Diamondstone: Over 5,000 Brooklynites Call for Real Reform
Ordinary Brooklynites made a stand during the five-week petitioning period. A whopping 5,300 of them signed City Council nominating petitions for Ken Diamondstone in his maverick campaign to reform city government.
“We collected more than 5,000 signatures without institutional support or backing from the big political clubs or party insiders,” said Diamondstone, a Democrat from Boerum Hill. “People signed my petitions because they believe in my message of change, of moving beyond politics as usual.”
Diamondstone’s signatures were witnessed by 37 New Yorkers, who took time from their early mornings, evenings and weekends to support Diamondstone’s call for real reform.
“My campaign is powered by people,” Diamondstone said. “They know that I answer only to them, not to big developers or party bosses.”
Diamondstone ran a grassroots campaign for the State Senate in 2006 against an entrenched incumbent, former State Senator Martin Connor. He lost by just a few percentage points, and solidly defeated Connor in brownstone Brooklyn.
“I am the only candidate in this race with a record of real reforms,” Diamondstone said. “I’m not afraid to stand up to the powers that be. Borough President Markowitz tried to force me off the Community Board when I dared to question Atlantic Yards, and I fought back and won. If elected I will continue to fight for the people, not the powerful.”
Diamondstone has a well-earned reputation as a reformer willing to take risks and standing on principle. He has always opposed developments that put community interests second, including the Dock Street project that blocks views of the Brooklyn Bridge and his opposition to luxury housing in Brooklyn Bridge Park.
“I will work for the people, not the powerful,” Diamondstone said. “We need to invest in our neighborhoods – in small businesses, in public transit, in our schools, in creating a sustainable city. We need to invest in Brooklyn and give hope to our communities.”
Diamondstone, a creator of low- and moderate-income housing and community activist, is running in the 33rd District, which includes all or parts of Brooklyn Heights, Boerum Hill, DUMBO, Vinegar Hill, Park Slope, Williamsburg and Greenpoint.
“The people have spoken,” said Diamondstone. “When I’m elected, I will reform and strengthen the City Council and put the people first.”
