Keeping you informed on 40th Senate District happenings
MEET ME AT MY NEXT COFFEE & CONVERSATION IN BREWSTER
Join me for my next Coffee & Conversation, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, March 21, Brewster Library, 79 Main Street, Brewster. I will be glad to answer your questions and address your issues. The coffee is on me.
$100,000 FOR MAHOPAC AND PAWLING FIRE DEPARTMENTS
The busy Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department will receive advanced, up-to-date equipment, and a new roof will be installed at the Pawling Volunteer Fire Department’s station house thanks to a total of $100,000 in grants that I secured for the two departments (each department received $50,000).
CARMEL GRADUATION FOR NEW PUTNAM FIREFIGHTERS
Great to see more than a dozen new Putnam County firefighters graduate recently at the County Training and Operations Center in Carmel. The young men and women will serve in fire departments throughout the county. We wish them the best of luck, and thank them for their dedication and service.
FIRST RESPONDER RECOGNIZED IN POUND RIDGE
Lt. Thomas Mulcahy, Chief David Ryan, Pound Ridge Supervisor Kevin Hansan.
I had the honor recently of presenting Pound Ridge Police Department Lt. Thomas Mulcahy with the First Responder of the Month award. Mulcahy has been a police officer since joining the NYPD in 1997. He joined the Pound Ridge department in September of 2000. Thank you for your service, bravery and dedication.
MORE FUNDING FOR PUTNAM VETERANS PROGRAM
Putnam County’s Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Outreach Program provides important services to men and women who served in our Armed Forces. I recently called for the additional funding that is essential to help ensure the delivery of peer-to-peer services. The New York State Office of Mental Health administers the project, while the Mental Health Association of Putnam County and the Putnam County Veterans Service Agency administer the program locally. All veterans, regardless of discharge, are eligible for these services.
YORKTOWN AMERICAN LEGION HONORS FOUR WWII CHAPLAINS
It was an honor to attend the Yorktown American Legion ceremony honoring the immortal “Four Chaplains,” who gave their lives in World War II to save civilian and military personnel after the troop ship Dorchester was torpedoed by a Nazi submarine. We are fortunate to have had, and continue to have, such heroes throughout our Armed Services.
FIVE BILLS DESIGNED TO SAVE LIVES FROM DRUG ABUSE PASS THE SENATE
I am happy to report that the New York State Senate has passed five bills that I sponsored specifically designed to combat the horrible epidemic of opioid abuse that is devastating individuals, families and entire communities. This is only the beginning of the fight to address and check this epidemic. See more.
SPEAKING AT A CONFERENCE ON ADDICITION RECOVERY
Just days after my bills passed the Senate, I spoke at the Friends of Recovery conference in Albany. The nonprofit organization's mission is to show the promise of addiction recovery to individuals, families and communities throughout the country. I also had a chance to meet with Sue Salomone, one of the organizers of Drug Crisis in Our Backyard, and other members of the organization. Since 2012 the grassroots nonprofit’s mission has been to help and advocate for individuals who are struggling with addiction. The group also promotes awareness of the opioid crisis and works to reduce the stigma of addiction. It was a truly empowering gathering to champion for treatment and recovery resources.
HISPANIC ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETS IN MOUNT KISCO
I recently had the opportunity to meet with various leaders of the Hispanic communities in Mount Kisco, Sleepy Hollow and Peekskill, as well as Putnam and Dutchess counties. We discussed housing, education, drug abuse, access to health care and immigration. It was a very productive and open conversation. I thank the folks at the Mount Kisco Library for hosting the event.
DEADLY VALHALLA GRADE RAIL CROSSING - STILL LETHAL AFTER ALL THESE YEARS
The Valhalla grade crossing that was the site of the deadliest Metro-North accident in history five years ago is still the most hazardous crossing on the system. The train-vs-car collision and fire in February 2015 at the Commerce Street crossing killed six people and injured dozens of others. Five years later, the crossing is still listed by the feds as the most dangerous on the system - other crossings in Valhalla are top contenders. I recently called for the state Department of Transportation to release its long delayed safety report on grade crossings and for the MTA to work with the DOT (as they are doing on Long Island) to eliminate these accidents that are waiting to happen.
CHAMPION PLEASANTVILLE WOMEN'S SOCCER TEAM VISITS ALBANY
A New York State resolution was read recently in the Senate chamber honoring the champion Pleasantville Women’s Soccer team. The Panthers team won its first state championship in a dramatic come-from-behind victory in November against Central Valley Academy. Go Panthers!
CROTON POINT PARK, WHERE EAGLES DARE
I am very fortunate that my job often includes such fun events as the Eagle Fest at Croton Point Park. It is where the region's bald eagles descend upon the Hudson River as part of their winter migration. Very cool to see the birds and the demonstrations during this event, which is a tradition in the region.
Albany Office: 812 Legislative Office Bldg
Albany, NY 12247
518-455-3111
District Office: 1 Park Pl, Suite 302
Peekskill, NY 10566
914-241-4600
