January 16, 2025

Mayor’s Message ALERT [Village Flag Protocol Update Edition]:

Dear Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson residents, visitors, and friends,

On Wednesday, I posted a “Mayor’s Message” that, in part, addressed my decision to follow the stated protocols of the 119th Congress and the House of Representatives, as well as various state governments, in briefly re-raising Village flags during the thirty-day prescribed mourning period for President Carter. What I felt was a reasonable accommodation decision was arrived at with considerable reflection and introspection – related to how polarized this country currently is and how any/every decision seemingly must be filtered through the partisan political prism of what one’s “tribe” prefers. As your mayor for the past four years, I have never made ANY decision subject to politics or “optics.” What continually guides me is what I feel is right, just, and fair. Fairly liberating not being career politician. Promised our community to only seek two terms.

While many understood and supported this accommodation to honor President Carter -- and yet apply a brief exception to policy by re-raising of Village flags to full-mast position to celebrate uniquely American transfer of power in Republic -- others reacted on social media with apoplexy over my decision. It was MY decision, and I own it. But I’m also the guy with the desk nameplate that reads: “Help Me Get to Yes.” No, it wasn’t the threats I received from obvious partisans incapable of accepting the results of the 2024 election and who literally hate the president-elect. It also wasn’t the vocal minority of opponents, some who retreated to Reddit to gin up a petition, in vain attempt to alter Village policy. We live in a wonderful democratic society and I serve ALL of you – not only the ones who support my positions. Our community deserves an advocate and seeks to have individual voices heard. Yet, may happen, as General Colin Powell so aptly put it, that “[b]eing responsible sometimes means pissing people off.”

As I further researched, I determined exists precedent. President Harry S. Truman passed away on December 26, 1972. He was afforded customary 30-day presidential mourning period replete with U.S. flags ordered to half-mast position. This included inauguration ceremonies for President Richard M. Nixon’s January 20, 1973, swearing in on Capitol Hill [see attendant photograph]. I certainly understand that much of the anger at my original decision is rooted in partisanship. No amount of explaining reasoning behind my decision will assuage rabid ideologues and those who adhere to their orthodoxy that ignores frailties in their “tribe,” while eagerly pointing out faults in their political opponents. As I write this, no less a Trump opponent than Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) just directed California’s state flags to be re-raised in honor of inauguration. However, I direct our Village keeps its flags at half-mast position on Monday, January 20th. Isn’t a victory for partisans. It’s – in my mind – the right thing to do now. 

On behalf of your Village Board,

James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

Mayor

January 14, 2025

Mayor’s Message [Public Safety, “Et Alia” Edition]:

Dear Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson residents, visitors, and friends,

Firstly, an apology upfront for what may seem an extended period of absence in the “mayor’s message” communications I do so enjoy sharing with our community. Certainly not a reflection of a lack of matters and issues currently being addressed and resolved. The wheels of progress have continued to grind along unimpeded or obstructed. I simply choose this platform when I sense matters of serious consequence to address – or opportunities to laud our amazing Village employees and volunteer organizations. That said, this will serve as my penultimate written message to you all as mayor of this wonderful Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York. My second (and final) term concludes on April 7th and there will be a new elected leader of the Village for us all to rally behind and cheer on continued successes for our elected officials as they continue to lead us into the second quarter of the 21st century. But more on all of that soon.

Let’s begin with several somber reflections. Three days shy of the New Year, the nation lost its 39th president, Jimmy Carter: a native of Plains, Georgia and the leader of the free world during a fairly tumultuous period of our nation’s – and the world’s – history. He led with grace and truly inspired millions upon millions across the globe during his post-presidency efforts with Habitat for Humanity. Village flags have been lowered to half-mast position in keeping with federal guidelines that instruct the observances be held for a full thirty days following a POTUS’s passing. They will briefly be raised back to full-mast position in observance of inauguration day on January 20th and then be re-lowered for the remaining eight days of remembrance in honor of President Carter. I did not *invent this accommodation. It has been announced by a number of state governments and the Speaker of the House of Representatives – to apply to Congress. Please keep President Carter and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

We also lost one of our own beloved elected leaders and community pillars on January 8th. Charles “Rudy” Hahn was a well-respected member of this Village, serving 24 years on our Village Board and as deputy mayor. Difficult to find anyone around these parts who could say a cross word about Mr. Hahn. He built an incredible legacy in Cornwall-on-Hudson – none more so than his children and grandchildren; all deeply embedded in and committed to Cornwall-on-Hudson. Please keep them all in your prayers. Their patriarch made a huge impact in COH.

And also, Thursday, January 16th, Cornwall’s own true American HERO and Medal of Honor recipient, Captain Paul W. Bucha, will be formally laid to rest at his alma mater, the United States Military Academy at West Point. Captain Bucha peacefully passed away on July 31, 2024. Thursday’s ceremonies will be replete with full military honors. Please continue to keep his brave wife and Cornwall resident, Cynthia, “Chintz,” Bell-Bucha in your thoughts and prayers.

Now, to serious matters related to PUBLIC SAFETY. Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger once perfectly posited that “[g]overnment’s first duty and highest obligation is public safety.” He was spot-on. Nothing – absolutely NOTHING – is as sacrosanct a contract with our community than the one that demands we elected officials do everything within our power and control to keep our communities safe. It’s why this Board compelled our police department to be outfitted with body worn cameras. They assist in keeping the public – and our cops – safe(r). It’s also why some four years ago, we took a hard look at the events in COH that resulted in mass gatherings . It’s no easy (or popular) feat, at times, to pull employees in on holidays, away from their families, and have them staff additional uniformed foot posts or assist in prepositioning heavy equipment and vehicles to provide a greater level of security for crowds of revelers that gather to celebrate. One only has to look at what just occurred in Germany during the Christmas Market attack and the vehicular attack on Bourbon Street that occurred shortly after we celebrated our ball drop in COH. The threat matrix, my FBI background informs, should constantly shift and adjust to blunt the advantage our complacencies provide to terrorists, or those seeking to inflict harm. In Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War,” he warned of an adversaries’ penchant for acting “like water,” taking the path of least resistance, and always finding the easiest route. Undertaking these “new normal” precautions does not guarantee us 100% safety. But it is a first step in hardening our defenses.

Same necessary defenses the current FBI director warned of on “60 Minutes” on Sunday evening. Speaking of the ominous threats posed by the People’s Republic of China, Director Wray particularly highlighted vulnerabilities within our critical infrastructure grid. And the first vital critical infrastructure sector he mentioned was water treatment facilities – something the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson is responsible for in its role as the lead agency in charge of the Cornwall Water System. In light of this shared intelligence, the Village will seek to begin a comprehensive review of the security template attached to our water treatment plants and reservoirs. It is necessary and timely. Just as we will seek to procure moveable sidewalk bollards to further integrate and increase security posture when we draw large crowds to events. Any resident with additional ideas or concerns in this realm, please come see the mayor to discuss.

Finally, with 83 days left in office, I commit to not limping across the finish line and promise to finish my final days as mayor with the same enthusiasm and commitment to ALL with which I entered on duty. And while I will share more (much more) about the current state of the Village and what lies ahead in my final treatise to the community in March, please know that I have considered the holding of this office to be the honor and the privilege of my lifetime. Thank you.

On behalf of your Village Board,

James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

Mayor