Alfonso Quiroz is having a fundraiser at Side Bar on Monday, December 1, 2008, at 5 PM.
Ticket prices start at a modest $30 ("friend"), $75 ("supporter"), $100 ("patron"), $175 ("benefactor"), $250 ("gold member").
Here are the details:
First and foremost, I want to wish you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season. New York, as the rest of the nation, is confronting difficult economic times and I share the same concerns about our city's affordability and future.
I am confident that we will rebound. Our city is resilient, and I believe we need to identify workable solutions to improve our communities and our city. Over the last year and a half, I have kept that in mind as I campaign for elective office.
But recently, there has been an attack on our system of democracy here in New York City, an attack from within. I am speaking about term limits, and the New York City Council's vote to embrace a measure to hand themselves a gift: the ability to run for a third term next year. Forget that New York City voters twice felt two terms were enough. Forget that a recent poll found that a large majority of New Yorkers felt any changes should be made by them in a public referendum.
Instead, the incumbent Council Member I have been working to succeed, along with many of her colleagues, gave a self-serving, thumbs-up to seeking a third term.
Now, I've given a great deal of thought to what this means to me, and to New Yorkers. I feel we must respect their wishes, and that is why I am party to a lawsuit challenging the Council's vote and Mayor's approval of the measure.
I also will continue to run for the 25th City Council District seat, and will champion change. My decision is based not just on principle but on an underlying belief that a new Council Member will be a much more effective public servant for Jackson Heights, Elmhurst and Corona.
After all, serving the public means listening to their needs and wishes, and responding. That apparently did not happen when most Council members voted to help themselves. As a proud New Yorker, I don't plan to idly stand by while others strip away our democracy and I hope you won't either. I will continue to fight for what I believe in.
But I need your help.
Friends who believe in my campaign are hosting a reception to raise funds to fuel my campaign. I am asking for your help, your contribution, and for you to attend to send a message that we need more elected officials who put others before themselves.
The reception will be held at Side Bar on Monday, December 1, 2008 from 5PM to 7PM. Side Bar is located at 120 East 15th Street at Irving Place, one block East of Union Square.
Please RSVP to friendsofalfonso@yahoo.com or to Nelly Gonzalez at (347) 472-2522. If you can attend, please forward any personal checks payable to Friends of Alfonso Quiroz to:
Friends of Alfonso Quiroz
75-22 37th Avenue
Box #58
Jackson Heights, NY 11372
I also want to thank everyone who reached out to me over the last few weeks to offer words of encouragement. I take this campaign seriously, and realize that in many ways I am the underdog. You can count on me to fight for change in our leadership and our neighborhood.
Sincerely,
Alfonso Quiroz
