FEBRUARY 3, 2012-VIEWPONT-“SMOKE AND MIRRORS”


We watched the President’s recent State of the Union speech and somehow it seemed to lack reality.  It actually sounded more like a “pep talk” and campaign re-election speech than one that complies with reality.

The online broadcast of the speech was enhanced by a display of charts, graphs and vivid visual representations of why the President’s policies are so important for our country and our economy.  The theme of the President’s speech was “An America Built To Last” and talked about new manufacturing, new skills, American energy and a renewal of values.  Yet there is still 10% employment in states like Florida, the middle class is shrinking, the tax code is still alleged to be unfair, and the claim about enhancing American energy sources seems to be dispelled by the fact that the President has just rejected The Keystone pipeline project which would have produced 10,000 jobs and would have provided a ready source of oil from Canada as distinguished from middle eastern sources which become more unreliable every day.

There was a claim about diplomatic successes in the Middle East we suppose referring to the “Arab Spring” - yet we are still uncertain as to whether these countries under transition will become democracies or will become Islamist states with governments infiltrated by “hard liners”.  An increase in American manufacturing was touted, but we still notice our large corporations locating plants and outsourcing work to foreign countries.  There was a claim that one company in sourced “100 jobs” – that is hardly an achievement to cheer about. 

While a rosy picture was painted and a fairly competent plan proposed, we simply do not see the reality of it.  Engineers are trained in India for 1/10 the cost of training in the United States and the cost of closing down a factory to move it overseas is still a tax deductible expense.  The blueprint is to create new jobs in America and discourage outsourcing while encouraging in sourcing, increase skills by cooperation with educational institutions, make the most of America’s energy resources, and ensure every American plays by the same set of rules and pays their fair share.

Sounds wonderful doesn’t it?  Well, you are never going to make the most of America’s energy resources if political pandering to the environmental lobby continues, we are never going to discourage outsourcing simply by giving a tax break to companies who create new jobs – we need legislation that punishes and prohibits outsourcing.  The tax code is a quagmire and although much is said about the 1% vs. the 99%, it is noticed that millionaires pay 37% of the income tax in this country.  The housing market is a mess and probably won’t even begin to recover for several years ahead.

While we agree that the plan for the future sounded nice, we wonder what can be done and what will be done to implement it. 

JANUARY 27, 2012 VIEWPOINT-ENVIRONMENT V. ECONOMY

    This past week, President Obama denied the permit application for the debated Keystone Pipeline which would pump oil from the oil sands in Canada down to refineries in the southern states.  His denial will push the final decision on the pipeline until 2013, safely past this year’s presidential election.  His decision was praised by environmentalists and was decried by the U.S. Oil and Gas Industry and Chambers of Commerce.  It was estimated that the pipeline would create 20,000  jobs and allow our Gulf Coast refineries to process oil that would be readily available supplementing Venezuelan and Middle Eastern oil sources. 

    The Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, touched on alternate export routes which would take this oil to ports in British Columbia and ship them to refineries in the Asian market.  The pipeline, if approved, would have carried 700,000 barrels of crude per day from Alberta’s oil sands to refineries on the U.S. Gulf of Mexico coast.  Currently 99% of Canada’s crude exports go to the United States, a figure which might now be drastically reduced as Canada, this month, began hearings on a proposed pipeline from the oil sands to the British Columbia coast where it would be shipped to China and other Asian markets. 

    From our viewpoint, this would be a disaster since the price of oil would go up, China would refine it – could probably use all of it – though it might export some to the United States at an inflated price over what is now paid.  Thus, we will have lost 5,000 to 6,000 construction jobs during the two years needed to build the project and a more friendly and reliable source of oil, not to mention the 20 billion dollars it was projected to infuse into the economy over the next ten years. 

    Thus it is that once again the environmental lobby wins as the president panders to a part of his constituent base, while the Republicans clammer for oil independence and the creation of jobs to bolster the economy.  When will the pendulum swing in favor of American oil independence and economic vitality?  We believe that modern engineering science can safeguard against the type of “doomsday” scenarios portrayed with this pipeline and that its disapproval was motivated by a political agenda.

JANUARY 6, 2012 VIEWPOINT- THE YEAR AHEAD


    The year ahead should be an interesting one, we may see the election of a different president and see the country take a different course of action from an economic point of view.  It  may also be the year in which most foreign hostilities, such as the one raging in Afghanistan are terminated and American troops are no longer engaged, other than in an advisory manner, in the Middle East.  There are different military problems to be sure, both Iran and China are flexing its naval muscle, the former in the waters around Australia and the latter in the Gulf of Hormuz.

    In addition, the succession in leadership in North Korea has prompted some concerns in the Far East and there is a strong contingent of American troops still stationed in South Korea.  There is no doubt that the continued perceived development of an atomic weapon by Iran will be closely watched and a focus of this year.  So it is that there will be continued military concerns throughout the globe – if not the same ones that exist – different ones to be attended to.

    At home, the economy is struggling and there is a prediction of a slight increase this year, although much will be told by the forthcoming elections.  President Obama gears up for what he does best – running for office and the Republicans chew away at each other in the primaries gathering like a pack of dogs to attack whoever appears to be leading in the polls.  Not a good omen for the Republicans who should be able to make a good showing in this election by virtue of the present economic climate in this country. 

    There is a debate raging now about the so-called Keystone Pipeline which would bring a certain amount of oil independence to the United States.  From our point of view, it is high time that we get some of this work done to diminish our reliance on foreign oil.  There is more oil to be explored and extracted in one state of this country than in all of Saudi Arabia. 

    Last, but not least, there is the Mayan prophecy which is to the affect that there will be a certain celestial alignment on December 21st of this year which will portend the end of the world or, if not the end, some drastic destruction of life on earth.  There are many who subscribe to that theory due to the fact that the Mayan calendar ends on that day, while there are others more optimistic who state that its an indication of a “new beginning”, not the end.  Needless to say, we hope the latter is true.







NOVEMBER 2, 2011 - VIEWPOINT BLACK FRIDAY – WHAT’S NEXT?


    Well, Black Friday has passed, followed by Small Business Saturday and followed by Cyber Monday or Cyber Week.  Although the economy is rather dismal, the organizations that track sales indicate that there was a 5% increase in sales over Black Friday of last year.  There has been no reports on Small Business Saturday or Cyber Monday.  Is this a tribute to the foolishness or the resilience of the American consumer? 

    From our point of view it is none of the above – it is a tribute to the merchandising and advertising acumen of the merchants.  We have looked for some economic signs to be optimistic about and all we really see is the power of the advertising industry to get people out to spend money they should perhaps better save.  While it is true that in the past the doctrine of spending our way out of a recession was in favor, such is not the case today.  For, interspersed with reports of great deals is the ever growing threat of the Iranian quest for nuclear weapons, the recent squabble with Pakistan, which would evict us from our air bases on their soil and prevent our supply lines from going through their territory and the otherwise failure of any positive economic sign that would lead the consumer to acquire some confidence.

    As the week began, stock futures surged on the heels of the worst week in two months as traders cheered record retail sales during Thanksgiving weekend and reports that European leaders are moving closer to a solution to solve the continent’s debt crisis.  It seems that everyone is looking for the “sunshine” and the slightest indication that something good might develop will start the stock market on the way up.  Of course, when that doesn’t materialize, it comes right down – a strange way for one to invest what might be their retirement future. 

    We feel  that those in Washington charged with the task of preventing financial meltdowns and keeping the nation’s economy strong through monetary and credit policies have failed us miserably and we do not think the jubilance of a successful Black Friday is anywhere near what it will take for America to become economically strong again.  Indeed, in order to go out and shop one has to be employed and our employment rate hovers at 9% with no relief in sight.  Sorry to say, but it will take more than a shopping spree to straighten out America’s economic woes.  New paragraph

NOVEMBER 25, 2011 VIEWPOINT- THANKSGIVING PAST


    Since this paper is published and then distributed on a Friday, you will receive it the day after Thanksgiving.  This year there was not much to be thankful for with respect to the economy.  The country is in a mess, the county is in a mess and we predict the same will soon be true for some of the towns.  I would suppose that the answer is going to be a period of austerity, with more job losses and more attempts by the Obama administration to stimulate the economy when, from our point of view, the economy is best left to stimulate itself. 

    The bi-partisan bickering in Washington portends that nothing of substance will ever get done until those elected officials realize that there are things at stake greater than following the party line.  This is not a condemnation of one party for the brush tarnishes both parties and Mr. Obama seems unable to work with and fashion compromises. 

    On the foreign scene it appears that the Mid-East is about to explode.  One might fully expect any day to see Israel attack the Iranian nuclear facilities which would be a terrible mistake as it could actually accelerate the next world war. 

    In the meantime, seniors are worried about potential cuts in their Medicare and Social Security benefits in spite of the assurances that those are sacred trusts which will not be interfered with.  In addition, the strain on the seniors IRA’s and the low return of interest on their other investments, while taxes continue to increase, and the cost of food and other necessities does likewise, is of further concern.

    Thus, it seems that on Thanksgiving Day we write of “doom and gloom”.  Such is not the case, we are a free country, we have our freedom, we have the right to disagree and for most of us here in Rockland County, we have a good standard of living and a peaceful community.  While it is true that our legislators appear  not to be the best money managers, we feel they definitely have their constituencies interests at heart.  Having raised the specter of financial distress, well today is “Black Friday”, so go out and stimulate the economy the old fashioned way – spend some money!










OCTOBER 7, 2011 VIEWPOINT- HI-TOR ANIMAL CARE IN CRISIS

Hi-Tor Animal Care Center, Inc. was dedicated in 1973 in a county-owned building, on county-owned land.  The organization was incorporated as an animal control facility as is mandated by New York State law.  Based on the 1973 population of Rockland County of almost 230,000 the facility was built to accommodate 30 dogs and approximately 20 cats.  The current human population is approximately 312,000.  While there is no true census of pets, estimation by The Humane Society of the U.S. and International City/County Management Association suggest as many as 130,000 domestic pets are owned by residents of Rockland County.

The facility has never been structurally modified to accommodate the growing animal welfare needs despite the fact that the Rockland County Legislature commissioned a study by the National Animal Control Association (NACA) in 2001.  This study determined at that time that there was an immediate need for the County to explore the possibility of expanding and renovating the facility.  In 2003 the representatives from the County determined the facility to be obsolete and that the cost for basic repair to bring it up to code would be exorbitant.
 
The current mandated funding through contracts with all five towns and the County of Rockland combined does not even cover their payroll.  Government funding for the shelter cumulatively amounts to about $0.64 per resident, per year.  County funding has decreased annually for the last four years.  All other funding is generated through adoption fees, fundraising activities and donations from many generous supporters, most of very modest means.  Operational costs and animal care expenses currently exceed funding.  The Humane Society of the U.S. notes a national community average expenditure of $8.00 per capita for animal care and animal control in 2009, the International City/County Management Association noted $3-5/per capita for services in 2001.
 
Hi-Tor is the only animal shelter in Rockland County and receives approximately 2,500 animals each year as a result of ‘going stray’, abandonment, family hardship, irresponsible pet ownership, animal abuse and criminal activity.  In the past few years, on at least three occasions they have received as many as 19-23 dogs and/or cats at one time that required immediate shelter resulting from criminal activity, hoarding or inhumane treatment.  Given our capacity for housing 30 dogs and about 50 cats (at times our feline population reaches 100+), this resulted in disposition decision for potentially adoptable pets already in shelter care.  Hi-Tor provides care for its sheltered animals 365 days each year.
 
 By New York State Agriculture and Markets Law, funding and oversight of animal control shelters is the responsibility of municipalities that issue dog licenses.  Multiple municipal shelters performing duplicative services would cost significantly more than one common facility.  While Hi-Tor does perform animal control services to the towns and villages, it also provides refuge to animals when owners are forced to surrender their family pets for various hardships, this is beyond the requirements set forth by New York State law.  Additionally, Hi-Tor cares for numerous cats, kittens, bunnies, guinea pigs, birds and more that are surrendered and in need of homes but that also are not included in the New York State laws.  Rockland County Law since 2002 imposes responsibilities on Hi-Tor greater than New York State for promotion of spay/neuter, diminished euthanasia and promotion of adoption of suitable animals.
 
In a perfect world, no animal would be abused, become homeless or need shelter in a non-family environment.  The care for homeless/abandoned animals is a responsibility that must be shared by the residents of the county.  The present Board of Directors feel it would be against their mission and abhorrent to turn away animals or to return to the old, expedient, high kill ways of dealing with the overabundance of pets that have lost their homes.
 
The County attitude seems to be that there is no money for repairs to the deteriorating facility and or expect to receive less funding in the future.  Right now, the shelter’s reserves are seriously depleted and that is endangering its very existence.  The time has come for the towns and County to work collaboratively to provide and adequately fund an appropriate shelter that meets the expectations of the many pet owners and animal lovers who reside in Rockland.  Rockland County, one of the wealthiest counties in the United States, is long overdue an animal shelter of which the community can be proud.



SEPTEMBER 2, 2011 VIEWPOINT-  THE UNOFFICIAL END OF SUMMER

As many still work to undo the damages caused by Hurricane Irene and Labor Day weekend approaches, many of us wonder where this summer went.  We say that because this coming weekend is the unofficial end of summer.  The day after Labor Day is Primary Day and while we have never been in favor of primaries which turn negative, this year has been surprisingly positive as the candidates vie for your votes.

There are basically two important primaries and that is the one for the Sheriff race and one for Family Court Judge.  We have in the past endorsed Tim O’Neil for Sheriff due to his vast experience and community service along with the feeling that he will bring a fresh outlook and some innovation to the office of Sheriff.  We feel Tim possesses strong leadership qualities along with a well rounded experience in law enforcement and a keen interest in the community. 

The other primary is for Family Court Judge on the democratic line and the candidates are Sherri Eisenpress and Ed Kallen.  We have reviewed Ms. Eisenpress’s qualifications and find them exemplary - but we must give the nod to Ed Kallen based on his experience in the local courts and his service as a long time activist in the community.  Ed possesses the temperament and knowledge to make a fine Family Court Judge.  That  that is not to disparage the qualifications of Ms. Eisenpress who according to some local attorneys who know her possesses a fine judicial temperament backed by a lot of knowledge.  The primaries are probably important because particularly on the Democratic side, whoever wins the primary will probably win the general election. 

We wish all of our readers a pleasant Labor Day weekend and we hope that the recent storm has not caused them too much grief.


 JUNE 17, 2011 VIEWPOINT - PET SMART

While we have expressed our view concerning safety tips for human beings during this hot humid weather, let us not forget our pets.  Pets do not realize that anti-freeze is a deadly drink, they just think it tastes great.  Electrical cords can also look like fun chew toys and the kitchen and garage are full of delicious “treats” for them to play with and injure themselves.  Hazards to pets are all around the home and a pets safety depends on you. 

