CITY COUNCIL VOTES TO CO-NAME STREETS ACROSS CITY, INCLUDING TWO IN WASHINGTON HEIGHTS/INWOOD
New York, N.Y.-- Today the City Council voted to co-name a number of streets across the five boroughs, including Sidney Offerman Way and Freddy Beras-Goico way in Washington Heights and Inwood. These two streets, through legislation submitted by Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, will be co-named in the coming year, honoring two figures important to the history of the northern Manhattan neighborhoods.
Freddy Beras-Goico Way:
175
th
Street between Broadway and Wadsworth Avenue in the borough of Manhattan. November 21, 1940 - November 18, 2010. Freddy Beras-Goico was born in Santa Cruz del Seibo, El Seibo, Dominican Republic. He had a career in media for over 30 years. He was a T.V. presenter, writer for his show "El Gorde De La Semana" (The Fat Man of the Week), "Punto Final" and "Con Freddy y Punto." He was also in radio and acting, winning the Casandra Award for his role in Victor/Victoria. As a child in the 1950's due to the terrorism brought to the Dominican Republic during the dictatorship of Trujillo, his family fled to Colombia where he would end up spending many years before returning to his home land in the 1970's. Also known as a philanthropist for his aid to the poor, he was more than a media personality to most who grew up watching him. He was also known for speaking his mind against the injustices of the government, going against the governments wish to have people give up their weapons because of the rampant violence of the Dominican republic.
"It is with great pleasure that I voted today to co-name two streets in my district after two impactful individuals with a strong dedication to our community here at home and to the Dominican community both here and abroad. Freddy Beras-Goico Way, which will be co-named at 175th Street and Broadway, honors Mr. Beras-Goico for his years spent in entertainment, philanthropy and as a fighter for Democracy in the Dominican Republic. Many in our community will look upon this street with pride, in recognition of Freddy's great work as a writer, actor, radio host and support for democratic values during a time in the D.R. fraught with peril."
Sidney Offerman Way: The intersection of Nagle Street and Ellwood Street in the borough of Manhattan. Died in 1975. Sidney Offerman joined the Board of Directors of the YMHA of Washington Heights in 1945. He was instrumental in the building the Y's new building when the YMHA of Inwood merged with the YMHA of Washington Heights to become the YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood in 1956. He served as president of the newly created Y until his death in 1975. He was the owner of Amsterdam Color Works in the Bronx. He also was an active board member of many charities including the Anti-Defamation League, United Jewish Appeal, Federation of Jewish Philanthropies, Glen Oaks Country Club and the Knights of Pythias. The Y will celebrate its 100th year in 1917.
"I am equally proud to honor Mr. Sidney Offerman, on a street where he was most impactful in our community, Elwood Street and Nagle Avenue. Mr. Offerman was instrumental in developing the YM&YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood into the institution it is today. Sidney Offerman served on the Board of Directors starting in 1945 and helped secure the Y's then-new building on Nagle Avenue in 1956, where he served as president until his death in 1975. From offering quality services to our aging communities to providing our community's youngest members the education and active programming necessary to grow up smart and healthy, Sidney's and the Y's impact on Northern Manhattan have been felt for generations. Sidney Offerman Way will stand as a testament to his legacy and a reminder to our newest generations of the rich history that Sidney was a part of writing for Washington Heights and Inwood."
