City Council Member Jimmy van Bramer, our New Yorker of the Month for September 2010

Ask a New Yorker: I’m with Jimmy Bramer, City Council Member.

Jimmy: Jimmy Van Bramer.

Ask a New Yorker: I’m sorry Jimmy Van Bramer. You have penetrating eyes. You’re probably told that a lot?

Jimmy: (laughter) My mother thinks I have nice eyes.

Ask a New Yorker: Moms always know best. What’s going on? What are you doing today?

Jimmy: It’s always very busy, lots of meetings. Lots of phone calls, checking in on various constituents’ issues and concerns. We go to lots of events.

Ask a New Yorker: Anything specific you can share?

Jimmy: Well, just a lot of meeting internally and some events that we’re doing.

Ask a New Yorker: I brought you a vase of beautiful flowers from one of your constituents Giorgie, Flowers by Giorgie on Greenpoint Ave. Reason being, he has a question, and I would like to ask it on his behalf. I don’t think you’ve seen the flowers. Do you mind if I get them and put them on the table?

Press secretary: Jimmy has allergies he’s allergic to some flowers.

Ask a New Yorker: I’m sorry to hear that. And you live in Sunnyside, Gardens, Bliss Street. I’m glad I don’t have allergies! As I was saying, Giorgie is a florist here on Greenpoint Ave. The story is: The supermarket across the street recently opened a flowers stand in front of their store. According to the rules and regulations from the Department of Consumer Affairs this is illegal, due to the proximity to an existing florist business. His sales are down 15% since the opening of the supermarket’s flower stand. Giorgie has been selling flowers on Greenpoint Ave for over 20 years. His question: Why are these rules not being enforced?

Jimmy: Well, we have to make sure they’re enforced. And that is part of our job. You know I was very proud when, as a result of Giorgie and another florist inquiry to us, our office was able to go out there and launch a mini-investigation of our own. Joe Canton led that charge. This got the Department of Consumer Affairs to come out and take a look at the situation and issue some violations. What I think is important is that we support our small businesses, to make sure competition fair and legal. If we continue to see business operating in ways they should not, then our office will continue contact the Department of Consumer Affairs and all the relevant agencies to make sure that they’re out here and they’re enforcing the law. That’s what we will do.

Ask a New Yorker: Great news for Giorgie, I hope. Describe the process of getting elected to the City Council, please.

Jimmy: (laughter) I’ll condense it a bit, a lot of hard work, a lot of important meetings with the voters. A lot of conversations with people about the neighborhood in the district and what they wanted to see, what they were hoping for, just a lot of pounding the pavement, shaking hands talking to folks. It’s a long process and involves a lot of work, but it’s democracy, so it’s the most important thing we can do.

Ask a New Yorker: Can you describe a discretionary fund and how it’s used?

Jimmy: Well, there are funds available for council members and really all elected officials where we can allocate funding to organizations in our districts that are doing good work. We are allotted a certain amount of money and then we are able to hopefully fund some really important programs.

Ask a New Yorker: Do you have any other political aspirations after this office?

Jimmy: I want to be the best city council person that I can possibly be for the people of the 26th District. That’s the most important aspiration I could have.

Ask a New Yorker: I’ve read that city council is a part time job, great gig.

Jimmy: (laughter) I don’t know what other people do. All I can talk about is what we do. We are working 60-70 hrs a week, working practically 7 days a week. Not only am I working that hard, but the staff is working that hard for the people of the district.

Ask a New Yorker: What do you think of placing lights on the Sunnyside Arch?

Jimmy: I have seen a few different proposals before I got elected when I was on the community board. I think anything we can do spruce up the arch is probably a good thing. I think it could be good for business.

Ask a New Yorker: Is this something your discretionary fund could be used for?

Jimmy: I don’t know what the status for the funding for that is. I don’t know if they have it or they are not doing it. I have not been asked for any funding for that.

Ask a New Yorker: What’s your opinion on term limits?

Jimmy: The charter commission just announced that it’s going to place the issue on the November ballot and the people will vote and decide. Of course I respect the will of the people.

Ask a New Yorker : Great but what’s your opinion on term limits?

Jimmy: I favor term limits.

Ask a New Yorker: Where do you get your haircut?

Jimmy: At Alex’s on 46th Street off of Skillman.

Ask a New Yorker: You have penetrating eyes and great hair.

Jimmy: Alex does a very good job. $11 hair cut. You cannot beat it.

Ask a New Yorker: Do you garden?

Jimmy: I do absolutely. I’m lucky enough to have a small front garden and rear back yard as well. I love gardening. It’s a very relaxing activity, particularly for an elected official.

Ask a New Yorker: Do you have a favorite flower?

Jimmy: That’s a really tough question. But I would say hydrangea.

Ask a New Yorker: I like the acrylic piece on your desk.

Jimmy: That paper weight is actually an office warming gift from my mother.

Ask a New Yorker: Thank you so much for your time and good luck.

View Archives >>