LPQC
NewsLPQC
NewsThe Official Newsletter of the Libertarian Party of Queens County
Volume 4, Number 1.
Jay Severin, Sharon Harris Headline LPNY convention March 14-15.
Innis Gubernatorial Candidacy Influenced by Local LP
Libertarian Historical Dates...
Proposed Local LP/ LPQC Activity Schedule for 1998
LPQC News has shifted to a quarterly publication cycle, with mid-winter, mid-spring, mid-summer and mid-autumn issues planned. The next issue will be out by mid-may, and edited by John Clifton, with publishing assistance from Thomas Crawford. We hope this interim issue will continue to inform and encourage libertarians throughout Queens, NYC and beyond. News or Libertarian-related article submissions to LPQC News are welcome; contact us at (718) 670-3270. Peace & Freedom in'98!
Jay Severin, Sharon Harris Headline LPNY Convention March 14-15.
The 1998 Libertarian Party of New York state convention will be held at the Sheraton Civic Center Hotel in Poughkeepsi, on March 14-15. At press time, radio talk-show host campaign manager and "mainstream" libertarian celebrity Jay Severin had been confirmed as the Dinner Speaker. Advocates for Self-Government President Sharon Harris has also been confirmed (as the lunch speaker), as well as Peter Christ, President of Reconsider.
Notables also Scheduled to attend are Steve Dasbach, LP National Chair, along with Michael Cloud and Ron Crickenberger, who will present a condensed version of success'98, a workshop on campaigning and party building strategies. Also Slated to appear is Roy Innis, National Chairman of C.O.R.E., and candidates for the LP Gubernatorial nomination (see articles elsewhere in LPQC News).
LPNY has arranged a $89 room rate for people attending the convention; contact the hotel directly for reservations at (914) 485-5300; mention you are with the LP to get this rate. The fees for the event range from $49 (by Feb.27, for speakers and seminars only), to up to $108 (after Feb.27, includes both lunch and dinner). LPNY has mailed a registration form to all members as of this writing. Return the form with payment to:
Convention '98
Libertarian Party of New York
P.O.Box 1664 New York, NY. 10013-1664
By John Clifton
Innis Gubernatorial Candidacy Influenced by Local LP
Libertarian representatives from Nassau and Queens played a key role in confirming the decision of Roy Innis, Chairman of the Congress On Racial Equality (CORE) and board member of the National Rifle Association, to announce his candidacy for the LPNY's nomination for Governor.
On January 5th., LPNC's Jim Harris and LPQC's John Clifton met with Mr. Innis in his office and convinced him to seek the nomination. Mr. Innis had previously indicated interest in In a third party candidacy, in a November meeting with Harris and LPNY Chair Lloyd Wright (see Wright's update on Innis in this issue). The follow-up meeting was intended to further iron out details on Innis's position, about his gubernatorial bid.
Innis was especially intrigued by the possibility, as outlined by Mr.Clifton, of more easily getting on the ballot in New York City elections in 2001, as a result of securing permanent party status for the LP in the '98 state election.
Innis drew 26% of the vote in the democratic primary for Mayor in 1993, an amazing feat for a non-liberal candidate with a small budget. Mr.Innis came across as libertarian on virtually all issues reviewed in both meetings. The candidate committed himself to appearing at all three LP conventions, LPNY, LPQC, and National LP, in the coming months. Mr.Innis will seek to further vet himself among libertarians at the LPNY convention, March 14-15.
By John Clifton
Update on Roy Innis Candidacy from the LPNY Chair: (2/5/98)
Hello Everyone!
Yesterday Jim Harris, Blay Tarnoff, Bill Winter, Ron Crickenberger and I met with Roy Innis to officially sign him up for the party. The good news is that Roy signed up! However, the board of directors of CORE are against his running for governor this year because they do not believe he has the time to run for governor and run CORE. Apparently this has already been a good year for CORE. Their annual fundraiser on Dr.Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday was a huge success, raising a record amount of money. The extra money means increasing their staff and programs. Roy also expressed some concern about the amount of money he and we could raise to run a credible campaign.
Upon hearing this we all donned our salesmen hats and, led by Jim Harris, sold Roy on the potential benefits to Core Roe's campaign would have. We focused on getting out his message to younger generations who have never heard of CORE much less Roy Innis. We also stressed the fact that Roy would probably do well since the election appears to be a landslide for Pataki, with no credible Democrats announced.
After our sales pitch Roy said he would still consider running, but would discuss the prospect with fellow NRA board members this Friday. He asked that we meet with him again in two weeks.
I believe that with Roy Innis as our candidate we will achieve 50,000 votes. However, to convince him to run, I feel we must show that we can raise a considerable sum of money (say $100,000 in commitments) and show him a list of volunteers who would help him with his campaign. I will personally contact some of NY's big donors to the national party to ask how much they would be willing to invest in a Roy Innis campaign. I ask that each of you discuss this with your libertarian friends and local organizations to estimate how much money you believe we can raise in NY and how many volunteers we can count on. National will help with an estimate of how much we can raise through a national mailing.
In addition, we must prepare a back-up plan. Obviously we must recruit additional candidates. Any ideas you have would be greatly appreciated.
I might add that Roy mentioned that his son Niger, who appears as a commentator on MSNBC and is CORE's communications director, might be interested in running for one of the statewide offices.
I believe we owe members our best effort to recruit Roy Innis. Just signing him up for the party is a major coup. Roy will be on the FrontPage of the LP news in March. But at the same time, we must be prepared for him to decline to run.
