Meet Brian Robinson, Candidate For City Council District 4

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Republican Brian Robinson hopes to unseat Democratic City Council Member Keith Powers in the Nov. 7 election in a district that spans the western half of the Upper East Side and Midtown East — plus Peter Cooper Village and Stuyvesant Town.

Patch has sent out questionnaires for candidates to tell voters about themselves.

Here's what Robinson had to say:

Name

Brian Robinson

How old will you be as of Election Day?

40

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.

https://www.votebriannyc.com/

What New York City neighborhood do you call home?

UES

What office are you seeking?

NYC Councilman

If you are running in a district, you can specify the district here.

District 4 encompasses the Upper East Side between 3rd and 5th avenues up to 92nd ST. Sutton Place and ALL of Midtown East down to 32nd. Tudor City, Koreatown, Peter Cooper Village and Stuyvesant Town

Please give us your party affiliation.

Republican and Parent Party

Education.

Tulane University: Bachelors in Philosophy and Pre-Med

What is your occupation?

Started my career with Morgan Stanley. Later founded my own business out of my apartment in Midtown East in financial services in 2009, and grew it out to 8 employees in an office in 2022 in order to focus on fighting against the decline of the once great city.

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

I am married to my wife Lindsey. We have two children. My daughter is 6 years old and my son is 5 months old.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

What other public offices have you held?

I broke from the private sector because I think regular people with management experience need to step up for NYC

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I am a Jewish guy that is absolutely horrified with the increase in violence against us since 2019. Half the hate crimes in the city are against Jews, but it's not limited to us. Violence is everywhere. Asian Americans are being targeted, nobody feels safe anymore. Har crime is up nearly 40% since 2019, when all these radical criminal justice "reforms" were enacted. We need to re-establish respect for the NYPD, and those who bring honor to the badge. It was never ok to disrespect civil servants that we rely on to keep us safe while risking their own lives daily. We need to get dangerous criminals off the streets. My opponent voted to reduce the NYPD budget, in addition to introducing a bill that will disallow landlords to conduct criminal background checks upon potential tenants or buyers of apartments. Who is our City Council representing? Certainly not its constituents.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is \\_\\_\\_, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Public Safety, An unsustainable and fiscally irresponsible migrant crisis that is our own doing, and basic quality of life issues like trash on the street. We must allow police to do their jobs. Enforce Kendra's Law to remove severely mentally ill homeless from our streets if they are a danger to themselves or others, and enforce laws. Mayhem in NYC will not stand if I am elected.

How would you address ongoing concerns about people seeking asylum in New York City?

We cannot have unlimited compassion when we have limited resources. This is costing us over $10 million a day. The vast majority of those coming here are economic migrants, and are therefore not eligible for asylum. We have E-bike chaos, half of our hotel capacity is dedicated to migrant shelter at the tax payer's expense, and if even a small percentage of those who cross and come here harbor malicious intent, we are in big trouble. We need to revoke right to shelter and be honest with ourselves. We cannot be a sanctuary city for the entire globe....

Do you believe the NYPD is funded appropriately? Please explain your answer.

Given the sharp increase in violent crime, retail theft, and random assaults, we need the NYPD. The city council just cut the anti-terrorism unit while there is absolutely awful unrest globally. Let's give them what they need keep our residents safe.

What is one policy you would support to make housing more affordable in New York City?

The key to affordable housing is offering tax incentives for developers to portion off a percentage of units within a building to be more affordable. Community boards should be empowered to negotiate with developers to render the best possible outcome for everyone. As for NYCHA, it is in disrepair, and despite all the money they receive, basic building functionality doesn't seem to improve. We need to cut out layers upon layers of bloated bureaucracy so the money goes to the buildings, and not consultant fees.

What has Mayor Eric Adams gotten right and what is he doing wrong?

He understands that police presence and crime have a direct correlation. That said, we need more police, especially in vulnerable parts of the district where crimes seem to happen on repeat. The 86th and Lexington subway stations is a good example of that. We need far more support where we know it's inevitable that another crime will be committed. I'd like to see Mayor Adams revoke sanctuary city status, as it is just not a sustainable policy. I did like his recent speech about Israel and his support of the Jewish people following the barbaric terror attack against Israel. He needs help dealing with the far left city council members that seem to revel in anarchy masquerading as "social justice" We need balance in government. We are run by a very imbalanced Democratic supermajority, and it shows...

What work would you do for commuters in 2024?

I think congestion pricing is a scam. I want motorized e-bikes to have license plates and be insured so they cannot anonymously endanger pedestrians as they have been. I will have more police presence in the district inside the subways to make commuting safer for all who rely on the subway to get to and from work.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I never had aspirations to be a politician. I don't take up causes I don't believe in to get votes. I am a father who cares about the future of this city, and we all know NYC is going in the wrong direction. Radical politics are a death sentence to cities, and we are on our way to becoming San Francisco. We need moderates with good intentions to stand up. Our government is one for the people, by the people. It's time to represent the interests of NYC residents and vote out the "activists" we call City Council members. We need sound reasoning and civility. We need some adults in the room...

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Small business empowerment, economic resurgence, and meritocracy in schools.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I started a successful business from the ground up and managed every component until I was able to develop others who could manage specific operational initiatives. I will always advocate for my constituents first. I have volunteered for parks, and been an activist against hate for years. My candidacy for this office is not an ambition, it's a deep contention that something is very wrong in this city, and as a father of two little kids, I need to do something about it.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

"Every man should ask himself e" - always challenge the status quo.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a moderate Republican. I was a moderate Democrat but they have been usurped by an unhealthy, and radical mindset that is illiberal and destructive. I am not against woman's rights. I am for keeping all people safe, and that means empowering the police, driving out insidious antisemitism and hatred toward inconvenient minorities, and removing the severely mentally ill from our streets and into facilities that can help at least some of them rehabilitate. I have zero tolerance from crime, or lax enforcement of laws. I believe moderates on both sides of aisle have much more in common than we have differences. The new center must remerge.

You're hungry and you have $10 — where do you go?

Shake Shack 86th