As part of New York State’s ongoing commitment to helping cities and states throughout the nation, we’re glad to be able to provide two testing sites for highly-impacted minority communities in the great city of Savannah.Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Michael Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell Health, New York’s largest health care provider, said, “COVID-19 tested our mettle here in New York and thanks to the strong leadership of Governor Cuomo, we are in a much better place today. We also owe a debt of gratitude to those who continue to work the front lines and make sacrifices for the greater good. It takes a unified front, which is why we are happy to work with the governor again to pay it forward and send our clinicians to assist in Georgia and Houston. We hope our first-hand experience with this novel virus can help limit the ongoing spread of COVID-19.”
Dr. Ramon Tallaj, Chairman and Founder of SOMOS Community Care, said, “We are proud to stand with Governor Cuomo to continue the effort to increase access to testing, especially in vulnerable communities across the country. Our experience catering to the unique needs of diverse populations in New York City will be an asset to Savannah’s efforts, and we look forward to our partnership with Mayor Johnson as we continue to fight this deadly disease.”
Prior to the announcement, Governor Cuomo and the New York State team shared New York’s best practices with Mayor Johnson and the Savannah health care team in a meeting, and the work between the two teams will continue.
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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is holding a news conference Monday as every region of the state moves forward with the final phase of reopening, although the governor has shown some caution as outbreaks surge in other parts of the country.
New York City has been cleared to enter phase four of the state’s reopening on Monday, but will see some restrictions. Phase four will allow for more outdoor activities such as zoos, outdoor films and gardens, but indoor operations, such as indoor dining at restaurants and shopping at malls, will remain closed, Cuomo said.
“Every region of the state will now be in Phase Four. There are no more phases,” Cuomo said in a press release. “And that’s great. Every region has made it through the four phases without having to close.”
Cuomo has been critical of some New York City businesses, however, saying there was “significant evidence” some city restaurants were violating social distancing policies designed to contain the spread of Covid-19.
On Monday, July 20th and Tuesday, July 21st construction personnel will be working on utility upgrades in the intersection of Main Street and Fishkill Avenue from 7 am – 6 pm. Please avoid the area if possible. If you must use the intersection please drive carefully and be aware of potential traffic delays.
Dutchess County, NY sent this bulletin at 07/15/2020 04:59 PM EDT
Molinaro Marks Four Months of COVID-19 Online Town Halls
Poughkeepsie, NY … Seventeen weeks to the day after holding his first online Town Hall Forum about Coronavirus/COVID-19, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro hosted his latest such online conversation this afternoon, providing residents with the latest updates on the pandemic and the County’s “Restarting Dutchess” efforts, as well as answering their questions about the re-opening process. Today’s online discussion emanated from Quiet Cove Riverfront Park in Poughkeepsie, one of Dutchess County’s six award-winning parks.
County Executive Molinaro has hosted more than 25 online discussions about COVID-19 since March 18th, addressing the pandemic, County efforts, state actions and more. The archive of the online conversations, including today’s, can be viewed on Dutchess County Government’s YouTube page.
Among the highlights from today’s discussion:
• County Executive Molinaro reviewed Dutchess County’s most recent COVID-19 data posted on the County’s COVID-19 data dashboard:
o 4,318 total confirmed cases*
o 73,471 tests completed
o 208 current active cases
o 7 hospitalizations
o 152 deaths
o 3,958 recoveries
* The County Executive addressed the apparent jump in total confirmed cases. Of the 39 new cases reported for 7/13/2020 on the Dutchess County COVID-19 data dashboard, at least 13 were false positives resulting from a lab error. 9 cases are from prisons located in Dutchess County, which the County has no role in monitoring. There is no evident connection among any of the remaining 17 cases. False positives were also reported in other neighboring counties and the State is currently investigating. As updates are provided, the County’s data dashboard will be updated to reflect the most current data.
• Mary Kay Vrba, President and CEO of Dutchess Tourism, Inc., joined County Executive Molinaro to discuss the local low-risk, indoor and outdoor arts and entertainment options available to County residents and visitors under Phase 4 of the state’s “NY Forward” re-opening process, which the County entered on July 7th. Ms. Vrba will retire from Dutchess Tourism later this month following a 40-year career devoted to local tourism, and County Executive Molinaro announced Dutchess County will dedicate the south observation deck at Quiet Cove Riverside Park in her honor. Under Ms. Vrba’s leadership at Dutchess Tourism, annual visitor spending in Dutchess County has topped more than $600 million in recent years. Earlier today, the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce honored Ms. Vrba for her decades of work at its monthly virtual Contact Breakfast.
• County Executive Molinaro earlier today announced $100 million in rent relief is available to low-income residents whose income has been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through New York State’s COVID Rent Relief Navigator. Applications will be available on the state’s website, beginning July 16th. There is a two-week window to apply and eligible residents are encouraged to submit applications quickly.
