Honoring a Hero
Join us this Thursday at 2:30pm on Bayberry Lane as we honor Ben Ferencz, the last living Nuremberg prosecutor. A towering figure in the world of international law and human rights, Ben is still active at the age of 102. He lived for many years here in New Rochelle on Bayberry, which will receive the honorary designation “Ben Ferencz Way.” All who are interested in celebrating a true local and global hero are welcome to attend.
Update: I was honored to deliver these remarks at the ceremony.
A strong and effective speech yesterday from the President of the United States, who has successfully rallied the world to isolate Putin’s repressive Russia and to support a free Ukraine. The President called for a similar spirit of unity and determination on our domestic challenges, rightly highlighting the significant accomplishments of the past year, while outlining practical measures to confront inflation and stabilize the nation’s recovery from COVID. The Biden Administration’s policies have already had a positive effect in communities like New Rochelle by delivering vital resources for families, businesses, and service providers, and by providing for unprecedented investment in infrastructure, including for bold initiatives like the LINC. Narrow congressional majorities make governance difficult, and yet — from ARPA to the infrastructure law, from restored international leadership to diversity and excellence on the federal courts — the President’s record has been impressive, and yesterday’s address leaves me feeling more optimistic about our course as a nation.
With COVID rates declining quickly, Governor Hochul has lifted New York State’s mask or vax mandate for indoor spaces. (Mask requirements remain in effect, for now, in certain higher-density or higher-risk settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, and mass transit, while schools will be reevaluated in March.) In light of the State’s action, New Rochelle is lifting the local mask mandate that has applied to City Hall.