Congratulations to George Latimer, Tim Idoni, and Damon Maher on their victories in yesterday’s Westchester County election. And congratulations also to all the candidates around our region who prevailed in their contests, including Terry Clements and Catherine Parker, who represent portions of New Rochelle and ran unopposed. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue working with these outstanding public servants. Full results here.
Signs of the season on my front lawn.
Election Day is just around the corner, and I am proud to support George Latimer, Tim Idoni, and Damon Maher in their reelection campaigns (along with Terry Clements and Catherine Parker, who are unopposed.) If you’d like to get involved, here’s a great way to help: sign up to canvass for the Democratic ticket on Halloween. We’ll be out on the early side, from 11am to 2pm, so that we don’t get in the way of trick-or-treaters. Costumes optional. More in this flyer or visit https://bit.ly/2021-canvass-party to join.
I am very proud to support Tim Idoni in the Democratic primary for Westchester County Clerk. Tim is an outstanding public servant, who has been widely and rightly credited with modernizing the Clerk’s office, saving tax dollars, and delivering exceptional service to the people of our county. You can learn more on Tim’s website.
My support for Tim is based on more than just his performance as Clerk, however. I have known Tim for more than twenty-five years and worked closely with him when he served as my immediate predecessor as Mayor of New Rochelle. I have seen firsthand Tim’s passion for good government, exceptional managerial skill, and deep commitment to progressive, inclusive values.
If you are a Democrat, please join me in voting for Tim Idoni on June 22nd. Or vote early.
I am proud serve on the host committee for a virtual fundraiser this Thursday in support of Tim Idoni’s reelection. Tim is an outstanding County Clerk and was a fantastic Mayor of New Rochelle. Please join me in supporting Tim by contributing to his campaign.
Of all the Presidential also-rans in my lifetime, I think Walter Mondale would have been the best President. Mondale has been unfairly tagged as a “loser,” because he had the misfortune of competing with Ronald Reagan at the peak of his popularity, an election in which any Democratic nominee would have been trounced. But, in fact, Mondale was among the most gifted politicians of his generation and a profoundly good man — widely respected among peers for his wisdom, competence, humor, and decency. Here’s the Times’ obituary, and, if you’re a political junkie with 90 minutes to spare, watch the first President debate from 1984; based on his debate performance, you’d expect Mondale to win 49 states.
I stayed home yesterday to watch the inauguration with my family. Possibly a mistake, as I found myself repeatedly breaking down in tears, much to the kids’ displeasure and disgust. At first, they made fun of me, but eventually that got old, and their teasing tapered off into exasperated eye-rolling. Still, I stand by my emotion!
Beyond the positive new policy direction on climate change, immigration, international engagement, racial justice, and more, and beyond the long-overdue prospect of a competent national COVID strategy, yesterday’s changing of the guard felt more fundamental. An assertion of decency and kindness and truth — a reaffirmation of faith in democracy — after a dark period in which these core American values were under siege.
Nothing is permanent in politics, and if the last few years have demonstrated anything, it is that liberal democracy is fragile, but perhaps that very knowledge will impel us all to be better custodians of the Republic and better examples to the world.
One notable local connection. I was delighted to learn that Rev. Leo Jeremiah O’Donovan III, who delivered a beautiful invocation at the beginning of the inaugural ceremony, is a graduate of Iona Prep. Glad that New Rochelle was represented in this small way at such an important occasion.
It’s a new day for America, with the hope that every new day brings. Let’s make the most of it. Good luck, President Biden and Vice President Harris, and thank you.
