Editor’s note: Pelekill Herald’s “10 Questions” column is for readers to know more about those working in the city government or education, their businesses and supporting the development of our city. Today’s column contains Richard Rogers, president of the Business Improvement Board of Peekskill (BID).
Tell us what brought you to Peekskill and when.
My wife Karen and I, and our dogs, were transferred to Peekskill in 2001. On the surface, there were all these practical reasons: proximity to Manhattan, where I worked at the time; a feeling that Peekskill was in motion and would continue to grow; Excellent housing stock at reasonable prices, and a vibrant and diverse community.
But there was also my family and my long association with Peekskill. My family owned a farm in Pelekskill during the Great Depression, where my great aunt was told, gave jobs to those who came knocking on the back door and then made them a meal and gave them a place to sleep for the night. And, as a kid, my mother and I spent a lot of summer vacation at Ranch Pelekskill Dude. You can definitely say that Peekskill felt like a house for me even before I was transferred here.
You have completed almost a mandate as president of the Board of Board of Business Improvement of Peekskill (Offer) – What does this role bring?
First, let me say what honor is to serve as President of the Board of Directors of all voluntelism. We are a cross section of business, artist and government leaders, whose only concentration is addressing the issues that our business community faces and helps resolve those issues, and being proactive to promote downtown. I work closely with our part -time executive director, Bill Powers, who deals with the implementation of policies and project, daily administrative functions, supervision of flea and farmers markets and interacts with city departments.
As president, I chair the monthly bid meeting, where we address those issues that the business community faces and collects reports from city representatives. Bill and I, along with Carol Voisey, the executive director of the Hudson Chamber of Commerce Valley Gateway, and the Liaison of the City Council with the offer, Brian Fassett meet our city manager, Matt Alexander, to discuss our issues directly with the city. In addition to advocating for the business community, I participate in magnificent openings, strip cuttings and special events, and when necessary, I roll the sleeves and help in any way I can.
Steps what steps take offers to reach the prevailing Spanish population?
From business investments to power acquisition, the Latino community is a critical economic partner in Peekskill. We currently have two Spanish Board members representing the Latin business community, as well as all business interests in the city center. All our important communications are printed in English and Spanish, including minutes of monthly board meetings.
What are some of your short and long -term supply goals?
We have limited funds and staff resources, so we have to prioritize what and how we do things. Billi likes to say, “We do much less.” I would like to see the return of the free ship service we financed last year with the city – it was a successful partnership and has a lot of potential. I would also like to see how we can fill the city’s Dri [Downtown Revitalization Initiative] Marketing efforts after being announced. Finally, I would like to research how we can enter the next 250th anniversary of the American Revolution [in 2026]. Peekskill played a critical role in the independence of our nation. District and state tourism officials show that there will be opportunities to attract national and international tourists next year.
What are two to three policies that the city of Peekskill can implement to support the offer?
There are three: we look forward to the brand and marketing efforts of the city to promote Peekskill in a great way to attract more visitors and tourists and encourage residents to buy and dinner peekskill, and make peekskill a destination location. The return of the ship’s service between the waters and downtown would also support downtown. We are also working with the city to continue its focus on the quality of issues such as the implementation of codes, especially regarding the collection of trash, and to provide appropriate levels of police protection in the city center.
You are also a managing partner at JUST HAPPY DOGS, a daily home -based dog care. How did you come to enter this industry? Kinds what kind of dogs do you have at home?
I need to credit my karen woman for that. It has been in rescuing dogs since the 1990s and is on board a miniature rescue organization Pinscher. In the great recession of 2008 which resulted in massive job losses across the United States, including mine, we decided to use the knowledge we had gained in the dog’s rescue business to bootstrap a dog -specific business, five dog dogs!
After a decade, we decided to rest that business and get into a more dog service -oriented business and thus the birth of single dogs happy. While not on offer, it’s a business we really love. We only get a maximum of four dogs at all times, giving us the opportunity to enjoy the dogs that are our guests and who have become part of our family.
We also have three tons of our dogs – all the rescue – a German shepherd and two miniature tweets, one of which is almost 18 and a half years old.
You write looking for love online (1997, Macmillan), a book on how to successfully navigate the online dating. What was the main advice in the book? Do you think your book holds in the current era of appliance apps? How do you think the online meeting has changed over the past 25 years?
Wow! Twenty -five years is like an eternity in terms of the Internet. In fact, the Internet did not really exist in the way we know it today. You had to use an online service whose largest was America online (AOL). Looking for love online It was one of the first books to be published on the topic and published at a time before it became the main stream. I think the love of America Online@AOL, where I expected a virtual advisory show and early entrances like match.com helped change the perception of online meeting from ODD to ordinary.
Today, there are many ways and services to meet people online. While it can be easier to deceive people today because of technology advances and the large number of people online, the tips are still the same. People are still people and if you are an observer and you adhere to the right steps to advance your online relationships from virtual phone to the video to meet, you can still get rid of factors from honest people and find a partner if this is what you are looking for.
You met your wife online – how do you know she was it?
Yes, I’m sure. I met Karen, my future wife while I was under contract for the book. She was a journalist, so we clicked on a professional level. I lived in NY and she lived in California, so we never thought about meeting each other, but we did, and I knew she was as soon as she left the plane to NY.
What is your favorite place to go to Peekskill and why?
Paramount Hudson Valley is the place to go! I participated in the event Paul Robeson last year and was an internationally appreciated show that provided a comprehensive and fresh perspective for Paul Robeso. There are also many great restaurants to try downtown – a lot to mention here. While not on the offer, my new favorite location is Pier of Fleishmann – serves as a spectacular observation for the Hudson River.
Seed would you like to say to the Peekskill community?
Offer does much less. I would encourage people to buy and dine in downtown businesses. These are our neighbors, those who hire local employees, support our local nonprofits and contribute to the tax base. They deserve our support. And, residents must enjoy our rich history by taking on a self-centered historical tournament or participating in a primary performance-have an amazing talent formation planned for 2025.
In addition to being president of the bid board, Richard Rogers is a manager and high tax analyst at H&R Block, set at 1027 Park St.