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The Daily Pelham is reflecting on which news stories mattered most this year. Here's a look at how the top 10 headlines of 2011 continue to affect Pelham residents:
PELHAM, N.Y. One of the more somber moments in 2011 occurred when the Pelham community commemorated the decade anniversary of 9/11 in a special ceremony on Sept. 10. The 10 Pelham victims from that day were honored by family and friends. The memorial, which is located on Harmon Avenue across from the Town House Park, was dedicated in 2007 and features 10 benches inscribed with the names of the victims.
A quote from Charles de Gaulle featured in the memorial, chosen by the families of the victims, reads, It is not tolerable, it is not possible, that from so much death, so much sacrifice and ruin, so much heroism, a greater and better humanity shall not emerge.
Harry Engstrom, Pelhams assistant court clerk, does not think there will ever be a memorial good enough to commemorate 9/11.
Its very hard, said Engstrom. You cant do a tribute great enough. How far do you go or what do you do? I dont know.
Another big Pelham story in 2011 was the increase in parking meter and parking permit fees. The Village of Pelham Board of Trustees raised the $700 rate for annual resident parking permits to $750. The annual commuter rates were raised as well from $1,400 to $1,500. Semi-annual, quarterly and monthly rates for both permits also increased.
Drivers who park on Harmon Avenue, First Street, Nyac Avenue and select spaces on Fifth Avenue behind the old post office cost $1 per hour instead of the usual 75 cents.
One resident was not thrilled with the village board raising the rates.
Already, Pelham charges you high property tax, the rents are definitely higher than the towns around it, and they charge you to use the municipal parking, which is unlike the other towns around, said Miguel Santo.
He said that he loves the town but is tired of paying more during this tough economic time.
Its unsatisfactory that theyre raising everything up, Santo continued. Theyre cutting back on everything and theyre raising the monthly parking fees. Its already pricey to live in Pelham, so this drives hard working people out or puts them in a crunch, especially in these hard times.
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