DANIEL DROMM, Democrat for City Council

From Queens Tribune: By Domenick Rafter

Labels: Endorsements, Press

Labels: Endorsements, Press

Labels: Endorsements, Press

From NY Daily News:
Cream of the Council crop:
The people who should represent you at City Hall

Herewith the Daily News guide to those City Council candidates whose primary victories tomorrow hold the greatest promise of raising the low quality of the municipal legislature:

District 25(Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, LeFrak City, Corona):
Danny Dromm is a veteran teacher, Democratic district leader and head of the Queens Pride Committee. He has multiples of the energy of incumbent Helen Sears.

Labels: Endorsements, Press

We like Dromm’s aggressive stance on opening a center in his district. We also like his sensitivity to immigrant issues, including challenges for English Language Learners, and his overall political position: that in order to bring about change, one must affect the political structure.

DANIEL DROMM FOR DISTRICT 25
From El Diario:
One of the competitive electoral races in which New York City voters can have an impact is in City Council District 25 in Queens.

There, Daniel Dromm, a veteran educator and activist, is leading a spirited campaign against incumbent Helen Sears to represent neighborhoods like Jackson Heights, Elmhurst and Corona. District 25 is 46 percent Hispanic.

Sears has several noteworthy accomplishments. For example, Sears was one of the co-sponsors of legislation that created a commission to study the possibility of opening day labor centers. As El Diario-La Prensa frequently reports on, these centers are considered crucial for preventing day laborers from being exploited and for addressing community concerns about workers gathering on the streets.

But with the lack of follow up to recommendations issued by the day labor commission, we like Dromm’s aggressive stance on opening a center in his district. We also like his sensitivity to immigrant issues, including challenges for English Language Learners, and his overall political position: that in order to bring about change, one must affect the political structure.

Labels: Endorsements, Espanol, Press

TimesLedger is giving its endorsement to Dromm, who has proven to be a passionate fighter for issues important to the community and is expected to be a more visible member of the Council if elected.

District 25: Danny Dromm
In the three-way race in District 25, voters will choose between the two-term incumbent Councilwoman Helen Sears; Danny Dromm, a school teacher and community activist; and Stanley Kalathara, an immigration lawyer who is a relative newcomer to local politics.

Sears is running on the strength of her experience in the Council as a budget negotiator and has defended her vote to extend term limits by saying more than eight years is needed to complete long-term capital projects.

Dromm has touted his history as an activist on gay rights and immigration issues as well as his knowledge of education after decades of teaching in city schools, while Kalathara has focused largely on Sears’ vote in favor of extending term limits.

TimesLedger is giving its endorsement to Dromm, who has proven to be a passionate fighter for issues important to the community and is expected to be a more visible member of the Council if elected.

Labels: Endorsements, Press

Ecuador News Endorses Daniel Dromm for New York City Council, 25th District.

Labels: Endorsements, Espanol, ImmigrantRights, Press

Queens Vantage Tenants Council has endorsed Daniel Dromm for the New York City Council, 25th District.

Queens Vantage Tenants Council was formed to help tenants in Vantage buildings that may be the victims of many under-handed and possibly illegal tactics to force tenants from their homes including taking many tenants to court for no reason, harassing tenants who cannot produce a valid lease and trying to evict those tenants even though they have lived in their apartment for many years. Queens Vantage Tenants Council has hundreds of members in the 25th City Council district.

Labels: Endorsements, Housing

Daniel Dromm is a teacher and democratic district leader who is no novice when it comes to city politics. We believe that with Mr. Dromm’s experience and fresh ideas, he will be a good councilman, a voice for his district and will have a better relationship with veterans than Ms. Sears.

From NYC Veterans:

Veterans returning home from active service often face an array of issues during their transition from a military to a civilian lifestyle. While it's understood that most legislation to assist veterans usually comes through the federal government; when an individual returns home, they return to their local communities and back to some issues they left behind. As such, they find themselves looking to city agencies and local services to assist them. Therefore, our local government has a duty and an obligation to step up and do more than just thank veterans for their service.

We encourage all veterans to become active in their communities, to make their voices heard and to make a difference regarding issues that affect not only the veteran's community, but their local community as well. Most importantly, we remind all veterans to VOTE on September 15.

