A Pay Cut for Public Office?
Recently Roll Call (subscription required) reported that Green has been eyeing a challenge to embattled congressman Ed Towns, fearing a loss to Jeffries who mounted a great deal of support against him in past elections. Although Jeffries has not announced his plans, he did confirm that he has raised close to $60,000 for a run, to "make sure we are in the strongest possible position."
On the stadium proposal, Jeffries told the Politicker, "It's going to be incumbent upon the people who really care about the community as I do, to figure out how we can find a principled resolution, a principled compromise that recognizes that there are legitimate arguments being made on both sides of the equation."
Jeffries confirmed that he will work with people on both sides of this issue, and admires the recent actions of Letitia James on behalf of activists.
"There is a problem with the scale and size of the development that's being proposed and the strain that it is going to create on social service delivery in the community," he continued. "There are issues with eminent domain that I think are not just being discussed locally but there's a national debate as to how eminent domain should be used when it's questionable how much public benefit will inure. When a private developer is behind the use of eminent domain there are concerns there that I have. I think there are also concerns that I have in terms of the strength of the community benefits agreement."
When asked about the possible pay cut, he responded, "public service is ultimately what drives me. "
—Nicole Brydson
Sounds like yet another fence sitter to me. Show some cojones and take a stand!
Sounds like a reasonable person that isn't looking to grandstand to me. Someone that wants the best for the community, and understands that the best resolution to this might involve compromise for both sides.
Sounds like a reasonable person that isn't looking to grandstand to me. Someone that wants the best for the community, and understands that the best resolution to this might involve compromise for both sides.
Get off the fence. If you don't stand for something ... you're gonna be like all the rest and nothing will ever change.
He's taking a stand, but not with either side. Its a position of responsibility, and he should have his chance to articulate what he means by it. Aside from that though, this could become a really tough race for Tish James.
At least Tish took a stand, as did Velmanette and Owens. Hell, even Roger took a stand, what is Hakeem afraid of? That's the problem with these slick, corporate, "I'll be the savior of my community" types, they are always wheelin' and dealin' behind the scenes and the community still gets screwed.
He is taking a stand, just not one in line with either the pro or anti groups. It doesn't take a sage to see that this might be the most principled position. He obviously won't satisfy either orthodoxy, let's see how he handles himself.
To Anon 5:21/5:51. It's clear you are a Democrat.
It's true, I am. Proud of it too.
Anonymous, you sound a lot like Chris Owens, who has spent a great deal of time attacking young insurgent candidates like James Davis, Pete Williams, Errol Louis and Hakeem Jeffries over the years.
When did Hakeem ever say, “I will be the savior of my community?
Don't think Chris Owens - whatever his strengths and faults - would be as wishy-washy no-balls full-of-BS Hillary-Lieberman-DLC-take-no-stand Virginia-Fields-clone reason-why-Dems-keep-losing-elections as Democrat Anon 5:59.
I respect anyone willing to run against a sitting state legislator or Congressperson who is not insane, a criminal, or backed by the special interests that run things because someone there (for once) took a stand.
This guy qualifies, and I wish him well.
another bought in the pocket man for Ratner & Co.
If this item is suggesting that Ratner opponents might rally around Hakeem Jeffries, I suggest you talk with these folks. They are not interested in a compromise with Ratner; they want to kill his project. No way will they campaign for Jeffries. The only question is whether they'll run their own candidate. They tried to last time with Susan Metz, but she botched her petitions.
Like most of the sane posts here, I find it refreshing that there might be a community leader out there who can bridge the gap between the unappetizing slickness of Forest City and the unacceptable militancy of Ratner opponents.
I might also ask which leader an earlier post compares Jeffries to when it says he's of a type "wheelin' and dealin' behind the scenes" who then allow the community to "get screwed"? The elected officials that come to mind that fit that description are the convicted criminals Jeffries has opposed in public life: Clarence Norman and Roger Green.
