An elementary school in Claremont, Calif., was the scene of a protest and counter protest over the decision to ban kindergartners from wearing traditional Thanksgiving costumes. See the L.A. Times story here. Seems the Native American costumes were considered demeaning. It’s unfortunate that we don’t have pictures. (UPDATE: See picture here. Looks similar to what kindergartners in the LoHud will be wearing tomorrow… most likely the other costumes include standard-issue construction paper Pilgrim hat with big buckle and band with colorful construction paper feathers that our kids (and probably we) wore when we had our kindergarten Thanksgiving feast. (It’s downright amazing what a kindergarten teacher can do with construction paper. A few weeks ago, the kindergartners got off the school bus with their Johnny Appleseed construction paper hats. Cute! But I digress…)

This is not a new issue, sensitivity with Native American symbols, characters and garb. Nor is it one we haven’t dealt with here, recently. In 2002, state Education Commissioner Richard Mills recommended school districts do away with American Indian mascots. Ossining followed suit, taking he Riverhawk as their new mascot. In 2003, after much community debate (sometimes loud, angry debate) Nyack district decided to keep the Indian name, though they phased out the Indian logo, a staid profile. You still see bumper stickers around the Nyacks that say “Nyack Indians Forever,” which come from the original debate.

Back to the construction paper hats. Will your kids get off the school bus tomorrow as either a Pilgrim or an Indian? And do you have to back the pumpkin pie for the class Thanksgiving feast? And is there a way to teach small children about Thanksgiving without construction paper, symbols and mashed potatoes?

Sitting in the Tappan Zee Summit meeting called by County Legislature Chairwoman Harriet Cornell,  it became clear that the public isn’t getting shut out of the process of determining the future of a Hudson River crossing.

There have been times during the process when I wasn’t sure the project team wanted much input or to have the public play a critical role. But that’s changed.

It’s clear from recent developments that public feedback – from the Stakeholder Advisory Working Groups, the Rockland and Westchester Tappan Zee Futures Task force and the public’s comments and concerns expressed at open houses – has mattered.

And Friday, whenever anyone from Rockland expressed concern about an aspect of the plans as they exist or even as they might evolve, Mike Anderson and other officials involved in the project were quick to say they’d be willing to meet and discuss the issue.

Will there be noise abatement in the Nyacks? We’ll be happy to talk about that.

Will BRT operate at ground level in Airmont? We have no decision yet, but will be happy to talk about it.

Will construction move closer to structures? Possibly, but let’s talk about that.

Over and over, there were expressions of willingness to sit down with citizens and local officials to work out such issues.

That’s a long time and a long way from the approach in the 1950s when state officials went so far as to deny there was a plan for a crossing, announcing the Nyacks-to-Tarrytown route just days later.

Finally, the information and opinions are flowing freely – both ways.

Seems that when I wrote about the United Way benefit the other evening called “Way Off Broadway,” I inadvertently overlooked a mention of the act just ahead of the Rockland Idles, of which I was part.

Actually, Jeff Keahon was getting us thinking we were out of our comfort zone, which wasn’t very comfortable to begin with.

Waiting to lip-sync to Elvis Presley’s “I’m All Shook Up,” Keahon would have made coffee nervous with his pacing in the shadows in the back-stage prep area.

He was just getting into character, I guess, because when he hit the stage, he had The King down perfectly.

The jet black wig and the sequined jumpsuit completed the look, although someone said he looked more like Evel Knievel.

Also deserving of another mention was Jane Brown from Child Care Resources of Rockland. After appearing in a production number from “Annie,” she did a quick change to hypnotize the audience of about 200 by singing an emotional rendition of “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”

Rockland County Legislature Chairwoman Harriet Cornell hosted her annual summit on the Tappan Zee Bridge/I-287 Corridor this morning at Rockland Community College. The guest speaker was state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. He was there to talk about the finances (or lack of finances?) for the $16 billion project. He was more optimistic than he’s been, saying the challenges presented the opportunity to come up with some new funding formulas that combined state, federal and private resources. He pointed out that the comptroller’s office was well-represented by former comptroller H. Carl McCall on the governer’s recently established New York State Commission on State Asset Maximization to study potential public-private partnerships for the State of New York.

A bridge that’s costing millions to maintain needs to be replaced, to the tune of billions, and government doesn’t have the money to do it? That’s an opportunity?

