Brian C.

Davis — Candidate for Reelection to Ellicott District Councilmember

PAGE 03

STONEWALL DEMOCRATS of Western New York

PO Box 857, Bu£Fslo, NY 14205 Website: ^^rov^cv.stonevr$lldcmocratsany.com

Zilf7 ENDORSEMENT QUESTIONNAIRE — CITY OF EF AL 1Q CJ

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Before you cox*tmue, please understand that
• Stonewall Demo crats of WNY may publicize your responses is press releases and voters ° gu ides, on our web
site, and via other channels of communication. Stonewall Democrats of WNY will also identify candidates
who £ail, to re spond to this questionnaire.
y
• Stonewall Democrats will hold you publicl accountable for actions inconsistent with your responses during
your campai gn and if elected during your term in office.
• Stonewall Democrats will not endorse any candidate that does not express opposition to the Defense of
Marriage Act (DOMA). This act could also void civil unions, domestic partnerships, mid similar legal
arrangements.
• Please note that completion and submission of the completed que stionnaire prior to your interview day is a
prerequisite for being. considered for endorsement.

Please submit your typewritten responses to the fo llowing questions on a separate sheet.

1) Why are you seeking this office?

2) Why a re you seeking the endorsement of the Stonewall Democrats of WNY?
3) What three issues do you consider to be most important to the people served by the office you seek? For each
issue; .
a) Provide an example of specific action(s) you have previously taken- ciitlter as a public official or as a
private citizen--to bring about positive change relative to this issue; and
b) Specify what additional , action(s) in regard to this issue you intend to propose if elected to the office you
seek.
4) What three civil rights issues do you perceive to be the most important to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgeuder ( ( LBT) comrntu lty7 For eac h issue:
a) Provide an example of specific action(s) you have previously taken--either as a public official or as a
private citizen--to bring about positive change relative to this issue; and
b) Specify what additional action(s) in regard to this issue you intend to propose if elected to the offtee you
seek.
5) Stonewall Democrats of WNY strongly believes that candidates have a respnnsibility to provide voters with
truthful, fair and clean cernpainns for public office and to conduct themselves in a manner conducive to a
civil, Issue-oriented debate with their_ fellow candidates. Will you sign a written pledge to conduct your
campaign accordingly?
6) If endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats of WNY, will you list the endorsement on all applicable campaign
literature (i.e., all literature listing any other endorsements)?
7) If endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats of WNY. will you attend a GLBT community forwu to introduce
endorsed candidates?
 Brian C. Davis — Candidate for Reelection to Ellicott District Councilmember

visitor money was spent in the City of Buffalo over that weekend. Allowing restaurant and bar
establishments to set up show outside was a huge boost to their businesses that weekend.

2) Housing & Neighborhood Rehabilitation and Reinvestment

- 800+ dilapidated homes have been demolished, over $4 million have been invested in
infrastructure improvements such as new streets and sidewalks, and over $5 million in
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) have been distributed throughout the district
through storefront improvement grants, operating funds for community centers and nonprofits,
and project funds for housing developments.

- In an effort to continue the mindset of environmental consciousness, I was the lead sponsor on
a resolution calling on City Departments to enforce illegal dumping ordinances.

- Another essential resolution that I sponsored that was subsequently adopted by the Common
Council called for new legislation governing rooming house managers, in an attempt to improve
rooming house conditions and relations with neighbors. This ordinance amendment was initiated
in response to frequent complaints of tenant behavior, dilapidated conditions, criminal activity
and nuisances from constituents living near rooming houses, especially on the Lower West Side.

3) Public Safety
To improve public safety and battle crime, I sponsored three resolutions in 2004 aimed at
curbing crime in our community.

- 1 - A resolution calling for the Buffalo Police Department and the Department of Probation to
study a joint strategy against youth crime.

- 2 - A resolution calling for the establishment of a Cold Case Squad within the Buffalo Police
Department. Since then, the Cold Case Squad has solved 14 crimes and has helped free two
individuals who were wrongly accused.

-3 - A resolution calling for the creation of a Shared Asset Forfeiture Fund (SAFF), which would
donate 15% of seized assets in the form of grants to Community Based Organizations (CBOs)
that deal with drug abuse prevention, crime prevention, and mental/physical health for minors.

Other Actions:

- In 2005 I sponsored a resolution urging local and federal authorities to prosecute gun cases as
federal crimes and adopting such programs that have been effective in other cities across the
United States.

