Community Corner

Harrison Poll: Most Important Story of the Winter

Your chance to vote on what you think has been the most interesting and important story of the winter here in Harrison. We will announce the results next week.

A lot has happened here in Harrison over the long, cold, winter months. As we turn our calendars to the spring and summer, lets take a look back at some of the most powerful stories of the past winter.

Town Board Approves 2010 Budget

Last December the Harrison Town Board proposed a 20.8 percent tax hike that infuriated residents and led to loud criticism of the town's budget planning as a whole. After a marathon meeting on Dec. 18, the board chipped away at the budget enough to reduce the increase to 12.9 percent. 

Find out what's happening in Harrisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Marraccini Selected as Police Chief

On Dec. 31 Harrison Police Chief David Hall joined 16 other town employees and accepted a retirement incentive offered by the town to trim the 2010 budget. Long-time Police Captain Anthony Marraccini was selected as acting chief, a position he held for four months.

Find out what's happening in Harrisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Days before the state imposed deadline, the town board selected Marraccini as permanent police chief on March 25. The 3 -2 majority vote put an end to what became a heated debate between residents throughout the town.

Tragedy Strikes Manhattanville College

On Feb. 22 Harrison High School graduate and Manhattanville student Marissa Pagli was found dead in her parent's staff housing apartment on the Manhattanville campus.

Police spent the following two days investigating the tragic story and eventually placed Marissa Pagli's mother, Stacey Pagli, under arrest for second-degree murder.

Police believe that Stacey Pagli strangled her daughter to death during an argument and then attempted to take her own life. Stacey Pagli would attempt suicide again later in the week while in police custody.

When Stacey Pagli appeared in court the following week, her husband John Pagli referred to her as a "bitch" in a public outcry of emotion. The prosecution of Stacey Pagli will continue into this summer, she is due back in court on June 16.

Storm Causes Week-Long Power Outage

A powerful wind storm hit the area on March 13, knocking down trees and blocking roads. Power was also knocked out in some areas for six days.

Many frustrated residents pointed a finger at Con Edison for not restoring power more quickly. Once power was restored the town was faced with the daunting task of clearing debris from roads that lasted into the following month.

Since then, the county has applied for federal aid for storm cleanup, which President Obama approved when he made an emergency declaration last week.

Please take a minute and vote, we will post the results next Monday.

Click here to enter the poll.

Did we miss something? Share what you think was the most important story of the winter in the comments section below.


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