Saving Newburgh
Encyclopedia
Saving Newburgh is an independent documentary made in 2004 about the mayoral race in Newburgh, NY, and small city about 60 miles outside of New York City
. Characteristic of many local governments, the city of Newburgh was plagued by corruption and mis-management. Once named the "Best All American City" in 1950, the city slid to "NY State's Most Violent City" over 50 years later.
Newburgh, NY currently has the largest declared historic discrict in the United States
, and is home to an unbelievable array of historic homes and significant landmarks. It was once home to George Washington
during the American Revolutionary War
, and to Andrew Jackson Downing
(architect and co-designer for Central Park
in NYC, the grounds in the White House
, and the Smithsonian Institution
in Washington, D.C.
, among others). But despite its historical significance, ideal location on the Hudson River, and proximity to NYC, they city still battles significant infighting and bungled politics. A sum of $180k was mysteriously wire-transferred by the mayor to his friends. Bumper sticker campaigns and underground websites declaring war on the current leadership sprung up, led by a headstrong group of residents determined to make a change.
The film takes place during the 2004 election, and follows the four candidates running for mayor and a group of residents determined to make a change in Newburgh. In the end, it seemed as if those involved were more engaged in "fighting", rather than "fighting for change".
The film was produced and directed by Merle Becker
.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Characteristic of many local governments, the city of Newburgh was plagued by corruption and mis-management. Once named the "Best All American City" in 1950, the city slid to "NY State's Most Violent City" over 50 years later.
Newburgh, NY currently has the largest declared historic discrict in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and is home to an unbelievable array of historic homes and significant landmarks. It was once home to George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, and to Andrew Jackson Downing
Andrew Jackson Downing
Andrew Jackson Downing was an American landscape designer, horticulturalist, and writer, a prominent advocate of the Gothic Revival style in the United States, and editor of The Horticulturist magazine...
(architect and co-designer for Central Park
Central Park
Central Park is a public park in the center of Manhattan in New York City, United States. The park initially opened in 1857, on of city-owned land. In 1858, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux won a design competition to improve and expand the park with a plan they entitled the Greensward Plan...
in NYC, the grounds in the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
, and the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, among others). But despite its historical significance, ideal location on the Hudson River, and proximity to NYC, they city still battles significant infighting and bungled politics. A sum of $180k was mysteriously wire-transferred by the mayor to his friends. Bumper sticker campaigns and underground websites declaring war on the current leadership sprung up, led by a headstrong group of residents determined to make a change.
The film takes place during the 2004 election, and follows the four candidates running for mayor and a group of residents determined to make a change in Newburgh. In the end, it seemed as if those involved were more engaged in "fighting", rather than "fighting for change".
The film was produced and directed by Merle Becker
Merle Becker
Merle Becker is a television producer/director, and the founder of the independent film company Freakfilms, Inc.Becker was involved in MTV Animation's late-1990s programming, including Beavis and Butthead, Daria, and Cartoon Sushi...
.