Interesting Times

In 2017, 37 of your fellow Cornwall citizens saw the election of Donald Trump—and the fact that he carried Cornwall—and went to the local Democratic Committee to understand its workings and what went wrong. Since then members of that group, along with some longstanding CDC members and new allies, filled the Committee and built it into the representative body that Cornwall’s Democratic voters deserve. Cornwall’s party registration flipped to majority-Democrat, and we've had many electoral successes, including a majority on the Town Board. 

So the threshold of the second and potentially even more disastrous Trump era is even more heartbreaking and unsettling. Getting through it as a functioning and free country—and we will—will take a million seeds sprouting from dry soil.

We, Cornwall, can start with a measure of comfort in this fact: ALL of our supported candidates carried the town, and ALL except Vice President Harris won their races. We re-elected Senator Gillibrand, Congressman Ryan, State Senator Skoufis, and Assemblyman Eachus, and elected Orange County’s own Brett Broge to the state Supreme Court. The State’s Equal Rights Amendment won resoundingly here and across New York. Cornwall showed once again that we are a patriotic town dedicated to freedom, fairness and the rule of law, as reflected in these results. THANK YOU. 

It might not always be comforting to be on the right side of history, but it’s where we are today as Democratic voters. We’ll be on the right side of the future, too. 

You can join us! Register or change your party registration here, and attend an upcoming meeting.

A Note for Our NY-17 Friends (Rockland, Dutchess, Putnam, Westchester)

The congressional election between MAGA Republican Mike Lawler and Democrat Mondaire Jones will be extremely close. The votes cast on the Working Families ballot line could very well be the difference. By stealing the line,  Lawler and his MAGA radicals hope to confuse WFP voters and stifle the will of the district.The only way to fight this is to make sure that every voter knows that the candidate appearing on the WFP line is a MAGA spoiler, and not a real candidate for Congress.  Learn more.

Five Local Candidates to Serve You

Cornwall is the luckiest community in New York, with five local candidates ideally suited for their jobs and for the moment. Meet them here: a combat veteran, former County Executive, and Congressman; a public safety professional who has led police officers across multiple agencies—and who has an unblemished record; a tireless lawmaker who advocates for Hudson Valley families, kids, seniors and workers and judiciously brings State funding to local projects; a former physics teacher and county legislator returning to public service to protect our communities; and a non-stop local organizer, booster, and volunteer whose service-oriented family chose our community out of countless options. Learn more below:

Pat Ryan for Congress

Pat is a fifth-generation Ulster County native, decorated combat veteran, small businessman, and County Executive. Pat’s life has been shaped by a desire to serve his community. Growing up in Kingston, his mom was a public school teacher at Chambers Elementary School, and his father ran a small business in Kingston. They taught Pat that we have an obligation to give back to our community and to take care of everyone in it – especially the most vulnerable. More…

Bernie Rivers for Orange County Sheriff

Bernie Rivers is a candidate who looks beyond party lines. He has proven to in the past and will continue to support your rights and the rights of all. When elected Sheriff, Bernie Rivers will be the voice of all Orange County residents, regardless of political affiliation or belief and without boundary. More…

James Skoufis for NYS Senate

In the State Assembly, James fought for the Hudson Valley’s working- and middle-classes. He’s been a champion of better schools, stronger infrastructure, leveling the playing field, and fighting corruption. Elected to the State Senate in 2018, James soon took over chairmanship of the Investigations and Government Operations Committee, where he continues to deliver results for his Hudson Valley constituents while serving with integrity. More…

Chris Eachus for NYS Assembly

“I stand for the core values of the political party I represent. Our representatives need to stand up for the middle, working class families by backing only legislation which will benefit their constituents and improve their living conditions.” More…

Brandi McLendon for Cornwall Town Council

Brandi, a 12-year resident, dedicated volunteer, girl’s coach, mom in a military family, and school advocate, believes in preserving traditions while improving conditions. Supporting local businesses to ensure a more economically vibrant Main Street, ensuring a safe, equitable community and protecting our local water sources, open-spaces and wildlife habitats are just a few of the key components to keeping our town thriving, relevant, affordable, and fun. More…

The Colin-oscopy: An Examination of Colin Schmitt’s Record

After failing to represent his constituents for the last four years, Colin Schmitt feels it’s his time to go to Congress. In addition to being a reliably extreme-right Republican vote in the Assembly, Colin has never met a budget he has voted for—so any claims he makes about providing funds for his district are dubious at best.

