New York City Council Member James Sanders Jr. is in his third term representing Laurelton, Springfield Gardens, Rosedale and the Rockaway’s (Council District 31). Throughout his tenure, he has proven to be a fighter for his constituents and a tireless community organizer.

In early 2007, Sanders endorsed Barack Obama for President and traveled to Pennsylvania, Ohio, and South Carolina to ensure that there was a change in the White House and led the winning fight in NYC’s the 6^th Congressional District for Obama. Sanders a known  maverick felt that Obama would bring new vision and policies into the White House. He became an Obama delegate and represented his district at the Denver Democratic National Convention.

In 2001, Sanders was blessed to be unanimously voted the first African-American Chair of the Economic Development Committee in over 300 years of the NYCs existence. As Chair, Sanders was in charge of a disparity study that is the basis upon which NYC  reinstated affirmative action. Sanders had oversight of the Economic Development Corporation, and the Department of Small Business Services.

Sanders is currently a member of the Juvenile Justice, Women’s Issues, Technology and Government, and the Community Development Committee.

Entered City Council: 01/01/2002
Current Term Expires: 12/31/2009

Represents: Rosedale, Laurelton, Springfield Gardens, Far Rockaway, Arverne, Bayswater, Edgemere

Committees: Veterans (Chair), Juvenile Justice, Technology in Government, Women’s Issues, Community Development                       

His legislation includes:

• Authoring (and passing) the toughest anti-predatory lending law in the country to protect homeowners 

  • (2002,Local Law # Intro 67A) The law prohibits the City from doing business with institutions that engage in any way in predatory lending. It also regulates the participation of home improvement contractors in the home loan market.

• He also passed a living wage law for New York City that will help tens of thousands of working families

  • (2002,Local Law# Intro 239A) The results of September 11 and deepening recession was devastating for low income families. It became City policy to promote stability in employment for building service workers, which will reduce the need for social services resulting from unemployment and promote stability in the service industry.

  • MWBE Legislation,(2005, Local Law 129). The law calls for the enhancement of the ability of minority and women owned business to compete for city contracts, to enhance city agencies awareness of such business enterprises and to ensure their meaningful participation in city procurement.

• He authored the "Bullet Bill", which restricts sales of ammunition to minors
  • (Local Law Intro 144-A)
• He is also a prime sponsor of the new "audible noise" standards in response to noise pollution
  • (Local Law Intro 397-A)

• Introduced policies to address the high rate of unemployment in New York City, especially among black males. This new legislation calls on companies that do business with NYC, to be held accountable for employing NYC residents, especially low-income residents.

• Sponsored a resolution to ensure a fair playing field for businesses owned by women and people of color

During the Sanders years, an astounding $110 million was allocated by the Economic Development Corporation to build a sewer system to address a 40-year-old community flooding problem. Working with local business community and fellow elected officials, here are a few of the funds that Sanders brought home:

• $400,000 from Pathmark stores
• $300,000 from Florida Power and Light
• $250,000 from the International Airport Centers

These funds are being used for business development, and to fund worthy community groups.

• $110 million to build new sewer system in Springfield Gardens.
• $8 million to reconstruct parks including a newly constructed football field for the Rosedale Jets at Brookville Park
• 2.6 million for new soccer field in Springfield Gardens
• $1.9 million to ensure affordable housing in the District.
• $1.5 million for Arverne Library
• $800,000 to senior centers
• $500,000 for Sorrentino Community Center
• $500,000 to Rebuild Springfield Gardens HS Library
• $500,000 to establish a new senior citizen and homebuyer education center at St. Gertrude Center.
• $400,000 for youth programs
• $400,000 from Pathmark stores to aid local business owners improve storefront facades
• $335,000 for Laurelton Public Library
• $300,000 from Florida Power and Light to provide money for those directly affected by construction.
• $250,000 from International Airport Centers for worthy community groups.
• $150,000 for PS 132 newly renovated kitchen facility.
• $2.7 million to fix Brookville and Idlewile parks
• $1.9 million to ensure affordable housing in the District
• $1 million to fix Bayswater park
• $750,000 to redo the park at P.S. 104
• More than $800,000 in direct aid to various district public schools

In a response to constituent concern, here are some battles Councilman Sanders has succeeded in.

• Temporary freeze on jail expansion within walking distance of P.S. 52
• Executive motor Inns license temporarily revoked, and forced to re-organize
• Repaving of Brookville Road (Snake Road) with new traffic light on 149th St.
• New sewer pipes installed on 235th St.
• Traffic lights on Beach 59th St. and Arverne Blvd., and Beach Channel Drive
• Fought to have drink called “Cocaine” banned nationally after Redux beverages tried to flood store shelves with the drink.
• Successful in removing air pistols and bb guns from the shelves of a local multi-national retail store.
• Cancels suspension site that was scheduled to be placed at Springfield Gardens High School.

Responding to the outcry from community residents regarding the West Nile virus that affected his district, Sanders ensured that his entire district was sprayed every year for the past several years.