MTA CHAIRMAN TO SPEAK (AND LISTEN) IN ROCKLAND TUESDAY

MTA CHAIRMAN TO SPEAK (AND LISTEN) IN ROCKLAND TUESDAY

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s new chairman is coming to Rockland next week – to get an earful from the public. Jay Walder will appear Tuesday at a noon-time luncheon at the Rockland Country Club in Sparkill. It’s part of what’s being called a “listening tour” by Walder of the four counties that share a single vote on the MTA Board. What he’s likely to hear MOST are complaints about the recently-imposed Payroll Mobility Tax, a fee that will cost employers in the MTA region millions of dollars a year. The public is invited to Tuesday’s luncheon by reservation only, through the Rockland Business Association, the event co-sponsor.

UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN SLIGHTLY IN REGION

UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN SLIGHTLY IN REGION

New figures show October’s unemployment rate in the lower Hudson region including Rockland came in at seven-point-one percent. That’s well below the 10.2% national rate – and slightly below the region’s September rate – but it’s still well above last October’s 5% unemployment rate regionally.

HEARING ON PROPOSED HOSPICE SLATED FOR NEXT TUESDAY IN NEW CITY

HEARING ON PROPOSED HOSPICE SLATED FOR NEXT TUESDAY IN NEW CITY

Rockland County’s first hospice home may be coming soon. A public hearing is scheduled next Tuesday on United Hospice of Rockland’s request for a special permit to operate a home in New City. The hearing, at Clarkstown Town Hall, is the latest chapter in a five-year quest by United Hospice to bring Rockland a facility to care for terminally-ill patients in their final days. As it stands, the area’s closest hospice facilities are in Orange County and the Bronx

HIGH FORECLOSURE RATE SLAMS LOWER HUDSON REGION

HIGH FORECLOSURE RATE SLAMS LOWER HUDSON REGION

The region continues to be hit hard by economic woes, including unemployment and the resultant loss of homes. Monthly figures cited by The Journal News show a more-than two-fold year-to-year increase in initial foreclosure filings across the lower Hudson Valley. That includes an increase in Rockland from 94 filings in October, 2008, to 177 filings last month. The October increase in Westchester was even steeper, from 96 foreclosure filings in 2008 to 320 filings in 2009.

T-Z REBUILD WORKSHOP TODAY AT PALISADES CENTER

T-Z REBUILD WORKSHOP TODAY AT PALISADES CENTER

Rockland and Westchester residents get another official look today at what’s in store locally when the Tappan Zee Bridge is replaced. The second of five community workshop on the bridge project is slated for 6 p.m. at the Palisades Mall’s Adler Community Room. The session will focus on Clarkstown – specifically, on how new mass transit options – via Thruway and railway -- would affect the town. The first workshop, focusing on Ramapo, was held two nights ago. The next one, focusing on Orangetown, is slated for next Wednesday, the 18th, at Nyack High School. The estimated five-year, $16-billion project could start as early as 2013. It calls for the addition of new, and as yet unfinalized, commuter bus and rail links across the new bridge.

COUNTY REVIEWING FAILURE TO SEND PRE-PAYMENT TAX NOTICES

COUNTY REVIEWING FAILURE TO SEND PRE-PAYMENT TAX NOTICES

Rockland officials are looking to find out why notices were not sent to home-owners last month, reminding them that their quarterly taxes were due. Scores of taxpayers confronted county officials Friday, after receiving late notices informing them they now were tax delinquents facing penalties. County Executive Scott Vanderhoef acknowledges the failure to send early reminders is a break from tradition – although the county is not required to do so. County Legislative Chairwoman Harriet Cornell promises the legislature will take whatever action it can – and legislative approval is necessary -- to have the penalties waived where appropriate.

ELECTION DAY BIG FOR ROCKLAND INCUMBENTS

ELECTION DAY BIG FOR ROCKLAND INCUMBENTS

Incumbents have been swept back into office throughout Rockland. Voters gave Republican Scott Vanderhoef the fifth term he sought as County Executive. Ramapo’s Christopher St. Lawrence, Clarkstown’s Alex Gromack, and Haverstraw’s Howard Phillips – all Democrats -- were returned as Town Supervisor.

COUNTY EXECUTIVE RACE TOPS ELECTION DAY RUNDOWN

COUNTY EXECUTIVE RACE TOPS ELECTION DAY RUNDOWN

Polls are open until 9 p.m. throughout Rockland, with more than 40 races to be settled on this Election Day. The key race county-wide pits incumbent County Executive.Scott Vanderhoef against Orangetown Supervisor Thom Kleiner. County Clerk Paul Piperato runs unopposed for re-election. Giovanni Scaringi takes on incumbent Robert Jackson in the only county legislator’s race -- that of the 14th district, in Clarkstown.

Two town supervisors are running unopposed in Rockland – Clarkstown’s Alex Gromack and Haverstraw’s Howard Phillips. Ramapo’s incumbent supervisor, Chris St. Lawrence, is challenged by Spring Valley village attorney Bruce Levine. Suzanne Barclay and Paul Whelan are vying for the Orangetown supervisor’s seat being vacated by Kleiner. And in Stony Point, William Sherwood and Peter Muller are vying to succeed incumbent supervisor Phil Marino, who’s not running.

As for the villages, there are three key mayors’ races. Noramie Jasmin, Allan Thompson, and Jacques Michel are up for the seat being vacated by incumbent mayor George Darden. Richard Kavesh and Denise Hogan square off for Nyack Supervisor. And in Suffern, Dagan LaCorte takes on James Giannettino, with incumbent mayor John Keegan on the ballot but not actively seeking re-election. Finally, Christoph Sanders runs unopposed for mayor in Piermont.