Star of Brooklyn: Jacob Gold

JACOB GOLD

DEMOCRATIC DISTRICT LEADER, 44thAD

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: With a district covering Midwood, Ditmas Park and Flatbush, Democratic District Leader Jacob Gold likes think of himself as a reformer. And, by reform, he means making the Democratic Party more responsive to the people.

One of the many things he has done to make sure that the party is helping people was lending a hand in extending the voting time from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. He was also involved with efforts to bring about campaign finance matching funds, to enable less wealthy candidates to run for office on a level playing field.

Siding with tenants, he was also involved with housing issues, In addition, he has worked to improve the quality of judges. “There was a point in time when judges were appointed,” Gold said. “We fought to get judges elected.”

MOTIVATION: As a young reformer living in Flatbush, Gold was a delegate to the Democratic Convention in 1982. “I got to like it and then when the opportunity came, my predecessor became a judge and I got the opposite: I got the Democratic Party,” Gold recalled.

GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: “Having two wonderful kids,” said Gold.

OBSTACLES: For starters, Gold noted, “I speak with an accent. I was not born in the U.S. so my accent is part Polish.” Secondly, “People resent us, especially when we work on behalf of tenants,” Gold noted. “Homeowners and landlords call us names.”

PROFESSIONAL LIFE: The Brooklyn College graduate was an educator for 32 years. He was a social studies teacher in the daytime and was involved with after school at night. He also opened up his own real estate agency 25 years ago called Jacob Gold Realty, Inc.

PERSONAL LIFE: Gold has been married for over 42 years and resides in Ditmas Park.