Menin Seeks Re-Election to City Council in District 5 on UES

1) Age, how long in the fifth district, political and/or business background?

I am 55 years old and have lived in the district since 2014. My mother and grandmother came to this district from Hungary after surviving the Holocaust and it is an honor to now represent this district that my family has called home since the 1950’s. I am an attorney and previously served as Commissioner of the Department of Consumer Affairs, Commissioner of Media and Entertainment and Director of the 2020 Census for the city. In addition, I worked in a senior role at the NYC Law Department as Executive Assistant Corporation Counsel where I served as the lead for the city on the citizenship census case against the Trump Administration (which we worked on with the NY State Attorney General) and which we won at the US Supreme Court. I also served as an adjunct professor at Columbia University where I taught on city and state government. Previously, I also owned a small business.

2) Why are you running?

I am running for re-election to the City Council as during these difficult times because we need strong experienced leadership. I have secured more NYPD foot patrols and 34 new security cameras to the district, resulting in a 20 percent reduction in crime to our community. I have increased litter basket pick up to four times a day —the highest level we have ever had and launched a new rat mitigation program that has lead to a 99 percent eradication in those areas. I have passed 11 bills in the past two years including creating the first in the nation Office of Healthcare Accountability to lower skyrocketing health care costs, implemented a package of bills to create universal child care for the city and a one stop shop web portal to consolidate all licenses and permits for small businesses into one website and one application. As our city faces myriad challenges- including a migrant crisis, decreased city revenues and numerous quality of life issues, we need experienced leadership to navigate these challenges.

3) What do you see as the major issues facing voters in your district and what do you hope to do about it?

Public safety is one of the top issues affecting our community. While through my advocacy for more NYPD foot patrols and security cameras, crime has deceased by 20 percent in our district, I will continue to advocate for more resources to keep our community safe. I have been laser like focused on fighting anti-Semitism and ensuring the NYPD Hate Crimes Division conducts robust investigations and maximizes prevention. Affordability is a top issue as the average rents in Manhattan now exceed $5,000 a month making Manhattan unaffordable for the vast majority of New Yorkers. I am prioritizing building more affordable housing in our district. Schools are another top priority and I was proud to have secured the building of the roof top play space at PS 290 and overall secured over $40 million to our district’s schools, parks and other issues. In addition, we need to focus on e bike and scooter safety to keep our streets safe and I am a co-sponsor of legislation that mandates registration for these vehicles to keep pedestrians safe.

4) Are you running on any other party line?

I am not running on any other line other than Democrat.

5) What is your position on COVID vaccines and other vaccinations for measles, mumps, chicken pox, rubella, etc? Do you think they are medically safe and should they be required for children in NYC schools?

I fully support people being vaccinated with COVID vaccines. I also fully support people being vaccinated for mumps, rubellas, chicken pox, etc. I believe these vaccines are medically safe. I support following the science which dictates that young children are safer when protected with vaccines.

6) Anything else we should know about you?

I am a proud mom and honored to be representing this district. I care deeply about our community’s and City’s quality of life and future. I would be honored to have your vote to be re-elected to serve again as the City Council Member for our district.