Simcha Felder

Simcha Felder is a member of the New York City Council from Brooklyn. A Democrat, he represents the 44th Council District, which encompasses parts of Borough Park, Midwood and Bensonhurst.

One of the Council's 2 Orthodox Jews, Felder has gained popularity among his conservative Jewish constituents for advocating strongly on their behalf, including in matters relating to Israel. [ [http://www.nysun.com/article/12210 Council's Felder Sides With Mayor] , New York Sun, Apr. 14, 2005] Although personally opposed to homosexuality as being against Judaism, he backed Christine Quinn for City Council Speaker in what was seen as a political move to gain allies. [ [http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/newscontent.php3?artid=11846 Boro Park Pol Favors Gay Speaker Hopeful] , The Jewish Week, Dec. 30, 2005] Although Felder claims to support Quinn, he says he cannot actually vote for her because of religious reasons. [ [http://www.cityhallnews.com/news/128/ARTICLE/1171/2007-04-17.html The Calculating Clown] City Hall News, April 17th, 2007 ] Ironically, when the time came to vote Quinn for Council Speaker, Felder did not cast any vote and instead took a trip to the restroom. [ [http://www.observer.com/node/28404 Felder's Private Office] New York Observer, January 13, 2006 ] Felder opposes same-sex marriage and voted against a bill in the New York City Council protecting transgender people from discrimination. [ [http://www.prideagenda.org/CampaignsandElections/Endorsements/2008PrimaryElectionVoterGuide/tabid/437/Default.aspx 2008 Primary Election Voter Guide] , Empire State Pride Agenda] He has also backed city funding for Catholic and Jewish schools, while maintaining that he is against displays of religion in public schools. [ [http://www.nysun.com/article/35680 City Adds Funds For Catholic, Jewish Schools] , New York Sun, Jul. 10, 2006; [http://74.53.136.170/9917/2007/06/19/new-york-ny-simcha-felder-against/ Simcha Felder Against Allowing Religious Symbols In Schools] , New York Sun via Vos Iz Neias, Jun. 19, 2007] Felder has also gained attention by calling for better labeling of caffeine content in foods and beverages, [ [http://wcbstv.com/health/health_story_051004053.html NYC Councilman Wants Caffeine Labeling] , Associated Press, Feb. 20, 2007] as well as a ban on the distribution of unsolicited fliers. [ [http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/30/18/30_18livelihood.html Law would destroy my livelihood!] , The Brooklyn Paper, May 5, 2007] Felder called for a pigeon feeding ban in New York City in November, 2007. [ [http://www.myfoxny.com/myfox/pages/ContentDetail?contentId=4905860& Pigeon Feeding Ban] MyFoxNY.com, Nov. 12, 2007]

Felder is Chair of the Council's Committee on Governmental Operations, a position that he has held since January 2006. As Chair of the committee, Felder has supported Mayor Michael Bloomberg's plan to curb Pay to Play contracting practices. [ [http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/28159/ The Last Days of Pay to Play] , New York Magazine's Intelligencer, Feb. 26, 2007] Most notably, the committee has provided oversight of the City Board of Elections' implementation of the Help America Vote Act. As a member of the Council's Land Use Committee, Felder is part of a group of New York state legislators that has consistently blocked plans to renovate United Nations headquarters, calling the UN anti-American and anti-Israel. [ [http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/newscontent.php3?artid=10276&print=yes UN Takes A Beating] , The Jewish Week, Dec. 17, 2004] In spite of such calls, the UN recently announced that it will undergo a $1 billion makeover. [ [http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSN2724925120070727 U.N. signs contract with Skanska for HQ renovation] , Reuters, Jul. 27, 2007]

In 2005, Felder (a Democrat) raised eyebrows when he crossed party lines to endorse then Republican Mike Bloomberg in his bid for reelection as New York City mayor. [ [http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2008/06/felder-im-a-malcolm-smith-demo.html Felder: I'm a Malcolm Smith Democrat] The Daily Politics]

Felder again caught attention in 2008, when he announced his Democratic presidential primary election vote for Senator Barack Obama "in protest" for what he felt was bad behavior by the campaign of New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, although Felder did not explain or elaborate what specific behavior to which he referred. [ [http://youtube.com/watch?v=w4C5-ET9dCk Video: Simcha Felder for Obama] YouTube, January 30, 2008 ]

Prior to becoming a City Council member, Felder was chief of staff to New York State Assembly member Dov Hikind. New York City term limits prevent Felder from seeking another term in the city council and was widely speculated to be mounting a run for the citywide office of comptroller. [ [http://www.observer.com/2008/felder-leaves-comptroller-race-running-state-senate Felder Switches To Senate Run] "The New York Observer" June 1, 2008 ] Instead, Simcha Felder ran for state senate against Kevin Parker in the 21st District. [ [http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2008/06/citing-bloomberg-felder-makes-1.html Citing Bloomberg, Felder Makes Senate Run Official] , Ny Daily News, June 4,2008] Incumbent Kevin Parker won the race by getting 49% of the vote. [http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=23284]

Controversies

In April of 2006, Felder accused the highest ranking uniformed member of the NYPD, Chief Joseph Esposito, of using inappropriate language when Esposito attempted to quell individuals who entered a police station house during a riot in Borough Park. Fedler indicated that he personally heard Chief Esposito say, "Get the fucking Jews out of here." [http://www.amny.com/news/local/am-ccrb0804,0,3405338.story Topic Galleries - amNY.com ] ] However, the Civilian Complaint Review Board, which investigates police misconduct, later found the accusation against Esposito unsubstantiated, but did reprimand Chief Esposito for using profanity. When subsequently asked to comment about the Review Board's finding, Felder's office stated that that Simcha Felder had "no comment" about the incident and that he "wants to put the matter behind him."

References

External links

* [http://council.nyc.gov/d44/html/members/home.shtml Official NYC Council Website about Simcha Felder]
* [http://www.nyccouncil.info/constituent/email_form.cfm?con_id=71 Simcha Felder] contact page
* [http://simchafelder.org SimchaFelder.org Simcha Felder Campaign Site]
* [http://felder2009.com Felder2009.org Another Simcha Felder Campaign Site]
* [http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=15547721739 Simcha Felder for New York State Senate] Facebook Group