This is the last weekend to influence some very important elections. I will highlight four opportunities and I am hoping people will volunteer and/or post other opportunities.

1. The only close NY City Council race I am aware of needs your help. A Democrat is fighting to retain his seat in a Republican district in Brooklyn. Please help out. Working Families Party is supporting the Democratic candidate:

I am writing to tell you about an important race in Brooklyn - the re-election of Councilman Vinnie Gentile.

This race is the only truly contested seat in Brooklyn and is a major priority for the WFP. That's why we are mobilizing phonebanks in downtown Brooklyn and lower Manhattan as well as sending people to help with activities in the district (Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach).

Vinnie has consistently fought for the rights of working families and a fair budget for New York City. His opponent has gotten lots of help from the state Republican Party and has targeted him with a nasty negative campaign. His opponent's strategy is to capitalize on Bloomberg's popularity and get people to continue voting down the Republican ticket.

The way I see it, losing this seat would have a negative impact on national politics. It would aid the re-election efforts of Republican Congressman Vito Fossella, since Vito's congressional district encompasses a large part of Vinnie's council district. Defeating Republican members of Congress is extremely important to all of us next year.

This race is awfully close. It could come down to a handful of votes. We are very worried because of the major Republican and Conservative resources being mobilized against Vinnie. In order to keep this ally in City Hall and to stop the Republicans in their tracks, WE NEED YOUR HELP! Contact: Margarita Hernandez
718-222-3796
mhernandez@workingfamiliesparty.org

2. A very important election is happening in Ohio, one that could effect the future of the nation. This weekend is the last chance for you to phonebank to Ohio to help make elections fair in Ohio:

Were you outraged by reports of 8-hour lines at Ohio polling places in 2004? Or the fact that Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell was both co-Chair of the Bush-Cheney state campaign and Ohio's top election official?

This is your last chance to take action.

Please give a couple of hours at our phone bank this weekend. We'll be calling Democratic and Independent voters in Ohio to make sure they vote "yes" on Issues 2, 3, 4, and 5, which are crucial ballot measures to help reform that state's corrupt political system, on November 8th.

Opponents of reform (the far right and corporate interests) are spending more than $10 million on ads to confuse Ohio voters. As a result, polls show Ohioans split right down the middle on these measures.

If you were angered by what happened in Ohio, now is the time to stand up and take concrete action.

Where: 11 Park Place, Suite 814, between Broadway and Church St.

When: Saturday, 11/5, and Sunday, 11/6

Hours: 1 PM - 6 PM

RSVP or more info: ACTNewYork@gmail.com

Please bring a fully charged cell phone and charger. Or mention in your RSVP if you'll need to borrow a cell phone.

As a reminder, Issues 2, 3, 4, and 5 will: (2) make it easier for Ohioans to vote early; (3) limit big money campaign contributions; (4) take away the power to draw legislative districts from politicians; and (5) create a bi-partisan Board of Supervisors to oversee the state's elections (instead of partisan officials). You can find more info on the measures at www.reformohionow.org.

3. Mayor's race: several options

a. Joy and I want to do some flyering this weekend in Brooklyn either at the 3rd Ave. entrance to Prospect Park and/or at mile 8 of the Marathon on Sunday. Please join us if you can. Let us know so we can arrange to meet and can get enough materials from CBID or IND to hand out and maybe get some signs to hold.

b. If I can, I plan on stopping by to see Freddy and Letitia James Friday morning, November 4th from 7-8:15AM at the 4th Av./Pacific St. entrance of the Atlantic Terminal. Anyone care to join us?

c. Don't forget the Major OwensFerrer motorcade for Ferrer through portions of the 11th Congressional District on Saturday, November 5, starting at 12 noon. Participants should gather at 761 Washington Avenue at 11:30 am. What we need are cars with drivers (and Ferrer posters on them) and people to assist with literature distribution during the motorcade."

d. For anyone who can't make the above Ferrer evnts (which are very Brooklyn-centric) contact your local Ferrer HQ...or phone bank for Ohio reform or go to Bay Ridge to keep that Council seat blue.

MANHATTAN

Below 96th Street
14 East 38th Street, 3rd Floor
(btwn. Fifth and Madison Aves.)
Contact:
Jeremy Wilson (212) 363-0892

East Harlem
181 East 108th Street
(btwn. Lex & Third Ave)
Directions: 6 train to 110th Street
Contact:
Samuel Delgado (212) 684-2005

Washington Heights
612 West 178th Street, 2nd Floor #22 (btwn. Wadsworth & St. Nicholas)
Directions: A train to 175th Street
Contact:
Carmen Perez (646) 418-7402

BRONX

Bronx County Democratic Headquarters
135 Westchester Square
Directions: 6 train to Westchester Sq.
Contact:
Gustavo Rivera (646) 643-4306
Andy King (917) 690-2217

STATEN ISLAND

1282 Richmond Road (btwn. Mark Street & Newberry Ave)
Contacts:
Eric Richardson (646) 256-4854
Bob Oliveri (917) 697-7798

BROOKLYN

Bed-Stuy
Unity Democratic Club
203 Ralph Avenue (at Decatur Street)
Directions: A, C train to Ralph Avenue
Contacts:
Cleveland Beckett (917) 771-3853
A. Robert Brown (917) 690-8792

Bushwick/Williamsburg
Pueblo Democratic Club
32 Varet Street
(btwn. Manhattan & Graham Ave)
Directions: J, M train to Flushing Ave. Walk North 3 blocks on Graham,
left on Varet St.
Contacts:
Paul Thomas (917) 754-3631
Pierre Devaud (917) 656-1830

Sunset Park
505 59th Street, 2nd Floor
(Corner of 5th Avenue)
Contact:
Horacio Gutierrez
(917) 270-8954

QUEENS

Corona
40-53 99th Street (at Shore Road)
Directions: 7 train to Junction Blvd. Walk east on Roosevelt Ave, right
on 99th Street.
Contacts:
Corey Bearak (516) 343-6207
Matt Farrell (646) 263-1699

Southeast
Guy Brewer Club
197-01 Linden Blvd (at 197th Street)
Directions: Take E, J train to Parsons Archer stop, from there take Q4
bus to Linden Blvd
Contacts:
Jonathan Ettricks (347) 993-5952
Ruben Wills (516) 860-4929

4. Finally, looking beyond these elections, here is a rally Monday for verified voting:

Come to the Manhattan press conference. For those in the New York City area, NYVV.org and the NYS League of Women Voters are holding a press conference on the steps of City Hall the same day as the Rally in Albany.

NYC Press Conference for Paper Ballots
Location: City Hall Steps, New York, NY
Date: Monday, November
Time: 11:15am

Take Action Today - Tell a friend about the rallies! Visit the VerifiedVoting.org Action Center at http://www.demaction.org/dia/organizations/vevo/tellafriend.jsp?tell_a_f...

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