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Home , Brad Hoylman, Carmine DeSapio, David Dinkins, Ed Koch, Gifford Miller, Horatio Seymour

The History of the

Chelsea Reform Democratic Club

In the movie, On The Waterfront, corruption In 1958 Carmine DeSapio personally In a tight District Leader controls the picks at the Democratic race, candidates, Emily Convention, upsetting the party who Longshoremen locals Scheuer and Al Wehren along the Hudson. preferred Thomas Finletter, former Secretary of the Air Force. The Nelson lose the club’s first election papers and Republican , a political club at to Horatio Seymour Club, Rockefeller seize upon DeSapioʼs act of arro- 14th St & 3rd Ave was seat of Boss 2100 to 1600. But its sur- The movie was based on 1949ʼs gance, and Rockefeller goes on to win his first Tweed and corrupt overlords who con- Pulitzer Prized series of 24 sto- of 3 1/2 terms as the 49th State prising good showing lays trolled not only the police and courts, but ries written by Malcolm Johnson Governor. the foundation for the suc- also all the election candidates. for . cess of future campaigns.

1950ʼs

1900s 1958 1959

Four people meet at the White Horse Tavern: Bob Clampitt, John anhattan was long under control of old line One of the club’s first M Flory, Tom McBride and Robert politicians and the democratic party was stagnant. In fundraisers is held at Jim Trentlyon. They conceive of a the fifties, Chelsea’s Horatio Seymour Democratic and Emily Scheuer’s plan for new reform political club Club was under the thumb of Carmine DeSapio of the London Terrace pent- to go against The Horatio Seymour Village’s Tamawa Club. He regularly rewarded his house. Democratic Club in the following cronies and loyal membership, that included the is guest of honor. Longshoremen's Union, with city and no-show jobs. year’s election of District Leaders and Democratic Committee mem- bers. Horatio Seymour, 18th , and the Democratic nominee for the 1868 U.S. presidential election against Grant. Robert Trentlyon, Eleanor Roosevelt first president of comes to Chelsea to in 1910, Lusitania docked. the club support the club. The club took pride in hosting Monday community based forums. Although many meetings centered on neighbors with rent and hous- The club honors its’ ing problems, there were also discussions of a playground for PS most illustrious mem- 11, and a junior high school to be built on eighteenth street, and spe- ber, Judge Dorothy cial events with prominent invites that discussed the War on Hunger PS11 Kenyon, one of the and the Civil Rights battle in Mississppi, among other social issues. A citywide teachers strike founders of most better called by UFT’s Albert government groups in Shanker closes most schools. NYC including ACLU, In 1960, the club wages its’ first suc- CRDC votes to keep the with a dinner at Tavern cessful primary fight. Former assistant schools open. Dave Smith on the Green. district attorneys Bill Ryan and cuts the chains on PS 11’s , also a Korean War Bill Ryan Ray Guenther doors, and parents and some veteran, win the democratic designation CRDCʼs Ray Guenther teachers cross the picket and then the general election. Ryan and Anna Zuckerman lines. Practically all the serves in congress till his death in 1972 run and win District teachers among the club’s Leader seats. Guenter and Ohrenstein serves till he retires in membership walk out and serves til 1973. Tavern on the Green 1994. never return. Manfred Ohrenstein 1960 1965 1963 1961 1962 1968

The club successfully Esther Smith, an On the club’s third election try, it finally wins The club hosts a debate for the backs Theodore (Ted) activist, who, during Chelsea district leadership, with the election of Ira Weiss for City Council. N.Y. City Council race, which is the early fifties suc- Shein and Anna Zuckerman. cessfuly fights against partially televised on CBS News. the exclusion of Blacks The executive committee attributes the club’s Partricipants included the from Met Lifeʼs success to extensive community work that gar- c l u b ’s candidate, Ted We i s s , Stuyvesant Town, nered its needed influence. Mark Lane, Al Lowenstein and moves to Chelsea with Dave and Esther Smith, Mike and Flora Rubel, In the fall of ʻ60, the club worked the opening of Penn Beutley Kassal. wins. Ted Weiss Ruth Levy, Ray Guenter, Marilyn Schiff, Rebecca vigorously in promoting the South. She and her Also, wins the Kennedy / Johnson ticket. husband Dave get Cooperman, and a host of others celebrate the vic- congressional seat over Leonard active with Chelseaʼs tory. The influx of 8,000 new residents in the Penn Farbstein. She becomes one of CRDC. South ILGWA project also helps. the first in Congress to support Gay rights.

