Blog Posts

BP Oddo announces Annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at Postcards

6/11/2021

On Sept. 11, in-person ceremony will honor those lost 20 years ago as well as the First Responders who perished subsequently due to their work at Ground Zero

Borough President James Oddo announced today that he will once again host an in-person event for the annual Staten Island 9/11 Memorial Ceremony. For the 20th anniversary, with restrictions being relaxed, the ceremony will be able to take place at the Postcards Memorial site while following social distancing guidelines. The borough president’s office will also be live streaming the event for those who are unable to come or do not feel comfortable attending an in-person ceremony.
This annual observance will feature the recitation 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.
“The Borough Hall staff and I are honored that we will be able to join together to remember those we lost on that terrible day, including the First Responders who have passed since then as a result of their bravery on that day and in the days that followed,” said Borough President James Oddo. “On the 20th anniversary of this horrific tragedy, I hope this ceremony gives solace to the families who are able to attend in person, and to those who wish to see it while staying at home. It is only right that we pay tribute to these Staten Islanders, and I ask you to join us in honoring their memories and providing support for their families and friends.”
A letter to the families of those lost has been sent notifying them of the ceremony and inviting them to participate in the recitation of names and the video tribute. Families can expect a formal invitation to be mailed to them this summer.

BP Oddo announces 2021 summer concert schedule

5/28/2021

Three free Thursday evening concerts to take place outdoors this summer

Borough President James S. Oddo is excited to announce the dates and lineup for his 2021 Summer Sunset Concert Series after a necessary hiatus due to COVID-19. All concerts will take place at 6:30 pm and each show will have two acts featuring Staten Island musicians who are generously donating their time and talent.

Music will vary from oldies to jazz to hard rock to popular music and folk music. Concert-goers are encouraged to bring their own chairs and socially distance. All concerts will adhere to CDC guidelines.

June 24th - Conference House Park Pavilion (7455 Hylan Boulevard) featuring Lina Fiscardi, and Cause and the Effects (Rain date: July 8th)

July 29th - Historic Richmond Town (441 Clarke Avenue) featuring Hughie Lynch, and Midnight Mischief (Rain date: August 5th)

August 26th - Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden (1000 Richmond Terrace) featuring JazzOut4tet, and Joan Caddell & the Midnight Choir (Rain date: September 2nd)

“After the year and a half we’ve had, we at Borough Hall are thrilled to be able to offer in-person entertainment for Staten Islanders to enjoy this summer, while giving some of our homegrown talent a chance to perform and show off their musical skills,” said Borough President Oddo. “This is a wonderful way for folks to enjoy our parks and return to live performances throughout the summer!”

Free, Rigorous Tech Training Opportunity for Staten Islanders Offered Through Collaboration and Commitment

5/25/2021

Borough President Oddo, Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, Amazon, Staten Island Foundation
Help Bring Nationally-Recognized Tech Trainer Per Scholas to Staten Island

For more than 25 years, Per Scholas has advanced economic equity through technology and today, Staten Island Borough President James Oddo is proud to announce a transformational investment in the nonprofit’s ability to offer free IT training exclusively to Staten Island residents. Through collaboration and the commitment of Borough Hall, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, The Staten Island Foundation, and Amazon, Per Scholas is now able to enroll and support more learners from the Borough in virtual courses today and through a Staten Island satellite campus partner in the near future.

“In 2017, our Borough Hall team read study after study on how to prepare the workforce for long-term success in the 21st century economy,” said Borough President James Oddo. “That’s when we were first introduced to Per Scholas, an organization that achieved incredible outcomes in training individuals for successful careers in the tech sector.”

The Borough President continued, “As we often do, with our Policy Director Isaac Gorodetski leading point for us, we joined forces with Linda Baran and her team at the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce to find a way to bring Per Scholas programming to Staten Island. Therefore, I am thrilled that Per Scholas, The Staten Island Foundation, and Amazon rallied around us to make it a reality. Thanks to their hard work, philanthropy, and commitment to our borough, Staten Islanders will now have access to world-class tech training and job placement. And, it couldn’t come at a more critical time given the impact of the pandemic on the job market. This is a big win for Staten Island.”

According to a new report from the Center for an Urban Future, nearly one-in-five of all new job postings in New York City during the pandemic were in technology occupations. Demand for tech jobs across the city was more than double that of finance, more than triple that of marketing, and almost five times higher than demand for hospitality or education. As of February, Staten Island’s unemployment rate is nearly 10 percent, and almost half are young professionals, aged 22 to 34.

