It’s been another busy and exciting week in Orange County! February’s weather has been snowy, icy, rainy, and cold, which for some might mean hunkering down inside with books, movies, and snacks, and for others it might mean getting outside for ice fishing and skiing. However, you’re spending your winter days, please stay safe and warm, and check on your neighbors who might need assistance. Keep in mind 311, which is the nonemergency line, for the Orange County Crisis Call Center. It’s staffed 24/7 and offers crisis support, information, and referrals to services. Hopefully, you won’t ever need it, but it’s there if you ever do.
I’d like to take a minute to highlight the hard work of the County’s “winter warriors”: our DPW staff.
Behind every well-maintained County Road, there is an 80-person team of dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to keep it safe for residents and visitors. It’s easy to take for granted the roads we drive on every day, so I want to take a minute to recognize the County’s Public Works crew who work hard to maintain those roads. They are talented and dedicated County employees. The next time you see our DPW crews out and about, take a moment to acknowledge them and show some appreciation.
Here are a few programs and events that merit mentioning this week.
On February 10th, we had a big step forward for law enforcement throughout the County with the rollout of the Niche Records Management System. Niche-RMS is state-of-the-art technology that will streamline processes, making it easier for all Orange County police departments to do their jobs effectively, efficiently, and with better data sharing. By uniting agencies under a single, integrated system, we’re providing officers with real-time information, enhancing their safety, and giving them greater situational awareness of what’s happening throughout the County. At the end of the day, Niche-RMS will ensure our communities are safer and better protected.
The departments that recently launched the program include the City of Middletown, the Town of Warwick, and the Village of Monroe Police Departments. The future includes expanding the system to County departments such as Probation, the Sheriff’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office, Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center and the remaining 28 Police Departments in the County by the end of the year.
On February 12th, I stopped by a fun and creative fundraiser for Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall, which turns 150 years old this year. The event was held at The Barn at Villa Venezia and included a cooking demonstration. Paula and Franco Fidanza shared with participants some great Italian cooking tips, and some of their favorite family recipes, including gnocchi and homemade tomato sauce. The food was delicious, and the crowd was fun, and all enjoyed the camaraderie for a great cause. Thank you to the Fidanza family for a unique event!
On February 15, the 127th anniversary of the sinking of the USS Maine, I had the honor of standing alongside members of the Goshen American Legion and the VFW to witness the commemoration of a model of the USS Maine in its new home at the Orange County Government Center.
Jerry Killenberger, who I worked with in the same firehouse and have known for many years, approached me a few months ago looking for a home for this model ship. After hearing the local ties, I knew we had to step in and give it a new and appropriate home.
A little history of the USS Maine battleship: On February 15, 1878, the USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor, Cuba, killing more than 260 sailors. The cause of the explosion is still debated. The phrase coined from this tragedy, “Remember the Maine,” is well known, less familiar is the second part “to hell with Spain.”
The sailors who perished are buried together in Arlington National Cemetery, except for one, a young sailor from Orange County whose mother fought President Hayes to have her son buried at home. He is one of a few who are not buried at Arlington Cemetery.
Until next week, stay safe, warm, and look out for one another, Orange County!
To learn more about what County Executive Neuhaus is doing for Orange County, follow Orange County Government and Steven M. Neuhaus on Facebook, @Orange County NY Govt and @steve.neuhaus on Instagram, and @OCGovNY and @SNeuhausOC on X. You can also watch Neuhaus’ NeuCast podcasts and Leadership Speaker Series on YouTube.
Harry Porr, Deputy Orange County Executive, Matthew Campbell, Business Development NYSTEC, Lane Hunt, Director Systems Integration, Department of Information Technology Services (ITS), Glenn R. Marchi, Commissioner / Chief Information Officer, Department of Information Technology Services, Peter J. Cirigliano II, Orange County Commissioner, Department of Emergency Services, Sherry Royal, Senior Project Manager Niche, Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus, Chief Dominick Blasko, Town of Crawford PD, Chief John Rader, Town of Warwick PD, Chief Darwin Guzman, Village of Monroe PD, John Ewanciw, City of Middletown PD, and Robert L. Doss, Orange County Deputy Commissioner – Police Liaison, Division of Police Services, along with two representatives from the New York State Technology Corporation.
