It was scheduled to be a “Candidates Night” debate between City Council Democratic hopefuls Bob Friedrich, Swaranjit Singh and Mark Weprin – but candidates were largely in agreement.
North Shore Towers Political Action Committee Chair Murray Lewinter introduced the candidates to an audience of about a hundred Towers residents, noting that they would speak in the order they were drawn.
He attributed the relatively sparse attendance to a large audience listening to President Obama’s speech on healthcare, which was being simulcast in the theatre downstairs.
Weprin, currently a 15-year veteran State Assemblymember representing the neighboring district and brother of current councilmember David Weprin, spoke first.
After citing his 99 percent attendance and the 62 laws he has authored, Weprin promised to be a strong advocate for tax fairness for co-op and condo owners, saying that he had five years experience private practice in co-op and condo law.
He claimed that his legislative experience would propel him into a position of leadership in the City Council, where he could have a greater influence over local issues, including education.
Next to speak was Singh, a community activist who said that he left a lucrative real estate business to devote himself to public service after the 9/11 attacks.
He pointed out that, as a member of Community Board 13, “I have a relationship with North Shore Towers,” and that “I spoke on your behalf,” at a hearing about controversial broadcast antennas before the Board of Standards and Appeals.
Singh said he was inspired by the words of President Kennedy to ask what he could do for his country, and promised that, if elected, “When you need me, I’ll be there.”
Friedrich introduced himself as president of the nearby Glen Oaks Village co-op, which has 10,000 residents. He pointed to his long history of civic activism and experience in his own and an association of co-ops representing 40,000 units as a qualification.
He was highly complimentary to Singh, as a fellow civic activist, saying that “We’re tired of bickering – when we solve things, everyone benefits.”
With kind words for Weprin’s Albany service, Friedrich pointed out that, since Weprin had not resigned to run for council, “You can elect me, keep Mark in Albany and have the best of both worlds.”
The first crack in the camaraderie came when Friedrich took exception to Weprin’s campaign suggesting he was a Republican because he accepted a cross-endorsement. “Mark accepted other endorsements and he’s still a Democrat – so am I,” Friedrich said.
Weprin, who admitted that his name would also be on the Working Families and Independence lines in November, pledged “I will endorse the winner of the Democratic Primary.”
Friedrich, assured of the Republican line, said “I’m supporting myself,” while Singh said that if he failed to secure the nomination “I will not run again.”
