Carrie Andrews

Public Market
May 7, 2005 Campaign Announcement Speech Public Market May 7, 2005

Thank you. I’d like to thank Carla Palumbo for introducing me. I look forward to joining her in the County Legislature in January 2006, and I want to recognize the outstanding work that she does on behalf of her constituents in the 28th district. And I’d like to recognize Rafael Colon, the chair of the Independence Party, Jim Bowers from the Rochester City School District and Roberto Burgos whose campaigning this year himself.

And thanks to everyone for being here today with me, especially my parents who came from Trumansburg and my grandmother who lives here in Rochester. My name is Carrie Andrews and I’m excited to officially announce my campaign for County Legislature in the 21st District—Where I will work to represent all the neighborhoods of the district.

I’ve chosen the Public Market to make my announcement because it is truly one of the best parts of the District and one of the best places in Rochester. People come here from the neighborhoods around the corner, from the suburbs outside of the city, and the towns outside of the suburbs to support local businesses and local agriculture. For me, it is my image of Rochester—vibrant, exciting and diverse.

The decision to run for this office was not an easy one, because for many people, politics doesn’t seem to matter in their lives. Last year, I co-led a volunteer effort called Rochester Votes. We spent all spring and summer going door-to-door in our city neighborhoods and registered 1,000 new voters. Giving 1,000 people a voice in our democracy. In doing that, I saw a couple of things. I saw that many of the houses in our neighborhoods are boarded up or abandoned or in need of serious repair. And I quickly discovered that when someone did answer the door – many were reluctant to even register to vote, let alone care about politicians.

I realized that for so many everyday, average people, the political system is so distant from their everyday lives. The general sentiment I witnessed, going door to door, was distrust and a feeling of “it’s not like it matters.” Well, I’m going to show people that it does matter. I’m going to engage these people—who may have lost faith in politics and politicians, and who may not feel represented now. I want to bring them back.

I am not a Democratic Party insider, though I am a life-long Democrat and democratic, with a small “d”, activist. I remember growing up listening to my parents talk about politics at the dinner table. And before I even knew what they were talking about I knew it was important because I could see it on their faces and hear it in their voices. I knew they were talking about issues that mattered to working families, trying to do the best they can to raise their children.

And I am not established within the Democratic Party, and I think at this time, that’s a good thing. I am truly a Democrat who believes in the ideals of the Party and what it should stand for. I believe in social justice and equality. That’s why on Monday I joined the farmworkers in their walk to Albany and spoke to them in Sodus in solidarity, to join with them to demand the right to a day of rest and overtime.

I believe that government exists to provide services to people in need. I believe that we should not cut programs and services that help low-income families. That we should recognize that too many people are working two, sometimes three jobs, just trying to get by and pay the cost of skyrocketing gas bills, heating bills, provide health insurance for their children and get their kids to good schools. That’s why I joined home health aides of SEIU 1199 leafletting for their right to join a union.

I believe that governmental regulations, such as living wage laws and safety and health laws are needed to help working families to be able to take care of their children. That’s why I support a County-wide living wage ordinance and project labor agreements to put the unemployed building trades workers back to work in Rochester.

And I vigorously oppose party machines and bossism within the party—for one of my reasons for being a Democrat is that I believe that we’re the party that best represents every day, average people, and working families. And I believe in fighting for these causes, as I have for my whole life.

Every day I fight for working families in my job as a labor relations specialist for New York State United Teachers, representing teachers, custodians, bus drivers, food service workers and others in their jobs. Fighting for justice and fair treatment at work. I know what it means to fight to keep good jobs, to preserve health insurance coverage, for paid time off to spend with our families and for good pensions that allow us to support ourselves when we retire. Representing my neighbors will not be a new job for me it’ll be a continuation of the work I do everyday.

I love standing up for what I believe to be right and for justice. I have never been afraid to take a stand when I needed to and I will continue to bring that strength and confidence to the county legislature.

The person who is elected to this position needs to represent the interests of the whole district, not just one portion of it. The District contains many different neighborhoods and unique areas. From where we stand here in Marketview Heights, to Beechwood, to Northland Lyceum, the Neighborhood of the Arts and North Winton Village.

I have a hopeful vision for the future of Rochester and it encompasses all of Monroe County and goes beyond the borders to the whole region. I’ve been going door to door and talking to my neighbors. Being welcomed into their homes, hearing their stories, and listening to the issues that mattered to them. My neighbors overwhelmed me with their hospitality—from sharing orange soda in Charlesetta Parker’s living room to drinking ginger ale at Mary Verrillo’s living room table. Talking to them I learned the issues that concern them about the future of Rochester: economic development and jobs, education, and public safety.

So throughout this campaign, I will be talking about issues that matter to working families. Talking about a county living wage ordinance, funding for school nurses, accountability for COMIDA so that businesses that say they’re going to create jobs actually do create those jobs, and ways to keep and bring new jobs to Rochester. And fighting for issues that matter to everyday, average people, like Charlesetta, Mary and all of us. Thanks so much for coming today and I look forward to working with you and representing you in the County legislature.

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