Greetings, Orange County! It’s hard to believe that we’re already halfway through the shortest month of the year. February may not have many days, but it has been busy, with great things happening all over the County. A few examples…
We’re working to make homeownership more affordable for veterans. I believe we should be doing all we can to help our veterans, and the veterans tax exemption can provide some needed financial relief to veterans who have dedicated their lives to serve our country.
Paul Wiley, Director of the County’s Real Property office, brought the veterans tax exemption to my attention, and proposed that I not only renew it, but raise it, as the last time the exemption limits were modified was February 2001. I was immediately on board, eager to help the large population of veterans in our County. I proposed it to two legislative subcommittees in late January, and it was passed. It was then unanimously approved on February 6th by the full Legislature.
Obtaining a veteran exemption is not automatic. If you’re an eligible veteran, you must submit the initial exemption application form to your town assessor. The deadline in most communities is March 1st, but please double-check and confirm the date with your town assessor.
Staying on the topic of veteran’s services, I took part in a special luncheon at the Town of Crawford Senior Center with veterans from all branches of the military, and various conflicts, including Vietnam and Korea. I, along with my Deputy Commissioner of Emergency Services Alan Mack and pilot Drew Townsend from the 105th Airlift Wing at Stewart, had the opportunity to speak with this special group. We shared stories about our time spent in Afghanistan as well as our appreciation for one another and our service.
A big thank you to the Presutti family and East Coast Industrial Services, Inc. for organizing and hosting such a meaningful gathering. I am hopeful that there will be more of these wonderful veteran luncheons throughout the County.
On February 6th, I was invited to recognize and congratulate students at Pine Bush High School on their accomplishments in the NASA HUNCH project where they developed and produced hardware for the International Space Station.
HUNCH stands for: High School Students United with NASA to Create Hardware and aims to inspire students to pursue careers in aerospace and related fields through engineering, design, and teamwork skills. It is an amazing program for these students, where they are learning 21st-century skills and can launch their careers through participation in the design of real-world products for NASA. In addition, Pine Bush High School was only the fourth high school in New York State to be chosen to participate in this program. These students have been given an incredible opportunity to learn and grow, and I have no doubt they will soar to great heights. So proud of these students and excited to see where their journey with NASA takes them!
Representatives from NASA – National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Build Submarines, which is a new generation of builders for the U.S. Navy’s next-gen submarines were also on hand.
You can learn more about the HUNCH program at nasahunch.com.
I want to talk a little bit about the Regional Food Bank of the Hudson Valley, which officially opened its new distribution center in Montgomery earlier this month. I had the privilege of witnessing the facility in action with the help of its dedicated volunteers; I even recognized a few of them! It’s heartwarming to see the impact these volunteers are making in providing food assistance to those in need. I look forward to working together to alleviate hunger, prevent food waste, and nourish our community members in need for years to come. If you are interested in lending a helping hand, go to www.regionalfoodbank.net to sign up to volunteer.
Enjoy the snow and stay safe and warm, Orange County; see you next week!
