"Freedom is participation in power." — Marcus Tullius Cicero

The Piermont Police Department will begin using a new service to alert participants about weather emergencies, special events and crime. To learn more about the service and how to sign up for the alerts, go to www.nixle.com.

The Village of Piermont Democratic Party Caucus for the selection of Party candidates for two Trustee positions for the November 2, 2010 election will be held at the Piermont Village Hall, 478 Piermont Avenue, Piermont NY, on Thursday, September 16, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. Registration starts at 7:30 pm.

All registered Democratic Party voters from Piermont are invited to attend.

Nyack-Piermont Patch - 09/08/10 - The Debate Continues: Boats, Or Parking Spaces?

It's likely one of the most polarizing issue in Piermont right now: allow the Piermont Rowing Club (PRC) to remain in the North Parking Lot, or relocate it to create eight new parking spaces.

Yesterday evening, Piermont's village board delved further into the issue and discussed possible solutions with residents. No official decision was made—it will be put to a vote at the Sept. 21 board meeting.

The board elaborated on the two possible relocation plans presented at last month's meeting: moving the PRC to Parelli Park, or onto a nearby grassy field.

    Review estimates for Oil and Chip and estimates for drainage as part of the Phase III/IV Road Resurfacing Plan

    Discussion on independent Budget Committee

    Status of Moratorium on Parking and Moratorium on Demolition

    Continue discussion on moving forward with the Landscaping of the North Parking Lot plantings

    Continue discussion on a lease agreement with the Piermont Rowing Club

The Journal News - 09/03/10 - Rowing club involved in row over parking in Piermont

PIERMONT — A picturesque river village in the county is struggling with parking issues, and it isn't the one you think.

Piermont is trying to figure out whether it has enough parking spaces for visitors, and now the Piermont Rowing Club is conspicuously in the center of the debate.

The Journal News - 09/07/10 - American Roots Festival draws more than 1,000, supports Piermont PAL

More often the home field for the Police Athletic League's Piermont Yankees, the Goswick Pavilion/Rittenberg Field instead played the role of concert venue this Labor Day, hosting more than 1,000 music and community lovers.

Much of the proceeds from the festival went to the Piermont PAL, a sporting program that offers competitive and non-competitive baseball, basketball, boxing and golf to children ages 7 to 18.

Piermont Public Library - 25 Flywheel Park West, Piermont, NY 10968

Open Monday -Thursday, 10-8 p.m.; Friday, 12-5 p.m.; Saturday, 12-4 p.m. Closed Sundays except for special events.

For more information, please call 359-4595. All events are free unless otherwise noted.

Events for September 2010

In the Gallery: Thursday September 2, 2010 - Wednesday September 29, 2010: River Dawn - Photographs by Lisa Forman. Images of the Hudson River at dawn, a time when the world is still, quiet and serene, are featured in this show. Piermont photographer Lisa Forman uses a muted palette and presents her images in stunning antique frames. The exquisite images evoke a sense of the new day, new beginnings, and new opportunities. Relatively small in size, they depict large spaces filled with peace and natural beauty. An Artist's Reception will be held on Sunday, September 12, from 2-4 p.m. All welcome.

First Friday Film Series: Friday, September 3, 2010, 7:30 p.m.: La Vie en Rose (2007). Directed by Olivier Dahan. A swirling biopic of the life of the great Parisian chanteuse, Edith Piaf, aka "The Little Sparrow." This film is anchored by Marion Cotillard's performance, for which she won seven Best Actress awards including an Oscar, and which was hailed by numerous critics as one of the most astonishing screen portrayals ever. Not to be missed!

Mondays, at 11 a.m.: Toddler Storytime with Agnes and Judy. Great opportunity for toddlers and their caregivers to get to know one another and find out how much fun a visit to the library can be.

Wednesday, September 15, at 11 a.m.: Moon River Music Together with Catherine. Catherine believes that all children are musical and you can nurture the musical growth of your child regardless of your own musical abilities. Come and see how it's done! These classes are above all fun - for children and caregivers alike.

Sunday, September 26: Friends of the Library Book Sale. Please call for more information.

PIERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY - UPCOMING EVENTS

STATION DAYS Sundays, September 5 & October 3, 2010: New dates added due to popular demand! Visit the Piermont Train Station, built in 1873, on the National Register of Historic Places, adjacent to the Erie Path and lovingly restored by the Society. 50 Ash Street (at Hudson Terrace), Piermont, NY. 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. Free of charge.

COMMUNITY APPRECIATION DAY Sunday, September 19, 1910: The second annual PHS Bar-B-Q and Potluck Luncheon at the Piermont Train Station, honoring the Piermont Civic Association for its outstanding contributions to community life. 50 Ash Street (at Hudson Terrace), Piermont, NY. NOON until 3:00 PM. Free of charge.

