City Council Race

City Council candidate John Heyer, one of the 39ers, is set to rally at the Carroll Street F- and G-train
stop to demand that the MTA stop its plan to close dozens of manned token booths citywide. The 24-hour booth at the President Street end of the station is supposed to close on Sept. 20. Nice quote from Heyer: “It’s people not machines — that make our subway stations and platforms safe."

Transportation
Alternatives is hosting a debate among the candidates vying for
the City Council seat in the 39th Council District, currently held by
Bill de Blasio. The debate will take place at PS 321, on 7th Avenue between 1st
and 2nd Streets in Park Slope, this coming Tuesday, August 18th, at 7
p.m. If you're a voter in the 39th District, or just interested in or
concerned about city transportation policies, we urge you to attend Thanks to Eric McClure of Park Slope Neighbors for this info.

Doug Biviano, one of the 33's, will host Health Benefits Guru Sam Camens, who will break down how our health care system works, how you can manage it, and what
Washington is (and isn't) doing about it. That's on Wednesday August 19th at 7 p.m. Biv Headquarters on Montague Street and Hicks.

 And don't forget: BCAT is theplace to watch the
candidates for City Council Districts 33, 39, and 45, Comptroller and
Public Advocate got at it. Organized by Ed Weintrob (publisher emeritus
of the Brooklyn Paper) these debates are a collaboration between 
Community Newspaper Group and  Brooklyn
Independent Television on the BCAT TV Network.

All the major races will be cablecast on BCAT, which is channel 56
on Time Warner customers and channel 69 for Cablevision subscribers:

• City Council District 39 (currently held by Bill DeBlasio): Tuesday, Aug. 18.

• City Council District 45 (currently held by Kendall Stewart): Wednesday, Aug. 19.

• Comptroller (featuring Yassky, John Liu, Melinda Katz and David Weprin): Thursday, Aug. 20.

• Public Advocate (featuring DeBlasio, Mark Green, Norman Siegel and
Eric Gioia): Friday, Aug. 21 (repeated on Tuesday, Aug. 25).

All broadcasts will be at 9 pm. And all shows will be available online roughly 24 hours after its initial airing at www.bricartsmedia.org/BITspecials and the Community Newspaper Group’s new political Web site

Public Advocate Race

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. today
endorsed Bill de Blasio for Public Advocate, citing de Blasio's deep
understanding of the needs of Bronx residents, and his commitment to defending
New Yorkers' rights throughout his public career. De Blasio said, “I am
honored to receive the support of Borough President Diaz, a proven and
dedicated advocate for the Bronx. For far too long, our City's government
has been responsive to Manhattan while ignoring the needs of the outer
boroughs. As Public Advocate, I will fight for all New Yorkers, particularly
those whose voices often go unheard. Along with Borough President Diaz, our
broad coalition will make real reforms in City Hall.” Diaz said, “I am proud to
stand here today to voice my support for Bill de Blasio.  From leading the
fight against the Mayor’s undemocratic extension of term limits last fall, to
his recent proposal to reform community policing in our City, Bill continually
puts defending the rights of New Yorkers ahead of the celebrity of elected
office.  He is a true public servant, and I know that as Public Advocate,
Bill will be a watch dog standing up for all New Yorkers in City Hall."