Queens Independence Party Endorses Charles Ober for City Council in District 30 in June 3 Special Election
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 21, 2008
CONTACT: Jerry Everett
Phone: 917-859-2838
Email: jerryeverett@earthlink.net
The Queens County Committee of the Independence Party of New York announced today it has endorsed Charles Ober for the June 3 special election for the 30th Council District. Mr. Ober is running in a four-way race on the “Community First” line in the election. Special elections in New York City are nonpartisan, open to all registered voters, and do not list party affiliations of the candidates.
"Charles Ober has a genuine affinity for, and practical track record on, the issues and processes of grassroots democracy that the Independence Party cares about," said Queens Chairman Gerald Everett.
Mr. Ober is a civic leader with an impressive track record of independent, non-partisan organizing on behalf of both practical community concerns and structural political reforms such as non-partisan redistricting, campaign finance reform, nonpartisan municipal elections, same day voter registration and term limits.
"I'm proud to have the endorsement of the Queens Independence Party, and I look forward to working with independents and all voters in the district in the process of further developing the district and continuing to move the city in a nonpartisan direction," Mr. Ober said.
In answer to a question by the Queens Independence Party screening committee on his thoughts about the recent rash of political scandals among New York elected officials, Mr. Ober said that corruption is the result of a "disconnect" between elected officials and the people. "If you don't have a strong connection to your constituents, and a culture of transparency, corruption will worm its way in."
“Twenty-three percent of the voters in the 30th Council District are Independence Party and unaffiliated independent voters,” said Chairman Everett. “We are looking forward to reaching out to them on behalf of Charles Ober. Unlike partisan elections, nonpartisan special elections create an important opportunity for all the voters in the district to be on a level playing field.”
###