“The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce is proud and excited to welcome Per Scholas to Staten Island,” said Linda Baran, President and CEO of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. “Per Scholas has a proven track record of lifting Americans with lower incomes into high paying jobs that made them a natural partnership fit for the Chamber’s workforce initiatives. We are confident that this new partnership will help create a new tech talent pipeline on Staten Island that will serve a diverse and underrepresented population. And this is just the first step: the more pipelines we create, the more we attract and drive new tech businesses to our Borough. We thank the Office of Borough President James Oddo, Amazon and The Staten Island Foundation for joining us in support of the future of Staten Island’s workforce.”

“Creating a better, stronger, more resilient future for Staten Islanders, particularly the least advantaged is a leading priority for The Staten Island Foundation. Our investment in Per Scholas contributes to that more promising future. We’re enthusiastic about helping to provide another tool for Staten Island residents to invest in themselves,” said Laura Jean Watters, Acting Executive Director, The Staten Island Foundation.

“As a company, we’ve made upskilling and workforce development a priority here, in New York City, and nationally, so partnering with Per Scholas is a natural fit for Amazon,” said Carley Graham Garcia, Amazon’s New York City Head of External Affairs. “By expanding educational and job training opportunities in Staten Island, this initiative will help more of our neighbors pursue promising careers, while simultaneously building a talent pipeline and attracting greater economic investment to the borough. We thank the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and Borough President James Oddo for all their work to make this expansion possible.”

Amazon currently employs 5,000 employees across its Staten Island operations sites.

To date, Per Scholas has trained a dozen Staten Islanders, and geography has been the main barrier to interested individuals in pursuing a path in tech. As a result of this new partnership, that barrier will be removed. Mario, a Per Scholas graduate from Staten Island shared his gratitude for having a car, but underscored he still had to begin his commute at 6 a.m. to make it on time to his training in Brooklyn. “Some classmates took three or four busses plus the ferry to get to class,” he reflected. Today, Mario works as a Cyber Technology Specialist with Darktrace.

“As New York City continues our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, we have a responsibility to ensure that Per Scholas training can reach as many New Yorkers as possible,” said Abe Mendez, New York Managing Director, Per Scholas. “I want to commend Borough President Oddo and all of our partners at Amazon, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, and The Staten Island Foundation. Together we will ensure that technology companies across our city can benefit from the strength of Staten Island talent.”

Per Scholas is actively recruiting candidates for virtual training courses this summer and is striving to return to on-campus learning this fall, provided it’s safe to do so. In Staten Island, this means teaming up with a community partner to stream live classes from Per Scholas’s flagship Bronx and Brooklyn campuses. Per Scholas will provide an Instructional Assistant to be present in the classroom to support Staten Island learners real-time. Current Per Scholas cybersecurity learner Unais says it best, “Opening up more training opportunities in Staten Island will be a lifesaver.”
To learn more, please visit PerScholas.org/NewYork.

About Staten Island Borough President
The Office of the Borough President has a responsibility to advocate for the entire Borough of Staten Island and all its residents, and represents the Borough's interests within City government. The Borough President communicates directly with the Mayor and the City Council to emphasize Staten Island’s budget priorities, and monitors the delivery of city services on Staten Island, acting as a liaison between residents and city agencies when problems arise to devise solutions. In addition, the Borough President is responsible for reviewing major land use decisions and proposing sites for city facilities within the Borough. The office also houses the Borough's Topographical Bureau, which maintains the borough’s official maps and assigns street addresses. The Borough President is also responsible for appointing one member to the Panel for Educational Policy and one member to the City Planning Commission, as well as some 150 members to Staten Island’s three community boards.

About Staten Island Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1895, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce (SICC) is Staten Island’s largest and most respected business organization. The mission of the SICC, a private not-for-profit 501(c)6 organization, is to improve the economic climate and expand business opportunities on Staten Island. We represent the interests and serve as the voice of more than 9,000 businesses of all sizes and sectors throughout all four shores of the borough. With nearly 600 members encompassing 250 categories, Chamber members range from small, family-owned storefront shops to leading institutions to larger employers. The vast majority of our members are small companies with fewer than 10 employees. The SICC provides technical assistance, advice, and business support services. The Chamber also produces workshops (online and onsite) and one-on-one counseling and customized on- and off-site assistance to business owners, with an emphasis on women and minority businesses.

