The Guardian‘s David Smith has posted a 4.9 piece about how residents of Chappaqua, the leafy, well-tended hamlet 45 minutes north of New York City, feel about Bill and Hillary Clinton, who moved there after leaving the White House in January 2000.
Excerpt: “Stan Amberg, 81, a retired lawyer, recalled sitting with his coffee and newspaper at Lange’s Little Store, a deli where the Clintons often take breakfast away in brown paper bags, and where the former President introduced himself one day.
“He came over and said, ‘My name’s Bill, mind if have coffee with you?’ He’s very approachable and he loves kids. He gets down on his knees and talks eye to eye with them. She can’t do that. She has this issue with engaging. I don’t know if it’s an inherent problem with her personality.'”
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Smith re-posts a recent Hillary quote: “I am not a natural politician, in case you haven’t noticed, like my husband or President Obama.”
I don’t know (or care to know) the address of the Clinton abode but you know what’s odd? Consult Google Maps and you’ll see a highlighted designation that says U.S. Secret Services along with an address (480 Bedford Road, Chappaqua, NY 10514). You’d think the Secret Service guys who shadow the Clintons would want to keep things on the down low, no?
I went to high school in Wilton, about 35 minutes to the northeast of Chappaqua. I know the Saw Mill River Parkway like the back of my hand, and am well acquainted with the affluent cappucino vibe in those parts. Places like Chappaqua have their settled charms but culturally they don’t exactly snap, crackle and pop. By the time Sunday rolls around you’re ready to get back to the city.
Other present or former Chappaqua residents (according to the Wiki page): Alan Arkin, Andrew Cuomo, David A. Harris, Ian Hunter of Mott The Hoople, Mary Beth Hurt, Jonathan Klein (president of CNN), Paul Schrader, Ben Stiller, Vanessa Williams.
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