I spent the morning at the Summit on Financing Tappan Zee Bridge & I-287 Corridor, hosted by Rockland County Legislature Chairwoman Harriet Cornell at Rockland Community College.

I learned a lot about rocks. Not the kind you find smashed up by Tilcon into gravel for roadways. No. Like the kind you look under for funding sources.

Seems financing discussions (especially when it’s about finding a base of $16 billion, let alone all the money on top of that to help with any debt service) brings out the comedian in everyone. Alas, it didn’t bring out any concrete answers on where the funding will come from. (Oh, no! It’s contagious! Look at that: concrete—rock… get it?) For those living under a rock, the TZB/I-287 Project will replace the Tappan Zee Bridge and revamp the 30-mile corridor between Port Chester and Suffern. The project will introduce a bus rapid transit system along the corridor, and commuter rail across Rockland to tie into the Hudson line and down to Grand Central Terminal. While the study for how to design and implement the project continues, so does the study of how to finance it.

New York State Department of Transportation Finance Manager Phil Ferguson started the rock talk rolling. During the morning session, he talked about looking under every rock for funding, talked about “the rocks we’ve looked at,” referring to traditional funding sources. At one point, when some suggestions were made for other funding approaches, he said, “Keep bringing us rocks.”

(He also made a crack about one graphic shown, an upside-down Isoscelese triangle showing how certain options were being narrowed. He called it the “Pink Floyd” chart.—I, of course, am too young to get the reference to the prism on the cover of the Dark Side of the Moon album.)

But the best witticism of the morning (and boy, we needed it) came from Chairwoman Cornell. After Joseph Ruggiero, director of strategic planning for the Office of New York State Comptroller, explained in excrutiating detail the financial struggles faced by the state (think phrases like “debt capacity”), he ended is talk by saying, “Sorry to rain on your parade.” Cornell returned to the podium and said, “Ushers from the State of New York will be passing among you with little caps.”

Now, Moshe Lefkowitz can’t figure out the fuss over debris, etc., at the site where he has been coordinating kapparot ceremonies for ultra-Orthodox Jews. The ceremony, performed during the period between Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, involves passing a chicken over one’s head three times while a prayer is recited, a symbolic transfer of sins. The chicken is later slaughtered, and its meat given to charity.

Lefkowitz, a butcher by trade, and others who perform kapparot, have said it is hard for those who do not ascribe to kapparot to understand the deeply moving ceremony’s importance. That may be so. But it is easy to understand the Rockland County Health Code, and those rules have to be met within the county’s boundaries. Given, it may be very hard to meet the guidelines with so many live chickens in such a small area, as Lefkowitz has pointed out, but they still must be followed, or violations—and fines—will ensue. And those fines should be paid.

Lefkowitz told staff writer Hema Easley the Rockland Health Department fines (in the thousands of dollars, similar to what he was fined last year and the year before) were “ridiculous.” He says he won’t pay. (He ’s only paid a portion of past fines.) But, last year, in a letter to the editor, he called the health department’s decision to fine him “fair,” and apologized for incurring the violations. He pointed out the health department’s hard job in dealing with the “unique requirements” of the “burgeoning” Orthodox community.

Here’s a letter to the editor from Lefkowitz published Feb. 6, 2008:

Apology for violations at kapparot site

I apologize to everyone: the county, the community, my friends and others who were discomfited and dismayed by the violations I received for the Kaporoth (kapparot) program several months ago. I am especially distressed that I was the cause of much discussion of the issue that had nothing to do with me and my failings, but with others who had nothing to do with my program.
The county government officials were fair in fining me. I respect them for their professionalism and what they did was correct. I am sad that anyone can be mistaken about that.
In the lengthy exile of the Jewish people few governments have been as kind as the Rockland County government. It is not easy for them to deal with the unique requirements of our burgeoning population. But they try. For this we must thank them and bless them.
I conclude by saying that no violations were found regarding cruelty to the chickens. The cleanliness issues were caused because of failed deliveries of certain items and because of other issues. But there was no violation because of cruelty to the chickens.
I thank you for allowing me to apologize.
Moshe Lefkowitz
Monsey
The writer organized a kapparot ceremony at the Rockland Drive-In. The Rockland County Board of Health fined him $3,000 for poor conditions left at the site.

