September 2017 Staten Island Democratic Association est as Staten Island s reform Democratic Club At our Next Meeting:

Transcription

1 September 2017 Staten Island Democratic Association est as Staten Island s reform Democratic Club At our Next Meeting: Speakers have been invited to guide discussions on the following topics: #NYSConstitutionalConvention #DefendingDACA Tuesday, September 19, 2017, 8:00 P.M. Daddy O s, 181 Bay Street S.I.D.A. September 2017 Page 1

2 Editorial Policy Items for publication should be submitted to the newsletter no later than the last Friday of the month before the meeting. Please send items to: Unless explicitly stated, the views herein are those of the authors and not of S.I.D.A. Chris Bauer, Editor (917) Table of Contents Elizabeth Bettye McCombs...3 President s Statement...4 August 2017 Minutes...5 Constitutional Convention Ballot Question...7 Staten Island Women s Political Caucus...7 S.I.D.A. Anniversary Banquet...8 Banquet Response Card...9 Democratic Committee of Richmond County Gala...10 Upcoming Meetings...11 Renewal Form...11 I hold it, that a little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms are in the physical. - Thomas Jefferson 1787 Submission Deadlines for the newsletter are: October... October 2 November... November 6 December... December 4 S.I.D.A. Executive Committee President... Bobby Digi Member at-large... Clara Ogburn Vice President... Bryan Ellicott Member at-large... Liz Price Executive Secretary... Dennis Brown Ex Officio...Michelle Akyempong Corresponding & Ex Officio... Belinda Dixon Recording Secretary... Marie Dwyer Ex Officio... Joann Olbrich Treasurer... Bonita Rothman Ex Officio... Rosemarie Mangano Social Secretary...Sharon Santana Ex Officio... John Mastellone Member at-large... Pearl Minsky Ex Officio... John Sollazzo Member at-large... Radhakrishna Mohan Ex Officio... Tom Shcherbenko Member at-large... Roy Moskowitz S.I.D.A. September 2017 Page 2

3 Elizabeth Bettye McCombs March 6, 1931 September 6, 2017 S.I.D.A. September 2017 Page 3

4 President s Statement This month s President s Statement is a guest column by Cesar Vargas, Esq., Co-Director of the Dream Action Coalition September 2017 L ast week, President Trump rescinded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that many immigrants who came to the country as children rely on. DACA was created under former President Obama granting some protection against deportation, work authorization, and a Social Security number that allowed me and more than other 100,000 DACA recipients in New York State to obtain driver s licenses. The termination of DACA would revoke these protections. I could likely lose my law license. As New York s first Dreamer to be admitted, and proud Staten Islander, I am committed to ensure the American Dream does not close for Dreamers. That is why I am calling on our allies to press the governor to take immediate executive action to secure some crucial protections. While states can t issue work permits, Cuomo does have the power to preserve and grant driver licenses to Dreamers and New York State residents, regardless of their immigration status. Currently, 12 states (California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Vermont and Washington) and the District of Columbia enacted laws to allow undocumented immigrants to obtain a driver s license. With access to driver s licenses, undocumented drivers will learn the rules of the road, purchase auto insurance and register their vehicles lowering insurance premiums and decrease the number of accidents involving uninsured motorists. A New York City Comptroller s report found that granting licenses would facilitate open interaction between the immigrant community and police officers, thus strengthening public safety through community ties. - Cesar Vargas Co-Director Dream Action Coalition S.I.D.A. September 2017 Page 4

5 August 2017 Minutes P General Meeting August 15, 2017 Daddy Os resident Digi called the meeting to order at 8:30 p.m. at Daddy O s BBQ and Sports Bar. Endorsement Vote He reminded members that we would holding the endorsement vote for Democratic candidates running for the citywide races of Mayor, Comptroller, and Public Advocate and for District Leaders running for Ex-Officio positions. Pearl Minsky, Sally Jones, and Paul Skublinsky volunteered to count the ballots. Roy Moskowitz made a motion to close the ballots at 9:00 p.m. Chris Bauer seconded the motion, and the motion carried. Vice President s Report Vice President Bryan Ellicott presented members with highlights from the most recent Executive Committee meeting held on July 27. Clara Ogburn reported that Steve Harrison will present a draft of his issues paper on the Electoral College at an upcoming meeting. Bryan reminded members that they are welcome to attend Executive Committee meetings held one week after the General meeting on Thursdays at Canvas 150 Victory Boulevard. Treasurer s Report Treasurer Bonnie Rothman provided members with the Treasurer s Report Social Secretary s Report Social Secretary Sharon Santana announced that members should have received their invitation to the annual banquet scheduled for September 28 at the Crystal Room. She also mentioned that all the honorees were sent a letter which she hopes will bring in ads and tickets. Sharon encouraged members to send in their checks for tickets and journal ads. President Digi announced that he has additional invitations available for anyone who needs them. Campaigns President Digi also mentioned that S.I.D.A. has endorsed several candidates and he urged members to get active to help these candidates with their campaigns. Selena Gray, Debi Rose s Campaign Manager, announced that they are looking for volunteers to help make phone calls, or to host a house party for Councilwoman Rose. She added that the headquarters is located at 47 Broad Street (Off Bay Street). President Digi asked members interested in hosting house parties to give their name and phone number to Bryan Ellicott. Rich Florentino, Candidate for City Council provided members with an update on his campaign. He also announced that there will be a meet and greet on August 17 at Jimmy Max. Rich mentioned that he has been speaking to small businesses and he needs people to help put literature in stores and help with future phone banks. Richard, an engineer by profession, told members he is trying to get his message out to the community which he thinks resonates. Tom Shcherbenko, candidate for Staten Island Borough President, announced that Verna Campbell will be having a birthday party and meet and greet in support of his candidacy on S.I.D.A. September 2017 Page 5

