Posted on 24 October 2013 by Editor
Think of it like purchasing a big book, say, a coffee table book featuring beautiful travel pictures of places you’ll never visit — because you just can’t afford to get away.
Rockland County Executive Scott Vanderhoeff delivered his final budget proposal Wednesday in New City, and as Ned Ryerson from Groundhog Day might have said, it’s a doozy. The $760 million plan calls for basically a 10 percent increase in property taxes, on top of the 18% increase from 2013 which came after the 2012 30% property tax increase.
“It’s still difficult for some people,” Vanderhoef said, according to LoHud reporter Laura Incalcaterra. “On the other hand, it’s less than some library tax bills, and when you consider all the services and programs the county offers, it still represents a good value.” Continue Reading
Posted on 22 October 2013 by Editor
The construction grind down along Grant Street at Washington Avenue continues. And so do the water breaks.
Apparently, concrete blasting by Carbro, the Rockland County Sewer District 1 subcontractor on the job, caused a water leak at Grant Street Tuesday late afternoon. Crews are attempting to fix the break, which is the third in a series so far for the current project, which covered the area around Sloatsburg Elementary School and now along Washington Avenue and the various “President” streets. Continue Reading
Posted on 22 October 2013 by Editor
Sloatsburg Village Historian and Sloat descendent Harrison O. Bush gets around. Whether at work as a founding board member for the Friends of Harmony Hall or involved in some sort of other community event, Bush appears to keep busy.
He recently made his voice known to The Journal News in an opinion piece that was related to an article on the slow demise of the family nursery and other small, family businesses in the lower Hudson Valley titled, “The vanishing nursery: Changing lifestyles, chain stores edge out struggling mom-and-pops. The article explored the lament heard round the county by businesses related to razor thin profits and dwindling customer base. For nurseries, customers are being lost to big chain food stores. Plants and basic plant goods such as potting soil are sold at nearly every store.
Throughout the article, many business owners said that the secret to success is apparently customer service and more customer service. And then more. Know your customers.
Bush took the time to write in and defend not only Sloatsburg but small business itself, while tossing in a few Sloatsburg historical references, of course.
“What a disappointment to read of the demise of family nurseries!” Bush’s opinion letter began while updating LoHud readers on Sloatsburg’s norther corridor businesses that includes Arden Hill Nursery, Sarkis Auto, Jessie’s Bagels, Sunnyside Restaurant, and Vintage Autos.
“. . . Sloatsburg is reviving,” wrote Bush. “No committees — just American hard work on the part of these local business owners and a positive outlook!”
Shout Out to Sloatsburg’s Centenarian
The Sloatsburg Senior Center recently celebrated the village’s newest centenarian, Mary Gulick Buckley. Ms. Buckley also happens to be mother to Village Trustee Thomas Buckley, Jr. Mary Buckley was feted at the Senior Center surrounded by her family.
Happy Birthday Mary.
Posted on 21 October 2013 by Editor
Rockland reporter Bill Demarest attended the recent Sunday, October 20, ceremony to recognize and remember the men who died during the long-ago Brink’s armored truck robbery. The incident shocked the local law enforcement community and was a factor in the eventual demise of the Village of Nyack police force.
Sacrifices Not Forgotten: Slain Nyack police officers, Brink’s guard honored at Nyack ceremony Continue Reading
Posted on 20 October 2013 by Editor
Sloatsburgers Alison Harvey and Harrison Bush, two good friends of Harmony Hall, took advantage of the great weekend weather and organized a fall edition of the popular signature Great Lawn Flea Market. Vendors, browsers and buyers gathered Saturday at Harmony Hall for the flea market, where tables of goods were spread with everything from hand sewn denim clothes and Sloatsburg related historical odds and ends to the homemade dessert delicacies of Auntie El’s. Continue Reading
Posted on 18 October 2013 by Editor
Plastic sheeting covers the windows and doors of the old Off-Track Betting building across from the railroad tracks in Suffern along Franklin Turnpike — or Orange Avenue, if you like. Work lights burn inside as the building’s new owner is busy renovating the space into a Rainbow Ace garden and home supplies sort of modern living 25,000 square foot hardware store.
The store will sale a mix of products ranging from paint and hardware supplies to housewares and home furnishings. Continue Reading
Posted on 13 October 2013 by Editor
New York state voters will face a gambling ballot initiative this November, one supported in Albany by many in the NY legislature, including NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The age-old question faces voters — is gaming good for the local community and economy? Ryan Karben recently explored the gambling issue from the Rockland County tourism perspective.
Westchester & Rockland Left Out in Casino Cold
Posted on 12 October 2013 by Editor
The colorful fall leaves are falling and Sterlington Station in Sloatsburg is celebrating.
Sterlington Station has put out the welcome to all comers today for a good old-fashioned October Fest and Pig Roast, Saturday, October 12, Sloatsburg style in the Station parking lot. A big ol’ pig will be cooked for the day’s activities. $30 for adults gets participants their fill of BBQ and drinks, along with other kitchen fare food. The price includes all the canned & draft beer you’d like to savor as well. $10 buys kids all they can eat, plus drinks and a desert.
The Sterlington Station party goes through 7 p.m.
It’s a beautiful day in the Ramapos, so get out and enjoy. Friends, sun, fresh pork, Sloatsburg. The works. Go on. Get. Out. And enjoy.
Sterlington Station is located at 23 Seven Lakes Drive, Sloatsburg. The Saturday, October 12, Pig Roast costs $30 per person and participants pretty much get their fill of food and drink. For more information, call (845) 753-2662.
Posted on 11 October 2013 by Editor
The old yellow school bus was ready for the rescue, the crowd gathered in anticipation at Village Hall for the live extraction demonstration. There remained one problem — the Sloatsburg Volunteer Fire Department’s old Jaws-Of-Life was having problems biting down on the metal meal. Continue Reading
Posted on 10 October 2013 by Editor
Here’s one way a highly motivated individual interested in community service can dodge the electoral process and pin his or her hopes on an appointment. The Ramapo Central School District Board of Education is seeking applicants for a position recently vacated due to resignation. 
The term of appointment will expire with the May 20, 2014 school board election. The deadline to submit a letter of interest and resume to the District Clerk has been set for Friday, October 18. Continue Reading
