate's heavy hitters."
All three, Siegel, Stringer and DiBrienza have good tenant credentials.
It's a tough choice and one we've agonized over. At TenantNet, we feel the
real failure of rent regulation has been the failure to enforce the laws on
the books. Who is most independent and who would, we hope, have the balls
to take on DHCR? Who would be a foil for the next mayor if necessary? We
give that nod to DiBrienza.
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DIBRIENZA'S TENANT PLATFORM
from http://www.dibrienza2001.com
GIVING TENANTS A VOICE
Steve DiBrienza co-sponsored legislation that would allow more tenants to
sit on the government board that implements our rent laws. As Public
Advocate, DiBrienza will invite tenants from all five boroughs to join his
task force on affordable housing.
Steve DiBrienza has fought to take control of our rent laws away from
upstate politicians in Albany and give that power to our elected
representatives here. As Public Advocate, he will continue to demand the
right of city residents to determine what's best for tenants.
PROTECTING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Steve DiBrienza stood up to his party's leadership to vote against a lead
paint law -- ultimately thrown out in court -- that would have weakened
protections for our children.
FIGHTING FOR SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Steve DiBrienza has urged the city to enroll more seniors in its rent
increase exemption program, and to replicate a federal program that
provides affordable housing for seniors.
Steve DiBrienza has urged the governor to create a rent increase exemption
for people with disabilities on fixed incomes.
INVESTING IN SENSIBLE HOUSING SOLUTIONS
Steve DiBrienza supports offering tax incentives to developers who promise
to build affordable housing in all five boroughs, not just luxury
apartments in Manhattan, as part of a $10 billion plan to build 100,000
units of affordable housing over 10 years.
Steve DiBrienza added $3.2 million to the city's rental assistance program
to move homeless adults and families from shelters to self-sufficiency,
saving taxpayers money.
Steve DiBrienza fought to add 250 inspectors to enforce the city's housing
code, investigate every safety violation and allow the city to collect
hundreds of millions of dollars in fines, which could then be used to
subsidize affordable housing.
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MET COUNCIL ENDORSES STEVE DIBRIENZA FOR PUBLIC ADVOCATE
Met Council enthusiastically endorses Stephen DiBrienza for New York City
Public Advocate. DiBrienza, head of the City Council's general welfare
committee, has earned tenant support by speaking out forcefully and
frequently on a wide range of issues of critical importance in the fight to
preserve and expand affordable housing. He has opposed the Rent Guidelines
Board's poor tax; called for a rent freeze; demanded the repeal of the
Rockefeller "Urstadt" law that deprives New York City of home rule over
rent regulation; and called for the repeal of $2,000 vacancy decontrol and
high-income decontrol, the wedges created by pro-landlord politicians like
George Pataki, Joe Bruno and Peter Vallone to undermine rent and eviction
protections.
As chair of the Council's welfare committee, DiBrienza has also led the
resistance to the cruel policies of Mayor Giuliani and Human Resources
Administration Commissioner Jason Turner to throw hundreds of thousands of
needy families off the welfare rolls. Time and again, using the Council's
rarely invoked subpoena power, DiBrienza has forced Turner and his aides to
admit the hollowness of Giuliani administration claims, for example that
those denied public assistance have found jobs that brought them out of
poverty.
DiBrienza has also worked to creating meaningful, well-paying jobs for
low-income New Yorkers, and to expand the "living wage" law for those doing
business with the city. As public advocate, Steve DiBrienza can continue
his strong advocacy for low, moderate and middle-income tenants in New York
City, improved public education, and a government that is on the side of
working families. Tenants are encouraged to volunteer for Steve DiBrienza's
campaign by calling (212) 964-8260.
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BIOGRAPHY: STEPHEN DIBRIENZA
As a lifelong resident of Brooklyn who has served on the City Council for
nearly 16 years, Stephen DiBrienza has always stood up to powerful special
interests, whether they are banks, powerful politicians, or bureaucrats.
Steve first got involved in public service more than 20 years ago when
banks were refusing to loan to residents and businesses in his community.
He worked to form a coalition that won crucial investments in housing and
commercial revitalization, and then decided to take on the district's
representative to the City Council in response to the political
establishment's failure to assist these local self-help efforts.
