Candidate Answers to JOLDC: William A. Allen for City Council District 9
Candidate Name: William A. Allen
Office Seeking Election for: City Council District 9
Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
I am running to represent Harlem because I am deeply rooted in this community and invested in the future of Harlem. I am running because I believe that by working together at all levels of community and government, we can assure that this city belongs to all of us. This starts the healing in our nation. As an educator, I have seen how our children can succeed and how there still exist systemic obstacles that impede hope for their great futures. As the Harlem Democratic District Leader, I know that an engaged electorate can claim its power and use it to determine its own leadership. As a former elections chief, I know that representation matters when it comes to protecting our democracy. Our communities have been in crisis far too long. I am running to be the voice of Harlem in the City Council. A better Harlem means a better New York.
Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
NYC Councilmember Phillip Reed (Manhattan)
NYC Councilmember Christine Quinn (Manhattan)
NYC Councilmember Corey Johnson (Manhattan)
NYS Senator Tom Duane (Manhattan)
NYS Senator Brad Hoylman (Manhattan)
NYC Councilmember & Congressman Ritchie Torres (Bronx)
If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
I am a candidate and have yet to be elected into City Council therefore I have not introduced or co-sponsred any legislation that affects the LGBTQ community. However, I do support the repealing of the NY State Law that targeted transgender people. The law was designed to discourage street prostitution, but I know that this law caused the harassment of transgender people.
What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
GMAD
Upper Manhattan Task Force on AIDS
National Action Network - LGBTQ Committee
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
Proudly YES. I strongly believe that we are all members of each other’s community. The more we start to see each other for the unique value of each other, we will have a better world. Open doors. Open minds.
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
Yes. New York City Central Park Pride March. I have been very supportive since 1991.
Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
In my leadership roles of major nonprofit and public agencies, I have championed the hiring of a diverse workforce, including the hiring of openly LGBTQ individuals. I remain committed.
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?
Addressed the Harlem murder of Lexi (Transgender Woman) via my role as National Crisis Director of the National Action Network (Rev. Dr. Al Sharpton, Founder & President)
At National Action Network, weekly press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests were held in support of LGBTQ issues, pro-choice legislation, criminal justice issues and Trump Updates.
Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
No, I have not been arrested.
Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails?
Yes. Incarcerated individuals are still members of our community and we must stay connected. Also, we must not turn a blind eye to the conditions they face we should monitor the prisons and jails closely.
Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Yes. Formerly incarcerated individuals have life experiences that can be used as teaching opportunities for youth and the community as whole. Formerly incarcerated individuals can also work with my office to develop better criminal justice and prison reform legislation.
Describe your legislative and policy vision for combatting systemic racism
I will ensure that the Council will establish a Standing Committee to review and correct systemic racism in every city agency or anyone doing business with the city. Speaker Corey Johnson announced bills to Criminalize the Use of a Chokehold by Police Officers and Create Standardized Police Discipline Guidelines last summer. That legislation pushed by the Speaker is just the kind I support and look to model when I propose my own legislation.
Will you not seek, and refuse, the endorsement of Bill de Blasio?
Bill Deblasio has not offered support to my campaign and we do not have plans to make any inquiries of the Mayor.
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?
Vehemently affirmative.
What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?
It is widely understood the heinous crimes Christopher Columbus committed during his lifetime and the statue should be removed. The statue has outlived the villainy of Christopher Columbus and holds a special place in some New Yorkers’ hearts. Perhaps a full description of his crimes against humanity should be showcased and not the limited story about his discovery of America.
Will you refuse contributions from real estate developers and all law enforcement unions or associations?
I will seek any and all endorsements from anyone or groups that believe in the future of Harlem and our city. However, I will carefully determine the value of any and all endorsements. I’m aware that there are some real estate development activities that are harmful to our vision of the city, but there are also countless professionals and organizations in real estate that share our vision of what we desire. With the PBA, a conversation is still needed to discuss residency requirements and how that union defends cops who are violent.
Do you support reducing the budget of the NYPD and if so, by how much?
Yes. Immediate reduction should be based on items that are not affiliated with the NYPD. The full reduction amount needs to be further researched and include the input of subject matter experts as well as citizen advocates. Funds reduced from defunding the police should be directed to mental health and the youth of our city. Increased funding into mental health industries by way of defunding the police will allow for an increase of health professionals who should lead the response of many 911 calls.
