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The Race ...
City Council
District 41
Oceanhill and Brownsville
Know something we should know? Let us know at campaign05@gothamgazette.com
General Election Results
Darlene Mealy
Primary Results
Darlene Mealy
The Incumbent:
There is no Incumbent posted for this race.
General Election Challenger(s):
Brinmore Britton
Darlene Mealy
Naquan Muhammad
Primary Election Challenger(s):
Alicka Ampry-Samuel
Royston Antoine
William F. Boyland, Sr.
Essie M. Duggan
Pamela M. Junior
Stanley Kinard
Danny King
Darlene Mealy
David R. Miller
Maryam A. Samad
Feature Articles ...
District 41: Challenging a Brooklyn Family Dynasty
July 18, 2005
For nearly three decades, a member of the Boyland family has represented Central Brooklyn in political office.
In 1982, William F. Boyland Sr. filled the State Assembly seat of his brother Thomas, who died unexpectedly after serving five years in office. In 2003, William F. Boyland Sr. handed his State Assembly position off to his son, William F. Boyland Jr. And for the last eight years, William F. Boyland Sr.'s daughter, Tracy Boyland, has served in the New York City Council.
But this year, term limits threatens the family dynasty.
Councilmember Tracy Boyland must leave her district 41 City Council seat at the end of the year, and 14 candidates - including a Housing Authority employee, a member of the Nation of Islam, a minister, and a former member of her staff - are vying for the position.
In an effort to keep the open seat in the family, William F. Boyland Sr. has decided to come out of retirement.
When asked why he is returning to politics at the age of 64 to seek a lower seat than the one he held for more than 20 years, Boyland is frank. "Because my daughter is being term limited out," he said.
The race for district 41, which encompasses the neighborhoods of Oceanhill, Brownsville and parts of Bedford Stuyvesant, has become a battle over the Boyland family's record in office.
William F. Boyland Sr., for whom the term "taciturn" may have been invented, says he wants to continue his daughter's work. A cast of new candidates, who speak volubly, say that more must be done on issues of housing, jobs, education, and healthcare.
Tracy Boyland (who is planning on running for Congress in 2006) did not respond to repeated requests for an interview. But at a recent City Council hearing she highlighted what she saw as some of her major accomplishments in office: creating affordable housing, working on issues like domestic violence and childcare, and lobbying for funding for HIV and infant mortality prevention programs.
"I would like to do what Tracy did," said William Boyland Sr.
However, critics say the Boylands have been less than stellar representatives.
In the press, Tracy Boyland has been singled out for her poor attendance at City Council hearings and votes and for only drafting a handful of bills in eight years in office. Some say William Boyland Sr. is more concerned about perpetuating his family's political power than serving constituents. "Boyland, who spent 20 uneventful years in the State Assembly, is scheming to keep his family's lock on every available political office in Brownsville," wrote Daily News columnist Errol Louis.
"Dissatisfaction brings about a change," said Naquan Muhammad, a candidate and youth director of Black Men Who Care Inc, a community based non-profit group. "It is time for a change."
HOUSING
According to the U.S. Census, the district's population is 84
percent African-American and 11 percent Hispanic. The area's landscape
is a mix of large public housing complexes, brownstones, renovated two
family houses, and empty lots.
As candidates try to draw attention to the area's most critical issues, all of them mention affordable housing.
Two-family houses make up much of the new housing being built in the area. They can cost $300,000 to $400,000, according to Danny King, a retired police officer. King would rather see the construction of more apartment buildings.
"There's not even enough affordable housing apartments for people," King said. "Apartment buildings are a must."
William Boyland Sr. disagrees. "Those people who are able to buy are vacating their apartments," he said. "So we are not really losing available apartments."
Tania Gelin, a former legislative assistant in the City Council and State Senate, says if elected, she will work with the New York City Department of Housing, Preservation and Development to promote low interest loans for building rehabilitation.
Maryam A. Samad, the president and founder of 101 Inner City Women, an organization that raises money for community use, believes that the city's focus should be on building more affordable housing and not on funding sports stadiums.
JOBS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
All of the candidates agree on the need for economic development and job creation in the area, particularly for African-American men, who face the highest unemployment rates in the city. However, they have differing ideas of how to best accomplish these goals.
