Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Amoy Barnes for City Council District 49

Candidate Name: Amoy Barnes

Office Seeking Election for: City Council District 49

Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district

I have called Staten Island home since I was four years old. My mother, like many before her, took a leap of faith and immigrated with me to America. She believed in the promise of a better future and the limitless opportunities of the American dream. My mother worked two jobs to provide a stable home. Watching her work hard instilled a sense of discipline, fidelity, and a stellar work ethic that would be the driving force behind my past, present and future success. After serving at the State, Federal and Municipal level I have witnessed government inaccessibility and lack of accountability for those who are the most disenfranchised. I have fostered many relationships in the community through my work as a constituent service director, community engagement coordinator and Staten Island Borough Director. I have honed my skills as a capable public servant and trusted community leader. Amoy is a member of the Staten Island NAACP, Staten Island National Council of Negro Women, Staten Island Democratic Club, Young Democrats of Richmond County and a returned Peace Corps volunteer.

Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?

I supported the first openly gay assemblymemeber every to be elected on Staten Island Matthew Titone who is now our Surrogate Court Judge. I have worked very closely with LGBTQ candidates for city council including Wilfredo Florentino.

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?

As a student at the University at Albany I spent a semester volunteering at the Albany Damien Center. When I returned home to Staten Island I got to work closely with the Staten Island Pride center and currently I sit on the board of the Alice Austen House.

Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?

No

Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?

I started marching in the Pride Parade in 2010 and have marched every year as long as I am in the city.

Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?

Yes, I have hired LGBTQ staff in my City roles and currently on my campaign.

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 have always been a proud supporter of the LGBTQ community and standing up for the rights of the disenfranchised. I have stood shoulder to shoulder supporting the Staten Island Pride center in their efforts to march in the Staten Island St. Patrick Day Parade. I participate in the Rainbow run which takes place before the Parade as a resistance to the parade organizers' homophobia against the Pride centers participation.

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; criminal justice is very important to me. Even when people have interactions with the criminal justice system they still belong to our families and our community.

Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?

Yes. I’m acutely aware of the disparity of who is policed, arrested and convicted and am eager to work with those who have been justice-involved in order to ensure I am really addressing what matters most to families who are justice-involved.

Describe your legislative and policy vision for combatting systemic racism

All the policy I undertake will happen through the framework of racial/social/economic justice. I believe that when we take action to benefit those communities most impacted by racism in particular the impacts of those changes will resonate throughout NY. We must look at combating racism through many lens particularly through an environmental lens. We already know which communities pipelines, waste transfer stations and landfills aren’t slated for. I will consistently involve young people, Black and brown people, and immigrants in my policy process. I also believe it is critically important to contextualize the impact of single-waste plastics, coastal flooding in my specific community.

Will you not seek, and refuse, the endorsement of Bill de Blasio?

I am not currently seeking the endorsement of any current or past mayors.

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?

I would be willing to support legislation to rename the former Queensboro Bridge.

What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?

I support removing the statues of colonizers and those who sought to oppress people of color with violence and conquest. I believe strongly that Native Americans should have a large say in what replaces the statue; I also believe it is extremely important to create more statues of real women and nb people and this could be an opportunity to potentially do both.

Will you refuse contributions from real estate developers and all law enforcement unions or associations?

I have already pledged to refuse any money from law enforcement and will not be seeking the endorsement of any for-profit developers.

Do you support reducing the budget of the NYPD and if so, by how much?

Yes, the city budget is in distress and I believe that we should not balance the budget on other agencies like education and healthcare which are . We should look at the NYPD budget and trim the fat.

How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?

Yes, I would have voted for this budget even though it didn't meaningfully cut the NYPD's budget.

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. Schools and Social services are no place to intentionally involve New Yorkers with the justice system. I know that escorts are occasionally requested by social service providers in very limited capacities and I support the conversations they are currently having about how to best support their work and keep their clients safe and social workers and EMS workers safe.

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?

I’m open to City Council confirmation though I am not sure it will bring the accountability needed in perpetuity.

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. I believe this constitutes endangerment and that it goes directly against the premise of “protect and serve.” This should be a serious violation for any public servant.

What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?

I believe that the CCRB should be an elected body of individuals that are not at the mercy of the mayor but work in the best interest of the people. I would be open to supporting legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding.

What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?

I support a permanent close to RIkers as a penal facility and have worked with the Renewable Rikers coalition. I believe that we must move away from a penal response and into a response of providing the necessary social service required to keep people out of the prison industrial complex.

