The Cornwall Democrat
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
Cornwall’s own Sarita Bhandarkar takes a minute to make clear what America means. Her forthrightness, and clarity of purpose in the face of xenophobic and dishonest opposition should be an example to us all. After you watch, check out her Facebook page, and tell your friends: she’s the real, experienced, deal.
Biden campaign just debuted this new ad "Go From There," during Game 1 of the World Series, narrated by Sam Elliott pic.twitter.com/9N6GJdsly2
— Johnny Verhovek (@JTHVerhovek) October 21, 2020
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 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.
For years, the GOP has been playing the same old con game with the American people. In 2017 their discredited “trickle-down” tax cut just got rich people richer while it blew up the deficit. They tout “family values” to deny freedom to Americans based on gender, race, sexual preference or identity, yet too often are caught violating their own rules. The same people that advocate for gun ownership to protect against government tyranny defend shooting Jacob Blake in the back because he “might” have had a knife. Led by Donald Trump, they say that armed anti-lockdown protestors are just exercising freedom of speech but Black Lives Matters protestors are lawbreakers. They say they’re pro-life, but the mother they forced to give birth cannot afford healthcare for herself or her newborn or is not able to get contraceptives through her health insurance. To the Republican right, 12-year-old Tamir Rice’s toy gun was a threat to police officers, but Kyle Rittenhouse’s assault rifle got him an attaboy and a water bottle. These dishonest themes, promoted from the top of the GOP’s ticket, are being played out in elections across America.
Those double standards are standard GOP practice right here in Orange County, too. Look at our own Assemblyman, Colin Schmitt, who has taken his cues from Trump since he entered the Assembly. He has voted against every bill that promotes police accountability. The wrongheadedness of those votes was driven home by the death of Daniel Prude, an unarmed black man killed for having a mental health crisis in Rochester.
And while he professes to be a staunch defender of American values, Schmitt stands alone as the leading New York legislator in terms of voter suppression. Schmitt was the only member of the Assembly to vote against a bill (A.10807) which allows voters to apply for an absentee ballot more than a month before election day. Schmitt, a member of the National Guard (as he is quick to point out), even voted against an earlier bill (A.779) that ensures the timely transmission of ballots to military voters stationed overseas. Of course, since Schmitt has never served overseas in uniform, he probably doesn’t recognize how long the mail takes, so he just follows the Trump playbook.
Meanwhile, Schmitt’s leader continues to show Republican hypocrisy on a scale that would make Richard Nixon blush. Trump claims to be the “law and order” candidate while he pardons and commutes the sentences of his convicted political allies, like Roger Stone. He has even gotten the Justice Department to act as his personal attorney in a rape-related civil suit – at taxpayer expense!
And Schmitt’s not alone, even in Orange County, where 30-year Republican politician, Chair of the Orange County Legislature and State Senate candidate, Steven Brescia, was caught accepting illegal campaign contributions from a local business. While Brescia claimed accepting a donation 50% too large was an oversight, it strains credibility for a veteran politician not to know what the corporate contribution limit is.
So, if a Democrat is suspected of any wrongdoing we hear, “Lock her up!” When a Republican violates the law they say it is “just a mistake.”
This year, we Democrats say, “Vote them Out!”
Judge E. Loren Williams has been a Judge in Newburgh City Court for seven years. He has handled civil, commercial, landlord/tenant and criminal cases.
Judge Williams presides over five special, problem-solving courts in the City of Newburgh (Drug Court, Veterans Court, Opioid Intervention Part, Domestic Violence Court, and DWI Court). “The law applies equally to all who come before the Court, but I believe a Judge’s personal experience and values shape their decisions.”
This week ballots began being mailed to those who requested them. You can still request your mail-in absentee ballot until October 27 (Nov. 2 if requesting in person). Under COVID-based regulations, when requesting your absentee ballot, you may check “temporary illness” if you are voting by mail because of COVID concerns. After you get your absentee ballot, your completed ballot must be postmarked no later than November 3 to be counted.
Learn all about voting by mail here.
In September, Senator James Skoufis, with Town Council Members Virginia Scott and Josh Wojehowski looking on, announced the Bridge Street reconstruction project. Before the year is out Bridge Street will be landscaped and open to pedestrian traffic.
At the same event Supervisor Richard Randazzo announced a major renovation project at the traffic circle which will include enhancements to the 9/11 Memorial and a new bridge on Hasbrouck Avenue.
