November 28, 2005
by Dylan Skriloff
The general attitude of people in America and Rockland County has returned to the complacency of September 10, 2001, Rockland County Sheriff James Kralik told a crowd of over 100 RBA members at the November general membership luncheon.
Kralik told the crowd gathered at Rockland Country Club, that he has maintained his vigilance in protecting Rockland from terrorist threats. More still needs to be done, he said, including the creation of a small squad of officers specifically trained in counter-terrorism. The County has already created the R.E.A.C.T. bomb squad, a Rockland County task force.
Kralik also cited the lack of security at hotels as a problem in the County. He noted Israel’s policy of checking all bags that go into a hotel and after-hours shipping to major shopping plazas. Kralik asked that businesspeople do their part in being vigilant, including reporting any unusual purchases to the proper authorities.
During Q&A, Howard Reiss of Hudson Valley DataNet asked Kralik what could be done about the Indian Point situation. Kralik said flatly that it was time to close the plant down, but did point out that it had not killed anyone and was considered sturdy against a terrorist threat such as a bomb or downed airliner. If anything ever did happen however, Kralik said there isn’t much that could be done, but Rockland authorities would be willing to stay and do the best they could.
Kralik also noted an interesting statistic. In the last 24 years, just over 2,000 American troops have been killed overseas, over 3,700 cops have been killed in the homeland and over 1,000,000 have died on the roads and highways. Pretty amazing, Kralik said.
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Samuels, RBA Honor Armed Forces
The luncheon took place on the 230th anniversary of the Marine Corps. The RBA used the occasion to honor Marine Staff Sergeant (and RBA member) Jeff Sherman, who recently returned from active duty in Iraq. Also honored was Sherman’s boss Larry Weiss, President of Atlantic Business Systems, for ensuring a job was there for him when he got home. The RBA also recognized Army reservist Lt. Col. Michael Diederich, who also returned from a tour of duty in Iraq.
Samuels invited Diederich to a year of free membership meetings to help him get his law practice up and moving. Samuels talked about the war on terror and the need for citizens to be vigilant, citing the terror attacks in Jordan the previous day as evidence of that need.
Other News From Annual Luncheon: New Terms for Board Members Officially Approved
Eric Dranoff, Carolyn Fish, Linda Fitzpatrick, Michael Hochman, Richard Kohlhausen, Burt Steinberg and Dr. Cliff L. Wood were all voted to three year terms. Dave Heinrich, Richard Struck, Thomas Condon and Dr. Dodge Watkins will be retiring.
The slate of Officers for 2006 are Howard Hellman, Chairman, Hector May, Vice Chairman, Burt Steinberg, Vice Chairman, Harold Peterson, Treasurer and Gregg Kroner, Secretary.
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Kralik Addresses Terror Threat at Annual Luncheon
Samuels, RBA Honors Armed Forces
New Terms for Board Members Approved
Archived Stories
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