Local Candidate Talk: Emily Gallagher Runs For 50th District Leader

Emily Gallagher, 32, calls North Brooklyn her home. The Brooklyn-based community activist moved to the borough from Rochester 10 years ago and is running for New York State Assembly 50th District Leader, which covers Williamsburg, Greenpoint, the Navy Yard, Clinton Hill, and parts of Fort Greene.

The primary election is coming up September 13, and Gallagher wants people to know she’ll bring change to the community. Gallagher is up against Linda Minucci, a 30-year incumbent who has held the seat since 1984.

Republicans and Democrats have two leaders per assembly district — one male and one female, which are unpaid positions.

The Fort Greene Focus chatted with Gallagher about the issues she’s passionate about, from development to education, and what she would bring to the table as district leader.

FGF: Why run for 50th District Leader?

Emily Gallagher: I’ve  always been involved in community work when I was growing up until now. I realized through being a member of different organizations in North Brooklyn, specifically in Greenpoint and Williamsburg, how many of the decisions could not be made despite their best effort, especially around the rezoning that has happened in Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, and the Navy Yard. I was frustrated to see this in the community and that injustice that could happen over and over again. That’s why I got involved in politics two years ago.

FGF: What are the most important issues you care about?

EG: I’m most interested in judicial improvement. I would like to see the judicial selections made in a more transparent way. I’ve noticed some judicial candidates tend to be related to district leaders and it represents a conflict of interest. I want to make sure the people on the bench actually represent the values of the community.

Secondly, I want to see a larger discussion of holding developers accountable and to see laws enacted to strengthen what they must do for the neighborhoods they come into. We shift blame in the new community instead of developers that allow development to happen.

I want to see parks expanded, mass transit and affordable housing get funded in an appropriate way. Everyone who works in those communities should be able to find affordable housing, from the guy who works at a tech start-up, to the guy who works at the dollar store. They’re all members of the community and they should be able to live where they work.

FGF: Any solutions to the education issues in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill?

EG: I don’t have any solutions yet, and would like to hear more from the community. Some of my colleagues who are teachers say both the students and teachers don’t have the resources to make learning happen. I also see a problem with test scores and would like to move away from rigorous testing.

The addition of more music and art programs would be a good way to track successful learning and how to make schools attractive. Another problem is not having enough support for non-English language speakers, where I would like to see more bilingual education available for the community.

FGF: What do you love most about the community?

EG: These communities have a lot in common and have distinct cultures from the generations of families living there. My favorite thing about theses neighborhoods is that you have the opportunity to share your talent through local businesses, art, and space. I’m also concerned about protecting independently owned small business like ma’ and pop style stores in order to help neighborhoods thrive.

FGF: What else do you want people to know about you?

EG: I want people to know that I’m interested in different ideas and I’m open to hearing from them. The role of district leader is unpaid and I would still have to balance my job with it — but I see this as a collaborative process. I want to know what the community’s interest are to let them know I’m here.

You can visit Emily Gallagher’s website to find out more information about her candidacy.