Okay—they weren't that heavy. But the Legislature must have needed some pretty intense staplers for those things. They were thick.

So I was surprised Tuesday when I got my packet. It was very thin, even though I knew it was going to be a doozy of a meeting.

To save on paper the Legislature, at the request of the Environmental Committee, now prints packets using both sides of each sheet of paper.

Kudos guys!

Though I'd still like to see that lean, mean stapling machine…

The vote didn't happen until around midnight. Yikes.

After hearing hours of comment, mostly negative, legislators voted 11-4 to approve the law with the "nay" votes coming from Legislators Gerold Bierker, C-Bardonia, Ed Day, R-New City, Joseph Meyers, D-Airmont and Frank Sparaco, R-Valley Cottage.

The Legislature previously struck down a motion to table the issue, 5-11 with Bierker, Day, Meyers, Sparaco and Legislator Doug Jobson, R-Stony Point, voting in favor of tabling the proposal.

Several members of the Legislature sit on the Solid Waste Management Authority.

Last year, a mayoral election year, the Democratic ticket ran unopposed.

Does one-party government work well enough for Suffern? Are there issues on which the incumbents – the entire village board and mayor – could be challenged? Have the village Republicans given up because there are more registered Democrats in the village?

The hamlet, known as Ramapo, is tucked between Route 17, the New York State Thruway and Torne Valley Road. It includes 16 houses that are now owned by the Ramapo Land Co.

Christopher St. Lawrence, the town supervisor, estimates that rental income from the houses could bring the town $250,000 annually.

Do you think the town should be a landlord?

O'Neill was one of many residents who protested when O&R cut down trees in her backyard as part of a tree removal program meant to prevent power outages. Residents complained that more trees were cut that necessary and that O&R's hired crews left a mess of stumps and debris behind.

O&R reached out to O'Neill after hearing her concerns and agreed to replace the lost trees with what they call compatible species, which are basically trees that won't grow too high. An O&R arborist will visit O'Neill today and walk though the backyard to go over the plans for replanting.

"Fair is fair," O'Neill said yesterday. "They're trying to do the right thing."

The proposal died in committee last week with four "ayes" and three "nays." Proposals need six "ayes" to make it out of committee.

Day, R-New City, also the Legislature's minority leader, had faced criticism for the proposal. The county executive and county finance commissioner said it would end up costing Rockland about $1.5 million in lost revenue that would need to be made up through an increase in property taxes.

Day said he would try to get the item put on tomorrow's full Legislature agenda as a new business item, but Chairwoman Harriet Cornell, D-West Nyack, said she wouldn't support it.

Day, she said, is welcome to make a motion to do so, but if it is going to be considered it needs to go through the proper channels, i.e. the committees.

No, it's not a day where you get to just complain about anything and everything; it's the deadline for folks to file formal grievances on their property tax bills.

Calhoun included a link to a helpful pamplhet: "Fair Assessments: A Guide for Property Owners," as well as a link to the overall Office of Real Property Services site.

The Assemblywoman also reminds folks of an important point: You need not pay anyone to help you file a grievance. Forms are free at your assessor's office; you just have to drop them off at the office on or by May 27.

Good luck.

First off, relating to today's story about how many schools and districts in the Lower Hudson Valley, including some in Rockland, received high marks from the state Education Department for their academic performance and for closing the achievement gap.

Here's a link to the article about it, written by Journal News reporters Randi Weiner and Dwight R. Worley: Nearly 150 schools show improvement. And here's a link to the database.

Then, we have the database the desk put together on tax levies and school spending. Check out how your school district compares with others.

