Town of Poughkeepsie Democrats Featured Content

Committee Meeting Updates

Shaun Chesley schesley@hotmail.com — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:11:23 PST

Our July 20th Committee Meeting at Uno's 842 Main St. had a good attendance. Before normal business items were reported and discussed. Two Guest Speakers were introduced.

Marco Caviglia running for Dutchess County Court Judge, gave the Committee an overview of his extensive experience as both prosecutor and defense attorney. His impressive credentials and accomplishments throughout his career make him the best candidate to fill the second position that recently opened, for County Court Judge.

Marco Caviglia

As you might know Dutchess County Court Judge Thomas Dolan, has announced his retirement effective July 30th creating the second opening. Marco Caviglia joins David Steinberg as our 2nd Democratic Candidate to fill both County Court Judge Positions. Marco Caviglia will need the endorsement of the Dutchess County Democratic Committee in August to get on the ballot this fall, his website is being built as you read this article, we will let you know when it is ready, keep checking back.

Our second guest speaker for the evening was Kristopher Munn who spoke of recent DCDC Technology updates. Exciting enhancements that will help us reach out to new Democratic registrants to the county. Kris mentioned the updates to the DCDC website now having video and additional features as well as organizing some internet and social networking classes, in the near future, for interested Committee members.

Check out the DCDC website at: www.dutchessdems.com

As we head into the 2010 Campaign season we have Excellant Candidates and some exciting work ahead of us. We need to continue to energize every Democrat within the Town. We have the plan and we need every bit of help we can get. Phone calling,knocking on doors, sending out mail, or organizing an event. Whatever you can do please call Gary Levine at 452-2366 or send him an email @ glevine@hvc.rr.com and let him know. The next TOP Dems meeting will be tuesday August 24th, tell a friend,bring a friend.

The Drive for A NEW NY

Shaun Chesley schesley@hotmail.com — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 23:24:46 PST

Town of Poughkeepsie Democrats Committee Chairman Gary Levine and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. Sunday July 18th 2010.

N.Y. Gobernatorial Candidate Andrew Cuomo stopped at the Beacon Municipal Center, Sunday during his "Drive for A New NY" campaign. Many Dutchess County Democrats attended the event to hear his message. You can view it at www.dutchessdems.com . Find out more about Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's run for New York State Governor at: www.andrewcuomo.com .

Senior Center

Ann Shershin shershin@earthlink.net — Tue, 04 May 2010 08:46:09 PST

Has the Senior Center of the Town of Poughkeepsie fallen victim to a bait and switch? The original plan for the Neptune Road Development included a 4000 sq. ft. Senior Center for the Town but when approving this plan at last month's Town Board meeting it was suggested that the Little White House by the Town Hall would be a better location for the Senior Center. The reason given was that the Little White House is owed by the Town and would be a permanent Senior Center whereas the new building to be placed in the Neptune Road Development would only have a 10 year lease to the Town to be used as a Senior Center. The new plan includes a $200,000 donation from the Neptune Road and Oakwood Commons developments to pay for a 1000 sq. ft. addition to be placed on the Little White House and to add a small kitchen and another bathroom to the ground floor. This plan raises many questions. Is 1000 sq. ft. big enough? What about the Town Historian office upstairs and all the files for the CAC that are stored there? Both the Town Historic Preservation Commission and the CAC meet in the Little White House. What about the tiny parking lot? Is there a plan to expand it and is $200,000 enough money?

More about Health Care Reform

Shaun Chesley schesley@hotmail.com — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 21:33:04 PST

So many people ask "so what's it mean to me?" Now we can let them know.

It will take four years to fully implement these reforms in a responsible way, but a host of desperately-needed reforms and consumer protections will take effect this year.

• This year, children with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied health insurance coverage.

• This year, health care plans will allow young people to remain on their parents' insurance policy up until their 26th birthday.

• This year, insurance companies will be banned from dropping people from coverage when they get sick, and they will be banned from implementing lifetime caps on coverage.

• This year, adults who are uninsured because of pre-existing conditions will have access to affordable insurance through a temporary subsidized high-risk pool.

• This year, small businesses that choose to offer coverage will begin to receive tax credits of up to 35 percent of premiums to help make employee coverage more affordable.

• This year, new private plans will be required to provide free preventive care: no co-payments and no deductibles for preventive services.

• This year, early retirees will have help in the form of a temporary re-insurance program to help offset the costs of expensive premiums for employers and retirees age 55-64.

• This year, seniors who fall into the Medicare Part D 'donut hole' will receive a $250 rebate to help pay for prescription drugs.

For more information go to: www.democrats.org click on The Benefits of Health Reform

To find out how you can be more involved with the Town of Poughkeepsie Democratic Committee. Send a note to Gary Levine at glevine@hvc.rr.com

Special Committee Meeting

Shaun Chesley schesley@hotmail.com — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 00:26:50 PST

Town of Poughkeepsie Democrats - Keeping the Momentum Going with Special Guest, Congressman John Hall

April 6^th 2010 Congressman John Hall (right) introduced by Town of Poughkeepsie Democratic Chairman Gary Levine

Town of Poughkeepsie Democrat Committee hosted a special meeting tonight with honored guest, Congressman John Hall. As you know, Congressman Hall represents New York’s 19^th Congressional District which the entire town is part of.

Congressman Hall addressed the Town of Poughkeepsie Democratic Committee and guests of many surrounding towns Democratic Committee members, with highlights of the Historic Health Care Reform Legislation.

Congressman Hall had praised the efforts of President Barrack Obama, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and the efforts of all Democrats even at the grass roots levels that was needed to make Health Care Reform a reality.

Health Care Reform benefits our entire Nation and, particular to our 19^th Congressional District, reform would:

· Ban discrimination against 7,900 residents with pre-existing conditions;

· Provide tax credits and other assistance for up to 92,000 families;

· Extend coverage to 20,500 uninsured residents;

· Save 800 families from health care related bankruptcy; and

· Get full prescription drug coverage for 97,000 seniors on Medicare

These are just a few of the benefits meaningful to our District alone. To find out more about Health Care Reform visit Congressman John Halls website at www.johnhall.house.gov for more details.

The success of passing Health Care Reform goes to show all of us here in the Town of Poughkeepsie what Democrats can do when we get involved and work together, find out how you can be more involved with the Town of Poughkeepsie Democratic Committee. Send a note to Gary Levine at glevine@hvc.rr.com