Comments talked about the program and what it’s given to the town (well-maintained fields at the former RPC property, fund-raisers for families in their most trying times, the Buddy Ball Sports program that gives all kids of all physical and developmental abilities a chance to play, and other programs for kids.) Commenters also pointed out the lesson of sportsmanship, and wondered what kind of example this was for his daughter. Speaking of sportsmanship, OMM has a “silent soccer” day during the fall season, in which no one, including and especially parents on the sidelines, talks. The idea is to promote sportsmanship, and give the game back to the kids—no one yelling directions, etc.

But here is my favorite comment from the forums from this article:

The Jets quarterback said (they) were going to win last week. They didn’t. I want a refund.

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.

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.

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.

One reader believed the hunter, or as many pointed out, poacher, should have stepped forward:

This “hunter” should be caught and prosecuted for poaching. A husky doesn’t resemble a deer or a coyote. What I find worrisome is that this person, whoever he is, did not come forward and say anything to the owners of the dog. Not “I’m sorry” or “I didn’t mean to do this.”

Sadly, a situation like this overshadows hunters, such as myself, who exercise great caution and consideration for the surroundings which enable us to enjoy our chosen sport.

The person who shot this dog was no more a “hunter” than a street drug dealer is a pharmacist. Since hunting is illegal in the town park, the shooter was a poacher, not a hunter.

Dr. Berezin was the first pediatrician to open a practice in Rockland, his family said. He retired just four years ago, at age 85.
Dr. Elliot Siegal, president of Clarkstown Pediatrics, said that he considered it a privilege to work with Berezin. “He was really an old-school doctor,” Dr. Siegal said today, between seeing patients. “He really loved what he did and did it very well.”

Dr. Berezin joined Clarkstown Pediatrics, one of the county’s largest practices, when he was in his mid 70s. That way, he could ease up on the night and weekend calls. In the guestbook for his obituary on LoHud, though, several remembered his house calls, and kindness (and lollipops).

One former patient wrote:

For many years as a child I was sick with asthma and had to make many trips to Dr. Berezin and every visit he made me feel better with just the way he used to make me laugh and his incredible way that he would calm my fears. ... My mother and I both cried today learning of his passing.

she’s a delegate to this year’s Education Project, which takes place in Bahrain and addresses the future of education around the world. She’s also a presenter, joining a discussion on “Empowering Students, Parents and the Community.” Right up her alley.

Penny launched ACT in 2002, wanting a place that matched mentors with young people, no matter their age or their history of trouble. She now leads programs throughout Rockland and has lined up the honors for her hard work on behalf of young people. (She was the state Senate’s  2008 New York State Woman of Distinction, and she’s also a member of the Rockland Community College Board of Trustees — she started her higher education journey there, and finished it this year with a Ph.D. from Northeastern University in Boston. She earned the Ph.D.—no kidding, commuting to Boston from Rockland—while running all ACT’s programs.)

Now, she’s on the world stage. While it’s an amazing feat, it’s not a surprising one for those who know Penny.

Tomorrow, the Spring Valley candidates get their turn. The mayoral candidates are at 11 a.m. and trustees at noon. Watch them live, or check out the sessions later, at www.lohud.com/editorialspotlight, or check out the session later.

I asked a couple days ago if anyone wanted to submit questions for the candidates. I received some ideas for Nyack, Clarkstown and the Legislature. Now, to Spring Valley. Want to help with questions? Post them here, or e-mail them to ncutler@lohud.com.

But wait, there’s more! We’ll continue the interviews through Oct. 21. Here’s the full endorsement schedule. (Rockland’s on the second page.)

Tuesday, Oct. 6

1 p.m. – Rockland County Legislature District 14 

 2:30 p.m. – Clarkstown Town Board 

3:30 p.m. – Nyack Village mayor

4:30 p.m. – Nyack Village trustees

 Thursday, Oct. 8

 11 a.m. – Spring Valley mayor

12 p.m. – Spring Valley trustees

Here’s the full endorsement schedule. (Rockland’s on the second page.) Tune in to LoHud.com when the interviews are being webstreamed live, or check the Editorial Spotlight archives at anytime to review the candidates in your county, town or village at www.lohud.com/editorialspotlight.

Last night, U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel sent out a press release announcing that the just-passed House-passed fiscal year 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations bill contained $300,000 for RCC that the college plans to use to upgrade and replace six science labs supporting instruction in biology, engineering, and physics.

RCC President Cliff Wood said in the statement:  “It is very important for the college to have state-of-the-art science laboratories.  We have a large nursing program and it is crucial to have these upgrades in order to give them a quality education.”

The legislation is an extension of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s investment in scientific research education, Engel said in the press release.  “RCC plays such an important role in the economic development of Rockland County, as well as the educational development of Rockland’s youth,” he said.

That is true; that is what a strong two-college does for a community. It offers real access to higher education.

2004 FILE PHOTO:  John Butler of Verizon, left, talks to RCC nursing students Flo Leighton of Nanuet, and Mary Inniss of Spring Valley at the RCC Foundation leadership awards luncheon at the Holiday Inn and Conference Center in Suffern.