Former Councilwoman Gay Lee is Running Again

NEWBURGH – Former Councilwoman Gay Lee would like another bite of the apple. She is running for City Council in the city of Newburgh, Ward 1. Lee is known for focusing on the actual problems that impact all people­. Lee believes that in order to serves as a city council member a vision of changed is needed. The former councilwoman continued by adding that serving in a political capacity requires a sound understanding of legislation, policy, planning, and development, but anyone could learn how to enact laws; however, a heart for the people cannot be legislated.

Evidence of Lee’s heart for the people is her passionate argument with council members refusing to implement a property tax repayment plan. She complained that community residents were losing their property due to In-Rem Tax Foreclosure and that the council and mayor were planning to raise property taxes to defray the cost for public services.
Lee said, “I am a mother and grandmother. I understand the importance of strong family values. I gave birth to two children, Clifford, and Keith, but I raised other children who continue to see me as their mother.” She continued, “For the last sixteen years I have lived in the City of Newburgh, when lifelong City residents struggle, I feel their pain. Families need a council member who is skilled and passionate about resolving problems.”

Lee has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for twenty-six years, and a doctoral candidate, all but dissertation. She serves as Consulting Director of Clinical Services for an organization helping people experiencing homelessness. Her City of Newburgh private practice focuses on counseling, forensic assessment for cases involving substance abuse, child custody, mental health, and immigration. Other experiences include executive management of community-based organizations fighting social injustice.

The former councilwoman looked past her role as a legislator to her vision of including the development of a civic engagement “mock city” activity that teaches youth and young adults about the role of local political leaders. She added, “Developing a mock city council will help young people understand their government and that their voice matters.”

“The residents of Newburgh need healing. Our Veterans are slighted by the lack of a community service organization to address their specialized needs. We also need to compose a committee to investigate a suitable site for the Civil War-era African bodies that were found at the Newburgh City Courthouse,” Lee said.

Lee stated that the unemployment rate in the City of Newburgh is 9.1%. “The local government needs to take every opportunity to create jobs for our residents. The Housing and Urban Development Section 3 program requires that recipients of their funding provide job training, employment, and contract opportunities for low- or very-low-income residents in connection with projects and activities in their neighborhoods. We must set standards for all contracts between the City and companies seeking agreements with the City to hire at least 30% of residents,” Lee said.

More specifically, former councilwoman Lee is proposing employment initiatives that could stimulate economic development: For real estate projects involving City owned land or projects securing a PILOT, a requirement that 30% of all new jobs created by the project are reserved for City residents; For contractual agreements for services, develop a sliding scale (based on the amount of the contract) for the number of jobs that need to be awarded to Newburgh residents; and for all projects and agreements, seeking to submit a consolidated funding application follow a public and private partnership with community-based organizations to ensure jobs and training to City residents.

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