Rockland Home Values Holds Steady

Rockland Home Values Holds Steady

While Rockland home sales for the month of March fell by 42% year over year, county property value is holding rather steady. Data released from the New York Association of Realtors shows the average home sold for only $1500 less. Unfortunately, a year made a huge difference in Columbia County where selling prices slumped by an average $90,000. In Westchester, homes are going for about $33,000 less than they were this time last year. Looking out across the state, sales plummeted 29% with property value losing an average 36%.

RBA Relationship Building Breakfast

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Relationship Building Breakfast

7:45 a. m. - 9:30 a.m. Casa Mia Manor House, 577 Route 303

Blauvelt, NY Sponsor: Dr. Marvin Fier, DDS FASD

Cost: Members $15 (after deadline $20); Non-Members $30 Advanced Payment Required

Registration & Cancellation Deadline: 5/2/08

Unemployment is growing in our area

Unemployment is growing in our area

According to the State department of Labor last month unemployment in the lower Hudson Valley grew at its most rapid rate in over five years.

Rockland and Westchester each saw a .9 percent increase from last year bringing the total to 4 and a half percent. The boost is the highest unemployment rate that the counties have experienced in over four years. Putnam County saw a .8 percent rise bringing them to 4 percent. The statewide jobless rate stood at just over five percent.

Rockland and Westchester were ranked the fifth in the state. Despite the rise in unemployment the tri-county region managed to exhibit some job growth, about 1 percent.

RBA Meeting this week, April 17

HELPING ROCKLAND BUSINESS GO GREEN

"Green is part of the lexicon--Now we have to make it part of the process." Al Samuels RBA President/CEO

William Janeway

Regional Director NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Thursday April 17, 2008 8:00 - 9:45 am

Nyack Seaport Center 21 Burd Street Nyack, NY (parking in rear)

Directions: From: NYS Thruway to Exit #11 (Route 59, Nyack). Go East on Route 59 (Main Street). Follow to the end (you will go through 4 traffic lights), road will bear to the right. At stop sign, make right onto Burd Street.

RBA Members: $27 Members At The Door: $32 Non-Members: $45

RSVP Required

COUNTY TO HOLD WIRELESS NETWORK FORUM

COUNTY TO HOLD WIRELESS NETWORK FORUM on April 14th

Rockland County will host a town hall meeting on April 14, soliciting public comment on the county’s wireless initiative. Rockland is currently working with a private consulting firm to determine the feasibility of a countywide wireless network. County Executive Scott Vanderhoef believes the network would offer improved community access to government, enhanced educational opportunities, and expand public safety communication.

Rockland residents and business owners are invited to hear more and voice their opinions on Monday April 14th from 7 to 8:30pm at the Palisades Center in West Nyack

Congestion-pricing looks to be DOA, by Ken Mahoney

Congestion-pricing looks to be DOA, by Ken Mahoney

Rocklanders have been concerned for some time about talk about congestion pricing.

It looks for now that congestion pricing will not take affect as it is 'unfair' to suburbs like Rockland County

"As of today, the votes aren't there for it,'' said Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, D-Greenburgh. "The mayor is entitled to his vision, and the Legislature is entitled to say, 'We don't think this is in the public's interest.'''

VANDERHOEF DELIVERS STATE OF THE COUNTY

County Executive Scott Vanderhoef last night delivered his 15th State of the County address outlining employment freezes and a new foreclosure prevention program.

Rockland will be putting off plans for a new $29 million dollar highway garage but moving forward with a $122 million dollar nursing facility, the cost of which would largely be shouldered by the state. Both the Departments of Hospitals and Mental Health currently share deficit to the tune of $21 million.

Vanderhoef said the county was working to fix that problem by keeping a closer eye on payroll. His address came almost a month later than last year’s.

Please check back as we will continue this story

Pinnacle Awards Dinner, one week away, April 9

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Pinnacle Awards Dinner 5:30 - 8:30 pm

Marriott Park Ridge 300 Brae Blvd., Park Ridge, NJ

$135 per person $1350 table of 10

Pinnacle Award Winners:

Joseph Lagana, Chairman's Award for Overall Business Excellence

Jan Degenshein, President's Award for Service to the RBA

Orange & Rockland Utilities, Inc., Award for Corporate Citizenship

Group M, Inc., Women's Forum Award for Outstanding Achievement by a Women-Owned Business

Innovative Plastics Corp., Manufacturer's Award for Business Excellence

People to People, Outstanding Achievement by a Non-Profit Organization

RSVP 845-735-2100