MONDAY, MARCH 13, 2000
4:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Chair: LaMotte. Members: Oros, Pinto, Stewart-Cousins; Swanson, Spreckman; Young. Staff: Schecter, Vita.
ALSO PRESENT: William Randolph, County Executive’s Office; Richard Wishnie, Legislator-District 9; Barbara Dunkel; Dennis Mehiel, Co-Chairs of the Westchester County Millennium Commission.
The meeting was called to order at 4:10 p.m.
Barbara Dunkel: A resident of Hartsdale, has been appointed by the County Executive to serve as Co-Chair of the Millennium Commission. She briefly explained the Commission’s calendar of events to be expected for the year. The Committee did not emulate New York City’s New Years Eve celebrations, but focused on a year of celebrating Westchester County. A Kick-off celebration began in September with a countdown to the Millennium via a giant digital clock located at the County Center, donated by Wildenhauer Company. January was symbolic with “Music America” which focused on integration of cultural music. March has special focus on Irish Heritage, and will continue its focus on as Women’s month, the History of Westchester County and the First Westchester Film Festival-Past and Future. “Westchester in Words”, a literary program, will have local celebrities read famous literary works of Westchester to the young and the elderly. The Commission was able to achieve this program with the help of the Westchester Library System.
Ms. Dunkel said the highlight of the Millennium Celebration will be a Fourth of July Celebration on July 1st, in White Plains. Being the County Seat, a parade will proceed downtown White Plains to the County Center, followed by an ethnic festival of refreshments, entertainment, concerts and ending with a firework display. Local businesses and ethnic organizations are providing funding for this event.
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Ms. Dunkel continued with the remaining events for the year which will include an “Upsail” Fleet that will dock at various slips along the Hudson and the Sound Shore areas. A Bastille Day festival is tentatively planned for July, as well as various Heritage Days, Veterans of War parades, and the commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War. September is scheduled for Labor Day programs and by December, with combined efforts of the Westchester Arts Council, a Holiday Festival and Time Capsule will close out the year.
Dennis Mehiel: A Valhalla resident, was appointed by the County Executive to serve as the Co-Chair of the Millennium Commission with Ms. Dunkel. He explained that Westchester County is not in competition with New York City and focuses on the Millennium celebrations to foster a sense of community spirit as a whole County not as 46 individual municipalities. Their mission is to depict Westchester County’s outstanding history, arts, and achievements, both past and future, through the various events of the year. Most funding is budgeted from individual ethnic groups, business and government organizations.
When asked who has been contacted to participate in the parade, Mr. Mehiel said the Commission will organize and determine who marches in the parade. They have already contacted the Westchester County Municipal Officials Association, Veteran Agencies, Ethnic Groups, schools and various organizations, including the boys and girls clubs, the scouts, and the Y’s to participate. The only problem for the children’s participation may be due to summer hours.
All members were impressed by the ambitious plans of the Commission, and wished them well. By unanimous consent, the appointments for the Co-Chairs of the Millennium Commission were approved by a 6-0 vote; moved by Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Pinto.
With no other business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
(For further information on the Millennium Celebration, contact Susan Tapper, c/o Millennium Commission, 9th Floor, MOB #1, W.P.; or the Website (westchesterco.millennium2000@west.com).