Tricounty DFA Update: Saratoga Debate Tonight, Endorsements, Picnics, more
Hello Everyone;

In This Update:


1. Saratoga Springs Mayor Debate Tonight
2. Saratoga DFA Endorses Ron Kim For Reelection
3. Halfmoon Democratic Picnic
4. Washington County Democratic Women's Luncheon
5. Stillwater Democratic Picnic
6. Congress Caving On FISA?
7. Friday Night Film Fest


1. Saratoga Springs Mayor Debate Tonight

There will be open debate tonight, Tuesday, October 9th, between Saratoga Springs candidates for Mayor, including Democracy For Saratoga Springs endorsed candidate Mayor Valerie Keehn, and for Commissioner of Finance. The debate will be held in the Loewenberg Auditorium of the Saratoga Springs High School, One Blue Streak Boulevard, starting at 7:00 PM, on Tuesday. The event is open to the general public and is sponsored by the Saratoga League of Women Voters.

2. Saratoga DFA Endorses Ron Kim For Reelection

Ron Kim, incumbent Public Safety Commissioner of Saratoga Springs, was unanimously endorsed for reelection by Democracy for Saratoga Springs at a meeting on Monday, October 8th at the home of Democracy For Saratoga Springs Host/Coordinator Sally Kirouac.

Mr. Kim spoke extensively about the need for a new $17,000,000 police station. According to Kim, the current station is 123 years old and the cost for a new facility has escalated about 67% since the proposal was originally turned down by the City Council in 2003. He also spoke to the need for a new fire station. Saratoga Spring's present two fire stations must cover 29 square miles. In most cities a single fire station is responsible for 2 to four square miles.

Kim suggested that financing for such facilities and other infrastructure would be much more feasible were the City's debt limit raised from 2% to at least 3% of assessed valuation. The state mandates no more than 7% and no other city in the state restricts this limit further. Mr. Kim also answered questions related to traffic and crime downtown, the safety and functionality of City Hall and parking and other issues.

According to Democracy For Saratoga Springs Host Sally Kirouac, "It is clear that Ron Kim strives for integrity, accountability and transparency in city government. He works well with the various departments in his purview, successfully negotiating contracts for five separate bargaining units. He works closely with our Mayor, Valerie Keehn. He has fought hard against obstructionist opponents and has sought ways to move important projects forward in a constructive and positive fashion. He deserves the endorsement of Democracy for America."

3. Halfmoon Democratic Picnic

The Halfmoon Democratic Picnic will be held this Saturday, October 13th from 1-4pm at the Halfmoon-Waterford Firehouse, 315 Middletown Road, Waterford, NY. The event will benefit candidate Jeffrey Harnett and the Halfmoon Democratic Committee. Tickets at $10 and kids under twelve are free. Hamburg, hotdogs and the usual picnic fixin's will be served. For more info to to: http://www.halfmoondemocrats.com


4. Washington County Democratic Women's Luncheon

You Are Invited To The Washington County Democratic Women’s Luncheon Friday, October 19th, 2007, 12 noon - 2 pm at the Cambridge Hotel, Cambridge, NY. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door.

Featured Speaker: Barbara Bartoletti, Legislative Director of the NYS League of Women Voters.
Plus Guests: Atty. Peter Tulin – Democratic candidate for Supreme Court Justice in NY’s 4th JD and Lisa Manzi – Regional representative from Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand’s office

Special Musical Presentation: Bob Warren performing excerpts from “Only the Message Mattered” – his original song cycle and narrative about the life and times of Susan B. Anthony

For reservations, contact luncheon coordinators: Ellen Faber at 677-8345 or Sheila Comar at 642-9566 or mail checks (made out to WCDC) to Ellen Faber, 100 East Main Street, Cambridge, NY 12816.

For more info go to http://www.washingtoncountydemocrats.com

5. Stillwater Democratic Picnic

The Stillwater Democrats will hold their Fall picnic, raffle and silent auction on October 19th from 6-8pm at the Post 490 Legion Hall, Lake Street, Stillwater. Sausage and peppers, hamburgers, hotdogs, salads, beverages and deserts will be served. The picnic will benefit candidates Supervisor Greg Connors, Councilwoman Joan Ronda, Council Candidate Brian Merrell, Justice Candidate Maria Morris and Tax Collector Carol Ford.


6. Congress Caving On FISA?

In the news in the NY Times today is a starling report that the Democratic leadership in Congress is preparing to give the Bush administration a new blank check for extraordinary spying powers. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/09/washington/09nsa.html?bl&ex=1192075200&en=a1a4efc5ede9a0e4&ei=5087%0A

Under the FISA law, which worked fine, the government had to go to a special court to get permission to wiretap American's phones or spy on their messages. In what is probably the most humiliating episode since the new Congress was sworn in back in January, in August the White House stampeded Congress into granting it sweeping new powers that verged on the kind of powers exercised by totalitarian states. The fear of being accused of being "soft on terror" apparently has some Democrats shaking in their boots.

When one considers than many historians feel that the American Revolution really began with James Otis' famous Writs Of Assistance case in 1761 (the Writs gave Royal authorities analogous powers to enter and spy ), we've reversed the American Revolution and gone from one King George to another.

For a thorough and excellent take, read today's Glenn Greenwald in Salon: http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/?last_story=/opinion/greenwald/2007/10/09/fisa/

In fairness, there are some good things in the new bill. But on the whole, why would Congress even consider giving a blatant lawbreaker like Bush any new powers at all? In what way can such a man be trusted with such powers?

7. Friday Night Film Fest

The Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe will be holding a special screening and presentation Friday night as 7:30 as part of its weekly progressive Film Fest:

Fri. Oct 12
* Special Event * REESE ERLICH - Booksigning w/Discussion on Iran 7:30 pm
Reese Erlich is a reporter from the Christian Science Monitor and an author as well. His new book is "The Iran Agenda: The Real Story of U.S. Policy and the Middle East Crisis". He will be at Rock Hill Cafe to read from and sign his new book but also to lead a discussion about our impending war with Iran. Following Mr. Erlich will be a screening of "Independent Media: In a Time Of War". The film was made by Hudson Mohawk Independent Media Center in Troy and centers on a speech given by Amy Goodman (in Troy) about the corporate media's coverage of "Shock and Awe" and about the media's drums of war. Apropos considering the current drumbeat concerning Iran. 40 minutes

Thanks everyone!

Larry
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 4:20 PM