New Rochelle will launch its own One City, One Book community reading project this year, with the official kick-off planned for June, 2007. Under the auspices of the New Rochelle Public Library, the NRPL Foundation and Friends of the New Rochelle Public Library, almost thirty community organizations have come together to organize the project. I’m excited to say that I am co-chair of this very worthwhile project and am working closely with Tom Geoffino, the Director of the Library and his staff.

The book chosen by the committee is Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years, which relates the remarkably full lives of Sadie and Bessie Delany, who experienced a segregated South, a migration to the North, the Harlem Renaissance and pioneering careers as African-American professional women.

Through a grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services, New Rochelle’s children in grades 5 to 9 who reside in the City’s public housing have an opportunity to participate in RISE (Reach for Individual Success and Empowerment), an innovative afterschool and summer program. RISE will offer a wide range of youth development programs, services and activities tailored to meet the unique needs of the participating youth. Iona College is the lead agency, and will be partnering with other City institutions, including the School District, Sound Shore Medical Center and the Boys & Girls Clubs of New Rochelle, in this venture. There are still openings in the program, and I encourage all families who reside at Bracey, which is in District 2, to participate in this enrichment program. For information call Robyn Brown-Manning at Iona (914 633-2471).

In January, 2007, County Executive Andrew Spano appointed me to serve on his recently announced Global Warming Task Force. I am also serving as Chair of the Government Sector section of the Task Force. Mr. Spano charged the 34 members of the Task Force with the task of drawing up action plans that could be implemented by all segments of the Westchester community (municipal governments, residents, businesses and institutions), to assist us in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the County.

The Task Force is working with various environmental organizations, County and local administrators, and also a consultant who has been retained to assist us in meeting the County Executive’s goal. Someone I met recently said, “Just tell me what to do”, which is exactly what we hope to accomplish on this Task Force.

Some of our City’s most beautiful parks are located in District 2; and while our Public Works Department was busy clearing the snow from our streets, the Parks and Recreation Department was busy gearing up for summer.

Plans for the Marina include the repair of a bulkhead, purchase of a workboat, and dock and electrical upgrades, all of which are paid for through the Marina Enterprise Fund.

At Hudson Park, new railings have been installed at the beaches to replace those damaged during recent storms; the gazebo overlooking the old beach was refurbished by Eagle Scout candidate Michael Laplace of Boy Scout Troop 11; several new benches were installed at the Park; and the playground’s safety surface and asphalt pathways will be refurbished in the spring.

On February 28th, Mayor Bramson and I held a District 2 meeting for residents of the Pelham Road corridor. The meeting was well represented and allowed residents an opportunity to express their concerns on a wide range of issues, including development on Pelham Road, the proposed bike route designation by the City and traffic issues.

As a result of concerns expressed at that meeting, the City Manager has been asked to better enforce traffic and speeding regulations on Pelham Road, and to explore the feasibility and cost of introducing new tree plantings along the Pelham Road corridor. We will continue to follow up on these and other issues and will also take into great consideration other suggestions made that evening.

In the 1880’s Adrian Iselin began acquiring property for what would become Residence Park, a “park-like” neighborhood with open green spaces, setbacks and winding streets. It is located between Main Street on the north, Pelham Road on the south and between Centre and Drake Avenues on the east and west, and is an easy walk to both the train station and the waterfront.

In response to a request from the neighborhood, New Rochelle’s Historical and Landmarks Review Board (HLRB) obtained a grant of $12,500 from the State Historic Preservation Office for the preparation of an Intensive Level Survey to document the historic character of this residential neighborhood and to determine its eligibility for local, state and National Register nomination as a historic district.

Dear Neighbors:

It is a pleasure to serve you once again as your representative on the City Council. Although I was not on Council when many of the current proposed development projects were approved (the Simone Church/Division proposal, M Squared at the former Palladium property, Louis Cappelli’s proposed development at LeCount/Anderson, and the Trump/Cappelli project on Huguenot Street), I was pleased to participate in the selection of a developer for the Echo/ East Main Street waterfront project, and look forward to the day that we can reclaim this waterfront
property for the benefit and enjoyment of our residents.