CITY
Electeds Announce $3M in State Funding for Peekskill Water Infrastructure
State Sen. Pete Harckham and Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg announced on May 29 that $3 million in state funding is headed to the City of Peekskill for significant upgrades to its local water infrastructure. It will be matched with $2 million from the city.
A joint release from both officials stated the funding is among the $37 million in grants approved by New York State’s Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors (EFC) for water infrastructure improvement projects across the state.
“Investing in our water infrastructure is essential for safeguarding public health and promoting economic growth,” Harckham said. “Clean water and an effective delivery and storage system are key to maintaining a high quality of life in all our communities. Also, the projects create good paying jobs that have an economic multiplier effect in our communities.”
Funding in Peekskill will go toward the replacement of approximately 5,250 linear feet of drinking water main piping and the replacement of an existing structurally deficient storage tank with a new 400,000-gallon tank.
“Replacing older water mains with new ones is critical for maintaining the safety of a community’s drinking water,” Levenberg said. “I am so pleased that Peekskill will be receiving funding from New York State to upgrade its drinking water infrastructure.”
The release stated both legislators successfully fought to restore funding for local water infrastructure projects from proposed cuts to the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds from the Clean Water Infrastructure Act in last year’s state budget.
The financial assistance approved by the EFC board will allow localities to access low-cost financing and previously announced grants to get shovels in the ground for critical water and sewer infrastructure projects, the release stated, such as treatment processes to remove emerging contaminants from drinking water, replacement of lead service lines and modernizing aging systems.
In the release, Peekskill City Manager Matthew Alexander gave gratitude to the state and said without the assistance the city could not afford the cost of keeping up with its one hundred-plus year-old water system.
“The $3 million of funding from the New York State Water Infrastructure Act Funding will be matched with $2 million of City money and address the City’s 103-year-old water storage tank, and a large portion of insufficiently sized watermains,” Alexander said. “This kind of stewardship protects the health and safety of the over 25,000 residents of Peekskill.”
– Eric Harvey
Peekskill Man Arrested for Leandra’s Law
A Peekskill man was arrested in the Village of Croton-on-Hudson for driving while intoxicated with an 11-year-old child in the vehicle on June 1, according to a press release from New York State Police.
Police say that on June 1 at about 3:26 a.m., troopers from the State Police Cortlandt barracks conducted a traffic stop on a 2006 Mazda traveling northbound on Route 9 in the Village of Croton-on-Hudson for multiple vehicle and traffic law violations.
The operator, later identified as Manuel Daquile Maurquiso, 52, of Peekskill, exhibited signs of intoxication and was administered standardized field sobriety tests which he failed, according to police. Further investigation revealed an 11-year-old child was also present in the vehicle.
Maurquiso was arrested and transported to State Police Cortlandt for processing, where police say he provided a breath sample resulting in a BAC of 0.12 percent. The child was safely released to a sober third party.
Maurquiso was charged with:
- Driving while intoxicated (DWI): previous conviction within ten years
- Driving while intoxicated: operating a motor vehicle with blood alcohol concentration (BAC) .08 percent or higher, with prior conviction within 10 years
- Aggravated DWI: with a child passenger under 16, with prior conviction within 10 years
- Multiple vehicle and traffic law violations.
Maurquiso was arraigned in the Village of Croton-on-Hudson Court and released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to appear in court on June 4.
Manzer Announces New Ownership of Whispering Pines
Long-time Peekskill business owner and former high-school wrestling champion Chappy Manzer has announced that new ownership is taking over a Yorktown Heights nursery and garden center.
Manzer, who owns Manzer’s Landscape Design & Development, Inc.. on Lower South Street, invited the public to a June 1 Grand Opening under new ownership of Whispering Pines at 1 Windsor Road on the Yorktown/Somers border on Route 6. Whispering Pines was owned for many years by members of the Kuck family.
Manzer Landscape Design in Peekskill is a full-service landscape company, providing service in landscape maintenance, planting and masonry work.
