August 2010 Prospective Member Breakfast
New members and RBA Ambassadors at Prospective Member Breakfast

Left to Right: Mitchell Cohen, PuroClean; RBA Ambassador Gary Lipton, Esq;
Lori Simon, B.A.D. Company; RBA Ambassadors Fran Reinstein, KeyBank and
Bob Salmon, H&S Sales; Yehen Wijedora, Idatapro |

A lighter moment at the Prospective Member Breakfast
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ROCKLAND'S FIELD OF DREAMS
by Al Samuels
We've lost the Empire Zone program. Our Tourism Department is under fire. We're still burdened by the MTA Payroll Tax. We're facing consolidations by some of our largest employers.
We need a shot in the arm. We need something positive we can point to that says, "Hey, that Rockland County's got something pretty darn good going for it." We need a Field of Dreams.
And, guess what? We're getting it. It's the Rockland Ballpark project in Ramapo and the independent, expansion CanAm League team that will begin play in June 2011.
This one project is a shot in the arm for ecomomic development, tourism and a public relations/image message that will say Rockland is "special."
Burt Steinberg, RBA Chair, and I had a luncheon meeting with Ken Lehner and Shawn Reilly, two of the teams owners, at Marcello's Ristorante in Suffern, and came away with a feeling of enthusiasm and support for this effort. To begin with, there are local construction workers already on-the-job at the stadium site. And, more will be employed as the work on the structure begins. Next, there will be approximately 75 full-time jobs and a like number of part-time jobs once play begins.
The project will feature seven unique group/picnic areas, a sports bar and the opportunity for local college and high school teams to use the ballpark. In addition, special events and concerts will be scheduled. This facility will become a focal point of new tourism activity. It will bring new dollars to Rockland and will be a new quality of life selling point when our colleagues at the Rocklkand Economic Development Corp. talk to businesses about relocating to our county.
See you at the ballpark in 2011.
(In the accompanying photo, Marcello Rusadivito, center, gave a tour of his restaurant, to include his Studio, where he conducts classes, to Shawn Reilly, Al Samuels, Ken Lehner and Burt Steinberg.) |
Business Council members optimistic despite frustration with state government
Despite overwhelming frustration with state government and a difficult economic climate, employers who responded to a Business Council survey were optimistic about economic recovery.
“Although they have dealt with a difficult recession and a hostile business environment in New York, our members believe their businesses will grow and their bottom lines will improve over the next 18 months,” said Kenneth Adams, president and CEO of The Business Council of New York State, Inc. "They are not reaching for any champagne yet, but they see economic improvement ahead in 2011," he added.
The electronic survey which was conducted in June and July asked Business Council members about the economic climate they have faced in the past six months and their outlook over the next six months and the next 12 to 18 months.
President's Note: The RBA is a member of the Business Council and participated in this survey
Revenue
In past six months 30 percent said they saw an increase in revenue, while 40 percent saw a decline.
In the next 6 months 41 percent said they expected their revenues to increase, while 20 percent thought they would decrease.
In the next 12 to 18 months 59 percent said they expect their revenues to increase, while 15 percent thought they would decrease.
Employment
In the past 6 months 48 percent said that they kept their workforce the same, while 31 percent said they reduced their workforce.
In the next 6 months 60 percent plan to keep their workforce the same, while 27 percent plan an increase.
In the next 12 to 18 months 51 percent plan to keep their workforce same, while 40 percent plan an increase.
Satisfaction with state government
Despite these optimistic findings the respondents also show an enormous frustration with state government.
Asked if they are satisfied with the way state government is operating: 87 percent said no; 13 percent were somewhat dissatisfied; zero percent were satisfied.
A troubling finding is that 79 percent said they have seen an increase state regulatory activities costing their company more in fees, fines or penalties.
The Council surveyed approximately 3,000 members electronically. The respondents were broadly representative of the Council's membership in terms of size, type of business and location, and cross-tabulations found that the issue rankings were broadly consistent regardless of the size or type of company represented in responses. More information on the survey is available here. |
Upgrade to Crowne Plaza

