VID’s April Membership Meeting covered petitioning results, Candles for Clemency, the AIM Pipeline, 45 Rivington St. AND endorsements for NYS candidates.
The meeting opened with a reminder from President Nadine Hoffmann about the Hillary fundraiser on May 12 cosponsored by Renee Feinberg at 303 Mercer. A vote was taken to support the Washington Square Park Music Festival fundraiser on May 8 at the Greenwich Village Music School. Nadine further reported that former member and supporter Marilyn Appelson remembered VID in her will.
Tony Hoffmann of the Campaign Committee thanked everyone who participated in the petitioning effort reporting that VID had secured 700 signatures for Jerrold Nadler, more, he thought, than any other club. A hundred signatures were secured for Carolyn Maloney. On other business, Tony shared that The Candles for Clemency campaign was thinking about sending a few people to the Governor’s house in Mt. Kisco to picket on a weekly basis because it would be more effective.
Nat Johnson had postcards protesting the AIM pipeline, to be sent to the Governor.
Then, the endorsements:
State Senator Brad Hoylman, running unopposed in the 27 SD, had several people speak in his favor and was eventually unanimously endorsed by acclamation.
In the Assembly, where the incumbent, Deborah Glick, was running against challenger Arthur Schwartz, required a ballot, which Glick won, 30 in favor and one abstention.
State Committeewoman/66 AD Rachel Lavine was unopposed, and after discussion was unanimously endorsed by acclamation.
The State Committeeman/66 AD was sought by four candidates; Deley Gazinelli, Dodge Landesman, John Scott, and Benjamin Yee. There was much discussion and many testimonials for each candidate, but Ben Yee ultimately won. The vote was: Deley 3, Dodge 4, John 4, and Ben 24, with one no endorsement.
Following the candidate endorsements was a call for the club endorsement of the March for a Clean Energy Revolution, to be held in Philadelphia on July 24, the day before the Democratic Convention. After discussion, the motion passed by a vote of 21 in favor, 4 against and two abstentions.
Last on the agenda for the April Membership Meeting was a resolution regarding the City’s sale of 45 Rivington Street with a restrictive covenant for nonprofit use to a private developer planing to build condos on the property. The resolution had previously been passed by the Downtown Independent Democrats. There was much discussion about what exactly should be done, with a final agreement to sign on to the resolution, with letters to be sent to Councilmembers Rosie Mendez, Corey Johnson, Margaret Chin, Allure (the firm to which the City sold the rights) and possibly others. This was passed by the members unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned, in time for everyone to watch the Democratic Presidential Debate.