Tag Archives: politics

Hempstead, New York, USA. January 1, 2018. L-R, Hempstead Town Supervisor LAURA GILLEN, New York State Lt. Governor KATHY HOCHUL, and Hempstead Town Clerk SYLVIA CABANA pose for photo shortly before Lt. Gov. swears-in Gillen, at Hofstra University.

Inaugurating a New Era for Long Island

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
January 3, 2018

Sunday, New Year’s Eve, I turned off the TV and headed to bed soon after watching the ball drop in Times Square. But this unusually low-key start to 2018 was necessary, for by lunchtime the next day, I’d covered the Inaugurations of three Democrats – LAURA CURRAN, LAURA GILLEN, and SYLVIA CABANA – replacing three GOP office holders here in Nassau County. 

• SLIDESHOW (with music) 1/1/2018 Town of Hempstead Inaugurations: 

Though it was New Year’s Day morning, close to a packed house at Hofstra University’s Adams Playhouse watched New York Lt. Governor KATHY HOCHUL and Congresswoman KATHLEEN RICE swear-in Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen and Hon. MICHAELLE SOLAGES swear-in Hempstead Town Clerk Sylvia Cabana.

Hempstead, New York, USA. January 1, 2018. Center L-R, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor JUDI BOSWORTH and BRIAN MUELLERS, member of Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen’s Transition Team and a former Nassau County legislator, discuss program before the Swearing-In ceremony of Gillen and Hempstead Town Clerk Sylvia Cabana, at Hofstra University. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Hempstead, NY, USA. Jan. 1, 2018. Center L-R, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor JUDI BOSWORTH and BRIAN MUELLERS, member of Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen’s Transition Team and a former Nassau County legislator, talk before Swearing-In ceremony of Gillen and Hempstead Town Clerk Sylvia Cabana, at Hofstra University. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-arry.com)

Hempstead, NY, USA. Jan. 1, 2018. L-R, Lt. Gov. KATHY HOCHUL congratulates LAURA GILLEN after Hochul and Congresswoman Rice swear her in as Hempstead Town Supervisor, at Hofstra University. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Hempstead, NY, USA. Jan. 1, 2018. L-R, Lt. Gov. KATHY HOCHUL congratulates LAURA GILLEN after Hochul and Congresswoman Rice swear her in as Hempstead Town Supervisor, at Hofstra University. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

U.S. Senator CHUCK SCHUMER was a speaker at both the Town of Hempstead and County County Inaugural ceremonies.

Hempstead, NY, USA. Jan. 1, 2018. L-R, U.S. Senator CHUCK SCHUMER and Hempstead Town Democratic Leader LAUREN CORCORAN-DOOLIN pose for photo after Schumer spoke at Swearing-In ceremony of Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen & Hempstead Town Clerk Sylvia Cabana at Hofstra University. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Hempstead, NY, USA. Jan. 1, 2018. L-R, U.S. Senator CHUCK SCHUMER and Hempstead Town Democratic Leader LAUREN CORCORAN-DOOLIN pose for photo after Schumer spoke at Swearing-In ceremony of Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen & Hempstead Town Clerk Sylvia Cabana at Hofstra University. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, New York, USA. January 1, 2018. L-R, KEITH CORBETT and LAURA CURRAN are on-stage before start of swearing-In of Laura Gillen and Sylvia Cabana, at Hofstra University. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Hempstead, NY, USA. Jan. 1, 2018. L-R, KEITH CORBETT and Nassau County Executive LAURA CURRAN are among dignitaries on-stage before swearing-In ceremony of Laura Gillen and Sylvia Cabana at Hofstra University.  © 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, New York, USA. Jan. 1, 2018. R-L, NYS Senator JOHN E. BROOKS, Nassau County Comptroller JACK SCHNIRMAN, N.C. District Attorney MADELINE SINGAS, and Hempstead Town Councilman BRUCE BLAKEMAN are among dignitaries on stage at Swearing-In of Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen and Hempstead Town Clerk Sylvia Cabana at Hofstra University. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Hempstead, New York, USA. Jan. 1, 2018. R-L, NYS Senator JOHN E. BROOKS, Nassau County Comptroller JACK SCHNIRMAN, N.C. District Attorney b, and Hempstead Town Councilman BRUCE BLAKEMAN are among dignitaries on stage at Swearing-In of Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen and Hempstead Town Clerk Sylvia Cabana at Hofstra Univ. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

About an hour after that, and even though it was a bone-chilling 14 ℉ / -10 ℃, a thick arc of bundled-up onlookers stood thisclose together in front of the Theodore Roosevelt Legislative & Executive Building to witness Gov. ANDREW CUOMO administer the Oath of Office to Nassau County Executive Laura Curran.

