NEW ROCHELLE, NY (November 21, 2025) — The City of New Rochelle is mourning the loss of Roxie E. Stowe, a beloved community member with an outstanding career in the healthcare field.
Stowe assisted her husband, District 3 Council Member James Stowe, in his public duties during his service on the City Council from 2004 until his sudden passing in August 2010. She was a full partner in James’ Council activities, sharing his aspirations for the Third District and all of New Rochelle.
Despite her own painful personal loss, Stowe responded to the heartfelt requests of her neighbors and agreed to accept the responsibilities of service on the City Council on an interim basis, advancing her husband’s great legacy of community leadership. She distinguished herself as a thoughtful, dignified and principled public servant, who contributed fully and generously to the Council’s deliberations.
Mayor Ramos-Herbert has directed the City flag to be flown half-staff in her honor for the next week.
Account of the Political Turmoil Following James Stowe’s Death: From Mourning to Resolution (August-December 2010)
The death of New Rochelle City Council Member James Stowe in early August 2010 triggered a period of profound mourning in the community, followed by intense political turmoil over how to fill his vacant District 3 seat. Stowe, a 67-year-old Democrat, Air Force veteran, and respected community leader who had served on the Council since 2003, died unexpectedly on August 4, 2010, after suffering a heart attack. His passing left a void in the city’s governance, particularly in District 3—a majority-minority district with a significant African American population—and sparked a partisan battle between Democrats and Republicans over representation during a critical budget season. What began as unified grief evolved into heated accusations of political exploitation, references to civil rights history, and dramatic reversals on the City Council. Ultimately, the conflict resolved with Stowe’s widow, Roxanne “Roxie” Stowe, serving out the remainder of his term through the end of December 2010. Below is a chronological account based on contemporary reports from the “Talk of the Sound” blog.
Initial Mourning and Memorials (Early-Mid August 2010)
Stowe’s death was met with widespread tributes, highlighting his legacy as a “true gentleman” devoted to public service, family, and community. He was remembered for his roles as president of his neighborhood association, a member of the New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority, and a bridge-builder across party lines. On August 7, 2010, his family announced a private memorial service for Tuesday, August 10, at the Weinstein Memorial Chapel in Yonkers, followed by burial at Sharon Garden Cemetery in Valhalla. Speakers at the service, including New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson (a Democrat), former Mayor (now Westchester County Clerk) Tim Idoni, and family members, praised Stowe’s integrity and commitment to equality.
The city organized a public celebration of his life on the same day (August 10) at 3:30 PM in the City Hall Rotunda, announced on August 9. The event drew a broad cross-section of New Rochelle’s political and civic leaders, including the full City Council, City Manager Chuck Strome, Schools Superintendent Richard Organisciak, state legislators like Amy Paulin and Suzi Oppenheimer, and representatives from both major parties. Speakers, including relatives like Jim L. Stowe (who invoked the family’s tradition of excellence) and County Legislator Jim Maisano (who called him a “giant” in community history), emphasized Stowe’s humility and service. His widow, Roxie Stowe, urged attendees to “find something that you can do for this City and go do it,” setting a tone of continued community involvement.
A follow-up remembrance on August 16, 2010, published in the Westchester Herald and reposted on “Talk of the Sound,” recapped the City Hall event, noting tributes from figures like Municipal Housing Authority Executive Director Steve Horton (who called Stowe the “voice of Black Power in New Rochelle”) and City Clerk Bennie Giles (who credited Stowe for encouraging his appointment). The event underscored Stowe’s cross-partisan appeal but also hinted at underlying tensions, as District 3—a court-ordered minority-majority district created after a 2003 federal lawsuit over redistricting—faced uncertainty without its representative.
Emergence of Political Conflict: The Vacancy and Special Election (Mid-Late August 2010)
On August 10, 2010, City Manager Chuck Strome announced on his radio show that a special election would be held on November 2 to fill the remainder of Stowe’s unexpired term (through December 31, 2011). Under the New Rochelle City Charter (Sections 8 and 92.9) and New York State law, the Council could appoint an interim replacement to serve until December 31, 2010, but the seat would then go to the election winner starting January 1, 2011. Strome noted the Council could appoint someone immediately but emphasized the process over politics. This set the stage for partisan discord, as the Council was evenly split 3-3 between Democrats and Republicans (with Democrat Bramson as mayor holding tie-breaking power), and control during the fall budget deliberations—expected to involve layoffs and tax hikes—was at stake.
By August 27, 2010, the parties staked out opposing positions. Republicans, led by Council Members Richard St. Paul, Lou Trangucci, and Al Tarantino, called for an immediate appointment of former County Legislator and Board of Education President Pearl Quarles (a Republican) as a non-partisan interim, with the understanding she would not run in the November special election or the 2011 general election. They argued District 3 needed representation during the budget process and that leaving the seat vacant would disenfranchise residents. Democrats, including Bramson and Council Members Barry Fertel and Marianne Sussman, proposed waiting until after the November election to appoint the winner, ensuring the seat reflected voter will rather than a Council decision. Analysts noted this could leave the Council deadlocked 3-3, empowering City Manager Strome. Both sides accused the other of “playing politics,” with predictions that no appointment would occur, leaving the seat empty until January 2011.
Escalation and Accusations: The Push for Roxie Stowe (Early September 2010)
On September 1, 2010, Democrats reversed course, proposing Roxie Stowe as the interim appointee until the end of 2010. Bramson called her “the only individual with the standing to uphold Jim’s legacy” and ensure continuous representation, noting she would step down after the November election if the Council agreed to seat the winner immediately. This shift was framed as a response to community concerns about a vacancy but was seen by critics as a reaction to Quarles’ strong qualifications.