What is Schmitt’s voting record? With the overturning of Roe in June, his votes on women’s health issues are more relevant now than ever, so let’s examine his record.

In Colin’s first term one of his official mailers made the claim that “Assemblyman Schmitt co-sponsored and helped pass legislation to protect local access to healthcare (A.02836A) and to ensure women have more accessible healthcare coverage. (A.5502).”

Is Colin Schmitt really protecting women’s access to healthcare? A.02836A “Provides for pharmacy benefit management and the procurement of prescription drugs,” while A.5502 requires health insurance in New York State to cover annual mammograms for breast cancer screening for covered persons aged 35 and older. Yes, these bills make healthcare coverage more accessible, but not healthcare. If that was Schmitt’s total record on healthcare that would be fine. But he has cast far more NO votes on Women’s Health issues than yes votes over his two terms.

During that first term Schmitt voted NO on S00659A, the “Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act” that guarantees insurance coverage for FDA-approved contraceptive drugs, devices, and products. So much for access to coverage.

He also voted NO on S00660. Known as the “Boss Bill,” it would prohibit employers from accessing an employee’s personal information regarding reproductive health decision- making and ban employer discrimination based on an individual’s or a dependent’s reproductive health decisions.

But to say that one is an advocate for women’s rights (per “Women for Schmitt”) and then vote NO on the Reproductive Health Act is incomprehensible. Yet that is exactly what Colin Schmitt has done. The Reproductive Health Act, S00240, codifies Roe V. Wade, and, according to an Assembly press release, recognizes “a woman’s fundamental right to access safe, legal abortion. The bill moves abortion from the Penal Law to the Public Health Law, which removes longstanding harmful and burdensome barriers to accessing reproductive healthcare and protects New Yorkers against future federal intrusion.” It struck New York’s old pre-Roe abortion ban from the books.

After the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision leaked in May, New York prepared for the expected ruling. Pro-active Democrats in Albany passed three bills: S9079 expands legal protections for abortion providers within New York; S9080 prohibits medical malpractice insurance companies from taking punitive actions against abortion providers; and S9077 establishes legal protections for abortion providers from out-of- state laws, including protection from extradition to another state.

Legislative Democrats also secured the first passage of an amendment to codify the right to abortion and the right to contraception in the State Constitution. (A proposed amendment must pass two consecutive legislative sessions before a public vote can be held for final approval.) According to a Senate statement, “This amendment would also update the existing Equal Rights Amendment to extend current protections to several new classes, including on the basis of sex, disability, national origin, ethnicity, and age.” Of course, Colin voted NO on all.

But it’s not surprising, given his radical-right views. When confronted with a photo of his address to a busload of people on their way to Washington in the early morning of January 6, 2021, Colin’s only response was that it was a group of anti-abortion activists on their way to a rally. Colin apparently felt that was a safer choice than calling them a group of insurrectionists on their way to a coup.

Prevent Schmitt from joining his anti-women, anti-democracy allies like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Bobert in Congress: what you can do.

CORNWALL DEMOCRATS ENDORSE TOWN CANDIDATES

-Three Community Leaders Recommended for November Election-

FEBRUARY 18, CORNWALL, NY—The Cornwall Democratic Committee has endorsed three candidates for Town of Cornwall offices on the November 2021 ballot: Councilman Joshua Wojehowski for Supervisor; Councilwoman Virginia Scott for re-election to the Town Council; and first-time candidate Rokhsha Michael-Razi for Town Council. The candidates offer a range of experience across government, small business ownership, education, recreation, and volunteer community service. [Since the endorsement meeting, two additional Democratic candidates have announced for Town positions: Laura Delacruz for Town Clerk, and Dina Ronsini for Receiver of Taxes.]

“As volunteer elected representatives of our Town’s registered Democrats, we Committee members are dedicated to lively debate, diverse opinions, and fairness,” commented Jon Chase, Chair of the Committee. “Our endorsement process reflects those values. Each endorsee has shown deep dedication to our community’s success, and their wide-ranging expertise can make us all confident that every Cornwall resident will be ably represented on the ballot both this June and in November.”