Download:

Links to related articles:
Nanuet mourns teen, prays for friend
Spring Valley cop accused of corruption
Ex-Ramapo cop indicted on federal charges
For military moms, a bittersweet Mother's Day
4 face felonies in Nyack gang fight

Clarkstown police will honor the following officers (with the descriptions provided by Administrative Sgt. Harry Baumann):

• The Excellent Police Service award shall be awarded to any member of the department who, in the line of duty, performs an act, which brings acclaim to themselves and/or the department. Recipients: Sgt. Steven Chernick and Officers Dawn Fantini, Andrew Grosso and Phillip Galligan. On May 7, 2007 while on patrol PO Fantini was detailed to a Congers address on a report of a emotionally disturbed person. The complainant reported that the EDP was in possession of a taser and razor blades and felt he was a danger to himself and other individuals. Sgt Chernick, PO Galligan and Grosso responded as backup in attempting to locate and restrain the 52 year old male. After a search of the house and the surrounding area they were able to restrain the individual before he hurt himself or other persons in the area.

• The Meritorious Police Service Second shall be awarded to any member of the department who, in the line of duty, performs an outstanding act, which demonstrates exceptional initiative or unusual dedication and brings public or professional acclaim to themselves and/or the department. Recipients: Detectives Robert Hoeneveld and Frank Romano, Meritorious Second; Detective Lorraine McGrath, Sgt. Alan Armstrong, Excellent and Officer William Killian, all Excellent Police Service. On July 31, 2007 Officer Killian handled a missing person report where it was determined that the individual was possibly suicidal. Officer Killian attempted to track the individual through the vehicle GPS unit. He then notified the detective bureau and Detective McGrath contacted verizon and was able to track the individuals cell phone through verizon's cell towers. Through Sergeant Amstrong's coordination Detective Hoeneveld and Romano were dispatched to the 5-mile radius of the cell towers and they were able to locate the individual in Woodcliff Lake. He was in the process of attempting to commit suicide by cutting his wrists and having a hose taped to the tail pipe of the vehicle put through the vehicle window. They immediately rendered first aide and had him transported to the nearest Hospital. Through excellent police work and swift action, all the officers and detectives involved were successful in savings the man's life. All the officers also have been awarded the department's life saving medal

• Life Saving Award to Dispatcher Richard Cummings. On March 28, 2007 Dispatcher Cummings received a 911 call reporting a person choking. Dispatcher Cummings had recently received Emergency Medical dispatch training and this was the first time he would put it to good use. After receiving the call he immediately began Emergency Medical dispatch and was able to talk the caller through the proper procedure to successfully perform the Heimlich maneuver, which cleared the victim's airway. Dispatcher's calm and professional handling of the call and his instructions in performing the Heimlich maneuver most likely saved the victims life.

• Excellent Police Service to Sgt. Steven Chernick and Officers Andrew Grosso, Peter Aiston , Scott Rios, Joseph Dwyer and Rodney Picott. On January 2, 2008 dispatch received a call from Shelton CT Police Department of a possible despondent suicidal emotionally disturbed person who was staying at the West Nyack Motor lodge. The individual also might be in possession of a handgun. Sgt Chernick, PO Grosso, Aiston Rios J. Dwyer and Picott were detailed. Sgt Chernick set up a command post and determined the individual was registered at the motel. The officers set up a perimeter and Sgt Chernick made contact with the individual and was able to convince him to come out of the room without incident. The loaded handgun was recovered in the room. Sgt Chernick and the officers handled the incident in a calm and professional manner and prevented the situation from escalating into an armed confrontation. Sergeant Chernick was awarded with a Meritorious Second citation for his role in this incident.

• The Unit Citation shall be awarded to a unit within the department that best exemplifies devotion to duty, and brings acclaim to the unit and the department. Recipient: Juvenile Aid Bureau, comprising Detective Sergeant Christopher Goodyear, and Detectives Robert McDonald, Cristopher L. Maloney, Eileen Malloy, Fredrick Parent, and John Fredricks.

