Leadership, Giving, and Growth Shine Across Orange County in April
April was full of inspiring events, meaningful connections, and powerful community efforts across Orange County.
From welcoming distinguished leaders like Col. Mark Bieger at our Leadership Speaker Series, to planting trees along Wawayanda Creek, honoring our volunteers, celebrating innovation and manufacturing excellence, as well as supporting wonderful causes like St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, it's been a true testament to the spirit and strength of our country.
I'm proud to highlight just a few of these special moments, and I'm grateful to everyone who continues to step up, give back, and make our community an even better place to live, work, and explore.
As April was National Volunteer Month, I'm proud to recognize the incredible volunteers of the Orange County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), everyday heroes who make an extraordinary difference in our community. The MRC is made up of people from all walks of life, both medical and non-medical, who respond whenever they're needed most, particularly in emergency situations and at local health events. They are truly the heart of public service. Please join me in thanking these amazing volunteers. If you're looking for a way to give back, they'd love to have you
I had the opportunity to sit down with Col. Mark Bieger (Ret.), who serves as the president of the West Point Association of Graduates, at my most recent Leadership Speaker Series event. He had the whole room enthralled with incredible stories from his more than 28 years of military service, from the battlefield to the Pentagon. His lessons on leadership, duty, and resilience were powerful and truly inspiring.
Related Stories
4/29/2025
4/2/2025
My thanks to everyone who came out, and an extra special thanks to Col. Bieger for sharing his amazing journey with us. If you missed it and would like to watch it, it will be available on YouTube shortly. I will provide the link as soon as it's available.
On a beautiful afternoon on April 29, we planted native trees and shrubs along Wawayanda Creek through the Trees for Tribs program. This important project helps keep our water clean, reduces flooding, supports wildlife, and even helps fish by keeping the water cool. Big thanks to everyone who participated, and a special shoutout to the Orange County Land Trust for all they do to protect the land and natural beauty of our county.
I also had a great time speaking at the Council of Industry Manufacturing Champions Awards Breakfast on April 25—my thanks to President Harold King for the invitation and for holding such an important event. As a proud past Manufacturing Champion, I'm always excited to see the amazing work happening here. This event highlights our workforce initiatives and the strong teamwork between industry and education.
Kudos and my appreciation to all the companies who stepped up to support, and to the educators who are shaping the workforce of tomorrow. Thanks to all of you, Orange County's future is looking brighter than ever!
I had a great time celebrating the ribbon cutting for the amazing new additions at Storm King Art Center. Iconic art set against the beautiful rolling hills, it really is a true gem right here in Orange County. I look forward to visiting again. I encourage you to put it on your list of county places to visit, too! Congratulations to everyone at Storm King.
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of Hudson Valley Gives, I joined other local leaders and volunteers for 'Pouring Drinks for a Cause' to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. It was a night full of fun, community spirit, and generosity. It again showed how Orange County always comes together to support those in need. Thank you to everyone who came out and donated!
Congratulations to Damian Brady and the incredible team at the Orange County Office of Assigned Counsel on receiving the prestigious Robert N. Isseks Liberty Bell Award on Law Day. This award, presented by the Women's Bar Association of Orange and Sullivan Counties, recognizes their outstanding commitment to justice, fairness, and protecting the rights of all citizens. We are so proud of this team and grateful for their tireless service to our community.
