ROCKLAND CONGRESSMEN REPORTED PLANNING PUBLIC FORUMS ON HEALTH-CARE PLAN by Ken Mahoney

ROCKLAND CONGRESSMEN REPORTED PLANNING PUBLIC FORUMS ON HEALTH-CARE PLAN by Ken Mahoney Meanwhile, plans reportedly are under way by Rockland’s three Democratic congressmen to hold public forums on the health care plan. Spokesmen for Nita Lowey and Elliot Engel say both representatives plan to hold sessions sometime later this month, times and places to be determined. And it’s reported that Congressman John Hall will meet with the public on four as-yet unspecified dates. Town Hall meetings and other public forums on health care around the country have drawn loud and angry criticism of the Obama plan. Several Rockland residents have complained that telephone conference calls set up by Lowey and others don’t give the public at large a real voice in the health-care debate.

VANDERHOEF SEEKS EXTENSION OF COUNTY’S EARLY-RETIREMENT PLAN

VANDERHOEF SEEKS EXTENSION OF COUNTY’S EARLY-RETIREMENT PLAN County Executive Scott Vanderhoef says he hopes another 50 to 75 county employees will sign up for early retirement. That would be in addition to the 112 who already have taken the county up on its buyout offer. County officials said yesterday the program’s first-year savings in salaries and benefits should be about $6,000,000. Vanderhoef acknowledged that the county workforce of just under 27-hundred employees is now at its lowest level in 25 years. But he insisted the county is still managing to provide residents with necessary services.

Rockland Business Digest magazine presents the first of its business seminars:

Rockland Business Digest magazine presents the first of its business seminars: by Steve Powell

Marketing By Design Stand Out From the Crowd and Get Your Business Noticed!

Struggling under the current economic climate and wondering what to do? Expanding and unsure how to make the transition? Launching a new company?

Four seminars in one half-day commitment! Valuable branding, sales and marketing techniques that can be put to immediate use! Real-world marketing guidance that can make a significant impact on your bottom line!

Seminar Leader: Steven Powell, Seminar Leader and host of Hudson Valley’s long-running talk-radio show

President & Chief Creative, C8 Marketing Group || Co-publisher, Rockland Business Digest magazine.

During his 25-plus year career, Steven Powell has created award winning sales promotions for General Mills, Dunkin' Donuts and Kraft Foods, overseen marketing and creative for national newsstand magazines, developed highly profitable sales portals for leading catalog companies and helped a NY science museum raise funds for its expansion. Since 2001, he has helped scores of local, regional and national businesses brand themselves for increased profits and success through the C8 Group.

Focusing on the "why" as much as the "how," Steve's memorable presentations take audiences through the ins and outs of branding, targeted marketing. He clearly explains the basics of branding and marketing with clarity and humor, supplying real-world examples and detailed handouts to illustrate his points.

Seminar Agendas:

Session One: 60 minutes + Q&A / Group Discussion Your Unique Message – Finding Your Core Identity Every business needs to know who they are and what they really sell. You may know your product or service, but are you sure you know what they’re buying? Are you telling them so?

Branding – Dressing Your Business for Success "I've got a logo, what more do I need?" From colors & type families to tag lines and materials. Branding’s impact on every sales effort you’ll make is so great, that it’s fair to say this is one of the most important marketing decisions you’ll ever make.

Session Two: 60 minutes + Q&A / Group Discussion Media Advertising – What’s the Big Idea? Package your sales message in a way that will demand their attention, give them something to remember, address their needs and call them to action. Get the most bang for the least ding to your wallet through tried and true media techniques.

Public Relations – Making News With the right efforts and processes every business can gain access to free publicity through the media. Creating “news” and gaining free media exposure isn’t just for the “big guys”. Are you getting your fair share?

Session Three: 60 minutes + Q&A / Group Discussion Web Sites – The World Wide Web of Confusion Everyone says you need a big, fancy web site. Maybe, maybe not. The ins and outs of building and maintaining your company’s office/store front. What to expect (and not expect) from your web site.

Internet Marketing – Should you be a social butterfly? The search engines will soon run the world. What do they want from you and how can you put them to work for your business. Plus: Getting ‘social’ on the web; blogs, Twitter, LinkedIn. Are they right for you?

Bonus! FREE to all registered RBA expo exhibitors! Trade Shows – EXPOsing Yourself to the World! In this business, impact and perception are everything. You’re making the big effort to put yourself out there, so do it right. Tips & Techniques for getting the most from your trade show investment. Exhibit suggestions and advice for cost-effective selling solutions that work!

All sessions include: – Detailed handouts outlining each section presented – Easy to use worksheets to assist you in your efforts – Q&A time after each session

Four seminars in one half-day commitment! Advance registration required at www.c8group.net/mbd

Time: 8:00am to 1:00 pm Date: September 15, 2009 Price: One Session: $25.00 Price: Two or more: $40.00

Location: Hilton Garden Inn 270 West Route 59 Nanuet, NY 10954 (845) 623.0600

VANDERHOEF: TAX CELL-PHONE USERS by Ken Mahoney

VANDERHOEF: TAX CELL-PHONE USERS by Ken Mahoney County Executive Scott Vanderhoef says the increasing use of cell phones is costing Rockland hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. And he wants the county to tax cell-phone users 30 cents a month per phone to make up the difference. Land-line users already pay that tax, the revenue going to fund the county’s Emergency-911 system. If approved by the County Legislature, the cell-phone tax would add an estimated $400,000 a year to the E-911 coffers , about half the system’s yearly cost. Orangetown Supervisor Thom Kleiner, who’s hoping to unseat Vanderhoef on Election Day, told WRCR this morning he doesn’t think now is the time for any new taxes. He says the county should work instead to bring in new businesses and other revenue sources. A public hearing on the proposed cell-phone tax is set for September 16th at the county