​On Monday, Dec. 23, BP Oddo joined with the Jewish leadership of Staten Island and members of the community to celebrate the Festival of Lights at our annual Menorah Lighting.

“Thank you for sharing a part of the holiday with us,” BP Oddo said at the ceremony. “The overriding sentiment we should all have at this time is joy. This is truly a happy occasion when we get to spend time with the people we love, the people we are closest to, the people who are most precious to us and we should enjoy that.”

For a few minutes, he turned his attention to “go into the darkness, sort of into the shadows because it needs to be said.”

He spoke of a recent meeting with District Attorney Michael McMahon, the heads of Staten Island’s four police precincts and leaders of the Jewish community.

“We talked about what is happening in the world with greater frequency and we certainly didn’t come up with fixes to what has been a long-standing problem, but there was a value to us coming together. It is a reminder that we do need to undertake more efforts to get to the kids while their still young before the adults instill hatred in them,” he said.

“Maybe, if we shine our lights a little brighter, maybe, just maybe, we can chip away at those shadows and at that darkness. The fact that we are all here tonight at this event is a small part of it. Tonight we will send a message out that across Staten Island, across NYC and across the country, we are in fact one and we celebrate our diversity.”

The evening was sponsored by the Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island. In attendance from COJO were Scott Maurer and Mendy Mirocznik.

Before we lit the menorah, there was an uplifting performance by students from the Young Day School, singing traditional Hanukkah songs.

“I wish each of you a very happy holiday,” BP Oddo said. “I hope it is filled with peace and joy and love and happiness and fun.”

On Thursday, Dec. 5, DBP Ed Burke hosted Borough Hall’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting.

“I love this time of year,” he said. “All of the holidays this time of the year, let’s face it, are about giving, charity, and love – and that’s really evident with all of you showing up here for the tree lighting.”

At the event, carols were performed by local talents, including Al Lambert, D. Sharp Studios, Miss Staten Island Madison L'Insalata, and Rob and Lizz Kipp.

The kids of D. Sharp Studios -- decked in Santa hats -- dazzled the crowd with Christmas favorites before leading a sing-along to “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Scooter the Holy Cow, the mascot of the Staten Island Yankees, was spotted dancing in the crowd.

After the music, the big moment came: Santa arrived at Borough Hall by way of a police escort. With a hearty “Ho, Ho, Ho,” he made his way up the steps. After a countdown from 10, the giant switch was pulled: “The tree is lit,” said DBP Burke.

Santa then handed out books, donated by Barnes & Noble, to the children in attendance.

The tree lighting was sponsored by Allstate, Barnes & Noble, the Gavel Grill, Rispoli Bakery, Killmeyer’s Old Baveria Inn, Downtown Staten Island, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, the Staten Island Yankees, the National Lighthouse Museum, the NYPD, the city Parks Department, the South Shore Rotary, Project One Staten Island and Casandra Properties.

​​Thank you to all our sponsors and performers. We wish all Staten Islanders a happy and safe holiday season.

Over 400 people attended a Forest Ecology Forum on Tuesday, November 19 at the College of Staten Island to hear presentations on severe damage to the health of Staten Island’s thousands of acres of woodlands, caused primarily by deer.
 
The Borough President and the New York State DEC held this forum to raise awareness about the impacts deer are having on native vegetation and forest animals, and also the broader issue that our forests are ecosystems with interdependent roles for native plants and wildlife.
 
The DEC has documented the damage on Staten Island by over-browsing of deer to the point where few new trees are surviving past the seedling stage. Oak trees, for example, were heavily browsed. With no new trees growing, the future of our Greenbelt and other forests is at risk.
 
Evidence was also presented about how deer over-browsing on native plants and berries on the forest floor can collapse the woodland ecosystem and invite unwanted invasive species of plants. We can halt this rapidly growing threat, but we are running out of time.
 
