A list of verified fundraising organizations providing aid to the Ukrainian people can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/donate-to-ukraine-relief
Town of Ramapo Stands With Ukraine
Skoufis Launches Senate Investigation into Skyrocketing Utility Bills
Senator James Skoufis (D-Hudson Valley) gathered with local residents and the Public Utility Law Project (PULP) at a constituent’s home in New Windsor on Friday to announce the Senate Committee on Investigations & Government Operations, which Skoufis chairs, has opened a formal investigation into the outrageous surge pricing and billing practices of utility companies and power producers. Document and information requests will soon be sent to Central Hudson, Orange & Rockland, ConEd, power suppliers, and state stakeholders, under threat of subpoena.
As energy prices skyrocket for consumers in the Hudson Valley and around the state, many residents already reeling from pandemic-related financial hardship have been shell shocked to see their power and heating bills double or even triple. For Central Hudson customers, recent price hikes are salt in a months-long wound: in August 2021, Central Hudson poorly implemented a new billing system, leading to over-billing, under-billing, or a total lack of bills altogether for thousands of customers. Impacted customers received no warning and no support when attempting to set their records straight, and many saw auto-drafts from their checking accounts in the thousands or tens of thousands of dollars without notice.
As of December, PULP estimated that roughly 12% of all Central Hudson customers were behind on their bills by 60 days or more. With surge pricing and rate hikes taking effect in recent months, the current number of delinquent utility accounts is likely much higher.
“This isn’t a matter of New Yorkers needing to tighten their belts and unplug the coffee maker once in a while,” said Senator Skoufis. “Folks on fixed incomes – seniors, parents, disabled New Yorkers, single-income households – are being robbed blind and it has to stop. $2,600 to keep a small home warm? $1,400 to power a small 2-bedroom apartment? That’s a disgrace. It’s unsustainable, and we can’t let these utilities run roughshod over our wallets without asking the tough questions.”
“I seriously doubt these companies did all they could to prepare consumers for these price spikes,” added Skoufis. “Can they honestly say they didn’t see this coming? Can they honestly say they did everything in their power to assist and support customers in this time of need? Absolutely not. If there was any foul play here, we owe it to constituents to expose that wrongdoing, hold bad actors accountable, and ensure it never happens again.”
In addition to surge pricing and billing system errors, areas of focus for the Senate’s investigation will include the state’s action – or lack thereof – as utility regulators, and the poor communication between utilities and ratepayers.
Longtime New Windsor resident and Central Hudson customer Vivian Milczarski was among the ratepayers who saw their household billing turned upside-down after the company changed systems last summer. In November, Ms. Milczarski, a widow working both a full- and part-time job who is conscious of her energy consumption, received a bill from Central Hudson that was ten times the norm. After pleading her case for months with the company, all while receiving mounting and competing bills for her modest home, she reached out to Senator Skoufis’ office for assistance. Ms. Milczarski finally received an adjusted bill in January.
“As a single-income household, my months-long billing saga has been a really frustrating experience, as I’m sure has been the case for countless others,” said New Windsor resident Vivian Milczarski. “Rather than getting out ahead of their myriad issues, Central Hudson has put the burden on its consumers to correct glitches in their billing systems. And with ongoing rate hikes, consumers are more at the mercy of their utility companies than they’ve ever been. We need answers, and I am grateful that Senator Skoufis is standing with us to demand them.”
“Hudson Valley consumers already pay too much for energy, and in times like these–when one in five New Yorkers are behind on their energy bills–the ‘rate surge’ has put additional, unneeded stress on the budgets of struggling households in our communities, and across the State,” said Public Utility Law Project of New York Executive Director Richard Berkley. “For Central Hudson’s customers especially, these poorly communicated surprise bill increases follow major information technology issues, which has hampered the utility’s ability to provide accurate and timely billing information to its ratepayers since September of 2021. We applaud Senator Skoufis for launching an investigation into the practices of these utilities and look forward to partnering with his office on the matter.”
For many, the choice to keep a house heated in the dead of winter may mean missing rent or a mortgage payment. Senator Skoufis, PULP, and a group of Mid-Hudson Valley Senators are teaming up to host an informational virtual utility rights forum on Thursday, March 10, at 6:00pm. Customers worried about paying their next bill or keeping their home warm during these cold winter months are urged to sign up at bit.ly/UtilityRights to learn more about what steps can be taken to lessen consumers’ financial burden.
Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick leads bipartisan group of 31 State Senators pressuring Comptroller to divest from all companies doing business with Russian entities
ALBANY, NY – State Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick (D-Rockland/Westchester) circulated a letter that was signed by 30 of his Senate colleagues urging NYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to divest the $279 Billion New York State pension fund from companies based in the Russian Federation or that do business with citizens of, or businesses based in, the Russian Federation.