• Earlier this week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo released updated guidance for re-opening schools with in-person instruction in September for the 2020-21 academic year. For schools to be considered for re-opening, their region must be in Phase 4 of the “NY Forward” process and have a 14-day average daily infection rate of 5 percent or lower. The state has released guidelines for school districts, which must submit their re-opening safety plan by July 31st. The state will approve or disapprove of a school district’s re-opening plan during the first week of August. If approved to open, schools can be closed if their region experiences a 7-day average infection rate above 9 percent after August 1st.
• On July 10th, following months of advocacy by County Executive Molinaro, the State finally acquiesced and permitted families to visit loved ones living in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, provided the facility’s residents and staff are free of COVID-19 for 28 days. Social distancing and quarantining have caused isolation among many residing in nursing homes and long-team care facilities, and County Executive Molinaro has proposed a way to brighten these local residents’ day, encouraging residents of all ages to send greeting cards to those residing in such facilities, letting them know Dutchess County cares about them. Cards and letters can be sent to the following facilities:
Baptist Home The Community at Brookmeade 46 Brookmeade Road Rhinebeck, NY 12572
Wingate at Beacon 10 Hastings Drive Beacon, NY 12508
County Executive Marc Molinaro’s next COVID-19 Town Hall will take place on Wednesday, July 22nd at 5:30pm. The July 22nd event will be a countywide TeleTown Hall event and will also be broadcast live on the Dutchess County Government Facebook page. American Sign Language interpreters will translate the conversation on Facebook. For information on how to participate and view past online COVID-19 community conversations, view the County’s Coronavirus webpage.
Attention Residents of Beacon Housing Authority, if you are seeking some guidance on how to manage your money and navigate household expenses this would be a great opportunity for you. Please see the information below and register for the 1 hour virtual workshop with the professionals at Ulster Saving Bank
NAVIGATING HOUSEHOLD FINANCES Wednesday, August 19th Starts promptly at 10:00amwww.uwdor.org/financialliteracy PRESENTED WITH
In this one-hour seminar, participants will walk away feeling more comfortable talking about money. They will learn helpful tips including “Ten Rules for Personal Finance”; how to have conversations about money with partners and children; the importance of safeguarding data, passwords, signatures and the like.
Let US help you navigate these uncertain times. COVID-19-related banking tips will be provided to all attendees.
About the Presenters
Abby Paul
Abby Paul joined Ulster Savings Bank four years ago. With over a decade of experience in banking, she is responsible for leading the Bank’s business development across branches located throughout Dutchess, Orange, and Ulster Counties. She understands the economic challenges Hudson Valley residents face. Abby actively supports Ulster Savings’ mission to remain a community-focused institution through her volunteer work.
Abby earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from SUNY Brockport and is enrolled in the Masters of Business Administration program at SUNY New Paltz. A 2014 graduate of the Leadership Dutchess program, Abby also completed the Pattern for Progress Fellows program. A 2014 Top Forty Under Forty honoree, Abby is an advocate for her community. Household financial wellness is a key ingredient in any healthy community.
Brad Umble
Brad Umble has been a part of the Ulster Savings Bank team since the summer of 2017. He has worked out of the Newburgh branch since early 2018, most recently as branch supervisor. He enjoys being able to support his neighbors and local businesses through a community-oriented bank like Ulster Savings. Brad earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Music from Hobart College, and later completed a Master of Arts Degree in Arts Management at the University at Buffalo.
Attention Residents of Beacon Housing Authority Free Groceries are coming to Beacon tomorrow Wednesday, Juy 15th. This event is made possible by the following organizations: The Beacon City School District, Beacon Mutual Aid, Common Ground Farm, Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Green Teen Program, Fareground, the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley, and Hudson Valley Seed. The groceries are available for pick up for anyone who needs them.
Atención Los residentes de Beacon Housing Authority Free Groceries vendrán a Beacon mañana miércoles, 15 de julio. Este evento es posible gracias a las siguientes organizaciones: El Distrito Escolar de Beacon City, Beacon Mutual Aid, Common Ground Farm, el Programa Green Teen de Cornell Cooperative Extension, Fareground, el Banco de Alimentos del Hudson Valley y Hudson Valley Seed. Los comestibles están disponibles para que los recoja cualquier persona que los necesite.
Poughkeepsie, NY … Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro hosted the latest in his series of online town halls about the COVID-19 pandemic yesterday, providing residents updates on the pandemic’s impact on local communities and answering residents’ questions.
