NAME: NICOLE PAULTRE BELL
ENROLLED AS: Community First
OCCUPATION: Student at York College
TOP ISSUE: The most important issues in the 28th Council District are youth, crime and health issues. Young people deserve a good education and need to be engaged in after school activities along with a supportive home.
One of the core quality of life issues is crime; the murder rate is 31 percent in the Queens South patrol area this year, nearly all concentrated in five precincts. Gang intervention is a critical solution along with job creation for young adults.
I am looking to set up job training programs and services throughout the district to ensure that youth can adequately prepare for greater employment opportunities. The district residents are in need of access to health care and I would like to work toward expanding community based health care centers and also increasing education and prevention programs.
MAJOR ISSUES: As New York City and our District continue to recover from these uncertain economic times, many of our residents have sought entrepreneurship as an alternative for employment.
I want to concentrate on developing additional commercial revitalization efforts to benefit minority and women owned businesses, small businesses are the centerpiece of our communities.
Foreclosure is another critical issue, and I plan to work closely to assist homeowners and their tenants facing foreclosure.
DECISION TO RUN: I spent a lot of my high school days in the 28th Councilmanic District, after the death of my fiancé, Sean Bell, and the subsequent trial and events propelled me to make a conscience decision to become an advocate for the disenfranchised and those who believe they have no voice. I will be a tireless champion for the working families of the 28th bringing job opportunities back to the district and providing vital programs and services to our seniors. I am committed to work to continue to give our community a voice in City Hall.
