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Mid Hudson Times , Wednesday , March 14 , 2018

PUBLIC AGENDA

WEDNESDAY , MARCH 14

Town of New Windsor Planning Board , 7 p . m . Town Hall , 555 Union Ave ., New Windsor .

THURSDAY , MARCH 15 Town of Newburgh Planning Board , 7 p . m . Town Hall , 1496 Route 300 , Town of Newburgh .

TUESDAY , MARCH 20

City of Newburgh Planning Board , 7:30 p . m . City of Newburgh Activity Center , 401 Washington St .

THURSDAY , MARCH 22

Newburgh City Council Work Session , 6 p . m . City Hall , 83 Broadway .

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The Mid Hudson Times ( USPS 000-5947 ) is a weekly newspaper published every Wednesday at Newburgh , NY 12550 , with offices at 300 Stony Brook Court , Newburgh , NY Single copy : $ 1 at newsstand . By mail in Orange , Ulster or Sullivan Counties : $ 40 annually , $ 44 out of county . Periodicals permit at Newburgh , NY POSTMASTER : Send address changes to Mid Hudson Times , 300 Stony Brook Court , Newburgh , NY 12550 .

Shantal Riley

Omari Shakur was recognized at Newburgh City Hall on Monday for his contributions to the City of Newburgh community and registering more than 2,000 people to vote in Orange County . He is surrounded by members of the City Council .

By SHANTAL RILEY sriley @ tcnewspapers . com

Omari Shakur was recognized in a small ceremony held at Newburgh City Hall on Monday night . The City of Newburgh native and community activist was bestowed a certificate of appreciation for years of grassroots advocacy and registering more than 2,000 people to vote in Orange County .

“ We hereby bestow upon on you , as a token of esteem and gratitude of our community , this certificate of achievement ,” City Mayor Judy Kennedy said , handing Shakur the document , which expressed “ appreciation of devoted and praise-worthy contributions ” by Shakur as a member of the New Voters Movement .

“ We just hope everyone gets the message ,” Shakur said . “ It ’ s about fixing our city . The best way we can do that is by electing people that are going to represent us and get out here and do their job .”

Shakur , whose given name is Raymond Bryant , is a longtime advocate for the city ’ s black community . He challenged Mayor Kennedy for her seat in 2011 and 2015 . Last year , he ran for an open seat in District 4 of the Orange County Legislature .

Shakur has called for peace in the wake of police shootings , despite his own son being shot by city police in 2006 . He has advocated against gun violence , among other pressing issues , and in support of clean drinking water both in Newburgh and Flint , Michigan , where he helped deliver hundreds of cases of bottled water in 2016 .

“ You are a pillar in this community , you have been for so many years ,” said Councilman Torrance Harvey to Shakur . “ I ’ ve walked the streets with this man … everybody knows him ,” said Councilwoman Ramona Monteverde . “ He ’ s a role model .”

“ He taught me that politics is about connecting with people ,” said

Mark Carnes . “ Walking the streets of Newburgh with Omari is a fascinating experience ... every eye goes to him . Then all the children run up to him and he knows their names and they ’ re all eager to get a response from him . Then he talks to everyone .”

“( He ’ s ) the only person in Orange County you can identify with just one name ,” Carnes added . “ You have picked up the torch from our forefathers ,” Councilwoman Hillary Rayford told Shakur . “ A lot of our ancestors died trying to vote . We owe you a great , big thanks .”

“ We ’ re working on the same goals , we ’ re moving the city forward and your help has been very , very important in this process ,” Kennedy followed . “ It ’ s a mark of how the city is coming together .”

Toward the end of the ceremony , Shakur pointed to a clipboard laying nearby . “ I got my clipboard , so anybody that needs to be registered to vote ...” Shakur said .