Gary Holder-Winfield & Clean Elections

Below is a press release I just received.

I have "bolded/red-ed" the last line because it is important to my own beliefs.

You are of course entitled to your own beliefs about entitlement and corruption in the political process./snark

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Chris Campbell
Tel: (203) 212-8683
Email: chris@gary2013.com

NATIONAL CLEAN ELECTION ADVOCATES
TURN TO HOLDER-WINFIELD:
Democracy Matters invites Holder-Winfield
to Lead Final Push for Clean Elections in NY

Following on his own national work fighting for clean election laws, Rep. Gary Holder-Winfield has been invited by Democracy Matters to lead their final push to pass clean election reforms through the New York state legislature. Democracy Matters is a national public advocacy group devoted to clean election and campaign finance reform. Gary Holder-Winfield was the keynote speaker at their 2011 national student summit and has worked with them in the past, in addition to his testimony in 2009 to save Connecticut's clean elections fund, which you can read about here. Gary has also been a strong supporter of clean elections research, working with Yale political scientists to study the effects of Citizens United on voter behavior.

On Tuesday, Gary will be traveling to Albany to continue his work with Democracy Matters and other activists. He will spend the day meeting with key state Senators to push for the passage of a public financing system for New York similar to public financing systems established in Connecticut. The bill has already passed the NY House, but needs to pass the NY Senate before their session ends on June 20. Known not only for his national advocacy for clean elections but also for his effectiveness in passing legislation in legislative 'crunch-time', Gary has been brought in to push for the bill's passage in time for Cuomo to sign it into law.

“I believe in campaign finance laws establishing systems of ‘clean elections’ because they allow not only for the voices of normal people to have an effect in politics but affords those individuals the opportunity to run where special interest money usually dominates,” says Gary. “I've been championing clean elections for many years because I know the dangers of money in politics. Money, not ideas becomes the driving force in our politics.”

 Gary has seen the other end of money in politics having endured issues with a campaign treasurer in the past accused of taking money from his campaign. Holder-Winfield worked with authorities to deal with those issues head on. “The other thing important about a well designed system is that where there are issues they can be seen quickly and we can ensure that the public's trust is maintained,” Holder-Winfield recently asserted “and that is part of why I advocate for a system that is open, transparent and public. It is the basis for why we've signed the Clean Primary Pledge, which commits us to the Democracy Fund 100%, not just when it's convenient. The rules exist to allow the people a voice, that is not something you work around. The people of New Haven deserve someone who respects them and can stand by their principles.”

“I'm running to be a new kind of mayor, that's why we're running a new kind of campaign.”

Now that seven candidates have entered the field, Gary Holder-Winfield is still the only candidate to have signed the Clean Primary Pledge.

Milford Mirror Endorses Ben Blake for Mayor

Choosing a mayor

Written by Editorial Staff
Wednesday, 02 November 2011 13:43

Milford’s mayoral candidates are to be commended for their courage and tenacity in running for a very demanding job with the goal of bettering the city they love and taking the time to push ideas they believe are in Milford’s best interest.

The candidates have willingly endured public scrutiny in order for voters to find out who they are and what they profess to do to improve the quality of life for Milford residents now and in the future.

That said, we do believe one candidate stands out as the most deserving of the mayoral vote this year.

Democrat Ben Blake has spent eight years as a member of the Board of Aldermen readying himself for the job, learning which ideas work and which ones do not work.
[...]
During a meeting earlier this year when city officials debated waiving certain Planning and Zoning regulations for people severely affected by Tropical Storm Irene, Blake stood out because he spoke with the head of the city’s land use department about the impact of those changes.

A city leader cannot always be an authority on every issue: A key sign of leadership ability is knowing who to talk with and how to gather needed information before making a decision.

It is refreshing to see a leader seek out the parties who actually do the work for feedback on what needs doing.

This is the kind of growth we’ve seen in Blake over the years.

He loves the community, and certainly will do the best he can for Milford, relying on his education, intelligence, experience and the lessons he’s learned while making decisions as an alderman — decisions similar to those a mayor will be asked to make on a daily basis.

We give our endorsement to Blake.

“ICYMI Thursday” - Dems Convention in Milford

Photo by Caitlin Mazzola - MilfordPatch

Ben Blake, Mayoral Candidate, Milford, CT

Connecticut Bob, as usual, says it best:

 Blake, an attorney, has been on the Board of Aldermen for eight years, and served as Chairman for several years. He has experience in running the city as Acting Mayor, and he presided over the Board during the only time in city history that there was a tax reduction!

Click here for the May 2011 pre-announcement of the Management Team of Ben Blake for Mayor and Suzanne Manning for City Clerk.

Blake for Mayor - Official Announcement and Event Invitation

---

Please join us as Ben Blake announces his candidacy for Mayor
THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2011
6 pm
On the steps of Milford’s Historic City Hall

---

And….Following the announcement
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO
A RECEPTION IN SUPPORT OF
BEN BLAKE'S CANDIDACY FOR MAYOR OF MILFORD
STONEBRIDGE RESTAURANT
50 DANIEL STREET – MILFORD
7 pm
Please RSVP to BEN@BLAKEFORMILFORD.COM
If you cannot attend, please consider making a contribution through
the campaign website www.blakeformilford.com or by mail to
BLAKE FOR MILFORD
PO Box 3307 Milford, CT 06460

Thank you for your support!

BLAKE FOR MILFORD
Benjamin Gettinger, Treasurer
Approved by Ben Blake

Word is out... [UPDATED POST]

BEN BLAKE FOR MAYOR OF MILFORD 

The website has launched, the invitations have arrived, the signs are being made, the endorsements have been given...

On April 28th, sworn to secrecy, at the Milford Democratic Town Committee's monthly city-wide meeting, members loudly applauded the private announcement of Alderman Ben Blake's candidacy.  He wasn't present, since it was a Budget Meeting night, but the cheers were probably heard all the way from the Elks Club to City Hall.

And then the topper: Suzanne Manning for City Clerk!

The popular publisher of Milford Living Magazine, a former member of the Board of Aldermen, member of the United Way Board of Directors as well as the Get In Touch Foundation, Manning is a favorite of Democrats and Republicans alike in the city.

What a ticket! It looks like the November election will be truly exciting for Milford, with such bright and well-liked candidates.

[UPDATE - 5/18/11 - Rumors are out in the NH Register and CT Post that State Senator Gayle Slossberg is considering running for Mayor.  DISCLOSURE: I am a member of the Milford Democratic Town Committee. I have worked on Senator Slossberg's campaigns for State Senate (raising money, donating, walking door-to-door, phoning constituents on her behalf, etc). Gayle has not contacted me about this matter, nor has anyone discussed it at our city-wide meetings.  I saw Gayle on Monday at the JJB and she did not discuss it with me there. I have already endorsed Ben Blake for Mayor and have known about his plan to run for Mayor since December 2010 .]