Finally, if you are a student looking for work this summer, consider a summer internship opportunity with Orange County Government! Applicants must be at least 15 years of age and have completed their sophomore year of high school. Information about the program and an application can be found here:
With parks, trails, and ballfields all bursting with activity, I may just see you around the county!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Glasgow to add 720 new on-street bike storage spaces amid 'strong demand'
Glasgow is set to expand its on-street cycle storage scheme with 720 new spaces. The new spaces will be created this year through the installation of 120 additional units, each holding up to six bicycles. On-street cycle storage is in high demand, with 97% of existing spaces currently occupied and nearly 3000 people registered for a spot. Glasgow City Council plans to install 120 units per year for the first three years of the contract, with the remainder to follow in the final two years. So far this year, 30 new units have already been installed, with a similar amount expected over the summer. Read more: Rangers Charity Foundation football team heading to international tournament Councillor Angus Millar, city convener for transport, said: "Our on-street cycle storage programme is hugely popular and there is continuing, strong demand for more spaces across the city. "Our planned expansion, which will see the installation of up to 3000 additional safe, secure storage spaces over the next five years, will help meet that demand and remove an obstacle that we know stops people from regularly using their bike. "Living in a flat can deter people from cycling because they are concerned that they have nowhere to store their bike at home, or it's simply unsafe to leave it in the stairwell. "We want to make cycling more accessible for everyday journeys for people living in a flat, and access to safe, secure storage at street level close to people's homes will help to do just that. "I am delighted that more and more people will soon be able to benefit from this expansion in the coming years." (Image: Supplied) Cycle storage units are delivered by Cyclehoop under a five-year contract worth up to £2.5 million. The scheme began as a pilot in 2021 and has since grown to include more than 235 units citywide. Each space costs £84 per year – or £7 per month – which covers the cost of management and maintenance by Cyclehoop. Cycle storage units are located based on several criteria, including public requests, demand levels, the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation, building type, and proximity to existing or planned cycle routes. The project is part of Glasgow's broader effort to encourage cycling as a practical mode of transport, particularly for those who may not have the option to store bicycles indoors. Read more: Play day to take place in Glasgow as health board encourages kids to stay active Many residents in older tenement buildings face barriers to cycling due to the lack of secure indoor space, with fire safety regulations often preventing bike storage in stairwells and concerns about theft from communal areas. The council believes that by providing secure, conveniently located storage, more people will feel confident using their bikes for daily journeys. Short-term, pay-as-you-go cycle storage is also available in Glasgow city centre. Full details about proposed locations and the selection process are available on Glasgow City Council's Secure On-Street Cycle Storage StoryMap.
Hamilton Spectator
16 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Essex, Amherstburg officially open Co-An Park's new playground
As co-owners of the 40-acre Co-An Park in McGregor, Essex and Amherstburg jointly worked on a Master Plan for over two-years to map out a multi-year document to help guide future development of the park. That Master Plan was adopted by both municipal Councils last year. One of the outcomes of the Master Plan was to add a playground to the outdoor sports facility. After further collaboration between both municipalities, that playground has been installed. A ribbon cutting was hosted last Friday afternoon. 'Today is really exciting,' Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy said, while youths sat atop the slide, ready to head down to the bottom. Most importantly, the ribbon cutting was exciting for the families and children, who now get to enjoy the new playground facility. The new playground replaces an existing structure that was smaller and older. Staff and Council members of both municipalities, in addition to members of the Co-An Park Advisory Committee and the Town of Essex Accessibility Advisory Committee, took part in the ribbon cutting on Friday afternoon, officially opening the new playground. They all had a hand in developing the Master Plan. Bondy called it a 'bold plan that outlines thoughtful future improvements to this beloved park,' while prioritizing accessibility, inclusivity, recreation, and bringing people together. As part of developing the Master Plan, a public survey highlighted the desire to add a playground and splashpad, with administration noting previously that adding the latter feature will be more complex. 