Crazy season has begun as campaigns gear up for primary election in September and the November general election.

In Spring Valley, mayoral candidate Bernard Charles Jr. screamed foul with he said 80 of his campaign signs were removed from the streets.

Charles claimed Mayor George Darden, who is not seeking re-election, order the DPW to cherry-pick his signs, while leaving those for five others untouched. He said he confronted Darden on Thursday and  gave a vocal complaint to Officer Jorge Marciano on Friday.

“Darden told me he didn’t know what happened and didn’t know where my signs were,” Charles said. “He told me my signs were not put down legally. There was no real explaination why.”

Darden responded today that Charles paid his $100 sign permit fee late Wednesday afternoon and the deputy clerk didn’t add his name to the list until the next day.

The early list of permit-holders used by the DPW didn’t contain his name on Thursday morning and crews removed his signs.

Darden said an honest mistake was made and Charles was not singled out.

“He slipped through the cracks,” Darden said. “He came in here yelling and screaming. There was no way to reason with him. So I just told him I didn’t know. I looked into it later. This was nobody’s fault.”

Darden said the village regulations on signs are there to keep the streets clean and campaign signs off village property. He noted he helped another candidate get her signs off village property.

Most first-time candidate – like Charles – get angry when their signs are taken, Darden said, noting Deputy Mayor Norami Jasmin already has had close to 150 signs pilfered.

Darden said he will make all candidates live to the letter of the law when it comes to campaign signs.

Above, Bernard Charles with some of his campaign signs returned to him by the Spring Valley DPW.

The Rockland County Republican Committee will hold a rally and open its 2009 campaign headquarters at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow in the Clarkstown Plaza shopping mall in New City.

State Sen. Thomas Morahan, R-New City; County Sheriff James Kralik; and County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef will speak. They will outline their vision of Rockland’s future and their plans for the campaign season, according to a party statement.

Vanderhoef is seeking re-election to a fifth four-year term. He is also running on the Conservative and Independence lines.

He is being challenged by Orangetown Town Supervisor Thom Kleiner on the Democratic line, and Andrew Spence on the Working Families line.

Election Day is Nov. 3.

Rockland County turned over four surplus TRIPS buses to Clarkstown today.

Each bus has about 150,000 miles, and are “beyond their useful life…due to the the tremendous number of miles TRIPS logs each day, County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef said.

The county has replaced the buses with new ones purchased using funding from the Federal Transit Administration.

Meanwhile, Clarkstown’s fleet has exceeded 300,000 miles per bus, Town Supervisor Alex Gromack said.

Town mechanics will refurbish the donated buses for use by the town’s Mini Trans service, Gromack said, a move that will help save the town about $300,000 by avoiding the need to buy new buses for the next two to three years.

Above, Gromack, left, and Vanderhoef, right. Photo provided by Vanderhoef’s office.

County Legislator Alden Wolfe, D-Suffern, has issued a press release noting he is “unsurprised” by the findings of a cancer study in the medical journal “Lancet Oncology.”

He said the study confirmed the dangers of tanning beds and their ultraviolet radiation. It pointed out that the risk of skin melanoma was increased 75 percent when people started using tanning beds before age 30, Wolfe said.

Why does he care so much about the topic?

Because back in 2006, Wolfe authored a bill to ban tanning for anyone under 16 and to require parental consent for those 16 and 17. The Legislature passed it, County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef vetoed it, then legislators overrode the veto and made it law.

Wolfe says as a result of the study’s findings, the French-based International Agency for Cancer Research, part of the World Health Organization, has designated ultraviolet tanning beds as “carcinogenic to humans,” meaning they cause cancer.

“Hopefully this latest study will encourage people to make smarter health decisions, and encourage our young adults not to engage in a practice that could have devastating impact on their health,” Wolfe said.

Next up: Wolfe and the other 16 legislators will eventually consider, again, whether to pass a calorie-posting law to require chain restaurants to put the number of calories on their menu boards. Supporters hope such a law will encourage people to make smarter health decisions and to not engage in a practice that could devastate their health.

The Haitian American Cultural and Social Organization Inc. (HACSO), will hold its 35th annual fundraising dinner on Aug. 15.

