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06-25-09
Editorial
Nearly 75
supporters attend fundraiser in New Rochelle
home for Mt. Vernon City Council candidate,
Roberta Apuzzo
On Thursday, June 25, friends, relatives and
supporters from all over the tri-state area
attended a fundraiser for longtime Mount
resident and Mount Vernon City Council
candidate, Roberta Apuzzo. The fundraiser took
place at the beautiful New Rochelle home of
Carmen Paolercio,
founder of
Shine A Ray of Hope Campaign for Darfur.
While enjoying the spectacular view of the Long Island
Sound from the home's terrace, I overheard much
chatter concerning Roberta's effort to become a
Mount Vernon City Councilwoman. "Why does
Roberta want to get involved in Mount Vernon
politics, it's such a stressful, nasty and
thankless job?"
said one guest. I overhead another guest say,
"She is the perfect candidate. She is a proven
leader, great manager and she can be trusted."
For the last 16 years, Roberta has worked as the
Executive Director of
Community Service Associates, Inc., with offices
in the basement of Sacred Heart Church in Mount
Vernon.
Community Service Associates is a non-profit
501-C3 agency, which has been providing vital
services to the Mount Vernon community since
1988, with programs that nourish not only the
physical needs, but also the social and
psychological needs of the poor and
disenfranchised citizens of Mount Vernon.
While covering a story about her program in her office
one day, I saw cockroaches almost three inches
in length crawling in different areas of her
office. I also witnessed rats the size of cats
seeking to feed on her well protected and
treasured donated food. To make matters worse, I
was sweating bullets that hot and muggy August
afternoon, since her office did not have air
conditioning. As I studied the situation
further, I said to myself, "What is a well
educated and attractive woman like Roberta doing
in this rat hole?" At one point I said to her,
"Roberta, you have a fancy title, but your
working conditions are worse than those in a
third world country." She replied, "Joe, your
right, but this is all I have. The disadvantaged
people of Mount Vernon need me and I can't
abandon them because of my unpleasant office."
As I walked around the soup kitchen area that August
afternoon, one hungry lady waiting for her food
stated, "Many of us look at Miss Apuzzo as
Mother Teresa. She is always looking out for us
and feeds us poor homeless people all year
round."
By the way, her office was recently renovated and
working conditions have improved considerably.
When introduced by the hostess of the fundraiser,
Carmen Paolercio, Roberta commenced her speech
by providing the guests with a little history of
Mount Vernon. "The beliefs of Mount Vernon's
first founders were simple: a safe and
affordable community;
a friendly city to all; a city where education
would be paramount; and to establish a great
library system for everybody."
"I bring this history of Mount Vernon up because
although it happened over 150 years ago, that
spirit in many resides still," said Roberta.
"You may ask . . . What does the history of Mount
Vernon have to do with my running for City
council? To me it means everything," said
Roberta.
"In my opinion, the present leadership has violated
everything that has brought us this far. We can
look at our present situation as a huge problem
or as an opportunity. I obviously see
opportunity. I believe that we now have an
opportunity for change," emphasized Roberta.
"The people of Mount Vernon are giving notice to
their concerns and we must listen carefully to
them. I have no illusions that this will be an
easy race, but together we can move mountains .
. . divided we become a city that failed to see
the dynamics of the future and suffered the
consequences," concluded Roberta.
The list of high profile guests was a long one and
included City Comptroller Maureen Walker and
former mayor of Mount Vernon, Ernie Davis.
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