February 1, 2019

Page 1

Eastchester REVIEW THE

February 1, 2019 | Vol. 7, Number 5 | www.eastchesterreview.com

County breaks ground on planned Ridley memorial

Alive and well

ArtsWestchester presented 60 “Arts Alive” grants totaling $105,000 to help fund more arts workshops, free concerts, theater performances, children’s murals, film festivals and much more throughout Westchester and Rockland counties. For more, see page 6. Photo/Leslye Smith

High school students to screen NY premiere of ‘Chi-Town’ documentary Hundreds of Westchester County high school students will gather together for three showings of Full Court Film’s documentary “Chi-Town” at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville, and the Theodore Young Community Center in White Plains. The documentary tells the story of Keifer Sykes, a young man growing up on the south side of Chicago, who overcomes personal loss, debilitating injury and tragic violence to pursue an improbable basketball career in the NBA. Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health was approached by the documentary’s social impact producer Christine Wexler and director/producer Nick Budabin to participate in the screenings and panel

discussions, because of the county’s collaboration with local schools, advocacy groups and community partners like My Brother’s Keeper and the Theodore Young Community Center. “Hosting the New York premiere screening of feature documentary ‘Chi-Town’ provides a unique opportunity for Westchester County, and the Department of Community Mental Health to further its mission of helping struggling youth overcome obstacles and adversity,” Latimer said. “These screenings, combined with panel discussions spearheaded by experts in the field, will allow students to participate in an open dialog that challenges perception, and celebrates the importance of our community partners

and support groups.” Michael Orth, commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health, added, “Westchester County is thrilled to host the New York premiere screening of award winning ‘Chi-Town.’ Director Nick Budabin captures the true meaning of overcoming life’s adversities through both personal and community resilience. Under the leadership of County Executive George Latimer, the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health, in collaboration with other county departments and community partners, are committed to creating conditions and opportunities to allow all individuals to reach their potential.”

“Chi-Town” was a major success at the Austin Texas Film Festival. The three Westchester County showings are as follows: Jan. 30, Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville, 10:30 a.m. Feb. 21, Theodore D. Young Community Center in White Plains, 12 p.m. Feb. 21, Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville, 7 p.m. The final screening at the Jacob Burns Film Center is open to the public, and is the New York premiere of “Chi-Town.” For more information, please contact the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health at 995-5220. (Submitted)

Placed where Mount Vernon Police Department Det. Christopher Ridley tragically died 11 years ago to the day, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, the Ridley family, county Legislator Lyndon Williams and other officials and friends broke ground on the site of the future Christopher J. Ridley memorial. “This groundbreaking is the first step toward creating a permanent memorial to the hero that was Christopher Ridley,” Latimer said. “While we cannot change the tragedy that occurred, we can take steps to ensure it is not forgotten—and that it may never happen again. I look forward to looking out the window of my office and seeing this standing testament to an ideal we must strive for.” Ridley, who was off duty at the time of his killing, was shot by county police officers who arrived as Ridley held a gun and tried to detain another man. The groundbreaking, emceed by Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins who was in his office overlooking the shooting on that day, took place with a ceremony which included an opening prayer, solemn trumpet renditions of “Amazing Grace” and “Taps” and words from the family of Ridley. “On behalf of our family, we thank Legislator Lyndon

Williams and County Executive George Latimer,” said Stanley Ridley, father of Christopher Ridley. “Legislator Williams was a driving force behind getting this done for the last ten years and County Executive Latimer was quick to put this in motion when he took office This memorial will be a great testimonial to who Christopher was. We must continue to push to build better relationships in our county, and while we have a lot of ground to cover, we hope this memorial will help people understand who Christopher was and what he stood for.” Williams added, “I am so gratified that we are finally breaking ground on this memorial for Detective Christopher Ridley. This young man, just 23 years old at the time and a Mount Vernon Police Officer, was not on duty when he saw someone being assaulted. He could have turned away that day 11 years ago. But that’s not the person he was. This memorial will be a testament to Christopher Riley’s character and a reminder to all Westchester residents that there are people who make great sacrifices for others. I look forward to working with the Ridley family and County personnel to speed the monument’s completion.” (Submitted)

Follow us on

Twitter @eastchesterreview

Like us on

facebook.com/eastchesterreview


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.