Committees
Animal Welfare Committee
Linda Jacobson, DVM
With the increasing focus of the New York City Council and the New York State Legislature on Animal Welfare issues, this committee was formed to propose and monitor pending legislation as well as comment on existing legislation.
We have written letters regarding the extreme pediatric spay/neuter age as well as cat declawing.
The committee is working to ban the sale of cats, dogs and rabbits in pet stores city and state-wide.
Campaign and Voter Outreach Committee
Tony Hoffmann
Campaign Committee Chair
Laurie Hardjowirogo
Voter Outreach Chair
This committee was formed to engage effectively with all upcoming elections.
They meet regularly, host forums, phone banks, petitioning as well as actively collaborating with other organizations throughout the City, State and Nation to advance progressive Democratic candidates.
Education Committee
Mar Fitzgerald, Chair
VID’s Education committee works actively to assure every student has equal access to a quality education.
Environmental Committee
Nathaniel Johnson, Chair
For many years VID has spearheaded action on the environment. The committee chair, Nat Johnson, member Anne Heaney and long-time member Frieda Bradlow have followed the issues of fracking, nuclear power plants, and most recently the Algonquin Pipeline.
This committee has led the City on organic waste and recycling.
Gun Reform Committee
Deb Sherman and Allison Stowell, Esq. Co-Chairs
Formed to suport the Parkland student activists in 2018, VID’s Gun Reform committee works to reduce gun violence in our City and State by mobilizing voters and working with elected officials to pass common sense gun reform.
Affordable Housing Committee
David Siffert, Chair
When it comes to housing, VID has long championed the fight to preserve and to build new affordable housing.
VID conducts Tenants Clinic every Wednesday at 6pm, with volunteer attorneys and experts to aid ongoing problems.