Running for office in today’s climate is no easy task, especially for a citywide office. This week, COLlive exclusively hosted Assemblyman David Weprin, who is running to become NYC’s next Comptroller. Mr. Weprin provided an in-depth analysis as to not only the importance of the role of the Comptroller but why, now more than ever, it is crucial that we have the right Comptroller.
The first night’s discussion was led by Chony Milecki, who helped viewers to understand what a Comptroller does, why the election for the next Comptroller is important, and for viewers to gain a better understanding of Mr. Weprin and his background.
Mr. Weprin went into depth about his upbringing, his Yeshiva education, and then his eventual foray into politics starting with serving in the City Council under Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and then eventually being elected to the NYS Assembly. Mr. Weprin has one of the most diverse districts, and he is proud of what he has been able to accomplish not just for his constituents, but for all of New Yorkers. Of Mr. Weprin’s proudest achievements was his religious garb bill. This bill bars any employer in both the public and private sector from discriminating against anyone for wearing religious garb. In addition, Mr. Weprin strongly defended the rights of Yeshivas to be allowed to teach their own curriculums without having the State interfere.
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On the second night, the discussion was led by Gil Cygler. Gil helped ask questions that many viewers from the previous night wanted answers to, like what can the Comptroller do in terms of reviving the real estate market, assistance to small businesses, and most importantly how does Mr. Weprin think we can find ways to maintain key programs that many across this city rely on during this financial crisis?
Mr. Weprin dove right in by discussing how if elected Comptroller he would push to use funds allocated from Economically Targeted Investments to be used for affordable housing. Mr. Weprin made clear that he is not in support of defunding the police. Does he think the NYPD needs reform? Yes, but defunding the NYPD is not the answer. Mr. Weprin also discussed how he would like to open satellite offices in each borough. By doing so he would be able to bring the various resources and programs that the Comptroller office has to help small businesses. Programs like accessing financial resources and other key assistance programs that will be vital to help our small businesses bounce back from this pandemic. Additionally, Mr. Weprin went into depth about how he is supportive of legalizing marijuana and online sports gambling as a means for the State to generate additional tax revenues without having to raise taxes that would hurt the middle class.
Overall, both events were a major success. It had a combined viewership of over two hundred and fifty people. We look forward to hosting Mr. Weprin again.
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It is therefore important that we remind you once again to register and vote if you are not already registered. You can register here (https://voterreg.dmv.ny.gov/MotorVoter) or download a registration form here.
Below is a letter from a cross-section of community leaders, shuls and the Rabbonim who are asking and encouraging everyone to register and vote in the coming June election:
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Dear Community Resident,
The primary election for Mayor, Comptroller, Borough President and New York City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, Yud Beis Tammuz (June 22, 2021). (There are three council districts that serve Crown Heights. Districts 40, 35 and 41.)
The people chosen in this election will run NY City for the next four years and will have a major impact on the lives of every family and individual in Crown Heights. We cannot afford not to vote!
If we work together, we have the numbers to make a difference and elect people who are closer to our viewpoint.
We must make sure that every person over 18 in our home is registered at his or her Crown Heights address. We need the numbers to overcome powerful forces that want to take this City to the extreme Left.
We have more than fifteen-thousand potential voters in our community. But only four-thousand are registered, and less than three thousand are registered Democrats. And still not everyone turns out to vote. This all means we are under-represented for absolutely no reason. We must be able to show every single politician in this city that we mean business! We have the numbers, we have the votes! We will go out and vote on June 22nd, and we will never be ignored again!!
Organizations like DSA (Democratic Socialist of America) and other Anti-Israel and Anti-Semitic groups will be working tirelessly to run a slate of Anti-Israel candidates during this election.
There are also candidates and groups calling to defund the Police. Defunding the Police would obviously be counterproductive and dangerous to NYC.
You might not want to register as a Democrat, and that might be because of the recent actions taken by specific elected officials affiliated with the Democratic Party. NYC is unfortunately a one-party city. For us to have a voice, and to ensure that our needs as a community are met, we need to work within this system. This requires every registered voter to change their party affiliation to Democrat, and if you are registering for the first time, to register as a Democrat. Your party affiliation does not prevent you from voting Republican in the General Election in November, if you wish.
HERE ARE THE EASY STEPS:
CHECK VOTER REGISTRATION STATUES:
https://www.nycvotersearch.com/
IF YOU HAVE A NYS DRIVERS LICENSE OR NY STATE ID
REGISTER TO VOTE BY MAY 15TH
https://voterreg.dmv.ny.gov/MotorVoter
CANNOT REGISTER OR ONLINE
Please email ch2vote@gmail.com and/or call the CHJCC at 718-771-9000 and we can help you with voter registration, or to change party affiliation, or you can pick up/drop off a registration form at the CHJCC or by emailing ch2vote@gmail.com and we can drop one off at your home.
Signed by:
Yossi Hershkop Rabbi Moshe Bogomilsky Yaacov Behrman
Shlomie Hecht Dovi Sperlin Rabbi Moshe Klein
Yossi Garelik Sruly Clapman Moshe Malamud
Zaki Tamir Chanina Sperlin Eli Cohen
Shaya Gordon Avremel Lokshin Mendy Gansburg
Levi Djian Moshe Pinson Mendy Hershkop
Association of CH Shuls Free Shul Merkaz Sefarad Chabad
Reines Shul Anshei Lubavitch Nosson’s Shul
Bais Shmuel Cong. Chovevei Torah The Beshet
The Grade Shul Empire Shtiebel Merkaz Avreichim Shul
Lincoln Place Shul Beis Schneur Shul Itchke’s Shtiebel
Cong. Yaakov Yehuda Anshei Moshe Shul Beis Gimpel Chaim Shul
Anshei Maaseh Shul Eliyahu Nachum (770 Lefferts) Der Shtible Shul
Bris Sholom Shul The Shul Frankel Shul
Mayanot Shul Agudah Shul K’hal Bais Rivkah Shul
We encourage all members of the community to register and vote in the coming election.
Harav Avrohom Osdoba and Harav Yosef Braun
