political profi les District 18
BY ELIURA LARA
Why are you running?
Our city needs representatives
who know the city’s
issues, identify with them,
have the experience in serving
our people and can advocate
for their constituents
with passion and energy.
The Bronx has been given a
bad reputation and a small
amount of support. It is the
poorest city in the nation.
Obesity, unemployment,
health, shootings, safety, and
housing crisis are among the
crucial concerns this city is
facing. Not to mention, cityworkers
and other residents
can hardly afford to live in
the city they serve. I am running
to resolve this injustice.
Our residents need more community
policing. We need respect
amongst our residents
and NYPD.
Tell about yourself, i.e.
what you do for a living,
your relationship to the
district, and which neighborhood
you live in?
My name is Dr. Eliu Lara
and I am running for NYC
Council District 18 in the
Bronx. I started as a small
business owner in the community.
I owned a taxi car
service and worked in the
heart of District 18. I was also
privileged to own two travel
& realty Estate agencies in
the community. I’ve been an
educator for Bronx HS for the
past 27+ years and Bronx HS
District Representative for
the past 9+ years. Currently I
reside in the Parkchester vicinity
and a pastor of christian
church for the last 13+
years
What are the biggest
challenges facing the district
and how will you
solve them?
The biggest challenges
facing the district are the following:
Unemployment Community
Policing/Safety housing/
Homeless Educational
programs and youth opportunities
How will you solve
them? Unemployment is an
issue that can be solved with
a collective effort from the
government. We have to open
opportunities for youths.
Small businesses must be
opened, motivated and supported
BRONX TIMES R 36 EPORTER, APRIL 2-8, 2021 BTR
and billionaires and
millionaires should ship in
their fair shares to the economy
by paying their taxes.
Community Policing/Safety
The presence of police offi -
cers doing foot patrol is absolutely
necessary to build
a respectful environment
between the NYPD and the
community. The Youth coordination
units, the Auxiliary
police programs and the
community affair units of
the precincts that cover the
area should interact more
with the young people and
the district residents in the
community.
What is your political
experience?
I’ve been the Bronx HS
District Representative for
the UFT for the last 9+ years.
In this position I have to deal
and advocate for Bronx residents/
constituents for different
issues and needs. Constantly
dealing with local
and statewide politicians.
What endorsements do
you have?
Individual educators,
taxicab drivers, clergy associations,
etc. Courtesy of Eliú Lara
BY MIRZA RASHID
Why are you running?
I’m running because the
people of my district and their
problems have been neglected
by our elected offi cials. I have
lived in this district since 1985.
I have had to face many of these
issues that people are facing every
day. Residents of District 18
do not have a real voice in the
City Council. I want to be the
loudest, active, and most productive
voice in the City Council
on behalf of District 18. I am
confi dent and I have a strong
belief that I have the needed
ability to bring help to the people
of my district with a handson
approach.
Tell us about yourself,
what you do for a living, your
relationship to the district,
and which neighborhood you
live in?
I’m Mirza M. Rashid. I have
been living in District 18 for 35
years. I reside in Parkchester. I
am a Realtor. District 18 is my
home. I know and care about my
neighborhood, and the district.
I have fi rsthand experience
with the problems and issues of
this district. I know many people
of Parkchester and my district
individually.
My relationship with the
district is excellent when it
comes to helping the community
in need.
What are the biggest
challenges facing the district
and how will you solve
them?
District 18 has many challenges
such as lack of affordable
housing, shortage of
high-paying jobs, not enough
daycare facilities for working
parents, increased crimes, not
enough funding for youth activities
and/or summer programs.
I will work on building
more affordable housing, allocate
funds to create high-paying
jobs, push for and bring
more funds for enough daycare
facilities for working parents
in the district. Also, I will work
with NYPD to increase and
improve community policing
along with increased funding
for youth activities and youth
summer programs.
What will you do differently
than the incumbent?
The incumbent was a New
York State Senator for many
years. He is a conservative
ideologue who has been using
the Democratic party and acting
as Democrat for political
convenience. He fought against
the equal rights of LGBTQ+
persons throughout his career
while representing a progressive
district. Additionally, his
stance against women’s rights
to abortion is detrimental to
women’s healthcare in our district.
Moreover, he is retiring
and lost interest in public service.
I support equal rights for
the LGBTQ+ community and
I fully support a women’s right
to choose when it comes to the
issue of abortion.
What’s your political experience?
I was elected as the fi rst Bangladeshi
American Judicial Delegate
in the Bronx in the year
2012. Also, I was elected as the
Senior Vice President, three
consecutive terms for the largest
Bangladeshi nonprofi t organization
named Jalalabad Association
of America.
I was the Team Manager of
the Bronx United Soccer Club
for eight years, during which
the team won seven consecutive
local championships.
I have a natural ability in
grassroots organizing. I communicate
well with people because
I care about people and their
problems. I respect them and in
return, I get their attention.
What endorsements do
you have?
I am a strong believer in one’s
ability to do things and prove
them by examples. I understand
many candidates seek and use
endorsements as tools to gain
an edge over opponents. However,
my thinking is different
than the traditional campaign.
I don’t subscribe to the notion
that getting endorsements by
politicians from the party establishment
will boost my candidacy
and portray me as a better
candidate.
My work, community activities,
my relationship with the
people of the district are better
endorsements. I didn’t give any
thought to this idea of going out
there and seeking endorsements
from other politicians.
Courtesy of Mirza Rashid
Eliú Lara
Mirza Rashid