Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Arthur Z Schwartz for City Council District 3
Candidate Name: Arthur Z Schwartz
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
I have been an outspoken, progressive activist since 1968, never afraid to speak out for progressive causes, even at personal risk (and this includes 5 arrests, none at planned surrenders). I have been an organizer for all of those 52 years, from high school at Bronx Science until now. I think deeply, challenge the status quo, and have well thought out proposals around housing, the police, health care, transportation, tackling inequality, addressing climate change, and LGBTQ rights. I was a leader in the anti-Vietnam War Movement, counsel to the Anti-Nke Movement, General Counsel to ACORN, lawyer for multiple union insurgents and when they won, militant unions (was counsel to TWU during 2005 Transit Strike). Organized parents in the 1990s to demand dollars for downtown parks and then helped create Hudson River Park. Elected Democratic District Leader in 1995, State Committee for 66 AD in 2006, DL again in 2013. Early Obama supporter (vs. Hillary) , elected to DNC in 2008. Zephyr Teachout's Treasurer vs Cuomo in 2014; Bernie Sanders Counsel and DNC Delegate in 2016; a founder of and now Political Director of NY Progressive Action Movement; Counsel to Cynthia Nixon and Jumaane Williams and Zephyr Teachout in 2018; counsel to Jumaane for PA in 2019; DNC Delegate in 2020; Counsel to Mondaire Jones and Queens New Democratic Reformers in 2020; litigated to force NY Presidential Primary in May 2020, and to save Ranked Choice Voting this year. District leader for Jim Owles Club. My cred is feet deep, and I will not "fall into line" for anyone.
Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
David Rothenberg (Council); Liz Abzug (Council); Tom Duane (Congress); Karen Burstein (AG); Aubrey Lees DL); Margarita Lopez (DL); Margarita Lopez (Council);Debra Glick (Boro Pres); Chris Quinn (Council); Corey Johnson (Obama DNC Delegate); Allen Roskoff (Bernie DNC Delegate); Cynthia Nixon (Gov); Mondaire Jones(Congress); Emilia Decaudin (State Committee & DL); Tiffany Caban (DA); Andrew Gounardes (Senate); Sean Maloney (Congress);Arlene Bluth (Judge); Adam Silvera (Judge); Paul feinman (Judge)
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?
Jim Owles; Housing Works; FIERCE;PFLAG;
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
Yes
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
Every year going back to 1995 (in NYC)
Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
Many over 40 years of employing people. Currently my Para-legal/front desk person is LGBTQ, and one of 4 lawyers 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?
LGBT - many many over the years, like protests over bias attacks, marriage; Trump- marched in two women's marches, protetsts over Muslim ban, caging children, response to Charlottesville, climate marches; criminal justice- closing Rikers, Defund NYPD, many in-court protests over demonstrator arrests
Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
1971 - arrested at May Day Demo in DC for blocking intersection - charges dropped (I sued and got $); 1972- arrested sitting in at the Columbia School of International Affairs over Columbia's ties to CIA - charges dismissed; 1973 - arrested at an anti-Nixon demo, charged with assaulting a cop, pled to disorderly conduct; 2015 - arrested for taking down surveillance camerasfacing 92 year old tenant's door - charged with grand larceny - DA dropped at trial
Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails?
Yes. I have done so, clients and my son
Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Yes. And I have litigated to get such people hired or to stop firings for arrests
Describe your legislative and policy vision for combatting systemic racism
Affordable housing must be priority, with an end to area median income and MIH policies; rebuild NYCHA; far increased and equal funding for schools; restructure public safety, using non-uniformed personnel to do most of what armed cops do; make CCRB an elected body whose decisons are enacted by the NYPD; greatly expand and fund the NYC Commission of Human Rights; exand free health clinics and pass the NY Health Act; legalize marjuana
Will you not seek, and refuse, the endorsement of Bill de Blasio?
refuse (haven't asked) (Isn't he on the Jim Owles Board?)
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. Name it the David Dinkins Bridge
What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?
Yes. Replace it with a statute celebrating Native Americans
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?
3 billion, at least (one-third); and restructure the whole thing
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.
a) yes b) yes c) yes d) yes (they mostly don't do- traffic agents are civilians making $20./hr)
Should the NYPD Vice Squad be eliminated?
yes
Should Dermot Shea be fired immediately?
