Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Evie Hantzopoulos for City Council District 22
Candidate Name: Evie Hantzopoulos
Office Seeking Election for: City Council District 22
Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
Having done the work in my district for over 20 years, I bring more than just experience. Cooperation with leaders who have deep roots in their communities, with a vision to serve ordinary New Yorkers are key to making any meaningful change happen with some expediency. My years of service within the community make me a trusted messenger and ally, and this makes me uniquely positioned to bring together groups in the District who don't ordinarily align around what should be their common cause. I am able to connect with diverse groups of people, whether they are NYCHA residents, long time residents, immigrants, or recent arrivals. Sound policies are not enough - partnerships and the ability to influence and bring diverse perspectives to a collaborative table are critical. I come from an immigrant and working class background, have children who attended/attend NYC public schools, have spent my professional career in the education, youth development, and social justice field, am a working mom, and have credibility as someone who has been showing up in our community for over 20 years. I have a long history of standing together with those most affected to fight for their needs, even when different than my own, and will continue to do so. As for my experience, I serve as Chair of the Community Board 1 Housing Committee, fighting off luxury developments that price out residents and small businesses; as PTA President at three local schools, I fought for accessibility and equity for families; as Executive Director at Global Kids, I encourage young people to become human rights activists and global citizens while giving back to their communities; and as a caring neighbor I rallied my community to prepare and serve hot meals to those affected by Hurricane Sandy for two months while power was out. When COVID hit, I served my community by co-founding Frontline Foods Queens (formerly Queens Feeds Hospitals), which provided $700,000 for local restaurants to make over 50,000 meals for hospital workers, food pantries, nursing homes, and NYCHA residents. I’ve also been a lead organizer with the Astoria Mutual Aid Network, developing communities of care amongst neighbors and pushing for the right of all to live in dignity. Since March, I've also been delivering groceries to food-insecure neighbors weekly through Lifeline Groceries. Most recently, I supported resident leaders in Astoria houses to rally my neighborhood together to prepare and serve meals to neighbors without cooking gas in Astoria Houses, which, fortunately, was just restored. When COVID highlighted the need for open space and green space, I spearheaded the 31st Avenue Open Street mobilizing over 60 volunteers and co-founded the Astoria Urban Agriculture Alliance to transform an underutilized and neglected public space into a community educational garden.
Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
I publicly supported Tiffany Cabán on my social media when she ran for District Attorney and encouraged all my friends to vote for her. It wasn’t an endorsement as I’m not an elected; more of a get out the vote.
If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
Not applicable; I’m a first-time candidate. Personally and through my work at Global Kids, I have advocated for policies to protect LGBTQ students in schools.
What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
Years ago before having kids I volunteered for God’s Love We Deliver, and more recently the project I co-founded Frontline Foods Queens provided meals for health care workers at Callen Lorde. Professionally, over the years my organization Global Kids has partnered with Hetrick-Martin Institute, and The Center.
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
No, but I’m an ally.
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
I’ve attended Pride, bringing my youth, for several years when I was running programs up until 2010. More recently, I marched in St. Pat’s for All with my organization.
Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
Yes and currently I have ten LGBTQ employees.
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?
My history of supporting many of these issues goes back to my days in college when I volunteered often to escort women seeking abortions or medical care at Planned Parenthood in Boston/Brookline. I also counter protested against Operation Rescue which was trying to shut down the clinic and intimidate women. Throughout the years I have shown up at numerous pro-choice rallies, the Women’s March in DC in 2017 and subsequent marches in NYC. As part of the Resist Trump movement, I attended local events/rallies sponsored by Queens electeds, went to JFK when the Muslim ban was announced, attended subsequent protests in Manhattan at Trump Tower, and have participated in multiple Black Lives Matter protests and rallies over the years prior to and following the murder of George Floyd. My organization Global Kids has participated in Black Lives Matter in Schools since its inception and we have held press conferences and attended rallies at City Hall with partnering organizations.
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, absolutely. I strive to give everyone a voice, especially those who are most marginalized and have been thrown away by our racist and unjust systems.
Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Yes.
