When I spoke yesterday with state Sen. Thomas Morahan, R-New City, we discussed more than his decision to vote “no” if the gay marriage issue comes to a vote in the Senate. (See Opinion Exchange blog item here.)

Here are some comments from our conversation:

When asked why the Republican senators were now sticking to their calls [...]

I went to a small fundraiser on Saturday for a grass-roots nonprofit in Rockland that has grown — seemingly knit from lint — into an organization that honors others for their good works.

Adults Caring For Teens, Inc., a mentoring program that helps young people, honored Rockland County Legislature Chairwoman Harriet Cornell. ACT’s founder, Penny Jennings, [...]

I’ll be out the week of June 22, so we’ll see you here on In Focus: Rockland the 29th. Have a good week.

New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli stopped by for lunch with the Rockland Business Association today. He’ll be interviewed at 3 p.m. by the Editorial Board during an edition of Editorial Spotlight — go to LoHud.com/Editorialspotlight to view live or click “On Demand” for the archived version later.

He was a relatively optimistic and cheerful guy, [...]

Influenza — Type A, H1N1, or just a general virus with similar symptoms — is a real drag. We’ve had one sick kid this week in our house. It’s no picnic, and the final stretch, when the symptoms fade and the energy rises, is tough on everyone, especially the patient. (While most who come down [...]

Testimony today in Washington by Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger underscored again that a real miracle occurred in January, when the US Airways pilot landed his plane safely on the Hudson River. During an National Transportation Safety Board hearing, tapes replay the chaos that swirled around as Sullenberger and his co-pilot, Jeffrey Skiles brainstormed how to [...]

I wanted to follow up with some comments from others on the death of Ralph Mandia, longtime Clarkstown town board member. We had an appreciation today, which you can read here.

Rockland County Legislator Ed Day, R-New City, requested Tuesday night that the Legislature meeting in his memory. Here’s some of what he said about Mandia:
Ralph [...]

Community colleges are special places. “Non-traditional” students can get a second chance, or third. Though many attend classes for a special training, or just a basic education, others can become inspired there, continuing along the path of higher education.

That’s what happened to Penny Jennings, founder and CEO of A.C.T., Inc, a mentoring organization. And now, [...]

This past weekend, members of Chapter 333 of the Vietnam veterans of America hosted watchfires at Bowline Point Park in Haverstraw, Clausland Mountain in Upper Grandview, Piermont Pier in Piermont, and Eugene Levy Park in Ramapo. Especially now, these ceremonies and gathering sites are important reminders of the myriad risks taken on by those who [...]

The Palisades Center carousel, which is leaving the mall, was one of the big bells-and-whistles attractions touted when the mall first opened in 1997. At the south side of the 3rd floor Food Court sat the carousel, and the ferris wheel was at the north end. Both can be seen at night, lights glowing, spinning [...]