Mineola, NY, USA. January 1, 2018. Speaking at podium is U.S. Sen. CHUCK SCHUMER, and left of him is Nassau County Executive LAURA CURRAN, as she's sworn-in as County Executive, in front of Theodore Roosevelt Executive & Legislative Building. (© 2018 Ann Parry,  Ann-Parry.com)

Mineola, NY, USA. January 1, 2018. Speaking at podium is U.S. Sen. CHUCK SCHUMER, and left of him is Nassau County Executive LAURA CURRAN, as she’s sworn-in, in front of Theodore Roosevelt Executive & Legislative Building,. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Mineola, NY, USA. January 1, 2018. L-R, LIUBA GRECHEN SHIRLEY, Congressional candidate for District 2 on Long Island, and SUE MOLLER, 2017 candidate for Hempstead Town Council District 6, pose for photo outside Theodore Roosevelt Executive & Legislative Building, after swearing-In  of LAURA CURRAN as Nassau County Executive. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Mineola, NY, USA. January 1, 2018. L-R, LIUBA GRECHEN SHIRLEY, Congressional candidate for District 2 on Long Island, and SUE MOLLER, 2017 candidate for Hempstead Town Council District 6, pose for photo outside Theodore Roosevelt Executive & Legislative Building, after swearing-in of Laura Curran as Nassau County Executive. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Mineola, NY, USA. Jan. 1, 2018. L-R, Nassau County Legislators DEBRA MULE, 55, (Freeport - 5th Dist. - Democrat) and JOSHUA LAFAZAN, 23, (Syosset - 18th Dist. - Ind.) are in Theodore Roosevelt Executive & Legislative Building after attending the outdoor swearing-In of Laura Curran as Nassau County Executive. Lafazan is the county's youngest ever legislator. Mule has Curran's former Legislative seat. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Mineola, NY, USA. Jan. 1, 2018. L-R, Nassau County Legislators DEBRA MULE, 55, (Freeport – 5th Dist. – Democrat) and JOSHUA LAFAZAN, 23, (Syosset – 18th Dist. – Ind.) are in Theodore Roosevelt Executive & Legislative Building after attending the outdoor swearing-In of Laura Curran as Nassau County Executive. Lafazan is the county’s youngest ever legislator. Mule has Curran’s former Legislative seat. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

It was a doubly historic day for Long Island. Before Laura Gillen took office, Town of Hempstead hadn’t had a Democratic Supervisor in over a century; plus, Laura Curran is the very first female Nassau County Executive.

Feature Photo (at top): Hempstead, New York, USA. January 1, 2018. L-R, Hempstead Town Supervisor-Elect LAURA GILLEN, New York State Lt. Governor KATHY HOCHUL, and Hempstead Town Clerk-Elect SYLVIA CABANA pose for photo shortly before Lt. Gov. and Rep. Kathleen Rice swear-in Gillen, at Hofstra University.

Town of Hempstead Inaugurations:  PHOTO GALLERY

Nassau County Executive Inauguration:  PHOTO GALLERY

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Politics 101 – TWWLI Workshop

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
April 2, 2017

Last Sunday, when I entered Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Church in Wyandanch and saw the stage had a huge banner above it with the message  “to believe  – to belong  – to be compassionate,” it struck me as a fitting place for the Together We Will Long Island (TWWLI) group to hold their Politics 101 Activists Training workshop.

  • Click “i” under SLIDESHOW for info about each image:


And more to the point, this location that Suffolk County Legislator DeWayne Gregory helped secure for the event checked three crucial boxes: it safely accommodated at least 70 people (in fact, it could fit hundreds); it was reasonable for members coming from Nassau and Suffolk Counties; and it was free.