Describe your legislative and policy vision for combatting systemic racism
Of course, my policy vision includes defunding the police and reallocating that money to education, climate change mitigation and green job creation, renewable Rikers, and community-led initiatives designed to keep all members of the community safe and thriving. However, combatting the systemic racism that’s happening at present isn’t enough - we also have to create new infrastructure that will combat the effects of centuries of systemic racism that has left our Black and brown neighbors at serious economic, educational, and health disadvantages. In my environmental and energy justice platform, this would include green job training programs for marginalized individuals, including formerly incarcerated individuals, for the high-paying, future-proof green energy infrastructure I champion, as well as offering this training as a career path in high schools and creation of community-owned green utilities, so the people whose health and homes have been most affected by our dirty energy generation will be able to financially profit off of green energy. In my education justice platform, this entails equity-based school rezoning, creating a pipeline of Black and brown school teachers and administrators, enacting oversight to the DOE to ensure that culturally-responsive teaching practices are followed, and the removal of racially and culturally biased tests for entry into specialized programs as well as discriminatory screens. In my economic justice policy, this includes increased support for worker-owned cooperatives. I also plan to create a program in my office to support Black and Brown residents who want to run for public office and get involved in government, including mentorship and employment opportunities. This would be done in partnership with local organizations that are already doing this work. Additionally, as Black trans women are at such a high risk for violence and discrimination, I would be sure to center them in my multi pronged approach to support trans New Yorkers that would include job training, career coaching, legal services, trans-inclusive training for employers, job search support, opportunities for networking/job fairs that cater to the community and supporting them, mental health support and social services, and programs to help trans folks start their own businesses.
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?
Absolutely and I was against it ever being named afterhim.
What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?
It should be removed, and replaced with a monument to the Lenni-Lenape and Canarsie whose land we occupy, as a reminder of the horrors they faced as they were colonized and forced off Lenapehoking and onto reservations in Oklahoma. Additionally, I would want this monument to be a reminder that there are still Lenni-Lenape and Canarsie people living in the area, and we are still on stolen land, but would consult with them and work to fulfill their vision if they had a different plan.
Will you refuse contributions from real estate developers and all law enforcement unions or associations?
Yes, I have already pledged to do this.
Do you support reducing the budget of the NYPD and if so, by how much?
Absolutely. We must defund the NYPD (by $2 billion in year one, and subsequent cuts in following years, including a reduction in hiring and overtime benefits) and reallocate those dollars to programs that address systemic injustice and advance collective care and transformative justice. Our communities, particularly our Black, LGBTQ+, and neurodiverse neighbors, are not being cared for, but rather are being brutalized recklessly. We need to be meeting these communities, families, at-risk populations, and more, with the breadth of care that disrupts the cycle of systemic oppression and enables pathways to equity and dignity through investments in rehabilitation, education, job assistance/training, supportive housing, etc.
How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?
I would have voted to defund the police, and given that the FY21 budget didn’t actually materialize in a significant cut, I would have voted against it. I personally lobbied my Council Member to vote no, but he was not present for the vote due to illness. It’s unconscionable that the city’s education, social and human services, housing and youth program budgets were slashed while the bloated NYPD budget was barely nicked, at a time when the NYPD should have been meaningfully defunded.
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. I would call to shift NYPD away from non-violent activities, such as responding to mental health crises, homelessness, traffic violations, noise complaints, etc., and redirect those interventions to groups like the Department of Mental Health and Hygiene, Department of Homeless Services, and Department of Transportation. I would also call for the exploration and potential establishment of a new Response Corps - local teams of trained professionals who are versed in trauma informed practice, restorative justice practices, and social work, to act as community care triage points. I would also be sure to remove any NYPD presence from schools. Through my work with Global Kids and as a parent with a child in a high school with high police presence, I have supported police-free schools and believe this unwelcome presence should be removed from homeless outreach and all social services. Young people internalize police presence as meaning they are among criminals and it builds mistrust and suspicion among their peers and lowers their self esteem and image. We have seen case after case of inappropriate police response to individuals with mental health issues and social services should be provided by culturally competent professionals, not police officers who hold power.
Should the NYPD Vice Squad be eliminated?
Absolutely.
Should Dermot Shea be fired immediately?
Yes.
Should the NYPD Commissioner require confirmation by the City Council?
Yes. If they are to work for the city, then they should have to be approved by, and answer to, representatives throughout the city.
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 put on suspension without pay until they agree to wear a mask, and fined for public endangerment.
What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
The CCRB should be revamped so that it is comprised of an elected body to limit any ties to law enforcement as currently stands with political appointees. It lacks any teeth or power so I would support legislation to make determinations binding and not be subject to overuling from the Police Commissioner. The CCRB needs to be reformed so it goes back to its original intention: a review board of community members and civilians holding their police department accountable.
What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?
I oppose the building of any new jails, and support the conversion of Rikers into a site for green energy production and green jobs. On the community board, I voted to have it mapped as a public place so a place of incarceration could never be built/continued on it, and lobbied all of my fellow CB members to do so as well.
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?
