Mattera Result Giant Step for Greens
Victory over Markowitz at key polling site reflects strong opposition to Ratner's Atlantic
Yards Project
Gloria Mattera, Green Party candidate for
Borough President, received the highest ever
voting percentages for a Green candidate in a
city borough-wide race.
Her 7 percent tally more than doubled that
achieved by Ralph Nader in his high profile
presidential run five years ago.
Impressively, Mattera hit 30 percent or higher
in several neighborhoods surrounding the
proposed Atlantic Yards project.
"Our totals in the 52nd and 57th Assembly
Districts clearly show that there is a lot of
community opposition to the Forest City Ratner
Corporation," said Mattera. "People who have
never voted Green before did so in big numbers.
They see us working side by side with the
community in its fight against tax-subsidized
private development and eminent domain."
Pointing to the fact that she beat Markowitz in
several electoral districts close the Atlantic
Yards, Mattera said "This should serve as a
wake-up call for elected officials—that they can
no longer take voters for granted and will be
held accountable for actions that undermine our
communities."
Many volunteers and contributors to the Mattera
Campaign came from areas where Marty Markowitz
has handed control over community planning to
real estate developers, including Fort Greene,
Prospect Heights and Park Slope. Mattera took
the Brooklyn High School of the Arts polling
site in the 57th AD. The preliminary vote tally
there was 346 to 289, and she won in 4 out of 6
election districts at that location.
"This has been a valuable opportunity for us to
form alliances with neighbors and community
groups opposed to the Ratner plan," said Susan
Metz, a coordinator for the campaign who lives
on Park Place in the 57th AD, "We look forward
to planning our next steps in stopping this
harmful project."
Mattera cautioned, "We are the leading
opposition party in a good portion of Brooklyn,
but we're completely unknown in many areas. This
depresses our overall percentage."
"We have to spread our success to other parts of
the borough. But the trend is upward."
A Message from Gloria
Dear Supporters:
Thank you for helping to make my campaign a success by sending a donation and spreading the word. Election Day was very exciting. We had close to 400 people on the street and covered 100 pollsites. The campaign concentrated in several areas that have been plagued by large development projects, rising rents or displacement; Prospect Heights, Fort Greene, Park Slope, Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Sunset Park, East New York and Brownsville. Many voters were grateful to have a candidate who presented with them with a vision of social and economic justice and community driven development.
Initial poll results indicate that Brooklyn residents in these areas cast a vote for empowering communities not catering to billionaire developers. I was the top total voter getter at a pollsite close to the footprint of Bruce Ratner's Atlantic Yards Project. With 18.000 votes, we have sent a clear sign that this project does not have the support of the surrounding communities.
With your help, our goal of raising $50,000 was accomplished. With the $200,000 received from the Campaign Finance matching funds program, my campaign was able to have radio and television commercials in addition to ads in all the Brooklyn weekly papers.
Stay tuned to this website and campaign update list to stay involved. Please sign up for e-mail news. There are several exciting events coming up.
The Mattera Team is participating in Develop Don't Destroy's Walkathon fundraiser this Sunday, November 13. Please go to DDDb.net and sign up to join the team or sponsor those of us who are registered to walk. I urge you to support this important issue by helping to raise money to continue the fight against the Ratner land grab. Please help me raise at least $500 - but hopefully more.
Peace,
Gloria
Scenes from Election Day
Mattera: Greens Only Viable Choice for Voters
Markowitz Aligns With Republicans Against People of Brooklyn
"Many leading Democrats are colluding with Republicans to undermine our democratic institutions in the service of corporate entities. Many progressive Democrats oppose their party's alliance with the Republicans and are considering alternatives in this election. Democrats are supporting my campaign for Brooklyn Borough president in unprecedented numbers," said Gloria Mattera, Green Party candidate for Brooklyn Borough President.
Read more...
Brooklyn Downtown Star Endorses Gloria
On November 3, the Downtown Brooklyn Star printed an enthusiastic endorsement of Gloria Mattera for Brooklyn Borough President:
"[S]he impressed us with her knowledge of the office, her passion for the borough and
her vision for the future."
Read more...
Exposing the Shame of Brownsville
The Mattera campaign held a press conference to point out the shameful state of housing in Brownsville. The Daily News covered this story.
Read more...
Chris Owens Endorses Gloria Mattera
Owens says Markowitz "has betrayed Brooklyn" in supporting Mayor Bloomberg's re-election
Brooklyn, NY – October 17, 2005 – Chris Owens, Democratic candidate for membership in the U.S. House of Representatives from Brooklyn's 11th Congressional District, today crossed party lines and endorsed Green Party candidate Gloria Mattera for Brooklyn Borough President over Democrat Marty Markowitz. Markowitz is seeking re-election to a second term of office.
Read more...
Sierra Club Endorses Gloria Mattera
Brooklyn – In an historic move, the Sierra Club has endorsed Gloria Mattera, the Green Party candidate for Brooklyn Borough President.
"I am delighted to receive the Sierra Club's endorsement," Mattera said after receiving the news. "The Sierra Club has taken a strong position against Bruce Ratner's Atlantic Yards Project. I look forward to working with the club's Brooklyn activists to promote our shared vision of community control over land use. Together, the Green Party and the Sierra Club will work to create a healthier, safer, greener Brooklyn."
Read more...
Markowitz Endorses Bloomberg
Mattera: Markowitz Endorsement of Bloomberg "final betrayal" of Brooklyn
Reacting to current Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz's endorsement of Mayor Bloomberg, Green Party candidate Gloria Mattera called Markowitz "a traitor to Brooklyn":
"Marty Markowitz's decision to back Bloomberg for mayor is unconscionable. Mayor Bloomberg has sold our city out to the highest corporate bidders and accepts President George W. Bush's Republican agenda. Now Markowitz is supporting him."
Read more...
The Straight Story on 'Scaling Down'
In the September 24 article entitled "Make It Smaller", Jess Wisloski reports on the Brooklyn Borough President candidates' forum held on September 19 at Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church.
The piece focused on Mr. Markowitz's comment that the Atlantic Yards Projected needs to be 'scaled down.' Has Mr. Markowitz had some kind of revelation as to the tragedy of this proposal? Or was his comment made to blunt my criticism and the growing opposition to his relentless cheerleading of the biggest swindle in Brooklyn history?
Read the article...
Read more... |
