By Mary Marvin, Mayor of Bronxville

Jan. 12, 2021: In the old days of the Bronxville School, on occasion we received “Good News Grams” from teachers that were so welcome. 

As I write this column, I harken back to this wonderful tradition as I feel lucky enough to start the year sending one to fellow Villagers - just hoping the good news continues throughout the year!

Iona College officially closed on its acquisition of the 28 acre Concordia College campus on December 7. This enables Iona to move forward with creating a new home for the New York Presbyterian/Iona School of Health Services supported by a $20 million gift from New York/Presbyterian. Iona President, Dr. Seamus Carey, said, “The school will offer a new vision for collaborative healthcare education and in addition we expect Iona’s Bronxville campus to also become a vibrant hub of activity where world class seminars, speakers, performing arts, athletics, summer camps and more will be hosted.” Classes on the Bronxville campus are expected to commence in January 2023.

The Picture House Regional Film Center, formerly the Pelham Picture House, is expanding its operations to our venerable theatre, opened continuously since 1929 until the COVID crisis. The film center will be extending its film and educational program to our historic venue on Kraft Avenue. The three screen configuration will allow for ever more wide-ranging and varied programming of new, independent, foreign and documentary films.

We are enormously grateful for the collaboration of so many parties involved - The Picture House Board, Bow Tie Cinemas, Admiral Real Estate, the Village Board of Trustees and the dozens of Villagers who care passionately about keeping our theatre alive - to make this a reality for an expected opening in late February. 

I also share very positive news as it relates to our Police Department. In response to our survey associated with our recent Village Comprehensive Plan to which over 800 of you responded, where the vast majority of you asked for more foot patrol and police presence in our business district not only to connect with Villagers and merchants but also to deal with the never ending problem of cars crossing the double yellow line to garner parking spaces.  We heard you and we listened and we are welcoming three new police officers to the force to get us to a complement of 23 officers, a place we were at probably over 25 years ago.  I introduce these three fine men, all experienced police officers and all chosen from a huge pool of incredibly qualified candidates.

Please welcome Officer Joseph Amoruso, born 26 years ago in New Rochelle Hospital and growing up in walking distance of the Village.  An incredibly astute young man; he is a graduate of Saunders High School and started his career with the White Plains PD in 2019 where his professional training includes radar, taser and shot gun expertise.

Officer Ahmed Danso-Faried, Ghanaian born and raised in Tuckahoe where his parents still make their home.  A proud citizen since 1996, he is married to Temina and currently resides in White Plains. He also reached the rank of Captain in the US Army.  A White Plains police officer since 2017 prior to joining us, his professional training includes Vehicle Counter Ambush Tactics and Active Shooter training.

Another veteran of the White Plains PD, Justin Sokol was born and raised in nearby Yonkers.   His grandmother was a longtime resident of Midland Gardens.  A graduate of Stepinac High School and SUNY Empire State College, he also holds a diploma from the New York City Police Academy.

All three officers have been certified in all the rigors of our departmental requirements and as I write, are going through additional training to become Emergency Medical Technicians.

In closing, I urge you to start the new year off by subscribing to the Village’s new on-line newsletter as it gives a comprehensive, real time look at the personnel and workings of Village government and services offered.

Also, our website has been upgraded, enhanced and very user friendly with access to all available forms you may need to transact Village business.