The first thing to do is to try to spot dangers in your house and take the right precautions and remember to be sure that your pet is safe during a disaster or emergency.  Too often people are forced to evacuate their homes and in the ensuing panic forget to bring their pets with them and many times they are unable to get back to their homes to retrieve their animals leaving the pets helpless and alone.  While fortunately, such a panic or emergency has not visited us in Rockland County, we are reminded that not too long ago there was a tornado warning issued for this area.  The unusually warm weather for this time of year portends the possibility of same rather severe storms. 

There are several tips you can follow to help keep your pets safe and the following are just a few:

Don’t let your dog ride in an open truck bed;
Keep your pets head and paws inside the car;
Check your pets collar regularly;
Don’t let your cat play with string;
Keep your cat indoors.

With respect to that first safety tip, any sudden start, stop or turn may toss your pet onto the highway where it may get hit by oncoming traffic.  Statistics indicate that at least 100,000 dogs die this way each year.  In addition, open truck beds do not provide any protection from the weather and hot sun can heat the metal floor of a truck bed enough to burn a pets paw pads.  A dog left sitting in the broiling sun without water or shade may suffer from heat stroke before long.  Never leash your pet inside a truck bed as many dogs have been strangled when tossed or bumped over the side of a truck and left helplessly dangling, so if your pet must ride in the back of the truck, put the pet inside a crate that will give it some protection from wind and weather and tie the crate securely to the wall of the truck bed so that it cannot slide about or be tossed out of the truck.

You should also check your pets collar regularly since collars do not expand, but puppies and kittens grow quickly and collars can literally grow right into your pets neck creating excruciating and constant pain.  Check your pets collars at least once a week until the pet is full-grown; a good test is that you should be easily able to slip two or three fingers between the pets collar and their neck.

With respect to cats you should supervise a cats play with items it can choke on, remembering that both cats and dogs can choke on small toys.  If you happen to see a string hanging out of a pets mouth, do not pull it out, this string could saw through an intestinal wall, instead immediately take the pet to the vet.  Try to keep your cat indoors since not all outdoor cats can find their way home and one time lost is one time too many.

Finally, you might inventory your home and attempt to pet proof it by using childproof latches to keep little paws from prying open cabinets, place medications, cleaners, chemicals and laundry supplies where your pet cannot get at them and keep trash cans covered or inside a latched cabinet.  While it may seem ludicrous, make sure your kitten hasn’t jumped into the dryer before you turn it on, such accidents have happened.  Remember that our pets are curious and, while an electrical wire may be nice to chew on, it can be fatal.

A well-trained pet is a joy to any household so do not neglect such things as obedience training and remember that you do have an obligation to give your pet a safe environment.




June 10, 2011 VIEWPOINT - ARE YOU READY FOR THE HEAT?                

It seems that the hot weather of July and August is visiting us early with mid 90 temperatures already experienced this past week.  It is well to remember that heat can kill by pushing the human body beyond its limits, especially those sick, aged or overweight who are more likely to succumb to extreme heat.  FEMA has issued guidelines entitled “ARE YOU READY?” in which they provide certain basic preparedness for protection against heat related illnesses.  While their guidelines mostly emphasize planning for emergencies, being prepared for emergencies and having the knowledge of what to do to prevent medical hazards from intense hot weather.              

In planning, it is well to remember that there are other hazards associated with extreme hot weather including severe thunderstorms and, as we have recently noticed, the possibility of tornadoes.  One should also devise a family plan in the event of this type of occurrence.  Remember that elderly people (65 years and older), infants, children and people with chronic medical conditions are more prone to heat stress.  Air conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat related illness and death, so one should spend time during extreme heat in locations with air conditioning, such as shopping malls, public libraries or public health sponsored heat relief shelters in the area.  It is wise to drink cool non-alcoholic beverages and increase fluid intake regardless of your activity level.  It is also good to remember that air conditioning  may not be available during an electrical outage and, for those who can afford it, a generator sufficient to operate air conditioning might be a good investment.               
While heat related deaths and illnesses are preventable, many people still succumb to extreme heat annually.  Historically from 1979 to 2003 excessive heat exposure caused 8,015 deaths in the United States; more people in this country died from extreme heat than from hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes combined.  Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the body and, in this regard, a sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat – one should check with their doctor before drinking sports beverages if a low salt diet is recommended for you.              

As far as appropriate clothing is concerned, choose light colored loose fitting clothing and, if outdoors, remember that sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool itself and causes a loss of body fluids.  So, if you must go outdoors, protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide brim hat along with sunglasses and wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher thirty minutes prior to going out.  If you must be outdoors, try to limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours and to rest in shady areas so that your body’s thermostat has a chance to recover.              

Remember your pets can also succumb to heat stroke.  Never leave a dog in a car, even with the windows cracked open where interior temperatures can rise 20 degrees within ten minutes.  Last but not least, use common sense – avoid hot foods and heavy meals as they add heat to your body, drink plenty of fluids and replace salt and minerals, dress in cool, loose clothing and seek shade wherever possible and provide plenty of fresh water for your pets.  It seems that the summer portends to be a hot one and it would be wise to have a family plan, not only to prevent heat exhaustion, but also to handle such emergencies as power outages, severe thunder and lightning storms and yes, even the possibility of a tornado.  Summer is a wonderful time to enjoy the outdoors, we urge our readers to do so sensibly when the thermometer spikes.


June 3, 2011 VIEWPOINT - MEMORIAL DAY                          

Memorial Day weekend is usually looked upon as the unofficial beginning of summer just as Labor Day weekend is the unofficial end of the summer season.  Memorial Day is a time for parades, backyard barbecues, the opening of various summer activities and a blessed long weekend.  It also has a more somber side.               

Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day and originated in 1868 when Union General John A. Logan designated a day in which the graves of Civil War soldiers would be decorated – thus it became Decoration Day and subsequently Memorial Day, a holiday dedicated to the memory of all war dead.  It became a federal holiday in 1971 and is now observed on the last Monday in May.               
In New York City Memorial Day starts Fleet Week wherein over a dozen Navy and Coast Guard ships, as well ships from all over the world, visit New York Harbor and open their vessels for free public tours daily. There are also military demonstrations and other activities over the course of a seven day celebration.  There are similar military demonstrations throughout the United States with flyovers from jet aircraft and simulated military exercises, such as amphibious landings in Florida.              
One must take time to remember that it is intended to be a day of remembrance of our war dead – from past wars and this year to the increasing toll and number of dead heroes from Iraq and Afghanistan.  The numbers slowly multiply and we should stop and reflect about the many families who have lost a father, mother, son or daughter who have made the supreme sacrifice on behalf of our freedoms.  So as we go about the festivities and watch the parades or enjoy our cookouts; take some time and stop and perhaps say a prayer for those who have lost a loved one and for the dead heroes who gave their lives to keep us free.



May 27, 2011 VIEWPOINT - SAFETY FIRST

This past week Gordon Wren, the Rockland County Director of Emergency Services, cautioned that volunteer firemen may be at risk in responding to illegal apartments throughout the county.  It is no secret that there are numerous illegal conversions throughout the towns which might pose a threat to responding firemen, but also might pose a threat to those persons renting these apartments without proper inspection or safety procedures.  From our point of view, this is a situation that could and should be addressed by the municipalities proposing an “amnesty” whereby those possessing illegal conversions might submit them to the proper building department for inspection and receive a determination as to whether or not they are safe.  The property owner would be protected against prosecution and the accessory apartment might be legitimatized if found to be in accordance with building construction standards and fire regulations.  
The argument against this is that the municipality would be “rewarding illegality”.  Balanced on the other side of the argument, the municipality would be seeing that its residents are living in safe rentals and the proper increase in real estate taxes could be realized by designating the premises as one with an “accessory apartment”.  From our point of view, the scale weighs heavily in favor of the safety of our volunteer firemen and those residents who, by virtue of economic stress, rent these illegal conversions as being the only rentals they can afford in Rockland County.  Add to the that the benefit of increased tax ratables for the municipalities concerned.   

While we are on the issue of safety, we are entering into “Prom Season”.  Each year we are chagrined to note some sort of traffic fatality that is associated with a young person drinking and driving.  While there has been much education on this subject and the incidents are lowering, one fatality is too many.  In this regard, it is up to the parents to monitor, instruct and educate their graduating students and prom goers.  While the media might do its part and the schools admonitions are given, there is no substitute in this matter for parental guidance.  Let us hope that this season passes without a single incident to darken the joy of graduation and prom night.     


May 20, 2011 VIEWPOINT - AGAINST ALL ODDS 
 
At this writing there are a number of people gathered at the “Provident Bank Park” for a ceremony naming the ballfield for a local community bank – Provident Bank.  For the right to see its name fronting the stadium façade, the bank has agreed to pay $2.75 million covering the next decade.  The Town of Ramapo will receive an annual share of $137,500 toward paying off the debt on a nearly $38 million stadium located on Firemen’s Memorial Drive and Pomona Road.  Bottom 9 Baseball, owners of the Boulders, will also get $137,500 annually from the naming fee.  Christopher St. Lawrence was quoted as saying “how great it is to have a great community bank involved in a great community project”.  That may very well be so.  

Construction of the ballpark is scheduled to be completed for the Boulders’ inaugural home game on June 16th against the Brockton Rox at the ballpark.  The team will play an away game on May 26th against the Newark Bears in New Jersey.  Against all odds, and with severe criticism, St. Lawrence has been the moving force behind the construction of the ballpark and getting a team in Ramapo.  The Can-Am is an independent league with 8 clubs not affiliated with Major League Baseball teams – that is not to say that a team affiliated with a Major League club may not be playing at the stadium in the future.  Provident Bank officials indicated that the bank will gain exposure for its products and services since up to 250,000 fans annually are expected to attend a variety of events at the multi-use ballpark.  

From our point of view, we have to take out hats off to Chris St. Lawrence.  He weathered severe criticism, allegations of impropriety, lawsuits and the rejection of a bond issue by the voters but kept pushing ahead to finish this project which he feels will be a distinct asset to Rockland County.   

While his detractors and, in particular, “Preserve Ramapo”, have been vehement in their criticism of the Supervisor, the same is not true in other towns in the County of Rockland.  Most people we discuss the matter with in the Towns of Orangetown and Clarkstown are enthused at the prospect of having an additional recreational facility in the form of baseball to attend in the county.  We are told that certain officials in the Town of Ramapo are being besieged with requests by the political and social elite in Rockland County for seats for opening day at the stadium.  We will hope that there is a press box there so that we may join in with those fortunate elite.   

We hope that opening day is a sellout and that Chris St. Lawrence is vindicated.  In the past we have indicated that perhaps the stadium, or rather the attempt to bring the stadium, could bring about a white elephant.  We have since changed our mind based upon the courage and perseverance of Christopher St. Lawrence.  As far as the next election goes, we feel that the success of this endeavor will go a long way to ensuring his re-election as Supervisor of Ramapo.   
 

May 13, 2011 VIEWPOINT - A REAL CONCERN  

Since the disaster at Fukushima in Japan concerns continue in the communities surrounding New York’s Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant.  We are informed that local lawmakers and federal officials are keeping a vigilant eye on the plant that sits along the Hudson River.   

This week Gregory Jaczko, Chairman of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission toured the plant site in Buchanan, New York along with representatives Nita Lowey and Eliot Engel who have both been critical of the plant and its location.  The visit comes ahead of the agencies briefing on the review of the Fukushima disaster for lessons that can be applied here in the United States and on this past Thursday three New York State Senators will hold a Public Hearing regarding the safety of Indian Point which is located approximately 30 miles from New York City, but much closer than that to Rockland County.   

While there is tight security at the plant and much red-tape to get access from Entergy, who operates the plant, last week Entergy gave Fox News access to Indian Point for a first-hand look at safety measures in place to protect the public in the event of natural disasters or acts of terrorism.  Entergy spokesman, Jim Steets, was quoted as saying “what happened in Japan can’t happen here”.   

When both reactors are in use at the same time 2,000 megawatts of power is generated to the power grid inside the turbine room and on average the turbines supply 25% of the electricity used by Westchester and New York City.  The spent uranium fuel is transferred to fuel pools inside the fuel storage building.  Those pools are built into bedrock with walls made of steel reinforced concrete.  The pool itself is about 30 feet by 30 feet and 40 feet deep filled with water that appears clear and aqua blue from a distance.  All of the spent fuel that has been used at Unit 3 since 1976 was in the spent fuel pool under 25 feet of water.  A key aspect of the plant is a redundant power system in place to keep things running in case of a blackout, earthquake, flood or attack – there are three backup diesel generators in encased in concrete bunkers that Entergy officials say are ready at a moments notice.  

According to Entergy officials there are more improvements coming and they report that they have carefully analyzed the situation that happened in Japan which should perhaps add additional redundancy to that already in place – items such as sandbags in case of flooding and additional portable backup generators.   

While all this is well and good, it will not calm the concerns of those in Rockland County, Westchester County and New York City who are concerned about the location of this plant.  After all, we are sure that the Japanese power company felt that they had every possible safeguard in place.  In the event of a unforeseen disaster the stakes are much too high for this plant to continue to operate in the location it is in.  While we may take some comfort in the attention now being paid to the Indian Point facility, from our point of view, the best possible solution would be to relocate that plant in an area less densely populated.  That is perhaps wishful thinking, but nevertheless a thought no doubt on the minds of many of our residents.    


May 6, 2011 VIEWPOINT - THE DEATH OF OSAMA BIN LADEN 
 
By the time this article is read most of the media publicity and joy expressed by millions over the killing of Bin Laden will have subsided.  What will not have subsided is the preparation and increased security to guard against some type of fanatical retribution to revenge the killing of Bin Laden.  To be sure, the operation carried out by the Navy Seals to get Bin Laden was a military success without the loss of any American lives.  It was well planned and brilliantly executed, but his presence at the location he was at in Pakistan raises many questions.  The primary question being “was whether or not he was being protected by Pakistani officials or military?”  The area in which he set up his “fortress” was in the near vicinity of the Pakistani Military Academy and an area in which many retired Pakistani military officers resided.  It cannot be gainsaid that there would not be some kind of curiosity over the size and scope of the compound, which was apparently built as a safe haven for him.   

We have also heard the protest of the Muslim Clerics who complained that he was not given a proper funeral in that he was buried at sea.  They seem to forget the fact that the destruction of the World Trade Center left thousands of families without the ability to give their loved ones, destroyed by this mad man’s plans, a proper funeral.  Indeed, many of the dead could not even be identified.  That should be sufficient rebuttal to the Clerics claims in that regard.   

As Mr. Panetta, the Director of the CIA stated, “Osama is dead, but Al Qaeda is not”.  In that respect we see heightened security, particularly in the New York City area where heavily armed police guard such places as the subways and the Time Square area.  There is little doubt that some sort of retribution will be sought and it is well that we are on heightened alert.  That said, the very freedoms – the freedom of movement – is the Achilles tendon of our security since, while there is a heightened police presence, we are not a police state, but rather a country that values our individual freedoms above all else.   

