Category Archives: Hofstra University

Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York, USA

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. May 4, 2022. Shirleen Allicot, a 2004 graduate of Hofstra’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication and current Eyewitness News anchor, speaks at the opening ceremony of the WABC Long Island Bureau at LHSC.

‘Eyewitness News’ opens Long Island Bureau at Hofstra

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
May 14, 2022

WABC-TV  ABC 7 & Lawrence Herbert School of Communication launch L.I. partnership

‘Nothing spoils a good story like the arrival of an eyewitness.’  – Mark Twain (1835-1910)

VIDEO 1 – Dr. Susan Poser tells why it was a no-brainer to green light project to have WABC’s Long Island Bureau at Hofstra:

With great anticipation and my Nikon Z9, I drove to the Grand Opening ceremony of the Eyewitness News Long Island Bureau at Hofstra’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication on May 4th.

Thanks to the prediction of a storm, which never arrived, the event was held at  Studio A, rather than outside LHSC.

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. WABC-TV / ABC 7 opens its Long Island Bureau inside the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication at Hofstra University. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. May 4, 2022. JAMES JACOBS watches his wife take photos of Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, with new Eyewitness News Long Island Bureau sign, and ABC7 van, at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry)

Eyewitness News reporter CHANTEE LANS will be stationed full-time at the Long Island Bureau, and ABC7 vans have their own parking spaces next to the LHSC building.

This is MAJOR for several reasons, including:

1 •  It will give Lans a solid chance to become familiar with, and gain insight about, Long Island, its people and events.

2 •  It will give Hofstra communication students an ongoing chance to see, and develop a working relationship with, a professional cover news….

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. MARK LUKASIEWICZ, Dean of Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, speaks during opening ceremony of the WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra University. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y.,U.S. May 4, 2022. MARK LUKASIEWICZ, Dean of Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, speaks during opening ceremony of WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

‘The world needs good journalists right now, and I believe that’s what this is about.’ – Dean Mark Lukasiewicz (May 4, 2022)

The hosts of the event were DR. SUSAN POSER, Hofstra’s president; and Dean MARK LUKASIEWICZ of the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication.

Creating an Eyewitness News Long Island Bureau at Hofstra began in 2018, the year Lukasiewicz became Dean at Hofstra. During his long and distinguished career in journalism, he worked at ABC for 11 years.

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. CHAD MATTHEWS, president of ABC-owned television stations, speaks at the opening ceremony of the WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. May 4, 2022. CHAD MATTHEWS, president of ABC-owned television stations, speaks at opening ceremony of WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Guests included CHAD MATTHEWS, the new president of ABC Owned Television Stations; DONALD SCHAEFFER, Chair of the Hofstra Board of Trustees; ABC anchor BILL RITTER, who emceed the ceremony, SHIRLEEN ALLICOT, a graduate of LHSC and current Eyewitness News anchor; Hofstra LHSC students; Hofstra staff and alums; community leaders and officials.

The long-standing mutual respect between Chad Matthews and Dean Lukasiewicz was evident during each of their speeches, and Matthews mentioned he was happy the abc7 Long Island Bureau at Hofstra opened before he named a new General Manager of WABC New York.

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. BILL RITTER, anchor of Eyewitness News, emcees the opening ceremony of the WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra University. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y.,, U.S. May 4, 2022. BILL RITTER, Eyewitness News anchor, emcees the opening ceremony of WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Eyewitness News anchor BILL RITTER emceed the event.

Ritter’s known Chad Matthews and Dean Mark Lukasiewicz for decades, and I enjoyed the heartwarming, funny anecdotes he shared about each.

Ritter narrated the ceremonial unveiling of the Eyewitness News sign as we watched it on the large screen on stage.

