Clarke Bridles at Eugene Citizenship Requirement
After the re-run special election in April, before anybody is sworn in, they'll have to submit documentation to the Council that they meet various requirements to hold office, including not only local residency, but U.S. citizenship.
That last part made one of Eugene's backers, Una Clarke, incensed when I spoke with her recently.
"I would never ever allow him to do that," she told me.
The information is public, she explained, and the Council staff should be able to get it themselves.
Clarke also had this to say: "I am angry about the issue because whenever you are an immigrant you have to go through more scrutiny than anybody else to make sure that you give to America what it gives to you in return. And how many other immigrants have they ever asked? Is it because he's a black immigrant that he would have to do that? Is it because he's a Haitian that he would have to do that? Or is it because he comes from the Caribbean that he be asked to do that?"
A spokesman for Eugene, Scott Levenson, indicated the candidate probably won't be taking Clarke's advice on this.
"Mathieu Eugene will gladly comply with any requests required by the Council in order to fill in the seat," he said.
-- Azi Paybarah
What nonsense is this woman spewing. This man caused all of this himself with his lies. Dr. Clarke should keep her mouth shut. She is becoming a loose cannon.
You've got to be kidding me, right? I'm going to use this interview when I'm filling out my w2s for new jobs from now on.
"Why do I have to check off the box that says I'm legal to work in this country? Yvette Clarke says that this is just a scam designed to hurt immigrants. I'm not gonna do it. That information is publicly available if my job wants it."
When I get fired, can I sue HER dumb ass?
Una Clarke or Dr. or whatever she calls herself is nuts. She should be barred from speaking in public.
Sorry, Una.
10:51, if she's the one who set the bar for "quality of leadership" in the 40th, no wonder she picked Eugene to carry on her legacy. Good lord, I wonder if she occasionally forgets to breathe.
This woman is a dim-witted imbecile, she was one of the worst Councilmembers in recent history and her daughter was even worse with her plain speak double talk. Congresswoman Clarke pack your bags, we ALL want you out of office and you should thank your big mouth mother for that.
seriously, 10:56. I hold elected officials to a higher standard when it comes to law-bending/breaking shenanigans, and this whole Eugene saga has just been amateurish.
Not only should Eugene lose because he's costing us money, time, and ultimately representation in the district, he should lose because it would send a message to the clarke family that they need to take their game to another level (and let Hynes know that these idiots can barely speak for themselves, let alone an entire population of people)
Azi this can not be for real, I really feel sorry for her daughter.
11:08's comments are welcomed and true. Except you can not count on Hynes because he gave a check to Eugene also. As one of my fellow bloggers put it, can you say Special Prosecutor?
Am I reading this correctly: Eugene may not be aa American citizen? And he cost city taxpayers over $800,000 for 2 sopecial elections? Where is the outrage?
The outrage is that you don't know how to spell "special" or have any knowledge of grammar.
How can the Times' writer Hicks call Eugene a physician after it have come out in other papers that he is not a registered doctor in NY or the USA or anywhere?
Can one of the candidates, a reporter or a bloger ask to see this guys medicial degree?
Can things get any worse for Unagene? Shame on Clarke for pulling the immigrant card. Maybe she should advise her protege to just follow the damn law. It ain't that hard!
Una Clarke for City Council--07!
Mr. Hicks is on the bandwagon and his journalist skills are truly suffering. His piece in todays paper is a crying shame. He continues to promote Mr. Eugene as the Haitian Sensation but his nothing more than a Daft. Shame on you Una and this new ploy will not work STOP UNAGENE in his tracks people.
UNA CLARKE FOR BROOKLYN's BIGGEST BAMBOOZLER!
What's really sad is that the 40th District doesn't have anyone at the Council during budget negotiations. I wonder how many nonprofits in the 40th are going to find themselves without enough funding because there's no one to fight for them at the bargaining table??
12:30 you are right the Brooklyn borough delegation meetings for non profits have been set already. This is a shame! I guess we can thank Congressmember Clarke and Mr. Eugene for this.
Speaking of the Clarke's- whatever happened to the investigation regarding how Yvette lied on CFB paperwork that she was a college graduate?
That seems to have been swept under the rug.
Incredible simply incredible! This woman has lost it and this new rant about his papers is truly shameful. Mr. Eugene you have really lost my vote and I will work diligently on another campaign to ensure that you do not serve my community.
12:30 pm is correct. This is the wisest statement I've heard.
I sure the non-profit Youth Education and Sports which has been paying Eugene as it director will get funded this year.
Speaking of the Clarke's- whatever happened to the investigation regarding Yvette lying on CFB paperwork that she was a college graduate?
Dear God:
Thank you, because I live in Queens.
For there to be an investigation someone would have had to file a complaint. I am sure that the Campaign Finance Board (CFB) and the Department of Invesitigation (DOI) are doing absolutely nothing. These Clarkes really think that they are above the law. I am glad I live in Staten Island atl least we know our elected officials really live there.
Interesting statement about the funding stream for Unagene's not for profit. Is he still employeed there now? Is this a no show job? How much money does the city taxpayer give him and his organization?
Poor Unagene. Assuming he wins the special election, does he realize how he will be forever defined by his residency debacle? And now the district he's supposed to represent will get screwed during the budget process, unless the other Brooklyn councilmembers work to protect it. His credibility is already shot before he even starts.
Una: he has to provide this information because his past actions have revealed him to be a fraud.
He's not a doctor in the U.S., he's not a resident of the district, and now he may not even be a citizen.
The mind boggles.
There should be all that all local and state officials provide the required prerequisites before holding public office. We can call it the Unagene law.
Scott Levenson just told Clarke to shut her mouth.
Very very funny.
Its about time someone put those people into place.