March 20, 2005
Manhattan Priorities
The bids are in and the MTA must now decide which bidder will be awarded the opportunity to help shape the character of Manhattan's West Side for generations to come. A stadium is the wrong choice for Manhattan, and it's the wrong choice for the MTA.
We've been fighting this insane idea for nearly a year now, and last week marked a new step in that struggle.
Knowing that Manhattan has more important priorities than a 75,000 seat stadium at the intersection of the Port Authority and the Lincoln tunnel, Brian launched www.ManhattanPriorities.com, an online petition, calling on the Mayor to focus on these priorities – fixing our schools, creating new affordable housing, and supporting public transportation.
If you haven't already, please take a few seconds and sign the petition, and tell your friends about it.
John, E4M Policy Director
Posted by John at March 20, 2005 2:29 PM
March 13, 2005
Thank You!
Thank you to everyone for your generous support this fundraising cycle.
While we'll release the actual figures soon, it is safe to say that we have surpassed our ambitious goal of raising $50,000 in just the last two months!
This is a very strong showing and will show everyone the vibrancy of our campaign. It will also help to keep the positive momentum we're already experiencing going.
You did this, and we can't thank you enough.
Please come celebrate on March 22nd, as Diane von Furstenberg hosts Fashion for Ellner! Get your tickets here.
The Ellner for Manhattan Team
P.S. Stay tuned to the site over the coming weeks - as things really heat up we'll be updating frequently and adding some new features!
Posted by John at March 13, 2005 2:30 PM
March 8, 2005
A Note from Joe Trippi
Growing, multiplied by four.
I admit it. I am a tech geek at heart and I love to play with numbers. That is why after I started looking at this campaign, I realized that if you take matters into your own hands, Brian is on the verge of experiencing a campaign growth spurt.
With only 4 days left before the first quarter fundraising deadline, it is time to show the power of multiplication --and it all starts with you.
For those of you who don't know me, I am Joe Trippi. I managed Howard Dean's history-making presidential campaign, helping to turn an obscure governor from a small state like Vermont into nearly the Democratic nominee for President.
You are among the nearly 4,000 supporters that have already signed up to receive email news and updates about Brian's campaign to be our next Borough President of Manhattan. The power of one can do so much. Starting with you, this campaign has the opportunity to multiply itself by four in only a short period of time.
Between now and March 11th at midnight, every contribution up to $250 from a New York City resident gets matched 4 to 1 by the City.
www.brianellner.com/contribute
Think about it. If you send Brian $25, it becomes $125 -- $100 becomes $500 -- $250 becomes $1,250. The rate of return on such an important investment will even make Wall Street jealous. Hit the contribution button and see how we grow.
www.brianellner.com/contribute
And that's not all. Take it upon yourself to ask four of your friends to join us by signing up with their email address and encouraging them to make a contribution as well.
http://www.brianellner.com/main.cfm?actionId=userTellFriends
Not only will they add to our people power, but their first action of support will be to give this campaign a huge shot in the fundraising arm.
By joining together, there will be nothing that can stop us from achieving our ultimate goal of electing Brian.
The power of one has never seen such strength.
Joe Trippi
Posted by John at March 8, 2005 2:30 PM
March 1, 2005
Brian at Downtown Independent Democrats
Last night Brian, Ryan and I trekked through the snow for Brian's address before the Downtown Independent Democrats, the active club that focuses on issues affecting Lower Manhattan.
The meeting was held in the Hallmark at Battery Park City, so many of the buildings residents were in attendance as well. Despite the growing storm, attendance was strong and it was a great opportunity to meet new people.
This wasn't a forum, so Brian was able to talk for over thirty minutes, and he used the entire time to talk about the issues facing lower Manhattan – rebuilding at Ground Zero, ensuring adequate preservation and construction of affordable housing, protecting and expanding parks and better utilizing our waterfront. And as always, he railed against the stadium - because the effects of that completely misguided project will be felt in every corner of the borough, for many, many years to come.
A lot of the buildings residents were senior citizens, and Brian spoke at length about the challenges we face in expanding access to quality health care, dealing with the costs of prescription drugs and making the borough more accessible to residents with disabilities.
The questions were fantastic, and Brian entertained the crowd with stories about visiting his grandmother at her apartment on Rivington Street when he was a boy.
Overall Brian did a great job, and was very well-received, and we were able to stick around after the meeting ended to continue talking with club members and residents. I'm looking forward to going back to the Hallmark and doing another event!
