The Village Independent Democrats are a Greenwich Village-based reform Democratic club founded in 1956 which had a profound impact upon New York’s political history, and has shaped the political landscape of Greenwich Village and Lower Manhattan since the mid-20th century. The club helped end Tammany Hall control of Democratic politics in Manhattan, and launch the careers of notable NYC politicians including Ed Koch. This is the third batch of the club’s archives in our collection, detailing their activities in the 1980s. It includes their work on a range of local and national issues from rezonings in the neighborhood to tenant protection efforts, to supporting the Nuclear Freeze Campaign. It also includes the club’s 1982 split following the membership vote to support Mario Cuomo over longtime VID member and former local district leader and City Councilmember Ed Koch in the gubernatorial election. Those who supported Koch split off and founded the Village Reform Democratic Club (VRDC).

Table of Contents

Meetings + Issues 1980

VID Resolution Supporting Flynn-Dearie Tenant Protection Act. View as PDF.
The Flynn-Dearie Tenant Protection Act sought to end rent-increases, limit return on investment for landlords, unlawful rents and deprivation of essential services for tenants. 

October 2nd, 1980 VID Executive Committee Meeting. View as PDF.
Topics include executive committee Elections, Consumer Affairs Committee, and VID annual Dinner. City Council Member Carol Greitzer discussed the clean-up bill, co-terminality, and post office service. District leader Miriam Bockman spoke on plans for piers 46 and 42 and Westway. 

1981 VID Annual Dinner Program.

Meetings + Issues 1981

VID Annual Dinner, March 20th, 1981. View as PDF. The guest speaker was Lillian Roberts, Associate Director of District Council 37. The program includes VID Officers, Committee List, and major donors. 

Newsletters, 1981. View as PDF.  

  • Page 1-3: May 1981 Newsletter. Topics include candidate endorsements, “Children’s Theatre to Know About Alcoholism,” campaign updates and selection of New York Judges. 
  • Page 4-7: October 1981 Newsletter. Topics include VID committee events, District Leader Report, NDC annual dinner, national environmental policy, rent stabilization seminar, Americans for Common Sense Forum, and Community Affairs Committee.  

VID Special Meeting, January 20, 1981. View as PDF.
A tally was taken to decide who VID should support to replace City Councilmember Tony Olivieri. The committee voted to support Henry Berger. 

Executive Committee Minutes, 1981. View as PDF.

  • Page 1-2: January 26th Executive Committee. Topics include NDC Committees, County Executive Committee Results, Judiciary Evaluation Process Review, Facilities for the Homeless, Treasury Report, and reforms to the Judicial Candidate Selection process.
  • Page 3-4: February 9th, 1981 Executive Committee. Discussion included a report from Loft Tenants Association, topics for upcoming membership meetings, block party regulations, potential alternative mayor to Koch, and information on VID Annual Dinner. 
  • Page 5-6: February 23rd, 1981 Executive Committee. Discussion includes block party, Flynn-Dearie Tenant Commercial Protection Act, judicial delegates, treasury report, upcoming discussion about entrapment from Law Enforcement officials, judicial reform resolution, opposition to tax credits for private education, Westway, NDC slots, VID Committee vacancies, Gay and Lesbian Democrats Fundraiser, anti-Indian point efforts, fundraiser, drug store survey, and vote regarding Ed Koch Resolution. 
  • Page 7-8: March 9th Executive Committee Meeting. Discussions included new committee chairs, judicial convention delegates, balloting, National Democratic Committee election, VID Tax Services, Uncle Paul’s Bar, block association tax regulations, potential speaker from Westbeth, military aid in El Salvador, Committee reports, NDC Delegates, St. Luke’s Church Rebuild, VID Village Gate Fundraiser, resolution supporting reduced sentence for Abbie Hoffman and resolution requesting candidate endorsements. 
  • Page 9: March 23rd, Executive Committee Meeting. Includes schedule for upcoming events, VID Dinner Profits, Human Rights Conference, School Board Meeting, and a motion was approved to support doctors on strike. 
  • Page 10-11: April 6th, Executive Committee Meeting. Discussions include opposition to reduced school funding, VID Block Party, Housing Committee Trip to Albany, Community Drugstore Survey Questionnaire, discussion topics for upcoming meetings, treasurer’s report, Manhattan Seat of State Regent Committee, upcoming election endorsements, new members brunch, abortion guest speaker, environmental committee conference on energy issues and resolution thanking Herman Gerson and Miriam Bockman. 
  • Page 12: April 20th, Executive Committee Meeting. Topics include proposed letter to Mayor Koch regarding bottle and can deposits, upcoming candidate endorsements, foreign affairs trip to Washington, support of education voucher system, block party planning, and voter file cards.
  • Page 13: May 18th Executive Committee meeting. Topics include upcoming candidate endorsement votes, traffic lights on 11th Street and Seventh Avenue, resolution opposing D’Amato bill for rent control/ stabilization, petitioning, block association vendor fees, upcoming committee meeting dates and establishment of labor committee. 
  • Page 14: June 15th, Executive Committee Meeting. Topics discussed include new Committee Chairs, Cable TV Bill Regarding Pornography, VID Finances, Funds for Campaign literature, Village Zoning Changes, Opposition to July 4th Warship celebration, and bottle bill. 
  • Page 15: July 13th, 1985 Executive Committee. Topics include Mississippi congressional election, upcoming campaign, park at 6th Avenue and West 4th Street, censorship in Cable TV, Sulphur and aid to El Salvador. 

VID Membership Committee, 1981. View as PDF. 

