Tuesday, January 2, 2024

POLICE USE VEHICLE PIECES TO CATCH SUSPECT IN FATAL NYE RUN IN CROTON

Welcome to The New Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.


Police Use Vehicle Pieces To Catch Suspect In Fatal NYE Hit-Run In Croton

A suspect has been apprehended in connection with a Northern Westchester hit-run that left a man dead, police announced.

Police Use Vehicle Pieces To Catch Suspect In Fatal NYE Hit-Run In Croton | Cortlandt Daily Voice

ABOUT THAT POUND RIDGE POT SHOP OPT-OUT

There were new developments this week regarding the controversial issue of the potential for cannabis businesses to operate in Pound Ridge.  

3 ITEMS FROM THE MAILBOX

1) The blog has received quite a bit of commentary about a local business posting essentially pro-Hamas/pro Palestinian rhetoric.  It will NOT be posted here.  Please direct your comments to the business in question instead. Thank you.

2) A reader wants to know when Justin Thyme closed.  Answer: In 2018; they had a farewell event---click here to see photos

3) A reader was trying to remember the name of an ice cream shop down in the Croton Commons.  Answer: It was called The Purple Monkey and closed about eight years ago, relocating we believe, out West.

THE DIABOLICAL DOZEN---MY TWELVE MOST SIGNIFICANT COVID EVENTS

The Diabolical Dozen: My Twelve ‘Most-Significant Covid Events----BY BILL RICE JANUARY 1, 2024 ---Ioccasionally enjoy publishing “List” articles. To me, these essays can provide larger context on important topics and can assist writers in their quest to connect dots that identify the key events that explain how we got to our “Twilight Zone” New Normal.  MORE AT The Diabolical Dozen: My Twelve ‘Most-Significant Covid Events’ ⋆ Brownstone Institute

HARVARD UNIV GAY TO RESIGN AMID PLAGIRISM SCANDAL

Harvard University President Claudine Gay to resign amid a plagiarism scandal: Report---this is a developing story and will be updated --more at Harvard President Claudine Gay to resign following weeks of scandal and scrutiny: Report | Washington Examiner

and MORE AT Harvard President Claudine Gay to Resign (townhall.com)

BLOCKHEADS FOR HAMAS

Anti-Israel rally at JFK Airport causes New Year’s Day nightmare on one of the busiest travel days of the year

Published Jan. 1, 2024
Updated Jan. 2, 2024, 2:10 a.m. ET---Hateful anti-Israel protesters yelling inflammatory chants snarled traffic and caused chaos as they descended upon John F. Kennedy International Airport Monday – creating a  nightmare on one of the busiest travel days of the year. 

CANDIDLY, ALLEN FUNT...A MLLION SMILES LATER

Welcome to The New Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

Just finished re-reading a book by one of Croton's most notable residents----
ALLEN FUNT--You will definitely enjoy as well---- 'CANDIDLY, ALLEN FUNT...A MLLION SMILES LATER".  There's quite a few pages dedicated to his life in Croton.   THE NEW EVERYTHING CROTON: 1958---ALLEN A FUNT PRODUCTIONS

The book is available here.

THE ANNUAL REQUEST: A 2015 CROTON-ON-HUDSON EPIPHANY TALE...

Welcome to The New Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

THE ANNUAL REQUEST---FROM 2015

There was some excitement at Holy Name of Mary's life-sized outdoor nativity this morning. Read on...

A note from Holy Name....

Baby Jesus went missing from the Nativity scene in front of the Church on this snowy morning.

The police were called and a police report was submitted. This had happened before, back in 2012. We never got the baby Jesus back then, and had to purchase a replacement.

But this time was different... the baby hadn't actually been stolen.

It was 'relocated'.

Someone thought the Baby might need a break from hanging with the sheep, and would be happier in the arms of his 'godfather', a wise man who had come to leave Him a gift. (CLICK ON THE PHOTO).

The police were very understanding.

Blessings on the Epiphany and on Sunday: the baptism of the lord.

