February 2023 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

I want to make sure that you understand what Dr. Amy Gildemeister has done.

The Schoharie County Department of Health, which is staffed by health professionals, appointed her to continue in her position. The County Board of Supervisors, which is not staffed by health professionals, decided to deny funding for her in that position. Though she was not sure what would happen, she went back to work. When she was locked out of her office, she continued to work from a nearby space. When she was told she could no longer be on the property, she still continued to work.

These are acts of defiance and commitment that inspire me.

There are moments when the world hands someone an opportunity to speak up and stand up for the public good. Dr. Amy took her opportunity.

The world is handing us all different opportunities to get involved. You can help simply by reaching out to your progressive neighbors. We can put you in touch with the Democratic representative in your community, and you can help to host a gathering. We need fundraisers, event planners and campaign treasurers. You can also pitch us a few bucks, with this link.

Democracy doesn’t just happen. This newsletter is full of ways to get more engaged. What inspires you and how can we help?

In Solidarity,

Theresa Heary

SCDC Chair

What Does It Take To Run for Office?

by Rebecca Leggieri, SCDC Richmondville rep & Sarah Meredith, SCDC Gilboa rep

What makes a person run for office? A sense of duty? An experience with local government that ended in frustration? An issue close to the bone? Another generation in the line of succession for the office? Or simply being asked?

In 2023, Schoharie County residents will have the opportunity to vote in every town for supervisors and two town or village board or council members. The county offices of clerk, secretary and coroner are also up for election this fall. There are currently three vacancies, according to the County Board of Elections; one town council seat in Seward and one vacant trustee seat in the villages of Middleburgh and Sharon.

The Pipeline Initiative, an organization recruiting and supporting skilled, diverse community leaders running for office to pass progressive policies, states “Conservatives win 70% of local elections with no challenger.” I’m adding bold type here because in 2023 in real numbers, 40 challengers are needed for town offices and 17 for village offices. Six seats are currently held by Democrats, and we need more people to challenge the status quo. Democrats and Independents face a challenging environment to gain seats in 2023, but there’s reason to believe that gains can be made.

In 2019, the Run for Something Action Fund, an organization working to recruit, support and help elect progressive, Democratic, and younger candidates, partnered with The Pipeline Initiative to poll first and second time candidates with questions about the decision to run as well as what was and wasn’t helpful. A majority of respondents, 67%, referenced the importance of local support. Candidates really valued local fundraising networks, party infrastructure connections to the community, and experienced local candidates. Many had little staff to help them. Approximately 30% of the folks surveyed had absolutely no staff, and another 40% had anywhere from 1–3 staffers. Nearly 50% of the sampled campaigns had 10 or fewer volunteers.

Some of our own SCDC members have experience as candidates vying for local office. Taking a look at what motivates them, and what they learned, can be helpful to those of us who may consider a run for one of the open seats or challenging an incumbent. Lisabeth Rodriques Kabel was new to Richmondville when she was inspired by former Mayor Kevin Neary. Someone gave her his phone number when she was trying to solve a problem, and he gave her a welcome, encouraged her involvement in the community and even invited her over for coffee. That personal touch influenced the way she ran for office. As Phil Skowfoe, SCDC rep from Fulton, told us in so many words at an SCDC meeting, “You have to go out there, personally meet the people you want to represent, really listen to them, and try to answer the questions they raise.” In Lisabeth’s words, “REALLY listen. You are there to represent all of the community, and it’s important that you know what their issues and struggles are - and not just advocate for what YOU think is important.” Lisabeth is a SCDC rep now.

Joseph Bozicevich, SCDC rep for the Village of Schoharie, has run for the Town of Schoharie Board in the past and may consider another run. He shared his “to-do” list for a candidate: First, get your posse together. Meet with them,; listen to them,; follow through with their good advice and praise them for their hard work and success. (This helps with the staffing and volunteer issues mentioned above.) Second, Joe recommends putting together an advertising campaign that is clear, concise and captivating. Third, he urges that you meet with every potential Democratic voter and then approach Independent voters. Finally, take care of yourself and your family first, then the Democrats. If you wear yourself too thin, no amount of help will get you over the finish line.

Jim Buzon, one of SCDC’s Middleburgh reps, successfully ran for local office, twice. He firmly believes that one of the reasons for his success was that he had a driver when he was out knocking on doors, looking for votes. The driver enabled him to knock on as many doors as possible, helped with knowing who was next on the walking list and prepped handouts.

All of our candidates stress that voter contact was key to success. Knocking on doors, calling Democrats and Republicans (especially the ones you know), and actively listening are effective in gaining the respect of voters. Writing down concerns, grievances and observations, and thanking voters for their honesty will garner voters’ attention. Writing constructive and positive letters to the editor as well as asking serious questions at town meetings helps get our voices heard.

Scott Bennett, a SCDC rep from Richmondville, also believes exposure in the community is a key to success for the voters and the candidates. “Get people to know you,” said Scott, “and you get to know people. The more involved the better. Show up and be seen.” He recommends volunteering in local organizations as a good way for community members to get to know you before you are a candidate, especially if you moved to the area as an adult. Like Jim Buzon, Scott also encourages attending public meetings and participating. He was recognized while campaigning because he had raised questions at past town meetings. He also advocated sticking with local issues when knocking on doors and repeated the advice that a candidate needs to talk to voters other than only registered Democrats, as most upstate communities are majority Republican.

Run for Something states, “One of the most valuable things we can do, whether it’s recruiting folks to run or helping them through the process: Build community between candidates and alumni.” Sharing hard-won wisdom of local candidates with potential candidates’ enthusiasm can help build that community.

