Attached below is the vendor application for the annual Senior Fair
Towns of Rockland County, NY
BACK-TO-SCHOOL BUS SAFETY
Follow these tips to keep Rockland County students safe!
NEW CITY, NY, – It’s time to get ready for the new school year and time to think about school bus safety. Every day in New York State, an estimated 50,000 drivers illegally pass stopped school buses, putting the lives and safety of children at risk.
To make the roads safer for our children, Rockland County has partnered with the company BusPatrol to launch a violator-funded business model allowing districts to equip school buses with cameras on the bus stop-arms at no-cost. Six school districts have officially opted into the Rockland County School Bus Safety program including Pearl River, Nanuet, North Rockland, Clarkstown, Suffern, and Nyack. Drivers caught by those cameras illegally passing activated stop-arms on school buses will then be issued the following penalties by mail: 1st Violation $250, 2nd Violation $275, and 3rd Violation $300 (within an 18-month period).
“Never pass a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing – this means that students are getting on or off the bus. Traffic approaching from either direction must stop before reaching the bus. Not only will you make the roads much safer for our students, but you will avoid a hefty fine. Remember, too, that yellow lights mean the bus is going to stop, so slow down! We all have a responsibility to make sure students make it to and from school safely,” said County Executive Ed Day.
The Rockland County Department of Health reminds all drivers and students to follow these additional school bus safety tips from the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
School bus safety tips for drivers:
- Be alert and watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood. Look for children at bus stops, those running to bus stops, and children who cross in front of the bus when the bus is stopped. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
- School buses make frequent stops and typically travel at slower speeds. Be patient, slow down, and be prepared to stop for them. School buses must stop at railroad crossings by law, so be ready to stop at railroad crossings if driving behind a school bus.
- Be distraction-free. Never use electronic devices while driving; actively focus on the road and your surroundings.
School bus safety tips for students:
- Arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus arrives. Wait for the bus at least ten feet, five giant steps, away from the curb. The bus stop is not a place to run or play.
- When the school bus arrives, wait until it comes to a complete stop, the door opens, and the driver says it’s okay to get on. Use the handrails to avoid falling.
- When getting off the bus, take five giant steps straight out the bus door and out of the danger zone (areas around buses where the driver can’t see you). Make sure you make eye contact with the driver and wait for the driver to signal you before you cross in front of the bus. Never walk behind a school bus or bend down near or under the bus. Don’t go back for anything you have left on the bus.
- Listen to your bus driver in case there are any special instructions for your bus ride. Be sure to sit quietly in your seat and limit distractions.
For more information about school bus safety, visit the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee website https://trafficsafety.ny.gov/tips-motorists-and-students, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles website https://dmv.ny.gov/more-info/school-bus-safety, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/school-bus-safety.
Skoufis, Zebrowski, and Eachus Provide Major Update on Fight for Taxpayer and MTA Ridership Parity
Senator James Skoufis (D-Orange County), Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski (D-Rockland County), and Assemblyman Chris Eachus (D-New Windsor) gathered with local community leaders to provide a major update on the multi-year endeavor to close the MTA “value gap” that has long mistreated Orange and Rockland taxpayers and riders. Most recently, this effort includes the successful move to freeze West-of-Hudson fares amidst an otherwise across-the-board fare hike within the MTA system.
In each of the previous two rounds of MTA fare hike proposals – this summer and in 2019 – the legislators successfully worked with the MTA to keep west-of-Hudson ticket prices unchanged despite increases everywhere else in the system, including the Long Island Railroad, east-of-Hudson Metro-North, NYC subways, and NYC bus transit.
Additionally, at the start of this year, the Governor proposed a 47% increase to the MTA payroll tax, a draconian and unfair surcharge that has seriously harmed west-of-Hudson businesses since its original enactment in 2009. With Skoufis leading opposition to the tax hike in the Senate and Zebrowski and Eachus doing so in the Assembly, they were successful in exempting Orange and Rockland counties’ businesses from the increase; the increase was ultimately confined to New York City only.
“For far too long, our taxpayers have subsidized the MTA and received nothing but inadequate service and substantial delays,” said Skoufis. “These meaningful wins are a major step in the right direction towards ensuring our Senate District gets its fair share, our taxpayers are respected, and we are no longer treated as the ATM for the MTA.”
