Getting Started in Public Service

How my love of history, politics and public affairs led to a career in teaching

At a very young age, I was inspired by these leaders to take an interest in public service:

Senator Robert F. Kennedy

Mayor John Lindsay of New York City and Senator George McGovern

My First Taste of a CampaignFirst Volunteer

ActivityFirst Candidate I

SupportedIn 1979, Senator Ted Kennedy of

Massachusetts announced that he would challenge incumbent President Jimmy Carter for the nomination of the Democratic Party in 1980. In November, 1979, Ted Kennedy made an appearance at Long Island Jewish Hospital in New Hyde Park to make a campaign speech on the need for a National Health Care Program. I went, and from there I continued to volunteer on the campaign.

Campaign for President 1984In 1984, I volunteered on the Presidential campaign of Colorado

Senator Gary Hart. Although Hart came up just short of the nomination that year, I learned a lot about campaigns and

elections, made some new friends, and had a lot of fun in the process.

1986: A Campaign for GovernorRe-election of Mario

CuomoCuomo Campaign Button, 1986

In 1986, New York Governor Mario Cuomo was seeking re-election for the first time. I volunteered on his campaign by making telephone calls reminding people to vote and delivering campaign literature door to door, which is called a “lit drop.” Today, with Facebook & Twitter, candidates can spread their message to voters far more easily.

1988 Race for the PresidencyIn 1987, Senator Albert

Gore, Jr. announced his intention to run for the Democratic Nomination for President in 1988. Being a big fan of Al Gore, I jumped at the chance to get involved in the campaign. I actually got to meet Senator Gore several times throughout the campaign and was shocked when he remembered my name!

First Job Working for a CongressmanAfter the Gore Campaign

ended, I had made some friends in the Queens County Democratic Party. One was John Sabini, who was a Democratic District Leader and Former Queens County Democratic Party Leader. Sabini worked on the staff of Congressman James Scheuer and offered me a job on the Congressman’s staff, which I accepted.

Race for Mayor of NYC, 1989In 1989, Manhattan

Borough President David Dinkins challenged incumbent Mayor Ed Koch for the Democratic Party’s nomination for Mayor. Although I personally liked Ed Koch, I volunteered on the Dinkins Campaign. Dinkins won and became New York City’s first African American Mayor.

While working on the staff of Congressman Scheuer from 1988 to 1990, I made a lot of friends who went on to great careers in public service, some whom I am still in touch with:State Senator Jeff

KleinU.S. Judge Nick

Garaufis

Race for the Presidency 1992In 1992, at the urging of a

close friend who had worked with former California Governor Jerry Brown when he previously ran for President in 1976 & 1980, I joined the Brown Campaign as a field operative. Although Brown lost the race for the Democratic Nomination to eventual President Bill Clinton, this Campaign was one of the most fun I was ever involved with.

Richie Kessel for Nassau County Executive, 1993

In 1993, Richie Kessel, whom I met on the Cuomo Campaign in 1990, called me & asked me if I would help him on his campaign for Nassau County Executive. Richie’s campaign was a longshot against a popular and well-funded incumbent. However, Richie talked me into it and we were off and running on the campaign trail. Although Richie was soundly defeated in the Democratic Primary, I still had a lot of fun and made new friends on this campaign, some of which I am still in touch with today, twenty years later!

Conclusion: Why is it important to get involved in community or public service?

Getting involved in your community helps you to get to know your neighbors.

There are so many different ways you can get involved in your community.

You can volunteer in a local Senior Citizen Center, a Nutrition Center, volunteer to mentor a child via a literacy program at your local public library or even volunteer to help out people who have been devastated by Hurricane Sandy.

How can you get involved in your community?

You can seek an internship with your local New York City Councilmember, New York State Assembly Member, New York State Senator or even your Member of Congress.

You can get involved with your local Political Party here in Queens, as they have numerous clubs you can join.

Come election time, you can volunteer to assist on the campaign of the candidate of your choice.

All of these activities can lead to bigger opportunities for you down the road.

Getting involved in community and public affairs led me to what I consider to be the greatest job in

the world: being a teacher.On Top of the World On Class Trip with my

students