- In 2006 I sponsored another resolution that was subsequently adopted by the Council calling
for licensing of bar bouncers.

- In 2006 I co-sponsored a resolution with Councilmember Bonifacio calling for New York State
to prohibit the co-mingling of legal age and underage patrons in drinking establishments that
subsequently led to new state legislation to that effect in 2007.

Page 4 of 13
 Brian C. Davis — Candidate for Reelection to Ellicott District Councilmember

- Rehabilitation of housing stock, particularly vacant properties, is essential to our success, not
only as a neighborhood or district, but as a city. Using adaptive reuse, recognizing organizations
ready to take charge and make changes for housing success, and finding ways and methods in
which to work these components together is an ongoing project for my staff and me.

We have experienced urban growth with new builds throughout our district, but we must not
forget the past nor the available housing stock that can be rehabilitated for housing while also
rehabilitating lives through skilled training programs that assure the participants learn building
trades for their future as well as receive supportive services to bring them to the level of future
community leaders.

- Recognition of those organizations that have worked nonstop to assure urban renewal in their
own neighborhoods can provide a forum for sharing ideas and concepts with other areas that lack
these groups. Once again, connecting the growth areas also connects the dots and fills in the
areas that need essential urban renewal. Using those with the expertise at a grassroots level can
bring these areas together as well as our citizens.

3) Public Safety

As noted above, we have made positive strides in reducing crime for the Ellicott District, as well
as making a significant impact for the city overall. However, there are other initiatives I would
like to undertake that use the programs that contributed to public safety success in our recent past
as well as those not yet introduced to our area.

- We need our Community Police Officer Program back on the streets. This initiative, along
with the Community District Attorneys gave hope and pride to our neighborhood leaders and
residents. Budget cuts, as well as police staffing has eliminated this program and we must find
creative solutions to bring it back.

- COPS was another workable, successful initiative that was redlined from our budget due to the
same issues. Again, this was a program that worked successfully on a grassroots level and we
must find the funding to assure the residents have this opportunity to communicate through this
program to assure the safety and sanctity of our neighborhoods, once again.

- Basic, simple solutions provide an understandable platform for neighborhood success. Police
officers walking and biking the beat address quality of life issues that impede the rebuilding
process of our neighborhoods. These, also, need to be reinstated for our rebuilding process.

- Enforcement of the new panhandler ordinance and the introduction of tougher laws regarding
guns and drugs is also on my agenda for the future of the Ellicott District as well as the city,
overall.

Without "sweating the small stuff," without proactive and innovative solutions, without listening
to what has worked in the past from the mouths of our citizens, we can not recognize the safe,
secure future of our city. It is with this in mind that I wish to continue strong dialogue on a
neighborhood-to-neighborhood basis to create and redevelop the essential tools for public safety.

4) What three civil rights issues do you perceive to be the most important to the gay,
lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community? For each issue:

Page 6 of 13
 Brian C. Davis — Candidate for Reelection to Ellicott District Councilmember

1) Sexual Orientation in Jobs (Discrimination)

2) Protection of Gender Identity employees

3) Equal rights for domestic partners with proper criteria

a) Provide an example of specific action(s) you have previously taken, either as a public
official or as a private citizen, to bring about positive change relative to this issue; and

Regarding:

1) Sexual Orientation in Jobs (Discrimination)

2) Protection of Gender Identity employees

I have sponsored, enforced, or voted "Aye" on the following policies:

- The Civil Rights of employees' sexual orientation in job discrimination (Civil Rights law
enacted in 2000 — co-sponsored by my predecessor that I continue to enforce)

- Discrimination by a contractor working under a city contract (10/3/2000 — I continue to

enforce)

- Sexual orientation protection against discrimination in the city's employee handbook

(Sponsored by R LoTempio —passed 10/31/2000, before my tenure as councilmember, that I
continue to enforce)

- Gender Identity protection in the city employee handbook (Sponsored by B Davis, A

Thompson, BJ Grant and passed on 9/3/2002).