Wyandanch, New York, USA. March 26, 2017. At podium, DuWAYNE GREGORY, Presiding Officer and Suffolk County Legislator (Democrat - District 15), is speaking at Politics 101 event, the first of series of activist training workshops for members of TWW LI, the Long Island affiliate of national Together We Will. Speakers seated right of him are, L-R, LAURA CURRAN, JAY JACOBS, and LAUREN CORCORAN-DOOLIN. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, FromLongIsland.com)

Wyandanch, NY, USA. March 26, 2017. At podium, DuWAYNE GREGORY,  Suffolk County Legislator & Presiding Officer (D – D15), speaks at TWWLI’s Politics 101. Speakers seated right of him are: LAURA CURRAN, JAY JACOBS, & LAUREN CORCORAN-DOOLIN. (© 2017 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

TWW Background

TWW, which began in late 2016 and is run by volunteers, has four Core Values: to have Strategic Impact, Respect, Solidarity, and to Cultivate Action.

TWWLI, which began in January 2017, has been focusing mainly on making its concerns clear about Trump’s Cabinet appointees, Executive Orders, and ACA repeal & replace to Long Island’s federal elected officials:  Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Sen. Chuck Schumer, Rep. Lee Zeldin, Rep. Pete King, Rep Tom Suozzi, and Rep. Kathleen Rice.  (Their official online contact info is at end of this post.)

The group’s approaches include organizing protests; sending messages; participating in Town Halls of reps who hold them; and visiting the Long Island offices, if access permitted.

Wyandanch, New York, USA. March 26, 2017. GENNA HANAN, in audience, asks question during Politics 101 event, the first of series of activist training workshops for members of TWW LI, the Long Island affiliate of national Together We Will. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, FromLongIsland.com)

Wyandanch, NY, USA. March 26, 2017. Audience member GENNA HANAN asks speakers a questions during TWWLI’s Politics 101 event. (© 2017 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

All Politics is Local

The March 26th Politics 101 event was the first in a series of Together We Will Long Island workshops to help members be the most informed, effective activists possible.

TWWLI administrator Beth McManus introduced the program, and admin Sue Moller, my daughter, introduced each of the speakers, who spoke in this order:

Wyandanch, New York, USA. March 26, 2017. At center, JAY JACOBS, Chairman of Nassau County Democratic Committee, holds Certificate of Appreciation and American Flag presented by, (L) BETH McMANUS, and (R) SUE MOLLER, two administrators of Together We Will Long Island. Jacobs spoke at Politics 101 event, the first of a series of activist training workshops for members of TWW LI, the L.I. affiliate of TWW. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Wyandanch, NY, USA. March 26, 2017. At center, JAY JACOBS, Chairman of Nassau County Democratic Committee, holds Certificate of Appreciation for speaking at Politics 101, a TWWLI event. (L) BETH McMANUS and (R) SUE MOLLER are two admins of the network. (© 2017 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

After the five presentations, audience members asked questions to the speakers and TWWLI admins. Based partly on the questions, it seemed some audience members had already been involved for months with TWWLI events and facebook discussions, and others were newcomers.

During Q & A, the speakers stressed the importance of focusing not only on national politics, but also having a strong presence in local politics – from school boards and library boards, to town councils, legislators on up.

What’s the Message

When one of the speakers said how important it was to make the network’s message heard, an audience member asked, “What’s our message?” 

Here are excerpts from Jay Jacobs’ answer:

Local message: It’s going to be about cleaning up our government, and putting back into place people who will run government for the purpose of delivering efficient services the best way they can, instead of taking care of the chosen few, their family and their friends….

Nation-wide basis:  [We have] always fought for average citizens, fought for those who couldn’t fight for themselves….  [introducing] social security, unemployment compensation, disability insurance… Medicaid, Medicare… Obamacare.

We have to be about making government more responsive to the needs of people, less responsive to special interests and a lot of money from corporate interests….  It’s going to be about going back to our roots….