Many of the 400 attendees were members of Protectors of Pine Oak Woods and the Greenbelt Conservancy, two of Staten Island’s leading conservation organizations. Also in attendance were students and teachers from Staten Island schools and many concerned citizens.  This was the first major briefing for Staten Islanders on this topic.
 
We were fortunate to have three experts present their work at the forum. Dr. William McShea, Research Ecologist from the Smithsonian Institute’s Conservation Ecology Center, spoke about the pressures on forests in the entire Northeast/Mid-Atlantic from overpopulation by white-tailed deer, which reach unhealthy densities as natural predators like bears, cougars and wolves have been removed from ecosystems. 
 
Dr. Susan Elbin, NYC Audubon Director of Conservation and Science, followed with a presentation focused on the impacts on forest birds when native plants are over-browsed and supplanted with invasive species.
 
Ken Scarlatelli, NYS DEC Regional Natural Resources Supervisor, provided field evidence on the effects of over-browsing by deer in Staten Island’s forests – particularly on State lands. To view the PowerPoint presentations given by the listed presenters, please visit our website here.
 
The Borough President put together this forest ecology forum to educate and inspire Staten Islanders to join our call for action. To make a change, Staten Island residents who care about forests need to be active voices in future management decisions.
 
At the Forum, Borough President Oddo stated that we collectively want to hear ideas on addressing the problem: “I publicly have stated that I support a highly managed and monitored cull which is the only way to immediately and humanely reduce the deer population – an approach that is done effectively throughout New York State and the Northeast…but I also invited Staten Islanders to offer alternatives that will help reduce the deer population to safe levels and protect the forests.”
 
Borough President Oddo emphasized that we did not want to draw battle lines on this issue of deer management, but rather collectively discuss the options, using science-based facts as our guide.
 
A panel discussion followed led by the College of Staten Island’s biology and environmental science departments. Those on the panel included:
 

• James Oddo, Staten Island Borough President
• Dr. William McShea, Research Ecologist, Smithsonian Institute’s Conservation Ecology Center
• Dr. Susan Albin, Director of Conservation and Science, NYC Audubon
• Ken Scarlatelli, Regional Natural Resources Supervisor, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (Region II)
• Cliff Hagen, President, Protectors of Pine Oak Woods
• Dr. Bonnie Johnson Fritz, Board President, Greenbelt Conservancy
• Neophytos A. Antoniades, Ph. D, Professor and Chair, Engineering & Environmental Science Department, College of Staten Island
• Chang-Hui Shen, Ph. D, Professor and Chair, Biology Department, College of Staten Island
• Patti Rafferty Chief, Resource Stewardship, Gateway National Recreation Area
• Dr. Susan Booth-Benczik, Wildlife Biologist, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
• Kristy King, Director of Natural Areas Restoration & Management, Forestry, Horticulture, & Natural Resources, New York City Parks Department

 
Panel members answered audience questions about deer and the state of Staten Island’s forests, issuing a call to action to Staten Islanders to be active voices in future management decisions.

One important take-away from this forum is that -- to care about animals, we have to care about the ecosystems in which the animals live. Otherwise we are fooling ourselves. The animals will starve and disappear if their habitat is compromised. This is a complicated issue but clearly there is a great deal of passion to slow the steady denuding of our Greenbelt, our parks and our woodlands.

This year for Halloween, Borough President Oddo hosted “Trick or Treat Around SI,” a free Halloween event for children and their families.  In partnership with 5 Staten Island business districts, Trick-or-Treat Around Staten Island allowed costumed children and their families across Staten Island the opportunity to trick-or-treat throughout each district at participating businesses.

In years prior, Borough President Oddo has hosted the annual “Halloween Hoopla” at Bloomingdale Park. The event has been changed this year due to the park’s closure for renovations and reconstruction. “I am happy to once again host a special celebration that kids of all ages can enjoy,” said BP Oddo. 

