Residents of a small Westchester community were outraged after President Biden’s high-dollar fundraiser caused traffic congestion, closed businesses, and prevented some residents from accessing their homes. Matt Figliola, a resident who was turned away by police on his way home from work, expressed frustration at the inconvenience caused by the fundraiser being held at the Irvington mansion of Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Figliola was shocked by the two-mile radius of security that prevented him from reaching his home, as well as the lack of prior notice about Biden’s visit.
The closures of Route 9 and other roads in the area ahead of Biden’s visit left residents stranded in traffic for hours, with some expressing anger and disbelief at the disruption caused by the security measures. Figliola, who was diverted to a diner for two hours before returning home, criticized the lack of consideration for the town’s residents. The traffic nightmare also affected other residents, such as Boaz Miodovsky, who was stuck on the highway with her children for an hour, highlighting the impact on families and individuals trying to go about their daily routines.
In addition to the road closures, government offices in Irvington closed early, and five school districts sent children home early and canceled after-school programs due to the anticipated traffic congestion. This led to widespread frustration among residents, with some pointing out that the inconvenience caused by the fundraiser was unfair to the community. Steve Caporal, an Irvington resident, criticized the decision to shut down businesses and disrupt daily life for the sake of a high-dollar fundraising event, urging the president to consider the impact on the entire population before visiting again.
The closure of government offices, early school dismissals, and cancellation of after-school programs disrupted the lives of many residents, causing frustration and inconvenience. Some residents, such as nanny Will Martinez, expressed disappointment at being unable to access community resources like libraries and parks due to the fundraiser. Despite the high ticket prices for the event, including $100,000 for hosts, the amount raised by the Biden campaign from the fundraiser is unknown. The lack of response to inquiries from the Biden campaign further fueled frustration and anger among the affected residents.
Overall, the residents of the Westchester community impacted by President Biden’s high-dollar fundraiser experienced widespread disruption, inconvenience, and frustration. From road closures and traffic congestion to the closure of government offices and schools, the fundraiser had a significant impact on the town and its residents. Many residents expressed anger at the lack of consideration for the community as a whole and the disruption caused by the event, calling for more thoughtful planning in the future to prevent such widespread inconvenience. The aftermath of the fundraiser left many residents feeling that their lives had been significantly disrupted for the sake of a fundraising event, highlighting the importance of balancing the needs of the wider community with high-profile political events.
