Bernadette Ferrara

I'm a working class candidate from a family of immigrants, and a single mother with deep roots in my Bronx community. I’ve lived the same struggles as the people in my district.

I've also been a community activist for many years:

• I'm a founding member of the Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance, and have been its president since 2015.

• I've also been a Board Member on Community Board 11 since 2008, serving on the Housing Committee, Economic Development Committee and the Youth and Education Committee.

• I sit on the board of the Morris Park Business Improvement District.

• Bronx Times Reporter included me among the 25 Bronx Influential Woman of 2017, and I will bring the dedication and commitment to the City Council I am known for in my community.

City Council District 15 is a community of strugglers and strivers. Whether blue collar workers, immigrant small business owners, or bank tellers, they all want the same things: economic stability, good schools, neighborhood amenities, and safe streets. I know what the problems are in my district, and how to fix them with practical, common sense solutions.

• I'm a working class candidate from a family of immigrants, and a single mother with deep roots in my Bronx community, and have lived the same struggles as the people I am running to represent.
• I am focused on the needs of the people in my District — not a personal or political agenda that won’t improve their lives.
• I am a different kind of Democrat.

Based on my lived experience, education is an issue I care deeply about. My brother is severely autistic, and there were no programs for him in the public school system when he was a child. And as a single mother, I struggled and sacrificed to ensure my son attended schools that gave him a solid education.

Having been a small business owner, I’ve had to ride out a recession or two when business dried up. But no Mom & Pop could’ve prepared for the prolonged, forced closure of their business that abruptly cut off all revenue without pausing fixed expenses like rent, utilities and business taxes—which forced them to furlough or fire employees.

District 15 lacks basic amenities that make life safer and more pleasant. It isn't easy getting around The Bronx by mass transit—and fares are too damn high—so having to leave one’s neighborhood to go to a large supermarket or to a community center with recreational facilities for kids is a burden on elders, the disabled and families.

When it comes to animal rights, I don’t just talk the talk, I walk the walk: Walking the streets of Van Nest and other Bronx neighborhoods for more than 17 years as a TNR (Trap-Neuter-Release) Certified Animal Rescuer. I will bring this experience to the City Council to create policies that will protect pets and stray/feral animals.

I grew up a Democrat in a household of Democrats, but have at various times in my life registered as an Independent, Republican and back to Democrat. I am a free thinker and non-ideological. Frankly, I would have remained an Independent, if New York were an open primary state. I believe people should vote their conscience -- which means voting for individual candidates, and not voting " straight-ticket." I also believe that elected officials should vote to represent their constituents -- which means not voting in lockstep with your party, if you believe a policy or law will hurt your community.

For this reason, I admire former Sen. Joe Lieberman, who called himself an "independent Democrat." Although he supported his party's positions on campaign finance reform, abortion rights, and gun control, he broke ranks with his caucus by advocating for school vouchers, cuts in capital gains taxes, and limits on civil liability awards. Sen. Lieberman was also principled, and had the fortitude to stand his ground when he felt strongly about a policy. For example, he adamantly opposed the “public option,” because he felt that a government insurance program would have an unfair advantage over private insurers and threatened to join a Republican filibuster of any bill that included this provision. He ultimately voted for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, which did not contain a public option. This is true leadership.

To be effective, hardworking, reliable and trustworthy.

Propose and vote on laws that govern a resident's, business owner's and elected official's rights and responsibilities; negotiate the budget with the Mayor and approve the finalized version; provide oversight of city agencies; review land use with an eye toward shaping the growth and physical characteristics of the city.

I want to be remembered as a good person who cared and took action, who was determined, and who persevered through obstacles to get what the community needed -- no matter what.

My toughest and most gratifying achievement in life is being a single mom! As with any unplanned situation, being resourceful and determined can carry you through. As a single mom, my priority was getting my son a good education from kindergarten through college, even though this was a major struggle financially. My son's graduation from Binghamton University was an achievement for both of us.

The City Council has authority over Land Use: zoning to determine what property owners can do with their land; approving sidewalk cafes; protecting and preserving landmarks and historic districts; and purchasing/allocating land for schools, affordable housing -- even land outside New York City to protect our water supply!

It's beneficial for holders of this office to have been active on their local community boards, civic/grassroots organizations so that they understand the needs of their communities, the processes involved to achieve practical solutions to local problems, and the roles and responsibilities of various elected officials to allocate funds, or to pass legislation to address those needs.

Patience, perserverance and personableness are required to liaise with community leaders, and to help get legislation passed.