Judy Kennedy Oct. 25, 1944 – April 15, 2018

Mayor Judith Kennedy was lent to us, the citizens of Newburgh, N.Y. for seven years, 2011-2018.

I find that to be quite interesting for the number seven is represented in the bible as a day of rest. On the calendar seven days represents the end of the week. Her work was finished! She took her rest.

As I sat in the Armory today at Mayor Kennedy’s Transition Service, listening to the many speakers share their genuine feelings about Mayor Kennedy, my mind was taken back to when I first met her. I must say that she impressed me to be a very sensitive individual. Even though at times I was not in agreement with her, I still felt that their was something about her that made me feel that she was genuine in her desires for my city.

She did try to bring people together, even though at times it just wasn’t possible at that specific moment. I have lived in Newburgh all of my life and this is the first time that I have seen people of various income brackets and colors to be able to sit down together striving towards bringing a healing to our city. She wasn’t perfect, which none of us are, but Mayor Kennedy seemed as though she was striving for perfection.

When my son Omari Shakur, made the decision in 2015 to not do a write-in vote after he had lost the primary, and decided to throw his support to Mayor Kennedy, which enabled her to win in that election, I realized how much that enabled a true healing to occur in our city. None of us are perfect, but we should all come to the realization that together we can rise, but divided we will never be able to accomplish the very things that Mayor Kennedy and many others have desired for our community.

Newburgh is a city that has unique and valuable assets, but divided we will never be able to see our city evolve into the All-American city whereby “All” of its citizens will be able to have a decent life. “Wake Up Newburgh And Reach Your Full Potential!”

It’s Time! It’s Time! It’s Time! It’s Time! It’s Time! It’s Time! It’s Time! It’s Time!
Scripture tells us in 2nd Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Each clergy at Mayor Kennedy’s Transition Service spoke very dearly of their remembrance of her. Let me end this with the words that Mayor Kennedy so dearly loved, which were on the back page of her

Transition Service Obituary:
Nelson Mandela Quotes:
“A real leader uses every issue, no matter how serious and sensitive, to ensure at the end of the debate, we should emerge stronger and more united than ever before.
“As I walked out the door, towards the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.”

This is “Lillie’s Point of View” and I’m just having my say!!!!

* Community Bulletin: April 25th Wednesday at 7PM Police Community Relations Review
* Board Meeting at Karpeles Museum 94 Broadway, Newburgh, NY
* May 3rd Thursday@6:30PM “School Board Candidates’ Forum at The Ritz located at 111 Broadway, Newburgh, N.Y.