Tony Baker launches initiative to help fund the Staten Island Zoo

As a teacher and dean, I have witnessed you accomplish many things for our community. So this week, when I read with dismay that one of our great institutions, the Staten Island Zoo, was going to be experiencing severe budget cuts, I immediately thought of you. I am issuing a challenge to all our students, along with your schools, to adopt an exhibit at the Staten Island Zoo through a program I call “SI ZOO is MY ZOO.”

Staten Island has 119 schools in total (including public, private, parochial and institutions of higher learning), while the Staten Island Zoo has 150 exhibits. In order to make up the difference, I suggest our larger high schools and colleges/universities adopt an exhibit per class to make up the difference. Each exhibit adoption will be based on school population, with smaller schools adopting smaller and/or less expensive exhibits and larger schools adopting larger exhibits and/or more expensive exhibits.

I urge you to do what you do best and be creative in how you will raise the funds to assist your adopted exhibit. In order to begin the process, I have created a Facebook networking page: “SI ZOO is MY ZOO.” Our older students and student governments are invited to join, while our younger students should ask your parents, PTAs and school administrators to join.

I will work with you and the Staten Island Zoo to coordinate this project. Together we can make a difference.

Tony Baker Sr.
Port Richmond

To join the effort or submit fundraising ideas go to http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=45436042903

Keith Olbermann gives synopsis of the Bush years

8 years in 8 minutes...

Staten Island Advance

Staten Islander collects 2nd batch of signatures for Council race.

Rev. Tony Baker filed his petitions under the "Prepared to Lead, Ready to Serve" party.For Staten Island's Rev. Tony Baker, the devil is in the details.

Last week his campaign filed the threshold number of petition signatures to get him on the ballot in the Feb. 24 North Shore City Council special election.

Since it's a non-partisan race, the independent nominating petitions must include a made-up party name and logo. They got the name part down OK - "Prepared to Lead, Ready to Serve" - but forgot about the pesky logo, Rev. Baker acknowledged today. It was to have been the Liberty Bell.

Bottom line: He could have been bounced from the ballot despite having filed 1,796 petition signatures - 1,464 are needed - in advance of Thursday's midnight filing deadline.

While Rev. Baker said he was not officially notified of the problem by the Board of Elections, and an elections spokeswoman couldn't be reached today, his supporters hit the streets again over the last 48 hours to collect a second batch of petitions totaling 1,877 signatures, this time with his chosen Liberty Bell designation.

Better safe than sorry, said Rev. Baker, pastor of St. Philip's Baptist Church, Port Richmond.

"I have the support of almost 4,000 people on my petitions," said Rev. Baker. "Even if the Board of Elections wants to throw the others out, and that's up to them, I am on the ballot. If they want to disenfranchise almost 1,800 people who signed the first petitions, that is up to them."

Meanwhile, Tom Curitore of St. George said he filed in excess of the threshold number of signatures under the banner of the "North Shore First." That could not be independently confirmed with the board.

Curitore, a former borough Department of Transportation commissioner, joins Ken Mitchell, John Tabacco and Rev. Baker.

-- Reported by Judy L. Randall

How did he get here from there?

Tony Baker’s quest for the North Shore City council seat is a natural extension of not only his religious beliefs, but his passion for community as well. Since coming to the Island, he has been an advocate for fairness and a voice for the voiceless. His 20 years of military experience (Sergeant, 1st Class US Army), 30 years of marriage (of course to one woman), 29 years of fatherhood, 12 years as Pastor of St. Phillips, and 8 years teaching in Port Richmond High School, represent just the tip of the man who is Tony Baker. Unlike some of his contemporaries, he is certainly a man of action, far more substance than flash.

Not long after meeting him some five years ago, my initial impression proved true; he is a man who believes in what he says. Who does what he says he will do, and is a living example of what a man today should be. I have seen him stand up for the rights of others, put his own needs aside to help someone, and deal firmly and fairly with those at odds. His leadership has inspired others to do more.

Tony Baker has been a supporter of the existing Staten Island Democratic hierarchy, he supported them personally, as well as giving them all the opportunity to address the congregation with their views, and their plans. These include Matt Titone, C. Virginia Fields, Mike McMahon, Steve Harrison, Diane Savino, and even a surprise visit by Hillary Clinton. As supportive as he has been, when it came time to replace the outgoing Councilman, a man he considered his friend, he was asked not to run. Luckily that did not dissuade him. With the support of some of the democratic party, he has forged ahead, He was the first to put up a website (www.baker09.com) even before McMahon won the election, the first to officially announce his candidacy….but this isn’t a race of just firsts. This will be a race of who can get their supporters to the polls on February 24th (the Farmer’s Almanac says snowy, then turning milder for that week). Tony has enlisted the support of a variety of people from many walks, professionals, retirees, homemakers, some congregants, young and old, but all dedicated to sending Tony to the city council to be their voice.

Tony has been integral in bringing together Hispanic immigrants and African-Americans in the Port Richmond area to initiate a dialogue that continues today. That dialogue has reduced racial insensitivity and violence in the area. He helped ensure that residents of the former Markham Gardens get the right to return to the newly built homes that have replaced the public housing. As a member of the Board of Richmond University Medical Center, he has unique insight into the health care needs of Staten Island, a fight he vows to win. Tony Baker has worked closely with the District Attorney on anti-crime initiatives including most recently the most successful gun buy-back program New York City has ever had. These are just a small sample of his extensive accomplishments.

I support Tony Baker, not because of his race, not because of his religious beliefs, but because I believe he is truly prepared to lead and ready to serve. Staten Island’s North Shore is ready for change, I have lived on the North Shore my entire life in six different
neighborhoods. I have seen many changes in my 44 years, but I anxiously await the next change to take place. Elect Tony Baker for City Council 49th District.

I know the election is over, but this is too funny!

A new year with the same old Island politics

Kenny Mitchell took advantage of insider knowledge....plain and simple. His completing and submitting the required signatures by 0900 Monday, giving him the first column on the ballot, was a sneak attack, and in my opinion unfair to the other candidates. Was it illegal? no, unethical? yes. Why the fear? I believe, based on the size alone of his volunteer force, that he would likely have won the race to collect signatures anyway. I don't think any other candidate has 100 volunteers. His actions are indicative of typical Island politics and are why I feel a sweeping change is needed. This 'sneak attack' shows the kind of man he is, the kind of campaign he will run, and the type of councilman he would be if elected.