The candidates for the 14th City Council District Democratic Party line (L - R), Candidate Randy Abreau, Candidate Fernando Cabrera, Candidate Felix Perdomo.
Bronxtalk host Gary Axelbank goes over the ground rules for this Democratic Debate with the candidates.
It was a lively at times, and back and forth at times on some of the issues of the 14th City Council Democratic primary debate, Councilman Fernando Cabrera stressed his experience as a legislator, while his two opponents (mostly Randy Abreau) questioned just what the councilman had done for the district.
Candidate Randy Abreau spoke of growing up in the district, attending District 10 public schools, leaving the district at age 18 to attend college on a scholarship. He then spoke of his experience at the federal level working in Washington, and that he was back in the district to help other do what he had done.
Candidate Fernando Cabrera spoke of his almost eight years in the city council, and his 28 years being a pastor. Cabrera said that his opponent Randy Abreau did not have a track record after leaving Washington, and went on to say how crime and unemployment have gone down in the district.
Candidate Felix Perdomo spoke of coming to the United States as an immigrant, and he is now a teacher. Both Perdomo and Abreau questioned Councilman Cabrera's figures, but could not provide any other numbers.
As the debate went on it appeared to be a more of a back and forth between Councilman Cabrera and challenger Randy Abreau with little input into the conversations by candidate Felix Perdomo.
The back and forth continued on the subjects of the Jerome Avenue rezoning, with Councilman Cabrera saying that the community has been involved in the land use matter. Candidate Abreau and Perdomo said that the community has not been included by saying why then is the community marching against the proposal, and why has there been so few meetings with the community.
Another topic was the issue of Marriage Equality, the LGBT community, and anti gay comments made by Councilman/Pastor Cabrera. Councilman Cabrera brushed off the comments saying it was only against gay marriage as a pastor, and that has a 100 percent voting record for the LGBT community. Candidate Abreau disagreed with him.
To a question about small business, candidate Perdomo said that small business owners need help and training, which the city is not providing. Councilman Cabrera spoke of the monies he gave to one merchants association for Christmas lights and other help. Candidate Abreau called for passage of the 'Small Business Survival act', to which Councilman Cabrera replied that the current speaker will not let come to the floor for a vote because she is against it.
All candidates agreed on the current Opioid crisis, with candidate Perdomo saying that the people need to be educated on the subject. Candidate Abreau spoke of his work with the U.S. Attorney and that the problem is transportation across state lines. He questioned why the councilman was not using monies from other areas in the budget to fight the crisis. Councilman Cabrera said that monies allocated to repair a park is a capital expenditure, and can only be used for that purpose. He added that discretionary funding is what can be used, commenting that candidate Abreau does not know about budgeting, which candidate Perdomo said that he agreed with Councilman Cabrera that candidate Abreau does not have experience.
To the subject of education, candidate Abreau said that Councilman Cabrera needed to bring more resources to the public schools, and that Cabrera was funded in his failed state senate bid by the charter school PAC. Candidate Perdomo said that he was a teacher, and that charter schools were not the answer, as he opposes them. he added that the district has lower performing schools. Councilman Cabrera repeated his experience in the council, he is endorsed by the UFT, that he has brought 15 million dollars to the local schools, which is the most of any council member.
In closing statements candidate Abreau continued hammering the incumbent by saying that Councilman Cabrera is being supported by right wing organizations against tenants and the public school system.
Councilman Cabrera once again stressed the figures he had of unemployment down to 6.2 percent, and the lowest crime figures.
Candidate Perdomo said that he is not going to lie about having experience, but that he wants to improve the district.
As for who was the winner, Councilman Cabrera stayed to his script of few facts that were in his favor and his two terms in office. Candidate Abreau looked like a boxer looking to land that one knockout blow, but kept bouncing off the ropes with little ring experience. Candidate Perdomo reminded me of the 2009 14th council race where there was a candidate from the 86th Assembly District as Mr. Perdomo is to take away votes from the incumbent Councilwoman who current Councilman Cabrera defeated in a close primary race. Candidate Perdomo's campaign manager whom I was sitting next to during the debate denied that Felix Perdomo was in the race to take votes away from Councilman Cabrera's opponent Randy Abreau as the third candidate did in 2009.
My prediction in my political column 100 PERCENT in the Wednesday September 6th edition of the Bronx Voice.
Bronxtalk host Gary Axelbank with the three Democratic Candidates in the 14th City Council Democratic primary.
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