JANUARY 6TH--THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY

Yes...it's that time of year....and now a SPECIAL REQUEST FROM A READER...And always worth a second look...a very special treat with many thanks to a thoughtful contributor and "company". This exceptional nativity set was purchased in Germany in 1933--and given as a wedding present in 1938. It was hand carved and painted by a master artist. The human figures are about 8" tall. The Three Kings are especially exceptional. Click on the photos and enjoy.

You may also enjoy....Paul Race's 'The line for the family stable forms here"--GO TO https://www.familychristmasonline.com/musings/line_for_the_stable/line_for_the_stable.htm










PRO-LIFE VISITORS TARGETED BY NATIONAL ARCHIVES WIN MAJOR SETTLEMENT

The National Archives and Records Administration settled a lawsuit with visitors who were asked to remove or cover up pro-life attire at the facility.  The visitors, including a minor, were attending the March for Life.  The agency agreed to a preliminary injunction, barring them from targeting pro-life visitors and agreed to provide video footage of the interaction. MORE AT Pro-Life Visitors Targeted by National Archives Win Major Settlement (msn.com)

AGAIN......THE KATZ LOW INCOME/AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT PILOT

Welcome to The New Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

The blog continues to receive many questions and comments about this unfortunate site; some of these are addressed in a 2021 note from the mayor---see below:

Mayor Brian Pugh, Croton on Hudson
August 24, 2021 ·

Dear Neighbors:
The redevelopment of 41-51 Maple Street (“Katz Property”) recently passed two key milestones. With site approval by the Village’s Planning Board and approval from the Town of Cortlandt of the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT), we are closer than ever to addressing the need for affordable housing in our community and rebuilding our Village’s fiscal strength as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

After months of careful review, the Planning Board granted site plan approval to Regan Development at its meeting last week. The approved site plan is for a multifamily residential development consisting of 33 apartments within two 2-story buildings. To minimize impacts on the neighbors and comply with the Village Code, the project will feature 50 ft. vegetated borders between it and adjacent residential properties. RDC’s buildings will both contain elevators, and all apartments will either be built as fully accessible for people with physical disabilities or will be convertible to full accessibility, at RDC’s cost. A percentage of the apartments will be fully accessible at construction completion.

Four of the 33 proposed units will be at market rates. The remainder will be affordable for those earning incomes of between 50% and 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Westchester. For the purposes of example: for a single person household, 50% of AMI is $44,050 and 80% of AMI is $70,480.

Also last week, the Town of Cortlandt’s Board approved a PILOT agreement for Maple Street. The Board of Trustees joined them in ratifying the PILOT on Monday.

Under the PILOT agreement, the local taxing jurisdictions will be paid an initial amount of $70,000/year, increasing 3% per year for the term of the PILOT agreement, which will be 30 years. Regan has also agreed to the payment of a User Fee to the Village of Croton-on-Hudson in the amount of $20,000/year for the 30-year term.

The PILOT for 41-51 Maple Street will generate more revenue than similar PILOTs for affordable developments in New Rochelle, Somers and Tarrytown. Currently, the publicly-owned but vacant parcel produces no revenue for any of the taxing entities.
Regan has agreed to pay the Village $2M for the property--an increase of $250,000 from the initial offer accepted by the Board of Trustees in February.

The Regan development is the first affordable housing that will be built in our Village since 2009, and it is an important downpayment on addressing the housing crisis in our community. There is an acute need for affordable housing in our community. The 2019 Housing Needs Assessment conducted by Westchester County found 200 households in Croton-on-Hudson paying more than 50% of their annual gross income on rent.

It is rare that a single project can do so much to meet a community’s financial and social needs. I greatly appreciate the partnership of our friends on the Town Board and our colleagues on the Planning Board in helping to move this forward.

Sincerely,
Brian Pugh
Mayor of Croton-on-Hudson

AND THE 2007 ANNOUNCEMENT LETTER FROM OFFICIALS IS HERE

JUNE IS THE MONTH OF THE SACRED HEART

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton -- our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our hous...