Senate Resolution No. 503

BY: Senator LARKIN

COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of the Village
of Pomona, New York

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and
commemorate the distinguished histories of the communities which
comprise the noble body of this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Village of Pomona, in Rockland
County, New York, to be celebrated with a myriad of events planned
throughout the upcoming year; and

WHEREAS, During the early 1960s, the owner of approximately 300
acres of land on Cheesecote Mountain petitioned the Town of Haverstraw
for an apartment zone change; faced with the end of the lifestyle that
they coveted, and the necessity of building several new schools, the
community mobilized; and

WHEREAS, Jan Van den Hende and Leon Klingher came up with the plan
to form a village, and Harold Lazaar, Norma and Renee Becker, Milton
Chamberlin, Adelaide Smith, Artie Karp, Arnold Friedman and many others
aided them in the effort; actor Burgess Meredith offered to run a horse
show on his property to provide the seed money for the legal fees and
other expenses; and

WHEREAS, Due to the grassroots efforts of several passionate
individuals, the Village of Pomona was formed on February 3, 1967,
fulfilling the vision of a close-knit community vested in their rural
roots; and

WHEREAS, Comprised of approximately 3,200 residents, the Village of
Pomona is located in Rockland County, New York, with half of the Village
in the Town of Haverstraw and the other half in the Town of Ramapo; and

WHEREAS, The Village's founders, led by its first Mayor, Jan Van den
Hende, chose a name which reflects these rural roots; in Roman
mythology, Pomona is the goddess of fruit trees, gardens and orchards;
today, residents and visitors to Pomona enjoy spending time outdoors at
three parks, the Burgess Meredith, Secor and Van den Hende; and

WHEREAS, A widely diverse population gathers together at the Pomona
Cultural Center to participate in various arts events, and the residents
worship at Dare-e-Mehr Zoroastrian Temple, Sri Ranganatha Temple, and
the Ladentown United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of
growth and change, the Village of Pomona continues its commitment to
enhancing the quality of life of its citizens, ensuring a positive
business, institutional and educational climate, and providing all
essential services; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Village of Pomona, New York,
recognizing the significance of the role it continues to play in the
life of the community of the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Brett L. Yagel, Mayor, Village of Pomona.