MONTICELLO, NY — The Sullivan County Democratic Committee held its 102nd annual Jeffersonian Dinner on October 20, which was themed “Clean Water, Clean Air, Clean Government.” Patricia Adams, author, educator and environmentalist, was the recipient of the Elizabeth Worth Muller Award which the committee created to honor outstanding women of Sullivan County.

Congressman Antonio Delgado, Sen. Jen Metzger and Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther were the evening’s featured guests. Each stuck to the theme of the evening, citing a mix of accomplishments, while acknowledging that there is much work ahead. Delgado spoke of his support of House Resolution One, saying that it “fundamentally makes it easier for us to live up to the fact that we are meant to be a democracy.”

“We have the ability to meet the challenge head on and do it in every way, shape and form. Don’t let the darkness and ugliness get you down,” he added.
Metzger spoke of the strides the state legislature has made on these issues.

“We may be going backwards at the federal level, but in New York, we are going full steam ahead,” she said.

Gunther noted that one of the problems with getting great people elected is getting people to come out to vote.

“They don’t think their vote matters,” she said. “Their vote does matter especially in local elections. We need to bring Democrats out to vote.”

Gunther urged the crowd to get voters out this year and reminded everyone that next year is important, too.

“We need you to work harder [in 2020] than you ever did before,” she said.

Adams opened her remarks citing the opening passage from Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities.” She noted that it is the “worst of times when our country is divided in a way that it hasn’t been for generations.” She said that it is also the best of times because, “We have the best people representing us in Sullivan County.

She encouraged the crowd to believe that it is also the best of times, “because we are all paying attention, questioning and trying to find the best way forward.”

She spoke of her hope in the future, speaking of a collective responsibility to “support and encourage the next generation.” She closed by quoting from a letter written by the author E.B White in 1973.

“As long as there is one upright man, as long as there is one compassionate woman, the contagion may spread and the scene is not desolate. Hope is the thing that is left to us, in a bad time. I shall get up Sunday morning and wind the clock, as a contribution to order and steadfastness.

“Hang on to your hat. Hang on to your hope. And wind the clock, for tomorrow is another day.”