The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Hillary's Run

“Westchester for Hillary!” to Get out the Vote on April 19

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March 22, White Pains, NY— Organizing and rallying the troops to get out the Westchester vote for Hillary Clinton on April 19th kicked off today in a packed ballroom at Vintage Restaurant on Main Street. Many of some 200 individuals gathered signed up to volunteer for canvassing and phonebanking and other volunteer endeavors over the two weekends leading up to the primary.

Hannah Fine, one of two official field organizers–with Izzy Bugatti–for Westchester, and a White Plains resident herself, told a cheering audience that Hillary is “the correct and only choice for 2016…we are in Hillary’s backyard and expect to see her win in Westchester in a landslide.”

Cheryl Brennan, M.S., CEO of Brannan Solutions, said she would work to reach people of color; another speaker called on the Latino community and African community to join forces. Carol Evans, founder of Executive Women for Hillary, who has been criss-crossing the country campaigning, rallied attendees as well on “what works.”

Several public officials supporting Hillary Clinton, or their representatives, were also at the event, including County Legislator Michael Kaplowitz, former state Senator Suzie Oppenheimer, a representative for U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and two representatives for state Assemblyman David Buchwald. White Plains Mayor Tom Roach told the Inside Press that he was proud of White Plains “being the hub of support” for those who arrived from around the county. –Grace Bennett

Long time Hillary Clinton advocate and past regional director Geri Shapiro (front and center) with new volunteers for Westchester for Hillary.
Long time Hillary Clinton advocate and past regional director Geri Shapiro (front and center) with new volunteers for Westchester for Hillary.

w4H.group shot signs

Ann Styles Brochstein, co-founder, Hillary NOW; Carol Evans, founder, Executive Women for HIllary; and myself!
Ann Styles Brochstein, co-founder, Hillary NOW; Carol Evans, founder, Executive Women for HIllary; and myself!
Chappaqua resident (L) Lori Gowen Morton (a member of both Chappaqua Friends of Hill and Hillary NOW --also a Chappaqua based group reaching out to neighboring towns) with Hannah Fine, Westchester for Hillary field organizer
Chappaqua resident Lori Gowen Morton (a member of both Chappaqua Friends of Hill and Hillary NOW –also a Chappaqua based group reaching out to neighboring towns) with Hannah Fine, Westchester for Hillary field organizer

Why I’m with “the Change Maker”

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bill.women

chelsea

Column and Photos by Grace Bennett

Tilton, NH—Yes, I’m a small publisher in the town where Hillary Clinton lives, in a town where she has plenty of support. Yes, she once empowered me as a woman and a journalist by creating a spot for a 25,000 circulation hometown pub as press on a (successful and truly magical) state Dept. mission to Africa in July of 2012.

But I have a true confession; my leanings as a Democrat are really quite liberal. I am a two-time voter for President Obama on his promise of Change.

I come from very humble beginnings as the child of two Holocaust survivors; my dad drove a school bus while my mom raised two babies first in Detroit, Michigan, later in the Bronx and in Washington Heights. I know what it’s like to be poor, essentially. When the Occupy movement descended on Wall Street to highlight corporate crookedness and ultimately the gross inequities in this country, I publicly embraced the efforts of the men and women, young and old alike, camped out in tents, and their battle cry of “We are the 99 percent.”

I visited, rooted for–and then watched with dismay the movement fade into near oblivion. I have observed our President grapple with and be stymied by Republican controlled houses…the continuous attempts to thwart social progress, social and environmental justice, gun prevention violence initiatives, and those for children and women’s rights in multiple arenas–almost always it seemed in the name of the holy dollar too, and almost always with (and always too, the irony) of being as they are so apt to claim, God-fearing.

So, from “really” knowing me, you’d think I would be a Bernie girl.

And yet…I am not. I have grown wiser.

President Clinton and Chelsea Clinton have been hammering away in New Hampshire this week with messages that I fully embrace, and that I do believe will take Hillary Clinton all the way to the White House. For any substantive change to happen, the reality check is, Bill Clinton insisted, “You have to be a change maker.”

