Current Riverwest Neighborhood Association chair Sura Faraj jumped into the race for third district alderman. After incumbent Ald. Mike D’Amato announced last week that he will not seek reelection in the spring, Faraj said she feels she can focus more on defining herself as a candidate instead of comparing herself with D’Amato. The Post asked Faraj further about her perspective about the race and the office.

Nicole Arata: What experience does an alderman need that other candidates do not have? Sura Faraj: Well, besides being the RNA chair, which is an elected position, I was a founder for the Riverwest Co-Op and the Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender Center in Milwaukee. I also was a small business owner for a wholesale bakery on the Eastside. I have more varied experienced than my opponents.

NA: What do you hope to accomplish?
SF: I have a vision of working together, the community and government, with more community involvement. The Eastside, Riverwest and Brady Street areas are all vibrant areas of Milwaukee that should be leading the city, not following.

NA: What issues do you want to focus on?
SF: The two issues that concern me are safety and development issues. Attention needs to be served to the safety concerns of the community. Employ more beat and bike cops in the neighborhoods. Milwaukee needs to examine the hyper segregation in the city because that does not help crime rates when 59 percent of African American men are unemployed. Community development needs to work for the people. There have been too many backdoor deals. I am not going to let that happen. Milwaukee can even become a leader for sustainability for environmental zoning codes and renewable energy options for homeowners and renters.

NA: How do you plan to reach out to the students?
SF: One thing is I hired Laura Hetland, a student who is my campaign coordinator. I talked with student groups and listen to student concerns. I know there are tensions with student-neighbor relations. I want to help build a community together. I think UWM should offer classes on community relations.

NA: How does D’Amato not running change your strategy?
SF: With D’Amato out of the race, I can focus on my vision, instead of contrasting myself with the incumbent.

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