The Brownsville section of district 41 has been slated to participate in the new city funded $10 million NYCWorks program, which provides education, job training, and placement services in communities with high unemployment.
If elected, Alicka Ampry-Samuel, a former Democratic District leader and former aide to Tracy Boyland, said she will send out mass mailings to inform local residents of the opportunity to get educated and obtain employment.
Naquan Muhammad says he will work with congressional leaders to establish a federally funded Economic Empowerment Zone in the area.
"Small businesses are the backbone of a community," said Muhammad. "We need to buy Black and bring the dollar back."
Several candidates agreed that any new business coming into the district needs to employ more local residents. They are worried about the proliferation of fast food and national chains, which tend to pay low wages.
Essie Duggan, the head of Wayside Development Corp. and a member of Community Board 16, proposes instituting an entrepreneur program that will provide mentor and guidance to individuals wishing to start their own business.
"It's not just about selling their product or selling a service," said Duggan, "but also about management in order to stay in business."
In 2004, Boyland Sr. was honored after proposing that the SUNY Downstate Medical Center build its Advanced Biotechnology Park in central Brooklyn. After completion, the park will provide office and laboratory space for biotechnology companies. Downstate officials said that the facility will have a direct impact of the economic development of the area.
EDUCATION
William Boyland, Sr. promised to continue seeking funding to put science, computer, and math labs in schools.
Danny King wants to convert an abandoned school on Rockaway and Blake Avenues into a trade school.
Naquan Muhammad favors instituting new charter schools.
Rev. Melvin L. Davis said that improving education lies not only in providing schools with more resources, but in getting parents to recognize early on if their children are struggling in school and refer them to tutoring.
Darlene Mealy, a community organizer, wants to establish a program (.pdf) in which experienced teachers mentor younger teachers, like the one that has been successfully launched in the Bronx.
Joseph Young Jr., a middle school social studies teacher and an assistant principal, says that students who read below grade level are still being promoted without gaining the necessary skills to succeed.
Pamela Junior, who worked as a legal assistant at a Wall Street law firm, says that schools need to help children learn computer skills. Without them, Junior believes, they will not be prepared for the future.
HEALTH
But some of the most severe issues facing the area are health related.
One in 30 Brownsville residents is HIV positive and the area has more AIDS cases than 12 entire U.S. states, according to a report by the African American Planning Commission Inc (.doc).
Central Brooklyn also has above average rates of infant mortality, hospitalization due to asthma, and lead poisoning, according to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (.pdf)
These health issues will likely become more acute as St. Mary's Hospital of Brooklyn, which lies in the center of the district, is slated to close as early as this fall, pending state approval.
According to a recent article in the New York Times, because so many people in the area are uninsured and use emergency rooms for basic health needs, the situation has become "economically unsustainable for the hospital."
"This community cannot afford to have that hospital close," said Darlene Mealy. "That is the only trauma unit we have in our area."
None of the candidates offered specific solutions to keep the hospital open. Still they pledged to work with the community to protest the closing and try to help those who are losing their jobs.
William F. Boyland Sr. said his son State Assemblymember William F. Boyland Jr. and his daughter Councilmember Tracy Boyland have been working with the mayor on the issue.
THE CAMPAIGN
William F. Boyland Sr., Tania Gelin, and Alicka Ampry-Samuel have opted out of participating in the Campaign Finance Board's matching funds program. This allows them to spend as much on their campaigns as they wish. All of the other candidates are participating in the program, which matches small private donations with additional public money.
As of the mid-July filing date, Darlene Mealy leads in campaign contributions with $40,001. Pamela Junior and Danny King follow with $24,661 and $20,952, respectively.
But with a long list of candidates running against a well known-name, it may be difficult for a new face to emerge.
To ensure that they will make it to the General Election, Darlene Mealy is running as a Working Families candidate, and Naquan Muhammad is running on the Independence party line.
Three Democrats - Royston Antoine, Stanley Kinard, and David Miller - did not return requests for an interview.
Still some say the crowded field of candidates is a positive sign.
"It says something about the community," said Danny King. "People now are waking up and saying 'I want to participate in the process.'"
