Interview with Vedat Gashi, Candidate for Congress
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Westchester County Legislator Vedat Gashi is running for the Democratic nomination to represent Congressional District #16 against incumbent Jamaal Bowman and fellow member of the Board of Legislators Catherine Parker from Rye. The primary will be held on August 23, 2022 and here is what you need to know to vote.
Learn more about Gashi here:
Please introduce yourself to our readers and tell us something about your background, your family and professional and political careers to date.
My name is Vedat Gashi and I am running to bring real results and real progress to the families of Westchester and the Bronx. When I was four years old, I came to the U.S. as a refugee when my parents fled an oppressive regime in Kosovo. I was raised in the Bronx and attended public schools. Although my parents only had a middle school education, they worked very hard, succeeded and taught us that we can do anything.
My campaign is focused on ensuring that everyone has a shot at the American dream regardless of their zip code, income or status. This country offered me a chance to succeed, which is why I am committed to providing working families a true path to the middle class and beyond.
Currently, I serve as a Westchester County legislator. Since taking office in 2020, my office has:
-Passed a first in the nation gun safety law
-Protected women’s right to seek vital health care by passing a clinic access bill
-Delivered millions for childcare and affordable housing
-Supported small businesses impacted by COVID-19
What persuaded you to make a bid for the seat?
Our nation is at a crossroads and we need representatives that will safeguard our rights, protect our democratic values and create innovative policy solutions to get people back to work and propel our economy forward.
As a refugee from a country without a democracy, it pains me to see our leaders and Democrats fighting each other instead of working together to get things done. As a county legislator, I’ve always delivered and worked with others to get results – putting people and the everyday issues, not partisan politics or ideology.
What is your view on the redistricting of the Congressional map and the change in primary date? How did that affect your decision to run, and what impact might it have on the outcome?
The district lines have changed, but my reason for running has not. The new redistricting maps simply presented an opportunity for our grassroots campaign to thrive. We are focused on bringing our country together to deliver actual progress for everyday New Yorkers.
Do you currently live in the district?
Redistricting has created a situation where a number of candidates across the area have found themselves outside the district they were previously running in. I was raised in the Bronx, currently live in Yorktown and work in the district at the Board of Legislators offices in White Plains. After the election, I will move into the district. Meanwhile, I look forward to continuing my dialogue with residents of the district to learn more about their concerns and share my vision of how we can strengthen our country and create a fairer nation that works for everyone.
Given that Bowman is the incumbent and has received many endorsements from organizations and unions, do you think it will be possible to unseat him?
During this campaign I’ve met with a wide variety of supporters, and we’ve picked up many important endorsements. As of date, we’ve raised over $800,000, maintained a cash-on-hand advantage against the competition and are on track for an even stronger fund-raising total by the end of this quarter. This district deserves a representative who supports President Biden’s agenda, will put progress before posturing and will work hard to get things done.
How do you distinguish your platform from Bowman’s? and from Parker’s?
This is not the time to debate ideology or for performative politics. We are living in unprecedented times and I am a commonsense democrat who will roll up their sleeves on day one to protect abortion rights, marriage equality, access to affordable health care, quality public schools and equitable housing.
Specifically, I will work to codify Roe v. Wade to ensure reproductive care is protected under the law as a fundamental right; support legislation that normalizes relations between Israel and a number of Arab nations; and collaborate with the federal government to expand funding for infrastructure. I strongly object to the incumbent’s votes against the Abraham Accords and his support for Congresswoman’s Tlaib’s Nakba resolution that calls the creation of the state of Israel a “catastrophe.”
What achievements are you most proud of during your term of service on the Westchester County Board of Legislators?
I’ve actively served my constituents across Westchester as county legislator by lowering taxes, improving infrastructure, securing gasoline tax relief, supporting the Reproductive Health Care Facilities Access Act, approving a measure to combat gender and race-based workplace pay inequality and combating gun violence by requiring warning labels to be posted wherever firearms are sold.
What do you hope to do in Congress to benefit Westchester residents? Is there any chance of reinstating our SALT deductions?
As the Chair of Appropriations at the Board of Legislators, I’ve built support for expanding services while cutting taxes, and in Congress, I’ll do the same. I’m focused on making real progress on the kitchen table issues like holding down taxes, lowering health care costs, strengthening our infrastructure, and improving our economy. The elimination of SALT has had a strong punitive economic impact on residents of the district and in congress I will fight to restore it.
