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 I am proud to be the Mayor of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson as we move forward on so many projects.
Our Village is uniquely situated between the tranquil Croton and the majestic Hudson Rivers, and the Village is dedicated to protecting the sensitive environment of our rivers, while preserving the public's ability to enjoy the waterfront. In conjunction with Westchester County, the Village will soon begin work along the Hudson River to create recreational space including parkland, fields and a new trail link to be part of the "RiverWalk" trail. Improvements will make the river more accessible for kayakers, boaters and windsurfers, while those who prefer to stay on land can enjoy the spectacular scenery and wildlife from a handicapped accessible trail and surrounding park.
Bringing together more than ten government agencies with jurisdiction along the Croton River and a number of private property owners, the Village was the leader of the effort to create a Croton River Compact Committee. The Compact Committee is working to find ways to protect the natural beauty of the Croton River Gorge, while maintaining safe, recreational access and use. With financial assistance from the Town of Cortlandt, the Croton Police purchased a boat, enabling officers to access the Croton River. Increased police presence provides security and safety for the public enjoying the river and the homeowners along its shoreline.
As housing costs continue to rise, we have been working within our community to provide affordable housing. The Village has teamed with the Croton Housing Network to build an additional eleven affordable housing units specifically for senior citizens. Croton is proud of its record of developing affordable housing options for our residents, and we are always looking for more opportunities to provide this vital service.
To further protect and enhance the small town feel of Croton, a group of residents formed a committee specifically to address pedestrian and bicycle safety. Their efforts to encourage walking and bicycling as an alternative means of transportation continue Croton's commitment to decrease pollution from cars, traffic and our dependency on fossil fuels, while enhancing the health of our residents and safety of our neighborhoods.
We have been working on expanding our teen program to give middle and high-schoolers additional recreation options. The municipal building was renovated to create an additional space for use by the teens and seniors. This space will have a pool table, ping pong table, video games and other amenities. Recently the Village sent out a survey and asked residents to indicate their interest in developing additional community facilities.
Most importantly, Croton is about the people who call Croton home. We are a diverse community of people from all walks of life. We have a strong desire to preserve and improve the quality of life here in our Village. Many of our residents volunteer their time to serve the Village on Boards and Committees; others work with organizations such as Little League, AYSO, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the Lion's Club, the Rotary Club, the Croton Caring Committee, the PTA and numerous others.
For anyone looking for a place to visit, the Village of Croton-on-Hudson offers much to see and do. For anyone looking for a place to call home, the Village of Croton-on-Hudson offers a warm and welcoming community. And for everyone who already calls Croton home, I am sure you are just as proud of our Village as I am. As Mayor, I will lead the Village, ensuring that Croton is a safe and fulfilling place to live for our current residents and future generations.
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