About the Candidates

Joshua Wojehowski is a current Town Councilman. He is liaison to the Cornwall Economic Development Advisory Committee with a focus on Main Street viability and revitalization. He is also Director of Development for Legal Aid of Rockland County, where he manages fundraising, communications, and government relations for the nonprofit. During his time on the Town Council, Josh has prioritized community engagement, advocacy for the Town’s small businesses, Main Street revitalization, and preserving future local opportunities for Cornwall residents—especially parents and families. He is also liaison to COVAC and the Town’s Purchasing and Lighting management.

Before serving as Councilman, Josh opened and ran Fresh restaurant on Main Street. A graduate of both the Culinary Institute of America and Pace University, he began his career as a program manager for New York City’s Human Resources Administration, and then became legislative and budget director for a New York City Council member, helping manage the agenda of the Council’s Economic Development Committee. Josh was then director of public affairs for the YMCA of Greater New York while also leading its grant management efforts, securing or renewing $30 million+ funding annually. Josh’s family has lived in Cornwall for generations, and he and his wife Heather have two children in the Cornwall schools.

Virginia Scott serves with distinction on the Cornwall Town Council. Ginny is Council liaison to the Cornwall Conservation Advisory Council, the Moodna Creek Intermunicipal Watershed Council, the Youth Committee, and the Town Water and Cable management. As Councilwoman, Ginny has elevated the voices of constituents, especially those of limited means or fixed incomes, and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all residents, including through a focus on public health.

Ginny is a life-long resident of Orange County, mostly in Cornwall with her husband Mark and two sons—the entire family are CCHS graduates. Ginny has taught science in Washingtonville for 27 years and has volunteered in the community for 28 years, where she has led work in the Cornwall Garden Club (as co-chair of Main Street Beautification), youth sports, women’s organizations, the Downing Park Planning Committee and Balmville Grange in Newburgh, and as a citizen advocate for fair taxes. Ginny believes that careful stewardship of our natural resources, especially our water supply and air quality, is integral to Cornwall’s affordable and livable future.

Rokhsha Michael-Razi has lived in Cornwall for 22 years with her husband; their daughter, an attorney, graduated from CCHS. As a USPTA-Certified Tennis instructor, Rokhsha has been lead instructor and coordinator for the Cornwall Jr. Tennis Club for the past 10 years, and is Head Tennis Coach of the boys and girls varsity team at Highland Falls High School. She has two decades experience teaching hundreds of local youth over the years. Dedicated to community health, Rokhsha has been instrumental in securing USTA grant funding for local tennis programs and the ongoing renovation of the Cornwall tennis courts. She is fluent in four languages and holds a black belt in Japanese Shorinji Kempo.

Rokhsha is also a passionate hiker who adores Cornwall's scenic beauty and miles of wonderful hiking trails. As a Town Board member she pledges to bring fresh perspectives and energy to advance veterans and youth services, expand walkability to support a healthy community, and find creative solutions to longstanding local challenges. She will come to the position with a broad perspective, a longstanding commitment to Cornwall, and a positive outlook—with a commitment to work collaboratively and promote transparency and accountability in local government.

Cornwall Chooses Biden

With 7369 total votes for President in the Town of Cornwall (including Cornwall-on-Hudson), President-Elect Joseph R. Biden handily defeated his opponent, 3953 (53.6%) to 3416 (46.4%).

We’ll be publishing more results and post-election analysis in the coming days.

Closing Argument: Sarita Bhandarkar

Elections are always important but voting in 2020 has more meaning than ever. Hudson Valley families have heroically responded to our uniquely challenging times – from our front-line workers, to first responders that serve in our area and beyond, to parents who jumped in to new roles for their children, citizens of our community are fighting hard to keep us safe and productive. Tragically, for the last two years, the 99th District has been abandoned by an ineffective Assemblyman who doesn’t share that fight. He has spent his time pandering to the anti-voting, anti-woman, anti-immigrant extremes of his base, and left our communities without a seat at the table in the Assembly.

You deserve better. I’ve dedicated my career to ensuring that the people of Orange and Rockland counties get a fair shake, and on day one of my term, I’ll be bringing the fight back for our District. I will fight for access to affordable health care, lower property taxes and thoughtful development that benefits our citizens, not special interests. Working with the majority and colleagues across the aisle, I’ll create the effective, common-sense solutions that the people of our community deserve.

