Clarkstown Honors Local Businesses for Showing Community Pride

Businesses ranging from landscaping contractors and a law firm to a country club and a local volunteer fire department are being honored by the Town of Clarkstown on Tuesday for property improvements that have contributed toward making the entire community look better.

The Pride of Clarkstown Awards serve as an incentive to business owners to take that extra step to make their properties look beautiful, according to town Supervisor Alexander Gromack. He said that by recognizing business owners who have voluntarily improved the look of their properties, the town hopes to encourage other businesses to make similar investments.

Clarkstown established the program and an oversight committee in 2005 under the leadership of the late Clarkstown Councilman Ralph Mandia. The committee of volunteers accepts nominations and selects the winners. 

“If Ralph were here today, he would be most proud of the efforts of these business owners who truly are the Pride of Clarkstown,” said Councilman George Hoehmann of Nanuet, who is the Town Board liaison to the selection panel. 

The winners will be honored during Tuesday’s 8 p.m. Town Board meeting at Clarkstown Town Hall, 10 Maple Ave., New City.

This is the fifth annual Pride of Clarkstown ceremony in which the winners will receive an award to display at their place of business.  Clarkstown has recognized 32 businesses during the past five years. 

“I congratulate this year’s winners and thank the committee for their hard work,” said Supervisor Gromack.  “These businesses have proven their commitment to the Town and our community by making such beautiful enhancements to their properties, thus promoting revitalization of all areas in our Town.”

Pride of Clarkstown 2010 Winners

Curti’s Landscaping Inc.
Nominated by: Clarkstown Superintendent of Highways Wayne Ballard for their participation in the town’s Adopt a Spot program.

Braunfotel and Frendel, a law firm located 49 Maple Ave., New City
Nominated by: South Little Tor Civic Association and Clarkstown Superintendent of Highways Wayne Ballard for the renovation of the building opposite Clarkstown Police Headquarters that houses their offices.

Dellwood Country Club, Zukor Road, New City
Nominated by: Downtown New City Corp. The country club was rededicated in 2010 when it re-opened after a major renovation under new ownership.

West Nyack Fire Engine Company No. 1, Strawtown Road, West Nyack
Nominated by: Madeline Muller and South Little Tor Civic associations.

Ferguson Landscape & Construction Ltd.
Nominated by: South Little Tor and Congers Civic Association

Town & Country Landscape Corp.
Nominated by: Richard Porcaro

Lowe’s Nanuet
Nominated by: Nanuet Civic Associatio

Portables Unlimited, 136 First St., Nanuet.
Nominated by: Nanuet and Central Nyack Civic Associations. The company says it has become T-Mobile’s largest wholesale distributor and direct retailer in the U.S.

“The committee of volunteers visited every nominated site and met numerous times to carefully choose winners in each category,” said Hoehmann.  “My deep appreciation goes to the members of the committee who have donated their time and talent to recognize businesses that are going above and beyond others in making our town more attractive for all of us.”

Gromack said the award program is also a way the town is encouraging businesses to make improvements to their commercial properties as the town has been revitalizing downtown areas since 2004.

Clarkstown has revamped downtown Nanuet, Valley Cottage and Congers, and is making plans for renovations in West Nyack and Central Nyack. In late November 2010, Clarkstown finished the first phase of an effort to revamp downtown New City.

The New City project rebuild Main Street from Congers Road to Third Street, with the installation of new drainage, sidewalks, street lighting and the creation of new on-street parking throughout that section of the business district. In 2011, the town plans on continuing the renovations with the reconstruction of Congers Road from Main Street to Route 304 in New City. The project is also slated to also make improvements on Main Street from Third Street to the Route 304 junction. 

Pride of Clarkstown Committee Members:

Councilman George Hoehmann, Town Board liaison

Scott Milich, chairman

David Kaminski

Dorie McMaster

Irene Ryan

Donald Ritch

Shirley Washington