By Carol Tannenhauser
Current City Councilmember Gale Brewer won her 2021 bid for re-election to the District 6 seat — which she has held for roughly 13 of the past 21 years — with 87% of the vote. That has not discouraged Diane di Stasio, Brewer’s latest challenger, who will be on the Republican ticket for the council seat in November.
West Side Rag: You know, this is a pretty Democratic district.
Diane di Stasio: I understand. But I’m a pretty unique candidate, because of my involvement in the arts all my life. I also petitioned and qualified to run on the Arts & Culture and Clean Up NY independent ballot lines.
Raised in the San Francisco Bay area, di Stasio, 62, has had a successful career as an opera singer, a soprano, studying first at the University of Southern California, graduating from the New England Conservatory of Music, and becoming a vocalist for the San Francisco Opera. She also won an Emmy Award for her contribution to a music track in the television series “A Guiding Light.” One of her last concerts was at the Beacon Theater. WSR interviewed her by phone last Thursday. The following has been condensed and edited for clarity.
DdS: As far as being a Republican, I’ve been one all my life. I grew up in a military family — my father was an Air Force pilot. I believe in fiscal responsibility, smaller government, and I’m pro business — small business. But I’m very socially liberal. I believe that one of our inalienable rights as a human being is freedom of choice. And just because I’m a registered Republican doesn’t mean I’ve always voted for Republicans. I’m not going to change my stripes just to get elected.
WSR: When do you become extreme?
DdS: I’m not extreme. I believe in common sense. I’ve been on the streets a lot and to many meet-and-greets. A lot of the people there are Democrats, and they’re very upset. Most everyone loves this city…they’re just disheartened and sickened to see what’s happening to it. And there’s a lot we can do to restore it, to make it safer and cleaner, measures we could be taking that we’re not.
WSR: Like what?
DdS: We need to repeal and replace what I believe is a disastrous bail reform law that Gale supports. It’s taken away judicial discretion.
WSR: Didn’t Governor Hochul amend bail reform to fix that?
DdS: There have been some amendments, but there need to be a lot more. I’ve spoken to retired detectives and police officers. They say [NYPD] retirements are vastly outpacing recruitment. They don’t have enough manpower, and they feel like they have their hands tied when it comes to doing their jobs. They’re spending four, five, six hours on paperwork and suspects are getting released immediately, they’re back on the streets, because we have nowhere to put them.
A single mother, di Stasio has no experience in government, but believes her work in the private sector will carry her through. She moved to NYC from Nashville — where she was “involved in the music scene” — in 2011, when her daughter, Rachelle, then 14, confided that her dream was to one day dance with the American Ballet Theater. “I sold my car and we came straight to the Upper West Side,” di Stasio recalled. She became the managing director of a local ballet school. Rachelle realized her dream, but grew too tall to dance in the company. Now 26, she is a model, and, in 2023, was named Miss New York USA. She is currently campaigning for her mother.
WSR: What would you say is the number-one issue facing the UWS today?
DdS: Right now it’s the migrant crisis. I am the daughter of an immigrant. My father came on a boat from Naples, Italy. I believe in welcoming immigrants. But I think, because of the state our city was already in, and the crisis that we’re having with our own homeless — and the mental health of a large percentage of them — we need to take care of our own. When I was petitioning in front of Zabar’s and Fairway, people were very concerned with safety and addicts and folks with mental illness using their front steps as a safe haven. They [homeless people] are on the sidewalks and subways, because those have become somewhat of a substitute for the medical care they need.
WSR: So, what should we do?
DdS: Regarding the migrant crisis, if I were a member of the City Council, I would call on Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul to declare a statewide emergency and deploy the National Guard, like they did in Buffalo and Rochester [to help with security and manage the process]. And I would work on moving migrants out of Upper West Side hotels and shelters that are meant to house the homeless and working poor, out of our parks and play areas, into temporary housing on piers 90, 92, and 94.
Here, di Stasio was a little unsure about the details. She knew the piers were on the river, but took some time coming up with the cross streets. The plan sounded in its early stages.
