NYS partnering with small-business incubators to boost firms owned by marginalized groups

Long Island Morning Edition

State education officials yesterday took a step back from a controversial push for regionalization of school services as they sought to convince skeptical parents, educators and others that any changes would be voluntary for local districts, not forced.

By unanimous vote, a committee of the NYS Board of Regents agreed Monday afternoon to change the language of a new state regulation in order to confirm that regionalization would be voluntary and that districts would have the option of not participating in the regionalization plan.

John Hildebrand reports in NEWSDAY that the idea behind regionalization is to help local districts share with neighboring systems the cost of sports teams, advanced high school courses and other programs, whenever individual districts cannot afford such programs on their own. Supporters have said sharing would be especially useful for any districts experiencing losses in state financial aid.

The Regents' initial approval of a regionalization plan in September sparked a backlash from parents and schools fearful of state intervention.

State officials have emphasized, however, that sharing will not be expanded at the cost of local control by elected school boards and the administrators that boards appoint.

Previous regulatory language stated that regional BOCES superintendents shall "compel" districts to revise any parts of their regionalization plans that do not comply with state goals. Yesterday’s change has BOCES chiefs "request" such revisions.

Another amendment states, in part, that "a school district may elect not to participate in the development of a regionalization plan." In such cases, district officials would be required to report their decision to the state Department of Education.

The 17-member Regents board sets much of the state’s education policy. The approved regulation, with changes, is due to take effect this month on Dec. 24.

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A 67-year-old hiker who got separated from his group in the Pine Barrens near Manorville was located yesterday after a massive emergency response and hours of searching. The man, who is from Staten Island, was reported missing at about 2:30 p.m. on Monday by friends who had been with him at Manorville Hills County Park that morning. As reported on 27east.com, the group had set out on their hike about 9:30 a.m. yesterday but the man, who police have not identified by name, got separated from the rest of the group sometime after 11:30 a.m. When he couldn’t be located, the hikers called Southampton Town Police. The search team quickly grew, eventually including dozens of emergency responders from Town Police, Suffolk County Police and Suffolk County Park rangers, Eastport Fire Department, Manorville Fire Department, Flanders EMS Woodland Rescue Team, Manorville EMS and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers, as well as a Southampton Village Police K-9 search team. The man was located in the area of Calverton Hills shortly before 5:30 last night. He was taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center for evaluation and treatment for exposure to the cold but was otherwise in good health, police said.

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The South Fork Natural History Museum in Bridgehampton has taken on “Giving Back” initiatives this holiday season. As reported on 27east.com, SOFO’s co-founder and board president, Andy Sabin, launched his annual Appeal Challenge Grant, pledging to match all gifts under $10,000, up to a total of $50,000, starting last month. The initiative inspires donors to double their impact and directly benefits SOFO’s educational and outreach programs.

In another local initiative, SOFO donated proceeds from its Summer’s Gala to local food pantries serving underserved families in the Bridgehampton area. The beneficiary organizations include Bridgehampton Community Food Pantry, Sag Harbor Food Pantry, Hamptons Church, Wainscott Food Pantry and the Heart of the Hamptons Food Pantry.

SOFO Executive Director Frank Quevedo said, “Thanks to the generosity of our friends and members, we’ve raised vital funds to support local families during this critical time.”

For more information, go to sofo.org.

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Gov. Kathy Hochul yesterday proposed sending checks of up to $500 to New Yorkers as an "inflation rebate." The checks would provide $300 to a taxpayer who makes up to $150,000 and files as a single person. For a joint return, $500 checks would go to families making up to $300,000. Hochul said 8.6 million New Yorkers would receive the checks, including 1.3 million Long Islanders. "Because of inflation, New York has generated unprecedented revenues through the sales tax — now, we're returning that cash back to middle-class families," Hochul said. "My agenda for the coming year will be laser-focused on putting money back in your pockets, and that starts with proposing Inflation Refund checks of up to $500 to help millions of hardworking New Yorkers. It's simple: the cost of living is still too damn high, and New Yorkers deserve a break." Michael Gormley reports in NEWSDAY that the $3 billion to cover the one-time checks would come from sales tax revenue that has increased beyond projections.

Hochul said this is the first piece of her State of the State address due to be delivered next month to set her legislative agenda for 2025.

The practical value of sending government surplus checks from one of the most heavily taxing state governments in the country is questionable, independent analysts have argued, because the checks don’t reduce or even promise reduced levels of spending.

