Senate Resolution No. 2094

BY: Senator MAYER

HONORING Charles B. Strome, III upon the occasion
of his retirement after many years of distinguished
service to the City of New Rochelle, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
significant milestones in the distinguished careers of esteemed
residents of this noble Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Charles B. Strome, III upon the occasion of his retirement after 33
years of distinguished service to the City of New Rochelle, New York;
and

WHEREAS, For the past three decades, Charles B. Strome rendered
faithful, conscientious and valuable service to the City of New
Rochelle, earning the admiration, esteem and affection of his
colleagues; and

WHEREAS, Charles B. Strome began his illustrious career with the
City of New Rochelle in 1989 as Director of Emergency Services before
becoming Assistant City Manager/City Coordinator in 1992; he was later
appointed as Deputy City Manager in 1995, then Acting City Manager in
April of 2002, followed by the esteemed position of City Manager in
November 2002, the role from which he will officially retire on December
31, 2022; and

WHEREAS, In his capacity as City Manager, Charles B. Strome served
with loyalty, honor and distinction, and was governed by a keen sense of
duty and always showed a unique grasp of human problems in his official
acts; and

WHEREAS, A proud resident of New Rochelle for 27 years, Charles B.
Strome worked to ensure the City maintained secure financial footing,
prosperity and a strong fund balance despite various economic challenges
he was presented with such as the financial recession of 2008 and the
global COVID-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS, During his tenure, Charles B. Strome worked to build and
maintain City staff by attracting a professional leadership team,
advocating for the retention and expansion of essential service
personnel and ensuring workforce stabilization by negotiating multi-year
contracts with the City's seven unions; and

WHEREAS, A great accomplishment which marks Charles B. Strome's last
years in office includes the passage of a Downtown Overlay Zone which
attracted over 2.2 billion dollars in investments; the City's
infrastructure also received much-needed improvements, with expanded
paving programs, stormwater enhancements, equipment upgrades, master
plans for a number of City parks, and new maintenance facilities for
Parks and Public Works crews; and

WHEREAS, Charles B. Strome worked with officials, staff and
community partners to coordinate the City's response to local disasters
including Nor'easters, hurricanes, tropical storms and most recently,
the COVID-19 pandemic, delivering critical services to local residents;
and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to his
community, Charles B. Strome currently serves as Chair of the New
Rochelle Industrial Development Agency and Chair of the New Rochelle
Corporation for Local Development; he is also a member of the Executive
Committee of the Westchester Municipal Officials Association, and
Co-Chair of the City School District's District Wide Health and Safety
Committee and Save Committee; and

WHEREAS, Professionally, Charles B. Strome is a member of the
International City Managers' Association, and former President of the
New York State City/County Managers Association; he is also a past
President, Vice President, and Secretary of the Municipal Administrators
Association of Metropolitan New York; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the years, the City Manager built strong
relationships with municipal leaders from neighboring communities and
worked collaboratively with elected representatives at all levels of
government to address common concerns; and

WHEREAS, Charles B. Strome led a City Administration characterized
by integrity, civility, and kindness, while also tackling some of the
most consequential challenges and intense crises in the City's history;
and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Charles B. Strome, III upon the occasion of his retirement, and to
wish him continued success in all his future endeavors; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Charles B. Strome, III.