CAMPAIGN UPDATE:
Four of the thirteen Democratic candidates have been knocked off the ballot for the Primary. Melvin Davis, Tania Gelin, Naquan Muhammad, and Joseph Young are no longer candidates for the Democratic nomination, according to the Board of Elections. Naquan Muhammad still hopes to appear on the General Election ballot on the Independence party line. (Updated 8/03/05)
The Incumbent:
There is no Incumbent posted for this race.
Challenger(s):
Alicka Ampry-Samuel | Dem |
Alicka Ampry-Samuel is the former New York State Democratic Committeeewoman for the 55th Assembly District. Her career has focused on issues of mental health, homelessness, and child advocacy. She has worked for the Administration for Children’s Services and as a legislative aide to a City Council member.
Royston Antoine | Dem |
Royston Antoine is president and CEO of Uncle Roys, a New York based apparel store. He is the former president of the Pitkin Avenue Merchant Association and member of the 73rd Precinct Community Council.
William F. Boyland, Sr. | Dem |
William F. Boyland, Sr. was first elected to office in 1982, serving 10 terms as assemblyman of A.D. 55. Boyland, Sr. has been active in many civic and social organizations including Care Beyond Neighborhood as chairperson.
Brinmore Britton | Rep |
Essie M. Duggan | Dem |
Essie M. Duggan is the CEO of Wayside Development Corp. and a member of Community Board 16. She was among the founding members of the Central Brooklyn Economic Development Corp., the Northeast Brooklyn Housing Development Corp., and the Care Beyond Neighborhood After School Program. She is a member of 100 Women for Justice and the NAACP.
Pamela M. Junior | Dem |
Pamela M. Junior, who worked as a legal assistant at a Wall Street law firm for 16 years, has served in various positions on Community Board 3 and the 500 Decatur Street Block Association. She is an active member with a number of organizations, including the Northeast Brooklyn Housing Development Corporation, the Unity Democratic Club, OBUSTY Local Development Corporation, Covenant House (Brooklyn), African American Planning Commission, Deborah Chapter O.E.S., and Zion Baptist Church.
Stanley Kinard | Dem |
Stanley Kinard is the founder and executive director of the Woodson Cultural Literacy Project, which is active in Brooklyn public schools, and as a member of community board 16. He is also a Revson fellow at Columbia University.
Danny King | Dem |
Danny King is a retired police officer that served 20 years with the New York Police Department. He has served as a member of local community board 16, the 73rd precinct council, and the president and founder of Youth on the Move, Victory Over Violence.
Darlene Mealy | Dem | WFP |
Darlene Mealy has worked for New York City Transit for over a decade. She is the founder and president of FARR (Fulton St./Atlantic Ave./Ralph Ave./Rochester Ave.) Community Association Inc, an organization that unites several communities under one voice. Ms. Mealy is on the executive board of the Neighborhood Housing Service, which provides homeowners with low and moderate loans for home improvement.
David R. Miller | Dem |
David R. Miller is a member of the Community School Board District 16. He has worked with Black Men With a Cause and the Metropolitan Baptist Church Men's Org. He was a Judicial Delegate for the 55th Assembly District. Mr. Miller is the President and CEO of Black Market Records Inc. He was formerly the Administrative Director of The Borough of Manhattan Community College Day Care Center and Senior Partner with W. R. HillCo Company.
Naquan Muhammad | IND |
Naquan Muhammad is a youth director of Black Men Who Care Inc, a community based non-profit group. He is also a board member of the Central Brooklyn Housing Council, executive director of the Committee to Honor Black Heroes, and president of the Islamic Political Party of America, New York office. He also sits on the Brooklyn Clergy and Political Leaders Council.
Maryam A. Samad | Dem |
Maryam A. Samad is the President and Founder of 101 Inner City Women, an organization which raises funds for community use. She is the Vice-President of both the Red-Hook Chapter of Working Families and the North East Muslim Womans Alliance. Ms. Samad is the founder of the Tilden Houses Youth Center and has worked with Head Start and Advocates for Children. She is the former Vice- Chair and Political Action Director for CUNY.
Campaign Trail ...
