Politics & Government

Letter to the Editor: Jacobs Thankful for Election Experience

It’s a Wonderful Life – or – Having your George Bailey Moment.

I WON!  OK, not the County Legislator seat, but I won on so many other levels.

On election night my home was filled with family and friends.  There was great anticipation, excitement, and optimism in the air.  I had chosen to receive polling numbers from our volunteers in my home and then we were going to what we hoped would be the Democratic celebration at the Westchester Hilton. 

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Our numbers suggested early on that I had lost the race.  Our polling had us down one hundred votes with four districts in Eastchester not reporting.  It was highly unlikely I would be pulling out a win.  There was added drama afterwards as the numbers on News12 didn’t match ours, but at this time, we believed it was over.

When I heard the news it was as if I was under water – I was hearing, but it was somehow muffled and unreal.  I came to the kitchen table where all were assembled.  This area of my home was filled to capacity – it had that crowded, homey feeling like the ending of It’s a Wonderful Life

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So much had been accomplished by so many to get me to this point.  I knocked on thousands of doors – always with a walking buddy.  I completed endorsement applications that illuminated the concerns in our community including children’s issues, immigration, the environment, police safety, gun control, pro-choice advocacy – the list goes on.  All the events and interviews I attended for organizations that included the AFL-CIO, Calabria Society, Sierra Club, NAACP, CSEA, Westchester Police Benevolent Association, etc.  How I thoroughly enjoyed attending services and sharing in the traditions of the Baptist churches and temples of New Rochelle and Tuckahoe. 

I also thought about those that need our help in the community.  New Rochelle’s homeless shelter, Oasis, and New Rochelle Day Nursery are struggling under significant funding losses.  The people at Eastchester CAP need to be supported in the good work they do.  I worried that those services that were so significantly cut could fall further into the abyss, and I vowed to stay involved and be vigilant to their needs.

This was the moment to let everyone down by telling them of the loss.  But what I saw was love, warmth, support, caring – a community that clearly appreciated that I had engaged.   So, as with George Bailey, what could have been taken as disastrous was actually overwhelmingly positive.  I was buoyed by those in the room and those that I met along the way. 

It was clear to me that George Bailey moments come to you as a result of your service to others.  I looked into the eyes of those that cared deeply, that gave so much of themselves, and who believed I was the best person to be their voice for our shared concerns.  I felt like the “…richest (wo)man in town”. 

I strongly encourage everyone to work towards and seek their George Bailey moment.  I am profoundly grateful to everyone that helped me achieve mine.

Mary Jo Jacobs
Grateful Participant in the Run for County Legislator, District 10


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