  • Page 1-2: February 24th, 1981 Membership Committee.  Topics include formation of VID Foreign Policy Committee, Candidates for next Mayoral Race, Civil Rights Forum, Housing Committee Trip to Albany, NDC Chair, Narcotics in the East Village, consumer protection bills, reform Caucus Election Laws, state election law reviews, national NDC representatives, Westbeth grants, conditions for homeless, Block Party Tax, Flynn Dearie Bill Support, retirement forum, abortion rights event, and prohibiting gambling at street fairs. 
  • Page 3-5: March 26th, Membership Membership Committee. Topics include Federal cutback to legal aid for the poor, VID Low income Tax Service,  Flynn-Dearie Bill and potential candidates to oppose Mayor Koch. 
  • Page 6: April 28th Membership Meeting. Discussed Executive Committee resolution to support new candidates to oppose Ed Koch.
  • Page 7: May 6th Membership Meeting.  Topics include Washington Square Park Clean up, District Leaders meeting, voting rule changes Albany, Catherine Abate endorsed for district leader, Andrew Stein endorsed for Manhattan Borough President, and NDC Delegates.  
  • Page 8: June 11th Membership Meeting. Topics include District Leaders Report from Catherine Abate, Robert Morgenthau endorsed for Civil Court, Executive Committee Elections, Carol Bellamy endorsed for City Council President, Ed Wallace Endorsed for Council at Large Candidate, Ed Koch Endorsed for Mayor, Harrison Goldin Endorsed for Comptroller, 
  • Page 9: July 14th Membership Meeting. Topics include West Village Rezoning, Lt. Gov Mario Cuomo was a guest speaker, campaign fundraiser, NDC Delegates, W 4th Street Rezoning, Cable TV resolution, Medical Aid to El Salvador, Sept 19th Rally, and Legislative Affairs Committee. 

“Thanks a Brunch” Event Honoring Miriam Bockman and Herman Gerson. View as PDF. 

  • Page 1-3: November 22nd, 1981 “Thanks a Brunch Event honoring Miriam Bockman and Hersom Gerson. Including lists of sponsors and supporters. 
  • Page 4: Thanks a Brunch Flyer

Letter from Mayor Ed Koch to Herman Gerson Regarding Bottle Bill, May 26th, 1981. View as PDF. 

1981 VID Pamphlet.

VID Literature, 1981. View as PDF.

  • Page 1: April 27, 1981 VID Membership Letter supporting Herman Gerson as District Leader
  • Page 2-3: VID Pamphlet with candidate endorsements 
  • Page 4: Flyer Supporting Herman Gerson and Miriam Bockman 
  • Page 5-6: Q&A on the VID Flyer. Gives background information on VID including political stances, size and lists of members and committees. 

Frank Barbaro for Mayor Flyer, 1981. View as PDF.  

Far West Village Zoning Map Change, 1981. View as PDF.  

  • Page 1: Flyer including map of change
  • Page 2: Typed resolution opposing zoning change 
  • Page 3: Handwritten resolution opposing zoning change

VID Officers List, 1981. View as PDF.

VID Resolutions, 1981. View as PDF. 

  • Page 1: February 22, 1981 Resolution opposing tuition tax credits for private education
  • Page 2: March 6, 1981 Resolution supporting Committee in Solidarity with the People of EL Salvador.
  • Page 3: June 16 1981, resolution in opposition to NYPD harassment of gay men. 
  • Page 4: July 13th, 1981 Resolution supporting the repavement of West 4th Street Courts and to investigate harassment vandalism at park. 
  • Page 5: July 14th, 1981 VID Resolution opposing Con Ed high sulfur fuel program 
  • Page 6: Resolution against fees for vendors at streetfairs 
  • Page 7: Resolution condemning Reagan’s proposed cuts of National Endowment for the Arts
  • Page 8: Resolution request the State to Re-evaluate discharge for psychiatric counseling patients 
  • Page 9-13: Judicial reform committee resolution for choosing civil court judge 
  • Page 14: VID Resolution supporting labor movement and AFL-CIO executive council demonstration in Washington. 
  • Page 15: VID Resolution supporting Federally Sponsored Higher Education Student Loans
  • Page 16: VID Resolution support St. Luke’s church following a fire
  • Page 17: VID resolution urging elected officials to oppose assembly bill 7952-B regarding censorship of cable TV. 

Letter from Assembly Member John C. Dearie thanking VID for support of Flynn-Dearie Tenant Protection Act. Letter is from March 12th, 1981. View as PDF.

Park River Independent Democrats News, October, 1981. View as PDF.
Topics include solidarity day, Reaganomics, District Leaders Report, Parks Committee Report, and George Washington Plunkett Jr. 

“Tenant”, Met Council on Housing Newspaper, May 1981 Issue. View as PDF.
Topics include plans for City Owned buildings, Tenant Lobby, City-Wide Rent Strike, Dumping Ed Koch, Mitchell-Lama housing, fighting displacement in Park Slope, and Met Council around the town helping tenants around the city. 

New York State Assembly Law regarding Cable TV, March 31st, 1981. View as PDF.

Meetings + Issues 1982

VID 25th Anniversary Dinner.

VID 25th Anniversary Annual Dinner, April 2nd, 1982. View as PDF.
Includes VID constitutional preamble and timeline of VID History with archival materials. Guest of Honor was Tom Downey, United States Congress Member, and there was a special tribute to Robert Hayes, Counsel, Coalition for the Homeless. 

Newsletters, 1982. View as PDF.

  • Page 1-5: Spring, 1982 Newsletter. Topics include candidate endorsement, the plight of the elderly, individual freedom vs. conservative coercion, VID Anniversary dinner, El Salvador March, Nuclear Freeze, and Block Party. Includes committee reports from campaign, community affairs, environmental, fundraising, foreign policy and peace, housing, judicial reform, and labor committees. 
  • Page 6-9: Summer 1982 VD Newsletter. Includes VID Candidate Endorsements, Voting Rights Article, Successful VID Block Party, anti-nuclear sit-in, campaign updates, and democratic State committee reports. Also includes updates from VID’s environmental, foreign policy and peace, housing, human rights and political outreach committees. 
VID Holiday Party Flyer.

VID Flyers, 1982. View as PDF. 