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. Front L-R, KRISTIN THORNE, WABC investigative reporter; reporter; DANIEL GALL, LHSC student; LHSC student, watch opening ceremony of the WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. May 4, 2022. Front L-R, KRISTIN THORNE, WABC investigative reporter; WABC reporter; DANIEL GALL, LHSC student; LHSC student, watch unveiling of Eyewitness News sign during opening ceremony of WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry)

Outside the entrance of the LHSC building, two communications students braved the sunshine, as Ritter put it, to remove the blue cloth covering the sign at the entrance of the Communications building:

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. Eyewitness News anchor BILL RITTER watches screen as blue cover falls to reveal new Eyewitness News 7 Long Island Bureau sign on facade of the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication building at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. May 4, 2022. Eyewitness News anchor BILL RITTER watches screen as blue cover falls to reveal new Eyewitness News 7 Long Island Bureau sign on facade of Lawrence Herbert School of Communication building at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry)

Councilwoman DOROTHY GOOSBY, Legislator TOM MCKEVITT, Councilman ANTHONY D’ESPOSITO, and Nassau County Executive BRUCE BLAKEMAN were among those attending not just because of their offices but because they were former Hofstra students.

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. L-R, MARK LUKASIEWICZ, Dean of Lawrence Herbert School; official; ANTHONY D’ESPOSITO, Town of Hempstead councilman; DOROTHY GOOSBY, Town of Hempstead councilwoman; CHANTEE LANS, Eyewitness News' L.I. Bureau reporter; SUSAN POSER, Hofstra president; BRUCE BLAKEMAN, Nassau County Executive; official, and TOM MCKEVITT, Nassau County legislator, pose for photo at opening ceremony of the WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. May 4, 2022. L-R, MARK LUKASIEWICZ, Dean of Lawrence Herbert School; official; ANTHONY D’ESPOSITO, Town of Hempstead councilman; DOROTHY GOOSBY, Town of Hempstead councilwoman; CHANTEE LANS, Eyewitness News’ L.I. Bureau reporter; SUSAN POSER, Hofstra president; BRUCE BLAKEMAN, Nassau County Executive; official, and TOM MCKEVITT, Nassau County legislator, pose for photo at opening ceremony of WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com

And the Mark Twain quote at the top –  “Nothing spoils a good story like the arrival of an eyewitness” – alludes to a third reason why this Hofstra alum finds it major that Eyewitness News will have a reporter stationed full-time at the Long Island Bureau:

3 • Covering news as an eyewitness makes it more likely the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth of the story will be shared.

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. DOROTHY GOOSBY, Town of Hempstead Senior Councilwoman, District 1, speaks at the opening ceremony of the WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra University. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. May 4, 2022. DOROTHY L. GOOSBY, Town of Hempstead Senior Councilwoman, District 1, speaks at opening ceremony of WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

ABC7NY + Hofstra

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. At right, SUSAN POSER, Hofstra President, speaks with, at center in light jacket, JEFF ABRAMS and family, during WABC-TV / ABC 7 opening ceremony for its Long Island Bureau inside the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. May 4, 2022. At right, SUSAN POSER, Hofstra President, speaks with, at center in light jacket, JEFF ABRAMS and family, during WABC-TV / ABC 7 opening ceremony for its Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry)

ABC7NY + Hofstra

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. BRUCE BLAKEMAN, Nassau County Executive, speaks at the opening ceremony of the WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra University. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. May 4, 2022. BRUCE BLAKEMAN, Nassau County Executive, speaks at opening ceremony of WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

ABC7NY + Hofstra

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. ANTHONY D’ESPOSITO, Town of Hempstead councilman, speaks at the opening ceremony of the WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. May 4, 2022. ANTHONY D’ESPOSITO, Town of Hempstead councilman, speaks at the opening ceremony of the WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