Below are the latest Campaign Trail items for the District 41 race. For the full Campaign Trail archive, go here
Big Upset for Activist in District 41
September 15, 2005
The transformation of Darlene Mealy from MTA worker to City Council member began on her own Bedford-Stuyvesant block. (Daily News)
Boyland Family Name in Brooklyn Loses Clout With Defeat
September 15, 2005
In Brooklyn, a borough with no shortage of political dynasties, the Boyland family name has been one of the most enduring. But in Tuesday's primary election, the family's electoral record suffered a rare blemish. (New York Times)
September 14, 2005
Darlene Mealy, a transit worker and a political neophyte, won the city's most crowded primary election for a City Council seat. Among the candidates she defeated was William F. Boyland Sr., a former member of the State Assembly who wanted to keep the seat, now held by hi daughter, Tracy Boyland, in the family. (New York Times)
Daily News Endorses Mealy for Council
September 10, 2005
“ Ten candidates are vying to replace the term-limited Tracy Boyland. The best choice for a much-needed fresh start is Darlene Mealy, a talented newcomer who founded a community-improvement organization that has rousted drug dealers and run successful block beautification drives.”
(Daily News)
Challengers Accuse Imcumbents of Neglectful Leadership
September 9, 2005
Early one morning last week, outside the A train stop on Utica Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Darlene Mealy was passing out glossy campaign literature that detailed her fight against a new community parole office. A New York City Transit employee and rank-and-file union member who is backed by her former boss Reverend Al Sharpton and by the Working Families Party, Ms. Mealy is locked in one of the year's most competitive City Council races. She is up against more than a dozen candidates, including William Boyland Sr., a former member of the state Assembly who has come out of retirement to run for the seat that his daughter, Tracy Boyland, is vacating because of term limits. (New York Sun)
Keep the Seat in the Family, Says Boyland
September 5, 2005
William Boyland Sr., running to replace his term-limited city councilwoman daughter, Tracy, is comparing his family with the Kennedys as he asks for endorsements, sources said. Boyland, a former Brooklyn assemblyman who turned his seat over to his son, told one labor leader, "I ran out of children," when asked why he's running for the 41st District seat, adding the seat "needs to stay in the family." And he compared the Boylands with the Kennedys, the source said, saying, "He felt if their children can do it, why can't he?" Of the roughly dozen candidates running for the seat, the one who has gotten key union and newspaper endorsements is transit worker Darlene Mealy, who said of Boyland: "I've heard of the Kennedys. I've seen them on TV. And I can say the Boylands are no Kennedys." Boyland didn't return calls.
(Daily News)
August 25, 2005
The Brooklyn district attorney's race has become the latest stage in the showdown between veteran Congressman Major Owens (D-Brooklyn) and his longtime friends turned political rivals, the Boyland family, headed by former Assemblyman William Boyland Sr. Owens says his decision, announced earlier this month, to withdraw support from the sole Black candidate running for Brooklyn district attorney was a matter of principle. Owens said he didn't want to withdraw his support from State Senator John Sampson (D-Brooklyn), but felt he had to after Sampson broke an agreement the two had that Sampson would not get involved with the District 41 (Brownsville/Ocean Hill) City Council race. However, Sampson's campaign spokesman, Michael Roberts, denies that the state senator and the congressman ever had such an understanding. Sampson backed former Assemblyman William Boyland Sr., now running to replace his daughter, City Councilwoman Tracy Boyland, who can't run because of term limits, because it was in his political interest to do so, Sampson's spokesman said. ''He broke the simple promise to me,'' said Owens, who is now endorsing Mark Peters, former deputy to New York State Attorney General Elliot Spitzer, over Sampson, the Canarsie state senator and trial lawyer. ''If you can't keep a simple promise, what are you going to do if you get elected?'' said Owens.
