EXPAND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES
Current Situation
Recently, record numbers of workers in New York City have been laid-off and the unemployment rate has been on the rise. For those working, wages remain flat. Meanwhile, the costs of basic necessities continue to increase. The cost of food, college tuition and health care has risen faster than wages.
The New York City Council continues to make vital cuts to the city budget that has serious consequences that impact our lives.
VANEL’S PLAN
New Jobs Through NYC Infrastructure Investment
Clyde Vanel believes that it is vital for New York City to improve its public transportation infrastructure, including expanding the subway lines. It is also important for New York to improve our highways, bridges, roads and ports to assist our long-term competitiveness and ensure our economy continues to grow. It is imperative the federal government invest in the infrastructure of New York City to assist in our efforts. This type of transportation investment will generate more jobs for New Yorkers.
Support Small Business
Clyde Vanel understands that small business is vital to New York City’s economy. Vanel will work to ease the onerous New York City agency regulations impacting small business in New York City. Vanel understands that the City spends more time enforcing regulations on small businesses and very little time educating small business owners. Vanel will work to reverse the aforementioned. Vanel will work to reduce taxes on small businesses to encourage innovation and job creation.
Promote Entrepreneurship
Vanel will support entrepreneurship and spur job growth making it easier start and open a business in New York City. Vanel will work to create a network of business incubators in the district. The business incubators can facilitate the critical work of entrepreneurs in creating start-up companies. The incubators can assist small businesses with respect to business growth.
Protect Homeownership and Address Foreclosure Crisis
Clyde Vanel understands that our district has many homeowners with fraudulent mortgage loans. Clyde Vanel will crack down on fraudulent brokers and lenders. He will also work to make sure homebuyers have honest and complete information about their mortgage options. Vanel supports Obama’s plan to give a tax credit to all middle-class homeowners.
Clyde Vanel will work to ensure more accountability in the mortgage industry by mandating accurate loan disclosure. Vanel will also work to ease loan modifications.
VANEL’S EXPERIENCE
VANEL IS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER WITH EXPERIENCE
Clyde runs and operates Vanel Law Firm, P.C., where he represents many business owners and entrepreneurs in the district and New York City. He also owned and operated Vanel’s Restaurant and Bar in Manhattan for over three years. He is currently the co-owner of Permanent Brunch restaurant and bar in Manhattan. His plan to help small business is not based on theory. He truly understands how to open, run and operate a small business in New York City. He understands how to help business and homeowners during this financial crisis.
VANEL HELPS HOMEOWNERS WITH FRAUDULENT LOANS
Clyde Vanel has worked with homeowners in New York City and in the district to address fraudulent loans.
IMPROVE EDUCATION
↑ back to top
Current Situation
The students in our district continue to underperform. The young children in our district should have more access to high-quality Head Start. The high school drop-out rate remains high. The governor has proposed to increase tuition at CUNY and SUNY. At the same time, there is less funding for higher education grants and loans. There will be more academically qualified student that cannot go to college because they cannot afford it.
Early Childhood Education
Clyde Vanel supports expanding early Head Start. Vanel plans to assist programs that improve the quality and accessibility of Head Start. Vanel also supports providing affordable high-quality child care to ease the burden on working families.
Expand High-Quality Afterschool Programs
Vanel supports increasing funding for the afterschool programs that provide quality instruction.
Reduce High School Dropout Rate
Oftentimes, the warning signs for high school drop-outs occur well before high school. Vanel will address the dropout crisis by supporting middle schools that invest in intervention strategies such as personal academic plans, teaching teams, parent involvement, mentoring, intensive reading and math instruction, and extended learning time.
Keep CUNY and SUNY Tuition same
Vanel believes that it is important to make college affordable for all New Yorkers. The City University of New York and State University of New York should be accessible to all academically qualified individuals. Vanel opposes any increase in tuition for CUNY and SUNY. Vanel supports Obama’s plan to streamline the financial aid process by eliminating the current financial aid application and enabling families to apply simply by checking a box on their tax form, authorizing their tax information to be used, and eliminating the need for a separate application.
Vanel’s Education Advocacy
Vanel has supported education throughout his career. In 1995 while attending SUNY, Vanel opposed the-then CUNY and SUNY tuition increases. Vanel led rallies to Albany and met with many public officials regarding the importance of having higher education accessible to academically qualified New Yorkers.
SAFER STREETS
↑ back to top
Current Situation
The incidents of crime have increased in the district. Rapes, murders, robbery and burglary continue affect our communities.
Support the 116th Precinct Project
Vanel supports having an additional precinct in the district. An additional precinct in the district will improve police response times, increase police presence and reduce crime.
End the Dangerous Cycle of Youth Violence
Vanel will support programs that have been proven to work. Vanel will also support new programs that focus on providing activities for youth.
Reduce Crime Recidivism by Providing Ex-Offender Supports
The district is facing an incarceration and post-incarceration crisis. Vanel will support programs that create a prison-to-work incentive program.
Vanel’s Crime Reduction Experience
Clyde Vanel has provided employment for over ten ex-offenders at his business in Manhattan. Vanel worked with Project Renewal, a prison-to-work program. Vanel also employed a number at-risk youth. Vanel also worked to help train ex-offenders to gain employment in New York City. Vanel serves as a mentor to many youth and young adults.
SUPPORT SENIORS
↑ back to top
Current Situation
Our seniors are adversely affected during this economic downturn. With the cost of energy increasing, the expensive cost of prescription drugs and the increasing cost of food, our seniors need immediate relief. Also, our seniors need more volunteer opportunities.
Ensure Energy Assistance
Vanel will increase funding for programs that assist seniors with their winter heating and summer cooling bills.
Reduce Taxes for Seniors
Vanel will work to reduce taxation of seniors.
Prevent Age Discrimination:
Vanel will fight job discrimination for aging employees by strengthening the Age Discrimination in New York City.
Support Senior Volunteer Efforts
Retired persons in the district have a wide range of skills and knowledge to contribute to the district and to New York City. Vanel will engage more interested seniors into public service opportunities by expanding and improving programs to connect seniors with quality volunteer opportunities.