With your support, we can meet today’s challenges together and steer the Hudson Valley towards an even greater future.

Closing Argument: Judge Paul Trachte

For too long, we've been encumbered by conservative laws and jurisprudence. The good news is, and we know this, we've come very far and have passed laws that allow for better, more fair jurisprudence. The problem solving courts in NYS and, in particular, in Newburgh are doing good work to solve real time problems for real life people across our communities. But we must do better.

We must vote in judges who are willing to address systemic racism and unfairness in our institutions through these problem solving courts, who are willing to take into account people and their problems. And who are able to discern the difference between people who really should be in jail and those who deserve to be rehabilitated back into our communities.

Yes, I am committed to the rule of law, I am committed to justice, but I am also committed to the well-being of the people of our community. And if elected to Orange County Court, I will do my best to make sure that the people of our communities are cared for with respect and fairness.

Closing Argument: Maria Patrizio

I am a candidate for Orange County Family Court judge this year, and I would be honored to earn your vote. The outcome of this year’s race for Family Court judge will have an impact on the children and families of Orange County for years to come. 

I grew up in a working-class family, and after high school, I attended my local community college on a full scholarship. I then transferred to Harvard University. I went on to law school at Northwestern University School of Law. After law school, I became a Peace Corps volunteer and taught English as a Second Language at a high school in the Czech Republic. I worked as a corporate litigator for a few years until I paid off my student loans, and then in 1999, I took a 54% pay cut to represent indigent clients in Family Court as an attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Orange County. 

I have two teenagers, Ellen and Aaron. Ellen is now in her first year at American University, and Aaron is a freshman at Pine Bush High School. 

I am currently the Supervising Family Court Attorney at Legal Aid. I have spent the past twenty-one years practicing family law full- time in Orange County Family Court. I have helped over 5,000 indigent clients through the stressful, emotional, and often chaotic and inefficient Family Court process. I have developed many strategies for resolving the problems that bring families into Family Court. 

After giving advice to my clients for many years, I authored “Successfully Navigating Family Court in New York.” It is a guidebook for people who find themselves in Family Court. Yes, I literally wrote the book on Family Court! 

I am running for Family Court judge because Family Court judges make life-altering decisions, and I feel that I am the candidate who is most in tune with the needs of children and their families in these challenging times. I understand what it is like to juggle parenting, a full-time job, and a hectic schedule of activities. I understand the stresses and anxieties that our children experience. If I am elected, my decisions will take into account the emotional needs of our children and the practical realities of family life in our county. 

If elected, I will bring my compassion and kindness -- but also my no-nonsense approach to problem-solving -- to the bench. My courtroom will be run in an orderly and efficient manner, and I will always be prepared and punctual. I will treat all litigants with respect, and I will make decisions that are in the best interests of the children.

Closing Argument: James Skoufis

It’s been one hell of a few months. My team and I have been hard at work on the ground getting our communities the resources they need throughout the pandemic. We distributed thousands of masks throughout the district, secured many gallons of sanitizer for Cornwall’s first responders and teachers, and helped over 4,000 constituents with unemployment problems. 

This summer, I announced key revitalization plans including state funding to renovate and repair Bridge and for crosswalks, benches, and beautification of Main Street. This month, the Bridge Street bridge will re-open for pedestrian traffic and a full re-paving of Main Street will happen in the spring. 

These grants follow our successful lobbying of the Department of Transportation to rehabilitate six Route 9W overpasses, including those along Angola Road, Willow Avenue, and Quaker Avenue in the Town of Cornwall. 

Earlier this year, I, alongside local officials and residents, revealed the complete installation of the Jackson Avenue traffic light in the Town of Cornwall, completely restructuring one of the town’s most dangerous intersections. 

As many of our small businesses are getting back on their feet, it’s timely and vital for these projects to come to fruition. Investing in much- needed infrastructure improvements will continue to be a top priority of mine, especially now when municipalities and taxpayers need all the relief they can get. 

We have the fight of our lives coming up in this election and we need everyone to get out and vote. Last year we passed historic voting reforms like early voting, helping citizens exercise their right to have their voices heard. 

