Slowing Climate Change System Causes Other Problems
The United Nations created a system of rewarding manufacturers for reducing their emissions of dangerous gases that are emitted into the atmosphere, but this has created other problems. The U.N. did not anticipate that some businesses, specifically air-conditioning and refrigeration ones, would use this reform to their benefit. But the companies quickly figured out how they could earn thousands of credits using this system. And these credits can be sold on international markets for tens of millions of dollars a year.
The companies release coolant gas into the atmosphere, which contributes to global warming and depletes the ozone layer, and then destroy a ton of the obscure waste gas that’s released along with it. As a result, they end up with easy credits, which turn to money. Since 2005 the 19 plants receiving waste gas payments have profited well by doing this. The result is that U.N. subsidies intended to improve the environment are instead creating their own damage.
The U.N. and European Union are trying to create new rules and ban these behaviors, but the lucrative incentives and the profits plants make are proving to make it difficult.
Boating Safety Bill to Reduce Insurance Premiums
New York State Senators David Carlucci and Tony Avella offered their support for legislation that will offer a reduction in insurance premiums for New Yorkers that choose to take boating safety courses. Individuals will be rewarded by lower insurance costs if they learn to properly operate a boat or vessel with a focus on preventing accidents.
On July 4, three children were killed in a traffic boating accident on Long Island. In the aftermath, New York Senators are looking for ways of preventing more boating incidents. “Just like drivers can receive an insurance rate reduction when they take a Defensive Driving Course, this legislation applies the same concept to boating so we can prevent future accidents and protect our waterways,” said Carlucci.
According to Avella, “The United States Coast Guard has repeatedly stated that boat operators without safety certificates are more likely to engage in negligent and inappropriate behavior… It is simply unacceptable that New York State does not require mandatory boater safety training…”
Connecticut Man Sentenced for Abuse
Lawrence J. Bottone of Connecticut was sentenced Wednesday, August 8 to 10 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision for whipping, urinating on and abusing young men for years. Bottone, 54, posed as “Dr. Hunter.” He told young men that he was a professor at the University of Bridgeport and Westchester Community College and recruited them for his fake training program luring them with promises of high-paying jobs at the completion. They were made to sign contracts that they would remain silent about the “training.”
One of the victims was a 21-year-old from Rockland and was tortured by Bottone for a year. He was beaten with ropes and chains, forced to strip, urinated on, sexually molested and inappropriately grabbed. He was told after the “combat training” he would be able to earn $50,000 a mission for an international agent.
West Nyack Little League All-Stars Stopped at Semi-finals
The West Nyack Little League 10-11 all-star team lost on Wednesday, August 8, stopping their race towards the championship tournament. They lost 8-3 to Massapequa. This is the second time Massapequa beat West Nyack in the state tournament. Massapequa lost to Great Kills earlier in the week. And Massapequa will have a rematch with Great Kills in the finals.
West Nyack earned a trip to the state tournament, hosted by Van Nest Little League in the Bronx, by winning the District 18 and Section 4 tournament. Sam Franco of West Nyack had three hits for West Nyack. Joey Solomon, TJ McIvor and Luke Pallogudis all had two hits.
Central Nyack Man Charged Attempted Murder
Jonathan Dunn of Central Nyack was arrested Saturday, August 11 after an investigation into a shooting found him a suspect. Police believe the shooting was triggered by jealousy over a woman known by both Dunn and the victim.
Dunn, 31, is being held in Rockland County’s jail on $500,000 bail for attempted murder of a 41-year-old Central Nyack man. The victim was shot in the upper left arm as he sat in a car in front of his home. The wounds are not life threatening. Dunn’s charges include second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
13-Year-Old Sloatsburg Suicide Mourned
The funeral for William Rudloff of Sloatsburg was Monday, August 13. Rudloff, 13, shot himself in broad daylight on Allen Street in Sloatsburg on Thursday, August 2. He stepped into the street, put a gun to his head, fired and collapsed to the ground. He died two days later at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla.
Hundreds attended the funeral at St. Joan of Arc Church on Eagle Valley Road. His mother asked the mourners to remember him as he was alive, not the way he died. She described him as her rock and pillar, remembering how much love and care he shared with everyone. Rudloff was always looking out for his two younger siblings, had been a devoted and outgoing altar boy, athletic and artistic student at Suffern Middle School, and generous soul who gave away his Christmas and birthday money to charities.
Broken Water Main in Nyack Means Boiled Water for a Week
A broken water main on North Greenbush Road in West Nyack resulting in some areas of the Nyacks losing water service on Saturday, August 11, meant that all Nyack residents were advised to boil tap water before using it until at least Thursday, August 16. The water outage affected local businesses in West and Central Nyack. Many restaurants and cafes had to close because they didn’t have any water.
Repairs to the pipes, which reportedly broke due to aging infrastructure, were completed by Sunday morning. The Nyack Water Company worked overnight in order to make sure it was completed as quickly as possible. Nyack Hospital and Fire Department have been notified and briefed on the problem. As a health precaution, Nyack residents were told to boil their water from the tap before using it for drinking, food preparation, cooking, brushing teeth, or giving to a pet.
