CITY
Talks underway with new potential buyer of 901 Main
The owners of the troubled senior-restricted, low-income apartment building at 901 Main St. are in talks with a new potential buyer after failing to reach a deal to sell the property.
Matthew Judge, a vice-president with Courtyard Housing LLC, told board members of the Peekskill Industrial Development Agency (IDA) at their Feb. 25 meeting that a sale failed because changes in how New York State offers tax credits caused the proposed deal “… to fall by the wayside.” Judge expressed hope that negotiations with the new buyer could be completed within the next 12 months. (Courtyard was awarded a reduction in city and school property taxes that runs through 2045 by the IDA board in 2006.)
Asked by IDA Board Chairperson Deborah Post about fixing serious security problems at the Peekskill Plaza building, Judge said improvements have been made since residents detailed issues of drug dealing and crime when they spoke out at a May 2024 Common Council meeting.
Judge said newly installed surveillance cameras, uniformed security guards, electronic fobs to replace keys that were being copied for illegal entry, and a closer working relationship with the Peekskill Police Department have had an impact. “I think we’re seeing a definite improvement,” Judge said.
Eviction of two tenants following ten months of court procedures has also helped, Judge said. “If we are aware of issues we take steps to terminate their residency, and within the last 60 days we had two tenants evicted who were a big part of the problems. Unfortunately, that rests largely with the court system and is somewhat beyond our control.”
– By Jim Roberts
Peekskill comptroller settles case against Wallkill
Peekskill Comptroller Toni Tracy agreed to a $300,000 settlement against former Wallkill Town Supervisor Frank DenDanto who allegedly subjected her to a hostile workplace, made inappropriate sexually charged discussions and used profanity toward her while she was Town of Wallkill comptroller.
According to a published report, Tracy also alleged the supervisor retaliated against her regarding the terms and conditions of her employment. Tracy had filed the initial complaint with the state Human Rights Commission in August 2021 when she sought $925,000 in damages, according to a published report.
The settlement was reached after the town hired an independent investigator and the case was resolved through the state Human Rights Commission.
School district unveils indoor turf field in Admin Building
The Peekskill City School District unveiled a new turf field inside the Administration Building gymnasium on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
In a video shown at Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting, Director of Physical Education, Health & Athletics Austin Goldberg shared the vision for the space, saying students wanted to have a space to practice.
“We’ve repurposed this facility to provide our students a great atmosphere and turf facility for soccer, for basketball, for softball, for baseball,” Goldberg said. “And we have a lot of students and coaches excited about this opportunity to continue our work and growth.”
– By Eric Harvey
City swears in two new probationary firefighters
Congratulations to Probationary Firefighters Tobias Loyaza and David Brito, who were sworn in late February at the Peekskill Central Firehouse.
“I can’t begin to tell you how excited we were to hire Tobias and David,” said Peekskill Fire Chief James Seymour. “They have been volunteering with us since 2020, and it is great to have the opportunity to hire them as career firefighters. They are both hard-working and respectful young men who earned their positions and will significantly add to our career staff.
“We are thrilled to have them as part of our Fire Department and wish them all the best as they complete their training.”
DeNoia Professional Development grant applicants sought
Applications are now being accepted for the annual Lawrence J. DeNoia Professional Development Grant.
The one-time cash award of up to $1,500 is given by the Peekskill Rotary Club Foundation to a member of the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce who registers and completes a program of professional development. Programs can include college courses, industry specific curricula, leadership or management training.
The purpose of the grant is to encourage the highest level of professionalism and community spirit in the Hudson Valley business community, as exemplified by Larry DeNoia, a former Chamber of Commerce member and Rotary president who passed in December 2019.
The grant that honors his memory is intended to enhance an individual’s capability for professional success and contributions to our community. It also shines a light on the importance of continuing professional growth at any point in a career.
In addition, the grant is in keeping with the Chamber’s and Rotary’s Spirit of Service, and it helps strengthen the ongoing collaboration that have benefited both between the two organizations. The grant will be announced during the Gateway Chamber’s annual Gala in June 2025.
Grant qualifications include: Member of the Hudson Valley Chamber of Commerce in good standing for at least one year;
demonstrated commitment to community service; demonstrated observance of business practices found in Rotary’s 4-Way Test; clear anticipated benefit of development program to enhanced professional achievement and contribution to the community.
