Community Corner
Faces and Places: Community Opportunity Center
Faces and Places is our weekly column featuring the people of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow.
Though the national healthcare bill that passed the House of Representatives and was signed into law by President Obama promises to insure the 32 million uninsured in the country (among other major reforms), it's still hugely controversial. Not so at Tarrytown's Community Opportunity Center, where staff members and those who utilize the facilities are grateful for change at last.
How do you feel about the healthcare reform bill?
Damyn Kelly, 47, of Cortlandt Manor; center administrator
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- "It's obvious that this nation needs to provide a better mechanism for health services to marginalized citizens and communities. I hope [the bill] really provides reform and not just a boondoggle for insurance companies. Now that healthcare is in place, I really hope this administration focuses on jobs. Getting people back to work is what they really need now."
Donald Young, 68, of Yonkers; maintenance worker
- "I'm pleased. I've been reading about it, watching it on TV. I'm a senior with healthcare, but I heard I might get a little stimulus from the government so that's a good thing. We all could use a little bit at this time. The plan is good for a lot of people who don't have insurance."
Gordon Albert, 59, of Greenburgh; housing advocate
- "It's long overdue, probably by about 50 years. People uninsured and under-insured need it. In spite of the economy, we need to change our priorities; this philosophy of 'you need to pull yourself up by the bootstraps.' A lot of people can't pull themselves up by their bootstraps. A lot of people don't have straps in their boots, or don't have boots."
Denise Edwards, 54, of N. Washington Street, Sleepy Hollow; administrative assistant [not pictured]
- "It's a first in history. People are giving Obama a hard time. When Roosevelt after the war did the New Deal some people liked it, some people didn't. You gotta wait and see."
John Smith, 72, of Valley Street, Sleepy Hollow; retired
- "It's a good thing. Should've been like that years ago. All the other countries got it."
