Borough Park, NY – Before an overflow audience of about 300, candidates for the City Council in the 44th district (recently vacated by Simcha Felder) engaged in an energetic debate last night, each one fiercely and enthusiastically presenting his background, views and plans if elected.
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The Jewish Press hosted the debate at the Boro Park Y, with a panel of Jewish Press editors asking questions of each of the candidates. Questions were also asked by audience members who passed up their queries on index cards for the moderator, radio personality Nachum Segal to read.
The four candidates—David Greenfield, Jonathan Judge, Joe Lazar and Avraham Shlomo Tischler—were vigorous in their presentations, answering a wide-range of questions about such topics as the problems with local services, the lack of affordable housing, keeping taxes down and the blizzard of parking tickets handed out in the district.
During the evening, Greenfield cited his work in the advocacy group Teach NYS, Judge touted his experience at Community Board 14, Lazar spoke about his many years in city government and Tischler emphasized his youth and fresh eyes as his greatest qualification.
All four candidates repeatedly referred to the specific needs of the Borough Park community and their dedication to the neighborhood.
Videos YouTube clips in play list from the entire debate, all Below.
Credit to ShiaHD who as always does a great Job for VIN News.
Photos Below.
Nice turnout. How many political debates in the United States have separate seating?
I was there last night. Crowd was great, candidates lively, and most importantly the JewishPress gave us voters the chance to hear the real issues.
Kudos the the JP on a job well done, and look forward to more of these debates.
I planned on voting for joe lazar because that is what all the mosdos were telling me to do. Now I plan on votting for him because he really seems to know what hes talking about.
We should do this all the time !
Kudos to the JP for creating such a wonderful engaging forum.
Judge had the hardest punch of the night. After Greenfield got up and said his shtick about being an outsider and reformer doing battles with the broken Gov’t. Judge went next and tore him apart. He said how Greenfield is being supported by the Vito Lopez political machine. One of the most corrupt machines in the city. The last two people who led it are in jail. Greenfield had no response. So much for being an outsider and reformer.
Bravo to the Jewish Press, one of the few sane voices of Orthodoxy.
Would somebody do anything about the “worms” in the water?
I was really confused last night between Lazar and Greenfield ,but after his connection with that Sonei Yisrol Lopez i am all for Lazar..
the Y of Boro Park is a great place to host the debate
its in the center of town
hope they keep up the place
It’s absolutely true. Lopez is the scourge of Brooklyn Democrats and anyone who gets his endorsement is anything but an outsider.
Blumberg and lopez are outsiders?
I have no idea how he has the nerve to say he is an outsider when he shows off with those endorsements
Jonathon judge was by far the best with no punches left aside
The revelation about Lopez was stinging!
Sorry Mr. Greenfield, but you are the company you keep.
I’m not going to vote for you now.
Tischler guy sounded very very very stupid like a babby
By far the most passionate person who didn’t even have to read from a script was Jonathon Judge.
He also knew facts from fiction.
Greenfield was the only one with creative ideas even in todays economy. Saving the taxpayers money with the schools and parents benefiting from his plans. With Lazar all I see is a guy who already worked for corrupt government agencies lining up with old time politicians to continue doing what they have been doing until now “lining the pockets of the special interest groups”.
Judge wasn’t bad either
I’ve dealt with Jonathan Judge in his position at the Commmunity Board ave have found him knowledable and articulate. I would have loved to see the debate, but couldn’t make it. Even if he doesn’t win this race, you will see Judge in a high elected office in the future.
First of all kudos to Vosizneias for giving a straight non biased report. I was at the debate last night, and this is what I cam out with;
Tischler was just a kid having a good time. He showed up with about 10 teenage girls and boys. He had no proper responses to any questions, except for “I’m young and we need fresh blood” I salute him for going all the way, but he is not what I am looking for in terms of a councilman.
Greenfield, came off as very articulate and knowledgeable, but he had this political sense about him. You know how when Simcha Felder first ran for office, he spoke like a regular person, he didn’t have all the political “shtick”, well Greenfield sounded as if he was a politician already . He mostly spoke about education, while forgetting that most of his audience has long past the education stage. I do think he has some future in politics, I just think he has to restructure his ideas, and attitude.
Judge, spoke right to the point, and gave me the sense of real fresh blood. He was articulate, and extremely knowledgeable regarding the various government agencies. He pointed out that he is the only candidate living in the district, (to be continued)
(continued) He pointed out that he was the only candidate living in the district, and that he was a conservative republican, running on real change. Out of all the candidates, Judge came off to me as the most favorable.
