When Simcha Felder stepped down from his post as representative of the 44^th Council District to join Comptroller John Liu's team, he left a dearth of political leadership in that section of Borough Park. (Remember, Felder ran unopposed on all lines during his last run for council.) During the past few weeks, contenders have come, and some have gone.

Joe Lazar seems poised to fill that breach.

His deep community roots were firmly established when photos (circa 1971?) emerged depicting a baby-faced Lazar with the late Grand Rabbi of Satmar, Rabbi Mosses Teitelbaum, who conducted Lazar's own wedding ceremony.

Gary Spitzer, Lazar's press secretary, said recently Lazar “is not just going to wait for Christine Quinn to tell him what to do.” According to Spitzer, Lazar knows how to get services for the community. Lazar once served as Dept. of Mental Health Commissioner. He has also worked in the Dept. of Buildings. Lazar has brought affordable housing to Borough Park. He has obtained funding for social service needs, including Holocaust survivors, seniors, and children at risk. In addition, Lazar understands the budget process, which would benefit the diverse cultures of the district (Italian, Irish, Asian, Russian, and Latino).

Education is one of Lazar's top priorities. He “supports (Priority 7) vouchers 100%”, which pay for valued afterschool services for Orthodox Jewish children. Spitzer said Lazar will advocate for tax credits for private schools, an issue that is of great interest to Borough Park, and Brooklyn's other Orthodox communities.

Brad Lander, newly elected representative of the 39^th Council District, has endorsed Lazar. (The 44^th and 39^th CD's abut each other, and cover Borough Park, which is considered one neighborhood.) Lazar was a friend and ally in Lander's campaign. "We need someone great in the 44th and Joe Lazar is the guy - a real menche and someone who I can't wait to work with," said Councilman Brad Lander. "We need Joe in the Council."

Lander's primary challenger John Heyer, who brings with him a strong get out the vote operation, teamed up with Lander for the endorsement This apparently, did not sit well with Vito Lopez, who is rumored to have sent emissaries to Lander's home the night before the endorsement in order to kill it.

This was of no moment to Spitzer, who said, “Lazar is running against Vito Lopez.”