Dear Friend & Supporter,
I was reading the other day and came across a quote from Herbert Humphries that I believe describes my reason for campaigning for State Assembly, “...the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; those who are in the shadows of life; the sick, the needy and the handicapped.”
Education
As a school teacher I see the hopelessness on the faces of my students, many reading below grade level. I hear the hurt in their voices as many yearn for the presence of a father. As the Mayor seeks ways to dismantle unions, specifically, the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), the children, parent and guardians suffer. These are the stakeholders. Students are being programmed and trained to take a standardized test that ultimately defines their intellect. The present system of education has made thinking a thing of the past. My solution is to author a bill that will require schools districts to use student portfolios as an assessment, in addition to the standardized test as a measurement of learning and teacher evaluation.
Seniors
Growing up I missed having a relationship with my grandmother. She died a year before I was born. Today, many of our seniors, more often than not, have to choose between medicine and food because of the high cost of health insurance or relocating from homes they’ve resided for a number of years because of questions about non- occupied space. My solution is to establish an adopt-a-family program, whereby, families in need of housing, after a screening process can live with a senior. This can provide the needed companionship for the senior and rebuild the family unit that has eroded over decades of neglect.
Safety/Economic Opportunity/Programs/Health
Violence has plagued our neighborhoods. This hostility can be attributed to poor dieting, unemployment, a lack of recreational programming for adolescents, young adults and seniors, all of which is a manifestation of poverty. My solution is to increase the number of supermarkets. I want to form partnerships with farms, reestablish the food coop program, reintroduce home economics in the schools and create executive programs in high schools to prepare our students for college, entrepreneurship or careers. In addition, give exposure to the synergy that exists between the 55th District and corporate America with the creation of District wide Olympics, where each District competes against the next. And, to bridge the gap between the generations I propose the introduction of an intergenerational program (Student will receive high school credits, as they learn and work with our senior population).
These are the issues. These are my perspectives. These are my solutions.