If you are considering getting more involved in your community, and would like to explore the possibility of running for office, all of the reps mentioned here would welcome talking with you, and the SCDC will happily support you in your explorations. As Lisabeth so aptly put it, “Be the change.”

YOUR VOICE CAN MATTER:

Economic Development in Schoharie County

Please contact your town or village Supervisor if you have appropriate expertise, or informed opinions about the latest leadership debacle in which the Board of Supervisors (BOS) is pressuring Ms. Julie Pacatte to resign her post at SEEC (Schoharie Economic Enterprise Corporation) by May 1st, if she remains part-time executive director at IDA (Industrial Development Agency). Apparently both boards directing SEEC and IDA support her remaining in the two executive posts, as a temporary arrangement for one year. The rationale the BOS gave for withholding $130,000 in IDA funding until Ms. Paccate leaves the second job, is one of bad "optics." In an editorial on page 4 in the 2/2/2023 Times Journal, parallels were made to the recent personnel choice made by the Schoharie County Board Of Supervisors which rejected Dr. Gildemeister. Remember, supervisors are elected to their posts, and will be up for election this fall cycle.

AUCTION ITEMS GO PUBLIC STARTING FEBRUARY 27!

Opportunities abound for supporting Democrats in Schoharie County, and one of the easiest ways is to donate marvelous items, services, collectibles and experiences to the AUCTION!

Auction items will be listed online, with images if you supply them, and descriptions as you offer them. Proceeds will go entirely to supporting a host of candidates for the upcoming elections throughout Schoharie County. We can use your help! Reaching out to others for auction items, such as gift certificates or subscriptions, or some of those wonderful things that you've seen them make, or set aside in their barn or attic.

Shopkeepers take notice! People love to have a gift certificate to invite them to explore your premises! Teachers make a note! People enjoy having one-on-one sessions with experts -- salsa dancing? resume tuning? fourth grade math? weaving? Be inventive! Democracy in Schoharie County depends upon having choices when it comes to electing our town board members and supervisors.

Without more candidates running, the same incumbents will continue in the post whether they make themselves accessible to us, hold themselves accountable to us, or represent our best interest.

We will start listing items publicly on February 27th. Bidding starts March 27 and our auction finale and celebration takes place April 7!! Take part in helping this second auction far surpass our first!

For questions and information, contact Joe Bozicevich:

fundraising.scdc@gmail.com

Petition to Help Reinstate Dr. Amy as Director of Public Health

If you have not had a chance to read and sign our petition to have Dr. Gildemeister reinstated and paid for her work as Director of Public Health in Schoharie County, here's another opportunity. To see the petition, click HERE.

What's This All About? NEW YORK HEALTH ACT: Some Answers

By Susan Iona, SCDC Cobleskill rep

Wondering about The New York Health Act (A.6058/S.5474)? Here’s a quick description of the comprehensive, universal health care it would offer for every New Yorker.

The most notable provision in the New York Health Act is health care coverage for all residents and workers in New York state. This Act would also significantly lower the overall costs of coverage to individuals, businesses and government because public health programs, Medicare, Medicaid and long term care would be folded in. Here’s a list of major changes in the New York Health Act ( NYHA) that would impact New Yorkers.

Guarantees healthcare as a fundamental human right for every resident and worker in New York. Healthcare would not just be a privilege for those who can afford it.
Covers all medically necessary care for people of all ages. This means comprehensive outpatient and inpatient medical care, primary and preventive care, prescription drugs, laboratory tests, mental health, reproductive health, rehabilitation, dental, vision, hearing, and medical supply costs. All New Yorkers would gain access to all benefits required by current state insurance law or provided by the state public employee package, Family Health Plus, Child Health Plus, Medicare and Medicaid.
Reduces costs to consumers with leverage to negotiate prices, and no “out of network” higher fees.
Freedom to choose your health care with your doctor, family and faith in mind, not cost or politics.
Fair funding paid for by a public statewide fund.
Huge decrease in administrative costs for providers who would no longer need staff just to sort through insurance paperwork and handle complex multiple billings.
Inclusion of long-term care emphasizing home-health services.
Reduced cost of drugs and devices for everyone, due to negotiated prices and larger customer pool.
Choice for private insurance for services not covered by the universal health care plan, for example, non-medically necessary cosmetic surgery.
Eases the path for small businesses and entrepreneurs, removing the onerous expenses of private health insurance plans; as well as ensures that freelancers have the same coverage as employees.
Offers opportunity for restructuring insurance company jobs into the New York Health plan, though there may be some job losses and loss of the high profits currently in the health insurance industry.

For more comprehensive information, a list of FAQ’s and more information, go to

https://www.nyhcampaign.org/faq

Thank You Times Journal, Mountain Eagle, Albany Times Union

Our Right to Know: Follow up on Board of Supervisors' Jan. 3 meeting

Without the press covering the mundane ordinary actions of our local governments and publicizing them, the public would not have any information or understanding of how Dr. Amy Gildemeister lost her pay for her job as Schoharie County's Director of Public Health. The Board of Health unanimously gave her approval to continue her work, though, as of this writing, the Board of Supervisors is advertising her job! Check out your local papers for the most up-to-date coverage of this controversy.

TOWN HAPPENINGS:

Date: FEBRUARY 18, Saturday

Town: SCHOHARIE: THIS MONTH'S SOCIAL GATHERING: Calling ALL Democrats, come for pay-as-you-go fun and conversation full of ideas and inspiration: Apple Barrel, 115 Rte. 30A, Schoharie, NY Please RSVP for a rough head count: socialcommittee.scdc@gmail.com or info@schohariedemocrats.org. Can't make this one? Our next informal gathering date is March 10th at 6 pm in Middleburgh at the Green Wolf.

February 2023 Newsletter

schoharie county democratic committee