MEET NAT JOHNSON & ANNE HEANEY
VID Role: (Nat Johnson) Chair, Environmental Committee
VID Member: 2015
We’re proud to spotlight longtime VID members Anne Heaney and Nat Johnson, dedicated educators, environmental advocates, and passionate organizers, who have been members of VID since 2015.
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(L) Anne in center lower; (R) Johnson family- Cincinnati 
Recent May Day
Tell me about where and how you grew up and how you got involved in politics?
Anne was raised on a Catholic worker community farm in Missouri. They were pacifists and organic gardeners. In college in the 60’s in St Louis, she joined civil rights groups and the Congress of Racial Equality. After college, she came to NYC and became an early childhood advocate and educator. She moved with her son to the meatpacking district to be part of the PS3 school and community.
Nat is the eldest of 11 children and grew up in a diverse community in Cincinnati. He was the first in his family to attend college and went to Beloit in Wisconsin. When he came to NY, he worked at the National Park Service, the Statue of Liberty, and finally, as a long-time educator at the American Museum of Natural History. Among his many projects, he organized museum sleepovers, whale watches, and adult lectures and taught part-time at Rikers jail for several years.
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(L) Anne with compost worms West Village Nursery: (R) Nat at AMNH offices
Anne was raised on a farm, so she was always interested in gardens, soil, water, and air. As an educator at the museum, Nat became interested in all things nature and the environment. They bought a property together in central New York years ago and became involved in the active anti-pipeline/anti-fracking efforts there. After many years of protesting, Cuomo banned fracking in 2014!
Anti-fracking rally 2017
How did you meet?
Nat and Anne met through the nursery school where Anne taught Nat’s children. They had both split from their marriages by then and got together in 1983! (Yes, 42 years ago!). They have lived in the meatpacking district ever since! They have three kids (Anne, 1, and Nat, 2) and three grandchildren, all living in the Greater New York area.
What issues are most important to you?
They are both passionate about the environment and keep up with the associated New York legislation– both city and state. Anne is particularly interested in agriculture and keeping our water and land safe. Nat added nuclear waste to the list.
As Chair of the environmental committee, Nat tries to be as broad as possible and keeps up with many current issues. He writes a monthly report for the VID Membership (here). Currently, they are also focused on the national administration and preventing its overreach. “Kudos to Kathy Hochul for fighting for and getting the offshore wind project restarted!”
When did you join VID, and what do you like about VID?: They joined VID over 10 years ago as they were unhappy with politics in New York. The club president asked Nat to start the environmental committee years ago, and he’s been at the helm ever since. Read about it here:
Nat and Anne are fans of VID and have learned much from the discussions (especially amongst all the lawyers!). They are also admirers of the amazing and nearly constant work of the Campaign Committee and think the new website is excellent. Their only wish is for the days of higher attendance and more regular committees!
Composting Promotion with Councilmember Erik Bottcher
What races are you excited about?
Anne: Brad Lander….and rank everyone except Cuomo and Adams (Eric); Mark Levine, Erik Bottcher, Brad Hoylman-Sigal….All of our endorsed candidates.
Nat: Also, she’s not running this year, but shout out to Deborah Glick for being accessible all these years (and caring about environmental issues).
Lightning round:
Fave Village restaurant? Both: Gandhi cafe (Indian on Bleecker)
Fave Village coffee shop? Think coffee, 8th Avenue
Fave NY thing to do? Anne: Volunteer gardener at the Highline and Jefferson Market Nat: Design board games for fun…miniatures. He has a large spaceship collection!
Fave politician (current)? Anne: Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Jerry Nadler Nat: AOC
Fave movie or TV show? Nat: The Wire Anne: Matawan: film by John Sayles
Submitted by Caroline Donahue
Meet Mindy Rosier!
VID role: co-Vice President
VID memer since: 2023
L-R top row: 21 years old at the Paris catacombs; On the picket line with UFT in suppport of the SAG-AFTRA strike; with Randi Weingarten, President AFT, at the Pride March; with NYC Councilmember Erik Bottcher (District 3); 2nd row: UFT with Gov. Kathy Hochul.
How did you get interested in politics?
I didn't become truly engaged in politics until 12 years ago, when a charter school was trying to kick out my special needs school from its home. I quickly discovered that education and politics go hand and hand and that Cuomo was in the pocket of charter school donors, such as Dan Loeb. DeBlasio was just elected mayor and he saved our school as promised. The battle to save my school was one of the many issues that came between Cuomo and DeBlasio. The fight to save my school is what got me more involved in politics. The more I saw and read, the angrier I got, the more I became involved.
