Meet Your Candidates: James Skoufis

Meet Your Candidates: James Skoufis

Senator James Skoufis is well known to most Cornwall voters. First elected to represent us in the Assembly in 2012 our senator is completing his first term in the state senate. The senator may be best known for his outstanding constituent service, often getting personally involved. He and his staff assisted over 4000 individuals with unemployment claims during the pandemic. 

Senator Skoufis is also known for his independence, often butting heads with fellow Democrat, Governor Cuomo. It is that independent streak, no doubt, that earned him the leadership of the Senate Investigations and Government Operations Committee in his first term.

Our senator is also known as someone that gets things done for us in Cornwall. For starters we can look at the long-awaited repairs to the 9w bridges. Your editor was told at a public hearing that those projects were not expected to begin for at least another five years – if the money was still available at that time.

In Albany Senator Skoufis introduced about 280 bills since starting in the Senate. In his first year, he passed more bills than any other freshman senator in New York history. Meanwhile James’ successor in the 99th Assembly District has been totally ineffective as assemblyman. 

Meet Your Candidates: Sarita Bhandarkar

Cornwall's own, attorney and Assembly candidate Sarita Bhandarkar.

Meet Your Candidates: Sarita Bhandarkar

Sarita Bhandarkar is running to represent the 99th Assembly District, seeking the seat seat formerly held by James Skoufis.

Sarita, as she prefers to be known, is “running for Assembly because residents of the Hudson Valley deserve a real advocate in Albany.

“In the Assembly I pledge to stand up against special interests, and fight for a fair shake for our neighbors who need lower taxes, affordable health care coverage, help with the opioid crisis, and better schools.”

Sarita is an attorney and a small business owner with an office on Main Street. Her specialty is elder law, giving her a unique perspective on issues connected with aging including Medicare and Medicaid. As a first generation American Sarita has “been standing up for what's right all my life; now, I'm ready to stand up where it matters most.”

Click here to help elect Sarita.

Be a Poll Worker – Save Democracy And Get Paid for It

Election Inspectors Needed

The Orange County Board of Elections is currently seeking registered voters who wish to work as Election Inspectors—the poll workers who identify voters and help you cast your ballot. “We depend on the election workers to help us conduct fair and secure elections each year,” stated Deputy Commissioner Courtney Canfield Greene.

Any registered voter or any seventeen-year-old who pre-registers with the Orange County Board of Elections is eligible. A seventeen-year-old would be required to pre-register to vote, turn eighteen by the General Election and have their parent or guardian’s written permission to work election day. Election workers would be assigned to a polling location in their community or in a neighboring area if they are willing to travel.

Election Workers are compensated for their training and can earn $250 on Election Day. Training will be available in early fall and will accommodate any schedule. Learn more here, or call the Orange County Board of Elections at (845) 360-6515 for Democratic inquiries or email them: elections@orangecountygov.com.

NY’s Democrats Lead State and Local Efforts

Over the Memorial Day Weekend, Sarita Bhandarkar, candidate for 99th Assembly District, delivered greeting cards and chocolates to residents at Valley View Nursing Home and at Braemar at Wallkill Assisted Living Facility, just two of the many facilities in the county which were hit by COVID-19. Sarita spoke with caregivers, as well as with the families of resi-dents. She said, "We commend and thank the essential workers and care-givers who worked long hours caring for these residents during this pandemic.”

In a statement on the ongoing protests Sarita said, “I saw on the news that protests were planned in NYC over George Floyd’s death. My first reaction was, I think, the normal reaction of many black and brown Americans. I texted my brother and said, ‘Please don’t go. I want you to be safe.’ Safe. The right to be safe. That is what we want in America.

“When protesters say Black Lives Matter, it does not mean Blue Lives Don’t. It means we need to recognize that we live in a country which has not yet lived up to its ideals. It means we need to recognize systemic injustice and systemic racism-- we need to acknowledge they exist if we are going to progress as a people.”

And Sarita could be seen at rallies and vigils, not just talking but listening and adding to her own perspective. 

Senator Skoufis, while being busy in Albany, has found time on weekends to volunteer at the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley and Newburgh Mutual Aid to Feed Neighbors. All the while he and his staff assisted over 4,000 individual constituents with unemployment claims. The Senator slowed down only to take time to fight off and recover from a bout with the deadly Coronavirus himself.

