Roz and Peter Larr

Gretchen Crowley and Melissa Grieco, leaders of Rye’s Sustainability Committee

 

A DOUBLE HEADER

 

 

The Rye City Lions Club will honor Peter and Roz Larr with the James and Marian Shea Community Service Award, and the Rye Sustainability Committee with the inaugural David M. Heller Impact Award for Community Service at their Charter Dinner November 15.

 

Peter and Roz Larr’s service and commitment to the community spans decades.

 

Roz served on the City Council for two terms and was appointed Deputy Mayor during her second term. She has given her time to the TWIG, the Rye Youth Council, The Rye Arts Center, Samaritan Counseling Center, and the Vestry of Christ’s Church. Roz also worked tirelessly in the School District as an organizer, member, and supporter of the PTO’s of Midland, Rye Middle, and Rye High schools.

Peter served as the first chairman of the Rye Playland Committee, providing 19 years of service to the Rye Planning Commission, and sub-chairing the Rye Board of Education Excellence Committee. For many years, he also served on the Human Rights Commission and on the board of the Rye Historical Society. He currently serves on the Board of 5 Steps to Five, an early child development parenting program that assists disadvantaged families in Port Chester.

The Larrs are both active members of The League of Women Voters of Rye, Rye Brook and Port Chester, where Roz is currently co-president and Peter vice-president.

 

The inaugural David M. Heller Impact Award recognizes an organization that demonstrates excellence of purpose in its efforts to serve the community. The award honors Dave Heller, who gave over 50 years of devoted service to the Rye City Lions Club.

The Rye Sustainability Committee, under the leadership of Melissa Grieco, chair, and Gretchen Kaye Crowley, vice-chair, is a volunteer organization tasked by the City Council to implement the Rye Sustainability Plan and address significant environmental issues in our community. The Rye Sustainability Plan is a blueprint for the community’s shared goals and policies for sustainable and economic development.

 

Since its formation, the Committee has undertaken and accomplished many environmental initiatives, including:

 

• Spearheading the unanimous passing of the 2011 reusable bag legislation for which the committee received a 2012 EPA Environmental Quality Award.

 

• Creating the Rye Healthy Yard Program, which educates residents about the benefits of natural and organic landscaping practices.

 

• Launching “Green Screen”, a long-running environmental documentary and film series, in partnership with Rye Country Day School.

 

• Initiating Put a Cork in It in many local food service establishments and private clubs to encourage the collection and recycling of bottle corks which would otherwise end up in the waste stream.

 

The Charter Dinner will be held at Apawamis Club on Friday, November 15. Tickets are $100 per person, $180 per couple. Contact Ann Higgins at 260-4269 or ann.higgins917@gmail.com by November 1. For sponsorship opportunities or congratulatory ads, contact Susan Olson at olsonmail@optonline.net.