CLUB OR COMMITTEE –
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
The Somers Democratic Town Committee is the political arm of the Democratic Party in Somers and is comprised of representative district leaders from Somers’ eighteen election districts. Its job, among other things is to carry candidate petitions, to groom and run candidates, to get out the Democratic vote in Somers, and to field Democratic district leaders to be neighborhood liaisons to the Democratic Party. Its mission is overtly partisan and political.
The mission of the Somers Democratic Club is to encourage Democratic participation in the civic affairs in Somers, to support Democratic values and to nurture social interaction among Somers Democrats. Its job is more social and civic minded. For example, the Club sponsors five annual scholarships. The award is based on community involvement and scholarship, and not on partisan bases. The Club sponsors public issues forums. The Club hosts a June awards dinner honoring outstanding Democrats and gives a non-partisan Community Appreciation Award to a deserving person or organization. The Club sponsors town and civic organizations events. The Club distributes via e-mail the SDC News Flash to registered Democrats in Somers.
The Club is independent and autonomous from the Somers Democratic Town Committee, although those two bodies often work synergistically together to raise the Democratic profile in Somers. The Somers Democratic Town Committee endorses candidate’s and the Somers Democratic Club supports those candidates. This is stated in the Club’s constitution so that there can be no split in the Somers Democratic Party.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
The Somers Democratic Town Committee is the political arm of the Democratic Party in Somers and is comprised of representative district leaders from Somers’ eighteen election districts. Its job, among other things is to carry candidate petitions, to groom and run candidates, to get out the Democratic vote in Somers, and to field Democratic district leaders to be neighborhood liaisons to the Democratic Party. Its mission is overtly partisan and political.
The mission of the Somers Democratic Club is to encourage Democratic participation in the civic affairs in Somers, to support Democratic values and to nurture social interaction among Somers Democrats. Its job is more social and civic minded. For example, the Club sponsors five annual scholarships. The award is based on community involvement and scholarship, and not on partisan bases. The Club sponsors public issues forums. The Club hosts a June awards dinner honoring outstanding Democrats and gives a non-partisan Community Appreciation Award to a deserving person or organization. The Club sponsors town and civic organizations events. The Club distributes via e-mail the SDC News Flash to registered Democrats in Somers.
The Club is independent and autonomous from the Somers Democratic Town Committee, although those two bodies often work synergistically together to raise the Democratic profile in Somers. The Somers Democratic Town Committee endorses candidate’s and the Somers Democratic Club supports those candidates. This is stated in the Club’s constitution so that there can be no split in the Somers Democratic Party.
Somers Democratic Club-- 35 Years of Service
At 35 years old, the Somers Democratic Club is one of the largest civic groups in the town of Somers, NY. Our efforts have played a major role re-establishing a two party system in Somers Town Government. An Executive Committee and seven at-large members along with our Democratic neighbors help with community events, fundraising for local candidates, get-out-the-vote efforts as well as seeking and supporting viable Democratic candidates for election.
The Somers Democratic Club was founded in 1988 to encourage Democratic participation in the civic affairs in Somers, NY, Westchester County, New York State and in the United States Government. With over 400 members, our activist organization works toward the betterment of all our citizens. We support the Democratic Party’s values and nurture social interaction among Democrats.
We welcome all registered Democrats living in Somers, NY, to become dues paying members of the Somers Democratic Club. Your dues help support our civic activities and Democratic candidates. We have donated $1,000 toward the Somers High School Concession Stand, sponsored the town Energy Expo, purchased a 'Leave a Legacy' gold brick for the Somers Booster Club, contributed to the annual Independence Day fireworks, was a Gold Sponsor of the Somers Library Fair giving $1,000 to help our community's library, contributed to the Somers Land Trust, donates and organizes a fund raising team for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and supports the Somers Educational Foundation.
The Somers Democratic Club is independent and autonomous from the Somers Democratic Town Committee, although those two bodies often work synergistically to raise the Democratic profile in Somers. The Somers Democratic Town Committee endorses candidates and the Somers Democratic Club supports those candidates. This is stated in the Club’s constitution so that there can be no split in the Somers Democratic Party.
