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Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro’s “ThinkDIFFERENTLY” initiative

August 29, 2017 By Taylor Dickson

*Press Release from the Orange County Government

Orange County to host presentation on Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro’s “ThinkDIFFERENTLY” initiative on September 20th

Program encourages community development to expand access to children and families living with special needs

Goshen, N.Y. – County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus will host Dutchess County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro for a presentation of his “ThinkDIFFERENTLY” initiative at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, September 20th.

The presentation is open to the public and will take place in the County’s Emergency Services Center auditorium, located at 22 Wells Farm Road in Goshen.

“I look forward to welcoming my friend and colleague Marcus Molinaro to Orange County,” Neuhaus said. “County Executive Molinaro is no stranger to breaking down barriers for all people and the ‘ThinkDIFFERENTLY’ initiative is representative of his entire career. He has always been an innovator and, as a leader, he has a fresh and clear vision for Dutchess County. I fully support this initiative to be inclusive of all individuals regardless of the challenges they may face.”

Through its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, Orange County has supported accessibility initiatives by funding ADA projects at Tommie McDuffie Park in Blooming Grove, the Village Park in Cornwall, Brook Lake Park in Town of Highlands, Benedict Park in the Town of Montgomery and the Winslow Therapeutic Riding Center in the Town of Warwick.

“I look forward to joining County Executive Molinaro on Sept. 20th when he will highlight opportunities for Orange County to think differently about our friends and neighbors.”

The father of three children, including a daughter who is on the autism spectrum, Molinaro introduced his “ThinkDIFFERENTLY” initiative to Dutchess County in early 2015. Since then, Dutchess County has offered supportive training, encouraged community development to expand accessibility, and held events for children and families living with special needs. “ThinkDIFFERENTLY” is Molinaro’s call to action for local residents, organizations and businesses to re-think the ways they relate to residents with special needs.

“I’ve been overwhelmed by the response to our ‘ThinkDIFFERENTLY’ efforts over the past two years, and I appreciate the cities, towns and villages throughout our state which have accepted our challenge to change hearts and minds,” Molinaro said. “Every individual of every ability deserves a community that welcomes them and supports their hopes and dreams. I thank County Executive Neuhaus for his interest in our initiative, and I hope Orange County will join our efforts to ‘ThinkDIFFERENTLY’ about all residents.”

Through its CDBG program, Dutchess County has funded numerous projects in local municipalities that improve access to facilities and resources. Projects include Julie’s Jungle, a 4,000 square-foot regional handicapped accessible playground with specialized equipment such as ramps, a rubberized surface, short stair height, Braille play panels and sensory garden amps enabling children with physical, visual, hearing and cognitive disorders to play and Wappinger’s Challenger Field, a handicapped accessible baseball field where disabled youth ages 5 to 18 can participate without obstacles, thanks to smaller, synthetic infield, as well as handicapped accessible dugouts, parking and restroom facilities.

Molinaro has also hosted movie days for special needs families and service providers, which included lowering the sound and raising the lights in the theater to accommodate children with sensory issues, and the annual Dutchess County Picnic for Children with Special Needs, which was held on August 15th. He has spoken about the “ThinkDIFFERENTLY” initiative across the state, encouraging every city, town and village in New York to consider adopting resolutions that promote supportive environments for residents of all abilities. More than 60 communities to date have passed “THINK DIFFERENTLY” resolutions.

More information about Dutchess County’s “Think DIFFERENTLY” initiative is available at dutchessny.gov/thinkdifferently.

Leslie Haskin -speaker at this year’s Orange County Leadership Prayer Breakfast

August 28, 2017 By Taylor Dickson

*Press Release from the Orange County Government

Best-selling author and 911 survivor Leslie Haskin will be featured speaker at this year’s Orange County Leadership Prayer Breakfast

Sponsorships are being accepted for event, which will be held on Nov. 16th at Anthony’s Pier 9 in New Windsor

Goshen, N.Y. – Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus announced on Friday that best-selling author and 911 survivor Leslie Haskin will headline this year’s Orange County Leadership Prayer breakfast on Nov. 16th at Anthony’s Pier 9 in New Windsor.

“Nearly 400 people have attended our first two prayer breakfasts and we’re encouraged by the overwhelming success,” Neuhaus said. “It is a wonderful event that brings together residents from a variety of backgrounds to pray for Orange County and its leaders. We’re honored to have Leslie Haskin back this year as our featured speaker. She has an amazing story of strength and resilience to share and I’m sure the audience will be inspired by it.”

Haskin was in her office on the 36th floor of Tower One of the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11, 2001. After the tragic events of 9/11, Haskin suffered PTSD and she and her son became homeless. After renewing her faith, Haskin went on to write multiple books, including Between Heaven and Ground Zero: One Woman’s Struggle for Survival and Faith in the Ashes of 911.

