BROOKLYN FOCUS: Josh Skaller, Progressive For City Council

Last year Joy and I` worked hard to get our friend Devin Cohen elected to civil court judge in Brooklyn. I felt that this was one of those rare instances where the progressive grassroots really was able to make a difference.

This year we have another chance for a progressive win and it is looking surprisingly good. Josh Skaller, past President of Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats and an organizer for Democracy for NYC, is running for City Council in Brooklyn's 39th District. Here is Josh's statement about running:

I love Brooklyn—-our neighborhoods and our people, the incredible warmth I feel walking around our vibrant and diverse communities. Like you, I know that Brooklyn is a terrific place to live and raise our families. But everywhere we look these days, the things that make our borough great are under assault. Developers and out of touch politicians seem determined to transform our community into an endless series of high-rise condos and strip malls. I believe that unchecked development threatens the beauty and integrity of our neighborhoods, overtaxes public services, and places an incalculable burden on our fragile ecology. I’m willing to stand up to the developers, and I hope you’ll stand with me.

As President of Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats (CBID) for the past two years, and as an executive member of Democracy for New York City, I've had the honor and pleasure of working with fellow concerned citizens to help change Brooklyn for the better: Local government that doesn't fear its constituents, but embraces them. A political ecosystem that nourishes and amplifies our core values rather than suppresses them. Transparency, honesty, community empowerment, and more than just lip service for the progressive values our neighborhoods share. I will continue to work on behalf of schools and teachers for our children, an environmental policy brave enough to protect the planet for future generations, and I will stand strong and defend our neighborhoods from the out of control, out of context development that seems to be everywhere, and advocate for smart growth and community based planning.

I look forward to bringing the enthusiasm I've shared with so many of you to city council.

Josh has been endorsed by State Senator Eric Adams, former Congressman Major Owens, civil rights attorney Norman Siegel, and Daniel Goldstein of Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn.

Joy and I know Josh well. He is honest, intelligent and proudly liberal. He is running in a very crowded race...but, despite refusing to take any developer money and mainly fundraising through the grassroots, Josh has come out ahead in fundraising. In fact, looking at all the City Council races, to date he has the third highest number of donations in a council race citywide. Not bad for the progressive grassroots. This means he has a very good shot at winning.

His opponents are not a bad lot. So far I don't dislike any of them. But some have no shot, some are beholden to developers, and some lean a bit more conservative, resembling what the district was like in past decades, not like the current demographics. So far Josh's two top rivals seem to be Brad Lander and Steve DiBrienza. Brad is a really nice guy who swears he doesn't take developer money. I checked his previous filing statement. Almost all of his top donors (other than family) were either developers or contractors. His denials ring hollow when all it takes is some google searches to find who his top donors are.

DiBrienza used to be the City Councilman for that district. And people tell me he was popular. So he will have name recognition among the older residents of the district. But I have been told he may seem a bit conservative and old fashioned to newer residents, and I hear, though have not confirmed, that there may be some scandals brewing about him. I hear he is one of the Councilmen who received lots of money for fake non-profits when he was in the Council. He also seems to have ties with David Yassky, who many of us once liked but have felt repeatedly betrayed by.

Josh is one of the most liberal of the candidates, probably the most honest of any of the candidates who have a chance, and he has been part of the reform and progressive movements in Brooklyn Politics for several years now. I urge you to donate if you can. This is a real opportunity to show what small donors can do in politics.

And even more importantly, if you live in or near his district, give him some of your time as a volunteer. Footwork is what wins elections for progressives.

And, I should also note that Josh also has some great links from his website that you should check out even if you don't support him.

Rent and housing prices around Brooklyn

Brooklyn's Top Polluters

Environmental Resources