DdS: Between West 44 and West 54. They’re, like, terminals, away from residential and commercial zones, but close to the FDNY and NYPD, which would help with safety, security, and emergency services. This is temporary, but at least it’s a start. And that’s just a piece of it.
WSR: What else is on your agenda?
DdS: Believe it or not, a number of women who signed my petitions had their arms in casts. When I asked what happened, they said, ‘I was hit by an e-bike.’ In New York City, for class one, two, and three e-bikes, you can go up to 25 miles an hour and you do not need to have a license or to register the bike. If they can go that fast, they can cause a lot of damage to either property or a person. There’s no way to identify them if they take off, so that needs to change.
WSR: What about bike lanes and open streets?
DdS: While I support seasonal initiatives like Open Streets, and limited outdoor dining, I oppose the repurposing of major thoroughfares on the Upper West Side [the installation of “permanent pedestrian plazas” ]. Our community is extremely vibrant, mobile, densely populated, and services major transportation hubs. We need better timing on our traffic lights, we need designated taxi drop-off zones, greater designated loading zones to alleviate double parking, and we need more public parking (not less).
WSR: Homeless shelters?
DdS: I’ve been a part of the press conferences and protests against the West 83rd and West 59th street shelters, because of their proximity to public schools. It’s a big concern for the community. I know that, because the community was contacting Gale’s office all year from about February, March, until now. It was only within the last few weeks that she finally appeared at one of the press conferences. She’s switching her opinion, because it’s close to an election, because she has always been in full support of these shelters.
WSR: Why, if you are hearing all these complaints, does Gale keep getting elected by overwhelming majorities?
DdS: Because not that many people vote. I don’t think people understand the impact the city council has….they control the budget and provide oversight for all city agencies. So, it’s a direct trickle-down effect of what we’re seeing on the ground in the city. I think if more people understood the role of their city council member, they would be more likely to use their votes to affect policies.
WSR: What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence that you can handle this job?
DsD: All my work experience in the private sector. Building coalitions. I built many coalitions in Nashville, and I’ve been doing that in my job for the past 10 years to benefit students and families. And I’m a good listener! I think the community is upset because they don’t feel their voices are being heard anymore. They are told, ‘We’ll give you a chance to speak at a community board meeting,” but the decision’s already been made!
WSR: Can you beat Gale Brewer?
DsD: It will take people coming out to vote. If they come out to vote, I believe I can beat her.
Next Tuesday: An interview with City Councilmember Gale Brewer.
The general election is on November 7. For everything you need to know to vote, from registering (online) to casting your ballot, check the New York State Board of Elections website here.
To receive WSR’s free email newsletter, click here.
I never voted fir a Republican in my life, BUT, this may be the first time.
Thanks to the WSR for doing this interview and Ms. Brewer’s upcoming interview. So people can decide how to vote.
Question –
There are many mentally challenged homeless individuals who harm themselves repeatedly.
No one in Gales office is aware of Kendra’s Law, every time I call to discuss this I am met with either indifference or ignorance. Very frustrating.
For the past several months, a woman in her 30’s with a haircut that you might think she is a male- has tried to commit suicide every night by sitting in the middle of Broadway ( 2nd lane in the street) at West 79th.
The cars come to a screeching halt and then the driver gets out of their car. Upon seeing the woman sitting cross legged in the street screaming at the Top of her Lungs – she demands $$$ to move. This happens a dozen times a night.
The ambulance and police comes and she refuses treatment, they leave.
Wash and repeat. Every night.
Can Gale acknowledge this individual….
and the nightly nightmares this is causing the neighborhood with screaming, cars screeching constantly and the ambulance sirens.
Can Gale help this woman get helps so she doesn’t die on our streets?
Can Gale help so some driver doesn’t get stuck with the horror of Killing someone?
Anyone????
SPOT ON! I’ve talked to one of the ambulance drivers and they say the hospitals will dump her within 24-72 hours and she’ll be back. We feel so bad for her and yet are helpless to get any help for her either😟
And this just adds to the nonstop ambulances screeching thru this intersection (most not hurrying to an emergency since they only flip the siren for the light), noise from the 24/7 gyro truck, and the deliverista after hours sidewalk parties. Gail is oblivious to the noise, the rats 🐀, the shoplifting, the assaults on women and the QOL-her staff simply do not action any meaningful change. Or any action at all.
