Thanks!

Dear Committee Members:

Our Holiday Celebration was a memorable evening. I have always remarked that we are not a committee, but rather a community.Visits from Mike Hein, Paul Van Blarcum, D.A. candidate Jon Sennett, newly elected Board of Elections Democratic Commissioner Vic Work and of course Greg Helsmoortel and our great town board members showed the influence that the SDC has in shaping the direction of Saugerties and the County. At these levels of government I personally feel that Democratic Party core values can be expressed and manifested in good, open, transparent government.

To me, and perhaps some of you, there remains frustration at the level of gridlock and partisanship on the state and federal levels. I’m sure all of us would rejoice could all the ideals expressed by Maurice Hinchey throughout the years and by Bernie Sanders in his recent “filibuster” be actualized today. As they say in poker, you play the cards you’ve been dealt. President Obama certainly had a lousy hand and in some cases, he may not have played it perfectly, but I remain confident that in his heart of hearts he wants the best for the American people.

Anger and cynicism are deceitful gods and I would rather use your interests and talents to raise the consciousness of the voters to the importance of democratic and Democratic principles by incorporating special programs of interest within our meetings and through other events. For instance, some have expressed an interest in fracking, gay rights and DADT, education surrounding the first amendment, the influence of media, financing of elections to name a few. To that end please express your interests in an email reply to me, and we’ll prioritize them at our next meeting tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, January 25th. It is my hope to finally form an Issues Committee to facilitate programs to inform the public, while expanding our own relationship to each other as members of the SDC.


Until then, I wish you and your families the best of holiday seasons.


In friendship,


Mike