That wasn’t the only lemonade-out-of-lemons moment for DiNapoli. Later, he was asked about the state’s looming deficit ($1.6 billion this year, $12.5 billion for the 2009-2010 state budget) and the likelihood that Medicaid would end up getting hit with funding cuts. “At some point,” he said, the cuts “are going to hit on aid for health care and school aid.” But, then he looked at the bright side (bright side??) But, this will get everyone focused on looking for ways to reform the Medicaid system. “This may be an opportunity.”

DiNapoli tried to present a glass-half-full view, but he knows what’s really lurking in the bottom of that glass. “We are in for a very difficult year,” he said at the end of taking questions during the transporation summit. “Let’s hope it’s just a year.”

And, just in case anyone thought he didn’t really know how bad it could be, he added, “On a very human level, people are going to be suffering.”

I’m going to be heading to Montebello soon and I’m dreading the trip because of my experience yesterday trying to get to Rockland Community College from West Nyack.

Having lived in Suffern until about a year ago, my car can find itself to the Airmont Road exit on the Thruway.

I left the parking lot at The Journal News later than intended, at exactly noon. Leaving Crossfield Avenue, I turned onto Route 59 and headed west to enter the northbound Palisades Parkway. I took the Palisades one exit to the westbound Thruway and moved well until I got just past the Garden State Parkway exit, 14A.

Then, I hit a standstill. After about 10 minutes in which I crept about two car lengths, I called the office to report that there likely was a problem. Another 10 minutes and maybe four car lengths later, I called again.

Then I saw the construction sign. “Left two lanes closed ahead.”

At least there was a reason. Or maybe not.

Beyond the westbound tolls, things started to narrow down. But when we picked up speed, there was hardly a sign of construction and we never really made it down to one lane. There were tractor-trailers stretching as far as I could see behind me.

When we finally got moving not far from the Airmont Road exit, I figured I was home free.

Wrong. Making the right turn off the exit, I found Airmont road down to one lane with alternating traffic because of excavation.

At the turn onto Spook Rock Road, I was sure the rest of the way would be clear.

Wrong again. A sewer crew had the road open right at the fork on Spook Rock.

I finally pulled into a parking space at RCC at 12:47 p.m.

Forty-seven minutes. That’s way too long in the age of Geographic Information Systems.

How much would it really take to coordinate work sites countywide so that when a major project is going on, smaller projects nearby don’t compound the delays and the frustration of trying to get around?

I know, I know. “Dig we must,” But there’s got to be a better way.

I’m setting out blind, not knowing if there’s work going on along the route today, but let’s see what it takes to get to Montebello this afternoon.

Not a big fan of “Jeopardy”? Seen “Men in Black” so often you can recite Will Smith’s lines? “Survivor” taken on a different meaning in these economically trying times?

Try the alternative to TV this evening and come watch me humiliate myself – along with a troupe of others – to benefit United Way of Rockland at the Holiday Inn in Suffern as part of “Way Off Broadway.”

It’s billed as a lip sync and talent show, but I’m still trying to figure out where the talent is hidden in the act I’ve been asked to join.

John Murphy did the recruiting, pulling together a ragged bunch including myself, community leader Hector May, Our Town Publisher Arthur Aldrich, Harold Peterson of Provident Bank, Clerk to the County Legislature Larry Toole, Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski, Sheriff James Kralik and District Attorney Tom Zugibe, among others.

The only hint I’ll give as to what we’ll be doing is this: Our choreographer is Larry McKeever of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division III.

For just $50, you can help a lot of people help a lot more people this holiday season.

The admission covers an hour of cocktails (there’s a cash bar) and hors d’oeuvres from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

At 7 p.m., it’s curtain time—or maybe curtains—for a bunch of acts including my group, the Rockland Idols.

If you make it to the end of the show, there’s a reception at which you can have dessert and coffee and mingle with “the stars,” whomever they might be.

We’re expecting it will be fun for us and for the audience, too.

Today, I had a discussion with Greg Rand, managing partner of Prudential Rand Realty, about a Foreclosure Prevention Workshop his company is sponsoring. The workshop takes place from 6-9:30 p.m. at the Comfort Inn in Nanuet. There’s going to be a wealth of information for Rockland homeowners who are worried about foreclosure. Federal, state and local politicians will be on hand. Representatives the Legal Aid Society, HOGAR, Rockland Housing Action Coalition and other nonprofits that specialize in homeownership and housing issues will be there. Mental health professionals will be around to help sort out the stress issues that come with the threat of foreclosure. Rockland District Attorney Tom Zugibe is going to discuss fraud—a big concern. The foreclosure prevention business is a relatively new industry. For-profit companies are popping up as foreclosures rise. And it’s not a well-regulated field, Rand said. “People are vulnerable,” Rand said, and once people are aware that someone is in foreclosure, others will try to capitalize on that vulnerability.

