Day of Action at Washington Square Park
VID Moves Progressive Agendas with a host of initiatives
At the April 13th meeting, President Erik Coler, Voter Outreach Chairs Tony Hoffmann and Laurie Hardjowirago and Environment Committee Chair confirmed that VID moves progressive agendas.
Nat Johnson, of the Environmental Committee, reported on their three major projects:
One is the VID Resolution passed by the Executive Committee promoting curbside compost pickup. He read this to the membership and it was passed unanimously.
Second is a thank-you letter to the Governor for forming the plastic bag recycle task force. He said Cuomo had proposed an energy initiative to build renewable energy sources for New York State, and he wants to invite Richard Kaufman, NY’s “energy czar” to explain.
Thirdly is preparation for the Earth Day celebration, April 22 at Foley Square [see calendar]. The next meeting of the Environmental Committee will be on the 19th. Erik Bottcher mentioned that buses would be leaving New York on the April 29th for the Climate March in DC. [see calendar].
Tony Hoffmann, who is on the Campaign Committee, reported on the success of the candidate’s forum, where candidates for the City Council Districts 1, 2, and 3 spoke, along with the two District Leaders, running unopposed. This was co-sponsored by the Jim Owles Club and VRDC, with a standing room only crowd of 125 people. The next forum, for Mayor, Controller, Public Advocate, and District Attorney, will be held May 2 at the LGBT Center. This will be co-sponsored by VID, VRDC, CRD, DID, CoDA, and the Jim Owles Club. He also announced the upcoming Jane Street Block Association Street Fair, to be held June 3.
Tony also spoke about the importance of County Committee candidates, the grassroots level of the Democratic Party, and urged people to run for this committee. There followed a lengthy discussion about how to qualify and run.
Erik Coler, VID President, continues the committment for VID moves progressive agendas in discussing the Day of Action and how successful it was, giving credit to Laurie Hardjowirogo. He wants to build it into something bigger, and proposed a Trivia Night. He will follow up on this idea.
On the Affordable Housing front, Erik commended Marlene Nadle on her letter opposing the renewal of the 421-a tax abatement. (Unfortunately, it was passed.) He stated the J-51 tax credit should be for 100% affordable housing, but this is not enforced. The Committee has located four buildings where tenants have been illegally destabilized, and said so far thirteen tenants have signed on for a retainer to fight the situation. Erik stated the law has been reactive rather than proactive and must change.
Erik also read the resolution from the Voter Reform Committee endorsing Eric Schneiderman’s New York Votes Act, proposing early voting, same day registration, same day primaries, and other reforms. This resolution was passed by the membership, unanimously.
Nadine Hoffmann reported on plans for the Gala, to be held April 27 at Tio Pepe. Honorees are to be Shino Tanakawa, an education advocate, pro public education, who was also very active for years in the creation of the 75 Morton Street school, staff from the National Parks Conservancy for their role in establishing the Stonewall National Monument, and three pro-immigrant organizations, the NY Immigrant Coalition, the International Refugee Assistance Project, and Make the Road, all active against the travel ban. Also to be honored will be member Tony Hoffmann for his valuable contributions to the club.
You can read the full minutes of the April 13th meeting HERE