Today is a good day for me; let me call it properly a day to celebrate life and remember what the New Rochelle I knew so well not that many years ago, exists though struggling to survive.
I turned up at our neighborhood health club, Retrofit, the beautiful managed and maintained facility that is dedicated to the community in terms of rates and quality. I picked my way through garbage, smiled benevolently at the beggars and street people, and entered the facility.
Marion Bordona (sic) was there working with a client and the facility had a fair representation of the true diversity of New Rochelle. People of both sexes, a range of ages, all ethnicities were there, working out and enjoying each others company, but working out.
The only blot on the landscape was Vinnie, a client telling me that a young policeman wanted to ticket him for not parking properly. The policeman seemed to ignore the poor, emotionally disturbed woman banging on his car seeking a hand-out. Mario says this is not uncommon; meaning loiterers, beggars, miscreants, down and outers was not uncommon. Sadly, I had to inform him that even well-meaning police personnel were perhaps too aware of fee income or revenue as a major budget tool for New Rochelle. Sad, but true, also gratefully, no ticket for Vinnie.
My next stop was the Patisserie for my cup of quality Cafe Ole. Have you been there and met John Revernol or his co-owner Jason Leonard. Great people, fantastic place, endorsed by the New York Times in glowing terms. What a blessing for the City, great guys, decor, Balthazar pastry, so much more. You got to go there and make it a regular stop. Alas, they too, have had issues with New Rochelle which can be classified as fee income issues. Damn shame.
Passed Sutton Florist and waved at Bobby Devivo (sic) (sic means I probably misspelled a name). Great guy, tremendous shop, and an icon in the neighborhood.
Headed toward Benny’s barber shop on lower Division as they still give shaves. One look at my head indicates a haircut is out of the question. Good guys, Timmy was available and gave a good shave at a good price.
Stopped in at C Town who are literally indispensable to the community. They have most of the known brands as well as a wide variety of products to service the Latino community. Talked to Richie and Nelly, as well as El Rey dela Cocina… the happy young man who does so well behind the deli counter. Love the place and everyone should shop here.
Picked up a prescription at Almarcs. These courageous, service oriented and community stalwarts have to battle the CVS’s of the world on a daily basis. They are there for you, they will deliver, they will track, in short, real customer service for real people who have been in this community for years.
Oh boy, smelled a bit gamey. Over to Mr Lee’s store near Habitat for a new short sleeve shirt. Another community treasure. Hard working folks from Korea who sent two fine sons through our school system. This I know since I had the pleasure of substitute teaching for both of them for a number of years.
Last stop was to visit Jim Killoran who only gets a fraction of the love and respect this pillar of the community deserves. You should know Jim is the face and spirit behind Habitat for Humanity. His fine store manager and board member, Mary Bonner, is recovering from a stroke and is doing well and she is the backbone of Habitat and is sorely missed.
This has been a wonderful day. Wished I could have been to see the Cohens, the Curtain Shop people, Alicias Bakery, Duran’s stationery on North…. many more, but many tomorrows God willing.
If you folks don’t have a glimpse of the importance of a community, the negative impact of short-sighted greedy decisions, the effects of a growing issue of crime and street people frightening customers, you will if you visit these parts and insist on rebuilding and restoring our heritage.
Enough of the enablers, jerome, apicella, only to mention two, enough of shortchanging our police and fire. Enough of setting half-baked priorities and internecine city warfare among haves and have nots. Come together and do the right thing.
Oh one last point. BID needs and overhaul from the top but not to the bottom. The men and perhaps women (don’t know) who work cleaning the streets are first rate. They always seem to be working. Ralph leave your cubbyhole at Westchester Place and poke around the Avalons, etc. … that is work, your work. Get it done!
Thank You Warren!
Thank You Warren,
I walk these same blocks with my 76 year old mother every week. Sharing the same experience you noted above. Shame that this sense and understanding of community you highlight is missing from our leadership in City Hall and pretty much elsewhere. The people who own and manage these establishments are the heart of New Rochelle. They seemed to be voiceless and invisible to City Hall. These are certainly places that Mayor Bramson certainly does not patronize. Shame.
As you and other community advocates consistently make clear, we must continue to speak up and defend what is good about our community despite the onslaught of greedy and invisible developers who line the pockets of our elected officials. Like you, I will continue to patronize Almarcs for my medication; I will continue to dine at the Little Mexican Cafe and the the Peruvian restaurants downtown – Cholos, Brisas del Mar, Tumi and Lines of Nazca; and C-twon is the only place I can find fresh food along with all of the staples that my mother needs to cook Quinoa, Lomo Saltado and Papa Huancaina (they deliver to senior citizens in her buildg at 60 Union Ave).
Alas, reminiscing about these places makes me stronger and allows to to fight for my community. the Mayor has something coming if he believes that the relocation of the City Yard to the West End will be easy – the word of the day boys and girls is civil disobedience – something I learned from my mentor – Cesar Chavez. Thanks Warren.
Martin Sanchez
thank you Martin
with 10 more like you we would take back this city. Your description of what is environmenal racism resonates with me still. I remember the wonderful latino young men and women, the wonderful African American young women, Asian, White… a true rainbow of what diversity is all about, not the paternalistic boundaries. Perhaps you have to substitute teach in our schools to see the core raw talent that is neglected or worse, overly socially engineered.
Cesar Chavez explains your courage and commitment. Keep it up as I will.
Blessings
warren gross