Gun Violence Awareness Day
I have officially declared June 2nd, 2016 Gun Violence Awareness Day in the Village of Irvington. By doing this, we are joining communities all over our country in having a conversation on what can be done to reduce gun violence in America. While gun control can be a derisive issue and I try to stay away from national issues as mayor, with over 30,000 people dying as a result of guns every year, I certainly think it is a conversation worth having. Optimistically, I think there is more we can agree on than we can disagree on and pessimistically, I think the radical groups on both ends of the debate are the only ones benefiting from polarizing us and thus preventing us from having any meaningful dialogue.
While there are few easy answers to reducing gun violence in America, there are certain things we can do that most people agree on, including gun owners like me. Expanding universal background checks and keeping guns secure at home are two of the changes we can make that I believe will have an impact. Focusing on making these changes does not mean we should not focus on the other societal and mental health issues that are, of course, a large part of the problem. We need to be working on all these things. However, 90 people killed by guns in America every day is too many. It is time for a respectful and constructive conversation.
Slow Down Irvington PSA Contest
You may have noticed that the Slow Down Irvington initiative has been rolled out across our neighboring villages as Slow Down Rivertowns. The newest idea from Slow Down Irvington working group is a “Walk Safe Irvington” public service announcement contest for students with cash prizes! The deadline for submission is June 10th. Here are the details from the official announcement:
This is it! Announcing the 2016 PSA Video Festival - "WALK SAFE IRVINGTON" Pedestrian Safety Campaign
What? Short PSA (public service announcement) videos or animated GIFs (5 seconds to 60 seconds in length) produced via phone, tablet or computer, focused on pedestrian safety.
Who? Open to Irvington School District students from 6th grade through 12th grade.
When? Submit now! Last day of submission June 10th. Winners will be announced on the June 19th at the Celebrate Irvington Day festivities.
Cash Prizes: 2 categories - short form PSA (under 30 seconds), long form PSA (30-60 seconds).
Winners and a selection of entries will be screened during Celebrate Irvington Day at Village Hall June 19th, on the village cable / FIOS channels, and at other venues around the village.
Complete contest rules and entry form can be downloaded below (print the jpeg entry form below) or email us for a copy at SlowDownIrvington@gmail.com.
Farmers’ Market
The Irvington Farmers’ Market opens this Sunday, June 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Main Street School. The market will run every Sunday through October, so make your plans accordingly. One reminder to our residents who live in the vicinity of the Main Street School…please refrain from parking in the School’s parking lot from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. each Sunday to allow for the market vendors to set up properly. Thank you for your cooperation. By the way, the web site for the Irvington Farmers’ Market is http://www.irvmkt.org.
Thanks for listening and always feel free to contact me with your thoughts or ideas.
Brian C. Smith