Neither should there be any pangs of conscience in celebrating the death of this man – he was bent upon destroying the very freedoms that we enjoy and did not seem to care whether he killed innocent men, women and children in wrecking havoc on our country as evidenced in the destruction of the World Trade Center towers.  He was, in fact, a “combatant” and therefore died as such and there should be no moral judgment concerning that for we are indeed at war with Al Qaeda.  

We suppose that we must give praise to the intestinal fortitude of President Obama who ordered the strike, but the real praise goes to the brave Navy Seals who executed the operation with surgical precision and saw to it that positive identification of the body was ensured.  There is currently a debate going on as to whether or not the pictures of the dead enemy should be released and, from our point of view, it serves no purpose other than perhaps to further inflame the fanatics bound on retribution.  While the killing of an enemy is not a pleasant thing, it was a necessary thing and a job well done.  We have every right to be proud of the soldiers who accomplished this and we certainly hope that in spite of the praise that they are due that they are kept anonymous for their own safety’s sake.  So it is that an enemy has been killed and the war goes on – a tribute to the lesson that justice will be done.

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April 29, 2011 VIEWPOINT - HARD TIMES

There are some that predict that gas prices could be in the $6.00 to $7.00 per gallon range by the time summer arrives.  There are also those who question what is causing this spike in prices.  There is no shortage of gasoline, although there is uncertainty as to the stability in the Mid-East and the possibility that supplies may be cut off.  Statistics indicate that in the United States approximately 178 million gallons of gasoline is consumed every day.  Typically the gas spikes during the summer when people go on vacation and there are holidays like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July creating logjams of tourist traffic during the summer.  Thus, high demand usually translates into higher gasoline prices. 

Likewise, price increases generally occur when the world crude oil market tightens and lowers inventories.  When you pump gas into your tank that money is broken up into little pieces that get distributed among several entities.  While most people feel that the price of gas is based solely on the price of crude oil, that is not the case.  An approximation of where each dollar you spend on gas goes is as follows:  taxes $0.13, distribution and market $0.08, refining $0.14 and crude oil $0.65.  Add to that the “station markup” which, in some cases, equals a few pennies and in other cases is as much as ten cents or more.  The single largest entity impacting the world’s oil supply is OPEC, a consortium of 13 countries.  When OPEC wants to raise the price of crude oil it simply reduces production, which causes gasoline prices to jump because of short supply and when oil production dips, gas companies get nervous.  The mere threat of oil reduction can raise gas prices.  Thus it is seen that fuel costs are a part of the vast web of global economics.  It may surprise one to know that the United States is the world’s third largest producer of crude oil in its production regions around the Gulf of Mexico and the largest producing state of Texas.

There is also a theory, which I call the “conspiracy theory”, that speculators and the oil giants are driving prices up due to the fact that they hope to influence the next presidential election.  It is no secret that the oil giants are concerned that Iran may eventually control the entire Mid-East oil supply and that they are suspicious of our present president’s Socialistic tendencies.  It does not take a rocket scientist to understand that if gasoline is at $7.00 per gallon the recession will linger or deepen and the American people will be in a mood to change the administration in Washington.  From our point of view, and strictly a “layman’s” viewpoint, the answer is to tap the significant oil and gas reserves that we have in the United States – the Dakota oil shale fields (the same oil reservoir now being tapped across the border in Canada) and new drilling in areas of the United States together with a renewed effort to harvest natural gas, a vast amount of which, exists in upstate New York.

It is said there is no reason why the United States could not actually become an oil exporting country, well able to feed our own insatiable demand, but also able to use oil to reduce our staggering debt with China.  Thus far the present administration has resisted those attempts and, in doing so, may be shortening its own longevity in office. 

April 22, 2011 VIEWPOINT - THE HOLY DAYS

Monday of this week was the first day of the Jewish Feast of Passover.  The Feast will last until the final day of Passover which is April 26th.  The Feast commemorates the story of the Exodus in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt.  It is probably the best known Feast in the Jewish religion and is a family celebration.  In the narrative of the Exodus, the Bible relates that when Pharaoh freed the Israelites they left in such a hurry that they could not wait for bread to rise.  In commemoration for the duration of Passover no leaven bread is eaten for which reason it is also called the “Festival of the Unleavened Bread”.  Matzo is the primary symbol of the holiday – it is a joyous feast and we wish all of our Jewish readers the joy of Passover.  

Coinciding with the Feast of Passover, the Christian world will celebrate the Feast of Easter Sunday, which is also known as Resurrection Day or Resurrection Sunday and is interpreted to be the day in the Christian religion in which the Lord rose from the dead after crucifixion.  Aside from Christmas, Easter Sunday is one of the most joyous feasts in the Christian religions.  

From our point of view, both feasts are a tribute to the religious freedoms that we have and often take for granted in this country.  Here we have Jews and Christians both embracing joyous and meaningful holidays in their religion and wishing each other well on these holy days.

 While it is true that there are dark clouds of war extant in many areas of the world, it is time for reflection on the benefits our democracy bestows upon us.  Thus it is that as Christian or Jew we celebrate together in a form of brotherhood and we wish all of our readers a happy and blessed holiday.

April 15, 2011 VIEWPOINT -  TIS THE SEASON

Although the election signs have not begun to appear on the roadside or lawns throughout the county, election season is underway.  This year just about everyone is running for office – all the county legislators, the supervisors, councilmen, district attorney and judges in the local courts.  Of course, that means the necessity for fundraising and under the theory that the early bird gets the worm, we are informed that Harriet Cornell, Supervisor Sherwood, Judge Etelson and Judge Gerber have already “kicked off fundraisers”.  These, no doubt, will be followed by just about every other candidate.  Interestingly enough, even though not running, our state Senator David Carlucci has scheduled a fundraiser to celebrate his 30th birthday. 

One politically involved lawyer who we spoke to decried the fact that even in these recessionary times he is expected to attend and contribute at these functions.  From our point of view, we do not feel that any candidate ever holds some angst against an individual who ignores their request for contributions.  That has never been the case in Rockland County.  

It is a shame that campaigns today cost so much – what with newspaper advertising and even postage to get ones qualifications before the electorate.  Perhaps there is a better way to finance campaigns, but there is no elected official that is going to propose a tax to create a fund for election campaigns.  We thought that perhaps one donation to the local party chairman might be an answer but then there is no assurance, and perhaps even a suspicion among candidates, that the chairman will distribute the funds unevenly to favor his candidate of choice.  The amounts requested are not exactly diminious, although most of them start at $99.00 and go to a sum as high as $500.00 or “other”.  It is also noted that these are recessionary times and that some businesses and some professionals are barely hanging on and attempting to weather the storms of recession.  One individual we spoke to indicated that if he answered each and every request for funding, even at the minimal level of $99.00, he would be unable to make payroll.  

The $99.00 contribution is a “magic” contribution since the candidates do not have to list contributions under $100.00 with the Board of Elections.  One complaint of those who do contribute is that if they contribute over $100.00 and are listed on the election finance reports required, then all of the other candidates quickly attempt to solicit funds.  Of course, one cannot blame the candidates even though some of the offices they seek do pay generous salaries while others such as legislators or town councilmen could easily require the candidates entire yearly salary or more if that candidate were to finance his own campaign.  

In conclusion, fundraising is a necessity for candidates and we have noticed that even when an individual might be nominated by both major parties he or she still seeks to raise funds to bolster a “war chest” for the future.  In the past there have been various candidates who had significant war chests who stepped down from office for one reason or the other.  In those cases that candidate is not supposed to use those funds for any type of personal matter – the funds may be used to contribute to a charity or other political campaigns and not to be used as a retirement fund.  Thus it is that fundraising has started and its intensity will grow along with the bumper stickers, roadside signs, newspaper advertisements and, in some cases, billboards.  I say this is a fact of life in a democratic system, both on the local and national level and, we submit, it is a lot better than acquiring office by the use of bombs and bullets.

April 8, 2011 VIEWPOINT -  WASHINGTON’S FAREWELL

Our first President, George Washington, in his famous farewell speech from which was quoted the famous “beware of foreign entanglements” line was something that was in the nature of a visionary pronouncement.  For instance, one paragraph of that memorable farewell speech is quoted below:

                       “Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence
                        (I conjure you to believe me fellow-citizens) the
                        jealousy of a free people or to be constantly awake,
                        since history and experience proves that foreign
                        influence is one of the most baneful foes of 
                        Republican government.  But that jealousy to be
                        useful must be impartial; less it become the
                        instrument of the very influence to be avoided,
                        instead of a defense against it.  Excessive partiality
                        for one foreign nation an excessive dislike of
                        another causes those whom they actuate to see
                        danger only on one side, and serve to veil and
                        even second the odds of influence on the other.
                        Real patriots who may resist the intrigues of the
                        favorite are liable to become suspected and 
                        odious, while it tools and dupes usurp the 
                        applause and confidence of people, to surrender
                        their interests.”

What Washington was explicitly saying was that if we show extreme favoritism toward one nation and excessive dislike for another causes the “other” to see only danger in our motives and in their eyes to become “suspected and odious”.  It is quite evident that as history progressed that farewell admonition by our first president was largely ignored for we have engendered the hatred of many nations in the Middle East and the suspicion of some in the Far East.  

Of course, it cannot be gainsaid that as progress developed – international trade – international travel and transportation that such as isolationist view could be safely practiced.  Thus it is we have our Allies and our enemies and we are thoroughly and completely involved in foreign affairs and intrigue.  This does not intend to be a critique of globalization, for globalization was a noble endeavor which, from this point of view, has not promoted the economic viability of the United States of America.  We are now at the crossroads of a conflict in Libya and we question whether or not we have any reason other than the humanitarian excuse given by President Obama to be involved in that conflict.  Indeed, we are now deliberating whether we should arm the rebels to put them on a level playing field with the tyrant Gadhafi.  But do we know who the rebels are and will we arm them with armament that may be used one day to shoot one of our domestic jetliners out of the sky?

It is indeed a dilemma for the State Department and perhaps another failure of our intelligence agencies to determine whether we are to arm patriots in the cause of democracy or Al Qaeda bent upon establishing a strong presence in Libya.  Indeed, that question mark now exists throughout the Middle East – who will control Eqypt – Syria – Jordan and Bahrain.  Will it be the winds of democracy that sweep across the Middle East much to our benefit or will we have a strong hostile enemy capable, not only of economic destruction to this country, but also bent upon the extinction of our one true ally in the Middle East – Israel.

We have always felt that the United States was the one country in the world that could sustain itself in a isolationist mode – feed itself – supply its own energy demands with more extensive energy exploration domestically and capable of defending itself militarily against any foreign enemy.  We realize that such thoughts are impractical, if not impossible, in this day and age where our very economy can be upset by a country like China not to mention Opec and those Middle Eastern countries who are currently in flux, but could end up as more vehement American-haters.  Yet, it might not be too late, from our point of view, to pull back a little from these foreign entanglements, to stop trying to be the policemen for the world and to nurture the blessings that this country enjoys by virtue of its natural resources and democratic way of life.  It is clear that we did not heed the admonition of our first president’s farewell speech and quite clear that he was more of a visionary than history gave him credit for.

April 1, 2011 VIEWPOINT -  DOG TOWN

Those of you who have seen the television series on the National Geographic channel know that “Dog Town” is a sprawling animal sanctuary in Utah who take in unwanted, lame, traumatized, and old and handicapped animals to care for and rehabilitate.  On any given day there are about 1,700 dogs, cats and other animals living at the sanctuary where they get special care and hopefully prepared to go to a new home with a loving family.  The shelter is a no-kill shelter that even fits disabled animals with prosthetic devices to enhance their quality of life.  For animal lovers throughout the country the show was an inspiration and, no doubt, the television series prompted many donations for this worthwhile project.  The mission of Dog Town is to bring about a time when there are  no more homeless pets, although many of the pets will live out their lives at Dog Town for lack of adopting families.  It is Dog Town’s mission to see that they live comfortably and are well cared for in that event. 

We do not have anything like Dog Town on the local scene since the sprawling acreage and facilities are hardly available in the area.  What we do have is a miniature version in a shelter operated by the Hi-Tor Animal Care Center, Inc.  The comparisons are hardly the same, Hi-Tor is housed in a substandard shelter provided by the county, replete with leaking roofs and an outdated and substandard building on county owned land.  Hi-Tor receives its money by a contract arrangement with the county and most municipalities who are mandated to either build or contract with this type of facility if they issue dog licenses.  Therefore, there are contracts with the various towns and one village.  The problem arises in the fact that the contract sums fall far short of the required expenditures to properly care for these animals – we previously referred to that situation as an “Unfunded Mandate”.  Indeed, the Board of Directors of Hi-Tor engage in various fundraising activities which raises close to $120,000.00 per year – far in excess of any single municipal contribution, but the shelter nevertheless continues to operate at a deficit.

Hi-Tor does the best it can with what it has and strives to be the nearest thing to a no-kill shelter that it can be.  Upon the arrival several years ago of a new Executive Director and the commencement of many new programs involving technical training of staff and the extension of volunteer programs, Hi-Tor manages, for the present, to get by.  Though hardly as grandiose as Dog Town, but with the same fervor and love for animals, Hi-Tor, during the year 2010, had a total intake of 2,402 animals, of which 801 were dogs, 1,346 cats and 255 various other domestic animals, such as rabbits.  So if one might have been inspired by viewing “Dog Town” there is really no need to journey to Utah in order to adopt a loveable pet.  They are available right in your backyard at the Hi-Tor Animal Care Center.

March 25, 2011 VIEWPOINT -  INDIAN POINT

 In a recent full page ad in a sister newspaper Entergy, the operator of the Indian Point Nuclear Plant, summed up as follows – “We have numerous redundant safety systems for dealing with the loss of off-site power as experienced in Japan.  We are committed to fully understanding the events at Fukushima and applying those lessons to further improve the safety of our facilities.  As one of America’s leading nuclear operators, Entergy and its employees are dedicated to the continued safe operation of our plants.  We remain committed to public safety, first and foremost, while providing Indian Point’s clean and much needed electricity to New York.”

We are sure that the electric company operating the Fukushima plants would have said the same thing two days before the earthquake and tsunami devastated the plants which are still not out of harms way.  It is a matter of fact that Indian Point is located in a densely populated area, is sited on a fault line (the Ramapo fault) and presents a quagmire for evacuation routes in the event that evacuation is ever needed.  In addition, the plant is old and there is nothing in the Entergy ad that discusses the safety precautions being taken against terrorist attack. 

From our point of view, the word “redundancy” when applied to safety factors is misplaced – there cannot be too much in the way of fail-safe mechanisms.  Indeed, too much is at stake for a plant in this densely populated area. 

Time and time again Mother Nature has shown us that it can frustrate the best plans and technology of human beings.  We are most interested in the Environmental Impact Statement that was filed for Indian Point and any discussions on safeguards against an earthquake event.  One report we read indicated that it was designed to withstand a magnitude 3 earthquake.  Yet, the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory has indicated that the Ramapo fault line possesses the possibility of a 5-7 magnitude earthquake.  Conflicting reports to be sure, but, nevertheless, those which give us cause to feel that regardless of the protestations of Entergy, Indian Point does not belong at the location it presently exists on.  

