Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Kim Watkins for Manhattan Borough President
Candidate Name: Kim Watkins
Office Seeking Election for: Manhattan Borough President
Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
I grew up in a self-segregated town in Tidewater, Virginia. In 1963, an insular marshy village seceded from the York County school district in order to prevent black kids on one road from attending their schools. This was the year that my parents married. By the time I got to high school, I knew that I wanted to make my life somewhere more diverse, more progressive. Manhattan’s level of segregation did not come into my focus until I became a mother in 2009. By then I had lived in Upper Manhattan for 13 years, in the Bloomingdale section of the Upper West Side (105 and Broadway) and Yorkville for a short while. We’d moved to Harlem with our baby. As I started researching public schools, I realized that segregated Virginia and segregated Manhattan were strikingly similar. The effects of white privilege, structural racism, and sexism (more on that later) are the filters through which I see our main challenges: schools, homes and jobs, all intricately connected issues which cannot continue as they have.
Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
Cynthia Nixon is the person I’ve supported most recently.
If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
As President of CEC3, I have championed many issues related to marginalized communities, particularly our low income and immigrant communities in upper district 3. However one program I started, called Model CEC3, amplifies the voices of middle school students. Mental and sexual health awareness issues is an area that we are focused on right now in fact.
What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
n/a
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
Humbly, but yes! I think that I feel that way because of the strongest friendship bonds that I’ve enjoyed and maintained over the years. My closest, chosen family, are friends of all backgrounds and orientations. To me, family is what we make, respect and hold dearest to our hearts.
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
I gathered signatures for Cynthia Nixon’s campaign at the Pride March. I march for women’s rights and the MeToo movement as well, as I have experienced gender discrimination in the workplace and abuse at home.
Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
I have previously yes. And when I have employees as the next BP I will absolutely prioritize the hiring of a diverse team through the organization.
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?
Most of my media events, demos and rallies have been in the name of educational and budget justice, the Campaign for Fiscal Equity, against charter schools and privatization, etc. As I wrote above however, I have taken part in gender bias and MeToo events because of my workplace discrimination story.
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
Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Yes
Describe your legislative and policy vision for combatting systemic racism
In my opinion, the key to combatting racism is education and process orientation. Much legislation has been passed. Many policy positions have been put forth. Yet here we are in Jan 2021, still so far away from true equality. Our ability to bequeath a sustainable society for the next generation depends on our teaching that which we say we believe. Yet we have divested in public education and forsaken the interests of young people. For that reason I plan to center the strength of public education. On process, we see the manifestations of waste, trickle down bureaucracy, in the response to COVID19. Increased homelessness, crime spikes and mismanagement of the public health disaster itself, demand that we rethink the way that we conduct the work of the people of New York.
Will you not seek, and refuse, the endorsement of Bill de Blasio?
Absolutely.
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?
Yes! As many trees as possible!
Will you refuse contributions from real estate developers and all law enforcement unions or associations?
I volunteered as an Auxiliary Police member for years after 9/11 and believe this to be a valuable aspect of community safety. I have at least one donation from a former colleague but I do not know real estate developers.
Do you support reducing the budget of the NYPD and if so, by how much?
Yes. We need to improve/replace leadership, demilitarize NYPD, and get cops out of schools ASAP.
How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?
I would have planned ahead to vote no then bring legal action against the state had they attempted to take over the local government. What the City council and Mayor did was flagrantly wrong and irresponsible.
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 to all but I would say that if a person is harmed by another person, if a crime is committed than the NYPD should be on the scene.
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?
I like this idea for all Commissioners.
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?
Fines are probably most useful.
What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
Transparency and reaction time are the biggest issues that I can think of. I would be open to the idea of binding discipline through legislation.
What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?
Rikers closing is such an amazing opportunity for New York City. It has to happen but I am trepidatious about the plans for the site afterwards. I’m also concerned about the cost of the borough jails given our economic crisis.
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?
Criminal justice reform is such an important element in our progressive agenda. Each case is nuanced and elected officials must navigate the advocacy process with informed participants.
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?
The city definitely needs a next generation portal for communications and peripheral direction of issues that take place everyday. We need to anticipate potential needs of residents in 10-15 years and make this a top priority.
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?
As President of CEC3, my portfolio of work on this issue is public record. We approved the city’s first elementary school rezoning that tackled segregation on the UWS, we passed the city’s first middle school integration plan, and most recently passed a resolution admonishing screens that perpetuate segregation. I’m happy to elaborate when we meet!
Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.
We must abolish Mayoral Control - it’s the first of my five point plan for schools.
Do you support public funding of abortion?
As part of public healthcare for women, absolutely.
Do you support the creation of safe consumption sites? Would you support the use of NYC DOHMH authority to establish SCSs without NYSDOH authorization?
