Gillibrand makes first visit to Long Island as senator
Wouldn't you like to be a fly on the wall to hear what all she's been subjected to?
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Gillibrand makes first visit to Long Island as senator
BY JAMES T. MADORE
8:38 PM EST, February 20, 2009
Kirsten Gillibrand, in her first visit to Long Island since being appointed to the U.S. Senate last month, reassured advocates of gun control and immigrant rights on Friday that she's open to views different than her own.
"She's clearly looking at everything with new eyes," said Assemb. Michelle Schimel (D-Great Neck), referring to Gillibrand's conservative stances on some issues as a House member. "I felt confident she means what she says and that she will embrace what we care about illegal gun ownership."
Schimel has championed a microstamping bill requiring some handguns to have shell-case-imprinting technology, and said she now felt she had the senator's backing. In her two years in the House, Gillibrand's voting record earned a 100 percent approval rating from the National Rifle Association.
Schimel joined about 20 elected officials at a day camp in Glen Cove for a private meeting with Gillibrand, of upstate Hudson. There also was a closed session with Democratic Party leaders. Later, at a nearby Italian restaurant, Gillibrand met behind closed doors with community activists, hospital executives, housing advocates and other interest groups.
"I'm here to talk to the community. . . . I hope to learn not only all the issues but be able to be a strong advocate for them," she told Newsday in a brief interview.
Her visit to Nassau County was part of Gillibrand's statewide listening tour, begun Jan. 24 after her selection by Gov. David A. Paterson to succeed Hillary Rodham Clinton, who became secretary of state. Gillibrand has traveled to Buffalo, Rochester, Manhattan and Brooklyn. She said she would tour Suffolk in April.
In stark contrast to some of her earlier stops, Gillibrand's staff refused to release a schedule of events and only reluctantly granted brief interviews.
Still, New York's new junior senator appeared to win over the crowd at the North Shore Day Camp, owned by Nassau County Democratic Committee chairman Jay Jacobs.
"She has to be familiar with our issues, such as high property taxes," he said. "She has to demonstrate a willing to fight for property tax relief because we are struggling in Nassau County. If she does that, she'll be fine."
Gillibrand told Newsday she would endeavor to ease the tax burden by fighting for increased Medicaid assistance and an end to federal mandates with no accompanying federal dollars.
Jacobs and others downplayed a potential primary challenge to Gillibrand next year from Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola), a staunch gun control advocate.
Nassau Legis. David Mejias (D-Farmingdale), who has pushed for greater protections for immigrants, said he felt Gillibrand was modifying her views to reflect the state's diversity. She has opposed amnesty for illegal immigrants while supporting tighter control over U.S. borders.
"I see a willingness to work to solve the immigration problem," Mejias said. "I also see an understanding that she now represents the beautiful mosaic that is New York State."
www.newsday.com
