Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Stacy R. Lynch for City Council District 7

Candidate Name: Stacy R. Lynch

Office Seeking Election for: City Council District 7

Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district

At my core, I am a daughter of Harlem. As a lifetime Harlem resident, I’ve seen my community change in its richness and struggle to find its place in what my father and Mayor Dinkins referred to as this beautiful mosaic. Now, after spending nearly a decade in law and politics, and seeing how good intentions can succumb to faulty execution, I know what truly drives good government -- it’s how well you connect with communities, constituents, and the people we serve by serving with a sense of purpose and empathy. Some of my specific accomplishments for the community include: - Working with Community Leaders and the Department of Education to save Wadleigh Middle School from closure - Creating the Jr. Liberty all-girls basketball league in partnership with The New York Liberty and Madison Square Garden, which served almost one thousand girls ages 12-18 - Developing Sisters and Brothers Thrive – a collaboration with historically black lead organizations, sororities, and fraternities to address mental health in the black community - Spearheading the formation of the NYC Race and Equity Task Force as a result of organizing seventy-five NYC agency commissioners and mayor's office senior leaders virtually during the pandemic to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on communities of color and developing recommendations for the creation of the taskforce. - While I am an attorney by trade, I am a public servant at heart. I’ve witnessed firsthand the government shut out the people it's supposed to serve. I am running for public office because I want to be heard; I want underserved communities to be heard; I want women to be heard, and I want working families to be heard. I believe that the time for leadership that is reflective and inclusive of the constituents, groups, and communities they represent is now. If elected, I will be the first woman to represent District 7.

Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?

I rarely publicly endorse candidates due to my role in the Mayor’s office but I have worked with and supported Congress Member-Elect Ritchie Torres, Speaker/Council Member Christine Quinn, and Council Member Daniel Dromm.

If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)

I worked closely with Chirlane McCray and her team to develop the Unity Project policy and programs that support LGBTQ youth.

What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?

I’ve worked closely with GMHC on their AIDS walk and other events and programs to fundraise and create partnerships with corporations and entertainers.

Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?

Although I’m not a member, I am an active supporter and ally. Allyship to me is not a status, but a belief in taking the proper actions to ensure the community’s safety and social advancement.

Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?

I marched in Pride once, with either former Mayor David Dinkins or GMHC, many years ago. I would march again if invited.

Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?

I have employed openly LGBTQ individuals in the past and presently in the Mayor’s office.

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?

Planned Parenthood anti-Trump rally (abortion rights), Women's March, BLM Marches throughout the city (125th Street, City Hall, Brooklyn Hall), Brides March against DV, Community rally to support LGBTQ bar in Harlem.

Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.

No, I have never been arrested.

Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails?

Yes, I have visited incarcerated constituents in the past and will continue to do it in the future.

Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?

Yes

Describe your legislative and policy vision for combatting systemic racism

Systemic racism is prevalent in every policy issue at every level of government. Combating this will mean having an extensive and detailed policy platform that acknowledges this, and ensures the advancement of NYC’s minority communities. This is only a small part of our extensive platform: 1. Desegregate NYC's public school system, including combating student hunger and homelessness and ending the school to prison pipeline 2. Supporting the creation and advancement of black, locally and worker owned small businesses 3. Banning ICE from government spaces.

Will you not seek, and refuse, the endorsement of Bill de Blasio?

Although I have a long personal and professional relationship with the mayor and his family, I will not be seeking his endorsement. Refusing an endorsement will not be necessary

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, of course. Most people still call it the Queensboro bridge, so it makes sense to go back to its original name anyway.

What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?

The statue should be removed and be replaced with something that honors New York City’s indigenous population. This must be done alongside and with permission from indigenous organizations within NYC (such as the Lenape Center). These actions should be taken with an Indigenous Land or Territorial Acknowledgement.

Will you refuse contributions from real estate developers and all law enforcement unions or associations?

Yes, I will refuse contributions from both groups. While I know and respect members of the force, I do not agree with the current leaders and their politics. The Police Benevolent Association and Patrick Lynch endorsed Donald Trump for President. The PBA and its policies contradict all of my goals,values, and belief on how police should engage with communities to ensure the safety and health of all. In terms of real estate and land use, the need for affordable housing, as well as fair and transparent practices of ULURP is too great for any candidate to risk even the perception of impropriety.

