Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Judy D. Newton for City Council District 46
Candidate Name: Judy D. Newton
Office Seeking Election for: City Council District 46
Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district:
Today, the 46th District faces some unique challenges, including the negative effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic that has ravaged New York City. Our homeowners, working families, senior citizens and youth need someone who can continue to BUILD ON THE LEGACY OF SUCCESS and put the interest of families first. As an immigrant and a woman of color I will bring a unique perspective to the City Council that is based on a confluence of these learned experiences. I believe I can credibly speak to the issues facing council district 46. in particular, and the city as a whole. As a woman of color, I know the many inequities faced by minorities. As a woman, I know what it’s like to fight every day to be seen, heard, and respected. I know how critically important it is to wield power with compassion and justice as literally “the first judge.” I believe my life experiences make me uniquely qualified and specially prepared for this moment.
Identify openly LGBTQ candidates you have previously or presently endorsed
As part of the Thomas Jefferson Democratic Club, I have supported/endorsed candidates through this organization which included Speaker Corey Johnson and John Duane. I did this as part of the Thomas Jefferson Democratic Club executive board. It is important that our city, our state, our country and our government reflect the diversity of this nation.
What Legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or sponsored?
I did not have the privilege and opportunity to do so as of yet.
LGBTQ organizations you’ve been involved with as a volunteer or professionally?
Although not exclusively LGBTQ, I was an active member of the Diversity Committee at the Manhattan DA’s Office. Through the Office, I had the opportunity to engage with recognized LGBTQ leaders Roberta Kaplan, and David Boies/Marriage Equality.
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ Community.
I am a staunch ally, though not a member of the LGBTQ Community, and look forward to serve as an advocate for the issues relating to these most important issues in this community.
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches/how many years?
I have participated and volunteered with Kings County Democrat Frank Seddio in the parade in Kings County each year. I organized and assisted Seddio in putting the float used in the Brooklyn parade together.
Have you ever employed an LGBTQ individual?
I have not had any employees.
What protests or rallies have you attended to support LGBTQ rights, Pro-Choice movement, criminal justice reform?
I have also participated with my fellow employees in the Manhattan Gay Pride Parade on a number of occasions in addition to my participation in the Brooklyn parade.
Have you ever been arrested? Outcome?
No.
Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated?
Yes. I believe that everyone deserves a second chance and further believe that every prisoner deserves humane and decent treatment. I am particularly concerned about prisoners who have served long terms and are over 55 years old, as there should be discussions/provisions for their release.
Will I affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
I would hire formerly incarcerated individuals as part of my staff and work with the program to place these individuals in employment, hopefully giving them the opportunities to begin a new life.
Your Legislative & Policy Vision for combating systematic racism?
I have suffered systemic racism first-hand and truly understand the negative effect it has on people of color. I would support legislative action and executive decisions that would identify this problem and look to find solutions that are acceptable so that they may be a real effort to solve this problem and not give it a facelift. I am most concerned about young black men who face these hurdles whenever they are in public.
Will you not seek & refuse the endorsement of Bill DeBlasio?
I will not seek the endorsement of Mayor Bill DeBlasio.
Would you support the re-naming of the Ed Koch bridge?
Yes.
Should the Columbus Statue in Columbus Circle be removed? What should replace it?
Yes.
Will you refuse $$$ from real estate developers and law enforcement unions & associations?
Yes. My contributions to date have been from local constituents and friends.
Do you support reducing the budget of the NYPD and by how much?
There must be serious reform of the police department in regards to race, profiling and brutality. Significant amount can be reduced with services provided by social service and organizations to serve the public and reduce police confrontations and police involvement.
How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?
I would have supported speaker Corey Johnson as did my current Councilman Alan Maisel. In my discussions with councilman Maisel about the budget, he informed me that his support, was about the amount of funding for this district, and about the amount of capital projects provided for this community.
Are you in favor of removing police from: Schools, Mental Health response calls, homeless outreach centers & social service locations, and traffic enforcement
Yes.
Should the vice squad be eliminated?
Yes.
Should Dermot Shea be fired immediately?
Yes.
Should the NYPD Commissioner require confirmation by the city council?
There should be some process that requires confirmation by the City Council as Police Commissioner. This could be similar to how Congress approves the appointment of various cabinet members who serve the President.
How would you recommend PO’s be penalized for not wearing masks in public while on duty?
I think wearing a mask should be added to the Patrol guide. Officers, not wearing masks, could include a Command Disciplined, loss of a days’ pay, or suspension. Most importantly, NYPD should make it clear that police officers should set a good example in this area.
CCRB reforms?
I support the current recommendations of the City Council and various progressive groups for the oversight of police officers by the Civilian Complaint Review Board.
25) The plan to close Rikers & create borough based jails?
I am in favor of closing Rikers Island. Fortunately, my borough already has a local house of detention. This gives families the opportunity to visit without having to go so far to visit their loved ones.
26) Will you advocate for Governor to review all sentences of persons over 55 who have served at least 15 years in prison for the purpose of considering their release?
Yes. I am already a supporter of this.
27) How would you change 311 to better serve the community?
By budgeting more money to hire more operators, better training and updated communications technology.
Will you support the decriminalization of sex work and oppose the Nordic Model?
Yes. I support the decriminalization of sex work and I oppose the Nordic Model. We should not allow people who voluntary have sex with each other for pay to have to deal with any of these circumstances.
Do you oppose school screenings/specialized tests? Which screens in your district would you oppose?
School Districts 18 and 22 which comprise schools in my district are very successful entities. The standardized tests are disappointing as they do not reflect the competence of many students in this district. I believe these specialized tests should be replaced with something that’s more inclusive as to students’ competences.
What reforms would you make to the NYC Public School System?
I would seek to work with the UFT and to implement changes that would enhance the education of our children. It is amazing to me how all of the Bord of Education students and plans never seem to include the input of rank-and-file teachers.
Do you support the public funding of abortion?
I support the public funding of Women’s Health and that health includes reproductive health. Reproductive health is the private concern of women & their doctors.
Do you support safe consumption sites? Would you give the NYC Dept. of Health the right to create such sites without authorization from NYS Dept. of Health?
Yes. Each community should have sites which keeps needles off the street. NYC Department of Health should have the autonomous jurisdiction to create such sites.
Do you smoke/use weed?
No. I have also never smoked cigarettes.
Did you support the IDC? Who in the IDC? Did you help to defeat the IDC?
No, I did not.
How will you support nightlife in NYC?
By working with the Mayor’s Night Life department and community to streamline rules, and law enforcement procedures.
Will you meet with restaurant & bar owners & associations before taking any position which might affect those businesses?
Yes. I will. I know from experience that local community-based restaurants face many challenges as small businesses. I am an avid supporter and advocate for small business development and understanding their issues and challenges will be critical to decision-making as a councilmember.
Will you support restaurant, bar and club owners to be part of community boards?
Yes.
Will you eliminate the cabaret laws restricting dancing except in certain locations?
Yes.
Did you oppose the city/state incentives to Amazon if they located to LIC?
Yes.