City Council, District 25 – "The incumbent is Councilmember Helen Sears. She voted “YES” to extend term limits. Encompassing one of the most diverse districts in the city, Ms. Sears has little to no record of supporting or assisting veterans over the course of her 8 years in the council. Daniel Dromm is a teacher and democratic district leader who is no novice when it comes to city politics. We believe that with Mr. Dromm’s experience and fresh ideas, he will be a good councilman, a voice for his district and will have a better relationship with veterans than Ms. Sears. Mr. Dromm is endorsed by the New York Times. We recommend Daniel Dromm."

Labels: Endorsements, Health Care, Veterans

..The district deserves more energetic representation.
Daniel Dromm, a public schoolteacher and activist, is ready to take on the area’s needs — mainly too few schools and health facilities. We endorse Mr. Dromm.

From the New York Times:

District 25, Queens (Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Corona):

This is now one of the city’s most diverse districts. Though Councilwoman Helen Sears has made efforts to expand her services, the district deserves more energetic representation. Daniel Dromm, a public schoolteacher and activist, is ready to take on the area’s needs — mainly too few schools and health facilities. We endorse Mr. Dromm.

Labels: Endorsements, Press

From Queens Tribune:

Danny has built networks throughout the district for years, has mobilized the people of his community and has taken tough stands on hard issues where his personal life has been put on the line for the betterment of a cause. In short, Danny is not afraid of a fight, and we are confident in his ability to fight for his district within the City Council. The Queens Tribune endorses Danny Dromm in the Democratic Primary.

25th District
A three-person race, this primary comes down to incumbent Helen Sears, political and community leader Danny Dromm and newcomer Stanley Kalathara, who brings a fresh perspective to an ever-changing neighborhood.

Helen has been a longtime community servant, but was voted in under the new term limits that forced her predecessor John Sabini to leave office. She has served the community, but also served herself by voting to overturn the will of the people when she voted to extend a third term for the members of the City Council. Though that issue alone is not enough for us to oppose her re-election, in a closely matched contest, where we feel that a challenger, in this case Danny Dromm, can do just as good a job for the people, it is a deciding factor.

Danny has built networks throughout the district for years, has mobilized the people of his community and has taken tough stands on hard issues where his personal life has been put on the line for the betterment of a cause. In short, Danny is not afraid of a fight, and we are confident in his ability to fight for his district within the City Council. The Queens Tribune endorses Danny Dromm in the Democratic Primary.

Labels: Endorsements, Press

From Gay City News:
In Queens District 25, longtime LGBT and Democratic Party activist Daniel Dromm is taking on incumbent Helen Sears to represent Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Woodside, and Corona. Dating back to the early 1990s, when the anti-gay murder of Julio Rivera sparked outrage and a determination to speak up and be visible in Queens, he has played a critical leadership role in the borough’s LGBT community — in its annual pride celebration, its community center, a gay Democratic club, and assisting the victims of homophobic violence and their families. During the education curriculum wars of the early ’90s, Dromm, a school teacher, became the target of a vicious anti-gay propaganda campaign waged by a local school board member, a challenge he surmounted with considerable dignity. This year, an anonymous smear campaign, based on a 38-year-old tale of his arrest as a teenager when police nabbed him necking in a parked car, was launched against him, a reminder that gay sexuality will always be an issue for some in politics.

The dust-up this year is particularly unfortunate given Sears’ good record on gay issues, which has attracted support among several LGBT leaders in Queens. Notwithstanding the incumbent’s embrace of our community’s agenda, she has had eight years on the Council, and Dromm would be a welcome gay voice from a district outside Manhattan. He is a dedicated activist and hard worker who has kept on his toes throughout a long campaign season. Dromm deserves support from LGBT voters.

Labels: Endorsements, Press

From Queens Ledger

"Daniel Dromm is that rare, one-of-a-kind politician, and so this paper is endorsing his bid for City Council."

"If elected, Dromm would bring the exact combination of new ideas, credibility and experience the district needs."

"Improving the quality of life, the living standards and overall well-being of residents in the 25th District is a major undertaking. Dromm is up for the challenge."

New York City’s 25th Council District is often referred to as the most diverse district in the most diverse county in the country. This may very well be true.

Encompassing parts of Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst, Rego Park, Woodside and Corona, the district represents large Latino, African-American and South Asian communities, not to mention a variety of other, smaller ethnic enclaves.

Each group has different needs, though of course many overlap (affordable housing, safe streets, economic opportunities and improved schools, are some).

It takes a special elected official to serve such a broad constituency, someone with a wide range of professional experience and personal compassion.

Daniel Dromm is that rare, one-of-a-kind politician, and so this paper is endorsing his bid for City Council.

