3-5 pm 7/31 BOE AD HOC COMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY

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AT THE Croton-Harmon High School Library (36 Old Post Road South)

If you cannot attend today's session, the committee has also published an anonymous Ad Hoc Committee Survey that is open until midnight on Monday, August 17.

YOU MAY ALSO HAVE AN INTEREST IN:

***EverythingCroton: PARENTS ARE WAKING UP ALL OVER--A LETTER TO THE EDITOR---LAUREN CONNELL--LESS SCREENS, MORE LEARNING

***EverythingCroton: SCREEN TIME FOR KIDS IN SCHOOL, THE HECHINGER REPORT, READERS WEIGH IN OUR STORY

THE PETITION OPPOSING MAMDANI'S PRESENCE AT THE 9/11 CEREMONY HAS NOW REACHED OVER 58,000 SIGNATURES AS OF 7/31

An update from Change.org - A PETITION FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

PLEASE NOTE --BY TUESDAY MORNING 7/31, OVER 58,000 SIGNATURES, --PLS KEEP THE PETITION MOVING-- EXCERPT: SEE IT ALL AT THE LINK BELOW

Concerns have been raised about Mr. Mamdani’s public positions, associations, and responses to rhetoric that many perceive as hostile to these shared values. These include: A perceived reluctance to clearly and unequivocally condemn phrases such as “globalize the intifada,” which many interpret as endorsing or normalizing violence.

Support for, or associations with, individuals whose public statements or records are viewed by concerned family members as dismissive of American institutions or insufficiently critical of extremist ideologies.

Mr. Mamdani’s own father, whom he has acknowledged as having shaped his views, penned a book shortly after 9/11 in which he argued that suicide bombers should be “understood as a feature of modern political violence rather than stigmatized as a mark of barbarism.” He also argued that there was a moral equivalence between the United States and al-Qaeda.

Mr. Mamdani has praised Brooklyn Imam Siraj Wahhaj, who has been linked to radical Islam, was named as an alleged co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, and served as a character witness for the “Blind Sheikh,” who was convicted in 1995 of plotting terror attacks against the United States.

Mr. Mamdani has blamed the United States for radicalizing Anwar al-Awlaki, an al-Qaeda propagandist linked to the 9/11 hijackers. Critics have likened this to blaming victims rather than perpetrators.

Mr. Mamdani appointed Ramzi Kassem, who previously represented Ahmed al-Darbi (convicted in an al-Qaeda tanker bombing plot), as New York City’s chief counsel.

Mr. Mamdani has endorsed candidates such as Aber Kawas, who described 9/11 as an attack “a couple of people did in the context of U.S. capitalism, racism, white supremacy, and Islamophobia,” and who also expressed sympathy for Ahmed Ferhani, who pleaded guilty to plotting to blow up a Manhattan synagogue.

SO MUCH MORE AT THE LINK. HEADS UP--some of it is "painful"....PETITION AT Petition · Please sign to support honoring the memory of those lost on September 11th with dignity. - United States · Change.org

OUR REGULAR FRIDAY GUEST FEATURE--TOM FARANDA'S FOLLY---AND HIS FRIDAY COCKTAIL SERIES--THE (GIN) YELLOW JACKET

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton-on-Hudson: our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship -- in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

OUR REGULAR FRIDAY GUEST FEATURE--TOM FARANDA'S FOLLY---AND HIS FRIDAY COCKTAIL SERIES---and now THE (GIN) YELLOW JACKET; GO TO Friday cocktail – the (Gin) Yellow Jacket – Tom Faranda's Folly

IN THE NEWS: SENATE PLANS VOTE NEXT WEEK TO HOLD FAUCI IN CONTEMPT

In the news: Associated Press....Paul closed the hearing by saying lawmakers will vote next week on whether to hold the now-retired infectious-disease expert in contempt for refusing to testify. MORE AT The latest: Senate plans vote to hold Fauci in contempt for refusing to answer COVID-19 questions

9/26 TOWN OF CORTLANDT - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR FAMILY DAY

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

SEE MORE AT Family Fun Day Volunteers Needed - Town of Cortlandt, NY News

THERE'S NO NEED FOR DRAMA...

Finding the latest Croton Crafts and Commerce news (with a smattering of other local events too), is easy----just visit the CROTON CRAFTS AND COMMERCE FB PAGE.

It's a public page and you needn't be on FB to view the content. 

Often updated in real time too! 

Important product recalls too.

Go to Croton Crafts and Commerce | Facebook

AN OPEN LETTER REGARDING PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT IN THE HARMON AREA

Back online:

To the Croton on Hudson Village BOT, Mayor, Village Manager and Planning Board, and Karen Stapelton,

I’m disappointed to hear the village is considering letting a developer put a massive apartment building in across the street from Shop Rite where the children’s gym Straddles and other stores are currently, despite traffic, and steep slope laws.

My three daughters have all enjoyed the Straddles gym which has been there for over 33 years and has had thousands of children go through it. It’s a community asset that’s now on the chopping block for money and development.

I don’t understand why our village is adding a marijuana shop and catering to this businesses needs and wants yet now we looking at a popular gymnastics studio in Croton possibly getting the axe.

As a side note, It was fantastic when over a decade ago CVS decided to stop selling cigarettes in a public effort to promote human health and longevity. Right after that the BOT allowed the vape shop in right next to it which has been busted several times in sting operations for selling illegal substances. Yet their permit was renewed to operate despite how close they are to schools.

It’s disgraceful to see what is going on in Croton. Myself and others literally feel the town is going to pot.