- A Gender Identity/Expression protection in job discrimination (Sponsored by B Davis, A

Thompson, BJ Grant and passed on 9/3/2002)

- Anti-discrimination policy amendment relating to fair housing that (4/18/2006 — Voted "Aye")

- Inclusion of sexual orientation in the discrimination guidelines for Resolution #10 — Requesting
New York State to Amend the Human Rights Law by Discrimination against Transgender
Individuals (5/2/2006 — VOTED "AYE")

- Pratt-Willert Revitalization Urban Renewal Plan Amendment inclusion of anti-discriminatory

sexual orientation practices (3/2/2007 — Voted "Aye")

- Franchise Agreement with Time-Warner inclusion of anti-discriminatory sexual orientation

practices (6/21/2007 — Voted "Aye")

Although I sponsored, voted "Aye," or enforced and supported these laws and ordinances during
my tenure as Ellicott District Councilmember, I also see the necessity to re-introduce an
ordinance that covers domestic partnerships for those individuals employed by our city.

Page 7of13
 Brian C. Davis — Candidate for Reelection to Ellicott District Councilmember

This issue is of great importance, not only to those employees it would directly affect, but also
the efficiency of our city government in creating a true employee-friendly atmosphere that would
transcend into more productivity in the workplace.

b) Specify what additional action(s) in regard to this issue you intend to propose if elected
to the office you seek

Research needs to be conducted in order to formulate the most acceptable resolution for all
parties. The research for this type of action includes domestic partner recognition, availability of
health and other insurances for the partner, and recognition of the partner as a "spouse" for all
events, whether business or social.

Proper wording and guidelines need to be set to assure the law or policy would be adhered to
without compromise. The definition of "partner" has to be structured to assure there truly is a
partnership between the two persons that make up this domestic unit for these initiatives to pass
through the legislative process. Utilizing definitions set by a major corporation has allowed for a
possible solution to this.

There already is policy set in the State of California and quite a few cities nationwide that can be
researched as models for this type of city policy. Utilizing resources as the Human Rights
Campaign Foundation and others like it can provide solid guidelines with which to write such a
resolution that could be amenable to all parties, including the lawmakers in our city. I already
have a volunteer who has begun this process.

5) Stonewall Democrats of WNY strongly believes that candidates have a responsibility to

provide voters with truthful, fair and clean campaigns for public office and to conduct
themselves in a manner conducive to a civil, issue - oriented debate with their fellow
candidates. Will you sign a written pledge to conduct your campaign accordingly?

Yes

6) I€ endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats of WNY, will you list the endorsement on all
applicable campaign literature (i.e., all literature listing any other endorsements)?

Yes
community
7) If endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats of WINY, will you attend a GLBT
forum to introduce endorsed candidates?

Yes

Page 8 of 13
 has no direct auUwrity in non-city legislative matters, of elected You will have the ability to
Although the oftke you seek ocials. Please inch ate Your support or opposition for:
ireiireetly intlu*n a the region's total, state and federal elected

S[mswa Dnnoc.ars 57 YT CRY 's1 CoegpiroAer 2007 ?iu (amtaha, pag 2

PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING PAGES FOR MORE COMPLETE ANSWERS TO

THIS SECTION. THANK YOU.

Page 9 of 13
 Brian C. Davis — Candidate for Reelection to Ellicott District Councilinember

jurisdiction of family courts and criminal courts, to former spouse whether or not living
together and unrelated persons who continually or at regular intervals reside in the same
household or have done so in the past, and persons who are or have been in a dating or
intimate relationship whether or not they have ever lived together.
SUPPORT

A 3496/51571 - Dignity For All Students Art- Enacts the "Dignity For All Students Act";
authorizes the commissioner of education to establish policies and procedures affording all
students in public schools an environment free of harassment and discrimination based on
actuator perceived race, national origin, ethnic group, religion, disability, sexual
orientation, gender or sex; requires reporting harassment and discrimination to such
commission; makes exemptions.
SIJ l'PORT

S 2800/A 4978 New York State Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) (Maltese/Seminerio):
Makes a marriage absolutely void if contracted by two Persons of the same sex.

I ask your indulgence in order to assure complete honesty and understanding of my response
below:
I unequivocally OPPOSE DOMA
Again, I believe it is of utmost importance to separate religious faith from the laws of NYS, not
only in this case, but under all legislation as our country had determined a need for the separation
of church and state as noted in the First Amendment.

Therefore, I would SUPPORT civil unions but, as a practicing Catholic, I would need to
redefine the wording and change the term of "marriage" in this particular bill to either the terms
of domestic partnership or civil union, thereby OPPOSING DOMA.

