Kambri Crews for Cochecton Town Council

My name is Kambri Crews, and I’m a business owner with experience in banking, law, event production, and publicity, and I would be honored for the opportunity to represent the residents of Cochecton. 

I had a pretty wild childhood living “off the grid” in the deep woods of Texas. My deaf parents and I once lived in a one-room tin shed with no electricity, plumbing or running water. I know first-hand the toll addiction, mental illness, poverty and isolation can take on a family. Despite never attending college, through hard work & dedication I have been able to make a whole lot of lemonade out of some pretty sour lemons.

Having my business shut down for COVID motivated me to run for office. I realized that to save my livelihood and community, I needed to funnel my frustrations into tangible action and be part of the solution. 

I believe my drive, dedication and breadth of my life experiences make me an ideal candidate for Town Council of Cochecton.

MISSION & VISION

Supporting the Volunteer Ambulance Corp.;

Transparency and inclusion on all town business;

Expanding public green spaces;

Attracting and supporting small businesses, particularly arts organizations; and

Preserving our history, landscape and natural resources.

An ancestry buff, I traced the history of my house and the Swiss-German immigrant who built it. His relatives still call Cochecton home. I also researched my family line which goes back to the original Dutch settlers of New York. My 9th great grandfather was a schepen in Kingston so you could say I’m following in his footsteps! My love of history is why preservation is of utmost importance to me.

VOLUNTEERING, ADVOCACY & RECOGNITIONS

* To help the Sullivan County community, under my own initiative, I created an interactive, user-friendly Google map of vaccination sites and volunteered at vaccination clinics. My efforts were profiled in the Sullivan County Democrat.

* Time Out New York  named me one of NY’s Women of the Year for 2020 for work and advocacy during COVID.

* Received a 2020 Commendation Award by the State Senate for volunteer work and advocacy for small businesses during COVID.

* Volunteer mentor with Hour Children mentoring children whose parents are incarcerated.

* Volunteer with Fortune Society providing essential support to the formerly incarcerated, including housing assistance, job training, education and transitioning to civilian life.

* After the passing of the bill I helped write and lobby for, Deputy Majority leader Senator Michael Gianaris called me a “trusted leader in our small business community and a relentless advocate who approaches advocacy with a resilient spirit and a smile for all.”

PUBLIC SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

*  As Membership Director of the NY chapter of the National Independent Venue Association (NYIVA / NIVA), I gained valuable experience working hand-in-hand with Sen. Chuck Schumer’s office on the bipartisan “Save Our Stages” bill and Shuttered Venue Operators Grant which was passed in December 2019. 

* At the request of the Governor’s office, I wrote a detailed proposal for reopening that was approved by NY State counsel, the NY Dept of Health and the State Liquor Authority.

* In 2021, I helped craft and successfully lobbied for a bill that was passed by the NY State Senate. The bill protected small business owners in NY State from personal liability due to COVID-related commercial debts.

* Serve on the Small Business Advisory Council chaired by Deputy Majority Leader Senator Michael Gianaris.