A vote for her is asking for the continuance of these circumstances and worse-so I’m all for fresh ideas and thinking despite party. Gail has had this seat in one way or another since the 90’s and Ruth Messinger years. It would have been a true act of democracy if she’d let someone else run but she feels a long history in politics makes her entitled to stay there. Wonder where she lost her way in thinking it’s time to let others grow and lead-3 decades is ENOUGH!!!!
She’s got my vote! Gale has been around too long now. She no longer represents our community adequately. She’s the definition of the status quo and no change. She is unresponsive to community demands to protect pedestrians and support Bob Holden’s bill that would regulate dangerous e-bikes, etc. She’s also in the pocket of special interests like TransAlt who want to ban cars no matter the cost or pain it inflicts on residents.
Gale seems to care more about the right of the Homeless to congregate wherever they please.
Not one long term homeless person has gone to Safe Haven on West 83rd.
Instead – their RIGHT to sleep on the sidewalk, block business from entering my store, defecate on the sidewalk, harass my customers for money “ to get something to eat” ( not true – it is to buy drugs) and urinate on my store front door is more important- then my customers right to safety and to my daughter’s right to safety.
Calling her office – is a waste of time.
No one cares there.
Nothing is ever done.
But Gale is getting a medal from the city for letting that happen. It works for her career, she doesn’t care about her constituents. And why should she? Same people who are harassed and assaulted vote for her anyway.
Gale Brewer does a good job at equivocating. DiStasio will never beat Gale, but she can get enough of a percentage to serve as a warning shot if enough people turn out and vote.
Calling Gale’s office has not been helpful.
Every time I call and speak to the same man –
he is rude and seems bored to take the information about constant aggressive panhandling.
And in the 2 years of calling – nothing has changed.
I’m constantly harassed at the bank door for $ and now need to ask my son to come with me to go the bank.
I hope this young woman running will have office staff responsive to the elderly.
Gale’s office is not responsive when I call either.
Almost feels like I’m bothering the staff- had an issue with a man there also – like I was boring him.
My complaints of bikes on the sidewalks on Broadway, aggressive panhandling in the median on Broadway by unstable homeless has been met with zero help by Gale’s office.
I also am fed up with the panhandling at the banks. I am a relatively young man, age 35, and it feels like I’m being robbed trying to get $ out.
Email Gale directly at gab@pipeline.com
This is a great introduction to Ms. DiStasio. I look forward to reading more about her.
I’m a Democrat who has voted in the past for GOP candidates. We need people to listen to candidates with an open mind and not just reflexively vote for D or R.
Gale Brewer brought nothing but damage to our neighborhood. She has gaslighted is about the migrant shelter, contributed to countless homeless shelters and never ever addressed an issue that was most important to her constituents. She only does what helps her own career.
Flo: ITA.
It’s time for Brewer to go.
It’s time for UWS Democrats to come out and vote: for change! Just do it! Folks…it is time to make our city safe for the homeless, VETS, elderly, children and the remainder of us who are ALL law abiding tax payers. It’s time for a new beginning. Gayle served the UWS and should be applauded for her efforts but, we each need to know when to step away. Thank you Gayle for your service! It’s time to pass the power on—-it’s time to elect new leadership. It’s how the system should work.
“I don’t think people understand the impact the city council has…” No truer words. People do not know how much the City Council makes the laws that are causing our neighborhood to be dangerous, dirty, and vacant. If people here can tell everyone they know to take 10 minutes to VOTE this November 7th and for this woman, we would start to see someone fight for our beloved UWS. Someone who listens to us and doesn’t just do what she wants.
As a small business owner and a resident of the UWS for years, I can’t pray enough for Diane di Stasio to win. We need someone who believes we need our streets cleaned up, that we need to feel safe walking on Broadway and walking after dark, that we need small stores to survive, that we need fairness to all who have lived here for years, paying our taxes, while we always have remained compassionate and always will. Fairness and quality of life for all Upper West Siders. This is what we need and I pray Diane wins to fight for us.
What, specifically, in her career as an actor and singer do you believe qualifies her clean up our streets?