HACSO is a nonprofit in Spring Valley that provides the public with support services and assistance, including free basic health care, along with other social programs such as low-cost immigration and translation services.

Located at 25 S. Main St., HACSO is credited with having helped thousands of immigrants — many of whom hail from Haiti — navigate life in America.

The dinner will honor the community’s Fan’m Vanyan (which is Haitian Creole for brave or courageous women).

Honorees are: Marie Mygnon Alcin; Darlene Theodore-Beauvil; Linda Benoit; Marie L. Nicolas-Brewster; Florette Julien; Eugenia Nicolas; Josette Peterson; Monique Lecorps Philippe; Jacqueline Sanon; Seurette Sanon-Jules; Marie Edith Senatus and Caren Vilson.

The dinner will be 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Town and Country, 922 Route 9W, Congers. Tickets are $75 per person, and the cost is tax deductible.

For more information, call HACSO at 845-352-5897. Or check out their (newly redesigned) Web site at www.hacso.org

The Martin Luther King Multipurpose Center in Spring Valley is facing funding reductions that may result in cutbacks to its summer day care and youth employment programs.

Not only are donations from municipalities down, but private benefactors and other individuals are feeling the pinch too.

So the center’s taking a novel approach to try and bridge the budget gap: it’s holding an “Altruistic Auction” Saturday as part of its 18th annual fundraiser 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Montebello.

Bidding on, say, a bag of groceries for the pantry, a day or a week of summer camp or a trip to a museum gives supporters a way to provide tangibly, said Nathan Mungin III, the center’s executive director (pictured

in the file photo at right with the then-executive director, Stella Marrs).

Of course, the center has faced financial crises before, but has weathered them and stayed within budget.

“We have been frugal but again, given just, the whole nation’s financial position, nonprofits … are the first to feel it and we’re usually the last ones to come out of it,” Mungin said.

In the 2007-2008 fiscal year, the center distributed more than 100,000 pounds of food to needy local families through its food pantry.

Sheriff’s Department arson Detective Doug Lerner has been working without his partner – Scooter.

The yellow Lab, known to get excited over the scent of gasoline and other accelerants, has been out on injury leave with a bad foot.

The action pooch had surgery on Jan. 29 at the Suffern Animal Hospital. She’s expected to be off-duty until the end of the month, Detective Lt. William Barbera said.

“She came back and had a cone on her head,” Barbera said, adding the device was meant to prevent Scooter from licking or biting the stitches on her back leg.

Her stitches came out today, he said.

While she’s convalescing, Lerner has been working.

He’s investigating the massive fire that destroyed a Washington Avenue warehouse in Suffern last week – a fire seen for miles. And the warehouse had loads of flammable stuff – from propane tanks to gasoline, all the stuff that puts the bark in an arson dog like Scooter.

Lerner and Scooter have been a team since 2006.

Scooter was found in a Chicago animal shelter after she was abandoned on the streets. The person who rescued the pup and named her Scooter took her to Maine for possible training as an arson dog.

Scooter succeeded Hayley, a black Labrador retriever who became the county’s first arson dog in 2001. Hayley retired with her handler, Detective Joseph Guidice.

While Scooter is a “sworn” law enforcement pooch, she’s not eligible for 2007c – the state program that pays police officer their salary tax free while they are recovering from an on-the-job injury.

Dozens of people met at the Nyack Center last week to look over the redesign plans for Memorial Park, a 5-acre patch of green space along the Hudson that is Nyack’s only public park. The $7 million to $15 million project would take 10 years to complete and would revamp the park with more open space, a new bridge to the neighboring marina, a larger beach and butterfly garden. Here’s the original story I wrote about the project.

And here’s a PDF of the park plans: memorial-park

Doug Foster, webmaster of NyackNewsandViews.com, has the plans up on his blog too and the Nyack Park Conservancy is welcoming suggestions and comments at Doug’s site. (Thanks for the PDF, Doug.)

UPDATE: Legislator Wolfe sent me an email this morning (01/20/09) saying he wanted to “clarify something.”

From the email, verbatim: “You mentioned that I didn’t want to hold a public meeting. That’s not entirely accurate, as both the committee meeting and full Legislature are public meetings and all are entitled to attend and be heard. What I said was that I wasn’t going to hold a public hearing, which is a much different thing.”

