Community Corner

Question of the Day: What Breathes Life into Peekskill for You?

Many of you have spoken against Newburgh Mayor Nick Valentine's "dead" comment, so tell and show us why.

Peekskill Patch readers have made it clear. You do not think Peekskill is a dead city.

Peekskill Mayor Mary Foster does not think so either. And she wants to show Newburgh Mayor Nicholas Valentine why Peekskill is alive and growing. Last night, Mayor Foster distributed a letter to the press that was addressed to Valentine, inviting him to visit Peekskill.

The letter detailed the many great restaurants, and their best dishes, pubs, breweries, music halls, events, and other positive attributes of this city.

Find out what's happening in Peekskill-Cortlandtwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Mayor wrote:

"Peekskill, like many former industrial towns along the Hudson River has experienced difficult times in the last three decades. However, over the last few years we have reclaimed our reputation as a regional destination by keeping our tax base stable; promoting a lively growing music and arts scene, stepping up law enforcement, and making strategic, modest investments in our infrastructure and building stock. I would like to show you around and talk about the actions we are taking to fulfill our goal of Peekskill as the cultural, entertainment, dining and business hub of the region."

Find out what's happening in Peekskill-Cortlandtwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Read the full letter _.

Many of you commented on _ on this topic and 77 people took our poll, which showed that 50 percent thought Peekskill's bad rap comes from unwarranted comments like Mayor Valentine's.

So, today's question is digging a little deeper into your love of Peekskill.

Question: What Breaths Life into Peekskill for You?

I am going to take the liberty to be the first to answer this question.

I have learned a lot about Peekskill in the nine months I have been reporting here. Peekskill's passionate and dedicated residents are proof enough of the life in this city. Almost everyone I interview tells me "I love Peekskill and always have," when we first meet. Many were born here, ventured off and have returned for life. But I am told that even those who have flocked to Florida for those Golden Years are emotionally invested in Peekskill, a city they still love.

Of the hundreds of people I have met, it seems I eventually run into them again-at the school art show hosted at a local café, at a fundraiser for breast cancer, at a sports practice, at a brewery or restaurant, at a street festival, or at a city hall meeting, PAT health fair, or school board event.

And many of these active community members are wearing different hats each time I see them. It seems there is an endless number of people in this city who work full-time jobs, take care of their kids and then make extra time to serve on a community board or volunteer at a fundraiser.

Not to mention, they know how to have fun.

The city’s dedicated community members make time to visit the art galleries, dance at the music venues/restaurants, have a beer at the Brewery or buy tickets to a Paramount play.

Just the music, art and nightlife scene alone is enough to show that Peekskill is alive and kicking. But the people behind it all are what I think makes the city shine.

Don’t feel the need to be as verbose as I was, but please tell us what you really love about the city in the comments below.

Also, I have added a few photos that I feel reflect Peekskill's character. Please add yours to this article as well (just click "add your photos" under my photo).


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