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Learn more about this district in Searchlight 2002
General
Election Results
x-James Sanders, Dem 16,290 - 86 percent
Everly D. Brown, Rep 1,926 - 10 percent
Rosalind S. O'Neal, Ind 447 - 2 percent
Edward J. Lewis, Lib 218 - 1 percent
Francisco A. Pena, Gre 149 - 1 percent
Primary
Election Results
James Sanders 4,172
James Blake 2,309
Amanda L. Clarke 2,040
Charlotte R. Jefferson 1,916
Henrietta Fullard 1,644
Edward J. Lewis 1,310
Carol B. Howell 779
David R. Hooks 669
(Official Vote Count from the Board of Elections)
Incumbent: Juanita E. Watkins (can't
run in 2001)
The Candidates:
Contributors to these candidates, according to the Campaign
Finance Board:
Contributors
to James Blake
Contributors
to Everly Brown
Amanda Clarke has not filed.
Contributors
to Henrietta Fullard
Contributors
to Carol Howell
Contributors
to Charlotte Jefferson
Contributors
to Edward Lewis
Rosalind O'Neal has not filed
Francisco A. Pena has not filed.
James Sanders has not filed.
City's
Official Primary Election Voter Guide for Residents of District
31
Campaign
Tangle:
Four candidates have been knocked off the Democratic line and
seven remain. Rosalind O'Neal, Renaldo Clarke, Carol Howell, and
Sikiru Fadairo were knocked off the Democratic ballot, according
to the Board of Elections. Howell and Fadairo said they may appeal
the decision. Rosalind O'Neal was knocked off the Democratic line,
but will still appear in the general election in November as an
Independence party candidate. For details, see the Campaign Update.
Posted 8/15/01
Campaign
Feature:
[Campaign
Update]
A River Runs Through It
When a heavy rain hits southeast Queens, many residents in neighborhoods
like Springfield Gardens, Laurelton and Rosedale head to the basement
with a bucket in hand. And it has been that way for the last 50
years.
In the rush to build housing in the area after World War II,
developers overlooked the need for storm drains in hopes that
the city would eventually build a city-wide sewer system. The
plan never materialized and the area has experienced "100-year
rains" three times in the last decade. In the winter of 1999 the
flooding was so severe, fire officials in scuba gear had to rescue
people from their basements, sandbags were used on the coastline
and electricity, gas and telephone service for thousands of residents
were cut off.
"It's almost like a little third-world country under siege,"
said current Councilmember Juanita Watkins of the 1999 flooding
problems. "You think, how is it possible that this is happening
here in New York City."
There have been some recent improvements. Construction of massive
drainage tunnels that link Springfield Gardens to the Jamaica
Bay has been ongoing since 1992 and has alleviated some problems.
But the threat of backed up storm drains, flooded houses and overflowing
creeks mean candidates for City Council in district 31 must put
sewers at the top of their list of concerns.
A pastor, two college professors, a developer, a former parks
department employee, and two teachers⤲all with little experience
overseeing massive infrastructure projects--will try to convince
voters that he or she can finally solve the flooding problems.
"It should have been dealt with a long time ago," said Edward
Lewis, former assistant parks commissioner of Queens. "I can't
figure out why it was ignored for so long. At one point it was
because the city did not have enough money, but that was a long
time ago."
District 31 is largely comprised of African-American, middle
class neighborhoods of Springfield Gardens, Laurelton, and Rosedale
and the residents have one of the highest median incomes in the
borough. But that does not mean the problems are different from
less affluent areas of the city.
Like nearly every district, education is also a major concern.
Only 38 percent of the students score at or above the national
average in reading. In March, hundreds of parents camped out in
front of P.S. 251 hoping to enroll their children in that coveted
school.
"We are some of the richest black people in the world," said
Rosalind O'Neal. "But you would not necessarily know that when
you look at our education system."
O'Neal, an educator and delegate for the United Federation of
Teachers, said if elected she would monitor how money is spent
in the education system, improve school safety by bringing security
back under the Board of Education instead of the police department,
and initiate literacy programs for new immigrants.
