Bay Ridge GOP Sen. Marty Golden came to heavily Democratic Bedford-Stuyvesant last night touting several major themes about democracy, America’s two-party system and addressing local issues.
“It doesn’t matter whether you vote for a Democrat or a Republican, you have to make sure whoever you vote for earns your vote,” Golden told about 30 local residents at the Brooklyn Tabernacle Deliverance Center, 600 Lafayette Avenue.
“Your expectations of elected officials needs to be higher and it is important to hold people accountable,” he added.
Golden pointed out the importance of bipartisanship between the two parties and that as the borough’s only Republican elected official in the Republican-controlled state senate, he is an asset to all of Brooklyn to get important legislation and funding that all of the borough needs.
He also pointed out that although he didn’t think Hillary Clinton would win the White House next year, that even if she did, both the House and Senate in Congress will likely be Republican.
“We’re (Republicans) here to help you and we’re here to work for you,” said Golden. “And I’m here to help you be heard.”
Specifically, Golden said he supported the state’s recent designation of Medgar Evers College in Crown Heights as the borough’s only school for a business incubator and start-up program. He also said he supported Mayor de Blasio’s plan to add more affordable housing – although with the help of the controversial 420-a tax emption for developers.
Golden had come to the community at the request of James Caldwell, a widely known and respected resident of Central Brooklyn and president of the 77th Police Precinct Community Council.
Caldwell recently changed his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican because he feels the Democratic Party takes the black vote for granted without being responsive enough to the community needs. He also feels strongly that de Blasio is depending too strongly on the Rev. Al Sharpton to determine the needs of the black community without developing open channels with local clergy and community leaders.
Among the residents that came to see Golden was Vanguard Independent Democratic Association (VIDA) President Henry (Hank) Butler and fellow club member Tremaine Wright. Butler is also district manager of Community Board 3 and Wright serves as the chair.
Former Assemblyman and City Councilman Al Vann started VIDA, and he is considered one of the founding father’s of Brooklyn’s well-oiled black political machine. While it remains hard to get into Central Brooklyn politics without VIDA’s blessing or moving up through its ranks, Butler does work incredibly hard to make the club inclusive and is often out and about in the community.
Both Butler and Wright left the meeting early and refused comment.
But local Bed-Stuy resident Nefertiti Middleton, a registered Democrat her entire voting life, came away unmoved to the Republican point of view.
“I asked Mr. Caldwell how long will he be a Republican to see if he’ll get results and he said about a year,” said Middletown, adding Golden talked a good game, but she wants to see results.
But Middletown came down equally hard on the local Democratic Party.
“You don’t need to be blind to see what’s going on. Some people there eyes are open, but they still don’t see. You look at the community. You hear people asking for help. You see why we’re asking for help and yet you do nothing. I’m for someone who’s going to move and make a change,” she said.