County Executive Molinaro has hosted more than 25 such virtual meetings to update residents since the County’s first confirmed case of Coronavirus/COVID-19 was announced on March 12th. An archive of the online conversations, including today’s online forum, can be viewed on Dutchess County Government’s YouTube page.
o 4,248 total confirmed cases o 66,411 tests completed o 175 current active cases o 5 hospitalizations o 152 deaths o 3,921 recoveries
• Dutchess County and the Mid-Hudson region commenced Phase 4 of the “NY Forward” re-opening process on Tuesday, July 7th. Under Phase 4, low-risk indoor and outdoor arts and entertainment, such as museums and historical sites, are permitted to operate, as are media and film productions – each at reduced capacity and employing social-distancing guidelines. Additionally, outdoor social gatherings can be increased to 50 individuals in Phase 4, and following federal court ruling, religious activities can take place at 50 percent of a venue’s capacity. More information is available on the County’s “Restarting Dutchess” webpage.
• Governor Cuomo announced at his press briefing today indoor shopping malls are able to open on Friday, July 10th with enhanced HVAC ventilation systems and measures in place.
• The Governor also announced the state will provide finalized guidance for schools on July 13th. Schools must submit plans to the state by July 31st. The state will then make decisions on reopening in the first week of August.
• The County Executive announced the full schedule of Office for the Aging (OFA) drive-through senior picnics, which begin Tuesday, July 28th in Pleasant Valley. Though the pandemic has postponed a variety of events throughout the Hudson Valley, the OFA will continue providing socialization opportunities for local seniors by offering socially distant, drive-through Senior Picnics in a dozen communities over a six-week period, in lieu of the traditional, in-person picnics the OFA has held since 1993. The County will welcome seniors from individual communities to a central gathering point to drive up and receive a bag lunch to take home and enjoy – providing seniors with a balanced meal, important information about aging and interaction with OFA staff and volunteers, while maintaining social-distancing guidelines.
• Following this past Saturday’s “Dutchess County Goes Renegade!” fireworks events, County Executive thanked those who made the three displays successful, including event partners (the Hudson Valley Renegades, Silo Ridge Field Club and the Dutchess County Fairgrounds), event sponsors (iHeartMedia of the Hudson Valley, Central Hudson Gas & Electric, Eastdale Village and the Mitch Nesheiwat family) and County departments (Public Works-Parks, Emergency Response and the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office) for their participation, as well as the community partners (Rhinebeck Rotary Club, Civil Air Patrol and Amenia Fire Company) that assisted with parking at each venue.
• County Executive Molinaro provided a recap of Tuesday evening’s A Listening Town Hall: People of Color Sharing their Experiences in Dutchess County virtual event, hosted by himself and Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney. The 90-minute online event engaged hundreds of local residents of color, with many sharing their personal stories of living in Dutchess County. Among those taking part was former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, a former Dutchess County resident who served in the Obama Administration as General Counsel of the Department of Defense. Leadership from each of Dutchess County’s 30 communities took part in the event, listening to residents and their experiences.
In today’s town hall, the County Executive reiterated the County’s plan to hire an Inclusion and Equal Opportunity Officer , to work within the community to overcome the civil service system requirements that are often a barrier to County employment for minorities. County Executive Molinaro had announced the Diversity and Equal Employment Officer at his 2020 State of the County address; however the recruitment process had been interrupted with the COVID-19 pandemic. Molinaro noted the search for candidates will resume immediately.
Dutchess County is prepared to invest in a youth empowerment center in the City of Poughkeepsie, said County Executive Molinaro. He reinforced the work of the County’s “Path to Promise” initiative, which aims to ensure every child in Dutchess County has access to the resources they need to become a successful adult.
County Executive Molinaro also discussed the County’s initiative to create a unified, countywide law enforcement plan, which will include reforms, policies and procedures deemed necessary “to eliminate racial inequities in policing, to modify and modernize policing strategies, policies, procedures, and practices, and to develop practices to better address the particular needs of communities of color to promote public safety, improve community engagement, and foster trust,” as enumerated in the Governor’s Executive Order No. 202, signed on June 12th. Such agreed-upon reforms will be put in place in every participating law enforcement agency. County Executive Molinaro also announced that every local municipality that has a police force will be required to have to host a similar listening session in their community, similar to Tuesday’s forum, to ensure the needs in their community are heard and included in the reform plans.
County Executive Marc Molinaro’s next COVID-19 Town Hall will take place on Wednesday, July 15th at noon. As with all previous online town hall forums, the July 15th event will be broadcast live on the Dutchess County Government Facebook page, and American Sign Language interpreters will translate the conversation. For information on how to participate and view past online COVID-19 community conversations, view the County’s Coronavirus webpage.POWERED BY
The BHA office does close due to inclement weather and dangerous driving conditions. We recommend that you call ahead if you have an appointment and the weather is questionable.
