I and 49 other independent and independent leaning voters and candidates attended The Independence Party of Richmond County's Sixth Annual Chairman's Reception Sunday, September 13th, 2009 at Ruddy & Dean's Restaurant.
Among them were Borough President Jim Molinaro, Congressman Mike McMahon, Councilmembers' Kenneth Mitchell and James Oddo, Justice Phililp Minardo and North Shore Civil Court candidate Lindy Marrazzo.
Executive Committee members delivered a report on the growth of the party in Staten Island citing a 33% increase in party members over the last 2 years. The program also included a letter from Mayor Bloomberg which read in part: "Independents are the fastest-growing bloc of voters in our City: I should know, because I'm now one of them! And over the next two months, I hope you'll join me in working to make history on November 3rd - by electing New York City's first-ever independent mayor! That would be a victory for all independents, and it would allow us to continue our work to build a more open and inclusive democratic process, a more effective and successful government, and a stronger and safer City."
In her remarks County Chair Sarah Lyons said that the Independence Party was in a unique position this year with two independents, Bloomberg and Molinaro, running at the top of the party's line. "We wanted to break the mold and build a genuinely independent party - not one that belonged to either the Democratic or Republican parties. We've accomplished that. We're Column "C" on the ballot and the "C" stands for community because that's who's made this party a success -- people from the diverse communities that make up Staten Island and New York City -- from the most privileged communities to the poorest. Now it's time to put all we've built to use and pull out a big vote on election day for the Bloomberg/Molinaro ticket. Not only are they both independents, they have track records of putting partisan interests aside to get things done. That's what being independent means - putting community first."
Borough President Jim Molinaro spoke of his long history of crossing party lines in order to support what he felt was the best candidate and of his initiative to bring together the four other Borough presidents on a regular basis. "I believe in doing a coalitional style of politics. That's what I've always done and that's what I'll continue to do."
Dr. Lenora Fulani, a founder and builder of the Independence Party, remarked "One of the ways that the Independence Party broke the mold is we built a party from the bottom up rather than from the top down. Not all independents agreed with that. No one has fought harder for grassroots democracy inside the party than all of you in Staten Island. You inspire me."
Michael H. Drucker
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1 comment:
Great post Mike! Thanks!!
NH
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