Government

Election 2014: 22nd Senatorial District

October 30, 2014 Jaime DeJesus
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MARTY GOLDEN

Senator Golden Photo

Republican/Conservative/Independence

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Republican State Senator Marty Golden has represented the 22nd Senatorial District since 2003, and before that was a city councilmember from 1998 through 2002.

Over the years, he has earned a reputation as a pragmatist with an ability to bring large chunks of funding back to the communities he represents. He secures funding for a large number of local events from an annual concert series to the yearly Halloween Haunted Walk.

Strengthening business and growing jobs are key issues for Golden. At a recent candidate’s debate, he recalled having worked to create an environment appealing to bio-tech startups, and stressed that the same thing could be done for the gaming industry, through a digital tax credit “to create jobs and keep jobs here.”

With some 12 to 14 million square feet of vacant space available along the borough’s waterfront, he said, “We need to build jobs; we need to put kids to work.”

In addition, he promised to continue his record of providing funding for education, as well as improving transportation options for district residents, two areas that have been major focuses for him.

Future goals, said Golden, include adding more transportation choices such as increased weekend service on express buses and an express bus along Bay Ridge Parkway for Dyker Heights residents.

If re-elected, he said, “I am going to continue to get things done, I am going to continue to bring money into the community and into the city, so we can use it where we need it.”

JAMES KEMMERER

kemmerer

Democratic/Working Families

James Kemmerer, the Democratic candidate for State Senate in the 22nd Senatorial District comprising portions of Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Gravesend, Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Gerritsen Beach and Marine Park) is a self-described crusader against corruption.

“Ending … corruption in our community is why I am running for State Senate,” Kemmerer said at a recent candidate’s debate. “We need a government that is going to work for us. We need a government that is going to give tax credits to us, not big developers. We need someone who is going to fight for the middle class, not the donor class.

“When big donors and special interests come calling, I tell them one thing,” Kemmerer added. “I’m not for sale.”

According to Kemmerer, benefits to corporations and rich developers mean that community needs are short-changed, from education (with such issues as overcrowded classrooms and a shortage of pre-k seats) to transportation (with straphangers suffering long waits and having to deal with the fact that not a single subway station in southwest Brooklyn is equipped with an elevator to make them accessible to people who have trouble climbing stairs).

With politicians who are beholding only to the electorate, said Kemmerer, there would be a real impetus to fix problems that have festered. Now, he said, “A lot of times, we don’t do anything. For me, it’s always about the money. Someone, somewhere is profiting from it.”

 


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