Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Aleta LaFargue for City Council District 3
Candidate Name: Aleta LaFargue
Office Seeking Election for: City Council District 3
Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
As a lifelong Hell's Kitchen resident, I have witnessed the evolution of 40 years in this district. I remember when the Meatpacking district in Chelsea was a place where actual meat packing happened. I also remember when night clubs began replacing refrigerator trucks there. I remember when the West Village was edgy and the coolest place to hang out. Hell’s Kitchen was not the tall buildings, casual dining and dog park kind of neighborhood that we have seen grow these past few decades. When I was a child, the playgrounds were not for kids and walking to the A train on my way to school included solicitation from pimps offering job opportunities. I traveled to the upper-west side where I attended private school. My mother worked three jobs and sold her grandmothers jewelry to make up what wasn’t covered by scholarships because at that time, the public school option was not a place she felt safe sending her super shy and sensitive little girl. Attending an international dual language school was an opportunity of a lifetime and gave me a unique education in juxtaposition between where I lived and this other world of affluence but what both places had in common was diversity. Diversity in family structures, in economics, in race and nationality. My family moved into Manhattan Plaza in 1977 when no one wanted to come to Hell's Kitchen. A gentrification began back then but it looked vastly different than what gentrification looks today and that is because it was led by performing artists. Artists who came from every walk of life and who believed in community. The neighborhood children were welcome and invited to play on our playground and participate in programming. Food Co-ops were formed, baby-sitting exchanges, even a preschool which still survives today. It was with this cooperative spirit that I was raised. It was 1983 and I was 6 years old when the epidemic hit. I remember vividly my mother answering the buzzer and the security guard at the entrance desk announcing that Uncle Lionel is here and wants to come up, she said, "send him up”, “are you sure?" the voice on the other end replied. “of course!” She said. Minutes later my Mother opened the door to a barefoot, filthy, gaunt frighted man with a cucumber in one hand and a quart of milk in the other. He rushed into the apartment like it was an oasis in the desert. Uncle Lionel had been part of our extended family, a rotund boisterous Black activist and writer who was gay. My mother called him sister-in-law. A month after having arrived at our front door, Uncle Lionel, tied to a bed in Bellevue Hospital, died of complications from HIV/AIDS. My mother made a vow at his memorial to never allow a friend or relative to die in this manner again. Within 6 months, we were all even given the opportunity to test that vow. The AIDS epidemic hit Manhattan Plaza like a nuclear bomb. My uncle Kenny was next. Uncle Kenny had been my mother’s lamaze coach and was in her hospital room the day I was born. I sat close by his hospital bed as he lay dying. But before he died, My mother along with other neighbors started what would later be named The Manhattan Plaza AIDS project. They tapped into the community spirit that flourished here and developed an army of volunteer “Care Partners''. My parents could not hide me from the horrors of dementia or the faces of friends riddled with kaposi’s sarcoma. There was nowhere to hide. It was all around us and these were our closest friends, looking away was not an option. I watched and participated as our community came together to care for our neighbors with dignity and so much love. The trauma of this time lives with me forever. I was given another amazing opportunity in 1995 when I was chosen to join a program sending city kids abroad to volunteer their service. I spent 6 months with a beautiful family in the mountains of Costa Rica. Our mission to build septic systems was cut short after the devastation of hurricane Cesar killing many of our friends and destroying whole neighborhoods. Our service quickly switched to a search and rescue followed by rapid medical training specifically around Dengue prevention, a deadly virus spread by mosquitoes. I learned so much about humanity on that trip and to this day continue to have a relationship with my Costa Rican family. I continued my travels abroad before settling in with a theater company in Los Angeles where I was performing live theater and building my career as an actor until an unexplainable pain overtook my body. I was stopped in my tracks. It took close to a year before I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and at that point, I could barely walk or lift my arms or even turn my head. I had no choice but to fly back home to NY, my body and spirit broken. It took time to find the right treatments and therapies. Having no medical insurance made it all the more difficult. I had to go before a judge to determine my disability before I could even receive the treatments I required. I will never forget this process and how terrifying and powerless I was. Fast forward to 2013 and the birth of my beautiful son. There was no