Hillary has proven herself to be, time and again, to be made of “the right stuff“ to effectively institute change…here, and abroad. Bernie has not.

One can’t simply demand change from one’s perch in the Oval Office. We don’t live in a monarchy, where, upon rising to leadership, one can execute one’s vision by fiat. So it boils down, for me, to many of her supporters to this: when you have two candidates who share so many similar goals, it makes little sense to vote for the candidate far less likely to have those goals met.

I’m supporting a candidate who can actually get the job done using her incredible breadth of experience and her proven (time and again) ability to collaborate with those diametrically opposed to so much of what I and so many stand for.

I’m in New Hampshire following her campaign despite an incredibly busy schedule I have with looming deadlines to produce two magazines over the next few weeks. Following Hillary is not necessarily “my job” or my obligation. I took the time here in New Hampshire because so much is at stake.
Thanks to this small, precious window, I had a chance to more quietly listen and think, two precious human centric activities, after hearing President Clinton passionately deliver so many of Hillary’s messages.

He emphasized so much of Hillary Clinton’s platform–building on the progress of Obamacare (rather than disruptively dismantling it and going to Bernie’s single payer system) or of Hillary’s intentions to obtain paid leave for families grappling with caring for parents with Alzheimer’s or children with autism. He talked about the anger millennials feel over their difficulties in buying a car, a house, obtaining a loan the way their parents could…and how Hillary Clinton’s plans will most effectively help young people drowning under college debts. He commended those corporations “that take equal or more responsibility in the communities of which they are a part.”

His main message? To “identify the bad actors,” not eliminate or punish all the players.

Change. Republican or Democrat. Democrat or Socialist.

There are many things any candidate can promise. The real question is later, post inauguration, who can deliver.

So I don’t just “believe that she will win;” I believe that Hillary has the actual people and key “across the political aisle” skills that will bring about so many badly needed changes in this country. And that’s why I’m endorsing Hillary Clinton for first woman president of the U.S. That’s why #Imwiththechangemaker.

Grace

“Let’s Move Past ‘Enough”” — Hillary Clinton, Brady Center Honoree

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Article and Photos by Grace Bennett

“I know conventional wisdom says the gun lobby is unbeatable, but that’s just not true. Despite what the gun lobby wants us to believe, the vast majority of Americans support reasonable measures.” — Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton

“It’s terrifying to think how anyone, and how easily a terrorist, can get a gun in this city. We are going to bring universal background checks to the floor of the Senate, and with your help, we can win this fight.” Senator Chuck Schumer

cipriani.hillary bestCould the pendulum finally be swinging in favor of passing major new gun violence prevention laws? Words of optimism and encouragement by Brady Center honorees Sec. Clinton and Sen. Chuck Schumer, and from Governor Andrew Cuomo, along with Brady campaign president Dan Gross, suggested that major change again could indeed finally be in the cards.

Key to such efforts are raising funds to keep up the pressure. Toward that end, some 450 guests were registered for the $1,000 a plate gala evening of the annual Brady Bear Awards at Ciprianis of Wall Street–and an animated auction (one dinner date with Paul Rudd went for $6,000) along with matching corporate sponsorships (an anonymous corporate donor promised a $250,000 matching grant to additional funds raised) together with prominent full page journal sponsors, such as Barbara Streisand and Michael Douglas, made for a successful fundraising eve.

cipriani.shumer best#Enough was the hashtag for an evening defined by both elegance–with various celebrity guests lending star support — and everyone treated to recording star Ingrid Michaelson’s poignant hit, Take Me as I Am–and the speakers’ defiant eloquence.

“The Tipping Point” was the all-important message.

And no small point … “It is the victims of gun violence who are making a great impact too,” noted Clinton. “There is no voice more eloquent than someone who has lost a child … there are so many senseless heartbreaking stories.” One such individual who spoke was Farid Naib, who lost his son Cayman to suicide from a gun in their home. “Guns in the home with children and young teenagers don’t mix,” Naib said, describing the heartbreak as unbearable.