I would push for legislation requiring all agencies to provide detailed information on tickets, regarding why they are ongoing. Additionally, I would push for periodic audits as well as penalties for agencies that mark issues as resolved when notes indicate that they are ongoing. For example, according to a recent report, nearly all complaints for the Taxi and Limousine Commission are marked as closed, but 100% have notes indicating that they are ongoing. This is a serious issue, especially because 311 is the main way for clients to report discrimination in obtaining ride services. I would also require all agencies to report resolutions to cases.
Do you support decriminalizing sex work? Will you pledge to oppose the Nordic model?
Yes and yes.
Do you oppose school screening, which exacerbates segregation? Which screens in your school district(s) will you advocate to abolish?
Yes, I oppose school screenings; in my district, this includes G and T tests at age 4, grades/ELA/Math scores to determine entry to middle schools, zoning boundaries, as well as SHSAT. While there is no SHS in the district, several schools are considered feeder schools and the test prep industry has benefited.
Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.
Mayoral Control should be abolished through pressuring our State Electeds. Because of home rule and mayoral control, the CC is unable to put significant pressure and hold the Mayor and Chancellor accountable for policy changes. A democratically elected school board, and empowered CECs/local councils are critical. Currently, CECs parent boards lack any power, other than zoning changes. Lastly, the SLTs at each school should also have budgetary input. Currently the principal makes decisions and presents to SLT; it should be more collaborative.
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. I believe in both harm reduction and public safety and SCS have been proven to be successful in other parts of the world. NYC should be able to implement a strategy under its own authority for its residents. Another layer of approval/authorization and squabbles between city and state put lives at risk.
Do you smoke or otherwise consume weed?
I don’t, but I’m not opposed to it.
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 never supported any IDC members. I donated to candidates like Jessica Ramos and pushed people in my community to vote against IDC candidates. Several members of my campaign team were very active in this movement, including the organization’s treasurer. Personally, I was dealing with the loss of my father and care for my mother with Alzheimer’s at this time and could not canvas or be more on the ground so my active on the ground role was limited.
What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?
While there is an office of Nightlife, no one seems to know it exists. I would look to build stronger relationships between this office and the LGBTQ nightlife community so that strong ideas can be generated and implemented on how to support the community. COVID has taken a toll on many businesses, including nightlife, and at some point in the future, we will be facing a similar or other pandemic. We must provide support for adequate ventilation systems, outdoor permits for events/alternative venues, and marketing strategies/campaigns to bring back business when it’s safe. We must also ensure that unreasonable fees are not burdening our establishments.
Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses?
Yes. I would want to consult business owners, performers, and anyone who would be personally or professionally affected before taking a position, as I aim to be adequately informed and to represent those who are most affected.
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?
Yes
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?
Yes and I was at the very first meeting to resist Amazon in Astoria at Redeemer Episcopal Church.
What role do you believe the local member should play in the approval of development proposals before the Council?
The local member plays a huge role as they signal to the City Council their support or disapproval of any ULURP development on any votes. They should be proactive in gathering community concerns and push for truly affordable housing for 40% AMI or below, and more than the required percentages. They should insist on union labor and never sell out the community for minor concessions. Currently the developer goes to them before the ULURP begins to get support and discuss MIH. The CM should not make any deals or give support prior to community engagement and community needs among those most affected.
Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing?
Yes, absolutely.
Do you oppose the removal of the nearly 300 homeless individuals from the Lucerne hotel due to pressure from some local residents?
Yes. I have also spoken out in my own community to support homeless families who were placed in the Westway Hotel several years ago. I would push for the creation of supportive housing and long-term rent subsidies to prevent more people from losing their housing. Using a Housing First model has proven to be an effective approach to dealing with long-term homelessness, and it’s imperative we shift resources from shelters to long term housing. In addition, working with state electeds to close the loopholes in rent laws is key to keeping rents from rising and pricing people out and causing homelessness. Housing for LGBTQ youth, whether supportive, permanent, or temporary shelter, needs to be expanded.
What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?
We need to remove ICE from all courtrooms, hospitals, and public buildings, and enforce that ban. We should also not allow our police to collaborate with them. Additional counseling, legal and advocacy programs should be funded and made available to our immigrants as they are often the victims of abuse.
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 firmly believe in single payer health insurance/Medicare for All. Insurance should not be tied to employment. Moving to a single payer system in NYC would be challenging, however, the City can take action to expand access and affordability. We should invest more in our public hospital system and establish additional satellite clinics in areas lacking service, continue and expand the NYC Care Plan, and look to create more school clinics as found in many community schools. To address maternal health, in particular culturally responsive practice for Black women, we need to partner with midwives and doulas to create a birthing center in Western Queens and other locations throughout the city.
