Honor Pomona’s 50th Anniversary

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.