James Sanders, vice president of school board 27, favors partnerships
between private business and local schools. "The Home Depot opening
in the district could help outfit our classrooms with supplies,"
said Sanders. "They could also serve as a business training ground
for young people. You have to build those kinds of relationships
for economic growth and to improve education."
There are other challenges facing the area because of its location
and geography. For one, district 31 sits next to JFK airport.
"The airport is a constant source of noise and pollution," said
Sikiru Fadairo, who works as a computer science professor at Medgar
Evans College. "Every time a plane goes over you can see the exhaust."
Illegal dumping and toxic waste sites also present environmental
hazards to the Jamaica Bay. "I don't think we need throw so much
money at a cure if we don't solve the cause of the problem of
dumping into the bay," said Fadairo.
Carol Howell also believes that the poor planning of the past
is continuing today in a different way. Howell, who lost a primary
race for State Assembly in 2000, opposed the construction of a
multiplex movie theater on Merrick Boulevard and Belknap Street
because it was across the street from a school. She said it did
not create an environment that encouraged serious learning. Howell
also notes the lack of public transportation in the district.
New York City subways do not reach much of the area and commuters
must take the Long Island Rail Road to Jamaica to catch a train
into Manhattan. Transportation is a particular problem for the
upper part of the Rockaways, the end on the "A" line where trains
come infrequently.
The residents of the Rockaways also say that more youth programs,
health care, and economic development are needed to bring the
standard of living up to the level of the other neighborhoods
in the district.
Far Rockaway resident Gian Jones said he wants to found a credit
union in the area, improve police and community relations, and
provide more opportunities for youth. Several candidates have
also said that if elected they would have two district offices--one
in the Rockaways and one in the Springfield Gardens or Laurelton
area.
The race now has several candidates vying to be in the Democratic
primary, but the choices will likely narrow to only a few by election
day as candidates try to gather enough signatures and battle each
other to get on the ballot. That is partly why one candidate,
Everly Brown, feels it is best to run as a Republican. "Once the
candidates get knocked off of the ballot, they will run for the
Democratic Party not for the needs of the district," said Brown.
The candidates agree that the new representative in City Council
will have to start his or her tenure by dealing with the mess
of a sewer system that has been too big a problem for any one
person to resolve. At least one candidate has something promising
on her resume: Carol Howell served as vice-chair of the Springfield
Gardens Flood Coalition.
posted 5/16/01
Campaign
Update:
Four candidates have been knocked off the Democratic line and
seven remain. Rosalind O'Neal, Renaldo Clarke, Carol Howell, and
Sikiru Fadairo were knocked off the Democratic ballot, according
to the Board of Elections. Howell and Fadairo said they would
appeal the decision. Rosalind O'Neal was knocked off the Democratic
line, but will still appear on the general election ballot in
November as the Independence party candidate.
O'Neal said that after the county organization challenged her
petitions, she ended up just seven signatures short of the required
900 signatures to get on the ballot "This is not a process that
works with the people," said O'Neal. "Let's get candidates on
the ballot and then let the people decide who they want. But they
didn't defeat me. Whoever sits in that seat is going to have to
do their job, because there are grassroots people watching."
Renaldo Clarke said he did not have the $5,000 to pay an election
lawyer to appeal the ruling. He said that candidate Amanda Clarke
challenged his petitions, so that, he said "there wouldn't be
two Clarkes on the ballot."
The seven remaining Democratic candidates are working to get
their names out into the community.
Reverend Henrietta Fullard has put education at the top of her
list of priorities. As a former high school teacher and principal,
she helped turn a high school into a magnet school that now boasts
that 90 percent of the students pass their regents tests. "All
students can learn," said Fullard. "They have to be given the
chance."
Fullard said her primary concerns also include affordable housing,
JFK airport, the Air Train, and pollution. She also wants to bridge
the gap with the Rockaways and the mainland. "There are needs
that need to be met," said Fullard. "There are gaps in services
and experience of the people who live in Far Rockaway."
James Blake, a professor at Manhattan Community College, is also
campaigning on an education platform. "The school system has to
have the resources so that students can meet the standards they
are asked to achieve," said Blake. "The key is getting certified
teachers, higher salaries, and smaller class sizes."
