Brooklyn – New York City Council candidate and education advocate David Greenfield mailed a letter to rival candidate Joe Lazar today addressing his refusal to debate. Lazar’s claim, reported in the Courier-Life newspaper, was that he would not debate David Greenfield because he felt Greenfield did not have a “record to debate.” In his letter, Greenfield outlined his experience as Director and Counsel of TEACH NYS and how it was through his advocacy that New York parents get $600 million in tax credits every year. Greenfield also explained how thousands of non-public school students are now eligible for free tutoring services through the federal Title I program thanks to his advocacy.
“I believe the voters in this district want to hear their candidates weigh their records against each other and compare each candidate’s plan of what they will do as Councilman,” wrote Greenfield in his letter. “Mr. Lazar, you owe the voters at least this much.”
Greenfield proposed a series of debates and requested a prompt response to ensure details can be worked out and events can be organized before the March 23rd Special Election.
This swipe, in the Courier-Life Newspaper, where Lazar attacked Greenfield came out the same time as an interview in the Hamodia newspaper quoting Lazar as saying, “All I can promise is that from me you’re not going to hear any negativity.”
“Unlike Joe Lazar, I’m running a positive campaign focused on how we can make New York more affordable. His negative campaign will only turn-off voters at a time when we need maximum civic engagement. I call on Mr. Lazar to keep his commitment to the voters,” responded Greenfield.
LETTER TO MR. LAZAR:
February 11, 2010
Dear Mr. Lazar,
I write to address your comments in this week’s Courier-Life newspaper regarding your refusal to debate because you do not believe I have a “record to debate.”
As Director and Counsel of TEACH NYS, my advocacy was responsible legislation that resulted in $600 million in tax credits going back to parents throughout the state every year. Additionally, my advocacy led to thousands of non-public school students receiving free tutoring services through the federal Title I program.
I look forward to discussing my record while debating the issues that are important to this community. I believe the voters in this district want to hear their candidates weigh their records against each other and compare each candidate’s plan of what they will do as Councilman.
Please contact my office as soon as possible to set up a series of debates so we can give the voters an opportunity to compare both our experience and our plans for the future.
Mr. Lazar, you owe the voters at least this much.
Sincerely,
David G. Greenfield
(YWN Desk – NYC)
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14 Responses
This is gevaldik. I’m glad that David Greenfield isn’t intimidated by Joe Lazar and the Dov Hikind machine. This is exactly what we need: real debates on the issues. YWN please post exactly when and where these debates will take place so we can all attend!
Fuggetabout it! Hikind won’t let his pawn debate anyone as long as there isn’t some way he can participate. Mr. Lazar, how about you bring Hikind with you on stage, I’m sure Greenfield can compete with his record (Talking about serving US New Yorkers, of course). David?
As an orthodox parent of several kids in private schools can Mr. Greenfield explain how I or any other private school parent can get any of the 600 million dollars that he got for us?
# 3 to best of my knowledge it is a tax credit
Oi R’ Dovid, the reason that New York parents get $600 million in tax credits every year is due to Agudas Yisroel’s efforts, Mike Bloomberg even said in an interview with Mishpacha Magazine that he was blown away that the people from the Agudah brought 30,00 letters to City Hall (Was Teach NYS there? I don’t think so) and that’s what convinced him to give all of that money.
Will either Lazar or Greenfield be debating the other candidate in the race, Jonathan Judge?
To ffb
Don’t be so naïve as if you’re expecting a check to be send to you. Any money from the gov’t is funneled through a tax return or the school.Ask the school your children attend if they get any gov’t funding.(They do, CAP, mandated services, etc…). Also check your tax if u were eligible for the empire child tax credit.
Lets Set The Record Straight:
The Greenfield campaign is taking the story written by Stephen Witt of the Courier-Life and spinning it. As most local political observers are aware (including Greenfield because he agreed to participate), the Jewish Press is hosting a debate on Feb 24th at the Boro Park Y (The press release will follow the comment), which all the candidates agreed to participate (including Joe Lazar).