“This year’s state budget solidified the MTA and recognized the concerns of west of Hudson commuters, with capital investments into our transit system and no increase to the payroll tax,” said Zebrowski, who chairs the Assembly Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions. “The recent fare freeze announcement is another victory for residents who for too long have not had the services they deserve. I thank Senator Skoufis and Assemblymember Eachus for their continued partnership to deliver results for west of Hudson commuters.”
“West-of-Hudson commuters know all too well the chronic issues of long wait times, zero direct train service to NYC, and the large tax bill that comes along with it,” said Eachus. “I am proud to stand strong alongside my colleagues Senator Skoufis and Assemblymember Zebrowski to deliver these critical investments to our communities by the MTA, and continue to fight to ensure Orange and Rockland receive parity for the services that we already pay for.”
These wins come on the heels of the most comprehensive five-year capital program that west-of-Hudson communities have ever seen, resulting in taxpayers and riders getting far more of their fair share from the MTA. Most notably, the agency will soon be constructing two sets of passing sidings, at a cost of over $100 million, to allow for two-way train traffic in Orange County which currently only has one track along the Port Jervis line. These miles-long sidings will be located in the Tuxedo and Middletown areas, significantly increasing train schedule capacity once completed.
The legislators acknowledged the new partnership with the MTA and their willingness to begin paying far greater attention to west-of-Hudson taxpayers and riders. Skoufis, Zebrowski, and Eachus pledged to continue fighting until the region’s “value gap” is completely closed, resulting in $1 of service for every $1 in payments received from the two counties’ taxpayers and riders
Town of Ramapo Illuminates Future with Street Lighting Upgrades
RAMAPO, NY – The Town of Ramapo has successfully completed the first phase of a new energy initiative aimed at reducing energy use and increasing public safety. On Tuesday, August 8, the Smart Streetlight project was initiated, replacing older streetlights with LED streetlights equipped with intelligent sensors and remote monitoring in various neighborhoods in Ramapo.
These energy-efficient streetlights are designed to enhance visibility and safety for both pedestrians and drivers. Town Supervisor Michael Specht has praised the project’s successful completion, emphasizing the positive impact on the community and expressing excitement for the next phase.
The second phase of the project will extend the installation to other areas of the town, adding over 1,500 new streetlights, including areas that previously had limited or no lighting. The first of these new lights were installed at the intersection of West Maple Avenue and Smolley Drive, brightening Viola Park in Monsey.
The Town of Ramapo’s Smart Streetlight project symbolizes a practical step toward energy conservation and improved safety. By utilizing modern technology and innovative design, Ramapo is not only enhancing the night-time experience for its residents but also making a significant contribution to environmental sustainability.
Repairs Complete: Bridge Connecting West Point and Bear Mountain Restored
FORT MONTGOMERY, NY – In a swift response to the extensive damage caused by torrential rains in early July, the Popolopen Bridge over Route 9W in Fort Montgomery was reopened on Friday, less than four weeks after the storms.
The destruction to the bridge caused significant disruptions to traffic, local businesses, and hampered the efficiency of first responders. State transportation department engineers and contractors designed and built a new support system for the structure, using a geosynthetic reinforced fill-type retaining wall system to stabilize the soil and provide a stable foundation for the bridge.
This essential link, connecting the roadway to the Bear Mountain Bridge Circle, allows access between West Point and the Bear Mountain Bridge. Governor Kathy Hochul praised the speedy restoration, emphasizing that the bridge’s reopening “will make travel easier between West Point and destinations to the south… in record time and long before tens of thousands of travelers arrive to see our Army Black Knights begin their season.”
Congressman Pat Ryan (D, NY-18) and State Senator James Skoufis (D, Cornwall) also expressed their commendation for the quick response and recovery efforts, with Skoufis expressing confidence “that our communities will come back stronger as the recovery effort proceeds in earnest.”
In addition to the Popolopen Bridge, state crews and contractors worked diligently to repair and reopen several other storm-damaged roads in Orange, Rockland, Westchester, and Dutchess counties. Roads restored include sections of U.S. Route 9W, State Route 32, Palisades Parkway, and various others, enhancing regional connectivity and easing the burden on travelers throughout the Lower Hudson Valley.