  • Page 1: Flyer featuring candidate endorsements
  • Page 2: Eat-Drink-Be Merry Holiday VID Party, December 17th, 1982. 
  • Page 3: Twenty-Five Years of Presidents and District Leaders VID Flyer
  • Page 4: Letter requesting funding for Meals on Wheels Program

VID Resolutions, 1982. View as PDF. 

  • Page 1: Resolution condemning NYU Tenant Harassment
  • Page 2: Resolution regarding Lebanon
  • Page 3: VID Resolution regarding Middle East
  • Page 4: VID Resolution regarding 97 Horatio Street
  • Page 5-6: Resolutions condemning Mayor Ed Koch’s attempt to dismantle Legal Aid Society and supporting Legal Aid Society staffing strike

VID Officers List, 1982. View as PDF. 

VID Officers Attendance, December 1982. View as PDF. 

March 16th, 1982 VID Membership Meeting Agenda. View as PDF.
Topics include Crime Victims Services, NDC Delegates, Environmental Committee and Calendar of Events.  

Koch Versus Cuomo Vote Count by local voting district in club coverage area, 1982. View as PDF.
The club voted to support Mario Cuomo over Ed Koch for Mayor, prompting those who supported Koch to split off from VID and form the Village Reform Democratic Club. 

Letter urging Lower East Side Democrats to vote for Bill Green for Congress, 1982. View as PDF. 

VID Constitutional Revision Committee Meeting, December 20th, 1982. View as PDF. Topics discussed include changing membership voting rules, size of executive committee, and limiting membership to Manhattan Residents. 

1982 Executive Committee Meeting. View as PDF. 

  • Page 1-7: December 13th, 1982 Executive Committee minutes topics include constitutional review committee, NYU Expansion West 3rd Street Housing, establishment of arts committee, County Committee Seats, USPS Station Sanitation Garage Conversion, Meals on Wheels, Consumer Affairs Supermarket Study, Education Committee Special Ed, MX Missile System, and Palestine Israel Conflict. 
  • Page 8-13: December 27th, 1982 Executive Committee Minutes topics include NYU Eviction of West 3rd Street Tenants, NY Democratic County Committee Forum, Nuclear Freeze, Annual Dinner, 97 Horatio Street Tenants J-51, Landlord Tenant advice, Legal Aid  attorney strike, and National Jobs March on Washington. 

Betty Goetz Lall Times, 1982. View as PDF.  
Published to support Lall’s campaign for congress. Topics include Nuclear Weapon Freeze, Armaments Race, Social Security, Reagan environmental policy, Reaganomics, Reagan health policy, and information on opponent S. William Green.  

Meetings + Issues 1983

Annual Dinner, March 26th, 1983. View as PDF.
Guest of honor was Representative Ted Weiss, 17th Congressional District. 

Dump Schumer Flyer, Kings County Democrats, 1983. View as PDF.

1983 Executive Committee Minutes. View as PDF.  

  • Page 1-4: January 10th, 1983 Executive Committee Minutes. Topics include NDC Annual Dinner, New York County Democratic Committee Forum, Ilene Zucker Dinner, Establishment of Criminal Justice Committee, Fundraising Committee Report, Environmental Committee Report, Legislative Committee Report, Gun Control Legislation, 97 Horatio Street zoning variance, NYU Eviction of West 3rd Street Tenants, division of Assembly District Parts, Vacancies in County Committee, Town Meetings, NYC Sanitation to condemn UPS property on Spring and West Street, Meals on Wheels, Intro I Lesbian and Gay Rights Bill, Composition of Council General Welfare Committee, Community Affairs Committee, Political Outreach Committee, Foreign Affairs and Peace Committee, Consumer Affairs Committee, Tax Assistance Clinic and Councilmember Thomas J. Cuite opposing Gay and Lesbian Rights Bill.
  • Page 5-12: January 24th, 1983 Executive Committee Minutes. Topics include Committee Meeting Scheduling, VID Elections, NYU Eviction of West 3rd Tenants, Jobs for Peace, Nuclear Freeze, Fundraising Events, VID Constitutional Revision, Judicial Reform Committee Gay Judges in NY, Human Rights Committee, Campaign Committee, Columbia Anti-Union Action, 
  • Page 13-17: February 22, 1983 Executive Committee Minutes. Topics include scheduling upcoming committee meetings, Workers Defense Fund, NYU Eviction of Tenants on West 3rd Street, New York County Democratic Committee Conference, District Leadership Election, Westway, NAARAL, Annual Dinner planning, Joining Committee on Ethnic Americans in criticism of Ed Koch for racism, Caring Community, Grocery Store Cost Analysis, and McKenna’s bar eviction.
  • Page 18-20: February 22, 1983 Executive Committee Minutes. Topics Include Intro I, NDC Delegates, One Year Construction Moratorium, Community Health Task Force, search of new VID Clubhouse, Jobs for Peace, School Board Election, Office Expenses, Spring Street UPS Depot Condemned, Westway, Annual Dinner, Voter Registration Committee, and Small Business Task Force.
  • Page 21-27: March 7th, 1983 Executive Committee Minutes. Topics include District Leaders Report, Redistricting and Downtown Independent Democrats, Delegates for NYS Supreme Court Democratic National Convention, VID Dinner, Voter Registration Committee, Judicial Reform Committee, Gay and Lesbian Rights Bill, and Criminal Justice Committee.  