The grant application is available here.
Turner Construction donates $50,000 to Black Diamonds
Turner Construction Company has donated $50,000 to support The Black Diamonds Academic Success Program in its mission of empowering young men of color to achieve academic and personal success.
The contribution will enable the program to expand its offerings, strengthen its mentorship initiatives, and provide critical resources for its participants.
The Black Diamonds Academic Success Program is committed to preparing students for life after high school through workshops, college visits, leadership training, and opportunities to develop personal and civic responsibility.
Turner Construction Company’s partnership has been instrumental in this effort, not only through financial support but also by providing career-building opportunities. Earlier this year, four Black Diamonds students participated in Turner’s Summer Internship Program, gaining hands-on experience in the construction industry and professional mentorship.
“This generous donation from Turner Construction Company will help us expand our programs and create even more opportunities for our students,” said Martin McDonald, Executive Director & Founder, Black Diamonds Academic Success Program. “It’s a powerful affirmation of our mission and a reminder to our young men that their success matters to the broader community.”
Persephone’s Pearl relocating to Park Place Tower
Persephone’s Pearl is relocating to new space in the Park Place building on Park and Broad Street in Peekskill.
“As we transition, we ask for your patience with any slight delays in online orders while we pack and unpack. If you have any questions, please email [email protected] – we’re happy to help,” the company posted.
“We are delighted that Persephone’s Pearl found a new location in Downtown Peekskill to continue to grow their local and national presence and expand their products, offerings and services,” said Bill Powers, executive director of the Peekskill Business Improvement District (BID). “It’s great to see a successful business in Peekskill move into one of the city’s newest premiere commercial spaces.”
During the transition, Persephone’s Pearl will continue offering virtual and remote services including readings, candle burnings, spiritual baths, and cleansings. Candle services will proceed as planned with all intentions preserved.
Peekskill to host St. Pat’s Parade and welcome Irish Sister City officials
If it’s March in Peekskill then it must be time to march with the Irish and celebrate St. Patrick with a parade through downtown.
The 2025 festivities mark the 36th anniversary of the founding of the Peekskill St. Patrick’s Committee and it is the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Sister City Agreement with Castlebar, County Mayo, Ireland.
Representatives of Castlebar are scheduled to come to Peekskill on March 14 to take part in the city’s “wearin’ o’ the green.”
The week-long celebration kicks off on March 8 with the Grand Marshal and Aides Installation from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at The Abbey Inn & Spa.
The following Saturday, March 15, is a full day of festivities starting with the Irish Flag Raising at 10:30 a.m. at City Hall. Next up is the Parade Day Breakfast from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Elks Lodge followed by the Mass to St. Patrick at 1:30 p.m. at Assumption Church.
The grand finale is the 36th Peekskill St. Patrick’s Parade through downtown Peekskill starting at 3 p.m. led by this year’s Grand Marshal George Oros.
Everyone’s an Irishman on March 15 so join the fun in downtown Peekskill and smile along with all the Irish eyes.
Peekskill campus offers Design & Digital Arts programs
Students interested in the Interactive Design & Digital Arts Programs at SUNY Westchester Peekskill can immerse themselves in new technologies and art forms. Students can take courses such as animation, introduction to Chat GPT, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator.
There are also eight certificate programs available for students, including 3D animation, web design, digital photography, and mixed reality.
All of the programs incorporate industry-standard software and AI features. By using AI in Adobe and 3D animation, students get hands-on experience with the latest technology, according to Sherry Mayo, director of the Peekskill Extension Center.
The program also offers an AI certificate for business owners. It’s a six-course, 18-hour program designed to help working professionals understand and navigate the AI landscape. It covers topics in marketing and social media, business growth, ethics, and foundational AI concepts.
“By integrating AI into both creative and business-focused curricula, we ensure our students are prepared for the future of digital arts and technology,” Mayo said.
COUNTY
County seeking business input on waste reduction
Westchester County’s Department of Environmental Facilities is working with Barton & Loguidice, a consulting firm, on a waste reduction study that will serve as a guide for reducing waste generation and disposal throughout the next decade and beyond.
The study is seeking input from businesses throughout the county in an effort to engage commercial stakeholders in promoting a circular economy and waste reduction. The survey is designed to shed light on opportunities, barriers and support needed for commercial establishments to adopt circular economy strategies.