Now, why would a Realtor want to coordinate something like this (besides the fact that a businessman was able to get all these nonprofits and political leaders who are all concerned about this issue together, in one room)? “We’re not just another merchant selling merchandise on Main Street,” he pointed out. “We sell Main Street.”

Yes, his business does better if the Lower Hudson Valley does better. Don’t we all?

Tomorrow at 11:30 a.m., I’ll be talking with Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef about his 2009 county budget proposal.

Watch the discussion LIVE at www.LoHud.com/editorialspotlight; and post your questions for the county executive during our live blogging session.

And there’s plenty to talk about when looking at the $714.5 million spending plan. Cost-savings include an early retirement incentive plan and the closing of dozens of job positions. Some other cuts, like a 15 percent across-the-board funding cut to nonprofit agencies, has some agencies concerned. In a bad economy, some of the services those nonprofits provide are more in demand. Then, there’s a $1 million savings that would come from ending free prescriptions for county workers if they use the county pharmacy. It’s an idea Vanderhoef’s pushed for a while; but the unions and workers have been woe to let go of a benefit they’ve had for years and they see as part of their overall compensation.

The property tax rate is expected to jump 9.85 percent. The county tax portion is a relatively small part of a property owner’s tax bill (schools are the big chunk) but it’s still a tough sell right now.

Rockland taxpayers, where would you cut? How would you raise revenue? If you can’t contribute questions live, post them here or email them to ncutler@lohud.com, and I will pass them on to Vanderhoef. I’m sure he’s eager to hear ideas, too.

I was asked in a previous post whether a proposed calorie posting bill (similar to one just passed by Westchester’s Board of Legislators) was yanked Thursday night from the Rockland County Legislature’s Multi-Services Committee agenda.

It was pulled, and here’s why: County Legislator Joseph Meyers, D-Airmont, said he did rescind the agenda item on his calorie posting bill. But, he said, that was because he wanted it as a discussion item, rather than a public hearing. Why? He wants an opportunity for lawmakers to hear testimony and question experts in the health field—he wants some dialogue so legislators can understand what he sees as the need for such legislation. At a public hearing, people comment, but legislators don’t. So, he said, it will be back on the agenda later, in a format where testimony can be offered and questions can be asked. Then, a public hearing would take place. When? Likely after all the 2009 budget hearings and vote, which right now take priority.

I’ve always loved Suffern and would love to see it really thrive as a retail center for the western part of Ramapo and Rockland. That’s why I think the village administration is making a mistake scaling back a proposed urban renewal condominium project.

Actually, the original plan has been sliced and diced and the newest version calls for a single six-floor building of about 100 units. That’s cut back from seven floors—which seems like a meaningless change—with the project limited to one block opposite the NJ Transit tracks rather than the original three blocks.

According to Deputy Mayor Dagan LaCorte, those changes came about for a combination of reasons—the economy, trying to do something in keeping with the village and a political favorite, keeping people happy.

I understand the economic pressures, although some developers may argue that even given the current climate, a larger project might have a better shot at being profitable. I’m sorry, but sometimes officials can’t be concerned with keeping people happy. That means keeping their jobs and sometimes officials have to do politically risky things just because they are the right thing to do.

That’s how I’ve seen this project. Suffern has done well marketing itself as the restaurant capital of western Rockland, but like in past decades, vacant shops are growing in number.

Some residents want to reinvigorate the village by changing the mix of retail on Lafayette Avenue rather than building. That’s a great idea, but they miss the point that there’s not enough population to attract gift shops, boutiques, shoe stores and other retail outlets that might make it unnecessary to drive to a mall to buy a pair of shoes or slacks.

The urban renewal project as first envisioned might have done the job, but too much has been trimmed for the end result to make any real difference downtown.

What village officials seem to be doing is missing out on a transformative opportunity to increase housing and population density in a positive way—near mass transit. Pump people and buying power into the village and there will be a waiting list for vacancies and for office or residential space  along Lafayette Avenue.

This is just the beginning for Suffern. There will be many more critical decisions ahead if commuter rail through the village eventually links to a new Metro-North commuter line proposed to cross a new Tappan Zee Bridge.

That will bring other opportunities to either accept change and become another Ridgewood or resist, holding on to the past, and get swallowed by change with out the benefits it can generate.

That’s going to call for tough choices, some of which will leave residents unhappy—especially if they see opportunity blowing past Suffern for other destinations.