Simcha Felder
Encyclopedia
Simcha Felder is deputy comptroller for budget and accounting of the City of New York, having been appointed to the post by Comptroller John Liu on January 5, 2010. Felder was previously a member of the New York City Council
from Brooklyn
. A Democrat
, he represented the 44th Council District, which encompasses parts of Borough Park
, Midwood
and Bensonhurst
.
He entered office 1 January 2002, and was re-elected in 2005 and 2009.
As a Councilmember, Felder gained popularity among his conservative Jewish constituents for advocating strongly on their behalf, including in matters relating to Israel. 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. Although Felder claims to support Quinn, he says he cannot actually vote for her because of religious reasons. When the time came to vote Quinn for Council Speaker, Felder did not cast any vote and instead took a trip to the restroom. Felder opposes same-sex marriage and voted against a bill in the New York City Council protecting transgender people from discrimination. He has also backed city funding for Catholic and Jewish schools, while maintaining that he is against displays of religion in public schools. Felder has also gained attention by calling for better labeling of caffeine
content in foods and beverages, as well as a ban on the distribution of unsolicited fliers.
Felder called for a pigeon feeding ban in New York City in November, 2007.
Felder was Chair of the Council's Subcommittee on Landmarks, Public Siting, and Maritime uses in his first term. In January 2006, he became Chair of the Committee on Governmental Operations and in December 2008, he became Chair of the Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management, a position he held until his resignation. As Chair of Governmental Operations, Felder supported Mayor Michael Bloomberg
's plan to curb Pay to Play
contracting practices. The committee also provided oversight of the City Board of Elections' implementation of the Help America Vote Act
and enacted legislation to transfer the Environmental Control Board from the Department of Environmental Protection to the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings. The Committee also enacted legislation to extend term limits from two terms to three. As a member of the Council's Land Use Committee, Felder was 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. In spite of such calls, the UN recently announced that it will undergo a $1 billion makeover.
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. Felder asserted that Bloomberg is the only Republican he ever voted for and strongly implied that he will be the only Republican he will ever support.
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 following comments made by former president Bill Clinton regarding the South Carolina primary.
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 would have prevented Felder from seeking a third term in the city council and he was widely speculated to be mounting a run for the citywide office of comptroller. Instead, Felder ran for state senate against Kevin Parker in the 21st District. Incumbent Kevin Parker won the race by getting 49% of the vote.
, of using inappropriate language when Esposito attempted to quell individuals who entered a police station
house during a riot in Borough Park. Felder indicated that he personally heard Chief Esposito say, "Get the - - - -ing Jews
out of here." 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."
New York City Council
The New York City Council is the lawmaking body of the City of New York. It has 51 members from 51 council districts throughout the five boroughs. The Council serves as a check against the mayor in a "strong" mayor-council government model. The council monitors performance of city agencies and...
from Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
. A Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, he represented the 44th Council District, which encompasses parts of Borough Park
Borough Park, Brooklyn
Borough Park , is a neighborhood in the southwestern part of the borough of Brooklyn, in New York City in the United States....
, Midwood
Midwood, Brooklyn
Midwood is a neighborhood in the south central part of the New York City borough of Brooklyn, New York, USA, roughly halfway between Prospect Park and Coney Island. The neighborhood is within Community District 14...
and Bensonhurst
Bensonhurst, Brooklyn
Bensonhurst is a neighborhood located in the southwestern part of the New York City borough of Brooklyn.-Geography:Sometimes erroneously thought to include all or parts of such neighborhoods as Bath Beach, Dyker Heights, and Borough Park, or to be defined by the streets where the concentration of...
.
He entered office 1 January 2002, and was re-elected in 2005 and 2009.
As a Councilmember, Felder gained popularity among his conservative Jewish constituents for advocating strongly on their behalf, including in matters relating to Israel. Although personally opposed to homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
as being against Judaism, he backed Christine Quinn for City Council Speaker in what was seen as a political move to gain allies. Although Felder claims to support Quinn, he says he cannot actually vote for her because of religious reasons. When the time came to vote Quinn for Council Speaker, Felder did not cast any vote and instead took a trip to the restroom. Felder opposes same-sex marriage and voted against a bill in the New York City Council protecting transgender people from discrimination. He has also backed city funding for Catholic and Jewish schools, while maintaining that he is against displays of religion in public schools. Felder has also gained attention by calling for better labeling of caffeine
Caffeine
Caffeine is a bitter, white crystalline xanthine alkaloid that acts as a stimulant drug. Caffeine is found in varying quantities in the seeds, leaves, and fruit of some plants, where it acts as a natural pesticide that paralyzes and kills certain insects feeding on the plants...
content in foods and beverages, as well as a ban on the distribution of unsolicited fliers.