With a polarized Congress and a divided country, give us your views on how the two sides can reach consensus to pass legislation on climate change, gun control, voting rights and women’s rights?
I’m all for reaching across the aisle for bipartisan consensus whenever realistically possible. That being said, I think the best chance to move the aforementioned legislation forward is for Democrats to maintain their majority in the House and increase their majority in the Senate, which I am working hard to achieve during these midterm elections.
Anything else you would like to add is welcome.
As someone who came to this country as a refugee, I know firsthand the importance of strengthening international relationships with our allies. As a young attorney, I returned to Kosovo to help draft foundational legal documents and establish Kosovo’s Ministry of Local Government Administration. I also served as the Chief Legal Advisor to Kosovo’s Prime Minister. Therefore, I find it troubling that the incumbent has actively tried to weaken the U.S. relationship with one of our most important allies in the world.
Please visit gashiforcongress.com for more information and to join our campaign.
Jewish Singles Group for Boomers Invites New Friends
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Shalom Chai Boomer Jewish Singles is a new group to the Scarsdale area. Partnering with the JCC of Mid-Westchester, the group, for singles ages 50 +, will host events at the JCCMW.
The group was started by Leslie Zimmer, who has run Jewish singles groups for many years in Chicago and Los Angeles before her move to New York. Zimmer enjoys bringing people together in a relaxed and comfortable environment and makes sure people really have a chance to interact and get to know one another.
She says, “Until you find your Basherte, if that’s what you are looking for, please come and enjoy meeting new people for friendship. This is a great way for women to find Gal Pals and men to find Guy Pals. We could all use more friends to feel connected.”
Plans are being made for the coming year to for events including Sunday Bagel Brunches focusing on interesting topics; dances; Meet, Mingle, and Shmooze Mixers; Shalom Chai Café with entertainment; Jewish holiday-themed events and more.
To join the Meetup group, please click here. If you have any questions, or would like to introduce yourself, please call Zimmer at 310-625-1833.
Students Meet with Paulin and Stewart-Cousins
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LWVS’ Students Inside Albany Winners, Sarah Vibbert and Alicia Xin, with Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assemblywoman Amy Paulin on Saturday, June 25, at CHAT American Grill in Scarsdale.Students Inside Albany is a four-day conference designed to increase students’ awareness of their responsibility in a representative government and provide the tools necessary for meeting that responsibility. Unfortunately, the conference was canceled this year due to Covid, but the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale was able to arrange a sitdown lunch with our student winners and elected officials. At CHAT American Grill in the Village, our student winners got to ask questions about why Stewart-Cousins and Paulin ran for office and what they think about the pressing issues facing our state and country. Both officials gave insight on the demands of their jobs and how they view the important role and voice of young people.
Teen Author Shares Stories and Culture with the Scarsdale Public Library
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Library Director, Beth Bermel and Dara Gruenberg, President of the Friends of the Scarsdale Library with Tony (Shunming) Zhang and copies of his book. The Scarsdale Public Library now has a new addition to its growing collection highlighting Chinese culture. Tony (Shunming) Zhang, a sophomore at the Shanghai American School, donated copies of his book, 10 Ancient Chinese Fables, to the Library’s collection.
When asked to share why he decided to donate his book to the library, Tony recalled the years he spent in school here in Scarsdale. “This neighborhood nurtured me and helped me develop a strong fascination in storytelling. In particular, I loved Aesop’s fables and Greek mythology--the Iliad, the Odyssey, and the stories of the various heroes and demigods. With that said, I also realized that there were a lot of stories that my parents and grandparents told me that were different than this usual set, which is what prompted me to pursue this passion project and share the stories of my childhood with the local community.”
The fables in his book span two thousand years of cultural history and provide moral lessons for the reader. Such stories include “Frog at the Bottom of the Well,” “The Bird and the Mussel,” and the “Farmer and the Hare.” Tony’s goal is to make these tales available to strengthen cultural ties and understanding, encouraging others to appreciate Chinese culture as much as he has appreciated ours.
Dara Gruenberg, President of the Friends of the Scarsdale Library, recognized and commended his work, stating, “The Friends of the Library extends its gratitude to Tony for his generosity and commitment to our library. We are so inspired by his work to help diversify our collection and share the stories that helped shape his childhood with the broader community. We are all better off when we learn from one another and share our rich cultural identities.”