ABC7NY + Hofstra

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. Front L-R, CHARMISE WOODSIDE-DESIRE, Hofstra's Assistant Director for Alumni Affairs, and SARA HENDRICKS, WRHU radio station's professional-in-residence, chat during ceremony when WABC-TV / ABC 7 opens its Long Island Bureau at the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, v U.S. May 4, 2022. Front L-R, CHARMISE WOODSIDE-DESIRE, Hofstra’s Assistant Director for Alumni Affairs, and SARA HENDRICKS, WRHU radio station’s professional-in-residence, chat during ceremony when WABC-TV / ABC 7 opens its Long Island Bureau at the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

ABC7NY + Hofstra

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. L-R, MARK LUKASIEWICZ, Dean of Lawrence Herbert School; ANTHONY D’ESPOSITO, Town of Hempstead Councilman; CHAD MATTHEWS, President of ABC-owned television stations; SUSAN POSER, Hofstra President; DOROTHY GOOSBY, Town of Hempstead Senior Councilwoman; DONALD SCHAEFFER, Chair of Hofstra Board of Trustees, and TOM MCKEVITT, Nassau County legislator, pose for photo at the opening ceremony of the WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. May 4, 2022. L-R, MARK LUKASIEWICZ, Dean of Lawrence Herbert School; ANTHONY D’ESPOSITO, Town of Hempstead councilman; CHAD MATTHEWS, president of ABC-owned television stations; SUSAN POSER, Hofstra president; DOROTHY GOOSBY, Town of Hempstead councilwoman; DONALD SCHAEFFER, Chair of Hofstra Board of Trustees; and TOM MCKEVITT, Nassau County legislator, pose for photo at opening ceremony of WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

ABC7NY + Hofstra

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. SEDGWICK EASLEY, Executive Asst./Publicity Director to Village of Hempstead Mayor Waylyn Hobbs, speaks at the ceremony of the WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. May 4, 2022. SEDGWICK EASLEY, Executive Asst./Publicity Director to Village of Hempstead Mayor Waylyn Hobbs, speaks at the ceremony of the WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

ABC7NY + Hofstra

Hempstead, NY, U.S. May 4, 2022. Far left, guest talks with (seen from back) WABC reporter KRISTIN THORNE and president of ABC-owned television stations CHAD MATTHEWS, and at front right table LHSC students chat, at Studio A at Lawrence Herbert School of Communication during opening ceremony of the WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. May 4, 2022. Far left, guest talks with (seen from back) WABC reporter KRISTIN THORNE and president of ABC-owned television stations CHAD MATTHEWS, and at front right table are LHSC students, at Studio A at Lawrence Herbert School of Communication during opening ceremony of the WABC-TV Long Island Bureau at Hofstra. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)


FEATURE PHOTO (at top of post) – Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. May 4, 2022. SHIRLEEN ALLICOT, a 2004 graduate of Hofstra’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication and current Eyewitness News anchor, speaks at the opening ceremony of the WABC Long Island Bureau at LHSC. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)


VIDEO 2 – After heartfelt, funny intro from ABC anchor BILL RITTER, Dean MARK LUKASIEWICZ says what the world needs right now:


ABC 7 Opens L.I. Bureau at Hofstra:  my PHOTO GALLERY

LI Advocate: Eyewitness News sets up shop at Hofstra’s Herbert School  [Megan Naftali, May 5, 2022]

Lawrence Herbert School of Communication

CONTACT ME

• click COMMENT to reply to this post

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 18, 2022. L-R, student 'BADGER' and Prof. BRET BENNINGTON take quick break for photo at 'EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden' at Student Garden at Stuyvesant Hall in Hofstra University.

Hofstra Earth Day 2022: getting down & a bit dirty

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
April 22, 2022

Planting a native pollinator garden  (after a few years, it doesn’t need watering!)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 18, 2022. At Hofstra University, Professor BRET BENNINGTON, extreme right, poses with students during'EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden.'(© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 18, 2022. Professor BRET BENNINGTON, extreme right, poses with students during ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden’ at Hofstra University.(© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

PHOTO GALLERY | Also, click each photo to see it larger

Though I have bird feeders and don’t use pesticides in my yard, I want to make it more hospitable and inviting to birds, squirrels, butterflies… and help Long Island’s ecology.

