AT the age of 34, Democrat Kevin Parker became the youngest member of the New York State Senate when he was elected to represent the 21st electoral district of Brooklyn, New York.

And proving that age may just be a number, he told TnT Mirror, when he visited our offices on Monday, that his election gave a fresh outlook on State policies.

He said his youth gives him an edge in doing his job properly.

“As a younger person, I’m closer to the many issues that affect the people in the District,” he said.

“Issues such as gang violence, law enforcement and education -- to name a few -- are easier to deal with, as a younger person.”

Former TnT Mirror reporter GLENDA CADOGAN,
Communication Director of Senator PARKER’s
office; ANTHONY “Lexo” ALEXIS, Editor,
Sunday PUNCH; Senator KEVIN PARKER;
RAMJOHN ALI, Editor-in-Chief, TnT
Mirror; and GLENDA CARR, Chief
of Staff for State Senator 21st
District office .

When asked for his opinion on repetitive political platforms every five years, Senator Parker replied: “Young people and politics … it’s almost the same as the chicken-and-the-egg syndrome.

“Young people say they can’t enter politics because they’re not getting the opportunity, while the politician say the lack of youths signals a lack of participation.

“But you have to grab the bull by the horns,” he said, “be active in your community, organise yourselves politically and seek out the elections.”

Senator Parker said when he was the Project Manager for New York’s Urban Development Corporation, he financed many women -- and minority-owned businesses, while promoting community re-development.

The more than 300,000 constituents he represents make up largely immigrant communities as Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington and Boro Park.