Scott Stiffler, for Chelsea Community News (CCNews): Why do you want the job, and what tone will you set to align yourself with, and/or set yourself apart, from the retiring Richard Gottfried?

Joseph A. Maffia (Maffia): I can and will make a difference in the district. My background and experience uniquely qualify me to serve this assembly district. Richard Gottfried was a career politician with one primary focus. The 75th AD comprises diverse neighborhoods, including Chelsea, Diamond District, Garment District, Hell’s Kitchen, Korea Town, Midtown, Midtown East, Rose Hill, Times Square, and Union Square. It covers nearly three miles and is primarily a commercial business district with millions of commuters and tourists. The community contains two important art centers, Chelsea and Broadway, vital to New York City and State economies. My “Arts & Cultural” districts will help revive those districts with incentives and funding to address crime and quality of life issues. My business background and platform uniquely qualify me for this district.

CCNews: What currently enacted Assembly legislation can be strengthened or used in a different manner to further benefit the people you’re running to represent?

Maffia: Obviously, with increases in quality-of-life issues and crime—NYS bail reform law is at the top of the list for most constituents. At the same time, the goal of eliminating cash bail for most misdemeanors and non-violent crimes while they wait for a trial has some merit—but not for repeat offenders and all misdemeanors. We can’t allow dangerous criminals back on the streets. But this is only half the issue: We incarcerate a disproportionate number of minorities and need to implement a comprehensive approach to stimulate economic job growth, additional drug prevention and recovery support, and increased mental help supportive services in the district. Fixing bail reform without addressing the cause of the issue is only a band-aide.

CCNews: During last year’s primary races, we asked candidates what they’d do in January 2022, to create a strong “post-pandemic” NYC. Our assessment was too optimistic. How do you regard the pandemic as it currently stands, what is required before we can declare ourselves in a “post-pandemic” period, and what should we be doing now, at the state level, to facilitate that?

Maffia: Unfortunately, life has changed. As the number of cases and deaths decrease, we will likely declare we are “post-pandemic”—however, the psychological and economic impact will linger. COVID will probably have a prolonged footprint on the planet from its psychological and unknown long-term health effects, all fanning economic disruption. COVID ignited labor shortages, wage increases, real estate evolution, population migration, volatile markets, and uneven recovery add to the economic uncertainty. The impact of the federal reserve’s inflationary response and sweeping government fiscal stimulus is unknown. Throwing in external global factors such as war and financial restrictions will likely blur our focus. A new day brings new concerns and the need for new thoughts.

We need to shore up our financial strength at the state level to withstand any economic pressure. NYS faired so poorly in the pandemic that we need to implement a new risk-assessment department—at the executive branch level to identify threats to NYS and develop plans to mitigate those risks. At a minimum, in the short run, the Health Department should have an additional focus to learn from the pandemic and be ready with a rapid response plan to save as many lives as possible.

CCNews: The time machine has been invented. Once you’ve played the stock market, it’s time to visit your younger self. What, if any, actions do you tell yourself to take or avoid?

Maffia: Perhaps the time I threw up on the co-op board president is something I wish I had avoided. Or the job interview where I tried to shake hands with the interviewer and knocked his glasses to the floor. I got the apartment and job, so that’s life.

CCNews: The current Assemblymember is often seen alongside the Manhattan Borough President, our District 3 Councilmember, State Senator Brad Hoylman, and Congressmember Jerrold Nadler at press conferences or as a signee to action-oriented letters (often generated by Community Board 4). How will you work local elected officials and stakeholders to advance matters of mutual importance?

Maffia: I commit to work with all local elected officials and stakeholders to advance matters of mutual importance. This is my style, to solve problems by inclusive discussions.

CCNews: Conflict and Compromise: What do these words mean to you, in terms of their role in being an effective Assemblymember?

Maffia: In my role as an assemblymember, there will be a time for conflict and a time for compromise. My participation in professional committees groomed me for this exact process. Debate, discuss, compromise, expose our work for public comment, and then vote on a final “law.”

CCNews: Favorite Golden Girl, and why: Blanche, Dorothy, Sophia, or Rose?

Maffia: I must admit I didn’t watch golden girls and was more of a Star Trek: The Next Generation kind of person. Data was my favorite character.

CCNews: You took the time to answer our questions—even that last one, which, frankly, was a little gimmicky. So in the interest of fairness, we end by turning the tables: What one question do you want people to ask themselves when casting their vote in your race?

Maffia: Are you better off with one-party rule/control in NYS—or would you like diverse ideas and new blood?