Town of North Castle
Supervisor
Michael J. Schiliro
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Dear Neighbors and Friends,
It goes without saying that 2020 continues to present challenge upon challenge, thus our resiliency continues to be tested, but we have no choice but to prevail. Thanks to all of you for your fortitude. I will continue to reinforce COVID precautions, as they work, plain and simple. There is no downside, and the upside is that it is helping our local business owners, keeping people healthier, helping keep our front line workers safer, etc. Listen, I haven’t been able to hug and kiss my mom for 6 months, but I know it’s the safe path. Please continue to Model Good Behavior and Be Decent and Civil to each other.
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TRIBUTE – Christina “Christy” Saltstein
A light went out in Town on July 17th when Christy passed. We remembered her and dedicated our July 22nd Town Board meeting to her, but there hasn’t been an appropriate opportunity to honor her in this manner until now, where few other distractions exist so that she receives the attention she so deserves. I’ll be very honest and open, Christy’s passing is one of the toughest losses that I and this community have had to deal with, and that’s simply a testament to who she was. It’s just been hard to get your head around it. She simply strove to make the world a better place for everyone. Great mom, great wife, great sister, great daughter, great friend, etc., the list goes on and on. But she wasn’t wired to stop there.
For those who don’t know, Super-storm Sandy created a major challenge. Her husband Doug and her dear friend Michele Berliner’s husband Andrew were gravely injured during the storm, but the bravery of our Town’s first responders saved their lives. For Christy and Michele, thank you was not enough, so they created the charity Stayin’ Alive, raising money to award grants for first responders to purchase lifesaving equipment that otherwise could not be funded. I will always be in awe of both women; Michele is equally exceptional. (If you don’t know the story of Stayin’ Alive, you should. Click here for a short video that will move you to tears. It will also highlight the exceptional character of both Christy and Michele.) And see below for info on Sunday’s 5K fundraiser.
Christy was a role model, I always referred to her as one of my true heroes in town. Her blue eyes lit up a room; her presence was commanding. Quick story to illustrate who Christy was. A few months ago, I was helping a candidate campaign and along came Christy. I introduced them and as she towered over the candidate, her first question was simply and direct, with a smile: “What’s your position on the new Bedford Firehouse”. The candidate’s answer was acceptable to Christy thus the vote was earned, but remember, Christy didn’t live in Bedford, but she was fighting for something she believed in, and making the world a better place, one day at a time. On another occasion, we were discussing a recent area rescue, and she was quick and proud to comment that the lifesaving equipment used had been funded by Stayin’ Alive. Exceptional.
I wish I could just make an executive order and make it all right. It’s just not fair to her husband and kids, and for selfish reasons, all of us. In prior recognition of our residents, I’ve mentioned the legend status that comes with being known by only your first name. Well, Christy earned her spot alongside the Town’s all-time greats, the Becky’s and the Mitch’s of this Town’s rich history. She is so sorely missed but her legacy will live forever so let’s help keep her light on. We are all better for knowing Christy. Always keep her and her family in your prayers.
7th Annual Stayin' Alive 5K Fun Run
In Memory of Christy Saltstein
Due to COVID, they can’t hold the normal Run this year, but you can still donate and run virtually. Please sign up in honor of Christy. It’s such a terrific cause.
Aug 29th - Sept 7th, 2020 – Virtual.
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TROPICAL STORM LAURA:
See my email from yesterday, and the Police Department’s email and NIXLE alerts. We are hoping the storm skirts by us, but always prepare for the worst. I was on a call yesterday with Con Ed and they confirmed that they already have 358 additional non-Con Ed line personnel on the ground; that’s not only good news but progress in their preparation. They are listening.
CONCERT IN THE PARK:
The concert moved to Sunday from Saturday due to the storm, 6 PM – 8 PM in the Gazebo. One Stop Pony plays tributes to Petty, Cash, Joel, Buffet, the Doors, etc. The grass at Wampus Brook Park is expertly marked by our Parks Department for safe distancing. Bring your masks and lawn chairs and picnic baskets. And for those still concerned, you can park across the street and “tailgate” from Maple and watch and listen just fine.
ROAD WORK – STATE ROAD:
NYSDOT will begin 2 projects, the first on Rte 128 (N. Main Street) starting at School Street and will run north to Wrights Mill, the second on a small strip of Rte 120 near Whippoorwill Crossing. We need far more state road paving in Town but we’ll take what we can get.
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COVID:
AS ALWAYS – MASK UP!!! Keep distancing!!! Model Good Behavior. It’s all working!! A quick Town update: We continue to remain well below the county average of incident rates per population. We still have just 3 active cases in Town, and our total since COVID began is 221. We can report these numbers, but that is all that we can and will report, thus please understand and appreciate that due to confidentiality laws, emails to us asking for any further info regarding details will not be responded to. It’s easy to lose focus on COVID but stay diligent.
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Stay safe, be smart, run a 5K for Christy, and have a good and safe weekend.
Mike
Michael Schiliro - Supervisor Town of North Castle
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