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Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick Statement in support of the Hudson Valley News Guild

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New City, NY – Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick (D-Rockland/Westchester) has released the following statement: 

“I stand with the journalists of The Journal News, Poughkeepsie Journal, and Times Herald-Record in their formation of the Hudson Valley News Guild, and I call on the management of these three papers and the Gannett parent company to voluntarily recognize this new labor union.

Well-reported journalism is one of the bedrocks of a free society. By keeping citizens informed and keeping government and businesses honest, reporters provide a vital public service. It’s no coincidence that the declining number of local newspapers around the country has coincided with an era of cynicism, civic apathy, and distrust of institutions among many Americans. I deeply appreciate the work of the reporters, photographers, and producers at The Journal News, Poughkeepsie Journal, and Times Herald-Record who provide the Hudson Valley with critically-important coverage of local news stories and events. Our region would suffer greatly without the work of these journalists, and they deserve to be fairly compensated for their work. 

Increasing centralization and the pursuit of corporate profits in the news sector over the last 30 years has led to the consolidation and closure of newsrooms around the country and the decline of real, local news being covered by seasoned professional journalists. Forming a union will help journalists fight for the protections that will allow them to restore integrity to local newsrooms. I stand in solidarity with their efforts.” 

Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick presents local restaurant with Empire Award for community service

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OSSINING, NY – Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick presented a New York State Senate Empire Award to Elmer Oliveros, owner of the ‘Brothers Fish and Chips’ restaurant in Ossining, recognizing his contributions to local COVID relief efforts for families in need.

When COVID shut down dining at Brothers Fish and Chips, like many restaurants, they had to lay off employees but were able to keep the kitchen open for takeout. Despite the hardship, owner Elmer Oliveros knew he had to do something to help struggling families and healthcare workers. He decided to do what he knew how to do best, and started making meals for local families and healthcare workers who had been hit hardest by the virus and the economic fallout.

“There were people that needed food, people working long hours in the hospital, and they just wanted a meal. I can’t do everything, but I can cook! So I could at least feed the people that were working hard”, Oliveros said. “It also gave me a chance to feel like I was helping in a very small way. I was overwhelmed by the support, people calling and asking for meals. It became a whole movement.”

As the pandemic continued to rage in April 2020, Elmer Oliveros joined other Westchester County-based chefs in contributing his seafood paella recipe to the “Westchester Cooks” cookbook. The proceeds from the cookbook sales raised money for the Lifting Up Westchester organization, which provides food, shelter, and support to people in need of assistance in Westchester County.  

Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick said, “Brothers Fish and Chips is the type of family-owned small business that is critical to our community’s success. Elmer and his team stepped up to help their neighbors during the COVID-19 pandemic, and they deserve to be recognized for their contributions to Ossining, Westchester county, and all New Yorkers. Oh, and if you haven’t tried Elmer’s cooking yet, you’re missing out!”

Elmer Oliveros comes from a family of chefs, and Brothers Fish & Chips is the culmination of years of hard work. The restaurant originally opened as a takeout only counter, with a limited fish and chips menu. In 2015, Brothers expanded next door to include a dining room & bar, and enlarged their menu to include modern and eclectic seafood dishes. They have now added a food truck, bringing the fresh and ever-changing menu beyond the restaurant doors. Brothers Fish and Chips is located at 172 N Highland Ave in Ossining. 

COVID-19 DELTA VARIANT CONFIRMED IN ROCKLAND

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Get Vaccinated: Protect yourself and others from the highly contagious Delta variant

NEW CITY, NY, – Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert urge unvaccinated residents to get vaccinated for COVID-19 as soon as possible.

COVID-19 continues to spread in the United States and constantly changes through mutation, with new virus variants expected to occur. Multiple variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been documented in the United States and globally during this pandemic.

At least four cases of the highly contagious Delta (B.1.617.2) variant were confirmed to be in our community during the second week of July. Cases and the positivity rate in Rockland have increased over the last several weeks, likely due to the Delta variant.

Classified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a variant of concern, the Delta variant, initially detected in India and first detected in the United States in March 2021, is now the dominant form of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. This variant seems to spread more easily and quickly than other strains, leading to more cases of COVID-19. The Delta variant also impacts younger age groups more than previous strains, as more young people are getting sick and hospitalized with COVID-19. An increase in the number of cases will lead to more hospitalizations and potentially more deaths.

“All COVID-19 vaccines authorized for emergency use in the United States have proven extremely safe and effective at preventing serious illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19, including against variants of concern such as Delta. The antibody responses generated from the vaccine are much stronger and more consistent than immunity after a natural COVID-19 infection, making it even more important to get a vaccine, even if you’ve already had COVID-19,” said County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert.

Nearly all recent COVID deaths have been in unvaccinated individuals. The CDC is now calling the COVID-19 pandemic a “pandemic of the unvaccinated.” Those who are unvaccinated and not practicing public health measures such as wearing a mask indoors, staying at least 6 feet apart, and avoiding crowds, have the greatest risk of becoming seriously ill or dying, which is why the Rockland County Department of Health (RCDOH) urges all eligible individuals to get vaccinated as soon as they are able.

“With recent COVID deaths and hospitalizations nationwide made up almost entirely of those who are unvaccinated, I strongly urge those who have not yet gotten the shot to reconsider and do so now. These numbers are compelling, and we must act to protect ourselves, our family and our entire community from further harm,” said County Executive Ed Day.

If you’re already vaccinated, please talk to your unvaccinated friends or family about the dangers of the Delta variant and the importance of getting vaccinated before it’s too late. Anyone with questions or concerns about the vaccines should talk to their doctor.

To get a vaccine, visit the RCDOH COVID-19 webpage for more information at http://rcklnd.us/covid19. To find a vaccine near you, visit Vaccines.gov and the New York State Am I Eligible webpage. Need assistance, call the Rockland County COVID Call Center at 845-238-1956 from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday – Friday (except holidays).

For more COVID-19 vaccine information, visit the CDC’s Myths and Facts at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/facts.html. 

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