We say that because  natural disasters are not easily predictable.  There are various “doomsday theories” which prognosticate such things as a giant tidal wave racing across the ocean from a collapsed volcano in the Canary Islands – a tidal wave 5 stories high that can move at the speed of 600 miles per hour.  There is always the danger of nuclear attack or less damaging bombardment in the event of war – not to mention the knowledge imparted to our enemies of the target from a catastrophic damage point of view that an attack on Indian Point could produce.  

There seems to be a lack of common sense when Indian Point was located where it is and, from our point of view, it will compound that lack of common sense if the license pending for Indian Point is renewed.  There is too much at stake here to feel that Mother Nature cannot overcome any of our fail-safe mechanisms, the Japanese have sadly learned that.

March 18, 2011 VIEWPOINT - THE JAPANESE EARTHQUAKE

Adding to the monumental losses after a earthquake and tsunami in Japan, problems at all four nuclear reactors have Japanese residents near and far concerned about radiation exposure.  As of this writing, although there has been a third blast at a nuclear plant, there is not a complete meltdown.  Radiation levels in the air surrounding the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant have risen four-fold since the hydrogen explosion surrounding its overheating Unit 2 reactor and  engineers and workers at the plant are frantically working to prevent meltdowns in three of the plants nuclear reactors.  Here, we watch in horror and pity as to the depravation that Mother Nature has caused in spite of all of the technological safeguards supposedly in place at these nuclear facilities.  The loss of life and total destruction along the northeast coast is horrific, with a prediction that well over 10,000 lives have been lost.

In addition, there is a day to day battle for “essentials” - food, water, heat, electricity and the overall impact of the crisis is likely to be long-reaching,  not only as evidenced by the suffering of the Japanese people, but from a global prospective.  For instance, global stock markets are plummeting and there is a prediction for $5.00 per gallon gasoline, which we acknowledge, may be a mere inconvenience compared to what the people on the Japanese mainland are going through.  There is also the possibility of a radiation cloud reaching the west coast of the United States, although experts today claim that it was “highly unlikely” that the Dai-ichi plant would cause a Chernobyl-style disaster, although predicting it could be months before the complex is fully under control.  The cost to the global insurance industry could be as much as 60 billion dollars.  We also note that Japan is again being bombarded by severe aftershocks, but as of now, no new tsunamis. 

Here in the Hudson Valley there are many who have, before this tragedy, cautioned about the Indian Point nuclear facility.  They caution about the high population density around the plant, the absence of suitable escape routes and there are some who criticize the design of the plant as being inadequate.  From our point of view, these are very valid concerns.  The Japanese plants were state of the art – supposedly safe with every possible fail-safe mechanism and yet they failed.  While no one predicts a 9 magnitude quake in the area of Indian Point, there is a fault line running through the area that scientists claim could produce a 5 magnitude quake.  

We think it is time for our regulatory agencies to take a step back and take a hard look at what supposedly fail-safe mechanisms are in place and, perhaps more importantly, what kind of training is extant at Indian Point and what type of a disaster evacuation plan is the most feasible in the event that Mother Nature again demonstrates that regardless of human ingenuity she can have the upper hand.  Those groups campaigning for the closure of Indian Point indicate that both Indian Point 2 and 3 have been plagued with major safety problems for decades and remain vulnerable to terrorist attack.  They further indicate that as the facilities continue to age, they will experience increasing numbers of equipment and safety related failures.  Indian Point has been called one of the most inappropriate sites in existence and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has ranked Indian Point, “in terms of potential human consequences” as the number one site in the nation.  

In the wake of the Japanese nuclear crisis, the organization “Riverkeeper” has again called for the shutdown of Indian Point, citing to the crisis as an indication of the inherent risks of generating electricity from nuclear power near densely populated metropolitan areas.  They further point to a 2008 study by Columbia University Earth Observatory seismologists that found that Indian Points three reactors sit at the intersection of two active seismic zones and they call for an immediate objective and independent analysis of this risk and its implications for plant operation, emergency response and evacuation planning.  We think the impetus, in view of this recent tragedy, should be undertaken and, unless it can be demonstrated that the safety factor is so overwhelming as to eliminate concerns, that Indian Point should be shut down.  We feel that regardless of safety factors – they existed in the Japanese reactors – that Indian Point is improperly located and has the potential for a catastrophe.

March 4, 2011 VIEWPOINT - THE MORE THINGS CHANGE …

The proverb “the more things change the more they remain the same” is attributable to a French novelist named Alphonse Carr and the meaning appears to be paradoxical in view of the fact that how can things change and yet remain the same.  

Perhaps the answer to that paradox might be in viewing the daily papers in Rockland County.  For instance, some of this weeks headlines involve the Town of Stony Point seeking a tax break from the state by virtue of alleged unequal assessments between Haverstraw and Stony Point citing an “inequity”.  Our Governor has announced a plan to cut pay for some school chiefs and we were once again treated to some of the salaries that are enjoyed by school superintendents in the County of Rockland.  Upon that review one might say, “mother teach your children to grow up to be school superintendents”.  

On the zoning issue a group of environmentalists have moved to postpone a Master Plan vote by the County Legislature arguing that the proposal lacks a water-management policy and exposes critical open space to development.  There is certainly nothing new about that type of a protest, albeit we have previously lauded United Water Company for its initiative in commencing tests for a water desalinization plant in the Town of Haverstraw to provide for future water needs.  Testing on that plan is currently underway.  

In Albany the Republican Legislators and the newly elected Governor seem intent on killing any increase in state taxes for New York’s wealthy – a repetitive theme.  This year is an election year for just about every public office and we will soon be treated to the political advertisements extolling the virtue of various candidates, some of whom have been in office for many years.  The hyperbole will be repetitive and the incumbents seem to have the edge at being reelected – that is, where there is a contest and the party chairmen do  not sit down and designate a candidate for both parties, thus depriving the voter of a choice – nothing new about that either.  It seems to have been a while since there was a heated contest, which actually was orchestrated along party lines and where voters were able to cast a vote for the party of their choice except in the recent County Executive race.

We predict there will be the usual complaints about traffic, air quality and that the old days of crowds protesting any newly proposed project in the county will probably not be repeated due to the fact that these recessionary times have stifled land development.  

On the crime scene in Rockland County it appears that District Attorney Zugibe’s  new initiatives have taken hold and that Rockland is in good hands in that regard.  Our municipal officials seem to have grasped the importance of holding the line on tax increases as evidenced by Clarkstown’s recent zero increase, although it remains to be seen whether or not our school districts have gotten the message that school taxes have got to be  held in check.

Indeed, the county is aging and it appears that many of the seniors are quite content to age in place rather than seek a scaled down version of their homes and reside among their contemporaries in senior housing projects.  Nevertheless, the housing market remains stale at best.

Thus it is that we gain an insight into the proverb about things remaining the same in spite of change.  From our point of view, being that Rockland County is a fine place to live to either raise a family or age in place that is not necessarily a bad thing.

February 25, 2011 VIEWPOINT - PLAY BALL! OR ROLLING DICE?

The much discussed Town of Ramapo Operation Grand Slam could be a project that will have a positive impact on both the Town of Ramapo and the County of Rockland.  For over a decade Dutchess County residents and local businesses have been energized by their minor league team, the Hudson Valley Renegades.  Dutchess Stadium has become a major tourist attraction, greatly increased civic pride, provides an economic stimulus to the entire area and, most importantly, became a venue for local families to gather and enjoy America’s favorite pastime at affordable prices.

Tourism is one of the fastest growing job sectors in New York State.  The Town of Ramapo Ballpark could mean business creating summer jobs for both young and old (over 100 per game), twenty full-time positions, hundreds of construction jobs and tens of thousands of tourist dollars or it could be a “white elephant”.

Ramapo Ballpark will be a multi-use recreation facility, which, aside from hosting an independent professional baseball team will provide a venue for cultural, recreational and charitable events and be a showcase for local athletes of all ages.  Non-game day events could also produce significant annual revenue for the Town of Ramapo.  Statistics show the average minor league team generates fourteen million dollars a year for the surrounding areas.

In terms of the financial viability of the project, the following factors could result in the long term success of the Rockland Boulder baseball team:  market size, median household income, age of population, age of facility, management team, marketing of the facility and team ownership.  The Ramapo Ownership Group is led by Ken Lehner, an award winning baseball executive and Shawn Reilly who has extensive Major League and Minor League sports management experience.  In addition, New York is the number one baseball market in the world.

The Town of Ramapo Ballpark could be a destination in Rockland County and not merely a sports facility.  Some questions exist if this is the right time to be investing in such an ambitious venture especially after the voters rejected a bond to finance it  The CanAm League currently has six stable franchises with Ramapo and Newark entering the league this year.  Last year eight CanAm players were signed by major league clubs.

From our point of view, if this venture succeeds it will be a feather in the cap of Supervisor St. Lawrence and, if it fails, well, as the “Bard” wrote – “The evil men do lives after them”.

February 18, 2011 VIEWPOINT - “MADE IN CHINA”

We recently opened a box of handkerchiefs given by a friend purchased in Brooks Brothers, which conspicuously had stamped thereon a small gold sticker with the words “Made in China”.  We ordered a pair of Johnston & Murphy shoes from a mail-order catalogue and upon receipt noticed that the shoes were “Made in China”.  At the supermarket we stopped to buy some treats for our pet and noticed that the “All American Chicken Filets” had a small declaration on the very bottom of the package, “Made in China”.  

We discussed the cost of employees with a friend who has established a funding company employing many clerical workers.  He informed me that by “outsourcing” the clerical work for one section of his business to India he saves over $400,000.00 per year.  All of these things are attributed to our conversion at the end of the Cold War to globalism and free trade.

From our point of view free trade basically meant that our corporate giants could be free of American workers, free to move their factories and manufacturing abroad, free to export back to the United States free of charge and to hold Americans as consumers rather than as workers.  Of course, the beneficiary of global economy is only the global company.  Corporate America has been empowered to go abroad and hire bright young men and women to come and take the jobs of Americans at half their salaries.  We even received a collection call on a minor overdue bill from an individual with a heavy foreign accent who acknowledged that he was calling from India.  

In addition, with millions of educated and talented young Indian and Chinese earning advanced degrees, millions of high-skill service jobs will be outsourced overseas electronically.  We  now depend on foreign nations for a third of our steel, half of our auto and machine tools, two-thirds of our textiles and apparel, almost all of our shoes, bicycles, motorcycles, cameras, toys, tape recorders, televisions and radios.  Apparently America has become the most desirable place on earth to sell to, but the least desirable to produce in.  

The answer is not easy and the prediction is dire as the United States is losing its trade wars with China, Japan, Asia, the European Union, Canada and Mexico, not because of the inefficiency of our workers, but rather because of the ideology of our intellectuals and the greed of our corporations.  Isolationism is not the answer, it might have been at one time, but the cow is too far out of the barn to suggest such a policy at this time.  There is no easy solution, perhaps a value added tax to imports might be a solution or legislation actually prohibiting our mega corporations form outsourcing jobs and building factories overseas.  The political attitude extant in the United States does not seem to favor those things, therefore, we can only hope that these foreign nations will become so prosperous that their workers will demand a share of that prosperity which will put them on a parity as wage earners with American workers.  A farfetched thought to be sure, but one worth hoping for.  For it is only in that way that we may then become competitive in this era of global economy. 

February 11, 2011 VIEWPOINT - A DIFFERENT APPROACH

When Rockland County District Attorney, Thomas P. Zugibe started his administration in January of 2008, he did so with the belief that statistical analysis of crime was insufficient and did not present a clear picture of the true needs of the county.  

This belief led to the development of a  new philosophy founded on a comprehensive integration of prosecution, law enforcement and community partnerships.  “Community Prosecution” as it is called is not a specific program, but rather an integration of many initiatives and essentially the guiding philosophy.  The foundation for Community Prosecution is built upon an established organization structure within the District Attorney’s office that integrates assistant district attorneys with law enforcement and community residents.  Assistant District Attorneys are assigned specific towns and/or villages and work primarily out of a local police agency in addition to working with their main office and courtroom.  They also attend local community meetings, whether formal or informal to develop relationships with residents and help identify local – grass roots concerns. 

Local interaction is had through business associations, civic associations, neighborhood watch groups, co-op/condominium boards, school districts and religious communities.  In these interactions, the issue of community safety is explored and it is through this working relationship with the police and the community that assistant district attorneys gain valuable knowledge, are able to analyze problems and formulate solutions which will make the community safer.  

There are a number of new initiatives that have been developed through this new model of community prosecution and it is the responsibility of the assistant district attorneys and criminal investigators to coordinate these initiatives, some of which include a geographic division of the county into quadrants with the activities in each quadrant reviewed monthly to identify any problems or concerns using intelligence that has been gathered and analyzed.  From this results a “Code Six”, which is an effort to focus on those criminals who commit the most crimes and create most of the problems in a community.  There are also Target Initiatives in which community prosecutors and police confer on a regular basis to identify specific issues of serious criminal activity and crimes which affect the quality of life in the county.  

In addition, there is a High School Intervention and Diversion Program which works with 16 to 21 year old high school students who are charged with non-violent low-level crimes.  This program works closely with the school administrators.  There is also a Youth Police Initiative which provides a structured dialogue, team building and role-playing scenarios that allow all participants, youths, educators, police and prosecutors to tackle the real and hard issues of crime prevention and community policing.

District Attorney Zugibe has established and is about to open a state of the art Special Victims Center.  A special victim is a person who by personal circumstance or nature of the crime has special needs.  These victims include children, the elderly, victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and those with developmental and/or mental disabilities, as well as those who are victims of human trafficking.  In this endeavor District Attorney Zugibe has garnered the support of local unions, businesses, agencies and residents and secured a “safe building” donated by Good Samaritan Hospital and constructed with labor and material donated by the Building Trades Council of Rockland County and various other local businesses at no expense to the taxpayers – all to address the needs of “special victims”.

These initiatives, of course, compliment the Special Investigations Unit, which is more like the old line prosecutors staff, comprised of police officers from the District Attorney’s Criminal Investigations Bureau, the Sheriff’s Department and state and local enforcement agencies.  Their duties remain to identify, investigate and prosecute complex criminal activity and, from our viewpoint, while there is  nothing that can be done to totally prevent crime, the Rockland County District Attorney’s office, spearheaded by District Attorney Zugibe and the work of Chief of Detectives, Peter Modafferi, though it may be termed “Community Prosecution”, it actually promotes “community safety”. 

January 28, 2011 VIEWPOINT - A MODEL FOR OTHER MUNICIPALITIES

While there are dire predictions about states and local municipalities becoming bankrupt, here in the Hudson Valley there is one municipality that is bucking that trend.  

We refer to the Town of Clarkstown which has seen a 0% property tax increase for 2011, following a 1.6% rate increase last year. Still, the Town, under the leadership of Supervisor Alex Gromack, continues to provide a “quality of life” that has it ranked as one of the best 100 places to live and one of the 10 safest town's in the nation, according to national publications.