In Albany, the Senator and his Democratic colleagues passed two  bills in early June. One bill requires New York State Police to wear body cameras. Another repeals section 50-a of the Civil Rights law, which currently shields police personnel records. Both bills promote police accountability. The Sena-tor’s work is not done there either. The legislature will reconvene later this month. 

Here, in Cornwall, the Democratic majority on the Town Board have been working to ensure Cornwall’s safety and viability during the pandemic, working with local small businesses on the reopening. Councilman Josh Wojehowski used his expertise in the hospitality trade to work with Cornwall’s restaurants and the Town to ensure a safe and successful phased reopening. As a result, restaurants have expanded outdoor seating with permission from the Town. Reliable sources revealed new businesses are coming to Main Street, one being called “a game changer.”  

Councilman Wojehowski informed this publication that the Main Street Revitalization is still moving forward, too. The renovation of bridge street and traffic circle beautification are on track. According to Supervisor Randazzo both projects should be completed this year.

Additionally, the Town Board passed a resolution on equality for all on July 13th. Councilwoman Virginia Scott added, “If I could share one message to our community it would be that your Town Board has the responsibility to effectively address issues that are raised by the community with respect. Our responses must be well thought out and we did take a mindful approach in order to develop a resolution to assert our position as local leaders that we will not condone or tolerate discriminatory behavior.”

The board also passed a resolution against the Danskammer Plant after receiving feedback from community. 

Democratic Presidential Primary Reinstated June 23: Absentee Voting Encouraged

From the Orange County Democratic Committee:

It is now confirmed that NYS Democratic presidential primary will take place on June 23rd. The United States 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the lower court ruling that the June 23rd Democratic primary could not be cancelled by the Board of Elections. The NYS BOE will not appeal the 2nd Circuit decision. 

Please consider voting via absentee ballot. Although polling sites will be open on Primary Elections Day and during the new early voting periods, every voter is entitled to vote absentee based on the threat of exposure to the coronavirus.

The Orange County Board of Elections is sending every eligible Democratic Party voter an absentee ballot application, with an accompanying return postage paid envelop. Please fill out that application and send that document back to the Orange County Board of Elections to receive your ballot for the primary.

When applying to vote by absentee, check the box for “Temporary illness or physical disability” with no requirement for in-person signature or appearance to be able to access an absentee ballot.

Absentee Applications are DUE TUESDAY June 16th. This means the application must be postmarked or dropped off at the Board of Elections in Goshen by hand by- and on- TUESDAY JUNE 16th.

Delivery of absentee ballots to voters still remains the same—via mail or in person. There is no change in the return methods: mail or in person.

Uncertainty Reigns for Young Voters

By Isabella Crow and Alex Raposo

In the wake of the recent Presidential primaries, Gen Z democrats have expressed “dissatisfaction,” “concern,” “worry,” and, most overwhelmingly, a lack of confidence in the apparent frontrunner of the Democratic party. Notably, however, they have not been turning out in electoral support of the progressive candidate, either, which begs the question: what will get young people to the polls, if it’s not electability, and it’s not idealism?

This feeling of confusion has been permeating the political atmosphere, especially since the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), recently declared pandemic by the WHO. It remains too early to tell if coronavirus will ultimately eclipse the election season entirely or whether, at this crucial turning point, it will unify the party into a decisive faction by November.

Cornwall Democrats Announce 2020 Vision

Strong Slate Topped by Maloney, Skoufis, and Bhandarkar

It’s Finally here. The Main Event. We’ve been hearing this so frequently over the last 40 months that it’s almost cliché to call the 2020 Presidential Election the “most important election of our lifetimes.” And yet it is.

But while we cannot take anything for granted we can feel confident that that New York’s 29 electoral votes will go to the eventual Democratic Nominee – whoever he may be. However that same level of confidence does not extend to the local down-ticket races and the gains made at the state and local level could be in jeopardy.

But fear not, because the Cornwall Democratic Committee and the Orange County Democratic Party have endorsed a slate of candidates that provide outstanding alternatives to the cynical Republican opperatives seeking your trust.