Dromm is running against Councilwoman Helen Sears and Stanley Kalathara.

Endorsing a challenger over an incumbent means something.

It means, in this case, that Dromm already has in place the political relationships, skills, and far-reaching vision to take over where Sears has left off, without missing a beat, and actually improve upon her record.

Dromm is no novice to city politics or community organizing. He is the reigning Democratic District Leader in the 39th Assembly District, a position he was elected to in 2002. He has since won re-election three times.

He is a member of several community organizations, and an award-winning public school teacher. Dromm, who is gay, founded the Queens LGBT Pride Parade and Festival 15 years ago and runs it proudly to this day.

His long career in the community has won him many friends; Dromm’s name, especially in Jackson Heights, where he is most recognized as an effective community advocate, carries weight. Dromm’s inch-by-inch knowledge of the district rivals, if not surpasses, that of Sears. He speaks excellent Spanish, a certain job requirement of City Council members in years to come.

Simply put, he understands the district’s most pressing issues - from over-crowded schools to the abundance of crime along Roosevelt Avenue - and in each case has a fairly specific plan of action.

In comparison, Sears, who is seeking a third term, appears slightly out of touch with her constituency. To be sure, she has done some good work, in health care especially. But after eight years in office, she has begun making mistakes that Dromm would avoid.

For example, Sears recently proposed creating a “vendor-free zone” in the district to cut down on street vendors, who she said are eating into the profits of struggling, storefront small businesses.

That claim is in dispute, in what has become a hot-button issue of late. Regardless, Sears’ blanket, one-size-fits-all approach to the issue betrayed a thoughtlessness, or at the least an inattention to detail, that could prove dangerous in a third term in office.

On this and other issues Dromm - who supports regulating street vendors but not eliminating them entirely - takes a more nuanced view, which is essential in a district with myriad competing interests. (Of the three, Kalathara had the best, most comprehensive ideas on tackling street vendor problems).

Which isn't necessarily to say that Sears should disappear from public service. Her obvious interest in promoting the arts, not only in her district but throughout the city, would serve her well as the driving force behind a nonprofit or other community organization, as would her strong background in health care.

However, if elected, Dromm would bring the exact combination of new ideas, credibility and experience the district needs.

Improving the quality of life, the living standards and overall well-being of residents in the 25th District is a major undertaking. Dromm is up for the challenge.

Labels: Endorsements, Press

From Queens Gazette:
In the expected-to-be close Democratic Party primary in the 25th Council District (Jackson Heights), school teacher and gay advocate Daniel Dromm has received an important endorsement from former Assemblymember Ivan Lafayette.

In choosing Dromm, Lafayette, one of the highest-ranked regular Democratic former office holders in the district, bypassed another longtime regular Democratic official, incumbent Councilmember Helen Sears. For many years both Lafayette and Sears served as Democratic district leaders in Jackson Heights. Lafayette, who served for 32 years in the Assembly before retiring, said he endorsed Dromm after years of working personally with him and also because of Dromm's "commitment and effectiveness on the issues that matter most to me, —better schools, more access to doctors and health care, and improved quality of life".

Dromm also was recently endorsed by the Citizens Union, United Auto Workers and the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys. Also in the 25th district primary is Stanley Joseph Kalathara.

Labels: Education, Endorsements, HealthCare, Press

Americans for Democratic Action has endorsed Daniel Dromm for the New York City Council, 25th District.

In a statement, NYCADA Executive Director Evelyn Jones Rich said, "We endorse Daniel Dromm for his distinguished service to children in schools; for his record as an effective union leader (UFT), for his effective outreach to disparate communities within the District and for his work on behalf of the underserved in a host of arenas.

Americans for Democratic Action is an independent liberal political organization, founded in 1947 and dedicated to promoting individual liberty and economic justice. Our founders included Eleanor Roosevelt, labor leaders Walter Reuther and David Dubinsky, economist John Kenneth Galbraith, historian Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, and former Vice President Hubert Humphrey.

We are dedicated to achieving a fair and just society using the tools of education and political action. NYC ADA is the local Chapter, and reflects the liberal, labor agenda in New York City through its involvement in issues that affect quality of life for all New Yorkers.

Labels: CommunityOrganizing, Endorsements, Progressive

CWA Local 1182 had endorsed Daniel Dromm for New York City Council, 25th Distrcit. CWA 1182 represents over 2,500 Uniform Traffic & Sanitation Enforcement Agents who are employed by the City of New York.