Statistics indicate that in the last seven years, Clarkstown has cut 68 full time jobs, including 10 police officers without laying off one employee, thus saving millions in salary and benefits. A recent contract negotiated with its CSEA employees has provided a employee contribution to offset the Town’s healthcare costs and the negotiation of the sale of  the Town's Solid Waste Transfer Station to the Rockland County Solid Waste Authority, which resulted in a $15 million dollar tax stabilization fund and helped earn the Town a AAA bond rating resulting in millions saved in interest charges. In addition, Clarkstown secured $10 million from the Rockland County Sewer District to upgrade the Town's waste system, at no cost to the Town.

Yet, Clarkstown has continued its Downtown Revitalization program to assist the small business community and to attempt to bring a “neighborhood feeling” back to its hamlet residents as opposed to the introduction of mega malls and box stores. The Town has also completed over 100 flood prevention programs, which were under threat from flood waters in the past.

While Supervisor Gromack did not do this all by himself, credit must be given to his Town Board colleagues, but, it is well-known that Supervisor Gromack runs a “tight ship” and, from our point of view, the people of the Town of Clarkstown should be happy that he is the “Captain” with his hand firmly on the wheel.  His method of operation in obtaining a consensus and the input of his department heads and colleagues is admirable.  It is a government operation that others should emulate and credit must be given to the “Captain” of the ship, who seems to be doing things right.

January 14, 2011 VIEWPOINT - APPRECIATE YOUR HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Donald S. Tracy, Esq.

The end of last year and the beginning of this year seem to portend that we are in a weather pattern which will produce more snow than we have seen in previous years.  The blizzard of 2010 was a storm to remember shortly followed by another 6” storm and a prognostication for another 6” to 12” coming this week (this writing is as of Monday).  

From our point of view, the Rockland County Highway Department and every town and village who has a department did a yeoman’s job during these storms.  The roads were salted in advance, plowed in a timely manner and the streets made safe for travel as soon as possible.  True, there is always that little annoyance when the snowplow fills in the entrance to your driveway after you have cleaned it, but that is a minor annoyance which must be tolerated and understood.  We note the problems to the south in New York City where roads went unplowed for days in spite of the advance warnings which modern weather forecasting technology gives us.  

The forecasters have not been wrong yet this year.  This past Saturday there was even a freak snowstorm of about 7” to 8” which crept up the New Jersey coast in a small band and deposited  much snow on places like Long Beach Island, New Jersey, while we were fortunate to have only a slight dusting overnight.  

While we are at it, we can voice some appreciation for our ambulance corps and volunteer firemen who man their stations during these storms and stand ready to act on any emergency.  We must also remember that we can do our part during these snowstorms to assist the various departments in their quest for expeditious service.  The primary thing we can do is stay off the roads during the storms unless it is an absolute necessity to drive.  Do not park vehicles in the streets, which would impede the snowplows or cause an accident and try to refrain from throwing the snow from your driveway back into the streets once it is plowed.

There are also safety precautions that have been promulgated concerning driving in the snow if required.  The first and foremost is to always gauge your speed and travel at a safe distance from other cars – it is to be remembered that even a four-wheel drive vehicle is subject to slippage and sliding on ice.  It is a good idea to have a emergency kit in the car with flashing warning lights or flares and, of course, a flashlight and some type of a shovel as well as a brush and scraper for keeping windshields clear of snow and ice.  In that regard, be sure to keep your windshield fluid reservoir filled since there is nothing more dangerous than driving behind a vehicle in a storm who is throwing snow and dirt onto your windshield with your inability to clear your windows.

That said, I suppose there is some of us who enjoy the scenic beauty of a white landscape, while there are others of us who curse the inconvenience that snow brings.  Whichever you may be, we urge you to be careful and safe and, even if you do not like to see a snowstorm, remember there is  nothing you can do about it except make sure that you are safe during it.

January 7, 2011 VIEWPOINT - NEW YEARS PREDICTIONS
Donald S. Tracy, Esq.

It is easy enough to predict what the year 2011 will be like from a global and national point of view.  The wars that we are bogged down in will continue on, the death tolls will rise and, hopefully, some progress will be made in getting countries like Afghanistan to stand on their own feet and fight their own battles.  The economists say that the year looks better than last year and that a slow recovery is underway in the country.  We’ll believe that when we see the unemployment figures drop and some good news in the housing industry.  That said, it is predicted that the value of homes will drop and that some inflation will begin to creep in. 

In Rockland County it is less difficult to predict since we predict that the more things change the more they will remain the same.  In the Town of Ramapo, Supervisor St. Lawrence will continue to be obsessed with raising funds for the proposed baseball stadium.  We thought that a worthwhile project at one time and it may very well still be, but the voters seem to have rejected it.  In the Town of Haverstraw Supervisor Phillips will continue to nurture the United Water desalination plant, which he sees as a prospective one hundred million dollar ratable benefiting his town.  We admire the way he has craftily engineered that project so that it is slated to be a benefit for his town and only his town.  The Town of Orangetown remains somewhat stagnant, some of the larger development projects have been abandoned, but the town seems to be stable and there is not too much political infighting in that town.  In Clarkstown, Supervisor Gromack seems to have little opposition as he proceeds on beautification projects and other improvements, such as drainage projects.  We caution him as to the continued pursuit of aesthetics if it eventually will provide a detriment to the taxpayer.  The Town of Stony Point seems to be content to claim their biggest ratable for the year 2010, as a Shop Rite supermarket, while they eschewed a proposal by the Rockland County Solid Waste Authority for a yard waste yard which would have paid them considerable more in host fees than we predict Shop Rite will pay in taxes in view of the tax abatement provisions in the Tax Law.

We have a new state Senator who defeated the well-known and well-liked County Executive, Scott Vanderhoef, as a result, Senator Carlucci may now proclaim himself as the titular head of the Democratic party in Rockland County.  He is young, well-liked and has formulated an aggressive schedule as well as an outstanding constituent response. 

On the political front, it is indicated that the Democratic County Chairman will step down this year and the Republican County Chairman is, at the present time, in considerable difficulty by virtue of an allegation that he committed a misdemeanor.  Still, we remind our readers that a man is innocent until proven guilty.  The District Attorney’s office, under District Attorney Zugibe, seems to be doing a yeoman’s job in pursuing contractor fraud cases and the more significant criminal law cases that arise in the county.

There is one prediction that we feel can be made with impunity, that is that no town or village in the County of Rockland will achieve a zero tax increase, although we do note that the tax increases proposed have not achieved the level of past years.  We hope that the various School Boards will attempt to take some of the tax burden off the residents, particularly those senior citizens who will soon feel the brunt of less Social Security and more Medicare expenses. 

Thus it is that as we move into 2011 not much is expected to change, but that does  not mean, from our point of view, that there is much that should change.

December 31, 2010 VIEWPOINT - NEW YEAR'S WISHES  

Another year is upon us and with the New Year's celebration generally go the traditional New Year's resolutions.  Of course, most New Year's resolutions are more honored in their breach than in their accomplishment but that should not deter us from making those resoutions.  New Year's resolutions generally involve something that we want to do for ourselves, such as to give up smoking, to lose weight, and to be more careful of our spending habits - things like that. 

While there is nothing wrong with proposing resoutions which, if carried out will benefit ourselves, from our point of view prehaps it would be self-rewarding to think about New Year's resolutions geared towards others.  By that we mean resolutions to help and assist others who need help and assistance, not only by giving to a favorite charity, being respectful to the property rights of others, but also to be cognizant of the needs of others.  There are heartwarming stories that appear in the press every now and then about some good samaritan who prehaps stopped on a snowy night to assist an elderly person stuck at the side of the road with a flat tire and local papers are replete with letters sent in thanking people for their kindness at this time of the year. 

While Rockland County is a fairly affluent community, not all of our neighbors are that well off.  The sub-prime mortgage fiasco has affected and touched homeowners in Rockland County who are now struggling under the burden of increased mortgage rates.  There are those in Rockland County who rely onsuch wonderful organizations as "Meals on Wheels" to provide food and nourishment.  There are those who labor under the high cost of energy during a cold winter and lack of air conditioning during the hot summer.  While there are numerous requests received this time of year fromjust about every charity who take advantage of what is supposed to be the spirit of giving to raise funds, it would not hurt to look around us and observe that perhaps there are friends and neighbors worthy of what help we can give them, whether it be simply helping clean a walkway during a snowstorm for an elderly resident or lending a helping hand to some person who needs that helping hand. 

Thus it is that when resolutions are made this year it is fine to resolve to do things that will better ourselves, but it would prehaps be rewarding to also stop and resolve that you are going to do things that help others.  If you can keep that latter resolution then Rockland County is going to be a better place during the year 2011.  We also have a suggestion for some of our municipal officials from the county right on down through local municipalities - resolve this year to do something that might lowertaxes and if you can accomplish that we will be pleased to wish you a Happy New Year!

December 24, 2010 VIEWPOINT - THE REAL CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 

This is the time of year when the phrase "Peace on Earth Good Will Towards Men" is echoed not only in song but in every aspect of the Christmas season - even the commerical aspect.  Hearing that we have to ask ourselves just what is this Christmas spirit that we are supposed to have this time of year.  We think the answer to that is that it is many things to many different people.  For instance, for the merchants it is a time of year to amass gross sales to the maximum - shopping hous are extended practically around the clock and the advertising industry receives a financial boost by the advertising revenues received.  For children it is a time of expectation of presents under a tree or elsewhere and many of them in today's era of modern media can tell mom and dad that we want such and such, only $49.95.  To others it is a time for religious celebration in the nature of joy. 

For some people the Christmas spirit is expressed in a card that conveys the sentiment of well-being as the post offices are overburdened with mail as statistics indicate that 95% of all Americans will be involved in sending billions of Christmas cards expressing sentiments of good will.  There is also an interesting conundrum for some for whom the Christmas spirit is neither joyous, frivolous or fun since they spend their Christmas in sadness due to the fact that they have difficulty expressing joy when all that is wrong in their life and in the world has made the attempt at joy somewhat evasive. 

For it is true that we are at war and our young men and womenare in harms way in foreign places - families are missing loved ones for whom they yern to be with at Christmas time but cannot because that person is serving their country in a far distant land.  We ate also in a recession that does not seem easy to abate and that little fellow who pleaded for a certain toy may not get it because his parents simply cannot afford it.  There are many unemplolyed in the United States, a percentage nearing 10% and in our own Hudson Valley area, 7%, and the days of largesse and expensive presents at Christmas time will be denied in favor of more economic fare.  Thus it is that many this year will have difficulty in focusing on the spirit of Christmas and will tend to focus more on the bleak reality that they are unemployed or that their husband or wife is in harms way or that they are in danger of being foreclosed from the American dream. 

Then again, there is the attitude of many Christians which is summed up in a poem of John Frances Wade wo died in 1786 and summed it up in very simple words, "Oh Come and Let Us Adore Him, Oh Come and Let Us Adore Him, Christ the Lord".  That attitude portrays from our point of view the real attitude of Christmas and what really portrays the joy of Christmas for it is the day on which a Savior was born.  That attitude needs to transcend the commercialism, the concern, worry and even the hunger for it is only then that one can adopt the real spirit of Christmas.

December 17, 2010 Editorial - The Short People’s Syndrome
John Iurica

The Short People’s Syndrome is something that one encounters as an adult. It is something like bullying that was tried on you when you were a kid, but not quite the same. Bullying is an attempt to control you by a person who perceives themselves to be bigger and stronger than their opponents. The person with the Short People’s Syndrome is usually a small kid that got the stuffing continuously beat out of themselves while they were in High School.

These very same small kids took jobs later on in life that either gave them some sort of political or police powers as they grew into their new found powers. A kid who was pushed around as a teenager sometimes took a job as a policeman and now has revenge like powers over students that he grew up with.

Sometimes it is a young teenage girl that needs to satisfy her thirst for revenge. An ideal career for our young beauty is the life of a Social Worker. Many social workers have a habit of driving their clients into avenues of particular relief that drain the clients of their money or make their clients perform in programs that are distasteful for their clients.

There are always people around who always take some sort of job where they can control other people’s lives and make them do what they don’t want to do. It is that sense of power when the previously weak get their sense of revenge that gives then a feeling of living. It is like getting a shot of speed that keeps their systems going.

One needs to be careful when one leads this sort of life as there is always someone crazier than them around. There are those people who do not take direction very well and no amount of law or authority that you have on your can make the situation come out well in the end.  It is probably best to try to be reasonable and work things out in a sensible way, if you are able to do so. Meditation may be a good way to go.  For the men, fishing is an ideal way to relax an rid yourself of old bug-a-boos. For the ladies, sewing and knitting clubs are good at doing the same. Fortunately, not all short people get into such a mental state and are perfectly wonderful personalities.

November 26, 2010 Editorial - A Newspaper Objective
John Iurica

It is about time that some of the purpose of a newspaper is explained to the public who try to get their little snippets of information into our Neighborhood Notes Section of our newspaper. The first thing I want all of you to do, is go to your library and take home the DVD Movie “Teacher’s Pet” staring Clarke Gable and Doris Day. This is supposedly a comedy, but pay close attention to what Clarke Gable says throughout the film. At one point he sounds off quite well about wasting space.

Another thing that you senders of single page items, by mail or fax must remember is that you are sending these items to a newspaper office, which by its very nature has paper everywhere. Guess what! We are in the business of producing paper. It is very easy to lose your piece of paper amongst the other thousands of pieces of paper in our office. This a clear explanation that you should e-mail all of your communications.

Often a Neighborhood Note will be omitted from the newspaper because it just takes too much time to retype it in a form suitable for the newspaper. Read our Neighborhood Notes once in a while and get an idea what is suitable. Really bad things that you can submit for the Neighborhood notes are: Flyers, PDFs, colors, clip art or other pictures, fancy use of fonts, etc. It is best if you use the KISS principle, ie Keep It Simple. Either attach your item as a .doc file, (no .docx files) or type your information directly into the body of your email, which you will send early enough so that it appears at least 2 weeks in the newspaper. What this means is that we want the item on a Monday morning allowing for 2 useful printings of the item.

The date of your event is to be fully written out, only once, and as the beginning of your Neighborhood Note. If you write the following in your text body: “held on December 3rd from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm”, “held on” can be replaced by a comma, December reduces to Dec., the letters rd (which enhance the third) are purely an affectation and can be eliminated altogether, which we can follow by a comma and shorten the time to “9am to 2pm”. Think about what you write and see if you can do it simpler.

I should not need to be the guy getting rid of unnecessary words in your neighborhood note. It is a whole lot easier to get rid of an entire Neighborhood Note when it reaches a certain degree of excess complexity, especially when there are many much less worse than yours coming in. Save a copy of the way that you sent your item to the paper and then compare that to the actual printed copy. Let that be a lesson for next time.

