How to dress for cold weather and avoid hypothermia:
PSA from the Orangetown Police Department
Community
Ramapo distributes N95 masks, Covid test kits
The Town of Ramapo will be continuing with our distribution of test kits and KN95 masks after having successfully distributed to first responders, EMS workers, and municipal workers throughout the town, including our villages.
On Monday, the Supervisor will be meeting with the mayors of the villages within the Town to discuss the next phase of distribution of test kits, which will go to our seniors and underserved, vulnerable populations. This distribution for seniors will be to seniors at home and in senior housing; nursing homes and other congregate care facilities will receive allotments directly from the state.
Statement from County Executive Ed Day
Yesterday afternoon the Jewish Federation and Foundation of Rockland County issued the following statement on their Facebook page:
In the context of recent discussions at the County Legislature, the term “hidden persuaders” was quoted and used by a number of legislators to describe persons they claimed control the county government. The Community Relations Committee of the Jewish Federation of Rockland condemns the use of well-worn antisemitic tropes like “hidden persuaders” by anyone, of any political stripe, especially among our representatives.
This theme has too often been used by those with an antisemitic agenda as a code word for Jews. Only a few days ago, these exact tropes motivated the terrorist who took hostages in a Colleyville, Texas synagogue. We call on all who have used or quoted this language to retract it immediately, and invite them to meet with Federation to learn more about the terrible outcomes of the use of these words and tropes.
No matter where these words and themes arise – in the legislature, on social media, on campus, in conversations at work – they must be called out. Federation and our partners are ready and eager to educate, inform, and work with those who are not yet familiar with the hateful nature and violent antecedents of such words. We are equally prepared to confront the antisemitic use of such themes with malign intent, wherever they emerge. Let there be no mistake – there can be no space in Rockland where hate prevails.
The Jewish Federation and Foundation of Rockland County has expressed clear concern about this language. I have consistently called on Rockland residents to listen to and learn from their friends and neighbors and I encourage all those who used the language referenced above or repeated it to do so now.
I want to acknowledge Rabbi Justin Schwartz for publicly announcing his intent to speak with the Federation this morning on WRCR. I urge everyone to use this incident as a learning opportunity about the horrors of anti-Semitism and the holocaust so that no one can claim ignorance on these issues.
We have an excellent local resource in the Holocaust Museum and Center for Tolerance and Education. While the Museum is closed to in-person visits during the month of January due to COVID-19 there are a wealth of resources available on their website: https://holocauststudies.org/
I want to echo the words that the Jewish Federation and Foundation of Rockland County used in one of their Facebook posts on this topic, “We learn from the past, and we build a better future.” May we all learn from the past, from each other and build a better future together for the safety and well-being of all Rocklanders.
County Executive Day Announces $205,000 in Tourism Grants
22 Organizations to Receive Funding
New City, NY, – County Executive Ed Day and Director of Economic Development and Tourism Lucy Redzeposki announced $205,000 in grants to 22 organizations promoting tourism in Rockland during a virtual event Wednesday.
“The tourism and hospitality industry were particularly hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic in the last two years,” said County Executive Day. “Despite those challenges, we continue to welcome visitors to Rockland – visit our unique downtowns, museums, art galleries and attend our festivals. They can dine in our restaurants, shop in our stores and enjoy our attractions. This activity brings money that helps to grow our economy, create jobs and stabilize taxes.”
The average household in Rockland County would have to pay an additional $422 in property taxes annually to maintain current services if not for tourism-generated sales and local taxes.
“Economic development via tourism plays a major role in the health and vitality of the county,” said Economic Development and Tourism Director Lucy Redzeposki. “The organizations awarded today will be able to showcase our county and attract visitors.”
The tourism funds announced come from a combination of county money and from the statewide “I Love New York” program. The grants are competitive and come with a list of performance expectations attached to every dollar awarded.
“This is an investment we have been making for the last five years and we have seen a return on this investment. We know that the organizations receiving these funds will promote the County and meet our performance expectations. We also know this will bring visitors who once they experience our theaters, art centers, riverfronts, and downtowns, will keep coming back,” concluded County Executive Day.
The list of grant recipients is included below, and video of the event is available on the Rockland County Government YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/E6-GO-ILFfY
| ArtsRock | $9,000 |
| Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center | $10,000 |
| Friends of Harmony Hall | $15,000 |
| GARNER Arts Center | $15,000 |
| Greater Suffern Chamber of Commerce | $9,900 |
| Haverstraw Brick Museum | $6,000 |
| Haverstraw Riverwide Arts | $10,000 |
| Historical Society of Rockland County | $7,490 |
| Holocaust Museum & Center for Tolerance and Education | $7,000 |
| Nanuet Chamber of Commerce | $12,000 |
| North Rockland Chamber of Commerce | $5,000 |
| Penguin Rep Theatre | $15,000 |
| Phoenix Theatre Ensemble | $5,000 |
| Piermont Chamber of Commerce | $3,950 |
| Piermont Historical Society | $10,000 |
| Rockland Center for the Arts | $9,000 |
| Rockland Farm Alliance | $4,000 |
| Rockland Pride Center | $4,250 |
| Sloatsburg Chamber of Commerce | $13,400 |
| SUNY RCC Hospitality & Culinary Arts Center | $8,000 |
| The Mind of a Winner | $3,500 |
| Visit Nyack | $25,000 |
Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick presents local music school Bach to Rock with Empire Award
NANUET, NY – Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick presented a New York State Senate Empire Award to music school Bach to Rock, in recognition of their services to the arts and learning.
Owned and operated by Eric Philo, Bach to Rock provides music instruction for students of all ages and skill levels. To entertain and inspire their community, in partnership with local chambers of commerce, PTAs, and nonprofits, the school has provided free music and equipment at local events. Additionally, they provide music classes through local libraries, offer performances of the national anthem, have an “instrument petting zoo” which introduces people to the excitement of learning an instrument, and contribute charitably to other organizations.
State Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick (D-Rockland/Westchester) said, “Bach to Rock has brought joy to the lives of so many students as well as countless others who benefit from their generosity, helping to produce vibrant musical experiences in our area and inspire the creative talents of music lovers.”
Jesse Kurtz, Site Director of Bach to Rock Nanuet, said, “We are very honored to be presented with the Empire Award this month! Bach to Rock’s mission is to make learning music fun! Our goal is to spread our love for music with as much of the community as we can and get kids excited about music education.”
Bach to Rock in Nanuet, NY provides music lessons for students of all ages and skill levels. Specialities include guitar, piano, drums, voice, violin, trumpet, and more! It is also the home of Beat Refinery DJ School which offers Mixing, Scratching and Music Production classes.