Dan Gross, president, The Brady Center
Dan Gross, president, The Brady Center
“It’s long past time to say “enough”…enough talk, enough delay…it’s time to act,” said Clinton. “I know I’m preaching to the choir, but please, don’t give in to frustration, disappointment, or just giving up,” she said. “The politics are hard…but we can do this and deliver what will keep Americans safe.” Clinton added that she backs a proposal to stop people from a “no fly list” from buying guns in the U.S. “That’s just common sense.”

Recalling Schumer’s milestone legislation, Clinton noted his hard won fight for the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act–and also quipped that he and his cousin Amy Schumer make a “wonderful team.”

“The NRA was against us every step of the way,” Schumer later commented. “The NRA is still at it but they don’t frighten us anymore.” He addressed the gun show loophole, that the NRA “managed to slide into prior legislation,” noting that 40 percent of guns used in crimes are purchased at gun shows.

cipriani.hillary with andrew and dan“We don’t care if you are red, blue or purple. If you don’t do right by the American people, we will hold you accountable,” offered Dan Gross, president of the Brady Campaign to End Gun Violence before introducing Governor Andrew Cuomo to present the inaugural Mario M. Cuomo Visionary Award to Sec. Clinton. Senator Schumer received the annual Jim and Sarah Brady Award.

“Celebrities and influences are speaking out everywhere,” Gross said, citing Kim Kardashian’s anti-gun violence tweet reaching 25 million followers as but one example. “In 2015, gun violence has emerged as a central issue in candidate debates, he said. “It was untouchable four years ago…”

Singer Ingrid Michaelson
Singer Ingrid Michaelson
Gross said Brady Center staff would be relentless in its efforts. “We don’t care if you are red, blue or purple. If you don’t do right by the American people, we will hold you accountable.” 93% of the American public supports expanding background checks. “It’s easier for the gun lobby to bully a small number of politicians than it is for them to bully millions of Americans.”

Another major focus of the Brady campaign is weeding out “Bad Apple” gun dealers (those who break background check laws, effectively “flooding the city and streets with guns” into the wrong hands); historic lawsuits are underway “to make them pay for putting profits over people’s lives.”

In an interview with The Inside Press preceding the award, Gross called it “terrifying to think how anybody, from a convicted felon to a person on a terrorist watch list can walk into a gun show and buy a gun, with no background check.”

Actor Justin Bartha with a guest
Actor Justin Bartha with a guest
He said the award to Clinton was an easy decision: “I have been deeply admiring her lead on this issue for years.”

Via news release from the Brady Campaign:

“Throughout her career as a public servant, Hillary Clinton has repeatedly put the safety of the American people above the influence and interests of the corporate gun lobby. She serves as an example for all policymakers who truly want to serve the constituencies they are elected to represent. Mrs. Clinton was there when the historic Brady Law was signed by President Bill Clinton and she has demonstrated a clear commitment in support of our efforts to ‘finish the job’ and expand those lifesaving Brady background checks to all gun sales.”

The Brady Center “Bear Awards” are named for Jim “Bear” Brady, who sustained a gunshot wound to the head during an assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan in 1981, and his wife, Sarah, who worked side by side with Jim to pass the landmark Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993, more commonly known as the “Brady Law.”

caymanThe Brady Center “Bear Awards” honor the efforts of individuals who have distinguished themselves in their dedication to Sarah and Jim’s vision of a nation without gun violence and who embody their remarkable spirit, strength and perseverance, to the extent that anyone else can!

Hillary Clinton with Camp Mohawk Directors

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Following extolling the virtues of camping at the annual Tri-State Conference this spring

hillary at camp mohawkSteve and Ken Schainman, longtime Chappaqua residents (with Ken being a Greeley grad), had the opportunity to meet Hillary Clinton, the keynote speaker at an annual March conference of Camp Directors called the Tri-State Conference, held in Atlantic City. Secretary Clinton talked about camp being “the essential building blocks for young people over so many years,” and of her own participation, growing up, attending “only” day camps and in the Girl Scouts. But then she also laughingly recalled Chelsea’s stated wish, at the ripe old age of five, to go to sleepaway camp.

She told Chelsea she was too young and that she’d have to wait until she was eight. When she turned eight, Chelsea reminded her mom and also expressed her desire to learn German too, “being daddy’s girl and that he had studied German in college,” and off Chelsea went for a sleepaway camp experience.

