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The Race ...
City Council
District 25
Corona, East Elmhurst and Jackson Heights
Know something we should know? Let us know at campaign05@gothamgazette.com
General Election Results
Helen Sears
Primary Results
Helen Sears
The Incumbent:
Helen Sears
General Election Challenger(s):
Rodolfo Flores
Masud Rahman
Primary Election Challenger(s):
Rodolfo Flores
Bryan Pu-Folkes
Feature Articles ...
District 25: Trying to Unseat an Incumbent in Jackson Heights
August 19, 2005
Jackson Heights, Queens is one of the most ethnically diverse places on the planet. Nearly half of the population is foreign born and residents hail from 80 countries and speak over 40 different languages. The area is home to "Little India," "Little Columbia," and the largest Argentinean community in the city.
But by and large, the area's diverse residents have not yet assimilated into the New York’s political system.
Only a third of the area’s residents are registered voters and turnout in local elections is low.
This year, however, three challengers - who have diverse ethnic backgrounds - are trying to unseat the incumbent Councilmember Helen Sears, who won the 2001 Democratic primary with just 2,705 votes.
Bryan Pu-Folkes, founder of the group New Immigrant Community Empowerment and a City Human Rights Commissioner, believes he can reach out to many first time voters.
"It takes a lot of work to help communities become politically sophisticated," said Pu-Folkes, whose parents are from Jamaica and Burma. "But the more people are engaged, the more accountable our public elected officials will be."
Rodolfo Flores, a social worker from Peru, will appear on the Democratic and Independence Party lines. He was knocked off the ballot in 2001, but is confident he can have an impact this year.
And Republican candidate Masud Rahaman, who was born in Bangladesh and works for the World Bank, will also appear on the ballot in November. (He could not be reached for an interview.)
The incumbent Helen Sears says she is taking nothing for granted in the campaign. And she stands by her record, holding nearly two-dozen public meetings and offering constituent services to help "bring government to the people."
But her critics say that Sears is sometimes out of touch with a large portion of the area's residents. For example, in 2004, Sears was one of just five council members to vote against tougher regulations requiring lead paint and lead dust be removed from apartment buildings, a problem that particularly affects low-income residents.
"If I were in the City Council during that time, I would have voted for the law," says Pu-Folkes.
All of the candidates agree that economic development, education, and housing are key to the area's future. But the challengers are putting particular emphasis on services for new arrivals.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
If reelected, Councilmember Helen Sears says she will continue to hold business forums where attorneys, marketing experts, and real estate agents meet with residents to discuss the possibility of opening small businesses. Sears held two similar forums during her term in office.
Bryan Pu-Folkes, however, believes more must be done to overcome cultural barriers within the small business arena. He says he will ensure that "all commercial quarters have a good mix [of businesses] so people don’t have to leave their neighborhoods to satisfy community demands."
Rodolfo Flores wants to help constituents apply for federal loans to start their own businesses and offer expertise in negotiating the regulations of the city.
"I know what it means to work seven days a week, more than 14 hours to pay Uncle Sam and to worry every week whether you will have the money to pay your bills and your employees," says Flores.
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental issues are a growing concern for the district, which has heavy car traffic and congestion, as well as instances of illegal dumping.
Bryan Pu-Folkes promises to work to create more green space. "This is the second worst district in terms of parkland," he says. "This district is craving for open space."
Pu-Folkes also says he would call for stronger pesticide notification laws and ensure that lead paint regulations are enforced.
Helen Sears advocates legislation to create hybrid taxis. She also proposes building a gas station in the district that sells alternative fuels.
Rodolfo Flores says more must be done to improve garbage collection. He proposes hiring private companies to pick up extra garbage or insisting that the sanitation department collect garbage three times a week rather than two.
Flores also says that the next City Council member must collect data regarding asthma in the district and implement an effective prevention and treatment plan.
EDUCATION
All of the candidates agree that education must be a focus on this campaign.
