Manhattan, NY Focus

Sean Coffey, a Dark Horse candidate for Attorney General who seems to be gaining some real momentum, has taken a big step towards full transparency in government: he has released his unredacted financial disclosure forms for the public to see. I think this is a very good thing for a campaign to do: (wonder if any of the other campaigns will follow Coffey's lead)

COFFEY FIRST AG CANDIDATE TO RELEASE UNREDACTED FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE FORMS
July 16, 2010

Memorandum

To: Interested Parties
Fr: Tammy Sun, Coffey Campaign
Date: July 16, 2010
Re: Sean Coffey Unredacted Financial Disclosures

Attached please find an unredacted version of Sean Coffey’s financial disclosure form, which was timely submitted to the New York State Commission on Public Integrity last month. The CPI has made a redacted copy of Sean’s form available on its website. While it is not legally required for candidates to provide an unredacted version of these documents to the public, Sean has made this entire form available as an extra step towards transparency.

We believe that Sean is the first and to date only Attorney General candidate to make his complete form available to the public.

Click to download Sean's Unredacted Financial Disclosures. [PDF]

Reform the NY State Senate:

I have put together a NY State Senate Act Blue Page that targets some key State Senate races, including two Bronx races. These are ones where I have some insight into the candidates. I am open to more suggestions for races to target. I ask you to pick one or two of these races and give even $5-10 if you can. If we win even just three of these seats, it will make a difference in Albany.


GRASSROOTS NYC: This is an organization founded by fellow Daily Gotham blogger and DFNYC activist Dan Jacoby.

GrassrootsNYC was created to provide a new method for generating real government reform in New York City. Instead of the old-fashioned method of fighting for reform (and usually not getting much done), GrassrootsNYC aims to leverage the power of tens of thousands of reform-minded New Yorkers to force our government to work for us - the way our Founding Fathers intended government to work.

This is a real chance for you to get involved in reforming our political system from the bottom up. To find out more, visit GrassrootsNYC's website and sign up for updates.


NYC Blogs:

SoHo Politics: A resident's perspective on local politics in downtown Manhattan.

City Hall News provides the substantive analysis of policy and politics often missing in other coverage.

Second Ave. Sagas is the home for all news MTA on the Internet.

Washington Square Park Blog updates on Washington Sq Pk and other NYC issues while advocating for reclaiming our city and our public spaces.


MANHATTAN YOUNG DEMOCRATS:

We’re here to welcome you to the New York City political scene. Whether you were a first-time voter in the last presidential election or you consider yourself a political guru, MYD’s purpose is to welcome, inspire, educate, and activate the youth of New York City.

Meet MYD: Manhattan Young Democrats from Shannon Manning on Vimeo.

Join the Manhattan Young Democrats and get involved–it’s the next step.

Live Like a Liberal – One Step at a Time: This comes from the Manhattan Young Democrats

Recently, Living Liberally Co-Founder, 2009 MYD Young Gets It Done Winner, 2010 New Leaders Council 40 Under 40 Winner, and NLC Mentor (to me) Justin Krebs’ latest book “538 Ways to Live Work and Play like a Liberal” hit the shelves (buy it on Amazon HERE).

I’m reading the book now (I’m on #391 Add the Little Prince to your children’s reading list, or read it aloud), it’s a quick witty list of practical and important ways to change your day to day life to live more progressively. Small things like turning off the tv for a second and reading a magazine, requesting books at your local library and putting your chargers on a power strip that can be turned on and off are simple changes that we all should be doing. Broader, more interesting ideas are to be involved in your community, say hello to your neighbors and make your neighborhood a better place to live by being a better participant. In NYC especially it’s easy to keep your head down and not talk to people, but imagine for a minute looking up and engaging. Personally, I’ve started waving to the owner of my local deli every night when I get home, which makes me feel safer when it’s later at night. I’ve started talking to the teenagers on my block. Turns out they’re a creative bunch of kids with keen interests in music and art. Not bad for my tiny corner of the city!

Justin’s book is getting national attention and was recently reviewed by the conservative blog, The Weekly Standard (HERE). Sure, most of the review is tongue in cheek, but it’s worthy of note that the author attended a Drinking Liberally meeting and was surprised by how welcome he was (although he did imply that Liberals don’t know how to drink, which I take personal offense to). But that’s of course the point, to be welcoming and open. There are many definitions of a “Liberal” Justin opens his book by giving you his own:

Liberals believe that we are better off when we live for each other than when we only live for ourselves.

Sounds like that’s one rule we should all live by.

Some Living Liberally groups in Manhattan: Progressive Action Through Social Interaction

Reading Liberally NYC Classics
"Saving Democracy One Book at a Time"
A Liberal Book Club at a cool bar
Third Monday of each month, 6:30 pm
Location:
Stone Creek
140 east 27th st in the backroom
New York, NY, 10016

Eating Liberally Manhattan
Food and Good Politics Mix
Eating Liberally meets every month -- with food, guest speakers, films, discussions -- though not on a consistent night
Location: The Tank, 354 W. 45th Street (between 8th and 9th.)
For more info: Contact the chapter leaders

The Original Drinking Liberally
"Promoting Democracy on Pint at a Time"
* When? Every Thursday of each month, 7:30 pm
* Where? Rudy's Bar & Grill, 627 9th Ave (between 44th and 45th)

Drinking Liberally Steps Out
* When? Third Tuesday of each month, 7:00 pm
* Where? XES Lounge, 157 West 24th St (Between 6th and 7th Avenue)

Greenwich Village Drinking Liberally
* When? First Tuesday of each month, 6:00 pm
* Where? Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker Street (between Thompson and Sullivan)

Washington Heights Drinking Liberally
* When? Last Sunday of each month, 6:30 pm
* Where? Coogan's, 4015 Broadway (at 168th Street)


Democracy for America Groups in Manhattan: Organizing the Left one Neighborhood at a Time.

These Meet the First Wednesday of every month.

Upper West Side - 7:00 pm, The Parlour (back room) - 250 West 86th Street (btwn B'way and West End Ave.), with hosts Bernadette Evangelist and Sally Swisher.

West Village - 7:00pm, Kettle of Fish, 59 Christopher St. (near 7th Ave.) with host Tracey Keij-Denton.