Latest news with #AnnualGala
Epoch Times
02-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Orange County Hits Fiscal High Note in Annual Address
Commentary Hey, Orange County! Last week, my staff and I put the finishing touches on the State of the County address, which I delivered on April 23. I'll start with that, but there's so much more going on around the county that I'm excited to share with you as well. I delivered the State of the County address to a packed auditorium at the Emergency Services Center on April 23. The address highlighted the work of the county's departments, including Finance, Community Development, DPW, Parks, County Attorney, Human Resources, Tourism, Emergency Services, and many more. I am so proud of my administration—from our great part-time and full-time county employees to department heads and deputies—for their continued dedication and hard work on behalf of Orange County residents. I am happy and proud to say that the Orange County government is a well-oiled machine, running efficiently and on all cylinders. During my address, I spoke about the many positive developments in the county that protect taxpayer dollars and contribute to our positive fiscal ratings. We have continued to simultaneously reduce the county property tax rate, lower county debt, and share sales tax revenues with our municipalities. This combination keeps our financial rating as one of the highest in New York state, and, per the state's Comptroller's Office, our fiscal stress score remains at zero. Our unemployment rate is lower than those of both the federal and state governments, and our tax base continues to grow. We're moving full speed ahead in a positive direction! Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus delivers the State of the County address on April 23, 2025. Courtesy of Rebecca Sheehan If you missed it live, you're in luck—you can watch the full address on YouTube here: Related Stories 4/29/2025 2/5/2025 In other news, it was a wonderful evening celebrating the world's most incredible scientists, pioneers, conservationists, astronauts, and more at the Annual Gala of The Explorers Club. I had an amazing opportunity to meet and see some truly inspiring people. There's a distinct and special relationship that Orange County, the Orange County Land Trust, and our conservation partners locally share with The Explorers Club. The passion to explore and protect the environment is alive and well! Stay tuned, there's more to come regarding our conservation efforts. Speaking of great encounters, I ran into Chef Robert Irvine, truly a full-circle moment! We first met six years ago in April 2019 in Iraq during his USO tour to support the troops. Fast forward to the present, we recreated our original photo, swapped challenge coins, and shared our continued appreciation for the armed forces. It's always inspiring to see celebrities take time to support those who serve. Great seeing you again, Chef! Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus with Chef Robert Irvine at West Point in New York. Courtesy of Rebecca Sheehan I also have some exciting news about the Maple Avenue School in Chester—it is now officially owned by Orange County. Many thanks to the Chester Union Free School District for working with us to make this happen. We have exciting plans for this building that will bring real benefits to our residents. Once again, I ask that you please stay tuned. Switching gears to the international front, I'm thrilled to announce that Orange County has officially entered a sister city partnership with Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. This agreement will strengthen ties through smart city innovation, economic and tech collaboration, and cultural and educational exchange. As your county executive, I'm proud to build global connections that create new opportunities and growth for our county. Another point of pride: At this year's New York State Information Technology Leadership Awards held recently in Albany, two outstanding members of the Orange County IT Department—Karen Norrell and William O'Connor—were honored for their leadership and contributions to technology. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and grateful for their dedication to serving our community. Congratulations, Karen and William! And last but certainly not least, on April 24, we celebrated Administrative Professionals Day, where we honored the incredible individuals who keep the Orange County government running smoothly every single day. From Social Services to Mental Health, Health, Aging, Probation, and the Youth Bureau, and every great department in between, the hard work, dedication, and attention to detail of the county's administrative professionals are noticed and appreciated! Enjoy the beautiful spring weather! I hope to see you soon, around the county!
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pedro Almodóvar Says Trump Will Go Down as ‘The Greatest Mistake of Our Time'
Pedro Almodóvar was on the fence about whether he should even come to the United States to accept his Chaplin Award in light of the actions the Trump administration has taken. The filmmaker behind 'Talk to Her' and 'The Room Next Door' used his victory as a chance to speak out against the sitting U.S. president during the Lincoln Center's Annual Gala on Monday night. 'I doubted if it was appropriate to come to a country ruled by a narcissistic authority, who doesn't respect human rights,' Almodóvar said during his acceptance speech. 'Trump and his friends, millionaires and oligarchs, can not convince us that the reality we are seeing with our own eyes is the opposite of what we are living, however much he may twist the words, claiming that they mean the opposite of what they do. Immigrants are not criminals. It was Russia that invaded Ukraine. Zelensky is not a dictator, Putin is.' The director and screenwriter also said that Hunter Schafer is a woman 'even if her passport says she is male.' Almodóvar then dedicated his award to Schafer, the 'thousands of deportees in recent weeks' and Harvard University before addressing Trump directly. 'Mr. Trump, I'm talking to you, and I hope that you hear what I'm going to say to you. You will go down in history as the greatest mistake of our time. Your naiveté is only comparable to your violence. You will go down in history as one of the greatest damages to humanity,' Almodóvar said. 'You will go down in history as a catastrophe.' Renamed after the beloved and iconic comedic actor and filmmaker, the Chaplin Award began in 1972 and honors some of the film industry's most notable talents. Previous recipients of the award have included Jeff Bridges, Viola Davis, Morgan Freeman and Meryl Streep. The post Pedro Almodóvar Says Trump Will Go Down as 'The Greatest Mistake of Our Time' appeared first on TheWrap.
