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Minutes #2! Nominations for Civil Court Judge

**CORRECTION**
The original version of this post stated that there are no primaries in Judge elections so each party must internally decide who will run on their ticket as The Nominee. This is incorrect.

For Civil Court Judges there are primaries. In this case the primary winner, Tanya Kennedy was nominated by the New York County Democratic Party Judicial Convention to run as the Democrat for Supreme Court Judge. As a result, a special screening panel and vote by the the County Executive Board was convened to fill the vacancy this created on the ballot for a Democratic Civil Court nominee.

County Committee Executive Board Meeting (Special Session) 10/8/15

Location: Seafarers & International House Chapel, 123 E 15th St, New York, NY 10003

I. 6:39PM; Meeting is called order and quorum is established

II. Nominations for Civil Court Judge are opened
In the coming weeks and months we will be posting about the powers and role of the county committee. As a quick intro to Judges, one of the most important responsibilities of all party’s in New York is to nominate judges. Civil Court judges are elected and undergo a primary, but if the primary winner should drop out of the race, the County Committee must convene a special Screening Panel which suggests at least three qualified candidates for each vacancy. The County Executive Board is then tasked with selecting the replacement.

In this case the primary winner, Tanya Kennedy was nominated by the New York County Democratic Party Judicial Convention to run as the Democrat for Supreme Court Judge. As a result, a special screening panel and vote by the the County Executive Board was convened to fill the vacancy this created on the ballot for a Democratic Civil Court nominee.

A. Richard Tsai nominated to be Democratic Nominee for Civil Court Judge
Nominated by District Leader Justin Yu
Second by District Leader Sandro Sherrod

This is Richard Tsai’s third time passing the screening panel.

Richard Tsai declines the nomination and endorses Ta Tanisha James.

B. Sabrina Kraus nominated to be Democratic Nominee for Civil Court Judge
Nominated by District Leader Cory Evans
Second by District Leader Joan Pallo

This is Sabrina Kraus’ sixth time passing the screening panel. She is currently a Housing Court Judge.

Sabrina Kraus declines the nomination.

C. Ta Tanisha James to be Democratic Nominee for Civil Court Judge
Nominated by District Leader Sylvia DiPeatro
Second by Assemblyman and County Leader Keith Wright

Ta Tanisha James accepts the nomination

III. Nominations are closed.

IV. With no other nominees, Ta Tanisha James is elected Democratic Nominee for Civil Court Judge by acclamation.

V. County Party Executive Director Cathleen McCadden is wished a very happy birthday. Everyone sings.

VI. 7:05 Meeting is adjourned

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Minutes #1! Election of Executive Board Leadership

County Committee Executive Board Meeting 9/30/15

Location: Sylvia’s Also, 318 Lenox Ave, New York, NY
There was a buffet at Sylvia’s. That alone should be incentive to get involved in local politics.

I. Election of the County Executive Board Leadership
The County Committee Executive Board is comprised of District Leaders, elected directly by Democratic Primary Voters, and the County Committee Chair and Secretary, elected by the the New York County Committee.

The below positions should not be confused with the County Committee Leadership

A. Election of County Leader
Louise Dankberg nominates Keith Wright, Seconded by Alesia
No other nominations, Keith Wright is elected by acclamation.

B. Election of Executive Board Chair
Sandro nominates Louise Dankberg
No other nominations, Louise Dankberg is elected by acclamation

C. Election of Executive Board Vice Chair
Charles Buckwald nominates Tiffany Townsend
No other nominations, Tiffany Townsend is elected by acclamation

II. Adjournment

Have questions? Email us at manhattandems@gmail.com.

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2015 Civil Court Independent Screening Panel Report

On September 21, 2015, an Independent Civil Court Screening Panel met and began the process of screening candidates for the nomination of the Democratic Party for the 1st Judicial District Civil Court position to be filled in the November 3, 2015 General Election. The following individuals were designated to the panel:

Shannon Chang Hanson, Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York
Delmas A. Costin Jr., National Employment Lawyers Association of New York
Jennifer M. Frankola, Brehon Law Society
Shirley Smith, Ph.D., NAACP – Mid-Manhattan Branch
Dawn Dapelo, Columbian Lawyers Association
Brian J. Kaszuba, New York Law School
Narciso Garcia, Dominican Bar Association
William Crosby LeGal
David Mou, Asian American Bar Association of New York
Jocelyn Jacobson, New York Women’s Bar Association

On October 1, 2015, the following highly-qualified candidates were approved by the Independent Judicial Screening Panel for consideration for the one (1) 1st Judicial District Civil Court vacancy:

Ta-Tanisha James, Esq.
Hon. Sabrina R. Kraus
Richard A. Tsai, Esq.