November 19, 2010 Editorial - Walking on Eggs
John Iurica

This year, school teachers, police officers, and other high priced civil servants will find the need to tread carefully, as if they are walking on eggs. Some of our states are on the verge of bankruptcy with California being the one deepest in debt with New York following in second place. Yes, this was also true last year, and the Obama government bailed those people out. The situation is different now. The law is such that all bills that appropriate any money for anything must begin in the House of Representatives, and if they don’t, then there can be no money for the desired item. This year Obama has absolutely no control over the House of Representatives.

Should the House withhold bailout money from New York State teachers, cops, and civil servants then the only recourse is bankruptcy which is the solution to the teacher and police unions. They can easily be dismantled and rewritten by a bankruptcy judge. The teachers and police are playing the game precariously close.

Up until now, the government had neither the will nor the teeth to dismantle greedy public unions. The situation has changed. You might say that “the worm has turned.”.  Soon you will be seeing public employee’s unions walking on eggs in an attempt to save the jobs of the higher ups. After all they will try to keep all they can for themselves before they allow a bankruptcy to completely dismantle their hold on the soft life they have been leading.

This is a little bit for you teachers, police and others to think about as you do not have all that protection that you think that you have had. Your jobs and your pensions are vulnerable like anybody esle’s. Think about the possibility of your Union blowing up along with your financial stockpile over the course of the coming year.

November 12, 2010 Editorial - The Playground Explosion
John Iurica

How could a playground situation explode into such a major political situation as the one over on Church Street in Nanuet?  How do such critical insurance companies get involved?  Where does a "playground" "inspector" appear from in the middle of the life of a project?
I grew up in Piermont and went to the school in Piermont.  This was in the 40's.  The dump was located where parking lot "D" is today.  This dump was our playground..  We played baseball right over the top of the garbage.  There was plenty of fun to be had. 

The amazing thing was that no one ever put in a medical insurance claim for a kid getting hurt.  The most common injury was that someone would get was a broken nose either from a flying bat that slipped out of a batters hand or from talking while he should have been listening.

The other major dump activity was mining through the beater waste dumped by Robert Gair' made a slurry from hundreds of tons of waste paper that was collected from offices in and about NYC.  Before the waste paper was baled, it was merely the contents of waste baskets and a lot of this was the newspapers swept from the desks and included items such as silver spoons, diamond rings' coins and other treasures .  The treasures fell to the bottom of the slurry and between part of the sludge waste and went to the garbage dump.  When a nice new hot load of sludge came in, thus time to abandon baseball and get to earning some money.  It was nasty but interesting digging along the banks of the Eel Kill.

The point of all of this is that children are generally best left to their own devices.  Children can have fun in their own way? It is not necessary for adults to design playgrounds that please adults.  Children know what they like, so stop adding them on imposing sons adults version of fun on others.  Leave the children alone.

November 5, 2010 Editorial - What To Watch For In The Future
John Iurica

Elections are over for another year.  Most of us notice that among the winners a still a myriad of winners whose aim's is to expand their empires and yo pick our pockets of as much extra loot as possible. 

The trip through life is quite perilous as there are those hiding along the by ways intent on stealing both our money and our liberties. They also wish to post road blocks in our path, obstructing us from earning money on developing methods for doing so.  You now have a full field for another elevation period..  Keep your eyes on the players, and watch those politicians who are part of the obstruction of increasing wealth. 

The politicians to mark for extinctions are those who increase the number of requirements for a building or business permit, the who make law for our safety, that we have not required for centuries.  New safety laws are mostly for the purpose of obstructing commerce and life as we would like it to be. 

Every obstructionist politician needs to be identified and thrown out of office.  This is a good year to keep track of them.  We have more than enough laws on the books.  As I expect the alert people out there to send in their letters so that the public is informed of those politicians who obstruct commercial enterprise with their excessive laws and regulations.  How did we survive 100 years ago? Do we need to be protected from making money.

October 22, 2010 Editorial - Elections are comming
John Iurica

In today’s election discussion, I am not endorsing any candidate. Actually, I am reporting on something is somewhat at odds with what the people who know nothing about the good of our nation go around saying. There are many politicians in office who could not get a real job if they were voted out of office. These very same politicians constantly raise our taxes, and devise regulations in order to expand their piece of the government and these are the regulations that throw road blocks to small business’s ability to prosper and be able to expand and be able to hire more people. Some of these
politicians groom their own families to live off of the public’s taxes forever. Some of these politicians expand their empires so they can hire their families and cronies to run and police their regulation generating agencies that impede and obstruct the small businesses that could otherwise expand and hire more people.

There are always a bunch of people going around with the purpose of expanding the number of people that will vote by promoting a registration drive. Most of these registration drives generally sign up a bunch of people who pay no attention to what is going on in government and could care even less. In the next election the people who you should vote for are the people who will reduce our taxes the most and would reduce the amount of burdens placed upon private enterprise. Most of the people who get signed up in these registration drives do not really know who is good for the economy and who is not. There are people who preach: "that it is everybody’s duty to vote" which, of course, is a whole bunch of nonsense. When you do not understand what you are doing at the voting booth, all you are doing is to giving a crook or an idiot a randomize chance of being elected. If you do not know who is wasting your money or will waste your money, then do not vote. Most of the politicians, especially in this State, that are in office should be thrown out of office and made to get a real job where they can appreciate just how hard it is to earn the money for the taxes that they have been wasting or stealing.

One of the things that most politicians do not understand is that every time that the make a law or a regulation because they were pressured by a small group of people that advocated some sort of need, that there will a hundred people or businesses that the law or regulation will hurt or impede for every person that it helps out. If each person, who had cried for a new law in the first place, used more personal responsibility and solved his own problem or lived with his non-problem, there would be hundreds of businesses or people who would be better off and more productive. It is like letting the incompetents control and rule the lives of the competent. A few people make a lot of noise and the weak politicians cave in, and burden the rest of us with the situations of a few.

If you really do not know who to vote for, then do not screw it up for the people who do. Stay home.






October 15, 2010 Editorial - A Tough Call
John Iurica

Currently, there is a case before the Supreme Court of the United States involving a Baptist Church that put forth vile emanations nearby as protest against and while a funeral of a dead hero was in progress. A member of the funeral party sued and won a substantial amount in damages, which was later overturned. The case is now in the Supreme Court.

The actions of that particular Baptist Church are so bad that they should be punished. Unfortunately, the way that the harmed person is going about it, if he wins, he will reduce a Constitutional liberty that all U. S. A. Citizens have. It should have never got to the point where anyone could single handedly reverse our Constitution. Even though there is great pain from such an event, the wheels in motion should not be able to cause tremendous distress to the rest of the Nation.  The Supreme Court must not diminish our Constitutional Rights but rather should uphold them.

This all ties in to some of my previous articles, about school busses waiting for lazy children, who are not at the bus stop on time, causing the bus to wait for them, which thereby is part of the bad action of the school district which destroys the student’s ability to learn personal responsibility. This Supreme Court Case comes down to the same problem. The man at the funeral had a personal responsibility to resolve the situation there and then. The situation should have been thus: The people from the Baptist Church had the right to say what they said, but they should also have been made aware that sometimes there are consequences. The people at the funeral and the local community should have come up with some sort of consequences. The people at the funeral should have exercised their personal responsibility. By exercising their personal responsibility to take care of the situation there would have not been a threat to our Constitutional Right to Freedom of Speech. Our Federal Government is looking for some excuse that it could to use to shut up people who are screaming  about the path of destruction that the Government is presently on. Diminishing our right of free speech would be the end of America as we know it.

If a situation like this happened when I was growing up in Piermont, the funeral party would have marched right over to where the members of the offending Baptist Church were and served them a breakfast of knuckle sandwiches. When police would finally have come to break up the festivities, and they probably would have broken a few heads in the process, allowing the funeral to continue in its planned manner. There would have been no Supreme Court involvement, and no violation of anybody’s rights. Everyone one should be able to say what ever they want and be prepared to withstand any undesirable consequences. Politically correct speech is something that should not be dictated by law, but evolve depending upon the results of its usage.

October 8, 2010 Editorial - The Thin Skinned Doth Protest Too Much
John Iurica

There has been a person calling the newspaper’s  advertisers and erroneously claiming that I have been “putting down school children”.  Yes, I did write an article accusing the South Orangetown School district of opening the way for an undesirable characteristic to develop in its students by not helping the children to develop self discipline and personal responsibility. Self discipline and personal responsibility are good characteristics developed by being at a school bus stop at the time that the school bus arrives at the stop. I also mentioned that a lack of personal responsibility is reflected in the quality of school sports teams.

A caller is attempting to confuse advertisers.  The caller would like you to believe that I am putting down South Orangetown District School children, when in fact, I am attacking the people running the school district for not doing a proper job in developing children in such a way that they will achieve at their best levels. It is really terrible when someone in the school district attempts to transfer their guilt as being guilt of the children.

There was recently an interesting comment in the Los Angeles Times, by David L. Kirp, Professor of Public Policy at University of California Berkeley that went “Changing student’s attitudes about the value of hard work also makes a difference. A study of black eighth-graders found that students’ self-discipline was twice as good a predictor of grades as IQ.” You see, it is not all those special and various courses of book learning that count. The secret is character development. Forcing students to be on time develops character.

How does South Orangetown think you make a guy like me feel. In recent years, South Orangetown being a Class A school, was demoted downward out of the Class A football league in order to be able to win a couple of games. In my day, Tappan Zee (Piermont) was a Class D school, that whipped every Class A school in sight. It was a self-disciplined bunch of kids, who through their ethic of personal responsibility watched each others backs and gave their team members the confidence to depend upon them.

Here comes the truth. The phone message to advertisers came from 845-680-1000, which happens to be a South Orangetown District’s  phone number. Why is a school system phone number being used for the dissemination of misinformation? The school board needs to investigate, why taxpayer’s facilities are being used in an attempt to silence community discussion concerning the lack of excellence of the school’s administration. I would imagine that if the call is from one of our high priced civil servants (paid for by my taxes) that the civil servant should be putting in more time resolving the bus situation rather than trying to silence the media’s exposure of the problem. Correct the problem instead of trying to cover it up and protect administrative operations at SOSD. This may also be an opportunity for a reduction in staff by the Board.

This is not a critique of any child, but rather is a criticism of the school system. The caller who is attempting to  protect a bad practice, by covering it up,  is invited to send in a letter (300 words) if she dares, to defend the South Orangetown School District’s non beneficial bus policy. It sounds like she may be one of those people who believe that there should be no winners or losers in sports, so that no child feels bad. When there are no winners in a sport, then unquestionably, they are all losers. When will the Board’s investigation start?

October 1, 2010 Editorial - South Orangetown School District is Failing Our Nation
John Iurica

This nation is in a heap of trouble, mainly because a growing number of people want the government to solve every one of their problems and live every aspect of their lives. We are living in a culture of entitlement that is destroying our Nation. This is largely brought about because most people have no personal responsibility ethic. They are unwilling to do anything for themselves. They devour and demand more and more taxes that you and I pay. They believe that they deserve various entitlements to allow them to get through their process of everyday living.

How do people get like this? Sometimes they are shaped by the school in which they are taught. One good example of this is the South Orangetown School District. Similar ingraining of students  probably exists in many more districts, but South Orangetown is what I see when I go to work in the morning. A big part of the problem is that South Orangetown encourages many students and their parents to be irresponsible when starting their day. In effect, it instills families, at the start of their day, with the idea that the world must wait for them. This happens through the coddling of people at the school bus pick ups. I constantly am forced to wait behind a stopped school bus which is waiting for some child to come out of its house. If the kid or the parents had any personal responsibility, the kid would have been at the appropriate location at the appointed time. The present school bus practice teaches families that  personal responsibility is not necessary in order to operate in the modern world? Is there any way to change this belief? Of course there is. If the child is not at the appropriate location at the appointed time, the bus should go past the stop without stopping or waiting, even if the bus driver was signaled to wait. That family needs to be taught the meaning of character. South Orangetown must stop enabling defective behavior, and must make people know that there are consequences for bad behavior.

If South Orangetown School District does strict school bus pick ups, it will make families be of better character, reduce the cost of school bussing, and ultimately make better citizens out of the children. Leaving the children with the illusion that they can lolly gag along in life will only hurt them as they become adults. The consequences of messing up should be swift and memorable. I once worked in the Mothball Fleet at Jones Point. At 7 a.m. sharp, a tug boat left the dock which would carry the workers to the appropriate ship where each person would work on that day. If you were a minute late, the only option that you had in order to get a check for that day, was to swim a half mile or so in the Hudson to you appointed ship.

If you are awake and out on the road when the school busses are on the road, some of the things that you see are quite amazing.  The other morning I was on the road (in the South Orangetown District), stopped behind a school bus picking up a passenger. As the school bus was getting ready to resume, another kid came running up the road and the driver waited for him, causing a bunch of cars to sit and waste gasoline and generate deadly fumes. Eventually, the kid boarded the bus. The bus and I were going in the same direction, therefore I followed it. Less than 150 yards later the bus turned into a school driveway and dropped the child off. The spot, where the school bus picked up the child, was only a few feet, less than a stone’s throw, from the school property that the child was going to in the first place. I can understand that the bus company drivers want to pad their routes to pickup a couple of extra bucks, but they do not need to be that ridiculous. It would probably pay for South Orangetown to hire a bus route auditor, with authority to dock driver’s pay for bad behavior. Personal responsibility in itself is a far more important thing to teach children, than a lot of those extra classes and courses that money is wasted on. A child who has learned personal responsibility can teach himself and shed a whole bunch of those unnecessary teachers that the over bloated school system will throw at him over his many years in attendance. Straighten out the school bus operation can do nothing but both help the students and help the taxpayers.

P.S. Tappan Zee H. S., do you know why you have such crappy competitive athletic teams compared to when I went to school. It is simple. In my day, each of us had a personal responsibility to play our best and consider the needs of our team mates. Each one of us was responsible to bring out the best in those others at our side. There is no excuse. We do what we must do.

September 24, 2010 Editorial - Our New Voting Machines
John Iurica

There are a lot of unwarranted complaints about the new voting machines that were used during the recent primary elections. What ever happened to personal responsibility? It seems like there are many people out there who want the government to hold their hand through out the election process and even possibly want the government to actually do their voting for them. Believe it or not, crooked politician will do your voting for you if you give them a chance.

I still remember the days of greater common sense when people were given a literacy test, in English, to determine if they were eligible to vote. You were handed a newspaper and told to read something. If you could not read a part of the paper, the man doing the registering would show you the door and refuse to register you.

You might consider that the new machines are doing more good than their predecessors. Actually, the whole voting process could be improved upon, if the poll workers did not assist any of the voters. It would be best to give each of the voters, a small instruction book, in English when they first register, and also give one to all the people currently registered. With the instruction book, it should solely be the responsibility of each of the voters, by his English comprehension and reading ability, to be literate enough to make his vote count. It is up to each person to expend their own time and energy to figure out how to vote properly. The time of coddling and tax payers footing the bill for extra help for people that are too lazy to help themselves must come to an end. It is destroying America. I was under the impression, that in order to vote that you needed to be a citizen and to become a citizen, you needed to pass an English literacy test.