Labels: Endorsements, Unions

The Victory Fund has endorsed Daniel Dromm for New York City Council, District 25.

The Victory Fund identifies, trains and elects LGBT leaders to all levels of office, in every corner of America. The Victory Fund and the courageous candidates we endorse have proven that with smart strategic support and the financial resources necessary - typically twice what straight candidates need to raise - LGBT candidates can run and win anywhere. Leadership matters. The individuals we elect to govern have a direct impact on our lives. The decisions they make are important, and the examples they set can inspire and influence our communities, our states and our country.

Labels: CivilRights, CommunityOrganizing, Endorsements

Metropolitan Council on Housing, New York City's oldest tenant union has endorsed Daniel Dromm for City Council from the 25th District.

In a letter from Metropolitan Council on Housing Chair, Scott Sommer, the organization cited Dromm's "ongoing advocacy and support of New York City's tenants" as their main reason for the endorsement.

Sommer said, "We look forward to working with you in the future on measures to improve the quality and affordability of housing in our city.

Dromm thanked the organization and said, "I deeply appreciate the Metropolitan Council on Housing endorsement because tenants rights is an extremely important issue for me and for my constituents. I am committed to fighting against abuse by landlords and to working to increase affordable housing in my district."

Dromm has also been endorsed by Tenants PAC because of his commitment to affordable housing and tenants rights.

Met Council, founded in 1959, is a membership organization dedicated to preserving and expanding New York City’s supply of decent, affordable housing. Most New Yorkers live in rented apartments—almost all low, moderate, and middle-income people in New York rent their homes—and over 1 million of those apartments are covered by rent regulations. Met Council focuses on preserving rental housing and strengthening tenants’ rights. Rent-regulated tenants have more long-term stability, better services, and lower rents than those who rent on the open market.

Labels: CivilRights, CommunityOrganizing, Endorsements, Housing

Citizens Union has offered its version of an endorsement by listing Daniel Dromm as the preferred candidate for City Council, 25th District.

Citizens Union of the City of New York is an independent, nonpartisan, civic organization of members who promote good government and advance political reform in the city and state of New York. For more than a century, Citizens Union has served as a watchdog for the public interest and an advocate for the common good. Citizens Union, which was recently described by the New York Times as the influential government watchdog group, works to ensure fair elections, clean campaigns, and open, effective government that is accountable to the citizens of New York.

In commenting on the City Council races, Executive Director Dick Dadey said, "CU felt the need to make recommendations that encourage voters to retire a number of two-term incumbents and support new faces who will breathe fresh air into the city council."

Labels: CommunityOrganizing, Endorsements

Jackson Heights' Revered Fmr Assemblyman Backs Schoolteacher's Challenge to Helen Sears

QUEENS - Democratic City Council Candidate Danny Dromm has received the endorsement of Ivan Lafayette, the beloved elder statesman who represented the Jackson Heights area for over three decades in the New York State Assembly.

"After years of working personally with Danny Dromm, I whole-heartedly endorse his candidacy for City Council," Lafayette said today. "I have seen firsthand Danny's commitment and effectiveness on the issues that matter most to me and to our community: better schools, more access to doctors and health care, and improved quality of life for all of us."

Dromm is challenging incumbent Councilmember Helen Sears, who is running for a third term in the 25th Council seat after voting to extend her own term limits last year. A 25-year Queens public school teacher and bilingual community organizer, Dromm is campaigning to improve local health care and schools after eight years of neglect.

"It's such an honor to receive the backing of a public servant like Mr. Lafayette, who knows better than anyone what it takes to represent this community well," Dromm said in response to the endorsement. "I aim to stand up for our community in City Hall the same way he stood for us in the State Capitol."

During his time in the Assembly, Lafayette held the positions of Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Speaker Pro Tempore, and Dean of the Queens Delegation. He retired from the office in 2008 after 32 years of distinguished service.

Labels: Endorsements

Association of Legal Aid Attorneys has endorsed Daniel Dromm for New York City Council, 25th District. Founded in 1969, the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys/UAW 2325 is the oldest and largest major union of lawyers in United States, and is made up of 650 Legal Aid Society staff attorneys who each year represent some 300,000 indigent New Yorkers in criminal, civil and juvenile cases.

Labels: Endorsements, Unions

The United Auto Workers have endorsed Daniel Dromm for New York City Council, District 25. UAW organizes thousands of workers in New York City. A unique strength of the UAW is the solidarity between its active and retired members. A solid majority of the union's retirees stay actively involved in the life of their union, and playing a vital role in the UAW's community action program. Since its founding in 1935, the UAW has consistently developed innovative partnerships with employers and negotiated industry-leading wages and benefits for its members.

