Peekskill Resident Calls for City to Focus on Basics

Letter to the editor criticizes lack of garbage pickup and code enforcement in downtown area.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 1:52pm

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An impressionistic, out-of-focus scene of a downtown street with litter, broken sidewalks, and dilapidated storefronts, conveying the mood of the letter's concerns about Peekskill's neglected public spaces.A dreamy, abstracted view of Peekskill's downtown struggles with neglected infrastructure and aesthetics, as described in a resident's letter to the editor.Peekskill Today

A Peekskill resident has written a letter to the editor criticizing the city government and local business improvement district (BID) for focusing too much on bringing in new events and retail options while neglecting basic maintenance and cleanliness issues in the downtown area. The letter writer, Julie Overskei, argues that the city should prioritize fixing problems like broken sidewalks, non-functioning parking meters, and empty, dilapidated storefronts before pursuing new initiatives.

Why it matters

Peekskill is trying to revitalize its downtown and attract more visitors, but the letter highlights how unaddressed quality-of-life issues like litter and blight can undermine those efforts and give visitors a poor first impression of the community. Addressing the fundamentals of urban upkeep is crucial for creating an inviting environment that supports local businesses and draws people to the area.

The details

In the letter, Overskei, who owns a local business called JO's Body Shop, argues that the city government and BID should focus more on basic maintenance and code enforcement rather than just trying to bring in new events and retail. She suggests the city could even organize a crowdfunding campaign to pay for new trash and recycling receptacles, which she says are sorely lacking. Overskei also criticizes landlords for not properly maintaining their commercial properties, leading to empty and dilapidated storefronts.

  • The letter was published on April 7, 2026.

The players

Julie Overskei

The owner of JO's Body Shop, a local business in Peekskill, New York.

Peekskill City Government

The local government of Peekskill, New York, which the letter writer criticizes for not adequately addressing basic maintenance and cleanliness issues in the downtown area.

Peekskill Business Improvement District (BID)

The local business improvement district organization that the letter writer says is too focused on bringing in new events and retail rather than fixing existing problems.

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What they’re saying

“Can the city not afford new trash and recycling receptors? If not, we could organize a gofundme campaign. The philosophy of not providing garbage cans to reduce wrongful dumping or household garbage left on the sidewalks – is a ridiculous concept.”

— Julie Overskei, Business Owner

“No storefront should be allowed to be empty and dilapidated in appearance for longer than it takes to rent or repair.”

— Julie Overskei, Business Owner

What’s next

The city government and BID have not yet responded publicly to the concerns raised in the letter. It remains to be seen if they will take any concrete steps to address the maintenance and cleanliness issues in the downtown area.

The takeaway

This letter highlights the tension that can arise when a city tries to revitalize its downtown by focusing on new development and attractions, while neglecting the basic upkeep and quality-of-life issues that are crucial for creating an inviting and functional public space. Peekskill will need to strike a better balance between its grand visions and the mundane realities of urban maintenance if it wants to truly transform its downtown into a destination.