Adams, Williams saddened by death
of former Brooklyn Councilman wage are a key customer base for local businesses.
and father.
“He made a tremendous mark
on New York City, and, in particular,
the borough he proudly called
home,” he said. “Lew will be missed
but never forgotten.”
Williams, the former representative
for the 45th Council District
in Brooklyn, said Fidler, a former
Democratic District Leader and his
longtime friend, brought him into
politics.
“I’m still in a state of shock and
deeply saddened to learn of the
passing of Lew Fidler,” the son of
Minimum wage
Continued from Page 10
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By Nelson A. King
Brooklyn Borough President,
Eric Adams and New York City Public
Advocate Jumaane D. Williams
on Sunday expressed sadness over
the passing of former Brooklyn
Councilman Lew Fidler.
Adams said Fidler, who worked
on the Borough President’s Office,
died on the same day. He was 62.
“I join all Brooklynites in paying
homage to our brother and friend
Lew Fidler, and I extend my most
heartfelt condolences to his loving
wife, Robin, his sons, and all in
his family upon his passing,” said
Adams in a statement.
“Lew was of great assistance to
me in my formative political years,”
he added. “As a result of his assistance,
we later became colleagues;
and, during my tenure as borough
president, he has served as a vital
member of my team.
“As an elected official, Lew was
truly committed to fighting long
and hard for those he served,” he
continued. “He always stood up for
what he believed in, with true courage
in his convictions.”
Adams also described Fidler as
“a man of high integrity and strong
moral values, a devoted husband
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Grenadian immigrants said. “There
are few times when you can specifically
and directly point to a moment
in time that directly links to your
journey. People are genuinely surprised
to learn that, for me, Lew
Fidler is a part of one of those
times.”
Williams said that, about two
decades ago, a woman named Linda
Ashkenasi ran the Hillel House at
Brooklyn College (BC).
“As a student activist at BC, we
had many debates and discussions,”
he said. “We didn’t agree on everything,
but we had great mutual
respect; so much so that she introduced
me to a local District Leader,
someone who had been around
local civic and political life for a
long time, and was then a candidate
for City Council, named Lew Fidler.
“Lew brought me into Brooklyn
politics and began to show and
introduce me to how it all worked,”
Williams reflected. “He brought me
to the Thomas Jefferson Club; yep,
that one always surprises a few
folks, too.
“In Lew, I found someone who I
didn’t agree with on some things,
but, like Linda, there was genuine
respect,” Williams added.
Former Brooklyn Councilman,
Lew Fidler.
https://brooklyn-usa.org
I want workers to earn enough to not just live
but thrive. I want people to be able to afford to
live closer to work and spend less time, money and
energy commuting back and forth. Raising the
minimum wage will provide a stronger wage floor
upon which people can build toward their dreams
for things like home ownership or entrepreneurship.
It hurts us all when some businesses pay so little
that their employees can’t make a living. People
working full time shouldn’t have to depend on
public assistance to cover basics like rent and food.
Raising the minimum wage levels the playing field
for businesses that are paying their fair share and
are invested in their staff and their communities.
I understand that a substantial increase in the
minimum wage takes adjustment, which is why I
support the Raise the Wage Act’s gradual phase-in.
This gives businesses time to ramp up and experience
benefits such as lower turnover, increased
consumer spending and happier customers.
Every day, for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late
night, restaurants work to feed and nourish you.
We create the spaces for you to celebrate in when
you’re up, and to lift you up when you’re down. It’s
hard work, long hours and everyone’s role is important
to that effort.
Raising the minimum wage will lift up workers,
lift up businesses, and lift up our economy.
It’s good for our communities and it’s good for our
country.
Howard Hanna is the owner of The Rieger and
Ça Va restaurants in Kansas City, Mo. He is a
member of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage.
/brooklyn-usa.org