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Can The Clarkes (Una and Yvette) Successfully Handpick Their Successor To The 40th Council District Seat Out Of Brooklyn?
Brooklyn’s 40th City Council district came into existence in 1991, when via charter revision the city council expanded from thirty-six to fifty-one districts. It also came about because many Caribbean-American political activists, demanded lines be drawn that were favorable to electing one of their ilk. The 40th and 45th districts were drawn with that objective in mind somewhat, cutting through the heartlands of areas where Caribbean-Americans live in majority. That same year, a pugnacious Jamaican-born woman, stubbornly insisting that she was a “maroon”, emerged victorious. And the ‘icon” that many now refer to by one name, was born. She was Una Clarke. Una held the seat for ten years, before she was eventually term-limited out of office. When the race to succeed Una started up, many people were angered at the fact that she had hand-picked her daughter for succession. This was no surprise to most political pundits, who had seen this type of family hand-down occur with tremendous successes, all over the USA. And it was no surprise either, when Yvette Clarke handily won the seat in 2001.You could have bet the rent on that outcome folks. Even the late Ray Charles saw it coming. In that race Yvette faced many opponents, and by the time the voting machines were opened up on election day, the field was down to six- since one opponent had died and a couple were knocked off the ballot in the pre-election court challenges. During the pre-election debates, one of Yvette’s opponents (Wellington Sharpe) made the loud proclamation, “I am the only Jamaican–born candidate running in this race”; this didn’t sit well with the Clarkes (as far as I am told). It is said that Yvette and her mother felt that Sharpe was trying to get an edge over Yvette, with the many Jamaican- born voters in the district; thus he pissed them off. It is also said that they felt Sharpe was trying to minimize and trivialize Yvette’s Caribbean-American pedigree, in a district full of Caribs. The Clarkes have never been supportive of any of Sharpe’s runs for public office, despite sharing a common heritage. This has been commented on by many an observer. So the question is: why? Why haven’t the Clarkes endorsed Sharpe before? To Wellington Sharpe, the aforementioned incident was just one of those things that happen in the heat of a candidate’s debate; he believes that the incident was overblown. Sharpe insists that it wasn’t anything personal (against Yvette), and that he was only being factual. He doesn’t think that this five year old event should stand between him and an endorsement from the Clarkes, as he tries to replace her in the City Council, in the upcoming special election. But will it? Should it? When Yvette Clarke won the Democratic Primary in September last-11th Congressional District- speculation as to her successor in the council was rife; even her mother’s name was mentioned. After her victory in the general election last month, names were coming out of the woodwork, as to who that successor would be. Potential candidates were making the trek to their political club on Flatbush Avenue as though it was the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. Everyone wanted to touch the hems of their respective garments. Some potential candidates were kissing their papal-rings; others were kissing their quasi-royal asses (with no shame). After all, someone said that whoever the Clarkes endorsed will have the inside track to winning the seat. We shall see; February will be here soon enough. That’s when the special election to find her replacement will take place; in the dead of winter. A little over a month ago, word went out that the Clarkes were interviewing candidates to find someone they could endorse as a replacement; and that there was going to be a process by which this will be achieved. Word is now that they have interviewed more potential candidates, than Spitzer’s transition team has interviewed blacks for high positions in his incoming administration. And just like the governor-elect’s team, the Clarkes are still interviewing it seems. They just can’t seem to agree on one person. Word is that Zenobia McNally would never get the nod; neither