This week in the Villages: We get a visit from some slippery friends at Nyack Beach, look at the library election results and celebrate the opening of the village’s newest supermarket. Plus, other local news, a weather prediction, a Covid update, upcoming meetings and much more. Thanks for being here!
Nyack Library Election Results (yes, it got a little weird)
Last week, we previewed the Valentine’s Day board and budget vote for Nyack Library, noting the weirdness of the 2022 vote and prognosticating the results in 2023.
As predicted, brilliantly, all six candidates were elected to the six seats on the nine-member board.
Meet the newbies, in order of how many votes they received (more on that below).
On voting day, several library advocates were incredulous that, unlike year’s past, the candidates were not listed in alphabetical order. Instead, the two incumbents members, Christian and Penn, were listed first, followed by Jhashi (the former board member who abruptly resigned last year as part of a controversial — and successful — effort to keep incumbent president, Michael Growney, in his position). The three new candidates were listed last.
The fear from advocates was that the incumbents and former member were receiving preferential treatment that would lead to them receiving more votes. But that, clearly, did not turn out to be the case.
More popular than any board member, of course, was the library’s proposed budget for the 2023-2024 school year, which passed in a vote of 541 to 70.
Stay tuned and be in touch …
(Editor’s note: After a brief hiatus, the Villages will make a triumphant return on Monday, March 6.)
In other relevant news:
- The sight of seals at Nyack State Beach Park is great news for the health of the Hudson River and the area’s seal population. Lohud’s Nancy Cutler also has some advice for what to do if you spot seals hanging around or in trouble.
- Nyack Fresh, the new upscale supermarket opening in the heart of downtown Nyack, is set to open this week! According to the Rockland Biz Journal (it’s the third item in a series of news briefs), Nyack Fresh owner Wilson Bermeo is no stranger to the food game. He owns two in Spring Valley and recently bought the Mt. Ivy Diner.
Jordan Taylor Watch
It has now been more than six weeks since Spring Valley native Jordan Taylor disappeared in Manhattan. We broke down all of the latest developments in the Villages, but family and authorities have not discovered any new leads to Taylor’s whereabouts. The last known video footage of Taylor shows him walking around the financial district at 2:30 am on January 7.
Quotes of the week
Video of the week: A little fun with Nyack’s most famous magician!
ICYM NNV’s weekly features: Bill Batson’s latest “Nyack Sketch Log”; Mike Hays’ most recent “Nyack People & Places”; and our coverage in last week’s “The Villages”; Our latest Nyack Schools Report. 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.
Weather prediction (through 2/26)
After a warmish wet beginning to the week and sunshine on Tuesday, temperatures will cool and precipitation will return, meaning we might (finally!) see snow on Wednesday and/or this weekend. Or maybe not. [Click here for the National Weather Service‘s latest 7-day forecast for the Nyack area.]
Covid Update! (threat level: “low”)
According to CDC data of recent hospitalizations and cases, Rockland’s community threat level of Covid-19 is now considered “Low” after spending 6 weeks over the holidays in the “high” range and then dropping to medium throughout January. With a low designation, the CDC recommends getting tested if you have symptoms or have contact with someone who tests positive. Otherwise, live your life. (CDC stats updated 2/20/23)
Village updates
Nyack
- Here’s the list of all upcoming meetings posted for the Village of Nyack.
- If you could use help paying your water bills, click here.
- 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.
South Nyack
- Due to reader request, we have re-added South Nyack, which dissolved as an official village earlier this year. Please send us info about what’s going on in South Nyack at info@nyacknewsandviews.com.
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.
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 this Wednesday, 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
Check out our latest Nyack Schools Report, a new regular feature we will post bi-monthly.
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 last summer. 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.
Connect with Nyack News and Views
Note to readers: We want to hear from you and welcome your input! What do you think we should be covering in your Rockland County village? Let us know at info@nyacknewsandviews.com. Send us story ideas, issues to investigate, letters, reviews, photos, videos, feedback and news tips. And read about our vision for delivering high-quality, hyper-local journalism and how you can help us fulfill our mission going forward.
