Local officials are slamming comments made in a sermon earlier this month by a guest imam at the Islamic Center of Rockland in Valley Cottage. In a video posted online, the imam reportedly asked Allah to “grant victory to our brothers in Gaza and in Palestine, guide their shooting, destroy the Zionist Jews, seize them with a crushing grip, and make their plots backfire on them.” In a statement, Rockland Congressman Mike Lawler of the Hudson Valley’s 17th District said he was “deeply disturbed” by the remarks and urged the Islamic Center of Rockland to speak out against the rhetoric. Clarkstown supervisor George Hoehmann said the “extreme and hateful rhetoric is unacceptable and has no place here in Clarkstown.” He added while there have been no known or credible threats, the Clarkstown Police Department has stepped up patrols around all houses of worship and culturally significant locations. In a statement posted on their website Sunday night, the Center said they “unequivocally condemn” the statements made by the imam, and they “stand against anti-Semitism and any rhetoric that incites violence or hatred.” They apologized for any pain the remarks caused, and will ensure their platform is not used to promote harmful messages going forward.
Rockland Legislator in Chicago for DNC Convention, Opening Today
A Rockland Legislator is in Chicago as a delegate for the Democratic National Committee’s convention, opening today. Beth Davidson represents District 10 in Clarkstown, and says she’s pleased to see the excitement return to the Democratic party…
Vice President Kamala Harris has already won the Democratic presidential nomination in an online vote, the first time a nominee was named prior to a party’s convention. They’ll be holding a ceremonial roll-call vote tomorrow at the DNC.
Newburgh Woman Gets Six Months in Jail After Bus Driver Assault Conviction
A City of Newburgh woman convicted of assaulting her son’s bus driver in front of a bus full of middle school children earlier this year will spend six months behind bars. News 12 says 36 year-old Geneva Herring will also get probation for repeatedly punching a West Point Tours bus driver after getting on the bus to confront a middle school student.
Former Rockland Assemblyman to Become RBA President, Al Samuels to Remain as CEO
Former Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski is taking on a new role after retiring last month. He’ll be the new president of the Rockland Business Association while Al Samuels, who previously held both titles, will remain as CEO. Samuels says as soon as he learned Zebrowski was hanging up his public life hat, he wanted to bring him in to bring a new perspective to the RBA…
Last month, Zebrowski took a position with an Albany-based law and lobbying firm.
NY Boulders Drop 3 of 4 to Tri-City ValleyCats, Dampening Hopes of Playoff Appearance
The New York Boulders took on a critical four-game series this weekend against the Tri-City ValleyCats, both teams fighting for a playoff spot in the Eastern Division of the Frontier League. On Friday, the Boulders won the first game of a doubleheader, 4-3, but lost the second game, 5-1. The Boulders lost again Saturday, 7-5, and on Sunday, with the rain coming down on-and-off, and the Boulders down 12-9 in the 9th, the Umpires just couldn’t take any more from Mother Nature, and they called the game…
And that was Marc Ernay after the game was called on the Boulders Broadcast Network. So, the Boulders end the weekend two games back of the team that just beat them three out of four, and they’ve got a lock on 4th place in the division. Playoff hopes are dwindling with just 12 games remaining in the season. The Boulders are off today.