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Thurgood Marshall Human Rights Monument Unveiled

New City, NY, – County Executive Ed Day and Human Rights Commissioner Constance Frazier hosted an Unveiling Ceremony for the Rockland County Thurgood Marshall Human Rights Monument with community members and local elected officials at Dutch Garden, 37 South Main Street in New City.

“This Monument has been many years in the making and pays tribute to a man who played a direct role in the course of Rockland County and American history. After founding the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in 1940, Marshall fought tirelessly to end ‘separate but equal’ structures for white and black people across our country,” said County Executive Day.

Long before Thurgood Marshall argued the well-known Brown v. Board of Education case in 1952 and 1953, he worked in Rockland to integrate the Hillburn School system. In 1943, Marshall worked with Hillburn’s black community to file a petition against the local school board and successfully appealed to the New York State Board of Education to end segregation of the Village’s elementary schools.

“Today is a landmark in the history of the County of Rockland, and each of you who are present today, will become part of that legacy. I want to personally thank everyone for making a dream become a reality, that will live on long after we are gone,” said Human Rights Commissioner Constance Frazier.

The following words, attributed to Thurgood Marshall, are etched on the black marble, which is the backdrop of for the Monument, “In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute.”

“Here in Rockland, he will be remembered for bringing an end to one of the last formally segregated schools in New York. His fight in Hillburn is a crucial part of our history, and his legacy is something we must all be reminded of. Justice Marshall is a fitting example for how we must continue to fight for equality across Rockland and around our country,” said County Executive Day.

The entire ceremony was live streamed on the Rockland County Government Facebook page and is available for viewing here: https://fb.watch/8ctxPytzCn/

Skoufis Announces Continued Funding for Domestic Violence Prevention, Applauds New Fearless! Shelter

Senator James Skoufis (D-Hudson Valley) joined leadership and staff of Fearless! (formerly Safe Homes) on Thursday to announce that Fearless! will receive $65,000 in annual state funding, plus a $25,000 allocation of funds granted by the Senate Majority Leader and directed by Skoufis to address violence prevention throughout the region. He also applauded the opening of the organization’s newest shelter, which was furnished using a $125,000 grant Skoufis secured during his time in the Assembly.

The shelter’s development was long and hard-fought, and Skoufis took the opportunity to present the shelter’s architect, the Poughkeepsie-based firm Mauri Architects, with an Empire Business Award, given to exceptional businesses that go out of their way to give back to the community. In the face of COVID setbacks and evolving social distancing requirements, the Mauri team’s flexibility, quick-thinking, and commitment to the project were invaluable.

“I’ve been deeply committed to supporting violence prevention throughout our region since I entered the Assembly in 2013, and there’s no greater representative or advocate for survivors of intimate partner violence than Fearless!,” said Senator Skoufis. “It’s my honor to announce these many funding streams, which will facilitate programming aimed at educating the public about the signs and signals of domestic violence, human trafficking, and steps to violence prevention. Domestic violence isn’t confined to one demographic or community, and Fearless!’ continued programming, advocacy, and support of survivors will benefit many across our Orange County communities.”

“We are grateful to Senator Skoufis for this impactful and continued support, and to Mauri Architects, who have been with us since day one of the shelter project–nearly 8 years ago,” said Fearless! Executive Director Kellyann Kostyal-Larrier. “They never abandoned the ship when many other architects would have. And while they were compensated for some of their services, the time and labor they volunteered was invaluable. I will be forever grateful to Jay and Brandon.”

The funding announcement was attended by Fearless! staff and leadership, including Board Chair Christine Fitzgerald, Board Member Crystal Johnson, Associate Director Sarita Green, Shelter Director Melissa Shippy, and Communications and Marketing Manager Kristen Detheridge. The Empire Business Award for Mauri Architects was received by President Jay Diesing, Vice President Rich Tompkins, and Project Manager Brandon Petrella.

Senator Skoufis remains a vocal advocate for and supporter of violence prevention, harm reduction, and gun safety programming throughout the Hudson Valley.

