Orangetown Police Department
Public Service Announcement
News
Skoufis Honors Cadets at the Capitol on West Point Day
Senator James Skoufis (D-Hudson Valley) welcomed cadets and leadership from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point on Thursday as they visited the Capitol to commemorate West Point Day, an annual Senate tradition.
The day’s festivities kicked off with a private breakfast, followed by a formal presentation of cadets within the Senate chamber during the morning’s session. Senator Skoufis introduced a resolution on the floor in honor of West Point Day which was unanimously adopted, and the cadets later enjoyed a private lunch, where they were each presented with a certificate of merit.
West Point’s long and decorated history along the Hudson River dates back to the American Revolution. Conceived by President Washington, West Point stands as a beacon of duty, honor, and country, and has launched the careers of some of America’s finest military and civilian leaders.
“The men and women who have chosen to join West Point’s ranks in service to our nation are some of the finest citizens among us,” said Senator Skoufis. “I was honored to welcome them to the Capitol and to share in this joyous tradition. These cadets represent the bright future of American diplomacy and strength. As their representative in the State Senate, I will never lose sight of their commitment or their sacrifices.”
Office of Buildings & Codes Inspectors Undergo Extensive Training
Inspectors Complete 50+ Hours Of Training
New City, NY, – The Rockland County inspectors working within the new Office of Buildings and Codes have completed more than 50 hours of extensive training since the effort launched February 14, 2022.
While New York State made the prior issues of the Village of Spring Valley Building Department abundantly clear when they directed the County of Rockland to take over its functions, the order also underlined that control will eventually be restored to the Village.
To prepare for that eventuality, in addition to catching up on overdue inspections and handling new complaints and permits, the Office of Buildings and Codes is working to ensure that Spring Valley has fully trained inspectors and the proper procedures in place to enforce Building and Fire Codes.
“Let me be clear, the true bad apples of the Village Building Department which are under indictment, have not and will not be part of this process. Yes, we want to fix the issues of the past and will do so, but we must prepare for the future as well,” said County Executive Ed Day. “We need to have properly trained inspectors to eventually return the department back to Spring Valley.”
To prepare for that eventuality, Office of Buildings and Codes Director Ed Markunas continues to put all inspectors through extensive training including weekly legal coaching by Principal Assistant County Attorney Kimberly Von Ronn on writing violation notices and orders to remedy, case management and record keeping, investigation tools, compiling discovery, and writing up notices of hearing to enforce unremedied violations.
Multiple classes on the Village’s record-keeping software Municity are also being conducted to ensure inspectors maximize the capabilities of the program, which was not done under former management of the Spring Valley Building Department. In the courses, expert staff of Municity led those trainings with inspectors.
“These trainings are crucial to us building a solid foundation of quality control and operational oversight which will ensure inspections are done right and by the book,” said Director Ed Markunas.
The Office requests that the public submit complaints regarding Building and Code violations within the Village of Spring Valley to 845-364-3700 or by email to BuildingsAndCodes@co.rockland.ny.us.
Village of Nyack Budget Workshop
The Village of Nyack will have a Budget Workshop on Apr 4, 2022 at 6:00 PM – Apr 4, 2022 at 7:00 PM
BRIDGES Annual “In My Shoes” Gala will Celebrate the Arts; Event Scheduled for May 5th
(ROCKLAND) March 24, 2022 – BRIDGES will commemorate 35 years of providing services to people with disabilities in Rockland County at its annual “In My Shoes” event on Thursday, May 5th at the Crowne Plaza in Suffern at 6:00 pm. This year’s event will celebrate personal journeys in the creative arts and showcase individual experiences of disabled area residents. Guests will enjoy cocktail hour, dinner, raffles and a silent auction.
“Many people have a prejudice against people with any kind of disability,” says Carlos Martinez, Executive Director of BRIDGES. “There is an unconscious assumption that they are somehow ‘less than’ or unable to do what able-bodied individuals can do. “In My Shoes” is an event designed to dispel that assumption and ensure there is equal access to opportunities so people with disabilities can thrive in Rockland. The event also honors people who have made a significant impact on our community.”
The 2022 honorees are Dr. Reji Mathew, Ph. D, LCSW, an Expressive Arts Therapist, Educator and Advocate who will receive the Atlantic Tomorrow’s Office Leadership Award; Jeffrey Friedberg MT-BAC, LCAT, from Music for Life Creative Arts Therapy who will be honored with the Empowerment Award; and Garner Arts Center will receive the Access Award.
Corporate sponsors include Anchor Media Services, Atlantic Office Technology, Lia Toyota of Rockland and PDI. Individuals and corporations who wish to support the event and the agency’s mission can make a donation through the BRIDGES website at www.bridgesrc.org or by calling Nanci Goldman, Director of Special Events, at 845-624-1366, Ext 127.
Registration Ends on April 29th; tickets are $150 per person and can be purchased at www.bridgesinmyshoes2022.eventbrite.com.