MAYOR'S UPDATE
From the desk of Mayor Rika Levin
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Photo from NY Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's Flickr site- according to Governor Cuomo, this boat is blocking train tracks near the Ossining Station on the Hudson line. |
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This week we recall the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Sandy. As many of us know, these mega "once a century” hurricanes are expected to occur much more frequently, and river towns like ours are doing what they can to prepare for the future. We now know climate change has a material effect on all of us. When New York was severely affected by Hurricane Sandy on October 29–30, 2012, particularly in New York City, its suburbs, at least 53 people died. Thousands of homes and an estimated 250,000 vehicles were destroyed during the storm, and the economic losses in New York City were estimated to be roughly $19 billion[3], with an estimated $32.8 billion required for restoration across the state.[4] Sandy's impact was devastating in the city and the suburbs like Ossining, and many of us recall businesses and homes being flooded, cars and a boat that landed on the train tracks in Ossining. The list of damages is long, but people did come together to help one another. We also saw institutional weaknesses like response time from the insurance industry, utility companies, and government. We, in Ossining, understand the seriousness of climate change and rising water. As we recovered from Hurricane Sandy and others more recently, we now advocate for changes in legislation, enhancing and renewing our water treatment plant, and a more rigorous approach to development that is viewed through the lens of environmental caretaking…in the present for our future.
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This past weekend I visited the Westchester Craft Crawl. It was a great way to spend a beautiful fall weekend … arts and crafts, pottery, jewelry, vodka tastings, and much more. Thank you for bringing this fantastic event to Ossining! |
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Halloween is coming up on Monday! You're invited to a special Halloween Trunk or Treat on Main Street this Monday! We will have candy, hot dogs, games, DJ ... and of course CANDY! |
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As we well know, it takes a village to raise a child. Thankfully, leading representatives from numerous Village organizations, including the School District, the Ossining Public Library, Neighbors Link, Open Door, and many others, assembled first thing Monday morning for a special Communities That Care Workshop: “Ensuring that our Ossining Youth Thrive.” The workshop was led by Katie Dively (MS, MCHES) of the nationally renowned Montana State University Center for Health and Safety Culture. Ms. Dively helped the CTC Coalition to develop a shared understanding of the issues impacting outcomes for youth in Ossining, which will help set the course to align efforts in our shared goals of “Ensuring that our Ossining Youth Thrive.”
Also in attendance from the Village of Ossining was Trustee Dana White, Village Manager Karen D’Attore, Recreation Superintendent Bill Garrison, Chief Kevin Sylvester, Lieutenant Brendan Donohue, and Lieutenant Aaron Zimmerman. Additionally, as luck would have it, Chima Monday, Ossining’s new Youth Bureau Director, started his first day on the job surrounded by community partners dedicated to supporting Ossining’s youth. Chima met and spoke to so many of Ossining’s key youth stakeholders during this four-hour workshop. Before joining the Ossining Village team, Chima held positions with the Westchester/Putnam Workforce Development Board and the City of White Plains Youth Bureau. We are delighted to have Chima bring his rich experience to the Ossining Youth Bureau, which will continue to work in partnership with our diverse array of youth program providers to ensure that support and opportunity are available to all Ossining youth. Please join us in welcoming Chima to Ossining by stopping by his office at the Joseph G. Caputo Community Center to say hello.
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Be a Part of the Change.
The Ossining waterfront is a place we enjoy throughout the year, yet it is at risk of flooding from storms, high tides, and sea level rise. Come see the community-inspired designs which work to improve the resiliency of this area.
Join us on Thursday, November 3rd, at 6 p.m. for the Ossining Shoreline Revitalization Community Meeting to share feedback on the draft shoreline improvements. We look forward to your input on how we can improve the waterfront to reflect your values and priorities.
Ossining Shoreline Revitalization Community Meeting
Thursday, November 3rd, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Ossining Community Center, Multipurpose Room
95 Broadway, Ossining, NY 10562
Translations and materials will be available in Spanish.
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With the rising costs of higher education, families should seriously consider the many benefits of Westchester Community College (WCC) as a more affordable solution for a higher education degree. I was excited to be with Ossining High School teachers and students last week as Westchester Community College unveiled a new program to fast-track our Ossining High School graduates. This idea came to fruition through the collaboration of superintendents of Ossining, Port Chester, Peekskill, and the folks at WCC. Starting with the class of 2023. Big idea! Great idea! |
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This week’s Work Session will be held on Wednesday 10/26 at 16 Croton Avenue at 7:30PM.
The following topics will be covered during the Work Session:
- Village Manager Karen D’Attore & Treasurer Dale Brennan will present an overview of projects and finances through Q3 of 2022.
- Corporation Counsel Stuart Kahan & Assistant Village Manager Maddi Zachacz will re-introduce the In Lieu Fund (ILF) for downtown parking.
- The BOT’s discussion will determine next steps. If the Board wishes to proceed with some version of this, a proposed local law (and the subsequent public hearing process) will be necessary.
- Corporation Counsel Stuart Kahan has prepared a local law that updates revisions to the CPCRB local law discussed earlier in 2022 (Proposed Local Law #1 of 2022).
- As we have discussed in the past few weeks, NYCOM is recommending that to the extent we wish to limit unfettered public access to certain areas of our municipal facilities and/or disallow audio and video recording in those areas, our current signage will be bolstered by having a Board-adopted policy in place.
- Corporation Counsel Stuart Kahan has also prepared a local law (Proposed Local Law #11 of 2022) reflecting the proposed updates to the Village's code with regard to tax exemptions—besides the one change for Seniors that we discussed two weeks back, Stuart has also included exemptions that pertain to past military service from specific conflicts.
- Finally, Corporation Counsel Stuart Kahan will discuss a tax certiorari before the BOT filed by the Red Lion Apartments on Spring Street.
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Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and even some Buddhists worldwide are celebrating Diwali beginning October 22 for five days. This "festival of lights" celebrates the symbolic victories of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance, using light as a metaphor for knowledge and consciousness—Happy Diwali celebration to all in our community who celebrate this festival. |
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Village of Ossining | www.villageofossining.org
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