News

A third State of Emergency has been declared in Rockland County’s war on
the measles. The second declaration expired over the weekend. The new one will remain in effect until June 24th. This emergency declaration does not prohibit those who are unvaccinated from going out in public, but those
who have been diagnosed with the measles must, among other directives from the Health Department, stay away from indoor and outdoor public spaces for up to three weeks. Students are also required to be immunized unless they have a medical or religious exemption. Violations could result in a $2,000 fine, but no fines have been issued yet. To date there have been 254 cases of measles since the outbreak began last October.

Last week’s New York State Senate public hearing on code enforcement may
have sparked some initial fireworks between the county executive and the
town of Ramapo, but it could be spark that leads to peace. Ramapo is one
of the municipalities being focused on by the hearings. Rockland County
Executive Ed Day slammed Ramapo supervisor Michael Specht’s testimony, and told “The Morning Show” Friday the town must control illegal housing
better…

Ramapo Supervisor Michael Specht responded by suggesting the county
executive might have misunderstood his testimony, and said the town is
working hard to right the wrongs of the past…

Later, on “Who Wants to be a Volunteer,” host Gordon Wren, formerly the
director of Emergency Services in Rockland, and Ramapo’s Chief of Staff,
Mona Montal, argued over a New Hempstead school that was found to have
several violations…

But cooler heads prevailed, and during the show, Wren and Ramapo
officials, including their building inspectors, agreed to meet with Justin
Schwartz of the Illegal Housing Task Force. Schwartz tells WRCR News that
meeting is being held today.

The Rockland Association of Management Union, or “RAM,” has ratified a
tentative contract with the County. The agreement covers August 2016 to
December 2021, with a three percent raise coming in each of the final two
years of the contract. There’s also vacation concessions and an expansion
of the County Drug and Alcohol Policy. RAM’s 190 members last got a 2%
aise in their base salary in 2010. The County Executive said he’ll sign
the agreement. It also requires the legislature’s approval.

A former Nanuet School District teacher who accused a former High School
principal of rape and sexual harassment has reached a settlement with the
district. In exchange she’s dropped a one million dollar lawsuit against
them. The Journal News says she’ll collect her salary and continue to get
other benefits through 2022. Former principal Vincent Carella has denied
the teacher’s accusations.

The Rockland County Legislature’s Special Committee on Transit meeting is
being held tonight. It’ll feature presentations by the New York Bridge
Authority, Coach USA and Hudson Link. They’re expected to focus on issues
affecting area commuters, including the Lower Hudson Transit Link project
which is designed to improve traffic in Rockland and Westchester. It is
open to the public, and that’s tonight at 7 at the county offices in New
City.