So I was excited to cover the hands-on event “EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden” that BRET BENNINGTON, Professor of Geology, Environment, and Sustainability, presented at the Student Garden at Stuyvesant Hall, Hofstra University.

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 18, 2022. At Hofstra University, students shovel mulch to add to prepare garden beds during'EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden.' (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 18, 2022. At Hofstra University, students shovel mulch to add to prepare garden beds during ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden.’ (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hofstra undergrad and grad students planted the university’s first native pollinator garden with species grown from seed by Hofstra students in a greenhouse on the rooftop of Gittleson Hall.

Hofstra Earth Day

Hempstead, NY, U.S. April 18, 2022. During Prof. Bret Bennington’s ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden' at Hofstra University, students prepare garden beds by digging into soil to loosen it, and then covering it with newspapers and then mulch. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, NY, U.S. April 18, 2022. During Prof. Bret Bennington’s ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden’ at Hofstra University, students prepare garden beds by digging into soil to loosen it, and then covering it with newspapers and then mulch. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hofstra Earth Day

Hempstead, NY, U.S. April 18, 2022. During ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden' at Hofstra University, students prepare garden beds by digging soil to loosen it, and then covering it with newspapers and then mulch. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, New York, U.S. April 18, 2022. During ‘EARTH DAY: ‘Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden’ at Hofstra University, students prepare garden beds by digging soil to loosen it, and then covering the soil with newspapers, and then mulch. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hofstra Earth Day

Hempstead, NY, U.S. April 18, 2022. During Prof. Bret Bennington’s ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden' at Hofstra University, students prepare garden beds by digging into soil to loosen it, and then covering it with newspapers and then mulch. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, NY, U.S. April 18, 2022. During Prof. Bret Bennington’s ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden’ at Hofstra University, students prepare garden beds by digging into soil to loosen it, and then covering it with newspapers and then covering the newspapers with mulch. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hofstra Earth Day

Hempstead, NY, U.S. April 18, 2022. During Prof. Bret Bennington’s ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden' at Hofstra University, students prepare garden beds by digging soil to loosen it, and then covering it with newspapers and then mulch. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, NY, U.S. April 18, 2022. During ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden’ at Hofstra University, students students plant native pollinator plants in prepared garden bed. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hofstra Earth Day

Hempstead, NY, U.S. April 18, 2022. During ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden' at Hofstra University, students prepare garden beds by digging soil to loosen it, and then covering it with newspapers, and then mulch. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, New York, U.S. April 18, 2022. During ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden’ at Hofstra University, students plant native pollinator plants in prepared garden bed. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hofstra Earth Day

Hempstead, NY, U.S. April 18, 2022. During Prof. Bret Bennington’s ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden' at Hofstra University, students prepare garden beds by digging into soil to loosen it, and then covering it with newspapers and then mulch.

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 18, 2022. During Prof. Bret Bennington’s ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden’ at Hofstra University, students students plant native pollinator plants in prepared garden bed. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hofstra Earth Day

Hempstead, NY, U.S. April 18, 2022. At Hofstra University, Prof. BRET BENNINGTON has EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 18, 2022. At Hofstra University, students and Prof. BRET BENNINGTON (in red and black vest) plant garden during EARTH DAY: ‘Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden.’ (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)  related image

Hofstra Earth Day

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 18, 2022. During Prof. Bret Bennington’s ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden,’ Nodding Pink Onions are among the perennials planted in Hofstra’s first native pollinator garden with species grown from seed by students in the greenhouse on rooftop of Gittleson Hall. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 18, 2022. During ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden,’ Nodding Pink Onions are among the perennials planted in Hofstra’s first native pollinator garden. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Rooftop Greenhouse at Gittleson Hall

Hempstead, New York, U.S. April 18, 2022. At Hofstra University, BRET BENNINGTON and GAIL BENNINGTON tend plants in the West Greenhouse on the rooftop of Gittleson Hall at Hofstra University.

