SoNo NewRo

SONO NEW RO'S POSITIVE AGENDA FOR HISTORIC NEW ROCHELLE by Peggy Godfrey

With a full agenda and great enthusiasm Jim Killoran welcomed business
associates and friends to the monthly meeting of SONO New Ro May 29, 2008 at
Coromandel restaurant. The Green initiatives of the organization were
enumerated.

The goals of SONO New Ro (South of North Avenue New Rochelle) as stated
previously by Killoran came as a result of businesses and residents South of
North Ave (according to route 1) needing to have a creative on site
representation of people..who are not part of what is advertised, the City
within the City. We believe that the small New Rochelle business owner, is just
as vitally important to New Rochelle's success (from Gnarly Vine and Kaffeine to
Coromandel and Mexican Corner Restaurant), as is the history of New Rochelle,
All are part of the success of SONO New Ro's future.
Here, restaurants..small businesses, creative in nature, and open later and
later every week, come together to create a community that cares, works together
as a team, and invites all from New Rochelle to come down and get a taste of
SONO New Ro.
Begun by myself, Killoran added, this area has now started a trolley every
month which celebrates the history of past New Rochelle citizens, residents, and
the future of the people of New Rochelle. WE also HAVE THE GOA L OF MAKING THIS
THE GREENEST DOWNTOWN IN AMERICA with trolleys, walking, bicycling, and ending
parking problems with a new way of coming downtown. This is what is part of the
New Urbanization: wind energ y, recycling, solar power, and NYSERDA. New
Rochelle seniors and youth will be part of this equation, not being pushed out,
but helping with our goal. Killoran emphasized, "stay tuned for more."

Recycling of plastics and other materials was discussed. The guest
speaker, Patrice Courtney of NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and
Development Authority) gave a power point presentation and commented that there
were cost effective ways of reducing energy. Audits can be sought to lower
energy bills and improve energy performance. If annual electric bills are under
$25,000 the audit costs $100. If the electric bills are between $25,000 and
$75,000, the audit fee is $400. Goals of the audit are helpful energy
efficiency strategi es and improvements which will yield substantial energy
savings.

The group's History Committee is planning to fill empty stores with large
pictures of New Rochelle's past. Bill Mullen has some old post cards which they
are planning to make into large pictures. The Trolley ride will again take
interested people to ride through various famous areas of the city.

The update on police presence in downtown and the need for a police
precinct was discussed. Another nearby city used federal funds to establish a
police precinct. It was felt traffic calming was also needed. Dr. Robert Baker
queried the business owners present about whether they felt downtown was safe.
Business owners present expressed a need for more police presence. After the
meeting Dan Gallo, Patrol Coordinator of the Southern New Rochelle Crime Watch,
(a citizen group), suggested that the merchants work together to create a
downtown crime watch as he found this t o be effective in his neighborhood.

Jim Killoran ended the meeting by saying SONO New Ro was trying to do
positive things to improve the downtown area. Their next meeting is on June 12,
2008.

SO NO NEW RO....THE GREENEST DISTRICT IN AMERICA