Bill Clinton Visits Chappaqua FD Pancake Breakfast

On a morning where Chappaqua firefighters were cooking pancakes, sausage and bacon to raise money for the fire department's upcoming 100th anniversary parade, one of Chappaqua's – and the country's – most prominent citizens came out to support the event.

Former President Bill Clinton walked up to the second floor of the firehouse at Bedford Road (Route 117) and King Street (Route 120), where the food was being served, by himself and without any overt Secret Service presence beside him. He was not dressed in a suit or any trappings of a head of state, but just a collared shirt and cargo pants.

The 42nd commander-in-chief came by like any other resident, and showed his support for the department by buying a T-shirt, one of many that were up for sale that commemorate its centennial.

Steadily, several people came up to him and got their pictures taken.

Clinton spoke of his gratitude for and history with the fire department.

"They do a lot of good for our community, and they've been very good to me, and on more than one occasion they've allowed me to use their space here to do video events around the world," he said, giving an anecdote of when he did a teleconference from there to India. 

"They've been great to our family and to our community, and I just came here to support them. I think it's great."

On the day that he left office in 2001, Clinton and his family even paid a visit to the firehouse on the way to their house, according to a Westchester Magazine article on his life in Chappaqua. The former president was even given a symbolic key to the place.

"It was a very nice surprise," said Carolann Lopez of his visit. Lopez is on the department's auxiliary, which she said is now called the association. 

The Clintons have lived in Chappaqua since 1999, and Bill Clinton has been known to stop at several places locally, including Lange's Little Store & Delicatessen.

Clinton was one of many people who came to the pancake breakfast to show support for the firefighters.

John Hart, of Chappaqua, brought his wife Lisa, as well as his daughters, Nicole and Danielle, along with a friend. He said that it was a nice day to come out and they like supporting the firefighters.

"It's great," said Matthew Bingham of Mount Kisco. Bingham brought his wife, Meg and kids, Connor, Ryan and Erin. He said that they like to support the fire department and also give money to the Mount Kisco Fire Department.

"It's a nice chance to get to visit at the firehouse and say hello to the firefighters," said Chappaqua resident Christine Surette, who added that her sons, Theo and Elliot, were excited to see the trucks.

"This gives the opportunity to the residents to come see their fire department, which they support, and in hopes of having a wonderful 100th anniversary, which is coming up," said New Castle Councilman and volunteer firefighter John Buckley. Buckley has been with the fire department for 12 years and he has served on the Town Board since 2003.

Other local elected officials came to the breakfast, including New Castle Town Supervisor Barbara Gerrard, Assemblyman Robert Castelli and County Legislator Michael Kaplowitz.

Chappaqua Fire Chief Russell Maitland said that the fire department has been doing pancake breakfasts to raise money for its 100th anniversary for four years.

The parade will be held on May 14 and will start at 7 p.m. at Douglas G. Grafflin Elementary School on King Street and end near Robert E. Bell Middle School on South Greeley Avenue, according to Maitland. For kids that night, the parking lot at Bell will have jumpy castles and blow-up slides.

Fire departments from all over Westchester County have been invited, as well as firefighters from out of the county and out of state. Maitland said that he expects 1,200-1,500 people to be in the parade.

Children from Chappaqua's three elementary schools – Grafflin, Roaring Brook and Westorchard – will also be able to enter into a contest to draw their best rendition of a fire truck. Maitland said that there will be two winners from each grade and they will be able to ride at the parade in fire trucks with their parents. The contest is being judged by art teachers and staff from the Chappaqua Library, and the winners will be announced on May 8.