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?

I support compassionate release and do support reviewing the sentences of those over 55, however, I’m not sure I trust the governor to do so in perpetuity. I’d like to depoliticize compassionate release, it’s a common sense human rights issue.

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?

City council members have access to the full reports of 311 complaints made in their district and it is each individual council members responsibility to see that their constituents concerns are taken care of in a timely manner

Do you support decriminalizing sex work? Will you pledge to oppose the Nordic model?

YES! Decriminalization is important to my political/policy ideals.

Do you oppose school screening, which exacerbates segregation? Which screens in your school district(s) will you advocate to abolish?

i oppose anything that disenfranchise children

Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.

I believe that schools need to be fully funded. All schools should be good schools not just schools in certain communities.

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

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?

I am a former staffer of NYS Senator Diane Savino and left her office in 2012 and joined the Peace Corps

What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?

I will be an open to listening to the needs of the nightlife community at all times.

Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses?

I am always willing to hear from constituents and strongly support small businesses. As a public servant I do believe there are some non-negotiables; the siting of transitional and affordable housing is often contentious when certain small businesses feel that poor people are undesirable neighbors. I will meet with businesses but will not bow to NIMBYism.

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?

I do support including the voices of small business owners on community boards food/beverage included. I believe engagement is generally required to mediate the interests of different community members.

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, so long as there are no dangers to health and safety and businesses follow fire code/egress requirements I’m pro dancing!

Did you oppose the de Blasio/Cuomo proposal (and giveaways) for bringing Amazon’s HQ2 to Long Island City?

I will always oppose businesses that do not agree to neutrality (allowing staff to unionize). Here on Staten Island we have a distribution center and I have and will continue to support those workers and to hold businesses like Amazon accountable for their health and safety on the job.

What role do you believe the local member should play in the approval of development proposals before the Council?

The local member is elected by the community and should do their job of making sure that the community is always at the table when developers is at the table and make decisions in the best interest of the community with the community.

Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing?

I believe that housing is a human right. We must create laws that make possible housing for people regardless of the economic or criminal history. I believe this legislation must start at the federal level (re NYCHA/public housing prohibits many justice-involved people from living their). I also believe that large landlords are the best place to start. So long as the housing does not violate their probation/court orders or provide undue hardship to anyone else there is no reason why discrimination should be allowed.

Do you oppose the removal of the nearly 300 homeless individuals from the Lucerne hotel due to pressure from some local residents?

NMBYism is never an appropriate lens for policy making and I do not believe this is any different.

What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?

I support calls to broaden the social services available to all New Yorkers, including immigrants. We must ensure that language justice is a part of our social justice and social service conversations and ensure that undocumented immigrants know that when they are accessing service they are safe. There has been a serious “chilling” effect on utilization of public services because of the federal government's efforts to discourage immigrants from accessing the help they need.

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.

I believe that healthcare is a human right. I believe that single-payer healthcare is a means to provide healthcare to everyone. In my district we have only 2 hospitals (neither of which is an H+H facility). We have only one H+H clinic. I believe strongly that we need to build on the infrastructure used to test and trace during COVID to provide preventative healthcare screenings and basic treatment. In Staten Island that can mean leaning into the community school model as an opportunity to bring basic healthcare in the physical school buildings, not only for students, but for their families and neighbors in the community. We need to make these screenings and preventative care opportunities truly accessible and link them with institutions they already interact with. H+H needs to provide more facilities and think more creatively about how to work with existing institutions like schools, colleges and places of worship.

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, Tish James, Jumanne, Clinton, Biden, Cuomo, James

Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively

Housing, Healthcare, Education

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?

i support anything that has to do with giving power back to the people and taking it out of the hands of developers, lobbyist and corporations.

Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend to exercise them?

From Albany to City Hall to Borough Hall — I have earned a reputation as a dedicated public servant. I have served the residents of Staten Island for twelve years and I have the experience, empathy, and tenacity to get the job done. As City Councilwoman, I will make sure that Staten Island is always in the room. and that government is held accountable. Government should be stepping stone towards peoples success.

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’d love to include Jim Owles members in my consideration of policy especially where it relates to the LGBTQ community. I believe in open door government and would hope to have a close relationship with Jim Owles Club and anticipate have frequent conversations/correspondence.

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 immigrated to my district when I was four years old and even though my borough is the only borough to support Trump I am immensely proud of my community. I am passionate about public services, transparency and representation and I believe immigrants and women of color have to demand a seat at the table.