HISTORICAL HOUSE TOUR Saturday, October 16, 2010: The Historical Society of Rockland County’s renowned annual House Tour comes to Piermont, with an assist from the PHS. 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM. Tickets will be sold on the porch of the Dennis P. McHugh Piermont Public Library (25 Flywheel Park West, Piermont, NY) for $40.00 on the day of the event, or in advance at www.rocklandhistory.org for $35.00.

Piermont Historical Society www.piermonthistoricalsociety.org

INFO: 845 365-0655, piermonthistoricalsociety@gmail.com

Piermont Public Library - 25 Flywheel Park West, Piermont, NY 10968

Open Monday -Thursday, 10-8 p.m.; Friday, 12-5 p.m.; Saturday, 12-4 p.m. Closed Sundays except for special events.

For more information, please call 359-4595. All events are free unless otherwise noted.

Events for October 2010

Piermont Library Events for October

In the Gallery this month: Drawings by Remo Barone. Barone was born in Italy in 1937. The son of an ornamental iron worker, he took classes in design as a young man and developed a love of the Renaissance masters. He lived for several years in Rome soaking up the work of Michelangelo, Leonardo and others, before moving to the U.S. in 1955. Here he went to work with his father at Florentine Craftsmen, a well known wrought iron design company in Manhattan, and learned his craft from the artists there. Many years later, after moving to Rockland, Barone returned to his true love - working with the pencil. His remarkable pencil drawings are detailed representations of local people and places, focusing in this show on the Piermont area. An Opening Reception will be held on Sunday, October 3, from 2-4 p.m. All welcome.

First Friday Film Series: Friday, October 1, at 7:30 p.m.: Fresh (2010). With special guest author, food educator, and Village of Piermont Trustee Joan Gussow. Directed by Ana Sofia Joanes. "A brisk indictment of industrial farming and its devastating toll on our soil, health and livestock" (New York Times) leavened with case studies that prove people can and do make sustainable, environmentally friendly methods work. This fascinating documentary will lead into a round-table discussion chaired by Joan Gussow on our food, our farmers, and our way of eating.

Mondays at 11 a.m.: Toddler Storytime with Agnes and Judy. Great opportunity for toddlers and their caregivers to get to know one another and find out how much fun a visit to the library can be.

Wednesday, October 20, at 11 a.m.: Moon River Music Together with Catherine. Catherine believes that all children are musical and you can nurture the musical growth of your child regardless of your own musical abilities. Come and see how it’s done!

Sunday, October 24, at 2 p.m.: Special Book Discussion -- “A Wondrous Journey” is a biography of well-known Rockland surgeon Dr. Martha MacGuffie whose inspiring life story includes the founding of SHARE, an organization which brings assistance to victims of the AIDS epidemic in Kenya, one of the poorest places on earth. Written with photographer/author Lynn Cluess-Manzione, who grew up in Piermont and spent many happy hours at the old library on the hill where her mother worked as a volunteer, the book has been widely acclaimed: “In a world of strife and suffering, here is a story that must be read and emulated,” wrote Malachy McCourt. “This book should be a part of the education system,” says Mikhail Baryshnikov. And Ellen Burstyn adds, “Martha MacGuffie is living proof that regardless of age or hardship, the human spirit is indomitable, and can achieve anything it sets its sights on.” The program will include a short film on Dr. MacGuffie’s life and work, and signed books will be available for purchase.

The Journal News - 07/11/10 - Orangetown Town Board report

Here is a recap of the June 22 Orangetown Town Board meeting. Supervisor Paul Whalen and board members Denis Troy, Tom Diviny, Nancy Low-Hogan and Michael Maturo were present. The Town Clerk's Office provided information for this report.

The Journal News - 07/11/10 - Tappan Zee Bridge work, and lane closings, resume Monday

The second phase to replace the road deck on the Tappan Zee Bridge begins Monday night.

This year, the contractor will close the right lanes in both directions overnight to upgrade the security fence along the bridge's steel railings and to perform survey work.

Fortifying the railings along the 3-mile bridge is being done to reduce suicide attempts.

The Journal News - 07/05/10 - Some local governments say state's pension borrowing plan is too risky

ALBANY — Municipalities are offering mixed reviews of a plan by the state Legislature and Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to allow the state and local governments to essentially borrow from the state pension fund to lower huge spikes in retirement costs.

Some local governments are praising the proposal as a way to help them better manage pension costs, which for local governments are expected to soar by 61 percent next year. But others view it as another borrowing scheme by the state to avoid spending cuts and limits on public-employee benefits.

"Rather than cut spending and try to reduce the money we spend, we continue to look at ways to borrow, to bond and just get ourselves deeper in debt," said Chemung County Executive Tom Santulli, president of the state Association of Counties.

The Journal News - 07/05/10 - Nyack board to vote on flag policy for Village Hall

NYACK — It all started last month when Mayor Richard Kavesh decided to fly the gay pride flag above Village Hall to showcase Nyack's inclusiveness.

A day later, on June 2, a Nyack employee asked Kavesh if the flag for Respect Life, a group that opposes abortion, could also be flown on the municipal flagpole.

