Government

“14 Acres Preserved & Protected” by Rockland County Executive Ed Day

Published

11 months ago

February 8, 2024

I’m proud to announce something very special this week – the latest properties purchased, preserved, and protected under the County of Rockland’s Open Space Acquisition Program. Those properties are located at 176 and 180 South Mountain Road in New City, totaling 14 acres. The newly acquired Park will be preserved as open space, with the potential to add hiking trails in the future.

In 1950, hundreds of farms sprawled across more than 17,000 acres in Rockland. Fast forward to current day; we only have a handful left on 400 acres and only 4% of land remaining to be developed or protected.

This is why my administration is doing what it can to preserve more land, irreplaceable resources, and the wildlife calling it home.

I’d like to remind everyone that what makes this program so special is the collaboration involved in this program.

The public first nominates the properties that are then vetted by our Open Space Advisory Committee made up of representatives from the Division of Environmental Resources, Department of Planning, Department of Health, and Finance Department’s Tax Enforcement Unit.

Field inspections are then done, and each property is scored using a point system based on their attributes which include:

Connecting open spaces, preserving environmentally sensitive resources, protecting farms, preserving historic and cultural places, protecting the Hudson River, promoting opportunities for recreation, protecting rivers and streams, and protecting the watershed.

When myself the County Legislature revived the Open Space Acquisition Program in 2020 the public nominated 16 properties comprised of 23 lots that were than narrowed down to 6 recommended for purchase to my office which ultimately decided to pursue purchasing the top four rated properties, encompassing 6 lots.

There is one more property expected to be purchased in the last round of Open Space Acquisition nominations, totaling another 10 acres saved.

I truly appreciate the partnership of the County Legislature and private citizens preserving this land and making Rockland a greener and more sustainable County and look forward to sharing more progress on this front in the coming months. With more funding added to our Open Space Acquisition Program we can guarantee that acreage will increase as we sort through a second round of properties nominated for preservation.

This is a weekly column by Rockland County Executive Ed Day

Government

January Is National Stalking Awareness Month

Published

4 days ago

January 10, 2025

Rockland Report Admin

An estimated 13.5 million people are stalked in a one-year period in the United States, according to the Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center (SPARC)

Stalking can take many forms, including unwanted contact, monitoring, following, and persistent harassment, online or offline. Most individuals are stalked by someone they know. 1 in 3 Women, 1 in 6 men experience stalking in their lifetimes.

Stalkers use many tactics, including:
– Making unwanted phone calls.
– Approaching the victim or showing up in places when the victim does not want them to.
– Following and watching the victim.
– Sending unwanted texts, photos, emails, and messages through social media.
– Sending unwanted gifts.
– Using technology to monitor, track, and/or spy on the victim

If you or someone you know is being stalked, report it to your local law police department. You can also use the contacts below for more information and resources.
– You can report anonymously by using the “Rockland Co DA” app or text “RocklandDA” to 847411
– Victim Connect: 1-855-4VICTIM(1-855-484-2846)
– National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1−800−799−7233 or TTY 1−800−787−3224 En Español
– The National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

Rockland County, New York.

Government

County Executive Day Declares January as National Blood Donor Month

Published

6 days ago

January 8, 2025

Rockland Report Admin

Rockland County Executive Ed Day has officially proclaimed January 2025 as National Blood Donor Month, recognizing the critical role blood donors and collection organizations play in saving lives.

To honor this occasion, County Executive Day presented a proclamation to New York Blood Center (NYBC) in appreciation of their tireless efforts to ensure a steady and reliable blood supply.

“Blood donation is the greatest gift anyone can give as it saves precious lives,” said County Executive Day. “We’re proud to honor New York Blood Center for their unwavering commitment to this cause.”

New York Blood Center serves as a lifeline for hospitals and patients across the region. They provide critical blood and platelets to meet the needs of individuals undergoing surgery, cancer treatments, or emergency care. During the colder months, NYBC—like all blood banks—often faces shortages due to seasonal challenges such as inclement weather, flu season, and holiday distractions, making January an essential time to raise awareness.

The County also honored dedicated NYBC Rockland County partners, including the Parish of St. Paul-St. Ann in Congers, which has contributed nearly 200 units of blood at its 2024 blood drives, as well as retired county employee Fred Cifuni, who has contributed 141 blood donations—or more than 17 gallons.

Each blood donation can save up to three lives, and the demand for blood is constant, with someone in the United States requiring a transfusion every two seconds.

For more information on how to donate or host a blood drive, visit New York Blood Center’s website.