Former Dobbs Ferry Mayor Rolon William Reed Dies at 80
Please provide your memories of Mayor Reed in the comments box below.
The following message is courtesy of Dobbs Ferry Mayor Hartley Connett:
The Village is saddened to learn of the passing of Rolon William Reed, who was a former Mayor of Dobbs Ferry. Mr. Reed passed away near his home in Florida at the age of 80.
Reed, who was born in Pittsburg and graduated from Yale Law School, moved to Dobbs Ferry in 1963. A former Westchester County Judge, Mr. Reed ran for village trustee in 1974, and was Mayor of Dobbs Ferry from 1979 – 1984. His many efforts and initiatives included helping to transform the waterfront’s Willow Point from a semi-industrial eyesore into a public park area. Reed served as mayor until he was appointed by former Governor Mario Cuomo to a judgeship.
Reed is survived by his wife, his three children from his first marriage, Rolon A. Reed, III, Hilary Yeo and Jennifer Simon, and four grandchildren, Jordan Yeo, Samuel Reed, Molly Yeo and Ella Simon, as well as his sister, Marilyn Reed Mellor.
The village will be lowering all muncipal flags to half-mast in honor of Mr. Reed, who shall always be remembered for his service and dedication to the Village of Dobbs Ferry.
Don Marra
2:49 pm on Thursday, September 22, 2011
I was first elected to the position of Village Trustee in 1982. I served under Mayor Reed for two years before he was appointed to a judgeship.
Rolon believed strongly in the Village Administrator form of government which was just beginning to be the trend in the Rivertown villages at that time. He ran a very controlled meeting and was known for his no nonsense style of leadership.
In addition to the improvements of Willow Point Park, he is probably best known for his determination to fight the development of a new Waldbaums Supermarket proposed on the corner of Broadway and Clinton Avenue on Masters School property (site of the new track presently being constructed).
My sympathy to his family.
Don Marra