Given the recent sordid Central Brooklyn history, that someone from Jeffries' generation still finds appeal in public service is miraculous. To reject his candidacy out-of-hand with nasty posts seems worse than cynical; it's depressing.
Is Hakkem Jeffires Davis Yassky on a melanin overdose?
Actually, his position, like Yassky's, makes a lot of sense, but it won't energize Yards opponents on his behalf.
Since the proponents will support Green (not to mention James, who will never let an issue divert her from her real agenda)that doesn't leave much else does it?
Hey, is ANY minority younger person [i.e. Gen Xer] who is taken seriously by this crowd NOT related to somebody? I am not from Brooklyn [not even originally a NYer], and am not a Dem, so I feel free to say this.
Serrano, Boyland, Owens, Towns, etc. - it seems to me on the Dem side of the aisle if you don't have one of the preordained last names there is no need to consider running. You will be vilified, told to wait your turn and that you have nothing to offer. This is as far as we have come in the new millennium? Very, very sad state of affairs. Especially interesting since I see white younger people getting elected who are not related to anyone, at least in Manhattan - a number of newer assemblymembers and councilmembers are out there from the past few cycles.
I'm sure Jose Serrano is a nice guy, but what were his qualifications to become a State Senator at age 32 other than the fact that he WASN'T Olga and his father's last name? Yes, I can say this because he is actually my State Senator. I know nothing about him as a legislator and have never seen a notice for a town hall, nothing - at least not for my part of his district. I can't remember the last time I got a mailing of any kind from him. And I am VERY involved in politics and government...
Dynastic succession should not be a dsired way for the minority community to obtain political power, but on the Democratic side, as evidenced by the evisceration of Hakim Jeffries and Kevin Powell in recent posts, it most certainly is...
(This is as far as we have come in the new millennium? Very, very sad state of affairs.)
Sure is, and not just on moral grounds for those of us not Afro-Americans. As a result of the civil rights revolution, they can't just screw Afro-Americans directly, they have to screw the places they are from.
Other people live there too. So other people are also "represented" by those who are just looking to get paid themselves, or who have burned out any idealism they might have had.
Pachyderm:
1) In the town of Vallone jr., the Weprins, Lentol, Helen Weinstein, Stringer, Addabbo, Stavisky, Cymbrowitz, the Garsons clan, the Duane brothers, the Hevesi clan, the Crowleys, the Molinaris, the Fossellas, the Seminarios, etc, your comments seem misguided and unfair.
And, anyone trying to boost Hakin Jeffries' credibilty should probably not begin the conversation by talking about people's relatives.
(In the town of Vallone jr., the Weprins, Lentol, Helen Weinstein, Stringer, Addabbo, Stavisky, Cymbrowitz, the Garsons clan, the Duane brothers, the Hevesi clan, the Crowleys, the Molinaris, the Fossellas, the Seminarios, etc, your comments seem misguided and unfair.)
Actually, they seem all too fair, except that as mentioned it isn't only Afro-Americans who suffer from this disease. We are one city, and they are one oligarchy.
8:23 - My post was not misguided. I never said nepostism wasn't happening in the mainstream community. I am fully aware of the Vallones, Molinaris, etc. The focus of the post was on what is, or rather IS NOT, happening in the minority community regarding electoral representation. The original post was about Hakeem, hence the focus on those communities.
I also don't understand how my post is unfair, since dynastic succession is wrong in ANY community - just because also white people do it doesn't make it right. We wonder why better candidates do not step forward and run for office. The current situation is Exhibit A.
And another question: Roger Green is credible?
Anyone see comparisons between comments made about Jeffries above (Corporate shill, DLC slickster, etc.) and the attacks levelled against Corey Booker in the Newark Mayor's race?
I do not think anything I've said could be percieved as implying that Roger Green was credible. He's a criminal. I did say that Green's stance on Atlantic Yards would be more helpful with voters than Jeffries' stance, although I think Jeffries' stance is the better one.
