COUNTY TIMES ROCKLAND
THURSDAY, JUNE 9— WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2022
Clarkstown Demonstrates Dangers of Drunk Driving
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Suffern Crew Celebrates Big Win
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ROCKLAND’S WEEKLY JOURNAL
COUNTY TIMES ROCKLAND
ROCKLAND’S SOURCE FOR REAL NEWS SINCE 1888™
135th Year, No. 23
PUBLISHED WEEKLY - THURSDAY JUNE 9 - WEDNESDAY JUNE 15, 2022
12 PAGES
$1.00
Spring Valley teen drowns in the Legislature Launches Public Hudson River Forums On Redistricting
Forums Will Outline The Redistricting Process & Timeline And Allow For Public Input & Community Participation
Kevin Pinto, 19 of Spring Valley, was found dead in the Hudson River on Monday. At approximately 6 a.m. Monday morning, police say they were notified that Pinto went missing near Haverstraw Beach State Park. The body of Pinto was located and recovered by URT Monday afternoon in the Hudson River. Police say that there does not appear to be any foul play.
Rockland DA Successfully Catfishes Registered Sex Offender
By Joe Kuhn
Defendant Faces Federal Prosecution
Brian Reed recieved an unpleasnt supirse last month, when he discovered that a 13 year old girl he had arranged to meet was in fact an undercover investagotor with the Rockland County Dstricit Attorneys Office. Reed, 33, of Sussex, New Jersey is a registered sex offender who was previously convicted in the Garden State, before once again runing afoul of the law. As a result of a succseful sting operation conducted by Rockland County District Attorney’s Special Investigative Unit, Reed was indicted by a Rockland County Grand Jury on one count of Attempted Rape in the Second Degree (PL Sec. 110.00/130.30(1)) and one count of Attempted Disseminating Indecent Material to Minors in the First Degree (PLSec. 110.00/235.22). The charges stem from a series of text messages Reed unwittingly exchanged with the Special Investigative Unit “on or about May 25, 2022, and May 26, 2022” according to a statment shared by the DA’s office. “The defendant exchanged numerous text messages, photographs, and phone calls, sexually explicit in nature, with whom he believed to be a 13-year-old girl he met online,” according to the statment. Reed planned to meet with the “child” to engage in sexual intercourse with her at a park in Rockland County, traveling over an hour from New Jersey only to be immedatly apprheneded by investagtors. The undercover investigation was led by Rockland County District Attorney’s Office with the assistance of the Clarkstown Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Orangetown Police Department, and the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office. Reed can face up to eight years in state prison for his actions. Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh said, “This arrest should send a firm and clear message to any individuals thinking about coming to Rockland County to prey on our minors” waarned Districit Attorney Tom Walsh. “You will be arrested and be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. My office will continue to proactively pursue these predators. I want to thank Chief Wanamaker and the men and women of the Clarkstown Police Department for their assistance.”Brian Reed has been transferred into federal custody and will be prosecuted underfederal law. The state indictment was prosecuted by Supervising Assistant District Attorney Gerry Damiani.
Mamari Jewelers: Father-Son duo celebrating 35 years in family business
Mamari Jewelers has been one of the most well-trusted jewelry businesses in Rockland for over three decades. With over 40 years of experience, the owner, Usama Mamari, did not always know that he was going to become a jeweler. Studying as a computer analyst while working as a part-time jeweler with a drive to become a pilot, it wasn’t always in his plans to get into the jewelry industry. Mr. Mamari immigrated to the US from Syria as a young boy with his family with little to their name. At 21 years old, Mr. Mamari and his 2 siblings entered the jewelry business with a small booth in New York City’s ‘Diamond District’. After gaining extensive experience and knowledge, he decided to fully invest himself in Rockland County, where he then established Mamari Jewelers in 1987 at the Spring Valley Flea-Market. Ever since they began to serve customers in Spring Valley, Mamari’s business grew from a small booth into their own stand-alone building showroom that he once dreamed of in Nanuet, right near the Shops of Nanuet. Rami Mamari, Mamari’s son, did not know that his path would lead him to working in jewelry for the family business either. After his freshman year in college studying business management and entrepreneurship, he realized that he had a great opportunity to build on top of what
his father built. Now in 2022, they are a dynamic duo in the jewelry business with aspirations to enhance all of the customer’s special moments. Mamari Jewelers lives by their very own slogan, “Making Your Moments More Precious.” If you are celebrating a special time in your life, their team takes great pride in providing their customers with the jewelry they need to fulfill that special moment. “It’s not just the jewelry, it’s what it symbolizes,” said Rami Mamari. “It’s good when a jeweler is busy, because that means there’s a lot of happy moments.” Mamari Jewelers is a full service jewelry store that provides all different types of services to the Rockland County community. Some include custom jewelry design, on-site jewelry repair, watch repair, buying/selling precious metals, appraisals and more. They also provide a wide variety of products including GIA certified diamonds, engagement rings, wedding bands, fine designer jewelry and watches. They are official authorized retailers of well known brands like MICHELE, ORIS, TISSOT, MOVADO, ALOR, CHARRIOL, VICTORINOX SWISS ARMY, BULOVA, and BENCHMARK RINGS.
