Fernando Mateo (63) Key positions (1) the NYPD should hire 20,000 more officers; (2) landlords should have the same rights as tenants, vows to protect them; (3) cut red tape and overregulation of small businesses. He has launched a series of roundtables to attract small businesses back to the City.
Passionate about being a business owner, Stella started San Mateo Construction in 1993 with her husband Fernando Mateo. In 1999, Stella became Fernando’s right hand supporter when he founded the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers. Working as a volunteer for more than a decade, Stella conducted pro bono research for the organization, learning the ins-and-outs of the taxi industry. Quickly realizing that women’s voices were severely underrepresented in the industry, Stella founded SheTaxis/SheRides in 2014 to address the issue. With SheTaxis/SheRides, Stella is using her expertise and experience to create new, unprecedented opportunities for women on the road.
Stella has always been a vocal advocate for women’s empowerment and equal opportunity employment. As an entrepreneur herself, she knows that owning a business provides the flexibility and self-sufficiency often missing for women in the workforce.
We are reaching out to Mr. Mateo for his position on Business and Professional Women, and will post the response(s) we receive.
Replies
How will you ensure that women’s participation and leadership are fully integrated across New York City government and that every decision made is considered through an anti-racist, gender-focused lens?
The best leader knows how to guide and follow at the same time. And I believe that Inclusion is essential.
I would not be a successful business person if I did not include different thoughts, opinions, or advice from different people.
I am a leader that listens first… and learns from the people around me to (i) make the best decision and obtain the best outcome.
New York City is broken because the leaders stopped listening to its people.
Talented people will help me Fix New York City, especially Women leading the charge.
Affordable and Safe Housing
Some women and families live in New York City’s homeless shelters for over a year because they cannot find safe, affordable places to live with the current rate of NYC rental subsidy. As mayor, how will you address this reality and help families build their lives outside of the shelter system?
Over $2 billion per year is dedicated to solving Homelessness in New York City.
Money is not the problem. The problem is lack of prioritization.
Leaders have not prioritized fixing the broken system because they are either complacent with keeping it the same or they do not know what they are doing.
I am offering a new vision that aims to build “Healthy Homes” within supportive communities for homeless people and homeless families. This involves reimagining abandoned industrial parks and converting them into foundational communities that offers both housing and whole health services.
We will implement new technologies to speed up the construction process. While maintaining projects sustainable and aesthetically pleasing, I am open to 3D printing of modular pre-built structures. While building we will also focus on social infrastructure to address the broad range of needs of the people we serve. This includes, but is not limited to, mental health, substance abuse treatment and professional and vocational training so people can become job ready.
These communities will also have access to transportation, as well as healthy foods. We will leverage existing childcare providers to ensure that parents with children can pursue work without worry of neglecting their little ones.
The sad truth is we can have this now, however, lack of leadership and management skills has left no one accountable for wasting $2 billion.
My Healthy Homes vision will hinge on support from a diverse coalition of organizations like PowHerNY, the NYWF, and LWVNYC to appeal to the City Council and New York State to pass legislative relief so we can “take action” and “make measurable change happen.”
Fair Wages
While all women continue to earn less on average than men in New York City, women of color and immigrants, who are more likely to work in low-paid jobs in the public and private sectors, face significantly larger gaps and higher poverty rates. What are your plans for eliminating these disparities in New York City?
You work. You get paid. It is a simple principle that comes under attack because of onerous rules and outdated regulations that unfairly punishes businesses. The costly situation has created a “vicious cycle” that in turn hurts both customers with higher prices and employees with depressed wages.
We can create a “virtuous cycle” by offering real relief from bureaucratic cost burdens and leveling the playing field, and preventing industries like Big Tech from exploiting the market.
There must also be consideration for allowing certain industries to allow their wage rates to float commensurate with industry conditions. For example, many in the tourism industry thrive on tips; however, there is no room to negotiate with regulators on accounting for that reality. As a result, the industry has suffered because of lack of flexibility in setting fair wage rates.
The same logic goes for Taxis and electronic home rentals. City Hall got it wrong on how they regulate. Uber, Lyft, and Air BnB must pay the same fees and abide by the same regulations as everyone else. This is the only way to get prices and wages to reach an equitable equilibrium.
The simple truth is that nothing matters if unemployment continues to pay more than honest, hard work. This too must stop.
As Mayor, I will advocate that the City Council address wage discrimination by prescribing fair treatment.
As Mayor, I will advocate to eliminate certain fees and penalties that City Agencies charge businesses to operate their business.
As Mayor, I will not advocate for specific wage levels as I believe that the market ought to set the rate.
Accessible Caregiving
This pandemic has exacerbated the big holes in our caregiving systems, including childcare and long-term care. How do you propose addressing these issues and creating a fair and equitable system both for families and the caregiving workforce?
Before the COVID pandemic hit us, caregiving options were already minimal and expensive. After the pandemic, the need for caregiving is higher than ever and with fewer reliable options.
As Mayor I would engage the business community to be out in front with viable solutions. If the person can work remotely while offering care to a parent or relative, then accommodations ought to be made with the employer so there is a balanced solution to both sides. If the person cannot work remotely and must go in to work because it requires a physical presence, then there must be an increase in “Adult Recreation Centers” and access to health services that accepts payments from existing federally funded programs.
The biggest problem exposed by the pandemic was New York City’s handling of COVID as it relates to nursing homes and haphazard shutdowns which destroyed the economy. In my opinion, the way the Governor and mayor handled the nursing home issue during the pandemic was criminal.