BACK TO THE ORIGINAL POST:

When the Rockland Legislature meets tomorrow, it is likely to consider a resolution calling for the government body to recognize Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas. The measure has been proposed by Legislator Alden Wolfe, D-Suffern.

Hamas governs Gaza, where fighting began Dec. 27 after Israel launched an air attack and followed with a land invasion. A cease fire was agreed upon by the two sides Sunday. Israel said it attacked Gaza to get at Hamas terrorists, which have been firing rockets onto Israel. Hamas was democratically elected by the Palestinian people, but Israel, the U.S. and other nations consider it a terror organization.

Wolfe is among those strongly opposed to Hamas. He outlines his reasons in a proposed resolution that is 3-plus pages long.

But he’s meeting up with opposition from those who say the resolution is unfair and one-sided.

Alan Levin, of Nyack, has created an online petition so like-minded Rocklanders can voice their view on the resolution. He, and others, want the measure to be voted down or postponed until all the issues regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be discussed in a public forum.

Levin, who also wonders if it is county government’s role to pass a resolution regarding another nation’s foreign policy, has also written to the Legislature to express his views.

So far, Wolfe says he won’t hold a public meeting.

The Legislature meets at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Allison-Parris County Office Building, 11 New Hempstead Road in New City. The public can speak on the resolution. Sign up when you arrive for the meeting. Each person gets up to two minutes.

Keep reading for the full texts of Wolfe’s resolution and Levin’s letter to the Legislature. We’ll also have a story in The Journal News and on LoHud.com later.

Laurence Holland, who worked extensively on local campaign efforts for Barack Obama, will be among a group of 100-plus people headed to Washington, D.C., for Tuesday’s inauguration.

In an email today, Holland said the Rockland County Grassroots Volunteers for Barack Obama has chartered two buses and will head off to the festivities at 2 a.m. Tuesday, and return late the same day.

“During the campaign, I had told the group that if Barack Obama wins we will be in Washington for the inauguration,” Holland wrote. “Well, true to my word, we are going to DC for the big day.”

The group doesn’t have tickets to the actually swearing in ceremony, but hopes to catch a glimpse of the new president during the parade up Pennsylvania Avenue, from the Capitol to the White House.

Holland said local elected officials had secured one-day inaugural Metro passes to allow visitors unlimited access to public transportation. Each will also be given a map of the D.C. area and the schedule of events.

Photo: Laurence Holland, of Spring Valley, and Kris Burns, of Nyack, who worked to get Obama Barack elected president, will be in Washington, D.C., Tuesday for the inauguration. Holland will join a group traveling by bus while Burns will meet up with everyone later. I grabbed this shot in Nyack in September.

C. Scott Vanderhoef will be the guest of honor during a fundraiser in his honor next month.

Vanderhoef told us today that the cocktail reception, which will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Jan. 25., is indeed being held so he can raise some money for his political coffers.

But he wouldn’t say for sure if he’s going to seek a fifth term as Rockland’s County Executive.

“We’re looking at a run, but we’ll wait to make it official,” Vanderhoef said today.

Meantime, if you’re a supporter of Vanderhoef, you’re in for a tasty treat should you opt to attend the bash. Why? Namely because it will be held at Restaurant X and Bully Boy Bar, just off South Route 303 in Congers. The eatery consistently garners high marks for delicious food.

State Senator Thomas Morahan, R-New City, will serve as honorary chairman for the event. He’s the highest ranking elected GOP official in Rockland, so his support is significant.

The gathering will also feature the CSV Jazz Trio, which will be led by bass guitarist Ron Figueroa, who is a counselor with the county Department of Health, but will be playing on his own time.

The donation is $150 per person. RVSP by Jan. 19 by calling 914-552-1507 or sending checks to Friends of Scott Vanderhoef, P.O. Box 472, New City, NY 10956.

The file photo of Vanderhoef was taken by staffer Kathy Gardner. Morahan’s was taken by staffer Peter Carr.

In today’s paper, you’ll find my article on revised plans for a family-oriented sports and entertainment complex in Orangetown. The multimillion-dollar facility would include an aquatic center, a bowling center and lounge and an ice rink. If you’re interested, check it the whole story here.