would Frances Purcell, if she were to run (as far as I know, Purcell isn’t running), neither Jerry Hopkins. I guess you could probably include me on that short list, if I were to be so crazy as to drop my hat in the ring; after all, I didn’t endorse Yvette for Congress; and without apologies to booth. Word on the street is that Yvette and Una are going to split their (mutual) endorsement, with Una going with Joel Toney (St.Vincent born); and Yvette going with her fundraiser Jennifer James (Afro-American). It is being said that this will be done for purely tactical reasons; but as you know in this game: rumors abound. This brings me to Wellington Sharpe (again). Last Saturday- and also last Sunday- in two informal public gatherings, Sharpe sent out an early Christmas greeting to all potential candidates in this upcoming race: he declared his intention to run. He said that he had been persuaded to hasten (and advance) his decision, since time is of the utmost importance in this sprint to the wire. He has since hired “heavy-hitter” Omar Boucher, to serve as campaign manager. He also bought on Madari Pam Miller and Francisco Hall as coordinators. He is also said to be reaching out to James Archibald to function as a technician on his campaign. I know all this because I have also been called, and in all honesty I am leaning Sharpe’s way. Believe me when I say that many of the potential candidates have called me over the past two months. They all want help. The spin coming out of Sharpe’s campaign is that he has the best numbers of any of the potential candidates who have run within EDs here. His manager stated today that when Sharpe ran in a six way race against Yvette Clarke and others in 2001, his total votes are ahead of Zenobia McNally’s- who ran one on one against Yvette Clarke last year. Boucher also stated that Sharpe leads all potential candidates on “name-recognition” alone, and that he will be the one candidate who won’t be strapped for funds to run an effective race. Boucher said in a phone call today, that he is lining up support for Sharpe from major unions and also from various elected officials as Kendall Stewart, John Sampson, Eric Adams and Lori Knippel. He also stated that prominent community leaders like Bishop Cecil Riley, Attorney Edward Roberts, Leolin Schliffer, James Connolly and Asquith Reid, are all poised to endorse him immediately. When asked if the Clarkes will endorse Sharpe, the manager (Boucher) said that only time will tell. What do you think? Stay tuned-in folks.
Can The Clarkes (Una and
What's a "maroon" (as opposed to a "moron," which is what I probably look like in asking this innocent question)?
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 On the island of Jamaica, the maroons represented and symbolized resistence to the white slave masters. They were originally runaway slaves who went way up into the mountains and survived freely. They ocassionally raided plantaions and aided other slaves in escaping. Una may or may not be a maroon, but she certainly is a moron. Or more likely, just a pig.
Please don't let this thread deteriorate to name-calling, ephithets and slurs.TYVM. It is so unneccessary. On the island of Jamaica, the maroons represented and symbolized resistence to the white slave masters.
Una says she is a maroon. Out of Jamaica she is an ass kisser and does not resist. The maroon who plays both sides. Please who cares what Una claims to be and who cares who she and Yvette endorse. She is just Pataki's maroon and now Weiner's maroon. Remember she said she is eternally grateful something she has never said to Major Owens yet should have. If it was not for him the Clarke's would be insignificant.
Rock I am not bashing. But lets face it these two women are full of shit. I heard Yvette might be endorsing Jenifer not because she is the best candidate but because she will not be a threat in two years. We really chose a winner when we gave her our votes. A big mistake, however mistakes can be corrected. The Clarke's seem to be about playing politics among their own. Wake up people. Rock, there will be more people running. You do not need a college degree so many are jumping on the wagon. After all we have a college drop out now representing the 11th.
Nice piece partial as usual but nice. I wonder which candidate you are supporting? I think that is obvious.