6 August 25 at her home. Tom also urged members to consider hosting house parties to get people excited about progressive politics. President Digi announced that Dylan Schwartz, candidate for the South Shore City Council seat, was unable to attend the meeting tonight due to the fact that he was having a town hall meeting. Bryan Ellicott read a statement from Dylan. He mentioned that Dylan is looking for volunteers to do phone banking at his headquarters located at 55 Lindenwood Road. He also mentioned that the campaign will do canvassing on Saturday and Sunday. Bryan mentioned that he will sending information about the campaign by . President Digi welcomed new S.I.D.A. member Phil Marius. He also acknowledged some visitors from N.Y.U. and told them that S.I.D.A. is the progressive arm of the Democratic party. President Digi also acknowledged Membership Director Mohan. Endorsement Vote Results Pearl Minsky presented the results of the endorsement votes: Mayor *Bill de Blasio...17 Sal Albanese...6 No Endorsement...1 Public Advocate *Letitia "Tish" James...25 David Eisenbach...0 No Endorsement...0 Comptroller *Scott Stringer...23 No Endorsement...1 District Leaders *Joann Olbrich...21 *Rosemarie Magnano...19 *John Mastellone...14 No Endorsement...3 * Denotes endorsed candidate New Business Joann Olbrich mentioned that Ann Fanciullo asked if S.I.D.A. would consider taking a ½ page ad for $75 in Preservation League of Staten Island journal. After some discussion President Digi mentioned that the club will have to consider taking the ad next time. Roy announced that he and his wife Ann Moskowitz are being honored at their temple B'nai Jeshurun. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Marie Dwyer Corresponding & Recording Secretary S.I.D.A. September 2017 Page 6

7 Constitutional Convention Ballot Question W e will have guest speakers lead a discussion on the Constitutional Convention question on the ballot this November. The following explanation of the question was taken from BallotPedia. New York Proposal 1, the Constitutional Convention Question, is on the ballot in New York as an automatic ballot referral on November 7, A "yes" vote supports holding a constitutional convention to develop and propose changes to the state constitution that voters would vote on at the election on November 5, A "no" vote opposes holding a constitutional convention to develop and propose changes to the state constitution that voters would vote on at the election on November 5, Section 2 of Article XIX of the New York Constitution provides for the automatic referral of a constitutional convention question every 20 years, including in Staten Island Women s Political Caucus S.I.D.A. September 2017 Page 7

8 S.I.D.A. Anniversary Banquet S.I.D.A. September 2017 Page 8

9 S.I.D.A. Anniversary Banquet Response Card S.I.D.A. September 2017 Page 9

10 Democratic Committee of Richmond County Gala For questions please contact Democratic H.Q. at (718) or Sharona at Buy tickets on-line at: S.I.D.A. September 2017 Page 10

11 September 19, 2017 General Meeting 8:00p.m. General Meeting, 8:00p.m. Daddy O s, 181 Bay Street `Discussion: #NYSConstitutionalConvention Discussion: #DefendingDACA October 17, 2017 General Meeting 8:00p.m. General Meeting, 8:00p.m. Meeting Site TBD Speaker TBD Nominating Committee Election It s Time to Join or Renew Your S.I.D.A. Membership! To become a member, renew membership, or make a donation, call Bonita Rothman at (917) , or complete and return the coupon. Voting privileges begin 45 days after joining DUES DONATION $25 - Family $5 $20 - Individual $50 $15 - Senior, Student, or Unemployed $100 Other Check (payable to: S.I.D.A.) Cash I understand SIDA is a Democratic Party club. I (or we, if this is a Family Membership) am (are) at least 17 years of age and an enrolled Democrat, or intend to enroll as a Democrat upon becoming eligible. Signature Name(s) Address Apt # City State Zip Phone Make checks payable S.I.D.A. to S.I.D.A. and send to: P.O. Box Staten Island, NY For internal use only: Comp: Received $: Deposited $: Entered Sht: Computer: S.I.D.A. September 2017 Page 11