Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Inez E. Dickens for NY Assembly District 70
Candidate Name: Inez E. Dickens
Office Seeking Election for: NY Assembly District 70
Website: https://www.inezedickens.com/
1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district. I have served as volunteer as District Leader since 1990 as one of the youngest DLs in the county, I ran for St. Comm. and finally 1st VC to learn what each level of govt. did and what each elected office responsibility. Having come from a family that has been elected to this same district since the 1940’s and been taught that economic empowerment requires political empowerment for our Harlem to grow in both strengths and having worked on many campaigns for others, when the City Council seat became available I asked myself and many stakeholders in Harlem can I effectively do the job. I am proud to say that I brought more resources and funding to my district than had ever been done before and factually since. I m proud to stand on not what I promise to do but instead on what I have done and with the help of my community, what I will continue to do. Last year, I secured the funding for 177 units of affordable housing meaning AMI betw. 40 and 80% max which allows 100% of the units affordable for CB 10 residents and their children that return from college will be able to afford to reside there. And as has been my practice, if a development has retail/commercial space, such as this, I negotiate as I did, to secure free commercial or retail space for a Harlem based CBO that volunteers their resources in perpetuity. This had never before been done in the council. I got passed Local Law 100 which was written to help small businesses to secure contracts by making it easier to secure contracts but I admit it lacks the teeth for real enforcement without cooperation. In Albany, I chaired the Micro Small Business Comm. on my request because that segment of the industry is sorely lacking in resources or help until I was asked to serve in Leadership. Recognizing that technology is the future and being aware that my community was lacking, I helped fund with Congressm Rangel the start of what is now most successful Silicon Harlem which now goes into schools and has educational forums regularly nd I’m still involved. I funded and secured space for Harlem Pride, an LGBTQIA2S that had been active but was homeless. Recognizing that Harlem is zoned from 1960 for development of any height, I negotiated to secure major funding out of the 125th Street rezoning. Marcus Garvey Park, I was able to secure funding to renovate parts of the ark steps and completely restore the Fire Watch Tower which is the highest point in Manhattan so today I am working with Silicon Harlem for it to be a base from which in emergency can and should be used, I secured funding for the small businesses on West 124-126 Streets for forgivable loans to upgrade their businesses, I secured out of the NUL that EDC would pay into the 125th Street Improvement Fund 1million dollars a year for 32 years but I was fearful that upon my death or inability, this payment would be forgotten, so last year I hired an assessor to determine what that contract meant in one lump sum in 2021. I know of no other elected who has done that before. It is in art due to having volunteered all the years of my youth and the family teachings that was put into me as I come from a small business background and learned how to negotiate land use to the betterment of the community without killing it. Just saying no is not an option as it gets built all around you without your input.
2. Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidates for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?William Allen , Christine Quinn, Sen. Brad Hoylman, Assemb. Danny O’Donnell, Judge Franc Perry, Judge George Silver, Judge Anthony Cannataro
3. If applicable what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored?
4. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer or professional basis?Harlem Pride, GMAD, Jim Owles ,
5. If applicable, what LGBTQ organizations have you allocated funds to? GMAD, Harlem Pride
6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community? yes
7. Have you marched in any Pride parades? Which marches and for approximately how many years? Yes annually from 2006 thru 2016, now I go at the beginning and wave everyone on
8. Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently? Yes to both questions
9. If you receive the Jim Owles endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements? Always have and if you grant me your endorsement, I will again this year.
10. What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBTQ issues, pro choice legislation, criminal justice reform issues and the Resist Trump Movement have you attended and/or participated in?
11. Have you ever been arrested in pursuit of legislation or for protesting an injustice? Please elaborate. I was arrested a LaGuardia Airport with 32B/J for the fir wages and job insecurities at the airport
12. If you are an incumbent, what have you accomplished in your most recent term? Oh my, had I looked down and saw this question I would not have given such a long answer to No. 1
13. For the following pieces of legislation, please answer if you are currently a sponsor or co-sponsor (if you are an incumbent), or if you will co-sponsor (if you are not an incumbent):
Fair and Timely Parole (S.1415A / A.4231A): A bill pending in Albany that would ensure access to the parole release process for incarcerated people in New York State. This bill insures that decisions on parole are not solely based on the nature of the original crimes but includes incarcerated peoples’ record of rehabilitation and assessment of current risk to public safety. Yes
Elder Parole (S.15A / A.3475A): A bill pending in Albany that would allow elderly incarcerated people who have served at least 15 years in prison an opportunity to appear before the Parole Board for a chance at release. Absolutely
14. If you will not co-sponsor any of the above legislation, why not? I am co sponsor
15. Do you oppose the efforts to weaken bail reform as written no not to weaken but I do think there may need to be some changes that hadn’t been though through as we see the high increase lacking in public safety
16. Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails? If incumbent, when did you do so last? I hav visited friend and family and have no problems doing so
17. Do you support legislation outlawing solitary confinement in all prisons statewide including city jails? Co sponsor
18. When was the last time you were inside a correctional facility. About 2 year ago
19. Do you believe sincere remorse and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole? This question is redundant. I would eliminate it. Yes
20.What do you believe should be done to ensure more clemencies are granted every year? If you are referring to the Governor’s ability then that takes negotiating but if you are referring to the Parole Board that need to be diversified
21.Will you publicly call on the governor to use her clemency power for the many incarcerated New Yorkers who can safely return home? Will you tweet out your support for this or issue a public statement? Would you be willing to be critical of a governor who does not exercise their power to grant clemencies and commutations to those worthy of release? Have you ever spoken out in such a way? Yes nd I have joined with the Jim Owles
22.Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests concerning clemency and parole? Yes
23.Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals? I have already
24.Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing and employment? Yes
25.Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? Are you or will you co-sponsor the bill introduced by Julia Salazar (S.6419 / A. 8230), which fully decriminalizes sex work? I haven’t yet signed on as I am still getting full understanding
26.Will you actively oppose legislation (S.6040 / A.7069) that would implement the dangerous Nordic model instead of the decriminalization of prostitution? Explain in detail your views on full decriminalization, the Nordic model, legalization, and the existing criminalization approach.Nordic model - combines social welfare and economic systems using market economy and social benefits such as state pensions and income disttibutionand takes away the independence of the business. Criminalization should be done away with unless an actalfelony crime has been committed
Do you support ending qualified immunity for police and other law enforcement individuals? I supported this in theAssembly’s discussions
28.What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a “Sanctuary State”? Ny is only a sanctuary state if enforcement is done
29.Are you a sponsor of New York's Medical Aid in Dying Act (A.4321a/S.6471)? If not will you add your name and sponsor? Yes already signed on
29.Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces? Yes
30.Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates. No
31.Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBTQ representation among your staff? Yes
32.Who did you support for office in the following primaries or special elections: A) Mayor in 2021 B) President in 2016 and 2020 C) Governor and Attorney General in 2018?
