This week in the Villages: A voting guide for Tuesday’s primaries, a closer look at Republican candidates, and a lack of rain leads to Rockland watering limits. Plus, your weekly weather prediction, Covid updates, upcoming meetings and much more! What do you think we should be covering in your village? Send us stories, ideas, pictures and feedback at info@nyacknewsandviews.com. Read about our plans for the future here.
Your Last-Minute Voter Guide
This year, because of delays in the redistricting process, Rockland County residents will vote in party primaries on Tuesday, Aug. 23. (They were originally slated for June 28)
Here’s what you need to know:
- Polls will be open Tuesday, Aug. 23, from 6 am to 9 pm. Find your polling site here.
- There will be two competitive primaries — for Democrats and Republicans — in the newly reconfigured 17th Congressional District. These primaries will decide who will face off in the general election in November. (Note: State senate seats will also be up for grabs this year, but those local primaries will not be competitive.)
- Read our story about how redistricting re-shaped our political landscape.
- Democrats will choose between Sean Patrick Maloney and Alessandra Biaggi. Read our deep dive into this race and these two candidates. Here’s a breakdown from Ballotpedia. Read the NY Times story on the 17th Congressional District.
- A total of five candidates have entered the Republican primary: Charles J. Falciglia, Michael V. Lawler, Jack W. Schrepel, Shoshana M. David, and William G. Faulkner. Lawler, an assemblyman representing NY-97, which contains Orangetown and parts of Nyack, is widely expected to win. Besides Lawler, only Schrepel has mounted much of a visible campaign. For a full list of Republican candidates in the NY-17 and where they stand on the issues, click here and type in your address. Scroll down to hear how Lawler and Schrepel plan to represent Rockland.
- Here’s a voter guide from the Albany Times-Union.
- Find personalized voting and candidate information from vote411.org, a one-stop shop site for election info started by the League of Women Voters.
Quotes of the Week
Two Republican candidates for the NY-17 congressional seat responded to questions from the League of Women Voters. Here are a few excerpts.
Q: What are the most important challenges facing our country and how to propose to address them?
First and foremost we have to get the out-of-control inflation, that was created by Biden’s failed polices, under control. The cost of living for middle and working class people is unacceptable. Second, we need to support our police, eliminate cashless bail, and crack down on crime.
Republican NY-17 candidate Mike Lawler
Criminal Justice Reform and Inflation:
* Eliminate cashless bail, catch & release and put a halt on the defunding of the police across the nation! * Reopen the Keystone XL pipeline along with others that have been shut off, provide the necessary oil leases, incentives, & begin drilling again
Republican NY-17 candidate Jack Schrepel
Q: What kinds of policies, if any, will you pursue to promote social and racial justice in our communities?
Establish policies that will aid in the education to all citizens of the United States an understanding of the inherent rights of all genders, ethnicities, races, etc. to curtail and end the unnecessary divisiveness!
Jack Schrepel
The best way to achieve economic opportunity and advancement for all residents of the 17th Congressional District is to ensure every child has access to a world-class education. We can do that through fully funding our schools and giving parents the ability to escape failing schools.
Mike Lawler
Q: Please explain why you do or do not think it is important to reduce the role of money in American elections.
Every American has a right to spend their money how they please. Courts have ruled campaign contributions as free speech. That must be respected. Frankly, we should focus on enhancing civic education and involvement. No amount of money can sway a truly informed voter.
Mike Lawler
Placing caps on spending in elections should be closely examined. Specifics based upon the office being sought, the actual election, i.e. Primary or General all should be reviewed with specific sum limits placed on campaign funding & spending.
Jack Schrepel
In other relevant news
- Due to “dry conditions” that have led to “unprecedented” flow levels in the Ramapo River, Rockland County declared a Stage 2 water emergency and is restricting water usage for lawns and gardening.
- Lawns: Lawns may be watered twice a week only on specified days. Properties with odd numbered addresses may water lawns during specific hours only on Mondays and Thursdays. Properties with even numbered addresses may water lawns during specific hours on Tuesdays and Fridays. Watering hours are between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. for automatic, in-ground irrigation systems. For manual sprinklers or hose fed irrigation the hours are between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. (NOTE: this schedule supersedes the schedule stated in the Rockland County Sanitary Code section 5.4.2.2)
- Gardening: Flower gardens, vegetable gardens and landscaped areas (trees, shrubs, potted plants or other outdoor plants) can be watered during specified hours every other day of the month according to property address. Properties with odd numbered addresses may water on odd days of the month (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, etc.) and properties with even numbered addresses may water on even days of the month (2, 4, 6, 8, etc.). Watering hours are between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., for automatic, in-ground irrigation systems. For manual sprinklers or hose fed irrigation the hours are between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.
- If you haven’t read it yet, please check our vision for the future of Nyack News & Views and how you can help build our coverage and capacity.
- ICYM Our Stuff: Bill Batson’s latest “Nyack Sketch Log”, Mike Hays’ most recent “Nyack People & Places”; and our coverage in last week’s “The Villages”.