How many checks does it take to get to the center of Rock Hackshaw's blog to get an endorsement S-H-A-R-P-E. That many I resent the implication that my writing (blog) is for sale; thus I will say a few things here to the usual predictable crowd of "put-down" artists who seem to follow me from site to site and blog to blog. Firstly; I have no formal contract with the Sharpe campaign. When and if I do , I will disclose it, just as I did last summer when I was with the "Evans" campaign. Sharpe has been a friend for almost 20 years. Over the past year on Room 8, I have written many favorable comments or columns on many candidates who ran; none ever gave me money for them, nor did I ask, seek or solicit any funds, or in kind payments from them, for these comments or articles. I was the first blogger to write favorably on JESSE HAMILTON (go to my blog and see/ it's all there in Room Eighth's archives/ "Run Jesse, Run"). He never gave me a dime and I never asked nor wanted money for the support. I just told as many people as I can to vote for him. I endorsed a bunch of other candidates including ERIC ADAMS, TERRY HINDS and HAKEEM JEFFRIES, they didn't have to give me, nor offer a dime, since I have worked with most of them in the past, and have been supportive of them for years. I have never recieved nor requested money from them or any others. My support doesn't come with a price. I am no political mercenary, like some of you. My lifelong involvement in politics has come about because of my heritage and my ideals. The candidates that I have worked for (professionally) are few and far and in between. I am very selective with who I charge for my services. Sometimes , I deliberately refuse money in return for my advice, consultations, ideas and services. Most times my services are given freely. Most times my advice is exploited unscrupulously. It is shameful for you weasels out there to try and sully my reputation with remarks like those being made on this thread. Casting aspersions is never good unless you can back it up with facts; show me the cancelled checks; name me the candidates who make these claims. I have said this many times here: no one can say that I took their money from them, for political work that I didn't do. The main reason some of you try to attack me here is beacuse I am a successful blogger. I know darn well, that very few of you out there, possess the moral courage to support my successsful blogging , without some envy and / or resentment. That's unfortuneate; but it speaks to your character(s) and/or lack of. One of the other reasons I am attacked here, is because I hit at some of your favorite electeds and their ineptitude. You know what: go fuck yourselves. Rock Hackshaw: Go back to the Archives. Read the farewell blog posted by your friend, Maurice Gumbs. You are the one who told us in the past that there were few people more knowledgeable about politics in "Black Brooklyn." And it's true that your "friend's" predictions and warnings have been pretty much "on the money." So shouldn't you be scared at the idea of the Clarkes getting any more control? After being probably the first supporter of Yvette Clarke, you took the high road and blasted her for deceiving the public about her college degree. You are probably on the Clarke's enemy list. Chances are, they treat you like a dog. Who can ever forget how Major Owens was stabbed in the back as a reward for helping Una and her family? Who can ever forget how Una betrayed the Democratic Party and sold herself to Pataki and the Republicans? Who can ever forget that Yvette submitted false documents to get a job? Who can ever forget how Una stabbed Major Owens in the back after he adopted her and her family, and took them out of poverty? Who can forget how quickly Una betrayed her Democratic Party, and sold herself to George Pataki and the Republicans. Who can forget that Yvette lied about graduating from college in order to get a job? It's human nature to continue to doing things that make us successful. The Clarkes will be the Black Dov Hikinds. They will keep on telling lies, betraying their friends, and stabbing people in the back in order to get richer and more powerful. But if your friend is correct in his spiritual philosophy, after reaching the top, the Clarkes are just about ripe for some major disaster. God is Good!! God is Great!!! God don't like Ugly.