Rockland’s 17 County Legislative Districts Will Be Redrawn To Equalize The Population In The Districts Using Data From The 2020 Census New City, NY (June 3, 2022) - The Rockland County Legislature’s Special Committee for Redistricting will conduct public forums this month to outline the redistricting process and timeline, and to allow for public comment and community participation. Rockland’s 17 county legislative districts will be redrawn to equalize the population in the districts using data from the 2020 census. Redistricting occurs every 10 years following the results of the U.S. Census to reflect changes in population. Based on the 2010 census, each district was drawn to contain approximately 18,000 people. The 2020 census shows that each district must now contain approximately 19,918 people. Some significant disparities include a district that contains nearly 21 percent more people than the 19,918 number (24,089) and a district that contains about 13 percent fewer people than the 19.918 number (17,324). By reapportioning the districts to the 19,918 number, the people residing in the districts will be equally represented. “It’s simple – one person, one vote,” Legislator Michael Grant said. “Every person should have equal representation when it comes to voting and that is what reapportionment is all about. These forums will not only provide vital information to the public but give members of the public opportunities to make clear what is important to them as this process moves forward.” It is almost impossible to divide all districts equally, but the Rockland County Legislature has set a deviation target of 3 percent or less. This means, based on the 3 percent target, and in accordance with new state law, the population deviation between the most populated district and the least populated district can be no more than 597 people. Many aspects can be considered when drawing district boundaries, including keeping communities of interest together, something that can be based on similar social, cultural, ethnic, economic, religious or political interests and priorities. “We want to hear from residents about what they consider to be important to them and to their community,” Legislator Alden Wolfe said. “What criteria should be prioritized and so forth. We’re hoping to engage the public in the process so that we can create districts that not only contain equal numbers, but that make sense for communities throughout Rockland County.” Legislators Grant and Wolfe are co-chairmen of the Rockland County Legislature’s Special Committee for Redistricting. The other members are Harriet D. Cornell, Toney L. Earl, Lon M. Hofstein, Douglas J. Jobson, John W. McGowan, Aney Paul, Philip Soskin, Vincent D. Tyer, and Itamar J. Yeger. During a series of five public forums – one in each of Rockland’s five towns – a presentation will be made to outline the process and timeline involved in the redistricting effort. Public comment and community participation will be part of each forum. New district maps reflecting population changes between 2010 and 2020, as determined by the 2020 census, are expected to be completed in August/September, and will be available for public viewing and comment. “You can attend any of the forums, not just the one in your town.,” Legislature Chairman Jay Hood Jr. said. “We invite everyone, young and old, of all backgrounds and interests, to please attend and provide us with your input. It’s all about serving the needs of the public and we need the public to tell us their priorities.” In addition to the public forums, information about this evolving effort will be provided on a dedicated web page, via news releases, and on the Rockland County Legislature’s social media platforms. Here is the Forum Schedule: Town of Orangetown: 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 8 at Orangetown Town Hall, 26 Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg.
Scam Alert Orangetown has issued a warning to residents to stay on the lookout for Solar Panel Salesman falsely claiming an affiliation with the town government and has issued the following statement: Be advised that the Town of Orangetown does not have an agreement with SunRun for Solar, Arcadia or any other solar company, nor do they sanction door-to-door solicitations for the solar program. Should someone appear at your door claiming to be authorized by the Town, please contact the Orangetown Police Department at (845) 359-3700.
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