The Juvenile Aid Bureau is an intricate part of the Clarkstown Police Department, which is sometimes unknown to the rank and file of the department. The Detectives and staff are specially trained to deal with those victims and crimes that are particularly sensitive because of the victim's age. The results of the investigations the bureau conducts may not make the local news headlines nor may not end in a criminal conviction. However the victim is given the attention and best protection that the police department can provide. Throughout 2007 the Juvenile Aid Bureau have saved numerous victims who were victimized through the bureau's thorough investigations. Another very important task of the bureau is to investigate all missing person reports and though their untiring efforts have solved over 120 missing person cases. The Clarkstown Police Juvenile Aid Bureau was the first in Rockland County law enforcement and has continued to be the mainstay of juvenile justice in the county. This is due to the patience, professionalism and dedication of those detectives who serve.

• Civilian Award goes to Joseph Demoa. On April 17, 2007 a Clarkstown Building Inspector was taking pictures of a vehicle that was located at 12 Jerry's Avenue Nanuet, which, was part of an abandoned vehicle investigation. Upon seeing the inspector taking pictures, the homeowner came running out of the house and repeatedly stabbed the inspector with a knife. A neighbor Joseph Demoa heard the commotion and observed the stabbing. Without regard for his own safety he immediately rushed to the scene and took the knife away from the suspect and held him for the police. Mr. Demoa's heroic action was instrumental in saving the building inspector's life.

• The Life Saving Medal shall be awarded to any member of this department who, in the line of duty, performs an act, which directly results in the daving of a life. Recipient: Police Officer Andrew Grosso. On December 26, 2007 Officer Grosso who was on routine patrol was dispatched to a call of an unresponsive 83-year-old female. Upon arrival Officer Grosso found her lying on the bathroom floor without a pulse and not breathing. He immediately began to perform CPR while at the same time with the assistance of the arriving ambulance crew, set up the AED unit. Officer Grosso's quick actions and performance of lifesaving CPR directly resulted in the saving of the patient's life.

• Excellent Police Service to Police Officer Brian Quinn. On September 10, 2007 Officer Quinn was on routine patrol checking parking lots and hotel lots for suspicious activity. In the Days Inn lot in Nanuet he observed a individual operating a 2002 Lexus with Florida plates, which appeared to be suspicious. Officer Quinn stopped the vehicle and conducted an investigation that revealed that the vehicle was reported stolen in Florida. Officer Quinn's keen observation and investigation uncovered a possible Asian prostitution ring and the recovery of a stolen vehicle.

• 2007 – 2008 CLARKATOWN POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR goes to Police Officer Thomas Flanagan. Officer Flanagan has been a member of the Clarkstown Police Department since October 25, 1999 and during this time he has distinguished himself as an active and reliable patrol officer. As a patrol officer, Officer Flanagan has been highly productive in his activity and conducts thorough and complete investigations that have resulted in numerous arrests and convictions. During his tenure in the police department, he has been a member of the Critical Incident Response Team Sniper Unit as well as a Field Training Officer. For the past 5 years, he has also been a member of the Clarkstown Police Department Honor Guard. Officer Flanagan brings great credit upon himself, the police department and the Town of Clarkstown.

• Meritorious Police Service Second Award goes to Officers Thomas Holstine, Christopher G. Maloney and Scott Silver. On June 25, 2007 Officers Holstine, Maloney, & Silver while on routine patrol responded to a North Fremont Ave Nanuet address where they observed the residents through a window on the floor in what appeared to be unconscious. They immediately force entry into the residence and found it to be filled with fumes from a vehicle left running in the garage. They took immediate action on removing the residents and applying first aid. If not for their selfless and heroic actions, the residents would likely have suffered serious injury or death from their exposure to the carbon monoxide fumes. Also all the officer's have been awarded the department's Life Saving Award.

• Excellent Police Service to Police Officer Joseph Dwyer. On May 20, 2007 a Teletype was read out at turnout from Ramapo PD to be on the lookout of for an individual who was wanted in their jurisdiction. Dispatch received a call from a motorist who stated he had picked up a hitchhiker in Ramapo who was acting suspiciously. The individual ran from his vehicle in the area of COSTCO. Officer Dwyer with the information from the Teletype determined that the hitchhiker and the Ramapo suspect were most likely the one in the same. After a search of the area, he was able to apprehend the suspect who was the individual wanted by Ramapo.

