Elect Chris Olechowski

October 12th is the last day to register to vote in the General Election! Click here for more information.

Post: We are waiting right now for the recount and I am confident that the Board of Elections will count every vote and this election will be settled soon. While we are waiting, however, I want to call on Lincoln Restler to condemn a claim made by some of his supporters on his twitter feed that my father was a Nazi sympathizer. My father was a Polish officer arrested by the Soviets in 1939 and was later released to fight against the Nazis alongside the Allied Forces. I am very proud of my dad's service. I have from the very beginning run an honest campaign without any personal attacks on my opponent. To blatantly lie about my family is uncalled for and has no place in a District leader race. Let's wait for the final results in a dignified manner.

Post-campaign reflections:

WIN OR LOSE, IT WAS ONE HECK OF A RIDE!

In March of 2012, when I was first approached to run as a candidate for the State Committee 50AD, never could I have imagined the almost surreal and bizarre events that would unfold over the next several months. If I had known of a concealed settlement involving Assemblyman Lopez’s alleged actions I would never have agreed to receive his support.

When I was asked by Councilman Steve Levin whether I would take up the challenge of this candidacy for the State Committee position, it turned out I was the fourth individual requested. The other three had turned down the offer. Why didn’t I? It seemed to me that a real opportunity presented itself where, finally, as a representative of the Polish-American community along with the community-at-large I could make a difference given the added leverage that the District Leader’s position would offer. And always, in the back of my mind, there was the eagerness to galvanize a new Polish voting block that could establish a foothold in the community and open the doors to a new leadership that would finally begin to challenge some of the post-communist operatives that over many years have infiltrated and inhibited any organizational progress achieved in prior years among members of the Polish émigré community.

Despite my opponent’s highly financed and aggressive campaign, I believe some positive things came out of my effort. A new core of Polish American volunteers, and a small but not insignificant voting block, came out to support me. I truly felt humbled when I learned Polish Americans, many of whom have been in America for decades, went out to vote for the first time – for me.

And although I made my position clear three days prior to the election that Assemblyman Lopez should step down, I continued to receive an overwhelming outpouring of support for me, a Polish America immigrant, from our Hassidic brothers and sisters for which not only am I grateful but which I consider unprecedented in the history of elections in the United States. For this last effort I wholeheartedly extend my deepest gratitude and thanks to Rabbi David Niederman, a long-time friend and colleague with me on Community Board #1.

I also wish to thank my wife and my 2 daughters, who were raised in Greenpoint and supported my mission to help be a leader in the community in which they grew up. I would like to thank all my true volunteers who believed in my cause and whose hearts were always in the right place -- especially to Richard Mazur, Executive Director of North Brooklyn Development Corp., Erika Volker, advocate for the homeless in Greenpoint, John Czop, Editor/Publisher of the Post Eagle, and Renata Warchol, my Assistant Director for Field operations at PSC Community Services. Many more joined in my campaign to volunteer their time and input but I want to especially single out Mr. Marek Wysocki, a self-made entrepreneur, who for five months sacrificed his time and energy in a way that embodies the true model of not only a Polish Patriot but also a citizen dedicated to bringing only good to his community. To all these volunteers, from all of you our slogan was born, “Tylko Razem!” (Polish: Only when we are together).

And finally, as a post-script, if I win then I aspire to build a modest foundation for a coalition of local groups that will serve as a countermeasure against the forces of gentrification. If I lose, well, I go back to the drawing table, and focus on a narrow but important mission of serving the disenfranchised as best as I can. At any rate as the old Roman adage goes “Contra Spem Spero.” Against all hope – I shall keep hope.

My position on community leadership:

Getting things done for our people is something every leader should hope to achieve. When he or she does have some measure of success we are all hopeful and feel confident that our leaders are trying their best. But as most of us well know, leaders are challenged by a greater array of problems that cannot be solved overnight. Sometimes it takes years of effort before results can be achieved. One such example is the completion of the “Transmitter Park.” Although we are all happy to finally realize this achievement for our community, let’s not forget that back in August of 1989 the WNYC/Transmitter park property was nearly auctioned off if not for the intervention of our Community Board’s District Manager who with the Commissioner of Parks and Chairman of Community Board #1 at that time was able to stave off the sale thereby retaining that piece of vital real estate that is now going to benefit the public.

So yes, getting things done is important. But things are not done overnight, rather incrementally, over long periods of time, by means of forging community relations with city and state agencies, community organizers, and building receptive coalitions. So it may not always be about getting things done, but it is always about shaping a community voice nurtured over time that becomes a powerful ally in critical times. -Chris Olechowski

The voice of our community.

I am a community leader who has been involved in grassroots organizing and activism in Greenpoint and Williamsburg since the 1980's. Whether fighting to bring needed funding for programs to help children and senior citizens or working to ensure local decision-makers recognize the importance of preserving livable neighborhoods, I have committed myself to protecting the community of working and immigrant families where I live and raised my two daughters.
     In 1986, I joined New York City's most local form of government, and have been an active member of Brooklyn Community Board #1 for over 20 years. From 2000-2009, I was elected Member-at-Large. In 2004-05, I chaired the Rezoning Task Force of CB1, which tackled the monumental issues associated with residential development, open space, parks, and waterfront access along the Greenpoint/Williamsburg Waterfront. In 2009, I was elected Chair of CB1 and have been reelected annually.
      My 25 years of leadership were not devoted to further a career in politics, but to strengthen my ability to be an effective advocate for my community. My career has been building and directing a Home Health Aide non-profit that provides needed medical services to the senior citizens and other residents of Williamsburg and Greenpoint that need supportive care and provides jobs that feed hundreds of local families.
      I am now running for State Committee Member, District Leader in the 50th Assembly District because I believe that our community can and should be galvanized to advocate for themselves through their vote. I am dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of registering and voting in every election -- no matter how local -- for leaders who will support our schools, fight for affordable housing, protect our seniors, advocate for open space, and promote a greener and safer environment for our families and our children.

Click here for my facebook page, or check out my youtube videos.
Check out the Greenpoint Gazette Article: Chris Olechowski: In Unity There's Strength