Politics on the Hudson

Outside the front gate at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. today many had messages for the new president.

Here are some of the lucky 400 who got tickets to visit the White House on the first full day of the 44th president’s occupancy.

There were 16,000 who applied on line but with the White House open to the public for only two hours today only 400 could be received.

A Parks Department employee advised those who showed up without tickets to contact their Congressman in hopes of getting tickets months from now.

Congresswoman Nita Lowey, D-Harrison, gave an interview in her offices on Capitol Hill yesterday during which she talked about the economy and the other challenges facing the Obama administration.

Ryan Thompson of Irvington and Emmett Morrissy of Briarcliff, both 12, conducted the interview for channel6newsonline.com, a website they launched together.

When Ryan Thompson decided he wanted to cover the Obama swearing in, he wrote to the inaugural committee for press credentials.

The committee sent back four press passes that give the two budding journalists and Ryan’s parents Greg and Andrea Thompson the right to show up with camera equipment on the mall Tuesday.

“Do you think Obama will bring change?” Ryan Thompson asked Lowey.

“It will take the work of all our citizens because the challenge is so enormous,” Lowey said.

That interview and coverage of the inauguration will be webcast live from 9 a.m. to noon tomorrow to their schoolmates back home.

Two former rivals of Congressman John Hall, D-Dover Plains, came as friends yesterday to his office in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill to pick up their reserved tickets to the inauguration.

Darren Rigger, chairman of the Peekskill Dems and a candidate in the 2006 Democratic primary won by Hall, was late for a luncheon and had no time to chat.

But Yorktown Councilman Jim Martorano, also a candidate in the 2006 Democratic primary for the 19th District Congressional seat, said Hall gave him tickets “because he knew how much I wanted to see Obama get inaugurated.”

“This is a transformative election,” Martorano said. “I back the message of change that is so sorely needed to create jobs and to stop torture. I hope we will have national health care. I believe government can work and in the proper hands will work for the average person. If anyone can do it, Obama will.”

Martorano, a legal aid lawyer, said he is staying with friends in Virginia and will take the Metro in for the inauguration. “I can’t afford the prices of Washington hotels”, he said.

Congresswoman Nita Lowey, D-Harrison, welcomed hundreds of constituents today with canapes and soft drinks at her posh offices in the Rayburn Building on Capitol Hill.

All waited in long lines outside the building for security clearance before being admitted. The lucky ones had come to pick up tickets for reserved spaces to stand at the head of the throngs expected to number as high as 2 million on the Mall tomorrow. Others showed up in hopes of gaining access at the last moment to the highly coveted reserved tickets.

Lowey said she feels lucky to have a reserved seat for the historic moment.

“People of all ages, denominations and ethnic backgrounds feel the enthusiasm,” Lowey said. “It’s magical, especially to see the young African-American children who know now that Barack Obama is president, they have the opportunity to do whatever they want.”

The open house at Lowey’s office drew politicians – past and present – from across Westchester.

White Plains Democratic Councilwoman Rita Malmud, who has served for 20 years, said she knew she would have a better view of the inauguration on television but there was no way she was going to miss seeing it live.

“I lived through the tragedy eight years ago and I’m thrilled that at this moment of national crisis we have a terrific new leader who can truly inspire the hope for change.”

Former White Plains Democratic Councilman Bill Brown said he will attend with his 21-year old granddaughter who is a senior at Howard University.

“It is a tremendous legacy to think that African Americans have reached the pinnacle with an African American president,” said Brown, who now builds affordable housing. “I feel wonderful about that.

Eddie Mae Barnes, a councilwoman who served in Greenburgh for 16 years, is attending the inauguration with her adult daughter Wendy Barnes. Mother and daughter said they were there to celebrate for all those who could not attend because they had passed away.

“It’s a lifetime dream realized,” said Pearl Quarles of New Rochelle, who described herself as the Westchester County Legislature’s first black woman member.

Putnam County Executive Robert Bondi “is still being treated at Putnam Hospital,” Lisa Denig, his chief of staff, said yesterday.

“But he is doing well and we expect that he will be released soon,” she said.

Denig thanked county staff and residents for their outpouring of concern.

Putnam County Executive Robert Bondi remains hospitalized at Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel with a high fever.

Staff at Bondi’s office were unable this morning to confirm the nature of his illness or funeral plans for his mother Wanda, 91, who died of pneumonia at the hospital Monday night.

Putnam Democrats who can’t make it to Washington, D. C. for the inauguration on Jan. 20 plan to celebrate at home.

Victory events are planned in Putnam Valley, Kent, Carmel and Patterson.

The Putnam Valley Democratic Committee is organizing a rural inaugural ball on Jan. 20 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the YMCA Camp Combe at 684 Peekskill Hollow Road. There’ll be refreshments, music and dancing—ball gowns and tuxes optional.

Carmel Democrats plan to congregate from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Lantern Restaurant in Mahopac off Route 6. There’ll be music and an Obama Trivia contest, along with highlights of the inaugural address. A silent auction of rock n’ roll memorabilia will feature a signed album by Graham Nash.

Patterson Dems plan a $9 a head spaghetti dinner at the Patterson Recreation Center starting at 6 p.m.

Kent Dems are suggesting a $25 donation to attend the 7 to 10 p.m. celebration at McCarthy’s Family Restaurant at 374 Route 52 in Lake Carmel. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and soft drinks will be served.

Putnam County Executive Robert Bondi was hospitilized early this morning at Putnam Hospital Center.

Bondi was taken by ambulance from his home in Mahopac to the hospital, Deputy County Executive John Tully said.

Bondi’s mother Wanda, 91, died of pneumonia at the hospital Monday night, Tully said.

“He was her primary care giver for many years,” Tully said.