Labels: Endorsements, Unions

Support of 1199 SEIU boosts Democrat's primary challenge to Helen Sears

QUEENS - In a major development in the race for the 25th City Council District, 1199 SEIU announced today that it is backing Democratic challenger Daniel Dromm over incumbent Councilwoman Helen Sears. The influential healthcare workers' union endorsed Dromm for his commitment to improving quality healthcare in the district, a contrast with the current Councilmember's disappointing record.

"Daniel Dromm is a true community leader who understands what's at stake when it comes to the current healthcare crisis in Queens," said Kevin Finnegan, 1199 Political Director. "Since last Fall, 3 Queens hospitals have closed their doors. We need a City Councilmember who's going to fight to keep local hospitals open and expand healthcare services that will improve access to medical care and create jobs. Danny's decades of advocacy prove that he knows how to do that."

With roughly 250,000 members in New York City, 1199 SEIU's endorsement can be heavily influential in contested races like the one between Dromm and Sears. The union can mobilize thousands of members to help elect its endorsed candidates.

"It's a huge honor to receive 1199's support," Dromm said in response to the endorsement announcement. "The nurses and healthcare workers who are members of this union go to heroic lengths every day to make sure we have high quality care, and it's time our community had a City Council member who is on their side. I know how much needs to be done to improve healthcare in our area, and I look forward to working with 1199 SEIU to make that happen."

The state of healthcare in the 25th Council District was dealt a major blow recently with the recent closing of St. John's Hospital, and wait times at Elmhurst Hospital are increasing dangerously. Daniel Dromm is calling for the opening of community clinics to reduce overcrowding and expand care, and has pledged to fight to reopen St. John's as a public or private facility.

Councilwoman Sears, meanwhile, took little action to prevent the St. John's shutdown. More egregiously, she sided with real estate industry lobbyists over the community's health by voting "no" on the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act (Intro 101A, 2004).

Labels: Endorsements, HealthCare, Unions

Tenants PAC has endorsed Daniel Dromm for the City Council, District 25. Tenants PAC works to make tenants an electoral force. Tenants PAC is the only organization in New York devoted to advancing the tenant cause through election activity. While tenants will never be able to match the landlords' money, our financial contributions to pro-tenant candidates can make a big difference. Tenants PAC can also play a big role in electing pro-tenant candidates by volunteering to knock on doors and to staff phone banks.

Labels: CommunityOrganizing, Endorsements, Housing

NY Hotel & Motel Trades Council Local 6 has endorsed Daniel Dromm for the New York City Council, 25th District.

The union has 12,000 members in Queens and it plans a comprehensive program to communicate with them to support Dromm. It also plans to recruit volunteers for the campaign using an intensive canvassing effort.

According to the NY Daily News: "HTC has played a big role in Queens elections of late, getting actively involved in the elections of Julissa Ferreras and Elizabeth Crowley to City Council, as well as the election of Joseph Addabbo to state Senate."

Labels: Endorsements, Press, Unions

The 504 Democratic Club has endorsed Daniel Dromm for the New York City Council, District 25. The 504 Democratic Club is a New York City-based coalition of Democrats working towards inclusion of people with disabilities in the political and social fabric of society. Club members hail from all five boroughs, reaching across every conceivable line to include a richly diverse group of people with disabilities, public officials, friends and family who support the concepts set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Labels: CivilRights, CommunityOrganizing, Endorsements

From Crains:
A number of insurgent City Council candidates are receiving institutional support, putting incumbents at risk of defeat in September’s Democratic primary. Politically active unions 32BJ SEIU, which represents building service workers, and the Hotel and Motel Trades Council have targeted several races, as has the Working Families Party, in what promises to be a test of unions’ political might in the city.

The two unions and WFP are expected to recruit volunteers and organize massive voter outreach efforts, which have a far greater effect than endorsements by officials and organizations that merely issue a press release and move on.

More hotel union endorsements are imminent. Labor often follows the lead of the union-backed WFP, which has endorsed teacher Danny Dromm over Queens Councilwoman Helen Sears.

Labels: CommunityOrganizing, Endorsements, Press, Unions

The New Visions Democratic Club has unanimously endorsed Daniel Dromm for the City Council, 25th District.

