An invitation from Columbia County Democratic Committee Chair Sam Hodge to Committee members, volunteers, and supporters:

Our incredible staff that helped flip NY19 (YES!) needs to be celebrated before they depart for new opportunities.  Elliot, the Deputy Organizing Director, leaves for New Jersey next week, so we're going to have a party on Sunday!  This is a great opportunity to celebrate our success in NY19, but also come together after a trying week.  Feel free to share with friends.  Here are the details:

WHERE:  UNION STREET BREWING (716 Union St, Hudson, NY 12534)

WHEN:  THIS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10 @ 5:00 P.M.

I am so thankful for all of you, your work, your passion, your efforts this election cycle. We have a great group of people.  It's an honor to work with you.

Hope to see you Sunday.

From Politico: New York Democrats redeem themselves after crushing losses of 2022

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Town Board collaborates on numerous issues

In a consistently give-and-take discussion, the town board moved through discussions and agreements on a relatively short workshop agenda on Thursday, November 7.

Veterans Day ceremonies will take place on Monday, November 11, 2024, at 11 am at the Chatham Village Green at Park Row and Main Street. 

The American Legion, Chatham Post 42, will host the ceremony at the Veterans Memorial. The program includes the placement of wreaths at the Memorial, and the American Legion Chatham Post 42 Color Guard will render a traditional salute to departed Veterans.

What now? 

To the Chatham Dems and friends,

Here we are, faced with a reality that none of us wanted, a reality we worked hard to prevent. Our disappointment, confusion, disbelief, and anger in response to Tuesday’s election weighs heavily.

The task before us is many layered and daunting: how do we keep our actions in line with our values in the face of obstruction and dismissal? How do we create the world we want, develop an understanding of and a strategy to address the forces at work in this election outcome, and keep our hopes for America’s future alive? 

That complicated task is so much harder in the face of knowing that we will have to contend with a phalanx of elected officials who have dismissed and ridiculed much of what we deem essential to our lives as citizens of this country. It seems impossible to problem-solve or work with those who threaten the rule of law, the Constitution, the value of regulations, and predictability in government.

I “joked” with friends that I might be under the bed this morning if the election went differently than I wanted. Now, there is still a part of me that does not want to look or know or hear more about how thoroughly changed this country will be in 2025. I have begun to imagine and to worry about how past battles will need to be fought again, how the many cascading implications of the election will hurt the people of this country and destabilize our world. 

For the many of you experiencing a similar reaction and disorientation, I want to share some other reactions that may help you to move forward, regain your breath, and see what is difficult but possible in the coming months.

Columbia County Democratic Committee Chair Sam Hodge lamented the majority of the election outcomes, but finds the hope in the gem of Josh Riley’s win last night as a reminder that our work to elect Josh made a difference: 

And Robert Hubbell, ever the optimist who credits doing something as the only option to make a difference and deal with what is unacceptable, wrote in Substack on Wednesday:

We aren’t giving up…. On Wednesday morning, it is clear that Trump has won and that Democrats have lost control of the Senate. Control of the House remains open.

Democrats and people who love America are grieving. That is understandable. Everyone will need time to express feelings of shock, anger, and fear. Respect those who need to talk about what happened and those who don’t want to talk about it. Everyone will need to process the results in their own way….We have a lot of work to do. I am devoting my life to making a better America for my daughters and grandchildren—and yours, too. I hope you will continue to be by my side in this endeavor. It will be the greatest, most meaningful work of our lives.

And several people have found comfort and energy in this from Rebecca Solnit:

There is no alternative to persevering, and that does not require you to feel good. You can keep walking whether it's sunny or raining. Take care of yourself and remember that taking care of something else is an important part of taking care of yourself, because you are interwoven with the ten trillion things in this single garment of destiny that has been stained and torn, but is still being woven and mended and washed.

These messages remind us that many others along our journey have all recognized that action is the remedy to worry.  So many have persevered through similar or more difficult scenarios in our history.  As we move forward, we must  maintain hope; nourish our body, mind, and soul; and persevere so as to make a better life now and for generations to come!

As you take on this day and the next and the one after that, I wish you hope and strength, perseverance, and the ability to see what is right in the world.

Cindy Bobseine, President

Chatham Dems