Greetings Tappan Zee-ers, Some very interesting updates, including more media. Plus, some exciting help has been offered! 1.—I started the fundraiser just five days ago. We have already reached $3,567 from over 140 supporters and $4,000 is our goal for today. If you would like to donate to the cause, you can read more at www.GoFundMe.com/SaveTheTappanZee Please help this simple petition grow from a volunteer grassroots movement into the formal, organized, and powerful advocacy organization it can become. 2.— Here’s an amazing quotation by Teddy Roosevelt for everyone to ponder: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” So, to all of you criticizing me on here (a public forum): YOU are the ones doing the harm to the movement. 3.—I have two more interviews set up for this Thursday. One on TV with PBS’ New York One. Another on radio again at WVOX in New Rochelle—I was told “you were a hit and we’d like you back”. Great to hear. The Journal News also said they’ll be doing a follow-up in the new year. Finally, Newsday knows about the fundraiser and asked me to keep them posted—once we reach a particular threshold, they will likely write a story. 4.—The well-respected Lenape and Tappan Indian historian, speaker, and author Evan Pritchard got in touch with me and wants to become a part of the new historical society we are trying to create. Evan Pritchard, who is a descendant of the Mi’kmaq tribe and is the founder and director of the Center for Algonquin Culture wrote to me, “The best part about creating a historical preservation society shows that its not about politics, but culture. It would be good that you are to be quoted in the press as the director of the historical society and I’d like to be one of your advisors.” I agree, and that’s precisely why I am doing this. Thank you Evan for coming aboard! 5.—Assemblyman Byrne got back in touch and wants to meet with me in mid December. Supervisor Chris Day has offered to help us organize in person in Orangetown, potentially, he said, at the ever appropriate Tappan Zee High School. 6.—Read this great new article in Buffalo News: http://buffalonews.com/2017/12/01/another-voice-governors-quest-to-honor-his-father-ignores-history/ 7.—I have begun work on the website. In addition to all else I do, I’m also a Ruby on Rails coder (oh my gosh! He’s probably lying about that too!) The website will be a simple clean html, css, and bootstrap mobile-first site that I will code myself but will allow us to have a new online home. This website will also be the new hub for reporters to visit to see regular press updates on a weekly basis. I’ll keep you posted on my progress with it. 8.—I am also in discussions with another petition signer Leslie, who works in graphic design and t-shirt manufacturing. We have been talking about getting t-shirts made to support the cause that we can get out all around the state. BOTTOM LINE: Please help this simple petition grow from a volunteer grassroots movement into the formal, organized, and powerful advocacy organization it can become. As you can see, I’m doing a lot of work, and it has long ago left the arena of “volunteer grassroots movement”. We need to formally create an organization to take this to the next level. Read more and donate here: www.GoFundMe.com/savethetappanzee Even $5 will go a very long way to getting this off the ground. Sincerely, -Dr. Monroe Mann Petitioner in Chief P.S. All money raised remains in the GoFundMe account at this time. I have not and will not deduct any raised funds until it is clear that enough of you support this movement.