According to the Tax Foundation’s examination of U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey data on property tax data for owner-occupied housing for 2008, Rockland County now ranks No. 5 in median property taxes paid on homes. For 2007, Rockland ranked seventh. (Westchester again ranks No. 1 and Putnam County breaks into the Top 10, having been merely 11th in 2007.

Sad, sadder and saddest.

The New York State Commission on Property Tax Relief, headed by Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi (his county’s again ranked No. 2 in median property taxes paid on homes) has called for a property tax cap, and mandate relief. The commission’s looking at various ways to curb school taxes (the largest share of a homeowner’s tax bill) including consolidation of tiny school districts (littler than what we have in Rockland) shared services (something Rockland districts already do, often with BOCES, but there’s room for more) and finding ways to curb special education costs without compromising education quality. It’s painfully obvious to everyone (maybe even our representatives in Albany) that something’s gotta give. Fifth place? Shouldn’t we at least get a medal?

See the report from the Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that has monitored fiscal policy at the federal, state and local levels since 1937 — it’s creatively named Fiscal Fact. No. 192.

Feeling autumnal today? Yup, it’s now officially fall (so will we get a little Indian summer and

finally have that warm weather we missed most of the summer?!?!)

According to the ILoveNY.com foliage report, there’s plenty of leaf peeping to be had in the Adirondacks and Catskills. According to their map, Rockland is still solidly in the green zone (no change) with the very western edge, just past the Thruway around Route 17 emerging into the yellow zone (just changing). I have seen a couple trees beginning to change already (one along Route 59 in the Central Nyack area, but just that one. Then again, I’m often driving, so it’s best that I’m not leaf-peeping through New City or along Route 306.) So, are you seeing some orange, yellow and red bursts in Pomona, or near Bear Mountain? Maybe regular commuters are enjoying a more colorful commute up the PIP? Our foliage forecast is for the very end of October.

In today’s editorial, Safe food 101, we looked at health code violations in school cafeterias.

John Stoughton, a senior public health sanitarian with the Rockland Health Department, has been in charge of regulating food safety compliance for 28 years. He says that for the most part, Rockland’s schools have a good track record.

Why? Stoughton believes there are several reasons Rockland’s schools are often in compliance, or have problems that are easily fixable:

• They often have a “static staff,” or little turnover among the lunch ladies and gentlemen. They all know their jobs and their
  duties because they have been there a long time.


• Cafeterias have limited hours, some serve breakfast, and then they all, of course, serve lunch. They are then closed, so there’s plently of uninterrupted to clean, and keep everything maintained.


• Rockland also has mandatory food safety training through the health department—and has since 1978, making it one of the first counties in New York state to mandate such training. (Westchester mandates the training, too.)  Stoughton noted that though only one worker has to come, many schools send a large number of their cafeteria staff, and some schools send all their cafeteria workers, a smart move. The 5-hour course is free, and covers the basics of safe food handling (keeping food at proper temperature, wearing gloves, etc.).

It’s primary day, and in certain communities in Rockland, that’s prime time. Places like Spring Valley (and pretty much Ramapo) and Nyack are likely to be decided today, with the Democratic primaries.

Here’s a take on some of the big races:

Nyack mayor: Three current village trustees — Denise Hogan, Richard Kavesh, Marie Lorenzini — and businesswoman Marianne Olive are seeking the Democratic line for mayor. (John Shields isn’t running again.) The big issues here are the Riverspace downtown redevelopment proposal, and the perpetual issues of riverfront use, the “gateway” (up by 9W) and parking, parking, parking.

Ramapo town supervisor: Christopher St. Lawrence is challenged on the Democratic line by former county Legislator Bruce Levine, and on the Republican line (yup, St. Lawrence got the Republica nod) by Robert Romanowski, a frequent speaker at town board and county Legislature meetings. Levine’s team also has a couple people running as challengers for the town board lines, backed by Preserve Ramapo. And, there’s even a challenge to Town Justice Rhoda Schoenberger, a real “ouch” to her spouse, county Legislator Ilan Schoenberger, who pretty accurately bills himself on his official Rockland County Legislature biography as the ”… most powerful county legislator.” He’s quoting TJN columnist Bob Baird, who actually called him arguably the most powerful county legislator in a 2003 column, but, who’s arguing here? Anyway, the big fish is St. Lawrence, and it’s worth noting that no matter what happens at the polls today, he’s still on the ballot in November — he’s also got the Independence, Conservative and Working Families lines.

