Democrats for New Politics
P.O.Box 610483
Bayside, New York 11361
___________
Telephone (212) 809-2550
Facsimile (212) 943-0002
January 16, 2007
Dear Members,
HAPPY NEW YEAR! As I write this years Year-in-Review letter, Democrats for New Politics (“DNP”) is in a much better position than it was last year at this time. I believe we achieved most of our goals of 2006 and I very much look forward to increasing our progress in 2007 as we approach our 40th anniversary in 2008.
DNP had many achievements in 2006. DNP added motivated new members in 2006. We continued to work with other grass-roots organizations to educate our members and make our community a better place. As 2006 was a very pivotal election year, DNP was extremely active on the campaign trail as we campaigned for State Senate and U.S. Congressional candidates in 8 counties of New York State! DNP members proved that we are an organization of action as our campaign activities took us from Suffolk County on Long Island to Rochester, NY in western New York! I thank each and every one of our members that gave of their valuable time. Your efforts were rewarded on Election Night!
In 2006 DNP also found a new home at the Chabad Center of Northeast Queens in Bayside. The Chabad’s gracious hospitality has helped us move DNP forward and I want to thank them for all of their help.
That brings us to DNP’s plans for this year. In my year-end letter last year, I stated that there was a very good chance that all four state-wide elected offices, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General and Comptroller could be won by Democrats and that the Democrats have a legitimate chance to take control of the Senate and make New York the true “Blue State” that it should be. Well, all of our state-wide officials are now Democrats and the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are now Democratic. While DNP was out in the field helping Andrea Stewart-Cousins take a Republican seat in Westchester, the Senate Democrats failed to win the additional three seats needed to gain control of that body away from Joe Bruno’s corrupt Republicans.
As I write to you today, DNP is mobilizing to assist the State Senate Campaign of Craig Johnson in Nassau County’s 7th Senate District. Craig is competing in a Special Election on February 6th to fill the vacant seat of Republican Senator Michael Balboni who was picked by Governor Spitzer to serve as Director of Homeland Security of New York State. This is a chance to whittle the Republican control of the Senate down to two seats. It is also a chance to send Joe Bruno and the rest of the Republicans in Albany a message that the end is near!
In November, DNP awarded the 1st Annual William H. Mordhorst Memorial Award for Service to Our Community to long-time DNP member and friend Councilman Tony Avella at our annual dinner. It was great to see so many members and friends, both old and new, come out and celebrate our success and honor Bill Mordhorst. It was especially great to see the Mordhorst family.
DNP lost two long-time members in 2006. Beatrice Nash passed away last fall. In addition, earlier in the year, Rita Cassell passed away after a long illness. Rita was a founding member and former President of DNP. Rita was a tireless member of DNP and for many years Rita was DNP. We will miss both Beatrice and Rita and we will continue the work that they began many years ago.
I thank you for your past support of DNP and I ask for your additional support in 2007 and in 2008 when we finally take back the State Senate as well as the White House. I hope to see you at our next meeting on January 24th at 8 p.m. at the Chabad of Northeast Queens. In addition to our meeting, we will also be showing Al Gore’s movie “An Inconvenient Truth” which highlights the dangers that global warming presents to all of us.
Sincerely,
Steven
Anthony Behar
President