Councilman David G. Greenfield today expressed his opposition to the newly proposed “Super Borough Park” City Council district encompassing all of Borough Park. In a stance that is consistent with his position during the debate earlier this year over the new “Super Jewish” State Senate districts, Greenfield argues that including all of Borough Park in a single district will only serve to dilute the community’s power and voice. In a twist, the proposed district is Greenfield’s own in the New York City Council. “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander,” Greenfield said. “I believed during the Senate redistricting that dumping all of the Jewish community into one district was bad. It’s no different in the City Council.”

The 44th Council District currently encompasses approximately 80 percent of Borough Park, along with much of Midwood and a portion of Bensonhurst and Kensington. Under the preliminary maps released earlier this month by the New York City Districting Commission, the 44th Council District’s northwest boundary would be expanded to include the rest of Borough Park now represented by Councilman Brad Lander in the 39th Council District. As a result, the neighborhood of Borough Park would lose invaluable representation in City Hall that it currently enjoys by having two Council Members advocating on its behalf. Therefore, despite the political advantages that picking up the rest of Borough Park would bring for Greenfield, he opposes the lines as currently drawn.

“I don’t believe in ‘Super Jewish’ districts because they dilute our community’s strength. So while the proposed lines are better for me politically because they encompass all of Borough Park, I believe it is better for the community to have the old lines, which provided Borough Park with an additional Council Member,” said Councilman Greenfield.

The Council District lines must be redrawn every ten years based on the new census results in order to comply with the Voting Rights Act. Public hearings will be held on the NYC Districting Commission’s maps in October, before the plans are submitted for City Council review and approval in November.

“I urge all community members to stand with me and make it clear that our community will not be forced into a single district that will reduce our voice and representation in City Hall. I have enjoyed a tremendous working relationship with my neighboring Council Members, and we will lose the benefit of their advocacy if this current plan moves forward,” added Councilman Greenfield.

(YWN Desk – NYC)