Politics & Government

The Council Project-Video Shown at Square House Meeting

A video chronicling the challenges faced by Rye mayors and councilmembers past was a highlight of Wednesday's board meeting.

Rye City Council meets once a year at Square House Museum, acknowledging the site's historical legacy in city government. This year included with Councilman Joe Sack called "a new twist."

With a roomful of former Rye public officials watching raptly, Councilman Sack introduced a video retrospective called "The Council Project" which featured 18 interviews with former council members and mayors.

In the 23-minute video, which included former mayors Ted Dunn, John Carey, Ed Grainger, and Mary Ann Ilse as well as current NY State Assemblyman George Latimer, council members recalled the projects that dogged their administrations and the agonizing that went into each of their important decisions.

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Expanding city services, establishing open meetings, thwarting commercial over-development and highway projects, and dealing with 100-year flooding were among the challenges mentioned in the interviews.

To a one, each of the politicans acknowledged that committment to service and love of Rye trumped party affiliation or personal conflict in the end.

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Former Councilmember Beth Matthews reflected in her interview, "Most of the issues were apolitical. There is no Democratic or Republican way to collect trash."

After the screening, Assemblyman Latimer said that during his time on the Rye Council he was always aware that he was part of a tradition of effective leadership. 

"You are picking up a baton," said Latimer."Your job is to keep the level of success going."

Current Rye Councilmember Catherine Parker continued the theme in her remarks. "They are not Republicans or Democrats, but volunteers for the community and wonderful role models."

Before reconvening for regular business in Rye City Hall, Mayor Doug French and the council also dedicated a portion of the special Square House meeting to acknowledging Rye City's professional staff, many of whom were present at the meeting. 


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