• Excellent Police Service to Police Officer Joseph Knarich. On September 23, 2007 Officer Knarich and his K9 partner Oz were dispatched to Stony Point to assist in searching for a burglary suspect. Shortly after arriving on the scene Officer Knarich with K9 Oz picked up the track of the suspect, which led them to a nearby residence. Officer Knarich, awoke the residents of the premise and received permission to search the house. They conducted a room-to-room search and discovered the suspect. Because of K9 Oz's unique qualifications he was able to lead Officer Knarich to a stash of drugs in the residence.

• Excellent Police Service to Police Officer Kara Lynn. On August 8, 2007 Officer Lynn while on routine patrol was dispatched to Village Green for a female in labor. Upon arrival Officer Lynn observed the mother to be experiencing contractions with the baby crowning. Officer Lynn was able to deliver a healthy baby boy a short time later.

• Meritorious Police Service Second to Officers Joseph Knarich and Scott Rios. On November 16, 2007 Officer Knarich on routine patrol observed a vehicle turn into the Palisades Center mall parking lot without signaling. Officer Rios responded as backup and assisted in stopping the vehicle. Both officers could smell the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. When questioned the driver denied smoking marijuana. K9 Oz was deployed, making a sweep of the vehicle which indicated a positive presence of drugs in the center console area. A search of the area revealed negative results. But the officers persisted and their keen observation revealed a hydraulic piston that electronically raised the console to reveal a hiding place. In the hiding place the officers recovered 4 oz of cocaine and currency. The driver was also in possession of approximately $3,000 in currency and subsequently arrested for felony drug possession.

• Excellent Police Service & Civilian Award to Officers Joseph Knarich, Richard Von Ronn and Stanley Young, and civilian Robertina Dashi. On March 10, 2007 dispatch received a call from Robertina Dashi about a suspicious vehicle parked in the far corner of the Hub Shopping Center. Officer Knarich and Von Ronn were dispatched with Officer Young arriving on the scene to assist. After an investigation it was determined the individuals from the vehicle were involved with the armed robbery of a business in the area. With the keen observation of Ms. Dashi and the thorough investigation of the responding officers 2 arrests were made and the proceeds of the robbery and a handgun were recovered.

• Excellent Police Service to Officer Raymond Laschet (two awards). On June 6, 2007 Officer Laschet was dispatched on a report of a suspicious male opening car doors on the fourth level of the parking garage at the Palisades Center mall. After a thorough search of the area officer Laschet was able to locate the individual and after an investigation he was able to recover several thousand dollars of merchandise that was taken from numerous parked vehicles. The individual was also in possession of hypodermic needles and heroin.
On December 21, 2007 Officer Laschet was on routine patrol and initiated a car stop of a vehicle driving without headlights. After an investigation it was determined the driver was wanted on a warrant from Los Angeles for kidnapping and false imprisonment. Officer Lascet's continuing diligence and thoroughness resulted in the apprehension of a wanted felon.

• Excellent Police Service to Officers William Sherwood and Edward Stoker. On January 26, 2007 dispatch received a call of a structure fire at the Monterey Gardens Senior Citizen Housing. Officers Sherwood and Stoker were detailed and upon arrival found several of the units engulfed in flames. Without regard for their safety they were able to make entry into numerous apartments and evacuated the elderly residents to safety. As a result of the officers actions, all of the residents of the affected portion of the complex were evacuated without injury.

• Meritorious Police Service Second Award to Officer Robert Shine Jr. and Joseph Dwyer. On November 18, 2007 Officer's Shine & Dwyer were dispatched to a Nanuet residence on a report of an uncontrollable emotional disturbed person. Upon their arrival they found the male body builder who was in a completely darkened room which inhibited the officers in detecting his location. The responding officers calmly conversed with the male for several minutes at which point he threatened to jump threw a closed window. The officers then deployed the taser before he could injure himself and after a short struggle the EDP was subdued and transported to Good Samaritan Hospital for evaluation. Through the officer's calm demeanor and quick action they were able to control the situation before anyone was injured.