How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?
As a New Yorker born and raised, I would have voted to strongly support items that keep our city shining for all of us. I know that the city budget is very complex and more citizens need to be included in the budget process. I would like to be the Harlem voice and educate New Yorkers on the budget process.
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.
a) Schools - Yes; b) Mental Health Response Calls - No (Health Professionals should lead the response with the assistance of the police for safety; c) Homeless Outreach and Social Services - No (but the police should work cooperatively with the health professionals as the lead city official in the matter; d) Traffic enforcement - Yes, traffic enforcement should be conducted by traffic cops. There is a history of criminal cops often using traffic stops as a way to racially profile. I am scared for my life, every time I see those lights flashing and I pray that I'm not getting stopped because of racial profiling.
Should the NYPD Vice Squad be eliminated?
From my research and many discussion I have had, the NYPD Vice Squad was created as part of the “War on drugs” which is the leading cause of mass incarceration. So many African American families were torn apart due to the NYPD Vice Squad and other “War on drugs” legislation that targeted specific minority communities. The NYPD Vice Squad like “Stop and Frisk” tactics should be of the past, and removed from our city.
Should Dermot Shea be fired immediately?
The firing of one man is not the issue. It’s not an individualistic issue, but a systematic one. We need a new and improved NYPD. I strongly believe that the NYPD needs to be reorganized, the mayor and the City Council needs to play a more visible and stronger role. New Yorkers need to feel that its elected officials are performing their oversight responsibility role of city agencies.
Should the NYPD Commissioner require confirmation by the City Council?
Yes. The City Council role as a deliberative legislative body should be strengthened in the process of confirming 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?
Any officer who puts the public in danger by refusing to comply with the law should be disciplined appropriately according to departmental rules and regulations.
What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
I would work to strengthen the role of the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) to initiate investigations without receiving a formal complaint as the Citizens Union recommended. Without this reform, people will not report police misconduct and believe that nothing would change about policing in our city. However, without binding disciplinary determinations those reviews will have no teeth. We need this agency to have the power to be responsive to civilian complaints in a way that is impactful.
What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?
I support the plan to close Rikers and create borough-based jails.
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?
It is egregious on how poorly the 311 system is organized and I support a complete overhaul of the system. Constituents in my district have suffered for years with the inability of 311 to answer their concerns. 311 workers need to be better screened, trained and informed on city services to better support the public’s concerns.
Do you support decriminalizing sex work? Will you pledge to oppose the Nordic model?
Yes, I support the decriminalizing of sex work. For far too long, sex workers have been penalized far more than the customer. Sex workers seek to make a safe and healthy living like any other New Yorker.
Do you oppose school screening, which exacerbates segregation? Which screens in your school district(s) will you advocate to abolish?
Yes. All schools should be open to any student and district school assignments should come to an end. A zip code should never determine the quality of childcare and the educational opportunities available to families. Segregation must end now.
Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.
A zip code should never determine the quality of childcare and the educational opportunities available to families. Segregation must end now. Our children deserve an education that prepares them for a successful future that includes access to broadband, STEM training and financial literacy tools. The City is responsible for engaging parents, maintaining facilities and playgrounds and ensuring nutritional meal programs. There must be increased funding for our city schools and a sustained commitment to educational equity. Increasing federal and state funding on an equitable level for our schools is optimal.
Do you support public funding of abortion?
Yes. Too often women in poverty are not able to receive the same health options as other financial sound women especially when it comes to the option of abortion. All women have the right to make any decision regarding their bodies.
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 and Yes. I am in full support of both.
Do you smoke or otherwise consume weed?
Yes, I have.
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?
I have not supported members of the IDC. To help defeat them, I organized in my community. I am a Democratic District Leader (70 AD - Harlem). I strongly supported Robert Jackson and Brian Benjamin in Upper Manhattan.
What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?
I will enjoy it as it is the best in the world. I would ensure that the local community boards in District 9 conduct a fair oversight role, help to revamp it and strengthen it in the community, especially after the COVID19 pandemic.
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.
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?
I took no position. I don’t live in Long Island City. The residents should have the power to determine the resources needed in their community.
What role do you believe the local member should play in the approval of development proposals before the Council?
Community input and its recommendations should be required as well as strongly considered before any approval of development proposals before the Council. I’m a solid student and fan of Jane Jacobs - The Death and Life of American Cities.
Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing?
Yes, completely.
Do you oppose the removal of the nearly 300 homeless individuals from the Lucerne hotel due to pressure from some local residents?
Like with the Long Island City matter above, I don’t think it's right for me to determine what another community believes is right for them. Most of the community, community board members and elected officials opposed the removal. We must try to prevent homelessness before it starts, by investing in affordable housing and moving long-term street homeless individuals directly into subsidized, supportive housing that provides mental health services, debt counseling, legal and job support services. I would like to learn from and invest in proven models that provide targeted supportive housing services for homeless individuals and families such as the Scattered Site Housing Model.
What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?
I will continue the current programs of the city and seek guidance from the impacted community, advocates and subject matter experts on other proposals.
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 support single-payer universal health care. It is most pertinent that all New Yorkers have access to healthcare. The lack of healthcare has been a critical impediment in my district and other communities of long standing need. As a member of the Council, I will seek guidance from the medical community, advocates and subject matter experts on other proposals.
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 Thompson B) Public Advocate in 2013 - Letitia James and 2019 - Jumaane Williams, C) President in 2016 - Hillary Clinton and 2020 - Joe Biden C) Governor - Andrew Cuomo and Attorney General - Letitia James in 2018.
Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively
Health (Covid Recovery) Employment & Small Businesses Systemic Racism & Social Justice Reform (Wealth Gap, Housing Security, Quality Education)
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 - "stronger citizen and community board input" 2) the land use process - "stronger community board input", and 3) the powers and duties of municipal offices ?- "better monitored by the Council as an oversight authority"
Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend to exercise them?
I would use the present powers to educate the district stakeholders. My vision involves an accountable New York and an accountable Harlem. In order for there to be full accountability, community boards must be strengthened, community boards must have balanced representation, and the unheard voices of the district must be given a chance to be heard.
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. I commit to working with Jim Owles during the campaign and while in office. The progressive LGBTQ community can hold me and my office accountable by ensuring that they are willing to work closely with me. I would like to see more progressive LGBTQ members serving on community boards and playing leadership roles in the larger community.
If you receive the endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements?
Yes without a doubt.
What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsement decisions?
I pride myself with having a bright personality and an upbeat demeanor. Many would say that I have been a quiet, but steadfast presence working among the ranks of Harlem's leadership and advocates for several decades. As an accomplished academic, I have dedicated my entire life to public service and in doing so, I have demonstrated a proven track record of rolling up my sleeves and getting to work. As a teenager, I became one of the youngest people appointed to a local community board in New York City. My interest in civics piqued as an adolescent, as I later went on to serve as the youngest trustee of a community school district in New York State. This trajectory of service and community building helped mold me into a visionary leader, whose block by block approach, focused on civic engagement, crisis response and restorative justice. Losing my brother to a senseless gun violence and experiencing the loss of other friends and family members at a young age is a tragic-formative experience that I share with far too many New Yorkers. During this current world-wide pandemic, Harlem has seen astonishing increases in gun violence - a separate plague on the community stemming over generations. My approach to crisis response and civil rights as it relates to violence, has reached new levels of urgency as rising violence leads to an increased police presence in an already stressed community. In a climate where the entire Nation cries out for police reform, I have been compelled to lend decades of personal experience to advancing the notion that to re-imagine the relationship between police and community, means raising the profile of the precinct councils - an entry point for community leaders to work collaboratively with the department on how the community is policed. Over the years, since Eric Gardner's murder commanded national attention on the value of black lives, I worked at the National Action Network alongside its president, the Reverend Dr. Al Sharpton as National Crisis and Service Director. There, I led the effort to ensure that black communities across the United States have effective crisis response systems, especially the ones needed for civil rights violations. A stalwart activist in electoral politics, I repeatedly have been re-elected to the position of District Leader, where I grew the ranks of the Democratic Party and fostered historic levels of civic engagement. I credit the training I received through the NAACP, the New York City Mission Society and The City University of New York as the most important tools for my organizing abilities and deep activist roots. A consummate New Yorker and lover of fine arts, I attended public school in Harlem and studied at the LaGuardia High School of Music & Art. I earned a Bachelor's degree in Speech and Urban Legal Studies from the City College of New York, a Master's Degree in Urban Affairs from Hunter College and a Master's in Public Administration from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.