Steve Witt has acknowledged to me that he was NOT aware of the Jewish Press sponsored debate and went to Joe Lazar to ask for his opinion on debating. And Greenfield played along as if there wasn’t any debate planned.
reply to midwood, why did Lazar play along the game that there is no debate planned?
and to Geshmockster, before you try to spin something and bash someone, at least know the facts, the 600 Mill. has nothing to do with the city and bloomberg its a state issue, the 30,000 signatures was for another issue, and yes David and TeachNYS were involved there too
To #5 geshmockster
That was a gov’t program not a tax credit.
Dear FFB,
I get over $1,200 a year back for my kinderalch who are in yeshiva thanks to Mr. Greenfield’s efforts. The legal name is the Empire State Tax Credit. Ask your accountant to make sure you take advantage of this wonderful program when filing you taxes this year!
My bad.
I apologize, I mixed 2 things up.
Copy of my letter to Courier-Life Newspaper:
Dear Editor,
This letter is regarding candidate Joe Lazar’s claim, as reported in the Courier-Life newspaper, that he would not debate David Greenfield because he felt Greenfield did not have a “record to debate.” According to my research, nothing could be further from the truth.
David Greenfield is an experienced attorney who has been working for years to make New York more affordable. Mr. Greenfield is the Director and Counsel of TEACH NYS, which is the only umbrella group that advocates on behalf of the parents of the 500,000 Catholic, Jewish, and Independent school children in New York State. David’s successful strategy for TEACH NYS led to recently enacted legislation that provides for $600 million in tax-credits for parents of all school-age children in New York. Thanks to his advocacy, thousands of non-public school students are now eligible for free tutoring services through the federal Title I program.
Mr. Greenfield also serves as Executive Vice President of the Sephardic Community Federation (SCF). SCF is the umbrella government relations and public policy organization of the Sephardic Jewish Community. In that capacity, Greenfield works closely with public officials at every level of government to improve the lives of all New Yorkers.
David, who is an expert in education policy, is a mayoral appointee to the prestigious New York Non-Public School Standing Committee. This select committee serves as the liaison between New York government and the non-public school community. As a member of the committee, David plays a critical role in addressing important issues affecting hundreds of thousands of New York’s children and advocating on their behalf. Most recently, Mr. Greenfield spearheaded a three-year campaign that culminated in the successful effort to provide free tutoring to thousands of students in New York City. These free tutoring services are valued at tens of millions of dollars each and every year.
David is known for his honesty and integrity. His reputation for “telling it like it is” has made his advice sought after by leading public officials. Mr. Greenfield has advised countless public officials on political strategy and public policy. In addition, David is a popular television, radio and newspaper political commentator. His “Weekly Political Wrap-up” can be heard frequently on the radio on 620AM. He also has a weekly “Inside Politics” internet podcast on Yeshiva World News that is downloaded by tens of thousands of listeners each week. Mr. Greenfield has routinely appeared in news media around the world. Aside from multiple television appearances, most recently on Fox News, David has been quoted by national newspapers and is a frequent political analyst on Russian and Israeli radio stations.
Mr. Greenfield is a graduate of the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC and Touro College in New York City where he graduated summa cum laude and was valedictorian.
Prior to his work at the Sephardic Community Federation and TEACH NYS, David served as Deputy Director of Finance to Senator Joe Lieberman’s presidential campaign and as Chief of Staff to NYS Assemblyman Dov Hikind. Before that, Mr. Greenfield practiced corporate law at the national law firm of Rosenman & Colin LLP.
Within the 44th CD, Touro College has two schools. The Machon Leparnasa and the School for Lifelong Education, where I teach law. Additionally, the Lander College for Arts and Sciences, located on Avenue J and East 14th street, abuts the 44th CD. Collectively, students in these campuses, their families and friends represent thousands of voters.
A request by students was made to the candidates to appear for a discussion and debate. This debated would be moderated by Howard Kleinhendler, Esq., a Touro graduate, and a candidate for United States Congress in New Jersey.
To date, Joe Lazar has refused to attend. This is surprising as he contends that he has brought programs into the community that generate “tens of millions of dollars per year”. If that is indeed true, it is indeed a record to be proud of and we would like to know more.
Very truly yours,
/s
Aaron Tyk, Esq.
Professor of Law
Touro College