McCall focuses on education, housing costs

By Steven Gnagni
Managing Editor

The Sunday before H. Carl McCall’s victory in the democratic primary election for the New York gubernatorial race, the current state comptroller was the honored guest at a get-out-the-vote rally in the South Bronx.

Mr. McCall used the event to highlight his campaign issues. From education to housing, Mr. McCall struck a cord with many in the audience. Mr. McCall received the loudest applause when he disagreed with current Governor George Pataki’s stance on education for New York City’s public school students.

“Our governor is pleased with the decision that our children are only entitled to an eighth grade education,” he said. “I am outraged with that decision. An eighth grade education is not good enough.

“An education made a difference in my life,” Mr. McCall continued. “My mother said an education was like a sledgehammer—it will knock down any obstacle that anyone puts in front of you. Look at me now, I used to be poor kid receiving a welfare check, but because of an education I sign every check in my office. I will make sure that every child gets the same opportunity I got.”

Mr. McCall also spoke about another local concern: senior citizens.

“You know who else is in trouble? Our senior citizens,” he said. “They are struggling and do not have affordable healthcare. You know what senior citizens tell me sometimes? They have to decide whether to buy groceries or pay for their prescription drugs.”

Mr. McCall also addressed black males.

“We have to give them a job so they can earn the rent to take care of their families,” he said. “God has called on us to deliver them, give them training to create jobs in every part of this state, to earn the bread to take care of their families.”

Finally, Mr. McCall also spoke about rent stabilization.

“Governor Pataki has allowed the rent laws in this city to run out,” he said. “My lieutenant governor and I will continue [to lobby] for the expansion of rent control laws in New York City. We talk to people everyday who are getting two and three families in one house, because they want to be here, stay here, but they just can’t afford the rent. We gotta provide affordable housing for God’s people in the Bronx.”

The event, held at the Seventh Day Adventist Temple at 169th Street and Grand Concourse, was hosted by the church’s pastor, the Reverend Steve Cassimy, and District 16 council member Helen Foster. Guests included City Comptroller William Thompson, Ms. Foster’s father, the Reverend Wendell Foster (the former District 16 council representative), politician Charles Rangel of Harlem, and husband and wife actors/activists Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee.

Mr. Rangel introduced Mr. McCall.

“When it comes to Carl McCall, we have to have this battery so charged up, because when we get to November, there won’t be a question in anybody’s mind that our candidate is geared and ready to go,” he said. “All we have to do is to make certain that we vote for ourselves.”

Bronx resident Peggy brought her 12-year-old daughter, Bridget, to the rally. “I was inspired by Mr. McCall because of all his education,” she said. “I have a 12-year-old that has some problems in school, so I thought his position on education was good.”

Twelve-year-old Bridget was also inspired. When asked, if she were an 18-year-old, whether she would vote for Mr. McCall, the answer was a resounding “Yes.” H. Carl McCall is the only son of six children to a mother on welfare. He has been the New York State Comptroller since 1993. Before that, he served for two years as president of the New York City Board of Education. Before that, he worked as a New York State Senator, as an ambassador to the United Nations, and as commissioner of the New York State Division of Human Rights. Mr. McCall was educated at Dartmouth College, Andover Newton Theological Seminary and the University of Edinburgh.

H. Carl McCall is the first African-American to win the New York State gubernatorial primary.