By Rich Bockmann
Democratic candidates vying for southeast Queens’ City Council District 28 seat shared their views on education with TimesLedger Newspapers.
The district, which covers South Jamaica and parts of Jamaica, South Ozone Park and Richmond Hill, is currently represented by Councilman Ruben Wills (D-Jamaica).
He faces three challengers in the Sept. 10 Democratic primary: David Kayode, Hettie Powell and Eugene Evans.
Kayode, a minister and a drug-addiction counselor with the city Department of Homeless Services, said he chose to run because he believes the community is not up to residents’ standards.
“What is going on is not right. People are supposed to be helping the community,” he said. “Those in charge only love three people: I, me and myself.”
On education, Kayode said he raised five children who all attended public schools, and he would focus on encouraging parent involvement.
“When I was young, my parents were teachers and if I did anything wrong when I got home I would get spanked,” he said. “We have crowded classrooms, a shortage of teachers and lack of participation. It is out of control and this is bringing the school system down.”
Wills, who first won the seat in a 2010 special election following the death of Councilman Tom White, said voters should re-elect him based on his record serving the district.
“I’m the most qualified candidate and I have a record of getting results,” he said. “You could take [the other candidates’] picture off their literature and it’s the same thing. They have no proven records.”
The councilman said his education platform consists of continuing policies such as his feeder school program, which sets up academic tracks that students can follow from elementary to middle school. Wills has also made a significant financial investment for technology in his district.
“I’m going to continue doing what I’m doing,” he said.
Powell, a criminal defense attorney with Queens Law Associates, is also running on a campaign of raising community standards.
She did not respond to several requests for comment by press time, but in a previous interview she told TimesLedger she would advocate for after-school programs and vocational training schools.
She said she would continue the investments Wills has made in schools with regard to technology infrastructure.
Evans, a Rochdale Village resident, could not be reached, but he told the Rochdale Advocate, “I put my opponents for this race into two categories; one opponent is fueled by self-interests which has led to accusations of corruption; the other an opportunistic power grabber. Neither has demonstrated the wherewithal to provided opportunity for our community. Neither should be considered for the future council position.”
Three former candidates who had been campaigning for the seat — Joseph Marthone, Breina Payne and Christina Winslow — did not get their names on the ballot.
Reach reporter Rich Bockmann by e-mail at rbockmann@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4574.
