Ball Secures Grant to Renovate Peekskill Legion Post
NYS Senator Greg Ball has secured a $50,000 capital grant, which will provide much-needed renovations for the Peekskill American Legion Post 274.
This news follows an April veto of an $18,000 grant for the Peekskill American Legion. The $18,000 originally came from grants that were re-appropriated and approved in earlier budgets.
Ball made a pledge to the legion post that he would not only work tirelessly to restore the $18,000, but he would also fight to secure any available additional funds.
Ball announced that as a result of a three-way agreement, capital funds are now available for a $50,000 capital grant for the Peekskill post.
“The Peekskill American Legion is the only active veterans organization in the City of Peekskill and I could not stand by and watch them loose their historic headquarters,” said Ball. “This grant will generate construction and create local jobs and it is critically important that our heroes, both past and present, are honored and appreciated. This organization desperately needs these dollars to stabilize its failing infrastructure.”
The post has been in existence for close to 100 years, and the building’s stone foundation is in dire need of repair. In addition, post leaders said, there is wood damage on the building’s main floor.
“Out of the nine elected officials I contacted to help rebuild the legion, only one came through, said Jerry O’Shaughnessy, the post’s treasurer and secretary. “Senator Ball told me he was here to help. The $18,000 that we originally thought was secured was unfortunately vetoed; we were very badly hurt by this. The senator called me personally many times to make sure we wouldn’t lose the building. Sure enough, Senator Ball followed through on his promises. I have to say thank you to this man. He has done so much for us.”
Westchester said County Legislator John Testa, Peekskill’s former mayor, congratulated both Ball and the members of Post 274 upon hearing the news.
“Sen. Ball has been and friend and advocate for the veterans in our region,” said Testa. “I am glad to see that a significant amount of money has come for our veterans. I support the effort, and look forward to working more with Sen. Ball and our veterans.”
A press release from the office of State Sen. Greg Ball.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.