'This project is a true example of collaboration and action. Funded equally by the Town of Essex and the Town of Amherstburg, it reflects what we can do when we work together to accomplish a shared vision for our communities,' Bondy said. Adding the playground, Bondy commented, is one of the first steps in the implementation of action items set out in the Co-An Park Master Plan. She thanked the members of the Co-An Park Advisory Committee and the Town of Essex Accessibility Advisory Committee for their input and guidance. She also extended appreciation to New World Playground Solutions for providing the playground's design. In selecting the playground design, three companies, with each providing two designs, submitted to the process. Four of the six designs were ranked high enough to qualify for the public feedback portion. To obtain public input the Town of Essex held a two-week virtual vote in February, allowing the public to review and rank the four designs. Back in March, Essex Council awarded the Request for Proposal to design, supply, and install the playground equipment for Co-An Park to New World Park Solutions Inc in the amount of $389,791, with half of the cost coming from Amherstburg. That was after Essex put $200,000 aside for the playground. So too did Amherstburg. 'This playground is more than just slides, it is where families can come together, where friendships form, and where the community feels a little bit closer,' Bondy added. 'It is our duty to ensure these spaces are not only safe and fun, but accessible.' 'This is a really important playground,' Amherstburg Mayor Michale Prue added, also recognizing the work Amherstburg's Accessibility and Park committees contributed to the Master Plan. He acknowledged the park is not located in his municipality, but it is 'part of Amherstburg's soul.' He noted people on both sides of Walker Road in McGregor – the municipal boundary line – come and utilize this park. 'I'm really delighted how it has turned out,' he added, because he often says not enough is done for accessible groups. 'This playground is a testament to all of the people who worked on it. It is a testament to how many hours went into making sure every child – and I mean every child – has the opportunity to come out and play.' The park has sensory features and rubber matting. Prue hopes the facility will be well utilized. Co-An Park was established in 1977. The playground is added to the facility that already houses an array of amenities, such as six baseball diamonds, three soccer fields, two tennis courts, washrooms, pavilion and canteen, walking paths, and the Essex County Steam and Gas Engine Museum. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Miami Herald
16 hours ago
- Miami Herald
‘Noises on camera trap' reveal first-of-their-kind babies at UK reserve. Listen
As darkness settled over a nature reserve in the United Kingdom, a baby mammal began to fuss and whine to its parent. Unbeknownst to the family, a nearby trail camera captured their interaction. It turned out to be a 'major milestone' for conservationists. Laura Snell, a conservation officer at the Helman Tor Nature Reserve, was helping with routine monitoring efforts when some 'noises on camera trap footage' caught her attention, Cornwall Wildlife Trust said in a July 23 news release. Immediately, she suspected the sounds came from baby beavers. 'At first we weren't certain,' Snell said in the release. 'But recent footage clearly shows a small kit appearing in the corner of the frame.' A video shared on YouTube on July 22 by Cornwall Wildlife Trust shows a beaver moving around at night. Small whining sounds, almost like the fussing of a human baby, can be heard. In a second clip, a baby beaver is briefly visible in the lower right-hand corner, partially obscured by the plants. The larger beaver seems to be taking care of it. The baby beavers are 'the first confirmed wild kits at the site,' which is home to a beaver reintroduction project. Beavers were once widespread throughout the U.K. but 'were hunted to extinction in the 16th century for their fur, meat, and the oil in their scent glands, which was used in medicine and even perfumes,' Cornwall Wildlife Trust said. In hopes of undoing this local extinction, conservation groups have begun rewilding projects. Now, 'beavers are being re-introduced into different parts of Great Britain after an absence of about 400 years,' the organization said. At Helman Tor Nature Reserve, wild beavers 'mysteriously appeared' in 2024 in 'an illegal release' later dubbed a 'beaver bombing,' officials said. The newfound kits are the offspring of these beavers. 'While we don't condone the way beavers arrived at Helman Tor in 2024, it's hard not to celebrate the birth of kits,' Cheryl Marriott, a director at Cornwall Wildlife Trust, said in the release. 'It's a great sign that the beavers are thriving and the habitat they've created is healthy enough to support the next generation, but it's also just the beginning,' the organization wrote in a July 23 Facebook post. 'The Trust continues to monitor the beavers at Helman Tor as part of its Wild Beaver Project, which supports the responsible return and recovery of beavers' throughout the surrounding Cornwall region, the organization said. Helman Tor Nature Reserve is in the southwestern United Kingdom and a roughly 240-mile drive west from London.
