The Women's Equality Party Ballot Line

In my current bid for the Ulster County District 12 legislative seat, I am honored to say that I have been awarded the ballot line for the Women's Equality Party - a political party that stands for the rights of women in a world that has been historically biased against them. I applied for the Women's Equality line because I strongly believe in the foundation of their platform and was thrilled to have been endorsed by the Party.

To my mind, government at all levels needs to take steps to facilitate equality among people across all lines - including lines of gender. As a teacher at SUNY New Paltz for years, I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to mentor students from a broad array of backgrounds - and have to say that many of my alumni, such as Laura Johnsen (now in a PhD program in biological anthropology), Rachael Carmen (author of over a dozen academic articles), Nicole Wedberg (winner of the SUNY New Paltz President's elite Outstanding Student Award), and more regularly remind me of how important the women's movement is. These young women, who are among the brightest people I know, inspire my work every day. As an educator, I see directly, day in and day out, how important it is to provide equal opportunities across gender lines. I am also aware of how much needs to be done to further advance women's rights. And I get concerned when I see markers of women being exploited or not treated on a par with men.

Concerning Advertising


A few weeks ago, someone asked me to check out the YouTube channel for the business of our current legislator in Ulster County District 12. The below pictures are screenshots of "clickbait" advertisements that I found there. While I have no reason to think anything negative about the business itself, I have to say that I don't fully appreciate this approach to advertising. As a candidate running for office on the Women's Equality Party line, I have to say that I have a problem with this.

"Clickbait" used in advertising for the YouTube ads for the business of Ulster County Legislator, District 12

Bottom Line

In the broader scheme of things, gender equality matters a ton. This issue is a major priority of programs across our nation for good reason - and, to my mind, it is up to all of us as Americans to strongly stand for steps toward structural equality when it comes to gender.

On November 7, the voters of Ulster County District 12 will have a choice to make. If you stand for the platform of Women's Equality, I strongly recommend that you give my candidacy your strongest consideration. I'll be more than glad to talk with voters at any point about my platform, background, etc. Women's equality matters. Our shared future matters.

Open Letter to Kevin Roberts

Dear Legislator Roberts,

I write to you in my capacity not as your opponent in the current race for the seat in the Ulster County Legislature for District 12, but, rather, in my capacity as a constituent of yours.

As you likely recall, in my capacity as your opponent in the race, on August 24 I sent you a certified letter asking you to agree to join me in a public debate. This event would provide an opportunity for the voters in District 12 to get to know our different backgrounds, ideologies, visions, etc. I'd asked that you respond to me prior to 9/1 via email. I was disappointed to have not received any response from you on this, in spite of the fact that I received a receipt indicating that it was received.

As a constituent, I think it is essential that candidates for elected office are willing to engage in public dialog with their opponents. Further, as a constituent, it concerns me that a candidate in any race for office refuses to engage in a public debate with his or her opponent. Honestly, such a situation is a red flag. It makes a person wonder the following:

* Is this candidate not willing to stand in support of his or her record?
* Does this candidate lack a clear vision that he or she could articulate relevant to the office under consideration?
* Does this candidate have something to hide?

As a constituent, I want my elected officials to be fully willing and able to effectively engage in a public debate regarding the issues at hand.

Note that I'd be more than glad to engage in such a debate if you'd be willing to consider it between now and the general election on November 7. I think the public would benefit from hearing us discuss our thoughts on such issues as:

* How to best revitalize Plattekill's distressed economy.
* The primary needs of the people of Plattekill and how to best address these needs.
* The most effective approaches to lobby for County, State, or Federal monies to initiate programs that would benefit the people of our district.
* The recent Green Party controversy
* and more.

As your constituent, I truly believe that you should reconsider my offer to engage in a debate. To my mind, we are at a time in our nation's history when we must have the absolute highest of expectations for all of our elected officials - and a public debate would be precisely the kind of forum that would allow constituents like myself to learn about your background and your vision for our shared future. Don't hesitate to contact me - I'll be glad to do the legwork to set this up.

