Senator Larkin Highlights Weekly Actions

Senator Larkin Visits CSX Train Derailment; Thanks First Responders

Orange County, NY - Senator Bill Larkin (R-C-I, 39th District) visited the scene of a CSX train derailment that took place in his district earlier this week.

“We were lucky that this derailment was not worse,” said Orange County Sheriff Carl DuBois.  “Federal, State and local agencies have been working together nonstop to investigate and clean up the wreckage.  I know it meant a lot to the first responders to see Senator Larkin on the scene just hours after the train derailment.  Simple acts, like saying thank you, go a long way for those putting in many hours away from their families.  Senator Larkin’s leadership in these moments is invaluable and his presence was appreciated by all.”

“When I heard what happened I made sure we left immediately after our legislative session in Albany,” said Senator Larkin.  “It was important to me that I saw firsthand what had taken place and personally offer any help to the agencies involved.”

Earlier this week a 77-car CSX train struck a telescopic boom whip that was crossing the tracks.  Three locomotives and 14 cars were derailed.  The train was traveling southbound through Newburgh at the time of the derailment.  The train was heading from Albany to Georgia when it struck the boom whip, which was in the middle of the tracks when the crossing gates came down.

Senator Larkin Joins NYS Department of Health Announcing Additional Site for Newburgh Biomonitoring Program

“I was pleased this week to join DOH in announcing a fourth testing site for Newburgh’s bio monitoring program,” said Senator Larkin.  “BioReference joins St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital, Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp in providing this essential service for our community.”

BioReference is located on 147 Lake Street in Newburgh and offers weekend hours. Residents seeking to participate in the blood-testing program can do so by calling 1-800-801-8092 to request a laboratory order. Once residents receive their lab order, they can take it to one of the participating community sites to have their blood drawn:

St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital
Newburgh Campus Laboratory
70 Dubois Street
Newburgh, NY
http://www.stlukescornwallhospital.org

Quest Diagnostics
347 Fullerton Ave
Newburgh, NY
http://www.questdiagnostics.com

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (LabCorp)
5 Hudson Valley Professional Plaza
Newburgh, NY
https://www.labcorp.com

BioReference Laboratories
147 Lake Street 
Newburgh, NY 
http://www.bioreference.com/thelaboratory

Senator Larkin Continues Fight to Help Local Government’s Save Money 

The New York State Senate this week approved legislation to ensure local governments could continue to save tax dollars on contract purchases.  The bill (S2947), eliminates the expiration of a law that currently allows local governments to save on costs by utilizing existing federal, state and local government agency contracts for the purchase of goods and services.

“This bill could be a huge win for our municipality,” said Village of Monroe Mayor Jim Purcell.  “As a local Mayor I can tell you that we are counting every single dollar as we put our budget together.  Every little bit helps and we thank Senator Larkin for his continued efforts in fighting to make sure we save money where we can.”

“We are continuing to work creatively to help our local municipalities during our State budget process,” said Senator Larkin.  “If we have a chance to save our taxpayers money we are going to take a look at it.”

This week Senator Larkin honored the following individuals and organizations for their outstanding service and accomplishments to their community:

J. 837 - Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of 88 Charles Street Café, Montgomery, New York
J. 877 - Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Boy Scout Troop 27, Newburgh, New York, on June 3, 2017
J. 878 - Commending Walden Savings Bank upon the occasion of celebrating its 145th Anniversary, Along with Walden Savings Bank, the Scott's Corners branch will commemorate its 15th Anniversary and the Middlehope branch will recognize its 10th Anniversary with a free community shred day
J. 918 - Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of a Civil Rights milestone (desegregation of the International Boilermakers Union)
J. 919 - Honoring the Haverstraw Brick Museum upon the occasion of its designation for special recognition by the Town of Haverstraw at its St. Patrick's Celebration