Just confirmed two rumors I had heard: my friend Devin Cohen, running for the 1st Civil Court seat in Brooklyn, has been endorsed by Stonewall Democrats and by City Councilman Bill deBlasio.

I still have not been able to find any confirmation of any endorsements for Roger Adler.

The endorsements for Devin Cohen are beginning to become pretty impressive. Both Independent Neighborhood Democrats and Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats endorsed him...and they don't always agree (see, for example, their split on Towns vs. Powell this year in the NY-10 Congressional race). Add to that William Saunders' 57th A.D. Regular Democratic Organization, which I have no direct connection to. Then there are the two main Gay and Lesbian organizations, Lambda Independent Democrats and Stonewall Democrats. I'd call that a formidable combination of organizations each of which will be reaching out to its membership to get out the vote. How many organizations have endorsed Adler? I haven't found any yet.

Today was the rally calling for Bruce Ratner to put up or shut up. Brooklyn is getting tired of Ratner making promises then breaking those promises even as he demands more taxpayer money. The rally was well attended, though we came slightly late and were way at the back, so didn't really see the whole crowd.

Chris Owens, President of Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats and Brooklyn Progressive Activist, led the rally. Three groups organized the rally: Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn, The Council of Brooklyn Neighborhoods, and Brooklyn Speaks. MANY local politicians attended, including some who had previously been pretty solidly behind Ratner. Ratner has worn out his welcome even among his supporters.

Here are some excerpts from the press release from the three organizing groups:

Councilman Bill DeBlasio has seemed to have never met a developer dollar he didn't like. Rumor has it he has admitted as much. But it is certain that he by and large sides quite proudly with any developer who pays lip service, no matter how far fetched, to affordable housing.

Parking is always an issue in NYC. And I am sure you would like a chance to hear what's going on and to speak out to your elected officials about parking. If you live in Brooklyn, there is a forum on Residential parking you might be interested in:

RESIDENTIAL PARKING FORUM
with NYC Department of Transportation
(Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan scheduled)

Monday, February 4, 2008, 7:00 PM
St. Francis College Auditorium
Remsen Street, Brooklyn Heights
Subway: 2,3,4,5 (Borough Hall); R (Court Street)

Organized by:

Council Members David Yassky, Letitia James, Bill DeBlasio
Boerum Hill Association, Brooklyn Heights Association, Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association, Clinton Hill Association, Cobble Hill Association, Concord Village, Fort Greene Association, Park Slope Civic Council, Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council