I’m delighted to be a neighbor here in Cornwall and I look forward to seeing you all in the near future.

The Colin-oscopy: An Examination of Colin Schmitt’s Record

By Isabella Crow and Michael Kochler

If there’s anything Colin Schmitt is good at, it’s exaggerating his commitment to issues that affect real New Yorkers, Republicans and Democrats alike. Whether it’s flat-out lying about protecting women’s health rights or voting to pass only immaterial environmental bills while opposing the effective ones, Schmitt is a master of smoke and mirrors, directing attention away from his record of failure.

For example, a recent official mailer claimed that “Assemblyman Schmitt co-sponsored and helped pass legislation [another way of saying he merely cast a yes vote – ed.] to protect local access to healthcare (A.02836A) and to ensure women have more accessible healthcare coverage. (A.5502)” This is blatantly misleading. While Schmitt voted for a bill that would mandate insurance coverage of mammograms and another that eased access to prescription drugs (two good, if uncontroversial bills), he has cast far more votes against meaningful women’s health issues than in favor. Not surprisingly, those votes follow the far-right agenda.

Schmitt voted NO on S.00660. Known as the “Boss Bill,” it would prohibit employers from accessing an employee's personal information regarding reproductive health decision making and ban employment discrimination based on those decisions. He also voted NO on S.00659A, the “comprehensive contraception coverage act” that guarantees insurance coverage for FDA-approved contraceptive drugs, devices, and products. 

Most significantly, Schmitt voted no on the Reproductive Health Act, a bill which codifies Roe v. Wade and, according to an Assembly statement, “recognizes a woman's fundamental right to access safe, legal abortion...and protects New Yorkers against future federal intrusion.” With the passing of Justice Ginsburg, this law is now all that stands between New Yorkers and a return to the terrible age of back alley abortions. Schmitt doesn’t care about protecting women’s healthcare access—he cares about furthering an agenda that strips women of their bodily autonomy. 

Schmitt is equally untruthful about his commitment to protecting New York’s environment. He cites more bills he “helped pass.” This includes the Hudson Valley Community Preservation Act (which had 14 other cosponsors), an amendment that would add the right to drinkable water and clean air to the NYS Bill of Rights, and a unanimously-passed bill banning PFAS-based firefighting foam. In all these instances, Schmitt’s “help” consisted of a mere yes vote. 

The truth, however, is that, when his support actually counted, Schmitt was, again, nowhere to be found. Bills that were on the cutting edge of environmental advocacy were summarily dismissed. The New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act has been hailed as the most ambitious and comprehensive piece of climate change legislation to emerge from any state. Among its provisions, the law will accelerate the development of sustainable and efficient energy and promises a net-zero carbon economy by 2050. On this signal environmental achievement of this session of the New York State Legislature, Schmitt voted NO. He also voted a party-line no on the annual budget, which included a permanent ban on fracking and plastic bags. By doing so, he also sought to block, defund, or underfund every dollar earmarked for any program or agency whose mission is to protect the Hudson Valley’s environment.

Schmitt has willingly misled his constituents into believing that he cares about them, their health, their environment, and their voice in Albany far more than he actually does. 

Schmitt’s ineffectiveness doesn’t end there. Of the twenty-one bills he sponsored in his first term, not one was among the more than 1,500 bills that were passed and sent to the Governor for his signature. In fact, not one got so far as a floor vote in the Assembly. In comparison, in Senator Skoufis’ first senate term, he introduced 280 bills and passed more legislation than any freshman senator in history. 

It’s one thing to be a bad legislator. It’s another when that ineptitude borders on criminality. The evidence all points to one simple fact: Schmitt has willingly misled his constituents into believing that he cares about them, their health, their environment, and their voice in Albany far more than he actually does. Schmitt, whose campaign has resorted to lies, name calling and racist innuendo in his mailings, doesn’t serve New Yorkers—he serves a right-wing agenda straight from the mouth of President Trump.

Pete Buttigieg Endorses James Skoufis

Pete Buttigieg Endorses James Skoufis

Rhodes scholar, Afghan War veteran and former South Bend mayor and presidential candidate (and current Biden bulldog on right wing news outlets) Pete Buttigieg has endorsed our State Senator for re-election. Here’s the no-nonsense video.

