Vets Food Pantry Opens

MONTGOMERY, N.Y.- Orange County Executive Edward A. Diana, represented by Richard Mayfield, Orange County Legislator Mike Anagnostakis , Orange County Director of Veterans’ Services Tony Zippo and Town of Montgomery Supervisor Mike Hayes were on hand as ShopRite Executives Dave Figurelli, President and COO, John Dearani, VP of Operations and Tom Urtz, Senior Director opened the Orange County Veterans Food Pantry at the Montgomery Shoprite.

Speaking on behalf of County Executive Diana, Mayfield said, “Today, ShopRite continues its proud tradition of giving back to the community by allowing our Orange County Veterans Food Pantry to utilize over 2,000 square feet of store space here in Montgomery. When you consider that investment, you now realize why we say Shoprite is our hometown supermarket. And this is above and beyond the contributions that they make all year to our veterans picnic, Gun Buyback program and numerous other philanthropic endeavors.”

Senior Director Tom Urtz shared with the audience the fact that his brother proudly served in our nation’s Armed Forces and spoke about the “Debt of gratitude we owe to our nation’s veterans. He also reminded everyone that our veterans long ago paid the price for the freedoms we enjoy and that this facility was yet one more way ShopRite looks to support the larger community.

Legislator Anagnostakis also thanked Mr. Zippo for his hard work on this project and thanked Shoprite for “stepping up to the plate during these difficult times.” He also thanked the veterans there for the sacrifices they made in defense of freedom and reiterated the Orange County Legislature’s unwavering support for our County’s veterans.

ShopRite supermarkets are members of Wakefern Food Corporation, a retailer-owned cooperative. Through the more than 200 stores located throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware and Maryland, ShopRite serves more than five million customers each week. A long-time supporter of key community efforts, ShopRite was named Feeding America’s (formally named America’s Second Harvest) Grocery Distributor of the Year (1999) for its ShopRite Partners In Caring program, a year-round initiative dedicated to fighting hunger in the communities served by ShopRite stores. Since its inception, ShopRite Partners In Caring has donated more than $22 million to 1,500 worthy charities and food banks.  For more information, please visit www.shoprite.com.

For information on the Veterans Food Pantry program or other County Veteran Services please call the Orange County Veterans’ Service Agency at 845-291-2470.

This Week In Orange County

By Edward A. Diana

This week I would like to mention Orange County resident John Bruen Sr.

Mr. Bruen was an extremely passionate man, not only was he a strong and resilient individual, but he also had an open heart to the young African-Americans who resided in our local communities.

Mr. Bruen worked for the Erie Railroad, and after retirement became an extremely proficient and prolific writer for our local newspapers, The Goshen Independent Republican and the Times Herald Record. Although he had a great passion for sports and covered many historic sporting events, he would also address issues regarding African-American History and Civil Rights.

Charles Lewis of Orange County Historian’s Office grew up reading Mr. Bruen’s columns and relayed to me, “John was a mentor and father figure for all young black children. He would join us at the park while we played baseball as an umpire, friend and tutor in life.”

Orange County Historian Ted Sly is featuring an exhibit honoring the life and times of Mr. Bruen this month at the 1841 Courthouse in Goshen, and he encourages everyone to stop by and learn more about this truly unique individual. Mr. Bruen passed away on May 14, 1998 at the age of 92. Prior to his passing, he was the recipient of numerous honors and awards for his work such as the Goshen Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Community Achievement Award, National United States Harness Writers Association’s President’s Award, the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission’s Leadership Award and in 1997 he received the Orange County Human Rights Commission’s Humanitarian Award.

For more information on Mr. Bruen, Black History Month or the rich history of Orange County visit our website at www.orangecountygov.com or call Mr. Sly at 845-291-2388.

Until next week let me wish you health and happiness…

O.C. Names New Director Of Agency On Aging

GOSHEN, N.Y.  Orange County Executive Edward A. Diana announced the appointment of Ann Marie Maglione and confirmation by the Orange County Legislature as Director of Office for the Aging.

“Ann Marie holds a long and distinguished career in public service,” Diana said.  “Prior to her County service she worked for many years in the Not–for- Profit sector where she earned a distinct recognition for her genuine concern and compassion for people.”