According to a published report, half of the Whispering Pines property formerly operated as Whispering Pines Garden Center and Florist owned by Bradley Kuck, Kathleen Kuck, and Beth Hundgen. The other side of the property was home to Whispering Pines Landscape Supply Corp., operated by Thomas P. Kuck.
– Jim Roberts
Local LGBTQ+ Teen Group Receives Lehrer Award for Community Well-being
Fourth Fridays, a dedicated social program for LGBTQIA+ teens in collaboration with Peekskill Pride, announced on May 28 that it was awarded the 2025 Lehrer Award for Community Well-Being.
The social group for LGBTQIA+ high schoolers and their allies was founded in 2024 with grant funding from New York-Presbyterian. It has since become a pillar of support for LGBTQIA+ youth in Westchester County, the group said in a release, offering a social program that welcomes and affirms each attendee to be their true authentic selves.
The free program offers dinner, games, activities, guest speakers, and opportunities for youth to develop their social networks and be supported by trusted adults.
The annual award presented by Brian Lehrer of WNYC Public Radio recognizes a standout idea, person, group, or effort that has contributed meaningfully to life in New York City and the surrounding areas, Fourth Fridays said. This year’s prize was dedicated to supporting trans kids.
In a release program manager Marjie Kemper said, “Receiving this award is a testament to the need for teen LGBTQIA+ supportive initiatives that increase outreach and encourage young people to live authentically and without fear of discrimination.”
Fourth Fridays is hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Hudson Valley (UUCHV), a non-profit organization that embraces theological diversity, inclusivity and social justice.
– Eric Harvey
Peekskill High School News Team Takes Two First Place Awards Home
The Peekskill High School Mercury News team took home two first place awards at Hofstra University’s annual Broadcast Alliance for Senior High School Awards (BASH) on May 22.
Peekskill students competed against about 1000 students across about 50 local high schools and were the recipients of the “Best Anchor Team” and the “Best Long Broadcast” award for their feature on the Peekskill High School RISE Program, a program focusing on teaching students necessary life skills to equip them with social, emotional, academic and interpersonal skills.
A social media post from the district on May 30 said the day included workshop lessons, lectures, and meet and greet opportunities.
Peekskill Logo and Marketing Efforts Continue
A now-deleted social media post created by “Discover Peekskill” and shared by the City of Peekskill Instagram accounts stirred criticism when it misspelled the city’s name as “Peeskill.”
While some pointed the finger at Trajectory Brands, the marketing firm hired to design the city’s logo and brand for $55,000, the firm’s chief strategist told the Peekskill Herald that the firm had nothing to do with the social media post.
Jeannette Hanna of Trajectory Brands Inc., a Toronto firm, said, “We haven’t seen it, [it has] nothing to do with us. It’s not official with us in any way and that’s not the way we would launch it.”
The newly launched Discover Peekskill Instagram page is not connected with the city’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative-related branding and marketing efforts or Trajectory Brand’s branding work.
The page was created by the Peekskill Business Improvement District in order to broaden their social media reach with an immediate focus on attracting more foot traffic to downtown by visitors and tourists, particularly during all of the “Jam Pack’d June” events, said the BID’s executive director Bill Powers.
“During the first few days, we began to populate the page with some trial posts,” Powers told the Herald. “One post had a typo, which was corrected when brought to our attention.”
According to the City of Peekskill website, the city’s logo and branding initiative is still in its first step, the discovery process which involves interviewing residents, local artists and designers, business owners, members of the Peekskill Business Improvement District, and other stakeholders.
A survey to get input on the design of the logo and brand from the community, originally set to close May 16, will be open for one to two more weeks, Hanna said on Friday, May 30.
“We’re taking all that input,” Hanna said. “We got our first workshop with our steering committee and we’re just distilling that content.”
– Eric Harvey
Tri-State Area LGBTQ+ Pride Groups Call for Protection of Rights
Ahead of Pride Month, more than 30 LGBTQ+ Pride Groups in the Tri-State CT/NY/NJ area, including Peekskill Pride, jointly released a statement on May 20 in which they called on electeds to continue to prioritize LGBTQ+ rights.
“We have seen 575 bills introduced this legislative season alone across the country that aim to strip us of our rights, according to the Human RIghts Campaign; and are nine times more likely to be the target of a hate crime, according to the Williams Institute,” they stated. “The FBI has reported that hate crimes against LGBTQ+Americans continue to rise, and at least 32 transgender and gender-expansive people have been murdered in 2025 so far.”
The group continued, saying transgender and gender-expansive individuals have been disproportionately targeted and dehumanized by local, state, and federal governments and institutions. They called on leaders to condemn the criminalization of trans people and help them to be able to access basic civil rights and public services, including healthcare, legal documents reflecting who they are, equal access in schools, and in every aspect of civic life.
“We believe that our towns, cities, and country are stronger when we embrace the diversity of our communities and when we can live free from fear,” they stated. “We believe our local officials should use their platforms in every capacity to fight hate in all forms.”
– Eric Harvey
Grievance Day Coming Up
City of Peekskill Assessor Robert Morin gave a reminder to residents about the upcoming Grievance Day on June 17, the last day in which property owners may file a formal complaint seeking a reduction in their tentative tax assessments.
At the May 27 Common Council meeting, Morin said property owners interested in getting a formal review should first determine if they are accessed accurately. Property owners can inquire about the assessor’s estimate of market value for their property at the city website.
If property owners believe the assessed value is too high, the city can provide them with a form to file a grievance and provide guidance on how to support the estimate of market value.
“Typically owners contact a local realtor to get comparable sales, or they hire a real estate appraiser to get a written appraisal report,” Morin said. “Also keep in mind, if your home was recently purchased, the sale price is often a very good indicator of market value.”
Those with questions or concerns regarding their assessment are encouraged to call the assessor’s office at (914) 734-4190. The grievance filing period begins June 1 and the deadline for filing is June 17.
– Eric Harvey
City Hiring Spanish-speaking Section 8 Housing Inspector
The City of Peekskill is advertising to hire a Section 8 Housing Inspector (Spanish Speaking). The job pays $85,257 a year and the closing date to apply is June 9.
The employee hired will inspect dwellings and other structures for compliance with provisions of State and Local Laws, rules, and regulations; correspond with members of the public in both English and Spanish on behalf of the City’s Section 8 Rental Assistance Program; investigate complaints of violations of the Housing Code in accordance with HUD regulations; and prepare reports of inspections.
Requirements include high school degree or equivalent, three years of building construction, building inspection or investigative work enforcing codes and ordinances relating to the safety of building structures or occupancy; or completion of an Associate’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture or Building Technology or related field and one year of experience.
To apply click here.
TOWN OF CORTLANDT
Hen Hud Hires Rohring as Assistant Superintendent for Business
Kimberly J. Rohring has been hired as Assistant Superintendent for Business at the Hendrick Hudson Central School District. Rohring was appointed at the Board of Education meeting on May 20, and will begin serving a four-year probationary term on July 14. She replaces Jill Figarella, who served the district since July 1, 2024 as Interim Assistant Superintendent for Business.
“I am thrilled to welcome Kimberly Rohring to the Hendrick Hudson Central School District as our next Assistant Superintendent for Business,” Superintendent of Schools Michael A. Tromblee said. “Ms. Rohring brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this role, having successfully led complex financial and capital initiatives across several New York school districts.”
Rohring served the last three years as the Assistant Superintendent of Finance for the Newburgh Enlarged City School District. She previously served three years as Deputy Superintendent for Business and Finance for the City School District of Albany, one year as the Assistant Superintendent for Business in the Cornwall Central School District, and one year as the lead business official in the Bloomfield Central School District.
In recent years, she led capital project work for the City of Albany School District, including a $179.9-million full renovation and addition at Albany High School and a separate $45-million capital project across the district. In Newburgh, Rohring guided more than $250 million in capital projects, highlighted by the construction of a new Center for Technical Education, additions at several other Newburgh schools, and renovations at two high school campuses.
Hen Hud Hires New Transportation Supervisor
The Hendrick Hudson Central School District plans to hire Lisa Salma as the district’s transportation supervisor effective June 23 at an annual salary of $127,000.
The hiring is scheduled for a Board of Education vote at its June 4 meeting. The appointment will be for a one-year probationary period and Salma must successfully make the hiring list posted by Westchester County after passing the county exam.
Hen Hud operates a fleet of 54 buses that travel over 600,000 miles in any given year. In addition to providing transportation to the five Hendrick Hudson schools, they also provide service to 15 out-of-district private, parochial, and special needs schools.
The district had been filling the position with an outside consulting firm following the retirement of the prior long-time supervisor last June.
– Jim Roberts
Work for Teens in Cortlandt This Summer
The Town of Cortlandt’s Youth Employment Services (Y.E.S.) can help residents find local high school students ages 14-18 who want to work short- or long-term. Looking for a date night babysitter? Or help with yard work this spring? Need someone to walk your dog or feed your pets while you’re away? You supply the details of your job, and the town will help connect you. Your personal information is kept private. Text the keyword HIRE to 833-343-0298.
Also, the Town of Cortlandt Recreation Department is looking for Counselors for Day Camp. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. After an application is submitted, applicants will be contacted by phone to set up an interview date and time.
For more information, contact the Town of Cortlandt Recreation Department at [email protected] or 914-734-1050.
STATE
Harckham, Advocates Call for ASAP Act and a Solar Powered NY
State Sen. Pete Harckham and environmental and labor advocates rallied at the State Capitol on May 28 in support of legislation sponsored by Harckham aiming to advance the successes of New York’s solar energy sector.
Those successes, according to a release from Harckham’s office, are creating thousands of new green jobs statewide, saving ratepayers billions of dollars, and avoiding emitting millions of tons of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere.
The rally at the Million Dollar Staircase supported Harckham’s Accelerate Solar for Affordable Power (ASAP) Act, which sets a new target for “distributed” (i.e. rooftop and community) solar energy capacity.
It would raise the state’s rooftop and community solar goal to 20 gigawatts by 2035 and direct the New York’s Public Service Commission to implement common-sense reforms to the utility interconnection process in order to lower costs and accelerate deployment, the release stated.
“The implementation of solar energy systems statewide, including in underserved, low-income communities, deserves as much support and encouragement as possible,” Harckham said. “New York’s clean energy momentum is an incubator for good-paying blue-and white-collar jobs and ramping up our gigawatt goals will reduce energy costs for residents, provide cleaner, healthier air to breathe as well, and benefit our communities in countless ways.”
Harckham was joined by State Senator Liz Krueger and Assemblywoman Didi Barrett, as well as advocates from the New York Solar Energy Industries Association, Third Act Upstate New York, Coalition for Community Solar Access, New York State Laborers, and Solar Energy Industries Association.
“Solar is leading the way in delivering a more affordable and sustainable clean energy future in New York,” Krueger said. “We should be doubling down on this winning bet by increasing our ambitions and getting rid of unnecessary costs that weigh down solar interconnections.”
– Eric Harvey
NATIONAL
Reps. Lawler, Riley Introduce bill to Support Veterans Exposed to PFAS
U.S. Reps Mike Lawler (NY-17) and Josh Riley (NY-19) introduced on May 29 the VET PFAS Act.
The bipartisan legislation by the Republican Lawler and Democratic Riley aims to ensure veterans and their families exposed to toxic per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at military installations receive the health care and disability benefits they have earned through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
A release from Lawler’s office stated the act will designate PFAS exposure as a service-connected condition for affected veterans, require the VA to provide health care and benefits for medical conditions associated with PFAS exposure, and ensure military families have access to the care and support they need.
“Our veterans have sacrificed so much in defense of our freedoms,” Lawler said. “We must honor that sacrifice with concrete action to support them once they’ve come home. Too many of our brave veterans were stationed at military facilities where they were unknowingly exposed to toxic PFAS chemicals. The VET PFAS Act will deliver long-overdue care to those who have already given this nation so much.”
According to the release, PFAS contamination has been documented at more than 700 military bases across the globe and that studies have linked PFAS exposure to serious health risks such as cancer, liver and kidney disease, high cholesterol, hypertension, thyroid disorders, and other chronomic conditions.
– Eric Harvey