Membership Committee Minutes, 1983. View as PDF

  • Page 1-11: January 11th, Membership Meeting Minutes. Topics include VID elections, Committee reports, Governor Mario Cuomo, NYU West 3rd Street Tenant Eviction Forum, City Council Committee Selections, Speaker Cuite and the Gay and Lesbian Rights Bill, Jobs for Peace Movement, State Committee Endorsements, Council Member Ruth Messinger to speak J-51 Program, Commercial Rent Control, Meals on Wheels, Joint Coalition on Gay and Lesbian Rights, Foreign Policy and Peace Committee, and Israel Palestine Conflict.
  • Page 12-22: February 16th, 1983 Membership Meeting Minutes Topics include District leaders report, election for Executive Committee, election for judicial delegates, VID Constitution Amendments, NYU Eviction of West 3rd Street Tenants, Gay and Lesbian Rights Bill, Future Issues Conference, Westway, Annual Dinner, Civil Court Judge Panel, Nuclear Freeze, Housing Clinics, Nuclear Power Plant Hearings, Rent Increases, Consumer Affairs Committee, Horatio Street Development, J-51 Program, Water Pressure, VID Constitutional Amendments, and VID Constitutional Revision. Attached is a Defeated VID Constitutional Amendment that would have established geographic criteria for full voting membership. 
  • Page 23-26: March 15th, 1983 Membership Minutes. Topics include Presidential Convention, NARL (National Abortion RIghts League),  NDC Delegate Vote, Resolution calling Ed Koch to select openly Gay lawyers, and division of delegates with Downtown Independent Democrats. 

Resolutions, 1983. View as PDF. 

  • Page 1-2: January 11th, 1983 Resolution calling for changes to J-51 Housing Program. 
  • Page 3: Resolution Supporting Ruth Messinger Commercial Rent Increase Limit Legislation.
  • Page 4: Letter/ Resolution Regarding Political Stability in Nicaragua 
  • Page 5: Resolution urging passage of Kennedy-Rodino Bill for gun safety 
  • Page 6: Resolution Supporting AFL-CIO March on Washington
  • Page 7: Resolution supporting Columbia Support Staff
  • Page 8: Resolution Supporting Intro 121 regarding water pressure
  • Page 9-10: Resolution supporting Intro-1
  • Page 11: Resolution Supporting Human Rights Amendments in New York State 

VID Consumer Affairs Grocery List, from February 16th, 1983. View as PDF. Compares the price on a number of common grocery items at different local supermarkets. 

Flyer for Town Hall Regarding NYU’s Expansion and Eviction of Residents. View as PDF. 

VID Flyer for  School Board Election including list of endorsed Candidates. View as PDF.

Re-Elect Anthony Hoffman and Catherine Abate for District Leader VID Pamphlet. View as PDF. 

Mailgram for School Chancellor Election, 1983. View as PDF.

Meetings + Issues 1984

Annual Dinner, April 13th, 1984. View as PDF.
Guest of honor was Hon. Basil Peterson and the dinner was held at the Water Club at the 30th Street on the East River.

Report on VID Housing Clinic, 1984. View as PDF.

VID Membership Committee Minutes, 1984. View as PDF. 

  • Page 1: July 11th, 1984 Membership Meeting. Topics include Civil Court Judge, fundraising, Housing Committee Tenant Pac, Abolishment of Second Run-Offs in primaries, changing date of primary elections, Archbishop O’Connor and nuclear freeze zone. 
  • Page 2: August 14th, 1984 Membership Meeting. Topics include Duty Rosters, Democratic Candidate Campaign Activity, Voter polls, Executive Committee elections, Ruth Messinger spoke on Mondale Ferraro campaign, Jerry Goldfedder race and primary day coordinator. 
  • Page 3: October 9th, 1984 Membership Meeting. Topics include new Committee Chairs, Potential Non-Profit Status, Lawyer consultation services, treasurers report, Justice of State Supreme Court, 421-A Resolution, Federal Toxic Resolution, 15th Congressional Seat Resolution. 
  • Page 4-6: November 14th, 1984 Membership Meeting. Topics include Mondale/Ferraro campaign, X’mas season fundraiser, Third Avenue Hotel, LES community developers, opposition to construction of 24-hour Burger King, downstate Freeze Coalition, housing organizing LES, Christopher Street Transit Canopy, Nuclear Weapon Freeze Zone, committee reports, support of Yale Staff strike, and NYS arts legislation. 

Executive Committee, 1984. View as PDF. 

  • Page 1-2: June 25th, 1984 Executive Committee Meeting. Topics include Clubhouse rental, Second July Membership Meeting, Treasury Report, Linda Peng as Voter Registration Coordinator, and campaign sign.
  • Page 3-4: July 9th, 1984 Executive Committee Meeting. Topics include Candidate Alice Schlesinger to use VID as campaign headquarters, DSA advertisement in VID Newsletter, run-off debate, Westway, VID petty cash policy, Union Square Redevelopment, Commercial rent control, street pavement, supermarkets closing rent-hike, Archbishop Bishop John J. O’Connor, and upcoming committee meetings. 
  • Page 5-6: July 23rd, 1984 Executive Committee Meeting. Topics include democratic party endorsements, Ferraro/ Mondale election, fundraising, voter registration, Tenant PAC, Union Square Resolution, Third Avenue Rezoning, National Lawyers Guild, and VID Mail Rate. 
  • Page 7-8: August 6th, 1984 Executive Committee Meeting. Topics include Voter Registration drive, National Women’s Political Caucus, Treasurer report, and Annual Dinner discounted tickets. 
  • Page 9: August 20th, 1984 Executive Committee Meeting. Topics include meeting scheduling, Mondale/Ferraro telethon, demonstration at St. Patrick’s cathedral. 
  • Page 10: September 12th, 1984 Executive Committee meeting. VID Finances and upcoming Audit were discussed. 
  • Page 11-12: September 17th, 1984 Executive Committee Meeting. Event schedule, meeting schedule, Audit Committee report, vendor charge, expenditures, 421-A exemptions, campaign committee report, and MISA celebration. 

VID Resolutions, 1984. View as PDF. 

