We began planning for this growth in 2001, recognizing that the role of the association would have to be adjusted to accommodate the demands of a larger, more diverse membership. We created the Women's Forum, Consultant's Council and Small Business Council as semi-autonomous groups under the RBA umbrella. With this type of structure, our members have greater control over the role of their particular group. Thanks to people like Linda Fitzpatrick, Rich Syrek, Brian Walsh, Steve Powell, Peter DeLisser and Peter Wade these units have made an indelible place for themselves within the RBA. As a result, in 2005, we will launch two new groups in the areas of technology and hospitality.
We have partnered with Gevity to expand the educational workshops provided by the Consultant's Council. We helped spearhead the Business Council's "Vote For Jobs" initiative, which monitored the voting record of all State legislators on 21 issues of importance to the business community. Access to the results of that effort are available on the RBA homepage www.rocklandbusiness.org. And, we introduced the Pinnacle Awards program to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of our members. Congratulations, again, to Howard Hellman, Dr. L. John Durney, Abbey Ice & Spring Water, A & T Healthcare, DHS Systems and Rockland Family Shelter for being the first to be honored.
With a growing membership we have gained a bigger voice in legislative matters. Last year, we issued our first Memorandum in Opposition to legislation introduced in Albany. You'll recall, that legislation would have added a 2% transfer tax to all real property transactions, with the proceeds dedicated to open space acquisition. We had the Business Council and the NYS Association of Realtors as colleagues in this initiative.
We also joined with a small group of colleagues in the Chamber Alliance in assisting Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno fight the imposition of yet another unfunded healthcare mandate on small business. And, in Rockland, we worked with Legislator David Fried to enact the Small Business Stimulus Act. It is important to note that we were successful in all these initiatives.
We also answered a request from our neighbors in Orange County to help maintain the presence of the 105th Airlift Wing at Stewart Airport. We continue to be the strongest voice for a one-seat, dual-track rail link with Manhattan. Our years of advocacy for a competitive broadband infrastructure in Rockland, finally is being realized. Verizon is performing a major system upgrade in the County and, this month, Hudson Valley DataNet begins its push in Rockland. We have a terrific relationship with Anthony Campagiorni and the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp.; a growing relationship with the Hudson Valley International Trade Association and, this month, we are a first-time sponsor of the Chamber Alliance's Annual Legislative and Leadership Conference in Albany.
We also have renewed our commitment to our not-for-profit community. Carolyn Fish, Executive Director, Rockland Family Shelter, has joined our Board and we were a supporter of the Shelter's Domestic Violence and the Workforce presentation. Also, we represent the business community on the County's Healthy Marriage Initiative, the Stop F.E.A.R. Coalition's DELTA Project; the Waste Wise and the Water Wise Committees and the Workforce Investment Board. And, our involvement in the NYS Senate's NextGen Task Force led to Rockland becoming part of Excell-NY, the program "designed to spur job growth in the highly sought after high technology and biotechnology fields."
Your association is INVOLVED. It is looking out for your interests and the interests of the broader community in a myriad of ways. It couldn't be done without your support. Your membership does make a difference. Thank you for making 2004 a BANNER YEAR.
— Al Samuels
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