Simcha Felder
Simcha Felder is a member of the New York City Council from Brooklyn. A Democrat, he represents the 44th Council District, which encompasses parts of Borough Park, Midwood and Bensonhurst.
The Council's only Orthodox Jew, Felder has gained popularity among his conservative Jewish constituents for advocating strongly on their behalf, including in matters relating to Israel.[1] Although personally opposed to homosexuality as being against Judaism, he backed Christine Quinn for City Council Speaker in what was seen as a political move to gain allies.[2] He has also backed city funding for Catholic and Jewish schools, while maintaining that he is against displays of religion in public schools.[3] Felder has also gained attention by calling for better labeling of caffeine content in foods and beverages,[4] as well as a ban on the distribution of unsolicited fliers.[5]
Felder is Chair of the Council's Committee on Governmental Operations, a position that he has held since January 2006. As Chair of the committee, Felder has supported Mayor Michael Bloomberg's plan to curb Pay to Play contracting practices.[6] Most notably, the committee has provided oversight of the City Board of Elections' implementation of the Help America Vote Act. As a member of the Council's Land Use Committee, Felder is part of a group of New York state legislators that has consistently blocked plans to renovate United Nations headquarters, calling the UN anti-American and anti-Israel.[7] In spite of such calls, the UN recently announced that it will undergo a $1 billion makeover.[8]
Prior to becoming a City Council member, Felder was chief of staff to New York State Assembly member Dov Hikind. Felder is reportedly a contender for the 2009 New York City Comptroller election, citing his background as a certified public accountant as an asset.[9]
Controversies
In April of 2006, Felder accused the highest ranking uniformed member of the NYPD, Chief Joseph Esposito, of using inappropriate language when Esposito attempted to quell individuals who entered a police station house during a riot in Borough Park. Fedler indicated that he personally heard Chief Esposito say, "Get the fucking Jews out of here." [10] However, the Civilian Complaint Review Board, which investigates police misconduct, later found the accusation against Esposito unsubstantiated.[11] When subsequently confronted about the Review Board's finding, Felder's office stated that that Simcha Felder had "no comment" about the incident and that he "wants to put the matter behind him."[12]
References
- ^ Council's Felder Sides With Mayor, New York Sun, Apr. 14, 2005
- ^ Boro Park Pol Favors Gay Speaker Hopeful, The Jewish Week, Dec. 30, 2005
- ^ City Adds Funds For Catholic, Jewish Schools, New York Sun, Jul. 10, 2006; Simcha Felder Against Allowing Religious Symbols In Schools, New York Sun via Vos Iz Neias, Jun. 19, 2007
- ^ NYC Councilman Wants Caffeine Labeling, Associated Press, Feb. 20, 2007
- ^ Law would destroy my livelihood!, The Brooklyn Paper, May 5, 2007
- ^ The Last Days of Pay to Play, New York Magazine's Intelligencer, Feb. 26, 2007
- ^ UN Takes A Beating, The Jewish Week, Dec. 17, 2004
- ^ U.N. signs contract with Skanska for HQ renovation, Reuters, Jul. 27, 2007
- ^ THE OBSERVER on Simcha Felder, New York Observer's The Politicker blog
- ^ http://www.amny.com/news/local/am-ccrb0804,0,3405338.story
- ^ http://www.amny.com/news/local/am-ccrb0804,0,3405338.story
- ^ http://www.amny.com/news/local/am-ccrb0804,0,3405338.story
External link
- Simcha Felder contact page
| Members of New York City Council
Speaker: Christine C. Quinn |
 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Manhattan - |
9: Dickens (D) |
17: Arroyo (D) |
26: Gioia (D) |
35: James (WF) |
44: Felder (D) |
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
