Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Ranti Ogunleye for City Council District 49
Candidate Name: Ranti Ogunleye
Office Seeking Election for: City Council District 49
Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
I am not the traditional candidate. My life’s work is about hearing people – their needs, their dreams, their desires. My purpose is to ensure that those living and raising families in our district feel loved and valued, not just by their friends and neighbors, but by their representatives. The experience of becoming an essential worker during the first wave of covid-19 magnified to me the disparities our communities face. I believe that city government has an important role in creating equitable conditions for people to thrive.Two decades of working and organizing with the diverse communities of the North Shore has deepened my compassion for the human journey. I believe everyone should have access, everyone should be empowered, and everyone should feel included.
Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
N/A
If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
N/A
What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
Staten island Pride Center - I have worked with the Pride Center for many years, particularly when I was an Educator at Curtis High School. I organized a day of silence with my youth, where we highlighted the difficulties that LGBTQ students face. Additionally, I organized annual walks from Curtis High School to the Staten Island Pride Center. I also worked with Planned Parenthood to facilitate workshops on LGBTQ rights throughout my career as an educator.
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
No, but I'm an ally of the LGBTQ community
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
Yes! I attended the marches in 2012 and 2013 in support of my students while I was an educator at Global Kids. We also hosted our own Pride Walk in 2015 and 2016 as well as a Day of Silence and teach-ins from 2011- 2018.
Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
Yes
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 have been involved with advocating and organizing around causes of equity for over two decades, supporting youth and encouraging their activism and global citizenship. Through this work, I have marched in support of LGBT, women’s reproductive justice, criminal justice, and anti-racism and police brutality demonstrations. At the height of the protests in New York City and nationwide in response to the deaths of Amhmad Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, I co-organized and led marches to the 120th and 122nd precinct to give young activists a platform to make their voices heard against police brutality. These marches brought together over a 1,000 young people and their allies and sparked momentum for a young activist to take the lead in organizing the largest peaceful protest in the South Shore in decades, with nearly 2,000 people. The largest rallies in Staten Island history.
Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
Yes, but I was never convicted of a crime. I was arrested in the early 2000s for possession of less than $5 worth of marijuana. The case was dismissed. One mistake should not define you, nor dictate future successes.
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
Racial justice means that black and brown communities in this city are not unfairly targeted by over policing, under resourced schools, a lack of access to healthcare, and housing. To improve racial justice on the North Shore, I would advocate to Invest in communities and not prisons by redirecting spending for prisons and policing to finance community investment, health care, housing, and jobs. Limit the use of solitary confinement. Advocate restoring the right to vote to all incarcerated New Yorkers. Increase funding and accessibility of counseling and mental health facilities I would support increased federal spending to combat racial disparities, and I would work to advocate that our federal representatives make this a priority. Additionally, I would work with our state elected officials to ensure that foundation aid is fully funded in New York City, allowing a more equitable allocation of school funding in underserved communities. In doing so, I would work to provide increases to non-traditional and restorative justice based educational initiatives that deserve greater support.
Will you not seek, and refuse, the endorsement of Bill de Blasio?
Will not seek and I would refuse
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?
Remove the statue and rename the circle to honor the indigenous people who lived in NYC
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 initiatives to restore the NYPD to its 2014 budget of around 6 billion dollars. I will work to ensure that the city diverts additional funding from the NYPD budget and re-invest these funds into our communities. If elected, I will advocate for policies that limit NYPD first responder status for non-violent mental health emergencies, and expand mental health response alternatives such as mobile response teams. Additionally, I will advocate to repurpose NYPD funding and divert it to community based education and jobs programs for youth. It is also important to expand public health options for residents in underserved communities.
How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?
I would not vote in favor of it because I do not believe it sufficiently reduced the budget of the NYPD
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
Should the NYPD Vice Squad be eliminated?
Yes
Should Dermot Shea be fired immediately?
No, Shea should not be fired because the issue is the system, not the person. If we replace shea without replacing the system, 71% of the serious discipline recommendations to the NYPD by the CCRB would still not be adhered to and continue to be ignored. There needs to be a system of checks and balances that actually holds cops accountable, making sure there is actually a just system that works for New Yorkers.
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?
Yes, they should be penalized more for endangering the lives of the public while on duty.
What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
I would make the disciplinary determinations of the CCRB binding. I would also give greater access to the disciplinary history of NYPD officers to the public.
What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?
I agree that Rikers Island should be closed, and I support initiatives to close the jail. However, I am not in favor of any new jails being constructed in New York City. The alternatives that I support go to the construction and funding of facilities that actually meet the needs of people most affected. We believe many of these people should have been redirected to programs and services that serve to rehabilitate.
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 believe that each city service should have its own hotline number available to the public. We also need to invest in community access personnel in local nonprofit organizations, who would be able to assist community members with services and resources they need.
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, I will advocate to abolish.
Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.
I propose that we divert funds from the NYPD budget and reinvest it into our public schools. We should also review the current city budget for areas where funds can be diverted into the education system from other areas. New York City Public Schools should prioritize programming that is proven to be beneficial; this includes cultural, sports, after-school, and extracurricular activities. Schools that are vying for funding outside of Foundation Aid are often tied down by linear and outdated, and perhaps inaccurate, student achievement measurements - including test scores and attendance. As City Councilman, I would work with the New York City Department of Education to diversify student achievement measurements.
