For those of us not on well water, we saw an increase in our water rates February 1, 2017 to compensate Suez Water New York for the cost it incurred in the planning of a desalination plant in Haverstraw. After considerable resistance from the community, the Public Service Commission ordered that the project be canceled and that the $54 million sustained by Suez be passed on to its Rockland customers. To date, $9 million has been paid back, $45 million to go.

In the last 70 years water temperatures in the Hudson water have increased 1.7°F, and as warmer water holds less oxygen, this has stressed many of our river species. Warming affects the level of metabolism and activity in the fish, and some of our more oxygen sensitive species have suffered as temperatures have warmed. This summer we saw the effects on one regionally important herring, the Atlantic menhaden. Menhaden travel in schools, swimming tightly packed for protection and moving quickly with opened mouths to capture plankton in the water. The combination of dense schooling and high swim rates adds stress to their metabolisms in warm oxygen-depleted water. These factors combined in July and early August to leave menhaden gasping for oxygen as they moved through this section of the estuary. You may have notice some washed up on the shore, as some of them died from the low oxygen levels.

Climate Change is with us now, accelerating into a Climate Crisis at an ever-increasing pace. Wildfires in the Western states, a record number of hurricanes in the Gulf and along Atlantic shores have been this year but distant calamities. Are we spared here in the Hudson Valley? Well, this year we were lucky and had no severe coastal storms hitting the Greater New York Metropolitan area. But sea level rise is increasing its pace, with dire consequences for the Hudson River and its river communities and ecology.

Only a few years ago electric cars were viewed as a novelty. Something that worked but did not appeal to the masses because of perceived shortcomings and limitations. The same can be said for heat pumps. Just like electric vehicles, heat pumps have existed for decades, worked fine with a few notable drawbacks, and had a strong but small following. An air-to-air heat pump is essentially an air conditioner running in reverse. Imagine taking a window air conditioner and installing it backwards - blowing the cold air outside and the warm air inside.

2020 has turned out to be a year like no other in my long memory. We have been dealing with a polarizing and anxiety-producing election, a deadly pandemic that is still increasing in size, and the frightening early effects (wildfires, floods, droughts, heat waves, sea-level rise and more and stronger hurricanes) of the global climate changes on the way. Happily, the election is over. We know what we have to do to fight the pandemic: wear masks; socially distance; be tested and be vaccinated as soon as there is a safe vaccine. If enough of us do this, life might begin to return to normal sometime next year.

(Click to enlarge)

On a sunny day in early October, Sparkill welcomed a new addition to its quaint Main Street. A small parade of trucks and cranes delivered a colossal bronze sculpture depicting the enlarged head of Michelangelo’s David, lying on its side atop a raw 14-ton block of Carrara white marble. Placed on the newly landscaped front corner of the former Chase Bank lot, the sculpture, known as “Time Fragment/Homage to the Masters,” is the work of renown sculptor Henry Schiowitz. But wait, what’s it doing here? It is a wonderful story of connecting the dots. “It’s all due to the 10964 Newsletter,” said Henry, currently a resident of Naples, Florida and Italy, who attended the installation with his wife Karla.

(Click to enlarge)

Your friends at the Palisades Community Center wish you and your family continued health.

We were so sad to learn of the passing of Virginia McCauley, 98. She loved the Palisades Schoolhouse and devoted almost 40 years to its restoration and success.

Are you new to the area? Welcome! And to those who do not yet receive our e-blasts, we invite you to e-mail us at PCC@palisadesny.com to receive Palisades alerts and event information.

(Click to enlarge)

PALISADES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Phone: 845-359-3147
Email: ppc10964@gmail.com
Website: www.palpresny.org Online Sunday Worship: 10:00 am. Link available on our website.

(Click to enlarge)

Member of the Ramapo Catskill Library System and ANSER Network
19 Closter Road, Palisades, NY 10964
845-359-0136
www.palisadeslibrary.org

Like many townships in the Tri-State area, the police department takes a huge bite out of Orangetown’s annual budget. It’s been this way for decades, largely because of the power of the Rockland County Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, the local arm of the New York City Police Benevolent Association, one of the most powerful unions in the country. But with state and local economies devastated by the Covid-19 pandemic, Orangetown’s 2021 budget talks beginning this fall will expose a hard truth; the current cost of policing in Orangetown is unsustainable.

The most vivid memory of losing power when I was a child was the eerie silence that followed the darkness. It was a chance to use a flashlight and barbecue most of our meals. We were patient and composed and almost somewhat disappointed when life returned to normal. Today the peaceful silence is abruptly disturbed by the sound of neighborhood generators coming to life. The brief interruption of Wi-Fi and air conditioning becomes just a nuisance in our hermetic existence.

I turn on the light, I grab some ice from the refrigerator and I give no thought to what a gift it is to have electricity until a three-hour storm with high wind yields a major power outage making energy my top concern. In our neighborhood many of us have private wells for water. Our pumps need electricity to work. No electricity no water. “Outrageous!!” “Disgraceful!” neighbors and friends said. In our neighborhood it lasted from Tuesday afternoon August 4 to Friday, August 7 at 10:00 pm. Others in our hamlet waited three more days for power.

(Click to enlarge)

As we watch the horrific wildfires in the American West, most of us understand full well the urgency of the climate crisis. But we’re not sure how to have a real impact. Now a remarkable renewable energy initiative is coming to Rockland that gives all of us a chance to make a measurable difference. But you must take a few simple steps to make a difference.

For decades, the Palisades community has fought the good fight together on countless issues that would have changed the character of Palisades forever. In 1986, Dossie and Reggie Thayer organized to create the “forever green” triangle (Rt 9W and Oak Tree Road), saving its future from becoming a gas station, a NYNEX substation or a commuter parking lot. Thanks to the Palisades Civic Association, a plan to build 118 town houses on the corner of Oak Tree Road and Rt 340 was blocked. Fighting zoning and land issues is usually quite complicated and exhausting.

There are three ways to vote this November. But first - are you registered? Need to change your address? If so, visit www.elections.ny.gov

At The Historical Society of Rockland County
A virtual exhibition called Leaving Her Mark: Women of Rockland, celebrates 100 years of women’s suffrage. Twenty notable women in Rockland’s history who overcame challenges to accomplish their goals are highlighted. Among the women is Isabelle Keating Savell, one of the people responsible for getting Snedens Landing designated a historic area. Thru November 1.

(Click to enlarge)

The centennial of the 19th Amendment has inspired the publication of a host of excellent books on the topic in recent years. Here are a few highlights, plus an older title worth a read:

(Click to enlarge)

We have chosen to focus our attention this issue on the 100th anniversary of a monumental event. On August 18, 1920, women gained the right to vote with the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution. This is especially meaningful today as a national election looms ahead.

The "Old School" is turning 150 years old: 1870-2020
Our big 150th Birthday Party for the Old School (as it was called) planned for May 9, along with our annual Plant Sale, is postponed for a future date.
The Old School served the children of Palisades, grades K-8, for 100 years. Did you or a family member go to school there? Do you have photos? Memories or stories to tell?
Please e-mail us at: pcc@palisadesny.com Help us document this period of our Palisades history!

Need Help?
During this time of sheltering at home, if you need help with an errand or non-emergency issue, e-mail PCC@palisadesny.com. There are neighbors who are willing to lend a hand!