TIMELINES 6/29/17

Reaccreditation for Rockland Community College
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education granted reaccreditation to Rockland Community College without restrictions on June 22. This grants RCC as an accredited institution for learning for another decade. After two years of review by the college and outside evaluators, an RCC committee drafted a report that analyzed the college’s performance on 14 standards. The two-year period included a visit from the Middle States in March that proved reaccreditation should be awarded to RCC, allowing the students to continue to receive federal grants or loans.

Pianist Trio to Perform at Turning Point
The trio of local pianists Dave Keyes, Loren Korevec and Scott Staton will present a “Boogie Woogie Summit” in July. The summit will be patterned after performances by Pete Johnson, Albert Ammons and Meade Lux Lewis in the 1930s. They will be joined by vocalist Tom Dudley. Their last summit sold out the Schimmel Center in Manhattan.

Governor Cuomo Pushes to Name Tappan Zee After his Dad
Governor Andrew Cuomo is pushing for renaming the Tappan Zee Bridge after his father, former governor, Mario Cuomo. Although the Senate unanimously approved the bill, backlash has been received from Rockland County Executive Ed Day and Assemblyman Thomas Abinanti from Westchester County, claiming that those in Rockland and Westchester counties should have more say about the bridge’s name due to its location between the two counties. If passed, the bill would change the bridge name from The Governor Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge to The Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.

Suffern Student Named Journal News Golfer of the Year
Alex Kyriacou, who just finished his sophomore year at Suffern, was named as The Journal News golfer of the year. Kyriacou led Section 1 in scoring, qualified for his first state tournament and earned all-state honors. He spent two years working with renowned instructor Mike Adams of Hamilton Farm Golf Club. His coach, Brett Badendyck, refers to Kyriacou as a “golfaholic.”

Johnny Depp in Hot Water for Trump Comments
On June 22, actor Johnny Depp made an allusion to killing President Donald Trump, asking the crowd, “when was the last time an actor assassinated a president?” The comments he made to this crowd at the Glastonbury arts festival in England sparked widespread outrage. However, it is clear that lately allusions to violence against the president is becoming more prominent, such as comments made by comedian Kathy Griffin. Depp did apologize for his “bad joke,” calling it “in poor taste.”

Senator Ortt Deemed Not Guilty
Charges against Senator Rob Ortt were dismissed due to a lack of evidence. Albany’s County Judge Peter Lynch wiped out the three felony counts of offering a false instrument for filing. Ortt, the former North Tonawanda mayor was accused of passing his mayor’s salary through a no-show job for his wife. She was indirectly paid $21,500 over four years by the Niagara County Republican Committee.

Health Care Going Nowhere
Senate Republican leaders have decided to push off a vote on their health care bill until after Congress returns from the July fourth recess. The bill has faced wide opposition, even within the Republican Party. According to a new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll, just 17 percent of the 1,205 U.S. adults surveyed approve of the Better Care Reconciliation Act. In addition to this, only 35 percent of republicans who took part in the survey approved of the bill. Surprisingly, 46 percent want the Affordable Care Act – also known as Obamacare – to do more. If three Republicans oppose the bill it cannot pass; the delay was announced with at least five republican senators who oppose the bill, including Ted Cruz of Texas, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Mike Lee of Utah. A report from the Congressional Budget Office said that the bill would result in 22 million fewer people with health care coverage over the next decade – most of it coming from a rollback of the expansion of Medicaid.

Complainants Fight for School Aid
A lawsuit fighting to increase New York State education funding – New Yorkers for Student Educational Rights (NYSER) v. State of New York – was narrowed on Tuesday by the New York State Court of Appeals to focus on New York City and Syracuse, which may now go to trial. This lawsuit followed a formula written in 2007 by the state legislature and Gov. Eliot Spritzer – Foundation Aid – which was frozen after the 2008 recession and was never fully applied. School funding advocates say that the state owes school districts billions of dollars which this formula did not apply. Judge Rowan D. Wilson of the Court of Appeals stated that the court would have to prove that harm was caused by this lack of funding in each individual district in order to pursue more money statewide.

Westchester Decides to Embrace Uber & Lyft
After long debate, ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft will be coming to Westchester County. This decision has been made alongside a first-in-the-nation program – known as “Thumbs Up” – launched by County Executive Robert Astorino. The new program creates a voluntary fingerprint and background check for drivers. The county will issue thumbs up decals to be placed on the windshields of drivers who do not have a criminal background. Reclaim New York executive director Brandon Muir praised Astorino’s decision, stating that these apps bring “a huge economic spark, easier transportation, and less drunk driving.” Westchester would have been one of the only counties in the country without Uber had it decided to ban ride-sharing apps. Lyft and Uber have stated that they will make technology available to the county which will aid in traffic management and will work with the county on potential revenue opportunities at county facilities, including the Westchester County Airport.

Goodbye Phil, We Hardly Knew You
Phil Jackson, who was brought in about three years ago as the new team president for the New York Knicks, has parted ways with the team. Jackson – who had tremendous success as the coach of the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers – did not have any real success with the Knicks as they finished among the worst in the league (80-166) under his stay. The decision to part ways was made between Jackson and team owner James Dolan, but tensions with the team – particularly ongoing conflict with Carmelo Anthony and recent conflict with Kristaps Porzingis – has plagued Jackson’s time in New York. Jackson said in a statement released by the New York Knicks saying, “The New York Knicks will always hold a special place in my heart…I had hoped, of course, to bring another N.B.A. championship to the Garden…New York fans deserve nothing less. I wish them and the Knicks organization all the best — today and always.” General manager Steve Mills will run the day-to-day operations in Jackson’s absence.

Blue Jays Baseball Club Tournament
The Blue Jays Baseball Club will be holding a three-game 14U tournament near the baseball Hall of Fame on July 1,2 and 3 on a lighted field. First place medallions and MVP trophies will be awarded. The event will be limited to eight teams. For additional information, telephone Harvey Sandig at 607-652-7740 or email him at www.cooperstown314@aol.com.

Joe Namath and John Dockery Instructional Football Camp
From July 10-13, Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Conn. will host their 46th year of the Joe Namath and John Dockery Instructional Football Camp. The camp consists of boys ages eight to 18 with a staff including outstanding professional, college, high school and pre-high school coaches. It includes day and overnight sessions that focus on individual technique. Group and team discounts are available along with college information seminars. Specialty clinics include quarterback instruction, speed development and weight lifting. To sign up, email www.joenamathcamp.com or call (866) 626-2841.

Nanuet Fire Engine Fund Drive
The Nanuet Fire Company has provided voluntary fire and emergency protection to the community for 157 years. Last year, the company responded to 589 calls, including fires, vehicle extrications, carbon monoxide alarms and mutual aid calls to other departments. The fire engine company will be moving into a new facility at 29 Old Middletown Road and the Prospect Street location will be removed. Once a year the company asks for the community’s help to provide the quality of fire protection that is needed and deserved. Any donation would be appreciated. If interested in becoming a member, you can apply in person at the Prospect Street firehouse any Monday evening after 7 p.m.

  local events, local news, rockland blurbs