The retirement of Rep. Major Owens means that there’s a vacant seat in Brooklyn’s 11th
Congressional District (spanning Brooklyn Heights to East New
York, parts of Park Slope, Cobble Hill, Windsor Terrace,
Prospect Heights and East Flatbush). In the race are State Sen. Carl
Andrews (D-Crown Heights), City Councilwoman Yvette Clarke (D-Flatbush)
and Chris Owens, the current congressman’s son and City Councilman David Yasky.
This week, the Brooklyn Papers surprised everyone by endorsing David Yasky. Here’s an excerpt from from this week’s editorial. Who are you voting for?
Wonk-like in demeanor and a bit stiff on the campaign trail, Yassky is unlike many politicos — he actually makes a difference.
In his term-and-a-half as a city councilman, he’s pushed the mayor
to mandate affordable housing as part of the rezoning of the
Williamsburg and Greenpoint waterfronts; worked to revise taxicab codes
to provide for hybrid cabs; helped keep film companies, with hundreds
of union jobs, working in New York City; and continued the fight —
begun when he was an aide to then-Rep. Charles Schumer — against gun
manufacturers.We’re not pleased by the strong support he receives from developers
who fill his campaign war chest. Or with the fact that he moved to New
York City from Washington, D.C. after the imposition of term-limits
created open seats on the Council — or that he again moved so that he
would reside within the 11th District before running for the seat.But while Yassky has been supportive of development, he has also
listened to the critics of the Atlantic Yards project. Yes, he supports
Bruce Ratner building at that site, but at last week’s state public
hearing he reiterated his position that the development must be halted
if it is not scaled back.As Yassky demonstrated in the City Council, he doesn’t just issue
press releases or make speeches, but makes deals with those who have
other agendas and priorities.Yassky is clearly the best candidate for the job. Our guess is that
once he gets to Washington, all voters will see what a gifted,
energetic legislator like Yassky can deliver.