Weather prediction
Rain, glorious rain, will finally break the dry spell here in Rockland County on Monday and intermittently on Tuesday. Should be hot and mostly clear on Wednesday and Thursday, with possible thunderstorms coming at the end of the week. Clear skies are expected this weekend. [National Weather Service]
Covid Update
Severe cases and hospitalizations in the greater Nyack area have leveled off. As of August 15, the CDC is now classifying Rockland County at a “low” Covid threat level.
- The county is reporting 2.45 gross hospitalization per 100,000 people (up from 2.64 on Aug. 8).
- Hospital capacity, however, is not threatened.
- A total of 34 people (up from 32 last week) in Rockland county were hospitalized for Covid related issues; 22 of those patients were symptomatic.
- With zero recorded recently, Rockland’s Covid-related death total remains at 1,199.
- To find out what case and hospitalization trends look like in your town, click here.
- Here’s the CDC’s data on Rockland.
Testing Info
- Get free at-home Covid tests sent to your home, visit Covidtest.gov. Or pick them up at Village Hall in Nyack, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.
- More than 81.8% of eligible people in Rockland County are vaccinated with at least one dose. To schedule an appointment for a 1st dose, 3rd dose (for immunocompromised), or booster COVID-19 vaccine from any Rockland County Department of Health Clinic visit rocklandgov.com/departments/health/. To search for additional COVID-19 vaccination opportunities nearby visit vaccines.gov.
- Find a COVID-19 testing site near you, by visiting coronavirus.health.ny.gov. Individuals who have questions regarding eligibility or access for testing should call the New York State COVID-19 Hotline at 1-888-364-3065 or visit the NYSDOH website covid19screening.health.ny.gov.
Village updates
Nyack
- Here’s the list of all upcoming meetings posted for the Village of Nyack.
- The budget workshops are all wrapped up. If you haven’t seen it, take a look at the second draft of Nyack’s Appropriations budget (what they plan to spend). And the second draft of their Revenue budget (how they make their money). Not clear how or if it all those numbers have changed, but we’ll keep you updated. As of now, the budget is $6,055,600.91 coming in and going out 2022-2023.
- Drop off humanitarian aid for victims of the war in Ukraine (, including first aid, painkillers, blankets, baby food, diapers, non-perishable food, antibiotics and more, at Village Hall, 9 N. Broadway (or at the Orangetown town hall, 26 W. Orangeburg Rd.).
Upper Nyack
- Click here for updates from the Village of Upper Nyack.
Orangetown
- Check out the draft chapters of Orangetown’s new 2022 Comprehensive Plan.
- ICYMI: Here’s the official resolution Orangetown enacted with regards to the sale of two South Nyack properties, which appears to say the proceeds will go toward wiping out South Nyack’s debt, which is what South Nyack officials were lobbying for as the dissolution date approached.
- Help limit greenhouse gasses and curb pollution by joining this new food scraps recycling program.
- Check out the Orangetown YouTube channel, and this video of a recent special town board meeting, which included renderings of a new town hall.
Clarkstown
- The Technical Advisory Committee, which “evaluates the technical adequacy of land development applications and decides their readiness for Planning Board review,” meets most Wednesdays, including Wednesday 8/24, from 10 am to noon, in the town hall’s Historic Map Room.
- For a calendar list of all Clarkstown meetings and events, click here.
Other Local Updates
South Nyack advocates have filed a petition with the town of Orangetown seeking to show support for a new Elizabeth Place Playground — the grassy play area and dog park just south of 87 and right off the Esposito trail. After South Nyack dissolved in March, the town found the playground equipment at Elizabeth Place was unsafe and not compliant with ADA regulations and removed it. A new ADA compliant park has been proposed and advocates want to see the proposal approved and implemented. Click here to read and/or sign the petition.
Nyack Schools
- Let your voice be heard about Nyack public schools by filling out this “Community Pulse” survey.
- Applications are now being accepted for universal pre-K and full-day kindergarten.
- Masks are currently optional for all students and staff in all Nyack district schools.
- Find out what else is going on in Nyack-area schools at Home Page – Nyack Public Schools (nyackschools.org)
Rockland-wide
A rare polio case was recently discovered in Rockland County. Here’s some info on how to protect yourself:
- New Yorkers can pre-register for a free polio vaccination appointment here or call 845-238-1956 to schedule. Walk-ins will also be accepted.
- Vaccines are also available through local healthcare providers, including Federally Qualified Health Centers.
- For more information on polio including symptoms and spread, visit NYSDOH’s page here.
- New Yorkers can learn more about the polio vaccine available in the U.S. at CDC’s page here.
- The Reviving Rockland Restaurants Grant Program will reimburse businesses between $5,000 and $25,000 for past expenses or fund future expenses for eligible outdoor dining COVID-19 mitigation equipment. Eligible entities include restaurants, food stands, food trucks, bars, saloons, lounges, taverns, bakeries, delis, cafes, breweries, wineries, and other similar places of business. For more information and to download an application visit rocklandgov.com.
- Fill out this survey to help the county provide better digital services.
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