Given that pretty much every single statistic regarding quality of life is worse now than in 2019, what qualifies politicians for running for office?
WSR can you please post my reply to this question directed to me?
Diane Di Stasio was a managing director of a ballet school. A managing director who oversees budgets and operations. Why wouldn’t she be able to make smart decisions pertaining to city problems? The fact that she has been actively listening to constituents and is ready to fight for our neighborhood is a bonus.
The situation I described of not feeling safe walking after dark, dirty streets from poorly run city departments, small stores struggling with aggressive thefts and vagrancy, etc have all happened under our current elected officials. Doesn’t seem that they are qualified in today’s world.
Einstein’s definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
Let’s make a change for different results.
Fresh perspective is what I see. And perhaps she will engage OneBlock to help. Fear of the unknown can be scary, but right now, the UWS is suffocating and perhaps a fresh perspective would benefit us all as we face today’s challenges? Yesterday’s solutions aren’t working for me any longer. The UWS has gone through a lot of changes in the last 20 years. I’d like to see someone willing to tackle problems differently, invite new perspective and relationships into the decision wheel, and express openness in changes to status quo.
Thank goodness someone who sounds like a moderate is running against Brewer!
Our neighborhood changed and not for better during Gale Brewer’s reign. I called her office a few times, it was utterly useless.
Remember how she announced that the shelter at Stratford Arms will be all families, “responsible adults”, the way she put it? They were so responsible that we had the worst summer ever with loud parties and prostitution right in front of our building. Even after that she still claimed that it is not an issue and “same people call”. That was totally off putting behavior.
I’m not going to start on the low barrier homeless shelters next to school she was “excited about”.
She needs to go fast. Can’t wait to vote for Diane.
Live further uptown on Broadway-
My question – why do the mentally ILL have the right to live on the sidewalk and harass me every day for $?
What about my rights to safety?
Everyone should be able to feel safe from the mentally ill. However, the mere fact this shelter got approval to be located right across the primary school is a complete outrage.
We need a change. I’m a lifelong Democrat but I’ll vote for Diane.
I’m voting for Diane, too. Gale can be beaten by her own constituents (who are Democrats). This is what happens when you ignore what the voters tell you they want.
Gale Brewer is imperfect, but experienced and knowledgeable. We just elected a Mayor with no relevant experience and, not that long ago a President with no relevant experience, Trump. I’m not making the same mistake three times.
DeBlasio had experience. Did you make that mistake twice?
When people love their city more than they hate Republicans then you will see positive changes.
I’ve met Ms. di Stasio, and she is not the type of Republican most New Yorkers tend to “hate” e.g., bigoted, corrupt, seditious, authoritarian loving grifters.
I found Diane to be an intelligent, thoughtful woman whose life experience has given her profound empathy — which is what we need in order to improve the problems we’re currently facing. She supports LBGTQIA+ and women’s reproductive rights, which I found refreshing.
And rather than shipping the homeless, the mentally ill, and unhoused migrants off to prison, she clearly wants to find a solution to help both the housed and unhoused.
“And just because I’m a registered Republican doesn’t mean I’ve always voted for Republicans.”
I think voting your partyline is the pre-requisite for being aligned with the Republican Party. I like what she says but I would never vote for her because, as she is a Republican, I do not believe what she says.
Wow, that’s a lot of leaps of logic that add up to a weak conclusion. Voting your party line is a prerequisite for Republican alignment? I’m a democrat, but admire my Republican friends who broke with their party and DIDN’T vote for the former guy…and saved our democracy.
I’d vote for Diane with no second thoughts or regret for voting outside my own party.
So you would rather see our neighborhood continue to go downhill, than vote for someone who wants to do something about it? Obviously you are the type of person who should probably sit this one out.
Why not call Gale Brewer and ask why she won’t debate Diane DiStasio?
I have called and was told “Ms. Brewer will not be debating anyone. Thank you for your suggestion.” Of course not, she’s scared stiff because of the situation she has been instrumental in putting the UWS in the state it’s in.
You don’t believe anything Republicans say? Hilarious, since Gale has been promising a livable UWS for years and has not delivered.