Owners and managers of Westchester businesses can participate in the study, available here.
In December, DEF released a waste reduction survey for county residents. The study was made possible by a Board of Legislators initiative added to the 2024 Refuse Disposal District budget. That survey is still available here.
“Westchester County is committed to reducing waste and finding new, sustainable ways to manage our resources. Businesses play a critical role in this effort, and their input will help shape the future of waste reduction strategies in our communities,” said County Executive Ken Jenkins.
Open Arms for Refugees honored for volunteer service
Seven local volunteers will be honored during the Volunteer New York! 45th annual Volunteer Spirit Awards breakfast benefit, presented by Regeneron. The benefit will take place at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown on Friday, April 11 from 7:45 a.m. to 11 a.m. with a networking component for guests beginning at 10 a.m.
This year’s honorees include the Resiliency Award to Najib Arsalan and Freshta Nazari for volunteer action with Open Arms for Refugees, presented by WMCHealth.
The Volunteer Spirit Awards breakfast benefit is held annually in April during Global Volunteer Month to honor volunteers in Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam Counties. The event is attended by over 550 “who’s who” leaders from the community, including representatives from the business, nonprofit, and public sectors, to honor extraordinary individuals and groups who have made a significant difference in their communities. Nominations are held for five categories, and an independent panel of judges selects one individual volunteer or nonprofit group for each category.
Open Arms has resettled numerous families, including many “future Americans,” to Cold Spring, Ossining and Mahopac. The group’s 90 volunteers offer their talents in specialized areas including education, health care, language skills, job training and more, providing a team for each family to help them move into an apartment, settle into schools, and find health care and jobs.
Several of the Open Arms volunteers live in Peekskill. One resettled family uses the medical services at Sun River Health Care here.
Ted Buerger, one of the co-founders of Open Arms for Refugees, told the Herald last year that the group hopes to find affordable housing for future refugees in Peekskill. “I do think we’ll be placing a family in Peekskill. We’ve connected some of our families with other Afghans who live in Peekskill.”
Tickets, congratulatory journal ads, and event sponsorship opportunities are currently available online at volunteernewyork.org/awards. For all inquiries, please contact Dylan Pyne at [email protected].
Last year, Volunteer New York! helped inspire more than 35,000 volunteers to take action and coordinated more than 457,000 hours of service that supported more than 300 nonprofits and local organizations, providing a value of $16.9 million back to our community.
– By Jim Roberts
Campaigns for races in 2026 starting to heat up
The line to challenge incumbent U.S. Congressman Mike Lawler in 2026 forms to the left, and it’s getting crowded already, a year and a half before the next election.
According to an article in Mid-Hudson News, “Jessica Reinmann, a nonprofit executive in Westchester, has already declared her candidacy while Effie Phillips-Staley, an arts executive who serves as a local trustee in Westchester County has also expressed interest.”
Other names suggested include Neal Zuckerman of Garrison, a U.S. Army veteran and management consultant, and declared candidate Beth Davidson, a Rockland County legislator. Davidson is a 52-year-old Nyack resident and mother of two who won a legislature seat in 2023, after serving two terms on the Nyack school board.
In an interview with the USA Today Network, former Rep. Mondaire Jones, the last Democrat to hold the seat who was defeated by Lawler, endorsed Davidson, citing her Rockland ties, political background and fundraising ability.
According to published reports, Lawler might be considering a run for governor in 2026. “It’s no secret that I’m looking at a run for Governor of New York State,” Lawler posted on his Instagram account.
Westchester house sales climb 21 percent over last January
All regions of the lower Hudson Valley, with the exception of Putnam County, experienced an increase in single-family home sales in January 2025 compared to 12 months before, according to a report by the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors (HGAR), based on data supplied by OneKey® MLS.
Sullivan County garnered the highest percentage with a 59.5 percent rise in sales from January 2024. Westchester County single-family homes year-over-year sales grew by 21 percent, and Rockland by 18 percent.
Sullivan also took the lead for the largest percentage increase in the median sales price, with a 17.8 percent uptick to $324,000, over last year’s median of $275,000. Westchester continues to lead with the highest median sales price of $880,000, over $870,000 last year.
