And Flushing Councilmember John Liu even rejected the idea that member items really exist, arguing that the council arrives at a budget as a body.

“I don’t have anything that’s called a member item,” said Liu. “There are local initiatives that are suggested strongly by a council member.”

Where is the transparency?

I’m not very sure of how much of a infrastructure exists in the Liberal Party these days. In the distant past they were capable of organizing petition drives. As they don’t appear to be involved in that many races they could be helpful. Having alternatives as candidates guarantees them more attention than merely giving voters a different column in which they may cast a vote for the Democratic or Republican selections.

Thusly, they have something to gain by helping Simon to get listed on the ballot in their column.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been involved in petition gathering for a candidate. If I recall correctly back then you wanted to get at least twice as many signatures as was needed. It was also a good idea to ask voters where they lived before having them sign. Some voters have no idea what district they in, or who represents them. And a number of “registered” voters turn out not to be registered at all. The trick in getting signatures is to ask quick questions because you are often engaging people who are in rush to get somewhere.

Needless to say the insiders have expert petition gatherers who achieve better results than those of us who are less experienced. The last time I did a petition drive was almost 30 years ago. I expect it was a bit easier then as there was a higher percentage of active registered voters. These days, people are kept on registration lists long after they cast their last vote. In the interim they may have moved, but as their recorded residence has nor changed their petition is invalid. In the past one needed to vote in a general election at least once in a specified period of time to remain registered.

So one might need to gather four times as many signatures as required in order to gather the necessary number of valid ones.

Lise

While I was trying to be humorous earlier, I actually do, as a matter of fact, strongly support the legalization (with restrictions similar to alcohol) and taxation of marijuana. It’s pretty sad that the Oil Lobby managed to so thoroughly vilify hemp and marijuana in the 30’s. It’s been near 40 years, you’d think all the hippies of the 70’s would have voted for it! oy!

While I can’t endorse your apparent stance on certain recreational drug use, I am glad that you’re motivated to get involved. Tell a friend to get involved, too… even if it’s just by picking up a newspaper and learning about issues that interest them or casting their vote in this year’s election.

If there was ever a time to shake off the apathy and pay attention to who is going to making decisions for all of us in the future, now’s the time!

Hrm. What’s the age requirement, maybe I’ll run for council in a few years myself! There’s a Marijuana Party in New York right?

In all seriousness, thank you Lisanne and Simon for those nice compliments. I greatly appreciate the support.

In getting to know Simon – even back a few years when our family’s season seats were near each other at Brooklyn Cyclones game! – I’ve found him to be very knowledgeable, honest and a man of principle who doggedly fights the good fight. I wish him well in his present and future pursuits… something tells me that we all haven’t heard the last of him!

I hope “Kreskin” will forgive me, but the entire electoral process in New York needs an overhaul. The current system is fraught with procedural pitfalls and obstacles to get on the ballot that it is now not only obselete, but undemocratic. Let’s scrap the process entirely. No one should be kept off of the ballot for mis-numbered a cover sheet, or – heavens forbid! – contains a typo. Let’s create a modern system where the rules are clear and easy to follow that promotes participation in the electoral process, not discourages it.

The election process shouldn’t be rocket science. NYC needs to catch up with the times!