Fresh!

State and Central NY Counties Working Together to Protect People from EEE ALBANY, N.Y. (May 10, 2012) - State Health Commissioner Nirav R. Shah, M.D., M.P.H., and health officials from counties in Central New York have joined together to raise awareness about the dangers of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and the importance of taking personal protective measures to reduce the risk of disease. New York State and counties work together each year to monitor mosquito populations and the potential for the spread of disease. They also educate people on how to prevent mosquito bites. This year's efforts are critical in light of three deaths in the past three years in Central New York due to EEE virus, including the death of a young child last summer.

Special Recognition will be Given to Exemplary Emergency Services Personnel at Local Ceremonies and in the Official Congressional Record.(Fishkill, NY) – U.S. Congresswoman Nan Hayworth, M.D. (NY-19) announced today she will recognize exemplary first responders from New York’s 19th Congressional District with a Special Congressional Commendation for their sacrifices, contributions and dedication to public service. The congresswoman will recognize EMS personnel who have distinguished themselves for exceptional acts of bravery or services during local presentations and officially in the U.S. House of Representatives.  “The past year brought many trials and challenges to our first responders. I'm happy to join all of our neighbors in the Hudson Valley in thanking the men and women who staff our emergency services,” said Hayworth. “They are our first line of defense for homeland security, too. Our police, fire and EMS personnel put themselves at risk every day to serve their communities, and they deserve recognition for their courage, valor and service..”

Congresswoman Hayworth Urges Extension of Moratorium on Postal Facility Closings as May 15th Deadline Looms Sends Letter to Postmaster General Asking for More Time Until Both Chambers Pass a Comprehensive Postal Reform Bill (WASHINGTON) – US Rep. Nan Hayworth, M.D. (NY-19) sent a letter today to Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe calling for an extension of the moratorium on closing postal facilities until both chambers and Republicans and Democrats alike reach a consensus. That letter is below.   Click here to view a signed copy of the letter. May 11, 2012 Postmaster General Patrick R. DonahoeUnited States Postal Service475 L’Enfant Plaza, SWWashington, D.C. 20260 Dear Postmaster General Donahoe, As you know, the United States Senate passed S. 1789, the 21st Century Postal Service Act of 2012, on April 25, 2012. In addition, the House of Representatives has several pieces of legislation addressing necessary postal reform. Although Congress has yet to pass a comprehensive postal reform bill, I urge you to extend the moratorium on closing postal facilities, set to expire on May 15, until both chambers and Republicans and Democrats alike reach a consensus.In the Hudson Valley, the Mid-Hudson Processing and Distribution Center in Newburgh, New York has been approved for consolidation. This facility serves thousands of residents daily in the region and if the Mid-Hudson facility was closed, it would be difficult to preserve the current requirements for mail delivery. It is premature to close any facility while Congress has not completed consideration of postal reform legislation. While we continue to address postal reform in Congress, I urge you to extend the moratorium and review the current plan for reorganizing and consolidating Area Mail Processing centers to determine if an alternative course will generate the necessary savings, rather than complete closure of these facilities. Thank you again for your consideration. I hope you will extend the current...

Hackley School in Tarrytown hosted a dedication ceremony May 12 for its new baseball facility in memory of Ron DelMoro, a longtime and popular Yorktown resident and educator who passed away in August 2009 at 61. Guests of honor at the ceremony were his wife Deena with their sons Dan DelMoro (varsity baseball captain/Hackley class of 2006) and Steve DelMoro (varsity baseball captain/Hackley class of 2010). Ron DelMoro was a prominent figure in Yorktown for four decades, remembered as an active sportsman who umpired, coached, played and supervised youth and adult athletic programs. As the principal of Brookside Elementary, he was a favorite of students, faculty and parents alike for his engaging style and communications skills. He still is recalled for the memorable time he dressed as Robin Williams movie character "Mrs. Doubtfire" to read to students. After serving as Assistant Superintendent in the Yorktown School District, he became in 2002 director of the Lower School at Hackley School. As reported in his obituary in The Hudson Independent, Hackley Headmaster Walter Johnson called DelMoro “one of the finest men and most exceptional educators I have known. His love and joy in life have joined him to Hackley forever. We will miss him more than we can say.” The newspaper obituary added, "A devoted New York Yankees fan, he was also the voice of Hackley football home games."

