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UPDATE: Carlucci Asks FEMA To Declare Rockland County A Disaster Area

Senator calls for federal aid and National Guard Troop deployment

 

Update: Wednesday noon

On Wednesday morning, Senator David Carlucci joined several other officials at a 11 a.m. meeting in front of Nyack Village hall. Here's an update on what he talked about:

"I’m going to be in contact with the superintendent of finance and ask them to deploy a mobile unit in the coming days for insurance claims. They did that after Hurricane Irene and had (mobile units in multiple locations)," he said. 

Nyack Mayor Jen Laird-White added that it’s important to do photo documentation.

"I did send correspondence to President Obama and the governor saying that Rockland and Orange counties are a disaster area so that we can make sure we get the funding available," said Carlucci. "Estimates are out there of possibly $50 billion worth of damage in both property damage and lost economic opportunity.”

He added that there will be staging areas coming later to receive claims

“I’ve contacted the national guard. Their resources are thin and are prioritizing by safety and going to places that need the most help.”

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With 71,000 Rockland utility customers without power and extensive devastation in the county from Hurricane Sandy, Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Orange) asked FEMA to declare Rockland County a federal disaster area in the hope of receiving federal aid to cope with the damages from the storm.   

He also asked Governor Cuomo to deploy the National Guard to hard-hit areas to assist with recovery efforts of local officials and personnel.

“Thousands of Rockland, Orange, and Westchester residents remain without power, retain enormous property damage, are unable to travel to work, and are locked in a state of fear of not knowing how long this recovery process will take,” said Carlucci.  “Hurricane Sandy is the worst storm ever to have been felt by the Lower Hudson Valley, and I am committed to working to ensure we have the resources at our disposal to get us through these trying times.”

In a letter to President Obama, FEMA, Gov. Cuomo, as well as New York’s Congressional Members, Carlucci asked that Rockland and Orange Counties be eligible for all FEMA assistance grants and individual assistance for coping with the natural disaster.   

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Kathleen May 21, 2013 at 08:55 am
CANDLE Night at the Rockland Boulders Game Join CANDLE for a fun(d)raising game on May 23rd as theRead More Rockland Boulders take on the Trois-Rivieres Aigles. Proceeds from tickets purchased through CANDLE* will support programs that educate & empower youth and reduce substance abuse and violence in Rockland County and beyond.
Heywood Jablohme May 21, 2013 at 02:48 pm
I agree with most of your points, but surely you are not implying that teachers are expected toRead More produce funding to correct school roofs, right? I think you got a bit off topic here, but I agree that our educational infrastructure is in disrepair and is in desperate need of rehabilitation. Maybe if our teacher's unions allowed a little more leeway we could allocate funding a little more appropriately and fund the important things instead of overpaying paying dinosaur teachers who lost interest a long time ago and fight any and all forms of teacher benchmarking.
WGMom May 20, 2013 at 09:10 am
It's entirely true that every professional has out-of-pocket expenses. But as someone who worked asRead More a corporate trainer, I can guarantee you I NEVER had to pay out of pocket expenses for supplies to teach classes. Every piece of paper, supply, and even snacks for the participants were fully covered expenses. If I had to spend out of pocket money to procure supplies, I could submit for a reimbursement, and receive it, no questions asked. I am now in school to become a high school teacher and I can see the stark difference in how the education of folks in a corporate environment is incredibly different, and privileged, than the public school environment. I've sat through numerous classes in the Clarkstown and Ramapo districts, doing observations required for my education certification, and while Clarkstown certainly benefits from certain advantages, the shabbiness of being a public school is still there. Furniture, such as teacher desks, that looks like it was purchased in a garage sale 30 years ago... faculty bathrooms that are dark and dingy, nearly crumbling, and sorely in need of updating. Etc. The public expects teachers to have professional training, act professionally, but they lack sometimes basic resources and are expected to function in an environment that feels more like a dungeon than an institution of learning. The citizens of Clarkstown, if they could get a tour of some of the facilities they are expecting children to learn in, and teachers to teach in, would be very surprised. We do supply some great technology, but then we put it in classrooms with windows that won't stay closed when it's windy, as one example. I spent most of my time in South, which is the best of the bunch, facilities-wise. Clarkstown North is a mess, Woodglen's woods are littered with fallen trees no one's cleaned up after Sandy, Laurel Plains had to be shuttered thanks to that whole foul stench... the district is in a situation where there are major capital improvements that are going to be needed. Buildings are aging, and it seems it's only the most basic of upkeep that happens. The district can't even fix the roofs of the buildings without applying for a state grant.
Heywood Jablohme May 18, 2013 at 07:17 am
What professional doesn't spend $500 per year on out of pocket expenses related to their jobs?Read More Staples offering 10% (or 5 in some cases) is hardly an example of the community getting involved. Thankfully, there are other examples of the community and PTA's getting involved and providing needed services. Clarkstown and surrounding areas hardly have substantial unmet needs in their classroom, thankfully.
Truth4all May 16, 2013 at 11:37 am
I guess better late than never. LaCorte is serving his 4th year as Mayor and was Trustee for I thinkRead More 4 years before that. This year is the only time he has brought the idea to the village about participating in this program. He is motivated by the opportunity of getting positive press for his County Executive campaign. The village should have been involved in this program ( as well as the Americorps program) long before this. On a positive note, hopefully the Village will continue this worthwhile partnership for many years to come.