Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Chi Ossé for City Council District 36
Candidate Name: Chi Ossé
Office Seeking Election for: City Council District 36
Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
I am running for City Council because there are problems that need fixing, and I see myself as someone that can help. I am running because Black, Brown & vulnerable lives matter. I jumped into this race after protesting and experiencing the over-aggression exhibited by the NYPD. I realized that the City Council was a major key to fixing law enforcement. Black Lives Matter goes beyond law enforcement killing and criminalizing Black people. My communinites have been redlined into districts where healthy foods, fair-priced housing units, and safe environments are inaccessible. As a native to Central Brooklyn, I have plans to enact real change to help the district and City. I am running for public office because our current electeds are not completing the work that/ needs to be done for all the people of NYC. Police brutality and militarization is at an all time high; small businesses are suffering immensely due to the pandemic our workers are under attack, and our climate (both globally and locally) is suffering. I recognize everyone writes or says all of these statements. That is why we are running to make change now while running for the office. Action over promises.
Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
NYC
If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
I have endorsed Marti G Cummings for City Council. I would endorse Elisa Crespo and Kristin Richardson Jordan.
What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
NYC YARA
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
Absolutely
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
I have marched at the Queer Liberation March for the last two years.
Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
Yes to both
What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBT issues, pro-choice legislation, criminal justice issues and the Resist Trump Movement have you attended?
New York City Youth Anti Racist Alliance (YARA)
Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
No
Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails?
Yes
Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Yes
Describe your legislative and policy vision for combatting systemic racism
My vision is equity. I plan to be a council member that works for the people, bringing opportunities in business, employment, home ownership and education. These opportunities will focus on my district’s and this City’s downtrodden and forgotten, who unfortunately are mostly people of color. I have already worked on bills such as the fair shot bill, which aids in the eradication of discrimination in the hiring process. I have worked tirelessly to bring healthy food to NYCHA and senior homes. My vision is one of service and aid - I have been doing the work and will use my position in the City Council to go further.
Will you not seek, and refuse, the endorsement of Bill de Blasio?
Yes
In view of the fact that Ed Koch has been documented to have caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people with AIDS, and was blatantly racist, would you support and sponsor a bill to rename the former Queensboro Bridge?
Yes
What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?
I believe that the statue should be replaced. The murder, disease and displacement rendered by the “explorer” should not be glamorized. Ultimately, that statue should be removed and replaced with a statue(s) that commemorate the Lenape tribe.
Will you refuse contributions from real estate developers and all law enforcement unions or associations?
Yes
Do you support reducing the budget of the NYPD and if so, by how much?
Yes. $1-1.5 Billion
How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?
I would have voted no. Especially when it came to divesting from he NYPD. The money was moved around rather than reinvested in the right places. It goes back to my policy on funding CBOs and agencies that are actually doing the work.
Are you in favor of removing police from any of the following? a) Schools; b) Mental health response calls; c) Homeless outreach and social services; or d) Traffic enforcement.
I am in favor of all of the above
Should the NYPD Vice Squad be eliminated?
YES
Should Dermot Shea be fired immediately?
Dermot Shea has failed to be a fair and understanding commissioner who holds his personnel accountable. He should absolutely be fired immediately
Should the NYPD Commissioner require confirmation by the City Council?
YES
How would you recommend police officers be penalized for refusing to wear masks in public while on duty, in defiance of city and state rules?
They should be fined for consecutive confirmed violations and, if the violations continue, overtime should be stripped. Also, they should be relegated to desk duty, to keep them away from the public.
What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
-CCRB Director becomes an elected position, not installed by the Board - Forward CCRB panel findings to the Mayor’s Office of Investigation, City Council’s - Committee on Public Safety, the District Attorney with jurisdiction and Police Commissioner’s Office - The agency will work with the District Attorneys to create dedicated police misconduct divisions, in each jurisdiction - Make sure CCRB findings reach the desk of the Mayor, police commissioner, committee on public safety and the DOI And yes!
What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?