Ms. Maglione is currently an Assistant to the County Executive while serving as Acting Director of Office for the Aging. She has previously served as the Acting Commissioner of Consumer Affairs overseeing the reorganization of this department. In addition to her professional service, Ann Marie is very active in our community serving on numerous boards and assisting with many philanthropic endeavors throughout the Hudson Valley.

“I am honored by this opportunity to serve the residents of this great County,” Maglione said. “I look forward to using my experience to assist and advocate for our Orange County Seniors at the local, state and national level.”

Ms Maglione succeeds Mr. Nicholas Gerten who retired as director last year. The Orange County Office for the Aging is primarily charged with meeting the needs of the elderly population through the evaluation of services and the identification of issues affecting the elderly.

This Week in Orange County

By Edward A. Diana

With the holidays fast approaching, Tony Zippo, Director of our Orange County Veterans Service Agency, has requested I share the following information with you. When doing your holiday cards this year, take one card and send it to the following address:

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical   Center
6900 Georgia Avenue,NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001

If each one of us took the time to send a card, what a wonderful show of appreciation to these brave men and women it would be.

I would also like to inform you that I have signed the 2010 Orange County Budget as approved by the Orange County Legislature. As you know, this budget keeps our real property tax rate at 2.96 per thousand, continuing our commitment of tax relief during this difficult economic time, while maintaining essential services.

Lastly, Consumer Affairs Commissioner Charles Mitchell would like to remind consumers it can be very useful to check the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission website for recalls of products that may present a danger to you. The CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products. You can find information on over 4,500 product recalls and recall alerts using the various searches on this page. Please visit their website at www.cpsc.gov or call the Orange County Department of Consumer Affairs with questions at 291-2400.

Until next week, let me wish you health and happiness…

Holiday Toy Box Drive Under Way

GOSHEN, N.Y.- Orange County Executive Edward A. Diana and Congressman John Hall placed gifts in the Toy Box today to remind residents of this important program to help those less fortunate.

“This year more than ever we need to remember those who have been struck by the economic downturn,” Diana said. “Parents feel keenly the frustration when they are unable to provide a gift for their child and it is important that those of us who are able to help do so.”

“The holidays should be a time of magic and wonder for children,” said Congressman Hall. “We want to bring that spirit of giving to Orange County residents by supporting the Toy Box program.”

Toy boxes will be available at the following locations:

Orange/Ulster Boces –Special Ed. Building: Gibson Road, Goshen

Newburgh Free Library: 124 Grand Street

Gold’s Gym –Newburgh: 15 Raquet Road

Town of Newburgh Recreation Dept.: Corner of Rt. 32 & Rt. 300

Union Avenue Community Fitness Center: 565 Union Ave., New Windsor

New Windsor Recreation Dept.: 555 Union Avenue

Blooming Grove Town Hall: 6 Horton Road

Goshen Village Hall -2nd Floor: 276 Main Street

Cornwall Town Hall: 183 Main Street

Chester Town Hall: 1786 Kings Highway

Warwick Village Hall: Main Street (Rt. 17A)

Monroe Town Hall: 1113 Stage Road

Middletown Recreation Dept.: 47 Academy Avenue

Port Jervis Youth Community Center: 134 Pike Street

Hamptonburgh Town Hall: 18 Bull Road, Campbell Hall

Montgomery Town Hall: 110 Bracken Road

Woodbury Common Premium Outlets (Tower Building): Central Valley

Minisink Town Hall: Waterloo Road

Washingtonville Pediatrics: 10 WeatherVane Drive

Graham M. Skea Lodge (Thomas Bull Memorial Park): Route 416, Montgomery

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For further information, please contact the Parks Department at (845) 457-4910, or, TQuinlisk@co.orange.ny.us

This Week in Orange County

By Edward A. Diana

By the time you read this hopefully you will have enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday and are preparing for the blessings of the holiday season.

While most of us enjoy this time of year, sometimes people may become overwhelmed with the pressures of the season. The Orange County Department of Social Services wants to remind you that they have many services available and help may be just a phone call away. If you are experiencing difficulties and are unsure of where to turn, call our Department of Social Services at 845-291-4311.