33.Have you made an endorsement in the current bid for Governor? If so, who? Yes Gov Hochul
34.Do you support term limits for statewide office holders? For State Legislators? no
35.Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination.
36.What legislation or other policy changes do you support in order to make college and graduate school affordable for poor, working-class, and middle-class Americans and to alleviate the crushing loan debt that many students and alumni are facing? This is the time that college debt must be addressed
37.Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Do you or will you co-sponsor the New York Health Act? Please elaborate. Yes
38.Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services. Are you kidding of course I fight for these rights
39.Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry or law enforcement unions/associations? Law enforcement no but I come out of small real estate ownership and it is these small owners that help me. Of course, I don’t know the big guys so they don’t give to me anyway
40.Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda? What does this mean? Yes
41.Will you cosponsor the legislation to prohibit evictions without good cause (S.3082 / A.5573)? I have asked for changes as this bill removes ownership from the owner. Black/brown folk worked hard to finally bu a mll building with any where from 4-10 families and this bill says they cannot sell without first offering t residents which is fair, except the banks still red line, he existing owners cannot secure sufficient mortgages but they can get car loans and if the city and/or state its aside a program, how long and what will be the requirements to ge the money to buy. This is just another avenue to make us lose our properties, then be mvedou and no longer will the indigenous population be Abe to live nor vote there. Additionally, it isn’t easy to manage a building
42.Will you push for the passage of Home Stability Support (HSS) to bridge the difference between the public assistance shelter allowance and fair market rents for NY's 95,000 homeless? Will you co-sponsor S.856 / A.6032, which amends the Social Services Law to create a statewide rent supplement for families and individuals who are eligible for public assistance benefits and who face eviction, homelessness, or loss of housing due to domestic violence or hazardous living conditions? Yes and hy doesn’t the city with so many vacant hotels small and mid size renovate to allow homeless yo reside there instead of the racist tactic used last year to put the homeless out on the street
43.What should happen to 421-a? Would you end it, mend it, continue it? It hasn’t been managed correctly and fairly but it needs to be change but inner city neighborhoods need similar to 421Ain order to guarantee affordable housing
44.Do you support legalizing accessory dwelling units? Yes but it won’t help Manh
45.Do you support more state funding for NYCHA? If so, how much? Most NYCHAs are federal owned but on state land. Why aren’t we demanding that the feds take care of their properties
46.Do you, or will you, co-sponsor the Climate and Community Investment Act? (S.4264A / A.6967) If you are an incumbent and do not currently co-sponsor this bill, why not? Yes I am on
47.Do you support the New York Public Banking Act (S.1762A / A. 8290? If you are an incumbent and do not currently co-sponsor this bill, why not? Yes with Sen. James Sanders
48.Do you support the New Deal for CUNY (S.4461 / A.5843)? If you are an incumbent and do not currently co-sponsor this bill, why not? Yes I am co prime
49.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 a city bill to rename the former Queensboro Bridge? Do you authorize the use of your name for such a purpose? Yes
50.What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?’ I don’t care about his statue but I would like to se a statue a black woman from history in a main spot and not just in Harlem
51.Do you support reducing the budget of law enforcement throughout the state, and if so, by how much? No but I do think their budget should be reviewed like other city agencies but in my community where we are killing each other, we want 911
52.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. No but police should have stun guns instead if assigned to the above
53.Should law enforcements "Vice Squads" be eliminated? Yes
54.How would you recommend law enforcement officers be penalized for refusing to wear masks in public while on duty, in defiance of city and state rules? They were supposed to be aid off sans pay
55.What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding? CCRB at times makes some of the widest decisions as if they didn’t hear what everyone else heard so for me there would have to be some changes for me to agree to this
56.What will you do to support nightlife in New York State? I got passed legislation last year to help our lounges with the liquor licenses to match what the rest of the state already had but only NYC did not.
57.Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses? I do and I did and I had their support for what Passed in No. 56
58.Do you commit to speak personally with liquor license applicants and license holders before opposing any bid for a liquor license? Likewise for an applicant seeking your support? I have no problem speaking with anyone but rather than personal meeting, I can go to the community board meetings where they must make a presentation
59.What are the top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively?Public Safety, Affordable housing/education, micro Small Business
60.How much money do you presently have in your campaign account? App. $61,700.00
What additional information would you like members The Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club to consider when we are making our endorsement decision concerning your candidacy?