Blake also hopes to focus on economic development if he is elected.
"This is a strong, affluent, middle-class neighborhood," said
Blake. "But if you go down Merrick Boulevard it looks like a run
down commercial strip."
David Hooks thinks it is time to overhaul the city's educational
system by welcoming the involvement of private technology companies.
"You put a kid with poor reading skills in front of a computer,
and you can soon have a rocket scientist."
This race remains competitive. Charlotte Jefferson, who did not
return requests for an interview, has the backing of the Queens
Democratic organization. James Saunders recently received the
Working Families endorsement. Rev. Fullard said she gathered 4,000
signatures to get on the ballot, over four times what is needed.
posted 8/15/01
Candidate Biographies
James Blake is a professor at Manhattan Community College
and has a background in social work and counseling psychology.
He is a member of the NAACP, president and founder of the Varied
Internship Program, chair of the Queens Action Committee, the
chair and founder of the New Political Union, and a former president
of the Laurelton and Springfield Gardens Chamber of Commerce.
He has a degree in chemistry from North Carolina Central University
and a Masters of Social Work from Columbia University.
Everly Brown is a home developer. He graduated from St.
Francis College and Washington Business Institute. He has run
for State Assembly and City Council in the past.
Amanda Clarke is the female Democratic District Leader
in the 29th Assembly District. She has served as a community volunteer
in various organizations and programs including Parent-Teacher
Associations, Federated Blocks of Laurelton, the 227th Street
Block Association, First Presbyterian Church of Springfield Gardens,
and Elmer Blackburne Regular Democratic Club. She is a member
of the United Federation of Teachers, Ninety-Nine Women Pilots
Association, and the Black Pilots Association of Queens. She graduated
from South Carolina State University and New York University.
Reynaldo Clarke has been an engineer for Con Edison, the
director of legislator and human rights with the Utility Workers
Union of America, an owner of an ice cream parlor, and a mortgage
broker. He has served as the president of the Far Rockaway High
School Parent Teacher's Association, as a program organizer for
Youth In Action and the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. He is also
chairman of the Daytop Advisory Board, president of the Nameoke
Tenant Association, a member of the Bayswater Civic Association
and the Frank Avenue Civic Association. He graduated from Cornell
University.
Sikiru A. Fadairo is a computer science professor at the
City University of New York. He was a co-chair of the School Leadership
Team in South Jamaica and on the board of the South Queens Park
Association School Advisory Board. He has also served as a board
member of the Emigrant Savings Bank Scholarship Committee and
a past president of a group of small business owners.
Henrietta Fullard is a pastor of Bethel African Methodist
Episcopal Church in Far Rockaway. She was principal at the Math,
Science Research & Technology Magnet School from 1994 to 1999.
She is a member of Community Planning Board 14 and St. John's
Episcopal Hospital Advisory Board. She also serves as secretary
of the Community Advisory Board of York College, on the Board
of Directors for Habitat for Humanity, Queens chapter, and on
the steering committee of the project of Rockaway Youth Safety
and Education. She is also the director for the NAACP Get-Out-The-Vote
Campaign in the Rockaways. She graduated South Carolina State
College, teachers college at Columbia University, and New Brunswick
Theological Seminary.
David Hooks is a career planning and development associate
at the Statue University of New York. He has served as youth coordinator
for Community Board 14, youth service specialist for the New York
City Youth Bureau, and was appointed to the State Human Rights
Commission by Governor Mario Cuomo. He graduated from the College
of New Rochelle and served in the United States Marine Corp in
Vietnam.
Carol Howell is currently a student at the City University
of New York working toward degrees in psychology and education.
She has worked as a Special Education Paraprofessional for 20
years and is also the executive vice president for the Queen's
Women's Political Caucus. She is also the education secretary
for the South East Queen Regular Democratic Club. She ran for
district leader and State Assembly in the past. She graduated
from York College.
