June 2013: On the Streets

As the days get hotter, so does the campaign! We celebrated the start of June with two key endorsements from the Transport Workers Union Local 100 and the League of Independent Theater, as well as the launch of petitioning to get on the ballot -- not to mention a move to our new office! We're rapidly gaining momentum as we move into summer, and we need supporters like you more than ever:

• Donate today to help us build a better City.
• Volunteer to join Team Ben.
• towsenkallosforcouncil [dot] com (subject: Host%20a%20House%20Party) (Host a House Party)
• Attend our Campaign Office Grand Opening on Wednesday, June 26 from 6-9 pm. 

Read on for updates on the latest developments in our campaign:

• Petitioning to Get on the Ballot
• Championing Public Transportation
• Celebrating Arts
• Pledge to Protect
• Roosevelt Island School PTA Dinner
• Campaign Makes Headlines
• Community Events

​Petitioning to Get on the Ballot
 
On June 4, petitioning began to get candidates on the ballot. My team of volunteers and interns began at 7 a.m. and worked through the evening, showing amazing energy and enthusiasm. Petitioning will run through July 11. By New York state law, we require 900 signatures to be on the ballot -- but, to be absolutely safe and certain I'll be on the ballot, we plan on getting three times that number. To achieve that goal, I need your help. Volunteer to join Team Ben as we gather signatures across the Upper East Side by contacting Paul Westrick at paulkallosforcouncil [dot] com (subject: Petitioning)  or toll-free at (855) 2-KALLOS (525567) extension 103. 

After our first day of petitioning, we hosted a petitioning launch party at Traffic Bar in Midtown East, featuring hilarious comedians Mark Normand, Nat Towsen and Erik Bergstrom. The event was a great success, thanks to supporters like you!

Championing Public Transportation

The 30,000-member TWU Local 100 endorsed my candidacy for City Council in District 5, recognizing strong advocacy and a clear vision for public transportation. President John Samuels said: "Ben Kallos has demonstrated great knowledge and commitment to working with our union to improve public transit in New York.”
 

The next week, the Bring Back Our Booths program that our campaign launched when station agents were removed from crowded Upper East Side stops went Citywide, as elected officials and mayoral candidates joined TWU Local 100 and Transit Forward on a day of action across the boroughs. I was deeply proud to be part of it.
 
Celebrating Arts
 
The League of Independent Theaters of New York (LITNY) endorsed our campaign. Executive Director John Clancy said, “Ben impressed us enormously at our candidates forum this spring, and he has a great record of getting things done – from putting Albany legislation online to promote transparency to leading the charge to get rid of a corrupt state senator. I’m confident he'll be a powerful voice for New York City arts and culture."

I've already worked to accomplish many artistic goals in partnership with LITNY and arts nonprofit Fractured Atlas, including working to develop a custom portal for LITNY based on NYCPASpaces, for performers to find free and low cost space to use. We are doing this because I don't wait until after Election Day to keep my word and get things done.

Join our campaign for a creative city today!
 
 
Pledge to Protect
 
I’m proud to oppose the Marine Transfer Station at 91^st Street, recognizing that a dump absolutely does not belong in a residential area – particularly not one with children playing in the park and low-income housing nearby. I'll fight tirelessly against it when I am in City Hall. Join me in signing the Pledge 2 Protect our community from this dangerous garbage dump today.
 
NYC has one of the lowest recycling rates in the country – 15% to other major cities’ 75% of waste. We can reduce the overall number of garbage dumps that contain harmful waste by increasing the amount we recycle, and reduce the health hazards that result from them by supporting environmentally friendly solutions such as clean-burning trucks. Our city can and should be a green leader.

Roosevelt Island School Parent-Teacher Association International Dinner

It was my great pleasure to attend the annual Roosevelt Island school (P.S./I.S. 217) PTA International Dinner and Fundraiser to support enrichment programs. There, I met deeply devoted parents at one of the most special schools in the city. Because I had severe difficulty reading, school was a challenge for me. The arts always provided a safe space to learn and grow. That's why I was especially proud to support enrichment programs at the PTA fundraiser, including worthy organizations such as Studio in a School Art Program, Ballroom Dance, Gold Opera, Main Street Theater & Dance Alliance, Turtle Bay Music School, Salvadori Center Residency (Urban Planning/Architecture), IDig2Grow Gardening, and many more.

Campaign Makes Headlines

We've been really busy and the headlines are there to prove it!  We've been making so much news that we can't fit it all in the newsletter.  Here are just a few of the headlines:

• Website Imitation is Flattery in New York City Council Race,
• One Man One March for Child Care Funding Joined by Council Candidate Kallos with Proposal for Funding
• Kallos to Support Slate of Young Democrats for County Committee to Achieve Policy Platform
• Roosevelt Island Pulls Through Day in the Dark
• Million Dollars Earned by CUNY Graduates for $25,000 Investment

Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter, and visit KallosForCouncil.com to stay updated between newsletters.

Community Events
 
Expanding Community CARE
 
The Lenox Hill Neighborhood House expanded its schedule for CARE Social Adult Day Program for elderly patients with dementia. Learn more here.

June 15: Roosevelt Island Blood Drive
 
Give a life-saving gift at the Roosevelt Island Blood Drive on Roosevelt Island Day this month, June 15. Blood donations provide needed help. Call 800-688-0900 to check eligibility.

June 21: Astronomical Observing at Carl Schurz Park

Enjoy free astronomical observing of the summer night sky at our very own Carl Schurz Park. Learn more.

June 25: Naumburg Orchestral Concerts, The Knights

Enjoy a free classical music concert at the Central Park concert ground at 7:30 p.m. by The Knights. This is the opening concert in the 2013 series. 
June 26: Campaign Office Launch

Join us for the grand opening of our new campaign office on Wednesday, June 26 from 6-9 p.m. Give what you can and celebrate our move to a new space at 435 E 86th St. 

Senior Center Tour

I'll be touring senior centers throughout the Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island so I can talk to seniors in the district, like my mother, about the issues that matter. Call Paul Westrick toll-free at (855) 2-KALLOS (525567) extension 103 to ensure that I visit your senior center.

Intern With Us
It's not too late to gain valuable experience in local politics by joining #TeamBen. This is an exciting internship where you'll be able to participate in all aspects of a successful campaign.  Visit our Internship page to learn more and email internshipkallosforcouncil [dot] com with a resume and cover letter to apply.
 

Did we miss your event? Email infokallosforcouncil [dot] com with your event for inclusion in our next newsletter.

With more happening than ever, we need your help to keep up the momentum:

• Donate today to help us build a better City.
• Volunteer to join Team Ben.
• towsenkallosforcouncil [dot] com (subject: Host%20a%20House%20Party) (Host a House Party)
• Attend our Campaign Office Grand Opening on Wednesday, June 26 from 6-9 pm. 

Thanks for your support,
Ben