Here's an e-mail Norman Siegel -- candidate for New York City Public Advocate -- sent to members of the Ansonia Independent Democratic Club:
This message is a candidate communication to the members of the Ansonia Independent Democratic Club. This candidate has not been endorsed by the Ansonia Independent Democrats. The club will vote on endorsements at our meeting on Wednesday, May 27th.
Dear Ansonia Club Member,
Thank you for being a force for change on the Upper West Side, and for giving me the opportunity to meet with you and your neighbors to discuss my candidacy in the Democratic Primary to be the next Public Advocate.
When the Ansonia Independent Democrats meet on Thursday, May 27, I hope you will keep in mind that my entire public service career - both in the nonprofit sector and as a private attorney - has been devoted to obtaining fairness, equality and justice for all.
If elected Public Advocate, you can be sure I will work as hard as I can to achieve these same goals through the governmental sector.
Crisscrossing our city on my campaign, I am constantly reminded that New York is the most diverse, dynamic city in the world. Unfortunately, I am often reminded that the interests of the powerful are allowed to trump the needs and concerns of the rest of us. That is where the Public Advocate should come in. In the right hands, the Public Advocate's office has the potential to be an effective counterbalance to the powerful elements that already have a seat at the table.
As Public Advocate, one of my first tasks would be to open volunteer public advocate offices throughout our city, giving all New Yorkers a forum to address their grievances.
I came of age at a time when we Americans were challenging old orders and demanding change. I became a lawyer because it was an arena where I felt I could make a real contribution. Since then, my work has taken me into issues and worlds I never imagined I'd travel, but if there is a common thread to what I do, it is advocacy -- from the beginning of my career with the ACLU's Southern Justice & Voter Law Project in 1968, to my current private civil liberties practice where I have represented and advocated for a wide variety of community groups, such as the right of Brooklyn and Harlem communities to stop the government from using eminent domain to take their homes for the enrichment of private developers; safety standards for skyscrapers and effective communication equipment for firefighters; and the public release of 9/11 emergency tapes and transcripts.
I hope, upon your review of my background (please also see my website at www.normansiegel.com) you will find me the best-qualified candidate to serve as Public Advocate. I know there are lots of New Yorkers who still dare to dream about how things should be, not just how they are. Together, we can make those dreams a reality.
Again, many thanks for your time, your hospitality and your consideration. I am looking forward to your support again on May 27
Regards,
Norman Siegel