DUPRE’ KELLY ANNOUNCES FAR-REACHING PLAN

FOR REVITALIZATION OF NEWARK’S WEST WARD

Details his Ideas for Community Empowerment, Affordable Housing, Addressing Food Insecurity, Reducing Crime and Violence, Strengthening Small Businesses and Equitable Planning and Development

(April 19, 2022) Dupré Kelly is the first and only West Ward Council candidate to detail a platform for community revitalization. Kelly’s West Ward Revitalization Plan synergizes his own experience in working with West Ward residents to solve problems and address issues impacting their quality of life with Mayor Ras J. Baraka’s successful track record in crime and violence reduction, equitable planning and development and affordable housing.

“It’s not about me. It’s about all of us working together.”

“I don’t believe that one councilmember can have all of the answers for the West Ward,” Kelly said. “Our strength depends on our ability and determination to speak out, to show up at City Council and School Board meetings and to work together for the good of us all.”

“We need housing that West Ward residents can truly afford.”

“Last year, Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced the investment of $20 million in Affordable Newark, a new housing initiative targeted to Newark families earning income at $32,000 (the median income for four person Newark families) and below. Much of the housing that the federal government calls affordable is not actually affordable by the average Newark family. On the City Council, I will work to ensure that the West Ward receives its fair share of this innovative                 affordable housing.”

“We must address food insecurity.”

“The West Ward is a Food Desert. When I meet with West Ward residents, I am often asked ‘Why can’t I find decent food in my neighborhood?’ As a member of the City Council, I will work with community groups to market our neighborhoods to supermarket executives to show them that the incomes of West Ward residents and the density of our population combine to sustain supermarkets. Together, we will recruit supermarkets to locate in the West Ward.”

“Rather than defund Newark police, let’s continue to invest in innovative public safety”

“Newark has become a national model for reducing crime through police/community partnership. So, I support Mayor Baraka’s strategy to fight crime and reduce violence. African Americans and Latinos now make up 75 percent of the Newark Police and women represent 20 percent.  Recruitment emphasizes Newark residents. Officers are trained to uphold the civil rights of residents. Social workers now partner with police officers to provide crisis intervention.  The Newark Police Division now concentrates on areas where crimes and violence most frequently occur. But for police presence to be most effective, officers must be visible on the street, not just in cars. As your West Ward Councilman, I will advocate for additional officers to be assigned to West Ward hot spots and to coordinate with police in the bordering towns of East Orange, Irvington, and South Orange.”

“Expand Neighborhood Development Plans to more West Ward areas”

“The West Ward and Fairmount Neighborhood Development Plans prioritize new and rehabilitated housing affordable to residents of every income. On residential streets, Neighborhood Development prioritizes in-fill construction to replace vacant lots. Along major corridors, Neighborhood Development prioritizes commercial and mixed-use development. On the Council, I will advocate for designating more parts of the West Ward for Neighborhood Development.

-more-

Dupre Kelly West Ward Revitalization Plan/2

“We need to create Community Boards to give residents a voice in development decisions”

“I propose legislation to create boards of local residents in every ward empowered to make recommendations on local development proposals before the City Planning and Zoning Boards make their decisions. New York City has had Community Boards for more than fifty years. It’s time to empower our wards with the same kind of powers.”

“I will make our voices heard in shaping the future of the West Ward.”

“The Newark360 Master Plan is supposed to be a vision for our city’s future based on the input of Newark residents and businesses. But our voices will only be heard if we attend the Newark360 community meetings to that will take place in May and June. I will wage a campaign to publicize these meetings to get a large turnout of West Ward residents and, of course, I will be there speaking out for the needs of our West Ward neighborhoods.”

Kelly concluded the announcement saying, “I believe that my twenty-five years as a community activist helping people solve serious problems and address significant issues gives me the receipts to steer West Ward residents, block associations and neighborhood organizations, schools, students, businesses and churches in the direction that will make us a unified powerful force to revitalize and elevate our community.”

A full copy of the West Ward Revitalization Plan is attached and can also be found at www.duprekelly.com

###