NYC Council District 9 Election: Bernadette McNear Seeks Seat

HARLEM, NY — Voters in New York City's 9th Council district, which includes all of Central Harlem and parts of East Harlem and Washington Heights, will see 13 names on their ballots when they vote in the June 22 primary election.

One of those names will be Bernadette McNear, a tenant association president at NYCHA's Rangel Houses and administrative assistant at Lantern Group.

Patch reached out to all candidates in the election to create these profiles. McNear's responses are below.

Age (as of Election Day)

55

Position Sought

City Council - District 9

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Neighborhood of residence (i.e., East Village, Astoria, etc.)

Upper Manhattam - Harlem

Family

I have two sons Christopher and Marquise ages 33 and 30, Kalita my grand daughter age 8 and my husband Craig, my support system for the last 35 years.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

College Graduate

Occupation

Program Director- 4 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Tenant Association President - 14 years

Campaign website

bernadettefor harlem.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

To build up my community. I want to givea voice for the forgotten and ignored

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Residents are being pushed out by he lack of low income hosing. I want to introduce legislation towards a path to home ownership for the low and NYCHA families within the community, resulting in people not being relocated because they can no longer afford to live in Harlem.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Many of the other candidates can say that they formally lived in a NYCHA development or they can say they live near a NYCHA development. I currently live in NYCHA and have been for the past 45years. I know what the plight of the resident facing no hot water, broken elevators and lack of timely repairs.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

Visibility, The current councilmember is not seen or heard from, resulting in being in the dark when it comes to hearing from the district in which he serves. You need to speak to community to hear their complaints and or praises.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

Gail Brewer's office was superb.. I worked with NYCHA, NAN and Worlds kitchen and some smaller organization to get food to the families of Rangel houses

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

There need to be accessibility to MTA for the handicap and seniors. Trains stations need to have elevators or escalators installed and bus time schedules need to be reviewed. Tackling this area will greatly uplift the quality of life for the residents living in District 9.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have been helping the families in my community for over 45 years. I have been the TA President for 14 year, having said that I have established levels of trust Resident look to me for help and direction.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Never assume you know the question. Allow a person to speak and learn to listen. hearing ones concern allows you to more effective.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I'm a fighter. I will ask the questions that some may think are off limits. Win or lose I will still continue to fight for my community, because whatever policies in effect and or adopted will affect me as a resident and generations to come.