POSTED IN THE ARCHIVES UNDER MAURICE GUMBS 10/16
".......And then there is the Caribbean-American thing. Unquestionably, Yvette Clarke is now the star of the Caribbean-American community. I have congratulated and praised her for a plucky performance. However, those who know the history of the rise of political empowerment in the Caribbean American community will hardly list either of these Clarkes as pioneers or even participants. A string of Caribbean American candidates ran for office between 1982 and 1991. Their names have generally been forgotten, and I leave it to someone else to do that story. They were all losers except Nick Perry who lost and lost, and finally fell into a newly created district. They were all losers, but in running they aroused the interest of the growing Caribbean/American population. They urged this immigrant population to grow where they were planted. They convinced them to become involved in the politics of their own adopted country. They registered new voters. They helped non-citizens to get their citizenship. A sour ethnocentric past president of Medgar Evers College and friend of Al Vann used the term “tribalism’ to describe the attempts of Caribbean/Americans to compete in political contests. And suddenly Una Clarke was sent out by the Vann Klan with that club to beat down Caribbean/Americans. At meetings to discuss and support Caribbean/American candidates, Una Clarke would enter to announce that these candidates were guilty of tribalism. “They should stand in line and wait their turn until they were called.” And Una continued to be the enemy of Caribbean/American political empowerment until 1991. After protesting for a decade that she was not a politician and would never run for office, she threw her hat in the ring and was carried to victory on Major’s back. And while Caribbean/American candidates continued to run and lose since 1991, to the best of my knowledge, as City Councilperson Una Clarke never endorsed or worked for a single one of those candidates. And to the best of my knowledge, her daughter Yvette has followed in that pattern. So as far as this writer is concerned, the only Caribbean/American empowerment the Clarke women have promoted in Central Brooklyn is their own self-empowerment. Yvette Clarke is a smart, and articulate woman. I was impressed by her performance under pressure and against three strong men, two of them extremely intelligent and articulate. I am convinced that Yvette will be able to hold her own in Washington. But if the statistics of Yvette’s past were put into a computer, and a request made for a prognosis, there would be no reason to expect an honorable or glorious outcome in the future. That requires Divine Intervention and separation from her mother. As a quasi-journalist in this moment, all I have done is raise the question as to wheteher or not the Clarkes can sucessfully handpick their successor; that's all. I don't particularly care for hand-downs (of political office), neither do I care for cronyism as a way of getting into office. I did this story because we are all hearing that there is so much going on behind the scenes, to get a successor for Yvette's old seat. Most of what was being said shows that near all the potential candidates ( except Sharpe and maybe one or two others)were falling over each other to get the Clarke endorsement. Now; wasn't that newsworthy? I THINK SO. Are bloggers interested? I ALSO THINK SO. Plus people kept asking me about the upcoming race. I even got an invitation to be a panelist on a candidate's forum in the district- a few weeks before the race actually happens. Last Friday I was on local televison (BCAT), fielding questions about the race, and about all these probable candidates- especially now that a "white-jewish" candidate has emerged. My feeling is that this will become a big story in NYC media, once the date for the special election is set, and once the white candidate stays in. I also just want to remind bloggers here, that when Nick Perry pulled out of the congressional race earlier this year, that I was the first blogger to install Yvette Clarke as the favorite to win the race ( go check the Room8 archives). When I posted my odds making her favorite, many here said all types of negative things about my analysis. Because I didn't endorse her, didn't mean that I never felt she was the favorite, nor was she not going to win. Yvvette won because Nick Perry didn't run . PERIOD. If Nick had run, Yvette would have been third or fourth in the race, and then we won't be faced with what we are faced with now; looking for her successor. To the poster of the comment at 8;28 pm /last night, let me say thanks for the kind sentiments. I personally thought that this was a 'nice' lil piece, that was sure to bring a lively thread; but then only time will tell. So far I can't figure out why all this venom. Rock, Excellent analysis as usual. Minor correction- Jennifer James is Costa Rican, who have a small but vocal voice in Central Brooklyn. The acrimony doesn't appear to be as bitter between Wellington and Yvette as between Wellington and Una. Just as it was between Una and Nick Perry or Major and Una. As she had cordial, respectful relationships with Nick and Chris, her mutual friendship with Kendall Stewart (and all their mutual political guru and your former padwan/apprentice, Mike Roberts), so was her relationship with Wellington cordial. If anything was learned from the murder of James