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RYE BROOK, N.Y. — The Village of Rye Brook celebrated its 30th birthday at Crawford Park on Saturday, as residents from Rye Brook and Port Chester joined together.
Rye Brook Mayor Joan Feinstein moved to the village in 1982. Feinstein said the day the village voted to secede from Port Chester was the same day her son was due to be born.
“That was a beautiful, sunny day, too, so this is kind of symbolic,” Feinstein said. “It’s wonderful to bring everybody together for this celebration. Though the community has changed over the past 30 years, it is still great. Its small size leads to a closeness among people.”
Former Village Trustee Roger Herman said the main issue behind the split from Port Chester was that Rye Brook wanted self-rule. Herman said the fact that people don’t run in a political party for Village Board elections is one of the benefits.
“That helps create less angst,” Herman said. “You don't need a lot of money to run in an election. The police are more personable here and we have been able to do much more with recycling.”
Port Chester Board of Education member Carolee Brakewood noted that Rye Brook and Port Chester share a lot of services, adding that her children play sports in both villages, and other Rye Brook children attend Port Chester schools. Brakewood said she likes having Rye Brook as a neighboring village.
“They are a vibrant community that is doing well,” Brakewood said.
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