Haskin is a New York Times Best Selling Author, an International Keynote Speaker, a highly sought after strategic business consultant for organizations such as the United Way, Dun & Bradstreet and Save the Children and currently serves as Executive Director of Life Stations Centers of Excellence, a non-profit organization focused on improving the quality of life for black men and their families.

“I’m looking forward to speaking at the 2017 Orange County Leadership Prayer Breakfast,” Haskin said. “As a September 11th survivor, I’m humbled by the invitation and honored to share my story of what it was like from the inside of Tower One, the horrors and the miracles, the fear and the faith; but most importantly, God’s amazing grace.”

Sponsors of the event will receive five (5) seats at the breakfast for a tax deductible donation of $300.00. The Orange County Leadership Prayer Breakfast committee will use the remaining seats at the table to invite elected and appointed Orange County municipal officials, community and business leaders, and the public. All sponsors will be publicized at the door and at the tables.

If you would like to sponsor this event, you can register online at www.prayerbreakfastoc.org, or request a registration form by emailing prayerbreakfastoc@gmail.com. You can also call 845-393-4805. Orange County Leadership is a 501(c)(3). This event is being held at no cost to county taxpayers.

Dutchess County Fair

August 23, 2017 By Taylor Dickson

Photos from the Dutchess County Fair, going on this week! Pictures courtesy of Neversink Media Group employee Anthony Mairo! Share your local photos by posting them to our Facebook page!

August’s Citizen of the Month Award

August 22, 2017 By Taylor Dickson

County Executive Neuhaus presents Rick Walls with August’s Citizen of the Month Award for his support of local military

Town of Woodbury resident helps organize Iron Chef BBQ Competition and Towns 4 Troops Fundraisers

*Press Release from Orange County Government

Goshen, N.Y. – Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus has recognized Rick Walls, a Town of Woodbury resident, as the Citizen of the Month Award winner for the month of August.

Walls helped organize the Marines vs. Firefighters Iron Chef BBQ contest four years ago. That event led to the creation of Towns 4 Troops, which supports Orange County’s local active duty military members and their families with a variety of events and donations.

“Rick has worked tirelessly as an advocate for our service members,” Neuhaus said. “His passion for serving these men and women is evident in everything he does. Rick’s hard work and dedication has raised awareness about our service members and the challenges they face. Rick proudly works behind the scenes, but he deserves this recognition.”

Under Walls’ guidance, the Marines vs. Firefighters Iron Chef has grown to include law enforcement agencies, the U.S. Army and local ambulance services, raising approximately $20,000 for active duty military members and their families since its inception. According to Walls, Towns 4 Troops assists local military with social needs.

Towns 4 Troops sponsors barbecues, a variety of Holiday dinners, Easter egg hunts and Monday Night Football events for troops. The non-profit also prepares care packages for service members that are deployed, and arranges travel assistance and childcare. Towns 4 Troops has played an integral role in supporting the families of the U.S. Marine Corps who were killed in the KC-130T Hercules crash in Mississippi last month.

“We have a wonderful core group that is dedicated to this mission and I couldn’t do this without them,” Walls, 62, said. “I couldn’t serve as a young man because I was in a car accident, so this is how I serve. I just don’t think some people realize the sacrifices that our servicemen and servicewomen make. They miss being home for the holidays and watching their children grow up. We just support them in any way that we can.”

Walls thanked County Executive Neuhaus for his support of the Marines vs. Firefighters Iron Chef BBQ contest, Towns 4 Troops and other veterans causes in Orange County.

“Steve has assisted us with whatever we need from the beginning,” Walls said. “He always wants to know what projects we have going on and how he can help. We appreciate the County Executive’s support of our program.”

Walls is also a supporter of the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program at West Point, which supports the overall quality of single soldier’s lives. He worked as a manager with the U.S. Postal Service, retiring after a 35-year career. Walls is now a tour guide at West Point and serves as the Town of Woodbury’s Program Director of Adult Services. He has been a volunteer firefighter for 44 years, including the last seven with Harriman Engine Company.

Neuhaus introduced his Citizen of the Month Award, which acknowledges outstanding Orange County residents, in January. To nominate someone for the Citizen of the Month Award, please email ceoffice@orangecountygov.com or mail a letter to “Citizen of the Month” at 255-275 Main Street Goshen, N.Y. 10924. Be sure to include the nominee’s name, hometown, a list of their accomplishments, why you are nominating them and any other pertinent information. Nominees must be from Orange County.

For more information, contact Justin Rodriguez, Assistant to the County Executive for Communications and Media Relations at 845.291.3255 or jrodriguez@orangecountygov.com.