As always, we'll keep you updated as to when Brian's speaking again.
John, E4M Policy Director
TONIGHT, Wednesday, March 2, Brian is speaking at the Democracy for America / DFNYC Meet-Up in the East Village. Come join us as we cheer on Brian! TONIGHT! 7PM at the Raven, an awesome bar at 194 Avenue A (@ 12th St.).
Posted by John at March 1, 2005 2:31 PM
February 18, 2005
Brian at BP Forum
Brian gave a great presentation last night at the wonderful Chelsea Reform Democratic Club, which held the first (of many to come) Borough President's forums.
We had a bunch of supporters with E4M stickers and homemade signs outside the meeting greeting people and telling them about Brian and the campaign.
All in all it was a great event, and the first opportunity for the community to directly ask questions to the BP candidates. (Of course it wasn't the first chance for the community to meet Brian – he's been campaigning throughout the Borough for a long time...)
Brian talked about the need to tackle the crisis of affordability, particularly with regards to housing, emphasizing working towards guaranteed 30% permanently affordable housing in all rezonings, saving rent-stabilization by repealing the Urstadt law, and using Battery Park City revenues as they were originally intended – to build affordable housing for low, moderate and middle income people. He also re-emphasized his opposition to the Stadium, and gave a passionate explanation of the City's continued failures to address the crystal meth crisis.
We'll let you know as more forums come up so you can come show your support for Brian.
In other news, the Independent Budget Office released their annual report on creative ways for the City to raise money. I certainly don't agree with all of them, but there's really interesting ideas. You can view it here, and then let us know which, if any, of those ideas you think should be adopted!
John, E4M Policy Director
Posted by John at February 18, 2005 2:32 PM
February 4, 2005
Landmark Decision-Gay Couples can Marry in New York!
Thrilling news breaking right now - New York State Supreme Court Justice Doris Ling-Cohan issued a decision just a little while ago saying that New York State must allow same-sex couples to marry - anything less is a violation of their equal rights guaranteed by the State Constitution.
Here's some press on the story and we'll update soon. Below is a statement from Brian on this momentous occasion.
"I join all New Yorkers who believe in fairness and equality in applauding today's historic decision by Justice Doris Ling-Cohan of the New York State Supreme Court.
"With this ruling, the court has acknowledged that, in depriving same-sex couples of the right to marriage and its corresponding security, protections and benefits, the State is depriving these individuals of their basic civil rights. This decision takes us one significant step closer to ensuring that the state Constitution's guarantee of equal rights applies to all New Yorkers, regardless of their sexual orientation.
"I have always believed in and championed the right of same-sex couples to marry, from providing free legal representation to Freedom to Marry to making marriage equality a key component of my campaign. This is a tremendous day for me and for every New Yorker who values equal rights and the New York State Constitution.
"In light of today's decision, I call upon the Mayor and the City Clerk to begin immediately issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in the City of New York."
John, E4M Policy Director
Posted by John at February 4, 2005 2:34 PM
On Today's Decision
As I hope you know by now, earlier this afternoon, a New York court ruled that same-sex couples must be allowed to marry in New York City.
The case was filed in March 2004 by Lamda Legal on behalf of five gay and lesbian couples, and the decision is a major milestone in the struggle for equal rights for all New Yorkers -- a centerpiece of our campaign.
I released the following statement shortly after the decision was issued:
"I join all New Yorkers who believe in fairness and equality in applauding today's historic decision by Justice Doris Ling-Cohan of the New York State Supreme Court.
"With this ruling, the court has acknowledged that, in depriving same-sex couples of the right to marriage and its corresponding security, protections and benefits, the State is depriving these individuals of their basic civil rights. This decision takes us one significant step closer to ensuring that the state Constitution's guarantee of equal rights applies to all New Yorkers, regardless of their sexual orientation.
"I have always believed in and championed the right of same-sex couples to marry, from providing free legal representation to Freedom to Marry to making marriage equality a key component of my campaign. This is a tremendous day for me and for every New Yorker who values equal rights and the New York State Constitution.
"In light of today's decision, I call upon the Mayor and the City Clerk to begin immediately issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in the City of New York."
The nation's eyes are now on our City. Rather than appealing this decision, the City should embrace it. This is a unique opportunity to take a stand for human rights. The Mayor should take the lead today and order the City Clerk to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Brian
Posted by John at February 4, 2005 2:33 PM
