Though national news gives us many reasons to feel angry, scared, and sad this week, happenings in the Town of Ossining continue to be a source of joy and pride.
The week started with a joyous Juneteenth celebration this past Sunday. Hats off to our Juneteenth Council, led by Joyce Sharrock-Cole, Althema Goodson and Diana Lemon, for putting on a spectacular festival! I along with my Town Board colleagues, Liz Feldman and Angelo Manicchio, were present to join in the fun and present certificates.
Two of the Town’s very own – Kevin Moore and Eddie Banta – were recognized at the Juneteenth festival. Both Kevin and Eddie were recognized for being a part of the 40oz Crew, which steps in to help the community with various needs including meals and visits when someone is sick. Kevin was also recognized with a Trailblazer award for being the first Black Foreman in the Town of Ossining. Congratulations Eddie and Kevin for your well-deserved recognitions, and for all you do on a daily basis on behalf of the Town.
On Tuesday, we rang in the start of summer with another fantastic Make Music Day, thanks to Mike and Miriam Risko! I was on hand to present a proclamation to the Riskos for bringing such joy to the community, and to play a little guitar!
On Wednesday, we celebrated the near-completion of the Morningside Drive repaving and curbing project by taking Assemblywoman Sandy Galef on a tour of the impacted area. I was joined by Town Board member Angelo Manicchio, Town/Village Engineer Paul Fraioli, and Highway Superintendent Pete Connolly. The cost of this project was partially offset by $120,000 in Multi-Modal funding from the Assemblywoman’s office.
Phase one of this project was completed in the fall, including the installation of low-carbon concrete curbing to improve drainage and ensure the long term viability of the road infrastructure.
Phase two of the project, to complete the milling and paving of the roadway from Chappaqua Road to the New Castle town line, will be complete in the coming weeks.
It’s important that our state legislators come to visit us, to get familiar with conditions on the ground and the solutions we need them to advocate for. For that reason, on Thursday, I took State Senator Pete Harckham on a tour of our North State Road businesses. Because of redistricting, Ossining will become part of the State Senate district Senator Harckham currently represents and seeks to continue to represent. He listened attentively to the concerns of local business owners and nonprofits, and to me as I explained our infrastructure needs on North State Road.
We also dropped off some shoes to the collection Club Fit has taken up to donate to Ukrainian refugees!
In other news, the Community Equity Task Force is continuing its 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge, which started on Saturday, June 18. Join us as we read The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee and engage in a series of activities intended to deepen our understanding of and commitment to racial equity. No worries about jumping in late; all of the previous days’ activities are viewable on the page, and you can get started anytime. Follow along on Facebook, chat with other participants in the Challenge Facebook group (message the Equity Task Force page for an invitation), and receive weekly email recaps by joining our Google Group, .
Lastly, one week from today (yes, next Friday will be July 1!) we’ll be celebrating the return of fireworks at the waterfront! This year’s fireworks will be preceded by a concert by Pablito y su Latin Show. Major thanks to our partners in planning our Food Truck Fridays and Summer Concert Series - Mike & Miriam Risko, Eric Gearity of Sing Sing Kill Brewery, Gayle Marchica and the Chamber of Commerce, Jermain Smith of ENU Builds, and Recreation Superintendent Bill Garrison.
For more ideas for what to do this weekend and beyond, keep reading! Note that early voting continues this weekend for the Democratic and Republican primaries, and we have an early voting site here in Ossining at the Joseph G. Caputo Community Center on Broadway. On the ballot this June is the Governor and Lieutenant Governor race for both Democrats and Republicans, and our local Assembly race for Democrats. Click here for early voting dates and hours. Primary Election Day is Tuesday, June 28, and polls will be open from 6 AM until 9 PM. Click here to find your Election Day polling place.
Note also that our next Town board meeting will be held on Wednesday evening (June 29) because our Town Clerk will be busy working the primary election Tuesday night. We will see you soon - till then, be safe and healthy!
--Dana
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