May 1st, 2012  --  New policy creates fresh-air zones in places where large numbers of people congregate.  The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced that it will create smoke-free areas in outdoor settings within state parks and historic sites where large numbers of people congregate, including around playgrounds and pools. "State Parks and Historic Sites should be healthy and clean places for our visitors, especially our youngest guests," said State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey. "It makes sense to ensure all visitors have a place to go in our parks to enjoy fresh air, while also protecting children playing at our pools and playgrounds from the dangers of second-hand smoke and reducing litter from discarded cigarette butts."

The second annual fundraiser -- for American Cancer Society's Relay for Life -- billed as Dancing with the Yorktown Stars kicks off at Sinapi's Ceola Manor 7 p.m. on Friday, May 4. There were more than 300 tickets sold at last count, with a capacity of 400, according to organizer Lynne Rothman of Bunco Babes/Class Action, the Relay for Life team that gave birth to the brainchild of a community fundraiser. 

YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY, April 30, 2012 – The first 100 days in office for first-term Town of Yorktown Supervisor Michael Grace -- reached April 9, 2012 – has been marked by notable, well-received progress and plans in community collaboration, emergency response preparedness, economic development, cost-control efficiencies, business-friendly best practices, open space stewardship and quality-of-life initiatives. Here are the highlights (in alphabetical order): Business-Friendly Best Practices Emblematic of the strides made under Supervisor Grace to speed economic development -- as well as reverse the town’s persistent reputation among entrepreneurs and developers over the years as less than business-friendly -- is proposed legislation on temporary certificates of occupancy (CO). Drafted Feb. 17, 2012, the legislation would allow a temporary CO to be issued by the town’s building inspector “provided that all requirements for the development of said lot or site can be completed within said period.” The legislation also is written to override state laws that may conflict with the town’s business interests. Beneficiaries of the temporary CO to date include high-profile, successful food businesses The Winery at St. George and Augie’s Prime Cut Restaurant.

4/18/2012  --  From the Department of Environmental Conservation -- Three individuals were arrested yesterday in connection with the illegal disposal of low-level radioactive material in the Town of Halfmoon, Saratoga County, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced. Arrested and charged with one count each of illegally disposing radioactive material (6NYCRR 380-4(1) and one count each of Operating a Solid Waste Management Facility without a Permit (ECL 27-0707(1), were: Edward Kenelly, 76, of 7F Tupelo Dr. Clifton Park, NY Arthur Martin, 32, of 257 Thimbleberry Rd. Malta, NY Steven Pieniazek, 21, of 67 Jack Halloran Road Stillwater, NY

$150 Million Pledged to Date by Banks (WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.) -- Entrepreneurial hot spots throughout the nation are sprouting business “accelerators” to speed the growth of early-stage companies. Today, the Westchester County Association announces that the Blueprint Accelerator Network, L.L.C., has taken root in Westchester, paving the way to attract innovative businesses with the potential to create new jobs in the county.

A spirited and productive discussion between Yorktown Supervisor Michael Grace and resident Jonathan Nettelfield, Chair of Yorktown Smart Growth, makes for enjoyable, informative viewing on the supervisor's weekly public affairs program, Grace Notes. Supervisor Grace tells Mr. Nettelfield on the show that he is in agreement with the group's focus on making the hamlet of Yorktown Heights more "walkable," wherever possible, adding he has his sights set on how the town might relocate the Highway Department garage to the water treatment facility from its current perch at the head of Front Street.

Siena Research Institute Press Release: Consumer Confidence Surges; All Groups of NY’ers, All Regions Up Major Breakthrough: Dems, Young, Higher Income, NYC and Men All Now More Optimistic than Pessimistic; Women, Older NY’ers Close to Breakeven; Future Brightens for Low Income Intent to Buy Accelerates; Cars Highest Since ’07, Furniture, Remodeling Show Signs of Rally.