The Somers Democratic Club:
• Sponsors public issues forums on subjects such as affordable housing, youth services, water resources and preserving our earned benefit programs of Social Security & Medicare. Guest speakers in the past included Congressman John Hall and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
• Hosts a June awards dinner honoring outstanding Democrats and gives a non-partisan Community Appreciation Award to a deserving person or organization.
• Supports and sponsors town and civic organizations and events such as Gold sponsorship of the Somers Library Fair, the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, Independence Day Fireworks, Energy Expo, Somers Fire Department, Somers Education Foundation and the STAR (Students Terminating Abusive Relationships) Forum on teen dating abuse in conjunction with the Somers Education Foundation and . In 2019, the Somers Democratic Club voted to donate two Somers Summer Day Camp scholarships so that families in need can send their child to summer camp.
One of the important roles the Democratic Club plays in conducting candidate forums for the public. The gallery below is from the 2012 Annual Meeting that took play on May 22 at the Somers Public Library in Reis Park. Democratic candidates for NY State Assembly, NY State Senate, primary candidates for the US House of Representatives and Richard Clinchy of Somers Town Council were in attendance to talk about important issues facing us in the upcoming.
At 35 years old, the Somers Democratic Club is one of the largest civic groups in the town of Somers, NY. Our efforts have played a major role re-establishing a two party system in Somers Town Government. An Executive Committee and seven at-large members along with our Democratic neighbors help with community events, fundraising for local candidates, get-out-the-vote efforts as well as seeking and supporting viable Democratic candidates for election.
The Somers Democratic Club was founded in 1988 to encourage Democratic participation in the civic affairs in Somers, NY, Westchester County, New York State and in the United States Government. With over 400 members, our activist organization works toward the betterment of all our citizens. We support the Democratic Party’s values and nurture social interaction among Democrats.
We welcome all registered Democrats living in Somers, NY, to become dues paying members of the Somers Democratic Club. Your dues help support our civic activities and Democratic candidates. We have donated $1,000 toward the Somers High School Concession Stand, sponsored the town Energy Expo, purchased a 'Leave a Legacy' gold brick for the Somers Booster Club, contributed to the annual Independence Day fireworks, was a Gold Sponsor of the Somers Library Fair giving $1,000 to help our community's library, contributed to the Somers Land Trust, donates and organizes a fund raising team for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and supports the Somers Educational Foundation.
The Somers Democratic Club is independent and autonomous from the Somers Democratic Town Committee, although those two bodies often work synergistically to raise the Democratic profile in Somers. The Somers Democratic Town Committee endorses candidates and the Somers Democratic Club supports those candidates. This is stated in the Club’s constitution so that there can be no split in the Somers Democratic Party.
The Somers Democratic Club:
• Sponsors public issues forums on subjects such as affordable housing, youth services, water resources and preserving our earned benefit programs of Social Security & Medicare. Guest speakers in the past included Congressman John Hall and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
• Hosts a June awards dinner honoring outstanding Democrats and gives a non-partisan Community Appreciation Award to a deserving person or organization.
• Supports and sponsors town and civic organizations and events such as Gold sponsorship of the Somers Library Fair, the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, Independence Day Fireworks, Energy Expo, Somers Fire Department, Somers Education Foundation and the STAR (Students Terminating Abusive Relationships) Forum on teen dating abuse in conjunction with the Somers Education Foundation and . In 2019, the Somers Democratic Club voted to donate two Somers Summer Day Camp scholarships so that families in need can send their child to summer camp.
One of the important roles the Democratic Club plays in conducting candidate forums for the public. The gallery below is from the 2012 Annual Meeting that took play on May 22 at the Somers Public Library in Reis Park. Democratic candidates for NY State Assembly, NY State Senate, primary candidates for the US House of Representatives and Richard Clinchy of Somers Town Council were in attendance to talk about important issues facing us in the upcoming.
