💡 IDEA Advisory Committee
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.
◆ Key Actions & Decisions
- **Resolutions Passed**
- Public Comment Protocol: Established a rule allowing non-committee members three minutes to address agenda items, to be publicly posted.
- **Resolutions Failed**
- None.
- **Applications Reviewed**
- None.
- **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.