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NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document OZ60€8TI0 OOTONTZ ALIO By Pete Bowles STAFF WRITER With the end of their runoff cam- paigns for public advocate fast ap- proaching, Democrats Norman Siegel and Betsy Gotbaum collected addition- a) endorsements yesterday. ° Siegel, the former head of the New York Civil Liberties Union, received endorsements from the city chapters of the National Organization for Women and the Sierra Club, while Gotbaum, a former parks commissioner, gained the support of the Rev. Floyd Flake, the influentia) minister of Allen AME Church in Jamaica. There is no Republican candidate in . NYC-WTC_000230694 the race, so the winner of Thursday's Democratic runoff is expected to take office Jan. 1. Gotbaum finished first among ‘seven candidates in the Sept. 25 primary with about 24.4 percent of the vate, while Siege] was second with about 16.5 percent. The NOW chapter, in announcing its endorsement, said Siegel has been a longtime supparter of many of the is- sues that the organization champions. “During his tenure with the NYCLU, the organization worked side by side with NOW on issues such as fighting racism and sexism within the Police Department, seeking establish- ment of a truly independent Civilian Complaint Review Board and opposing the all-girls school in Harlem that has established an illegal sepa- rate-but-equal standard in our city,” said Alexandra Leader, the chapter’s executive director. Ken Baer, political chairman of the Sierra Club’s city chapter, said his group was impressed with Siegel’s ap- proach to environmental issues. “He will be an excellent watchdog and advocate for our parks aud gar- dens, for protecting our water and air quality and for environmental justice,” jaer said. Calling Gotbaum “one of New York’s most effective problem-solvers,” Flake said the candidate has the experience Pend Gotbaum, Siegel Pick Up More Endorsements and skills to help the city recover dur- ing a time of crisis. “Over the years in both the public and private sectors, Betsy has worked to strengthen our communities, im- prove city parks and fight crime in all neighborhoods,” said Flake, a former U.S. representative from Queens. In their campaigning yesterday, Sie- gel marched in the Columbus Day Pa- rade and attended a fund-raising event for the World Trade Center re- lief efforts sponsored by the Gay Offic- ers Action League. Gotbaum joined the Columbia Society at a wreath-laying ceremony at Columbus Circle and visit- ad two senior citizens centers in Forest ills. . L002 “6 YIGOLIO ‘AVGSANL ‘A¥GSMAN