Do you support reducing the budget of the NYPD and if so, by how much?

The NYPD budget should be significantly reduced. While complete elimination is ideal, we should focus first on reducing the NYPD's bloated $6 billion budget. We support calls to reduce the budget by $1.1 billion and shift responsibilities away from the NYPD, in order to revert funds to social programs and restorative justice alternatives for the criminal justice system.

How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?

I would not have voted for the budget in its current form, as it doesn’t cut enough from the NYPD’s budget, and allow cuts from multiple agencies and programs, including education, housing, parks, health, social services and the city-funded summer jobs program for youth. While $1 billion was shifted from the police budget directly, $400 million of it was shifted to the Department of Education's security budget, which will be funneled back to NYPD personnel.

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.

We’re in favor of removing the police from all of those situations, and replacing them with bureaucrats, social workers, mental health counselors and professionals that are better trained and do not immediately resort to violence.

Should the NYPD Vice Squad be eliminated?

The NYPD Vice Squad should have its budget significantly reduced (like the rest of the department) until it has been fully replaced by these professionals, bureaucrats and state and federal law enforcement.

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?

It's hypocritical and irresponsible for police officers to enforce a mask mandate while so many of them do not wear masks. If they aren't able to do the job properly, then they shouldn’t be allowed to do it, as they put civilians’ lives at risk by not following the mandate. They should, instead, be suspended without pay.

What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?

Currently, the Police Commissioner has unconstrained authority over cases of police misconduct. We support legislation to make the CCRB’s disciplinary actions binding to curb the power of the Police Commissioner and stop the NYPD’s self-policing.

What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?

While Rikers Island should be closed immediately, borough based jails are not the solution. Borough based jails will cost $9 billion, which could instead be used to expand social programs that could help with preventing crime in the long term. Instead, the City Council should take this opportunity to promote restorative justice practices within our justice system. Instead of imprisoning people for many nonviolent or minor crimes, we will look to prevent individuals from committing crimes again by working with them, mediators, the victim(s), and the community to bring reconciliation between them through apologies, community service, monetary compensation, education, and other means.

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?

While 311 is able to adequately report and record complaints, the issue may be in our agencies’ ability to respond. Before we can alter the system, we should understand what is causing these issues and respond accordingly.

Do you support decriminalizing sex work? Will you pledge to oppose the Nordic model?

We must decriminalize sex work. Many of the men, women, and children involved in this line of work are victims of sex trafficking and have been forced into it. Because sex work is illegal, its difficult for them to ask for help out of the work and getting away from their abusers and assailants. We must first work de-stigmatize sex work and sex workers before we can agree on any model to regulate it as an industry, and ensure the consent of everyone involved in it.

Do you oppose school screening, which exacerbates segregation? Which screens in your school district(s) will you advocate to abolish?

Both school screening and specialized schools are symptoms of a system that allows for haves and have nots in terms of distribution of resources. A very small group of students get an advanced education allowing them to excel in their chosen subjects while leaving the majority of their peers behind. We should think about fixing this two-tier system, and instead, equitably fund and increase the quality of all New York schools. This must include abolishing all school screening and standardized tests, diversifying the Department of Education’s curriculum, and encouraging all students to gain a well-rounded STEAM education.

Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.

While democratic control of our public school system is important, what matters most is ensuring the equitable distribution of resources to all students in the DOE. Whether this happens under the control of the Board of Education or the Mayor doesn’t matter. As long as the school system remains segregated, we are not properly serving our students.

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?

Safe consumption sites will help get rid of the stigma of drug use, and make it a medical issue instead of a criminal one. We have learned from the crack epidemic that criminalizing drug addiction while doing nothing to support addicts and their families will do nothing to solve our current opioid epidemic, and cost hundreds of lives. Creating these safe consumption sites should be done by any means necessary.

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?

While working in the Mayor’s office, I had professional relationships with members of the IDC. But I have never supported any of the members politically, and worked closely with external groups to replace IDC members and elect progressives candidates such as Jessica Ramos and others.

What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?

We understand the importance NYC nightlife has to LGBTQ culture, history and advancement. We will work to ensure the safety of those involved in our nightlife, and protect them from any homophobic harassment, which may put LGBTQ lives at risk.

