The Harlem Neighborhood Block Association

Neighbors united to improve the quality of life in Harlem

Tag: Harlem Machine

The Machine: Running for Bill Perkins’ Seat

Posted on by Harlem Shill

The debacle of voting in NYC (note how the still haven’t finished the count and don’t expect to complete it until Thanksgiving) rests partly on the shoulders of Bill Perkins’ wife – Pamela Perkins – who was given a patronage job on the NYC Board of Elections. https://www.vote.nyc/page/commissioners-management.

Council Member Bill Perkins contemplating look at City Hall

Perkins himself is not expected to run for City Council (given his health concerns and one of the worst attendance records of a City Council Member). An article last month in New York County Politics notes a number of Harlem Machine members who are hoping, again, to play musical chairs and take Perkins empty seat.

City Councilmember Bill Perkins (D-Central Harlem, Morningside Heights, Upper West Side, East Harlem) will not seek reelection next year. A consultant fielding multiple polls throughout the city presented New York County Politics with data offering insights over who may succeed the veteran elected.

Manhattan Dem Leader Keith Wright (Photo Credit: US Department of Labor)
Manhattan Dem Leader Keith Wright

Former Assemblymember and Manhattan Democrats Leader Keith Wright won the poll, with 24 percent of respondents favoring him. Assemblymember Inez Dickens (D-El Barrio, Hamilton Heights, Harlem, Morningside Heights, Upper West Side, Washington Heights,) was the runner-up, with 17 percent support.

Assembly Member Inez Dickens (Photo Credit: NYS Assembly)
Assembly Member Inez Dickens

Trailing the two were local activists Cordell Cleare (D) with 4 percent, and William Allen (D) with 3 percent, followed by Northern Manhattan Office Director to Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer (D) Athena Moore (D) with 2 percent. Harlem District Leader Keith Lilly (D) and writer, teaching artist, and activist Kristin Richardson Jordan (D) were tied for last place with 1 percent.

In terms of favorability, Wright and Dickens’ are similar to that of the district’s congressional representative, Congressman Adriano Espaillat (D-Harlem, Inwood, Bronx): in the 43-49 percent range. However, Dickens has an unfavorability rating of 14%, nearly three times that of Wright’s 5 percent rating.

On experience, voters overwhelmingly preferred a government veteran to a fresh-faced outsider, 54 percent to 29 percent.

Republicans v. Democrats and COVID Rates

If you recall, I posted this map soon after the election to illustrate where New Yorkers voted for Democrats, and where they voted for Republicans:

It’s interesting to compare that map with today’s NYC Department of Health 7-Day COVID rate map:

Little Free Library

Posted on by Harlem Shill

The Marcus Garvey Park Alliance does such a great job on so many different projects that it’s hard to highlight just one thing that stands out. Today, however, I had finished the book ‘The Wanderers’ by our neighbor Richard Price, and wanted to donate it.

I took it to one of two small lending library kiosks that the Marcus Garvey Park Alliance put up in the park.

The concept is brilliantly simple. Bring a book. Take a book. Return a book.

The artwork – paintings on one, mosaics on the other – celebrate the park and the community:

This last one might be my favorite. People sprawled out on blankets next to the Marcus Garvey Park’s public pool, while a summer sun shines reflective mosaic rays all around

littlefreelibrary.org

The two kiosks could use some plexiglass to protect the books from the elements.

Brian Benjamin Runs for Comptroller

State Senator Brian Benjamin is running for NYC Comptroller. According to Patch, Senator Benjamin has:

raised the second-most money of anyone in the comptroller’s race: over $462,000, trailing Lander, who had raised more than $613,000 through July 11, the most recent public filing period.

He’s also received the support of a number of local Harlem politicians:

Also on Thursday, Benjamin was endorsed by a number of local officeholders, including councilmembers Diana Ayala and Bill Perkins, Assemblymembers Michael Blake and Al Taylor and State Senator Robert Jackson. Community leaders lining up behind Benjamin include Pastor Michael Waldrond of the First Corinthian Baptist Church and Hazel Dukes, President of the NAACP New York State Conference.

Scott Stringer has been a strong supporter of Senator Benjamin and in kind, Senator Benjamin has been working to get the Harlem Machine behind Scott Stringer’s bid for NYC Mayor.

For more details, see the Patch.com article:

https://patch.com/new-york/harlem/harlems-brian-benjamin-launches-campaign-city-comptroller