The Road to City Hall: City Council District 23

Bob Friedrich Profile

BY VICTOR G. MIMONI

Wednesday, August 19, 2009 1:55 PM EDT

Name: Bob Friedrich

Age: 55

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Area Serving: District 23

Occupation: accountant

Money raised thus far: $60,000, mostly in small contributions from local residents, he said. “I have the largest percentage of matched contributions of the three candidates,” he claimed. Friedrich is getting $88,000 in matching funds.

Why did you decide to run for City Council? “… to serve the community. I’ve been fully engaged in the community for 20 years,” Friedrich said. He is the president of the Glen Oaks Village Co-op, “the largest garden apartment complex in the city,” he pointed out. “I’ve dealt with city agencies for years, on behalf of 10,000 co-op residents,” he pointed out. “Civic leadership is about passion for serving the community and a breath of fresh air is something we need in politics today,” he said.

What are two major issues affecting your community? “The double-digit water rate and real property tax increases affect co-op and homeowners alike. Unaccountable city government, like an arrogant Department of Transportation that denies communities four-way stop signs at intersections they know are dangerous – or a Department of Buildings that has completely abdicated their role in protecting our community from overdevelopment.”

What’s the first thing you would focus on if elected? Friedrich has a “5 Things We Can Do On Day 1” campaign flyer that lists homeowner-related, quality of life issues: fully funding a trees and sidewalks program; making the city pay for water and sewer main repairs; creating a water-rate deduction from property taxes; requiring an approved building plan before a demolition permit is issued, and prohibiting Councilmembers from having outside employment. “I’d add rolling back the last member’s salary increase,” he said, “But I don’t hold out much hope for that.”