FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Stephanie Bernadel
718-864-7808
jacquesfor31.pr@gmail.com
UNDERDOG JACQUES LEANDRE PUSHING FULL STEAM AHEAD TOWARDS THE BALLOT IN DISTRICT 31
EXPECTATIONS ARE HIGH AS VOLUNTEERS & GRASSROOTS SUPPORTERS GATHER FOR CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF & PRESS CONFERENCE
LAURELTON, NY, (June 8, 2009): On Saturday June 6th, 2009, candidate for New York City Council - District 31 Jacques Leandre, Esq. and his team of grassroots supporters and volunteers young and old gathered to celebrate the grand opening of their campaign headquarters at the Elmer H. Blackburne Democratic Club located at 226-19 Merrick Blvd. Laurelton, Queens 11413. The team hosted a press conference for local media and on-site petition training for volunteers, followed by neighborhood canvassing, all in preparation for petitioning to commit Jacques to the race for City Council - District 31.
Starting with a bang, the event began with an outdoor press conference for local and New York City media, acquainting them with Jacques Leandre in his quest to become the area's next elected official. A day of fun for all involved, support was shown from all walks and stages of life, as youths from the Rosedale Jets Football Association and their mentors came out in full force to support Leandre, who has served as President of the organization for the past 15 years. Community activists were present to lend their support, including District Leaders Elmer H. Blackburne and Jacqueline G. Boyce. Stressing the importance of voter education, the Friends of Jacques Leandre lead a training on the proper procedure to petition voters. For the remainder of the afternoon, supporters and volunteers of Leandre's candidacy registered voters on-site, knocked on doors and called on neighbors to spread the word about Jacques, his attributes, qualifications and plans to better the district.
District 31 is comprised of the neighborhoods of Laurelton, Rosedale, Springfield Gardens, Cambria Heights and Far Rockaway. During his address, Jacques outlined plans to better the district, including his 4E plan which focuses on Education, Economic Development, Employment and Ecological Responsibility, with an emphasis on excellence in all endeavors. Leandre's concerns for district residents include the need for outreach programs, support for entrepreneurial programs, diversifying the business offerings in the neighborhood and the construction of community centers to service the youth and seniors.
In an effort to include the often isolated Far Rockaway, The Friends of Jacques Leandre for City Council hosted a duplicate event the following Monday June 8th, commencing with a rally at 5PM on the corner of 20th Beach Street & Mott Avenue in front of Capital One Bank located at 20-10 Mott Ave. Far Rockaway, NY 11691, followed by petition training at 7PM a few blocks away at the Church of God Christian Academy located at 1332 Central Ave. Far Rockaway, NY 11691.
The team will jump headfirst into petitioning voters starting Tuesday, June 9th. As stated by Leandre, "despite all the work we've done, until my name is on the ballot, we're not in this race."
A community activist of Haitian descent, Jacques Leandre has served as a role model for youths and those less fortunate than himself for years. Currently a supervising attorney for a major New York law firm, Jacques began his career as a Legal Coordinator with the NYC Department of Corrections, assisting detainees at Rikers Island with their legal research, a position that provided him with a unique look into the criminal "injustice" system. Expanding upon the need to help others, he moved on to work as an attorney for MFY Legal Services, assisting low-income women with their legal issues during their transition from welfare to self-sufficiency. Proving his commitment to the youth and the community at large, Leandre is the President of the Rosedale Jets Football Association, serving more than 250 boys and girls ages 6-14 years of age, as well as Vice President of the Concerned Citizens of Laurelton, a prominent civic association within his community. Working with members of the association, he helped to get a number of measures passed, including the re-zoning of Laurelton, preventing developers from erecting massive multi-family structures in the residential neighborhood, an ongoing problem driving down property value in the area. For more information about Leandre’s campaign, visit www.votejacques.com.
Jacques Leandre's campaign for City Council is participating in the matching funds program put on by the NYC Campaign Finance Board. For more information on Jacques Leandre or his campaign for City Council - District 31, please contact Stephanie Bernadel at 718-864-7808, by email atjacquesfor31.pr@gmail.com.
