[VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE] If you thought the mayoral and comptroller race was an adventure, you haven’t visited the neighborhood of Flatbush/Midwood in Brooklyn. A candidate forum between the Democratic candidates vying to replace the seat obtained by Councilman Mike Nelson, in the 48th Council District, turned fiery and ugly, notwithstanding the usual civilized manner seen at forums across the city in this year’s election.
The debate between the candidates – Chaim Deutsch, Ari Kagan, Igor Oberman and Theresa Scavo – was hosted by the Flatbush Jewish Community Coalition (FJCC), who held a similar event for the Democratic mayoral candidates, at Young Israel of Midwood.
While the candidates agreed on many issues as it pertains to the Jewish community, Ari Kagan, the Democratic District leader of the 45th Assembly District, was constantly attack by his rivals and members of the audience for accepting the UFT endorsement. Igor Oberman, another Russian candidate, accused Mr. Kagan of pandering on the issue of school vouchers while accepting the UFT’s anti-private schools endorsement. Nevertheless, Mr. Kagan stood his ground, claiming he would not be beholden to any endorsement made in this race. He further pledged to push for a tuition tax credit, a viable solution to the high cost of tuition in the boundaries of the constitution.
“I’m here telling you … straight,” charged candidate Igor Oberman. “I fear for everybody in this room who is able to listen to these ‘bubba meises’ and not understand what is really happening.”
The debate got ugly towards the end, when Chaim Deutsch stood up accusing Mr. Kagan for fooling voters in the district by printing his name ‘Ari’ (formerly known as Arkady) in Hebrew, on fliers and campaign ads, making it look like he’s the Orthodox candidate in the race. “I will not be like my opponent … Mr. Ari Kagan, advertising as the name ‘Ari’ in Hebrew, making people think he is the Orthodox candidate,” Mr. Deutsch said. “I will not fool anyone. I will not lie to you.”
“I am very proud of my name. I legally changed my name in 2002 before I ran for anything. I never knew that writing my name in Hebrew is wrong. What is wrong with you, Chaim?” Mr. Kagan shot back.
Mr. Deutsch also attacked Ms. Scavo for slamming ‘seniors’ sleeping at community board 15 meetings and for having Mike Geller, the former District leader in the 45th AD, pen articles in favor of Ms. Scavo in the Image Magazine under a pen name ‘Kim Grell’.
“I have no intentions of getting down in the mud with anyone of these three,” Ms. Scavo angrily responded. “I am finding this so disgusting. The three of you are behaving like children.”
Watch the video below:
(Jacob Kornbluh – YWN)
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6 Responses
Theresa Scavo had no right telling the other three candidates that they were behaving like children when she acted the most childish of anyone at last nights debate by making meow sounds like a cat numerous times. Scavo found what Chaim Deutsch said discusting because she knew he was right & starting screaming because she was caught red handed. Chaim Duetsch is clearly the best candidate in this race.
Very interesting exerpts from the debate. I would have attended if I knew about it before yesterday.
I know 3 of the candidates and my clear choice is Chaim Deutsch. Kagan is clearly pandering to the frum community since he knows that City Council is not empowered to do anything about tuition vouchers. It’s a State issue that faces legal obstacles. Theresa Scavo didn’t have much time on the video so I don’t know where she stands on any issues. I know her as a competant, but abrasive Community Board chair who doesn’t have the temperament to represent us on the City Council. I don’t know Oberman at all but did find his English easy to understand unlike Kagan’s.
For the frum community Chaim is the clear choice because he undertands our issues, has a proven record of accomplishments, understands City government and is honest and has integrity. He’s also not nearly as young as he looks.
Kagan is right and Deutch is dead wrong.
1) Candidates have always used ethnic language advertising targeting various ethnicities. This includes candidates, non-Jewish, Orthodox Jewish and non-Orthodox Jewish, using Hebrew/Yiddish.
2) Why is Deutch making an issue of who is “Orthodox” or not. Is Deutch running for rabbi or for political office? What does religious practice have to do when running for political office in the United States?
Shame on Deutch.
To ujm
Chaim Deutsch was right because he wasn’t ripping him for the language rather he was ripping Ari Cagan for trying to deceive voters that he is an Orthodox Jew when in fact he is not.
All you guys need to calm down & stop behaving like the cats outside.
I & numerous people I know ain’t voting for any of you.
You all lost your silly debate!
What a Joke!
Eli51 #4: That’s a lie. Ari has been using his name for over a decade since he came to the US. Long before he ran for office. He NEVER claimed to be Orthodox. Why is Deutch making an issue out of religion?