  • Page 1: April Resolution Supporting Polling Site Accessibility 
  • Page 2: April Resolution Supporting Ban on import of Kangaroo Products 
  • Page 3: April Resolution supporting NDC Creating Screening Panel for Civil Court Judges
  • Page 4: Resolution Assembly Election Delegates
  • Page 5: Resolution delegates to Democratic National Convention 
  • Page 6-7: Resolutions condemning Archbishop John O’Connor’s political stances
  • Page 8: Resolution supporting abolishment of run-off system in delegates to DNC
  • Page 9: Resolution regarding primary timing
  • Page 10: Resolution regarding rezoning of lower Third Avenue
  • Page 11: Resolution Regarding District 1199 Strike
  • Page 12: Resolution Regarding 421-A abatements
  • Page 13: Resolution Regarding Federal Toxics Legislation
  • Page 14: Resolution regarding Burger King on 8th Street 
  • Page 15: Resolution supporting drug treatment in New York State 

1984 VID Administrative Information. View as PDF. 

  • Page 1: Letter removing Meryl Berman as signatory for Village Independent Democrats 
  • Page 2-12: Document from Shirley Y. Herman Accounting and Tax Services regarding VID Procedures for Money Transactions

VID Literature, 1984. View as PDF.

  • Page 1-3: Sample VID Voting Ballots
  • Page 4: VID Committee Alert Flyer
  • Page 5: VID Flyer from Human Rights Committee regarding Intro-1 Gay Rights Bill
  • Page 6: VID Register to Vote Flyer

Resolutions and Articles about Nicaragua, 1984. View as PDF. 

  • Page 1-2: VID Resolution condemning Reagan’s treatment of funding for Nicaragua 
  • Page 3-5: News Clippings regarding situation in Nicaragua 

Mail and Literature from other advocacy groups. View as PDF. 

  • Page 1: Art Against Apartheid October 1984 Calendar
  • Page 2: Metropolitan Council on Housing March and Demand Fleyer 
  • Page 3: Metropolitan Council on Housing Stop Rent Hikes House the Homeless Petition
  • Page 4: Greenwich Village Coalition Against Nuclear Arms Freeze Friday Event Flyer

Letter regarding labor strike at Yale University. View as PDF.

Adoption of a “Peace Plank” A Strategy to Prevent Nuclear War Testimony before the Platform Committee of the Democratic National Convention April 9th, 1984 by Jerry H. Goldfeder, Member New York Democratic Party State Committee. View as PDF.

Village Independent Democrats  Fight to the Finish Campaign Fundraiser Invitation, August 15th, 1984. View as PDF. Special Guest was Peter Yarrow, dinner was at SIDO restaurant at 305 Sixth Avenue.

December 1984 Newspaper Clipping regarding the primary race between Village Reform Democratic Club and the Village Independent Democrats. View as PDF.

Meetings + Issues 1985

Annual Dinner, April 28th, 1985. View as PDF.
The Dinner honored Governor Mario Cuomo and was held at Windows on the World at the World Trade Center. 

VID Community Affairs Committee Questionnaire. View as PDF.

Local Government Handbook published for VID Voter Education Forum on March 5th, 1985. View as PDF.

VID Resolution Opposing “King Kong Building” at 140 Charles Street, July 12th, 1985. View as PDF.

VID Membership Flyer. View as PDF.

Democratic Party New York County Designating Petition, 1985. View as PDF. 

VID Pamphlet supporting Catherine Abate and Anthony Hoffman for District Leaders. View as PDF.   

Information regarding Lower Manhattan bus service . View as PDF. 

  • Page 1-4: Carol Greitzer press release regarding proposed changes to Lower Manhattan Bus Service
  • Page 5: January 17th Villager Article, “Lower Manhattan is a Big Loser in New TA Bus Service Plan Says Village Council Member Carol Greitzer” 
  • Page 6: VID Resolution Opposing Bus Cuts in Greenwich Village 
  • Page 7: Community Board 2 Resolution Opposing Bus Cuts in Greenwich Village 

Letter from New York State Senator Manfred Ohrenstein Regarding Nuclear Arms Surface Group Staten Island, September 19th, 1985. View as PDF.

Independent Democrat Club Dinner Invite, May 5th, 1985. View as PDF.

Community Board 2 Washington Square Park Renovation Resolution. View as PDF.

Bicycle Transportation Action Newsletters and Literature. View as PDF. 

April 9th, 1985 VID Constitution. View as PDF.    

Administrative information regarding August 7th, 1985 VID Purple Barge Party. View as PDF.
Includes list of names and agreement between Purple Barge Corporation and Village Independent Democrats.

Meetings + Issues 1986

Annual Dinner, April 18th, 1986. View as PDF.
It was the club’s 29th anniversary dinner. Guests of honor were Manhattan Borough President David Dinkins, Executive Deputy Commissioner Catherine Abate. Dinner was held at Windows on the World restaurant at the World Trade Center. 

Real Estate Development Plan for Atlantic Terminal, Fact Sheet produced by the Downtown Brooklyn Tenants Federation. View as PDF.

Banking and Community Economic Development Information. View as PDF.

  • Page 1-2: March 20th, 1986 Banking and Community Economic Development Forum hosted by State of New York Banking Department
  • Page 3: “Taking it Back: Learning to Use the Community Development Act” Article by Patrick Leung published in the Democrat
  • Page 4-6: Banking in Our Community Article 

“The Consumer and Banking” pamphlet sponsored by the New York State Banking Department. View as PDF. 

Letter from Ed Koch to Herman Gerson regarding Bottle Deposit. View as PDF.

Letter from State Senator Franz Leichter regarding efforts to limit campaign contributions. View as PDF.    

CB 3 Resolution regarding City Owned Land Affordable Housing. View as PDF. 

David Dinkins Manhattan Borough President Inaugural Ceremony. View as PDF. 

Commercial Rent Regulation Information. View as PDF. 

  • Page 1: January 31st, 1986 Letter from Sherri Donovan of VID supporting Commercial Rent Control
  • Page 2: March 6th VID Community discussion about Commercial Rent Control

County Committee Information, 1986. View as PDF.

  • Page 1: County Committee Democratic Party Petition
  • Page 2: Letter Regarding Reform of Democratic Party 
  • Page 3: Letter from VRDC regarding potential changes to Democratic County Committee

Koch Impeachment Information, 1986. View as PDF.