Genuinely, Glenn Geher - Modena

A vote for Cindy Delgado is a vote for Plattekill. Period.

Cindy Delgado, Democratic member of Plattekill Town Board

I've got news for you: Over the past several years, the number of registered Democrats in the Town of Plattekill has been creeping up - to the point that there are now just about as many Democrats in town as there are Republicans. And there are more registered voters who are not identified with any party than there are registered Democrats or registered Republicans. Think about that.

To succeed politically in such a landscape, you need to be smart. You need to be effective at working with people from across a broad spectrum of political backgrounds. And you have to be able to get things done.

If you know politics in Plattekill at all, then you know that Cindy Delgado, a long-standing Democratic member of our Town Board, has demonstrated all of these features. A cornerstone of the Plattekill community, Cindy has given tirelessly to our community for years - all with the goal of advancing the quality of life for the residents of Plattekill.

Getting the Job Done

I've gotten to know Cindy well over the past few months, and I have to say that she is the kind of take-charge person who clearly has what it takes to make a difference as an elected official. A long-standing member of the Plattekill community and of our town governance system, Cindy has played a key role in the following:

* Bringing Hannaford into town
* Organizing our town's showcase event: Plattekill Day
* Organizing our town's highly renowned Fourth of July Celebration
* Creating the Thomas Felton Park, which now stands at the epi-center of recreational activities in Plattekill
* and more.

I don't know about you, but I see each and every one one of these accomplishments as enormous and as contributing positively and directly to the quality of life of my family. This is what good public government is all about.

Giving Back to the Community

A native of the Hudson Valley, Cindy has all the hallmarks of a true community leader and as someone who gives back at any possible opportunity. Professionally, Cindy has worked for years with children who have special needs - demonstrating a strong record of patience, care, and compassion. With this in mind, it is not surprising that Cindy played a critical role in keeping the Head Start on Plattekill-Ardonia Road right here in town. Our community has a high proportion of kids who come from economically disadvantaged communities, and Head Start plays a major role in helping these kids get a jump on their education.

Effectively fighting to keep Head Start right here in town speaks to Cindy's commitment to the families of Plattekill as well as to her commitment to advancing the greater good in general.

Let's Re-Elect Cindy Delgado

The more I work with Cindy, the more I see that she is an amazing person. She has boundless energy and she will do whatever is in her power to work toward her goals. And she will jump through hoops and climb mountains to help out someone in need. As a member of the Town Board for years, she has channeled her drive, compassion, and resourcefulness for the good of our community. Cindy regularly has demonstrated that she has all the attributes needed to work with folks from across the political spectrum toward goals that benefit the broader community.

A vote for Cindy is a vote for proven leadership and a vote for community. Put simply: A vote for Cindy Delgado is a vote for Plattekill. Period. 

The People for Plattekill, who will all be on the ballot for the upcoming November 7 election, include:
Cindy Delgado (candidate for Town Board (re-election))
Gladys Figueroa (candidate for Town Board)
Juan Figueroa (candidate for Town Supervisor)
and
Glenn Geher (Candidate for County Legislator)

Gladys Figueroa: Resilience, Community, and Leadership

Gladys Figueroa, Democratic Candidate for Town Board

If you ever have the opportunity to run for office - and you care deeply about making positive change and about serving the community, I say you should go for it. One of the unanticipated benefits of running for office is that you end up getting to know all kinds of people. In my current run for office, I've been so fortunate to get to know Gladys Figueroa, who is currently running for a seat on the Plattekill Town Board. A dedicated, inspiring, and compassionate person, Gladys has an extraordinary set of experiences that will allow her to serve our town well as we move Plattekill into its next Golden Age.

Gladys' story is one of challenge and resilience - providing a model for how to deal with life's many barriers and come out ahead. Born in Puerto Rico, Gladys moved to Brooklyn when she was six years old. A native Spanish speaker, Gladys ran into a battery of challenges in her early years in New York. Not only did she run into issues associated with the fact that school was now taught in a language that she did not fully understand at the time (now THAT sounds difficult to me!), but she ran into various forms of bias and discrimination because, unfortunately, racism in our country is systemic - and if you are not fortunate to have been born the "right" ethnicity or gender, you can pretty much bet that life is going to have all kinds of extra hurdles for you - at all levels. 