Give Ms. DiStasio a chance, anything, at this point would be an improvement than what we have been experiencing.
I think refusal to debate signals both arrogance and weakness at the same time, as evidenced by the ex-president currently facing 91 indictments who won’t debate.
Voting reflexively for a party without consideration of the individual candidate only keeps us in a tribe mentality.
Don’t be afraid to think independently.
District 6 voters deserve to hear a debate between Brewer and di Stasio, and WSR would be a perfect host.
I’ve reported on elections in lower Manhattan where we share a State Senator with the UWS. Unfortunately, Senator Hoylman refused our offer to educate his constituents with a debate (https://bit.ly/Hoylman), and we had the same response from our long serving State Assembly member (https://bit.ly/Quinn202010B).
To his credit, Council Member Erik Bottcher did engage in a forum we hosted (https://bit.ly/CCD3F)
The neighborhood desperately needs a change from the Democratic politics that have nearly destroyed the quality of life here. But Ms di Stasio is a Republican, and anyone who has watched national or even New York State politics knows that “Republican” today means “Donald Trump” and a blind obeisance to his positions. And the Republicans across the country have made clear that a fundamental item on their platform has been to limit individual rights and, in particular, limit the right to vote.
It would have been good if WSR had asked Ms di Stasio about her position on Mr. Trump. It would have been good, too, to know her sentiments about the national Republican juggernaut to restrict the right to vote. Of course she doesn’t like e-bikes; that’s an easy one. But tell me that you don’t think like Trump and his water carriers want you think.
I doubt that I will be able to vote Democratic in the next City election; they just do not deserve my support, since I don’t have theirs. But I also can’t vote Republican, so long as “Republican” equals “Donald Trump”.
An election in our two-party system has always meant choosing the better, or at least less objectionable, between two options. But neither of the options here is acceptable.
Do I just not vote, or do I leave the City? Those appear to be my choices — and I suspect I’m not the only one.
Can we really not do better?
Republican here, living among you, shopping at West Side Market and enjoying the Metro diner. And I don’t like Trump.
Re: UWS Republicans, this is worth a good read.
https://nymag.com/nymetro/news/rnc/9676/
So if you dismiss her merely because she’s a Republican, is it also ok to dismiss someone because of their race, sexual orientation, gender, or religion?
I know many Republicans (I am a registered Democrat) who deplore Trump and have voted for Democratic candidates at times, just as I have voted for Republican candidates on occasion.
Go ahead – free your mind. Venture out from the tribe.
“you dismiss her merely because she’s a Republican”
Of course I do! di Stasio is beautiful, has a successful career and a beauty queen daughter. Why would anyone vote for such a deplorable!
But as you point out “our two-party system has always meant choosing the less objectionable”
Why is it so difficult for you, and others, to realize that voting for a Republican for City Council has nothing to do with the despicable Trump. As Tip O’Neill said… all politics is local. This is about Brewer vs. di Stasio. That is what we should be focussing on.
DiStasio is under different party lines if you’re uncomfortable voting Republican.
Excellent point! Does anyone have a problem voting on the Independent line?
I didn’t say I was “uncomfortable voting Republican” — I’m uncomfortable voting for *A* Republican, whatever else she might call herself.
Remember the wolf in sheep’s clothing?
Many people voted for Bloomberg even though he was on the Republican party line. A well liked black woman who is a progressive Democrat in Long Beach in Nassau County Anissa Moore had a spat with the Nassau Democrats and ran on the Republican line instead. Stuff happens. Judicial candidates often run on the Democratic, Republican, Working Families and Conservative lines all at the same time.
It shouldn’t be a difficult decision to vote for a new face. Forget about the letter after her name and give a new person a chance. The politicos that are dug in are way past their time and ineffective.
The Democratic party needs to learn that its base does not consist of radical Progressives. Having the Democrats elect Diane will send that message in a way that’s impossible to ignore.
Why can’t her Emmy award be found in the list of Emmy awards?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Daytime_Emmy_Award_winners_in_acting_and_drama
Saying she herself won an Emmy is a stretch. Her own website is vague as well:
She received recognition from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for her vocal contribution to the track for the 2008 Emmy Award-winning CBS Series “A Guiding Light”.
