When I took office as mayor, Jeremy was 2 years old, and Owen was a newborn. This month they turn 20 and 18.

On January 1, 1996, I joined the New Rochelle City Council as its youngest member.  Exactly ten years later, I took my first oath as Mayor.  At the time, Jeremy was 2, and Owen was a newborn.

Now, after nearly three decades in office, about 700 council meetings, innumerable votes, actions and events, countless emails, tweets, robocalls and other public messages — not to mention the boys’ 20th and 18th birthdays this month — I am posting for the final time as Mayor.

(Today is likely to be my last at City Hall.  Barring an unexpected municipal emergency, I am taking the next two weeks to rest and recharge.)

I have shared previously my decision not to seek reelection and my plans to join Sustainable Westchester in January as Executive Director.  Rather than repeat those extended reflections on past and future service (which I encourage you to read, if you haven’t already), today let me offer instead just a few brief and simple thank yous:

•  Thank you to every colleague and partner who worked in good faith to advance the values and interests of our community.  New Rochelle’s dramatic progress is a testament to the power of constructive teamwork.

•  Thank you to the friends who celebrated when I excelled, and helped me back on my feet when I stumbled.  Catie and I are blessed with so many wonderful relationships, and we treasure them all.

•  Most importantly, thank you to the tens of thousands of residents who, across a generation, placed their confidence in me.  I have never taken your support for granted, and have worked my hardest to validate your trust.

Preparing to depart is undeniably bittersweet.  The office is almost entirely packed-up, at once empty of objects and full of memories.  But the bitter is made less and the sweet more by my admiration for our next mayor.  Yadira Ramos-Herbert is exactly the right person to author a fresh and exciting chapter in New Rochelle’s ongoing story.  I ask those who stood with me to offer her the same faith, support, and generosity of spirit.

Finally, although leaving government after twenty-eight years certainly marks an important change for me and for the City, saying “farewell” doesn’t seem exactly right.  Catie and I will remain proud and active citizens of New Rochelle.  I will continue serving our community, and all the communities of Westchester, in my new position.  And I plan to stay in touch as I enter the next phase of professional life.

In the meantime, Catie, Jeremy, and Owen join me in extending best wishes for the season and the New Year.  May 2024 bring peace and joy to you, to those you love, and to the world we share.

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An across-the-street wave from Vice President Kamala Harris.

This afternoon, I joined a group of about fifty leaders from across New York State — elected officials, not-for-profit heads, labor representatives, and community advocates — who were invited to meet at the White House with cabinet secretaries and other senior Biden Administration officials.  An excellent opportunity to build relationships and to discuss the vital connection between federal policy and local priorities.  I cited New Rochelle’s LINC project as a model of transformative federal investment.

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Angela Farrish, Nathalia Fernandez, and Rudolph celebrate the season

Not my most mayoral look, but a ton of fun to join families from throughout New Rochelle at our Rudolph Rocks New Ro event over the weekend, followed by our annual holiday lighting.  Thank you to the City Parks team and our partners at the Chamber, Library and BID who organized the festivities.

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A foppish Bramson and an elegant Sternhagen read from Shakepeare

Almost everyone knew her face, familiar from an extraordinarily prolific acting career, and many fans knew her name, too.  But only a comparatively small and fortunate few knew her as a neighbor.  Frances Sternhagen, who passed away this week at the age of 93, was a beloved part of New Rochelle, admired as much for her humility, warmth, and gentle kindness, as for her acting talents.  I will always treasure the memory of reading sonnets with her at the Sound Shore Shakespeare Festival a few years ago.  Needless to say, her stage presence was just a little better than mine!  Please read Sternhagen’s full obituary in the Times.  May Frances Sternhagen rest in peace.

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Click to enlarge

Last week’s budget presentation from our Department of Development included a helpful snapshot of New Rochelle’s historic growth.  This slide illustrates the status of projects approved, completed, and under construction, as well as occupancy rates, affordability, and points of origin from which new residents are arriving.  Although several more years will be required before the benefits of growth are realized fully (keep in mind that only about a fifth of the anticipated new population is already here), our progress to date has been dramatic and entirely consistent with the City’s hopes and goals.

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Lots of great seasonal events in New Ro, including the Holiday Market at the train station, which kicks off this Friday.  Visit the City website for all the details.

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Three Mayors: Tim Idoni, Noam Bramson, and Yadira Ramos-Herbert (photo credit: Alex Acaro)

Love this photo.  Grateful to have had the opportunity to build on the vital work of my predecessor, Tim Idoni, and now excited to benefit from the leadership of Yadira Ramos-Herbert, our history-making new mayor.  Sustained effort across a generation, balancing continuity and change, has made a dramatic positive difference for New Rochelle.

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