MOUNT VERNON – Retired New York firefighter Chris Edwards will return to Mount Vernon on Saturday for the city’s 9/11 memorial service, two years after he visited the city in the Tunnels to Towers Project, a traveling memorial.
The city and Mount Vernon Nazarene University will present “9/11 Never Forget...20 years later” on Sept. 11 at 4 p.m. at Ariel Arena on the university campus.
Mayor Matt Starr said Edwards, a 9/11 survivor, and another firefighter were joined by two New York City police officers in that visit.
“He just fell in love with the community. … We wanted to bring him back to be a keynote speaker for the 20th anniversary memorial,” Starr said.
Doors will open at 3 p.m. The first 600 attendees will be given handheld flags at the free event, which is sponsored by Elite Preparedness.
Attendees must wear a mask at the venue, Starr said.
Work shifts to South Catherine Street
The city began working on the sewer and water on South Catherine Street. Work on Oak Street is pretty much done except for the bricks, Starr said.
“The bricks are going to go in all at once. We don't want to put some in and then have them shift around. So we're waiting to do the brick,” Starr said.
He said it’s good to see the project is coming along nicely.
Police Department still searching for advocate
The city continues to search for a person to fill the community advocate position created for the Police Department.
“We've captured a little bit wider net on the internet, but we still need someone to come in and be that licensed independent social worker to work directly alongside our police officers to get people the help that they need. This is a way to have a chance to change the way that the policing is done,” Starr said.