The second time was the charm for Terry Hinds, who was elected chairman of Community Board 17 in East Flatbush during a run-off election on June 30.
Hinds snagged 25 votes to 14 for Barrington Barrett — a second-round victory that was necessary because Hinds did not secure a simple majority at the first election on June 16.
Hinds had received 17 votes to 13 for Barrett and 12 for Morgan Gabriel in the original election.
The three-way race reflected political rivalries within the board and the community. Barrett has ties to Assemblyman Nick Perry (D–East Flatbush), while Gabriel was a staunch backer of former Councilman Kendall Stewart (D–Flatbush). Alone of the three, Hinds was considered “a more independent type of guy,” said one board member, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Gabriel’s backers almost entirely shifted to Hinds for the runoff, the insider said, because they saw him “as someone who would be able to galvanize people, someone who would be more conciliatory, someone who has the ability to work well with others.”
Board member Wellington Sharpe said he looks forward to Hinds’s leadership.
“I’m very happy that Mr. Hinds, an attorney, has decided to serve the community at this level,” he said. “I think it’s a noble thing.”
Despite his loss, Barrett said he was satisfied: “I accept it. All I wanted was a fair chance.”
He said that he and Hinds had agreed before the run-off that the second-place finisher would help the winner with the tasks in front of him.
“It doesn’t change me or what I am going to do for the community,” Barrett added.