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The Stonewall Democrats New York City today announced its endorsement of Daniel Dromm for the New York City Council, District 25, which represents Jackson Heights, LeFrak City, Elmhurst, Corona, East Elmhurst, Rego Park and Woodside.

Stonewall Democrats is America's only grassroots Democratic LGBT organization. Its focus is on creating change in three ways: educating the LGBT community about the differences between the political parties; mobilizing the LGBT community to get out to vote on Election Day for fair-minded Democrats; and standing up when Republicans attack our families and our civil rights while we lead the Democratic party to continue improving its record on issues important to our community.

Labels: CivilRights, Endorsements

Senator Tom Duane (D-New York) has endorsed Daniel Dromm for the City Council, 25th District. State Senator Thomas K. Duane represents New York's 29th State Senatorial District since 1998. Prior to his election to the State Senate, Duane served for seven years in the New York City Council. Senator Duane serves as Chair of the Senate Health Committee. In this role Senator Duane is committed to promoting sound health care policy and quality, affordable health care for all New Yorkers. Daniel Dromm has made improving and expanding health care access a centerpiece of his campaign.

Labels: Endorsements, HealthCare

The Working Families Party (WFP) today announced its endorsement of Daniel Dromm for the New York City Council, District 25, which represents Jackson Heights, LeFrak City, Elmhurst, Corona, East Elmhurst, Rego Park and Woodside.

The Party’s City Council endorsements this year place a premium on organizers, activists and leaders who come directly from the communities they seek to represent, following in the footsteps of America’s Community Organizer-in-Chief, President Barack Obama.

“We’re proud to be supporting so many candidates who know firsthand the struggles of working people in New York City – from fighting for good jobs and affordable housing to standing up for equality and being a voice for under-represented communities,” WFP Executive Director Dan Cantor said today. “We believe that these candidates will put the working families of the city first, ahead of big-money interests or their own political gain.”

More than 100 NYC candidates applied for the WFP’s support. The party’s endorsements are the product of an intense grassroots selection process that included the completion of a thorough questionnaire and in-person interviews with screening committees composed of WFP members from each candidate’s borough.

The WFP’s strong campaign operations, ability to mobilize grassroots and institutional support, and impressive record of electoral victories at the city and state level make its endorsement highly sought-after by political candidates.

Labels: Endorsements, WorkingFamilies

Alice Cardona has endorsed Daniel Dromm for the 25th City Council seat. Alice Cardona began her career with ASPIRA in 1970, and since then has devoted considerable energy and political know-how to a remarkable number of causes within and outside of the Puerto Rican community, from bilingual education to the rights of women. From 1983-94, Cardona served as the Assistant Director of the New York State Division for Women, focusing on AIDS and domestic violence. She has held leadership positions at the National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, the Puerto Rican Association for Community affairs, the New York Women's Foundation, the Sister Fund, the National Latinas Caucus, and, on the international level, Vital Voices of Women in Democracy.

photo credit: flickr/kate_anne

Labels: Endorsements

From Crains Insider:
Ferreras’ Victory Boosts Dromm

At her special-election victory celebration on Tuesday night, Queens Councilwoman-elect Julissa Ferreras joined state Sen. Hiram Monserrate and Assemblyman Jose Peralta in endorsing fellow Democrat Danny Dromm, who is running for Councilwoman Helen Sears’ seat this fall. Such public support—Dromm, a teacher, has also been endorsed by the United Federation of Teachers—should help him fend off efforts by Sears to push him out of the race. Sears has been courting the county organization, and insiders say she wants the field cleared for her.

Labels: CommunityOrganizing, Endorsements, Press

The New York League of Humane Voters (NYLHV), a non-profit animal welfare group with more than 7,000 members, announced today that it is endorsing Democratic district leader Daniel Dromm for City Council in the 25th Council District. Dromm will face off against several challengers, including possibly the incumbent Council Member, in this September’s Primary.

“NYLHV proudly and enthusiastically endorses Danny Dromm for City Council. Danny is a fighter who isn’t afraid to take on the powers that be. In 1992, when Danny came out as an openly gay teacher, he knew it could cost him his job. He didn’t care. Danny was fighting for civil rights and that was more important than his job. That’s the kind of courage and leadership we need on the City Council,” said John Phillips, NYLHV’s executive director. “Danny will bring his strength and determination to the City Council where I know he will be a champion on animal protection issues. I look forward to working with him.”