Thank you to the panel and its administrator, Joshua Brian Irwin, Esq. for their diligent work.

Sincerely,
Curtis Arluck and Louise Dankberg
Co-Chairs, Judiciary Committee

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2015 Civil Court Panel Announcement

2015 CIVIL COURT INDEPENDENT JUDICIAL SCREENING PANEL

The New York County Democratic Committee has announced the reconvening of the 2015 Civil Court Independent Judicial Screening Panel to report on candidates for a possible vacancy in the 1st Judicial District (New York County), which will be filled at the November 2015 general election.  The panel will be directed to report a total of no more than the three most highly qualified candidates for a single vacancy.
Candidates for the Court may obtain applications from the administrator of the panel, Mr. Joshua Brian Irwin, Esq., at  JoshuaBrianIrwin@gmail.com beginning on Wednesday, September 16th. Questions concerning this year’s panel should be directed via email to the panel administrator or the New York County Democratic Committee office at (212) 687-6540.

Please Note: The deadline for submitting completed applications is Monday, September 21st at 3:00pm.
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2015 Democratic Primary + Upcoming Events in New York County!

Upcoming Events in New York County

Village Independent Democrats 
Candles for Clemency Vigil
Saturday, September 26th, meet at 5pm
10th Avenue between 16th and 17th Streets
Contact or 212-741-2994

Congressman Jerrold Nadler
8th Annual Summer Soiree
Monday, September 21st, 6-8pm
The Frying Pan, 26th Street and Hudson River Park

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo & Assemblyman Keith Wright 
Citizens Preparedness Corps Training Program
Wednesday, September 23rd at 4pm
Harlem Hospital, 506 Malcolm X Boulevard
Register at http://prepare.ny.gov/

New York County Democratic Committee 
2015 1st Judicial District Nominating Convention
Thursday, September 24th at 6:30pm
Harlem Hospital, 506 Malcolm X Boulevard
Information: Cathleen 212-687-6540 or manhattandems@gmail.com

New York County Democratic Committee
2015 County Committee Meeting
Tuesday, September 29th
Doors open at 6pm, meeting begins promptly at 6:30pm
SVA Theater, 333 West 23rd Street between 8th & 9th Avenues
Information: Cathleen 212-687-6540 or manhattandems@gmail.com

Village Independent Democrats 
Joint Club Meeting with Chelsea Reform Democratic Club
Thursday, October 15th at 6:30pm
LGBT Center, 208 West 13th Street
Information: 212-741-2994

Frederick E. Samuels Democratic Club
9th Annual Legend Award Star Celebration
Sunday, October 25th
Alhambra Ballroom, 6th Floor, 2116 Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard
Information: Ricky Davis 718-644-4277

For more information about these upcoming events, please call 212-687-6540 or send an email to manhattandems@gmail.com.
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2015 Supreme Court Independent Judicial Screening Panel Report

The following were approved by the Independent Judicial Screening Panel for consideration for the four (4) 1st Judicial District Supreme Court vacancies to be elected at the general election on November 3, 2015:

Hon. Raymond L. Bruce
Hon. Anthony Cannataro
Hon. James E. d’Auguste
Hon. Erika McDaniel Edwards
Hon. Shawn T. Kelly
Hon. Tanya P. Kennedy
Hon. Lynn R. Kotler
Hon. Gerald Lebovits
Hon. Kelly O’Neill Levy
Hon. Robert R. Reed
Hon. Verna L. Saunders
Hon. Jennifer G. Schecter

In addition, the following candidate previously qualified by an Independent Judicial Screening Panel and remains eligible for consideration:

Hon. Barbara Kapnick

Thank you to the Panel and its Administrator, Mr. Charles E. Williams III, esq. for their diligent work.

Thank you,

Curtis Arluck and Louise Dankberg
Co-Chairs, Judiciary Committee

 

 

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NYCDC Announces Screening Panel ahead of 2015 Elections

On July 14th, 2015​, the New York County Democratic Committee announced the formation of a screening panel to report on candidates for the nomination of the Democratic Party for the four​ (4​) vacancies on the New York State Supreme Court, First Judicial District (New York County), which will be filled in the November 2015​ General Election. The chief operating officer of numerous bar associations, community organizations, and law schools designated the following members to the panel, which will report the  twelve (12) “most highly qualified” candidates  for the four (4) open seats. 