The developer, STEJ, sent over a few photos of the project plans:

Exterior shot

Oz will be better dressed – and protected.

The Clarkstown Police Department canine  has received a body armor vest from the United States Police Canine Association for Region 7.

The $900-valued vest was presented last week to the German shepherd and his handler, Police Officer Joseph Knarich during the association’s meeting in Yonkers. The group’s president, MTA Lt. John Kurwick, did the honors.

The association gets the vests through donations

Kanarich and Oz became partners during 2007 – including 13 weeks of training at the Boston Police Department K-9 Academy.

The 2 1/2-year-old tracking dog also is trained in narcotics detection.The dog found a man with Alzheimer’s who had become lost for four hours in 2007.

The association’s website is www.uspca7.org.

We’ve reported on two red swastikas that were found spray-painted on trees on South Mountain Road in New City.

The Nazi symbol angered residents in the Lake Lucille community on South Mountain Road, but they responded to the vandal(s) with humor. Barry Carl, president of the Lake Lucille Property Owners Association, said they covered the symbol of hate up with hearts.

Clarkstown police Detective Sgt. Bernard Cummings said investigations were still continuing.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Clarkstown Police Department Detective Bureau at 845-639-5840.

(The photo with a heart was contributed by Barry Carl.)

Bob Baird, columnist for The Journal News, was recently interviewed by Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef and can be seen and heard on the next edition of County Executive’s Forum.

During the show, Vanderhoef and Baird discuss the state of the newspaper business and how it has evolved through the years.  Baird also discusses his involvement with the Challenger Little League and Touching Bases, a softball league for adults with disabilities.

The half-hour show will air at 7 p.m. on Wednesday on Cablevision channel 78, Rockland’s government access channel.  The program will be rebroadcast every Wednesday in November and December at 7 p.m. on channel 78.

Members of the Rockland County Legislature have issued a statement regarding the proposed 2009 county budget submitted by County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef.

The plan increases spending by about $30.3 million, from about $684.2 million this year to about $714.5 million next year.

The proposal increases the amount of money to be collected via the county property tax by about 9.85 percent, from about $54 million this year to about $59 million next year.

Here is the Legislature’s statement:

New City, NY (October 24, 2008) – Rockland County Legislative Chairwoman Harriet D. Cornell, Vice Chairman William L. Darden, Majority Leader Michael M. Grant, and Budget and Finance Chair Ilan S. Schoenberger made the following statement today regarding County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef’s 2009 Executive Budget:

“While we certainly recognize that difficult times call for difficult choices, as elected officials we have a responsibility to ensure that the choices that are made are the right ones.  Over the coming days and weeks we will continue the budget review process that we began several weeks ago and further analyze departmental spending and revenues in an effort to pass a balanced budget that is both fiscally prudent and financially sound.

With a cloudy economic future ahead of us, it is more critical than ever that the budget we received from the County Executive contains accurate projections when it comes to the generation of revenue. We are all aware that sales tax revenues, upon which the county depends, have slowed considerably.  We will closely scrutinize the budget and ascertain how the spending cuts that were proposed affect the delivery of vital services and programs to Rockland County residents.  Knowing that Rockland taxpayers are already struggling to make ends meet, we will closely examine the property tax increase that was proposed by the County Executive.

Today’s turbulent economy has put the county in a tenuous financial situation, yet with a balanced and pragmatic approach we can help chart the right course, steer our county’s finances back on track, and protect Rockland families.”

It’s a dog’s world and three Rockland police departments received equipment through a non-profit group for their K-9 units.

Spring Valley, Clarkstown and Ramapo received the equipment from the Onyx and Breezy Foundation, an organization started in 2004 by Mark and Wanda Shefts in honor of their two Labrador retrievers. The foundation supports a wide range of projects that advance the welfare of animals.

The Shefts will appear with the three dogs and officers to discuss the grants tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. in the Rockland Legislature Chambers, first floor of the County Office Building, 11 New Hempstead Road, New City.  The grants were procured by Rockland Public Safety Advocate David Fried, who works for Sheriff James Kralik on finding money for police across the county and other issues like recruitment.