Davis, its that politics shouldn't be that serious. But in the quest for empowerment and power (two very different things), people tend to view things as life and death. As for the race, if your scenario rings true, then the old guard of the Clarke political club will be working for Joel Toney- an aging crew of race veterans who have the wisdom and district knowledge but not the energy unless Joel can energize and inspire his Caribbean troops to go out into the February cold- a tall order for the quiet, laidback Toney. James will be bringing in young politicos who will have energy and arrogant zeal, and James will probably be able to raise more cash than any other candidate. Problem is selling a unknown commodity to a district not known for trusting outsiders (see Yassky). James will have to literally have Yvette's photo on every poster with her. This scenario really does benefit a Wellington Sharpe victory, since he has name recognition and decent cash. Only one small problem- a Sharpe victory would create a power bloc for Kendall Stewart in Central Brooklyn. Something NICK PERRY will not want to see happen. As you so rightly described several months ago, this particular feud between Jamaican brothers Perry and Sharpe can be lethal. So the big question is how does Nick play a role in this race since he has an interest as well? Does he sit back and let things play out? Does he root for a Sharpe win so Wellington doesn't come after his Assembly seat again? Or does he root for a Sharpe loss- which would mean he again faces a very beatable Wellington as opposed to a formidable Kendall Stewart who is rumored to be looking at Nick's seat when he is term-limited out in 09. I guess if this thread is a shadow of things to come, January and February are really going to be interesting. Here's hoping you stay on the sidelines of this race, so that you can continue to give insider analysis to go with district residents Ben and Azi's reporting. By the time the election is offically called in January (rumours are that it will be held in late February or early March), I will probably be working as a consultant for one of the candidates. I am currently in negotiations with one of the candidates, and I have three other candidates on hold. I will inform Room 8 readers as to my status, whenever it OFFICIALLY changes. Wellington Sharpe is the same person who attempted to run for Assembly against Nick Perry but disqualified because he resides out of the district. He got 12 percent of the vote against Senator Parker. He has run for everything and has one nothing. He has name recognition where? Give me a break! It is time that we look for younger dynamic people to run for elected offices. Ms. James makes a compelling case on why she should represent the 40th and I wish her well.
Regarding Omar give me a break what winners does he have under his belt.
Jennifer James is a political hack that has never done anything for Brooklyn, other than help fund our fan-tastic elected officials. Her candidacy is rendundant and is typical of what the machine thinks of progress. If we want people who can really do something for Brooklyn, we should elect those who have already done something for Brooklyn. Not those who live at the edge of the district and at the skirtfringe of elected officials. To elect her would be regressive and that is the last thing Brooklyn needs. Energetic Staffers Who? Wellington Sharpe just did poorly running against Diane Gordon in the 40th AD. Gordon was indicted on bribery charges (caught on video trying to trade her influence to get a free house built) I was shocked that she got re-elected. If Wellington was a strong candidate, why couldn't he beat an opponent who is going to jail? The Times refused to endorse in that race, as disgusted as they were with Gordon, they apparently didn't like Wellington or the other person running against her. When a candidate runs for office and keeps losing too many times, when he can't beat badly damaged opponents, you wonder how strong this person is.
You must likely will go with Shapre. That is cool. Get the money and go pay a Con Ed bill. However to claim he as more name presence then McNally or Hamilton is crazy. The just ran races. Hamilton this year and McNally in the same exact race last year. Shapre is known for three things. Running races... losing races.. an always paying his staff on time. Good things if running for office was a job. Ask Mark Green or Cuomo ...well he won... but you get my point. You know that.. but the check will clear win or lose? LOL
Love ya Hachsaw Keep 'bLoggin" Rwallnerny doesn't know Wellington from Winchester; Iceberg/Goldberg, what's the difference? One is a stew and one is a Cathedral. Does Wallner even know which is which? Here's the KEY; one is SHARPE. Schmuck You are the schmuck! unlike you, I've actually met Wellington. I didn't say I didn't like the man. Just that you wonder about perennial candidates who never win. Keep your negativity to yourself
The person that sweats Rock the most or promisee a check is the favorite. There was not one favorite in your blogs until this week. Be serious. Name recognition? You must be joking. Stop hating on the Daily Gotham too. The frontrunners are usually people who have other qualities besides name. Ran a real race before. Have "talking skills", get on the ballot consistently. So with that being said you look at McNally and Hamilton. Now if I gave some money to the RC fund would I be a favorite?