Somers Democratic Club Executive Committee 2022-23
Executive Board
President, Jack Mattes
Executive V.P. membership, Terry Clifford
V.P. Campaign, Helen Berman
V.P. Fundraising, Christine Robbins
V.P. Public Issues, Linda Grassia
Recording & Corresponding Secretary, Micheal Gilberg
Treasurer, Tom Lamb
Members At Large
Heidi Cambareri
Donald Frum
Tom Lamb
Pat Mulholland
Tom Newman
Karen Ondrovic
Keri Reitman Schnapper
Executive Board
President, Jack Mattes
Executive V.P. membership, Terry Clifford
V.P. Campaign, Helen Berman
V.P. Fundraising, Christine Robbins
V.P. Public Issues, Linda Grassia
Recording & Corresponding Secretary, Micheal Gilberg
Treasurer, Tom Lamb
Members At Large
Heidi Cambareri
Donald Frum
Tom Lamb
Pat Mulholland
Tom Newman
Karen Ondrovic
Keri Reitman Schnapper
At the 2018 Annual Club Meeting, newly elected County Executive George Latimer tells the Somers Democrats about his early accomplishments and the challenges facing the county in the long and short term.
The Somers Democratic Town Committee
The Somers Democratic Town Committee endorses candidates and the Somers Democratic Club supports those candidates. This is stated in the Club’s constitution so that there can be no split in the Somers Democratic Party. Over the last several years the political landscape in Somers has been changing. According to the Westchester County Board of Elections, the Somers Democratic enrollment is closing in on the Republican enrollment. There is only a difference of 300 in registration numbers between the two parties.
The Somers Democrats have indeed been able to elect highly qualified members to the Somers town board; Howard S. Pozmanter, Jay Hashmall, Pearl C. Scher, Andy Pecunia, Paul Meyer, George Dieter and Richard Clinchy.
Somers is also represented by Democrats--Senator Peter Harckham County Legislators Vedat Gashi and Erika Pierce.
Somers Democrats have served and are currently serving on many boards and committees in town. The Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Energy Environment Committee, Emergency Preparedness Committee, Affordable Housing Board, Somers Library Board, Friends of the Somers Library and the Parks and Recreation Board.
The Somers Democrats have always been about putting forward ideas and policies that move Somers forward. From emergency preparedness, to making a more walkable town, to a more cost-efficient government, to advocating for more grants, to a host of others advances, the Somers Democrats have always put the Town first, and politics second. Although, we haven’t won as many elections as we’d like, we have made our mark on behalf of Somers and we will continue to do so.
I hope that in future elections Somers voters will take a look at the qualifications and resume of a candidate and just not vote party line. Democrats have a lot to offer the residents of Somers.
For over 35 years the Somers Democrats have been a significant and successful participant in the civic, social and political life of Somers. Our list of achievements, accomplished for the benefit of every town resident, is long. We donated funds to support special projects for the children in our district, including the creation of the schoolyard habitat at SIS and equipment for the Media Dept. at SHS and 2 Somers Summer Camp Scholarships. We have supported the Somers Library, Somers Library Foundation, Somers Volunteer Fire Dept., Somers Women’s Club, Somers Education Foundation, Destination Imagination teams, SHS Concession Stand, Somers Independence Day Fireworks Display, Somers Energy Expo, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Somers Booster Club, Somers Food Pantry, Lets Play It Forward and was a major sponsor of the Somers Library Fair. We donated a bench in the Somers Unity Garden to memorialize the victims of Sept. 11th. We honor our veterans by placing a commemorative wreath at the Ivandell Cemetery on Memorial Day.
Every June the club holds an awards dinner where we recognize five outstanding Somers students for exceptional achievements. We also present a Democrat of the Year Award, Special Recognition Award, Chairman’s Award and Community Appreciation Award to deserving local individuals and organizations that have enhanced the community by their service.
Somers Democrats hold periodic non-partisan public issues forums. In 2012 we proudly sponsored an event featuring guest speaker President Bill Clinton and in 2014 we hosted a rally for Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney featuring guest speaker Secretary Hillary Clinton and this October we held a Constitutional Convention Forum. We keep our members informed on the local, state and national political scene via our Somers Democratic News Flash and website.
Somers Democrats will continue to have an important presence in our town. It is our civic and moral duty to do so.
Christine Robbins, Chair of the Somers Democratic Town Committee
Karen Ondrovic, Co-Vice Chair
Terry Clifford, Co-Vice Chair
Michael Gilberg, Recording Secretary/Corresponding Secretary
Tom Lamb, Treasurer