Fried estimated the equipment is valued at $6,000. The  following equipment was obtained :

• Technology equipping K-9 vehicles in Spring Valley and Ramapo with temperature monitoring to ensure a safe environment for the dog when the canine is unattended on hot or cold days during emergency responses. Remote pagers would tell the officer if temperatures inside the vehicles would endanger the dog’s health. The cars also would be equipped with a cooling fan that would turn on automatically at certain temperatures. The officers also would get device that automatically opens the vehicle door to allow the dog to respone in emergencies.  Each departments has one dog each trained in tracking and narcotics.

• Computer software for the Clarkstown Police Department that would maintain records such as veterinary care, training logs and deployment.  Clarkstown has the largest K-9 patrol program in the county with two dogs. Suffern also has a K-9 unit.

The Sheriff’s Department has two dogs trained to sniff out explosive components and one canine trained to sniff out accelerants for arson investigations. A third dog trained for the bomb disposal unit coming soon.

“The equipment that is being provided is a testament to the importance of K9s in all our lives, the noble service of K9s in law enforcement and the legacy of Onyx and Breezy,” foundation Trustee Wanda Shefts said in a news release. “As a society we have an obligation to support and provide for animals.”

Kralik noted that since the terrorists attacks on the World Trade Center in Manhattan and Pentagon in Washington with hijacked airplanes, police dogs have played a larger role in law enforcement.

“Together with their human handlers, law enforcement has been greatly enhanced by police dogs in narcotic seizures, arson investigations, explosives detections and patrol work,” Kralik said.

Five emergency services workers from Rockland have been recognized as the tops in the Hudson Valley Region (Sullivan, Ulster, Dutchess, Putnam, Orange and Rockland counties).

• Cheryl Manasier, an RN at Nyack Hospital — Nurse of the Year
• Brandon Smith of the Rockland EMS Training Academy and a volunteer with the Spring Hill Ambulance Corps — EMS Educator of the Year
• Dr. Oscar Marcilla, based at Nyack Hospital — Physician of the Year
• John McCullough of the Rockland Paramedic Service and a volunteer with the Sparkill Fire Department — ALS (Advanced Life Support) Provider of the Year
• Rockland Paramedic Service — EMS Agency of the Year

There were eight categories, and Rockland snagged honors in five of them. They move on to the next level and in September, the state EMS Council will name its statewide honorees.

The other categories were EMS Communications Specialist of the Year (Rockland’s was Jenny Kugler, a dispatcher with the Stony Point Police Department), Basic Life Support Provider of the Year (Rockland’s was Anthony Masi, a volunteer with the Haverstraw Ambulance Corps) and Youth Member of the Year (Rockland’s was Ephraim Tauber, with Spring Hill).

Here are the bios on Rockland’s regional winners, provided by the County Executive’s office:

Registered Professional Nurse of Excellence
Cheryl Manasier RN
Nyack Hospital

Criteria: Contributions to the EMS community as a NYS registered professional Nurse. Dedication, responsibility, professional behavior, ingenuity, special skill or insight in the prehospital environment.
Eligibility: New York State licensed registered professional nurse serving within the EMS System.

Cheryl has more than 25 years of service looking out for our EMS providers. She has shown an enormous amount of strength and determination. While she has had some personal challenges there was never a doubt she would return to the ER. Cheryl always greets us with a warm welcome and takes an interest in the crew and patient we deliver to the ER. She treats everyone with respect and goes out of her way to educate the crews.

EMS Educator of Excellence
Brandon Smith
Spring Hill Ambulance/Rockland County EMS Training Academy/EMS-9

Criteria: Individual who through outstanding teaching, educational administration/coordination, publication or research has maximally improved prehospital services at the local, county, regional or state level.
Eligibility: EMS Educator or equivalent

Brandon wears many hats in his service to the community. He joined Spring Hill VAC in 1993. Brandon also maintains active status with the Hillcrest FD, DMAT NY-4 and is an instructor at the R.C. EMS Academy. He was appointed R.C. Deputy EMS Coordinator EMS-9 in 2007.  In 2006 he completed his NYS DOH EMT Certified Instructor Certification. He is not one to say no and can usually be found providing CME lectures or teaching his classes. While it might seem to be a busy load he is always willing to help someone with a desire to learn. He has the patience and ability to teach the most challenging student. People like this don’t come along often and we are fortunate to have Brandon there with a smile willing to share his experience and knowledge.

