BY: Keith S. Shikowitz, Editor in Chief/Investigative Reporter
Over 500 years ago, Christopher Columbus accidentally discovered that there was a major land mass between Europe and Asia. Over the next couple of centuries, the European nations began claiming territory and carving up the “New World” amongst them. The island known as Hispanola which is encompassed by Haiti and the Dominican Republic was divided between France (Haiti) and Spain (Dominican Republic). On February 27, 1844, the Dominican people gained their independence after a Haitian Occupation (1822–1844): Following a brief independence in 1821, the entire island was under Haitian control for 22 years. The First Republic (1844–1861): Independence was proclaimed on February 27, 1844, led by Juan Pablo Duarte. 182 years to the day, this event was celebrated outside the Village of Haverstraw Village Hall with a flag raising ceremony. Dominican flags were handed out to all who attended. The first Dominican came to this country in 1613.
The first speaker welcomed everyone and spoke to the crowd of about 50 to 60 people in Spanish. When he finished, Haverstraw Town Councilman Johnny Ortiz took the mike.
The list of dignitaries and elected officials include, Haverstraw Town Supervisor Howard Phillips, State Senator Bill Weber, County Legislators Paul Cleary, and Jay Hood and Beth Davidson, Nyack Mayor Joe Rand, Haverstraw Town Council members Ralph Kirschkel and Papo Cancel, Village of Haverstraw Mayor Mike Kohut, West Haverstraw Mayor Robert D’Amelio, Rockland County DA Tom Walsh, Haverstraw Town Justice Yvonne Santos, candidate for the Democratic Nomination for the 17th Congressional District, Cait Conly, Deputy County Executive, Michael Hoblin, Rockland County Clerk Donna Silberman, Haverstraw Town Clerk Raquel Ventura and Assemblyman Pat Carroll. From the Village of Haverstraw Trustees, Joel Santana, Richard Sena and Gil Carlevaro. West Haverstraw Village Trustees Ramon Lopez and Peter Eckert. Rockland County Sheriff Lou Falco was also in attendance. I apologize if I missed anyone.
“Hello, hello. Where is the Dominican weather? Oh, we need that, we need to make that request. It’s too cold.
So, the post celebration is going to be a Quisqueya Sports Club. It’s going to be really hard, to mention all the names and thank you for coming and support this event that we have celebrating the Dominican Independence.
After this we’re going to go to the club because it’s too cold over here so it’s going to be quick. We need the Dominican weather. We’re going to be raising the Dominican flag and after the, the raising of the flag we’re going to go to the club. ”
“We have mangu there, we have Dominican food. We’re going to be doing that. It’s going to be really quick.
Ralph Kirschkel had the honor of lowering the American flag on the pole as the National Anthem played and County Legislator Paul Cleary helped to attach the Dominican flag under it to raise both back to the top. As the flags were being raised, the Dominican National Anthem was played.
Village of Haverstraw Mayor, Michael Kohut addressed the crowd. “Thank you everybody for coming today. We’re always happy to raise the flag of one of the biggest populations in Haverstraw. The Dominican people have done a lot over the past 4 or 5 decades here in Haverstraw, and it’s become a tradition for us to do this and to recognize all their contributions and of course who better than Vilma to recognize for that. She’s put us on the map with her bakery for sure. So have a great day today, everybody who’s going over to the club. Hope you enjoy yourselves and with all the certificates being handed out to the honorees, have a great rest of your evening. Thank you. ”
Phillips took to the mike next.
“We’re going to acknowledge the latest official that they are supporting this event real quick before that that we go to Quisqueya Sports Club because some of them they’re not going to be able to make it. ” Ortiz said. He proceeded to list those officials who were not going to be able to make it to the club for the certificate presentations.
The party then proceeded to the club where a number of certificates were presented by State Senator Bill Weber, District Attorney Tom Walsh and others.
