Tag Archives: President Barack Obama

Former Obama staffer runs for Council

Ronnie Cho with former President Barack Obama at the White House (Photo by Pete Souza)

By Maria Rocha-Buschel

East Village resident Ronnie Cho knew that he wanted to be in public service when he saw how hard his parents worked as struggling small business owners while he was growing up.

“That experience made me want to help my community,” he said. “I didn’t know about politics then but I had the seed of public service planted early. I wanted to be a part of the process that elected good people.”

Cho is running to replace term-limited City Councilmember Rosie Mendez in District 2, which covers the East Village as well as Union Square, Alphabet City, Kips Bay, Murray Hill and parts of the Lower East Side, and is a former staffer from the Obama administration in addition to previous roles with MTV in social engagement and public affairs.

Cho’s parents immigrated to the United States from South Korea and ultimately settled in Phoenix, where Cho and his siblings grew up and where they opened a restaurant in which he spent his childhood years. Cho ultimately studied political science in college with the goal of connecting with people in the community.

“People need a relationship with government,” he said. “I believe government should be a force of good. It should have a role in creating opportunities and protecting people. You need to stand on street corners and be ready to be yelled at, disagreed with. It’s part of the process.”

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Letters to the Editor, Dec. 15

Cartoon by Jim Meadows

Cartoon by Jim Meadows

Shout out to a great mail carrier

During this busy holiday season, I would like to send a shout out to our great mail delivery person. Her name is Liz and she delivers mail to five buildings in ST. Living here for 26 years, I have never met or had the pleasure of meeting a terrific gal like Liz. She is always pleasant, friendly and extremely attractive and adds a flair to her uniform with a decorative hat, pin or something that will not make her look like every other USPS mail carrier. She has only been with our building about two years but I truly want to go on record about her great work ethic and personality that always makes my day when I run into her distributing the mail.

Now during the holiday season, packages are abundant and her good attitude doesn’t change, even though some days her route and pick up which is on 23rd Street, do not bring her down, and make her day much longer. Also, at holiday time, she posts a great card near the mail boxes, which is cheerful and fun, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Mother’s Day, et al.

I hope tenants who live in the buildings that this sparkling gal Liz covers are aware of her many qualities and appreciate how lucky we are to have her in our domain. Keep up the great job, Liz, and thank you from all of us who have gotten to know you and appreciate your efforts on our behalf.

Ruth Metz, ST

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Letters to the Editor, Oct. 27

Cartoon by Jim Meadows

Cartoon by Jim Meadows

The legacy of President Barack Obama

Firstly, it takes generations for historians to make decisions which demonstrate valid meanings and consensus – and who are doing the evaluations.

And, they can change with time. E.g., President Eisenhower was viewed unfavorably by most of the pundits but now during the past 60 years or so, his greatness is far more appreciated. In his final speech as president, he showed great prescience when he warned the nation of the growing danger of the “military industrial complex.”

Another example is Truman, who left office in 1953 with quite low appreciation and with years, he is recognized as having been in the upper tier.

Methinks as I have observed Obama during the past almost eight years… he may well be the greatest chief executive that I have encountered in my life. Brilliant, articulate and a real mensch, he has demonstrated the patience of a saint. On the very night of the day he was inaugurated, the top Congressional GOPers met and vowed complete obstruction so as to make him a one term president. Some patriotism!

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