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Rockland County Legislature Honored Five Local Residents For Their Personal Achievements And Their Contributions To The Community

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10 months ago

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Honorees John Duval, Inseon Hwang, Rana Park, Mark Sanchez, and Waree Sunlee were each presented with the Distinguished Service Award, the Rockland County Legislature’s highest honor. 
Each honoree is a member of the Asian American community, one of the fastest growing in the nation, with New York state home to more than 1.6 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI).
“As an Asian Indian, I can say that here in Rockland, we have long enjoyed vibrant AAPI communities,” Legislator Paul said. “But we must also acknowledge that these proud communities have often encountered racism and other forms of prejudice.”
Last year, Legislator Paul sponsored a local forum that included representatives of Gov. Hochul’s Administration to discuss the massive increase in hate incidents – both physical and verbal – toward the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and to identify possible solutions. In 2022, she sponsored a resolution calling for public schools to provide Asian American history and civic impact studies to elementary and high school students that was  unanimously supported by the County Legislature.
Despite the many challenges Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have faced throughout history, they have continuously worked to overcome social, economic, educational, and cultural obstacles; to uproot harmful and painful stereotypes; and to seek their rightful place in daily American life.
“We acknowledge the struggles undertaken and the sacrifices made by members of these communities in order to build better futures and we join with them in celebrating their many successes,” Legislator Paul said.

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Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II A Lifetime of Service and Pride in His Heritage

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2 days ago

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March 20, 2025

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Rockland County Legislator Paul Cleary expressed that if the ancestors of District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II could see him today, they would be incredibly proud of his dedication and achievements. Born in the Bronx and a graduate of Congers Elementary and Clarkstown High School, Walsh has committed his life to law enforcement. After earning his law degree from St. John’s University School of Law, he became a practicing lawyer in 1976. He was elected Haverstraw Village Justice in 1983 and, over the past 42 years, has served in judicial positions at the Town, County, and State levels.

Walsh takes great pride in his Irish heritage, having traveled extensively in Ireland, including visiting his grandmother Rose Devine Leonard’s cottage in Ballinagh, County Cavan, as well as touring the Irish Supreme Court. In addition to his professional work, he is an active member of the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick and Division 3 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, along with several bar associations. He has also been involved with the American Red Cross in Rockland, serving on its Board of Directors.

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Government

Harckham’s $50,000 Grant Helps Stony Point FD Enhance Firefighter Safety

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1 week ago

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March 15, 2025

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New York State Senator Pete Harckham announced today that the Stony Point Fire District has been awarded a $50,000 state grant for the purchase and maintenance of critical firefighter turnout gear, including specialized equipment designed for combating wildfires, all of which will help ensure the safety and effectiveness of the town’s first responders.

Harckham has so far secured a total of $3.1 million in grant funding for the Town of Stony Point, North Rockland schools, libraries and non-profit organizations serving the community since the town became part of the 40th Senate District in 2022.

The grant will enable the Fire District to equip its firefighters with modern, high-quality turnout gear, which includes protective clothing such as jackets, pants, helmets, and boots. A portion of the funding is earmarked specifically for specialized wildfire gear, designed to withstand the intense heat and rugged conditions of wildland firefighting. This investment ensures that firefighters are prepared to respond to a wide range of emergencies, from structure fires to the growing threat of wildfires in the region.

“On behalf of the Stony Point Fire District, we extend our gratitude to Senator Harckham for securing this critical funding,” said Kevin Huslinger, chair of the Stony Point Fire District Board of Commissioners. “This grant will allow us to outfit our firefighters with the latest protective gear, including specialized equipment for wildfires, which is essential as we work to keep our community safe in an ever-changing environment. Senator Harckham’s support strengthens our ability to serve and protect.”

Stony Point Fire Chief Kurt Mulligan added, “With this new gear, our firefighters can face both structure fires and wildfires with the appropriate safety equipment, each of which is designed for the specific nature of those calls. It’s not just about equipment—it’s about bringing our team home safely after every call. We’re incredibly thankful for this investment in our district and fire company members.”

[Attached photo: State Sen. Pete Harckham with Robert Sullivan, vice chair of the Stony Point Fire District Board of Commissioners. Credit: Office of State Sen. Pete Harckham / James Persons]

 

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