Contact Info – L.I.’s National Reps

Contact Info for each U.S. Senator and Congress member who serves Long Island, NY, constituents (link will work while a Rep’s still in office):

  • Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D)  –  gillibrand.senate.gov/contact/email-me
  • Sen. Chuck Schumer (D)  –  schumer.senate.gov/contact/email-chuck
  • Rep. Lee Zeldin (R)  –   [Update: didn’t seek reelection in 2022]
  • Rep. Pete King (R)  –  [Update:  didn’t seek reelection in 2020]
  • Rep. Tom Suozzi (D)  – [Update: didn’t seek reelection in 2022]
  • Rep. Kathleen Rice (D)  – [Update: didn’t seek reelection in 2022]

_______________________

TWWLI facebook page:  facebook.com/groups/TogetherWeWill.LongIsland/

‘Politics 101’ Workshop:  my PHOTO GALLERY

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Hofstra Debate 2016 Event with David Axelrod

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
September 14, 2016

Yesterday, DAVID AXELROD was the Signature Debate Speaker on “The Evolving Media and Political Landscape” – a Debate 2016 event at Hofstra University, which is hosting the first presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald J. Trump later this month, on September 26.

Hempstead, New York, USA. September 13, 2016. DAVID AXELROD, CNN Senior Political Commentator and Democratic strategist who served as Obama Senior Advisor, is the Signature Debate Speaker on The Evolving Media and Political Landscape, at Hofstra University, which will host the first Presidential Debate, between H.R. Clinton and D. J. T., scheduled for later that month on September 26. Hofstra is first university ever selected for 3 consecutive U.S. presidential debates; Hofstra; university; universities; college; colleges (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Hempstead, New York, USA. September 13, 2016. DAVID AXELROD is the Signature Debate Speaker on The Evolving Media and Political Landscape, at Hofstra University, which will host the 1st Presidential Debate later that month.  (© 2016 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Axelrod, a former senior advisor for President Obama and current senior political commentator for CNN, devoted time after his prepared remarks to answer questions from audience members.

Hempstead, New York, USA. September 13, 2016. Hofstra University Debate 2016 banner, in patriotic red white and blue, is one of many displayed on the campus of Hofstra University, which will host the first Presidential Debate, between H.R. Clinton and D. J. T., scheduled for later that month on September 26. Hofstra is first university ever selected for 3 consecutive U.S. presidential debates. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Hempstead, New York, USA. September 13, 2016. Hofstra University Debate 2016 banner on South Campus at Hofstra University, which will host first Presidential Debate on Sept. 26. (© 2016 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

My favorite Q&A exchange began when a student referred to Axelrod’s advice to vote for one of the two major party candidates, rather than casting a statement vote for a candidate with no realistic chance of winning. The student then said he did not want to vote for either the Democrat or Republican nominee and indeed would vote for a 3rd party candidate.

So Axelrod gave an example of when protest votes for a 3rd party candidate may have affected the outcome of the election:

‘In the 2000 presidential race in the pivotal state of Florida, Green Party nominee Ralph Nader received over 97,000 votes, and Democrat Al Gore received just 537 fewer votes than Republican George W Bush, who won the presidency.’

Unswayed, the student once again said he’d be voting for a 3rd party candidate.

Axelrod began to say something, then abruptly stopped, glanced up and then back at the student, and asked if he was from New York. When the student said yes he was, Axelrod cheerfully told him to go and vote away. The student smiled as he returned to his seat; the audience clapped.

FYI from LI: The most recent Republican presidential candidate to win New York was Ronald Reagan in 1984.

Hempstead, New York, USA. September 13, 2016. Hofstra University Debate 2016 banner - tall vertical in patriotic red white and blue - is one of many displayed on the campus of Hofstra University, which will host the first Presidential Debate, between H.R. Clinton and D. J. T., scheduled for later that month on September 26. A high-rise residence hall is at right, also in North Campus. Hofstra is first university ever selected for 3 consecutive U.S. presidential debates. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Hempstead, New York, USA. September 13, 2016. Hofstra University Debate 2016 banner is one of many displayed on the campus of Hofstra University, which will host the first Presidential Debate on Sept. 26. (© 2016 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Hofstra will be the first ever university to host three consecutive U.S. presidential debates.

ALL Hofstra Debate 2016 events, unless otherwise noted on Hofstra’s site, are free and open to the public. RSVP is recommended.

Hofstra Debate 2016 event David Axelrod:  GALLERY

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