When I went to vote the other day, I signed in and received a ballot from a worker and went over to the marking booth. I then read the instructions on the unused ballot and marked it. Next, and  without instruction, put the ballot in the scanner upside down, so that no one could read my ballot, and the machine accepted it. The process was intuitively obvious and without any difficulty. There only was a very slight problem. When I went to the marking booth, I needed two hands to mark my ballot, and there was no place to hang my walking cane.

Through out the procedure, I did not use an instruction book as it was so easy. However, I can understand how some people might need one.  The trouble is that most people are too lazy to read the instructions. Many years ago I did highly scientific work and had engineers and scientists working for me. Every once in while, one of the young workers would come in to my office because they were trying to do something with a piece of equipment that they did not understand. They took the easy route (for them) by asking me how to use the piece of equipment. Instead of getting a direct answer from me, they got a bunch of bruises from my resulting reaction. I had a sign on a wooden plaque behind my desk which read “When all else fails, read the manual”.  Upon their asking me a question which was answered in a manual, I would grab the plaque and fling it at them.  People understand pain. This surely got them to take some personal responsibility in the future.

A person who can not use a manual and make his vote count is neither qualified to vote nor deserves to have his vote counted. Like I said. Let laziness count against lazy people. If you can’t read English, don’t be so lazy and learn how to do it. This is the U. S. A.

September 24, 2010 - Editorial Addenda: Evilness of Voting Accommodation
John Iurica

I just read a letter in another paper where a couple went to vote across Hudson in Westchester and they were handed ballots in Spanish. When they told the poll worker that they only could read English, the poll worker told them that they had to come back after all the Spanish ballots were used up. The couple never did get to vote.  Any body out there have any thoughts on this? Send in a letter to the editor at Rocklandreview@optonline.net or Rockland Review, 26 Snake Hill Road, West Nyack, N.Y. 10994.

 

September 17, 2010 Editorial - Government Regulation is Killing the Economy
John Iurica

When the boss of a job like mine runs low on money, he institutes a Reduction in Force, meaning people are going to be laid off from their jobs.  In the civil service sector, when times are tough, and it appears that a Reduction in Force may be on the horizon to occur some government agencies, the reverse happens. Usually, in a private company the deadwood or the most inefficient people are let go first. With civil servants, the lay offs occur in order of seniority.

Seniority is a game plan used by the deadwoods of civil servants in government. Let us suppose that an agency, school district, or local government has X number of civil service employees. In order for this group of X civil service employees to protect their soft jobs and big pensions, they undertake to expand  their particular agency or local government by another X number of civil service employees to 2X employees. Thus, if in the future there is a reduction in force by 50%, then the jobs of the original X number of civil service employees are protected.  This kind of thinking goes on indefinitely, because each new person wants more newer people to be hired in order to protect his or her job. As hiring keeps ongoing, the civil servants with longevity rise higher and higher on the pay scale. Remember an agency, school district, or local government is not required to either make a profit or be efficient, making expansion just a matter of raising the local tax rates.

Most of these government expansions need to show some justification that they are actually doing something. They prey on the fact that people in society who are busy working, to be able to pay their taxes, will probably not notice the usurpation of unwarranted power by an agency, school district or a government. One of the easiest ways to expand government is to claim something as being harmful. Then hire people to make laws regulating it. Next make a department to license the use of it by people, or people who may be peripherally involved with the purported harmful substance. Next, make people who come into contact with the substance, fill out an application to do so. The government then hires people to review the public’s applications. The government then licenses individuals and companies to be involved with the substance. The government next makes homeowners or contractors use only licensed people to be involved with the purported harmful substance. Next the government needs to hire inspectors and enforcement agents to deal with the people involved with the purported harmful substance and ultimately the government will need people to prosecute people involved with the alleged harmful substance. One simple declaratory statement can grow into a civil service empire and cause road blocks and unnecessary out of pocket expense and higher taxes to pay for something that should have been taken care of by personal responsibility.

A recent example of this is a new EPA regulation. It is a government regulation that does the economy out of jobs. Regulations cost contractors and tradesmen increasing amounts of money for certifications and licenses plus valuable working time for attendance at someone else’s convenience when they could be studying the material over the Internet at no expense and their own convenience. This law applies to anyone working in a building built before 1978 and doing renovation thereon, including painting, carpentry, plumbing, etc. The fine for non compliance can be as high as $37,500 per day. This country has gotten along for over a century with this regulation by the government. It is supposed to make sure that no one is bothered by lead. The same thing can be accomplished if our society dropped out of the “cradle to the grave” government syndrome and exercised some personal responsibility to avoid lead problem situations. Either that or just know that calcium ions replace lead ions in the human body and take care of the situation accordingly. As it stands, there is a poor guy out of work down the street from me, and I was figuring that I could give him a few bucks to do some painting for me. Well, if I do so, this guy can get fined $37,500.00 for each day that he paints for me. It is sad when Government regulations even stop you from helping out the poor. We need less government and less regulations to get small businesses back into being able to earn a living with out all these regulation surcharges, unnecessary certifications and hopeless delays, all to expand the size of government and the number of civil servants.

Remember, this EPA agency is the same bunch that declared the carbon dioxide that people exhale as being a hazardous gas, and something should be done about it.  More government regulations perhaps, requiring the hiring of more EPA workers???

September 10, 2010 Editorial - How to Keep Some of Your Money
John Iurica

I guess that by now, many of you have realized that there are many spend-a-holics at various levels of government. Even if the amount of money that you have saved is anywhere from small to substantial, I say “God Bless You”. In any case there are politicians out there who are fully consumed with increasing government power and control, who are intent upon destroying your savings and redistributing it (the money) to people who are unwilling to work for it, but are the same people that will vote to keep those power hungry politicians to keep them in office. Those politicians who give away other people’s money in order to remain in power will ultimately come to a day of reckoning when they run out of other people’s money with which to bribe non savers such as yourself. The “running out of money”  has already begun to manifest itself.

Our current governments are on a course to take and get all of our money. Firstly, they are increasing taxes and fees on everything. They are thinking of new things to tax. Just recently, they thought up a tax on slicing a bagel. The slice itself is physically nothing and they have placed a tax on it. You might say that the governments taxes so many things that they have been reduced to taxing “nothing”. If the government is unable to get your money by taxing it, it will eventually make it worthless, by the inflation that will be created by the printing and spending of money that it does not have. This will happen to keep the number of those people relying on the government for money, on the increase.  Your money is destined to be destroyed no matter what.

Is there anything that can be done. Yes! If you do not do anything, your money will eventually evaporate, or be used to pay for mortgages for people who should not have been qualified to own homes in the first place. Many of them are being bailed out while you are still paying your mortgage in full. You need to take some of that money that you have saved, even if it is only $5 or $25 and contribute it to some candidate who is going to oppose the redistribution of your wealth. Donate to someone who is for the reduction of the size of government. Party affiliation of the candidate is not important. A candidate willing to reduce the size of government, taxes, and handouts is the kind of choice we need. New York State is on the verge of bankruptcy and is unwilling to reduce its appetite for spending.  The only way you have a chance of holding on to your savings, is to put candidates in office that are willing to cut government spending and reduce rules and regulation that impede the ability of small business to perform. Almost all rules and regulations are totally necessary as they exist solely for the purpose of hiring civil servants to enforce them. Regulation are not for protecting our health and welfare, but rather to protect the jobs of cronies that will vote for government expansionists.  Most of what government regulations do, should be done by private people individually when they are forced to watch out for themselves. It is about time that people went back to having some personal responsibility traits in their own character. Ask not what the government can do for you, but rather ask what you can do for yourself.

Remember, you will save money by giving a little of yours to a candidate who is willing to cut government spending, regulations, and taxes or by  giving to an organization that advocates the same. Do it now! There are many politicians that need to be kicked out of office and made to do honest work to see what is necessary to earn a living.

September 3, 2010 Editorial - Rockland’s Best
John Iurica

I have received thousands of press releases over the years, and there is no doubt that those that were sent in by a particular person stand out as the best. They have been the submissions of C. J. Miller. Her items are an absolute dream to work with, and is one of the reason’s that her man was placed in our newspaper often. Now that C. J. Miller is no longer writing press releases, I hope she takes somebody under her wing and teaches them about real journalistic writing.

C. J’s typical press release consisted of 6 paragraphs. It was virtually devoid of politicking. As Sergeant Joe Friday would say “Just the facts, Mam, just the facts”. In our paper, certain articles make it on the pages because they are of a certain size that fills a certain space that is open on a partially completed page. Here is where Miller’s releases absolutely shine. You can put Miller’s submission in the paper in its entirety and it is good reading, or you can throw away the last paragraph and the item still reads as a complete item. You can throw away the last paragraph, the last two paragraphs, the last three paragraphs, the last four paragraphs, or the last five paragraphs, and in any case, what is left is left reads well, makes perfect sense, and appears to the reader as if that was the way that the item was originally written. What all of this means is that I can use her material to fill any hole that I have in the newspaper. Sadly, I am missing her already.

Miller knew the secrets of getting publish. She knew how not to aggravate an editor by creating unnecessary extra work for him. She knew that if you sent an email with either “PRESS RELEASE” or “No Subject” in the subject line of the email, that the odds are in favor of in favor of your item being deleted without ever being opened or read. After all, certain email addresses are for press releases. Why would an editor ever want know that a press release is a press release. You are just wasting his time.

Miller knew, that if there was politicking or promoting of another politician, that the email would be edited and if there was too much of that, the email would be just thrown away because the email would be just too much work for the editor. Editors know that politicking is strictly only allowed in paid advertising. So stop trying to fool them and send the money instead and stop chiseling. Someone trying to sneak in extraneous promotional material is not someone that an editor can grow to love.

Logos and fancy formatting are also a no-no. Fancy formatting makes the editor do a lot of reformatting and the logos and/or art work can slow down the opening of a documents by ten to thirty seconds. With as many emails that we need to open, this amounts to many hours wasted in the course of a week. Don’t do it. Fancy does not impress us or get our attention. Fancy gets you deleted. Sending a slick poster instead of a text message also makes you a candidate for deletion.

Remember, if you write in the first person, someone needs to sign their name to the release as the writer and it is possible that the item might be made into a letter to the editor. In any case, I miss you C. J.   How about passing your style and ability on to someone. By now, you readers should know that I don’t give out praise or complements, you must earn them.

August 27, 2010 Editorial - History As I Have Seen It
John Iurica

It seems that people are being drug up from my past who I really wish to forget. It seems like some kind of conspiracy. Take Harriet Cornell for example. A few weeks ago she came to Grand View to try to make me live the rest of my life having to live with sculpture of Betty Friedan’s face at the Grand View Village Hall. Friedan years ago lived a few houses south of me. This last week, Harriet Cornell sends a press release to the newspaper which placed Isabelle K. Savell, who also resided in Grand View, in a favorable light. This I could not print.

Back in the very early 1950's, I was just entering Piermont High School as a freshman. At the time, the entire Tappan Zee school district was make up of the Village of Grand View, the Village of Piermont and the Hamlet of Sparkill, a small but, tight knit community. Along come Savell and her posse of Intellectual Elite and they decided that the children of Grand View should not be associating with the children of the “factory people” in Piermont. They also wanted their children to have a more liberal sissified education, which was taught in Nyack. The Savell gang went on a crusade to have Grand View removed from the Piermont school district and placed into the Nyack School District. Their fight went on for years. They even addressed the New York Legislature to get the switch accomplished.  Isabelle Savell was at one time Gov. Rockefeller’s private secretary, and one of her group, John Dow, who lived across the street from her, eventually became a Congressman. The battle went on for years.

My father worked in the Gair factory in Piermont. My earlier years were formulated as being one of “those Piermont people”. That intelligentsia group showed their true character as they always referred to my mother as “the waitress”.  No matter what the outcome, even if they were successful in changing the school district, Savell and her group would always be stuck with us, people born and educated in Piermont. This is true, because look at me now, I out lasted them all. Savell and her group actually believed all that propaganda that they were spreading, in that the parents of about one half of the parents of the school age children of Grand View, actually paid tuition to Nyack (on top of the taxes they had to pay to the Piermont School District) to have their children attend and hopefully graduate from the Nyack school system.

There I was, entering Tappan Zee High School with a firmly established position in the pecking order and a relatively good life. At the time TZ was a class D high school, which meant that there were less than 50 boys available to play sports. State law at the time said that a school needed to dress 22 players in order to start a football game. TZ had difficulty doing this and had to dress a few 13 year olds boys, which was illegal at the time, to make the team have enough players. On the other hand, when we played against Nyack, they dressed over 100 players, more than twice our entire school. All this meant was that basically anyone made most of the activities that they went out for. In contrast, this would have meant that if I was transferred to Nyack, I would have needed to beat the crap out of a whole bunch of guys to attain some status on the Nyack pecking order.

Everyone, that I know of that graduated from Piermont, became successful in life. This not something that I can say about Nyack. The things taught in Piermont were more important than the Nyack curriculum. In Piermont you were instilled with the drive to win. You were taught team play, how to work with your allies. You were taught that coming in second out of a hundred was still losing. The most important thing was “how to focus”.

Fortunately, my father graduated from Piermont High School about 90 years ago and he had the same winning drive.  He and a few others, such as Carmine Freda, Charlie Ewart and Albie Schwartz, etc. became opposition to Savell. After a couple of years or so, the whole idea collapsed. Nevertheless, Savell had me living on the edge. It was like playing on a team and for years, everyday you hear talk that you will be traded to the rival team. Not a good way to live.

I could keep going on and on about this but I will end soon.  After the school district fiasco, Savell got involved in opposing the sewer that was going to come through Grand View. Her pitch was that the sewer would cut the road in such a way that the houses on the East side of River Road would all fall into the Hudson River.

I always did keep my eye out to see what was going on around the Savell house. At one of her neighboring houses, lived a couple of female school teachers who loved to run around naked in their back yard, which bordered on the river. It also turned out that where these nude sunbathers lived, was the best fishing spot for miles. It certainly was a Grand View.

August 20, 2010 Editorial - Government Steals From the Poor ToHire More Teachers
John Iurica

The Federal Government has passed a 26 billion dollar bailout that includes 10billion dollars for education with which to hire and rehire more teachers onthe school payrolls. The government is paying for the money, that the excessteachers will get, by taking half of the money that they use for the food stampprograms. The reasons that the poor are taking the hit is entirely political.Up until now the very poor have been guaranteed votes for tax and spenders inbig government. The Obama people believe that they have the votes of the poorpeople all locked up. Besides, the poor have no money to donate to electionssupported by Obama. By giving the poor’s money to the teachers, the teacher’sunions will receive many, many millions of dollars. Most of millions of dollarswill be diverted back to candidates supported by Obama, even Obama himself.Everyone today is really working hard today to pay for over bloated governmentemployee’s largess, which includes teachers.