By Lloyd Wright
| John Clifton | Chairperson LPQC |
| John Procida | Vice-Chairperson |
| Joe Quinn | Vice-Chair Programs |
| Jim Strawhorn | Vice-Chair |
| Ed Velez | Secretary |
| Bob Knipe | Treasurer |
| Tod Ginnis | Membership Secretary |
| Brad Arter | Rep. to LPNY |
| Siegie Kress | Councilor |
| Elliott Werner | Councilor |
| Thomas E. Crawford | Newsletter |
Libertarian Historical Dates...*
1971- Party founded on December 11 by David Nolan.
1972- 1st. National Convention held in Denver Co.
1975- National Convention held in NYC!
1976- Ballot status achieved in 32 States. Party is recognized by a national Periodical, Newsweek.
1978- Dick Randolph of Alaska becomes first elected Libertarian State Legislator.
1980- Ed Clark, Presidential Candidate, appears on the ballot in all 50 States while Dick Randolph of Alaska is re-elected!
1990- Approximately 2 Million people vote "Libertarian"; New Hampshire's Libertarian candidate receives enough votes to qualify the Libertarian Party as an "Official Party" with ballot status.
1993- In this "Off-Year" election, 15 Libertarians are elected or appointed to public office.
1994- Libertarian Philosophies have strong impact on national policies. In November more than 650 Libertarian Candidates are on the ballot, 2.2 million people vote Libertarian while 11 libertarians are elected or re-elected to office.
1996- The Libertarian Party becomes first third party in American history to earn ballot status in all 50 states two Presidential Elections in a row. Best selling author Harry Brown gets the party nomination. The party runs 800+ Candidates for office. The party gains ballot status in 22 states.
Submitted by Thomas Crawford
* Reprinted in whole or in part from: A Short History Of The Libertarian Party, 1971-1996
The LPQC will be holding a special meeting on April 18th. from 11 am- 4pm at the China Buffet Restaurant in Kew Gardens, to commemorate the fifth anniversary since the ATF/FBI/Military siege of the Branch Davidian residence. The Oscar-nominated video documentary of the controversy, Waco: The Rules of Engagement, will be aired, followed by discussion.
Additional literature or media on this incident will be displayed and reviewed at the meeting. Further ideas and suggestions for this event are welcome: cal (718)670-3270. Reserve the date, with Peace & Freedom!
Business Meeting: 11:00am-11:30am
Lunch Break (buffet lunch, $12.50, includes tax & gratuity) 11:30am-12:30pm
Program: 12:30pm- 4:00pm
Directions: China Buffet Restaurant, 80-02 Kew Gardens road (near Queens Borough Hall, in same building as Bally's Total Fitness), is at the Union Turnpike station of the E and F trains, and along the path of the Q60,Q46, Q10, and Q35 bus lines. By car, drive along Queens Blvd. to Union Turnpike, or along Grand Central Parkway to Exit 13.
The final candidates for the LPQC's permanent meeting location, beginning in June, are Bohemian Hall at 29-19 24th. Avenue (in Astoria), and China Buffet Restaurant, 80-02 Kew Gardens Rd. (in Kew Gardens). Based on preliminary visits by LPQC officers following our February meeting, the Bohemian Hall is the favored site at this time. Watch our meeting notices during the spring for final news regarding the LPQC's decision.
By John Clifton
Proposed Local LP/ LPQC Activity Schedule for 1998
Over the last few months, the LPQC has been trying to map out a schedule of activities for the rest of 1998. Below is the agenda of events proposed at our December and January meetings. The list includes confirmed, tentative, and "to be announced" events. Many are doable only if we get additional workers to assist us (e.g., OPH booths). Please tell us what you can do to make these projects happen, and lend a hand!
MARCH: No meeting! Weekend of LPNY State Convention.
APRIL: Topical meeting - WACO: 5 Years Later, showing of film, "WACO:The Rules of Engagement".
MAY: LPQC county convention, tentative location: Flushing Town Hall or TBA. Speakers: Murray Sabrin & LPNY Gubernatorial Nominee.
JUNE: Executive Committee meeting on Petition Drive, OPH Booth events.
JULY: LPQC's Reps. at National Convention in Washington D.C., July 4th. weekend. Possible "Ultimate OPH Booth" event on Liberty Island or ferry boarding area on Manhattan side, July 4th. Petition Drive conducted in conjunction with frequent set up of OPH Booths in selected areas of Queens.
AUGUST: Executive Meeting to further plan fall campaign; more OPH Booths.
SEPT: Major fundraising meeting/event for LPNY statewide candidates. Topic and speakers to be announced.
OCT: Executive Meeting on final campaign planning. OPH Booths held throughout NYC to promote LP and local candidates.
NOV: Executive Meeting on election results.
DEC: Topical Meeting, subject and speakers to be announced.
By John Clifton
LPQC News
John Clifton, Editor
Thomas Crawford, Assistant Editor
Bradford R. Arter, Associate Editor
Ed Velez, Web Site Editor
LPQC News is published quarterly by the Libertarian Party of Queens County. Subscriptions: included free with LPQC membership;$6/year to non-members. Deadline for articles is the second Saturday of the month preceding publication. Opinions expressed in LPQC News are not necessarily official positions of the membership or the officers of the LPQC. Please direct all correspondence to LPQC News, c/o Procida Realty Corp., 161-09 29th. Ave.,Flushing, NY11358; or call (718) 670-3270.
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