Lazar, spoke very well, sometimes it was hard to hear him, but he spoke of being the child of a holocaust survivor, and growing up in the Boro Park neighborhood. He gave the impression of a real mench, but not as a strong person, or as a person who can stand up to political pressure. I may not vote for him, but I know one thing for sure. Mr, Lazar is a mench.
Lazar delivered in the past! he was powerful last night!
Joe Lazar i have faith in you.
Lazar is the only candidate that can show off his past in a great positive way!
history shows the future
>> vote Lazar
None of it will change:
problems with local services, the lack of affordable housing, keeping taxes down and the blizzard of parking tickets handed out in the district
Judge was second best, but Lazar really came off as someone with real experience and many accomplishments, Tischler was a dope.
I’m voting for Tischler because he had the guts to go up there and speak his voice.
His speech in the begining was amazing. I had many years of politics. These politions say anything just to satisfy the crowd. but this guy said the truth I loved his opening speech. Had some problems with some questions. But he is 18 and had the guts to go up there, I know I wouldn’t have. You are our future and will do great as councilman. Go kid I’m rooting for you!!!
Joe Lazar is a nice guy. Unfortunately, ” nice guys finish last.”
Reply to # 23 . Funny,that’s exactly what Tischler said about you .Go figure, politics
Thanks for posting the videos. Watching it helped me form my opinion on who can best represent us. Clearly, the young man on the right was way out of his league and has no chance. The other 3 seemed fairly knowledgable with Judge having the best grasp of the issues. Lazar has a commendable record, but comes accross as a tired old man. Greenfield is well known, but has questionable alliances.
None compare to Simcha Felder.
I am going for Greenfield especially after he gave up a lucrative job at a prestige’s law firm with a pay check to match to become a public servant with a pay check to match as well, which was over 10 times less, and yet he is out there to help the community that says a lot, that he not there for the fame or money just to help a fellow yid, godbless him and wish him an easy win.
Joe Lazar Says:……
I know Joe well and while he would be thankful for your support he wouldnt want anyone calling anyone a dope or any other names.
Joe Lazar showed that he’s an experienced person with lots of knowledge in city agencies. I think he came across very well.
However, I was very impressed with Jonathan Judge’s performance at the debate. Mr. Judge was very articulate and straight to the point. He understands the issues of our community and demonstrated he knows what he’s talking about.
My family and I plan to vote for Jonathan Judge on March 23rd.
A vote for Judge is a wasted vote. He has no shot. Pick one of the yidden and vote for them.
If i knew these clowns were running i would have run ….
go greenfeld!!!!
My opinion watching the debate live.
David Greenfield: did the best job, offering great ideas, showing a very good understanding of the issues and problems, presenting great and simple solutions, and ultimately showing that he has the courage and qualifications -backed up by a great record- to get things done in legislative government branches
Joe Lazar: did very good in presenting himself as the oldest and most experienced candidate and highlighting the importance of experience, but failed to give any specifics what and how he will get the job done, l myself think he would be a very good assistant to an elected official but I don’t think he has the needed leadership and courage to demand and fight for the community.
Jonathon Judge: was full of red meat rhetoric
Abe Tischler: I don’t even want to bother talking about
summing it up I will vote iy”h for DAVID GREENFIELD for city council, and I would recommend that Joe Lazar should go back to work in the government offices or for an elected official
amazing how naive people can be. I was there last night and Greenfield was the only one who actually understood the real issues and had something smart to say. Its amazing reading so many “brilliant” people who wont vote for him because of Lopez’s support! Remember the flip-side….. you really think Greenfield will be influenced by Lopez?? think of the important things!
Joe and Judge(the only one without notes!) were very straight forward and brutally honest. David fed the hungry, basically telling people whatever they want to hear (love and promises…)Bottom line a Typical coy politician. Tishler was like Palin, good looking and clueless.
Judge was the best at the debate, My Family and I are going to vote for him. We need a real fighter.
I wasn’t for Joe Lazar before this debate, now I am for him. He clearly is the most qualified. One caveat Mr. Lazar, please stay off the radio, you don’t have the voice for it. Good luck, I hope you win!
Firstly, strong congratulations has to go to the Jewish Press — for hosting a political debate within Boro Park (which for far too long, doesn’t get to hear all candidates express at such a forum, themselves). As a former candidate myself (on the Republican line in ’09 for City Council that came in a distant 2nd to Council Lander) — and as one of that audience of 300 on Wednesday night — I was very glad to see direct questions being answered. We can no longer simply listen to others that recommend candidates, based on behind-the-scenes deal-making (that very seldom, if ever, makes its way to the rank/file, people that live here). This was a sure step in the very right direction. Great event.