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

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2 years ago

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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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West Point Memorial Monument Unveiled at La Fière Bridge Honors WWII Leaders

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17 hours ago

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June 10, 2026

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A new West Point Memorial Monument was unveiled on June 4, 2026, at La Fière Bridge in Sainte-Mère-Église, France, as part of the 82nd Anniversary commemoration of D-Day.

The monument honors more than 150 graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point’s Long Gray Line who led and fought during Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy that began on June 6, 1944.

Among the most notable West Point graduates associated with the Normandy campaign are General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force; Lieutenant General Omar Bradley, who commanded U.S. ground forces on D-Day; Lieutenant General J. Lawton Collins, who led VII Corps during the assault on Utah Beach; and Major General Maxwell D. Taylor, who commanded the 101st Airborne Division during the airborne operations preceding the landings. These leaders played pivotal roles in planning and executing the operation that helped turn the tide of World War II in Europe.

Situated near the historic La Fière Bridge, a strategic objective during the Normandy campaign and the site of intense fighting following the airborne landings, the memorial stands as a lasting tribute to the courage, leadership, and sacrifice of West Point graduates who served during the liberation of Europe.

The bridge itself was a critical objective for Allied airborne forces, particularly elements of the 82nd Airborne Division, who fought to secure crossings and protect the inland advance from Utah Beach. The surrounding area remains one of the most studied and visited battlefields of the Normandy campaign.

The unveiling ceremony brought together military leaders, dignitaries, historians, veterans, and members of the public to honor the legacy of those who fought during D-Day and the broader Normandy campaign. The monument serves as a permanent reminder of the contributions made by generations of West Point graduates in defense of freedom during World War II.

Photo: Samantha Sergi

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Government

Rockland County Promotes Native Plants and Water-Smart Landscaping

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1 week ago

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June 3, 2026

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The Water Advisory Council is encouraging residents to embrace water-smart landscaping practices that conserve water and support environmental health.

Officials recommend reducing nonfunctional lawn areas and replacing them with native plants, drought-tolerant landscaping, rain gardens, bioswales, and rain barrels. These practices help reduce water consumption, manage stormwater runoff, improve groundwater recharge, and increase resilience to climate change.

According to the Council, water demand in Rockland County rises from an average of 30 million gallons per day to as much as 45 million gallons per day during the warmer months, placing additional strain on local water supplies.

Residents are encouraged to consider native plants such as Creeping Phlox, Foamflower ‘Elizabeth Oliver,’ and Jacob’s Ladder, which require less watering once established and are well-suited to local conditions.

Examples of successful rain gardens featuring native plants can be found at Orangeburg Library, Bowline Point Park, Kennedy Dells County Park, and Piermont Library.

By replacing sections of lawn with native plants and incorporating features that manage rainwater naturally, residents can play a direct role in protecting Rockland County’s water resources.

The initiative is part of the county’s ongoing effort to promote sustainable landscaping and encourage participation in the national “Less Lawn More Life” movement.

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