• Meritorious Police Service First to Sgt. Raymond McCullagh and Officers Thomas Ronan, Robert Reilly, Christian Cortelli and Thomas Flanagan, and Civilian Award to dispatcher Richard Cummings.

• Meritorious Police Recognition for Outside Agencies goes to Sgt. Bernard Lynch of the South Nyack-Grand View Polic e Department and Orangetown Police Officer Tyrone McNeill.

On July 27, 2007 the Clarkstown Police dispatch advised police personnel that there was a motor vehicle pursuit coming toward them. The pursuit originated in Passaic County, New Jersey and the vehicle in question was being pursued by numerous police agencies from New Jersey and New York. Two individuals, who had attempted to kidnap a female in the Passaic County New Jersey, occupied the vehicle and they may have also been in possession of handguns. The vehicle entered Clarkstown jurisdiction on North Broadway Upper Nyack where Clarkstown police officers picked up the pursuit. Officer Cortelli joined in the pursuit and provided dispatch with accurate and timely information over the radio and Dispatcher Cummings made sure that all patrols in Clarkstown and nearby jurisdictions were provided with the same details. Sergeant McCullagh coordinated a roadblock in the Rockland Lake area with Sergeant Lynch, Officer Ronan, Reilly, Flanagan and McNeill assisting. The suspect's vehicle approached the roadblock at a dangerously high rate of speed. The officer's had already been advised that the suspects may have fired a weapon at the pursuing officers and fearing for their own safety fired their weapons causing the vehicle to veer off the road into a ditch ending the pursuit. The passenger was immediately arrested and the driver after a short foot chase was also arrested. These officers are being commended for their courageous actions for ending a potential deadly pursuit, which lasted 20 miles through two states.

"If the town's going to court, then go to court. If they want to waste the taxpayer's money, then waste it," Lane's lawyer, Donald Brenner, said yesterday.

Town Supervisor Thom Kleiner wants Lane to reappear before the Zoning Board of Appeals because of a mistake the board made when it approved a waiver for the project. The board OK'd the waiver before the Planning Board made an environmental impact declaration. Since it was the board's mistake, Brenner said his client shouldn't be penalized.

Kleiner and the Town Board are considering suing Lane and the Zoning Board over the matter.

The mistake would have gone completely unnoticed, or ignored, except that a group of homeowners got wind of the project just over a month ago and were not happy. They put together a coalition to fight the project and caught the ear of Kleiner, who had the town's attorney go over the project with a fine-toothed comb.

Here's two stories on the project:

Pearl River residents rally to fight commercial park

Orangetown supervisor considers suing town's own board

Now, the group has plans for a fundraiser on May 21.  It will be held at The Saloon in Pearl River. Proceeds will go to support RUSH's efforts to prevent a warehouse and two self-storage buildings from being built on a wooded area along Route 304.

Their web site is www.rushpearlriver.com.

The volunteer victims will be covered in red – for blood – and trapped inside a crushed car, requiring firefighters to cut open the vehicle. A medical helicopter will land to show how personnel transfer the victims to the hospital. And capping off the lesson will be a Hearst carrying the casket with the victim(s) to the cemetery for burial.

And Fieldstone School Resource Officer Henry Sirakovsky is looking for volunteers, preferably students, to spend time in the casket.

The hour-long simulated crash and responses is to emphasize to students the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol – and an general message  not to drink and use drugs in ny case. Some schools have left a crushed car on the campus as a message.

The mock crash at Fieldstone will be held at 9:50 a.m. and again with a second car at 1:05 p.m. Sirakovsky, who will moderate,  organized the mock crash with school officials and Students Against Destructive Decisions. And the rain date is Thursday.

Okay, not it's not that bad. But there has been a running theme this year of the Legislature complaining that County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef has been less than forthcoming with information, something his office says just isn't true.

