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Politics & Government

Special Event to Pay Tribute to Pat Vetere

Past and present town and county officials will gather with residents this week to celebrate one of Harrison's longest-serving public officials.

Harrison’s well-known characters go a long way toward making it the special town it is; and there are few people as well known or widely beloved as Pat Vetere.

After 29 years in local public office, no one who knows Vetere—whether agreeing with his politics or not—could doubt his love of the town or the people in it.

“It was a pleasure serving alongside Pat Vetere on the Town Board,” said Councilwoman Marlane Amelio. “His enthusiasm and love of this town are exemplified by the longevity of his tenure and the decisions he made while serving Harrison.”

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Although Vetere's 29-year run on the Harrison Town Board ended on Jan. 1 after a failed bid for re-election, it is fitting that friends and supporters will celebrate his 83rd birthday and nearly three decades of public service with an event May 20 that will be open to all.

It is also fitting that proceeds from that celebration will benefit the Harrison community. Proceeds will go to the Harrison Children’s Center, the Harrison High School Band and the Harrison Historical Society. The event will take place at 10 a.m. at the Renaissance Westchester Hotel, West Red Oak Lane, West Harrison.

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Present and past politicians from both political parties, including recently retired Westchester County Legislator Marty Rogowsky and current Harrison Mayor/Supervisor Ron Belmont will join locals invited to celebrate.

"Pat Vetere represents the generation of people from whom 'you got eight hours work for eight hours pay'," said Rogowsky. "He is a terrific friend, loyal, honest, with integrity and compassion."

Belmont, who ran on the Republican ticket that opposed Vetere in this November's elections, also shared kind words and said he plans to attend the event.

“Pat Vetere has served the Town of Harrison with distinction and has earned the respect and admiration of many friends and colleagues who have had the privilege of working with him over the years," said Belmont. "His years of faithful service and commitment to our community are commendable and it is with great pleasure that I will be celebrating this milestone with Pat.”

Vetere was born in Harrison and has lived here his entire life. In 1955 he built the house he lives in to this day. He married his wife in 1956 and raised four children who all went to local schools.

Vetere began his political life in 1981 and over the next quarter-century served with an array of administrations. He cites his favorite mayors as Charlie Balancia, who served from 1990 to 1994, and Ron Bianchi, who served from 1998 to 2002. According to Vetere, the toughest mayor to work with was Phil Marraccini, Harrison’s mayor from 1994 to 1998.

Mayor/Supervisor Joan Walsh, the last mayor Vetere served with, cites the councilman's love of Harrison and his wide-ranging contacts as being invaluable to his role on the council.

“What always amazed me about Pat is that his friends span every spectrum. He would play golf as often with a bank president as one of his veteran buddies," Walsh said. "Everyone talks to him because he just plain likes people and it shows. People told him what was going on, what needed to be fixed and what was going well."

That connection with local folks from a variety of backgrounds will be one of the most memorable aspects of Vetere's career. Rogowsky said he will remember a representative who spoke his mind and wasn't afraid to ruffle feathers.

"While many people underestimated Pat over the years, especially in election years, what those people didn't understand was that Pat spoke for the people and Pat understood the needs and concerns of the people of Harrison," said Rogowsky. "He never raised a lot of money, never made long and complicated speeches, never tried to "impress" people. What you saw in Pat Vetere is what you got—a hard working, honest person who spoke his mind. And at the end of the day, when others were losing their elections, Pat kept on winning."

Those wins added up to an impressive 29-year run on the board. During his lengthy career he ran on a platform focused on development, citing the construction of Passidomo Park in West Harrison as his proudest achievement in office.

"Development is what makes a town grow. If you don't have building going on, the economy is in trouble," he said during his most recent term.

In addition to his council work, Vetere served as president of the Lions Club from 2007 to 2008 and was awarded the Melvin Jones Award in recognition of distinguished service. 

“(Pat) has been integral to our fundraising and to the success of our events including our annual disabled veteran picnics," said Tom Locastro, past president and current secretary and treasurer of the club.  "He is always ready to help in any way he can and is just an all-around nice guy.”  

A widower since 1998, Vetere spends his free time growing vegetables, traveling to visit his four children, six grandchildren and great grandchild and being an avid golf player.

Councilman Joseph Cannella recalled learning something about golf from Vetere. At a golf outing a few years back Cannella jokingly said he learned a trick that reduced his score by 20 strokes.

"If you hit the ball anywhere on the green, just pick up the ball, put it in your pocket and state with a straight face: ‘I guess you will give me that putt'," said Cannella, noting that even in his 80s Vetere is still no slouch on the course. "After 29 years of public service, who can argue? Pat, congratulations and happy birthday.” 

A Historical Society panorama of Harrison from 1900 until now titled 'Ever wonder what Harrison was like “when"?' will be on display at the event. Questions can be directed to Elena DeNicolo at eden7ny@gmail.com or (914) 777-2733.

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