Welcome 2012

Another year to pause, set priorities and establish directions and intentions for the upcoming year. Another year to look at the potential a New Year gives to us. What has ended and what will begin; where we might be stuck and where we need to move; or where our challenges lie and what we want to do to address them. As our varied journeys continue, maybe...just maybe...we’ll actually do what we resolve to do this time. The possibilities can be endless. In the spirit of what the New Year has to offer all of us, Photo News writer Nancy Kriz asked a dozen area people to offer their reflections for 2012. Their thoughts are as different as they are, yet are clearly representative of the greater community. Their notions speak to what will be important to them personally, to their communities, to those in need, to where they work; and to the world we all live in. Their reflections are a mere sampling of what all of us may be thinking. Here’s hoping your personal reflections - no matter how great or small - are met with success this year. A happy and healthy 2012 to all of us. 'The New Year’s significance is not in practical change but rather in potential change’ What makes 12 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2012, any different than 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2011? Practically there is no difference between the two days. With the stroke of midnight of Dec. 31, 2011, into Jan. 1, 2012, we experience no magical Cinderella-like change. Our carriage does not transform into a pumpkin, our lives do not suddenly shift to an alternate reality. Yet despite these misgivings of rationality, we regularly and intentionally celebrate the New Year. Why? What makes a new year so important? The New Year’s significance is not in practical change but rather in potential change. Just as basic physics explains that an object’s potential energy corresponds to its physical position, so too is our potential for change affected by our position in the calendar year. As we sit now, on the verge of 2012, we look outside our windows and note the world does not appropriately reflect the fullness of the Divine image. In our community, as in so many others, there is poverty, sickness, oppression and degradation. Yet the New Year grants us opportunity to dream of a new world, a better world, a world in which laziness and apathy do not allow us to be satiated by the status quo of a world so far from final perfection. As we turn the page of our calendars to January 2012 we have the ability to reshape our reality. We have a full year ahead of us, 365 days of opportunity to focus on improvement and change, both personal and global. Rabbi Ari Perten, Congregation Eitz Chaim, Monroe Her hopes and what she wants to learn In 2012, my expectations are to improve my skills. I would like to make the world a cleaner place as well. I would get my family outside and pick up garbage. I would also turn out the lights when we leave a room. I would like to learn about history and more about math. In ice skating, I would like to land all of my doubles consistently as well as a double axel. Those are my hopes, what I want to learn, and improvements I want to make in 2012. Emily Schacher, fifth-grade student, North Main Elementary School, Monroe 'Recognize that we are all far more alike than different’ Christmas throughout the world just celebrated the birth of Jesus, the “Prince of Peace.” It seems that prayers for peace are on the lips of believers of various religious denominations and no particular religious affiliation at all, as we look with hope into the beginning of another year. This 2012, my prayers for peace will be offered for a particular group of people: youth, children and teenagers alike. In a world riddled with the discouraging news of constant “bullying,” I pray for harmony among our young people. I am reminded of a lesson learned by a teenager who, along with his freshman classmates, was very cruel to a young man named Matt. They teased and taunted him about his size (he was about 50 pounds overweight) and constantly trashed his locker. One day in gym class he punched Matt in the face, blooding his nose. The class went wild just as the gym teacher walked into the room. Seeing him, they quickly fell silent. The gym teacher then ordered Matt and his aggressor out to the running track with theses instructions: “You guys go out there and run a mile holding each other’s hands.” The room erupted into a roar of laughter. Both boys were embarrassed beyond belief but as they ran around the track, hand- in-hand, they began to laugh. Soon that youngster began to see Matt as a person not at all different than himself. He was a human being who had intrinsic value and worth far beyond any externals. In time, the two boys became good friends. Later, the young man remarked: “It was amazing what I learned when I was forced to go hand-in-hand with someone for a mile.” May all of us, young and older alike, celebrate our unity in diversity and recognize that we are all far more alike than different. Peace! The Rev. Michael Keane, pastor, St. Anastasia Church in Harriman 'Students and the people entrusted to teach them...’ I was very happy when The Photo News asked me to write an article that focused upon my reflections for 2012. Of course, considering the size of our district, my question was, “What should I reflect upon?” Should it be the thousands of students who attend our schools on a daily basis? Should I write about their successes, accomplishments, challenges and goals? What about our parents and community members who support our district? I could write about our Board of Education trustees who volunteer their time and efforts on behalf of our community. I could reflect upon our bus drivers who transport nearly 8,000 children to school and home each day. What about our administrators, teachers, teaching assistants, clerical, monitors, custodians, food service workers; all of whom work hard to teach and guide our children? My reflections for 2012 will be focused on our students and the people entrusted to teach them. Simply stated, school districts exist to educate children. To that end, we have a state curriculum, state assessments, state mandates and state evaluations to assess our students, and ourselves, in how well we are performing this task. I believe that our primary job is to ensure the delivery of solid, high-quality instruction to our students and improve their achievement. In order to do this, we are integrating the new common core learning standards into our curriculum and instruction. We are using data to inform and improve our teaching. The district is quickly moving forward to implement the new annual professional performance review (APPR) regulations to evaluate our administrators and teachers. In Grades K-5, we will have three assessments in math and ELA; Grades 6-8 will have four assessments in math and English. Grades 9-12 will have their Regents exams and local assessments. We believe these objectives will improve student success, support Monroe-Woodbury’s academic and professional staff expectations and maintain our district’s well deserved reputation as among the finest districts in the state. Monroe-Woodbury is a large and complex district that will face difficult issues and challenges in 2012. I look forward to these challenges in the knowledge that the people to whom we entrust our children are dedicated to serving those children. Edward J. Mehrhof, superintendent of schools, Monroe-Woodbury School District Moving forward with creativity and planning I’m very positive about the New Year. The Town of Monroe is transitioning. We will begin the New Year with a new board and an uncertain economy. We’ve seen many changes lately and we will probably see many more and with change comes opportunity. In January we will begin to formulate a new five-year plan. There are many issues to look at and parks will be prominent as well as a review of all the contractual issues we have as a town. The new board has an eye toward the future and they are eager to delve into all areas to see where we can excel. While financing will always be an issue, creativity and planning can help to put our best foot forward. I wish the community a happy New Year. Sandy Leonard, supervisor, Town of Monroe Academic success and much more for students As superintendent of the Tuxedo Union Free School District, my wishes must, first and foremost, center on our students. Of course, I would wish for continued academic success, but I would also wish that each and every student would be surrounded by the love and support of their family and friends, and possess the wisdom to make wise informed decisions, the motivation to realize their goals, the confidence to reach out for help when needed and the strength to help others. As we turn the corner on January 2012, there are two areas of focus in this New Year: • As we move ahead in our discussions with Greenwood Lake, our priority will be creating/sustaining a collaborative environment in order to build the commitment of both districts towards a long-term relationship. Whenever the end of a contract nears and these discussions begin, our students and both the communities of Greenwood Lake and Tuxedo are faced with uncertainty. The identification of a long-term solution is overdue. Over the next few months, we will focus our efforts on working collaboratively with Greenwood Lake to begin to identify and explore the most effective approach(es) to sustaining this relationship with a broad, open minded focus on shared resources and potential consolidations. • The “tax levy limit” has introduced some serious implications on school district budget preparation across New York State. Now more than ever, clear, open communication is critical. I encourage our community to become involved, to ask the questions and to express your concerns so that these may be addressed and answered. Our school district web site (www.tuxedoschooldistrict.com ) includes information about this “tax levy limit” in two forms, as a presentation and as frequently asked questions. I look forward to our community providing input and support as we build this budget and make the difficult decisions to preserve our educational program while remaining fiscally responsible. It is an honor to be leading this district, working together with this board of education, faculty, staff and administration. It is also a pleasure to be working alongside this great community. Carol Lomascolo, superintendent of schools, Tuxedo School District Be proactive and understand customer base The problems affecting our economy are something we, as small businesses, can do very little about. What we can do is be proactive in evaluating and promoting our own business. I come across businesses in my consulting practice and in volunteer organizations, such as chambers of commerce, that are doing well by continuing to look at their products, services and markets. They are looking for ways to make changes that bring in more business or lower their costs to allow them to maintain their profitability. From my experience, business owners that get out