Closing the prison would certainly give many people in this city a symbolic victory but when viewed through the lens of practicality, leaves a huge gap in our ability to attend to the seven thousand plus daily population. That brings us to the four prisons projected to open by 2026. In theory, spreading the prison population throughout four boroughs is sound. Smaller, well designed facilities should be easier to manage. Though, we need to see data to support this; and, the citizens need an action plan to allay fears of smaller jails run like Rikers. What makes this proposal problematic are the locations slated for development. First, the intention is for there to be 3,544 beds throughout the four prisons equalling 886 beds per development, a significant reduction from the 10 thousand plus found in Rikers. This egalitarian approach ignores an extremely important fact - crime is not committed and stopped at the same rate in our boroughs. What would happen if these prisons, projected to be built in dense, high rise areas within The Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens were to become overcrowded? How will we guarantee that the jails are safe? Well run? Not new, small Rikers? We need clarity from De Blasio and the City Council on these matters. I understand that Rikers Island is synonymous with decades of bad corrections, failures within the criminal justice system and should be closed. I also believe that with the closing of Rikers, there is so much that could be done on the island in addition to the desired water treatment facility. With the smaller facilities, I hope we are inviting architects and developers to create new spaces that address imprisonment more holistically, focusing on reform rather than punishment. In conclusion, the closure of Rikers and construction of smaller prisons will not solve the actual problems: bad use of correctional officials, flawed bail system, criminal hot-bed, violence and unhealthy facilities. I do not want us to miss the forest for the trees on a topic as important as this.
Will you advocate for the Governor to review sentences of incarcerated individuals over the age 55 who have served in excess of 15 years to determine if they warrant release?
Yes
It’s common knowledge that New York City’s 311 system is not adequately responsive to the public’s concerns. How would you alter the 311 system to combat these problems?
1) Agencies should have a dedicated team to respond to 311 calls. Said teams should become the advocate for the 311 caller & complaint. 2)Data from The Mayor’s Office (Are City Agencies Responding to 311?) and the independent research group Data Collaborative for Justice suggest better response times. 3) With the City Council reviewing a bill to develop an Office of Community Mental Emergencies, train 311 to recognize and push callers to resources.
Do you support decriminalizing sex work? Will you pledge to oppose the Nordic model?
I support the decriminalization of sex work and believe that we should not be lazy and eschew all models. New York City should be the model for other cities and localities around the world. Once decriminalized, we will institute measures to protect & educate our citizens. Protections for sex workers will benefit all womxn of color. Instituting controls and regulations also serves as protection. Mandatory licensing alone should help lower sex trafficking and empower people to employ themselves.
Do you oppose school screening, which exacerbates segregation? Which screens in your school district(s) will you advocate to abolish?
Yes, I oppose school screenings. In my district, I would advocate to abolish gifted and talented screening programs, replacing them with a program that gives the option of attending to the highest achievers in any/all public schools in the district. But this means advocating and fighting for fully funded public schools!
Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.
1) Give CECs a review process for district principals 2) City Council will review and confirm School Chancellor 3) Caps on charter schools
Do you support public funding of abortion?
yes
Do you support the creation of safe consumption sites? Would you support the use of NYC DOHMH authority to establish SCSs without NYSDOH authorization?
yes
Do you smoke or otherwise consume weed?
No, but I support the decriminalization of weed.
Have you ever supported any of the members of the IDC? If so, who? What did you do to help defeat the IDC in 2018?
Not applicable. I was not active in public service in 2018,
What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?
- I have and will continue to support the goals of the Office of Nightlife. - Expanding the powers of the Office, to include advocating for DJs, servers, curators, producers and artists. Especially, support lost and late revenue from venues and event presenters. - I will be a resource and guide, with Community Board 3 and Community Board 8, for small businesses trying to obtain licenses from SLA. - Recommending, to Mayoral Office, the controlled use of amplified sound for outdoor spaces attached to bars and restaurants, to attract and hold customers. - Standardize a public safety plan with NYPD’s Community Affairs to support establishments, as they deal with customer challenges. This will protect the rights of the venue, workers and customers.
Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses?
Yes
Will you work to place restaurant, bar and club owners on community boards? Will you commit to not appointing or reappointing community board members who are hostile to food and beverage estalishments?
yes to all of the above
Now that the cabaret law was repealed do you support amending the zoning resolution to allow patrons to dance at more venues and eliminate the restrictions against dancing?
Absolutely
Did you oppose the de Blasio/Cuomo proposal (and giveaways) for bringing Amazon’s HQ2 to Long Island City?
Yes
What role do you believe the local member should play in the approval of development proposals before the Council?
We want to negotiate with developers to ensure that they hire local and union labor - The moment a developer comes to the community board, we should be aware and talks should begin - Staff and community board (#3 or #8) will conference with the developers. One of the key points being, how do they provide union jobs pre, during and post construction? This will also include questions about vendors, general contractors, potential questions for tenants. - - Also, will the developer and management company encourage tenants to use union labor. This will not be a one time conversation. - We will require & request quarterly reports on the progress of these projects and conditions. - Provide, when affordable, a planning expert to support the member and the Community Board - We will use existing programs and agencies but I will have an internal process that I will use with ULURP and other developments New development is the subject of much contentious debate in NYC. Concerns about gentrification are legitimate, but we also know that if done responsibly, new projects have the potential to generate good new jobs that will contribute to NYC’s recovery, as well as permanently affordable housing and other important community benefits. In situations where proposed projects come with credible commitments to create prevailing wage jobs for building service workers, will you support them? If not how will you weigh concerns about the development with the opportunity to provide working class New Yorkers with good jobs? New developments usually gain bad reputations, sometimes wrongfully, many times rightfully so. From cutting corners for faster builds to neglecting building maintenance, there is a lot of fault on the hands of developers.
Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing?
Yes, depending on the cases. Sexual violence, paedophiles and other violent offenders should be investigated and a judgement should be passed with consultation from the department of human services.
Do you oppose the removal of the nearly 300 homeless individuals from the Lucerne hotel due to pressure from some local residents?
Yes
What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?
1) Call for the halt of ICE aggression except for open criminal cases or sentences for illegal immigrants. 2) Help Illegal Immigrants get pro bono counsel 3) Language and culture support (Even for english speaking carribeans) 4) Expand the government’s mandate of translations, if necessary Spend compiling the complete demographic profile of the district’s languages, dialects and cultures 5) Cater to election districts with large populations English is not the first language. Government documents, street signs and Council literature (digital, social and traditional) 6) Citywide & district ASL training for small business owners
Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate on what policy and legislative steps the City can take to expand access and affordability.
Yes, healthcare is a basic human right and should be provided to everyone regardless of employment or immigration. The GDP of NYC is 1.75 trillion dollars, the country of Italy’s GDP is just above 2 trillion dollars. Approximately 8% of Italy’s GDP pays for a universal healthcare system. 800K New York City residents are low income, it costs billions to provide them with insurance. We need to move capital from the NYPD budget, and reinvest back into healthcare for our vulnerable New Yorkers We should expand on healthcare programs supporting the families who are impacted the worst from poverty and low income. In particular the construction of more out-patient and in-patient facilities. Lastly, employment! Stimulate employment opportunities to give people the ability to obtain the insurance option that works for them.
Who did you support for office in the following primaries or special elections: A) Mayor in 2013 B) Public Advocate in 2013 and 2019, C) President in 2016 and 2020 C) Governor and Attorney General in 2018?
A - I was not old enough to vote in the Mayoral Race B - 2013: I was not old enough to vote, 2019: I vote for Jumaane Williams C - I voted for Hilary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020 D - Governor: I voted for Cynthia Nixon Attorney General: I voted for Tish James
Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively
A - Assess and reduce bloated agency budgets; and, reimagine how agencies operate. B - Reinvest in agencies, CBOs and individuals that can improve communities in the 36th District and across New York City, C- Address the housing, food and economic woes created by the pandemic.
Mayor de Blasio has indicated his intent to call a third Charter Revision Commission, what additional reforms would you support to 1) the budget process, 2) the land use process, and 3) the powers and duties of municipal offices?
1) Budget - Participatory Budget expansion fulfilled -- by law or by charter revision, to ensure it remains an executed City line item - Emergency Fund for disaster and other catastrophic events - Establishing a public bank 2) Land Use - Better involve the community boards by hiring a planning and land use expert who is employed by the district manager - Giving the City Council or community boards to choose four members of the planning commission 3) Powers of Municipal Offices - Expanding the powers of the Comptrollers, allowing them to audit, assess and give recommendations on agency functions - Allowing CECs to choose three board members
Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend to exercise them?
My vision for the present powers of this city council seat is to be a true representative of the people. I plan to be a conduit for my constituents, proposing and advocating for legislation and initiatives that make sense for the community. I plan to help with affordable housing by having a planning expert on staff, who will assist both community boards, CBOs & surveil developers. And, the expert will work with small owners -- resident, mixed and commercial -- to gain access to subsidies & tax support. Also, I plan to utilize my access to data and experts to create equitable programs and practices in the areas of education, healthcare and public safety within my district and citywide.
Do you commit to working with Jim Owles during your campaign and while in office? What role can the club and the progressive LGBT community play in holding you accountable?
yes
If you receive the endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements?
yes
What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsement decisions?
I am running an active and action-based campaign. Endorsing or supporting Chi Osse is supporting our work to better the communities of the 36th District and NYC. Allies and partnerships lead to success. This is highlighted with the garrison of influencers, groups and politicians who banded together to defeat The City Council’s Boiler Inspection Bill, this winter. We worked hard on behalf of constituents. But, we never went into the fight without them. Thank you for the opportunity to submit. And, please be well and safe during these chaotic times.