If you are not on food stamps and you are financially above that level, you arenot untouched by this scam either. If you read the details of this new bailoutpackage carefully you will see that the 10 billion dollars is not for thepurpose of helping either the school districts or for helping the taxpayers whopay for our local school districts. In fact, this bailout does the opposite. Itis designed to destroy private ownership of homes by the mandating of raisinglocal property taxes in subsequent years. The new bailout funds are going to begiven to school districts for the purpose of hiring back the workers of theteacher’s unions in order to increase the strength and pocketbooks of theunions. The Federal Law gives the money to a school district for only a singleyear. The bailout law then, after the first year, requires every schooldistrict to maintain that extra level of funding in the following years (howmany years, depends upon your particular state)  even though the FederalGovernment will not be giving the money to provide for this extra level offunding. This extra money will need to be provided by local property taxes.There will be no ability to keep school taxes under control in the years thatfollow, by laying off the teacher that are no longer funded by the FederalGovernment. This is a result of the extra legal mandates added on to thisbailout item.

Even if the mandatory local property taxes in subsequent years were not part ofthe bailout bill, it still would be dumb for a school district to take any ofthis money. Once you hire an unnecessary union worker, it is virtuallyimpossible to get rid of them, especially when they are not needed or paid forby somebody else.

The States and the school districts should resist taking as much of this moneyas possible, especially those funds that will be used for the rehiring ofteachers. Even if the Federal Government pays for them this year, do you thinkthe economy will turn around sufficiently next year so that the local taxpayerswill have plenty of money to afford a huge jump in their local property taxes.?We sure need a government, after you vote in November, that is not going to dothings like this.

There is nothing in the United States Constitution that allows the FederalGovernment to be involved in the operation of State school systems. Somehow theFeds are usurping the powers of the States and are driving us all to ruin. Itis time for the States to rise up and take their rights back.

August 20, 2010 Second Editorial - Let Blago Go
By John Iurica

Ireally hate crooked politicians but I love the American Constitution even more.Big deal, Gov. Rod Blagojevich got convicted of only a single item out of allof the charges that they were attempting to pile on to him. Blago was convictedof lying to federal agents. This can buy him a ticket to wire city for 1 to 5years and a huge fine. The problem with all of this is the Fourteenth Amendmentto the U. S. Constitution which guarantees Blago equal protection of the lawstands in the way. 

Thereare many lies in the various testimonies of persons who were interviewed byFederal Agents. You really do need not to be able to convict any of thesepeople to know that a whole lot of lying was going on. All you need to do, iscompare testimonies and if there is any inconsistency, you know for sure thatsomeone is lying. You also know that if a person’s statement is different attwo different times, that the person is lying. In order for Blago’s convictionto stick, the prosecutor must equally prosecute other liars involved in theinvestigation of him. Who knows what other high government officials wouldbecome involved. 

Thisall boils down to: If you attempt to make the lying conviction stick to Blago,without prosecuting a whole bunch of the other people questioned, then Blago’scivil rights have been violated in accordance with the Fourteenth Amendment ofthe Constitution. Even if you can not prove specifically that anyone else lied,you can prove that there was a whole lot of lying going on. 

Besides, Gov. Rod Blagojevich is a relatively harmless guycompared to others that were part of his investigation. Stop wasting thetaxpayer’s money prosecuting Blago. 

August 13, 2010 Editorial - Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
John Iurica  

My editorial of a couple of weeks ago woke up Marianne B. Leese, President and Senior Historian of the Historical Society of Rockland.  She sent in a letter responding to my July 23rd editorial. She attempted to clarify the situation by stating “The Rockland County Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) approached the Historical Society of Rockland County to request that a historical marker be erected to honor Betty Friedan, a resident of Grand View during the 1960's.”  This outsider meddling in our community is highly objectionable to myself and other Grand View residents who knew Friedan.  

M. Leese states that “The society has always relied on the generosity of a sponsor or sponsors to cover the cost of each of its markers. At no time have society funds been used to pay for them. In the case of the Betty Friedan marker, the Rockland Chapter of NOW is funding the marker.” Actually the tax payers of Grand View are funding the maintenance and protection of the marker. First the marker is being placed on Village and/or otherwise public property. I pay taxes on this property and this marker is depreciating the value of property in which I have an interest. Secondly, this marker will require maintenance over the years and when the time comes for the Village Hall to be renovated, the marker will present itself as being a costly obstruction.  Therefore, I say, place the political marker on private property. Not everyone endorses every political party and every point of view. Placing this marker is akin to telling people how to vote and it would be a visible electioneering sign at a polling place. This seems to be highly illegal on its face. Take the Friedan Plaque over to Zukor Road. Friedan was a resident of Rockland County also. Place it somewhere else in Rockland. Maybe it can draw some visitors for you.  

If you go to the Rockland County NOW website, the first thing that you will read after its title is: “The National Organization for Women is dedicated to making legal, political, social and economic change in our society in order to achieve our goal,...” This is surely the claim of a political organization.  Everyone knows  it is unconstitutional for an American Government to promote a particular political organization. Thus it is only inevitable that some person or persons will slap a costly suit on to the Village in a civil rights violation case. If the Village Board would immediately run the political ideas of the Historical Society clean off of the Village Hall property and other Village property, it would stop the possibility of such a lawsuit.  

This is similar to what happen in Nyack with its promotion of gay pride at the Village Hall. The Village wound up having to give equal time to the flying of the Right to Life Flag. I believe that the Grand View placement of the Friedan plaque also qualifies for equal time of flying of the Right to Life Flag at the Village Hall. The Friedan plaque is a symbol of an organization that supports abortion. And being that this is anti-Catholic, I am sure that there will be pressure to mount a crucifix on the Village Hall.  

M. Leese also stated: “Nor did the society twist the arm of any member of the Grand View board of trustees when the proposal was presented...” This is totally ludicrous. The Society did take advantage of a group of people, by wowing them with a political ally, Legislator Cornell, and slipped an idea passed a group of people, the Village Board, who were never residents of Grand View at the time Friedan was a resident and therefore have no first hand knowledge of the matter. If you really need a Friedan marker in Grand View, I have a good idea. Maybe we can work out a deal between us. Consider putting a marker on my property saying: “Site in Grand View where John Iurica ejected Betty Friedan from his property.”  

If the Rockland Historical Society was truly interested in History it would put up markers on people’s property who have a common interest with the society. I notice that Mrs. Mouquin’s name appears on the Society’s letterhead as being a member of the society’s Board of Trustees. A suitable plaque on her property honoring John W. Ferdon, might be objectionable to many residents, but is a true piece of Rockland’s history.  The plaque might read: “John W. Ferdon, the N. Y Legislator who single handedly stopped the right to vote in New York State, to be given to both Blacks and Women lived in New York. For many years thereafter the situation remained static.” Why bother Grand View residents, go somewhere else. It seems that the Rockland County Historical Society is rewriting history to suit someone’s political needs.  

We do not need any permanent electioneering at the Grand View Village Hall. We do not need a permanent artifact to tell us how to vote. Readers: Please stop donating, time, money, or artifacts to the Rockland Historical Society for being a party to this insulting affront to others.  Do not aide the society in their ability to continue performing this type of objectionable project again. 


        

July 30, 2010 Editorial: Nyack School District Discriminatory?
John Iurica

Last Sunday, the lead story in the Journal News, “Enrollment policy call discriminatory”, concerned a suit against a list of Schools in New York State, which included Nyack. It was brought by the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU). The suit was brought because the school districts were asking for documents, such as Visas, passports, social security numbers, etc. in order to register students. The suit was based upon a 1968 ruling that all children in the United States were entitled to an education even if they were here illegally, and that the asking for that particular type of information was discriminatory.

Here is the one thing that the NYCLU is not telling us. In New York State, a school district must furnish a free education to a child who has a parent who is a legal resident of the district. Otherwise the school district must receive a tuition payment from the district (or the parent) where the child’s parent is a legal resident. It is the legal residency of the parent that must pay for a child’s education. Therefore, a school district surely must be entitled find out where the tuition bill should be sent and who the school district must sue for collection, in case the bill is not paid.

This sort of thing even goes on where some parents, who are citizens, illegally enroll their children into a school in what they perceive to be a better school district, usually a district with more amenities, than the one in which they legally reside. The tax payer in this supposedly better school district, usually pays higher school taxes, than where the offending student’s parents reside. This illegal enrollment by a legal citizen unfairly and illegally raises the tax rate of the already overburdened, supposedly better, district. Many districts could drop their tax rates, if they investigated each of their enrollees more thoroughly and/or offered a bounty leading to information leading to the expulsion of students not belonging in a particular school district. Who knows better than some of the more savvy students in the district. Maybe, for money they might speak up.

No matter what child is getting an education, the proper person, according to the law, should be made to pay for that education. Enough of this “Let’s go along to get along.” The school districts must do the job they were elected for, and go after the people that are supposed to be paying. There are costs in the school budgets that do not all belong to the district taxpayers. Get the correct people to pay for them.  In the case of illegal immigrants, the liability may fall on a foreign nation. In such a case, I would think that some sort of class action suit against the assets of that nation would wake up the other nation, and it might come to the conclusion that it may be cheaper to educate its own students at home rather than sending them to the high priced American schools. Another idea, is to substantially raise the fees on Post Office and Bank money orders. Illegal immigrants use these instruments to send money back to their home lands, money hidden from the payment of school taxes. I also propose that these extra money order fees go to school districts to lower their tax burden as a result of the need to education students who do not belong in their particular districts. We need some personal responsibility.

August 6, 2010 Editorial - Teacher Rewards Must Work Both Ways
John Iurica  

This week I was reading a very interesting article in a newspaper telling about Miss Rosa Freistater being refused a renewal of her New York State Teacher’s License until she loses 32 of her 182 pounds. Teachers are unduly rewarded with higher salaries by accumulating more college credits, while doing the same job with no increase in productivity. It does not seem like the right thing. Pay should only be based upon the actual work performed and/or amount of production. If Bill Gates was hired to flip hamburgers at McDonalds, should he be paid the same as the other flippers or should he be paid the same as being the CEO of Microsoft?  

There is a fallacious argument that contends that more college credits make teachers better at their particular job, and thus more money should be diverted to such a person’s salary. There are also those things that make one a teacher worse at their job. Should not a portion of a teacher’s salary be reduced for these items? It turns out that, and only God knows for what reason, many students look up to teachers as role models, and in many cases put teachers ahead of their parents.  

Let’s suppose that a student looks up to or bonds with a fat school teacher or even thinks a fat teacher is smart. Very Bad!  The percentage of fat kids is going to increase.  Being a role model, from which students imitate behavior, is a necessary part of teaching and is part of what the teacher is being paid for. To allow students to think that the unacceptable behavior, of being fat, is OK by a teacher, then wrong headedness is being taught to students. Thus, it is reasonable and necessary to refuse renewal of teacher’s license when necessary role model characteristics are either absent or incorrect. Role model characteristics are part of the job and what the teacher is being paid for. There is no excuse for not meeting the qualification of a job. And don’t give me any crap that asks for forgiveness with a doctor’s note that says certain fatness is medically necessary. Do you think people can get a commercial pilots license, overriding their bad eye sight with a doctor’s note. Of course not, because public safety is at risk. Similarly fat teachers put students at risk, for becoming fat, and dying early. Is this not public safety also? 

As I said earlier, teachers get salary raises based upon college course credits beyond their initial degree.  We do not necessarily need to attempt to straighten out a teacher by taking away their license as the initial punishment. The system could take away 10% of a teacher’s extra salary achieved by college credits, for every 3% of body weight that they are overweight. A body weight that is 31% overweight should automatically cause the lose of one’s license until the body again achieves being 15% overweight or less.  Us taxpayers are more than paying for these high standards. It is up to the school district to see that we get what we are paying for.  

It costs money to get a fat student back on track because she was impressed by a fat teacher. It also costs the taxpayers money to pay for the extra health care that the fat students will need over their lifetimes. A monetary correction needs to be made early in the situation, and the culprit teachers must be the ones made to pay. 


   

July 23, 2010 Editorial: The Rockland Historical Society Is Now Political
John Iurica

The Rockland County Historical Society has now ventured into politics. For those of you who might have thought that you wished to donate to this organization, either by cash, giving artifacts, or volunteering your time, don’t do it. Give to your church, synagogue, the Salvation Army, the Scouts, the PAL, or some other worthy organization, but please do not give to the Rockland County Historical Society otherwise you will be donating to push a particular political point of view.

The Rockland Historical Society, somehow in conjunction with NOW, and Harriet Cornell has somehow twisted the arms of the members of the Grand View Village Board to allow Village outsiders to erect a plaque at the Grand View Village Hall honoring Betty Friedan. No member of the Village Board lived in the Village at the time that Friedan did, thus they have no idea why some of the people that lived in the Village at that time are upset, with me being one of them.

The Board does not understand that when Friedan ran for Trustee, that her loss was so hugely one side, in favor of a relatively unknown person that she decided to the move out of the Village and remarked that she was never going to return. She presumed that the election was a referendum on her. Surely, if she said she was never going to return, then why dig her up from the grave and bring her back? It is only going to upset some Villagers who knew her, and in a Village that has never had more than 300 people, and has a typical voting population of about 30, there are very few of us left that knew her. So why punish us?

I know the intention is to place the plaque at the Village Hall but as a taxpayer and forcing me to be constantly reminded of her when I go to the Village Hall is a matter of extreme cruelty. Under no condition is the Village Hall a proper place to put such a plaque. However, people (other residents) have the right to put any kind of non-commercial speech on the property of their own homes. As a firm believer in free speech, there is no way that I could object if the present owner of the home, where Friedan resided, allowed the plaque to be placed on that particular private property, off of the public right of way. Or if one wants to accept the same defective logic of placing the plaque at the Grand View Village Hall, because Friedan resided in Grand View, the Grand View Board should be able to understand that the Friedan plaque could be placed at the County Office Building because Friedan was simultaneous a resident of Rockland County, or Orangetown for that matter. Somehow, the location of this plaque can be changed, to out of the Village so as to not upset people that knew Betty Friedan.

It turns out that the matter is being pushed by all kinds of outside politicians, who appear to be of the same persuasion as the Grand View Village Board.  The Government of the Village should never cave in to a 1,000 outsiders, if it disturbs a single resident or taxpayer of the Village. Let these outside politician come in and pay our taxes and then the might be able to justify listening to them. What you are basically seeing here is the typical problem going on throughout our United States. Politicians no longer listen to or represent their constituents, they are hell bent on impressing others of similar minds. The reasons that the Board gave for accepting this plaque is they say it is great for tourism and reputation. Grand View, which does not allow businesses in the Village really has no use for tourists. Of course Grand View needs reputation to promote or use for ... ? I can not think of anything. You fill in the blanks. What the hell is the Village Board talking about???  In any case, please do not donate to the Rockland Historical Society or aid them in any manner now that they are going around offending people where they live. Especially, because NOW, one of the motivators for this action, in my mind, is about equivalent to a religious cult you can get. Since the Village does not allow a Village Christmas party in the Village Hall, why should it allow a permanent promotion of NOW. It looks like I will not need to bring bait to fish by the Village Hall anymore, as there will be plenty of worms coming out of the can.