On the ballot just below President and Vice President we will find the 18th Congressional District candidates. Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney is seeking reelection. Those of us that watched the House Intelligence Committee’s impeachment hearings will never forget Congressman Maloney’s direct question to Ambassador Gordon Sondland:

Congressman Maloney: Was there a quid pro quo?
Ambassador Sondland: Yes.

Following Congressman Maloney on the ballot is Cornwall’s long-time friend and new resident, Senator James Skoufis. Reflecting on the year’s accomplishments, Senator Skoufis recently told The Cornwall Democrat, “I'm proud to have led theeffort in Albany to: protect sexual abuse survivors by passing the Child Victims Act; eliminate vaccine loopholes; make the property tax cap permanent; unmask shady LLC property owners; hold the Kiryas Joel-owned well in Cornwall accountable; and secure more money than has ever come back to our Senate District for our schools and roads.”

In addition the Senator is well known for his tireless work in-district on behalf of local residents. For all of his hard work Senator Skoufis has a target on his back. State republicans have made a priority out of regaining the senate and our senator heads their hit list.

On the Assembly side Sarita Bhandarkar is running for the 99th Assembly District seat formerly held by James Skoufis. Since the 99th fell into Republican hands two years ago the district has seen nothing but grandstanding from its assemblyman. Ms. Bhandarkar will work with Senator Skoufis to ensure that local needs are met in Albany. 

There are the judicial candidates too. Running for Orange County Court Judge is Judge Paul Trachte from the City of Newburgh where he established a “drug court” as well as a policy towards offenders with underlying mental health conditions that provides for treatment over incarceration when appropriate. For Family Court Judge the convention nominated Maria Patrizio who has this to say about her candidacy: “I’m running for Family Court judge because families need a good, caring judge to be there during their most difficult times. I have spent 20 years serving the people of Orange County as a Family Court attorney, prioritizing excellence and compassion. As a judge, I will work to make an already difficult process easier on struggling families.” Ms. Patrizio Literally wrote the book on Family Court, Successfully Navigating Family Court in New York.

In this year’s only race involving the Town of Cornwall Cornwall exclusively, Lynn Beesecker is seeking another term as Town Justice where he continues to deliver fair and steady justice that the residents of Cornwall have grown accuustomed to and deserve.

DEMOCRATS ELECTED TO MAJORITY IN CORNWALL

— First Time in a Generation —

—Local Victories Echo State, National Trends—

CORNWALL, NOVEMBER 5 — Democrats won a majority on the Cornwall Town Board in Tuesday’s election, as Virginia Scott and Josh Wojehowski won two of three Council seats, while Democratic Town Supervisor Richard Randazzo coasted to victory officially unopposed. Next January, Cornwall’s Town Board will have three Democrats and two Republicans seated. 

Ms. Scott won a two-year term, filling a vacancy resulting from a resignation. Mr. Wojehowski captured one of two full four-year terms. Both will be first-time office-holders. Supervisor Randazzo will enter his 13th term in the office he first won in 1982. 

Each of the Democrats also ran on the Protect Cornwall line. Turnout was higher than in previous years for elections focused primarily on Town offices.

“We had amazing support for our slate of candidates this year,” said Jon Chase, Democratic Committee Chair. “They all worked tirelessly to meet and engage our residents on Town issues, and there’s no doubt they will continue that hard work as they assume their duties on behalf of all of Cornwall’s residents.” 

Historic Milestone

From a party perspective, Cornwall Democrats made history this year by fielding six candidates and winning three seats in a single election. The local victories come amid a surge in Democratic party enrollment and activism. In fact, as of October 2019, Democratic party enrollment in Cornwall surpassed Republican enrollment for the first time in history. 

That shift echoes trends in suburbs and exurbs throughout the country, fueled in part by voters departing the national Republican Party as it increasingly aligns with a historically unpopular president and defies public sentiment on issues like women’s rights, gun control, climate change, LGBTQ rights, race and religious rights, and immigration. Democratic growth is also driven by young first-time registrants, who overwhelmingly identify with Democratic party priorities. 

