Democrat L. Rickie Tulloch, long-time community leader in Flatbush and East Flatbush, this week announced his bid to fill the vacant seat in Brooklyn’s 45th Council District.
The district includes East Flatbush, Flatbush, Flatlands, Marine Park, and Midwood. The seat was most recently held by Public Advocate–elect Jumaane Williams.
“I am excited to announce that I am running for City Council in the 45th District. Our community is strong, and I am running to be the leader to make it stronger. As a City Council member, I will put people first and work to address the concerns of our neighborhood – affordable housing, alternate side parking, and great schools. Let’s get to work,” said Tulloch.
Tulloch arrived in Flatbush in 1976, immigrating with his family from Jamaica as a teenager. A product of the city’s public schools, he graduated from Erasmus High School and earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Brooklyn College.
Over the last 40 years Tulloch has dedicated himself to his community through his activism, advocacy, and public service. He is Senior Director at NYC Health and Hospital (Office of Facilities Development), is the Chairman of the Visionary Political Action Committee (VPAC), and was the Treasurer and Chair of the Land Use Committee of Community Board 17. He has also served as Chairman of the Board of Flatbush Action Community Day Care Center, Board Member of the Erasmus Neighborhood Association, and President of the Ginger Ridge High School Past Students Association.
This decades long work has given him a first-hand look at the quality of life issues facing the community including affordable housing. The Brooklynite wants to tackle the affordable housing crisis head on by increasing funding for homelessness prevention and rehousing programs, and advocating for downzoning to prevent gentrification.
He also wants to focus on improving public schools by increasing the number of gifted education programs in elementary schools so that high achieving students can have opportunities at an early age.
“I have lived and served our community for 40 years, and I have seen the power of organizing and community-building to fight for quality housing, good schools, and jobs with dignity,” added Tulloch.
Additionally, Tulloch wants to curb four-days-a-week alternate side parking that inconveniences residents and leads to increased tickets and fines.T
Tulloch’s entry into the race now broadens the field to 9 candidates including community activist Anthony Beckford; Williams’ Deputy Chief of Staff Farah Louis; Monique Chandler-Waterman, Founder/CEO of a community based organization; and Xamayla Rose, a campaign consultant who used to work for former Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz; Social media influencer Adina Miles Sash, a.k.a. Flatbush Girl; Louis Cespedes, an architect and former challenger to Williams in 2017 and Anthony Alexis.
Mayor Bill de Blasio is expected to set a date in the coming weeks for this special election.