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 18, 2022. At Hofstra University, L-R, Prof. BRET BENNINGTON and instructor GAIL BENNINGTON tend plants in the West Greenhouse on rooftop of Gittleson Hall. (© 2022 Ann Parry)   greenhouse image

GAIL BENNINGTON, Adjunct Instructor of Geology, Environment, & Sustainability, assisted during the garden planting.

After the event, I went to GIttleson Hall where she showed me the rooftop greenhouse…  and a timeless pair of sneakers (see end of post).

Long Island Native Plant Initiative

Hempstead, New York, U.S. April 18, 2022. At Hofstra University, BRET BENNINGTON and GAIL BENNINGTON tend plants in the West Greenhouse on the rooftop of Gittleson Hall at Hofstra University.

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 18, 2022. At Hofstra University, L-R, Professor BRET BENNINGTON and ANTHONY MARINELLO, Secretary of Long Island Native Plant Initiative, talk during ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden.’ (© 2022 Ann Parry)

ANTHONY MARINELLO, the Secretary of the Long Island Native Plant Initiative (LINPI) and owner of Dropseed Native Landscapes Native Plant Nursery, was at the planting.

At an Earth Day event earlier that afternoon, Marinello explained why planting native plants in gardens is so important for protecting the ecology of Long Island.” [from Hofstra site]

If you’re interested – like I am – in learning the benefits of planting a native plant garden, and how to do it, LINPI’s site is a helpful resource:

• Long Island Native Plant Initiative:  linpi.org  plant fact sheets


Feature Photo at top of post: Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 18, 2022. L-R, student ‘BADGER’ and Prof. BRET BENNINGTON take quick break from planting to pose during ‘EARTH DAY: Help Plant a Native Pollinator Garden’ at Student Garden at Hofstra University.


Hofstra Earth Day 2022: my PHOTO GALLERY

Hofstra University:  hofstra.edu •  Environment & Sustainability 

CONTACT ME

• click COMMENT to reply to this post

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 18, 2022. Hempstead, New York, U.S. April 18, 2022. GAIL BENNINGTON holds up sneaker, with illustration of Charles Darwin and a giant tortoise at the Galápagos archipelago, that Prof. Bret Bennington received as gift. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, New York, U.S. April 18, 2022. Adjunct Instructor GAIL BENNINGTON holds up a sneaker – with illustration of Charles Darwin and a giant tortoise at the Galápagos archipelago – from pair Prof. Bret Bennington received as a gift. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead NY, Oct. 5, 2018. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) speaks at podium at start of Town Hall Meeting at Hofstra University, Long Island.

Gillibrand Town Hall at Hofstra: YES to Affordable Health Care & Education; Diversity & Hope

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
October 6, 2018

Hempstead NY, USA, Oct. 5, 2018. Sen. KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND poses with, L-R, MARIA TERESA ROMERO, ELSA FORD, and MILLIE MOTA, members of Brentwood Bay Shore Breast Cancer Coalition, at end of Town Hall at Hofstra University. (Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Hempstead, NY, USA. Oct. 5, 2018. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), 2nd from right, poses with, L-R, Maria Teresa Romero, Elsa Ford, and Millie Mota, members of Brentwood Bay Shore Breast Cancer Coalition, at end of Town Hall at Hofstra. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s Town Hall at Hofstra University last night, Oct. 5th, landed at the start of the Columbus Day holiday weekend. But midterm elections were only 31 days away, and the Student Center Theater was packed.

After Dean Meena Bose, the moderator, introduced Gillibrand, the senator spoke to the largely supportive audience.

Anyone who wanted to ask Senator Gillibrand a question had taken a red raffle ticket, and put half of it in a glass bowl before the Town Hall began. Tickets were drawn at random for the Q&A. 