FEMA Major Disaster Declaration – Rockland County

Below is a message from Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski:

After weeks of pushing for assistance, Rockland was added last night to the FEMA Major Disaster Declaration; opening additional support for residents affected by the storm. I want to thank all of the residents who contacted my office about their storm damage which was used in demonstrating the need here locally. I also want to thank my Federal, State, and Local colleagues for their advocacy over the past few weeks. Through this new designation, Rockland residents are eligible for Individual Assistance which in certain circumstances can cover some of the damage incurred.

Here are some steps you can take to prepare for FEMA assistance:

Take photos of your damaged home and belongings.
Make a list of damaged or lost items and gather any original receipts you have for those items.
If applicable, file a claim with your insurance company.
Go to DisasterAssistance.gov – click “Apply Online” or by calling 1-800-621-3362.

Note: The “Lookup” Function on DisasterAssistance.gov has not been updated yet to include Rockland but should be shortly.

If you have any difficulty or need any assistance, please feel free to reach out to my office at 845-634-9791 or zebrowskik@nyassembly.gov.

Rockland County Added to FEMA Major Disaster Declaration For Individual and Public Assistance

New City, NY, – County Executive Ed Day and Director of Fire and Emergency Services Chris Kear announce that the Major Disaster Declaration for the State of New York (FEMA-4615-DR-NY) has been amended to include Rockland County for Individual Assistance and for Public Assistance.

“Rockland residents are finally eligible to apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance for damage and losses from the remnants of Hurricane Ida. Thank you to everyone who worked with FEMA and New York State on receiving this designation and especially to our federal officials Congressman Jones, Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand for their advocacy,” said County Executive Day.

To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, applicants should register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA mobile app. If online or mobile access is unavailable, applicants should call the FEMA toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362.

You will need to have the following available:

A current phone number where you can be contacted
Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying
Your Social Security number, if available
A general list of damages and losses
If insured, the insurance policy number, or the agent and company name

“Residents with a homeowner’s or flood insurance policy must file an insurance claim before applying for federal assistance. And while FEMA is unable to duplicate insurance payments residents may be eligible to receive assistance for uninsured and underinsured damage and losses resulting from the storm and flooding,” said Director Chris Kear.

Long-term, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance and that do not duplicate benefits from other agencies or organizations.

Earlier this week the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in Rockland are now eligible to apply for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans. Information, including eligibility requirements, about these loans is available here: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance/economic-injury-disaster-loans

The SBA also announced the opening of a Business Recovery Center (BRC) at the New York Power Authority building in White Plains to provide one-on-one assistance to businesses and residents in submitting a disaster loan application for the remnants of Hurricane Ida on Sept. 1-3, 2021.

SBA Business Recovery Center:

New York Power Authority Building

123 Main Street

White Plains, NY 10601

Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. until further notice

Closed: Saturday and Sunday

Ed Day Endorsed by Rockland County PBA

New City, NY – Ed Day, Rockland County Executive today announced the endorsement of the Rockland County Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association. Founded in 1966, the Rockland County PBA represents the men and women of the Clarkstown, Orangetown, Piermont, South Nyack-Grand View, Spring Valley, Stony Point, and Suffern Police Departments.

“I am pleased to have the support of our men and women in uniform who have been a strong partner with my administration to assure the safety and security of the people and businesses of Rockland County. As a former law enforcement officer, I know first-hand the tremendous amount of risk these good people take every day. I thank them for their support, but more importantly, I thank them for the brave and selfless work they do for the people of Rockland,” said Day.

In issuing the endorsement, Larry Ayers, PBA President said, “Your commitment to law enforcement is well recognized and we believe you are well qualified to serve the people of Rockland County. We look forward to continuing to work with you towards the same goal of a safer Rockland County.”

Ed Day is seeking his third term as Rockland County Executive. During his tenure he has turned an inherited $138 million deficit into a surplus, created the Rockland Center for Codes Investigations, and led Rockland through the COVID-19 pandemic through his “Safety First, People Always” initiative.