  • Page 1: June 12, 1986 Letter to the Editor opposing Ed Koch
  • Page 2-3: VID Resolution calling for the Resignation of Mayor Ed Koch
  • Page 7-24: Annotated newspaper clippings against Koch

Letters from other groups and organizations. View as PDF.

  • Page 1-2: Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers regarding limited arts budget increase
  • Page 3: Stop US War in Central America Flyer
  • Page 4-5: West Side Community Conference Public Sector/ Private Sector: Who Pays? Who Stays?
  • Page 5: Open Letter to OED Economic Family of New York City

Margaret Chin for State Committee pamphlet. View as PDF.

Mark Green for Senate pamphlet. View as PDF.

Misc Correspondence. View as PDF.

  • Page 1-2: Letter to VID President Richard F. Braun from Tim James about rejoining VID
  • Page 3-5: Letter to New York State Board of Elections from VID regarding violations to Fair Campaign Code from Dorothy Brandt

VID Resolutions. View as PDF.

  • Page 1: Resolution encouraging City Council to have say in appointment of City Commissioners
  • Page 2: VID Resolution supporting the piers for use as recreation space.

1986 Native American / AICH Information. View as PDF.

  • Page 1-7: “Man-ah-atn” publication by the American Indian Community House
  • Page 8-9: North American Indian Post Card to Sheri Donovan of VID
  • Page 10-12: “Statement of the Traditional Leaders of the Villages of Shungopavi and Mishongnovi Sovereign Hopi Nation”
  • Page 13: Big Mountain Notes a Publication of Boulder / Denver Big Mountain Support Groups regarding proposed transfer of Hopi Land to the Navajo
  • Page 14: American Indian Community House Flyer

News Clippings. View as PDF.

  • Page 1: April 21st, 1986 The Light is On Leichter by Dick Oliver 
  • Page 2: A Reporter’s Notebook by Chris Archer, from the Villager

Rock Club Noise Resolutions. View as PDF.  

  • Page 1: VID Resolution Concerning Musical Venues
  • Page 2: VID Resolution on the Palladium and Cat Club Noise Problem 
  • Page 3-4: Letter from John Bello of the Alternative Press & Radio Council regarding to Councilmember Greitzer Regarding Closure of Rock Music Venues
  • Page 5: Letter from the Alternative Press & Radio Council regading their work
  • Page 6-8: VID Letter to the Editor about Noise Bill

Sherri Donovan District Leader Election Information, 1986. View as PDF.

  • Page 1: January 20th, 1986 Resignation Letter from Catherine M. Abate.
  • Page 2: February 1986 from Sherri Donovan announcing campaign for District Leader
  • Page 3: Press Release Announcing Sherri Donovan Campaign
  • Page 4: Letter from Soviet Jewry and Congregation of Beth Simchat Torah Supporting Election
  • Page 5: “Heated Battle for Village Leadership” article by Steve Ryan
  • Page 6: VID Response to June 1986 Villager Sound- Off Column, 
  • Page 7-8: Ted Weiss for Congress, Sherri Donovan for District Leader and Margaret Chin for State Committeewoman flyer
  • Page 9: Letter from Arlene Lowell Supporting Sherri Donovan Campaign
  • Page 10-11: Sherri Donovan for District Leader Flyer
  • Page 12-14: Keep the Village Independent! Pro Weiss, Donovan and Chin Flyer
  • Page 15: Re-elect Sherri Donovan Flyer
  • Page 16-17: Sherri Donovan Newsclippings
  • Page 18: VID Letter supporting Sherri Donovan
  • Page 19-20: Sherri Donovan Resume
  • Page 21: Keep the Village Independent Flyer
  • Page 22: 421-a Tenant Letter supporting Donovan
  • Page 23: List of individuals who support Sherri Donovan 

VID Committee List. View as PDF. 

VID Events, 1986. View as PDF.

  • Page 1-2: Films at the VID 
  • Page 3: Forum “Corruption in the NY City Gov’t” 
  • Page 4: VID “Arts-Aid” Clinic 
  • Page 5: Films at VID Intolerance 
  • Page 6-7: Flyer advertising multiple VID events
  • Page 8-9: Putting Peace on the Agenda Forum for Peace Activists 
  • Page 10: VID’s Post-Primary Fun Extravaganza!
  • Page 11: “What’s Love Got to Do With It” Everything! VID  Valentines Day Homeless Benefit 

Information on defeating Lyndon Larouche in the primary. View as PDF.

Stan Lundine for Lieutenant Governor. View as PDF.

  • Page 1: August 25th, 1986 letter from Stan Lundine to VID clarifying positions
  • Page 2-6: VID Petitions regarding reconsideration of Stan Lundine Endorsement

Village Reform Democratic Club Flyer with committee information and event schedule. View as PDF.

VID-VDRC Anti-Semitism Smear, 1986-1987. View as PDF.   

  • Page 1: December 18th, 1986 letter to VRDC regarding smear campaign against VID
  • Page 2: VID Letter clarifying Anti-semtisim allegations
  • Page 3-4: Letter from Richard M. Hartzman to American Jewish Congress expressing outrage over Anti-semitism allegations against VID
  • Page 5: VID Political Smear Update

VID Flyers. View as PDF. 

  • Page 1: VID Health Insurance Questionnaire
  • Page 2: VID Letter requesting Candidates for Civil Court Judge
  • Page 3-4: May 1986 VID Newsletter
  • Page 5: VID Volunteer form
  • Page 6: October 1986 VID Fundraising Letter

Meetings + Issues 1987

Newsletters, 1987. View as PDF.

  • Page 1: VID Newsletter with presidents report discussing election results. 
  • Page 2: VID Newsletter with presidents report discussing fundraising, recent campaign, and increasing campaign costs. Also includes the Washington Square Progress report discussing issues in the park.  

Bradlow and Hoffman for District Leader Flyers. View as PDF.
Candidates supported by VID.