Last month, at the April 30 Government Operations Committee meeting Legislator Ed Day, R-New City, asked Hospitals Commissioner Richard Maloney for a detailed breakdown of how much overtime pay is included in the department's payroll figures.

At last night's Multi-Services Committee meeting, Day again asked Maloney about the figures and Maloney replied that he'd gotten the numbers to the county executive's office two days after the request was made.

So Day, visibly miffed, questioned Vanderhoef staffer Vince Altieri who told him he'd have to check and get back to him.

Other legislators, including Jay Hood Jr., D-Haverstraw, Philip Soskin, D-Monsey and Alden Wolfe, D-Suffern, said they were disappointed that the county's administration had shared so little with them regarding the construction of the new hospital and nursing home. Soskin said he's gotten most of his information about the project from media reports.

The Legislature, earlier this month, also accused Vanderhoef of not communicating effectively with them when his office requested approval for a $24 million bond related to the Mirant tax dispute.  Vanderhoef countered that the Legislature knew about the issue because it was discussed at a 2006 meeting.

C.J. Miller, spokeswoman for the county executive, said yesterday that claims the Legislature can't get information on finances are bogus. The  Legislature's fiscal analyst has access to the same numbers as the administration's finance personnel.

"That information is open and accessible to everyone," she said

As to the rest of the complaints, Miller said Vanderhoef's office isn't trying to hide anything or play games with the legislators.

"Maybe communication isn't the problem here," she said. "Maybe it's a lack of understanding … a lack of comprehension."

Legislation has passed both state chambers to declare Friday as Thurgood Marshall Day in the state.

The measure was sponsored by State Sen. Thomas Morahan,  R-New City, and Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee, D-Suffern, to honor the Supreme Court justice for his contributions to the civil rights movement.

Marshall visited Rockland in 1943 to call for desegregation of a Hillburn school.

According to a press release issued jointly by Morahan and Jaffee, several prominent Rocklanders joined the lawmakers in Albany on Monday, including Legislature Vice Chairman William Darden, D-Hillcrest, his brother Spring Valley Mayor George Darden, Spring Valley NAACP president Willie Trotman, and Willie Bryant from Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

Rockland County is a large, diverse community that must strive to meet the needs of its diverse constituents. The recent fight on Franklin Street is not an isolated incident but rather a symptom of larger problems. Gangs and other forms of youth unrest are not restricted to Nyack, Spring Valley or Haverstraw, but exist throughout the county in all schools and in all of the neighborhoods. The solution, then, must include all of us in Rockland — the county, towns and villages.

Certainly anyone who is part of a street fight, endangering the lives and well-being of citizens, must take responsibility for it. This may include criminal charges and the consequences of these charges.

That said, we understand that the issue of gangs and why people join them has much deeper causes. Gang membership is indicative of disenfranchisement, alienation and "not knowing a better thing to do."

To that end, we met with local community leaders who recommended the following:

1. An athletic/community center so that youth in the community would have a safe place to "hang out" and engage in positive activities.

2. A stronger police presence.

3. More jobs.

All these proposals are important in addressing the issue of gangs. The Village of Nyack does not have the resources to do any of this alone. As I said, this is a county-wide issue and should include county-wide cooperation.

This is a beginning. We as a community need to work together to expand these ideas by supporting positive programs like Head Start, the Youth Bureau and the Nyack Center, by helping families in need, and by sharing responsibility for the future of our youth and our village.

For tonight, however, we'll focus on the local and immediate.

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Links to related articles:
Spring Valley man in good condition after colliding with police car in Central Nyack
Rockland legislators, administration quarrel over confusing budget numbers
Spring Valley man gets 2 to 6 years in prison for DWI deaths
EMT work can sometimes be dangerous
Paralyzed cop prays at Nyack church

For a quarter page in the birthday "playbill" and one reserved seat, you gotta fork up $250. It's $500 for a half page and two seats, and $1,000 for a full page and two seats.

Want the cream of the crop – a full page and four seats? Gotta throw down $1,500.

Kleiner promises a night of politically irreverent song, speech and comedy at the shindig, which will happen at Riverspace Arts in Nyack.

