During its monthly general meeting on Thursday, June 12th at St. John’s Church on Christopher Street, the Village Independent Democrats (VID) heard from a wide variety of speakers. State Democratic Committeewoman Rachel Lavine, district leaders Keen Berger and Arthur Schwartz, State Assemblywoman Deborah Glick, and State Senator Brad Hoylman all made presentations on a wide variety of state and local legislative developments. Oliver Koppell and John Liu, who are running in the upcoming Democratic primaries in the Bronx and Queens, respectively, asked for VID members to help their campaigns, although they did not ask for a formal endorsement. Resolutions were passed in support of an upcoming city-wide demonstration for climate change issues in September, the cost of living adjustments for SCRIE rent support subsidies and expanded Medicaid dental coverage. Arthur Schwartz also introduced Zephyr Teachout, who gave an enthusiastic talk on her positions. She has since announced a primary challenge to Governor Cuomo, who was not endorsed by the VID (see last month’s WestView News). At the next VID meeting on July 10th at the same location, the club will have an opportunity to consider formally endorsing Ms. Teachout.
Alec Pruchnicki is a member of the VID executive committee.
