COUNCILMAN RAMON A. FERNANDEZ I was born in New York City, the son of Dominican immigrants, and raised in the Dominican Republic, in the small city of La Vega. In 1995, I completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration at the “Universidad Nacional Pedro Henriquez Ureña” in the Dominican Republic. I became part of the Quaker State Motor Oil Distributor beginning as a Sales Representative, then as a Sales Manager, and later promoted to General Manager. My wife, Elizabeth, and I are blessed with three beautiful children: Anthony, a Peekskill High School Graduate, Elizabeth, a Peekskill High School Graduate; and Angelica, who hopefully will be part of the Peekskill High School class of 2030. In 2004, while visiting my sister, I fell in love with the City of Peekskill and have embraced it ever since. My family and I became residents of Peekskill in 2006. I am a Car owner/Operator of Rio Taxi, which has allowed me the flexibility to spend quality time with my family and serve the community. In 2012, along with other parents in the community, we created the Peekskill Youth Soccer Club Inc. (Peekskill Santos), a non-profit organization. I served as President until the end of 2017. One of the goals of this organization was to make soccer available throughout the year to all interested students, promoting good health and a drug free mindset. In 2015, along with members of the Hispanic community, we formed the group “Peekskill Hispanic Community” with the intent to support and help those in need; to promote the positive side of our community; and to enhance the relationship among all residents of the City through integration and cultural edification. This group is now the “Peekskill Hispanic Community Corp.”, a non-profit organization, of which I have had the honor of being the first president. I served as a leader and member of the Charismatic Group of Assumption Church visiting prisoners at the Westchester County Jail in Valhalla and visiting the sick and homebound. I have dedicated my time to volunteering and serving as a spiritual leader because I believe that it is possible to create a sense of pride in all Peekskill residents by moving beyond the status quo and reinforcing what is beneficial to all. I believe it is important to identify the needs of the community and work towards creative solutions. We should build bridges not walls to bring about positive connections among all Peekskill residents.