Jeffries is clearly a credible candidate (although in the past, it was he who pulled the "Sharpe James" by finding a slimy way to bring out Green's religious affiliation; actually, on issues Islamic, Green has been a much needed voice of sanity). Has Jeffries moved into the district yet? If not, he can't run.
And Pachyderm, your insinuation was that primogeniture and nepotism were a peculiarly black problem; they are not; they are a New York problem.
Of course I acknowledge that it is a New York problem. I did not mean to imply that it is a peculiarly black problem - you inferred that. I am pointing it out specifically for black folks because I feel it is a much more insidious problem in our community. I feel this is holding us back a lot more than it is holding back Gen X white people who wish to run. Who under the age of 45 AND NOT RELATED TO ANOTHER ELECTED has won elected office in Harlem in the past 8 years? I can name four white people not very far away from that district who were able to do so with the support of other electeds and the party establishment. That seems next to impossible in large swaths of the black community.
THAT was my point.
gatemouth, i agree with all that you are saying, but i have that NY1 episode on tape of which you speak. jeffries didn't "bring out" anything negative about green's religious affiliation. i just watched it again. all hakeem said was that he (jeffries) was baptist and green was muslim. that's it. then green got up and stormed out. so it was green who used his faith as a weapon. jeffries was just making a point about their differences (he also talked about their difference in age).
and let's put this in perspective. this was august 2000. unless hakeem is clarivoyant and knew that osama bin laden would bring down the towers, there was no attempt to "slim" green.
a recent column by erik engquist said that hakeem does live in the district now. i don't know where but he moved in recently. he must really want the job because green gerrymandered him out of the district by one block and he has packed up his family and moved back in.
i wish we had more people like him that want to serve the public and not just be a career politicians. so i support him. i hope he runs.
Some dynasties are actually very good - though some may not be. All three Weprins and Hevesis are oustanding, as are both Vallones and both Serranos.
Pride: The innocuous way in which Jeffries made his point was what made it especially insidious. He said
"it doesn't matter that I'm a Baptist and he's a Muslim". Nice. But why bring it up, except to bring it out? If last fall Pat Russo said "it doesn't matter that I'm a married father of three (or however many) and he's a homosexual", no one would have been fooled into thinking that his comment was innocent.
Green is a criminal, but Jeffries has yet to convincingly refute the argument that he was trying to bring Green private religious beliefs out into the public for his own advantage.The fact that Jeffries did it cleverly only contributes evidence to the case that he is a slickster.
(Some dynasties are actually very good - though some may not be. All three Weprins and Hevesis are oustanding, as are both Vallones and both Serranos.)
Are you looking for a job in Quinn's office?
5:29 - Serrano, East Harlem State Senator, is outstanding?? What, pray tell, are you basing that on? Do you live in his district? Am I missing something here? I live in a block that is gerrymandered out of the 26th [Roy Goodman's old district] and is part of the 28th, and I constantly wish I lived in the 26th because my part of the 28th has been routinely ignored the entire 16 years I have lived here. That is a fact.
So, to say that Serrano is excellent, when there has NEVER been any dialogue with the wealthiest and one of the most densely populated areas of his district is totally inaccurate. Sorry.
And Olga Mendez doesn't get off the hook either, because it was the same back then. I had personal situations where she really didn't feel the need to deal with this part of the district at all. She realized way too late that she alienated the very people who could have kept her from getting crushed the last time she ran.
As I said in my earlier post, I'm sure Serrano is a decent fellow, but he is not a stellar legislator. It doesn't just matter what he does in Albany - if he's not talking to the people in his district, IMO is not a good State Senator.
I live in central brooklyn. Hakeem mentioning that green is muslim isn't a bad thing. Bedford avenue, in the heart of the 57th is all muslim; nobody cares that someone is muslim in the black community. I don't think that hakeem eas being malicious when he said that. If anything, people probably think he is muslim - his name is hakeem after all and he grew up by the muslim community in central brooklyn. But as I said before, that was 2000 and his first public appearance as a candidate. I don't think he is a slickster...maybe a little crazy for wanting to go to albany...but not a slickster. But you're right about green.