  • Page 1: VID Flyer listing endorsed candidates
  • Page 2-3: Bradlow information, including education, professional history and stances on various issues. 
  • Page 4-5: Bradlow and Hoffman VID Flyer includes information on human rights, environment and traffic, housing and neighborhood preservation, public safety and education. 
  • Page 6: Bradlow and Hoffman flyer highlighting work in NoHo
  • Page 7: Bradlow and Hoffman flyer including endorsements from local news publications
  • Page 8-9: Tenants rights… who’s right? Pro Bradlow and Hoffman Flyer
  • Page 10: Village Voice Hoffman and Bradlow flyer
  • Page 11: Dear West Village Neighborhood letter from Anthony Hoffman about his campaign
  • Page 12: “Neighbors Unites to Elect Good Neighbor Frieda Bradlow Democratic District Leader”
  • Page 13: VID Gay Rights Bradlow and Hoffman flyer
  • Page 14: Pro Bradlow and Hoffman anti VRDC candidate flyer 
  • Page 15: Today! Fight Smear Tactics! Flyer
  • Page 16: Cocktail Part and Dance supporting Bradlow and Hoffman
  • Page 17: House-Warming, Heart-Warming Fundraiser
  • Page 18: Letter highlighting Bradlow and Hoffman’s work 
  • Page 19-23: Pamphlets supporting campaign
  • Page 24-25: Hoffman and Bradlow VID Flyer 

Shollenberger and James for District Leader. View as PDF.
Candidates supported by VRDC, features two pro- Schollenberger and James packets published by the VRDC. 

Paul Newman Letter Regarding Annual Dinner. View as PDF. 

Re-Elect Councilmember Friedlander Flyer. View as PDF. 

Elect Rick Braun Civil Court Flyer. View as PDF.

December 7th, Executive Board Meeting. View as PDF.
Handwritten notes including district leader reports, upcoming events, and attendance sheet. 

Democratic Party Vote Sheet and designating petition. View as PDF.   

WBAI Listeners Having a Home is a Human Right Resolution. View as PDF. 

Lester Evens for Civil Court. View as PDF. Includes flyer and designating petitions. 

VID Membership Meetings. View as PDF. 

  • Page 1-2: May 5th, 1987 Membership Meeting. Includes agenda, calendar of events and newsletter.
  • Page 3-4: November 16, 1987 Membership Meeting. Includes agenda and VID Bulletin Board.
  • Page 5: December 14th, 1987 Membership Meeting. Includes Calendar of events and presidents report. 

VID Literature, 1987. View as PDF.

  • Page 1: VID Flyer offering domestic abuse services
  • Page 2-3: VID Flyer detailing McCarthyite tactics
  • Page 4: VID Wicks Law Flyer
  • Page 5: VID Community Referral Hotline
  • Page 6-7: VID Community Report regarding Green Market
  • Page 8-9: VID Flyer regarding Judicial Convention
  • Page 10: NDC Reform Groups Event Flyer Posting
  • Page 11: VID Newsletter Featuring Presidents Report
  • Page 12: December 1987 VID Newsletter regarding upcoming year
  • Page 13-14: Re-elect Jeff Stewart as Vice President of VID

VID Events, 1987. View as PDF.  

  • Page 1-6: Films at the VID Event Flyer
  • Page 7: Films at the VID newspaper advertisements
  • Page 8-9: VID Annual Street Fair and list of photo orders
  • Page 10-11: VID Special Evenings, Rose Bay Cafe and Political Comedy Night 
  • Page 12: Don’t Let Ed Koch Put you Behind the 8 Ball
  • Page 13: VID Holiday Fiesta 

VID Committee List, 1987. View as PDF.

Petitioning Advertisement and Instructions. View as PDF.

1987 Miscellaneous Newspapers. View as PDF.

  • Page 1: 1987 Villager Article about VID Dinner
  • Page 2: 1987 Villager, Community Forum Views of Readers, Call to Help Refuseniks. 

1987 Flyers from other organizations. View as PDF.

  • Page 1: Letter from Harry Malakoff of Villagers Against Crimes regarding Prison Barge 
  • Page 2-3: Chernobyl Anniversary flyer from the Alliance Close to Indian Point
  • Page  4-17: Downtown Independent Democrats Annual journal 
  • Page 18-19: “VRDC Gets Bucked” flyer from Third Avenue Tenants

Letter Regarding Ed Koch’s Treatment of Homeless People. View as PDF.    

Charges of Communist Infiltration/Takeover of VID and Manhattan Democratic Apparatus . View as PDF. 

  • Page 1-2: “Maoist Move in on Manhattan Dems,” Our Town Newspaper article
  • Page 3-4: Letter from Adlai Stevenson Regarding Our Town Article

Meetings + Issues 1988

Annual Dinner, April 15th 1988. View as PDF.
Guests of honor were Anthony Alvarado, Superintendent School Board 2 and Deborah Glick, the former president of Gay and Lesbian Independent Democrats.

VID Membership Meeting Flyers, 1988 . View as PDF.

  • Page 1-2: January 11th, 1988 Membership Meeting. Includes calendar, discussion of the Board of Estimate, County Committee Candidates, new VID Members, Upcoming artists forums,  Human Rights Committee and Arts Committee Reports. 
  • Page 3: February 16th, 1988 Membership Meeting. Includes agenda, calendar of events and VID Bulletin board. Topic of Discussion was building a coalition for a new Mayor. 
  • Page 4: July 25th, 1988 Membership Meeting, Includes Agenda, Calendar of Events, with a topic of discussion being “The ‘Notch’ Amendment: Protecting Social Security for All Seniors.
  • Page 5: August 23rd, 1988 Membership Meeting. Includes Agenda, Calendar of Events, with the topic of Discussion being the Prison Barge. 
  • Page 6: September and October Membership Meeting Flyer. Includes Agendas, VID Calendar, and Bulletin Board. 
  • Page 7: VID Newsletter Featuring December Membership Meeting information. Topic of discussion was “Jail Barges and Ventilation Towers: The Continuing Battle to Save the Greenwich Village Waterfront”
  • Page 8: November Meeting Agenda, topic of discussion was amendments to VID Constitution and Executive Committee Elections. 

