(With the appointment of Congresswoman Gillibrand to the Senate pending, I wanted to re-post this diary I wrote originally wrote in early 2007, just after her first win. In my mind, what was true then is true now. I know the Congresswoman, and I know she will work harder than anyone to represent all New Yorkers... - promoted by NYBri)
Originally posted February 21, 2007
Last Monday, citizens of Northern Dutchess and Southern Columbia Counties participated in a bit of Democracy.
You see, newly elected Congresswoman, Kirsten Gillibrand, hosted a Rhinebeck Town Hall forum at 11:30 AM on the topic of Alternative Energy and how we can do our part in slowing global warming.
She and her staff brought together a diverse, knowledgable panel of experts that offered education, information and opportunity. They were: - Dr. Larry Walker from Cornell University
- Ron Kamen from Earthkind Energy
- Tom Congdan, Special Assistant for Energy to Governor Spitzer
- Patrice Courtney Strong, Coordinator of Mid-Hudson Energy Smart Communities
Why was this important? Find out after the flip. |
| Actually, there should be nothing remarkable about this meeting between experts and citizens. It SHOULD happen all the time, but unfortunately, in the recent past, meetings like this have been all too infrequent in this district.
The fusion of a responsive, accessible Congresswoman to frame the issue, an educator from Cornell to explain the problem, a technology expert to describe real-world solutions, a community activist to offer help and money-saving advise to citizens, an officer from the Governor's office to act as a conduit for people's voices to be heard in Albany and a great turnout of local residents made for a perfect example of how our Democracy should work.
The meeting was remarkable because of it's unremarkable simplicity. Education. Discussion. Action.
On a personal note, I had the opportunity to appear with candidate Kirsten Gillibrand this past summer many times. I found her to be tireless and incredibly attentive to detail and to the people with which she spoke. It's one of the reasons I feel she won. After seeing her in her new role, I can only say that it appears she was born to do this job. I'm not necessarily talking about her positions on issues. I am talking about how she is approaching her position as a Congresswoman...thoroughly and effectively.
After watching how prepared she was for this meeting and how she connected with the panel and the people, I have some advice for those who think she will be defeated in the next election. Don't bet the ranch.
Kirsten Gillibrand will, I feel, become a very popular Representative because she is focused on doing her job well for everyone, not playing the politics of separation and reprisal...and that is what our Democracy should look like. |