In spite of it, Gladys persevered.

New York City's Finest

With a strong family support system and a strong mind, Gladys smiled at the rain when she ran into obstacles in her early years - ultimately succeeding throughout her education and passing all kinds of hurdles to ultimately find herself as an officer of the esteemed New York Police Department. Being a Latina and being a woman, this was, of course, difficult - and she ran into situations where people questioned whether she had the appropriate background to serve in this capacity.

In spite of it, Gladys persevered.

Gladys went on to become a highly decorated Community Affairs Officer in New York City, having been awarded the New York City Police Department Fostering Police/Community Relations Award - and several other awards, speaking to excellence in her work. 

As an example of Gladys' community-oriented approach to her work for the City, she played the primary leadership role in organizing the Brooklyn North Women's Basketball League, consisting of teenagers from 10 precincts - kids who were, due to Gladys' hard work, given all kinds of opportunities beyond what they would have been provided otherwise. Through her resourceful and other-oriented approach, Gladys found ways to get these kids to see Broadway plays, attend Yankees games, and even to visit Disney. We are talking about underprivileged youth with the world stacked against them. And Gladys Figueroa was the one to make sure that these kids were given the kinds of above-and-beyond opportunities that they simply would not have had otherwise. I don't know about you, but this sounds like the kind of work that I'd like to see in our Town of Plattekill.

Connections with the Hudson Valley

Just in case you're thinking that Gladys' background is one of an outsider to the Hudson Valley, you should think again. Gladys' family moved to Plattekill decades ago, running one of the storied Villas back in the hey day of Plattekill - back when our town was respectfully known as The Spanish Alps across the tri-state area. When she retired from the NYPD, Gladys moved to Plattekill to be near her parents as they entered their golden years. So Gladys has had connections to Plattekill for decades - and has shown that she will take active and exceptional steps, such as picking up and moving, to help out the people that matter in her world. 

Based on her life experiences, Gladys has learned that the world needs leaders who look out for the interests of others - especially for those who might have the odds stacked against them. With this in mind, Gladys joined the Ulster County Democratic Women several years ago. And based on her productive and conciliatory approach to working with others, she has emerged as the President of this formidable organization, which has the goal of advancing things politically here in the Hudson Valley in a way that opens doors for the women of the Valley. 

People told her she couldn't be a police officer. They told her that she couldn't succeed in school. They told her that she could not take on leadership roles. 

In spite of this, Gladys persevered.

Gladys Figueroa for Town Board

In case I haven't made it obvious to this point, let me be very explicit: We need new leadership. The United States is divided in all kinds of ways at this point in history - and these divisions exist all the way down to the local levels.

We don't need leaders who are in it for political gain. We don't need leaders who see constituents as voters first and as people second. We don't need people who enter the sphere of public office for their their own selfish needs. We need leaders who genuinely care. 

Gladys Figueroa has a long history as such a leader. She has a proven record of smiling in the face of adversity and moving forward. On the Town Board for Plattekill, Gladys will represent all of us - including our large Latino community that serves as an important foundation of our community.

To my mind, Gladys has an extraordinary profile for a position in local government - she has a record of proven community leadership - and she comes to this world not as someone who is looking for political gain, but as someone who is looking to make a positive difference. If you are a voter in the Town of Plattekill, I strongly suggest that you give Gladys your fullest consideration. If her record of accomplishments to date is any indication, she will not let you down.

The People for Plattekill, who will all be on the ballot for the upcoming November 7 election, include:
Cindy Delgado (candidate for Town Board (re-election))
Gladys Figueroa (candidate for Town Board)
Juan Figueroa (candidate for Town Supervisor)
and
Glenn Geher (Candidate for County Legislator)