We got this email press release from Brad Lander who is running this year for the City Council seat now held by Bill de Blasio. (Who we’ve got a strong suspicion could be headed to Washington given his connection to Hillary Clinton.) Apparently, Mr. Lander and a few supporters had a run through freezing Prospect Park on New Year’s eve. In any case, Brad wins the award for being the first candidate to send us something related to the Council Election in 2009. Here’s the email:
More than a dozen volunteers from Brad Lander’s campaign for City Council braved freezing temperatures on New Year’s Eve to run in the Prospect Park 5k fun run in Brooklyn. “We’re running for a better Brooklyn,” said team captain Jackie Sherman. “We think Brad’s got the fortitude – though some might call it foolishness — to bring people together as a team, even under challenging circumstances.” Lander is running to represent the 39th City Council District (Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hills, Boro Park, and Kensington), which is currently represented by Bill de Blasio, who is running for Public Advocate. Lander is director of the Pratt Center for Community Development, past director of the Fifth Avenue Committee, and housing committee chair of Community Board 6.
The City Councilmember from the 39th District is the honorary representative of Prospect Park. One of the runners, Ryan Lynch, co-chairs Lander’s Environmental Committee, along with Wendy Fleischer and Aaron Naparstek, all of whom have extensive experience on sustainability issues. Lander’s environmental platform includes stronger public policies and more grassroots action to promote sustainability. “From putting recycling bins in the park, so people can recycle their cans and newspapers, to retrofitting homes to save families money and confront climate change, we want to take the lead on making Brooklyn the greenest place in the country,” Lynch said. “Of course, the green in Prospect Park shows up better in the daylight, and when there isn’t so much ice and snow.”
The fastest time of the Lander team was 23:18 by Alex Navarro-McKay. Second belonged to Jackie Sherman and to Marek Barnette, 9, Lander’s son. “I beat my dad in the race tonight,” said Marek. “But I still like his chances in the election.” Lander’s campaign is off to a fast start. He leads the field in fundraising (having raised over $100,000 as of July (the majority of what’s needed for the raise when public matching funds are added), mostly from small donors. In December, the campaign mailed a survey to residents about their opinion on issues facing the community. The results will be published in January on www.bradlander.com.
“We hope the temperature will be a little warmer next September,” said Caron Atlas. “But if we could get 15 people to run with sub-zero windchills on New Year’s Eve, think of how many we’ll have knocking doors and getting out the vote.” Photo (L to R): The Brad Lander for City Council team included Benjamin Dulchin, Ellis Dulchin, Laura Wolf-Powers, Brad Lander, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Caron Atlas, Alex Navarro-McKay, Jackie Sherman, Lynn Stern. Not pictured: Meg Barnette, Ryan Lynch, Jennifer Wilen, Joan Byron (riding sweep on bicycle)
Oh, we can already sense the electoral fun building, and it’s only January 3.