and interact with other owners get to identify common issues and learn how to make changes to keep customers coming in. While each business is different, all have common needs and customers are responding to key messages. Whether you are a consumer-driven business or B2B (business to business) oriented, customers are responding to high-quality products and services at fair value. The questions I ask business owners are: “Who is your customer?” and “What would you do to improve your business?” If the responses are, “Everyone is my customer” or, “My business is perfect,” I know the business is, or soon will be, in trouble. Small business owners need to identify what their strengths are and where they have opportunity to improve. They need to know why their customers come to them and not their competitors. The business climate is improving. Business owners who get out and meet with their peers can learn what others are doing to be ready. Those who are proactive, who understand their customer base and why their customers come to them will be better positioned for growth in 2012. Paul Campanella, president, the Greater Monroe Chamber of Commerce Owner, Action Plus Project Management, Inc. , Monroe Promising aspects already on the horizon for 2012 As one year nears its close and another begins, we typically reflect on what has occurred and make projections for the future. This past year was rife with challenges. Unrest over economic woes, particularly in Europe, and unprecedented weather calamities - earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, floods, snow, drought, wildfires and hurricanes - cast a negative collective impression of 2011. The Town of Tuxedo was hit hard by Hurricane Irene, receiving the highest amount of rainfall in the region and suffering devastation from a dam break. Many lost their possessions, some irreplaceable in terms of sentimental value, and some are still unable to live in their homes. Thankfully, no residents’ lives were lost, and the community members banded together to aid their neighbors in a significantly helpful and heart-warming manner. Unlike areas to its north and south where roads, bridges and buildings were completely destroyed, the town’s infrastructure withstood the havoc of Irene, with the exception of the East Village Bridge, which was quickly repaired by our highway department. Fortunately, Tuxedo also fared well economically in 2011, having paid nearly all its debt while still able to fund numerous recreational amenities for enjoyment throughout the town. So it seems that 2011 is a year not so much of positives to remember as it is one of fewer negatives to have endured. We in the Town of Tuxedo have been blessed in many ways, and I end the year feeling proud of the town’s service providers and grateful for the fine people I am lucky to call neighbors. Now, as I anticipate the year ahead, I am glad to focus on some of the promising aspects already on the horizon for 2012, which include projects to: • Revamp telecommunications system (Grant $) for town-wide cell service. • Finalize East Village car bridge replacement project with Orange County. • Continue seeking and obtaining grant funding for equipment, programs and operations. • Capitalize on lucrative private/public partnerships already under negotiation. • Implement newly-designed, interactive web site; install new computer accounting system. • Open dog park for exercise and off-leash play in controlled environment. • Create scenic walking trail along Ramapo River (Grant $). • Renovate, improve and beautify bus stop at Tuxedo Square (Grant $). • Eliminate remaining $1.65 million debt. Peter M. Dolan, supervisor, Town of Tuxedo 'We will fight the good fight and run the race till hunger is no more’ Sacred Heart Parish Outreach’s Our Father’s Kitchen has grown exponentially since it first opened its doors in September 2009. It is amazing how many lives have been positively affected, by the grace of God and through the services provided by many generous volunteers. Although the parishioners of Sacred Heart Catholic Church continue to be the program’s main supporters and benefactors, there are esteemed volunteers representing nearly every church and synagogue in the Monroe area, as evidenced by the recent Christmas dinner hosted by the Monroe Temple and congregants of Eitz Chaim. Our Father’s Kitchen continues to serve more than 100 meals every Wednesday evening from 5 to 7 and delivers meals to the homebound. Emergency food boxes are also distributed to those experiencing hunger and to tide them over until they can get to the Presbyterian and Methodist food pantries. The Sacred Heart Parish Outreach Bus provides transportation to those in need. Our Mother’s Cupboard distributes diapers, wipes, baby food and formula to those up to the age of three in need. Susana Rodriguez leads this program and is present every Thursday from 1 to 3:30 p.m. to assist those in need. More than 1,500 diapers are distributed weekly as well as cases of food and wipes. Transportation is also available. The SonShine Boutique, directed by Kathy Beeler and assisted by more than 20 volunteers, provides clothing and household items for those in need most items are between 25 cents and $1. The boutique is open every Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m. The Blessed Mother Teresa Furniture Program, under the direction of Joe Simeone, distributes gently used furniture to those in need. A storage unit at Uncle Bob’s in Harriman is rented at a discounted rate which enables us to pick up furniture, store it and distribute