Hung by his cahones
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?
Terminated after one warning
What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
It should be elected and its decisions should be binding
What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?
I am for closing Rikers, against huge boro based jails. Reduce pre-trail populationby 90% don't just shuffle them around
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?
It needs more money and more operators; it has its upside sometimes - if you complain about an agency there is a way to follow up and agencies care
Do you support decriminalizing sex work? Will you pledge to oppose the Nordic model?
Yes. I support the repeal of existing laws that criminalize or penalize directly or in practice the consensual exchange of sexual services between adults for remuneration; Any criminal laws that are applied to sex work are aimed at addressing harm to sex workers, including through clearly defined prohibitions on acts of coercion or exploitation. I support Amensty Intntl position
Do you oppose school screening, which exacerbates segregation? Which screens in your school district(s) will you advocate to abolish?
I think testing and tracking exacerbates race discrimination. There needs to be an annual assessment of a child to determine progress and placement, and guarantees from each middle school of placement in more "competetive" high schools.
Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.
I oppose "mayoral control." I think the BOE should be appointed by the BPs , should be answerable to City Council,, and should include parent and teacher designees and that many powers should largely be returned to the Local School Boards (now called CECs)
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 and yes
Do you smoke or otherwise consume weed?
I smoked for a long time, but stpped for health reasonsreasons
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 organized phone banks as early as December 2017; held a fund raiser, and interviewed most of the candidates on my WBAI radio show
What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?
As a formet reaturant/bar owner I unederstand how hard existence is. I support commercial rent regulation, and will support applications for liquor and caberet licences of responsible entrepenuers - and will negotiate with community residents on their behalf before Community Board gets involved.
Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses?
Absolutely- and to advocate for them
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 think the commercial community (restaurants, stores ) should have a place on Boards. I would not appoint a CB rep who is hostile to restaurants, bars and nightclubs
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. I love dancing
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?
I support the central role of the local member. I am a big believer in democracy and the Council Member is more likely than not to look out for the local community (Unfortunately that doesn't always happen)
Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing?
Soem already exists. As a father of someone living restricted because of SARA, I understand how utterly absurd the laws are
Do you oppose the removal of the nearly 300 homeless individuals from the Lucerne hotel due to pressure from some local residents?
No. It should be upgraded to a permanent living space for those people
What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?
Thank god Trump is gone. I think we should expand the rights of non-citizens and let them vote if they can demonstrate residency.
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.
The City shoudl expand the public hospitals, creating community clinics like the big hospitals have. I support the NY Health Act and Medicare for All and will lobby for the passaga of both
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) de Blasio B) Tish James and Jumaane C) Bernie and Bernie D) Cynthia Nixon and Zephyr Teachout
Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively
1. affordable housing B) school funding C) public health 3.5) reducing cost of mass transit
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?
Budget: Comptroller and Public Advocate should submit own budget; certain government functions should get guaranteed % of budget -schools, City Hospitals, transportation (I support 2% of budget going to NYC Transit); boro presidents;LAND USE- ULURP and CEQRA need strenthening - community boards should have greater role in ULURP and CEQRA requirements for pre-project studies needs to be strengthened. MUNICIPAL OFFICES - expand power and budget of the Public Advocate
Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend to exercise them?
1. I will use the position as a bully pulpit and become organizer in chief for the district 2. I will organize community assemblies and town halls in local parts of district, regularaly so i can hear from people. 3. I will put myself on the line - weekly protest at NYCHA, interfere with abusive landlords. 4. Be an outspoken-yet collegial member on the floor, with lots of legislation pursuing hearings connected to whichever committee I am on.
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?
Absolutely- I have a track record , and won't back down. I will appear at your meetings and make reports. I never forget where I came from (although I don't go back toi the norteast Bronx that often
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?
Unlike my opponents I have a detailed platform - look at www.arthurfornyc.com. Also, I am sensitive that this seat has been held by a gay or lesbian officeholder for 30 years. I know this makes it a requirement that I be triply cognizant of the LGBT issues in my district and my City, and I commit to doing that and to being called on the carpet if I don't. I consider the Jim Owles endorsement more than just one of many -its like the progressive Good Houskeeping seal of approval. I have been a part of the life of this club for many years and would not cease being that.