Around the County This Week With Steve Neuhaus

Despite the rains that have been so prevalent this Spring, we managed to mix in some great events around the County this past week. We celebrated the 13th Annual Orange County Senior Health & Fitness Day at Thomas Bull Memorial Park, and what an incredible day it was! From lively cardio drumming and Zumba to important health screenings and a delicious and nutritious lunch, our seniors showed up in full force, moving, laughing, and connecting. Many thanks to Danielle Diana-Smith and her team at the Orange County Office for the Aging for organizing this uplifting event and to all the vendors and County departments who contributed to making it a special day.

Here are a two more activities that our Office for the Aging will be hosting. I encourage our seniors to get involved! Mark your calendars and sign up for either event by calling 845.615.3700.

• Senior Games: Cornhole Tournament, Wednesday, June 11th at 11:00 a.m., Fox Hill Bruderhof Community. Enjoy a fun and friendly competition, with lunch provided. To participate, register and pay the one-time $20 annual fee for the Senior Games.

• Hudson Valley Renegades Baseball Game, Wednesday, July 23rd at 12:05 p.m. Spend an afternoon at the ballpark! For just $20, you’ll receive parking, a meal voucher, and a ticket to the game.

Office for the Aging is planning more events and programs for seniors throughout the summer and fall. To stay up to date, visit orangecountygov.com/151/Aging or stop by the Office for the Aging at 40 Matthews Street, Suite 305 in Goshen.

Shifting our focus from senior health to public health for all, I’m pleased to share that our recent Rabies Clinic was a major success. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Orange County Department of Health’s Environmental Health Division, 104 animals, (74 dogs and 30 cats), received critical rabies vaccinations. This effort not only protects our beloved pets but also plays a vital role in safeguarding our community. Thank you to all the veterinarians, volunteers, and especially the Town of Woodbury Animal Control for making this clinic a true team effort.

Protecting our environment here in Orange County is another priority my administration takes seriously. I urge residents to safely dispose of hazardous waste at our upcoming Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event later this month. Please note that this event is for hazardous waste only; paper shredding will not be included. A full list of accepted items can be found at https://www.orangecountygov.com/449/Hazardous-Waste.

Infrastructure and public safety go hand in hand, and our Orange County Department of Public Works continues to lead the way with their proactive dam inspection program. Every two years, our engineers conduct full inspections of all County-owned dams, with additional annual reviews for dams classified as intermediate or high hazard by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. These hands-on inspections ensure that any signs of wear are identified early, and that the structural integrity of these critical pieces of infrastructure is maintained for the safety of our residents.

June is National Dairy Month, and here in Orange County, we have deep roots in dairy farming. Dairy plays a crucial role in both our health and our local economy, and our farmers work tirelessly to provide fresh, nutritious products that fuel families every day. I encourage everyone to join Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orange County in recognizing our dairy farmers and learning more about how their work shapes our County. Visit cceorangecounty.org to learn more.

I paid a fun visit to the On My Way Early Learning and Childcare Center in Middletown with Sheriff Paul Arteta. The students proudly presented their watershed-themed art installation, crafted entirely from recycled materials. Their creativity and environmental awareness were truly inspiring. The center’s educators are doing an outstanding job teaching our children about conservation and sustainability from an early age.

Teamwork and collaboration are at the heart of everything we do in Orange County. I had a productive meeting with Village of Harriman Mayor Wayne Mitchell and Deputy Mayor Carol Schneider, where we discussed key issues including infrastructure, safety, and recreational opportunities. It’s this kind of cooperation between municipal, county, and state leaders that allows us to make meaningful progress for our residents.

I was deeply saddened to hear about the tragic house fire in the Town of Goshen that took the lives of a father and his two young sons. My heart goes out to their family and everyone who knew them. I also want to thank our first responders for stepping up with such bravery and compassion.

For first responders who may be struggling in the aftermath of this or any tragedy, you can call 845-932-2757. For residents, if you or someone you know is having a tough time coping with this or any difficult incident, please don’t hesitate to call 311, where support and resources will be provided. In the wake of such tragedy, it is heartwarming to see people come together to care for and support one another. It makes me proud to be County Executive of such a wonderful community.