How long have you been in the village and how has it changed?
I have lived on 15th street between 6th and 7th for the last 21 years. So technically, I am not in the village. However, due to the redistricting, I am now politically part of lower Manhattan. I have to say, 14th street has changed a lot. Plenty of stores have come and gone as well as people. In the last few years, I have enjoyed my wonderful walks around the village and I have taken many photographs from those walking adventures. There is so much beauty in and around the village. Overall, I love NYC, the sites, the food, the people, and the convenience to everything you need. I am a city girl through and through and honestly, I do not see myself living anywhere else.
Before you joined VID, were you involved with other political clubs?
Yes, I was. I joined Chelsea Reform Democratic Club (CRDC) in 2015. I enjoyed the new relationships I made within the club as well as all the electeds, judicial candidates/judges, etc. Shortly after I joined, I became their Recording Secretary. I was on the executive committee and the programs committee. For two years, I was also club president. I led the club during the covid shutdown. Via our newsletter, I made sure that members had access to all pertinent information. I have also been on the county committee for many years, as well as being a judicial delegate.
Why did you join VID?
I chose to leave CRDC but I still wanted to be politically active. Since the redistricting had made me part of lower Manhattan, VID was an easy choice. Plus, I already knew many of their members.
If you could pick a few improvements, what are your top 3 things we can do better in the club?
I have to say that overall, I am very impressed with how VID runs. It is quite refreshing, honestly. I believe an improvement would be with having more of a variety of topics at our general meetings. While I do love hearing from our local electeds, I would also love to hear more on the issues that can affect our community. Truthfully, I cannot think of anything else. You guys are wonderful! Ask me again in a year.
What do you do for work?
I have been a special education teacher for almost 27 years. My current role is a UFTTC D75 Literacy Coach. Through the UFT's Teacher Center, my role was created to help support schools and educators with the new curriculum roll-out in D75. (District 75 is the city’s district for children with special needs). I am very active within my union, the United Federation of Teachers. I am on their Executive Board, Political Action Team, and I have been on the contract negotiating team for the last two contracts.
Since you became politically active, name a favorite action/activity you were a part of?
There have been so many incredible things that I have been a part of. From being a Bernie Sanders delegate to the 2016 DNC, to shutting down a corner of Harlem protesting Paul Ryan, and walking to Albany. Paul Ryan was visiting the charter school in my public school building. When my school was told of this visit, I reached out to my activist contacts and local electeds. I was on the news and all over social media. (Long story short, I was deemed a national security threat by his secret servicemen. I still wear this as a badge of armor! Feel free to ask for more details. Article 1 , Article 2, & Article 3) I would have to say though, that my favorite action was when I joined parent advocates and Sen Robert Jackson on a 10 day, 150 mile walk from Tweed Courthouse to the capitol in Albany to fight for (CFE) public school funding. (Article 1 & Article 2 ) Cuomo continually denied meeting us so we did a little bit of civil disobedience, by taping 500 "receipts" from the NY public school districts, that are owed money, on the outside of Cuomo's office in the capitol.
What are you most excited (or nervous) about for the 2024 elections?
I have to admit, I am very nervous about the presidential election.
What issues are most important to you:
Women's rights, LGBTQ rights, & education/union issues
LIGHTNING ROUND
Where did you grow up? Brooklyn
Favorite Village restaurant? Ghandi Cafe on Bleeker St
Favorite Village coffee? Think Coffee on 8th Ave
Favorite Drink: Chai Latte
Pets? Cats; Ladybug & Promise
Favorite thing to do on the weekend- Spending time with my gentleman
Hobby: Long walks & taking pics
Favorite Movie/TV Genre: Comedy or horror
How many tattoos do you have? Well over a hundred
Favorite Quote: “I myself am made entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions,” by Augestin Burroughs
Submitted by: Mindy Rosier
Meet Tony Hoffmann!
VID Role: Chair, Campaign Committee and Executive Board Member
VID Member since: 1976
Pictures, L-R:
1. In South Africa with my dog. I’m about 5.
2. At the Western Wall in Jerusalem with my baby cousin Jeremy. Jeremy now runs J Street. I was 26.
3. VID Gala where we honored Mayor David Dinkins. About 1990.
4. Nadine, Jason and me visiting Normandy, France. About 2002
Where did you grow up and how did you get interested in politics?
