The Independent View: Live Chat with NYC Mayoral Candidate Adolfo Carrión, Jr.

I took part in a live chat with NYC Mayoral Candidate Adolfo Carrión, Jr. today sponsored by the New York Daily News and the chat session powered by ScribbleLive.

Here is the chat:

Q-The field of candidates is a bit crowded, as you know. How are you different than any of the others who are running?
A-I am an independent and will be in the general election on November 5th. I am not beholden to the parties or special interests.

Q-Would you revisit congestion pricing? What transportation initiatives would you initiate in your first six months in office?
A-The city is choking with traffic. We are going to have to take immediate action to reduce congestion and help clean up the environment. I will announce in the first month of my administration a comprehensive transportation plan that will raise funds for capital improvements, will encourage more efficient automobile traffic pattern during business hours, and add more transit options for commuters (ferries, bike lanes, bus rapid transit, park and ride etc.)

Q-Just wondering, what is your opinion on Stop and Frisk and the recent court decision?
A-I am running for mayor to be held responsible to keep NYC safe and secure. Also, to be held accountable for education, housing, etc. One of the key tools for good policing anywhere in the US is the ability for the police to stop and question individuals. This tool cannot be misused or abused. But it also cannot be thrown out. We need to fix the relationship between the police and the community by restoring the beat cop and that will require hiring 4-5,000 new police officers and having them walking our neighborhoods.

Q-I can appreciate your history as the Bronx BP. But despite improvements in safety and public healthy in part of the borough, many South Bronx communities continue to struggle with these issues and many more. What would you do as mayor to continue an upward trajectory in the Bronx?
A-I believe the best social program is a job. I will create world class schools in every neighborhood, build affordable housing for all New Yorkers and work to improve neighborhood quality of life. Jobs are created by companies that want to be based in the Bronx. I will work to attract businesses to come to the Bronx, especially the South Bronx, where we can transform old industrial buildings into high tech business incubators. We need to attract the creative class to the Bronx and to all 5 boroughs. We need a 5 borough economic development strategy, not just a midtown strategy.

Q-If elected mayor how do you intend to make home ownership more accessible to New Yorkers?
A-We have a housing emergency at the moment, our vacancy rate is at around 2%. What we need is to build more housing, more quickly. While I was Borough President we built and restored 40,000 housing units in 7 years. With a commitment from the city and a partnership with non-profits and the private sector we can build 150,00 - 200,000 units in the next 10 years. My plan will build housing along mass transit corridors.

Q-I believe you are one of the only mayoral candidates who has taught in the New York City public schools. Please tell us your views on the crisis in public education and why you, as an independent, are better qualified to address it then a Democrat or Republican.
A-The mayor's first obligation must be to the children of the city and making sure they become good citizens and lifelong learners, ready to participate in a global economy. The mayor's first obligation must be to the children of the city and making sure they become good citizens and lifelong learners, ready to participate in a global economy.

Q-You are the only major candidate this year who is Latino. I support you but many Latinos have directed their support elsewhere in the campaign. Why do you think you've had trouble attracting widespread support in the Latino community?
A-The Latino community is the sleeping giant in this election. There are 850,000 registered Latinos and in 2009 only 189,000 came out to vote in the general election. I believe that after the primary when the press covers what will be 3 options for New Yorkers, the Latino voters will ask themselves who will best represent me and my family.

Q-Why did you decide to leave the Democratic Party after being an established figure in it for so long? It seems like that must have been a serious decision on your part. See acj2.

Q-If elected as mayor, what's your top 3 in your to do priority list?
A-Education, Affordability and Jobs.

Q-What is your opinion on the sleepovers at the projects? and why did you not participate?
A-I grew up in the projects, I lived in Jacob Riis Houses in the lower east side. I don't believe the people in public housing should be used as political props. I decided not to have a sleepover with the Rev. Al. because I have nothing to prove and I know exactly how people live. We cannot any longer treat the residents of NYCHA as second class citizens. Remember, one of our supreme court justices, The Hon. Sonya Sotomayor, grew up in a housing project in the Bronx. The kids in NYCHA can achieve anything if we just educate them and get them ready for a bright future.

Q-Some of your fellow candidates have spoken out recently about hospital closings in NYC. Do you see this as a pressing issue for New Yorkers? Would you try to keep these struggling hospitals open, and if so, how?
A-I will fight to keep our public hospitals open and providing the best service to NYC residents. I did it in the Bronx as Borough President. But we also need to develop community health centers that provide the family doctor to the neediest New Yorkers that now use the ER as their family doctor. That will save us millions of dollars in chronic care.

Q-An elected official is only as good as their team. What standard will you use to determine who you bring on to serve in a Carrion administration?
A-You are right on target. I am an experienced team builder. I have done it as a City Councilman, Borough President and as a White House official and as Regional Administrator at the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. I will look for the most talented and diverse group of people who can challenge convention. Those who own the future challenge the present.

Q-There's a picture of NYC that's a poor city/rich city, a divided city. Are you a bridge builder and how do we bridge the divides?
A-We are one New York. Our destinies, regardless of borough, income, race, gender etc., are intertwined. I will work day and night to build bridges between communities and form creative partnerships that breed success and opportunity. We need a Mayor that represents the majority of the people.

CLICK HERE to read Adolfo's answers to the Daily News candidate questionnaire.