Esther Smith Robert Kennedy campaigns at 26th and Eighth Avenue with Judge Samual Silvernman, CRDCʼs Bella Abzug Ira Shein Anna Zuckerman Ray Guenter and in back, Ted Weiss. 19

Ruth Messinger Ted Weiss Fred Eugene Richard Gottfried is Ohrenstein Bella Abzug leaves con- McCarthy elected to NYS Fred gress to run for the U.S. Assembly at the Ohrenstein is Senate and closely loses age of 24 City Council elected the Democratic nomination U.S. Congressʼ to Daniel Patrick seat seat Minority The Club honors Moynihan.Moynihan goes Ted Weiss gives up his seat on the City Representative Shirley Leader in the on to win and serves four Council for a successful run for State Senate, a terms. Chisholm with a gala Robert Congress. runs for City dinner. In the general Borosky position he Council, a position she holds til 1989. election CRDC sup- CRDCʼs holds until his ports Eugene C R D C ’s Rose A r o n o ff and Richard Carole Greitzer is Bob retirement in McCarthy against Fischbein win District elected to City Borosky Lyndon Johnson. 1994. Leadership. Council and wins District serves until 1991. Richard Gottfried Leader. Bella Daniel Patrick Abzug Moynahan Rose Aronoff 1969 1970 1973 1975 1976

1966-73 1971 1977 1979

The club endorses Bella Ray Guenther Jerrold Nadler wins Abzug in her bid for Esther Smith wins election to the State Ann McCarthy wins runs with Jane of . There is little conflict within the State Committee assembly, a seat he as female District Bevans as has til 1992. She loses to . club over the opposition to the Woman, serving til Leader and John District . Many club mem- 1994.Marina Bella Abzug Ed Koch Stackhouse wins Leaders. Both bers went to Washington in Montalvo wins asmale District win. Richard p r o t e s t . Esther Smith spear- District leader and Fishbein Leader Ann headed the Committee of holds it til ‘77. CRDCʼs McCarthy, a Nurse Richard R e s p o n s i b i l i t y, which brought Jerrold Supervisor at Mount Fishbein N.Y.C. Vietnam children, injured in Nadler wins district Mayorʼs Sinai Hospital, is also fighting, to the U.S. for medical Leader. seat an advocate and vol- treatment. Jane unteer for the efforts Bevans of healthcare and housing in Esther Smith Chelsea, and an inspiration to many. Marina John Ann Montalvo Stackhouse McCarthy After three

Redistricting brings N.Y.S. Assemblyman Richard Gottfried to the Tom heart of Chelsea and Duane Doris the CRDC becomes Tim Gay Tom Duane runs for Corrigan Richard Gottfried his home club. The first US Represtative Ted issue worked on City Council. Fellow Weiss, dies while in Tim Gay and Doris together is the freeze of CRDC member, office. Corrigan run for District all production and test- heads Chelsea loses an Leaders. Tom Schuler ing of Nuclear up his campaign and he ardent champion of heads up their successful Weapons. He has since federally financed pro- come to bat for many wins battle against Liz grams, of AIDS campaign. The Club also other important issues Abzug in the primary researech and victim endorses State Senator including tenant rights, and handily wins the support, and for many David Patterson for AIDS becomes an epi- affordable housing, general elec- other humane causes. Public Advocate. demic, The Club holds reproductive rights, Governor tion. He loses to Mark forum on AIDS at St. expanded healthcare, and LGBT issues. helps get Tom Duane and Green but never Peters Church on twen- Doris Corrigan re-elected forgets our backing. tieth street. as District leaders. September Christine David Quinn Patterson 1983 1988 1989 1993

