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MAYOR'S UPDATE
From the desk of Mayor Rika Levin
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The Board of Trustees approved a Military Banner program for the Village. Multiple community members came up with the idea, and we are happy to be a conduit for friends and family of those who have and continue to serve our country. This Saturday marked the inaugural launch of the Village of Ossining's military banner installation on Croton Avenue. Our banners honor the community's beloved Veterans, active duty, Reserve, and National Guard members.
At our event, each banner was read aloud – roll call style. We included the service member's name, rank, sponsor, military branch, service dates, war/conflict era, and additional info/awards earned read by our guests, including Historian Joyce Sharrock Cole, who has so masterfully managed this program in the Village and worked with the service member's sponsors to ensure that what went up on the banners was historically correct – and for those families without the military info, Joyce was able to collect this information. I am honored to represent the BOT and welcome the over 125 who joined us at the library. Introductions were followed by Historian Cole, and roll call was conducted by Captain Brendan Donohue, veteran Steve Felsenfeld, Village of Ossining DPW Road Maintenance Foremen and CSEA Union Unit President Michael Duffy, Jr., Town of Ossining Supervisor Liz Feldman, and Village of Ossining Trustee Dana White.
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On Monday, the Village's dedicated DPW staff kicked off the banner placement, starting from 16 Croton Ave and progressing chronologically towards Pleasantville Road, with service beginning with Henry Edward Duers, who served in the Civil War era through Justin Cusano, who is currently serving. I am truly honored that included in our banners are several black veterans as well as a woman whose service to the United States of America is regularly undervalued. | |
It was an amazing day at the Ossining Boat and Canoe Club on the waterfront for Commissioning Day. This celebration is dedicated to those soldiers lost at sea. Thank you to Ossining American Legion Post 506 for leading us in this beautiful Ossining tradition. | |
On Monday, Memorial Day – May 27, 2024, the Central Committee of Organized War Veterans of the Town of Ossining will host their annual parade, starting at 9:30 AM. They will step off at Croton Avenue and Calam Avenue and proceed to Nelson Park for their ceremony. This year’s Memorial Day Parade will be the first in three years. There will be several community originations marching this year. Please join us as we pay tribute to the many men and women who have served our nation's armed forces in war and between wars. Their devotion to duty has made our nation what it is today and what it will continue to be. | |
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General information to the community: Did you know that over half of female and male victims of rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner experienced some form of intimate partner violence for the first time before 25 years of age? The New York Department of State hosts an Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) that Can Provide Peace of Mind with a Secure Address. The ACP is a FREE program that lets New Yorkers shield their home address to help maintain their safety.
The ACP is available to constituents and their immediate family who have experienced Domestic Violence, stalking, sexual offenses, human trafficking, and reproductive healthcare services, including patients, volunteers, providers, and their employees.
The ACP forwards all first class and certified mail from their private PO Box to their home address. The service is private, secure, and safe. Click here to learn more: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/NYSDOS/bulletins/39c72b9
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I am proud to share the astounding news that the Ossining High School Marching Band has been uniquely selected to represent New York State to perform in the 2024 Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade by the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade Committee, the State of Hawaii, and the City of Honolulu. The Historic Programs selection committee recommended our High School Band as an "outstanding ensemble with a rich history of performance excellence as well as students who represent the spirit of American youth and good citizenship."
The Marching Band, under the Direction of Mr. Rodrigo Vargas, will be an integral part of the opening ceremony as part of the Mass Band led by the Marine Forces Pacific Band, after which they will march in the official Parade on Kalakaua Avenue. This is the nation's largest and most prestigious Pearl Harbor Anniversary Commemoration. The annual Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade and Public Ceremony is held on December 7th on Pearl Harbor Day.
December 7, 1941, was the day that forever changed our nation and world. Thousands of our nation's very best sacrificed their lives for the preservation of liberty and freedom in a world threatened by tyranny and oppression. Our nation commemorates the past each year by remembering those who served and sacrificed while celebrating that once bitter enemies can become friends and allies.
The cost of travel, accommodation, and participation fees presents a significant challenge for many band members and their families. To ensure everyone can participate in this incredible opportunity, they are actively fundraising and seeking donations to help defray these costs.
For information, please contact Rodrigo Vargas in the Cultural Arts Department from the OHS Band Program at rvargas@ossiningufsd.org.
|  | As many of you know, the Greater Ossining Chamber of Commerce (GOCC) has moved this year's Village Fair to September 21, 2024. The GOCC runs, operates, and presents the fair. For updates related to this exciting event, please visit their website @ https://greaterossiningchamber.org/. | |
Please join me in congratulating longtime Ossining resident Donald Farrell on his appointment as the second Vice President of the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY).
Mr. Farrell joined the Ossining Volunteer Fire Department in August 197 and has been a member for 45 years. He served as Assistant Chief from 1999 to 2002 and Chief of the Department from 2003 to 2004 and is still an active member today.
Click here to learn more: https://bit.ly/3K7QR4W
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Local Seniors Are Invited to Contribute to the “Old Traditions, New Beginnings” Project, a local senior initiative supported by the office of Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg. This not-for-profit project aims to encourage seniors to share their wisdom and stories and welcomes all forms of contributions, including essays, poetry, words of wisdom passed down through the generations, recipes, and memories from childhood to the present day.
Assemblywoman Levenberg’s office is collecting contributions for sharing online and possible print publication in an anthology. The deadline for inclusion in the project's first volume is Sunday, June 30, 2024. The recommended length is between 250-1000 words per submission. Those interested in contributing their own writing or volunteering to help others share their contributions are encouraged to email district95@nyassembly.gov.
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The full agenda for this week's Work Session and Special Meeting can be found here:
· Special Meeting - May 22 2024
· Work Session - May 22 2024
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Village of Ossining | www.villageofossining.org | | | | |