Locally, the Cornwall Democratic Committee has worked hard to capture that interest over the past two years, with community service, outreach, fundraising, and other activities that are new or reinvigorated. This year, candidates and volunteers knocked on thousands of doors and ran a robust campaign of advertising, phone banking, postcard nights, mailings, word of mouth, public events, and other activities.

At the same time, the Orange County Republican Committee may have hurt their local candidates’ chances with last-minute robocalls claiming Democrats were “pro-criminal” and casting baseless anti-Semitic accusations that “Kiryas Joel” was plotting to “steal the election” for Democrats.

The new Town Board will be seated in January, although the vacant seat won by Ms. Scott can be filled immediately by a vote of the current Town Board in its monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 12.

An Opportunity to Balance the Scales

Cornwall voters have an historic opportunity this fall that they haven’t had in generations: to elect six Democrats to Town offices. It wouldn’t simply be another example of the Blue Wave we began to see last year. It would amount to a seismic shift in Town of Cornwall governance.

For generations Cornwall has been ruled by one party, and that's simply unhealthy at any level of government. Happily, it's not the case in Cornwall anymore! As of the most recent update by the Board of Elections voter registrations in Cornwall are 2,931 Democrats to 2,979 Republicans – a difference of only 48 voters and a statistical tie at 32%.

Another matter for history is that this year will mark the first election in New York under the new early voting laws. For the first time local voters can vote up to nine days before Election Day proper. 

Early Voting Coming this Fall

As reported in these pages in January the New York State Legislature passed historic voting reforms in the opening week of the 2019 legislative session. Among the changes enacted early voting and the consolidation of New York’s primary elections are of current interest. Prior to this year New York held its primary for federal office – House of Representatives, Senate and President - in June while the primary for state and local offices was in September. After lagging behind most of the nation New Yorkers will finally have the ability to vote early this year. The law provides for ten days of early voting in specially designated polls. This means voting will begin in the last week of October.

Unlike Election Day proper however, not every polling location will be open for early voting. The Orange County Board of Elections (BOE) has designated just seven locations around the county: City of Newburgh, City of Middletown, City of Port Jervis, Warwick, Montgomery, Monroe and here in Cornwall at the Cornwall Ambulance Building, 1 Clinton Street.  

Hours have been announced as follows: 

• Saturday, October 26 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

• Sunday, October 27 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

• Monday, October 28, from Noon – 8:00 p.m.

• Tuesday, October 29, from 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

• Wednesday, October 30, from Noon – 8:00 p.m.

• Thursday, October 31, from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

• Friday, November 1, from Noon – 8:00 p.m.

• Saturday, November 2 from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

• Sunday, November 3 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

For many voters in Cornwall and the neighboring communities that should be a good thing. For voters that lack mobility this could be problematic. One way Cornwall Democrats can help is by volunteering as drivers during those nine days in October and November.

Another way to help is as an election official. Under New York election law political parties are allowed to seat Poll Watchers at election sites to monitor the fairness of the process. With early voting taking place in Cornwall this November the need for Poll Workers is more acute than ever. Help your community with the crucial work of monitoring our elections! –and you can earn some extra income too! Much more on this will follow next edition. 

Democratic-Controlled State Senate Finally Passes Historic Voting Reform

New York Enters the 21st Century as Early Voting Comes to the State

By Michael Kochler

After years of Republican obstruction in the State Senate the new Democratic majority quickly joined their counterparts in the Assembly and passed a series of bills that overhaul New York’s outdated election laws.

A pillar of Sentor James Skoufis’ election campaign, the new laws bring early voting to the Empire State along with a host of other measures designed to makevoting easier, thus increasing New York’s historically low election day turnout.New York typically has among the lowest voter participation rates in the nation.

New Democratic Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins swiftly brought the badly needed and long overdue legislation to the Senate floor to begin just her second week of leadership. Besides early voting the bills consolidate New York’sstate and federal primaries; provide for preregistration of 16- and 17-year-olds and voting by mail; and sharply limits the influence of money in elections through L.L.C.s. Said Senator Stewart-Cousins, “We should not fear making it easier for those who are eligible to vote, to vote,” adding, “We should not fear restricting theflow of money into our electoral system.”

