How many elected officials (and consultants) does it take to screw in a lightbulb? Who knows, but you can guarantee it’s going to be a pricey endeavor.

Today, Akiko Matsuda reports that Orangeburg Library, which rents space from the Town of Orangetown and pays its own utility bills, ended up getting a big bill ($18,000) when the building was retrofitted as part of a townwide energy audit by Siemens Building Technology. The problem is, no one in the town seemed to explain to the library that it would have to pay upfront for the upgrade. Sure, its electricity bills are expected to go down, but that’s  a multi-year recoup of the cost it has to cover in the here-and-now.

The town entered into a 15-year contract for an “energy improvement program.” The program costs $3.2 million including interest, and the town has been awarded $245,000 in federal highway aid as well as $90,000 from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority toward the project.  The town expects to save $3.9 million from the audit. Now, some say that’s hardly worth the effort, considering it’s only estimated, but one also has to consider the savings in natural resources, not just the cost of resources.

Energy savings may be smart, but fully informing all involved, and making sure the investment can be paid for, is smarter.

Today, my local deli offered free coffee and doughnuts to veterans. They are participants in Rockland County Veteran Affairs’ “Return the F.A.V.O.R.” program, in which vets get discounts at local merchants. That make me want to go back again, above and beyond the nice sandwiches they make.

This Veterans Day  comes amid war, amid the horrific recent losses of those who serve at Fort Hood. It comes as reports continue of increased TBIs and other injuries inflicted on troops. It comes as the Army seeks answers to continued high suicide rates. It comes as the death toll in Afghanistan continues to climb. It comes as the president continues to weigh a troop buildup there, and carve out a clear mission.

A free cup of coffee to help with such a weight? Yes. Any kind of support that we can give, we should, big and small. That can mean giving to local agencies that help veterans, organizing gift bags for troops abroad, supporting  local veterans groups. And supporting the deli that supports the troops.

If you or your organization supports veterans in some way, let us know. Add it here.

Nyack’s Halloween Parade took place this year on the actual day, which some merchants and families thought was great. Personally, I like to stretch it out some, and the combo of a Saturday and parade day pushed the trick-or-treating kind of late. (Some could say that’s good, or bad, same as my observation that my bunch didn’t seem to bring in as much candy…)

No matter when it is, Nyack’s parade is always in the vicinity of election time, and this year’s was closer to the actual day than any I can recall. Oddly, I saw few candidates.

County executive candidates were there, of course. Incumbent C. Scott Vanderhoef’s crew carried signs, but I didn’t see anyone dressed up. Scott wore a Yankees jacket—kind of a costume, amid World Series Yankee mania. Many of challenger Thom Kleiner’s supporters were costumed, but the candidate himself wore a suit and tie. They marched one behind the other (Vanderhoef first).

I remember a couple years ago, the sheriff’s candidates went all out. Incumbent Rockland County Sheriff James Kralik and his mounted patrol rode their horses (there were other horses that year, too, I recall, but none this year. Odd). Challenger Tim O’Neill wore a Western Sheriff costume, with the chaps and the pointed star.

I guess it’s difficult to be running for public office and choosing a costume. I imagine the jokes could never end.

FILE PHOTO: This guy was at the parade in 2003, so it’s not a commentary on the  candidates’ boring costumeless Halloween this year.