35th City Council District Candidate Discusses Platform

A candidate vying for the much-sought after seat to represent the 35th City Council District stopped by a local political club's Thursday night meeting to disuss his platform and explain why he can best represent the community's interests. 

Hamilton is running against Ede Fox, Laurie Cuombo and Jelani Mashariki for the seat, which covers Prospect Heights, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill and parts of Bed-Stuy.

Jesse Hamilton greeted the Parliament Democratic club, noting his roles as male district leader for the 43rd Assembly District, school board president, attorney and appraiser making him the ideal candidate to tackle the issues.

"We need more progressive people in City Hall," he said. He noted that, if elected, he would focus on establing living wage jobs, addordable housing, a better quality of life and better schools, something he talked about extensively. 

"[Students] shouldn't be taught for the exam," Hamilton said, coming down on Mayor Michael Bloomberg for using "students and teachers as scapegoats" for the education system's failings. 

"We need to have some type of integration between those who are doing well with those who are not doing well," he said, and posited the idea of extending the about DUMBO internship program to children living in local public housing. 

Hamilton also discussed the cost of existing in the area, saying that it is "mind-boggling" that people who have lived their entire lives or had businesses their entire professional lives in the 35th District can no longer afford to do so. 

"We need to look at this," he said. "We have too many people who can't afford [to live here. Homeless shelters should not be 'affordable housing.'"