In 2000, the SICC established the SICC Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)3. The mission of the SICCF is to support and advance small business development & business technology development of the Staten Island community through charitable educational programs and commercial revitalization programs that lessen the burdens of government.

About The Staten Island Foundation
The Staten Island Foundation is an independent, private foundation with a mission of improving the quality of life in Staten Island through support of qualified, service-providing, not-for-profit organizations. The Staten Island Foundation funds results for the local community, especially its least advantaged, in the areas of education, health, community services and the arts. Since its founding in 1997, The Staten Island Foundation has granted over $75 million to local, service-providing organizations for the benefit of Staten Island residents. For information call (718) 697-2831 or visit the Foundation’s website at www.thestatenislandfoundation.org.

About Amazon
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.

About Per Scholas
Per Scholas is a national organization that has been advancing economic mobility for 25 years. Through rigorous training, professional development, and robust employer connections, we prepare individuals traditionally underrepresented in technology for high-growth careers in the industry. We partner with leading employers to build more diverse talent pools, directly connecting our graduates to new career opportunities at businesses ranging from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups. With campuses in 17 cities, Per Scholas has trained more than 13,000 individuals in tech skills, building bridges to careers in technology. To learn more, visit PerScholas.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS
For Staten Island Borough President James Oddo
Colleen Siuzdak, (718) 816-2057, CSiuzdak@statenislandusa.com
For Staten Island Chamber of Commerce
Dom Provenzano, (718) 727-1900, dprovenzano@sichamber.com
For The Staten Island Foundation
Laura Jean Watters, (718) 697-2831, watters@thestatenislandfoundation.org
For Per Scholas
Sara Luciano, (332) 895-0051, sLuciano@perscholas.org

Ribbon cutting for refurbished "Berry's" is set and BP Oddo wants past players to come back on June 2nd to join in the celebration

5/21/2021

Borough President James Oddo would like to invite those who have played at “The Berry’s” to take a trip down memory lane for a ribbon cutting of the newly refurbished site on Wednesday, June 2nd at 11 a.m. This long-awaited project has reconstructed the existing ballfields, basketball courts, and enhanced sports lighting on the field as well as improved the edges and entrances at Gen. Douglas MacArthur Park.

“After trying to start this project as a councilmember in 2001, I am ecstatic to finally see this dream come to reality and let folks witness this moment in Staten Island history,” said Borough President Oddo. “If you have played your own Game 7 of the World Series there, or had a 70 yard scamper or acrobatic catch, or drained a jumper from the baseline with seconds remaining, why don’t you join us as we cut the ribbon on the refurbished Berry’s and start a whole new universe of memorable moments."

In addition to the fields and new lighting, the park features bleacher seating, chess tables and adult fitness equipment. Find more details about this capital project here: https://www.nycgovparks.org/planning-and-building/capital-project-tracker/project/8671.

General Douglas MacArthur Park was developed as part of the General Charles W. Berry Houses public housing project, named after a former Commander of the New York National Guard and City Comptroller. The park opened in April 1951, a year after the completion of the housing complex. General Douglas MacArthur served in World War I and World War II, receiving many accolades for his bravery and ingenuity.

