I am a life-long New Yorker, born from Spanish speaking Sephardic immigrant parents, who has resided for the last twenty-five years with my wife and two children in the Upper Eastside of Manhattan.

I want to protect your interests as I have done throughout my entire career. With my background and experience I can make a difference.

We need a competitive multi-party system that is fair and representative of New Yorkers that produces independent candidates who are above politics.

The present City Council is not competitive, as all 10 City Council seats in Manhattan, and 45 of 51 seats citywide, are held by Democrats.

The City Council is NYC’s legislative body with an annual budget of over FORTY-SEVEN BILLION DOLLARS! - A huge amount of money for one party and its Mayor to control. My opponent is a six-year incumbent among Democrats who want term limits repealed.

Mayor Giuliani added balance, diversity, and innovation to politics. With his departure New York cannot afford to return to one-party politics.

I am an advocate of a woman’s right to choose; safe streets; community and business participation; additional senior and quality of life services; non-partisan appointments; banning weapons and missile shield for New Yorkers; health care reform; overhaul of public education; better utilization of resources; environmental protection, gay rights; tax relief; reform of drug laws; protection of rent stabilization; and more affordable housing.

(Statement reprinted as supplied by the candidate.)