Staten Island Borough Presidential Candidate Richard A. Luthmann Set to Bring His Case To New York's Highest Court
Staten Island, New York (PRWEB) August 16, 2013 -- While the State Appellate Court ruled against Richard Luthmann’s bid to be re-instated on the ballot for the Democratic Primary for Staten Island Borough President, the man who created his own grassroots campaign says that he was inspired by a touching moment. (Appellate Division Case Number 7973-2013).
Luthmann spoke candidly about a truly moving moment in his campaign: "It was not coincidence but Divine Providence that when I was recently at Pastor Eli Smith's church in West Brighton for Sunday Services that the sermon was about the passage in the First Book of Samuel in the Hebrew Scriptures - "Here I am." We call our families. We call our friends - one, two, three times. But we never say "Here I am." We are absorbed with the selective deafness of our loved ones, our community, of our people in need. We are so concerned with fulfilling our perceived duties that we never stand up. We never say: "HERE AM I." Well Pastor Smith, Shiloh Church, West Brighton, Staten Island, Richmond County, New York, USA...Here am I. HERE ARE WE. The Divine Wisdom that informed Samuel will also inform the Honorable Court before which we plead our cause. Thank you Reverend Smith for the most powerful sermon that I have experienced in my life. I hear you and I hear your congregation. And I hope and pray that we will all be heard," Luthmann said.
Luthmann is prepared to present his case before New York State Court of Appeals (Appellate Division Case Number 7973-2013) on August 21. Luthmann has sent a letter to the Court asking for a Writ of Certiorari, which will allow him to present an oral argument to the Seven Justices of New York's High Court. At the age of thirty-three, Luthmann is proud to have notched this career achievement.
READ LUTHMANN'S LETTER TO THE COURT
“One way or another, the People's Advocate will finish what we started on the Courthouse steps of New York's High Court next week," said Luthmann. He said he started his campaign to get more Staten Islanders involved in the election and in local politics and expand the base of the Democratic Party, which he believes he has accomplished. He says the fight is not just for him but to challenge entrenched party politicians and to open the process up for the next generation of voters and elected officials.
Luthmann says his campaign was about more than court fights and collecting signatures.
"I am happy to have engaged in the process,” Luthmann said. “I am happy to have heard many new ideas, meet great people and I am happy to have raised awareness as to some of the faults in the existing local political machine. We raised some very important issues about stifling City fees and taxes, the Island's antiquated infrastructure and the green energy and environmental potential that we have not fully explored. Most of all, I am happy to have blazed the way for young, grassroots campaigns to spring up."
Luthmann also said he will remain active in politics.
"We have built a great machine of strong Democrats and we have expanded our party's base. We will continue to work to get Democrats like Bill Thompson and Debi Rose into office. I also look forward to helping rising stars from our Island like Cathy Guerriero, John Mancuso and others, win their respective races in September and November."
Luthmann thanked his great team of loyal volunteers who have helped to propel the campaign to this point. "So many helped, but there were a few all-stars that I must thank personally for sacrificing so much personally, professionally and politically by taking a chance on me. I would like to thank each of them from the bottom of my heart. They know who they are, and no matter what happens, each of them will be getting a phone call on Wednesday."
This news release is being distributed on behalf of Luthmann For BP (http://www.luthmannforbp.com).
David Martin, Luthmann For BP, http://www.luthmannforbp.com, 646-483-5898, [email protected]
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