  • ​Amanda Norejeko, New York Women’s Bar Association

  • Jayasri Ganapathy, South Asian Bar Association

  • Herman Steinberg,  Jewish Lawyers Guild

  • Alice Miller, NAACP

  • Tristan Loanzon,  Asian American Bar Association

  • Noam Besdin, Jewish Community Relations Council

  • Tiffany Fountain, Harlem Children’s Zone

  • William F. Ryan, Brehon Society

  • Eric Nelson, National Employment Lawyers Association of New York

  • Jeffrey Winn, City Bar Association

  • Matthew Skinner, LeGal

  • Gennaro Savastano, Columbian Lawyers Association

  • Betty Lugo, Puerto Rican Bar Association

  • ​Leslie Kelmachter, New York State Trial Lawyers Association

  • Beatrice Lors-Rouseau, New York Urban League

  • Po W. Yuen, Asian Americans for Equality

  • Miguelina Camilo, Dominican Bar Association

  • Johanna Miller, New York Civil Liberties Union

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Important Dates for Upcoming Elections

Primary Day is Thursday, September 10th, 2015

August 15th, 2015 is the last possible date to postmark an application for registration

August 21st, 2015 is the date that all applications AND change of address forms must be received by the Board of Elections

Below are directions to register online or in person, as well as other helpful documents. Please register, spread the word and get out and vote!

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Congratulations to 2015 Demmy Award Winners

The Progressive Leadership Award– Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
The Big Apple Award– New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie
Heart of New York Award– Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer
People’s Champion Award– Mr. Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union
Bella Abzug Award– Councilwoman Rosie Mendez
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Award– Honorable James McManus
Spirit of New York Award– Jennifer Jones Austin, Executive Director & CEO of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies
Peace Through Performance Award– Miri Ben-Ari, Grammy Award winning violinist
Young Democrat of the Year Award– Ahmed Tigani
Herman D. Farrell Club of the Year Award– Samuel J. Tilden Democratic Club
Manhattan Democrat of the Year Award– Arva Rice, President, New York Urban League & Alan Handell, President, New York Prints
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Third Annual Demmy Awards: Monday, July 13th 2015

NEW YORK DEMOCRATIC LEADERS TO GATHER FOR ANNUAL DEMMY AWARDS HOSTED BY COUNTY LEADER KEITH L. T. WRIGHT

The Demmy Awards honors individuals, organizations and democratic clubs who have made significant contributions to the Democratic Party. NYC Public Advocate Letitia James, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Senator Bill Perkins, Assemblyman Dan Quart, Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, Councilwoman Inez Dickens, Councilwoman Rosie Mendez, Councilman Corey Johnson and more to be in attendance.

WHO: The New York County Democratic Committee, New York County Democratic Committee Leader Keith L.T. Wright, Manhattan Electeds and Party Officials, New York Democrats

WHAT: The Demmy Awards, a night of entertainment and awards to stars of the Democratic Party

WHERE: American Airlines Theater
227 West 42nd Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues)
New York, NY 10036

WHEN: Monday, July 13th from 7PM to 9PM
RED CARPET OPENS AT 6PM

Background:
The New York County Democratic Committee will be hosting the third annual Demmy Awards. This year the Committee is proud to announce this year’s honorees: New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Councilwoman Rosie Mendez, Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies Executive Director Jennifer Jones Austin, Honorable James McManus and more.

Manhattan Young Democrat of the Year Nominees are: Allison Kopf, Ahmed Tigani, Corey Ortega, Jenifer Rajkumar and Alize Beal

Manhattan Democrat of the Year Nominees are: Honorable Arthur Schiff, Honorable Linda Foa, Arva Rice, Maria Cruz and Alan Handel

Herman D. Farrell Club of the Year Nominees are: Tioga Carver Democratic Club, Community Free Democrats, Samuel J. Tilden Democratic Club, Frederick E. Samuel Democratic Club and Village Independent Democrats

Performers include Grammy Award Winning Violinist Miri Ben-Ari, Bill Clinton impersonator Tim Watters, Comedian Gary Gulman and the Bill T. Jones Arnie Zane Dance Company.

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