“New York’s economy is the 10th largest in the world, and we should use our economic leverage to support the effort to punish Putin and stop Russian aggression in Ukraine,” said Senator Reichlin-Melnick. “The actions taken so far by the Comptroller are important first steps in divesting from Russian interests, but they do not go far enough. We must take a stand against Vladimir Putin’s murderous invasion of Ukraine by making the Russian Federation a pariah state and supporting the international effort to isolate and degrade Russia’s economy until the war is ended and Ukraine’s sovereignty is restored.”
The letter comes after Senator Reichlin-Melnick’s introduction of S.8446, the “Stop Russian Aggression Act” which will block the awarding of New York State contracts to any company conducting business in Russia, and will instruct the New York State Comptroller to begin the process of divesting the state retirement system pension fund from any investment in companies that do business in Russia.
Earlier this week, Comptroller DiNapoli announced that he would be prohibiting new investments in Russian companies and reviewing the pension fund’s existing assets invested in Russian companies to see if they pose a financial risk to the fund. Senator Reichlin-Melnick’s bill, and the bipartisan letter delivered to the Comptroller today, would go further by requiring the Comptroller to divest from any company that is doing business with or in Russia.
The bipartisan letter to the comptroller was signed by 31 Senators in total, including Senators Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, Alessandra Biaggi, George Borrello, John Brooks, Samra Brouk, Leroy Comrie, Jeremy Cooney, Simcha Felder, James Gaughran, Michelle Hinchey, Brad Hoylman, Robert Jackson, Anna Kaplan, Brian Kavanagh, Timothy Kennedy, Liz Krueger, John Liu, John Mannion, Mike Martucci, Mario Mattera, Rachel May, Shelley Mayer, Kevin Parker, Roxanne Persaud, Jessica Ramos, Gustavo Rivera, Sean Ryan, Julia Salazar, James Skoufis, Toby Ann Stavisky, and Kevin Thomas.
PENGUIN REP THEATRE ANNOUNCES 2022 SEASON; EXPANDED SEASON INCLUDES FOUR WORLD PREMIERES & LOWERED TICKET PRICES
(ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY) March 2, 2022 — After a government mandate and Covid-19 safety concerns shut down theatrical productions on its stage for two years, Penguin Rep Theatre will resume presenting plays, comedies and musical revues starting mid-March, artistic director Joe Brancato announced today.
“Penguin is back and better than ever,” Brancato said, “and at this time of renewal we look forward to sharing stories that uplift and inspire. We are thrilled that we will return with artists like Jennifer Apple, Freedom Bremner, Thomas Caruso, Cary Gitter, two-time Tony Award-winning designer Brian Ronan, Paul Shapiro, and Mark Waldrop, among many others who will help us light up the theatre again.”
According to executive director Andrew M. Horn, “we have planned an expanded season that builds on what audiences love about the Penguin Rep Theatre experience — new works in the inviting environs of our repurposed barn in Stony Point, New York – and brings it into a new, more accessible chapter with lower ticket prices.”
The 2022 season – the professional Equity theatre’s 44th – follows a successful series of musical concerts and events produced inside and outside the historic structure and continues Penguin’s commitment to new works with four world premieres.
Kicking off the season from March 18 through March 27 is SMALL, written and performed by Robert Montano and directed by Jessi D. Hill.
A bullied young man finds strength and gains respect as a jockey atop a racehorse but what happens when he begins to (literally) outgrow his dream? SMALL follows Montano’s real-life roller-coaster ride from Belmont Park Racetrack to starring roles on Broadway where he has been directed by Rob Marshall, Hal Prince, Jerome Robbins and George C. Wolfe, appeared with Chita Rivera in KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN, and sang and danced with Peter Allen in LEGS DIAMOND. He also partnered Catherine Zeta-Jones in the film CHICAGO. The season continues April 2 through April 10 with FAR FROM THE HOME I LOVE, a concert presentation of the iconic songs from FIDDLER ON THE ROOF as reimagined by bandleader extraordinaire Paul Shapiro with a unique multicultural take. The concert, which features four musicians, three singers, and lots of heart and soul, will be presented for eight performances only.
Up next from April 29 through May 15 is I AND YOU, a new play about youth, life, love, and the mystery of human connectedness by Lauren Gunderson, one of the country’s most widely produced authors for the stage.
The last thing Caroline wanted was a classmate named Anthony walking into her bedroom to work on a school project. But as the two let down their guards and share their secrets, they embark on a journey of exploration that will leave audiences breathless.