Thank you to the following business development districts for participating: Castleton Avenue Merchants Organization, Downtown Staten Island, Forest Avenue Business Improvement District, South Shore Business Improvement District, and Victory Boulevard Merchants Association. To see all the participating businesses within each district, please refer to this page. Each district received 100 trick-or-treat bags from our office for children to get allergy free candy (no nuts, no chocolate) from  participating businesses.

Thank you to everyone for making this event such a success! Happy Halloween! 

Borough President James S. Oddo will host “Trick or Treat Around SI,” a free Halloween event for children and their families, on Thursday, October 31st from 3 to 5 PM.  In partnership with 5 Staten Island business districts, Trick-or-Treat Around Staten Island will allow costumed children and their families across Staten Island the opportunity to trick-or-treat throughout each district at participating businesses.

In years prior, Borough President Oddo has hosted the annual “Halloween Hoopla” at Bloomingdale Park. The event has been changed this year due to the park’s closure for renovations and reconstruction.

“I am happy to once again host a special celebration that kids of all ages can enjoy,” said BP Oddo. “This year, I am looking forward to celebrating a Halloween in a new way with ‘Trick or Treat Around SI’ and welcome Staten Island families to join us for a great afternoon of Halloween fun.”

The following business development district will be participating. Each district will receive 100 trick-or-treat bags that can be picked up the locations listed below, bags will be given out on a first come, first served basis:

- Castleton Avenue Merchants Organization: Wicked Stitches (840 Castleton Avenue)
- Downtown Staten Island: Kiara's Beauty Salon (696 Bay Street)
- Forest Avenue Business Improvement District: Forest Avenue BID Office (686 Forest Avenue)
- South Shore Business Improvement District: Giovanni’s Trattoria (3800 Richmond Avenue)
- Victory Boulevard Merchants Association: Alfonso Pastry Shoppe (1899 Victory Boulevard)

Participating businesses will have a special Trick-or-Treat sign in their store window indicating that they are a sweet stop along the way. Children will receive allergy free candy (no nuts, no chocolate) so everyone can safely trick-or-treat in their neighborhood.

Click here for more information.

Borough President James S. Oddo is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual Festa Italiana at the Mount: The Biggest Columbus Day Celebration in Staten Island’s History. This year’s celebrations will take place at Mount Loretto on Friday, October 11th from 6-11pm, Saturday, October 12th from 12-11pm, and Sunday, October 13th from 12-9pm.

All are welcome to attend for a weekend of food, games, vendors, and entertainment, including live music throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday. This year’s headlining entertainment includes a Saturday performance by Louis Prima Jr. and the Witnesses, taking the stage at 8pm. The performance is sponsored by Lois and Richard Nicotra. Rounding out the weekend on Sunday will be a live performance from Staten Island’s own Charlie Romo at 6pm, who will perform hits made famous by Italian and Italian-American musicians and/or songwriters.

Over the course of the three-day event, guests will be able to enjoy rides and attractions, carnival games, vendors, and delicious food, including a Cannoli eating contest sponsored by Mark's Bake Shoppe on Sunday.

On Saturday, there will be educational displays from local cultural groups, including the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum, the National Lighthouse Museum, Casa Belvedere, Snug Harbor Cultural Center, Historic Richmond Town, the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, and the St. George Theatre. More will be announced soon.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Catholic Charities to present a festival that celebrates so many aspects of Italian and Italian-American culture,” noted Borough President Oddo. “It truly will be the biggest Columbus Day celebration in our borough’s history. All are welcome to join in the fun, enjoy some tasty treats, learn about our history, and listen to world class music this Columbus Day weekend.”

Admission will be a $5 donation for adults. Children under 12 will be admitted free. Proceeds raised from the event will benefit the programs at Mount Loretto.  Parking will also be free for the event.

“It’s a privilege to join forces with my good friend and Borough President Jim Oddo,” said Vincent Ignizio, CEO of Catholic Charities of Staten Island. “We’ve made this event even bigger than last year and are looking forward to celebrating Columbus Day with the Staten Island community.”

Limited vendor and sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, visit mountloretto.org, text the word “MOUNT” to the number 313131, or call (718) 490-5023.

Borough President James Oddo will host the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony to remember the Staten Islanders we lost 18 years ago and to pay tribute to those First Responders who have subsequently died from their service at Ground Zero. The annual ceremony, which is open to the public, will take place at the Postcards Memorial on the St. George Esplanade on Wednesday, September 11th at 6:30pm.

The names of brave First Responders are inscribed on a memorial adjacent to the Postcards memorial, the Staten Island 9/11 First Responders Memorial, which was dedicated in 2017.

The ceremony will include a reading of the names of the Staten Islanders who were lost on 9/11, as well as a reading of the names of the First Responders who have perished since that day due to their work at Ground Zero. Special musical selections and a video tribute will honor those we lost due to the tragedy.

“Each year, it is my great honor to host the September 11th Memorial Ceremony,” said Borough President Oddo. “Please join me as we remember those we lost on that fateful day and those who gave their lives as a result of their heroics in the aftermath. I ask all Staten Islanders—including those who did not lose loved ones—to join us to honor their memories and provide support for their families and friends.”
​
Free parking for the ceremony will be available in the New York Wheel Parking Garage (located next to Richmond County Bank Ballpark at Richmond Terrace and Nicholas Street). Those who wish to attend can also access the Memorial via the walkway adjacent to the ballpark. The Memorial is a short walk from the St. George Ferry Terminal and the Empire Outlets.
 
Please call (718) 816- 2239 to RSVP.

​Borough President James Oddo sponsored a Lyme Disease Awareness Forum on Monday, June 17th. This free event took place at 7pm at Wagner College (1 Campus Road) in a Spiro Hall lecture room. Over 150 Staten Islanders came out to learn how to protect themselves and their loved ones from ticks and Lyme disease. After having to reschedule in May due to inclement weather, we were extremely pleased to hold a standing room only event.
 
“Our quest to mitigate the growing number of Staten Islanders suffering from Lyme disease is being fought on many fronts, and educating the public about the disease and how it is spread is a vital step. We will continue to raise awareness on this topic because it is real and it is affecting Staten Islanders,” said Borough President Oddo.
 
At the forum, researchers from NYC DOHMH presented an update on their surveillance measures with statistical updates on the incidence of Lyme disease cases in New York City and on Staten Island as well as information on the black-legged ticks that are vectors for the disease. Borough President Oddo was pleased to hear their tick surveillance has been increased from 14 to 24 sites in parks across our borough and that they will be implementing Met52 in their tick control measures, a fungus based approach that kills ticks without hurting any other invertebrates.
 
Maria Diuk-Wasser, Associate Professor and Researcher at Columbia University, presented information on how exactly ticks get around and where people are exposed to ticks. Can you guess how ticks ‘move’ around parks in New York City? That’s right – deer. Deer are where ticks meet and reproduce. She stressed that connectivity is key, as only parks close to other parks in NYC have ticks. Parks surrounded by vegetation and are more connected to others by habitat corridors have more ticks infected with the Lyme bacteria. We continue fight for ways to control the deer population to also reduce the tick numbers and Lyme cases on Staten Island.
 
Attendees also heard from Dr. Christopher J. Pappas, Ph.D., Associate Professor at Manhattanville College, who talked about what attracts the different types of ticks we have on Staten Island, how to avoid them and prevent tick bites, as well as do’s and don’ts on tick removal. Among many tips, one that stuck out: make sure to put clothes in the dryer, not the washer to kill ticks. Drying ticks out kills the ticks.

Dr. Ernest Visconti, pediatric infectious disease specialist, moderated a question and answer period with the audience following the pretensions.

Gaynor McCown Expeditionary Learning School tabled at the event showing their school projects to educate Staten Islanders on how to protect themselves from ticks and Lyme disease. 
 
Here is the link to the PowerPoint presentations from the forum: http://www.statenislandusa.com/lymeforumslides.