The money goes to the supervisor's fundraising committee, Friends of Thom Kleiner. Gee, why would a seven-term supervisor who was easily re-relected in November need so much money in the bank?

Ten Haverstraw town and village police officers will be feted Friday on their retirements after decades of serving the public.

One officer in particular, Hector Soto, already has moved on in life to an elected councilman on the Haverstraw Town Board. Soto worked as a police officer for close to four decades and 36 years as a detective. He worked his share of robberies, shootings, rapes and homicide during his career. For many years, Soto was the county's only Spanish-speaking officer – and constantly called by other departments.

On Friday, a retirement dinner will be held at the Patriot Hills course clubhouse in Stony Point.
Aside from Soto, the other town police officer- honorees are Detective Richard Janeli, Sgt. DannyFarrell and Officer William Harvey.

Six Haverstraw village officers who retired when the Haverstraw village police department disbanded two years ago and the town police force took over patrolling the village. They are Police Chief John Reilly, Sgt. Claudio Gatti, Sgt. Paul Hykas, Detective Sgt. Frank Alessio, Detective Vincent Ryan and Officer Richard Chorus.

And several other retirees – such as Detective Lt. Richard Rogers from the sunny shores and golf courses of Florida – and officers from across the department will attend the dinner.

Anyone interested in attending can call members of the planning committee – Dave Kryger, Jose Luna, Jorge Folch and Peter Connolly – at the Haverstraw Town Police Department at 845-354-1500.

Sampson was one of several area Democrats who said this winter they were interested in the seat. The others were County Legislature Vice Chairman William Darden, Suffern Mayor John Keegan, and former Legislators Patrick Withers and David Fried.

Jaffee and Rockland's other state representatives are up for re-election in November. Jaffee is completing her first term.

The county's Democratic convention is coming up in the next few weeks. We'll be checking in with the four stragglers soon. Stay tuned.

Our data desk has put together a searchable database that you can access here.

Rockland's lone state senator, Thomas Morahan (R-New City), ranked in the top 10 of all state legislators in the amount of money he secured for projects and organizations in his home district.

He alone brought about $2 million to his district. For all of Rockland's legislators combined — Morahan and Assembly members Ellen Jaffee, D-Suffern; Nancy Calhoun, R-Blooming Grove; Annie Rabbitt, R-Greenwood Lake; and Kenneth P. Zebrowski, D-New City — nearly $3 million came to their constituents, though Morahan, Rabbitt and Calhoun also serve parts of Orange County, where some of those funds went.

During budget season you often hear him trying to wrangle more money out of the budget for certain organizations, most notably the Hi-Tor Animal Care Center and Project Turning Point.

He helped honor the latter last night before the Legislature meeting when he and Chairwoman Harriet Cornell, D-West Nyack present the group and it's leaders with the Legislature's Distinguished Service Award.

Operating out of Spring Valley since 1985, the group has provided services to thousands of homeless and runaway teens from every town in the county.

Having faced budget cuts from the federal, state and local levels, Project Turning Point currently operate a six-bed shelter as part of St. Agatha's Home.

Both are "full-service" villages with their own police and highway departments. Suffern also has its own water and sewer facilities.

Spring Valley Mayor George Darden is paid about $102,000 annually. Suffern Mayor John Keegan, who is part-time, is paid $30,000.

How much would it be worth paying a full-time Suffern mayor?

The idea is to reduce a deficit that grew to $631,000 since 2006. There was no deficit in 2005.

Village officials have blamed decreasing water use and increasing expenses of running the Water Department, for the deficit.

Is raising the water rates an acceptable answer?

County Legislator Joseph Meyers wonders how fair that is considering that Hillburn will already be getting the benefits of a news sewer system that will also serve Sloatsburg.

Meyers was concerned that other sewer users in Ramapo, Clarkstown and a part of Orangetown would be subsidizing Hillburn's rebates, and that over the years they could escalate to high figures.

What do you think?