(Amsterdam News)
Two Blows in Brooklyn Council Battle
August 25, 2005
Good news came in twos on Thursday for City Council candidate Darlene Mealy, the transit worker who's battling William Boyland, Sr., for the Brownsville council seat that his term-limited daughter Tracy Boyland now holds. Good news, Part I: Assemblyman Nick Perry, who represents Brownsville and East Flatbush, has endorsed Mealy—a move that Mealy's campaign thinks will be a big boost for her in the West Indian community. The second bit of help comes from the Campaign Finance Board, which lifted the spending cap in the race and increased the ratio of matching funds from the normal four-to-one to five-to-one, apparently because Boyland (who is not participating in the CFB system) looks set to spend at least $75,000 in the race. The Mealy campaign is one of the Working Families Party's top priorities this year, along with Melissa Mark-Viverito in Harlem and Manhattan Beep candidate Scott Stringer. The Mealy-Boyland match-up is also one of those down-ballot races that may defy the overall impression that turnout is going to be low on September 13 because of the low-key mayoral campaign. (Village Voice)
More Cash for Some Candidates, One Vote for Another
August 27, 2005
The Campaign Finance Board has given City Council candidates in one Brooklyn district the right to collect extra public matching funds. The board acted Thursday after candidate Darleen Mealy filed paperwork indicating that another candidate in the 41st District, William Boyland Sr., 65, had failed to disclose all his financial activity.
"Boyland initially argued unconvincingly that he was planning on running a minimally-funded campaign and then turned around and filed a late disclosure statement showing $32,750 raised," Mealy said in a statement.
She said Boyland has raised far more than that, and added that he was not participating in the board's program of curbing contributions and expenditures in return for matching funds. The board voted to allow the other nine candidates to get matching funds at a 5-to-1 rate instead of a 4-to-1 rate. Boyland is part of an odd generational form of power-sharing in the district, which includes parts of Ocean Hill-Brownsville, Bedford-Stuyvesant and East Flatbush. He is seeking to replace his daughter, Tracy, who is being forced out by term limits. He resigned his state Assembly seat in 2002 under circumstances that ensured that his son, William, would succeed him. (Newsday)
New York Times Endorsement: Darlene Mealy in District 41
August 29, 2005
41st District (Bedford-Stuyvesant, Ocean Hill and Brownsville): The Boyland family, headed by the retired Assemblyman William Boyland Sr., regards this district as its own private political preserve. After Mr. Boyland won re-election to the Assembly two years ago, he stepped down and handed his seat over to his son, William Jr. Now he is running for City Council, hoping to succeed Tracy Boyland, his daughter, who is term-limited. Mr. Boyland, who did not make himself available for an endorsement interview, told the good-government organization Citizens Union, "I would like to do what Tracy did." That alone is reason to consider extending term limits to include family members. If Ms. Boyland distinguished herself in the Council, it was for nonperformance. The non-Boylands in the race are plenty, which could splinter the vote to the family's advantage. The ball of fire here is Darlene Mealy, a transit worker and first-time candidate who has devoted years to organizing distressed neighborhoods and helping transform them into safe, desirable places to live. Ms. Mealy has the makings of a dragon slayer, which this underserved district needs. Darlene Mealy gets our endorsement. (New York Times)
Unusually High Number Of Union Members And Officials Running For City Council
August 27, 2005
A larger-than-usual number of union members and officials are running for City Council seats in New York this year, spurred by the strength of their labor organizations and by the support coming from other union groups.
This includes Melissa Mark-Viverito, a researcher for 1199/S.E.I.U., the large health care union, running in East Harlem. Besides Ms. Mark-Viverito, there is Rodney L. Carroll, an organizer for Local 371 of the Social Service Employees Union, who is running for a City Council seat in central Harlem.
In the Bronx, Joseph A. McManus, the coordinator for Steamfitters Local 638 in that borough, is running for a City Council seat. Darlene Mealy, a member of the Transit Workers Union, is running for the City Council in a district in Brownsville, Brooklyn.
All are running in districts where term-limit laws have prevented incumbents from seeking re-election.
One incumbent seeking re-election is Annabel Palma, who was a union organizer with 1199/S.E.I.U. before winning a City Council seat in the Bronx two years ago
(NY Times)
Rev. Sharpton Endorses Mealy in Brooklyn Council Race
August 23, 2005
A little-known challenger to a Central Brooklyn political dynasty is set to get a major boost today from political powerhouse the Rev. Al Sharpton. Sharpton will endorse City Council hopeful and political newbie Darlene Mealy during a high-profile tour of Brownsville and East Flatbush churches and housing developments. Mealy has launched a David-and-Goliath bid for the seat vacated by Tracy Boyland - whose family has run a political fiefdom for more than two decades. (Daily News)
Full District 41 Campaign Trail Archive
District 41 Campaign Trail in RSS format. 