VID Events, 1988. View as PDF. 

  • Page 1-2: Films at the VID Flyers
  • Page 3: Public Forum “Organizing for a New-New York Mayor”
  • Page 4: Sheridan Square-Area Residents and Business People Public Safety Forum
  • Page 5: VID Just Desserts Event
  • Page 6: Films at VID, The Good Fight
  • Page 7: Summer in the City BackYard Barbecue Garden Party
  • Page 8: VID Campaign Bash
  • Page 9-10: Films at the VID Co-hosted by District 65. UAW. 
  • Page 11: Savor the Victory event celebrating Margaret Chin and Keith Crandell
  • Page 12: News article regarding VID Free Legal Clinic and Voter Registration
  • Page 13-14: McCarthyism then and Now Forum with Handwritten note on back regarding qualities of Chin and Crandell. 

VID Election Endorsements, 1988. View as PDF.
Includes endorsements for US Congress, State Senate, State Assembly, and State Committee. 

Community Board #2 City Charter Revision Workshop. View as PDF.

Flyers from Other Organizations, 1988. View as PDF.  

  • Page 1-2: Anti-Communism & U.S. Foreign Policy: Selected Readings and Organizations
  • Page 3-4: Asian Americans for Equality Annual Chinese New Year Celebration
  • Page 5-6: Prime News from Prime New York Campaign Lists

Margaret Chin for New York State Democratic Committee Flyers and Information. View as PDF.

  • Page 1: Letter from Jacqueline Huey, Chair of New York State Asian Women’s Political Caucus supporting Chin’s campaign
  • Page 2: Letter from Carole A. DeSaram head of National Organization for Women opposing  Chin’s campaign.
  • Page 3: Re-elect Marget Chin mailing against opponent Carol Reichman 
  • Page 4: Margaret Chin Cares Flyer
  • Page 5: Village Voice flyer endorsing Marget Chin and Keith Crandell
  • Page 6-7: Re-elect Chin ad Crandell flyer featuring candidate bios and information on opponents
  • Page 8: Letter from District Leader Anthony S. Hoffman endorsing Chin and Crandell
  • Page 9-11: VID Flyers featuring candidate endorsements
  • Page 12-13: Re-elect Margaret Chin & Keith Crandell pamphlet

Miscellaneous Political Flyers, 1988. View as PDF.

  • Page 1-2: Bill Green for Congress
  • Page 3-4: Carol Reichman and Arthur Stoliar for Democratic State Committee 
  • Page 5: Democrats Vote Harry Fotopoulos for Congress flyer
  • Page 6-9: VRDC Pro Liz Schollenberger for District Leader Flyer
  • Page 10: Pro Sherri Donovan Flyer
  • Page 11: Peter Doukas for Congress Flyer

VID Miscellaneous Administrative, 1988. View as PDF.   

  • Page 1: Letter from Evergreen Parking Regarding space for Annual Dinner
  • Page 2: Cartoon featuring cost of political materials
  • Page 3: New York Telephone Company Receipt 

Meetings + Issues 1989 

Annual Dinner, May 16, 1989. View as PDF.
Held at the Tower Suite in the Time & Life building. Guests of honor were Senator David Paterson and Dani Frand, the executive director of the Chaney Goodwin Schwerner Memorial Coalition. 

Candidates Forum at Third Street Music School Event Flyer. View as PDF.
Features Candidates for Mayor, City Council President, Comptroller, Manhattan Borough President and Manhattan District Attorney. 

VID District Leader Election Flyers, the club supported Tony Hoffman and Margaret Stewart. View as PDF.

  • Page 1-2: Pro Hoffman and Stewart flyer featuring information on the world of each candidate. 
  • Page 3-4:  Re-elect Hoffman and Stewart VID Flyer. Featuring handwritten notes on election districts. 

VRDC District Leader flyers supporting Liz Shollenberg and Tim James, 1989. View as PDF.

  • Page 1: VRDC Flyer refuting mailer attackingSchollenberg and James
  • Page 2-3: Shollenberg and James booklet 

Flyer with history of Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats and Village Independent Democrats candidate endorsement. View as PDF.

Dinkins for Mayor flyers. View as PDF.

  • Page 1-2: “If You’re not in it, he can’t win it” pro-Dinkins flyer encouraging voter registration. Both an English and Spanish version are included.
  • Page 3-4: “David Dinkins Strong Enough to draw the line” pamphlet.
  • Page 5-6: Dinkins LGBTQ rights flyer
  • Page 7-8: Pro Dinkins VID flyer regarding record against Village Prison barge. 
  • Page 9: VID Sample Ballot featuring candidate endorsements
  • Page 10-11: Vote for Nuclear Sanity Vote David Dinkins Flyer, featuring handwritten notes on back.
  • Page 12-13: Older New Yorkers for Dinkins pamphlet.
  • Page 14-15: NY Daily News “Why Voters Fled Ed” article and election results. 

VID Events, 1989. View as PDF. 

  • Page 1: Films at the VID event featuring “The Tallest Tree In Our Forest”
  • Page 2: Help the VID Fight the Jail Barge Rally
  • Page 3: VID Brunch honoring president Bruce Feffer. 

VID Membership Committee, 1989. View as PDF.

  • Page 1: February 23rd Membership Committee agenda. Includes elections to VID Executive committee, Proposed Amendments to VID Constitution and Calendar. 
  • Page 2-3: August 23rd Membership Committee Agenda. Features calendar of events, and updates on petitioning efforts for election. 

1980s New Democratic Coalition (NDC) Information

NDC Delegate Contact Information. View as PDF.

NDC Resolutions, 1981. View as PDF.

  • Page 1: VID Resolution encouraging interested candidates to formally enter Mayor race
  • Page 2: March 5th, 1981 NDC resolution encouraging member clubs to endorse candidates supporting LGBTQ rights

1985-1986 VID NDC Delegate List and Contact Information. View as PDF.