Since being elected to the Council, Steve DiBrienza has been a leader on
the issues that concern all New Yorkers. Steve has stood up for public
education not just as an elected official, but as the parent of two
students in the city's public school system winning additional funding for
important citywide and local initiatives, including the funding needed to
put a computer center in every school in his district. Steve has also been
successful in passing pivotal, landmark legislation at the City Council,
such as laws to protect victims of domestic violence in the workplace, and
to create the Transitional Jobs Program. Steve DiBrienza was also the
author of important legislation that made the Department of Homeless
Services a permanent agency, and included hard-won provisions to protect
communities and to address the longstanding outrage of forcing families and
children seeking emergency shelter to sleep on the floor of the
vermin-infested EAU in the Bronx.
And, Steve has fought to win improvements in essential neighborhood
services that make a difference in our local quality of life, such as
libraries, parks and playgrounds, senior programs and cultural activities.
This also includes his successful efforts to preserve outdoor space and
protect the environment, and fighting for more sensible transportation
policies that reduce truck traffic on local streets in each of the five
boroughs.
As a member of the Council, Steve has been an aggressive advocate for
neighborhoods around the city, fighting for affordable housing and sensible
neighborhood development. His four terms of experience at the City Council
make him uniquely qualified to be an effective Public Advocate, where he
will be able to continue his work on the toughest issues that face us, such
as expanding access to affordable, quality health care, increasing the
availability of licensed, regulated day care, and promoting local economic
development, while also continuing to stand with communities around the
five boroughs when powerful special interests need to be taken on.
Education: J.D., Fordham University School of Law; B.A., Pace University
Constituency/Committee Positions:
DiBrienza was first elected to the City Council in 1985. He currently
represents Brooklyn's 39th District, which includes Park Slope, where he
was born and raised, Kensington, where he and his family now live, as well
as Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, the Columbia Street Waterfront, Windsor
Terrace, Albemarle, Dahill, and parts of Boro Park, Sunset Park, and Bay Ridge.
Current: Chair, General Welfare Committee; Member, Economic Development
Committee, Higher Education Committee, and State/Federal Legislation
Committee. Previous: Chair, Contracts Committee; Chair, Land Use
Subcommittee on Landmarks, Public Siting and Maritime Uses; Chair, Council
Panel on Waterfront Development.
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HOW TO HELP ELECT STEVE DIBRIENZA AS PUBLIC ADVOCATE
from the DiBrienza Campaign
If you have any time in the next time in the next week, we can keep you
busy. Just call 212-964-8260 or come by our office at any time. (64 Fulton
St, 3rd Floor)
Below are some examples:
NEIGHBORHOOD WALKS
The last weekend of the campaign we will be canvassing neighborhoods
throughout the city to get Steve's message out. Please email back if you
are available September 8th or 9th to walk neighborhoods around the city as
a last push. We will be making teams of people and walk lists.
DEAR NEIGHBOR LETTERS AND LITERATURE DROPS
Do you live in a big building, or building complex? Can you drop literature
under the doors of your building or write a letter to all your friends
reminding him/her to vote for Steve? Please call the office to pick up
literature and get a sample "Dear Neighbor" letter.
PHONE BANKS
Phone banks begin September 4th for 1 week in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
Please call Bianca at 212-964-8260 to sign up.
SUBWAYS
We have a list of targeted Subways, please email us or call us and let us
know if you can take over a subway stop for the last week of the
campaign. We will connect you with other volunteers.
ENDORSEMENTS
UAW (United Auto Workers) representing the city's Legal Aid Attorneys,
Graduate Student Employees, etc. represting 11,000 employees endorsed
Steve's campaign last week.
LAST DEBATE
Last Campaign Finance Mandated Debate will be next Thursday, September 8th
at 7pm at St. Francis College on Remsen between Court and Clinton in
Brooklyn. If you are interested in attending, please let us know or call
St. Francis college to secure tickets.
GET OUR THE VOTE - ELECTION DAY OPERATION
Can you take all or part of election day off? Call Bianca or Amy at
212-964-8260.
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The Tenant Network(tm) for Residential Tenants
TenantNet(tm): http://tenant.net
email: tenant@tenant.net
Information from TenantNet is from experienced non-attorney tenant
activists and is not considered legal advice.