Another of Senator Skoufis’ promises was that the so-called L.L.C. loophole would be closed. Under the old statute corporations could spend almost unlimited amounts of money on election races through multiple limited liability companies (L.L.C.s). Typically created by real estate and other powerful interests the true owners of these L.L.C.s are often difficult to identify.

The Assembly, under Democratic leadership, has passed similar bills in past sessions only to see the measures die in the Republican controlled Senate. Republicans regularly sited the expense of making these changes which theymaintained would penalize upstate counties. In truth, consolidating the state’sprimaries will save those counties millions of dollars.

Cornwall Leads Orange County in Voter Turnout

Cornwall has many charms that draw residents here from near and far and keeps many natives from leaving – at least permanently. Whether it’s the schools; the scenery or the proximity to NYC, West Point and the Catskills that brought/keeps us here Cornwall’s citizens are passionate about our town.

That passion was manifested in the highest voter turnout rate in Orange County this past November 6. What’s more is that the rate at which Cornwall Democrats came to the polls was higher than the combined rate of the town’s registered Republicans and Conservatives combined (70.9% to 69.4%). It’s a small but significant edge. 

It’s significant in that this is the first time Cornwall Democrats proved to be more motivated than our GOP counterparts. This is the town that has historically left nearly half of the elected positions go uncontested because it was taken for granted that Republicans had a lock on Cornwall government, in spite of our Town having elected a Democratic Supervisor.

A more comprehensive assessment of the election results and their implications from the CDC’s Data Subcommittee will appear in the January edition.

There's Still Time to Run in Village Election

Interested in serving as Village Trustee or Mayor in Cornwall on Hudson?   The election for Mayor and two Village Trustee seats is coming up March 19, 2019, but if you’re planning on being a candidate, you’ll need to pick up a set of nominating petitions from the Village Clerk ASAP--the petitioning period begins January 2!

Running for re-election this year will be Mayor Brendan Coyne, Trustee Mark Edsall and Trustee David Carnright.  All terms are for two years.  

To be eligible to run, a candidate must be 18 years old, a Village resident for at least 30 days, and be a registered voter.  Candidates must obtain 75 signatures from Village residents who are registered voters.  The time for circulating petitions is coming up fast – petitioning begins January 2 and runs through February 13, 2019.  Completed petitions may be filed with the Village Clerk between February 5 and February 13, 2019.

Village elections often take place under the radar, with very little notice.  Running for these positions is a great opportunity for Democrats in our community to get a good grounding in municipal governance. 

Interested in running and need more information?  Contact Cornwall Democratic Committee Chair, Jon Chase, or Committee Vice Chair Bill Braine.  But don’t delay! Nominating petitions are available from Village Clerk Jeanne Mahoney, contact 534-4200, X310. 

The Races to Win in 2019

The time to begin planning is here. We as Democrats must never again let opportunitiy take us by surprise. We need a pool of potential candidates. That pool must include newcomers.

As the leaders of our party in Cornwall it is up to the CDC to recruit and support the talent that will become our next round of elected officials. But is up to you to step up too. 

One way to start is to become engaged. Talk to your neighbors and friends. Encourage everyone to register and vote, especially Democrats. Then make sure you vote too. In every election – school board, Town/Village, primary elections (yes, all of the contested primaries), general elections in off-years as well as in mid-term and Presidential years. Attend our meetings. You don’t have to be one of the 28 voting members of the CDC to contribute ideas, or to run for office.

There are seven races in the Town of Cornwall in 2019: Town Supervisor, three seats on the Town Council, Town Clerk, Receiver of Taxes and Town Justice. In recent elections the Town Clerk, Receiver of Taxes and Town Justice were unopposed by a Democratic challenger. This will change in 2019.

Village elections in Cornwall on Hudson will be held in March. While non-partisan in Democrat vs. Republican terms the CDC can endorse and support candidates.

Then there is 2020 which, in electoral terms, is not as far off as it seems.

The CDC is about more than getting democrats elected too. We’re also about values and doing good work in the community. Remember that “All politics is local”. Let us know what you think is important. What  motivates your better instincts. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cornwalldems/ and let us know. You can also contact the Editor of the Cornwall Democrat, Michael Kochler at m.kochler@yahoo.com.