My fellow citizens of Ossining; friends,
I stand before you today, with great joy and great trepidation, at the same time and for the same reason. I am truly anxious-about and humbled-by the importance of the position you have entrusted to me. So, I intend to look to my colleagues, to Village employees, and especially to you, my fellow citizens, for the wisdom I might lack to make decisions so crucial to our common good.
During the political season that has just passed, there has been a free exchange of ideas; and a decisive voice- of-the-village has determined the course we shall follow for the years to come. Time is now for those who have been opponents, to set aside our differences and unite for the greater good of the village.
We may continue to disagrees, but let us do so in civil discourse that will lead to civic progress.
This board shall always act with the knowledge that the power of the majority is only of value when the rights of all are protected; when the least among us enjoy the greatest security; and when discrimination of any kind is not tolerated by government.
In the spiritual season that has just passed, we were reminded once again that we are each others’ keepers. Our volunteer organizations continue to feed the hungry and comfort those in need. The congregation sons of Israel set its annual example when it again performed a communal mitzvah on Christmas day by providing meals and companionship to hundreds of our residents – and did so at the First Presbyterian Church of Ossining.
The winter solstice has again been illuminated by those candles in their communal holder, that star, that beacon of hope, reassuring us that spring will soon come, and with it, renewal and renaissance.
We are also reminded that we do not have time to waste season after season; that in the life of one village, never the same time returns. We cannot afford to return to an idyll that may never have existed or only now lives in the memories of a decreasing few.
In the last two years, the Village Board has taken significant steps to revive our economy. But, to maintain and increase our successes and to reward the hard work and trust of our residents and merchants, we cannot afford to wait to bring homes and shopping, entertainment and recreation back to our historic downtown. We have heard the voices of the merchants on Main Street and of current village residents who want to live and shop there again.
And, during the campaign, even our opponents agreed that we need venues for entertainment to bring people back to the heart of the village.
While we: my colleagues on the Board, the Comprehensive Plan Committee, and as many other stakeholders of the Village as will participate, while we all work hard together to forge our vision for the future and to adopt 21st century zoning, we must and we shall continue to develop our downtown.
We must continue to act to spread our tax base, thereby keeping future tax increases bearable.
And ever mindful of the need for affordable housing, and aggressive in our pursuit of its increase, we shall encourage new home construction at all levels of affordability and with the latest ecologically responsible technology.
And, while we promote development, we shall also enhance access to our great and beautiful Hudson River and augment our parks and other recreational and cultural destinations for the enjoyment and education of all. We will make the Village of Ossining a destination for tourism.
This destination, this Community Center is becoming a great example of a 21st century recreational facility. It now offers wireless on-line access so you can check your emails while learning how to bead, to belly Dance, or shoot baskets. It has a new state-of-the-art kitchen for seniors’ luncheons and juniors’ breakfasts with Santa. Our 2007 expanded recreational programs will reflect our concern for the welfare of residents of all ages.
This Center is also, in the end, a signal accomplishment of good government: a government which addresses and solves historical problems. When the pool opens later this month, six mayors and their collegial boards will have worked on it.
But most important to the process has been the cooperation of our public works and water departments with our parks and recreation department, the village manager, the finance department, and corporate counsel.
Please join me in a warm vote of gratitude to Village Manager Linda Abels, our department heads Paul Fraioli, Andy Tiess, Henry Atterbury, Valerie Monastra, Rose Sickenius, and Attorney Richard Leins – and to all of their personnel.
With increased enforcement of building codes, with initiatives to calm traffic throughout the village, with a full-time safety officer beginning work in January, with continuous training, and with new, technologically superior equipment, we at last have the tools to better promote the safety and security of all Ossining residents, of our property, and of all village employees.
Here, I ask for another vote of thanks to Chief of Police Joe Burton, Director of Code Enforcement John Hamilton, OVAC Captain Erik Peffers, to our Fire Chiefs Mauro Santucci, Fred Stenek, Pete Connelly, and Tommy Reddy, and to all of our staff and volunteer first responders.
The 2006 Board has represented the diversity that is Ossining. We want that diversity to continue to be reflected in the increased participation of residents in our meetings, and in comprehensive plan workshops.
To that goal, tomorrow evening at 7:30 at the court house during our first public meeting, the Board will introduce new rules and a new agenda that we hope will encourage a very broad spectrum of Ossining residents to participate. I invite you all to join us tomorrow and throughout the next two years.
And so I begin my tenure as your Mayor with the knowledge
that few leave such a position in as high esteem and with so good a reputation
as they began it. I shall undoubtedly often make mistakes in judgment – not
too often, I trust. And,
when I am right, I may still be thought wrong by some who do not know all of the
considerations informing my decisions.
Please pardon my misjudgments, which will always be honest in nature, and please continue to support my efforts despite those who may condemn me, not for what I do, or for what I think, or for what I say, but for whom they perceive me to be.
By good works, I shall strive to continue to merit your support so generously given in advance, and to gain the trust and admiration of others.
Thank you.