- People outside the state always think of New Yorkers as sophisticated or pushy or very opinionated.

And I think we are, but I think there's a lot more to New Yorkers too.

(calm music) I think people in New York are similar in their attitude of gotta work, gotta move, gotta change.

What I like most though about New York is the diversity.

I think the diversity is what makes New York shine.

It's a very big state.

Try driving through it sometime.

When Newburgh was a port city in the 1800's, there was a certain amount of industry here and in the 50's, this was considered one of the all-American towns and it was peaceful and the schools were integrated and everything else, but those things started changing in the 60's, when you started having race riots.

Parts of Newburgh burnt in the 60's.

And then it became a bit of the white flight to smaller towns around Newburgh and by the time I came here, it was at a pretty low point.

I think it's very important to beautify cities so that people are able to enjoy nature.

I'm very concerned about the park, especially the park.

We need to get the grounds in better shape.

There was a period of economic crisis in the city that the city actually stopped cutting the grass.

The residents would bring their own lawnmowers and cut the grass, it was that bad.

We're not allowing it to ever happen again.

So I've been trying to plant hedges in different areas of the park, realizing that it's not going to be two years, it's more like six or seven years before these hedges will grow sufficiently.

But if you don't start planting these things, nothing will ever happen.

I've been working with the ESL program at the Armory in Newburgh since it started about three years ago.

There was no funding, so I was the volunteer teacher and I've been enjoying it tremendously.

And one of the things I like is that the people are there because they want to be and they're people who are getting a second or maybe even a third chance.

While the parents are here with their children, some of them do watch their children playing sports, but some of them take advantage of the classes that we have, English as a Second Language.

They're willing to spend money on their children much more than they are willing to spend money on themselves.

These families really want the best for their children.

Broadway is a dividing line for gangs and the Armory is on the safer side, so we've had ups and downs for a number of years.

But now, we've had some changes in the community.

A lot of people feel we have a real possibility of growth or stability and we'll start fixing up.

I think it's very important getting more involved in the community.

Lives are hard.

Some people have been out of work for a very long time in New York and the park is a solace for them.

They can walk with their children or play with their children.

They can sit under a tree and appreciate nature.

This is real public space and people can enjoy it.

New York has made me who I am because of the opportunities to meet different people, to hear different ideas, to participate.

I've met really a great variety of New Yorkers.

And I think it's this variety that has made my life interesting.

(calm music)