Bronx City Council Candidate: Jerome Rice

Running for: City Council, 12th Council District, The Bronx

Year Running: September 2009 (Democratic Primary)

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Website: http://www.votejeromerice.com/

Candidate Bio:

Jerome Rice, a long time Bronx resident is a family man who has served 22 years in the Armed Forces, and 21 years in the NYC Department of Correction, currently holding the rank of Captain. Jerome Rice attends church in the Bronx, where he serves as both Trustee and Co-Chair to Public Safety. Jerome has both a Master degree in Business Administration and Associate in Computer Science from Monroe College. While serving as Director of Community Empowerment for 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care, Jerome Rice has both created and facilitated workshops on issues that are currently affecting our community, such as:

•What to do, when stopped by the police
•Gangs Awareness / Prevention
•What to do when you go to court, it’s Just-Us
•Disaster Awareness for Community preparedness “New York’s Katrina”

Public Safety

Fight for more Police Patrols in areas that are impacted with crimes. Also call for better Police relationship between both NYPD and the communities they serve. I will fight to keep both our schools and communities, free of Gangs and Gun violence.

Economic Development

Bring in new business and support existing business that will cater to all people of various cultures. Homes are currently being built in our community that we can’t afford. We need homes to be affordable. More Funding is needed to go towards better facilities for our Senior citizens, Veterans and our future (Youth).

Education

Our youths must receive the proper education to prepare them for the Real World. We also need our local business to invest in our future (Youth), by hiring residents from the community.

JEROME RICE is a FIGHTER

He fought against:
•Wrongful Police shooting
•NYPD’s policies on Stop & Frisk and Operation Luck Bag
•Disparate Treatment of Blacks& Hispanic arrested for lower crimes,
•Rezoning of Harlem
•Changes in Term Limits.

Candidate Statement:

There is a call for change with our local elected officials. District 12 needs a leader, not a title holder who chose to ignore the will of the people. Our local elective officials must be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

“Giving power back to the community”

I always believe that the people, who are paid to protect us, must also respect us. I have an extensive track record of reaching out to various communities, educating them on various survival workshops, such as: what to do, when stopped by the police and stop & frisk. I have always say, that your civil rights are not for sale. Unlike many of my constituents, who decided to enter into the witness protection program, when comes to fighting for people rights, I will continue to be in the forefront for justice. I have always believed that there is strength in numbers and there is numbers in the community. I will also continue the fight against gang violence, because our senior citizens and youth should not be forced to live in fear. I will ensure that all funding that are allocated for the community, goes to the community. The time of taking money from the community, are over. The time of hiding, when a call for justice is needed is over. I will have representatives in every community, who will have a direct access to both me and my office on anything that is affecting the community. It is time for the community to regain its power and hold those who are elected accountable.

District 12 needs a change, not more of the same. District 12 need someone who is willing to lead, not be led and hold all those responsible accountable. As your next City Councilmember for the 12th District I will make the following issues a priority:

•Economic development / Employment
•Public Safety
•Education
•Senior Citizens Services
•Veteran Services
•Youth Services
•Diabetes & Child Obesity awareness

“The time for change is now; we need leaders that are willing to fight for the people they serve”.

Queens City Council Candidate: Marquez Claxton

Running for: City Council, 31st Council District, Queens

Year Running: September 2009 (Democratic Primary)

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Website: http://www.vote4claxton.wordpress.com/

Candidate Bio:

After a stellar 20-year career in the New York City Police Department, City Council candidate Marquez (Marq) Claxton remains committed to public service. Whether on duty assigned to uniformed and plainclothes enforcement or off duty as a Queens resident and co-founder and spokesperson of 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care, ‘Marq’ continues to work tirelessly and vigorously to serve the public.

Marq utilized his training and experience as a NYPD Detective to educate communities throughout New York on a variety of issues concerning law enforcement. As a co-founder and spokesperson for 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care, he was instrumental in developing innovative programs that continue to address a wide range of issues including Police Community Relations, Conflict Resolution, Gang Prevention and Awareness as well as Child Safety to name a few.

Because 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care is an active & relevant civil rights organization, Marq Claxton often presented the organization’s official position on a wide range of issues involving Senior Citizens, Childhood Education, and Housing displacement. Whether Marq was assigned to uniformed or plainclothes patrol or in the Narcotics Division as an undercover and investigator or assigned to the Precinct Detective Squad as the Coordinator of Domestic Violence/Child Abuse, he has used his training and experience to enhance the quality of life for New Yorkers.

In his current capacity as chair of the Public Safety Committee for Community Board 13 in Queens, Marq consistently demands accountability and quality from the agencies charged with providing services. In addition to his Community Board chair position he serves on the Community Board’s Transportation, Land Use and Health, Mental Health & Hospitals committees.

Marq is co-chair of the “Gangs, Guns & Gainful Employment” subcommittee of the New York State Democratic Conference’s ‘Operation S.N.U.G., a member of the New York State Blue Ribbon Commission of Gang Violence Prevention as well as a member of Blacks In Government, the N.A.A.C.P., the National Organization of Black Law Executives, C.E.M.O.T.A.P. (Committee to Eliminate Media Offensive to African People) and Operation P.O.W.E.R. (People Organizing and Working for Empowerment and Respect) Marq is a frequent and regular commentator on New York radio stations WBLS (107.5 fm), WRKS (98.7 fm), WLIB (1190 am) and WBAI (99.5 fm). Marq has appeared on National television broadcasts including Court TV’s “Catherine Crier Live”, MSNBC’s “The Abrams Report”, FOX TV’s “Hannity & Colmes”, CNBC’s “Rivera Live” and a host of local television programs.

For Marq public service is an obligation. He has partnered with hundreds of community organizations to assist them on a wide range of issues. Always outspoken, he has publicly challenged politicians and policies that work against the interests of people. Whether at a New York City Council hearing or on a national television program or on local and national radio, Marq has defended the interests of a largely disenfranchised, resource-starved community. Marq continues to fight for justice and equitable resource allocation. Marq has spent years giving voice to the voiceless and fighting to empower the powerless.

Marquez Claxton will bring the same level of commitment and dogged determination to City Hall that he has exhibited throughout his life.

Candidate Statement:

There is a desperate need for elected representation that is not ignorant of the needs AND wishes of their constituency. Given the current political climate, elected representation must be knowledgeable, courageous, honest and possess vision.

“RETURNING POWER TO THE PEOPLE” - With my documented record of both public service and community activism, my constituents, who are my neighbors, have a clear picture of how tenaciously and vigorously I will push forward an agenda to increase resource allocation, demand information and better service from agencies that operate on our tax dollars while challenging the status quo in City Hall that has abandoned a large segment of this City.

No longer will my community be silent in the face of governmental apathy. I will be a vocal, visible, available advocate who will promote the interests of my constituents and the City at large. The message that I will deliver in City Hall will be based on the communication that I receive from the community and with their best interest in mind. Silent, compliant, co-opted political cowardice in the face of failed government strategies and initiatives have placed my community at risk. We will regain our stature, improve our condition and plan for the future as a strong and unified force.

The 31st District desperately needs a strong voice that understands the difference between intelligent negotiation and submissive surrender. As the City Councilmember for the 31st District I will focus on:

· Education
· Employment / Economic Opportunities
· Preventative Health Initiatives
· Senior Citizen Services
· Youth Services
· Housing & Predatory Lending
· Public Safety & Justice

Reject politics as usual, it is time for effective elected leadership. I will not place politics ahead of the People.