Upon learning of the endorsement, Dromm issued the following statement:

"I am pleased and honored to accept the endorsement of the New York League of Humane Voters. I take animal rights very seriously. I look forward to continuing to be an advocate for legislation that the League has been fighting to pass. As an educator, I firmly believe that we must instill a respect for animals at an early age. As a member of the NYC Council, I will fight to ensure that existing humane education laws are enforced.

I will fight to remove carriage horses from NYC's streets and replace them with an equally viable tourist attraction. I will work to ensure that our animals are protected. I thank the League and I look forward to working with them in the future."

Labels: CivilRights, CommunityOrganizing, Endorsements

Community leader and local businessman James Galloway has endorsed Daniel Dromm for the New York City Council, 25th District. Jim is a community organizer and civic leader in our community. He is the president of the LeFrak City Merchants Association and an active part of the LeFrak City Tenants Association.

Labels: Endorsements

Leonor and Armando Garzon have endorsed Daniel Dromm for the New York City Council, 25th District. The Garzons recently became citizens and have said that their first vote will be for Daniel Dromm. Dromm worked tirelessly with the Garzons in aftermath of the murder of their son, Edgar, in 2001 in Jackson Heights. Shortly before 4 a.m., on Aug. 15, 2001, after leaving Friend's Tavern, a gay bar on Roosevelt Avenue, Edgar was walking to his home in Jackson Heights when John McGhee, 40, jumped out of a car and savagely attacked him with a baseball bat or a lead pipe. Garzón's skull was crushed and he never regained consciousness. He was 35 when he died in Elmhurst Hospital Center on Sept. 4, 2001. His grieving parents have been tireless in pursuing justice. They have knocked on doors, talked to politicians and community leaders, questioned the police and befriended the media. And after seven years they were able to see the brutal killer of their well-liked son brought to justice.

Labels: CivilRights, CommunityOrganizing, Endorsements

City Council Candidate Daniel Dromm speaks at his fundraiser at Natives Restaurant.
Among the many supporters at Dromm's fundraiser were his mother, Audrey Gallagher, with Maureen Allen, State Committee Member, and Ivan Lafayette, former State Assemblyman.

December 3, 2008 - City Council candidate and Democratic District Leader Daniel Dromm held a hugely successful fundraiser last night at Natives Restaurant in Jackson Heights. Dromm is running for the 25th Council District (Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, E. Elmhurst, Corona, LeFrak City, Rego Park, and Woodside) seat currently held by Helen Sears.

More than 100 people attended the event, which was billed as a “Birthday Fundraiser.” The guests included NYC Council Member Eric Gioia, former NYS Assembly Member Ivan Lafayette, District Leader Ellen Raffaele, District Leader Dorothy Phelan, State Committeewoman Maureen Allen, State Committeeman Diego Freire, City Council Candidate Julissa Ferreras (District 21). Lillian Kowalsky, president of the 115th Precinct Community Council, Yonel Letellier, Chief of Staff to Assemblyman Jose Peralta (who was in Albany), Rev. Ron Tompkins, pastor of the Community Methodist Church, Brendan Fay, founder, Queens St. Patrick's Parade, and David Anderson, Queens Humanist Center were also there, among others.

Dromm is a veteran New York City public school teacher and United Federation of Teachers Chapter Leader. He has been involved in the community for almost 20 years in various capacities. He founded the New Visions Democratic Club and the Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club. He is a board member of the Kupferberg Holocaust Center and Archives at Queensborough Community College and has been very active in the Jackson Heights Beautification Group.

At the event, Dromm said, “It’s time for a change in the NYC Council. I have hope that we can live in better communities with less noise and congestion and that we can have better schools in which to educate our children. As a bilingual community advocate, I can communicate with many people in the district in a way that other candidates can’t.”

Dromm spoke in Spanish at the event. He said, “I believe we can do better. This campaign is not about me. It’s about a pragmatic, progressive agenda that we want to implement in New York City.”

“I want to keep New York City a union town,” Dromm continued. He told a story about his family’s patriarch saying, “Get a union job. Get a job that offers job security, health benefits and a pension.” Dromm wants to see all New Yorkers get the same.

In conclusion, Dromm asked the attendees to reflect on a central question: “Is the Council District better off than it was four or eight years ago? I think you will agree with me that we can do better and that’s why I’m running for the New York City Council.”

