|
Liberal Party Leaders Seek New Era
New Officers Move to Reinstate Party to Ballot Status
The Liberal Party's State Executive Committee met in New York City last week and elected a new leadership
group dedicated to bringing the party back to permanent ballot status. The party
had held that status since its inception until the 2002 gubernatorial election
when its candidate (Andrew Cuomo) withdrew in the middle of the campaign,
leaving it without a viable candidate.
In electing former New York City Parks Commissioner Henry J. Stern as its new
Chairman and Jack Olchin, long time Liberal Party Nassau County leader as its
First Vice Chairman, the party reaffirmed its proud roots as "a very inclusive
organization welcoming liberals of all ages and descriptions from all of New
York State's 62 counties.."
Also elected to lead the party was Joseph Mc Cole as Treasurer. Martin
Oesterreich will continue as Secretary/Executive Director. Both are Staten
Island residents and members of the Richmond County organization. In addition,
various members volunteered to serve on committees formed to regain and maintain
automatic ballot access under New York State's arcane election laws.
The State Executive Committee pledged that the Liberal Party would focus on its
historic roots: freedom of opportunity, justice for all, and the concerns of New
Yorkers who need both.
In a statement released today, the Executive Committee said, "We will reach out
to our members across the State and organize every county, county by county, in
the months before the gubernatorial elections in 2006. We have and will continue
to influence the election of individual candidates throughout the State. But our
principal need now is to articulate the policies and develop voter support for
them that made us a force in New York State politics for 60 years."
"People need a level playing field to gain employment, education, decent and
affordable housing, healthcare and a host of other needs. This once was a State
full of promise, the welcoming beacon at the door for so many new Americans.
Now, we've lost jobs; our education system is in the State Courts; our
healthcare programs are either unaffordable or don't serve our needs; our
government in Albany has become a pay to play sewer, and opportunities for
ordinary citizens everywhere are in short supply."
"The Liberal Party looked at the ordinary citizen's needs in the mid 20th
Century and found answers and programs for them. We can and will regain that
status and respect within and outside government and when we do, we will have no
difficulty returning to our place on the ballot for another 60 years.."
Henry Stern was a candidate for the New York City Council in 1973 on the Liberal
Party line. He was elected and served 8 years in the City Council. He became
Parks Commissioner in Mayor Edward Koch's administration and returned to that
position during the eight years of Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's administration.
A life-long Liberal Party member, Mr. Stern retired from city government after
the election of Mayor Bloomberg to form New York Civic, a non-profit educational
organization dedicated to examining the ins and outs of New York City government
and public policy questions.
Jack Olchin has been a member of the Liberal Party since 1947 and a State
Vice-Chair since 1973. He has led the Nassau County organization since 1960 and
is known, liked and respected by Nassau County politicians and government
leaders of every political description.
- 30 -
|