question that Manhattan Plaza was where I would raise him. Reconnecting with childhood friends who had also started families here, life had come full circle but when we looked around we realized, so much had changed from when we were kids. That same supportive community had faded and there was no longer programming for our children and all that had previously brought us together seemed to be gone. I began attending our Tenant Association meetings and decided I needed to be the change I wanted to see. So I ran and was elected secretary in 2015. The following year the stakes were raised when Trump took office. I pulled together an amazing group of leaders to form a slate which won by a landslide -- our community was desperate for change. We took full charge of The Manhattan Plaza Tenants Association and together we reimagined the Senior Center, making sure that services were being provided to all who needed them, again bringing respect and dignity to those who so desperately were in need. We created programming for the children and gave performing artist a venue to share their talents. Through these efforts our community has come back stronger than ever. At this same time, the fear that Donald Trump would be President, activated so many of us because DoomsDay was not an option. Together with other incredible community leaders, we started the Hells Kitchen Democrats, filling a void left by a 100 year old Democratic club that had failed to fill our County Committee or elect Judicial Delegates for several decades leaving Hells Kitchen without real representation. Within a year we had elected District Leaders who were on their way to then filling all these positions. It is with great pride that I remain an active member of the County Committee and have served as an Alternate Judicial Delegate for the past three years. In February 2020, we realized there was yet another threat heading our way. The reports of a pandemic in China and Italy, heading for the world, spun us into action. Knowing that 70% of our population here at MP was over the age of 65, meant we needed to prepare. We quickly met with management, our Senior Center and Related Management, to coordinate efforts to protect our neighbors. We organized floor captains and a huge list of ready and willing volunteers who would collect packages, groceries, deliver meals. We had "on site" testing and support for the most at risk among us. I believe we saved lives with our quick call to action and our commitment to each other. As the months passed and summer drew near, we knew our kids were suffering a great trauma of having been quarantined for months without each other. Within weeks we had raised the money and support of Management to put together an arts and athletic enrichment program that would span the next 5 months. It is with this spirit of community and service that I enter this City Council race. I know what it looks like when neighbors come together and I know what it looks like when they don’t. Covid-19 has exposed so much of what was lacking. It has ripped away the veil to reveal what has been missing. Building luxury housing has not brought with it billionaire saviors to trickle down their wealth, invest in our schools, supportive housing, or social services. As we read article after article detailing a mass exodus from New York City and "urban blight" supposedly caused by people living without shelter, I wonder how many people really understand why we are where we are. I know that my skills as an organizer, my experience as a negotiator and a mediator and my vast understanding of diversity which has served me in my successful leadership of 3,500 people will give me the tools I need to serve District 3
Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
Corey Johnson, Tom Duane
If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
N/A
What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
GMHC, MPAP
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
I consider myself an ally
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
Yes. I marched every year with our group from The Manhattan Plaza AIDS Project starting around 1989 when I was 12 until I was hit with rheumatoid arthritis and no longer able to walk long distances. Pride almost always falls on my birthday, 6/28 and the year I turned 16, everyone marching and all the spectators sang happy birthday to me and Lady Miss Kier from Deee-Lite, kissed me on the mouth! It is one of my most memorable birthdays to date.
Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
I employed a baby sitter who is LGBTQ.
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?
I lobbied several times in Albany for pro-choice legislation, specifically against parental consent laws, 24 hour waiting periods, and for the RU486 pill. I attended several anti trump rallies BLM rallies and protests in favor of marriage equality. I also attended many anti-war rallies during my teen years.
Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
Yes. I was violently handcuffed and thrown into a patty wagon after jumping the turnstile at the train, spent several hour in holding before being sentenced to community service which I served by cleaning the Times Square train station.
Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails?
Yes. I have visited several incarcerated friends over the years.
Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Yes
Describe your legislative and policy vision for combatting systemic racism
I would advocate for D&I training within all city agencies especially the NYPD.
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?
Yes Chris can go and be replaced with a monument to the African American community who lived where Central Park is now.
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. At the moment, tax payers are footing the bill to cover the cost of armored cars at $60,000 a pop. This is just one example of wild over spending within the NYPD, not to mention their enormous advertising and PR budget.
How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?
NO.
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.
YES, absolutely
Should the NYPD Vice Squad be eliminated?
YES!
Should Dermot Shea be fired immediately?
YES!
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?
Yes! Give them desk assignments!
What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
More investigatory capacity. Fully fund them. Give them the ability to recommend review for indictment and yes make their determinations binding.
What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?
Rikers is a horror show and should be closed. the property should be used for a solar farm! I would not be opposed to the concept of borough based jails but we would have to be assured they would not only be placed
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 and in fact I worked over this summer with Congressman Nadler's office and effectively advocated for a senior inmate to be released early.
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?
Require a quarterly report card.
Do you support decriminalizing sex work? Will you pledge to oppose the Nordic model?
Yes and Yes. Decriminalize sex workers and their patrons.
Do you oppose school screening, which exacerbates segregation? Which screens in your school district(s) will you advocate to abolish?
I don't believe that any schools in my district have screenings. I would investigate unjust school screening processes and eliminate them.
Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.
I would advocate for smaller class sizes, ensure that all schools are receiving proper funding equally. Make up for under funded PTAs with extra money.
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! yes!
Do you smoke or otherwise consume weed?
Yes for both recreation and to aid in pain relief of rheumatoid arthritis.
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?
Our club HKDems made a vow to never support any member of the IDC and worked to elect anti IDC candidates.
What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?
As a daughter of a nightlife entrepreneur, my family was supported by a night life salary. In fact my father was working at Casey's Restaurant the night Stonewall happened. (My birthday, June 28th is the anniversary of that night). I would support restaurants and clubs to operate. I support cabaret licenses and liquor licenses.
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, Yes
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?
YES!
Did you oppose the de Blasio/Cuomo proposal (and giveaways) for bringing Amazon’s HQ2 to Long Island City?
Yes. I believe Cuomo and De Blasio hoodwinked the public. The unions should have been at the bargaining table and elected officials should have had an opportunity to negotiate a deal that would have benefitted the people.
What role do you believe the local member should play in the approval of development proposals before the Council?
The council and borough president should have a lot more power. Too much power has been given to the Mayor.
Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing?
Yes
Do you oppose the removal of the nearly 300 homeless individuals from the Lucerne hotel due to pressure from some local residents?
NO
What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?
If I had the power, I would take all authority away from ICE.
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.
Medicare for all. As a medicare recipient, I know how well the program works and wish others could participate without being disabled or elderly.
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?
de Blasio (sorry) Tish 2013, Jumaane 2019, Bernie 2016, it was a toss up between Bernie, Steyer and Marianne Williamson but unfortunately I knew it would be Biden, Cynthia Nixon and Zepher (who I stumped for)
Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively
Education, Homelessness, mental health and in addition small business recovery.
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?
Give power back to the BP and City Council and give the Community boards more teeth.
Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend to exercise them?
Constituent services, Make laws, discretionary funding. I will advocate for city agencies to be held accountable ensuring our unsheltered neighbors are exiting the services they deserve and require. I would make mental health a priority. I would demand equity in our public schools and provide child care services for our essential workers. I want this city to work for all of us not just the most wealthy.
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 I fully expect and hope that your club and the LGBTQ community will pay close attention and coordinate on policy and practice while I am in office.
If you receive the endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements?
Yes of course
What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsement decisions?
As a born and raised City girl, I know exactly what the people of our district want and need and I know how to communicate with this vastly diverse constituency. My empathy, imagination, passion and persistence is what we need to help recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. I see this pandemic as an opportunity to re-think how we live together. Things weren't working for everyone before and this time may just be the chance we need to start over and make it better for everyone. I appreciate your consideration.