February 25, 2022

 

Dear Cornwall-on-Hudson residents, neighbors, and friends:

This one is LONG overdue. This morning, Old Man Winter’s stubborn refusal to depart the region in a timely fashion, and on good terms, made me realize how truly blessed we are to have such a dedicated and committed Village Department of Public Works. I pledge to do a better job publicly acknowledging and highlighting our amazing workforce more frequently. Next editions will spotlight the Water Department and the Police Department.

For this DPW, Highway, and Sanitation Departments’ edition, how about these guys?

Photo One: (L-R) Casey Brown, Superintendent Dave Halvorsen, and Andrew Poalla after the Village Hall parking lot was plowed and treated this morning (repeatedly).

Photo Two: They balked at my camera-happy posture after plowing and treating our Village streets since 3:30 a.m., but I corralled them at the DPW Building. From left to right, Andy Stathes, Wayne Yeoman, Tommy Lyons, Pat Conley, and Eric Vandemark.

Photo Three: I asked the DPW to refinish, renovate, refurbish, and bring back to life a more than 100-year-old work session table that is in all likelihood the OLDEST piece of furniture in existence in Village government. Handcrafted in Indianapolis around the turn of the century, it was in sore need of repair and a tiny bit of TLC. These guys nailed it. Expert craftsmen, all. Left to right, Pat Cody, Luis “Sweet Lou” De la Cruz, and Pat Conley. Museum-quality piece now. We know that this table served as the mayor’s “desk” and conveyance for board meetings when it existed at the old Village Hall at 3 River Avenue (currently Pepettini Restaurant) until the early 1990s. It is a Village treasure.

Thank you, Village Department of Public Works. We all truly appreciate your work. 

On behalf of a truly grateful Village Board and community,

James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

Mayor

February 16, 2022

 

SPECIAL NOTICE: In Memoriam Charles P. Obremski

Dear Cornwall-on-Hudson residents, neighbors, and friends:

It with heavy heart that I report to you the passing of the Village’s 24^th mayor, Charles P. Obremski on Monday, February 14, 2022. The following is the family’s posted obituary on the Quigley-Sullivan funeral home site:

Charles P. Obremski was born on September 11, 1946 in Passaic, New Jersey to Charles J. and Anna (Tichansky) Obremski. He died on February 14, 2022 in Newburgh, New York. Charlie is survived by his wife of 49 years, Nancy (Howell); his sons: Gregory and Christian (Alexandra); his grandchildren: Anna, John, Elisabeth, and Maria; and by his sister Maryann.

Charlie was a graduate of Boston University and New York University School of Law. He maintained a law practice in Cornwall, New York for nearly 50 years. He was a retired Army Major with the New Jersey National Guard and served as a Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson Auxiliary Police Officer. He was also Mayor of the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson from 1977-1979. Charlie was a patriot who loved the Constitution and the rights afforded therein. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and colleagues.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 18th from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Quigley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 337 Hudson Street, Cornwall-On-Hudson, NY. Based on new CDC guidelines adopted by NYS, fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wear masks or be socially distanced, but unvaccinated individuals must continue to wear masks and be socially distanced in the funeral home. Burial will be private. End.

I have directed all four Village flags to be lowered to half-mast position through this weekend. Black mourning bunting supplied by Storm King Engine Company #2 has been applied to two sides of Village Hall to honor our former mayor. Was privileged and honored to meet with Mayor Obremski when the Village hosted a former mayors’ summit in May of last year at Village Hall. The attached photograph is from that event and also depicts former Cornwall-on-Hudson mayor, Edward C. Moulton, Jr. and former Town supervisor and Village trustee, Richard Randazzo, as the three share a laugh.

On behalf of the Village Board, we wish Godspeed to Mayor Obremski and pray his family finds peace, comfort, and solace in his legacy of service to our nation, and this Village, and realizes just how much this somber news has impacted our community.

James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

Mayor