Helen Sears points to her efforts to expand two schools, P.S. 69 and I.S. 145 and gaining money for youth and after-school programs from the city budget. The Department of Education has also proposed building a high school in the area, the first in Jackson Heights, which all of the candidates support.
Rodolfo Flores is most troubled by the lack of bilingual teachers in schools. "We need to have some sort of balance between the people who reside there and the people who teach the children who go to our schools," Flores says.
Bryan Pu-Folkes says he will work to create more after-school programs and build new schools in the area.
HOUSING
Helen Sears promises to continue to fight for the rights of owners of co-ops and condominiums and compensate for inequities in the property tax law.
Bryan Pu-Folkes advocates working with developers to build housing that meets the needs of the community. However, he opposes providing tax and zoning incentives unless "absolutely necessary." If elected, Pu-Folkes says he will work with local community boards, housing and zoning committees and civic organizations like Queens Civic Congress to negotiate with developers.
Rodolfo Flores is worried about overcrowding due to illegal housing conversions. Flores says this is partly because immigrants are unaware of city laws, and he promises to have translators available in community centers to explain the laws to immigrants.
SENIOR CITIZENS
Helen Sears advocates enhancing transportation for senior citizens and wants to see Access-A-Ride given greater support. Sears also believes free medical consultation and assistance should be made more easily available to senior citizens.
"Our seniors can choose from over 40 different companies to get on a drug plan. That would overwhelm anybody." Sears says. "With assistance, seniors can make some wise and sound decisions."
If elected, Bryan Pu-Folkes promises to enforce federal regulations making public places handicap accessible. Pu-Folkes and Rodolfo Flores both propose putting more funding into senior center programs and providing senior citizens with educational classes in computer literacy, language skills, and citizenship.
THE CAMPAIGN
In New York City, it is difficult to unseat an incumbent who has the advantages of name recognition, a political record, and the support of many unions and political clubs.
But with Bryan Pu-Folkes' record of founding several community organizations and ability to raise money, many observers have chosen the district 25 campaign as a "race to watch." The challengers emphasize their grassroots organizing, while Sears has the support of the powerful Queens Democratic Party to help get out the vote.
Helen Sears currently leads in campaign contributions with $92,000 followed by Bryan Pu-Folkes with $60,000. Rodolfo Flores and Masud Rahaman both collected under $5,000, by mid-July according to the Campaign Finance Board.
The Incumbent:
Helen Sears | Dem | WFP |
Helen Sears was elected to City Council in 2001. Sears founded of the 82nd Street Business Improvement District and was formerly a senior specialist with the New York City Department of Aging.
Challenger(s):
Rodolfo Flores | IND |
Rodolfo Flores is a social worker for a public hospital. He has been active in community affairs for the past 20 years, including serving on the land use/community development committee and on the neighborhood advisory board for Jackson Heights, East-Elmhurst, and Corona, which helps distribute federal Community Service Block Grants to not-for-profit organizations.
Bryan Pu-Folkes | Dem |
Bryan Pu-Folkes is the founder and executive director of New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE) and a New York City Human Rights Commissioner. He also serves as health ambassador to Elmhurst Hospital Center and is on the board of Citizens for NYC. He helped found the conservancy for Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
Masud Rahman | Rep |
Masud Rahman works in the mortgage division of the World Bank.
Campaign Trail ...
Below are the latest Campaign Trail items for the District 25 race. For the full Campaign Trail archive, go here
Amsterdam News Endorses Pu-Folkes
September 8, 2005
Brian Pu-Folkes is a newcomer to the elective process, and we're endorsing him because he has a platform that is attractive. Among his mandates: an effective transportation system, schools that maximize potential, affordable housing, truly family-friendly playgrounds, fair wage jobs, quality and accessible healthcare.