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, but I have for many years. I am an advocate for the legalization of weed, and I have no issue with people that consume weed.
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 have never supported members of the IDC. A couple of my City Council opponents in District 49 have worked directly with the IDC.
What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?
We must provide rent relief for bars, clubs, and restaurants, without any strings attached. Additionally, we must secure more funding from the Federal Government that would assist affected businesses through the PPP program, or a newly developed program. We must advocate on the state level for a rent and mortgage moratorium, which would place the burden of financing to large lending institutions, rather than our city and state.
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?
Community boards should have elections with term limits in order to ensure that all community members have a voice on the community board. Board members should include representation of local business owners and/or merchants associations.
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, the bringing of Amazon to Long Island City would have further exacerbated the issue of gentrification in Queens, and would have done a porous job at employing locals.
What role do you believe the local member should play in the approval of development proposals before the Council?
The community must be at the forefront of any decisions being made for said communities.
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?
I believe everyone has the right to a safe place to stay and until the City is able to develop affordable housing for our low income residents and homeless population. The Lucerne Hotel should house our most vulnerable, as should other hotels.
What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?
I believe there is no place for Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement and will support policies prohibiting city agencies from collaboration with Federal immigration enforcement. I will advocate for a review of the “special circumstances” on which the city does cooperate, to mitigate the chance that city agencies will get around this rule. I support a pathway to citizenship for immigrants in this country, and as the son of immigrants from Nigeria, iIt is imperative that our city do all it can for non-violent immigrants living here to be safe from the policies of the Trump administration. New York State has successfully kept ice out of courts, but it must do more to ensure that immigrants in this city are protected from arrests leaving courthouses, access to employment and legal services, healthcare, and college scholarships.
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, I do support a single-payer healthcare system. I believe we should expand programs like NYC Care, prioritizing residents living in underserved communities, and where the rate of uninsured New Yorkers is highest. All businesses should be mandated to give their employees information about NYC Care and new public clinics and hospitals should be opened in low and medium income communities in order to be more accessible. On site NYC Care enrollment must be established in order to affect the most vulnerable. I would increase the number of health care providers to make sure that insurance carried by nyc residents is widely accepted. I would advocate for policy that decrease costs and increase accessibility of insurance and providers, requiring training to instill culturally competent health culture practitioners and providers to serve more communities as well as increasing the number of public hospitals and clinics to provide access to all.
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?
Mayor in 2013 - De Blasio Public Advocate in 2013 and 2019 - Leticia James & Jumaane Williams President in 2016 and 2020 - Hilary Clinton & Joe Biden Governor and Attorney General in 2018 - Andrew Coumo & Leticia James
Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively
Access to Healthcare: More than one out of every ten adults in 8 of the North Shore neighborhoods do not have access to healthcare.I will advocate for funding to construct Staten Island’s only public hospital, Increase the number of healthcare providers on the North Shore, and promote access to healthy food on the North Shore by increasing the number of supermarkets. Funding for counseling and mental health facilities must be prioritized, as well as diverting those suffering from alcohol and substance abuse from prison and jail to mental health facilities, and require training to instill culturally competent mental health culture, practices, and providers. Housing: Affordable housing is a must. I will work to increase truly affordable housing options in this city by working to require that 50% of units in new developments in this city be marked “affordable”. Additionally, we must ensure an equitable zoning plan for areas around our city, ensuring that developers do not get preference over community members. Education: We must tailor fit our education system to the needs of children and families. I will work to pressure New York State to fully fund foundation aid to finally deal with the lack of funding schools in underserved communities received. Additionally, I will advocate to increase access to non-traditional education opportunities, expand the Community Schools initiative, and work to provide the Department of education additional funding to upgrade spaces and technology available to students to better outcomes for all New York City students.
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 want to reform the integrity and transparency of our budget process. The NYC budget must provide a clear picture of the city's financial condition. I also want to increase accessibility of our budget, where the average constituent would be able to understand the impact of changes in the budget provided by the Mayor and City Council. I will propose strengthening the ULURP process, making it more inclusive of the voices and perspectives of community members. To this end, I will work to ensure that equity minded developers are prioritized in the construction projects, emphasizing affordability, and quality access to spaces for health and wellness. The CCRB should be strengthened through a system that allows certain recommendations to be binding. This would allow serious violations by officers to be rendered objectively, and improve accountability in the NYPD.
Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend to exercise them?
If elected, I will use my office to support legislation and initiatives that improve the lives of all constituents, not only those who voted for me. My vision for a progressive City Council is one that prioritizes the needs of our most vulnerable community members. A city where the interests of developers are not placed over those of community members, unions are protected, as they protect workers, and a city that treats drug abuse as mental illness, and not as crime. As a City Councilmember, I will be an extension of the community to get laws and legislation that are needed and wanted passed for the betterment of all. City council members represent the interests and priorities of their local communities, and work to make lives in their districts and the city better. This city must ensure access and equity for all, including sustaining healthcare access, transportation equity, and criminal justice reform.
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
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 Essential Worker that is running for City Council in District 49. I have organized my community in District 49 for over 25 years, much longer than any of my Democratic opponents. If you want a grassroots organizer, backed by a strong fundraising campaign, then I am your candidate. If you want people who have worked closely with politicians, and believe they deserve the seat because they worked closely with the seat, then I would not be your candidate.