My parents were holocaust survivors who escaped Austria in 1938. They moved to England where I was born and then we moved to South Africa and lived through apartheid. At age 7, we moved to Washington Heights and I lived there until college. My family always discussed politics. The first race I was interested in was Stevenson vs Eisenhower in 1952. In elementary school I was assigned to do a report on Eisenhower. I liked Stevenson (he lost).
How long have you been in the village and how has it changed?
I moved to the Village in 1968. I got married to Nadine in 1980, we adopted a child, Jason, and then later we moved to Bank Street where we live now. Jason lives in Crown Heights. The Village is more gentrified now. It is still a great neighborhood with similar values. Only bummer, today it's too expensive.
Tell us about the early VID-- when/how was it founded and what are your favorite stories/ moments.
My friend Dan Roskoff brought me to VID in 1976. VID was incredible. The executive committee had over 40 people! There were battles to get on the committee. Back then 60-70 people attended most meetings (in person of course). At one meeting for the President club elections (during the Koch election), 1100 people showed up at PS 41. We signed up everyone. Six months later, we had to kick the president out for corruption. She was stealing money from the club. One of my favorite stories about VID is Koch running against Bella Abzug. They were both members of the club; they gave their speeches at our old HQ. Koch won. Years later, the club split from Koch as he became biased with bad positions. I ran for District Leader in 1981 on an anti-Koch platform. I remained DL until 1991. In 1990, I ran for assembly and lost to Deborah Glick (we are now good friends).
How has VID changed the most?
VID has more olde, middle class people. Back then, we had more younger, radical people.
What is the top improvement we can make in the club?
I wish we had younger people. We need to attract and keep new people. Covid was painful for the club. We need to recruit members through activities, such as community nights to bring new people in.
You do a ton as head of the Campaign committee, how do you stay energized?
I have been the campaign committee chair since 2011. I took 20 years off. I couldn't continue with my career and raising a kid. When I got back, VID was dying. State Senator, Brad Hoylman-Sigal called and asked me to come back. He was the current DL. From there, it really came back! I have been the campaign chair ever since. There’s no VID magic pill. I love it. I love politics. I want to make a difference. I love the whole political world– meeting people, keeping my mind active, and the gestalt of politics. It's my hobby!
You are a plaintiff in the redistricting lawsuit. How did this happen and what is your role?
Rep. Jerry Nadler has asked me for the last 20 years to be a plaintiff for DCCC lawsuits as the DCCC regularly sues about redistricting. This is the third straight time I was asked and became the lead plaintiff because I was the first person to say yes. The lawsuit, Anthony S. Hoffmann vs. NYS Redistricting Commission, argues that the NY State Constitution gives final approval of Congressional lines to the NY State Legislature. The first congressional lines drawn by the NY State Legislature, when the redistricting commission couldn’t come up with a single set of maps, was challenged in court by the Republicans. In the end the Court of Appeals agreed with the Republicans that the congressional districts were illegally gerrymandered and threw out those lines. A master was appointed by a Republican judge and drew new lines. The DCCC lawsuit, where I was the lead plaintiff, said that the master drawn lines were only temporary and shouldn’t be used after 2022. The lawsuit states that the NY State Constitution gives final power to draw the lines to the NY State legislature. The Court of Appeals is supposed to report this week!!! BREAKING NEWS: we won the lawsuit! (Read about it here)
What are you most excited (or nervous) about for the 2024 elections?
Trump may win and that's horrifying. We also have to win back Congress! I am most excited about being involved in campaigns. As we get closer to the general election we will start organizing Vote Blue. Vote Blue is an organization made up of political clubs in Manhattan and Northern Brooklyn that sends volunteers in buses to various congressional districts in the tri state area and Pennsylvania. It's so exciting to see buses roll out to the needed districts. I work with other organizations as well, Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club & J Street, which is a liberal pro Israel, pro peace, pro democracy organization (counterbalance to AIPAC). I do like Mondair Jones.
Lightning Round
Day job: I organize professional development conferences for educators.
Favorite politician: Kathy Hochul and Jerry Nadler
Favorite president ever: Biden! (or Lincoln)
Favorite Village restaurant: Wallse on 11th and Washington Streets (Austrian heritage)
Favorite Village croissant: 11th Street Cafe and Plant Shed, which is new
Favorite thing to do on the weekend (not counting passing out palm cards): Sunday morning walks on the Hudson River Esplanade to the World Financial Center with a friend and eat bagels and talk.
Favorite movie: Casablanca
What do you love most about NYC?: Walking around the city! I love the vibe!
Submitted by: CFD & MR
Meet Melissa Carty!
VIDRole: Vice President and Chair of the Out of District Committee and the Democratic Strategy Committee
VID member since: 2017
