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When word leaked yesterday that D.C. Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray would be running for mayor, political junkies salivated, union officials cheered, and local athletes sure noticed, too.
You see, under Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, it’s been a halcyon era for folks who, like Hizzoner, who push themselves to the limit in marathons, triathlons, and competitive cycling. Fenty’s opened new recreation facilities, attracted new top-level competitions, and is an accomplished athlete himself.
The 67-year-old Gray is an athlete, too, though he prefers different pursuits—-baseball and hand dancing, to be precise.
Yesterday afternoon, Chuck Brodsky, founder of the Nation’s Triathlon and a close ally of Fenty’s, mass e-mailed his fellow competitors and issued a call to arms: “The benefits we’ve enjoyed under Mayor Fenty and our way of life as athletes, cyclists, runners, sports enthusiasts and competitors in the District of Columbia is in jeopardy,” he wrote. “Don’t stand idle. Now is your time to be heard.”
The e-mail continues: “You’ve never allowed anyone to tell you how to live your life. That’s the hallmark of our A type personalities. Now is your time to stand up, be heard, and support Mayor Fenty in his re-election bid to preserve the gains of our city and our quality of life.”
“[Y]our support,” Brodsky writes, “is non-negotiable.” He requested athletes that help with daily door-knocking or post a yard sign to preserve a “more robust and athlete friendly city.”
Brodsky, reached today, deems the response to the e-mail “overwhelming.”
“My inbox is flooded with people who want to help,” he says. “Not just themselves, but they want me to bring a dozen [signs] to give them to their neighbors.”
Brodsky adds: “This is our time to stand up. We’ve never had it so good for athletes…so we want to keep it going.”
The message in full:
From: Charles Brodsky
Date: Mon, Mar 29, 2010 at 4:56 PM
Subject: It’s your time to stand up and be heard!Tomorrow Vince Gray will announce his candidacy for Mayor of DC. The benefits we’ve enjoyed under Mayor Fenty and our way of life as athletes, cyclists, runners, sports enthusiasts and competitors in the District of Columbia is in jeopardy. Don’t stand idle. Now is your time to be heard.
You’ve never allowed anyone to tell you how to live your life. That’s the hallmark of our A type personalities. Now is your time to stand up, be heard, and support Mayor Fenty in his re-election bid to preserve the gains of our city and our quality of life. your support is non-negotiable.
There are two ways you can help Mayor Fenty in his re-election bid:
1. Join us for daily door knocking from 3:30pm to 7pm. Pledge to join at least one day per week. This is where the battle is won for the hearts, minds, and votes of DC residents. It is the single most important element to the campaign and you need to be present. Look at your calendar right now and email me back the day(s) you can be there. We will arrange pickup and drop off if you need it.
2. Put a Fenty for Mayor sign in your yard or on your balcony. Visibility and awareness is a key element for victory. Put at least one sign in your yard then visit neighbors on both sides of your home and across the street and get them to put signs in their yard. Try to make your neighborhood Fentyville by placing signs in every neighbors yard! Right now email me back your address and we will have a sign delivered to you in the next day or two. DO NOT DELAY!
There are moments in time when we must all take action. This is that moment. We’ve all benefited from a more robust and athlete friendly city under Mayor Fenty. It is your responsibility to make sure that he has an opportunity to serve a second term and continue the great work he’s achieved for us and the citizens of the District of Columbia.
If anyone you know is a voter in the District and wasn’t included in this email, forward it on. This is a part of the responsibility we all share to ensure we drive as much support for our Mayor and friend as possible.
Thx.
—-
Charles L. Brodsky
CEO, WSEM LLC
Owner and operator of
The Nation’s Triathlon
Washington DC Triathlon
Achieve Kids Tri Inc.