To assist you in being a smart shopper and avoiding problems, Commissioner Mitchell and I would like to share with you some of your rights as a consumer. Each year the Orange County Department of Consumer Affairs receives numerous complaints about returning holiday purchases.   Most customers are surprised to learn that a store is not obligated to take any merchandise back from a dis-satisfied shopper, but New York State General Business Law requires that the merchant let you know that.  In New York State merchants can establish their own refund policy.  The policy can vary widely from store to store.  Some stores may choose to offer no returns (all sales final), while other stores may allow you a store credit to purchase something else of equal or greater value; and still other stores will take your merchandise back and offer your money back.

Unfortunately when purchasing gifts, the recipient, many times, will not like the color of the tie or the shirt may not fit.  Therefore being a smart consumer can save you a lot of grief at a time that should be joyous.  Always know what the store refund policy is before you purchase.

The following are highlights of the New York State Refund Policy Law:

New York State General Business Law § 218-a requires retail mercantile establishments to post conspicuously their refund policy on all merchandise offered for sale by any of the following means:

(a)  On a sign attached to the item itself; or

(b)  On a sign affixed to the cash register or point of sale; or

(c)  On a sign so situated as to be clearly visible to the buyer from the cash register; or

(d)  On a sign posted at each store entrance used by the public.

Establishments which have a policy of providing a cash refund for cash purchases, or a credit to the buyer’s account for up to twenty days after the purchase when unused and undamaged merchandise is returned are not required to post their refund policies.

A retailer can limit refunds or credits for returns to a period of time shorter than twenty days as long as the refund policy is properly posted.  If a store does not post its refund policy, the buyer is entitled to a cash refund or a credit, at the buyer’s option, for a period of up to twenty days after the sale, when merchandise which has not been used or damaged is returned by the buyer.

As always, if you have questions or concerns do not hesitate to contact the Orange County Department of Consumer Affairs at 845-291-2400.

Until next week I wish you health and happiness…

New Waste Transfer Station Open

GOSHEN, N.Y. – Orange County Executive Edward A. Diana and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Regional Director Willie Janeway were joined by Orange County Legislators Mike Pillmeier, Jeff Berkman, Michael Paduch, Wayne Decker and Greg Townsend as Mr. Janeway presented the final permit to begin operating the new solid waste transfer station.

“This facility incorporates a host of green technologies such as waste oil heat, reflective roofing, high efficiency lighting, air doors to control blowing trash and a new storm water management plan to meet the needs of our residents while protecting our environment,” Diana said. “Furthermore, I am happy to report that this facility is on time, under budget and will provide years of efficient service.”

NYS DEC Director Willie Janeway spoke about the importance of environmentally conscious projects and how they can benefit the local economy.

The new facility will allow Orange County to double its handling capacity and the facility is permitted to accept municipal solid waste from residential, commercial and institutional sources. This new station located at Training Center Way in New Hampton replaces the old open-air facility which has serviced County residents since the 1980s.

ShopRite Honored For Helping Food Pantries

CHESTER N.Y. – Orange County Executive Edward A. Diana, County Clerk Donna Benson, Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt, Supervisors Charles Bohan , Steve Neuhaus, Trustee Jack Collins joined  members of the Blooming Grove, Greenwood Lake, and Goshen Food Pantries and local advocate Frank “Uncle Buck” Pileggi  as ShopRite Supermarkets marked $20 million in donations to food pantries across their service area.

ShopRite store manager Jack DeLuca and shopper advocate Joe Cannizzaro were on hand at the Chester ShopRite to accept a plaque from County Executive Diana and the assembled local officials commending the outstanding work and support that Shoprite has given to the Partners In Caring program, local food pantries and the Orange County Veterans Food Pantry.

“On behalf of all Orange County residents we would like thank ShopRite for your support and generous contributions over the years,” Diana said. “ShopRite’s continued commitment represents the very best in corporate citizenship.”

After the presentation County Executive Diana, Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt, County Clerk Donna Benson, Supervisors Bohan, Nuehaus and Uncle Buck bagged groceries to increase awareness of this important program.

2009 marks the 10th anniversary of ShopRite Partners In Caring, a community-based, hunger-fighting initiative. ShopRite Partners In Caring works with more than 50 food industry manufacturers to support charitable agencies and food banks in ShopRite’s trading areas. Since its founding in 1999, ShopRite Partners In Caring has donated $20 million to more than 1,400 of these organizations. Individuals interested in the ShopRite Partners In Caring, please visit www.shopritepartnersincaring.org.