One day Tony hopes to share collections of stories like the one he has written with his own children and grandchildren. Stories that consider morality and values, and that also represent cultures around the world. “Cultural differences should not separate us from each other. Rather, we should embrace and appreciate the things that set us apart.”
Tony attended Greenacres Elementary School from 2017-2018 where he had Ms. McCarren as a teacher. He attended Scarsdale Middle School in 2020. Reflecting on this, Tony added, “The time I spent in Scarsdale schools was not long, but it certainly was the most memorable time in my life.”
A Salon and Saloon Blossoms in Scarsdale
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While many businesses closed their doors during the pandemic, one innovative and brave young woman opened hers. Undaunted by the shutdown, Danielle Settembre used the quiet months of the pandemic to plan and build not just a hair salon, but a saloon as well.
The daughter of restauranteurs, and a trained stylist, Settembre set out to combine her skills in hair and skin care with her hospitality know-how gained while growing up with a family owned business.
Before the pandemic, she searched for a venue for her own operation, while working at the Elizabether Arden Red Door spa at the Westchester. She initially rented space in Mamaroneck but when that fell through she spotted an available storefront on Scarsdale Avenue that was formerly the site of an insurance agency. She fell in love with the ivy covered exterior and patio and signed a lease for the space in March 2020, just weeks before the fateful shutdown. In her words, “A week later the Red Door filed bankruptcy, and then Covid hit. So basically I was unemployed during a major pandemic. All construction was stopped.” She kept afloat by doing in home appointments for her clients while she worked on the build out of the salon.
Construction didn’t resume until July 2020 and her Hair Saloon & Cafe™ was able to open in September 2020, with a socially distanced layout to meet health department standards.
To ensure that her clients were comfortable getting their hair washed she spent extra time planning the hair washing station. She said, “I really wanted to make sure the clients are comfortable. And I really didn’t want sinks that hurt their necks either. I didn’t mind spending a little extra on the massage chairs that massage your full back while you get your hair washed. I drove a sixteen foot truck to pick up the chairs an hour away.”
Settembre has a bachelor’s degree in business and trained at L’Oréal academy in Paris. She’s worked alongside French celebrity stylist Odile Gilbert and is an ambassador for the global hair care product line, Kerastase. She’s worked with some of the biggest names in fashion backstage during New York City and Paris fashion week where she mastered precision cutting and color techniques on runway models.
She recruited some of her former colleagues at the Red Door and the salon offers haircuts, blow dries, hair dye along with facials, full body wax, eyebrow tint, micro blading, microdermabrasion and they have the newest equipment for a hydrafacial treatment. They use some of same products as the Red Door including Wella, Redken and an organic color line as well. They do balayage, highlights, mens’ cuts, kids’ cuts, keratin treatments and offer bright, fun hair dye colors too.
About her team, she explained, “We are all women here, which I love, although we do have lots of male clients as well. The women working here are all different ages and nationalities. It’s a diverse group that caters to everyone and knows about different hair types. We are all vax’d and boostered here and the salon is a Covid safe and spacious place.”
Turning to the drinks and food, Settembre explained, “It took me a year to get a liquor license and I had the Westchester Health Department in here to get permits. Then I created an elaborate drinks menu, a cocktail list with lots of skinny drinks that are low calorie but strong.
Honey I’m Not Coming Home is the most popular—it’s a mix of fresh honey, tequila and fresh lime. Since I am also serving food, I had to figure out what my locals would like to eat. I found out that people are super health conscious and foodies at the same time. I decided to use Buon Amici down the road for my sandwiches which is also great for giving back and supporting each other within this community. A lot of people like the Hungry Hungry panini. We also have a vegan wrap. We try to cater to food allergies and restrictions.”
Settembre is grateful for her reception in Scarsdale. She said, “I feel lucky that this community has been super supportive of women-owned and small businesses. Having this business in Scarsdale is a beautiful thing. We have close relationships with our clients and they support us by telling their friends and writing positive reviews on social media.”
The Hair Saloon and Café is located at 862 Scarsdale Avenue in Scarsdale. They are open Tuesday-Sunday. Reach them at 914-881-1233 and check them out at https://hairsaloonandcafe.com/
