Helping Man's Best Friend

 

 

 

 

HARRISON TOWN CLERK JOSEPH ACOCELLA
RALLIES FOR MAN’S BEST FRIEND

Clerk calls on local communities to join him in “starting the trend”.


HARRISON-NY. Town Clerk Joseph Acocella held a meeting today at The New Rochelle Humane Society animal shelter along with officials from the New York State Humane Association (NYSHA) and The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). The topic of discussion ranged from dog licensing to puppy mills. “This was a healthy conversation that many communities should be having” said Acocella. Mr. Acocella licenses dogs as part of his role as Harrison Town Clerk, but it was not until he met with members of NYSHA and HSUS a few weeks ago that he learned the true importance of his work. “Man’s best friend is in trouble. As human beings, we owe it to them to take action” Acocella said.

Mr. Acocella called on local municipalities around Westchester to increase their involvement with their local shelters in order to promote pet adoptions, increase dog licensing and finally put an end to the ongoing exploitative practices of puppy mills. “If we truly take a second, and look at the whole picture we see one that is not that pretty. Shelters are overcrowded in some areas, dogs are not being licensed although it is the law, and puppy mills are flourishing. These are all problems which have direct correlations with one another. We need to start the trend in Westchester that can potentially influence other areas of New York if not the country” Acocella said.

Mr. Acocella will continue to work with The New Rochelle Human Society animal shelter as well as the New York State Humane Association and the Humane Society of the United States in order to increase awareness of these problems. For more information on how you can help, please visit www.NRochelleAnimalShelter.org or call Mr. Acocella at (914) 670-3030.

Remembrance, Healing and Praise.

My Friends,

Today is seven years since the September 11th attacks. This is a day of continued remembrance for the people we lost. It is a day of continued healing for ourselves and a day of continued praise for our men and women who put on a uniform and run towards danger day in and day out.

Seven years ago, our lives were very different. At 8:46 a.m. on September 11, 2001 our lives changed forever. Now, we sometimes grow agitated over those changes. Perhaps, for example, you have been forced to put up with time-consuming security demands at an airport, sporting event or concert. But I ask you to ask yourself, how has your life really changed since September 11, 2001? Perhaps you fly an American flag now everyday to show your pride in your country. Perhaps you talk with your family more frequently than ever before because you know that time is precious, or perhaps you thank a Police Officer, Firefighter, EMS worker or soldier when you see them.

When I think of September 11th I think of the song "Hands" by Jewel. There is one part which says:

"I will not be made useless
I won't be idled with despair
I will gather myself around my faith
for light does the darkness most fear
My hands are small, I know...
but they're not yours they are my own
and I am never broken" .

We live in a small town, yes, we have small hands, but those are the hands that will keep the memories of the innocent victims strong. Those are the hands that will keep our country's patriotism alive, and those are the hand which will rebuild those towers. So, I ask you, what will you do with your hands on this seventh anniversary? Post your answer here or call in to the "Harrison Live" radio show at
(914) 636-1460 today between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. where I will be a guest.

May God Bless America.

Community Meeting Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008

There will be a community meeting on Tuesday evening, September 9, 2008 at 7:30pm in the High School auditorium hosted by the Harrison Police Department. The topic of the discussion will be the recent criminal activity which has occurred in town. I will be attending and urge all residents to do so as well. For information, please contact my office at 670-3030.