Since both political messages deserved equal protection under the law, Nyack's trustees agreed. The board also was aware that it could be sued in federal court.

The Journal News - 05/25/10 - Private wages fall in historic pay shift

Paychecks from private business shrank to their smallest share of personal income in U.S. history during the first quarter of this year, a USA TODAY analysis of government data finds.

At the same time, government-provided benefits — from Social Security, unemployment insurance, food stamps and other programs — rose to a record high during the first three months of 2010.

The trend is not sustainable, says University of Michigan economist Donald Grimes. Reason: The federal government depends on private wages to generate income taxes to pay for its ever-more-expensive programs. .

The Journal News - 05/24/10 - Nyack hires new village administrator

NYACK — The village has hired its first village administrator to run its day-to-day business.

Jim Politi, who served a similar role in the village of Walden in Orange County for a decade, is beginning his first full week on the job today.

He will manage the Village Hall staff, oversee all village departments, manage parking issues, and lead new initiatives such as the village's superblock feasibility study and marina redevelopment.

Politi, who lives in Newburgh, will earn $83,720 a year. His salary will be offset by the retirement of village treasurer, John Cincotta, whose last day is Wednesday.

The Journal News - 05/23/10 - Cuomo runs for governor, says state 'in trouble'

ALBANY — Andrew Cuomo announced his candidacy for governor Saturday, ripping state government as "a national disgrace" and vowing to work for the people not politicians, lobbyists or special interests to rebuild New York.

"My friends I think this upcoming election in November is probably the most important election for the state in my lifetime. To put it simply, New York state is in trouble," said Cuomo, referring to the troubled economy and hundreds of thousands of unemployed New Yorkers.

Cuomo offered a long list of plans to turn the state around:

• A cap on property taxes.

• A freeze on state taxes and public workers' salaries.

• A reduction of state agencies by 20 percent.

• A jobs tax credit for businesses.

• Stricter ethics and campaign-finance laws.

The Journal News - 05/21/10 - Call to Action rally attendees 'fed up' with Albany

RYE BROOK — Robin Murphy has had it with the state.

"I'm fed up being forced to accept financial decisions from folks up in Albany that can't balance their own checkbook," she said. "I'm fed up with tax money going to 'stimulate' union-run, mismanaged quasi-government entities that are supposedly too big to fail while my business is treated as too small to save."

An owner of a home-cleaning business in Valhalla, Murphy has so many beefs with state lawmakers that she wants many of them swept out of office. So for the first time, she's getting involved and calling on others to do the same.

"We gotta roll up our sleeves. We gotta take matters into our own hands," Murphy said. "Sitting this one out is not an option."

Among issues raised by the WCA and its speakers were big budgets, growing deficits and high taxes; escalating mandates and restrictions on business; and a belief that there a disconnect between New Yorkers and their leaders.

The Journal News - 05/18/10 - Can a cap fix New York's high property taxes?

ALBANY — The average statewide tax-levy increase for school spending has dropped consistently in recent years, falling from 6.89 percent in 2005 to 1.89 percent last year, the height of the state and national recession.

But with state support heading for a nose dive this year as lawmakers and Gov. David Paterson attempt to close a $9.2 billion budget gap, the average proposed hike in the local school-tax levy is 3.2 percent.

New York consistently ranks as one of the highest-taxed states in the nation, and local property-tax bills are 79 percent higher than the national average, a 2008 state report found.

The Journal News - 05/18/10 - Where your property taxes go

Lower Hudson Valley governments, including counties and school districts, collected a total of $5.6 billion in tax levies in the 2009 fiscal year. Local school districts received the bulk of those levies, 64 percent, while the remaining was shared by counties (15 percent), towns (8 percent), villages (6 percent), cities (4 percent), and fire districts and special districts (2 percent each).

Frustrated by state spending and taxation, a group of Westchester County business leaders took its concerns to a delegation of elected officials in Albany.

The Call to Action initiative aims to mobilize businesses and individuals to press for controlled spending, lower taxes and consolidated services.

New York’s property-tax burden — ranked annually at or near the top in the country — has long been a leading subject of complaint among residents, whether it's at the local diner, the school board meeting or within the halls of the state Capitol.

New York taxpayers pay property tax bills that are 79 percent above the national average, a 2008 state report found.

The village's proposed budget for 2010-11 will not raise taxes for property owners, the mayor said Monday.

The proposed $25.86 million spending plan depends on across-the-board government cuts and the use of $1.3 million in surplus revenues to hold the line on taxes, Mayor Noramie Jasmin said of her first budget since being elected in November.

With New York facing a $9 billion budget shortfall, a growing chorus of pundits and politicians is calling for wage freezes for public sector workers.

Some officials have even gone so far as to suggest that the state Legislature declare a fiscal emergency and freeze all wages for state, municipal and school employees.

Memo from the Mayor regarding status of PBA negotiations.