“When do you become extreme?” I hope WSR asks the democrats the same question
This is interesting. I have a hard time thinking of Gail Brewer as a “giant” in any sense: a familiar liberal is more like it. I am not sure whether I would vote for Ms. diStasio, but I think she says some interesting things, and we need more debate, along these very reasonable lines. Why don’t we read this kind of thin in the Times?
Here’s another list, just for “Guiding Light”:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044265/awards/
No Diane.
I met the candidate in front of Zabar’s one day when she was collecting signatures. We chatted a bit. I signed her petition and walked away feeling my sense of civics had been reinforced. She reeked of common sense, respect for others, and commitment to her mission.
My next thought,? No, NYC will not elect her and I felt sad.
Now that I see this article in the
WSR, I am encouraged that my fellow New Yorkers might take care of themselves, and let this principled woman take care of them.
By the way, nothing against Gale Brewer, She has served with full commitment according to her beliefs. But now it’s a very different city and we need a new voice.
I am anxious to cast my vote!
It’s time for a change in NYC politics. The City Council has been stacked with radical leftist progressives making a complete mess of our city. We’ve gotta get the pendulum to swing back toward the reasonable center, and vote for candidates regardless of party affiliation. I really hope people wake up before the next election. Best of luck to di Stasio.
The UWS has the opportunity to vote for someone with fresh ideas who realizes the struggles of our neighborhood and NYC as a whole. Sure she has no political experience, but I will take No experience over GB proven track record of not caring for her constituents (queue to commenter who points out the one thing she did that one time).
Instead we will vote for a re-tread lifelong politician who has done nothing but add to the issues plaguing the neighborhood. It’s a tale as old as time, vote the candidate with a D at the end of their name. I’m glad DsD is running, if only to show that some people in this neighborhood can pull a lever for someone new and make some sort of point, however futile it may be.
Met her a few months ago, as she was campaigning, on her own, in a liberal filled community. I engaged her in small conversation and liked what she stood for. I am unhappy with the direction this community, city, and country has taken these past few years. I believe it’s time for a change! Wishing Diane the best!
Michael Bloomberg was my favorite mayor, and I’m a liberal Democrat. Could someone moderate WITH A TRACK RECORD OF ACCOMPLISHMENT IN THEIR GIVEN FIELD please step up. Their party identification and given field is unimportant. We do not need a dilettante, and we are beyond disappointed with the status quo. Let’s not panic here. Candidates with histories of genuine efficacy need to come forward.
If the elections had some competitiveness, at least the elected politicians would have an incentive to listen to their constituents .
Realistically, Diane di Stasio is not going to win, but I’ll still get out to vote for her because the uncontested party rule has been detrimental to our city and neighborhoods and we sorely need more competitive elections.
There were fewer murders in NYC last year (438) than there were in 1960 (483)! Do Republicans and WSR commenters who think the city is falling apart because we aren’t “tough” enough on crime have an explanation for this?
Yes gentrification. More high income earners. It’s not complicated.
Josh I can explain. Murders are not the problem. Quality of life is.
If you want to refer to numbers, to make a point, perhaps it’s best to reference modern day data, instead of some arbitrary number from 70 years ago. The 2yr % change in
Murders -19%
Robbery. +30%
Fel Assault +24.5%
Burglary. +17%
Gr Larceny +41%
Gr Larceny Auto +64%
These are significant gains that warrant cause for concern, and paint the picture of a city in decline. You are free to live in your world of rainbows and gum drops, but I don’t think it is up to you to judge others for not feeling as safe as they had in the not so distant past.
Gale really needs to retire. She is just a shill for special interests like the Hospitality Alliance. Will vote for change. Diane di Stasio sounds reasonable.
“When do you become extreme” is a vague question.
The real questions for Republicans in 2023 are: will you accept the election results, and do you believe in the peaceful transfer of power if you or your party loses?
We should not have anyone in power who does not believe in the peaceful transfer of that power. In other words, as a former-Republican and now-Democrat, I will not vote for anyone at any level of government who believes Trump’s 2020 election lies or supports his attempted coup.
