This comes from Steve Harrison:

I’d like to invite you all to a fundraiser for Debi Rose at my home this coming Wednesday. That’s right, THIS Wednesday, January 14th, 8PM, 317 79th Street, Brooklyn. Light fare will be served. (RSVP ... 917-971-3180).

So who’s Debi Rose and why such short notice?

Debi is running for the City Council seat in Staten Island recently vacated by Michael McMahon who was elected to Congress. Only last week the Mayor set a Special Election for February 24th - hence the fast action.

I’m inviting quite a number from Staten Island who already know and support Debi.

But if you’re one of the many I’m inviting from Brooklyn you’re probably asking, “Why do I care about a Council election in Staten Island?”

Well, Staten Island and Southwest Brooklyn are actually joined at the hip. We share four political districts. But here’s the thing – Staten Island is the majority in each of those districts and in each case the elected official comes from Staten Island. True, we have some great elected officials here in Brooklyn, but it's good to make friends across the bridge. We need all the help we can get.

Look across the water on Shore Road. That's Debi’s district. Our districts actually touch in the middle of the Narrows and are adjacent for about 2 miles. So, we have a lot of interests in common and we must work together.

The proposed Gowanus Expressway, express buses, the R train, congestion pricing, East River tolls, the Verrazano Bridge tolls, Owl’s Head pollution plant, Gravesend waste transfer station, harbor security, education these are just a few of the interests we share in common with Staten Islanders. So we want someone who will answer the phone when we call.

I’ve worked with Debi over the past three years as I ran for Congress and I tell you – she’s the one. She listens. She understands how to vigorously represent her district while being sensitive to ours.

Anything you can give will help greatly. A qualified contribution is matched by the City six times so a contribution of $50 actually means $350 for Debi’s campaign.

So come on over for an interesting evening on Wednesday. And bring a frind or ten. When you meet Debi, you’ll like her. And you’ll like her even more when she’s elected.

Kindest Regards,
Steve Harrison

PS - By law, Council candidates may not accept corporate checks.