Felder called for a pigeon feeding ban in New York City in November, 2007.
Felder was Chair of the Council's Subcommittee on Landmarks, Public Siting, and Maritime uses in his first term. In January 2006, he became Chair of the Committee on Governmental Operations and in December 2008, he became Chair of the Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management, a position he held until his resignation. As Chair of Governmental Operations, Felder supported Mayor Michael Bloomberg
Michael Bloomberg
Michael Rubens Bloomberg is the current Mayor of New York City. With a net worth of $19.5 billion in 2011, he is also the 12th-richest person in the United States...
's plan to curb Pay to Play
Quid pro quo
Quid pro quo most often means a more-or-less equal exchange or substitution of goods or services. English speakers often use the term to mean "a favour for a favour" and the phrases with almost identical meaning include: "give and take", "tit for tat", "this for that", and "you scratch my back,...
contracting practices. The committee also provided oversight of the City Board of Elections' implementation of the Help America Vote Act
Help America Vote Act
The Help America Vote Act , or HAVA, is a United States federal law which passed in the House 357-48 and 92-2 in the Senate and was signed into law by President Bush on October 29, 2002. Drafted in reaction to the controversy surrounding the 2000 U.S...
and enacted legislation to transfer the Environmental Control Board from the Department of Environmental Protection to the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings. The Committee also enacted legislation to extend term limits from two terms to three. As a member of the Council's Land Use Committee, Felder was part of a group of New York state legislators that has consistently blocked plans to renovate United Nations headquarters
United Nations headquarters
The headquarters of the United Nations is a complex in New York City. The complex has served as the official headquarters of the United Nations since its completion in 1952. It is located in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, on spacious grounds overlooking the East River...
, calling the UN anti-American and anti-Israel. In spite of such calls, the UN recently announced that it will undergo a $1 billion makeover.
In 2005, Felder (a Democrat) raised eyebrows when he crossed party lines to endorse then Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Mike Bloomberg in his bid for reelection as New York City mayor. Felder asserted that Bloomberg is the only Republican he ever voted for and strongly implied that he will be the only Republican he will ever support.
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 following comments made by former president Bill Clinton regarding the South Carolina primary.
Prior to becoming a City Council member, Felder was chief of staff to New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
member Dov Hikind
Dov Hikind
Dov Hikind is an American politician in the state of New York. He is a Democratic New York State Assemblyman. Hikind is an Orthodox Jew representing Brooklyn's Assembly district 48...
. New York City term limits would have prevented Felder from seeking a third term in the city council and he was widely speculated to be mounting a run for the citywide office of comptroller. Instead, Felder ran for state senate against Kevin Parker in the 21st District. Incumbent Kevin Parker won the race by getting 49% of the vote.
Controversies
In April 2006, Felder accused the highest ranking uniformed member of the NYPD, Chief Joseph EspositoJoseph Esposito
Joseph J. Esposito is the current Chief of Department of the New York City Police Department . He has held the position since August 25, 2000.-Career:...
, of using inappropriate language when Esposito attempted to quell individuals who entered a police station
Police station
A police station or station house is a building which serves to accommodate police officers and other members of staff. These buildings often contain offices and accommodation for personnel and vehicles, along with locker rooms, temporary holding cells and interview/interrogation rooms.- Facilities...
house during a riot in Borough Park. Felder indicated that he personally heard Chief Esposito say, "Get the - - - -ing Jews
Jews
The Jews , also known as the Jewish people, are a nation and ethnoreligious group originating in the Israelites or Hebrews of the Ancient Near East. The Jewish ethnicity, nationality, and religion are strongly interrelated, as Judaism is the traditional faith of the Jewish nation...
out of here." However, the Civilian Complaint Review Board
Civilian Complaint Review Board
The Civilian Complaint Review Board is an all-civilian board tasked with investigating civil complaints about alleged misconduct on the part of the New York Police Department.- History :...
, 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."