by Peggy Godfrey (in the August 16 issue of the Westchester Herald)
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 7, 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.
The first person to be called upon was Steve Horton, Executive Director of the New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority. He recounted that Stowe would fight to do the right thing. As Chairperson of the New Rochelle Housing Authority Stowe addressed issues at Hartley House, including the need for change in the area. He called Stowe "the voice of Black Power in New Rochelle", further commenting that Stowe "accepted his role as a Black leader." He said the area was ready for revitalization with a new project which included new housing, a new park, and a five story building. Horton, who is also a Mount Vernon City Councilman, stated, "Stowe’s memory will be memorialized".
Three Westchester County Legislators attended the ceremony: James Maisano, Judy Myers and Sheila Marcotte. When Maisano was called to speak he characterized the late Councilman Stowe as "a giant" in the history of the community. "Stowe was a classy gentleman who would always smile and have a kind word for others". Maisano presented a proclamation from the entire Westchester County Board of Legislators honoring Stowe and presented it to his wife, Roxie. Without prompting, Roxie remained at the podium after the presentation and said her husband was "a family man who loved everybody" and he had worked hard for all of New Rochelle. She urged the audience to "go out and work on something that needs to be done," keeping alive the memory of Jim Stowe.
Among the other relatives who shared memories of Councilman Stowe was Jim L. Stowe who felt Councilman Stowe "did not do anything he was not expected to do with the Stowe family" tradition. His namesake was doing "what was expected of him." No one had expected Roxie, his wife, to speak out the way she did and referring to Stowe’s unexpired term of office he urged her "to find a way to serve in this great City of New Rochelle."
New Rochelle City Manager Chuck Strome recalled an incident in the City Hall parking lot when a truck pulled into Councilman Stowe’s parking space. When he went to explain it was Stowe’s space, Stowe himself "got out of the truck." Another person expressing her condolences was Donna Henry, a community activist, who praised Stowe for always keeping his word and promptly answering all her questions and concerns.
Former New Rochelle City Councilman Walfredo Toscanini, who spoke for himself and former City Councilperson, Christina Selin, said there has been "no other person who has embodied the principle of service" that he believed in. Stowe’s effectiveness was coupled with a "civil way of coming to a conclusion."
Wearing their red hats, the Red Hat Group of about 30 women, mostly retired school teachers and social workers, was a group Stowe would arrange luncheons for at 95 Lincoln Avenue. Betty Ann Johnson of the group said Stowe would address their group and urged them to support candidates running for public office. One of the group’s requests, to pave the streets, had started appropriately that same day.
New Rochelle City Clerk Benny Giles ended the ceremony by recounting that he was standing there today in large part through the urging of Councilman Stowe, insisting that the City Clerk’s position be filled.
A reception followed in the rotunda.
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