As a result of the 2011 City elections, the future of New Rochelle is now in the hands of five Democrats and two Republicans. What does this mean for its residents? The two political parties had different emphases at their separate inauguration ceremonies on January 1 at City Hall. Republicans installed their two re-elected Councilmen first. Later in the afternoon the Democrats followed with a re-elected Mayor and four Council member, two of whom were re-elected. Their philosophy and the direction the City should take emerged as each member of this new Council made an acceptance speech.
The Chairman of the New Rochelle Republican Party, Doug Colety, set the tone for his Party's installation by stating both re-elected Councilmen Al Tarantino, D. 1, and Lou Trangucci, D. 2, will fight for the taxpayers and will continue the work they started in their first Council term. Both "Al and Lou bring real world and business experience to the Counci", he continued. He then thanked Councilman Richard St. Paul for his service.
After being sworn in by New York State Supreme Court Justice Ken Rudolph, Trangucci thanked his supporters, and especially his wife, Theresa, calling her "the best campaign manager anyone can have." He said he would continue to be a strong advocate for quality of life issues in City. Citing the courage of Pat Pappalardi who as a employee who made a difference in this community, because his observations led to an indictment of a city employee. He blamed the major financial difficulties of the City on the results of the strategies followed by them in the last 15 years. The City in his view could not continue to increase the population and reduce the services because all residents will suffer. Acknowledging the large Latino population in his district, he assured them they will be supported and their concerns would be addressed at his association meetings.
After County Legislator James Maisano administered the oath of office to Councilman Tarantino, Tarantino recounted that during the years he has lived in New Rochelle he has seen "monumental changes." He was grateful for his parents' strong values and the support given him by his wife and six children. While the landscape of the New Rochelle has changed, he felt we need to ensure it does "more than enhance the skyline." His view was that no concern was too "trivial" to be entertained. This he reinforced with a reference to a question he had asked voters at a large gathering in his previous campaign, "Did they think their quality of life had improved," but he said "no hands went up."
Shortly thereafter, that afternoon, the Democrats held their Inauguration Ceremony. Their host, Westchester County Clerk and former Mayor Tim Idoni, was Master of Ceremonies. He stated this was a new beginning for New Rochelle. Outgoing Council woman Marianne Sussman said she was hopeful for the the future of the City and announced the names of all the dignitaries in the audience as had Colety at the Republican Installation.
Mayor Noam Bramson was administered the oath of office by Judge John Colangelo. In his acceptance speech that followed, Bramson said it was a day of new beginnings and that he was extending his hand to both parties. Mass transit, the appeal of the shoreline, and greener practices are focuses for the future. He continued, the hardest choices can produce the greatest rewards, reinforcing, the best days of New Rochelle are "still to come."
The senior Councilman, Barry Fertel, D. 5,, was administered the oath of office by City Judge Susan Kettner. Fertel stated New Rochelle was a City of diversity "with it own Space Shot". Residents have expressed dissatisfaction to him about the City's budget. Thoughtful choices he said will have to be made in the future such as "Do we make the necessary capital improvements?" He felt transit orientation was not the city's salvation but it could move the City forward.
Shari Rackman, Councilwoman D. 6, after being given the oath of office by Stephen Jerome, a principal of Monroe College, said "she had lived in New Rochelle since she was a teen-ager. She was "thrilled" with the small neighborhoods which created a "beautiful mosaic" in the City, urging residents to take advantage of the whole city. She said, downtown was a "city-wide" priority. The tax base, she thought, needed to be strengthened.
Councilman Jared Rice's Mother, Judge Gail Rice, administered his oath of office. Acknowledging the help of his campaign committee, his family, wife and parents, brother and daughter, he said he was committed to this "journey." He cited his input for the new district lines and his Beautification Day, and said he was looking forward to the changes for Hartley House. Ivar Hyden, Councilman D.4, was the last one to be administered the oat of office by Zoning Board Chairman, Richard Sosis. After he acknowledged support of his wife, Diane, he thought the City would be brighter with a new Council, adding "The Ivar you know is the Ivar you will get." Hyden said he was looking forward to bringing new ideas and new approaches to City government. He promised he "will take the City in a new direction."
Only time will tell how these differences in approaches will allow the city to move forward.
IN the January12 issue of the Westchester Guardian