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John W. Marshall, Son of Justice Thurgood Marshall, to Speak at St. Thomas Aquinas College
[UPDATE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO A LATER DATE.]
St. Thomas Aquinas College will host John W. Marshall, a civil rights advocate, distinguished leader in public safety and law enforcement, and the son of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, for a Black History Month Fireside STAC Chat on Wednesday, February 26 at 2:15 PM.
This event will address The Transformative Power of Education – Access and Affordability and offers students and the community an opportunity to engage in a thought-provoking discussion, while reflecting on the lasting impact of Thurgood Marshall’s legal legacy.
“Welcoming John W. Marshall to St. Thomas Aquinas College is both an honor and an inspiration,” said College President Ken Daly. “His lifelong dedication to public service embodies our core values. As the son of one of the most transformative figures in American history, he continues his father’s legacy by advocating for equity and public safety. This fireside chat is more than a conversation—it’s a moment to reflect, engage, and inspire.”
John W. Marshall has dedicated over four decades to law enforcement and government service. He made history as the first African American Director of the U.S. Marshals Service, appointed by President Bill Clinton. His distinguished career also includes serving as Virginia’s Secretary of Public Safety under two governors. He currently serves as Director of the Office of Safety Programs at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, advancing national safety initiatives.
Moderated by Emmy Award-winning and ABC reporter Phil Taitt, the fireside chat will explore Marshall’s personal journey, his father’s enduring impact, and the role of young people in shaping the future.
The event is presented by the College’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) program, which prepares students for leadership roles in government, nonprofits, and public service. Offering specialized tracks in Nonprofit and Criminal Justice Leadership, the 36-credit program features flexible in-person and online courses, hands-on learning, and distinguished faculty.
This event is free and open to the public, but space is limited. Reserve your spot by registering at stac.edu/Marshall.
Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS® to Hold “Good Cause Eviction” Information Session Feb 28
The Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS® (HGAR) is partnering with the Building & Realty Institute of Westchester & the Mid-Hudson Region (BRI) to present an informational session on Good Cause Eviction at its White Plains headquarters on Friday, February 28 from 10:30am to 11:30am.
This session will explore its potential impact on the real estate industry. To register, please visit: www.hgar.com/events.
Tim Foley, CEO of the BRI, will clarify how municipalities can modify the bill, and explain any unintended consequences as well as advocacy efforts regarding Good Cause Eviction. The Good Cause Eviction Law generally prohibits landlords from evicting residential tenants or refusing to renew residential leases without a court order and a valid legal justification, unless an exemption applies.
Ann Heaney-Korchak, Board President of the Small Property Owners of New York (SPONY), will also participate in the session, providing valuable insights and firsthand experiences from NYC property owners who have already navigated the implementation of Good Cause Eviction laws. She will offer guidance to HGAR Realtors on how to effectively advocate on this issue and navigate the practical implications should the law be enacted.
While the law aims to provide greater security and fairness to tenants by preventing evictions without good cause, some landlords argue it imposes excessive restrictions. HGAR believes the law could have significant consequences for both landlords and tenants, potentially making it more challenging for renters to secure quality, affordable housing while also impacting property owners’ rights.
“In addition, the law could discourage property owners from investing in essential upgrades, and could eliminate ‘mom and pop’ landlords,” said Alex Roithmayr, HGAR Government Affairs Director. “As a result, this could create an opening for larger corporate landlords to take over the market.”
HGAR also argues that the law could restrict property rights, potentially reducing the availability of affordable rental housing if property owners choose to sell rather than navigate the new regulations. Additionally, it may lead to de facto perpetual residential leases, limiting a property owner’s ability to decide whether to renew a lease upon expiration. Ultimately, these decisions could be left to the courts to determine, resulting in costly and time-consuming legal proceedings for both tenants and landlords.
This session is open for members and non-members and will offer insights from property managers and owners in NYC who are already dealing with the effects of Good Cause Eviction laws that have been passed.
“This is a critical opportunity for HGAR members to unite and advocate against the proposed bill before the upcoming City of Middletown public hearing on this issue on March 4,” he added.
Supermarket Seeks Community Support; Nyack Fresh Market Gathers 500 Survey Responses
Nyack Fresh Market will hold a forum at Nyack Village Hall on Tuesday on Feb. 25 at 7 pm to present the results of a recent community survey that polled the community to seek support for the market.
The discussion will cover customer food preferences, store navigation and signage, loyalty and discount programs, and opportunities for further local partnership.
The supermarket has not been performing as well as it needs to.
“The supermarket is looking for ways to improve its business by finding out more about the needs of the community, stocking the right things,” said Mayor Joe Rand. “This is a big business. It’s smart. They’ll get a lot of feedback.”
Karina Zeor, who started the survey, said, “This is a challenging time for our company and we want to make every effort to continue to be able to offer a local supermarket for this community,” Zeor said. “When we saw that revenues were not hitting our targets, we thought the best way to pivot would be to engage the community so that we can provide the products and shopping experience that will bring more people into our market. So far over 400 of our neighbors have completed our online survey. We can’t wait until the 25th to learn more.”
In a leap of faith and using his life savings to open, Zeor’s father, Wilson Bermeo, opened his first supermarket in Spring Valley in 2012 after selling produce from the back of a van for two years. He called it Huerto del Edén, which means Garden of Eden.
Bermeo and his family immigrated to the United States 30 years ago from Ecuador to chase the American dream. As a first-generation immigrant, Wilson worked nonstop from the age of nine. His relentless dedication paid off, and on February 26, 2023, he expanded his success by opening Nyack Fresh Market. Even though the pandemic complicated his business plans, Bermeo was determined to open in Nyack.
“I have always loved this village, especially the diversity of the community,” Bermeo said.
Now, as he steps back toward retirement, his daughter, Karina Zeor, a proud second-generation entrepreneur, has joined him in carrying forward the family legacy.
Nyack Mayor Joe Rand said “At one time, Nyack had an A&P and Grand Union. From 1980 until Nyack Fresh Market’s opening in 2021, we couldn’t shop for groceries without getting in a car. Now, we have a place to get food and see our neighbors. Let’s try to make it work!”
Nyack Village Administrator Andy Stewart commended Nyack Fresh Market: “The Bermeo family spent a lot of money turning a derelict building into a beautiful supermarket, helping to revitalize our downtown, and giving us convenient access to food, but they are running a deficit. I sincerely hope this community conversation helps them figure out how to survive in a competitive market.”
The entire village will benefit from the success of this market – said Roger Cohen Nyack Chamber of Commerce President. “Before their arrival, downtown Nyack was a food desert. For seniors and people who have little time left between work and family obligations, having this market is a game changer. We hope that people come out on Tuesday to share their thoughts on how to improve the shopping experience so that Nyack Fresh Market will be here to stay.”
Nyack Fresh Market will continue to collect surveys up until the community meeting on Tuesday, February 25 at 7pm.
