«Since part of Melissa's district is in the Bronx, she has a good relationship there
with other councilmembers, elected officials and community groups,» he said.
So insists a collective of elected officials, including City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, City Council Immigration Committee Chair Carlos Menchaca, Public Advocate Letitia James, Comptroller Scott Stringer, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. and
numerous other Councilmembers, who issued a letter to New York Chief Judge Janet DiFiore, urging her to ban U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from New York State courts.
Councilmember Carlos Menchaca, in noting that turnstile jumping is one of the top offenses for communities of color, said that he and
several other Councilmembers were pushing for «Fair Fares» legislation.
While Johnson said he was disappointed in things that occurred under the leadership of NYCHA Chair Shola Olatoye, he did not call for her to resign
as other Councilmembers have, saying that NYCHA's problems are «systemic and longstanding.»
The sums given by individual councilmembers, through their campaign committees to
other councilmembers» campaign committees, while miniscule in the context of total campaign spending, nonetheless provide some insight into the machinations of the Speaker's race.
Other Councilmembers, including Mark Weprin, who represents parts of Queens and had been a Garodnick supporter, alluded to mending ties while lauding the process.
Its main sponsor, Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley, guaranteed its progress by obtaining the signatures of 34
other councilmembers — two - thirds of the Council — in support of it.
One longtime Brooklyn gay Democratic activist speculated that
other councilmembers are playing the matter low - key out of recognition that Williams is not in it to win.