Richie Barsamian is Running to Represent Bay Ridge to Coney Island in NYC Council
When we heard the news that Richard Barsamian was running for NYC Council, we were happy! This man loves Brooklyn! And Richie has been fighting for our community for years.
Last year at a meeting at St. Anselm’s, Richie stood with Bay Ridge and said, “We say no to the City of Yes.” Listen to Richie speak on this video:
Richie didn’t just start appearing at meetings because he was running for office. He’s always attended the 68th Precinct meeting, even months when it’s very cold and there are just a few other residents there.
Richie stood with Bay Ridge parents when they protested the marijuana shop being placed on the route to many schools in our area. While these shops check IDs, everyone is aware that clever teens will probably be able to convince an adult to purchase it for them if they wait outside the store long enough.
In January 2024, Richie was photographed at the Democrats holiday party. Political people on both sides were buzzing about it. Richie told me he invited the Democrats to the Republican‘s holiday party for and they invited him to their party. Richie Barsamian is not about choosing sides, but working and standing together with Brooklynites. (More info here)
When I heard Richie was running for NYC Council, I called him. He told me that this was an opportunity for many voices with different opinions to be heard in NYC Council. Richie didn’t mean just bringing his voice, but also the opinions from other people in our district.
The Brooklyn Eagle’s article noted Barsamian’s background:
“He is a first generation American of Armenian, Greek and Lebanese decent.” (Source) Ritchie is also fluent in Arabic.
Richie said one of his main focuses for the 47th District will be safety. Southern Brooklyn doesn’t feel safe to many people and this is stopping them from getting around and participating in events in the community. Like Steve Chan, the newly elected senator in Dyker Heights, Richard Barsamian is a former police office and understands people’s need for the community to feel safe.
I asked Richie three things:
a) Did he support the casino or was he against the casino? He immediately responded that he was against the casino. Richie is a true Brooklynite – he knows Coney Island deserves more and this developer has been in Coney Island for years and should have done more by now. In the Brooklyn Eagle, Barsamian was quoted as saying: “A venue for gambling will destroy the area.” (Source)
b) I asked Richie what he would do for older Ridgites (since Bay Ridge is a NORC – Naturally Occurring Retirement Community). Richie said he knows that many older Ridgites are not going to the centers because they don’t feel safe. Richie said he wants people to not feel afraid to go to the centers in the Summer months. He would work with the auxiliary police to develop a safe corridor to help older adults travel to the centers.
c) Finally, Richie is a father and he knows how important funding schools and school programs is. He said that he would devote more resources to schools – not just put schools up. Richie said he would find more funding for schools and afterschool programs because that keeps children engaged and when they are engaged they are open to learning and not becoming misguided.
Kayla Santosuosso, Justin Brannan’s staffer is running for NYC Council as Brannan is term-limited. In September, Santosuosso became the head of the Bay Ridge Democrats. Today, she posted (this) on the Bay Ridge Dems X account:
You won’t see Richie responding, as he doesn’t play on social media with Brannan and the minions. The back and forth on social media does nothing to help our communities.
Bay Ridge, Coney Island and Seagate, Richie has been standing with Brooklyn for years – he will listen and be a voice for our communities!
Hugs,
marlene
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