Borough President Oddo announces partnership with Snug Harbor's Heritage Farm

5/13/2021

Partnership increases Heritage Farm's output for hungry families from 2500 to 5000 pounds this season
Borough President James Oddo announced a new partnership today with Snug Harbor Cultural Center's Heritage Farm that will make additional fresh produce available to the hungry via local food banks, including Community Health Action of Staten Island (CHASI) and Catholic Charities. The partnership doubles Snug Harbor's commitment of donating 2,500 pounds of produce to 5,000 pounds during the season, from June to October.
Borough President Oddo has allocated $23,500 to the program which will be used to purchase necessary machinery to expand the farm's production. A rototiller and a bobcat attachment will expand capacity by managing soil health.
The 2.5 acre farm produces a myriad of root and other vegetables. The fresh produce is imperative for a healthy diet and the Borough President wants to be sure that every family who is interested in fresh ingredients has access to these nutritious fruits and vegetables, as well as recipes on how to prepare them.
"Access to fresh, healthy food is paramount to a healthy lifestyle," Borough President Oddo said. "This program gets an additional 2,500 pounds of fresh produce into the hands of families who need it most. This is so important and I'm thrilled to partner with Snug Harbor's Heritage Farm and CHASI and Catholic Charities to make this happen."
"In partnership with the SI Borough President’s Office, the Heritage Farm at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden is proud to donate 5,000 lbs of fresh, locally grown produce to Staten Island food pantries like Community Health Action Staten Island (CHASI) and Catholic Charities, in order to supply our food insecure neighbors with fresh produce," said Martha Neighbors, Interim President & CEO of Snug Harbor.
“Community Health Action is so pleased to enter this expanded partnership through the Staten Island Borough President’s Office with Snug Harbor Cultural Center’s Heritage Farm to supply just-picked fresh produce for the participants in our food pantry,” CHASI Executive Director Diane Arneth said. “We are also excited about Snug Harbor’s connection with the Hunter College Community Nutrition Program which will provide healthy recipes using these ingredients.”
“This is a true Staten Island story....neighbors helping their neighbors in need. Catholic Charities of Staten Island is proud to partner with Borough President Oddo and the Snug Harbor Heritage Farm to provide fresh produce to the needy we serve on Staten Island,” said Catholic Charities CEO Vincent Ignizio. “With our newly established food hub at Anderson Avenue in Port Richmond comprised of new pallet and refrigeration systems funded by the BP, we will make healthy meals a reality for all Staten Islanders.”
Snug Harbor also has a popular Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program and a few shares are still available for this season. By committing before the season begins, it allows the farm to purchase needed materials (like soil and seeds) to begin the season, which starts June 3 and runs through October 14. For 20 weeks during the growing season on Thursday afternoons from 4:30 – 7:00 PM, members can come to Snug Harbor’s South Meadow Lawn Stage to pick up a bag full of fresh produce grown on the Heritage Farm.
For more on purchasing your own farm share, visit https://snug-harbor.org/csa/.
Additionally, Borough President Oddo has announced the "Get Your Garden On" campaign which highlights the existing Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) programs and green markets on Staten Island, promotes their activities, and encourages residents to consider growing their own food by educating them on the do’s and don’ts of creating their own gardens.
For details, please visit www.statenislandusa.com/getyourgardenon.

Petrides Award presented to Outstanding Graduating Senior

5/12/2021

Annual math and science award highlights exceptional student in memoriam of Staten Islander Michael J. Petrides

Today, members of the Petrides family and the Michael J. Petrides Award Scholarship committee presented the Michael J. Petrides Student Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science to Amy Mohamed, a student at the Michael J. Petrides School, which is the namesake school of the late Staten Islander.

The annual award is given to a graduating high school senior who excels in math and science. Each Staten Island high school is asked to submit a single nominee, from which the honoree and runner-up are selected. The award is named for Michael J. Petrides, a legendary Staten Island educator, who died in 1994.

Amy Mohamed is currently in the position to be the valedictorian of her senior class, and she possesses an abundance of leadership qualities. With a 102% GPA, she is a member of the National Honor Society, has taken three CUNY college courses and will have completed nine AP classes, the most that the high school offers. A daughter of immigrant parents from Egypt, she is able to speak Arabic and has learned many lessons of perseverance when her parents fell ill at a young age. She took those lessons and devoted much of her time and energy into her school work, extracurricular activities, and volunteer opportunities in and outside of school. She has served as a representative on Student Government all throughout high school and has been a member of the orchestra since fifth grade, playing the violin in 11 concerts. She paints scenery and dances each year in the school's annual SING competitions, participates in the Arts and Crafts Club, was a member of the Varsity Fencing Team, and she also raises money for UNICEF and the Petrides Against Cancer Society. For the last two years, Amy has been on the Math Team competing with students from other high schools in the district math tournaments. As a part of the National History Day Club, Amy has won an award for her project which involved a memorial to Michael Ollis, a former student who died while serving in the U.S. Army. In her spare time, Amy works and volunteers at a soup kitchen and library in her community. In the fall, Amy will be attending M.I.T with the intended major of Mechanical Engineering in the fall.

“We are pleased to continue the tradition of awarding an exceptional college bound student with the Petrides Award. All of the nominees are deserving and I am always impressed and encouraged by these young people,” noted Borough President Oddo. "I look forward to them returning to Staten Island as young professionals and continuing their commitment to service in our community."

