County Youth Bureau Honors Outstanding Young People
The Orange County Executive’s 2016 Annual Youth Award luncheon celebrated exceptional youth and adults on May 20. Mya McMillian was honored as the Junior Youth of the Year for her work with the Boys & Girls Club of Newburgh as was Jillian Dolce, a Minisink Valley High School senior and President of the Orange County Youth Bureau’s Youth Advisory Board. Middletown High School student Allison Marcano received second place for the Youth Award–Spirit of Success, and Monhagen Middle School students Kade Brenner and Abena Commey were honored for Positive Change Leading to Success and the Spirit of Success respectively. Nancy Kosloski, recently retired executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County, was recognized for her passion and dedication to the youth in Orange County for over 38 years.
SUNY Orange Students in State Biz Plan Competition
SUNY Orange student Matt Balzano, of Chester, represented the college on April 24 at the New York State Business Plan Competition held at SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Albany. Balzano, a business management major, teamed with students from Hudson Valley Community College and the Fashion Institute of Technology to create Forever Fits, a custom-fit clothing company specializing in casual designs. To reach the state event, the group had to make it through a challenging field at the Mid-Hudson Region Business Plan Competition. Forever Fits competed against 19 other teams and, although it did not win at the state level in the Products and Services category, feedback from the judges was overwhelmingly positive. Forever Fits was one of just four community college teams among more than 80 competing groups at the finals. This is the third year that SUNY Orange has competed in the NYSBPC, and the second time a team has made it to the state finals.
SUNY Orange Graduates 900 at 66th Commencement Ceremony
SUNY Orange held its 66th graduation ceremony on May 19 where more than 450 students gathered on the Alumni Green at the Middletown campus for the celebration. Business professor Terre Angerame and 2016 graduate Allyson Andryshak spoke at the commencement. Approximately 900 students completed their associate’s degree or certificate requirements during August, December, or May of the current academic year. SUNY Orange President Dr. Kristine Young presided over the ceremony, her first commencement since she took office. Andryshak, a Middletown resident, earned a liberal arts degree with a concentration in English. She received the full-tuition Honor’s Program President’s Scholarship for Outstanding Academic Achievement.
Summer Military Training at West Point
West Point announced that the military academy will conduct summer training activities on the military installation through mid-August. Training opportunities for the cadets include infantry operations, artillery firing, weapons training, aviation operations, military engineering projects, training in field communications, demolitions, and survival skills techniques. During the Air Assault School in June and specialized operations in July noise levels may increase. The training simulates the physical and mental challenges cadets will face when they become officers in the Army.
Trade in Old Air Conditioners for Energy Star® Units
Central Hudson Gas & Electric utility customers can trade in their old, working window and wall air conditioners and receive rebates of $50 to $100 with the purchase of new Energy Star® units. Customers may turn in air conditioners through Sept. 15] at participating Mid-Hudson Valley Sears locations. Michael L. Mosher, President and C.E.O of Central Hudson said customers can quickly drop off their working air conditioners at the designated station at Sears. They will be provided a Proof of Recycling certificate to receive a rebate with the purchase of a new Energy Star® unit. The turned-in air conditioners will be properly recycled. “The refrigerant is captured and metals and plastic components are processed for reuse, saving even more energy, protecting the environment and preventing additional waste from being disposed in landfills,” he said in a release.
Assembly Bill Creates Utility Consumer Advocate Office
Assemblyman James Skoufis announced a state Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate (UCA) has been created to represent consumer interests in residential utility matters at the state and federal level. New York is one of only a handful of states without an independent representative to protect utility consumers’ interests. Currently, the Public Service Commission and the Utility Intervention Unit negotiate utility rates, however, neither agency is specifically designed to exclusively advocate for utility consumers. The legislation would also require the UCA to submit an annual report to the governor and Legislature that contains a summary of UCA interventions and outcomes, recommendations for legal action and estimated savings to utility customers.
OC Funding Corp. Gives $52K to Greenwood Lake Park
The Orange County Funding Corporation has given $52,000 to develop a new park along the largest lake in the county, Greenwood Lake, reported the Mid-Hudson News. The Town of Warwick and the Village of Greenwood Lake asked for the money which will allow the addition of a part time groundskeeper, landscaping, parking, lighting, park benches, a place to picnic, and a public boat launch, according to COO Laurie Villasuso. There had been concern of a lack of public boat launch space in the lake, which is shared with New Jersey.
Del Principio Named New Principal of Burke Catholic
The Board of Directors of John S. Burke Catholic High School in Goshen has appointed Albert Del Principio, Ed.D., principal, reported The Chronicle. Del Principio has more than 19 years in Catholic education. He served as vice principal of Academics at Don Bosco Preparatory High School in Ramsey, N.J. and more recently as the associate principal at Paramus Catholic Regional High School in Paramus, New Jersey. Del Principio holds a doctoral degree from the College of Saint Elizabeth, a master’s in educational leadership from Iona College, a master’s in criminal justice from Boston University, a certificate of advanced studies in education from St. Thomas Aquinas College, and an undergraduate degree in sociology from the State University of New York at Albany. Del Principio, his wife, and four children reside in Stony Point.
Assembly Bill Makes Lenders Accountable for ‘Zombie Properties’
Assemblyman James Skoufis announced the State Assembly passed a bill to make lenders more accountable for vacant properties as well as give greater rights to homeowners facing foreclosure. The New York State Abandoned Property Neighborhood Relief Act of 2016 closes a loophole during uncompleted foreclosures. Homeowners might vacate the property before the conclusion of the foreclosure process, and the result is a “zombie” home that is often left uncared for, bringing down property values and posing risks to the community. “This legislation will help reduce the number of these ‘zombie’ properties that are blights on our community,” Skoufis said. The Assembly’s legislative package also includes measures to help homeowners facing foreclosure. One bill extends the right of homeowners to challenge the legality of a foreclosure proceeding at any point during the foreclosure process.
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