How about taking a long look in the mirror and changing your ways as the great Michael Jackson encourages and saying no to greedy developers, no to drugs and smoking and yes to Children’s gyms and other shops.

I am asking you to change the direction we are going in. Our schools are full. I know because ai have one child in each school building. Our roads and services are full. Stop over developing our tiny village. Prioritize citizens and not developers. Prioritize human health. Prioritize Straddles. Say no to this new project.

This letter should be saved with village records of complaints.

As a side note, no one knew last night's meeting was not one that allowed public discussion. It was only standing room last night in the meeting and most people were frustrated we couldn’t speak and share our concerns. Please let me know when exactly the next meeting will be that will actually allow public comments. This is critically important.

Thank you,

—Jessica Dieckman

Subject: Additional Question…To the BOT and Village manager and planning board,

There was an approved plan previously under the previous owner (Tom Farracaro) of the existing building (425 South Riverside Ave) to allow 10 apartments to be built above Straddles with Straddles staying there and two store fronts to be added.

Why is there a new plan out there now to go grandiose and build this big new building now, minus Straddles and you have steep slope issues? What happened to wanting mixed use buildings? Why and when did that change? Look at Samurai and Baked By Susan. What happened to this goal? Why are we now into the plan of cramming people into big apartments with no stores?

The Blaze and the traffic problems there should make this big grandiose apartment a no go immediately. Have the developer go back to the original Tom Farracaro plan immediately. Please answer my question.

—Jessica Dieckman

US BISHOPS TIGHTEN FUNERAL POLICES AFTER GROWTH OF "IRREGULAR PRACTICES"

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US Bishops Tighten Funeral Policies After Growth of ‘Irregular Practices’



Amira Abuzeid/EWTN News English July 24, 2026 - Praying for the dead according to Church norms is vital. (photo: Unsplash)----The bishops addressed departures from acceptable Church norms regarding the handling of cremated remains and the time and place of eulogies, among other ‘liturgical anomalies’ during funerals. Several U.S. bishops in recent months have tightened diocesan funeral policies, emphasizing stricter adherence to the Order of Christian Funerals (OCF) amid evolving popular practices at funerals that depart from Church norms and concern visitations, eulogies, and cremated remains, among others. SEE MORE AT ncregister.com/cna/us-bishops-tighten-funeral-policies

SARCONE, PATRONE. CHAVIS, JAMES--THAT HOMELAND SECURITY TASK FORCE INVESTIGATION, BINGHAMTONM UTICA, ETC.

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

For the reader who asked--last defendant was sentenced a month or so back.



Binghamton, NY – The final defendant in a multi-defendant Northern District of New York drug trafficking organization was sentenced last month in Utica, New York, by Senior United States District Judge David N. Hurd. Demario Shell, previously of Michigan, was sentenced to 188 months in federal prison to be followed by a term of 5 years of supervised release. The sentence stems from his convictions for federal drug trafficking and money laundering offenses.

The announcement was made by First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation New York Special Agent in Charge Harry Chavis Jr., Homeland Security Investigations Buffalo Acting Special Agent Charge Anthony Patrone, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James---Homeland Security Task Force investigation results in convictions for 11 drug traffickers | Internal Revenue Service

7/31--CROTON SENIOR MEETING

Senasqua today..........See more at  EverythingCroton: CROTON SENIOR MEETING 7/31

NEWS 12 HUDSON VALLEY--$2.1M STATE FUNDING HEADS TO SENATE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITIES

See more at News 12 | Hudson Valley | 21 Million In State Funding Heads To Senate District 40 Municipalities For Public Safety Matters

CELEBRATING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF AUGUST 2ND

THANK YOU ED RIELY FOR THE HEADS-UP

WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs this weekend will honor 49 Veterans of the Revolutionary War who are interred or memorialized in VA national cemeteries or VA-administered soldiers lots in private cemeteries, as part of the yearlong effort to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary.

While Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress July 4, 1776, most delegates signed it on Aug. 2, 1776. To mark that event, ceremonies will commence at 10 a.m. local time, Aug. 2, 2026, at 16 sites across the country--READ AND SEE MORE AT VA honors Revolutionary War Veterans interred in national cemeteries in support of America’s 250th anniversaryVA honors Revolutionary War Veterans interred in national cemeteries in support of America’s 250th anniversary

CROTON'S BRAVEST OPERATE AT BRIARCLIFF 2ND ALARM FIRE

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.



The following news item has been posted on CFD:
By CFD News Team
July 29, 2026
Posted By: Deputy Chief John Munson

Following a night of fairly strong thunderstorms and heavy rain, which included a few local emergency responses, the Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department, along with Millwood FD, were dispatched to the reported Structure Fire in Briarcliff Manor just after 5:30 AM Wednesday. Car 2083 and Engine 119 with eight members turned out as the initial FASTeam. MORE AT Croton's Bravest Operate at Briarcliff 2nd Alarm Fire

Posted By: Deputy Chief John Munson

THANK YOU TO ALL THE CREWS THAT RESPONDED - BELLA MAIYA DAY SPA DAMAGED BY FIRE

Crews from the Briarcliff Manor, Croton-on-Hudson, Chappaqua, Millwood, Ossining, Pleasantville, Pocantico Hills, Port Chester, and Thornwood fire departments all responded to the blaze. According to Croton firefighters, crews worked on both floors to extinguish the flames while opening walls and ceilings to check for hidden fire extension. MORE AT Briarcliff's Bella Maiya Day Spa Damaged By Fire | Daily Voice