The Tri-State Conference is the largest gathering of camp professionals, and about 3,000 attendees had gathered. “People travel nationally and now internationally to attend,” Camp Mohawk board member Barbara Schainman related to The Inside Press. “Our family has been actively involved in the American Camp Association for decades.” In fact, Steve and Barbara Schainman are the proud recipients of the conference’s highest recognition of “Legends in Camping.” — Grace Bennett

Hillary’s Run: The Interview

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By Evan and Jackie Glassman

© Ronni Diamondstein 2008, all rights reserved.
© Ronni Diamondstein 2008, all rights reserved.
On Sunday, September 28, 2008, the two of us had the opportunity to speak with our neighbor Senator Clinton and touched on several topics: her historic race, the current presidential campaign, her relationship with our community, and her advice for kids (like ours!) who are interested in public service.

Q (Evan): I actually met you and your husband in 1992 in New Hampshire while campaigning for President Clinton’s first race. I’ve been following your careers ever since, and have enjoyed writing the “Hillary’s Run” column for Inside Chappaqua over the past year. Thank you for taking some time to speak with us today.

A: I’m really happy to do it Evan, and I’m glad to know of the connection going back to 1992. We have two things in common — that campaign and living in Chappaqua. I appreciate the way that you have chronicled the campaign, and I’m very excited to talk with you today.

Q: We’ve all been watching from Chappaqua, and it’s been very exciting. Going back now, and I know its only been a few months since you stepped back from the campaign, what lessons can be drawn from your historic race?

A: I think first of all — what an amazing country this is despite all of our problems and challenges. The fact that the Democratic party fielded such a great group of candidates and it came down to Senator Obama and me says volumes about our commitment to breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for people willing to work for them. I also think that it’s a real reflection on the American people. I met so many young people whose dreams for going to college were cut short because they couldn’t afford to start or complete. I’m reminded time and again of the resilience and extraordinary commitment to the future that most Americans believe in. And what they’re looking for is a government that will be a partner with them and not make life even more difficult than it is.

Q: As you stand here today, what are you most proud of from your race?

A: I am really proud of the way we mobilized millions of people who participated in the front lines of a political campaign and made the phone calls and walked the streets, to those who showed up and voted for a better future. I was proud to be a woman working hard to shatter that glass ceiling and the connection that I felt with so many girls and young women and even older women in their 90s who had come to my events. Really, it was touching and meaningful to me because I felt that it was not only me running for the nomination to be our President, but it was a lot of people feeling empowered and excited about their own potential.

Q: Were you happy with the support you received from your hometown, Chappaqua?

A: Absolutely. I had so many people who came out and worked for me, who cheered me on, who were there every step of the way with me. I remember so well a woman who came up to me at the French Restaurant as we like to call it …

Q: That’s what we call it too …

A: And said, “I’m so proud to tell people I live in Chappaqua because of what your campaign means to me and to so many people.”

Q: What are your feelings about the way the current campaign is unfolding? It’s been a pretty dramatic week.

A: The country has faced a pretty dramatic challenge with the situation in the financial and credit markets. Democrats proved that we could turn the economy around when my husband went into office in 1993, and I think that people remember that, and they’re looking for steady and sensible leadership to guide us out of our current predicament, which is why on November 4th, we are going to win this election.

Q: I also wonder — and neighbors have been asking me this all week — when they heard I was going to have a moment with you — what you’re thinking about Senator McCain’s choice of Governor Palin as a running mate?

A: Well, it’s obviously one that excited the Republican base and excited people beyond the Republican Party to see a woman on the ticket. The Democrats did it in 1984 with Geraldine Ferraro, and the Republicans did it this year. I think it’s not going to sway the voters who need to be convinced. People are going to be asking — who is better for my family? Who is better for the economy? Who is more likely to move us toward quality affordable health care for everybody? The McCain-Palin ticket does not offer any of that. So, it’s an exciting choice, and I think people can be interested and moved by her story and her position on the ticket and conclude rightly that it’s not enough to convince them to support the same old Republican policies.

