Dilip Nath is seeking the Democratic nomination for District 24 of New York City Council in the greater Jamaica, Fresh Meadows, Pomonok, Briarwood area. As a first-generation immigrant, were he to win the nomination, he would be the first of South Asian descent on a major ticket. His Campaign Motto: NEW LEADERSHIP DELIVERING RESULTS FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
Dilip would make an outstanding City Councilor. He has a long record of community and government service. He has helped found and is President of New American Voter Association (NAVA). He is a member of the Queens Community Board #8 where he resides, as well as a member of Queens Jewish Historical Society, John F. Kennedy Democratic Club, Community District Education Council, and Former PTA President of the public school where his children attended. He also volunteered on several election campaigns. Most recently, he was appointed by the Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz to serve on her transition team as she began her journey to make Queens a fairer borough.
Dilip immigrated to the United States by himself when he was only 16. His parents in Bangladesh saved their hard earnings and sold many possessions just to send their son Dilip to USA to experience “the American Dream”. Dilip worked hard every day to honor his parents’ sacrifice, excelling in education and at his job.
Dilip is a healthcare executive. He knows what New York’s crumbling medical infrastructure needs, and he knows how to get things done without breaking the bank. He’s managed multi-million-dollar healthcare budgets and brought innovative technology skills to his job. With his background, he will help the City Council save Queens taxpayers’ money in health care and other areas.
Dilip also has a background in labor. He is a former union member. He is committed to empowering unions and has been at the forefront championing issues affecting union members. Additionally, he also served as a national union delegate for the UUP, and he was elected a judicial delegate from the 11th judicial district.
Dilip says he is running for office because he wants to see changes to the way things are done in the council and in his community. “I’m running because the old tools don’t work anymore, and I know how to use new ones. I want to do things differently from others”.
He said not much has changed since he came to his district four decades ago. He noted, for example that “Van Wyck is still under construction. We still send our kids out of borough for a prestigious education at Stuyvesant or Bronx Science. Our hospitals remain outdated. These, and similar situations keep piling up because our leaders don’t address them. So, when a crisis like COVID comes up, we have forced to address it and other issues of a decade ago. We have to deal with our kids’ remote learning and hospitals’ capacities”.
Dilip Nath promises to do better than others who represented District 24. He says he didn’t make it in life this far by doing things the same old way. “I attained success because I adapt to changing attitudes and technology. In my job, I have invested in new technology for healthcare and education. If elected, I will lead by example through innovation in addressing every issue”.
(l-r) NYS AM Alicia Hyndman, Ashook Ramsaran, the late Ramesh Kalicharran & Dilip Nath
Among other proposals he has in mind are: modernizing public transit, so that all members of our district have access to not just more service, but better service; working with law enforcement and social services to reduce crime; taking measures to alleviate homelessness; keeping streets safe with more patrolling; helping people in need during the Pandemic to get back on their feet; preserving good, safe neighborhoods with affordable homes – the kind we wanted to raise our kids.
Dilip promises to have an open door policy with constituents. “Constituents will have a continuing voice in decision making. I’ll make sure that every one of my constituents can easily access every service we offer. I’ll make sure I hear about problems when they arise, before they become crises”.
Ashook Ramsaran of Fresh Meadows, who worked with and knows Dilip very well, said that, “Dilip has tremendous grassroots community experience, knows the issues first hand which are important to our communities, and will work towards a better, safer, healthier city for the next generation of New Yorkers”.
Dilip calls on the community to join him in building a better future. He appeals: “Whether you live in Fresh Meadows, Jamaica, Electchester, Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Briarwood, and other communities, let us work together to protect our values and build a better future for a more fair New York”.
Dilip Nath’s Positions on the ISSUES
EDUCATION
Fully fund our public schools so teachers can have the resources they need
Provide the resources needed improve curriculums
Support initiatives to build/expand Specialized High School Programs in all 5 Boroughs
Develop a budget plan for PPE in classrooms so our children and teachers stay healthy
Work on budget inequity in D28 schools so children can get quality education in their local school
Fund child care and after school activities so parents can work without worry.
PUBLIC SAFETY
• Advocate for police policy to prioritize training in de-escalation of violence
• Support Community policing to deepen trust with local police departments
• Facilitate dialogue between the Police and the Community
• Reform budget to include funding for mental health response protocols
• Advocate interdepartmental relations with the DHS to better assist the homeless.
SENIOR CARE
Fund our senior centers for our greatest generation
Provide access to estate planning services for everyone after retirement
Create inter-generational programs to promote learning and community.
TRANSPORTATION
Call to scrap the MTA Queens Bus Redesign Plan that would negatively impact our community
Rebuild our infrastructure by paving roads, rethinking traffic patterns in dense areas and
Strategically move and replace bike lanes to safer locations.
HOUSING
Fight for fair taxation in overtaxed Queens
Reduce property taxes for homeowners
Defend the rights of both co-operators and tenants
Reform NYCHA to improve utility services and replace aging infrastructure
Advocate for a path to resident ownership of units.
BUSINESS
Implement an open door policy so all constituents can freely access services
Task Community Liaison with weekly report on District business and issues
Ensure that every resident and their interests are represented in City Hall.
