(1) Annette Mont, Dean/DFA Linkup Host, Has Passed Away
DFNYC is sad to report the passing of our longtime Linkup host and grassroots Brooklyn political organizer Annette Mont. She lost her battle with cancer at the age of 71. Our thoughts are with her family; her husband Stuart Mont, her daughter Randi, her son Ira and daughter-in-law Jill, and her two grandchildren.
Annette volunteered for Howard Dean's presidential campaign, and when we first met her, we were impressed at her intelligence, her friendliness, her straightforward nature, and the wonderful community of progressives she was a part of in Sheepshead Bay. Annette and Estelle Glasser were the hosts of Meetups (Linkups) at Annette and Stuart Mont's home.
Annette had an impressive career helping children. She worked as a teacher, a guidance counselor and a child psychologist. For more about her life, please click here to visit our website, where we'll be posting a more detailed biography soon.
Annette was also a preserver of New York history. She and her husband lived in the Wyckoff-Bennett homestead, an original Dutch farmhouse in Brooklyn. Here is a short heartwarming video about the house with Stuart and Annette. One of the best lines: "For the record, I don't believe in the ghost."
Video - Annette & Stuart Mont in their historic home
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to these organizations:
Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
(2) Pride this Weekend - Celebrate the Supreme Court Ruling
~ March with our endorsed candidate, Yetta Kurland
LGBT Pride is this weekend! There are lots of events, and the march down 5th Avenue in Manhattan is on Sunday. March with our endorsed candidate in Council District 3, Yetta Kurland!
Yetta's campaign will be lined up on 40th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison. RSVP (not necessary, but helpful, even if you are a maybe) to Lenni at lenni.kelly1@gmail.com. When you arrive, look for the Yetta signs and stickers, or call 646-801-8190.
(3) Norman Siegel Reads the Bill of Rights on July 4th
~ July Linkup cancelled, join us in August
Every year, noted civil rights attorney and friend of DFNYC Norman Siegel reads the Bill of Rights at high noon on the 4th of July. Join Norman and fellow NYC progressives and civil libertarians for this unique tradition. Strawberry Fields in Central Park, near the entrance at West 72nd Street, picnic to follow.
(4) Howard Dean & Bill de Blasio, July 18th in Brooklyn!
Howard Dean is coming to Brooklyn for an event with Bill de Blasio!
Democracy for NYC was started by local Dean campaign volunteers, and we are very excited that Gov. Dean, a candidate who inspired so many of us to get involved in politics, will be in NYC to support our DFNYC-endorsed candidate for mayor, Bill de Blasio.
When: Thursday, July 18, 2013, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Where: The Crown Inn, 724 Franklin Avenue, in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn.
Subway: Take the 2/3/4/5 to Franklyn Avenue stop. For address-to-address directions, visit Hopstop.com
RSVP & Purchase Tickets, starting at $50: We are working with the De Blasio campaign to make this a fun event! The best way to RSVP is to purchase a ticket at http://blas.io/howarddean, or you can contact Hayley Prim at hayley@billdeblasio.com or (631) 902-5150.
(5) Hot Races: District 15 in the Bronx, Fordham University
There are several races going on in NYC this year, and we have listed some of the hot ones, with candidates and locations, at our website: click here! Know of a hot race that should be on our list? Email us at info@dfnyc.org.
15th District - Open Seat (Councilmember Joel Rivera is leaving.)
Bronx Neighborhoods:
Bathgate, Belmont, Crotona, Fordham, East Tremont, Van Nest and West Farms. Fordham University is in the district.
Candidates: (Big thanks to Decide NYC!)
Listed in alphabetical order by last name:
Kenny Agosto: District Leader, 80th Assembly District
Albert Alvarez: Chief of Staff to Majority Leader Joel Rivera
Raquel Batista: Consulting Attorney
Joel Bauza: Senior Pastor for Calvary Church East 174 St.
Joel Rivera: Vice Chair for Bronx Democratic Committee
Cynthia Thompkins: Founder and President of the Marion Ave Neighborhood Association
Ritchie Torres: Housing Director for Council Member Vacca