A huge thanks to @PeteButtigieg for the endorsement! pic.twitter.com/4JTm2vl8FR

— James Skoufis (@JamesSkoufis) October 22, 2020

Young Democrats’ Deliberations: The Case for Kamala Harris

by Isabella Crow

As a Black and Indian-American woman, Kamala Harris has accumulated many firsts: she was the first Black woman to be elected district attorney in California, the first female California attorney general, and the first Indian-American senator. And now she is the first woman of color to be selected as the Vice-Presidential candidate of a major party. 

Democratic Presidential Candidate Joe Biden’s decision to pick a Black woman as his VP likely was intended, at least in part, to soothe the frustration that many young voters feel about the inevitability of electing yet another old, white, and male, president. However, his selection arguably embodies the assumption that identity politics—i.e., that all marginalized people vote the same, and within their demographic—will be enough to secure him the non-white, female, and/or young electorate. However, some are keenly aware that the admittedly revolutionary nature of Harris’ candidacy can, and does, coexist with a flawed political history, fraught with carceral policy. Her prosecutorial background, and the controversial policies she enforced during that tenure, are admittedly off-putting to some progressive voters. However, while Harris may not be the left-wing vice-presidential pick many had hoped for, she has given us ample cause to remain optimistic. 

Kamala Harris has one of the most liberal voting records of the 2019 senate. She has also teamed up with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to cosponsor a groundbreaking climate equity bill and has condemned no-knock warrants and chokeholds while calling for a reimagining of public safety. By all accounts, she is a bright and compassionate person, and her progression along the political spectrum should be cause for excitement among young Democratic voters, rather than apprehension. Harris and Biden can usher in a brighter future for America, and it’s time we give them our full support.

Judge Lynn Beesecker: A Town Justice Who Loves the Law

Judge Lynn Beesecker has been hearing cases for 30 years, as Cornwall Town Justice and prior to that as Supreme Court and New York City Court Appointed Arbitrator, hearing overflow cases from local courts.

While on the bench, Judge Beesecker has continued his longstanding involvement with organizations that support the quality of life in Cornwall. From his Main Street law office, he has also continued to provide quality legal service to the community, as well as pro bono free legal service to non-profit organizations and numerous senior citizens.

Learn more about Judge Beesecker here.

The Colin-oscopy: An Examination of Colin Schmitt’s Record

By Isabella Crow and Michael Kochler

America is reaching a critical point in its reckoning with law enforcement. As with any hot-button issue, the solutions have been polarizing: on the left, cries for racial justice are intertwined with calls to restructure policing; the most conservative policies advocate for the expanding of department budgets and police authority. However, at the imagined middle ground of this debate, is policy that aims to make police officers more accountable to the public they are bound to protect and serve. A Conservative might admit that accountability is a commonsense approach—a Progressive might call it the bare minimum.

Colin Schmitt calls it a bill he will vote “NO” on. 

• S.03595 established the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office, designed to provide avenues for recourse after police malpractice. Schmitt voted no.

• S.08496 authorizes Disclosure of Law Enforcement Disciplinary Records which would prevent “bad apples” from being continually promoted or employed. Schmitt voted no.

• A.10609 required courts to compile and publish data on misdemeanors and violations and law enforcement departments on arrest-related deaths. The law will lead to a public record of the number of arrest-related deaths; the race, ethnicity, age, and sex of the individual; the location where the death occurred; and a brief description of the circumstances surrounding the arrest-related death. Unsurprisingly, Schmitt voted no.

• S.06601 required Police Officers to Provide Medical and Mental Health Attention required to persons under arrest or otherwise in custody and would allow a person who was denied such attention to pursue civil litigation against the offending officer. This bill became all the more relevant in the wake of Daniel Prude’s death in Rochester. Schmitt voted no. 

• A.05045 amends criminal procedure laws to waive certain surcharges and fees for defendants under the age of 21. Inexplicably, Colin and the entire Republican caucus voted no.

The common thread between all of this legislation is that it was designed to provide the same amount of accountability from police officers as we expect from the rest of society. These bills would make our communities safer and our law enforcement stronger; and yet, as a knee-jerk Republican reaction, Schmitt voted no on any bill that even hinted at police reform.