I AND YOU is directed by Thomas Caruso, Outer Critics Circle Award and Lucille Lortel nominee who staged the Broadway national tours of MATILDA, GHOST and MASTER CLASS.
From July 8 through July 24, Penguin will produce BREATH & IMAGINATION: THE STORY OF ROLAND HAYES, an inspirational musical play by Daniel Beaty.
Before Paul Robson and Marian Anderson, there was trailblazing African-American vocalist Roland Hayes. Born the son of a slave, Roland turned adversity into opportunity, and, at his peak in the 1920s, was the highest paid singer in the world.
BREATH & IMAGINATION soars with spirituals and operatic arias as it traces Hayes’ journey from a plantation in Georgia to performing for royalty in Europe.
From August 12 through September 4, Penguin will present the world premiere of THE VIRTUOUS LIFE OF JOSEPH ANDREWS. Inspired by Henry Fielding’s novel, this rollicking comic romp through 18th-century England is the latest by Cary Gitter, author of THE SABBATH GIRL, and will be directed by Mr. Brancato.
Misadventures abound for handsome, naïve Joseph Andrews, a servant abandoned as a baby, tutored by the clueless Parson Adams, pursued by the lecherous Lady Booby, tempted by the wily chambermaid Betty, but in love with the forbidden Fanny.
Closing the season from September 30 through October 23 is another world premiere production – NOW COMES THE FUN PART, with lyrics and direction by Mark Waldrop, music by Jeffrey Lodin, and book by James Hindman and Lynne Halliday.
Turning 50 may be tricky but … now comes the fun part! Uplifting, laugh-out-loud funny, and surprisingly touching, this new musical revue celebrates in songs and scenes what happens after one reaches the milestone marked by the arrival of an AARP card in the mail. Performances are scheduled at Penguin’s intimate, 108-seat theatre, located at 7 Crickettown Road. “The converted barn, circa 1880, has never been more inviting” (The New York Times). Says Mr. Horn, “it’s theatre so close you can feel it, with comfy upholstered seats and no seat more than 30 feet from the stage.” The theatre is air conditioned, handicapped accessible, and has plenty of free parking.
During the lengthy shutdown, Penguin made physical modifications to its venue to make the theatergoing experience safer and more comfortable. Air filtration was upgraded, air circulation modified to ensure increased exchange of inside and outside air, and high-intensity UVC light installed inside the ductwork to remove airborne and surface contaminants.
Performances of I AND YOU, BREATH & IMAGINATION, THE VIRTUOUS LIFE OF JOSEPH ANDREWS, and NOW COMES THE FUN PART will take place: Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m., Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Saturday evening at 8:00 p.m., with matinees on Saturdays at 4:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.
There are also matinees scheduled at 2 p.m. on Fridays, March 18 (SMALL), April 29 (I AND YOU), July 8 (BREATH & IMAGINATION), August 12 (JOSEPH ANDREWS), and September 30 (NOW COMES THE FUN PART).
Additional details about Penguin’s upcoming season, including resumption of its popular new play reading series, will be announced at a later date.
Tickets for SMALL are $35 each.
Tickets for FAR FROM THE HOME I LOVE are $30 each.
Individual tickets for mainstage productions are priced at $39 (including facility fee and service charge). Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more and young people (30 and under). Ticket prices have been reduced on average 25% from 2019.
Discounted season tickets for I AND YOU, BREATH & IMAGINATION, THE VIRTUOUS LIFE OF JOSEPH ANDREWS, and NOW COMES THE FUN PART are on sale now. Prices start as low as $104 for the four plays, a savings of 35% off the cost of individual tickets.
To order tickets or for further information, visit Penguin Rep’s website at www.penguinrep.org or call 845-786-2873.
Over the past four decades, Penguin Rep has produced more than 150 celebrated shows, including premieres by accomplished and emerging playwrights, for over 400,000 patrons, and grown from a summer theatre to become one of the Hudson Valley’s most influential nonprofit cultural institutions, reaching tens of thousands of theatergoers each year at its home, in New York City and beyond – with its work moving to Off Broadway and to stages across the country and around the world.
For example, as part of its 25th anniversary season, the acclaimed Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles is presenting TRAYF, Lindsay Joelle’s play that was developed and originally produced at Penguin, from March 1, 2022 through April 10, 2022.
