AVELLA RANKED BEST IN QUEENS ON HUMAN RIGHTS.

On December 10, 2008, the Urban Justice Center released its report card for the Human Rights Project, which rated NYC Council Members on their human rights record based on key legislation before the City Council in the past year. The Human Rights Project works to hold city government accountable to human rights laws and standards. Click here to see the New York City Council Watch report card.

Council Member Tony Avella, candidate for mayor of NYC in 2009, ranked third on the list. Leticia James ranked first, followed by Charles Barron who ranked second. The issues covered included term limits, voter registration, elder abuse, immigration services, tenant protection, paid family leave and child-health plus - just to name a few.

Read the article in the Queens Ledger by Nathan Duke.

This should answer all those animal haters who think that compassion is a finite quality - that to give any to animals - as Council Member Avella has consistently done - means that you have less for people. Those of us who disagree with this miserly approach know that compassion for animals or humans only generates more compassion. It is an infinite quality and only grows with use.

We are proud of Council Member Tony Avella's achievements and wish him the best in his race for Mayor of NYC. Wouldn't it be great to have a mayor who cares about people and animals?

See his web site - www.tonyavellaformayor.com

FUND RAISER FOR COUNCIL MEMBER TONY AVELLA

Tony's voice needs to be heard and you can help!

Please join fellow progressives at a pre-holiday fund raiser on Tuesday, December 2, 2008, for Council Member Tony Avella -- to support Tony's campaign to be Mayor of New York City.

Tony is a fighter for our city and stands up for what is right – whether it be against an extension of term limits; against over development or advocating for animal welfare issues including introducing legislation to ban the inhumane carriage horse industry. He is truly a public servant and a tireless advocate for us all.

When: Tuesday December 2, 2008

Time: 6:00 to 8:00 PM

Where: Mantra 986 – 1^st floor

986 Second Avenue (between 52^nd and 53^rd Avenues)

Donation Requested: $25 minimum -- payable at door or by cash or check

Host: Peter Muller / League of Humane Voters & Elizabeth Forel

Light refreshments provided; cash bar; Singer JoAnne Robertozzi of the group Tres Bella will perform.

RSVP – newyorkersforavella@gmail.com

TONY AVELLA: A PROFILE IN COURAGE

Council Member Tony Avella has emerged as a true leader in the battle for democracy in the recent term limits vote fiasco, which occurred last Thursday. Tony voted NO for the bill to extend term limits - and had taken that position from the beginning. From Newsday - Janison: Bloomberg's term-limit win far from decisive reports on 10/24/08:

"In hoarse and angry tones, Tony Avella (D-Queens) struck the core of the issue when he explained his "no" vote. "If those who support this bill think it is a really good-government thing, that we have three terms instead of two, why did they wait 'til now? They waited 'til now so it was too late to do a referendum, so it could only be done legislatively."

Then he warned others in the council: "You're not conning anybody. The public of this city knows the fix was in from the beginning. And you know something? When the time comes, hopefully - and I apologize to my colleagues - but you should all be voted out of office."

How often do you hear that kind of statement in City Hall?

Answer: Never - until now.

We are planning a fund raiser for Tony Avella on Tuesday, December 2nd in Manhattan. More details to follow. Let's support this courageous, intelligent and ethical maverick. A true man of the people. Please contact us if you want more information and would like to be on our mailing list. Otherwise, visit us again in a week or so for more information.

Please visit Tony's web site at www.tonyavellaformayor.com

In the meantime: please take part in our campaign

WILL YOU PAY $10 FOR DEMOCRACY?

Help bring back integrity to NYC politics

Tony Avella has done so much for the integrity of the democratic process in NYC. He has spoken out on many occasions - most recently against the extension of term limits, which was a blow to democracy. Please participate in our special campaign and send $10 to Tony Avella for Mayor and mark it "Democracy Campaign." That's all it takes. You do not have to live in New York City to participate.

The Campaign Finance Reporting Rules of NYC require that everyone who donates to a political campaign fill in a special form, which they will send in with their donations to the candidate. Click here for the printable form.

Tony Avella is the underdog in the run for mayor, but we can help change that if we all come together and support him. Because he is against over development, he does not get donations from the real estate industry. Checks are preferred because the campaign will get the full $10. If you want to donate by credit card, please click here. Checks/money orders should be made out to Tony Avella2009 and mailed along with the campaign form noted above to:

• Tony Avella 2009
• PO Box 570052
• Whitestone, NY 11357

TONY AVELLA - BEST CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR

We have only about two months left before we elect a new president. I hope the fates are looking favorably at us. Our NYC mayoral election will be next November 2009 - but it is not too early to begin thinking about it. New York City needs a mayor who is both smart and compassionate - something we have not had in a very long time.

New Yorkers for Tony Avella support Council Member Tony Avella for Mayor because he is a breath of fresh air. He is not beholden to special interests and he is the only Council Member with a backbone. He remembers what democracy is all about - and it is not sucking up to the Speaker and forgetting who put you in office in the first place. Under Speaker Quinn, Council Members do what they are told - and most recently it is to try like hell to overturn term limits - something New Yorkers twice voted for on ballot initiatives.

We like Tony because he recognizes that animal issues are important to many people. He has compassion - something our present mayor lacks both for people and animals.

Animal issues are very important to New Yorkers. Read what Tony has to say about animal welfare. Tony is the leading advocate for animal issues in City government and has authored several bills. In December 2007, he sponsored Intro 658, which would ban the inhumane carriage horse industry in NYC. He did not come to this decision lightly having already introduced a bill in January 2006 to keep the horses in the park. But he came to realize that such a bill not only did not have the support of New Yorkers, but that something more needed to be done. Read more about the carriage horse issue at the web site of the Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages. He also sponsored the Pets in Housing bill, which would clarify the three-month law that allows people in apartments with no pet clauses to keep their pets. The real estate industry is preventing this bill from going anywhere.

We also like Tony because he has taken a stand against over development in our communities. Many of us are frustrated with the amount of construction going on in the neighborhoods in which we both live and work -- buildings going up with apartments that the average New Yorker cannot afford; new commercial developments that push out mom and pop businesses - turning parts of NYC into lack luster malls. Read what Tony says about over development on his web site www.tonyavellaformayor.com Because of his stance against big developers, he is not getting the support of the real estate community, which controls other politicians.

The Mayoral race will pick up in 2009 after our Presidential election. At that time, we expect several other candidates to announce their candidacy. Please find out all you can about them - including who has given them the most donations -- who supports their candidacy - what lobbyists you can expect to have entre into City Hall. Unless our present Mayor and City Council are successful in turning over the will of the people and defeating term limits - we will have an interesting race.

And please - Do two things:

Visit Tony's web site and sign the petition to support term limits.

And please donate to the Tony Avella for Mayor Campaign. Let's give City government back to the people. No more poltics as usual.