Physician of Excellence
Dr. Oscar Marcilla MD
Nyack Hospital

Criteria: Contributions to the EMS community as a physician. Dedication, responsibility, professional behavior, ingenuity, special skill or insight in the prehospital environment.
Eligibility: NYS licensed physician serving an EMS system.

Dr. Marcilla is the Medical Director of Nyack ER.  He makes it a point to attend as many meeting and events with the EMS providers as time permits. If he is not available he arranges to have a representative present. Dr Marcilla listens with an open ear and addresses all concerns. We are fortunate to have him in our community as a resource and a friend.

John McCullough
Rockland Paramedic Service

Criteria: Contribution by an individual to the community as an Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate (EMT-I), EMT-Critical Care Technician (EMT-CC), or Paramedic (EMT-P). Dedication, responsibility, professional behavior, ingenuity, special skill or insight in the EMS environment.
Eligibility: NYS Certified EMT-I, EMT-CC, EMT-P.

On May 14th 2007 at approx. 5:30 p.m., John was detailed to Medic 21. A call was received for a motorcycle accident with 2 victims. Medic 21 as well as Nanuet & Pearl River VAC responded to the scene. One victim unfortunately succumbed   to his injuries while the other was left with critical injuries including an arterial bleed to the leg. All attempts to stop the bleeding failed until John made the decision to use quik clot.  John is dedicated to serving his community. John’s career includes NYPD, Sparkill Fire Dept, South Orangetown VAC and Rockland Paramedic Services.

EMS Agency of the Year
Rockland Paramedic Service

Criteria: Any agency, which strives for consistency in EMS excellence and exhibits exemplary performance when providing prehospital emergency medical care.
Eligibility: A NYS certified volunteer or career EMS agency, i.e., NYS certified ambulance service or fire department.

RPS has made it a point to advance patient care in their service area. They do not take the easy road and are constantly reviewing new ideas, concepts and products in the EMS field. They work together with the Volunteer agencies to provide Rockland County residents with the best EMS system possible. They participate in all local, regional and state EMS meetings to keep current on changing trends. They have also participated in several pilot programs through the Hudson Valley Regional EMS council. These programs were not mandatory and required many hours of documentation.  Where there is a need RPS will find a way to assist. They are a valuable asset in our EMS community.

Rockland County has announced the opening of cooling centers this weekend in the following locations:

SATURDAY, JULY 19

Town of Clarkstown
• Pascack Community Center: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Congers Community Center: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Central Nyack Community Center: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Palisades Center Mall Community Center: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Town of Ramapo
• St. Lawrence Center: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Village of Haverstraw
• Village Community Center: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Village of Suffern
• Village Hall Community Room – top floor: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Village of Spring Valley
• Louis Kurtz Civic Center: normal operating hours

OPEN SATURDAY, JULY 19 AND SUNDAY, JULY 20

Town or Orangetown
• New Court Room  (use police entrance)

Village of Sloatsburg
• Sloatsburg Volunteer Ambulance Corps: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.

The July periodic campaign finance disclosure forms were due yesterday for any person or committee with an active account.

So while we focused primarily on this year’s candidates I took a peek at the statements of County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef and some of his rumored 2009 opponents.

Vanderhoef, a Republican now serving his fourth term in office, brought in more than $105,800 in contributions in the last six months—more than any of the people running for statewide office this year. He reported a balance of $166,577. 27 after opening with more than $131,200.

Much of his money came from corporate donations and several of his expenditures were on fundraisers.

Among the rumored challengers is Orangetown Town Supervisor Thom Kleiner, who’s getting really good at being charmingly coy when asked about the subject.

He raised nearly $41,000 this period, ending with a balance of $112,788.28. Ramapo Town Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence took in nearly $76,000 and Clarkstown Supervisor Alex Gromack took in nearly $61,500.

That’s big money in an off-year compared with Haverstraw Town Supervisor Howard Phillips who took in just more than $1,200 and Stony Point Supervisor Phil Marino who raised about half that.

All five supervisor seats, now filled by Democrats, are up next year as well.

The Legislature failed last night to override the county executive’s veto of a local law that called for all major facility projects in Rockland to be “designed, constructed and certified” to the standard of the U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system.

