Daniel Squadron, a true advocate

To the editor:

Many Riverdalians may not realize it, but there is an important runoff election on Tuesday, Oct. 1. 

Though the mayoral candidates are determined, the race for public advocate remains open, as Daniel Squadron and Letitia James face each other for the Democratic nomination. 

I urge Riverdalians to support a “local boy made good,” state Sen. Daniel Squadron, in this race.

Dan Squadron grew up in Riverdale, where he attended the Fieldston School. Dan’s father, Howard, was a prominent New York attorney who rose from poverty to become the Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. 

His mother volunteered during the Mississippi Freedom Summer of 1964 and was a top staffer at the American Civil Liberties Union. 

Prior to joining the state Senate, Dan served as an aide to U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer and co-authored a book with Schumer entitled, Positively American: Winning Back the Middle Class Majority One Family at a Time. 

As part of the effort to pass the Rebuild and Renew Transportation Bond Act, Dan worked to secure nearly $3 billion in infrastructure improvements and expansion to our subways and buses. He has also fought for affordable housing and park and recreation improvements.

But we shouldn’t support Daniel Squadron only because he came from Riverdale or has an impressive progressive record. 

Dan is the only candidate who has a comprehensive vision for the amorphous powers of the office of public advocate. As Dan says, “It is the job of the public advocate to adopt those causes and concerns that are not served by existing political structures. 

The public advocate can become a vehicle that delivers meaningful results for the families, communities and even businesses that get left out by powerful interests and bureaucracy.” 

How to do this given the office’s limited budget and resources?

Dan has thought about this and proposes setting up four “offices” under the public advocate: