CITY OF PEEKSKILL
Harckham Food Drive Collects 750 Pounds for Fred’s Pantry
More than 750 pounds of donations of food, household items, and toiletries were collected for Fred’s Pantry, announced state Sen. Pete Harckham on June 1. The pantry is based at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church under the supervision of Caring for the Hungry and Homeless of Peekskill (CHHOP).
Harckham’s 21st food drive was held at Peekskill High School from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 30. On hand were a dozen volunteers from the food pantry, members of Harckham’s team including several interns in his Peekskill district office, as well as Peekskill Schools Superintendent David Mauricio, NY-17 candidate Beth Davidson and Buchanan Trustee Awilda Baez.
Tito Davila, a recently retired Harckham staff member who organized the previous 20 food drives, also stopped by with two bags of food.
“It may not be a leading headline these days, but too many of our fellow neighbors are dealing with hunger and food insecurity,” Harckham said in a release. “Our local food pantries, including Fred’s Pantry here in Peekskill, offer tremendous help to community members, but they need as much support as possible. The amazing volunteers who participated in this food drive deserve a big thank you for their hard work, as does everyone who donated to help our neighbors in need. It’s inspiring to see this community come together in service of those who could use some help.”
To date, the senator’s food drives have collected almost 60,000 pounds of food and more than $15,000 in donations, according to the release.
Cynthia Knox, executive director of CHHOP said, “In these inflationary times, people are struggling more than ever, which is why it is so important for all of us to support our neighbors. Senator Harckham understands this and continues to stand with us and engage our community because he knows how hard it is right now for many of his constituents.”
Field Library Moving Ahead with New Headquarters
The Field Library is another step closer to having a new home at the former Workers Compensation building at 41 North Division St., where Children’s Village is set to build 22 apartments.
The Peekskill Industrial Development Agency (PIDA) approved the 41 North Division St. Children’s Village project’s Payment in lieu of Taxes (PILOT). The deal utilizes the U.S. Historic Tax Credit (HTC) program for $4 million in project financing.
In a memo to the city, Matthew Rudikoff, Economic Development Specialist, called the project an adaptive reuse of the historic 36,000-square-foot “Workers Comp Building” to house the Field Library; ground floor entryway; and 22 assisted units of affordable housing at 50 to 60 percent AMI (area median income).
The PILOT explains that Children’s Village pay taxes for 2026 and 2027. . In 2028, title to the property will be temporarily transferred to 41 Streamline, LLC or other tax credit private equity for six years in order to receive the HTC benefit and granting a 100 percent tax exemption for that period.
Additionally, a 20-year municipal impact fee agreement between Children’s Village and the city kicks in, starting at $33,000 per year and escalating by three percent per year until 2045 to the otherwise fully tax-exempt property and project, Rudikoff said.
For the project to proceed, the Common Council must vote on a resolution, slated for June 8, to consider PIDA approval of the PIDA granting a PILOT, and approve the Children’s Village/city municipal impact fee agreement.
School District Honors Tenure Recipients and Retirees
It’s not a bird. It’s not a plane. It’s an educator ready to activate their “superpower” to teach kids.
The Peekskill City School District held a celebration for 33 tenure recipients wearing superhero capes at the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, June 2. They also honored 15 retirees.
“This isn’t just tenure, it’s transformation,” said Dr. Rebecca Aviles-Rodriguez, assistant superintendent. “It’s not just endurance but it’s excellence. It’s not just teaching, but impact. Because what you have accomplished is nothing short of heroic.”
Tenure recipients include Randi Alberino, Sarah Barnett, Gizeht Benitez, Astrid Bizoni, Valerie Boscia, Melanie Bryant, Nicole Carbelim, Alexis Conte, Melissa Cooper, Karen Enea, Laura Esposito, Airy Ferreras Molina, Sindy Ferreras Molina, Fanny Glassberg, Katya Gonzalez Ruiz, Jennifer Gouker, Alison Kaplan, Paula Kwartler, Nicole Lehoczky, Bridget Lopez, Nicole Loreto, Angie Macchia, Justin Maldonado, Miranda Mattaice, Jane Nassisi, Elizabeth Ojeda, Lindsay Owens, Santo Polanco Rosario, Marilyn Rosa, Diana Suarez Mesa, Kiara Turner, Jessica Walton and Andrea Winston.
Retirees include Patricia “Trish” Dundon, Matilde Broadbent, Luz Cardona, Scott Purificato, Elizabeth Irving, Tanya Sharrock, Rachele Rice, Kairul Bacchus, Stacey Bean, Debbie Mojica, Heather Norman, Lenore Viola, Noel Cabassa, Thomas Malcom, and Daniel Moran. — Eric Harvey
Chamber Foundation Awards Scholarships
The Hudson Valley Gateway Foundation awarded eleven scholarships of $1,500 each to students from schools across the lower Hudson Valley, including the City of Peekskill and Town of Cortlandt, on Friday, June 5, at the Holy Mountain Franscian Retreat Center in Garrison, New York.
The scholarship winners, according to a press release include:
- Joshua Jones, Peekskill High School
- Katherine Alvares, Peekskill High School
- Brody Marcus, Hendrick Hudson High School
- Amanda Parker, Walter Panas High School
- Caitlyn Koumas, Putnam Valley High School
- Elona Peechatt, Yorktown High School
- Favio Lalvay Barros, Croton-Harmon High School
- Jack Hiltsley, Hendrick Hudson High School
- Julianna Esposito, Kennedy Catholic High School
- Peyton Colasante, Lakeland High School
Tip Line Is Always Open at the Peekskill Herald
Have a story idea that you’d like to see a reporter from the Peekskill Herald check out?
We always want to hear from our readers. We’ll review and evaluate the submissions and select those that may lead to a story we publish. You can reach us at [email protected].