Inventory for almost all property types declined in all regions in January, but Rockland County saw co-op inventory gains of 63.6 percent and 29.9 percent for condos. The Bronx held the top spot for new listings in January, with single-family home listings soaring by 81.8 percent over January 2024.
Closed sales of Westchester County’s single-family homes increased by 21 percent in January compared to the same month last year, followed by condos with a 14.7 percent gain. Co-op sales fell by 1.7 percent. However, the co-op market experienced the largest percentage increase in year-over-year median sales prices with a 22.9 percent rise, bringing the January median to $223,750. Single-family home prices in January rose by 1.1 percent to $880,000, but condo prices dropped 5.2 percent to $532,500 compared to January 2024.
Co-op new listings grew by 15.4 percent, followed by condos at 13.4 percent and single-family homes at 9.7 percent. Inventory for condos grew by 5.9 percent but declined for both single-family homes at 18.6 percent and co-ops by 6.3 percent. Months of supply for all property types dropped 9.5 percent to 1.9 months. Pending sales were up by 7.5 percent.
STATE
First woman, Latina leader of National Guard honored
Brigadier General Isabel Rivera Smith, the first woman and Latina commander of the New York Army National Guard’s 53rd Troop Command, based at Camp Smith, has been honored for her groundbreaking accomplishments.
New York State Senator Pete Harckham presented a special Senate Proclamation and medal to BG Smith last month.
“I congratulate General Smith for assuming command of this important unit in the Army National Guard and being a trailblazer as the first woman and Latina to head the 53rd Troop Command,” Harckham said.
Appointed in October 2024 to replace Major General Jack James at Camp Smith, Brig. Gen. Smith is the first Latina and woman to lead one of the New York Army National Guard’s two major commands.
“As commander of the 53rd Troop Command, it is an honor to be recognized by Senator Harckham for all the hard work that our soldiers do to support not only the National Guard, but also for the many local communities that we assist,” said Smith, an Iraq War veteran.
The 53rd Troop Command is one of the New York Guard’s two general officer commands, with troops located across the state in combat support and combat service support roles. The Guard was recently deployed to assist workers at state correctional facilities with tasks including distributing meals and medication to incarcerated individuals and helping maintain general order and wellness.
Brig. Gen. Smith also serves as the Director of Joint Staff for the New York National Guard, overseeing joint Army and Air Guard operations, which include responses to state emergencies. She will continue in that role while serving as the 53rd Troop Command leader.
Born in Lorain, Ohio, to Puerto Rican parents, Smith enlisted in the active Army in October 1985 as a motor transport Operator. Her command assignments and operational deployment include commander of Headquarters detachment of the 53d Troop Command, commander of the 369th Special Troops Battalion, and deputy team chief at Iraq Police National Headquarters in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2010.
BG Smith’s awards include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Humanitarian Service Medal. She is also the recipient of the 2017 Latina Style Military Service Award.
[Attached photos: 1) Sen. Pete Harckham presents a New York State Senate Proclamation to Brig. Gen. Isabel Rivera Smith. 2) Sen. Pete Harckham with Brig. Gen. Isabel Rivera Smith and members of the Camp Smith Command Staff. Credit: Office of State Sen. Pete Harckham / James Persons.]
REAL ESTATE
Recent Home Sales
300 White Street Holdings LLC, Astoria. Seller: C&B Equipment Sales Corp., Croton- on-Hudson. Property: 300 White St., Cortlandt. Amount: $4.5 million. Filed Jan. 23.
Buena Vista Builders LLC, New York. Seller: Stafura Construction Inc., Mohegan Lake. Property: 1 Crompond, Cortlandt. Amount: $140,000. Filed Jan. 22.
Bunch, Joshua M., West Hempstead. Seller: Robert D. Ryan, Cross River. Property: 1015 Constant Ave., Peekskill. Amount: $465,000. Filed Jan. 28.
ECNY Life LLC, Wayne, New Jersey. Seller: Dainty Campbell, Mohegan Lake. Property: 426 Main St., Peekskill. Amount: $500,000. Filed Jan. 22.
Vazquez, Abel, Bronx. Seller: SGB Realty Group LLC, Monroe. Property: 237 Catherine St., Unit 5, Cortlandt. Amount: $560,000. Filed Jan. 24.
