Peekskill Councilman Joe Schuder Reflects As His Term Ends

PEEKSKILL, NY - Council member Joe Schuder's four year term will end when 2011 fades away, but he said the experience will resonate for him forever.

Schuder was elected to the Peekskill Common Council in November of 2007 and began his term in January of 2008. He was elected with fellow Democrat Patricia Riley in a year that saw then-councilwoman Mary Foster get elected mayor and the Democrats gain control of the council for the first time in decades.

"The whole thing was very new to me so I really hadn't projected what it would be like," Schuder recalled. "I came out of corporate life and I felt that I had a drive to give back to my community."

Schuder, a lifelong Westchester resident who moved to Peekskill eight years ago from Katonah, worked for various telecommunication and technology companies in several capacities before retiring. He said serving on the council has been challenging but also rewarding.

Schuder said he was proud of the movement in recent years to make Peekskill a destination for tourism by promoting its history and its cultural offerings. He was also very proud of the Hudson Valley Boat Works program run through the Peekskill Youth Bureau. Schuder said he plans to continue serving on the boat works board in efforts to help it become 501c non-profit group.

"You have a kid who's say, 12 years old and has never been out on the river and built his own boat to get there," Schuder said. "It's a very satisfying feeling to watch that happen."

When asked what advice he would give to incoming council members, he said asking enough questions to make informed decisions was an essential skill.

"Digging in to things that are presented is important because sometimes there's just not enough information to make a good decision for the people," Schuder.

The council member said he was most surprised by just how much is going on in the city on any given day and how many things needed attention. He credited the city staff for their hard work and dedication in keeping the city running.

"This is a part-time job, but you could literally fill up your life with events and things to do every day if you wanted to," he said.

Schuder said he said he was proud of what he has done in the past four years and hoped to continue serving the city as a volunteer.

"It's been satisfying in that I've been able to accomplish some things for the community that I think will continue on and to me, that's what it's all about," he said.

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