Westchester Herald

Killoran Engaged in Petition Drive to Increase Police Presence in Downtown New Rochelle BY Peggy Godfrey

To address the problems in downtown New Rochelle, especially after the recent murder there, Jim Killoran, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, on WVOX-1460 AM, on September 29th announced a petition drive to bring police to the area.  He emphasized he was not criticizing the police. During the discussion that ensued, he explained when someone was hit by a vehicle in front of his store, he was told "to keep his mouth shut."  A question about who might have asked people to keep their mouths shut when a car hits someone in the street was posed.  Mitch Tarnopal who is on New Rochelle’s Traffic Calming Committee believes traffic issues can be dealt with in innovative ways.  Anthony Galletta, a former member of that committee advised that he did not believe the Traffic Calming Committee was capable of handling downtown traffic problems and concerns.  He later stated:  "The Traffic Calming Committee was initiated to address local traffic situations and to make recommendations to the City Council and the Board of Education.  I applaud their continued efforts, but as a past member, I believe the Traffic Calming Committee does not have the expertise to undertake the massive concerns of traffic and parking in the downtown.  Killoran said he would love to have a meeting with the Traffic Calming Committee, Rev.David Lyerly and the SoNo group.

Parents Can Discourage Multitasking at Homework Time BY Peggy and Patricia Godfrey

Peggy Godfrey

Now that school is beginning, parents should think about the research done at the University of Michigan which showed multitasking actually reduced productivity by 20% to 40%.  However, there are things that parents can do to facilitate positive learning when their children are doing homework. 

"Yes We Can" Save Our New Rochelle Armory BY Peggy Godfrey

 New Rochelle, NY, August 19, 2010 -- Forest City Residential still holds a Memorandum of Understanding until January 15, 2011, for development in the Echo Bay area of New Rochelle, which includes the New Rochelle Naval Armory Building. During this timeframe,  the Save Our Armory Committee (SOA) has been developing their own plan to save the building.   Ron Tocci, co-chair of the SOA Executive Committee, told members and supporters gathered at the special August 16, 2010,  SOA meeting, he and three other SOA executive members met with Forest City Residential in private session last week to try to develop plans to incorporate the Armory with Forest City's plans. Tocci said that Forest City seemed to have "no problem" proceeding with such a plan to save the Armory Building

Remembrance of New Rochelle City Councilman James Stowe BY Peggy Godfrey

 New Rochelle, NY, August 12, 2010 -- The ceremony honoring the late New Rochelle City Councilman James Stowe began with introductory remarks by New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson.  He called the program a "family celebration of the life and works" of this councilman who passed away suddenly on August 8, 2010.  Many dignitaries attended the ceremony which was planned to allow the people of the community, whose lives were touched by Councilman Stowe, to have an opportunity to talk about their experiences with and because of him. 

United Water New Rochelle Seeks Huge Rate Increase BY Peggy Godfrey

 New Rochelle, NY, August 6, 2010 -- Does United Water New Rochelle deserve to get a rate increase of 54 percent?  Everyone who spoke at the Public Service Commission hearing before Administrative Law Judge Eleanor Stein on August 2, 2010, at New Rochelle City Hall did not think so.  New York State Senator Jeff Klein was unhappy with the proposed increase, as were many residents.  Byron Gray, president of Local 273 New Rochelle Firefighters, was disturbed about the threatened decrease in the number of hydrants caused by the increased cost factors and the prospect of laying off 10 to 12 New Rochelle firefighters.  New Rochelle City Manager Chuck Strome expressed concern that the non-profits in the City, e.g., The College of New Rochelle, Iona College, and Sound Shore Medical Center, benefit from the hydrants but do not pay for the service.  According to people from various neighborhoods throughout the City, United Water is not supplying a sufficient amount of water pressure. 

Bramson Tells Armory Committee Only Forest City Residential Can Make Presentation BY PEGGY GODFREY

 NEW ROCHELLE, NY, July 22, 2010 -- Promising to put "smiles" on the faces of New Rochelle residents with a plan to revitalize the New Rochelle Naval Armory Building, former New York State Assemblyman Ron Tocci said the structurally sound building was "waiting to be used".  The plan he presented was consistent with the vision and "pride in New Rochelle's  rich military heritage."

Thomas Paine: Leading a Revolution Using a Pen BY PEGGY GODFREY

Image via Wikipedia

The crowd gathered on July ll, 2010 to celebrate the l00th Anniversary of the Historic House Museum at the Thomas Paine Cottage in New Rochelle.  The keynote speaker was R.G. Bernstein, who is an adjunct professor at New York Law School and the author of two books, "the Founding Fathers Reconsidered"  and "Thomas Jefferson."  He compared Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson, both of who he felt had strong influences on the fundamental issues which were used in formulating our democratic nation.