The late William L. “Bill” Taitt, a community leader, was honored Saturday, by Councilwoman Debi Rose with the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue, in Clifton.
More than 50 people gathered to witness the unveiling of “Community Leader William L. Taitt Way” under warm and sunny skies.
Councilwoman Debi Rose made remarks at the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
“We’re here this afternoon to honor someone who made an indelible impact on the North Shore of Staten Island,” Rose said. “A native of the Bronx, Bill Taitt moved to this very neighborhood when he was in his 40s, after serving our nation in the Vietnam War.”
Rose added, “You didn’t have to know Bill well to know that his entire life was about public service. He went from serving his country in the Merchant Marines and US Air Force to working for the Narcotics Addiction Control Commission at the Arthur Kill Correctional Facility, the move that eventually brought him here to Staten Island.”
Scenes from the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
“His first home in Staten Island was here in Park Hill, and when the environment in these buildings began to deteriorate, Bill put his knowledge of government to the service of his neighborhood and worked with city and federal agencies to preserve and improve the quality of life for his neighbors.”
Taitt also worked as a community liaison for several elected officials, including then-Congressman Mike McMahon, and Borough Presidents Ralph Lamberti of Staten Island and Howard Golden of Brooklyn.
"His extensive knowledge of Staten Island, his experience navigating government and his love making our neighborhoods a better place to live made him a real asset to the elected officials he served.
Councilwoman Debi Rose present Pam Taitt with the street sign at the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
And it is because of that work that we in the New York City Council are bestowing upon Bill the highest honor we can give, a street co-naming. From this day forward, generations of New Yorkers will look up at that sign and see a lasting remembrance of a man who gave his life to making New York City a better place," Rose concluded.
“This was very emotional, exciting and humbling. It brought me to my knees,” said Pam Taitt, who married Bill Taitt in July 1987.
“He worked so hard for this community,” Mrs. Taitt said. “That was his intention from the time I met him.”
The Taitt family of Wayne, Winston, Pam, Jahmel and Warren at the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
Bill Taitt's wife is flanked by Sheryn and her daughter Daniella Bryson at the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
Bill Taitt's granddaughter Linh spoke and proud father Wayne kissed his daughter at the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
Bill Taitt's son Winston spoke at the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
Assemblyman Charles Fall, wife Pam Taitt, Councilwoman Debi Rose and Bill Taitt's grandchildren conducted the unveiling at the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
Rev. Dr. Demetrius S. Carolina Sr. led a prayer at the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
Bill Taitt's first wife Socorro is flanked by Jahmel, left to right, Winston, Sheryn Taitt-Reid, Warren and Wayne at the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
Assemblyman Charles Fall spoke at the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
Scenes from the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
Scenes from the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
Scenes from the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
Scenes from the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
Bill Taitt's friend and aikido instructor Ralph Wemberly spoke at the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
Daniella Bryson spoke at the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
Scenes from the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
Assemblyman Charles Fall, wife Pam Taitt, Councilwoman Debi Rose and Bill Taitt's grandchildren conducted the unveiling at the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
Family and friends at the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
Photographer Hank Pegeron captured precious moments at the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
Pam Taitt is flanked by Bill Taitt's brother Selwyn and his sisters Carmen Carr and Emily Lyons at the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
Scenes from the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
Scenes from the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
John McBeth of Occupy the Block spoke at the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
Family at the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
Scenes from the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
Councilwoman Debi Rose and Bill Taitt's wife Pam Taitt spoke at the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
Troy McGhie, left to right, Brandon Stradford, Assemblyman Charles Fall, Pam Taitt, Councilwoman Debi Rose and Rev. Dr. Demetrius S. Carolina Sr. at the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
Scenes from the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
Scenes from the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
Bill Taitt's granddaughter Linh spoke at the renaming of Roff Street at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue to Community Leader William L. Taitt Way in Clifton. October 10, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).