Lacey DeLucia from Staten Island Technical High School was named first runner up. Thea Akhrass from St. Joseph Hill Academy High School was named second runner up.

A full list of nominees is below:
Justin Linder, Tottenville High School
Amy Mohamed, Michael J. Petrides School
Thea Akhrass, St. Joseph Hill Academy High School
Vasilisa Ignatova, CSI HS
Matthew Casey, Monsignor Farrell High School
Lacey DeLucia, Staten Island Technical High School
Amir Khan, New Dorp High School
Daniel Romero, John W. Lavelle Preparatory Charter School
Fiona Richards, Gaynor McCown Expeditionary Learning School
Ineesha Iman, Concord High School
Paul Dela Cruz, Ralph R. McKee CTE High School
Michael Savino, Staten Island Academy
Neelam Chaudry, Notre Dame Academy
Christian Rasmussen, Curtis High School
Sydney Xhunga, Moore Catholic High School
Rachel Dreyer, Susan E. Wagner High School

BP Oddo announces 'Survivor Tree' at Postcards Memorial Site

4/26/2021

Tree gifted from 9/11 Memorial & Museum to Staten Island

Borough President James Oddo has announced that a "survivor tree" has been gifted to Staten Island from the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and planted at the Postcards 9/11 Memorial site along the waterfront in St. George.

The young tree, a Callery Pear Tree, is a cutting of the only tree to survive the 9/11 attacks at the World Trade Center site. Since then, the Museum has become a steward of the trees and made them available as memorials all over the world as part of their Seedling Program.
"We are grateful for this beautiful, sentimental gift from the 9/11 Memorial & Museum," said Borough President Oddo. "There is no place more appropriate for this tree to grow on Staten Island than at the Postcards site that brings us solace."

The tree was planted on Saturday by volunteers from the Friends of Postcards organization and the Office of the Borough President. Watch a video of the planting here: https://youtu.be/KDnyned6slk.

"The Survivor Tree signifies our resilience as a people and is a sign of hope in the face of so much tragedy. Twenty years after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the Survivor Tree still stands at the 9/11 Memorial in lower Manhattan and hundreds more trees, born from this one survivor, are now planted around the world. It's an honor to welcome a Survivor Tree to Staten Island's Postcards Memorial and we hope that future generations will reflect at this site, remember those lost on 9/11 and since due to illness, and continue to tell the story of the Survivor Tree," Friends of Postcards said.

BP Oddo announces campaign encouraging Staten Islanders to grow their own produce

4/22/2021

“Get Your Garden On” highlights local CSAs, green markets, garden clubs to emphasize the importance of fresh, healthy foods

In honor of Earth Day, Borough President James Oddo has announced a new campaign titled “Get Your Garden On” to highlight the existing Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) programs and green markets on Staten Island, promote their activities, and encourage residents to consider growing their own food by educating them on the do’s and don’ts of creating their own gardens. With a primary focus on health and wellness, BP Oddo hopes to increase access for families to fresh foods and encourage Staten Islanders to grow their own healthy foods where possible.

“It is astonishing to learn about the gaps in our country’s food policy, which exposes truly limited access to fresh and healthy foods that we know can help alleviate chronic diseases,” Borough President James Oddo said. “By initiating this connection in our own backyards, windowsills and greenhouses to local green markets, we can provide an introduction to nearby fruits and vegetables to Staten Island residents which will have lasting benefits on their health, especially in this time of a 42% clinical obesity rate nationally, tens of millions of Americans who are diabetic and pre-diabetic, and in the wake of a pandemic that was particularly dangerous to those with pre-existing health conditions.”

This initiative will feature tips and tutorials from gardeners and farmers markets on Staten Island as a way to promote a healthy eating lifestyle. The office will dedicate a webpage on its site, www.statenislandusa.com, to share resources from local community gardens, clubs, and cultural organizations, and provide the tricks of the trade for people to feel more comfortable in attempting to grow their own food or purchase from local produce providers and know how to serve it in a healthy, yet delicious way.

The BP and his team are also finalizing a partnership with Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden's Heritage Farm for a grant to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables that will then be distributed to those who need it via local food pantries.

Those who want to share their gardens or show their local produce purchases are encouraged to post their photos on social media with the hashtag #GetYourGardenOnSI to be reposted by the office’s social media accounts.

For details, please visit www.statenislandusa.com/getyourgardenon.

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