New York City native Joseph Pinela moved to Perry barely one month ago and is fast becoming a recognizable figure along the city’s streets for his animated speech and frequent changes of wardrobe.
Pinela said he lived most recently in Orlando, Fla., before moving to Perry, and he still has brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews in Orlando.
“I like Perry so far,” Pinela said. “It’s small and quiet, and the people really seem to warm up once they get to know you.”
Like many city-bred people, Pinela is a fast talker and will gladly speak at length with his new neighbors in Perry. He appears to be a person of singular ideas and is what small-town folk used to call a “character.”
Pinela frequently varies his dress during the course of the day. He said he is a man of strong spiritual convictions, and religion appears to be among his favorite topics for discussion.
“I like to read,” he said, “especially the Bible.” Far from presenting a Stranger Danger, as newcomers sometimes seem to do, Pinela seems to fit right in with Perry’s many other notable characters.
He walks on Willis Avenue about five or six times a day, often talking to himself in a very loud voice, and it is very distracting, especially after dark. Many of us in our neighborhood are disturbed by this several times a day.
He looks like muslum. He’s a tourist.