LPQC news vol.4num.2 summer98

On May 9th., the LP of Queens County celebrated its 4th. Anniversary with a convention that included addresses by most of the LPNY statewide candidates. The setting was the Bohemian Benevolent Society in Astoria, which has been selected by LPQC as its site for regular meetings from June onward.

After opening remarks by LPNY Chair Jim Harris and LPQC Chair John Clifton, a Fact filled, exciting luncheon keynote address was given by gubernatorial candidate Christopher Garvey. Garvey elaborated on the LILCO bond issue, that has been a lead theme of his campaign, due to the prospect that taxpayers throughout New York will probably end up paying for it. When asked about how to "soundbite" this complicated issue, Garvey replied, " 'I.O.U. billions, sign here. Never mind, I'll do it for you.'--yours, George Pataki."

Garvey touched on other matters, such as the monopolistic rules set up by the utilities to frustrate the establishment of cheaper, independent powerplants. The candidate also promised, to frustrate the myriad gun-control laws that restrict use of firearms to state approved militias, to so authorize all able bodied New Yorkers as members of a militia, immediately upon taking office. Garvey laced much of his commentary with poetry that wittily summarized his libertarian world view.

Don Silberger, Bill Macmillan and Bob Goodman made additional speeches to the attendees about their campaign themes and organizations; e.g., Silberger noted his campaign team included past LPNY chair Lloyd Wright. Mr. Macmillan made an innovative suggestion regarding the term limits issue, proposing to severely limit the amount of financing incumbents can raise, as an alternative to restricting their term of office. Jim Harris made remarks about promoting the party and our candidates during the upcoming petitioning period, and announced the LPNY/ NYC area petitioning coordinator would be john Clifton

Bradford Arter, CUNY graduate student, public school instructor and LPNY member at large, was elected new LPQC Chair in the county business session that followed. Arter promised a more activity oriented county chapter, with briefer business meetings and more relaxed settings, such as provided by Bohemian Hall. A special award was presented to Mr. John Clifton for his yeoman service as Chair of LPQC for three years.

LPQC's next meeting will be June 20th. from 10am to 12 noon; for the rest of the summer it will be the second Saturday of each month from 10am to 12 pm, at Bohemian Hall. Much of the discussion will focus on the petition drive, and outreach functions to build visibility for our candidates during the fall. For further information on the LPQC's activities, contact us at (718) 670-3270, or LPQC@aol.com

The LPNY and the New York City Libertarian Organization (NYCLO) will be kicking off the LPNY's 1998 petitioning campaign season with a fundraising dinner on behalf of Chris Garvey, the LPNY's candidate for Governor, on Wednesday, June 24, at the Hunan Fifth Restaurant (323 Fifth Ave. near 32nd. St.) in Manhattan. Dinner will start at 7pm (cash bar 6pm), program at 7:30pm.

Featured speakers include Mr.Garvey, and Dr.Murray Sabrin, the LP of New Jersey's highly successful 1997 gubernatorial candidate, who will discuss how he amassed over 100,000 votes in that election. Admission at the door is $35; make checks payable to: NY Libertarian Campaign '98. Please attend, or make a donation at the address below, for Peace and Freedom!

(Chris Garvey for Governor, Dan Conti for Attorney General, Bob Goodman for Comptroller) 1773 Harold Ave., Wantagh, NY 11793

To contribute to Don Silberger, send checks to : Silberger for Lt. Governor 1998,

It is with some degree of humility that I now will try to follow in John Clifton's footsteps and assume the Chair of the LPQC. John served us extremely well for three years and has been an effective spokesman and leader for our organization. His competent and organized work in arranging meetings, planning events, inviting speakers, and acting as our liaison to inquiries was tireless. We all are awed by his achievements, especially when we consider the tremendous work he put into the New York City Libertarian Convention last year. Because of John's diligence and fortitude, our local chapter is the fastest and one of the most active in the state.

John has stepped down as Chair to head our local and state petition drive for the upcoming elections. I sincerely hope we all can find some time to get out and help collect petition signatures and get all our candidates on the ballot.

As the new Chair, I hope to be able to be effective in helping to organize our membership's activist support for candidates, OPH booths, and outreach to other organizations in the city that may have special interests and ideas compatible with our own. I also hope that our organization can be helpful to Jim Harris, our new Chair of the LPNY, and his efforts to start new local chapters. Although I do maintain that we must remain focused and keep our eyes primarily on building membership and keeping the Libertarian Party strong in Queens county, we will benefit greatly from potential associations with other local chapters and organizations.

The new venue at the Bohemian Hall in Astoria holds some promise for us. We will now have a more pleasant private room for meetings were we can also hold events and present speakers. We should also keep using the China Buffet in Kew Gardens for major events because of its central location, easy parking, and good food. If anyone has suggestions for other locations for meetings and events please contact me.

Our major events have proven to be very successful in getting like-minded Libertarians together from throughout the region. It is essential to keep these events a regular part of LPQC activities. I also believe that our monthly meetings must be revitalized, stressing camaraderie and intellectual discussion rather that mundane (albeit necessary) business. When we were a much smaller group, we needed to focus on business in order to learn what needed to be done to keep ourselves afloat. I propose that our executive meetings be more frequent, and that our general meetings focus on activism and discussion.

One of our frequent guests to our meetings said, "I know where the LPQC is coming from, but I'm not sure where it is going." this is part of our growing pains. We have successfully struggled to come to life, now we must find our vision for the future and seize the opportunity to make the Libertarian Party a meaningful participant in local politics and make an aggressive impact on reducing the and intrusiveness of New York City's bloated, excessive, and corrupt government.

I sincerely thank the LPQC membership for their faith in giving me the responsibilities of the Chair. I pledge to use this trust to keep building our vigorous, activist, and ultimately influential local party.

LPQC Chairperson	Bradford Arter
Vice-Chairperson	John Procida
V.C.Publications	John Clifton
Treasurer	Bob Knipe
Membership Secretary	Jim Strawhorn
County Secretary	Ed Velez
Councilor	Siegie Kress
Councilor	John Clifton
Councilor	Joe Quinn
Councilor	Elliott Werner
Newsletter	Thomas Crawford

As if I hadn't already loaded up my plate of obligations by assuming the editorship of the LPQC News, I doubled my pleasure lately by agreeing to be the state petition coordinated for LPNY. I would thus like to encourage all LP members in Queens, New York City and elsewhere in the state to do everything they can, to secure their share of the signatures needed to secure the party is on the ballot in November. I have established a dedicated voice/fax number (212-656-1196) for those needing more petitions, information, or who wish to leave a weekly update on their progress in completing petitions.

At least 15,000 signatures, plus up to twice as many extra to survive a challenge. If every member statewide signs up to 30 people each, or donates $30 for paid petitions, we will reach this goal easily. Please indicate your commitment by mailing your projections (or donations, payable to LPNY) to Jim Harris, P.O.Box 1036, Rockville Center, NY 11571, before July 7.

Enclosed in this issue you will find a petition form, with instructions (on opposite side) as to how to use it. If you would like to see petitioning demonstrated, come to LPQC's July 11 meeting, and join us as we go to Astoria State Park (and/or points beyond) to collect signatures later that afternoon. And if you are going to do a lot of petitioning, please file a copy of your board of elections card with LPNY or with me (fax to 212-656-1196), so we can prove all witnesses on the petition forms are valid if challenged. Lets make Stage 1 of the implementation of '98 Counts a great success. Do what you can, but do it!

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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