NYC Council District 9 Election: Sheba Simpson-Amsterdam Profile

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 Sheba Simpson-Amsterdam, a racial equity educator, child and family advocate, founder of the Central Harlem Merchant Coalition to Save Small Businesses and special education teacher.

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

Sheba Simpson-Amsterdam

Age (as of Election Day)

52

Position Sought

NYC Council-District 9

Party Affiliation

Democratic Party

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

Central Harlem

Family

Decline to answer

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

The College of New Rochelle- BA in Liberal Arts, Masters of Science in Education and Masters of Science

Occupation

Educator

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None

Campaign website

Shebforcitycouncil.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I’m keeping a promise to myself that I made at fifteen to help my community that was and still being decimated by drugs and mass incarceration. I can no longer sit and watch the elected officials sell out our community for their financial gain.

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

The corruption and the cliques that cater to a select group of people in District 9. I intend to bring the UNITY back in our community. I intend to make district 9 inclusive, safe, diverse and unified.

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

The critical difference is I TRULY want my community to thrive and be given the funding it deserves to improve out schools, hospitals and clinics. This is not a campaign about me, it’s about the people.

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

Mr. Perkins has been MIA for the duration of his tenure as our City Council member. Short of seeing him glad handing at a AARP breakfast and the painting of the BLM on the street of ACPB, he has not supported our community during this deadly crisis.

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

The local officials were MIA in their response to the coronavirus. Local community groups and individuals were at the forefront of helping families secure food, laptops, financial assistance and healthcare services.

The local officials catered to their select group of supporters and the rest of the community was left to figure out what to do on our own.

I’m an empath and in being so, I can’t sleep if I know that I have information or a skill that can help others. I would have had weekly town halls to listen to the needs of my community members. I would have made personal appearances at residents homes (in protective gear) to make sure the safety and to get a real time assessment of my communities needs. I would have worked with food hubs and pantries to ensure all those in need of food assistance had their needs met. I would have worked with cable, tech companies to provide WiFi and laptops to those who needed or improved service. I would have set up ZOOM meetings to assist families in filling out paperwork for financial assistance and employment.

Many in Harlem are worried about gentrification and the displacement of longtime residents. What is one specific policy you would push for to slow gentrification?

One specific policy I would push for is the repeal of 421-A, which gives ten year tax breaks to developers, which rolls the cost over to homeowners.

In addition, I would push for ANY new developments must have a mandate for investment in the community. They would be required to create new schools, community centers, healthcare clinics, provide employment opportunities for young people, teach financial literacy and invest in improvements to our transportation.

Some Harlem residents complain that the neighborhood is "over-saturated" with methadone clinics. Would you welcome more services for vulnerable people in the neighborhood, or push for a moratorium?

Harlem has an over saturation of methadone clinics. There must be an immediate moratorium on the opening of more clinics. Harlem should not be ground zero for a citywide issue. Each borough should be required to have clinics that support the needs of those suffering from addiction.

Furthermore, the property values of our homeowners continues to decline because of the public use of drugs, fights and increased drug paraphernalia on the streets. Our children should not have to witness the above, especially now as they deal with the stress of social isolation due to the pandemic.

Many Harlemites have complained of dirty streets during the pandemic. How would you help clean up the sidewalks?

The first way to clean up our streets is for the Department of Sanitation to return the over two hundred garbage cans that were removed from Harlem neighborhood without notice or explanation. The relaced garbage cans should be updated and use eco- friendly.garbage bags.

Plans were recently unveiled for a large new development on 145th Street — it would include up to 282 affordable apartments, but some neighbors suggested that the buildings are too large for the neighborhood. As Council Member, would you support this project, oppose it, or push to change it?

I oppose the new development proposed for 145th. There was minimum community input for the approval of the development. Many Harlemites knew nothing about the development until we were informed the development was approved.

Also, There is no community investment mandate requiring developers to provide financial assistance to new small businesses, which would replace the ones that were removed because of eminent domain. In addition, the developers should be required to provide employment to local residents to help mitigate the 7.0 unemployment rate in Harlem. Which is higher than the national unemployment rate.

Finally, within the plans by the developers, priority should have been given to residents living doubled up or in shelters for the 282 new “affordable”units.

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

I have been a public servant most of my life. I have dedicated my life to educate, advocate, and support students that have been systematically underserved. I have been overlooked for positions that I am qualified because I ask the tough questions that support the needs of children and their families.

I fought and won to get the needed and lawful supports that my disabled son needed to be academically successful.

I am the founder of The Central Harlem Merchants Coalition To Save Small Businesses and Jobs. I started the coalition when I discovered the Small Business Jobs Survival Act would give IMMEDIATE rights to small businesses that are facing two crises. I’m proud to say that in a short period of time I have the support of many Harlem business owners.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

The best advice ever shared with me was for me to be true to myself and my core values.

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