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?

While we are committed to NYC’s small businesses, we believe there must be balance in our government establishments between them and our residents. We can place small business owners on the community boards, and mediate discussions between them and other members of the board to find a compromise that benefits the entire community.

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?

Residents and community boards should have more say on the approval of development proposals. Before proposals go to the City Council for a vote, they should be approved by the community board that will be affected by it to prevent worsening gentrification.

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?

We oppose this action, but we also believe that instead of warehousing homeless individuals into shelters and hotels, we should focus on finding them permanent housing. New York City spent $1.8 billion in 2018 on operating its shelter system. In the next ten years, the city will allocate another $650 million in capital funding allocated to upgrade and expand the system. Even with this massive amount of spending, the shelter system only helps between 60-80,000 people. In 2015, there were enough vacant buildings and lots to house almost 200,000 people, which is more than enough to house every homeless person in New York City. We need to rethink how we allocate land, and as a member of City Council I will use the power we have to ensure equitable access to affordable housing.

What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?

We propose barring ICE agents from NYC courthouses, where they prey on immigrants whose arrests have been reported to the FBI. We also want to create more safe spaces, private and city-designated public spaces, where undocumented people can find sanctuary and feel safe from ICE. These safe spaces would add to existing sanctuary spaces, and would make protecting immigrant residents a public duty.

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.

A single-payer healthcare system is an absolute necessity in order to decrease the cost of healthcare and ensure everyone has access to that care. But our city government has a responsibility to inform everyone who qualifies for Medicaid to apply for it, to at least ensure that all vulnerable, low -income residents are covered.

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) John Liu B) Letitia James C) 2016 Hillary Clinton; 2020: Joe Biden D) Attorney General: Letitia James; Governor: Andrew Cuomo

Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively

1.Worker and Business Protection and Advocacy 2. Affordable Housing and Community Land Use 3.Quality Education that is Accessible

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?

Residents and community boards should have more say on the approval of development proposals. Before proposals go to the City Council for a vote, they should be approved by the community board that will be affected by it to prevent worsening gentrification. Community boards and Borough presidents should also have more of a say during the budget process, in order to ensure equitable distribution of resources and city services.

Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend to exercise them?

All politics is local, and although the City Council and city government may be limited compared to the state and federal government on certain policies, there is still so much that can and should be done. With this campaign, we want to establish a base for progressive politics in the 7th District, to steer our politics away from benefiting only the wealthiest New Yorkers. This is in the hopes of maintaining our city’s diverse and multicultural background, while making our district and city more equitable. Working within the powers of the office, I want to change priorities for land use, and ensure more empty lots and buildings are going towards creating affordable housing. I also want to redirect funding from the overinflated budget for homeless shelters to affordable housing, to promote housing over warehousing. While this City Council seat is a local office we must use our position as a bully pulpit to ensure that the city, state, and federal government actors involved in such efforts are held accountable to NYC residents.

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?

Our campaign is committed to working with you whenever possible. You can keep us accountable by reviewing and advising us on our actions and policies, and letting us know what we are doing right and wrong, and when we can do more for NYC’s vulnerable and minority communities.

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 a community member of what I believe is one of the richest communities in culture, history, and the character of its people across New York City. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in the arts from Hampton University--a proud HBCU graduate--and received my JD from Quinnipiac University School of Law. Most recently, I served in the Mayor’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs where I managed key relations on behalf of the administration. In addition to my professional accomplishments, I am extremely grateful for my personal experiences as a daughter and caretaker, little sister, Aunt to my nephew William Lynch IV and mom to my dog Bear. I’ve showcased that understanding and empathy through community building at every level, having developed genuine relationships in a broad array of industries including government, law, politics, big and small businesses, religious groups, community-based organizations, and entertainment. From my work with diverse groups including the NAACP, Asian American Federation, The Hispanic Federation, WEACT, Community Voices Heard, Street Corner Resources, Madison Square Garden, Sony Pictures, 1199 SEIU, The Children’s Defense Fund and the Dominican Women Association among many others- I understand the importance of coalition building and its impact on communities. This is important now more than ever as elected officials will need to corral resources and organizational efforts from public and private groups alike to restore our communities and guide families through the new normal