Q: How do you think they’re going to be preparing Governor Palin this week for her debate on October 2 in light of the reaction to her interview with Katie Couric a couple of days ago?

A: I don’t know Evan because it’s hard to be prepared for these debates. Joe Biden went through a lot of debates in the Presidential primary season as well as what he’s done his entire career. She apparently did debate when she ran for governor, but the quantum leap to standing on that stage in front of tens of millions of Americans is daunting. I don’t know what their strategy will be, but I think again, people can say well “good for her, she’s come a long way, she’s got a lot of achievements on the state level,” whether you agree with her or not, but Joe Biden is ready to be President. He has experience both in dealing with economic difficulties and certainly with strategic challenges we face around the world and I expect that will be the take away from the debate.

Q (Jackie): I’m going to switch gears now. How would you like to be remembered around town — far in the future?

A: As a good neighbor because I feel so much at home in Chappaqua. Both Bill and I had no idea what to expect when we bought our house in 1999. It’s almost 10 years. We have loved being part of the community. I know you have been active in the Chappaqua School Foundation, and I well remember when we were participating in the event that helped raise money and spread the word about the good work the Foundation has done. Bill has been involved in supporting the New Castle Historical Society.

Q: I have two questions from our children. The first from our ten-year-old son, Jacob, who is a fifth grader at Seven Bridges Middle School. He is planning to run for Class Representative and wanted to know if you had any tips?

A: I think first of all when you run for any office — school or in society — you have to start by making clear to your classmates that you want to represent them and do a good job to serve them. So you need to be a good listener. You want to ask people — “well what do you think we can make better at school?” We love our school, but what could be done differently that might make it even better than it is? You want to be sure that you talk to everybody. Don’t leave anybody out. You never know what somebody will do when they vote. Sometimes you assume this person would never vote for me, but you’ve got to ask everybody for his or her vote. You want to tell people that you’ll really really work hard. Now, if it works, then you’ve got to go to work and try to do everything you said. If it doesn’t work, don’t get discouraged. I ran for office in junior high school. I was a little older than Jacob. I didn’t win, but I didn’t give up because I think if you really want to serve people and help them, you may have to try a couple of times. When my husband first ran for Congress in 1974, he lost, but he didn’t give up. He kept going and eventually ended up being our President.

Q: My other question is from our six year-old daughter, Abby. It’s a similar question, but being that she’s a girl born into a world where girls can do anything — she would like to be president one day. She’s a first-grader. Any quick tips for her?

A: Well I hope that Abby feels like she can do anything. I hope that my running for President and being from Chappaqua has convinced her even more that there shouldn’t be any limits to what girls and boys can do. But just because we’re breaking down barriers and shattering the glass ceiling doesn’t mean that anybody is entitled to anything in our society. You really have to be prepared and you have to work hard and the best way to do that for Abby is to really love school, learn as much as she can, just get excited about participating in activities that she likes. If she’s an athlete, if she’s a musician, an artist, a dancer, a gymnast — whatever she likes — really throw herself into it. You may want to be President today when you’re six, but you may decide when you’re older that you want to do something else, but what’s most important is to do what you really feel passionate about, where you can best serve and what would give the most meaning to your life.

Evan and Jackie: Thank you. Thank you, Senator Clinton. It’s been an honor to talk to you today.

Senator Clinton: Nice talking to you, too.

Evan: Good luck with the bailout!

Senator Clinton: I think we have a deal, Evan. At least I hope we have a deal. And it’s a heck of a lot better than what we saw when it first arrived from the Treasury Department. It’s not everything that I or probably anybody else would want if we were starting from scratch, but I think it’s an improved plan that I hope can get to work pretty soon, so that we can avoid further economic dislocation, so that’s what I’m working on now.

Evan and Jackie: Thank you for your time.

Senator Clinton: Thank you. Take care everybody.

EVAN GLASSMAN is a litigation partner in the New York City office of Steptoe & Johnson LLP. JACKIE GLASSMAN writes children’s books and develops educational materials. She also serves on the Board of the Chappaqua School Foundation. They moved to Chappaqua in 2000 (shortly after the Clintons), where they live with their children Jacob and Abby.