September 19, 2023

In gratitude: I would like to thank the Briarcliff Police for their appropriate and quick reaction to a recent anti-Semitic incident at Congregation Sons of Israel. As some might have heard, an individual drove onto the property during Rosh Hashanah Saturday services at the synagogue and screamed anti-Semitic slurs. He was stopped by private security as he got very close to one of the entrances. The police were called immediately and worked with the security team, who took photos of the car and its license plate, and the perpetrator was arrested.  I also want to thank the Ossining Police Department for being on standby to coordinate any necessary efforts with the Briarcliff Police Department. There is no question that we live in a divisive, polarized world filled with some individuals who carry hatred and anger towards others who are different from them. That said, I would like to believe that one important aspect of the work of government and its agencies while challenging, continues to combat the outcomes of hatred and haters that live among us. As mayor, I try to remind folks that no one exists alone… we are caretakers of each other,  striving to create a healthier, safer community for all.   

You may be seeing new signs around the Village. These signs signal our efforts to ensure safer streets. It has come to our attention this past year that many of our signs needed replacing, and in many sections of the Village signs were missing. To this end, you may have noticed that additional "Stop" signs have been installed at various intersections, particularly in residential neighborhoods where families and children walk to bus stops, schools, parks, and shopping. This includes "All-way Stop" signs. Village DPW staff has also been hard at work, installing "No Parking" and "No Parking Here to Corner" signage throughout the Village to allow for proper enforcement and general safety. Over three dozen new signs have been installed so far, mostly in areas where the existing parking code had not been posted previously so that residents and visitors are aware of parking restrictions and can identify safe parking options. This initiative to better inform the community and its visitors is now 25% complete, with the remainder scheduled to be completed by early 2024. So, when you're out and about, look for the signs that are helping to keep our community safer for everyone. 

Join me and our neighbors in Ossining by Celebrating Car Free Day on September 22, 2023!

In partnership with 511NYRideshare and Green Ossining, the Village and Town of Ossining are encouraging Ossining residents and community members to reduce their single occupancy driving on Car Free Day (Friday, September 22nd) and instead telework, bike, walk, carpool, vanpool, drive an electric vehicle, or ride a train, bus, or subway. This will be Ossining’s sixth year celebrating the day!

We have good news from many of our local businesses. If you make a car-free or car-lite trip to any participating businesses, there will be exciting perks for your shopping experience (click here to view participating businesses).

Join us! To improve and increase community engagement and communications, the Board of Trustees and staff members will conduct our last walking tour of the season of our upcoming DRI projects. This week's tour will begin on Thursday at 5:30 pm at the Community Center. The tour and conversation will continue to Route 9 & 200 Main Street, Market Square & Post Office lot, then down Main Street to Station Plaza & 30 Water Street. We will return to the Community Center via the Sing Sing Kill Greenway—weather permitting.

Registration is open to have your home host a tag sale as part of Green Ossining's Semi-Annual Community-Wide Tag Sale. The Fall event is Saturday, October 7th, and registration closes on Monday, September 25th at Noon.   www.greenossining.org/tagsale 

Sunday evening marks the beginning of Yom Kippur. I will celebrate this holiday with my family and wish everyone in our community who observes this holiday to be sealed in the Book of Life. May the coming year be better than the one we leave behind us.

This week's Legislative Meeting is on Wednesday, 9/20/23, at 7:30PM at the John-Paul Rodrigues Ossining Operations Center 101 Route 9A (while the Board Conference room is still under construction). You can find a link to this week’s Agenda here: Legislative Meeting - Sep 20 2023