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Rockland County Legislature Honored Four Local Residents During Its 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

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The Rockland County Legislature honored four local residents during its 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. Jacquelin Contreras, Sabrina E. Vargas-Greco, Jose Champagne Pedro and Alejandra Silva. All four were awarded the “Distinguished Service Award”.

Jacquelin Contreras grew up in Haverstraw Village, the daughter of Gladys and Bolivar Contreras, who immigrated from the Dominican Republic. She graduated from North Rockland High School and then attended Rockland Community College.
For 19 years, Jacqui has been a dedicated employee of the East Ramapo Central School District. She currently serves as a Senior Clerk Typist and previously spent 14 years as a Discipline Secretary, working with students facing suspensions and other challenges. She believes her work has significantly impacted the lives of at-risk children.
Sabrina E. Vargas-Greco is the daughter of Rafael and Lourdes Vargas, immigrants from the Dominican Republic who made Haverstraw their home. She grew up in Haverstraw Village and graduated from North Rockland High School and St. Thomas Aquinas College.
Sabrina began her public service career while still a senior at STAC, starting as an intern in the State Assembly, then advancing to Legislative Assistant, and finally becoming Chief of Staff in 2001.
In 2004, she was appointed Director of Operations and Constituent Services Assistant for the Town of Clarkstown, serving until 2015. From 2016 to 2022, served as the Confidential Assistant to the Chairman of the Rockland County Legislature. In December of 2022 she was appointed as Commissioner of Jurors for Rockland County by the New York State Unified Court System. She is the first Latina to hold this esteemed position.
Jose Champagne Pedro embodies hard work and resilience, refusing to let his challenging beginnings define him. Born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, as one of nine siblings, Champagne moved frequently as a child, eventually spending some time in the Bronx. His family faced numerous challenges, including separation and foster care.
However, Champagne always believed there was a better path. He eventually settled in Haverstraw, where he has been a presence for the past 24 years, exhibiting his entrepreneurial skills and successfully implementing his business ideas. He has operated several stores in the village and organized events, including Reloaded Videos & Games, Champagne’s Collectibles, Champagne’s 2nd Hand, The Corner Store, and perhaps his most famous venture, Ice Is Nice, Oh Yes It Is.
Alejandra Silva is the daughter of immigrant parents from Colombia and Venezuela. She grew up in Jackson Heights, Queens, and has lived in Rockland since 2012. Alejandra graduated from Vassar College with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Hispanic Studies, later earning her Juris Doctor and a Certificate in Law and Public Policy from the University of Connecticut School of Law. She is a member of both the New York and Connecticut bars. In June of this year, she was appointed Town Justice in Ramapo, where she addresses misdemeanor prosecutions, violations, infractions, civil actions, and small claims.
Alejandra is the first Latinx person to serve in this role.

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Government

Rabies Clinic For Dogs, Cats & Ferrets Shots Are Free October 6th

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                                                  Appointments are required. 

By law, all cats, dogs and ferrets must be vaccinated. Pets must be healthy and at least 4 months old. Dogs must be on a leash. Cats and ferrets must be leashed or in a carrier.

Shots are free! But a $5 donation per animal will help defray our costs. (please bring exact amount of cash or check payable to Commissioner of Finance) rabies shots (vaccinations) for cats, dogs, and ferrets belonging to Rockland residents on October 6, 2024, from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm at 50 Sanatorium Rd (in front of Bldg. A) in Pomona. 

For more information, visit: https://www.rocklandcountyny.gov/Home/Components/News/News/469/297

To register for an appointment, visit: http://rcklnd.us/rabiesvax or for assistance with appointments and more information, call 845-364-2656. Please arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.

Shots are free! But a $5 donation per animal will help defray our costs. (please bring exact amount of cash or check payable to Commissioner of Finance)

Sponsored by the Rockland County Department of Health

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Senator Bill Weber Announces Five Towns of Rockland Blood Drive Challenge Winners

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The Tappan Zee Bridge was lit in red for five days to mark the competition. Clarkstown took both the prize for the most blood collected and the prize for the most newly registered Red Cross blood donors in Senator Bill Weber’s Five Towns of Rockland Blood Drive Challenge.
The Red Cross set a goal of collecting 100 units from the challenge and that goal was exceeded with 111 units of blood collected and 64 first time donors participated across the five towns.
Clarkstown – 30 units, 18 first time donors
Orangetown – 27 units, 16 first time donors
Stony Point – 21 units, 12 first time donors
Ramapo – 18 units, 11 first time donors
Haverstraw – 15 units, 7 first time donors
“Only three percent of the population regularly donates blood, so these 64 new donors are helping increase that number. Thank you to everyone who donated, thank you to the supervisors of the five towns for their help in promoting it, and thank you to Orangetown Supervisor Teresa Kenny for personally donating blood. I am overwhelmed by the support we saw from the community and I look forward to making this Blood Drive Challenge an annual event.” said Senator Bill Weber.
“It’s a great honor to have the Town of Clarkstown lead the way in donating the highest number of units and having the most first-time donors participate. Donating blood is a selfless act of charity that truly saves lives and I couldn’t be more proud of our residents and town staff who made donations. Thank you everyone who gave and to Senator Weber for organizing this wonderful contest where everyone involved is a winner,” said Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann.
Senator Weber’s Five Towns of Rockland Blood Drive Challenge was done in partnership with the American Red Cross. This will now be an annual event.

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