Kennedy remembered fondly
by many
NEWBURGH – Residents of Newburgh and the area, elected officials, family and friends gathered at the Kaplan Unity Center Thursday to honor the life and legacy of the late Mayor Judy Kennedy.
Kennedy had been battling cancer and succumbed last Sunday.
Speakers representing all the city’s religious groups, walks of
life and levels of government relayed Kennedy’s resolve in making
the city more unified, financially healthy and welcoming.
Congressman Sean Maloney (D- NY18) said it was apparent throughout Thursday’s community memorial that she had brought that message of unity to everyone around her.
“You could not have been in the room without being struck by how important it was for Judy that we send the message of unity across all our lines of difference – differences of race, religion, sexuality – everything that could divide us,” said Maloney. “She wanted to remind us that we’re all human beings and to have people from every corner of the city represented at her memorial all repeating her message, which is that we need to rise together.”
Those who had spoken with Kennedy in her final weeks and days said she voiced concern for the city until the very end, and that each person who spoke with her was given a specific task to carry on the mission of making the city a better place.
Among those honoring Kennedy
was Steven Gold, chief of staff for Assemblyman
Frank Skartado
who also died last Sunday and whose funeral is later today
Community activist Omari Shakur, who was once a political opponent turned
friend, said that when she came to office, “the city was dying,”
and that they came to bond over the mutual goal of helping the city thrive
again. He said Kennedy never operated with a hidden agenda, was always
diligent and that her ambitions for the city were always had with an earnest
respect for those living within it.
“She didn’t pull no punches,” Shakur said. “She told you how it was and what she was here for,” said Shakur. “We didn’t ever have a plan, but we had a vision and she stayed true to that vision to the very end. She stayed true to it. That’s why I commend her because she showed us what leadership is about. Leadership is about staying committed to the end.”
Those who had lived and/or worked in the city prior to Kennedy’s tenure credit her with leaving behind a legacy of reduced violence, urban renewal, community engagement and smart spending within government.
