There are many reasons why people do not go out and vote. It could be that they are not informed, they simply do not care or they feel that their voice will not be heard about the many critical issues that surround New York City and the boroughs today.
Mayoral Candidates and attendees came together to have a forum and discussed critical issues of the people including job creation, education and helping the poor, middle class and small business owners to achieve more prosperity.
The candidates whom attended were Erick Salgado, Adolfo Carrión, Jr., John Catsimatidis, George McDonald, Jack Hidary, and John C. Liu.
Question: What would you do to empower the poor, middle class, etc., in terms of jobs, education, and health and give the opportunities for Latinos?
Erick Salgado (ES): Wanting to create vocational schools that can have the dropout rate raised from 16 years old to 18 years old and then have the community colleges allow students to go to college and be able to work full time.
Adolfo Carrión, Jr. (AC): Economy job creation and realizing that Information Technology (IT) is the fastest growing industry so that everyone has access to the Internet without fear of there being taxes and fees that create a burden to some people.
John Catsimatidis (JC): Realizes there are more academics and fewer trade courses. Trade courses should be taught high school or in the community and more get more students involved.
George McDonald (GD): Saving people lives and provide opportunity for them to work hard every day.
Jack Hidary (JH): People will give the problem, but not a solution and the solution is to bring back the American dream and be able to make those small business owners successful.
Question: How would you help achieve diversity in politics?
ES: We are a connection of communities and not a melting pot and therefore, be able to have a multicultural council so that every group has a representative in New York City.
AC: In order for trends to grow, we will find the best talents and put civics back into the education system.
JC: There needs to be more incentives for minorities and representatives in every community without be prejudice.
GD: What’s wrong is that you need billions to be a part of the political class and do something for higher authorities, yet someone may only raise a little and have to resort to getting the family involved.
JH: There is diversity coming into the schools and there is a need to prepare them for the real world and getting them internships in government.
The question and answer session provided more insight on other questions for the
candidates. These topics were about leadership qualities; hospital and healthcare; grants, especially for arts funding; lease renewal including working with landlords not to increase rent for long-term tenants; discrimination in terms of helping to level the field for candidates; and why to have an independent party mayor.
LatinTRENDS hosted this event at the CUNY Graduate Center September 5, 2013 and was moderated by LatinTRENDS founder and CEO, Juan Guillen.
Photos by Eddie Olmo & Adrian Montanez
