The Feb 14 General Meeting Passed two Resolutions, Endorsed Two Judicial Candidates, Endorsed Candidate for Female District Leader for the 65th AD and Elected Judicial Delegates. Whew!
An epic Feb 14th General Meeting began with VID President David Siffert addressing Governor Cuomo’s proposed budget rule affecting grassroots organizations, requiring anyone giving over $500 to register as a lobbyist. He said we needed to be together and organized, and mentioned that Deborah Glick and Brad Hoylman were against it, and we needed to work with Deborah.
David introduced the Resolution in Support of Public Financing of Elections, which passed 26 in favor and 4 against, with one small amendment. Voted a second time, there were 35 in favor and one abstention.
This was followed by general discussion of the much longer Statement of Legislative Priorities, each of whose Parts passed, with amendments. The vote was Part I, 18 in favor, no opposed or abstentions. Part II, 23 in favor, no opposed or abstentions. For Part III, there were 15 in favor, no opposed or abstentions. On Part IV, 16 in favor, one opposed, no abstentions. Part V, 17 in favor, one opposed, no abstentions. Unanimously voted, Part VI, has 15 in favor, none opposed, no abstentions. Legislative priotities, Part VII, had 20 in favor, none opposed, no abstentions. Part VIII, 18 in favor, one opposed, no abstentions; Part IX, 19 in favor, no opposed or abstentions; Part X, 12 in favor, 10 opposed and three abstentions; Part XI, 20 in favor, no opposed or abstentions; And Part XII, 21 in favor, no opposed or abstentions.
Deborah Glick addressed the club, speaking of the many bills in progress, especially the Reproductive Health Act, a ban on conversion therapy, the Child Victims Act, voting rights, and a possible Dream Act. A discussion about the Governor’s attack on grassroots organizing followed, with David promising to send a letter to the Governor from VID on this topic.
Civil Court Endorsements
Now the Civil Court Judge candidates spoke. Eric Schumacher spoke but was not seeking an endorsement. Robert Rosenthal and Ashlee Crawford spoke, both seeking endorsement. Grace Park and Chris Chin also spoke, but were not seeking endorsements. Ashlee and Robert were both endorsed, Ashlee with 38 in favor, and Robert with 42 in favor.
NYS Senator Brad Hoylman acknowledges Jenn Hoppe as candidate for female District Leader to replace Keen Berger who has stepped down from the post.
District Leader Endorsement
Now District Leader Keen Berger spoke of her fourteen years as DL, and how VID now had two excellent candidates for female DL, Elissa Stein and Jen Hoppe. Elissa and Jen spoke, and a discussion followed. Jen won, 26 to 24 with one no endorse vote.
Arthur Schwartz spoke, asking for a VID endorsement for male DL. A spirited discussion followed, with a split vote, 24-24, meaning no endorsement.
The election of Judicial Delegates and Alternates now ensued, with Karla Moskowitz, Kelly Grace Price (alternate only), Sharon Woolums, Irene Kaufman, Kathy Slawinski, Allison Stowell, Jen Hoppe, Elissa Stein (alternate only), Ed Yutkowitz, Melissa Carty, Jonathan Geballe, Lois Rakoff, and Judith Jacobson nominated. The vote was:
Judicial Delegates
Jen 26
Allison 26
Irene 25
Jonathan 24
Judith 22
Alternates
Ed 21
Carla 21
Elissa 21
Kathy 21
Lois 19
Others
Sharon 17
Melissa 13
Grace 9
Other Business
Tiffany Hodges made a plea for volunteers for Ben Yee, candidate for Public Advocate.
Nat Johnson, of the Environmental Committee, announced a meeting Tuesday, with discussions on plastic bags and the climate, and a resource map.
Allison Stowell, of the Gun Reform Committee, announced a meeting March 5.
Full Meeting Minutes HERE.