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Volume XXI • Number 31 • July 31 - August 6, 2014 •
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Candidates compete for endorsements New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on Monday endorsed state Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/ Westchester) for reelection. “Jeff Klein has fought for the people of Westchester and the Bronx for years. Jeff has been a relentless advocate for the people of New York, fighting for common sense gun control and universal statewide pre-kindergarten. He is committed to getting results that improve the lives of everyday New Yorkers and I’m confident he will continue to be a strong partner in Albany to help move our state forward. Today, I’m proud to endorse Jeff Klein for reelection,” said Governor Cuomo. “Over the past four years, Governor Cuomo and I created government that works. Together, we passed four historic on time budgets, froze property taxes and generated jobs in this state. We delivered $300 million for full day universal pre-kindergarten in New York City without taxing residents, made our streets safer by enacting the toughest gun laws in the nation and protected our middle-class senior citizens by expanding SCRIE and EPIC eligibility. I’m proud to be his partner in government and honored to
have his endorsement,” said state Senator Klein. Koppell could take some comfort in the endorsement of the Amsterdam News which last week endorsed Oliver Koppell for the State Senate seat now held by Klein in the September primary. In endorsing Koppell, the paper expressed its thankfulness that there is an alternative to incumbent State Senator Jeff Klein who, it said, was responsible for the re-election of Dean Skelos as Senate Majority Leader and the deadlock in Albany, where the Senate has failed to pass a higher minimum wage, campaign finance reform, the women’s equality agenda, and the DREAM Act. By contrast, the paper cited Koppell’s outstanding legislative record as a State Assemblyman for 23 years, and the “Bottle Bill.” Typically, there was no discussion of the past twelve years Koppell served in the City Council, where critics felt that he was particularly ineffective, noted only for leading the effort to thwart the twice-expressed will of the voters in overturning term limits, and his endorsement of Republican Michael Bloomberg in 2009, ironically against former
Comptroller Bill Thompson, and African-American candidate. Koppell said, “It gives me great satisfaction to be endorsed by this important New York newspaper for my long history as a progressive Democrat dedicated to promoting legislation that is beneficial to all New Yorkers.” On Wednesday, July 23, 2014, the Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City also endorsed Koppell. Over 100 members were present for the endorsement. In announcing the club’s endorsement of Koppell, a representative said, “The Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City is proud to endorse Oliver Koppell in the race for the 34th Senate District seat. SDNYC has a history of standing up against those who want to limit our community’s success and growth. Oliver has shown he is a leader in his community, especially for the LGBT community during his time in the City Council. He’s running so we can move our communities forward and that’s just what our members and community in the 34th district need.” Founded in 1986, the Stonewall Democratic Club was the first and only citywide LGBT Democratic organization. This presti-
On Sunday, Council Member Andrew Cohen stood alongside Congressman Eliot Engel and hundreds of his neighbors at a rally in support of Israel in Seton Park. He also joined Congressman Engel at the New York Supports Israel rally outside of the United Nations on Monday to back his colleagues and their efforts to end the current conflict in the Middle East.
gious club continues to advocate and lobby for legislation that guarantees equality and fairness for the LGBT community. The club promotes its objectives by endorsing well-qualified candidates for city, state, and national office who support the political ideas, ideals, concerns, and priorities of the LGBT community in New York City and New York State. “I am gratified that the well-respected Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC has given me its endorsement in the belief that, as a staunch advocate of human rights, I will best represent the interests of the LGBT community in the State Legislature,” Koppell said. Meanwhile Senator Klein continues to exploit his institutional advantage in having the support of the Democratic Party leadership.“Latinas for Klein” launched their grassroots effort to reelect Senator Klein on Monday and hailed him as a leader on women and Latina issues. “State Senator Jeff Klein has shown true leadership, both in Albany and right here in The Bronx. On the DREAM Act, women’s is-
sues and more, Senator Klein has shown a deep commitment to the issues that matter to Latinas, and I am excited to stand with him today as we launch ‘Latinas for Klein.’ Senator Klein has built a broad coalition of support across his district and the entire state, and I am proud to be a part of that coalition as we work towards his victory in September,” said First Lady of The Bronx Hilda Diaz. “I had the pleasure of working with Senator Klein on the Latina Women’s Wellness Program. Senator Klein took the time to understand the needs of Latina health issues and has been supportive of their participation in health screenings and health education. I look forward to spreading the word about his great work to our fellow Latinas as we secure another victory for Senator Klein,” said Paloma Hernandez, President and CEO of UHP. “Through his leadership in the State Senate, our communities have benefited from programs that promote health, such as: The Wellness Program with Urban Health, The Teen Check the Continued on Page 2
New chief for Riverdale Y
The Riverdale YM-YWHA announced today that its board has selected (from among nearly 100 qualified applicants) Deann Forman as Chief Executive Officer, effective September 22nd. Forman has served as Chief Operating Officer of the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly NJ since 2011. “Everyone involved with the Riverdale Y is excited that Deann will be our Chief Executive Officer,” said Bradd Gold, President of the Riverdale Y!’s Board. “Deann’s experience, knowledge and energy will be hugely beneficial to the Y in the near and long term. “ Forman comes to the Riverdale Y! with more than 15 years of experience in non-profit management, the majority of which has been in the Jewish communal field. Early in her career, Deann spent several years working at the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, a UJA-Federation of New York affiliated agency. Directing the continental benchmarking initiative at JCC Association of North America followed. Forman consulted with lay and profes-
sional leadership on business operations, directed mission impact and staff and member engagement. Most recently, Deann has served as Chief Operating Officer of the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly, NJ, where she oversaw the day-to-day operations of an $18 million Jewish Community Center. Although she now lives in Continued on Page 3
Deann Forman