39th Council District Candidate Bob Zuckerman Endorses Gowanus Superfund

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Just yesterday, State Senator Daniel Squadron came out in favor of a 'Superfund Site' designation for the Gowanus Canal.
Today, District 39 City Council Candidate Bob Zuckerman announced "his strong support" for the designation. That is great news.
Below is the official press release from Zuckerman's office.


CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE BOB ZUCKERMAN ENDORSES
SUPERFUND DESIGNATION FOR GOWANUS CANAL

Bob Zuckerman announced his strong support today for the nomination of the Gowanus Canal for the National Priorities List, otherwise known as Superfund. Zuckerman, the former Executive Director of the Gowanus Canal Community Development Corporation (GCCDC) and Gowanus Canal Conservancy (GCC), has long fought for the implementation of environmentally sound strategies to cleanup the Canal. The announcement of his support comes after careful deliberation of the issue and a recent letter from Zuckerman to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) (attached) seeking assurances of proper coordination among Federal, State and local authorities, the development of a timeline and benchmarks to ensure accountability and adequate funding to complete the enormous cleanup task.

"My priority is for the Gowanus Canal and its surrounding area to be cleaned up as quickly and efficiently as possible. After hearing the EPA's responses to the questions I raised in my letter and comparing the EPA's approach to the City's, I am confident that a Superfund designation will result in a more comprehensive and coordinated cleanup of the Canal." Zuckerman said. "As Chair of Community Board Six's Environmental Protection Committee and as a future City Council Member, I will work to ensure that the cleanup is adequately coordinated, fully funded and always undertaken with an understanding of the needs of the community. While I
fully support responsible mixed-use development and the re-zoning of the Gowanus Corridor, the environmental and health concerns of the community must be our number one priority"
Zuckerman's support comes following last night's special joint session of Community Board Six's Executive Committee and its Environmental Protection, Public Safety, and Permits and Licenses Committees. Zuckerman became Chair of the Environmental Protection Committee earlier this year. The presentation featured representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and from the City of New York.

"Being a leader is about not being afraid to take a position on controversial issues even if some of your friends and supporters disagree, and some of them do," said Zuckerman. "My decision-making process was careful and informed. After the concerns I raised to the E.P.A. were adequately addressed, I believed it was the right time to voice my support and to get to work on moving the project forward."


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39th Council District Candidates React To IND Endorsement

I wish I could have been a fly on the wall at last night's Independent Neighborhood Democrats' vote to endorse John Heier as the club's candidate. Their endorsement of the most conservative contender in the race to replace Councilman Bill DeBlasio seems to be an indication that they are a bit out of touch, to say the least. Below are the statements released by candidates Josh Skaller and Bob Zuckerman after the IND vote.

Statement From City Council Candidate Josh Skaller Regarding IND Endorsement

"It is sad that a majority of IND's voting membership insulted many IND members and community residents by choosing to support a conservative Democrat for City Council who opposes Superfund relief for the Gowanus Canal and whose opinions on choice and marriage equality are confusing, at best. The residents of the Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens and Gowanus communities want progressive leadership committed to reforming City government and unafraid of marriage equality, a woman's right to choose and a real, federally-supported clean-up of the Gowanus Canal. That is why organizers of a recent candidates' forum decided to endorse my campaign for City Council. I welcome grassroots support from all over the 39th Council District, but I will always prefer the support of community residents whose perspectives are free from the developer dollars and entrenched business interests."


Statement From City Council Candidate Bob Zuckerman Regarding IND Endorsement

“I am deeply troubled that the Independent Neighborhood Democrats decided to endorse a conservative candidate who is anti-choice and anti marriage equality. This club is in danger of becoming an irrelevant voice because of its endorsement process over the last few years. IND is made up of many wonderful and smart people who are committed to the progressive values it was founded on over thirty years ago. But the actions of some have continued to tarnish the progressive reputation of this club and it saddens me to think, as last night’s vote demonstrated, it’s no longer independent or reform.”

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