GREEN PARTY OF NEW YORK
http://www.gpnys.org/
Candidate Press Release
ROBYN SKLAR FOR CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 26
(Long Island City, Sunnyside, Woodside, Maspeth)
http://www.sklarforcouncil.com
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Contact: Lynne Serpe, 646-202-0825
Sklar campaign matching funds on the way,
making green party history.
NEW YORK CITY -- The New York City Campaign
Finance Board confirmed today that the Robyn Sklar for City Council
campaign will be receiving matching funds.
"This is the first time in history that a
Green Party candidate in District 26 has been eligible for matching
funds, and only the second time in all of Queens," said Ms. Sklar.
"I'm humbled by the outpouring of support I have received from
voters interested in having an independent voice on the City Council
calling for clean energy, affordable housing, safe transit and more
after school programs."
New York City Council campaigns must raise at
least $5000 from New York City residents AND receive donations of $10
or more from at least 75 in-district donors in order to be eligible
for the 4:1 matching funds. An audit of the campaign's paperwork was
completed on Tuesday, September 27th after the campaign filed their
financial disclosure last week.
"We are expecting close to $27,000 from the
Campaign Finance Board to arrive in the campaign bank account later
today," explained campaign treasurer Rebecca White.
"Hundreds of donors contributed from $5 to $250 to help us meet
our goal. For working people to put even $10 behind a local candidate
is a huge vote of confidence and an investment in grassroots
democracy."
"The New York Campaign Finance Board's
Matching Funds Program is the most progressive program for municipal
races in the nation," Ms. White continued. "We are very
grateful for the enormous support that staff provide to ensure that
campaigns are able to comply with the many requirements."
A quick look at election returns from previous
years show that the District 26 seat needed fewer than 7,000 votes to
win in 2001 and fewer than 6,000 in 2003.
"The incumbent has raised an obscene amount
of money for this race, over half-a-million dollars so far," said
campaign manager Lynne Serpe. "It certainly makes me wonder
whether Mr. Gioia is focused on his district or on fundraising for
future runs for higher office."
"During the petitioning period required for
Green Party candidates, Ms. Sklar and volunteers spoke to thousands of
voters, making the kind of one-on-one personal contact that cannot be
underestimated in a campaign," continued Ms. Serpe. "The
additional funding from the NYC Campaign Finance Board will allow us
to continue reaching out to the voters in the district, letting them
know they do have a choice in November."
Robyn Sklar is a community organizer, educator and
small business owner who has worked in the mentoring, tutoring, and
education field for ten years. She is an advocate for more after
school programs, safe and efficient transit, clean energy, affordable
housing and sustainable development. She lives in Long Island City .
For more information on the campaign, please visit
http://www.sklarforcouncil.com
or call Lynne Serpe at 646-202-0825.
