LETTER: Support for Manny Nneji

Published in Hudson Valley One on November 1, 2023

I am patriotic. I love our flag, American and presidential history. I have voted in every election since I was 18. I consider voting to be a privilege and a duty.

In 2008 and 2012 I was honored to vote for Barack Obama as our first black president.

In 2011, I wrote a letter to Michelle Obama. I said how much I admired her and her programs for children, especially her reading initiative. I told her how much I loved teaching reading to my students and the methods I used. Her office wrote back to me! I applied and was accepted!

I spent a week making decorations and decorating the White House along with volunteers from across the country. I was assigned to work with a group of Gold Star Mothers. I sheepishly said to them: I don’t know why I am in this group as I am not a Gold Star Mother. They said they needed me for comic relief. They are amazing, strong women and I have kept in touch with them.

Michelle Obama spoke to us on our last night and thanked us for making the “The People’s House” so beautiful for Christmas. She looked out at all of us, a group represented by different ages, different races and religions, political leanings and geographic locales and she smiled at us.

I have been thinking back on this experience as we approach the election for district attorney. I look out at the group of young and diverse people that are now working at the district attorney’s office and the difference they are making for our community. I thank them.

Manny Nneji is a man of integrity, honor, knowledge and experience. I will be honored to vote for Manny Nneji, the first black district attorney to serve Ulster County.

Karen Clegg

Kingston