Tri-City legislative reception a chance to talk issues in a casual - and tasty - setting

Attendees to the Tri-City Chambers of Commerce Legislative Reception mingle at Frisbie Memorial Hospital's Conference Center on Tuesday evening. (Rochester Voice photos)

ROCHESTER - About 75 business people, civic leaders and state and local legislators gathered at Frisbie Memorial Hospital's Conference Center on Tuesday night to sip on wine or beer, enjoy a panoply of exquisite hors d'oeuvres provided by the Frisbie kitchens and interact among each other in a relaxed atmosphere.

It was the annual Tri-City Chambers of Commerce legislative reception, designed to allow for an informal setting in which the three groups could interact on the important issues of the day as well as to socialize and establish new connections.

Among the guests was Rochester Mayor Caroline McCarley, who said the forum allows for a whole range of conversations between diverse segments of the three cities.

Rochester Mayor Caroline McCarley chats with an eventgoer during Tuesday night's Tri-City Chamber of Commerce Legislative Reception.

"It's great, there's no agenda and it's very casual," McCarley said. "There is some chitchat, but there are also some less-public conversations as well. And I've always found that getting to know people make politics go much better."

Rochester City Councilor James Gray (Ward 6, Seat B) said he was learning a lot from constituents.

"It's important for any legislator to be available to the public; in whatever forum, that's a good thing," Gray said. "I talked to three people tonight who didn't like how I voted on a bill, but that's good to know, too."

And while the conversations were lively and the atmosphere relaxed, it was all business around the hors d'oeuvres table, where Frisbie Executive Chef David Guinane had put out a delectable array of goodies that Democrats, Republicans and anyone in between could all get squarely behind and support.

Besides the usual shrimp and cheese platters there was a lovely salmon mousse on crostini, pear chutney on sweet potato chips and bleu cheese, a baked brie and chicken sate' with peanut sauce.

New Hampshire State Rep. Jody McNally, newly elected to District 10 Ward 3, said in her first term she's been taking it all in and loves working at the State House.

"It's been an education," said McNally, a Republican, who serves on the criminal justice and public safety committee.

Given her position, we asked if she supported President Trump's just announced initiative to give high profile and high frequency drug pushers the death penalty. "I'm on the fence, but I think I'd be for it," she said.

The Tri-City Legislative Reception was Underwritten by Eversource and hosted by Frisbie Memorial Hospital.