Nyack Hospital’s Emergency Department ranks in the top 10% of New York Hospitals in patient satisfaction and has been awarded the 2008 Compass Award from Press Ganey Associates for outstanding improvement in Emergency Department. Press Ganey recognizes organizations that demonstrate a commitment to improving patient satisfaction.

Editor’s Note: Has anyone visited Nyack’s Hospital in the last year? Can you offer any comments to the information we received in Nyack Hospital’s press release? Thanks for your help!

Sources: MarketWatch, GlobeNews, Nyack Hospital

Westchester and Rockland County Congresswoman Nita Lowey will ask the new administration to include funding for a new Tappan Zee Bridge as part of the President-elect’s economic stimulus package.

Responding to a question from the White Plains CitizeNetReporter, Lowey said the “Tappan Zee Bridge is absolutely critical to Westchester and Rockland County, and I intend to work with my colleagues to do whatever we can to make it (the Tappan Zee replacement) part of the  stimulus package.”

Lowey says a second $600-700B stimulus package will include funds for roads, bridges, highways. “[These] jobs that will put people to work and I intend to advocate for the Tappan Zee Bridge to be a part of that effort,” she said.

Source: White Plains CitizeNetReporter

Photo Credit: Nyack Daily Snapshot

On Friday State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli vowed that the State would find a way to continue with the Tappan Zee bridge replacement, despite the fiscal crises. 

DiNapoli addressed a group of public officials, business leaders, and concerned residents Friday at Rockland County Community College to discuss the project’s future, and its affect on the regional economy.

Al Samuels, president of the Rockland Business Association, said the project could not be delayed. 

“Somehow the federal government created $700 billion for certain segments. Money can always be found. It’s just a matter of getting to the right people and making the right case,” he said. “The Tappan Zee Bridge is a structure that will ultimately be unsafe.”

I was listening to Leonard Lopate today on WNYC during lunch, as he was interviewing Bill Ayers.  It was definitely an interesting interview, but my ears perked up when I heard them mention the bank robbery that turned violent in our fair Village of Nyack, leaving two Nyack police officers and a Brinks guard dead.

Bill Ayers had left the Weather Undergound by that time (1981) and the group had dissolved except for a few hard core members.  That incident in Nyack was considered the organization’s last gasp.

I’ve only been in Nyack a couple years, so forgive that this is news to me.  Nyack has more influence on history books than its modest popuation would indicate, but there is something odd about its nature.  It would be interesting to compile a list Nyack’s most unique contributions to history. It’s much more than just ”taking a kyack to Nyack”.

After Monday’s Village budget meeting was over, I realized that I forgot to ask a critical question: what about the Riverspace development proposal? It was not even mentioned at the meeting.

There is a budget gap to fill for next year, and the big new expense discussed was the streetscape improvements costing around $50k next year.  But if the Village is serious about redeveloping the under-performing, paved paradise at its heart, the Village needs to think big and devote money and resources.  We can’t afford to make a mistake.  Saving a little money now could cost us for 50-100 years.

First I will attempt to explain in general terms the Village’s current standing, and I am sure I will be corrected since I am still unclear of the details, but here it goes.

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Rockland’s 2009 budget includes a 4.4 percent spending increase of $30.3 million financed by a 9.85 percent increase in the county property tax (2008: $54 million, 2009: $59 million). This works out to a tax rate of $1.29 per $1,000 of equalized property value.

The increases and cost savings are designed to offset falling revenues in a slowing economy. Sales tax revenues are expected to bring in about $183 million in 2009. The 2008 figures are down about $4.8 million less than originally estimated. Mortgage tax revenues are similarly impacted: the $6 million 2009 estimate is hedged knowing that 2008 revenues are down $2.26 million from what was originally budgeted. Continue reading →

The Village Board had a public meeting to discuss the 2008/2009 budget and get feedback.  It was an effort to start very early and keep the process open and transparent to the public.  Budget meetings will start in earnest in February.

About 20 people showed up including representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and Community Center including Ben Rubin from the Journal News.

The good news is that expenses are projected to decrease by about $219k next year.  The bad news is that revenues will decrease by about $325k.  That leaves over $100k that has to be found.

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Rockland County’s Department of Transportation plans to increase bus fares by 50 cents on the Tappan Zee Express (TZx) and Transport of Rockland (TOR). Increases are also planned for the T.R.I.P.S. paratransit buses, Clarkstown Mini Trans (CMT) and Spring Valley Jitney (SVJ) buses. With the exception of T.R.I.P.S, this is the first increase for these services since 2002. T.R.I.P.S. fares have not increased fares the service was introduced in 1978. The increases are planned for early 2009.

County transit officials will host two meetings next month where recent improvements will be presented and financial impacts of declining funds will be discussed. Citizens can comment on the proposed increases at the Palisades Center Adler Room on the fourth floor near the skating rink on December 17 from 2p-4p and 6p-8.

Comments can also be made in writing or in person to the Rockland County Department of Public Transportation, Building T, 50 Sanatorium Road, Pomona, NY 10970, by phone to 845-364-3333. The comment period closes on December 23.

For more information visit http://www.co.rockland.ny.us/PublicTrans

Sources: Rockland Dept of Transportation, Journal News

This last January, the Chamber of Commerce set up a Parking Task Force to investigate and report on the feasbility of a downtown garage to the Village Board.  The Task Force has met approximately monthly and has brought in various experts in its quest to understand the alternatives and their impact.

The Task Force is in the process of finalizing its report and will be submitted to the Village Board in the next couple of months.

A complication is the issue of the Riverspace Development, which would have a huge impact on the feasibility of a garage.  Continue reading →