About Orange County, NY

So many times we are tempted to defend our hard won gains or our positions at a point where it is no longer logical. When we draw a line in the sand we often lose everything in the end. Case in point a world known local Orange County Motorcycle empire. I drove past the world headquarters on Route 17K in Newburgh yesterday and saw one of the Hummers that you have seen if you followed the show out front with a for sale sign on it. I don't follow the show but have been aware of the rift between father and sons that has caused many problems. There are lawsuits flying in many directions and the television show has lost it's draw for many because it was the very interaction between the family that drew people to watch it. When I picked up the local paper last night I found this article about the show being canceled. What a shame that the Teutuls could not bend. Will Choppers be able to maintain the brand and continue to generate interest in the business without the show? I don't know but the value has certainly decreased and may be gone completely.

I use this to illustrate the need for adjustments in life and certainly in this current economy. If you continue to operate business as usual you may be in for a surprise. If you cut services to make up for lost income because you wish to continue to maintain your benefits and personal income you may find no one wants to take advantage of your services any more. During a hurricane trees bend an incredible amount before they snap off an fly. That helps the tree to have a possibility of surviving the storm. Our current economy puts all of us in the line of a fierce wind of decreased funds. So do we bend with the wind in an effort to survive or do we stand straight and tall secure in the knowledge that WE ARE RIGHT only to be snapped off and scattered to the wind.

I hope that we all learn to adapt and survive during this time of economic adjustment. More spending on personal, business, or government level is truly not possible. We can not continue to borrow beyond income. There are no more places to run to grab some quick cash to make up for shortfalls. We need to come up with creative solutions that will allow us to provide excellent service and maintain a comfortable lifestyle. If we can do that then we will make it through this storm.

I have been writing about the Pine Bush Central School District budget planning process. At tonight's Budget Forum there were many wonderful people who showed up to express their concerns about and offer suggestions to help with the school budget. I heard a lot of great ideas and I was encouraged to hear a lot of "we are in this together". There were energy saving suggestions, town supervisors who offered the schools use of facilities, parents who volunteered to help, students who spoke eloquently about their passion for various school programs, and so much more.

It all comes down to finding new ways to do what we already are doing and it is going to take the cooperation. One of the things that needs to be said is that everyone will have to give a little. We are living in a different world then we were just a few short years ago. I urge the administration, teachers, and support staff to consider making concessions to cut back on expenses. As I said at the meeting most of us in business have had to economize and adjust our expenses while trying to deliver the same service. Many of the small business owners who spoke at the forum said the same thing. Business owners have adjusted and made the cuts. In order to maintain the school programs and keep many of the staff from losing jobs all together concessions will be necessary. Let's face it if the school quality and desirability goes down there is certainly the potential for more job loss.

Well tomorrow night is the School Board meeting and they will be discussing the administration and transportation parts of the 2010-2011 budget plan. I urge you to get out and show your support for our district. Wednesday is scheduled to be another School Budget Forum at Circleville Middle School, but with the snowstorm forecast, they may have to postpone the Forum. Currently there are two more Forums planned in addition to several Regular Board of Education meetings prior to the budget presentation, hearings, and school board elections and budget vote.

Upcoming Budget Forums

Wednesday, February 10, 2010 Circleville Middle School Auditorium
PTA Parent Forum - 5:30pm
Budget Forum - Approximately 6:00pm

Monday, March 1, 2010 Pine Bush Elementary School Cafeteria - 6:00pm

Wednesday, March 10, 2010 Crispell Middle School Cafeteria
Crispell PTA - General Meeting at 7:00pm
Budget Forum - Approximately 7:30pm

You might find buying a house in the Greater Hudson Valley of New York's Orange, Ulster, or Sullivan Counties is a little different than buying a home in other states and even in different areas of New York State. This series will prepare you for searching for and buying real estate in my neck of the woods.

When you are looking for a house you should first speak with a mortgage representative. You can speak with someone at your own bank, credit union, or a mortgage company. It is my recommendation that you work with a lender who is at least familiar with the area you are planning to search in. With the different practices in different states and even within areas of states the local representatives will know how best to help you.

The mortgage representative will give you the amount you are qualified for but remember to ask how much your monthly payment will be including principle and interest and also remember that you will need to add 1/12 of the taxes plus insurance to each payment. Make sure you feel comfortable with the amount of your monthly payment. You still need to pay for the other things you need to buy like food and clothing. Once you know your target amount you can start your search.

Most home-buyers start their search on the Internet. They will go on a real estate search engine or to a broker's website and search through the available homes in the area they want to live in. Once they find some homes that they like they will start calling the agent's that have those houses listed. They will make appointments to see those houses with the listing agents and will go to see homes without representation. WHAT???? Yes, the agent who is showing them the house works for the seller. A Listing Agent is looking out for the best interests of the people who hired them. I can't understand why anyone would want to make one of the most expensive purchases they will ever make without representation.

If you choose to work with a Buyer's Agent you will have someone on your side. A good buyer's representative will do the search for you, put together a tour so you can see a variety of houses in your price range, and provide you with all the information and resources you need to make the right decision.

I wish you luck with your search and hope you will give me a call if you are looking to purchase a home in Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster counties of New York State or if you would like a referral to a good buyer's agent in your search area.

I got this email awhile ago and have let it sit because I wasn't sure if I was going to use it or not. But because of recent abductions of women in the tri-state area and the anniversary of the death of someone I know who was killed by someone who was never caught I decided to use this exactly as I received it. Does it seem a little dramatic? Maybe, but if it saves one person who reads it then it was worth the time I took to post it. It never hurts to be over cautious and in this ever increasingly dangerous world (especially for women) you always want to be aware of something that might be a trick. I myself was approached at a gas station not too long ago and luckily I wasn't as stupid as the men were hoping I was. And remember, being a male doesn't mean you are safe either. Remember Jeffrey Dahmer?


1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your body; when you are close enough to
use it, do!

2. Learned this from a tourist guide. If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO
HIM. Toss it away from you....Chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than
you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!

3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole
and start waving like crazy..The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit
(doing their check book, or making a list, etc.) DON'T DO THIS! The predator will be watching you, and
this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell
you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE.. If someone
is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF, repeat: DO NOT DRIVE OFF! instead gun
the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in
the back seat they will get the worst of it . As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than
having them find your body in a remote location.

5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:

A.) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat
B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door.Most serial killers attack
their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.
C.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side... If a male is sitting
alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard
policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY.

6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect
crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!

7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit
you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; and even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ.
RUN, Preferably in a zig -zag pattern!

8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP-It may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy,
the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of
unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked 'for help' into his vehicle or with
his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.

9. Another Safety Point: Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night
before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird.. The police told
her 'Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door..' The lady then said that it sounded like the baby
had crawled near a window, and she was worried had crawled near a window, and she was worried
The policeman said, 'We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.'
He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their
homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby. He said they have not verified it, but have had several
calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night.

10. Water scam! If you wake up in the middle of the night to hear all your taps outside running or what you
think is a burst pipe, DO NOT GO OUT TO INVESTIGATE! These people turn on all your outside taps full
blast so that you will go out to investigate and then attack. Stay alert, keep safe, and look out for your
neighbors!

The crying baby was mentioned on America 's Most Wanted when they profiled the serial killer in Louisiana.