PENGUIN REP THEATRE 2022 SEASON
March 18 – March 27
SMALL
Written & performed by ROBERT MONTANO
Directed by JESSI D. HILL
A bullied young man finds strength and gains respect as a jockey atop a racehorse but what happens when he begins to (literally) outgrow his dream? SMALL follows Montano’s real-life roller-coaster ride from Belmont Park Racetrack to starring roles on Broadway where he has been directed by Rob Marshall, Hal Prince, Jerome Robbins and George C. Wolfe, appeared with Chita Rivera in KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN, and sang and danced with Peter Allen in LEGS DIAMOND. He also partnered Catherine Zeta-Jones in the film CHICAGO. World premiere.
April 2 – April 10
FAR FROM THE HOME I LOVE
Songs by JERRY BOCK & SHELDON HARNICK
Arranged by PAUL SHAPIRO
Experience the iconic songs from FIDDLER ON THE ROOF as reimagined by bandleader extraordinaire Paul Shapiro with a unique multicultural take. The concert, which will be presented for eight performances only, features four musicians, three singers, and lots of heart and soul. World premiere.
April 29 – May 15
I AND YOU
by LAUREN GUNDERSON
Directed by THOMAS CARUSO
A stunning work about youth, life, love, and the mystery of human connectedness. The last thing Caroline wanted was a classmate named Anthony walking into her bedroom to work on a school project. But as the two let down their guards and share their secrets, they embark on a journey of exploration that will leave you breathless.
July 8 – July 24
BREATH & IMAGINATION:
THE STORY OF ROLAND HAYES
by DANIEL BEATY
Before Paul Robson and Marian Anderson, there was trailblazing African-American vocalist Roland Hayes. Born the son of a slave, Roland turned adversity into opportunity, and, at his peak in the 1920s, was the highest paid singer in the world. This inspirational musical play soars with spirituals and operatic arias as it traces Hayes’ journey from a plantation in Georgia to performing for royalty in Europe.
August 12 – September 4
THE VIRTUOUS LIFE OF JOSEPH ANDREWS
by CARY GITTER
Directed by JOE BRANCATO
Misadventures abound for handsome, naïve Joseph Andrews, a servant abandoned as a baby, tutored by the clueless Parson Adams, pursued by the lecherous Lady Booby, tempted by the wily chambermaid Betty, but in love with the forbidden Fanny. Inspired by Henry Fielding’s novel, this rollicking comic romp through 18th-century England is the latest from the author of THE SABBATH GIRL. World premiere.
September 30 – October 23
NOW COMES THE FUN PART
Lyrics & direction by MARK WALDROP
Music by JEFFREY LODIN
Book by JAMES HINDMAN & LYNNE HALLIDAY
Turning 50 may be tricky but … now comes the fun part! Uplifting, laugh-out-loud funny, and surprisingly touching, this new musical revue celebrates in songs and scenes what happens after one reaches the milestone marked by the arrival of an AARP card in the mail. World premiere.
Office of Buildings and Codes Closes Illegal Nightclub
Club Closed; Property Owner Hit With 10 Violations
New City, NY, – The Rockland County Office of Buildings and Codes will be citing 42 Grove Street in Spring Valley for at least 10 hazardous code violations stemming from an unlicensed nightclub. This location operated as Sharp Shirt Printing by day but charged admission for illegal parties by night, which included dancers, alcohol, and hookahs.
The Office received a complaint about this illegal club and inspectors worked with the Spring Valley Police Department to shut it down last Saturday night, February 26, 2022, with about 100 people both in and outside of the club at the time.
The tenant throwing the party is known to authorities and has been cited twice since August 2021 but failed to appear for their court appearances. Due to the ongoing lack of compliance, the Office of Buildings and Codes is in the process of citing the property owner with at least 10 violations including a violation of use and occupancy, operating without a construction permit, and no means of egress due to blocked exits.
“As I’ve said repeatedly, we will be ensuring strict enforcement of New York State Building and Fire Code within the Village of Spring Valley and shutting down this illegal club is a prime example of that. As a former police commander, I remember the arson fire that broke out in the unlicensed Bronx club Happy Land back in 1990, killing 87 people, and will do everything in my power to stop a tragedy of that magnitude from happening here in Rockland County,” said County Executive Ed Day. “We in government will continue to do everything in our power to assist and protect the people we serve.”
As of Monday the new Office of Buildings and Codes has conducted 54 inspections and continues to enforce a 30-day moratorium which ends March 15, 2022, on any new permit applications. The moratorium allows the Office to work through the backlog of outstanding inspections and resolve issues that pose an imminent threat to the life, health, and safety of Rockland County residents.
“We are continuing to tackle the outstanding inspections within Spring Valley as quickly as possible which we have been prioritizing based on safety concerns,” said Office of Buildings and Codes Director Ed Markunas.
The Office requests all interested parties submit complaints by calling 845-364-3700 or emailing BuildingsAndCodes@co.rockland.ny.us.