Bill sponsor Alden Wolfe, D-Suffern, knew the demise of the so-called LEED law was coming — he’d been told the Legislature’s minority party members would side with Republican County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef — so he took the time normally spent pleading for votes to castigate the exec’s office for poor communication.

It’s been a running theme of the Legislature this year—that Vanderhoef’s office is either less than forthcoming on certain issues or gratingly mum on others.

Wolfe detailed to the Legislature his attempts to get the county executive’s input and how he had heard from his chief of staff only after it was too late to make any changes to the proposal.

Chief of Staff Sean Mathews, who was in the audience during Wolfe’s speech, released the following statement through spokeswoman C.J. Miller: “The (LEED) law was flawed. We could not support a law that puts the County in direct conflict with the intent of the  legislation. Secondly, we work with everyone. With over 350 pieces of legislation passed so far this year with only one veto, Legislator Wolfe’s comments seem unfounded.”

The veto override failed 11-6 with Legislators voting among party lines. Twelve votes were needed to overturn Vanderhoef’s veto.

Rockland’s county executive couldn’t resist a little gloating today at a county executives forum at Dominican College in Orangeburg.

When someone from the audience asked how the state could clean up politics in Albany, C. Scott Vanderhoef deadpanned “Well, if they elected another governor last time, I would have been helpful.”

Vanderhoef, who then broke into a smile, ran for lieutenant governor in 2006 alongside John Faso, the GOP’s gubernatorial candidate. They were crushed in the polls by the Democratic Spitzer/Paterson ticket.

He noted that, while campaigning, Spitzer had promised to do away with unfunded state mandates, but that the most recent state budget had more than ever.

Other county executives at this morning’s forum were Andrew Spano from Westchester, Edward Diana from Orange and Steve Levy from Suffolk.

With temperatures in the upper 90s or higher, the county has opened up cooling centers in several towns in villages for today and tomorrow.

They are:

Town of Clarkstown

• Central Nyack, Congers and Pascack community centers: 7:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.

•Town Hall Auditorium: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

•Adler Center, 4th floor, Palisades Mall: noon – 10 p.m

Town of Haverstraw

•Rosman Road Town Hall:  noon – 5 p.m.

It’s a boy for Sean Mathews, Rockland’s senior assistant county executive.

His wife gave birth this morning to their third child, Thomas Dominic, who weighed in at 9 pounds, 6 ounces.

Edited to add: I’ve been informed that the new dad’s official title is chief of staff.

Sheriff’s Department Lt. Billy Barbera called me Thursday evening.

I said, “Hey Billy, what’s up.”

Barbera responded that I had called him and he was returning my call.

Silence, on my end, as I tried to remember when I called him and why? It’s 6 p.m. and I still have another hour’s work before I go home.

Barbera is one of Sheriff James Kralik’s public information officers so I must have had a question about something – an arrest, a policy matter.

Before I came up with an answer, Barbera, always the gentleman, asked, “Did you forget I was in Alabama all week?”

Now that you mentioned it,  I guess so.

The important point is Barbera was  being trained in Alabama becasue he’s a supervisor for the Sheriff’s Department Bomb Disposal Unit. Capt. Louis Falco and Capt. Andrew Esposito already have taken similar training courses for the countywide unit.

The bomb disposal squad has three officers and two bomb-sniffing dogs, to go along with a bomb disposal robot, X-ray device, a fully equipped bomb truck with all the bells and whistles, and other equipment. Two more officers are being trained.

Kralik wants the bomb unit  accredited as a level one unit and the ability to handle more than one incident at a time and have extra officers in case of terrorist attack or some other type of castrophe. There was a time when Rockland police waited hours for a bomb squad from either the state police or another county.

Barbera said the unit is several hundred thousand dollars short for  another bomb truck and, subsequently, level one status. I could only think  this sounds like a job for Kralik’s grant-obtainer, David Fried, a former county legislator.  Kralik hired Fried, a Democrat who didn’t seek re-election in November, and even got Fried a license to carry a gun like he was a police officer.

Back to Barbera, who said he was enjoying the training course.

“I am getting to blow things up,” he said.

He said he would be back Monday and I should call him when I remembered why I called him on Thursday.