it to those in need. This past summer we began a summer lunch program and distributed more than 5,000 lunches to families in need. The M-W School District was instrumental in contacting those families in need. The Snack Backpack program is in its second year and nutritious after school snacks are offered to those children receiving free lunch in the Pine Tree and North Main elementary schools. Additional elementary schools will be offered this program as more funds become available. So where are we going in 2012? With continued assistance of those concerned with putting an end to hunger in our area, we will fight the good fight and run the race till hunger is no more. If you would like to help in our endeavors, or to become a supporter, please contact us at sacredheartparishoutreach@frontier.com or 783-7840. Betsy Johnston and Jonelle Rizzi, co-directors Sacred Heart Parish Outreach Program, Monroe 'I hope we will be kind to one another’ On Christmas Day we celebrated the coming of God’s light into the world in the form of a baby, Jesus, in a manger. We heard the words from John’s gospel : “What has come into being in him was life and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1:3b-5). As we prepare to ring in a New Year, it is my hope and prayer that we and all of God’s children will see and know deep in our hearts that this light of hope, peace, love and joy is for all of us. We live in a broken and hurting world with wars raging across the globe, within our communities and even in some of our homes. The very earth we inhabit is changing right before our very eyes, due to our individual and corporate failure to be good stewards. The resulting global warming puts our lives and the lives of our children at risk. Some of our tables have an abundance of food, while many of our brothers and sisters around the globe are hungry and thirsty. It seems as if we cannot escape the darkness, as so many of the headlines each day focus on the bad news - acts of hate and violence, stories of injustice, natural and human-made disasters. In the midst of the brokenness, our faith inspires hope-for the darkness does not overcome the light. In 2012, I hope we will be kind to one another, extend hospitality to strangers, pray for and enact peace, lend a helping hand to those in need, improve our stewardship of the earth and all of its resources and share the light with others by sowing seeds of hope, peace, love and joy. Blessings. The Rev. Jessica L. Anschutz, pastor, Central Valley United Methodist Church '…Be thankful for what we have’ As the Town of Woodbury looks forward to 2012, it is hoped that we can be thankful for what we have. The natural beauty of our town with its beautiful mountains, valleys, scenery and many untouched acres of beautiful landscape are things we are proud of for our own enjoyment and for the many thousands who visit our town. The residents enjoy many acres of parks, ball fields, playgrounds, walking/hiking paths and two of the finest swimming facilities in the county and beyond. We have numerous modes of transportation available to residents and commuters, young and old alike. Within our town boundaries we also find Monroe-Woodbury High School, Monroe-Woodbury Middle School, Central Valley and Smith Clove elementary schools. Residents also enjoy the services of two regular libraries, one historical library and a senior center which offers many programs to our senior residents. Our employees work to maintain our quality of life as well as to provide excellent service to all. Please visit our web site at www.townofwoodbury.com or Channel 22 on your television which provides ongoing information. Although we faced many challenges successfully throughout 2011, we learned that we are better prepared for the future. We will continue to support each other in any future crisis in the same way we did during the numerous events that we faced in 2011. John Burke, supervisor, Town of Woodbury 'This will be the year that our futures begin’ To be honest, it is a bit strange to be writing about the year 2012. As a member of this year’s senior class, I have been looking forward to this year my entire life. However, it has always seemed to be far in the distant future. Now that it is upon us, it is overwhelming to consider all that this year has in store for us. This will be the year that we graduate; the year we leave high school behind us. This will be the year we become adults; legally entering the world of voting, lottery tickets and responsibility. This is the year many of us begin college, begin counting down to the new, even scarier date of 2016. This is the year we have been working toward since kindergarten. By the time most of my classmates will be reading this, they will be done applying to colleges. Some of them may even have been accepted. This will be the year that our futures begin. Our childhoods are setting behind us and the eve of our adulthood is in view. But for now, we are still young. 2012 is our year to take chances, and probably make some mistakes, but have fun every step of the way. For me, 2012 is a year of firsts and big changes, a year of goodbye-for-now hugs and shy hellos to new friends. This will be my year to discover who I am and what I want from my life. This year I will make the most of my senior year, keep the memories of high school close, and the friends I love closer. I will remember to think of those who aren’t as blessed as I am, smile more, and not let fear keep me from taking chances. Emily Ampel, a member of the Class of 2012 at Monroe-Woodbury High School, Monroe