Sam Sutton
Many people in our community believe you should only vote for a Republican. While I understand where they are coming from, I do believe that there are exceptions to every rule and when it comes to Steven Cymbrowitz in the State Assembly, an exception is called for.
On the federal level, which is the only one that actually has international influence, there are many politicians that are far too influenced by the scourge of woke thought and should never be supported. These people attack Zionism and it is often a cover for outright anti-Semitism. Of course, this usually doesn’t apply to any candidates in our area of Brooklyn, which is considered very “conservative” by national standards.
It is important to note that Steven Cymbrowitz’s Republican opponent is a six-time Bernie Sanders donor who became a Republican only a few short months ago.
This is not a candidate who reflects our community’s values. While there might be an inclination to vote Republican, an exception must be made for Steven Cymbrowitz. This is one of the many reasons why Steven deserves our vote.
The NY State Assembly has had an overwhelming Democratic majority since 1975. In fact, Democrats actually have a veto-proof super-majority. Having our Assemblyman who is a senior member with access to the leadership is the only way to influence policy and get things done that are in our best interest.
A Republican would have no voice and cannot influence the leadership. One thing is clear, no one has done more for our community more often nor better than Steven Cymbrowitz.
Steven has access to leadership. The importance of this cannot be overstated. Without Steven’s access to Assembly leadership, yeshivahs and other nonpublic schools would not have been included in the Smart Schools Bond Act. Steven arranged for a private meeting for Ronnie Tawil and me with the then Speaker of the Assembly, Shelly Silver. In an one hour meeting, we explained that the governor had proposed a school bond bill that excluded yeshivahs. That meeting convinced Speaker Silver to insist the bill include yeshivahs. Rabbi Lefkowitz of Agudah called me to say thank you. That change was worth $28,000,000 to Jewish schools in NY State.
Steven’s extraordinary relationship with leadership is how things get done. Without Steven’s type of leadership our community would not be able to get the vital resources it needs. A vote for Steven is a vote for the candidate who will continue to deliver for our community.
Steven has voted to secure over $326 million in spending and $58 million in STEM funding for yeshivahs and other nonpublic schools in this year’s budget. He proposed a bill in the Assembly to set up a $200,000,000 loan fund for parents in Special Ed schools, who often have to lay out hundreds of thousands of tuition dollars before they are reimbursed.
Steven was one of the first and most enthusiastic elected officials to support our efforts to launch Teach NYS. Teach NYS has achieved multiple and major successes in assisting our yeshivahs, and parents with millions of dollars in NY State funding earmarked towards yeshivah education.
He has funded the organizations we depend on. During his tenure he has secured major grants for SAFE, Sephardic Community Center, Sephardic Bikur Holim and the Cancer Center. Just last month he secured a $250,000 capital grant for the SCC, as well as a $250,000 capital grant for the Cancer Center. Each year he’s funded Met Council, the nation’s largest Jewish charity serving vulnerable people in need. This is in addition to funding for Holocaust survivors and for Holocaust programs.
Please don’t forget to vote on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8th and re-elect Steven Cymbrowitz to the State Assembly (45th AD). Or you can vote early—from October 29th through November 6th. Please go to findmypollsite.com for details.
Vote from the bottom up and cast your vote for Steven Cymbrowitz at the bottom of Column A or as the Independence Party candidate in Column F.
Sam A. Sutton is a community activist who volunteers his time in service of many community organizations.
