Commentary
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.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 also raise it, as the exemption limits were last modified in February 2001. I was immediately on board, eager to help our county’s large population of veterans. I proposed it to two legislative subcommittees in late January, and they passed it. The full Legislature unanimously approved it on Feb. 6.
Obtaining a tax 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 1, but please double-check and confirm the date with your town assessor.
Staying on the topic of veteran services, I attended a special luncheon at the Town of Crawford Senior and Community 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 in Afghanistan and expressed appreciation for one another and our service.
A big thank you to the Presutti family and East Coast Industrial Services for organizing and hosting such a meaningful gathering. I hope there will be more of these wonderful veteran luncheons throughout Orange County.
On Feb. 6, 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. Its goal is 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 learn 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 the 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.
I’m so proud of these students and excited to see where their journey with NASA takes them!
Representatives from NASA and Build Submarines, which is a new generation of builders for the U.S. Navy’s next-generation submarines, were also on hand.
I want to mention 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.
Enjoy the snow and stay safe and warm, Orange County. See you next week!
