I met Hillary Rodham Clinton today at a Women for Rendell event in Narberth Borough Hall. She is fabulous!

Due to the rain, the event could not be held in the park as planned. So it was moved into the hall's upstairs main room. The air-conditioning was not up to speed for the steamy day and 150 warm bodies packed tightly into the undersized room. We waited for over an hour for the Governor and Ms. Clinton to appear. People started wiping their brows and fanning themselves with the cardboard placards we received at the door.

In the meantime, State Senator Connie Williams, Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, State Representatives Daylin Leach and Mike Gerber, and candidates Anne Crowley, Brian Lentz, and yours truly chatted with the Mayor and President of Narberth Borough Council and the minority Montgomery County Commissioner, as well as former Congresswoman Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky and former president of NARAL, Kate Michaelman.

At last, Governor Rendell arrived and shook hands with each of us as he walked up to the podium. And then Hillary walked in and took the time to meet each one of us briefly on her way up. I had never heard her speak before, and I was most impressed with her passion and energy. She then introduced the Gov, who spoke about the need for affordable access to health care and raising the minimum wage. He also spoke about renewable energy sources and a healthier environment. With sweat pouring down his face from the heat, he then turned to Rep. Mike Gerber and asked with a grin why he couldn't help get a better air-conditioning system for a building in his district.

We carpooled with our good friend Deb Hodies, our campaign manager Lani Frank and her daughter Allison, who snapped my picture with HRC. We also bumped into our campaign co-chair Kathi Cozzone who is running for Chester County Commissioner and friends Diane Welsh, Anne Crowley and Cathi Whitlock.

Posted by Barbara McIlvaine Smith at 10:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Over 200 people arrived at the Turks Head Inn on Sunday evening to welcome the Governor to West Chester on behalf of the Barb McIlvaine Smith campaign. Governor Rendell was amazed that so many would show up so early in an election year. He told the crowd that he expected 50 people, tops! It shows the kind of grassroots support we have in the community.

People from many circles of my life were there---friends from Henderson High School, members of different boards and committees on which I've served, business associates, and even supporters from other parts of Chester County. One friend asked if she were the only Republican there. Several people behind her shouted, "No!"


Complete Slide Show: Mrs. Smith Goes to Harrisburg Fundraiser 6/11/06



Barb McIlvaine Smith with Turks Head Inn owner Jack McFadden and Governor Ed Rendell

Posted by Barbara McIlvaine Smith at 5:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

SMITH ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN TEAM
Group Announced at Grand Opening of Campaign Headquarters

June 6, 2006, West Chester, PA – Democratic Candidate for State Representative Barbara McIlvaine Smith met with supporters and announced her campaign team at the grand opening reception held on Friday June 2nd at her campaign headquarters in downtown West Chester.

Campaign Manager: Lani Frank
Campaign Co-Chairs: Patrick O'Donnell and Kathi Cozzone
Treasurer: Kipp Stone
Volunteer Coordinator: Kathleen Bond
Field Coordinator: Chuck Liedike
Database Manager: Damon Kletzien
Webmaster: Lane Randall
Communications Strategy: Jim Salvas
West Chester University Interns: Michael Sheridan and Tiffany Coleman
Republicans For Smith Co-Chairs: Nancy Wilkinson and Dan Dixon
Democratic District Leader 156th: Bill Scott

Over 50 area residents braved the elements to attend the event. Smith’s campaign headquarters is located at 129 West Market Street, West Chester Borough (2 doors down from Murray's Deli) and can be reached at 610-696-4990. The office will be open most weekdays from 10 AM until 5:00 PM, and Saturdays from 10 AM until 2 PM when the election heats up.

Barb introduces Lois Herr, candidate for U.S. Congress, 16th District

“The message that I will carry to the voters of our community is that we do not have to settle for politics as usual,” commented Smith during the event. “We should expect a high quality of life, a healthy place to live and a world class education. We should also expect effective and responsive government that does not burden seniors and families who live in our community.”

“I am running because I find ‘politics as usual’ unacceptable,” she continued. “I want to change that culture and I pledge to use my experience in local government and as a community leader to make the reforms necessary.”

As a wife, mother, grandmother, small business owner, life-long resident and former elected official, Smith has the experience, the courage, and the vision to be a strong leader in Harrisburg.

Smith156 Committee
129 W. Market St., PO Box 683
West Chester, PA 19381-0683
610-696-4990 (campaign office)

Posted by Barbara McIlvaine Smith at 9:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)