Orange Adopts Lean Six Sigma Training Program

GOSHEN, N.Y. – County Executive Edward A. Diana, James O’Donnell Orange County Administrative Officer, SUNY Orange President Dr. William Richards, Orange County Department Heads, Donald Green, Coordinator of Business Solutions and Professional Development at SUNY Orange, and Mr. Robert Meisel principal consultant of RMM Quality Consulting have announced the recent contract with Orange County Government to provide Lean Six Sigma professional development training to county government personnel.

“The Lean Six Sigma professional development and training methodologies focus on customer satisfaction and improved performance that are applicable to administration, customer service, finance, manufacturing, supply chain, healthcare, government and education. Lean Six Sigma is geared to use project management to drive results,” Diana said. “I have always said we are customer service driven entity and we believe this training program will greatly enhance our employee’s efficiencies, production and interaction with our customers the residents of Orange County.”

We are very pleased that Orange County Government has contracted with our Business Solutions and Professional Development team to provide training to County employees,” said Dr. William Richards, SUNY Orange president. “One of the many ways we believe the College can be a significant contributor to the community is via workforce training, whether folks are coming to us to learn new skills through continuing education courses or we are working with business clients to help their existing workforce improve efficiency and productivity.

“It is important for SUNY Orange to establish and build meaningful partnerships. While we are so closely aligned with the County as our sponsor, we look forward to continued collaborations with the County in the areas of workforce training and professional development.”

Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma are two business improvement initiatives that have received much attention and publicity in the last decade. Each incorporates a philosophy, a methodology and a toolkit to help organizations improve their business results, and each has resulted in significant documented quantifiable financial impacts upon those organizations that have implemented them. When used together, they combine to accelerate those financial impacts.

Under the auspices of SUNY Orange, Lean Six Sigma principal consultant Robert Meisel will conduct all training activities and follow-up sessions. Mr. Meisel has served as principal consultant at RMM Quality Consulting since 2006, working with manufacturing companies, healthcare insurers, government agencies and not-for-profit organizations to implement Lean Six Sigma methodology. Prior to that, he was instrumental in implementing Lean Six Sigma globally for Eastman Kodak Company, headquartered in Rochester, N.Y. He oversaw the training that was credited with generating more than $500 million in cost-cutting and productivity increases at Eastman Kodak.

According to Meisel, management support, involvement and leadership are all critical to the success of a Lean Six Sigma initiative. Managers must champion the efforts and establish a culture of change conducive to the work at hand. They are integral in the selection of both the improvement projects and the candidates for the training. Managers ensure that appropriate resources are allocated to the improvement projects, are personally involved in project reviews, help break down barriers and obstacles, and are essential to the approval of the projects at their conclusion.

County Commissioners and other staff members will participate in a two-day training session to prepare them for their role. The project team members will then receive 10 days of training in which they will learn and practice the tools they need to complete their improvement projects.  Following the training, Meisel will coach these teams to help ensure their success.

For further information on this release please contact Richard Mayfield in the county executive’s office at (845) 291-2721.

Hazardous Waste Disposal Sept. 19

GOSHEN-Orange County Executive Edward A. Diana and Deputy Commissioner of Environmental Facilities and Services Pete Hammond want to remind residents of the next household hazardous waste collection to be held on Saturday September 19 at the Delano Hitch Stadium in Newburgh. Waste will be collected from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is no cost to Orange County residents; proof of residency is required.

“We hope that residents take this opportunity to get rid of the hazardous waste sitting in their garage or storage sheds,” said Diana. “The county will dispose of it safely for you.”

“Residents can bring pesticides, solvents, automotive products and many other items. If you have any questions about what you can bring and what you can’t, feel free to call us 845-291-2640 or email us at efs@orangecountygov.com,” said Hammond.

Farms, schools and small businesses can register to bring their hazardous waste materials on Friday, September 18. Please note that electronic items will not be accepted. A list of items and the registration information can be found at: www.orangecountygov.com/efs.

For further information on this release, contact Richard Mayfield in the county executive’s office at (845) 291-2721.