Charlotte Jefferson is the vice president of development
at the Samaritan Village. She has served on the boards of a number
of Queens organizations including the Queens Women's Network,
Queen's Botanical Gardens, Queens General Hospital, American Red
Cross, HIV and AIDS Coalition and the Jamaica Hospital Community
Advisory Board. She also served as the district leader for the
29th Assembly District. She graduated from Stillman College and
has a training certificate from Columbia University's School of
Social Work.
Edward Lewis is an assistant commissioner for the New
York City Department of Parks and Recreation. He also served as
director of African American and Caribbean Affairs under Mayor
Dinkins. He was the Parent Teachers Association President of Public
School 80. He is a board member of the Blanche Progressive Day
Care Centers, a former Town Hall Civic Association President,
a delegate to the Central Labor Council, and chairman of the Labor
& Industry Committee of the Jamaica Branch of NAACP. He graduated
from Oswego State University and Cornell University School of
Industrial and Labor Relations.
Rosalind O'Neal has taught school in the Bronx, Brooklyn,
and Queens. She is also a delegate for the United Teachers Federation
and president of the African-American/Caribbean Education Association.
She has coordinated specialized instruction for the Shared Instruction
Program, a program of technical studies at city high schools.
She is presently coordinator of Creative Arts at Springfield Gardens
High School and chairperson of the School Leadership Team. She
graduated from Hunter College and New York University.
Francisco A. Pena (no information available).
James Saunders is an administrator for Forward Motion,
an organization that helps people transition from welfare. He
is the vice president and former president of Community School
Board 27, a former assistant district manager for Congressman
Floyd Flake. He also helped found the Hamer-Campos Farmers Market
and People United for Local Leadership. He graduated from Brooklyn
College and served in the United States Marine Corp.
Campaign Trail
9/6/01
Seven candidates are vying for the council seat from the 31st District in southeastern Queens, a contest that appears to be one of the tightest in the city. (Daily News)
8/29/01
The New York Times today endorsed a candidate in this race.
District 31 (Laurelton, Rosedale, Springfield Gardens, Far Rockaway):
The city's poorer districts frequently suffer with the worst political
representation, but one of the pleasant surprises this year is
the number of races in low-income areas that have attracted two
or three good candidates. In this district, James Sanders Jr.
and Charlotte Jefferson would both make excellent Council members.
Mrs. Jefferson has the support of the Democratic organization,
but it appears to need her more than she needs it. In a very narrow
decision, we prefer Charlotte Jefferson for her superior knowledge
of community problems and ideas for how the city could help solve
them.
8/27/01
Who has the best track record for community service? That's the platform on
which most of the 11 candidates vying for the District 31 seat are running.
In an area of overcrowded schools and low math and reading scores, the
candidates - who include several educators - are focusing on how they will
address what one called an "education crisis." Jobs, economic development,
transportation, dumping, airplane noise, flooding and senior citizens' needs
are other concerns they share. But by and large, the candidates are running
on the contributions they say they're already making in the largely black,
middle-class district, which includes Far Rockaway, Laurelton, Rosedale,
Springfield Gardens and parts of Cambria Heights and South Ozone Park.
(Newsday)
7/26/01
A list of the 107 candidates who filed petitions to run for City
Council from Queens. As of this writing, they're all still players.
But the challenges have just begun. We will witness a number of
these candidates fall to bad petitions or a bad system laden with
technicalities that make ballot access costly and difficult. (Queens
Tribune)
5/24/01
District leader Charlotte Jefferson, who is definitely not Councilmember
Watkins' favorite, was designated in this district. There will
be a hefty primary with candidates like Ed Lewis and Beth Debasin
challenging for Watkins' seat. (Queens
Courier)
4/22/01
Rey Clarke announces candidacy for City Council. (The
Wave)
4/06/01
Candidate James Saunders plays host for groundbreaking of a 1,000
seat Cricket Stadium at Gateway National Park. (India
In New York)
3/21/01
Far Rockaway resident Gian Jones announced his candidacy for City
Council. (The
Wave)
1/25/01
In the list of possible candidates for District 31, the Queens
Tribune says former assistant parks commissioner Edward Lewis
is the one to watch. (Queens
Tribune)