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.

No Spectators

Don’t sit out this election. Vote. Volunteer.

Congressman Maloney Endorses Bhandarkar & Skoufis

Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney endorses Sarita Bhandarkar For Assembly and State Senator James Skoufis. Thank you, Congressman!

Schmitt’s Apparent Contamination Cover-Up Put Residents at Risk

According to documents recently obtained by The Cornwall Democrat, Colin Schmitt had knowledge of PFAS contamination at New Windsor’s Butterhill Wells Water Treatment Facility during his 2018 Assembly campaign, but allowed the facility to pump water to residents for seven months after the NYS Department of Health informed the Town. It was only after Schmitt was safely elected and inaugurated to the Assembly post to which he now seeks re-election that the bad news was allowed to come out and the facility taken offline for remediation.

The evidence suggests that Colin Schmitt placed the importance of his 2018 campaign for Assembly above the health of New Windsor residents.

Schmitt became the $60,000 per year Chief of Staff to George Green, the ailing New Windsor Town Supervisor, in December 2017, within a month of his application for the position, with neither public notice of his appointment nor any vote by the Board. According to the “New Position Duties Statement” filed by New Windsor with the Orange County Human Resources Department (who subsequently rejected it), Schmitt was to oversee “multimillion-dollar projects such as [the] new water source...already in development.” That source was Butterhill Wells.

Test reports from NYSDOH at Butterhill indicate the finding of contamination in samples taken in September 2018. An article authored by the eventual remediation contractor cites the fact that the Town was verbally notified in September of that year.

Excerpt from New Position Duties Statement

Screenshot of Test Result Taken September 27, 2018

Excerpt from Article by Remediation Contractor

New Windsor Tackles New Contaminants

Author: Fil L. Fina III

Posted to Waterworld.com, Aug 13th, 2020

What "oversight" could Colin Schmitt possibly have performed to allow a water project, begun with full knowledge of the potential for PFAS contamination, to go forward without sufficient testing? Not only is there no excuse, but the evidence shows that test results revealing contamination were kept from the public at a time when both water was being pumped from the new plant and, coincidentally, Schmitt was running for the Assembly seat he now occupies.

Now the Town of New Windsor is facing lawsuits from 102 residents resulting from the contaminated water, as well as the added expense of the filtration system required to make the “cleaner, better tasting, more dependable, less expensive” water safe for residents to drink.

Just as Donald Trump puts his career, image, and personal gain ahead of all else to the detriment of our safety, so too does self-serving Colin Schmitt. A contaminated water supply, easily covered up, is no big deal to a politician bound and determined to wield power and avoid consequences, even at the cost of his constituents' health.

Ironically, Schmitt has since been appointed to the Assembly Minority Task Force on Water Quality.

The Cornwall Democrat, Volume 3 Number 2

Please enjoy the latest issue of The Cornwall Democrat.

Times Herald-Record Lambasts Colin Schmitt: "Nasty attack ads infect local races"

The Times Herald-Record editorial page rightly calls out the misogynist and dishonest campaign being run by the 99th Assembly District’s ineffective Assemblyman.

Read the editorial here.

Two Things You Can Do to Protect the Vote

Republicans nationwide are working overtime to suppress voting, cause confusion and uncertainty about the results, and pave the way for Trump and his criminal enablers to remain in power illegitimately in the event of a Biden-Harris victory.

We can all prevent them from succeeding. Here are two ways:

Before the Election

Answer a few questions to see about becoming a credentialed poll watcher with the NYDLC.

After the Election

Starting on Election Night, November 3, and continuing as long as necessary, Americans will mobilize to ensure that a full and fair count—and a peaceful transfer of power in the event of a Democratic victory—will take place. Here’s the consortium of organizations we’ll be watching.

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

A Message from Sarita Bhandarkar

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.

"...And Go from There"

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

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.

Republicans Leave Trail of Lies and Hypocrisy from D.C. to Cornwall

Republicans from Trump to Schmitt Attack Democracy

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!”