"Inflation comes from too much money chasing too few goods and services," said Ken Girardin, research director at the nonpartisan Empire Center for Public Policy think tank in Albany. "This is a proposal to make state lawmakers feel better about making inflation worse."

Citizens Budget Commission President Andrew S. Rein said more must be done to provide relief.

"A one-time rebate may feel good, but what New York needs is lower taxes to be more affordable and competitive," Rein said.

The governor will release her budget proposal to the State Legislature in late January. She will have to detail how she will fund the $3 billion cost then and seek the approval of the leaders of the Democratic majorities of the NYS Senate and Assembly.

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The annual Polar Bear Plunge in Southampton to benefit Heart of the Hamptons is scheduled for this coming Saturday, December 14, at 9:30 a.m. For the past 2 decades hundreds have taken the cold winter plunge into the Atlantic Ocean at Coopers Beach in Southampton Village.

All plungers will receive a Polar Bear Plunge knit hat. Participants and spectators are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy for a child in need this holiday season.

Some participants come in festive attire for a chance to win the costume contest. Hot refreshments will be provided after the plunge. Holiday tunes will be broadcast by DJ Rah-g-Raj and Santa Claus will make an appearance!

As reported on 27east.com, the 2023 Plunge drew an enthusiastic crowd of over 800 people and went viral thanks to a drone video by Joanna Steidel of Hamptons Drone Photography.

Since the first Polar Bear Plunge in 2004, the event has raised almost $3 million to support Heart of the Hamptons and its programs, which offer food, clothing, and assistance to over 8,000 individuals, including children, families, senior citizens, and veterans. In the past year, Heart of the Hamptons has given out more meals worth of groceries than any year before. To date they have provided 433,079 meals to families struggling to get by.

Support of this event can help provide meals for kids when school is out of session, send a cooked meal to a homebound or isolated senior, buy an instrument or sporting equipment for a local student, pay costly medical bills for a sick neighbor, or simply brighten the holidays for a family with little to celebrate.

Registration and pledges may be found at heartofthehamptons.org. All donations are 100 percent tax deductible.

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New York is teaming up with small-business assistance centers this month to help firms that are owned by women and members of minority groups to win government contracts. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the initiative, called Whirlwind Winter. James T. Madore reports in NEWSDAY that statewide, 22 Small Business Development Centers and 23 Entrepreneurship Assistance Centers — including four on Long Island — will aid entrepreneurs with completing paperwork required to get their companies certified as minority- and women-owned business enterprises, or MWBEs.

"We’re ensuring minority- and women-owned businesses across the state have the support they need to navigate the certification process and access state contracting opportunities," Hochul said in a statement last month. "When we remove barriers and streamline processes, we create a more dynamic and inclusive economy that benefits all New Yorkers."

The local entrepreneurship assistance centers participating in the program are based at Hofstra University and Suffolk County Community College. The Hofstra center can be reached at [email protected] or 516-463-5285 while the SCCC center can be reached at [email protected] or 631-851-6214.

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Kait’s Angels of Mattituck has partnered with Long Island-based LifeVac to provide anti-choking devices to local organizations, police departments and schools. The nonprofit hosted a demonstration and distributed the simple, single-use kits at Branch Brewery this past Friday. Amanda Olsen reports in THE SUFFOLK TIMES that LifeVac is a non-powered, non-invasive airway clearance device developed for resuscitating a victim with an airway obstruction when other choking interventions have failed. The mask goes over the victim’s mouth and nose. The plunger is pressed down and then tugged upward, allowing the suction to dislodge the obstruction. The device has a one-way valve, preventing air from entering a choking victim on the downward motion. The minimal duration of the suction makes LifeVac safe and effective.

“We’re going to put them in every car, put them on our marine vessels and in our headquarters. Everybody is currently in training,” Southold Town Police Chief Steven Grattan said. “This is going to enhance what our officers do and will save somebody’s life if and when they are choking.”

Choking is all too common: the New York State Department of Health lists it as the fourth leading cause of death for children under five. A victim has roughly four minutes to clear their airway before brain damage occurs, making LifeVac a critical resource. “We do respond to calls, not very often, but we do respond to calls of toddlers and adults who are choking,” Chief Grattan said. “Quite often, before we get there, the object is dislodged, but this will enhance our ability (to assist.)”

Beyond the area schools and police departments who accepted donations, the Southold Town Board is also considering adding LifeVac devices to public facilities across the North Fork.