If medical expertise seems this approach useful, I would approach this slowly but would be willing. Humans are losing the fight against substance abuse, because the human experience has descended into despair for so many. Substance use to get through the day is far more widespread than we even know, so we need to try as many approaches as possible. I believe in home rule so yes, NYC should be able to navigate this issue without red tape and micromanagement of the state.
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?
Ramos, Jackson and Biaggi are all amazing! I spent that year fighting for middle school integration that year however.
What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?
Programs to fund, protect and patronize theatres, music venues and dance parties should be one of our top priorities as soon as public health standards allow for us to do so. I am already working with several restaurant owners and entertainment execs to design a 2022 launch plan around cultural, wellness and entertainment initiatives.
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?
Yes however I strongly believe that we need to rethink community board appointments. We have now seen much evidence that bubbles of power and privilege arose through this ecosphere and I am interested in exploring other ways to populate these important boards, not limited to but including mandatory members (such as your suggestion) and elections.
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
What role do you believe the local member should play in the approval of development proposals before the Council?
I strongly believe that nyc needs a long term plan and that individuals should be limited in their unchecked authority to make decisions that impact lives so significantly.
Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing?
All law abiding citizens should be able to make a life in any home she/he choses and can afford. Yes definitely.
Do you oppose the removal of the nearly 300 homeless individuals from the Lucerne hotel due to pressure from some local residents?
I think that they should remain there, but I also think that the Mayor should be held accountable for his role in this disaster of a program and poor communication.
What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?
Cultural and language diversity centers should be and could be mobile and accessible to newly arriving immigrants. Trust in our city government is at such a low level but we have a chance to revitalize our image as an urban destination for the entire world once we begin the long road of recovery after this cataclysmic year of neglect and overspending. We have to deal with that first.
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 do support single payer healthcare on a national level. NYC’s biggest issues stem from the toxicity of male leadership that showcases the imagery of public health without operational plans and distributive authority in the field. We need to trim down budgets but increase quality of care plus educate New Yorkers about health and medical response issues better so that we are better prepared for the next disaster.
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?
Christine Quinn Tish James, Jumaane Williams Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden (Warren first) Cynthia Nixon, Tish James
Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively
My platform revolves around the primary issues of schools, homes, and jobs! My priorities include solutions that intersect these issues with structural racism, sexism, overt patronage, and poor fiscal management. The three issues that I'd like to tackle first are: 1. Giving public schools back to the public - we must abolish the Mayor's sole control over the public school system. I'm already working on that now, as leader of CEC3; however with this change comes the added possibility of increasing budget justice at the district and school level, a complex set of educational and intersectional levers that aim to usher in a new future for truly public schools. One of the main reasons for this sitting at the top of my priority list is that one third of the city's budget goes to the DOE. And the budget has increased by more than one third over the last eight years, yet we are serving fewer students, we are more segregated, and trust in the system is more eroded than ever before. We must save our public schools. 2. Everyone is focused on affordable housing, from city council races to the Mayor. With many ideas already on the table, my priority would be to look at this issue through the lens of essential worker and first responder need. We must create affordable home rental and ownership stock for people who perform essential jobs, such as teachers, nurses, first responders and infrastructure workers. Intersectionality of issues are rarely discussed in policy making, but I'm accustomed to advocating for solutions that look at issues from multiple sides as part of my CEC3 leadership. The lack of dignity afforded to homeless because of our crooked shelter/hotel housing program affects people's mental health and many quality of life issues for other residents. The length of commuting time for school nurses and low wages is a function of the city's poor housing decisions. Most New Yorkers want to work, and they want to pay their bills but we have not met the needs of the people who help make this city operate everyday, and it's time to make them a priority. 3. Ground floor building spaces need to be occupied, and I'd aim to get the retail vacancy rate back down below 20% within the first two years. To do so requires first, that the database of vacant spaces that has been in the works for years finally comes on line. We need to penalize building owners for allowing storefronts to remain vacant, and where necessary, use eminent domain to ensure that shuddered windows, doors, and scaffolding, does not propagate quality of life issues such as increased garbage, vermin, construction and building debris, and crime.
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?
His attempt to call for a Charter Revision is ingenious given the desperation he has created in this last year of his office. Yes another Charter Revision should be called, a comprehensive look at the way that the government operates as a whole. There is way too much unchecked executive control across almost all agencies.
Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend to exercise them?
Countless inefficiencies exist in the way that the city has been governed, and I want to approach the job through the filter of someone who has been impacted by the inequities that shadow the inefficiencies. The next Manhattan Borough President will need to look at this position through a reconstruction lens and a reaffirmation of underlying biases and injustices that have prevented Manhattan from ever being a place of happiness and success. This is why I want to center our schools because if we can give public schools back to the public, and ensure that we root out fiscal problems and mismanagement, the Borough Presidents office will evolve from being the purveyor of echo chamber land use bureaucracy and constituent services to one of real municipal leadership.
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! This questionnaire is a great start. It’s the most thoughtful and thorough yet!
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 asking such thoughtful questions.