1982 1991 1992 1994 1980-90 John Stackhouse After three terms as The The Club works hard to Fred Ohrenstein leaves his seat as reelect State District Leader Tom Democratic steps down as as Mayor. He loses to Committeewoman Male District Duane steps down to run County NYS Senator. Deborah Glick David Dinkins Rudy Guliani in the Esther Smith is Leader to run for for City Council. The Scott Committee Catherine Abate CRDC works hard to elect Stringer general ellection. instrumental in the Judgeship. Tom clubʼs Paul Groncki is runs and serves David Dinkins for Mayor, endoresed by the Gay elects Jerrold until 1998. fight to overcome Duane runs and Nadler as congressman the “Not in my Ruth Messinger for Press as “the openly wins, becoming heterosexual candidate Backyard” attitude Borough and to replace the deceased Co-District Leader for District Leader.” He for building facili- Deborah Glick for State Ted Weiss on the Nov. ties fo mentally ill with Anne wins. Legislature. All three win ballot. in six Manhattan McCarthy. , cousin neighborhoods with David Dinkins beating Catherine (PCMH). Mayor Koch in the primary, of Bella Abzug, runs for Abate ending Koch’s 12 year reign and replaces Paul and then goes on to Groncki Jerrold Nadler beat Rudy Guiliani in the NYS Assembly. Tom in general election. Duane Jerrold Nadler front and center Ed Koch Rudy Guliani with CRDC ess than three L miles from CRDC works hard for Liz Chelsea, the Kreuger Hillary Clinton in her World Trade run for U.S. Senator. CRDC’s Kathy Center is an inter- She wins, Kinsella runs national terorrism runs for 26th while and wins, join- target for the sec- district in the another ing Tim Gay as ond time in a State Senate on endorsed District Leader decade. The col- a platform of candidate, tenants rights, Tom Duane runs for lective leadership , Al Gore affordable State Senate and wins. of the country is CRDC endorses Elliot loses presidenctial caught off guard. housing and Spitzer who beats election to George W. improved Vacco for State Bush. CRDC works hard healthcare. Attorney General. to reelect President Clinton. Kathy Tom Duane Kinsella

1996 1998 1999 9/11 November 2002 2000 1997 CRDC backs Eric Schneiderman and he wins CRDC endorses Mark Catherine Abateʼs seat in The club cam- the NY State Senate. Green for Mayor, yet paigns hard Ruth the election is over- Messinger for CRDC shadowed by 9/11 and The club works hard on Ruth Messinger’s m e m b e r , the Bloomberg years run for Mayor against Rudulf Guiliani, Christine Quinn, as begin. and for Deborah Glick for Manahattan she runs for Tom Duane’s Burough President. Both lose but Glick Eric Schneiderman seat on the City Council. remains in the NYS Assembly. Tom Schuler heads up another winning effort.

Mark Green

Christine Quinn Gifford Miller Norman Siegel CRDC sup- ports Hillary Hillary CRDC works hard CRDC backs City Council Clintonn Clinton in the against the construc- President, Gifford Miller for presidential primary. tion of a football stadium in Mayor; club favorite Norman She loses to Barack northwest Chelsea. The battle Siegal, an ardent civil rights Obama, who goes pited a community and local lawyer, for Public Advocate; on to win the presi- Mary electeds against developers and Scott Stringer for dency over John Dorman with City Hall connections, Borough President. McCain. In a controversial deci- St. Vincentʼs Hospital closes. Kathy Kinsella unions demanding jobs, and Gifford loses democrat- sion, Christine Quinn With no other full service hospi- steps down as the plans of an overbearing ic primary to Fernando and the NYC Council tal on the westside south of 59th District Leader. Mayor. Bloomberg was trying Ferrer. Ferrer loses to vote for an extension of st., CRDC fights itʼs closure. to lure the 2012 Olympics to Bloomberg in the gen- term limits, enabling Local businesses also close as CRDC’s Mary NYC by rebuilding our west eral election. Scott Stringer Mayor Bloomberg and a result. City Hall ignores the Dorman runs side with Jet stadium as the Siegal loses and herself to run for third plea and a developer takes over and wins. centerpeice. Stringer wins. Barack terms. the site leaving a band-aid solu- Obama tion to our lack of a full service hospital. 2004 2006 2008