A Liz Cheney- or Mitt Romney-type Republican, I can totally get behind.
What about Democrats? I recall Mrs Clinton and company screaming for four years that Trump was illegitimate president! Anybody remember Democrats screaming in 2000 that Bush stole election?
We need to amend the constitution and get rid of the antiquated Electoral College and go with every vote counts.
I reached out to Diane with this specific question, and she responded sounding exactly like Liz Cheney (coming from me that is a huge compliment.) To summarize. Diane believes that Biden won the election in 2020 and believes in the rule of law when it comes to the insurrectionists.
It would be good to hear that from the candidate herself, so that she goes on public record with it and can be held to it if she acts or says otherwise once elected.
Di Stasio has a lot going for her, but I too am nervous about how far she might drift toward national Republican positions. For example, as far as I can tell, opposition to same-sex marriage has not been removed from their party Platform.
Does anyone know about District 7? I never voted for Shaun Abreu, but we seem stuck with him.
If you are looking for a perfect candidate, you’ll never find one. It is the matter of priorities. Crime, migrants and low barriers no vetting homeless shelters across from schools are priority for me right now.
I just donated to her campaign at dianeforny.com No reason why she can’t be elected
Gale Brewer has failed the community. I want compassion but I also want my daughters to be able to walk down the street and ride public transport without fear. This is a local election – a vote for this woman isn’t a vote for Trump.
In the early days of our country’s founding, electeds were “regular” people who served their term and returned to their chosen careers. Much better in my opinion that this swath of career politicians who make their fortunes padding their own pockets.
Actually they weren’t. They were the elite, the wealthy, the educated.
I vaguely remember James Madison calling many legislators “scoundrels.”
“I believe in fiscal responsibility”
Then, Diane, you should reject the Republican Party automatically. Or have you no concept of Reagan’s awful record, or W’s, or Trumps?
Senator Menendez is all over the news… no honorable mention of him from you?
Did you not notice I quoted Diane on fiscal responsibility, not bribery charges–something plenty of Republicans have also faced.
Your “whataboutism” isn’t relevant.
It is relevant all right. In case you need more examples of fiscal irresponsibility then you don’t need to look further than our current mayor. The way he is addressing the migrant crisis is fiscally irresponsible.
Another example will be Chirlane McGray, our former mayor’s spouse. The funds for Thrive NYC hasn’t still been accounted for.
We can go down this list all day. I’m a democrat but I am not going to whitewash or embellish something to show my adherence to the party. There are plenty fiscally irresponsible and overall unethical people in Democrat party as well as in Republican.
All Republicans are responsible for what the sedition Caucus is doing in Washington DC and what they are doing in state houses all over the country. When a “proud” Republican says that she believes in small government and supports business, I hear the typical rhetoric that turns into tax cuts, anti women, choosing who gets to vote and using people as weapons.
A Republican who could successfully fund the arts? Dream on, Little Miss GOP.
And I hear typical stereotyping of a republican. I’m a democrat btw, but not a closed-minded one who buys what media says.
Democrats (real, lifelong, reasonable, compassionate Democrats) need to distance themselves from the extreme, overly woke radical left.
On the flip side, Republicans (conservatively valued, lifelong, business-minded, national security conscious Republicans) need to distance themselves from the gun waving, divisive, radical right.
There was a time we could discuss across the isle. Maybe not agree, but at least see the point that the other side was making. Media (both social and mainstream) has pinned us all against the wall, like a spinning carnival ride. Meanwhile, nothing gets accomplished in the middle.
Contrary to what many here say there are a whole lot of liberal Democrats who are not happy with the state of the UWS these days and have nothing to do with what’s been voted on by City Council. Positioning arguments as left or right just plays into the drama created by Trump, DeSantis and their brethren.
We have some serious problems here that seem never to get addressed properly if at all. Homelessness for one. The solutions seem to constantly fall short. But the problems created for our community by homelessness seem to also fall on deaf ears. As if they don’t exist. As does the daily danger of unregulated battery powered vehicles and gas powered mopeds. Both council leaders on the UWS have refused to support legislation to license and register e-vehicles despite the fact that so many have been injured and even killed on these streets and sidewalks. You have to wonder who these leaders think it is who vote? The delivery people for GrubHub or the people who live and pay taxes on the UWS??
