Legislature Passes County Budget
The county legislature adopted the 2016 Executive Recommended Budget with a bipartisan vote of 17 to 2. The budget submitted by County Executive Steven Neuhaus on Sept. 30 cut spending by $7.5 million. “The 2016 budget continues my goal of reducing spending, maintaining a smaller workforce, and providing necessary services to the residents of Orange County,” Neuhaus said. Neuhaus credited county employees with a solid relationship between management and the workforce. County Legislature chairman Steve Brescia said: “We worked throughout the year to get the deficit down and will continue to find innovative ways to strengthen Orange County’s finances.”
County Launches GPS Ambulance Dispatch in Wallkill
A GPS-based dispatching system for advanced life support ambulance calls has been established in the Town of Wallkill. The Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL) system utilizes GPS technology to track the real-time movements of any equipped vehicle, helping dispatchers more accurately deploy emergency resources. The first call was for a tractor trailer accident on the westbound Route 84 exit on Nov. 17 and made a flawless transfer between Wallkill and the Emergency Services Center in Goshen. “If this model proves successful, it can be replicated in other local municipalities,” said County Executive Steven Neuhaus.
MTA Steps up Patrols After Paris Terrorist Attacks
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has augmented its patrols and surveillance throughout its systems including the Metro-North Railroad after the Paris terrorist attacks on Nov. 14. Major stations throughout the Metro-North Railroad have been beefed up, reported the MidHudsonNews. Police K-9 teams and units with heavy weapons will provide extra protection as well as a noticeable sign of increased security. Railroad customers will also see surge patrols, increased step-on/step-off patrols of trains, and random bag checks at various locations. The MTA closely monitors large public events that occur in or near its facilities.
Stewart’s Next Air Show Will be Bigger and Better
The 2016 New York Air Show at Stewart Airport will have more for everyone—information for the aviation industry, more displays, and announcements, reported the MidHudsonNews. Boeing aircraft officials met with Ed Harrison, manager of the airport, about their presence at the air show. “It would bring airlines and buyers of aircraft from all over the world to the region and I know we’re not going to get there just for next year, but over the next few years. That’s how we want to evolve the air show to make it an air show and trade show at the same time,” Harrison said. Next year’s air show at Stewart is scheduled for August 20-21 and tickets are already on sale at www.airshowny.com.
Blue Water Vets’ Legislation Comes Closer to Floor Vote
Blue Water legislation that would grant disability benefits to Vietnam War vets disabled from Agent Orange, but never touched Southeast Asian soil, is gaining momentum in Congress, reported the MidHudsonNews. Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney (D, NY18) is leading the push for passage. “It has 290 sponsors in the House; you can’t get 290 sponsors for free beer in the House of Representatives right now and I think there are 75 co-sponsors in the Senate,” Maloney said. “I believe we can get it done this Congress, meaning next year, which is the important thing so we don’t have to start again.”
School Bus Full of Students Tips Over
Emergency services personnel and police have responded to a school bus that tipped over on Warwick Turnpike and Black Rock Road in Warwick on Nov. 13. The MidHudsonNews reported that the bus landed on its side and all children were removed with two being checked for possible injuries. The number of children on the bus was not immediately known.
Vets Can Suit up in Chester
A Chester insurance agency is helping a veteran transition to civilian life by donating gently used business suits. The Chronicle reported that Farmers Insurance Agency is collecting men’s and women’s business suits for returning veterans to use on job interviews. This is part of the nationwide project called Suits for Soldiers. The project, Suits for Soldiers, started in 2012 when the founders heard about a soldier who did not get a job because he was not dressed in proper business attire. A nonprofit, website, and network were established to gain exposure and get donations. The organization also assists vets with resumés, mentoring, and getting benefits, IT training, and VA loans.
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