Senator Skoufis also spoke about the ongoing work on the area’s 9W bridges. Work that began at least four years ahead of the state Department of Transportation’s original estimate, due in large part to our Senator’s persistence.
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.
Sean was elected to represent the Hudson Valley in 2012. He quickly built a reputation for working across party lines to invest in and improve our infrastructure, strengthen the health and financial security of America's retirees, and keep the United States safe and free. He successfully won tax relief for small businesses in the Hudson Valley that bring good jobs to our area, and brought investments to our communities that improve our schools, make our highways and Metro North safer and more reliable, and hire more police and firefighters and give them the resources they need to keep us safe.
In the current Congress, Mr. Maloney has been unsparing in his opposition to the corruption and ineptitude of the presidential administration while still working to find common ground within the House. Many will remember his pointed and effective questioning of Gordon Sondland, Trump’s ambassador to the EU, during the impeachment hearings. Further, his passionate defense of his family and stance against LGBTQ discrimination—more relevant today than ever—makes us proud to have him as our Congressman.
Postcards To Voters is recruiting postcard-writers nationwide to support James Skoufis for NYS Senate! These are Democrat-to-Democrat notes that are gentle reminders to support Democrats who are walking the walk, like our own State Senator! Postcards to Voters is going gangbusters across the country, so these Skoufis addresses are going to go fast. Get on it!
Since 8/24/20:
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in support of 21 named Democratic candidates
maintaining 110k+ addresses assigned daily for last two weeks
Number of voters smiling at their mailboxes: countless
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Judge Paul Trachte oversees cases in the City of Newburgh court. As a former defense attorney, a current City Judge, and soon to be Orange County Judge, he is committed to treating those charged and crime victims with respect.
Judge Trachte has served as a Defense Attorney, Special Prosecutor, and currently serves as a Judge on the Newburgh City Court. As a defense attorney he represented thousands of people in Orange County Court and tried over fifty criminal court cases, and as the Newburgh City Court Judge he has presided over thousands of cases. His opponent, although well-funded enough to post thousands of colorful signs around the County, has no judicial experience.
Judge Trachte knows the challenges of running an effective court. He believes in solutions that work. Using innovative policies to address approaches of the past that are ineffective and indeed, harmful.
He also keeps the well being of victims top of mind and is keenly aware how difficult it can be to testify. He requires that prosecutors review processes so the victim is well prepared for the events of the trial. He strives to ensure all victims are treated with dignity, respect, and kindness.
Perhaps most important, working with local experts in the field, Judge Trachte brought reason and empathy to the bench when he created a Mental Health Court, focused on treatment and recovery rather than incarceration. Judge Trachte is dedicated to working with diversion programs, faith based programs, and rehab centers to keep our communities safe and families intact. Operating on the principle that justice without compassion is simply punishment that benefits no one, he stands ready to join the Orange County Court as a Judge to bring compassion and experience to this important role.
As you make your plan to vote, check out the Cornwall sample ballot from the Orange County Board of Elections.
Also, we have two requests: 1) Let us know when you receive your absentee ballot. 2) And tell us your voting plan.
Perhaps you’ve seen our HTS badge on our literature and emails this election season and wondered what we mean.
It’s a couple of things:
First, we, the Democratic Committee volunteers of Cornwall, are here to help you to vote and keep you informed. You might not realize it, but we’re technically volunteer public servants, elected to represent all the registered Democrats in our individual Town districts when we convene as part of the Orange County Democratic Committee. We’re here to serve you, the voters who make us proud to be members of this party. And, hey, our members even do traditional “community service,” whether it’s shifts at the Food Bank, buying meals for COVAC during the pandemic, cleaning up Continental Avenue, or driving seniors on errands. Service takes many forms. If you need us, we’ll be there.
But more than that, it’s about our ideals as Democrats: the candidates who run on our party line are usually doing it because they want to help their fellow citizens. When you see James Skoufis’s record, you know he’s here to help. If you’re one of Sarita Bhandarkar’s clients, you understand the care she takes to make your life better. Maybe Paul Trachte presided over the case of a family member or friend, and you saw the compassion embodied in the Mental Health court he leads. Now, we know that no political party lives up to its ideals every day. But the thing that sets our party apart, right now, is that we’re trying. The other party offers nothing but chaos, division, and fear.
So we’re here to serve, and we will continue to to do so from now till November 3, and beyond.
