POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE By Aaron Jackson On January 5th 2004 I spoke to City Councilman, Leroy Comrie, 27th District of Queens and the Majority Whip of the New York City Council; this is what he had to say about the community and Police related issues A.J.: Councilman Comrie, you entered City Council in 2002 & your current term ends in 2005. Though you serve on many committees, including the Chair of the Committee on Rules, Privileges & Elections, Education & Finance, Governmental Operations, Housing & Buildings Land Use, the Sub Committee on Landmarks, Public Sitting and Maritime Uses & you?re also the Head of the Queens Council Delegation & the Councils Majority Whip. Can you explain what the Majority Whip is? C.L.C.: I work with the speaker to insure that legislation that's pending before the body has the will of the body & vice versa, if there is a piece of legislation that the council has coming before it, I'll work with the speaker to find out what?s the intent of the leadership. I'm also part of the steering committee and in that capacity I talk to all the members about how they feel about a particular piece of legislation. I also work with members to find out what their needs are, for example what committees they would like to be on. A.J.: I understand that you supported a non-binding resolution to halt the death penalty in New York State, why is that? C.L.C.: I feel that the death penalty is unfair and hurts the poor and minorities disproportionately. It hurts those who do not have access to high powered representation more than any other constituency. I also believe that people who are economically challenged and or educationally impaired are more likely to be on death row incorrectly, and are more likely not to get an appeal to get off of death row. It?s also been documented that their have been people unjustly incarcerated. and a lot of these people were pushed through the system into death row. A.J.: Do you believe that their are people currently on New York States death row that are innocent? C.L.C.: I do not have a personal break down of individuals, so I can?t speak to specifics. But I read a case recently where a person was in prison since the seventies and was just released (due to new evidence produced, proving his innocence) A.J.: District 27 is a mostly residential community, what was your constituents? reaction to you for supporting the property tax increase of 18.49% CLC. Most of the constituents were unhappy about it, but they understood, because being a residential community of homeowners that need & rely on city services such as teachers, sanitation, police and senior programs, and in this neighborhood 35% of the community is seniors, they understood that these were vital programs and services. They also know that I?ve been working hard to inform seniors that they have the opportunity to appeal their tax ratings and to apply for tax benefits and for a senior tax exemption. I?ve been working with the city Department of Finance to hold tax seminars on the regular basis. A.J.: You supported the Smoke Free Act of 2002; it?s been about a year since this act was passed do you believe this was a good piece of legislation? C.L.C..: I think that this legislation went a little too far. I believe that once the legislation had enough sponsors they decided to make changes and took it to another level, an onerous level I believe. I believe that if some businesses believe that they need a smoking environment to survive because of the desire of patrons to smoke, then their should be some type of wavier that they should be able to receive to allow that to happen and I think over the next year and a half you?ll see some type of adjustment made. A.J.: Currently there is a bill in the City Council that would allow any member of the NYPD while off-duty to provide security at locations where alcohol is sold; I believe the current version is for outdoor security only, do you support this bill? (Int 0478-2003) C.L.C..: I agree with this bill, the restaurants want it and the general public wants it. I understand that there is a legal issue regarding police working at alcoholic establishments, but I believe that as long as Police Officers maintain their professionalism, I don?t have a problem with this. Police routinely moonlight at shopping malls, check cashing locations, dept. stores and moonlight during special events in the city, why shouldn?t they be allowed at nightclubs and bars. Although I think it?s more dangerous and you would have to be on your toes a little more in that type of environment. A.J.: It?s my understanding that this bill is strictly for outdoor security in front of these establishments, but it?s my opinion that I believe officers should also be allowed to work inside these locations as well, what?s your opinion about this? C.L.C.: I understand why that distinction was made, but I would support officers working inside and outside bars and nightclubs. I also believe that if their is a need by proprietors for these types of services, then I believe it?s more beneficial to the department to have trained Police officers present instead of in many cases improperly trained security officers. A.J.: Another bill before the City Council is about enhancing legal protections for persons that appear before or attend hearings of the council. I know personally the importance for a bill like this because I was written up, due to speaking at a community board meeting without the Police Commissioners permission. I went to the trial room and at that time Howard Safir was the Commissioner. To make a long story short, the charge of me speaking at the Community Board was eventually overturned and dismissed after I filed an article 78. They then changed the Patrol Guide procedure due in part to my case, which was a basic free speech issue which I would have eventually won, so I would like to know, do you support this bill to enhance legal protections for persons appearing or attending hearings before the council? (Int 0453-2003) C.L.C.: Yes I do support it and anything else that protects the public and gives them the right to speak up and out. Since I?ve been in office, we?ve enacted the Whistle Blowers Bill (int0063-2002a). If individuals want to point out something that is wrong within City Government he/she should be protected from all reprisals. A.J.: I agree and I believe an individual should not have any restrictions or limitations on speaking up and should be provided all the protections possible under the law. How closely do you work with the State Senate? C.L.C.: I work closely with Senator Malcolm Smith and Senator Ada Smith. Together we went to Albany about six times to get more aid for the city after 9/11. A.J.: Senator Paterson has a bill pending that would provide that disciplinary action may not be taken against Police Officers who do not meet arrest quotas, what?s your position on this bill? C.L.C.: I?m sorry, I?m not aware of that particular bill A.J.: What is your proudest moment as a member of the City Council? C.L.C.: There isn?t one moment in particular, but in general just being able to help people. I?m very proud of hosting a Not for Profit seminar, in which seven businesses were created, three which were created in the district. I?ve done a lot of work with seniors, by hosting Senior Day, in which many elected officials and government agencies attend and offer assistance to seniors. I?ve also fought to keep a lot of senior centers open and I work a lot with the youth, and saved many youth programs. We created the living wage bill and supported protections for unions A.J.: What are your plans after your term ends in 2005? C.L.C.: I plan to run again for City Council A.J.: How about running for the position that Gifford Miller holds, speaker of the City Council? C.L.C.: Yes I?m I would be interested in anything that helps the district A.J.: Councilman Leroy Comrie is married to Marcia Moxam Comrie, a journalist. They are the parents of a daughter and son and they own a home in Saint Albans. Forthcoming interviews include N.Y.S. Senator David Patterson, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, Mayor Bloomberg and City Council President Gifford Miller. If anyone has any questions they would like posed to any of these elected officials or others, please email me at riseup007@hotmail.com   Aaron Jackson Guardians Association Director, Political Action Committee & 7th Precinct P.B.A. Delegate

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