While all eyes were on institutions of higher education this week – including those of NYS AG Tish James – who stopped by the Nassau County Democratic Committee Spring Dinner to honor Organizer of the Year, tiara-wearing Lauren Cororan Doolin – calling Lauren her ‘rock on Long Island’ – before heading to Columbia… We must take the time to elevate the good work being done hyper-locally by our esteemed public officials… We have a lot of work to do on the ground before November’s elections
Many are focused on Long Island, a notorious swing region, with a variety of Senate and Assembly candidates vying for election. Lisa Lin, candidate for NYS Senate district 5, which is currently occupied by Steve Rhoads, hosted a campaign kick-off in Merrick which was attended by State Senators Kevin Thomas and John Liu, as well as fellow candidate, Will Murphy who is seeking the Assembly seat currently occupied by Jake Blumencranz…
Walking into the VIP reception for the Nassau County Democratic Committee dinner at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury this week was Chairman Jay Jacobs and his team, chatting about the Democratic National Convention this August in Chicago. We had some visitors to the island for this event including Capital-region-based Ryan Silva, from the NYSEDC, who was talking about an upcoming trip to Minneapolis he’s taking with NYSERDA’s Doreen Harris, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, and newly elected Bronx Assemblyman Landon Dais – who not only is a baseball coach, but apparently a marijuana expert. More on that to come…
Sharing a moment to reflect on their time together in the Nassau County Legislature was attorney and Town Leader Dave Mejias (who has helped multiple political personalities get divorced) and former State Senator Craig Johnson, who floated the idea of a mask ban at protests – which was echoed in Jay Jacobs’ remarks during the seated dinner later that evening… also included in his remarks, the rise of social media in influencing public perception of politically charged issues…
In the room: Congressional candidate Laura Gillen, state senate candidate Siela Bynoe, New York State Comptroller and Nassau County native, Tom DiNapoli and his Regional Director for Intergovernmental Affairs and Community Relations, Michael Caplice, who not only has an entire album on his phone of photos with celebrities, but has his own hit song with over 1.2 million views on YouTube. Who knew?! … and of course, no Long Island event would be complete without a sighting of Stevens Martinez, Governor Hochul’s Long Island director
Air Force 1’s painted with vegetable extracts grown in Harlem – say less, that’s the coolest thing we’ve heard all week and totally up Council Member Kevin Riley’s alley… (We need a political personality to model these in Style Across the Aisle this Fall during NYC Fashion Week, where public officials model the runway wearing designers from their districts…) Nonprofit, Harlem Grown, launched the AgriCulture charity auction this week…
Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine (who speaks Hebrew, amongst many other languages) visited the Nova Music Festival Exhibition downtown this week, along with civic leaders from UJA and JCRC – the exhibit is an in-depth remembrance of the October 7th attack in Israel, and tickets are available online throughout the month of May…
May is National Pet Month, the perfect time for Urban Resource Institute to announce the opening of NYC’s first pet-friendly homeless shelter in the Bronx. According to CEO Nathaniel Fields and his team, half of victims of domestic violence won’t leave their situation unless their pet can come with them… Another brand new facility to aid the community in the Bronx: Karen Ignagni, CEO, EmblemHealth hosted a ribbon cutting at the newest Neighborhood Care Center where Council Member Oswald Feliz was on the scene, along with Senator Gustavo Rivera – his first in-person event with EmblemHealth since the pandemic…
Have you heard about the online form our very own Council Members are being asked to fill out in order to meet with agency folks? Tiffany Raspberry from the Mayor’s Office believes this order of operations will help guide newer political personalities through the legislative process, but most Members, along with Speaker Adrienne Adams, feel it adds an unnecessary layer of red tape…
From ZZ’s Club to the LaGuardia Delta Lounge, everyone’s reading In The Room Where It Happens
Coming up…
Luis & Lin-Manuel Miranda speaking at The 92nd Street Y, May 6
Council Member Erik Bottcher’s Birthday Party, May 9
Queens County Farm Museum Sheep Shearing Festival, May 11
Political Personality of the Week:
Congressman Tim Kennedy
Elected this week in a special election, beloved Buffalo state senator Kennedy, chair of the senate Transportation Committee, is now a U.S. Congressman.
A lifelong Western New York resident, Tim Kennedy has fought to ensure his region sees its fair share of funding and state resources. In his role as Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, Tim delivered $100 million for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority to fund a five year capital plan for maintenance and improvements of the Metro Rail.
Tim sponsored legislation to allow municipalities to install cameras on school buses, and spearheaded a package of comprehensive limo safety reforms. Tim drafted these reforms alongside the families of victims involved in limo crashes in Schoharie and Cutchogue. He also spearheaded the passage of Jay-J’s law, legislation that stiffens penalties for repeat child abusers, as well as Jackie’s Law, which protects victims of domestic violence from GPS stalking. Tim knows the importance of growing and protecting Western New York’s workforce, and was a supporter of the creation of the Northland Workforce Center on Buffalo’s East Side.
Tim attended St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute before going on to earn his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in occupational therapy at D’Youville College. For 11 years, Tim worked with geriatric and pediatric populations to help them recover from injuries and fully participate in all life situations.
Fast Facts:
- Former occupational therapist
- Buffalo native, still lives there with wife Katie and three children, Connor, Eireann and Padraic
- At age 28, Tim became an Erie County Legislator
- Served in the NYS Senate for past 12 years
- Created bus and limo safety legislation
- He has his own jobs website: Kennedy Jobs File
- Attended Christmas at the White House in 2023
- Wedding officiant