2003 2005 2009 2010

Steven Skyles-Mulligan Tim Gay steps down as is elected president of District Leader. The club The CRDC CRDC, and he begins a works hard for its’ own backs Bill decade of beating the Thompson for drum for real reform. The Tom Schuler. Christine club begins writing strong Mayor, Christine Quinn resolutions and letters Quinn for city As CRDC beats the drum CRDC battles a developer that are sent across the council, Norman Siegle for for in the state and country. It is a who wants to sidestep Public Advocate and Scott practice that continues Presidential Election. zoning laws to build a 17 Stringer for Borough today (please visit our During theRepublican floor building in Chelsea’s President. Bill Thompson websiteʼs Resolution & Convention over 1,800 Tom comes close to Letters section at demonstrators against the Schuler Historic District on the beating Mayor The club supports A n d r e w www.crdcnyc.org). war in Iraq were arrested site of the General Bloomberg, Cuomoʼs run for Governor and Steven is the current and put in the deplorable Theological Seminary Quinn wins president of conditions of also works hard in getting Eric btw, 20th & 21st St. and and Stringer Schneiderman elected in a hotly CRDC Pier 57 on win, and Siegel (2013). the Hudson. 9th Ave. Chelsea’s contested State A t t o r n e y William loses to Bill General race. He wins on a Historic District prevails. Thompson deBlasio. platform to root out fraud in government pension and Steven Medicaid. Skyles- Andrew Mulligan Cuomo RESOLUTIONS AND LETTERS CRDC follows its heart and resolve in balancing community, city, ith a New York State budget reflecting the W state and country issues. The club fights for a full-service hospital, harsh realities of a weak economy, social pro- statewide prison reform, a local BRC shelter opening, a living wage grams are slashed. Also the city’s rent control that makes sense, the laws are up for renewal. Many CRDC members ideals of Occupy Wall turn their energies toward Albany. Street, and an ocean storm surge barrier, C R D C ʼs own, Muriel Beach, NYCʼs Chapter much like the one pro- President of Senior Action Council, headed to Albany to help fight threatened programs for elderly, tecting the city of London. including the closing of senior centers CRDC also fight across all five buroughs. Cuomo ‘fracking’for gas that would threaten New York’s restores funds. watershed, and developers trying to stretch zoning laws to build on the . Murial Beach

