Campaign Responds to Racist Shoprite Incident on $200 Budget
The IDEA Advisory Committee addressed a racist incident at Shoprite by endorsing a community-led "Croton Loves All" campaign, while noting the committee's remaining $200 budget limits direct funding. The committee also established a three-minute public comment protocol for future meetings and began planning Lunar New Year and Black History Month events for February.
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●Public Comment Protocol: Established a rule allowing non-committee members three minutes to address agenda items, to be publicly posted.
●Resolutions Failed
●Applications Reviewed
●Public Comments
●No formal public comment period was held during this meeting, though the discussion was prompted by a community member (Millie) regarding a racist incident involving her children.
●Reports
●Community Incident Report: Millie reported a racist incident targeting her children at Shoprite on December 11th, which sparked significant community support and highlighted local discrimination issues.
●"Croton Loves All" Campaign Proposal: Millie proposed a campaign utilizing signs, decals, apparel, and social media to promote healing. Because the committee is a government entity, it cannot directly run or fund the campaign, but individual members can support it privately. Faith will seek a Village Board endorsement or proclamation.
●Budget Report: The committee has $200 remaining for the current fiscal year, which ends May 30th. A comprehensive budget wish list for FY 2026/2027 must be developed and submitted by the end of February.
●Event Planning Updates:
●Lunar New Year: Faith will contact the Asian Arts New York Chinese Cultural Center to inquire about booking a lion dancer, potentially requiring an off-cycle budget request.
●Black History Month: Vanessa, Romy, and Faith are collaborating with the family resource center and school district for February events, exploring speakers like Jamia Wilson, Samino Makapadai, and Felicia Villanueva.
●Ongoing Initiatives: Christina is following up on Latin American community outreach; Faith is pursuing ESL classes with School Superintendent Stephen Walker; Faith is investigating translated PDFs for the village website with Sherry; Will is looking into a "Know Your Rights" workshop with Neighbors Link; Vanessa is contacting the Lorraine Hansberry committee regarding a "classroom in a box" project.
A racist incident at a local grocery store has prompted a new community-driven campaign in Croton-on-Hudson, as the IDEA Advisory Committee grappled with how to respond to discrimination within the constraints of village government.
At the committee's January 9 meeting, member Millie shared that her children were the targets of a racist incident at Shoprite on December 11th. The event generated an outpouring of community support but also underscored persistent issues of racism in the village. In response, Millie proposed the "Croton Loves All" campaign, a grassroots effort designed to foster belonging through public visibility—such as lawn signs, decals, and apparel—alongside a digital presence and local business partnerships.
Because the IDEA Committee operates as a village government body, it cannot directly run or finance the campaign. However, committee members agreed to support the initiative as private citizens, with members like Cara and Karen offering design and communications assistance. Millie aims to launch the initial phase of the campaign within two weeks. Additionally, committee member Faith will present the concept to the Village Board to seek an official support statement or proclamation.
The meeting also highlighted the practical limitations the committee faces. With only $200 remaining in its budget for the fiscal year ending May 30th, any significant new programming requires future funding. The committee agreed to draft a comprehensive programming "wish list" and submit a formal budget request for fiscal year 2026/2027 by the end of February.
Looking ahead to February, the committee is actively planning cultural celebrations. Faith will reach out to the Asian Arts New York Chinese Cultural Center to secure a lion dancer for a Lunar New Year event, which may require a special off-cycle budget request. Meanwhile, Vanessa, Romy, and Faith are coordinating a Black History Month celebration with the family resource center and the school district, exploring potential speakers including Jamia Wilson, Samino Makapadai, and Felicia Villanueva.
In administrative news, the committee established a formal public comment protocol for future meetings, granting non-members three minutes to speak on agenda items. The committee is also exploring restarting ESL classes through the school district and developing translated village documents for Spanish speakers. The date of the next working session will be determined via a scheduling poll sent to members.
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Coverage of the IDEA Advisory Committee meeting on 2026-01-09,
Village of Croton-on-Hudson, NY.
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●A village banner program was tabled by a vote of the members in attendance.
●Applications Reviewed: None.
●Public Comments: None recorded.
●Reports:
●Silverlake Signage: The committee's recommendation was rejected by the Public Works and Recreation Department due to safety concerns regarding car traffic at the lower level. Recreation will instead announce lower-level access in an upcoming newsletter.
●Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration: Finalized details for the Oct. 11 event at the Croton Library Ottinger Room (2–5 pm). Food arrangements were confirmed with nine local vendors (La Catrina, Crispin Dopamine, Franki’s, Hudson River Deli, Mex-to-Go, Mexican Deli, Rosaritos, C-Town, and Black Cow). Lotería will be hosted by Cristian Opazo and Pistu McGuire. Publicity efforts spanned Croton Caring, the library, 20 retail locations, CHUFSD Parent Square, and local Facebook groups. Committee members volunteered for the event.
●Screening of "The Arrivals": Scheduled for Nov. 8 from 5–7 pm with the Unitarian Universalist Congregation (UUCHV). A panel is confirmed featuring Andrea DeGeorge Garbarini, Gayle Raskin (Team TLC NYC), and Ted Buerger (Open Arms for Refugees), with UUCHV Rev. Daniel as MC. Tablets for attendee use were confirmed via Fourth Fridays and Neighbors Link. Committee members volunteered, but no one stepped forward to lead publicity or refreshments.
●Diversity Calendar Subcommittee: A new subcommittee is needed to curate a monthly list from the CUNY Calendar for the Village website. Proposed names include "Community Recognition" or "Community Calendar." The subcommittee is tasked with contacting Laurie Weisz.
●Student Members: A subcommittee is needed to recruit new student members, with outreach directed at CHHS Advisor Erica Fiorini.
IDEA Committee to Co-Sponsor Women's History Month Activities, Sets Juneteenth Program
●The committee will co-sponsor and co-chair next year's Women's History Month activities, including the historic women placards; the Croton Council on the Arts is not interested in continuing the project, per the minutes, and a budget for the coming year was approved
●Juneteenth plans were set: a 30-minute screening of a documentary on slavery in New York followed by a 30-to-45-minute panel discussion, plus a spoken-word open mic and a singer/songwriter booked for 8 PM
●Kyla was officially welcomed as the committee's vice chair; two seats on the committee are open, potentially more pending one member's status
●The idea of publishing a comprehensive calendar of observances will be re-evaluated by a smaller subcommittee
●A section of Cleveland Drive near Five Corners will be co-named "Lorraine Hansberry Way," according to the minutes
●A new rule requires the committee's agenda to be sent out three days in advance
IDEA Committee Debriefs Pride Flag Raising, Advances Juneteenth Plans
●Next year the committee will clarify the flag-raising ceremony protocol, including prior flag placement and weather contingencies
●The committee will continue aligning the Pride event with SummerFest, which drew positive feedback and increased attendance
●For Juneteenth, the committee decided to promote the event on Facebook and in the newsletter, incorporate a traditional red drink, and collaborate with the library on related books and a booklist QR code
●The committee will explore tents or shade for future outdoor events and develop a better volunteer recruitment system
●Committee members discussed concerns about Michael Balter's reporting style; an action item asks members to be mindful of its "potential for misinformation"
Liaison and Community Updates; New Official Committee Member!; LHC Updates — plus 2 more items
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