A 5845 — Workers Compensation Benefits for Domestic Partners (John) Includes domestic
partners in certain provisions concerning disability benefits and defines the term domestic
partner.
SUPPORT with provisions and definitions that clearly define the role of the partner*

A 2196 - Bereavement Leave for Domestic Partners (Glick): Provides that bereavement
leave be granted to individuals involved in same-sex relationships on the same basis as
those granted to employees who are married.
SUPPORT

A38691S2800 — Domestic Partnership (Glick): To provide legal status for domestic

partnerships and to extend provisions of laws that currently apply to spouses or next-of-kin
to domestic partners.
SUPPORT

Page 11 of 13
 Brian C. Davis — Candidate for Reelection to Ellicott District Councilmember
716-251-6576 COUCH-MbMbtk IAV15 F iL b5
07/05/2007 13:55

Ifyon are ru ingfar a legislative office, please indicate whether you would sponsor, co-sponsor, vote for and/or vote
agran,stthe following proposed city legislation. Ifyou ire rsrnatusfor a nun-Iegilhailne oee, please indicate whether you
would vote for or vote against the following proposed city legislation-

CITY L}IGGSLAUON SPONSOR CO-SPONSOR VOTE VOTE

FOR . A AINST
City FamilvLesve for Domestic Partt^rs;. , To provide
that £aunty leave be pcanted to iudividue a involved in
seine-sex rela tionships on the same basis as those
granted to employees who are atarried wider the federal
Family leave 4ct
City Domestic P rinershin Lesislation: To provide
legal status for domestic psr4ase8bips and to extend
provisions of laws that cur rently apply to spouses or
next-Of-kin to domestic srtnert.
City
Oereavetneui leave for domestic partners :
Provide that bereavement leave be granted to
individuals involved in sense-sex relationships on the
same basis as those granted to employees who are
teemed.

I attest that this questionnaire epresents my opinion of the issues on this queotion naiie:

Candidate's S.ignatum;

Date:

Please oonrplete the attached issues surveys, sign below and return the questionnaire, surveys and your
resurnd by July 16, 2007 to:

Stonewall Democrats of WNY Or fax to: (716)462-5052

P0 Sox 857
But alo, NY 14205-0857

QUESTIONS? Fot questions about the submittutg the questionnaire and securing an interview time, call David
(3ran►ville (716)440-0423, Jeffrey Tooke (716)9 1 2-8557 or Michael James (716)432-0691.

3io ceelltiemncnfls !IWT— Ct ty CoerrciYCo,,prro1ler X07 gaeefennailw page 3

PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING PAGES FOR MORE COMPLETE ANSWERS TO

THIS SECTION. THANK YOU.

Page 12 of 13
 Brian C. Davis — Candidate for Reelection to Ellicott District Councilmember

Again, Please Note:

There are many of the following bills that I would unequivocally support or oppose. However,
there are a few that need to be redefined to assure complete understanding of the issue/s.
Therefore, I respectfully submit the following rather than just "check off' without comment.

City Family Leave For Domestic Partners

To provide that family leave be granted to individuals involved in same-sex relationships
on the same basis as those granted to employees who are married under the federal Family
Leave Act.
VOTE, FOR/COSPONSOR with provisions and definitions
that clearly define the role of the partner*

City Domestic Partnership Legislation:

To provide legal status for domestic partnerships and to extend provisions of laws that
currently apply to spouses or next-of-kin to
domestic partners.
VOTE FOR/COSPONSOR with provisions and definitions
that clearly define the role of the partner*

City Bereavement Leave for Domestic Partners:

Provide that bereavement leave be granted to individuals involved in same-sex
relationships on the same basis as those granted to employees who are married.
VOTE FORICOSP NSOR with provisions and definitions
that clearly define the role of the partner*

Clearly defining the role of the partner involves assurances that the domestic partnership
truly exists. One corporation that has developed acceptable guidelines for their employees is
Hewlett-Packard. These guidelines include the following criteria:

- To be eligible for most benefits, employees must submit a declaration of domestic partnership
and meet the following criteria:

- There must be an ongoing and committed spouse-like relationship intended to exist indefinitely,
which has existed for at least six months,

- The partners are not related by blood to a degree of closeness that would prohibit legal
marriage in the state in which they reside,

- Both have shared the same residence for at least six months, are responsible to each other for
the direction and financial management of their household, and are jointly responsible for each
other's financial obligations.

Utilizing guidelines similar to these would allow for proper administration of this policy, if
acceptable by all other parties during a legislative review prior to the submission of a resolution.

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