Spring Valley: Oh, Spring Valley. Seeking the Democratic ticket for mayor are: Bernard Charles, Demeza Delhomme, Noramie Jasmin, M. Margareth Jourdan and Jacques Michel. Vilair Fonvil has dropped out. What will happen there? This is a village amid a major urban development plan that’s mired in its own and the economy’s troubles. We shall see.

There’s also a Democratic mayoral challenge in Suffern (and it’s been a snarky contest between Mayor John Keegan and Trustee Dagen LaCorte), plus contests in West Haverstraw and Clarkstown. Here’s a news roundup.

If you live in these places, and the party in which you are registered has a primary challenge, go vote.

The New York State Senate unanimously passed legislation to add Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to the list of diagnoses that would be covered under Timothy’s Law, which ensures insurance coverage parity for biologically based mental illnesses. State Sen. Thomas Morahan, R-New City, a longtime champion of Timothy’s Law, introduced the PTSD coverage.

The addition is timely, of course, but also a long time coming.

Here’s Morahan’s statement:

On this eighth anniversary of the September 11th attack on our nation, it is appropriate and timely that we include persons exposed to acts of terrorism, as well as veterans who have been in combat in this legislation. According to a study issued in 2007, twenty percent of troops, about 300,000, returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan report symptoms of PTSD, depression, or severe traumatic brain injury. This landmark legislation would also cover victims of violent crime, childhood abuse, and those exposed to catastrophic events under the umbrella of Timothy’s Law.

A recent news story and editorial on a $1.63 million “Restore New York grant  for a new, state-of-the-art kosher poultry slaughterhouse in New Square has grabbed plenty of attention. Many have focused on the list of state officials who contacted Empire State Development (which manages Restore NY grants) about the New Square grant application. A spokeswoman for Empire State Development, a state entity that disburses Restore New York grants, said U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, Rep. Eliot Engel, state Sen. Thomas Morahan and Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee sent letters of support for the New Square application.

I spoke last evening with Jaffee, who said she submitted many letters for projects in the communities she represents, as many localities lined up to make stimulus funding requests. The New Square project was among them. “I did that for everything,” she said of the various grant applications, “to support all this funding.”

Jaffee points out that the original plant had “very sever issues,” and under this proposal, it would be demolished and condemned. She said the new plant was to include technologies that would minimize smells and mess. She also said that the new plant would have two USDA inspectors present at all times (because of its size, that’s part of the regulations). Jaffee said the trucks would be cleaned carefully, minimizing smells, and would be routed through the Village of New Square, not busy Route 45. She also discussed how newer plants use water recycling systems (chicken processing is a heavy water user, and New Square has had problems with low water pressure.)

Rockland County Planning Department has issued a negative declaration about the plan, and New Hempstead neighbors (it’s right on the northern border of the village) are concerned and a public hearing on the project has been canceled by the village, and yet to be rescheduled. Aren’t the concerns of the Rockland Planning Department relevant to this grant?

“I do my homework,” Jaffee said. “My understanding is there is an attempt to respond to the planning department. … they are trying to do their due diligence,” she said of the village officials.

There are still issues between documentation supplied to Empire State Development and the county Planning Department. For example, the County Planning Department-submitted plans show a facility at 50,000 square feet on a .99-acre lot that has been subdivided. Empire State has the plant at around 26,000 feet on 7.8 acres, which is the size of the entire property. (The old plant was 5,000 square feet.) Jaffee said she did not have the information from the county planning department, but noted that the plant must be approved, and built, before the Restore NY grant can be paid out.

Jaffee also noted, as Empire State Development had, that the plant will supply 100 full-time equivalent jobs. But she did not know, nor did Empire State, how many jobs the old plant provided. My question is (and when I find it out I will post it here): What i the job growth, how many MORE jobs will there be?