Ending Gender-Based Violence
There has been a significant uptick in reports of sexual harassment and violence against women and gender expansive people during the pandemic. What is your plan to address gender-based violence in New York City in both the private and public sectors?
The sharp increase in crime confirms that Bail Reform is bad for New York. As Mayor, I will end the “Gundemic” and attack violence against all people by invoking maximum City Charter power to arrest, detain, and hold bad actors accountable. Further, I will advocate for stiff consequences for violent crime to be restored, including mandatory 10-year sentences for illegal gun violence.
Right now, bad people are terrorizing good people because they know there is no real consequence for their harmful actions. We must set a new tone and make clear that we will no longer tolerate violence. This can only be accomplished by setting examples with a stronger New York Police Department and allowing the Judiciary to use their power to enforce safety.
Education
Cities across the country, including several in New York, have begun to take steps to remove police from schools. As mayor, would you remove police from schools in New York City, and if so, would you reinvest the money toward educational programs and support resources?
Blaming police for society’s bigger problems is not the answer. Reactionary efforts to remove police from schools is simply wrong. Proactive engagement is the solution.
Under a Mateo administration, police officers will stay in schools as needed and play a bigger role in public safety. Police officers assigned to work at and around schools would evolve into “School Resource Officers” (SRO’s) by day and “Community Patrol Officers” by night – coordinating with Patrol Units to safeguard subways and neighborhoods. They will be provided with new distinctive uniforms coupled with “Baseball-like” cards to give out with their name, contact information, and factoids about their favorite foods or activities. This small gesture will humanize the SRO’s and enable kids and families to rebuild trust on both sides of the badge.
Although the SRO’s may know children/teens on a first name basis, it would not mean they are there as baby-sitters for school staff. They will partner with the school principal and guidance counselors through the D.A.R.E. program to build character and prepare young people to become ambassadors of peace.
The SRO’s will have the full support of the Mayor who will order the Department of Education to fund after school programs, especially youth sports. By working with charitable organizations, stipends will be offered to incentivize teachers and SRO’s to coach sports or administer clubs. Occupied and engaged young people leaves less room for mischief.
This is why investing in the SRO Program is at the center of a Mayor Mateo’s public safety plan. They are on the front line and will be able to connect a network of disconnected City agencies that are currently failing our children. I am of the belief is that if you protect children, you protect the community and its future. The SRO’s are best positioned to protect children by playing a positive role in youth development for a more successful future.
Maternal Health
How will you use city agencies, the budget, and your role as a public figure to address the crisis of maternal mortality and specifically the disproportionate impact on Black women in NYC?
Access to healthcare is an important right protected by law. While my values disagree with abortion, I respect legal rights and free choice as per the Constitution.
As Mayor I would shift the focus of health agencies to concentrate on “prevention” of health disparities at early stages of life. Promoting access to healthy foods in food deserts would lead to reductions in high blood pressure, obesity and other health issues. Expanding green-infrastructure in concrete canyons will limit harmful pollution that is a major factor contributing to the spread of asthma and respiratory problems. Promoting and funding education programs to reduce teenage or unwanted pregnancies needs to be expanded to all communities.
As Mayor I will work with city health officials to promote awareness of the issue of this issue, including the use of City sponsored events to reach all age groups, categories, and demographics. Awareness campaigns will also be a part of our outreach, especially in communities that are hardest hit by infant and maternal mortality.
Unlike false promises about “keeping your doctor,” these initiatives provide proven pathways to health options and equal treatment.
Legal Justice
Low income New York City families, many headed by single mothers, continue to be impacted negatively by the lack of early civil legal representation in their interaction with City entities, such as the Administration for Children’s Services and Family Court. How would you reform the NYC civil justice system so that all NYC families have access to timely, competent legal assistance to protect their families, homes and livelihoods?
The reality is that millions of dollars in new federal funding has become available to increase access to legal assistance for low-income families, especially single women. For starters, I would cut the red tape in accessing existing funds. Next, I would work with non-profit organizations to increase employment of public defenders, as well as offer tax incentives for pro-bono legal work to deal with the surge in demand for legal services caused by the pandemic.
As Mayor I would use advanced technology to help screen for issues that are hard to detect like mental health and physical wellness. The new technology will be deployed to provide case workers at Child Protective Services, public lawyers, and Judges objective information on the person or persons involved in a family proceeding.
If Facebook or Amazon can predict consumption behavior for billions of people instantaneously, then these companies can certainly lend their expertise to help the Judicial system provide better, cost effective services to those trapped in the system. As such, the goal of using new innovations in technology would be to supplement the work of professionals, not replace them. The analysis conducted by the technology would offer context to better assess the situation at hand. This will aid in reaching a just decision in the best interest of the child or family.
These questions and the responses from this candidate belong to PowHer and are being shared with their permission. This content in its original form can be found at: https://amayorfornycwomen.org/fernando-mateo/
The strongest candidate for New York City Mayor Fernando Mateo believes that "Big Government Policies" are the BIGGEST problem preventing progress. As the next Mayor of NYC, Mateo will roll back defeatist policies that ruined New York City. Further, Mateo believes in taking "Positions" on issues and implementing proven plans to accomplish key objectives and results.
The primary objective for New York City is JOBS and SAFETY.
A Mayor Mateo will make New York City SAFE again!
A Mayor Mateo will make New York City CLEAN again!
A Mayor Mateo will make New York City WORK again!