Mark Goldstein (center) emphasises a point about the coming conversion of the Holiday Inn in Suffern to an upscale Crowne Plaza Hotel, with a focus on meetings and events.
Goldstein is a Principal of Empire Executive Inn, which has purchased the facility and is embarking on a multi-million dollar upgrade that will bring major change to the facility. He is explaining the plans to Joan Neumann and Al Samuels, RBA VP, Administration and President/CEO, respectively.
A major renovation is planned for the lobby area. The swimming pool will be filled-in and replaced with gardens, a Coy Pond and a new, open bar area. The lobby-area staircases will be removed, providing for a larger, more open environment.
There will be new meeting rooms and Board Rooms and the Grand Ballroom will be upgraded with new ceilings, lighting and carpeting.
Goldstein was particularly proud of the new high-end, food service that will be available. "People told us they wanted better food and we're going to give it to them," he noted.
Renovations will begin soon and the hotel will be closed after the first of the year, with a Grand Opening slated for March, 2011. When completed, the new Crowne Plaza will feature 130 upscale guest rooms.
The RBA already has booked its April, 2011 General Membership Luncheon at the hotel.
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Hospitality & Tourism Alliance

(pictures l to r) Judge David Freed; Roger Scheiber, RBA, VP Development; Greg Parseghian, General Manager, Best Western Nyack on Hudson and Tsilla Flint, Director, Comfort Inn & Suites
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Topic: Temporary Shelter for Domestic Violence Cases
Spring Valley Village Justice, David Freed, came to the RBA Hospitality/Tourism Alliance to discuss a court related problem relative to finding temporary shelter for certain domestic violence cases and to work out something with local hotels.
Four hotels were represented at this July 23rd meeting: Hilton Garden Inn; Hampton Inn; Best Western Nyack on Hudson and Comfort Inn & Suites.
They all agreed to participate. |
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Al Samuels, RBA President/CEO;
Bob Cohen, Candidate for NYS Senate, 37th Senatorial District; Jeffrey Keahon; Jan Degenshein, Architect |

Michael Orsino, District President, KeyBank
sponsored this event |

Paul Trader, Chairman,
Institute for Non-Profits
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"Here's looking at you"
Roger Scheiber, RBA,
Vice President Development
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Public Policy Institute’s “Unique New York” tracks state’s economic performance
New York is a leader in high taxes and spending but lags the nation in most economic growth categories. That is the finding of "Unique New York", a new service of the Public Policy Institute of New York State (PPI), the research affiliate of The Business Council of New York State, Inc.
"Unique New York" is available here. It tracks 21 standard indicators of economic performance. Unfortunately, in most metrics New York State's performance is dismal.
"The message is clear -- New York must reduce spending and lower taxes to become competitive and allow the economy to create jobs," said Kenneth Adams, president and CEO of The Business Council of New York State. "Upstate New York has been especially hard hit by Albany's misguided tax and spend policies."
Personal income growth in upstate, defined as all counties outside the MTA region, lags all states but Ohio and Michigan.
Population growth upstate ranks behind all states and the District of Columbia.
But in virtually every measure of taxing and spending New York is among the highest. For example: State and Local Personal Income Tax Per-Capita (US Rank: 1); Cost of Electricity (US Rank: 2); State and Local Spending Per-Capita (US Rank: 4).
The Business Council has shared these findings in a letter to state legislators available here.
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Healthcare Stories
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New York is in crisis. Our government is on the brink of a shutdown due to the legislature’s inability to pass a budget on time, yet Albany continues to ignore the calls for fiscal reform. We cannot afford to wait any longer. It is time for them to hear our message loud and clear.
For this reason, Enough Already NY has launched “Five to Survive” which is a list of five basic concepts that we believe will help bring New York back to fiscal health again. Now, we need your help to demand that all legislators adopt these principles and to help make New York affordable again.
Five to Survive - How to Rebuild NY's Economy
EnoughAlreadyNY.org believes the following five reforms are essential for putting New York back on the path to economic sustainability and growth:
1. Cap Property Taxes
2. Cap State Spending
3. Reduce the Tax Burden
4. Reform Public Employee Pensions
5. Limit Government Borrowing
Visit our website at EnoughAlreadyNY.org and learn more about each issue in the “Five to Survive.”
For more information about Enough Already NY and how you can get involved, please contact us at enoughalreadyny@bcnys.org.
Enough Already NY – Where Politics and the Economy Meet
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General Membership Luncheon
Thursday
September 16, 2010
Sheraton Mahwah Hotel
One International Boulevard
Mahwah, NJ
11:30 am - 2:00 pm
(extended time)
Speaker: Margaret Moree
Director Federal Affairs,
Business Council of NYS
Topic: Translating Federal Healthcare Reform
Sponsor:
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B-to-B EXPO
October 7, 2010

Reserve Your Booth Now
Sponsorship Opportunities
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NYS Business
Council
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