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Mid Hudson Times , Wednesday , April 11 , 2018
Maloney lauds city council decision to apply for SAFER grant
Representative Sean Patrick Maloney ( NY-18 ) commended the Newburgh City Council ’ s vote to apply for a Federal Emergence Management Association ( FEMA ) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response ( SAFER ) grant . Maloney has secured nearly $ 5 million in federal SAFER investments for the City of Newburgh ’ s Fire Department since taking office in 2013 .
“ I ’ m glad the City Council has taken the first step towards protecting the people of Newburgh and saving these firefighters ’ jobs – as elected officials our primary responsibility should be to keep our people safe ,” said Maloney . “ Now , the City Council should agree to accept the grant and contribute their fair share of funding if the federal government makes another investment . In the meantime , they should invest the money the County provided in retaining as many positions as possible . I ’ ll go to bat for the City like I always have – now we need them to do their part .”
Although Monday night ’ s vote allows Newburgh ’ s City Manager to formally apply for the federal investment , the City Council must vote to accept the investment and enter into a cost sharing arrangement . Under this arrangement , the city would be responsible for investing at least 25 % of the cost of hiring new firefighters for the first two years of the three-year investment . The city would be responsible for investing at least 45 % for the final year .
The SAFER program was created to provide funding
directly to local fire departments and volunteer firefighter organizations to help increase or maintain the number of trained , “ front line ” firefighters available in their communities .
In addition to avoiding lay-offs and adding new firefighters to the job , the two SAFER grants secured by Maloney have allowed the Newburgh Fire Department to put four firefighters on all trucks , providing unprecedented size-of-force , which has decreased overtime costs and increased public safety across the board . In addition , the SAFER grants have allowed the department to increase its fire prevention services and proactively fight fires before they start .
Newburgh Prep Charter High SchoolSchool to close
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are expected to graduate in June , said Newburgh Prep Marketing Director Marlene Stang .
The school offers small classes and individualized education programs leading to graduation . “ Our school charter is designed specifically for over-aged , undercredited students ,” said Silverstone , and students ages 16 to 21 are accepted . “ Our school is designed specifically for high school dropouts .”
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Silverstone was asked whether the closure was affected by the new NFA West school , opened in 2016 to serve struggling students in the Newburgh Enlarged City School District . “ There may have been some students seeking an alternative school that may have gone to NFA West ,” she conceded .
“ We ’ re going to proceed with the year as normal ,” Silverstone said . “ We will not have a summer school . We are ensuring that all students who need summer school
Skartados dealing with health issues
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will be enrolled at NFA summer school . We ’ re working very closely now with the school district to ensure a smooth transition for every student , to ensure they have the opportunity to go into an appropriate program .”
School staff is meeting with each student and their families to give individualized attention to each transition plan , Silverstone said . “ All of the opportunities will be available to the students ,” she said . “ We hope every , single student will
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take advantage of the opportunity to go to NFA ,” Silverstone said , or into a GED program or an employment program . “ It will be up to the individual student and their family .”
The Newburgh Prep graduation takes place at SUNY Orange Kaplan Hall on June 20 . Questions about the transition should be directed to Marlene Stang at 845- 565-4040 , ext . 211 . Questions about options for students should be directed to Principal Wendy Wright at 565-4040 , ext . 212 .
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later he lost to Tom Kirwan by 12 votes . After Kirwan ’ s passing , a special election was held in March 2012 , which Skartados won .
Gold said Skartados has been able to secure significant funding for a variety entities and projects in his district ; for municipalities , parks , libraries , soup kitchens , notfor-profits , town infrastructure , and recreation trails . He was particularly helpful to local school districts , securing funding for buses in Highland and $ 4 million ( of a total of
$ 8 million ) in emergency state aid to the Marlboro School district that was received over the course of two years during the power plant bankruptcy .
In his first term in the Assembly , Skartados was able to secure $ 8 million in the state budget that was used to complete the Walkway Over the Hudson .
Gold said Skartados is the kind of public servant , “ who shies away from trying to get the spotlight but wants to do the public good in every way he can .”
Skartados was particularly proud of coming from the country where democracy was born .
“ Frank has a very philosophical view about government and the importance of participation ,” Gold said . “ He strongly believes we are a nation of immigrants and we are stronger for that reason .” He became a citizen on November 24 , 1976 , the year of the U . S . Bicentennial .
Gold said Skartados has always taken a strong interest in the education of children and that the state must provide more resources to the students so they will “ be ready for the challenges of the 21st century .”
+ years as a
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