The United Federation of Teachers union, Assemblyman Jose Peralta, Council Members Eric Gioia and Rosie Mendez, District Leader Dorothy Phelan, State Committeewoman Maureen Allen and Air America CEO and former Public Advocate Mark Green, among others, have endorsed Dromm.

photo credit: Una Sola Voz

Labels: CommunityOrganizing, Endorsements, Fundraising

Community activist and civic leader Li Yu has endorsed Daniel Dromm for the New York City Council, 25th District. Li is an active part of the 78th Street Play Street and a volunteer with the Jackson Heights Film and Food Festival. She is a former board member of the Jackson Heights Beautification Group where she started the Clean Streets program.

Labels: Endorsements

Ed Westley has endorsed Daniel Dromm for the New York City Council, 25th District. Ed is on Queens Community Board 3 which covers Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst and Corona. He is also very active in various civic activities like the 78th Street Play Street and the Jackson Heights Beautification Group's Halloween Parade.

Labels: Endorsements

Jessica Ramos has endorsed Daniel Dromm for the New York City Council, 25th District. Jessica is a community organizer and civic leader in our community. Recently, she was the Queens Regional Director of Latinos for Obama. She currently works at SSEU Local 371 and is an active member of the Working Families Party.

Labels: Endorsements

Maureen Allen has endorsed Daniel Dromm in his campaign for the New York City Council, 25th District. Maureen Allen is a State Committee Member for the 34th Assembly District and the president of the JFK Democratic Club of Queens. Maureen was the long-time chief-of-staff for Assemblyman Ivan Lafayette.

Labels: Endorsements

District Leader Dorothy Phelan (D-Jackson Heights) has endorsed Daniel Dromm in his campaign for the 25th District City Council seat.

Labels: Endorsements

Photo caption: Latina community leader Julissa Ferreras and Daniel Dromm at Queens' first Dominican Parade held recently in Jackson Heights.

Latina community leader and former Democratic District District Leader Julissa Ferreras has announced that she is endorsing Daniel Dromm for City Council in 2009. Dromm is running for the 25th District City Council seat in Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst, Corona, LeFrak City, Rego Park and Woodside.

Ferreras said, "As a bilingual civil rights activist and leader in education reform, Danny Dromm will help unite our community as an agent for change in the City Council."

Ferraras joins an impressive group of Latino leaders who have endorsed Dromm's candidacy which includes NYS Assembly Member Jose Peralta, NYC Council Member Rosie Mendez and District Leader Fior Rodriguez.

Ferreras has a long history of community involvement in the Jackson Heights, Corona and Elmhurst communities. She is currently the Chief of Staff to Council Member Hiram Monserrate and was a former director of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO).

Ferreras is currently considering running for Council Member Monserrate's seat which he will vacate if he wins election to the NYS Senate as is expected on November 4th. Monserrate is running unopposed.

"I am deeply honored to have Julissa's support," Dromm said. "She has been an advocate for many of the same things that motivate me to run for City Council. She is a fighter for quality education and civil rights. I am most grateful to have her support."

Labels: Endorsements

From Crains:
"Last Wednesday, the United Federation of Teachers took the unusual step of endorsing Daniel Dromm, a veteran New York City public school teacher who is a candidate for a Queens City Council seat in 2009. The union will not make the rest of its endorsements for races to be decided this fall until August."

From UFT website: In a strong and early show of support, Daniel Dromm is the only City Council candidate that UFT is endorsing this year.

Labels: Education, Endorsements

The United Federation of Teachers has endorsed Daniel Dromm for the New York City Council in the 25th District.

Labels: Endorsements

Labels: Endorsements

From Queens Gazette:
HEAVY SUPPORT FOR DROMM: Showing broad support from a swath of Democratic public officials, labor and the Queens Democratic organization, Daniel Dromm will head a gay pride parade in Jackson Heights on June 1.

Queens Democratic Leader Congressmember Joseph Crowley is billed as the special guest speaker for Dromm's 2009 city council election campaign, and sponsors of the event include Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Assemblymember Jose Peralta (D- Corona), and Randi Weingarten, president of the United Federation of Teachers union (UFT).

The parade will be preceded by breakfast at the Cavalier Restaurant, 85-19 37th Ave., Jackson Heights, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The Queens Pride Parade will follow. Breakfast tickets are $50 each, available through People for Daniel Dromm at 718- 457-2928.

Labels: Endorsements, Fundraising

City Council Member Eric Gioia has endorsed Daniel Dromm in his campaign for the 25th District City Council seat.

Labels: Endorsements

City Council Member Rosie Mendez has endorsed Daniel Dromm in his campaign for the 25th District City Council seat.

Labels: Endorsements