'New Rochelle Is Make Positive Strides In Every Direction': Mayor

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — In the latest State of the City Address, New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson spoke both on local issues and national issues.

Citing the city’s lowest crime rate in 56 years, the best municipal bond rating in more than 80 years and the highest local sales volume ever, “New Rochelle is making positive strides in every direction,” Bramson said.

The speech was given Wednesday in City Hall’s Council Chambers before a standing-room-only crowd, according to a spokeswoman.

Bramson said there was a sense of optimism and confidence in the city, which he chalked up to three choices made on a unanimous basis by the City Council:

• Adopting a downtown plan.
• Investing in infrastructure.
• Relocating the City Yard.

“As someone who grew up here, went to school here, dragged my wife here, is raising my kids here and who has served in municipal government for more than 20 years,” Bramson said, “I can tell you without equivocation or doubt that I am more optimistic about New Rochelle’s future at this moment than at any other time in my life.”

Turning to national issues, Bramson spoke of young children of immigrants in New Rochelle being reduced to tears over uncertainty and proposed changes in health insurance threatening the medical care and financial security of thousands of people.

“When a city founded by refugees fleeing religious persecution more than 300 years ago is told to slam the door on refugees today, we have a responsibility to speak out,” he said.

Bramson put the spotlight on seven people who were foreign-born but made significant contributions to the community, including Mille Radonjic, who was born in Yugoslavia and was the driving force behind Amy’s Greenhouse at Barnard School, and Martin and Blanca Anaya, who came to America as undocumented immigrants and became U.S. citizens.

The Anayas’ daughter, Melanie. is New Rochelle High School’s salutatorian this year and will be attending Brown University in the fall.

“These remarkable men and women … are not visitors to New Rochelle. They are not guests in New Rochelle,” Bramson said. “They are New Rochelle. They are the best of New Rochelle. They are what makes New Rochelle great. They are what makes America great.”

The full text of the State of the City can be found here. Watch the full address above.

Photo credit: City of New Rochelle.