Commentary

One of the things that makes Orange County so special is how our municipalities come together to help one another and our residents in times of need. Last week, we had a great example of that willingness to help and community spirit in action.

A gas line emergency in the Town of Woodbury triggered a county and local municipal response, of which I was super proud. The Orange County Emergency Services team, Town of Woodbury Supervisor Kate Luciani, the New York State Police, Town of Woodbury Police, Fire, EMS, the American Red Cross, and others all jumped into action to work together to assist residents who were displaced and get the situation remedied as safely and as quickly as possible.

Their coordinated efforts stabilized the situation and ensured that individuals, families, and their pets were safe. A special thank you to Colleen from Jay’s Deli in Highland Mills, who worked late into the night to provide food for those temporarily sheltered at the Town of Woodbury Senior Center. Central Hudson also worked diligently to get everyone back into their homes as soon as possible. Moments like this remind me how strong our community truly is and how teamwork is so essential.

On the topic of strong communities, I want to express my gratitude to our local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, along with the Orange County District Attorney and the Sheriff’s Office, for their continued efforts to keep guns and fentanyl off our streets. Their dedication makes the county a safer place for everyone, especially our children, and reminds us once again how critical it is for agencies and organizations to work together to protect our neighborhoods.

That same spirit of service was on full display as we recently celebrated the good citizenship of a few incredible residents. Congratulations to Terry and Jacqueline Murray of Cornwall and Donna Drybred of Goshen, our 2025 Seniors of the Year! Their lives have been shaped by generosity and commitment to their communities, whether championing youth programs, supporting local nonprofits, or beautifying neighborhoods. Thank you to each of them for inspiring us all.

Speaking of inspiration, love is in the air this summer! I had the honor of officiating Orange County DPW EFS Deputy Commissioner Bob Gray’s beautiful wedding on the water, fireworks included. I also celebrated my friend Jim Delaune’s (of the Orange County Land Trust) daughter’s wedding, as well as the wonderful celebration of Christian and Jourdan. Christian, one of the owners of Pasta D’oro at The Jolly Onion, and Jourdan, who works with us in county government, are a terrific couple. Congratulations to all the newlyweds!

Summer is a perfect time to support local businesses, and I was glad to stop at Kerry’s Kones in New Windsor to enjoy a sweet treat served with a smile. Small businesses like Kerry’s are the backbone of our community, so if you’re nearby, stop in and show them your support. If you know of any others that I should check out, please let me know!

Looking ahead, don’t forget, the New York Air Show is just three weeks away! Join us on Aug. 23 and 24 at the Orange County Airport for an unforgettable event featuring the F-22 Raptor Demo, MV-22 Osprey Demo, P-51 Mustang Demo, the West Point Parachute Team, and the exciting CyberBeast vs. Cybertruck showdown. Grab your tickets now at https://air.show/ny-purchase-tickets/ and get ready for an exciting weekend.

And finally, an amazing personal adventure to share: As part of Shark Week, I took my two sons, ages 8 and 11, swimming with sharks in Florida. No cage, just us in the open water alongside black-tip, bull, hammerhead, tiger, lemon, and a few other shark breeds. My boys were fearless! We even had a National Geographic photographer capture the experience while I worked on improving my GoPro skills. For those who fish, you’ll appreciate that we always release the sharks we catch, using circle hooks, which are now law in most states, to ensure they’re hooked safely in the mouth. Many species are endangered, and seeing them up close is both humbling and incredible.

It’s been a summer full of teamwork, celebration, and unforgettable experiences. I look forward to seeing many of you at the Air Show and, as always, around the county!

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