Republicans responded harshly on September 2, accusing Democrats of “Jim Crow tactics” (referencing the 2003 redistricting lawsuit where St. Paul had represented the NAACP), exploiting a grieving widow, and disenfranchising District 3’s minority voters. They called it a “political stunt” to maintain a 4-3 Democratic majority and pledged to discuss the issue at the September 15 Council meeting.
On September 3, 2010, Roxie Stowe and the Democrats fired back. Stowe rejected claims of exploitation, stating she was acting at the suggestion of neighbors and leaders to provide continuity. The Democrats called the GOP statement “offensive and misleading,” accusing Republicans of cynically invoking civil rights icons like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks for partisan gain. They reiterated their pledge to seat the election winner immediately and criticized Republicans for refusing to commit similarly.
Resolution at City Council: Dramatic Reversal and Unanimous Vote (Mid-September 2010)
Tensions peaked at the September 15, 2010, City Council meeting. Quarles withdrew her name, clearing the path for competing resolutions. Democrats’ motion to appoint Roxie Stowe failed 3-3 along party lines. Republicans’ motion to appoint businessman John Earvin also failed 3-3. As the meeting neared its end, St. Paul requested to speak, defending his “Jim Crow” reference in the context of the 2003 lawsuit. In a stunning flip, he then moved to reconsider the Stowe resolution. The GOP joined Democrats in a unanimous 6-0 vote to appoint her.
Bramson, visibly emotional, called it the first positive moment in weeks, hoping it would heal divisions. Supporters praised Stowe’s independence, though critics noted her lack of government experience. The meeting’s low point was Bramson’s praise for speaker Donna Henry (a school district employee previously suspended over child pornography involvement), which drew scrutiny for overlooking the scandal’s impact on a Latina student.
Stowe was sworn in at the next meeting, restoring Democratic control and ensuring District 3’s representation through year’s end.
Roxie Stowe’s Service and Farewell (October-December 2010)
Roxie Stowe served as interim Council Member from late September through December 2010, focusing on continuity amid budget challenges. The November 2 special election pitted Republican Peter Parente against Democrat Jared Rice (Rice, the winner, would serve the final year of Stowe’s term starting January 1, 2011). On December 16, 2010 (reported December 26), in her final meeting, Stowe bid farewell, reflecting on upholding her husband’s legacy. Her tenure ended the immediate turmoil, though the episode highlighted deep partisan rifts in New Rochelle’s politics.
In summary, the period was marked by grief turning to gridlock, with accusations of manipulation and historical grievances amplifying divisions. The unanimous appointment of Roxie Stowe provided closure, but it underscored the high-stakes nature of local governance in a divided city. The unrelated budget discussion articles (from May 2010) do not directly tie into this narrative but reflect broader fiscal pressures influencing the urgency for representation.
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.
RELATED
City Council Member James Stowe Dies Unexpectedly; New Rochelle Mourns Respected Community Leader(8/4/2010)
Family Announces Plans for Memorial Service Tuesday for New Rochelle Council Member James Stowe (8/7/2010)
City of New Rochelle to Hold Special Event to Honor Jim Stowe on Tuesday at 3:30 PM at City Hall (8/9/2010)
New Rochelle City Manager Announces Special Election in November for Stowe’s District 3 Seat (8/10/2010)
James Stowe Remembered by Friends, Family, Colleagues as a True Gentleman (8/11/2010)
Remembrance of New Rochelle City Councilman James Stowe (8/16/2010)
In Replacing James Stowe, New Rochelle Political Parties Offer Conflicting Vision (8/27/2010)
Democrats Reverse Course, Propose Stowe Widow to Fill District 3 Seat to Year End (9/1/2010)
High Drama on New Rochelle City Council as GOP Flips, 6-0 Vote for Widow Stowe (9/16/2010)
New Rochelle City Council Honors James Count Stowe and Roxie E. Stowe for Their Service on City Council (2/16/2012)
Roxie E. Stowe Commendation from City Council of New Rochelle
Whereas, in the aftermath of the tragic and untimely passing of Council Member James C. Stowe, the people of Council District Three were entitled to continuing, effective representation of their values, interests and concern; and
Whereas, responding to the heartfelt requests of her neighbors, Roxie E. Stowe agreed to accept the responsibilities of service on the City Council, where she could uphold and advance her husband’s great legacy of community leadership and advocate for the residents and neighborhoods to which James Stowe was deeply devoted; and
Whereas, Roxie E. Stowe had an outstanding career in the healthcare field, distinguishing herself in a broad range of managerial and budgetary
responsibilities, and acquiring skills that she then applied to assisting her husband in his public duties; and
Whereas, Roxie E. Stowe was a full partner in James Stowe’s Council activities, sharing his aspirations for the Third District and all of New Rochelle, participating with him in community events, nurturing relationships with neighbors and constituents, and regularly observing Council meetings, so that she could contribute her wisdom to the hard choices confronting her “Jimmy”; and
Whereas, Roxie E. Stowe assumed her Council responsibilities at a moment of painful personal loss, yet, nonetheless distinguished herself as a thoughtful, dignified and principled public servant, who contributed fully and generously to the Council’s deliberations on critical questions of fiscal policy, land use and neighborhood advocacy, earning the respect and admiration of colleagues, as well as the lasting gratitude of all residents whose cause she championed; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that this City Council extends to Roxie E. Stowe its great appreciation for her deep and sincere commitment to the City of New Rochelle and to the citizens of Council District Three, and, be it further
Resolved that a copy of this resolution be spread upon the minutes of this City and that a suitable copy thereof be presented to Roxie E. Stowe.
Park Renamed to Honor Former New Rochelle Councilman James C. Stowe(11/27/2024)
Discover more from Talk of the Sound
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.