Jaffee reiterated several times that the new proposed plant would be state-of-the-art and be much cleaner with high environmental standards.

She added: “I’m not here advocating for this … I want to support the plan for municipalities I represent.”

Last Friday, I spoke to Ron Levine in the office Sen. Thomas Morahan, D-New City. His statements, as reflected in Saturday’s news story, were that at first he checked and was told there wasn’t a letter, but he immediately checked further with more staff members and called back to say the senator’s office had sent a “generic” letter of support for a plan that would supply jobs in the community. Letters that seek consideration for projects in communities are commonly sent by the public officials who represent those communities, Levine has said. “We do this because we believe those who represent the localities know the needs of the area far better than we do,” Levine said. In other words, they rely on local officials to give them the whole picture on projects.

JOURNAL NEWS PHOTO: A worker hoses down empty chicken crates at a poultry processing plant in New Square Sept. 3,. New York state has provided New Square with $1.6 million toward the construction of a new that would replace the existing plant. ( Seth Harrison / The Journal News )

A couple years of bickering, and back-and-forth in court, and finally a settlement announced in August.

Now, we’ll see tomorrow, some action to fix the construction mess in front of the Tappan firehouse. It’s all over a disputed curb: The county put in a curb in front of the firehouse parking lot during a hamlet revitalization plan. The firefighters didn’t want it; they say it impedes their response time because volunteer firefighters can’t pull into the parking lot as quickly responding to a fire call.

Today, the County Executive sent this:

County of Rockland
Office of County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef
NEWS RELEASE

Date:  September 8, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:   CJ Miller
(845) 638-5645

MEDIA ADVISORY

Road work to begin Sept. 9th at Tappan Firehouse site

New City, NY – County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef and the Rockland County Highway Department announce today that road work in front of the Tappan Fire House will begin Wednesday, September 9, 2009, weather permitting.

The County Highway Department will be on-site at Washington and Main Streets tomorrow, removing existing curb and sidewalk in preparation for the contractor to resume work setting the new granite curb and brick sidewalk. Materials have been ordered by the contractor to finish the work, which should be completed by the end of this month.

One lane on Main Street will be closed for safety during construction, but will re-open at the end of the workday.

The New York State Supreme Court will lift an injunction originally set in March 2009, allowing the County’s contractor to begin road and sidewalk re-construction at the site.

Vanderhoef once again thanked the residents of Tappan for their patience and assured them that the situation will be remedied by the end of this month.

1. # #

It was a wild time at last night’s public hearing on a proposal to cull Rockland’s deer herd by allowing bow hunting in county parks. (See story here.) Voices were raised, snipes were met with sharp retorts, and that was just among speakers at the podium. There was plenty of cross-talk in the audience, which had Rockland County Legislature Chairwoman Harriet Cornell putting a halt to the talk and telling audience members to, basically, can it or leave.

There were some funny moments, too, like when State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Bureau of Wildlife biologist Kevin Clarke, there to monitor the hearing for DEC, decided to take to the microphone to, as he said, dispel some misconceptions. He pointed to the assertion by several speakers that removing deer won’t shrink the herd, but make it grow. He said, “If you have too many deer in an area and you remove deer, you will have fewer deer.” He added, seemingly for effect, “If you have 100 deer, if you remove 50 deer, you have 50 deer.” Even some anti-hunting types giggled at the lesson in simple math. Clarke made clear that the birth rate may oscillate if the herd is thinned, maybe having 15 fawn the next year instead of 10. He did stress that deer population maintenance isn’t a one-time deal. A herd needs its size maintained, or it will just grow to the size that earlier had been determined too big for the area.

YES, I am well aware DEC supports hunting. So here’s a good point or two from the other side. A speaker late in the evening said she lives near Kakiat Park and pointed out that Ramapo Central school district elementary schools use the park for science projects. That’s important to know. Several speakers also pointed out that Kakiat is surrounded by homes and criss-crossed with walking paths that flow into Harriman State Park (where all hunting is banned) so boundaries are confusing. Also important facts.

No vote was taken last night.

2006 FILE PHOTO: A young deer bypasses a pedestrian at Rockland Lake State Park. The proposed bow hunting legislation would only pertain to Rockland County parks.