Council picks: Brooklyn
First, a moment of silence for Brooklyn voters’ stolen chance to pick a new City Council member to replace the departing David Greenfield in the 44th District. Greenfield handed the Democratic line to Kalman Yeger, short-circuiting the democratic process. Now: On to Daily News endorsements in Council races that look to be serious contests in the Sept. 12 primaries, for two open seats and two incumbents facing hot challenges. n the 41st District, covering parts of Brownsville, Bed-Stuy and East Flatbush, the race comes down to two standouts. Attorney Alicka Ampry-Samuel has shown commitment to public service in her neighborhood, but she lacks sufficient focus on pragmatic solutions. The Daily News throws its support behind Henry Butler, a former subway conductor and union activist who surfaced to become district manager of Community Board 3.
Butler has experience in land use and budgeting, independent ideas on advancing economic opportunity and an excellent intuitive understanding of working-class economic concerns. oters in District 43 (Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights) have primaries in both parties. Democrats have an easy choice in Justin Brannan. A former Council staffer, Brannan more recently
IVhandled government relations to boost Mayor de Blasio’s pre-K initiative. He shows clear willingness to push back on problems such as upwardspiraling property taxes and has a strong grasp on the issues and district. Republicans should go with Bob Capano, who combines real-world experience in the public and private sectors with a proven ability to work across party lines. n Sunset Park and Red Hook, incumbent Carlos Menchaca has well earned the second term he now seeks, through strong advocacy on immigration and on transit improvements. Bonus: He renounced the extra pay ladled on Council committee chairs to cement loyalty to leadership, known as a lulu. Assemblyman Felix Ortiz should stay in Albany, where he’s proven his power to get good laws through. wo words explain the nastiness of the contest in Crown Heights: Ede Fox. The City Council staffer, defeated in her previous try, has weaponized pockets of furor over development of a former armory into cause to remove the incumbent who for a time supported its conversion into apartments and a recreation center. Thus bullying that incumbent, Laurie Cumbo, into threats to block the Bedford Union Armory project, a stain on an otherwise strong record of service to Council and community. Vote for her.
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