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thursday, september 5, 2013 Page B1
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What’s On? n Dining guiDe n Whats COOking n Real estate n ClassifieD n seRviCe guiDe n Business CaRD DiReCtORy
Voters Voices
Democratic Primary voters will go to the polls on Sept. 10 to choose standard bearers for citywide offices and either Andrew Cohen or Cliff Stanton to represent the party in the Nov. 5 general election. Reporter Shant Shahrigian and photographer Marisol Díaz hit the streets of Riverdale, Kingsbridge and Marble Hill to ask residents about the candidates. Cautious and thoughtful, several said they were reserving their decisions until they got to the polls. Others had made up their minds with the help of a union endorsement or agreement with a candidate about a specific issue. Here’s a sampling of their responses. Already decided
Going green
Minnie Krakowsky, educator
Wade Rawluk
“I’m inclined to go with Cohen [for councilman] because the teacher’s union is supporting him,” the longtime educator said. “I think that’s a very important element. I’m not for charter schools.”
Mr. Rawluk is a strong Green Party supporter who says he considered running for City Council himself, but his plans to set up an art gallery in California sidetracked him. “I’m for general legalization for all adults. I’m for medical marijuana,” he said when asked what issues are important to him.
Ms. Krakowsky laments that teachers seemingly have less influence in deciding the outcomes of city elections. “I’m very distressed that the union has lost a lot of its clout,” she said.
“I have hypertension and I really need that medicine,” he added, “and I can’t get it.”
Ms. Krakowsky voiced a widespread view in the primaries that Democratic contenders Mr. Cohen and Cliff Stanton differ little on the issues. “I don’t know them that well, but many of them are similar,” she said, referring to Mr. Cohen and Mr. Stanton.
“High THC [the main chemical in marijuana] should not be seen as bad and CBD [another canniboid] as good,” Mr. Rawluk said while discussing the finer points of marijuana legalization.
Who’s for the worker? Eric Nelson, corrections officer
Running behind
“I’m a blue-collar person,” Mr. Nelson said. “We work hard for the little money that we make. Costs go up, but our salaries don’t.”
Alexander Santiago, teacher Mr. Santiago views the District 11 primary as important, saying City Council members “are the ones who represent the community more closely than anyone else.”
Mr. Nelson, a former south Bronx teacher currently working on Rikers Island, was most concerned with citywide issues.
However, Mr. Santiago admitted he is not following the race closely. “I definitely have to catch-up to have a more informed opinion,” he said. “I usually make up my own mind. I don’t tend to vote just because my union says so.”
“All the hardworking, low-wage people are going to back those type of candidates that are going to fight for them,” he said.
Telling the truth?
Mayoral candidates don’t impress
Mary Judge, retired teacher and social worker
Margot Delli Carpini, educator
Ms. Judge passionately described a trio of concerns that will factor into her vote. “I want to know who is going to take care of immigrants, who is going to take care of jobs and who is going to take care of the health situation,” she said. “If we don’t have that, we’re not going to go very far.”
Ms. Delli Carpini said she is unimpressed with the Democratic candidates for mayor. “It’s almost like you’re picking the least of the worst,” she said. As for the District 11 City Council race, running into Andrew Cohen won her over to his side. Ms. Delli Carpini said she plans to start volunteering for him soon.
“We have so many people who work very, very hard and get no credit for it and get no help for it,” Ms. Judge added.
“I vote for civil liberties, I vote for women’s reproductive issues and I vote for education,” she said when asked why she is supporting Mr. Cohen. “If I find a candidate who embodies those, that’s what I’m happy with, even if there are some things I don’t agree with in other areas.”
Ms. Judge said she still needed to learn about the City Council candidates before making a decision. As for the mayoral candidates, she said, “My tendency is to wonder if they are telling me the truth.”
Focusing on citywide races Diomarys Escano, lawyer “I’m more following the mayor, city comptroller and public advocate races,” she said. “[The City Council race] is important, but I just haven’t heard about who’s running. To be honest, I’m not even sure who is.”
Wishes Those CelebraTing a Happy
and HealtHy neW Year
Not enthusiastic
A new era
Troy Cole, music producer
Asher Lopatin
“I honestly don’t care about the City Council,” he said. “It’s not that important to me right now. Just making sure I get to the ballot and vote and am around a lot of positive people.”
“It’s a new era for New York City,” said Mr. Lopatin, a newcomer to the city himself, “For me, I think number one is honesty, and number two is the courage of the candidate,” said the Chicago native, who pointed to that city’s mayor, Rahm Emanuel, as an example of those virtues. “I care very much about education and the neighborhood aspect of Riverdale,” Mr. Lopatin said. “Coming from Chicago, I want those old values of people really caring and looking out for each other. I want policies… that really help people.”