Veterans Day

Statement from Town Clerk Joseph Acocella regarding Veterans Day:


My Friends,

Today, we celebrate, we honor and we remember the men and women in uniform who have given so much of their lives so that we can live ours freely. We salute these veterans who know all too well the sound of the call of duty from our country. Today, I had the honor of sitting with many veterans from many different wars who recalled the moments of their lives when it was uncertain if it would be their last. Veterans Day is a day to recall those memories not because they are sad, but because they are who we are. Those are the memories who define who we are as a nation, a state and as a community.

Everyday we see these men and women in the deli, in the dry cleaners in the post office. They don’t ask for much, only that you stand and recite the pledge of allegiance, that you bow your head when the sound of taps are being played and that you say “thank you” to the ones who have fought and continue to fight for you.

Let’s not just honor these men and women today, but everyday because every day that you live free is day that a soldier did their job.

Thank You

Remembering a Friend

I want to let you know that the Board this evening adopted a Resolution to re-name the Bruce Avenue Library to the "Richard Halperin Memorial Library". The Town lost a great friend in June, Richard Halperin was a member of the Zoning Board and a dedicated public servant of the Town of Harrison. We all in Town will miss him and will always remember him for his dedication to the residents and family. This Resolution is a proper tribute to Richard so that people of Harrison will always know the kind of man he was. A fund was also started in Richards name to raise money to renovate the library. If you would like more information on how you can donate, please call my office at (914) 670-3030.

It's been a while since my last post. Let me update you. I have been working on an AWESOME project for the town that is going to be great when it is done. It involves the new camera and sound equipment for the Council room. This week, four mounted robotic cameras were installed in the council room and new microphones were also installed. This new equipment was provided to us by Cablevision. We also have a new control room adjacent to the dais which will be used to control the equipment - instead of cramming it all into my office ; ) I also recieved a new laptop which will control the Channel 75 community bulletin board. The board will be undergoing construction until I build the pages so hopefully, by Monday the Channel will be up and running. I should probably post pics of what the old system looked like and what the new system will look like so you can get a better idea of what changes are being made. I got some feedback this evening from residents who watched the new system in action. Allow me to address their comments. Some said the picture was too dark. The lighting in the room is the next to go. We have to put better light fixtures in the room and especially over the podium to increase the lighting for the cameras. Some said the sound was a little off. Yes, since this was the first night the microphones were being used it will take sometime to set the volume at the right levels.

Tonight was a good test run but I assure you, it will get much better and we are definately moving into the 21st Century with this equipment. Feel free to drop me an email at JAcocella@harrison-ny.gov or call my office at (914) 670-3030 with your feedback.

It's Gonna be a "Great" Weekend ; )

Well, it's finally here. The weekend is upon us. But this is no ordinary weekend for us because this weekend we will celebrate living in this great community. Lot's of festivities are planned over the next three days so let's get into it. First, I am sad to say the fireworks have been cancelled for tomorrow night due to the on going construction on Lake Street. No worries, there is still plenty to do. The Police Department Open House is tomorrow from 10am - 2pm. This is alway's a good time. Bring the family and tour Police Headquarters, check out the inside of a police car, fire engine or ambulance. There will also be a live K9 demonstration as well as plenty of food and giveaways. The County police helicopter is also expected to drop in. On Sunday, stop down at the southbound side of the train station for a car show sponsored by the Harrison Police Association. You can check out the nice rides from 10am - 4pm. And finally, Monday is the big day! The "It's Great to Live in Harrison" Day parade kicks off at 10am and will continue down Halstead Avenue into Riis Park followed by the festival. Lot's of community organizations will be sponsoring booths so be sure to patron them and support your community.

As for me, I will be around. If you see me, be sure to say hi and feel free to start up a chat. I am always interested to hear what's on people's minds. The weather is supposed to be great so, whatever you end up doing - enjoy it.

Have a "Great" weekend!

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.

Got paper?

Today I attended a conference in upstate NY to discuss our archives. As the Clerk, I am the custodian of all town government archives. Needless to say, this is incredibly big responsibility as well as amazing part of my job. However, the current practice of our preservation and storage of archives can not continue. Since January I have met with representatives of NY State Archives, representatives of corporations who specialize in archive management as well as other Town Clerk's throughout the state. Over the course of the next few months I will present a phased plan to the community for our town archives. It is imperative that we take action now to preserve our history for our future.