This presents a real quandary. And it would seem an election is one place you can express your frustration in hopes of making it better.
I however cannot vote for a Republican given the state of affairs in our country without knowing exactly where they stand. It’s no joke that the Republican Party for the most part is intent on pushing us off a cliff full on into authoritarianism and repression. Women’s rights, LGBT rights, Gun Control, Affordable Healthcare, etc. These are no less important here than in Washington. So it might behoove
Ms. di Stasio to express her views on the party she belongs to. Because it does matter locally as well as nationally.
Let’s not conflate homelessness with drug addicts who are living on the street. Those whose only issue is homelessness are making good use of our shelter system. The drug addicts are not, because they can’t drug or drink in there. Until we recognize that substance abuse (and mental illness, of which substance abuse is a coping mechanism) is THE problem, and force people to get treatment (away from where their dealers live) we will get nowhere.
I want change. Our current officials have failed us. She has my vote.
Nice article! Though Diane’s managerial skills are not to be dismissed as I feel they were somewhat here..
She has been a managing Director for Ellison Ballet foundation for 10 years here in Manhattan and has excellent communication skills along with her managerial gifts.
I know her personally to be a go-getter and a problem solver, etc which is what city council members desperately need since the city council is in charge of managing and allocating the city’s budget and providing oversight to all city agencies.
She is a shining light to all who know her and integrates differences of opinion in her decision-making process with calm formidability
So long as she addresses theft issues like this: https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/target-close-9-stores-including-3-san-francisco-103505390
I doubt the comments represent most people who live on the UWS.
Remember that “reasonable” Republicans are being inserted into lower level political positions in communities to push extreme right-wing ideologies.
Beware the wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Try interacting with Brewer’s office in a meaningful way to bring positive change in the neighborhood.
You must also realize that the “immigrant issue”was foisted upon us with extreme right funding to transport masses of migrants through illegal means.
Their goal was to create dissent in sanctuary cities. To some extent, they have achieved their goal.
Yes the comments are hilarious out of step with the UWS, they are near identical to the comments supporting Maria Danzilo in the 2021 primary and Gale won by a 40% margin…
“You must also realize that the “immigrant issue”was foisted upon us with extreme right funding to transport masses of migrants through illegal means”
No, I think you are the one who needs to realize the root cause of the issue which are slack border and asylum policies, poor enforcement and our city status as sanctuary.
Just curious, is Mayor Adam’s attempt to ship these migrants to upstate NY and to the surrounding suburbs also an attempt to create dissent? Or is an absolute exhaustion of resources that border towns likely reached way before they even started sending them here….
Good for Diane! Her win would be great for the UWS. Gale’s reign should finally end. We need immediate reform.
Agree Crankypants. We need to wake up the Democratic party. They are living in a world that doesn’t reflect what NYC Democrats want: immigration reform and stopping the epidemic of shoplifting, fare-beating, and riding bikes on sidewalks.
I’m lookin and I’m likin!
I landed on this site having received a flyer for Ms. di Stasio’s candidacy. The flyer was a curiosity, it didn’t say what Party she was running on, but her background looked interesting. Went online, went to her personal website, didn’t mention Party there either! The answer finally became clear reading this interview. Not a big fan of Brewer, but I don’t think someone that needs to keep their Party affiliation hidden will be the answer for NYC. Hiding who and what you are does not portend well for what comes later.
In my personal opinion and considering my personal experience and those of other neighbors, anyone could do a better job than Gale Brewer. So what if Diane Di Falco is a republican (I’m a fervent democrat) if her aim is to accomplish the things we want accomplished AND provides effective constituent services? Ms Brewer certainly can’t be accused of doing that.
Why can’t we overlook what labels people have and choose our representatives based on what they have done, what they say they are committed to doing in the future – AS WELL AS ACTUALLY DOING THEM ??
Reelecting the same old people term after term after term regardless of their record (especially when it’s poor) just because their name is familiar and they’ve been around forever, is dumb and doesn’t serve our interests.
If we end up not liking Ms Di Falco’s performance we can vote her out next time.