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) Mayor in 2013 - Bill de Blasio B) Public Advocate in 2013 - Leticia James 2019 - Ron Kim C) President in 2016 - Hillary Clinton and 2020 - Bernie Sanders C) Governor - Cynthia Nixon and Attorney General in 2018 - Leticia James
Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively
Housing as a Human Right Education, childcare and youth services Small business and community development
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?
1) the budget process - we need more transparency and real time information as the budget unfolds with public monitors as well as increased authority for the council over the budget process and priorities 2) the land use process - ULURP needs an overhaul as it currently centers developers, not the community. A comprehensive city planning master plan, or at minimum a borough wide one, should be designed in consultation with the public and community members. There should be no more public land given to developers for private development. 3) the powers and duties of municipal offices? - Each City agency should have a Diversity Officer in order to foster the growth of minority and women-owned businesses, as well as minority-and-women owned companies to get government bids. There should be shorter timelines for services procurement - in D22, a building in Astoria Houses went almost 3 months without gas, partially due to a lengthy procurement process. I also support the creation of an Office of Inspection to ensure that buildings offer a safe and healthy living environment, and to eliminate tenant harassment, especially in regards to landlords that avoid doing repairs in order to drive tenants out so they can raise rents. Additionally, the City Council should have oversight over the DOE, in order to have more input on spending and programming that will fit the diverse populations in the varying districts.
Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend to exercise them?
A City Council Member’s powers lie both in legislating to benefit the entire city as well as addressing the needs of their district. My vision is to use a human rights framework and equity lens for forming policy and legislation as well as meaningful and authentic community engagement to generate solutions and policy suggestions rooted in racial equity, justice, and inclusion.
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, and I see the club playing a critical role! Any elected official needs to have their constituents hold them accountable, and my district has a substantive LGBTQ community whose needs, opinions, and ideas need to be heard and included in the policy making process.
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?
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to apply for an endorsement. As someone who has been deeply rooted in community work in the district for two decades, I am eager at this stage of my life to take my significant lived experiences, skills, and knowledge to the City Council for greater impact. I realize this race is challenging for me as a first time candidate in a race with a high profile candidate. I realize I lack any type of machine or major endorsements thus far. However, I am confident that there is a path to victory. I have strong community support, credibility, progressive values that resonate with so many voters, and concrete examples of how I do more than simply put out ideas or slogans; together with members of my community, I get things done. My community work began long before I decided to run for office. In and out of the district, I’ve worked on education, climate justice, public health and more. I never viewed my community work as a stepping stone to a political career. It’s who I am. My values are informed by my upbringing. My mother was undocumented and nearly deported when she was pregnant with my brother. My parents worked tirelessly to support us and never had enough. My sister became gravely ill at 8 years of age and we nearly lost our home due to three weeks of hospital bills because we did not have health insurance. I was able to go to college due to generous financial aid and that education has helped me build my life. The decision to run was not easy. I love my current job at Global Kids and have dedicated my life to empowering youth from underserved communities and supporting them in their efforts to organize and create social change. I have three teenagers, a mom with Alzheimers, and a community that counts on me. And that’s precisely why I’m running. I’ve witnessed the injustices my students face. I see how the future has been robbed from them and how the climate crisis, racial inequity, and the inability to survive in New York affects so many of my neighbors. I know that our system is broken and to fix it, it needs to be done with community power, collaboratively. City Council is about legislation and transformative change but it’s also about trash pick up and noise complaints. It’s about understanding your district’s needs and working your ass off to fix things. It’s about bringing your community together to uplift one another. In February about 20 women gathered together in a crowded living room to tell me that they wanted me to run. And then, one by one, each told me what they would do to support me. And they have all stayed true to their word thus far. To date, I’ve raised over $200,000 including matching funds without holding a single fundraiser. Just 26 hours before the July filing deadline, I decided to announce on Facebook that I was going to run and was wondering if folk would support me. By the next morning, I had raised over $20,000. I am a viable candidate and I’m eager to represent my district and work towards a just, equitable and sustainable city for all. On a completely separate note, I was surprised that there wasn’t a more robust question on education. Schools are where LGBTQ youth often experience discrimination. Schools are where LGBTQ youth can often find support. They come of age there and even under the best of circumstances, it can be a heartbreaking time because schools are not always equipped with the tools they need to support LGBTQ youth beyond a GSA. I’m proud of the work my colleagues and I build at Global Kids to create a queer-friendly welcoming space where they are seen and appreciated for who they are.