On the other hand, given the reputation Mr. Spitzer earned as attorney general and governor – he viewed his role in both capacities as that of a “steamroller” – it is hard to imagine a more unlikely fit for the office of comptroller.
Further, Mr. Spitzer told The New York Times that if elected comptroller he would look to become “the primary voice of urban policy – what works and what doesn’t work. It’s understanding that the audit power of the office is not just to figure out how may paper clips were brought and delivered, but to be the smartest, most thoughtful voice on a policy level.”
We are rather certain that Mr. Spitzer views the comptroller’s office as a stepping stone to higher office. The temptation to reprise his role as steamroller would be irresistible. But New York cannot afford the luxury of more than one mayor at a time or, for that matter, constant battles with pension trustees.
Scott Stringer is the clear choice for comptroller.
Brooklyn District Attorney
The Jewish Press endorses Charles J. Hynes for Brooklyn district attorney. Mr. Hynes is a 24-year veteran as Brooklyn DA and has more than earned being returned to office. Over the years he has transformed the reputation of the office to where it is now the first choice of the most talented young lawyers seeking work in law enforcement. He has also built a staff of more than 500 lawyers, which rivals the size of many of the country’s largest law firms.
Significantly, Mr. Hynes has also fostered a work ethic and a level of professionalism in the office that have contributed mightily to the steadily decreasing crime rate in Brooklyn.
A key innovation has been his broad effort to work with the borough’s varied communities, including the Orthodox, in a cooperative effort to bring down crime rates. This has been somewhat misunderstood and derided by some, including his opponent, as preferential treatment when it has involved the issue of prosecuting sex abusers in the chassidic community. But in reality it has always represented a hard-nosed assessment about what it takes to effectively enforce the law in manifestly different circumstances across the borough.
It strikes us as ironic that the approach he has taken in this regard was actually designed to maximize the impact of efforts to address these crimes, and yet he has been criticized for it.
Mr. Hynes has also pioneered alternative approaches to crime prevention such as rehabilitation programs without incarceration. And they have brought remarkable results in combating recidivism.
Charles Hynes has figured out what it takes to effectively fight crime. He is a community asset who should be retained as Brooklyn district attorney.
City Council
35th Council District in Brooklyn
(Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights and Bedford-Stuyvesant)
In the 35th City Council District in Brooklyn The Jewish Press endorses Olanike Alabi in the Democratic Primary to replace the term-limited Letitia James. Ms. Alabi is a well-known and respected advocate for housing and other quality of life issues in the area. During her recent visit to The Jewish Press she displayed a deep knowledge of the pressing problems facing the 35th district that will have to be faced in the coming years. Her passion for resolving is impressive as is her knowledge of how the council works. She has earned the strong support of the Jewish community in Crown Heights. We urge Democratic voters to come out and vote for Olanike Alabi on September 10.
46th District (Bergen Beach, Canarsie, Mill Basin and Sheepshead Bay)
The Jewish Press endorses Assemblyman Alan Maisel to succeed the term-limited Lew Fidler. Mr. Maisel is a fitting successor to Councilman Fidler and shares many of our community’s concerns, as indicated in his distinguished career in the New York State Assembly.
47th District (Coney Island, Gravesend and parts of Bensonhurst)
The Jewish Press endorses Mark Treyger to succeed the term-limited Domenic Recchia Jr. Mr. Treyger is a civics teacher at New Utrecht High School and a Bensonhurst political activist with an abiding interest in the governmental process.
48th District (Brighton Beach, Seagate, Gravesend, Mill Basin and Sheepshead Bay)
The Jewish Press endorses Chaim Deutsch to succeed the term-limited Mike Nelson. Chaim Deutsch has long been a fixture in Brooklyn as the go-to person for those in need of help with government officials and agencies including, importantly, law enforcement. He has been indefatigable in this regard, making himself available at all hours. His contributions to the everyday lives of countless Brooklynites have been immense.
For several years he has served with great distinction as a senior aide to Councilman Nelson. He is also a founding member of the Flatbush Shomrim Safety Patrol, which started from humble beginnings but now boasts 50 volunteers, a 24-hotline, portable radios, immediate response teams, and a state of the art mobile command center.
We have no doubt that if elected, Chaim Deutsch will give new meaning to the phrase “constituent services.”
Borough Presidents
The Bronx
For Bronx Borough President The Jewish Press endorses the incumbent Ruben Diaz, Jr. who was elected in April 2009 in a special election following President Obama’s appointment of Borough President Adolfo Carrion Jr. to the position of Director of the White House Office on Urban Affairs. A former NYS Assemblyman, Diaz pursued a broad agenda of issues there including health care, insurance fraud, pedestrian safety, school bus safety and accountability of gas and electric companies, in which he continues to show interest. He has been a model borough president and should certainly be permitted to run for reelection in the November general election.
Queens
In the race for Borough President of Queens, The Jewish Press endorses Peter Vallone, Jr., currently a member of the NYC Council representing the 22nd Council District. Mr. Vallone has distinguished himself as a strong advocate for public safety. He has led efforts in the City Council to increase the number of police officers and fought against efforts to cut the NYPD budget. He also wrote the law placing security cameras in all NYC public schools and was a sponsor of a bill to require the NYC Department of Education to assist nonpublic schools with their security problems. He has been a strong advocate of the value of a vigorous stop and frisk policy as a law enforcement tool but also does not oppose efforts to ensure that it is implemented in a legal and courteous manner. As Borough President of Queens, he will have an even stronger voice to pursue his all-important signature issue of public safety.
