Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Joshua Clennon for City Council District 9
Candidate Name: Joshua Clennon
Office Seeking Election for: City Council District 9
Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
I’m running for NYC Council District 9 because my community is ready for bold new leadership and transformative change. I am the unlikeliest candidate and that’s what makes me best fit for the job because of my lived experiences. I grew up in a hard working class family of caribbean immigrants and southern blacks that migrated to NYC from Alabama A couple years after I was born in 1995, my father was shot and killed walking home as he held me in his arms by someone who simply didn't like the way he talked to them. My mom, bless her soul, she never skipped a beat. She worked day and night as a beautician to keep the lights on and raise me as a single mother. Despite all her hard work, the money was never enough and I would come home to eviction notices on our door and a couple times we were actually evicted. I was sent to live in Jamaica for two years with relatives until she managed to land back on her feet. From my mother, I learned the importance of faith, hard work, perseverance, and giving back to the community. Despite all of our own problems, my family was always looking out for neighbors and friends and Vice versa because that’s what the village of Harlem is about. From the streets of Harlem, I learned two more important lessons needed to survive as a young black man in America- How to fight and When to fight. I have seen Harlem change from a place forgotten by many to being the trendiest neighborhood in Manhattan. Watching my neighbors be priced out of their homes and not able to afford to retire in the community they fought so long and so hard to save--that led me to get more involved in community activism. I was appointed in 2018 to Community Board 10 as one of it’s youngest members and was elected Treasurer in 2020. I ran for Treasurer to spearhead the District Needs Statement and CB Budget Requests presented to the City Council and Borough President. I advocated for more operating funding for land use studies to stop over development, and organize more resource events to provide supplies to parents and students during COVID. I joined the NAACP in 2016 and became a next gen fellow in 2019 to work between inter generational members to push progressive policies. I was elected Co Chair of Economic Development for NAACP Mid Manhattan Branch in 2019. I’ve organized resource and procurement events for minority small businesses in Harlem to assist them in navigating the bureaucracy of government contracts to help level the playing field during this economic downturn. I joined the Uptown Democratic Club in 2017 in which I ran for county committee and was appointed as the youngest Executive Director in 2018. I have recruited over 50 candidates and elected young progressives to the NY County Committee. As a millennial member of the Hillary for America Victory Fund 2016, I learned the hard way that truly transformative change does not occur in one election cycle or two, it's a culmination of small victories that build a foundation for greater victories. We are about to face one of the largest fiscal crises ever that will require the city to make hard choices. But it also gives us the opportunity to make bold policy changes that can level the playing field for the many. In the city council we need members who have shared the experiences of our most marginalized communities to truly affect change with public policy.
Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
I have endorsed and volunteered for Tiffany Caban during her race for District Attorney.
If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
N/A have not held elected office
What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
Human Rights campaign, Young Democrats of America LGBTQ Caucus
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
No I consider myself an ally
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
I marched in for 4 years in NYC Pride in 2014, 2015,2016,2018
Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
No
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've attended black lives matter protest in NYC, labor rallies, and actions to support the counting of votes in the 2020 general election.
Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
Yes I have been arrested under false pretenses simply because of the color of my skin
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
Reinvest in black and brown communities by utilizing public assets to implement community land trusts and permanent income base housing. Reform ULURP and eliminate MIH to establish community driven rezoning plans to identify more opportunities to create affordable housing, green space, and retail for small businesses. Fully Fund public schools, remove police form schools to end the school to prison pipeline and fully fund CUNY to make it free and accessible for all New Yorkers. Establish a public municipal bank to provide micro loans and capital to small businesses and startups in disadvantaged communities.
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 am in support of removing the statue and replacing it with a a statue of a native woman or other woman of color.
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?
I support reducing the NYPD budget by at least one billion and reallocating funding to critical social services.
How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?
I would have voted 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.
I am in favor of removing police from schools, mental health response calls, and traffic enforcement.
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?
They should be fined per infraction.
What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
I support making CCRB disciplinary determinations binding and support reducing the number of mayoral and police commissioner appointees.
What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?
I support closing rikers but due to the economic implications of the Covid 19 pandemic the city can not afford to build new jails. We should invest in alternative to pretrial detention to further reduce the pretrial prison population in the city.
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?
311 needs more specialized representatives that can respond to agency specific questions and issues.
Do you support decriminalizing sex work? Will you pledge to oppose the Nordic model?
Yes
Do you oppose school screening, which exacerbates segregation? Which screens in your school district(s) will you advocate to abolish?
Yes
Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.
I will advocate for municipal control of NYC public 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
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?
No, I supported and contributed to Robert Jackson's State Senate campaign
What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?
The best thing we can do to support the city's night life is to rapidly increase distribution of the covid 19 vaccine so that we can reduce infection rates and relax current regulations.
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?
I will consider all community stakeholders who have demonstrated a commitment to giving back to the community and supporting community based organizations.
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?
I opposed it on the basis that ULURP should not have been bypassed but did not oppose the project itself.
What role do you believe the local member should play in the approval of development proposals before the Council?
Local member should support the interests and concerns of their constituents
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 but the city must develop permanent housing solutions to address the growing homeless population.
What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?
Legal defense fund and hotline for immigrants targeted or detained by 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.
Yes the city can start by expanding NYC cares coverage. It will take state funding and legislation to implement single payer health care city wide.
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?
In 2013 I was attending university at Penn State and was not engaged in local races. I voted for Juumane Williams for Public Advocate in 2019. I supported Bernie Sanders for President in 2016 and 2020 primaries. I voted for Andrew Cuomo and Letitia James in the 2018 State primaries.
Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively
Affordable housing, income inequality, green infrastructure
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 community driven approaches to land use where community boards are funded to undertake land use studies to properly measure impact of proposed developments and identify opportunities to address community needs.
Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend to exercise them?
I seek to use the powers the office of city council to ensure that public property and assets are utilize to the benefit of the public, not real estate developers.Further more , I will seek to provide strong oversight of agencies to reduce wasteful spending, raise revenue to prevent austerity budgets and mass layoffs,
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, the club can hold me accountable by not supporting me in future elections if I do not stand by my positions while in office and by informing voters in my district.
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 the only candidate in my race with experience dealing with affordable housing. For the past 5 years, I have professionally managed low income housing cooperatives (HDFC).