Judge Kavanaugh

Not surprisingly, an early question was about the highly controversial Supreme Court nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh – which the Senate was voting on the next day.  

Gillibrand said she planned to vote against his confirmation because she thinks he’d put Roe VS Wade in danger, and “Judge Kavanaugh, he doesn’t value women, does not respect women, or listen to them.” 

Young Voters:

To a politically active but frustrated young voter, Gillibrand stressed the importance of being heard, voting, fighting for our country and values, and not giving up hope.

Excerpts from Gillibrand’s response:

“Don’t lose hope. Truth is, our Democracy never works unless regular people stand up and demand action….

“And, if we can really be heard and talk about our values and our priorities and how disappointing it is to have someone like Brett Kavanaugh serve on the Supreme Court, if we articulate that by voting, and organizing our communities, and even running if you think we must –

” – You’re gonna transform government, you’re gonna flip the house, and you’re gonna flip the senate, and that will create enormous oversight and accountability over the Trump administration, and give us a chance of unwinding some of the horrible things this president has already done, so do not lose hope.

“And most successful movements in this country have been student lead movements. So when young people care deeply, their parents care deeply, and so do their communities.

Opioid Crisis:

When a Hofstra alumnus asked what actual approaches were going to be taken to effectively deal with the opioid crisis, Senator Gillibrand said, “Children are dying all across this country,” and discussed how more, and more effective, Prevention, Intervention and Response were needed.

Trump 2020:
An audience member asked, “For those of use who are on the ground, and are working hard everyday, and are gonna keep on working, what can we do so we can make sure we don’t end up with another Trump or somebody worse in 2020, outside from asking people like you to run in 2020, in all sincerity?”

Excerpts from Gillibrand’s response:

“I believe we will win, in both ’18 and ’20 because I think America believes in a set of values that President Trump doesn’t believe in…. We believe in the Golden Rule…. Making sure everyone has a chance at the American Dream.

“So whether you believe that health care is a right, not a privilege – clean water is a right – every kid should have access to a good education – that people shouldn’t be with laden with debt after college – that people should have the training to get a good job to earn their way to middle class, those four values will be on the ballot 2020.

“Those are American values I believe New Yorkers and people across the county will vote for, and that will be very different leadership than today.”

Immigration:

The last question was a long, multi-part one about immigration, and the audience softly booed when the questioner said the parents of Dreamers should never get citizenship.

When Senator Gillibrand’s response started with “I disagree,” the audience cheered. She then added, “That was a heartfelt question, so let me tell you why I disagree,” and responded energetically. [Video starts during audience member’s question]

Gillibrand concluded with a rousing message about diversity:

“Fundamentally, do not be afraid of people who need our help. We are rich. We are powerful. We can create a growing economy.

“And the things that create a growing economy is diversity – is ingenuity – is entrepreneurism – is innovation, and that comes from the beautiful panoply of America.”

Q&A topics also included:

  • Support of Senate bills protecting wildlife whose numbers are dangerously low.
  • Support of Peace legislation: Senate Bill S.2047, Preventing Preemptive War with North Korea Act of 2017, which has 13 out of 100 senators currently backing it.
  • Fighting hunger, including through food stamps – whose main recipients are children, seniors, and veterans – and through non-profit programs such as Island Harvest – Long Island’s largest hunger relief organization – which, as Gillibrand explained, “marshals food and supplies from people who have offered it to those who need it most.”

The audience applauded enthusiastically at the end of the Q&A.

Gillibrand promised to stay as long as it took for everyone who wanted a selfie with her to get one. (Well, they were sort-of selfies, since an aide took them, using audience members’ cell phones.)

The line for photos stretched from the stage to halfway across the back of the theater. 


Gillibrand Town Hall, Hofstra: PHOTO GALLERY

All my Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand Videos: vimeo.com/channels/gillibrand

CONTACT ME