Rockland lawmakers gave themselves, the county executive, the sheriff and others raises when they adopted the budget by a 15-2 vote Tuesday night. That’s according to the Journal News, which said the $730 million budget, which raises county property taxes about $40 on average next year, wasn’t changed much from what County Executive Ed Day submitted two months ago. The 17 legislators will see their salaries jump to $49,500, up almost $17,000. The county executive gets an increase of nearly 30-grand to $184,500, and the sheriff’s getting a $37,000 raise to $180,000. Day could veto any of the changes within five days. The Legislature then has until December 20th to override any vetoes. Though the plan’s been adopted, a public hearing on the raises is scheduled for December 17th.
News
Footprints in the Snow Lead to Man’s Arrest for Trying to Break into Unmarked Sheriff Deputy’s Car
Some people hate the snow, but an off-duty Rockland County Sheriff’s detective is thankful for it. That’s because footprints led him to a man who would be arrested for trying to break into his unmarked car. Published reports said 21 year-old Ahmad Lakes was arrested early yesterday after Sheriff’s patrol officers followed footprints through the snow, spotted Lakes and chased him down. He reportedly faces charges of obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest and attempted petit larceny.
Aluf Must Cough Up $75,000 in Fines for Orangetown Odors
An Orangetown judge ruled last week that a local plastic bag manufacturer must pay $75,000 in fines after being found guilty of exceeding the town’s emissions levels and creating objectionable odors around town. Supervisor Chris Day says Aluf Plastics was convicted on five separate counts, and could have faced even higher fines…
Aluf has tried to solve the problem but the state Department of Environmental Conservation has told the company to come up with better solutions. Additional charges are expected to be resolved in court next month. The company did not respond to requests for comment.
Dominican College’s Annual Christmas Concert Comes to Blauvelt Sunday
40 classically-trained musicians will be in Blauvelt Sunday for the annual Christmas concert at Dominican College. Directed by Father Alphonse Stephenson, the concert features a symphony orchestra and three vocalists. Dominican’s Communications Director Sue Cerra says they’ll be performing familiar carols and Christmas standards…
The concert is being held Sunday at 3 p.m. in the Hennessy Center on Western Highway in Blauvelt. For more information, call 845-848-7406 or click here.
First Winter Storm of Season Brings Snow, Cancels Classes, Causes Power Outages
The first real winter storm of the season has come and gone without too much damage to the Rockland County area. Around two inches of snow fell over the last two days, enough to cancel schools on Monday and delay most classes on Tuesday. Rockland County Executive Ed Day told “The Morning Show” yesterday that area EMS, volunteer firefighters and police were well-prepared for various incidents during the storm…
Many of you may be glad to hear, there are no big snowstorms in the forecast over the next seven days.