'rwalnerny' is not me, just some idiot (probably michael bouldin) who got a login that looks like mine just to cause confusion. I admit I got Wellington Sharpe and Winchester Key mixed up. Hey both long names starting with W. But I did meet Wellington. He's the guy who was going to run against Nick Perry in the 58th until he got kicked off the ballot because he didn't live in the district (or so it was alleged) My point is still that he is a perennial candidate who seems to run every election and always loses. Is name recognition from losing constantly "good" name recognition?
'rwalnerny' is not me, just some idiot (probably michael bouldin) who got a login that looks like mine just to cause confusion. I admit I got Wellington Sharpe and Winchester Key mixed up. Hey both long names starting with W. But I did meet Wellington. He's the guy who was going to run against Nick Perry in the 58th until he got kicked off the ballot because he didn't live in the district (or so it was alleged) My point is still that he is a perennial candidate who seems to run every election and always loses. Is name recognition from losing constantly "good" name recognition?
Rock, We love you. Please don't sell yourself out by working for Sharpe. He is a very dishonest type who has hit on me and any number of ladies who attempted to work on his campagin a few years ago. Just ask your friend the former campaign manager and also ask him about how we didn't get paid on election day. You really are a strong voice for Caribbeans and shouldn't make such a bad choice. Sharpe is evil. Trust me Who can ever forget how Major Owens was stabbed in the back as a reward for helping Una and her family? Who can ever forget how Una betrayed the Democratic Party and sold herself to Pataki and the Republicans? Who can ever forget that Yvette submitted false documents to get a job? Who can ever forget how Una stabbed Major Owens in the back after he adopted her and her family, and took them out of poverty? Who can forget how quickly Una betrayed her Democratic Party, and sold herself to George Pataki and the Republicans. Who can forget that Yvette lied about graduating from college in order to get a job? It's human nature to continue to doing things that make us successful. The Clarkes will be the Black Dov Hikinds. They will keep on telling lies, betraying their friends, and stabbing people in the back in order to get richer and more powerful. But if your friend is correct in his spiritual philosophy, after reaching the top, the Clarkes are just about ripe for some major disaster. God is Good!! God is Great!!! God don't like Ugly. 9:58, God is good. The Clarkes are there because the people put them there, and the people could take them out anytime. They fail to realize that the community is changing and becoming diverse, so it is not about their own. Una owes everything to Major because without his help she would have never gotten anywhere. Fact - No one wanted her. She always leans on people from other ethnic groups for help then kicks them up the ass. God don't like ugly and nor do the people like ugly. She has no respect for those who have paved the way. Fact - Everything her family owns or gets is because the real fighters have paved the way. I can not wait for the day Yvette gets challenged in Congress. I can also not wait for the day she loses her position to someone else. BROOKLYN WILL PARTY. Omar Boucher is a heavy hitter? That was a joke, right? Didn't MOmar get arrested for decking an opponent in the last election or two?
Omar, is a money hungry guy. Wellington, who is a good guy, is being seduced by guys like Omar who like to collect paychecks. Wellington's election performances show a total lack of voting base, no less name recognition. Donald Duck can get 12% in an election.
Having said that, not a single one of the other Goliath's in this race thus far is any better. Zenobia McNally? Why? Because she ran once before and lost? Jesse Hamilton? Becuase he ousted the poorly named legend Musa Moore? Jennifer James? A woman whose best asset may be that people will confuse her with Tish? [nuff said!] the only person whose name hs been mentioned for this seat that would be a prohibitive favorite is CACCI's Roy Hastick, a gentlman who has substance, name recognition, financial support and a legitmate resume upon which to run. But alas, Hastick has decided not to run. It will be a total crap shoot. One of the midgets will win and be canonized giant. Some Omar will see his candidate edge another and be declared the hot consultant, raise his or her prices for the next year or two until folks realize that it wasn't the cosultant who did it at all.
