June 20, 2023
MAYOR'S UPDATE
From the desk of Mayor Rika Levin
Today, June 20, is World Refugee Day. Did you know that World Refugee Day was established on June 20, 2001, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the status of refugees post-WWII? It highlights the strength and courage of refugees. These individuals have been displaced from their homelands due to conflict or natural disasters. The day serves to increase public awareness and bolster worldwide support for refugees. I am proud to say that Ossining has been home to various families of refugees from many countries and their descendants for decades. Disturbingly, according to UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency, there are now over 108.4 million displaced individuals worldwide, the highest number ever recorded. It's important to look beyond just the staggering numbers and realize that each of those individuals has a face, a story, and a set of hopes and dreams they hope to achieve. Only 2% get placed and find new, safe homes. Interestingly, the US is in a lower quartile of countries that take in refugees. This is an excellent time to support organizations in our community that work tirelessly to welcome refugees.
Every year, on the Saturday before Father’s Day, the Ossining Portuguese Center hosts the Ossining Dia De Portugal (Portugal Day) on Main Street to celebrate Portuguese culture and traditions. This year's event was filled with fabulous food, festivities like music and dancing, and Portuguese Folklore.
Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. It is also known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Juneteenth Independence Day, and Black Independence Day. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, TX, and announced the end of the civil war and the end of slavery.

There are many wonderful events in our area and around the county. In Ossining, throughout the month of June, we celebrated with the Ossining Juneteenth Council in so many ways – over many exciting days. Starting from the flag-raising event in Market Square, educational opportunities at the Ossining Public Library, a full-day family festival at the waterfront that included Trail Blazer awards, musical and dance performances, as well as amazing food, and last but not least, a special event, The Telling at Star of Bethlehem, which included a new approach to telling the story of slavery and emancipation using the Jewish ritual of the Seder in Passover.

Join us on Thursday, June 22, 2023, @ 6 PM for the fifth of the Village's Transformational Thursday Webinars: Spring on Main Pt. 1 - The Possibilities.

After releasing a Request for Qualifications in mid-2022, Wilder Balter Partners and St. Katherine Group was selected as the preferred developer for the Main and Spring Street parking lots adjacent to the Post Office. After considerable public feedback over the years, the directive was clear: first-floor retail and a building reminiscent of the architecture across Main Street. Come hear about the concept taking shape and give your feedback on what you would like to see in this mixed-use housing, community space, and commercial development.

Webinar info:
One tap mobile: +19292056099
Webinar ID: 860 5825 0035
Next week on Wednesday, January 28th, there will be an Ossining Community Blood Drive from 1-7 pm at Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps, 8 Clinton Ave.

If you donate blood, it will be given to someone who needs it through a transfusion. Transfusions help replace the blood that is lost due to surgery or injury.

If you plan to give blood, follow these steps:
  • Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated makes it easier to find your veins and prevents you from becoming light-headed after donating.
  • Eat well beforehand. Don’t skip breakfast, and be sure to eat snacks offered to you.
  • Exercise before donating blood, not afterward. It’s OK to go to the gym before you donate blood but not so wise afterward.
  • Take iron tablets. The American Red Cross recommends that individuals who donate blood frequently take an iron supplement or a multivitamin with iron.

To make an appointment, please click here. Walk-ins welcome!
Each donor will receive a voucher for FREE pair of NY Mets tickets as a thank you!
This week’s Legislative Session will occur on Wednesday, June 21st, 2023, at 16 Croton at 7:30PM.

Some items of note:
  1. Under the Village Manager report, Historian Cole will be with us to present her findings related to the request for an honorary street renaming for Sandy Galef.
  2. There is a resolution extending, by 180 days, the Preferred Developer status for Wilder Balter/ St. Katherine Group at the Spring/Main Street sites.
  3. There is a resolution calling for a Public Hearing on our most recently discussed changes to Chapter 250 re: parking at 16 Croton and some small changes regarding other parking lots throughout the Village—the public hearing will take place on July 19th.
  4. There is another resolution adopting the PRIOR local law re: changes to Chapter 250 re: the penalty schedule for parking tickets (30/60/90 days).
  5. Relatedly, there is a resolution adding our newly-updated list of Parking Violation fees to the Village's fee schedule—these will be duly posted and are scheduled to take effect on July 10th.
  6. As was briefly discussed, we have a resolution seeking an independent surveyor to assess the property at 43 South Highland and share their findings with the Building Department.
  7. There is a resolution calling for a Public Hearing on adding Chapter 7- Candidate Disclosure to the Village Code—again, this will be scheduled for our next regularly-scheduled Legislative Meeting on July 19th. 
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