We urge his election. (Amsterdam News)
Siegel for Pu-Folkes, DC37 for Siegel, UFT for Sears
August 31, 2005
In his bid to unseat current Jackson Heights City Councilwoman Helen Sears, Bryan Pu-Folkes picked up two major endorsements from famed civil rights attorney Norman Siegel and Eric Adams, president of 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care. Pu-Folkes' opponent didn't do so poorly in the endorsement department last week either, after both the New York City Central Labor Council and the United Federation of Teachers announced they would back the incumbent councilwoman. (Queens Ledger)
New York Times Endorsement: Bryan Pu-Folkes in District 25
August 29, 2005
25th District (Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst, Corona, Rego Park and Woodside): Even in this city of variety, it's hard to match the diversity in this district. The incumbent, Helen Sears, deserves credit for her work in seeking accommodation for day laborers in the district and extending health care services for immigrant women. She also helped the successful drive to keep Wal-Mart out of the district. But some of her votes in the Council have been off key - like her opposition to the lead paint bill and a resolution calling on the government to uphold immigrant rights under the Patriot Act. Her main opponent is Bryan Pu-Folkes, a lawyer who serves as a city human rights commissioner and has a long history as an immigrant advocate. Mr. Pu-Folkes, whose parents emigrated from Burma and Jamaica, shows the promise of being more than just a good public servant. He is already a role model for young immigrants and could pull more of them into civic life. Among his top priorities would be to reduce pollution and expand public green spaces, both important goals for a district with high rates of asthma. Bryan Pu-Folkes has a firm grip on the issues and exudes a confident eagerness to take them on, and wins our endorsement. (New York Times)
May 16, 2005
With only a half-dozen City Council seats facing term limits this year, there should be fewer than a dozen council races this fall where there might be a spirited race. Also in Queens, attorney- immigration activist Bryan Pu-Folkes, a Democrat, reported raising $41,080 for his race against Councilwoman Helen Sears (D-Jackson Heights).
(Newsday)
Sears Leads Pu-Folkes in Raising Funds for Council Race
July 28, 2005
City Councilwoman Helen Sears (D-Jackson Heights) has put together one of the smallest campaign war chests of the 14 Queens incumbents, while her main rival, Bryan Pu-Folkes, has one of the largest amassed by Queens challengers, according to the latest filings with the Campaign Finance Board released July 15.
Sears continued to lead her main Democratic challenger, Pu-Folkes, in the quest for money prior to the Sept. 13 primary, with $92,000 compared to his $60,000 for the seat that represents parts of Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst, Rego Park, Woodside and Corona. (Times Ledger)
August 2, 2005
In Jackson Heights, two minority City Council candidates are trying to tap into one of the most ethnically diverse districts in the city by seeking to unseat an incumbent.
But they face an uphill battle in the Democratic primary, political analysts say, because first they must convince immigrants and minorities to come out and vote.
(Newsday)
Money at the Races: City Council Campaigns
July 21, 2005
One closely watched council race is taking place in Jackson Heights, where 70 percent of the population is Hispanic and Asian. Incumbent Helen Sears is being challenged by Bryan Pu-Folkes, founder of the New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE), an immigration advocacy group, and perennial candidate Rodolfo Flores.
Sears’ campaign is being run by her son Stuart, and has the backing of the Democratic Party and local officials. Pu-Folkes’ campaign manger, Lois Marbach, helped elect two insurgent Democrats to the City Council in previous years, inclÂÍ×ng Hiram Monserrate (D-Corona).
(Queens Tribune)
Primary City Council Race to Watch
August 1, 2005
Councilmember Helen Sears faces a scrappy race against community organizer Bryan Pu-Folkes. Mid-July campaign filings found the candidates neck and neck for fundraising. Still, Pu-Folkes, who’s has made a name for himself organizing against bias crime in the wake of September 11, faces an uphill battle against Sears. Incumbency always carries privileges, but Sears has some extra oomph: a twenty-year history with the county party machine, and union backing fueled by her successful drive to keep WalMart out of the borough. (City Limits)
Full District 25 Campaign Trail Archive
District 25 Campaign Trail in RSS format. 

