There was no one in the front part of Colin Schmitt’s headquarters when I visited on Dec. 19. The assemblyman was with a staff member in a different part of his office.
I took a seat and was soon greeted by a large friendly dog, who kept me amused until his master appeared. “Everyone knows Quincy,” Mr. Schmitt said a few minutes later. “He’s more famous than I am.”
That’s a bit of an exaggeration. The dog is well known. We even got a press release for his first birthday. But the assemblyman is also a familiar figure. During his first year in office, he’s met a large number of constituents.
He’s honored several of them by asking each community in his district to select individuals to be recognized.The first category was “Senior Citizens.” Next came “Emergency Responders” and “Veterans.”
The assemblyman has also created a dozen advisory councils that are staffed with knowledgeable constituents — for example, his Education Council includes Nancy Bryan, the president of the Cornwall School Board.
“Just because you’re elected,” Mr. Schmitt admitted, “doesn’t make you an expert on everything.” So as issues have arisen, he’s activated these councils and relied on the help of the people he’s representing.
When he’s not in Albany, like most elected officials, he’s tried to attend as many local events as possible. And when the legislature is in session, he’s invited members of his district to join him. Last year he had a contingent from the Highland Falls Fort Montgomery School District (including Supt. Frank Sheboy). This year he’s asked Cornwall’s championship football team to come to the state’s capital and be recognized by the assembly.
“I really feel blessed,” he said, “to represent the community I love.” He’s a product of Orange County. He grew up in Montgomery and is now living in New Windsor. He was married last fall, just before the election, and had his wedding reception at the Thayer Hotel at West Point.
Behind his desk is a picture of Colin and Nikki Schmitt on the Thayer Balcony with the Hudson River behind them. He mentions that if you look carefully you can see three of the areas he represents — the Town of Highlands, Cornwall and New Windsor.
Since that photo was taken, the Assemblyman has been busy, a condition he enjoys. “There’s no such thing as being off duty,” he told us. “Nothing happens over night. But when you have a group that cares, it makes a difference.”