2011 CRDCʼs Gloria Sukenick beats the drum, for not only the renewal of rent regulation laws, but strengthening them. Members go to Albany and LEGALIZED SAME-SEX MARRIAGE help stage the first ever sit-in that shuts down is passed in Albany! It is a testament to the both chambers (State Assembly and State Gloria hard work of our club’s own Richard Senate). Sukenick Gottffried, who wrote the original draft for CRDCʼs own Karen Smith organizes “Cuomoville,” an the State Assembly, Tom Duane, who fought overnight tent village to demonstrate what the city will hard for it in the State Senate, and the advo- become if the rent laws arenʼt renewed for over one million Chelseaʼs Carasell cacy of Christine Quinn and the political city units. The sleep over at Holly Aposteles on 28th and After 30 long years, the Chelsea manuevering and perseverance of Governor Ninth ave is months before the other sleep over began Waterside park becomes a reality. It would down at . With our proactive efforts alongside Cuomo, among others. not have happen in such a spectacular those of Tenants & Neighbors and others, Albanyʼs NYC fashion without the stewardship of rent laws are renewed and strengthened. CRDCʼs own, Robert Trentlyon and Doris Corrigan. Their vision, along with others, produce a wonder- ful place for all of us to enjoy along the Tom Duane Christine Karen Smith Chelsea waterfronts of Quinn Piers 62, 64 and 66. Richard Gottfried Andrew Robert Doris Cuomo Trentlyon Corrigan Doris Corrigan Halloween brings CRDCerʼs to After many years of service, swingstate Pennsylvania, campaigning Doris Corrigan steps down for Obamaʼs re-election. from her post as County Committeewoman. CRDC’s State Senator Tom Duane screening panel selects On November 6, chooses not to run for Silvia Di Pietro to replace 2012, office again. The club Doris. and won works hard for Brad Holyman, President of 332 electoral votes, exceeding the 270 CB2 and a stalworth Brad supporter for LGBT Hoylman required for him to be re- issues, affordable housing, educa- elected. The Democratic Sylvia tion, jobs and economic fairness ticket defeated Republicans Mitt Di Pietro issues. Romney and Paul Ryan. Sept. Nov 2012 Early in 2012 CRDC members gathered in The clubhouse is a hive of activity as members bring back support of protecting Chelsea Market from voting results from pol sites. The numbers are outstanding as gross over-development. It is a losing battle, all of our endorsed candidates win, including: as changes to existing zoning laws are State Senator - 27th District:, Brad approved. Developers agree their request Hoylman, Surrogate, Rita Mella, Civil moves through the Community Board 4, City Council, and the Board of Review (communi- Court, District 3, Lisa Sokoloff, Delegate ty give backs were agreed too). to the Judicial, Nominating Convention, In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, CRDC’s Paul Groncki, Judy Richheimer, Michael President Steven Skyles Mulligan calls an emer- Schreiber, David K. Warren, Alternate gency meeting at the Moonstruck Diner to Delegate to the Judicial Nominating mobilize help for those trapped in the Convention, Lee Fulton Houses without heat, hot water, Sinovoi, Sylvia E. electricity nor elevator service. Those who Di Pietro, Mae responded include Assemblyman Gottfried, Doris Corrigan, Steven Skyles- State Senate Candidate Hoylman, Laura Francine N. Mulligan Morrison from Senator Duane's office, Haselkorn, and Scott Melvin and Wayne Kawadler from Raanan Geberer. Council Member Quinn's office, District Leaders Mary Dorman and Tom Schuler, County Committeewoman Sylvia Di Pietro, Carol Demech, Francine Hasselkorn, Judy Richheimer, Judge Karen Smith, Maarten de The summer is spent petitioning for the clubʼs endorsed candidates as well as a number of Kadt, Roberta Gelb reform issues. CRDC was often joined by candidates Brad Hoylman and Lisa Sokoloff. and Gary Roth. PRESIDENTS OF THE CHELSEA REFORM DEMOCRATIC CLUB

1950’s 1990’s Robert Trentlyon Harriet Riggs Robert Clampitt Reberta Gelb Marvin Kohl Ray Guenther 1960’s Maarten de Kadt Carole Sclar Ray Guenther Kathy Kinsella Rebecca Cooperman Katharine Roberts Maarten Mike Rubel de Kadt Morton Schiff 2000’s Robert Tim Sullivan Tara Renee Borosky Paul Converse Frank Prescott

Ann Barney O’Kane Carole Sclar (acting) McCarthy Robert Borsody Steven Skyles-Mulligan Judy Lynn Kotler Richheimer 1970’s Judy Richheimer (acting) Paul Marvin Wasserman Groncki Sidney Tegeler 2010’s Reberta Gelb Richard Rogoff Presiding President Claire Pritchard Steven Skyles-Mulligan Ann McCarthy Larry Berke Steven Skyles- Mulligan 1980’s Dan Kaslow Harriet Riggs Dale Brown Robert Morse TIMELINE COMPILED & WRITTEN Charles Overton BY DONATHAN SALKALN Doris Corrigan Special thanks for the extensive help of Paul Gruncki, Kathy Robert Trentlyon and Doris Corrigan, Steven Sykes- Kinsella Paul Groncki Mulligan, and Martha Seymour