That's the facts Jack. Because, as the great and all-knowing Mr. Garth has pronounced, they are all midgets, and he dwarfs them by contrast. Btw, rock, did you and Wellington ever find those lost specs? "Omar Boucher is a heavy hitter? That was a joke, right? Didn't MOmar get arrested for decking an opponent in the last election or two?"
That's how he's a heavy hitter. This is the kind of election where a runoff would really help, although they only have runoffs in citywide elections unfortunately. If somebody gets elected in a large field with less than twenty percent, as is possible here, do they have any kind of mandate? Wouldn't a runoff between the top two finishers cause more coalition building?
Rock, Your piece was informative and interesting. Keep it up. You will have far greater value remaining un-tethered to any candidate in the 40th Council District race -- free to highlight issues and incidents without concern for your patron. This special election will be a true free-for-all. What is unique, however, is the struggle of two different communities to find their own paths to political empowerment. The Haitian community and the Pakistani community each have ethnic blocs within the district that require mobilization to be meaningful. Neither group has truly flexed its voting strength in the past (particularly the Pakistanis.) Both communities have strong religious roots along with deep divisions. The Haitians have politics and class as cleavage lines; the Pakistanis have the Shiite/Sunni religious split, believe it or not. At the moment, however, each group has at least two candidates in this race, diminishing the likelihood that the political muscle will be flexed effectively. This race now has only 10 weeks left -- at the most -- probably only eight. That's too little time to build a movement, even an ethnically based one, unless incredibly disciplined work takes place. First, let's see how many candidates actually make it on the ballot. Ultimately, the winner of this election will be the candidate who does their homework door-to-door AND who puts together the most effective field operation. This is the type of election where unions and other organized players really matter. And, yes, a run-off provision is probably a good idea. Finally, Rock, don't let people who have no class bait you. Take care and check out my blog: powerfromtruth.blogspot.com. The 35th, 36th, 40th, 41st, 42nd and 45th Council Districts were essentially drawn by the Coalition for Community Empowerment, Black Brooklyn's only "coherent" political body for many years. As the Redistricting Commission worked on the Council lines in 1990-1991, the CCE had a small group working on its own proposal. For the record, I was the person inputting data and drafting district lines census tract by census tract for the CCE in collaboration with Maurice Reid and a few others. I was also in attendance with other CCE members at meetings with Alan Gartner, Executive Director of the Redistricting Commission. It is very fair to say that we were trying to assist two CCE members into the City Council who had been passed over by the Dinkins transition team: Annette Robinson in the 36th District and Una Clarke in the 40th. In the end, the plan worked ... for somebody.
Rock, run in the race. We need someone who knows what it is all about. Run so that Una's and Yvette's ass could suck some wind. These two did not get what they got because they are good at something. They got there on the backs and heads of the people.
Hey Rock that is the problem. We need people like you and Chris who know how to appreciate and continue to pave the way as others have done before. While good people like you with brains and know how stand on the side line it lets people like the Clarkes get in. We do not need people like that who have no intention of helping the community. We need someone who is for all people.
Yes we need people like Chris owens and Rock to run, as well as people like Jesse Hamilton also. WHile holding a full time job, Jesse earned his MBA and later at night also, his Law degree. He has been a member of dc-37 for over 20 years and a community activists for over 20 years as well. Jesse's parents are Barbadian and his mother-in-law is Jamaican, intregal roots in this area. Married with 2 beautiful children, Jesse is exactly the type of candidate that represents all that is great about this part of brooklyn politics and Chris Owens and Rock are in the same category as community pillars. In this election comming up, we should strive for civiliity and fairness when we go to vote. The candidates who have shown themselves to be education, connected to the community and a force for good are exactly yhe kinds of candidates the voters will want to vote for.
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