Note: A third candidate, Anthony Alexis, declined repeated requests to participate in this valuable survey. Guillermo E. Philpotts did not provide a picture.
Why should voters choose you?
Eric Adams
1. My combination of academic achievement and professional achievement offers voters the opportunity to support a candidate who has firsthand knowledge of the negative impact of failed legislative policies.
2. My active involvement with community issues throughout my career has enabled me to establish strong relationships with the various groups that compose this diverse district.
3. As the co-founder of 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care, I was responsible for identifying programs that would improve the quality of life for New York families. We created workshops and forums that empowered everyday New Yorkers on such issues as domestic violence, predatory lending, child abuse, and conflict resolution.
4. New Yorkers have learned that I will raise my voice to support integrity and reform. As a police officer, I aggressively assisted in reforming the NYPD, an agency that I loved and devoted over 20 years to. Just as New Yorkers want good cops to not hide behind the “blue wall of silence,” voters also want good elected officials to stand up and fight against corruption in Albany.
Guillermo E. Philpotts
1. I am the best-qualified candidate in this race. I ran for this position before.
2. I am an activist and I address issues of this community at hand.
3. I use the political process to help my communities. Contacting agencies, city and state officials.
4. I try to resolve problems not sweep them under the carpet. Work thru them on a step-by-step basis.
Offer two or more reasons why your opponent is unqualified
— or significantly less qualified than you.
Adams
I will not engage in negative campaigning of any kind. Voters are intelligent and capable of examining my record and my opponents’ records.
Philpotts
1. A former police officer can only enforce the law. He can’t make it.
2. Aides to legislator only follow instructions as given; they do not make laws or speak out for themselves.
What are the three most important issues facing your district — and what is your plan to address them?
Adams
1. Education. I will introduce legislation that will mandate New York City receives its fare share of educational funding. I will introduce legislation to make it a felony to misappropriate funds from the Department of Education.
2. Affordable housing. Much of the new development does not address the housing needs of low- or moderate-income residents. I will insist that any new government-subsidized development have an affordable-housing component attached to it.
3. Health care. The state must be creative and think outside the box to address the overall health care crisis. Too many residents are using hospital emergency rooms as their primary health care. This must stop. I will open more venues for early screening and detection methods and neighborhood health fairs. I will also promote a state-sponsored prescription drug program.
Philpotts
1. Affordable housing
2. Economic development
3. Affordable health care
SPECIFIC ISSUE ROUND
Atlantic Yards?
Adams
I am opposed to the project as it is currently proposed. If the project were to proceed, I would insist that [many] concerns be addressed. Although Sunset Park, Bedford Stuyvesant, Borough Park, and Windsor Terrace may not stand in the direct shadows of Atlantic Yards, they will be impacted. The recent hearings did not afford residents ample opportunity to truly voice their positions on the project.
Philpotts
Many neighbors and friends are opposed to eminent domain being used against them.
The Empire State Development Corporation’s Brooklyn Bridge Park waterfront development?
Adams
All residents of Brooklyn will benefit from the development of the waterfront, but we must carefully examine how we carry out this process. I am especially uncomfortable with private hotels and condos being built on public park space. I am against any towering structures within the project that will block existing views from the Promenade.
Philpotts
Brooklyn needs more of its waterfront developed to assist our communities and borough.
Tolls on the East River crossings?
Adams
I am adamantly opposed.
Philpotts
No.
Bonus: What TV show do you TiVO so you are sure to never miss it?
Adams
All History Channel programs that deal with early American political history.
Philpotts
Candidate did not answer.