Federal Judge Rules Against Hawaii Gay Marriage
U.S. District Court Judge Alan C. Kay ruled against same-sex marriage in Hawaii and affirmed that natural marriage is between one man and one woman. On Wednesday, August 8, he ruled against two Hawaiian women who wanted to get married, not just enter into a civil union. This ruling sides with Hawaii Health Director Loretta Fuddy and Hawaii Family Forum, a Christian group.
According to Mat Stayer, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, “Natural marriage is under assault in America… Same-sex marriage defies the laws of nature. As a policy matter, same-sex marriage is a statement that moms and dads are irrelevant to the well-being of children. Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education and policy organization. The lawsuit by Natasha Jackson and Janin Kleid argues that they need to be married to get certain federal benefits. Their attorney plans to appeal the case. Governor Neil Abercrombie supported the plaintiffs’ claims and said a same-sex marriage ban was unconstitutional.
New City Army Maj. Killed in Afghanistan
Army Maj. Thomas E. Kennedy of New City was killed Wednesday, August 8 when a bomber detonated a suicide vest in Sarkowi, Afghanistan where he was located. Kennedy, or “Tommy” as he was known, graduated from West Point in 2000 and attended Don Bosco Preparatory School. He served two tours of duty in Iraq and it was his first time in Afghanistan. He was deployed there on July 18.
A charity foundation has been set up and already has more than $10,000 in donations to help take care of his wife and children. Kennedy leaves behind a wife, Kami, and twin children, a son and a daughter, who will be two at the end of August. A memorial service was on Saturday, August 11 at West Point.
New City to Cost Rockland $1 Million in Dam Study
Two leaks that seem to be coming from the dam’s rock wall at Demarest Kill Park in New City have prompted a thorough engineering study, which will cost Rockland County $1 million. The money will also cover at least some of the expected repairs the dam needs.
There is currently no imminent threat to the dam’s integrity or the public’s safety. However, the dam is located in a downtown area and it holds back a 2.5-acre pond. Since there are no documents indicating when or why the dam was built or what materials built it, an engineer with urban dam experience is needed for this inspection. It may include borings, video and underwater inspection. The study ought to cost $100,000 to $200,000. The rest of the $1 million will go towards repairs needed on the dam.
Road Rage in South Nyack Leads to Arrest
Asif K. Ahmed of New City was charged with second-degree menacing with a weapon and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, misdemeanors, after a road-rage incident Monday, August 13 near South Nyack. Ahmed, 31, was driving north along Interstate 87 when an incident involving road-rage and weapons occurred. No further information is available yet. He was released on an appearance ticket.
Telemarketing Made More Difficult in N.Y.
Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation Tuesday, August 14 to make it more difficult for unwanted telemarketing to interrupt one’s day. Calls are prohibited to deliver prerecorded messages unless the recipient has expressly consented to receiving them. Also all recipients must be given the option to put their phone number on the telemarketer’s “do not call” list. “Unwanted telemarketing calls are intrusive and irritating,” said Cuomo.
Currently, telemarketers licensed outside of New York can call and harass New Yorkers, pay a small fine and continue to do business. Under this new legislation, all telemarketers doing business in New York, even if licensed elsewhere, must also register with the Department of State, which will have the authority to revoke or suspend their registration if they do not comply with the state’s laws. Violation of these laws may result in additional fines and charges.
Right now fewer than 30 telemarketers are registered in New York. However, other states that require out-of-state telemarketers calling into the state to register have much higher numbers. In Pennsylvania there are about 200, Vermont has 300, and in New Jersey there are 500. In 2000, New York enacted the Do Not Call law to protect consumers from unwanted and abusive telemarketing calls. This allowed consumers to put their phone numbers on lists and telemarketers were not allowed to contact them. There are over 13 million New York numbers on the list. This new legislation will go into effect in 90 days.
Upper Nyack Man Places in Ironman Competition
Dave Nazaroff of Upper Nyack placed 79th overall and fourth in his age bracket, 45-49 years, at Saturday’s U.S. Ironman Championship. And he was rewarded with a trip to the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii this October.
Nazaroff, 46, finished the 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile marathon run in 10 hours, one minute and 26 seconds. He said it was his best time by 40 minutes. Nazaroff, who owns Toga Bike Shop, has competed in six previous Ironman races. His wife, six-year-old daughter, sister and brother-in-law were all waiting for him at the finish line.
New Rockland Jewish Newspaper Launches
The Rockland Jewish Standard will be publishing monthly issues beginning this September, just in time for the Jewish high holidays.
This new paper fills the void left by the closure of the Rockland Jewish Federation Reporter, which was published since 1991 by the Jewish Federation of Rockland County. When the organization restructured earlier this year, it decided to close the paper. The last publication was the July/August 2012 issue. The paper’s award-winning editor, Marla Cohen, will be editing the new paper as well.
The NJ/Rockland Jewish Media Group, publishers of the Jewish Standard for Bergen, Hudson and the Wayne area of Passaic County for the past 80-plus years managed the printing and advertising of the Reporter since 1999. They will continue to publish this new paper.
The Standard will be mailed and available at drop-off points throughout the county. It will also be available online at www.jstandard.com. For advertising, deadlines and media kits email Natalie@jewishmediagroup.com. For press releases, news and calendar items email marla@jewishmediagroup.com.
Timeline: August 16, 2012 added by dskriloff on
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