manor_ink_dec_2021_for_web

NEWS
MANOR INK | DEC. 2021 |
5
NEW SUPER Roger Decker, with 23 years of
experience as a heavy equipment operator,
was elected Town of Rockland Highway Superintendent
on Nov. 2. Provided photo
VIETNAMESE EATERY
NUMBER THREE Bà & Me opened mid-October in the back suite of 67 Main Street, serving
up a modern take on traditional Vietnamese food to-go. Nhi Mundy, the restaurant’s
proprietor, said, “All the food we prepare is fresh, healthy, and always made with love. We
care about what we put into it.” Mundy, a marketing art director, came to Sullivan County
after Hurricane Sandy in 2012. In an effort to connect to the community, she opened the
first Bà & Me in Callicoon in 2014. More locations followed in Mountaindale and Honesdale,
PA. Self taught, Mundy credits working with her mother in her restaurant growing up
as her culinary inspiration. Bà & Me is open from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, and noon to
5 p.m. on Sundays, with expanded hours coming next spring. Daniel Moreton photo
Decker ready to rock (salt) and roll
With big machines come big responsibilities
By Allison Froehlich
and Mya Ross | Manor Ink
Livingston Manor, NY – The race for
Town of Rockland Highway Superintendent
was hotly contested this year. When
the dust settled after the Nov. 2 election,
Roger Decker emerged as the clear winner.
Several weeks later, Manor Ink interviewed
the newly elected superintendent.
Roger Decker has worked as a heavy
equipment operator for the Town of Rockland
for 23 years, and has been a resident
for 25. His main duties as an operator included
digging ditches, plowing snow,
driving trucks and operating all manner
of large machines. When he steps into his
new position as highway superintendent,
his tasks will be very different, with many
changes for him.
Decker will now be responsible for helping
to manage the Highway Department’s
work crew, making sure they do their jobs
properly, ordering sand and salt for winter
conditions, making sure bills are paid,
ensuring town trucks are in good working
condition and coordinating flood emergency
responses. In addition, Decker will
need to go out early on winter mornings to
check roads to make sure school buses and
community members can get to school and
work safely.
Working in the office will be a learning
experience for the new superintendent, because
he hasn’t performed many of these
tasks before. Those include managing a
large team of employees. The Town of
Rockland Highway Department has 14 employees,
consisting of 12 crew members, a
secretary and Decker himself.
Decker said that the pandemic did not
cause a shortage of employees, although
‘I can´t do the job without my guys.
I depend on them a lot.’
Roger Decker
Town of Highland Highway Supt. elect
New owners for Morgan Outdoors
Livingston Manor, NY – Changes are
coming to the hamlet’s Morgan Outdoors
store, operated by Lisa Lyons. Lyons, who
has owned the shop for 17 years, is expanding
her horizons to focus on connecting
youth, seniors and those with barriers to
access to nature and outdoor recreation.
During the past years, Morgan Outdoors
has been not only a retail source for all
manner of clothing, footwear, books, and
hiking and camping equipment, but has
stocked an impressive selection of reading
and games for youngsters to help build
their appreciation of the outdoors.
The store itself is not going away – one
of the new owners has deep local roots and
runs Old Souls, a shop in Cold Spring, NY.
The new store, at the same location, will
continue to be an outdoor retailer in this
corner of the Catskill Park.
Lyons is looking forward to Morgan Outdoors’
17th holiday and winter season this
year and part of next, before her new location
opens in Hurleyville. She’s been a resident
for 28 years in this “small town with a
big backyard,” and has provided employment
experience and training to youngsters
for many years.
it did cause a few days of closure for the
department. When he does have to hire additional
workers, Decker is guided by their
experience. “It’s all about what they are applying
for and how they would do the job,”
he said.
The superintendent may make some small
changes in the department, but not many.
His main goal is to keep the town’s roads
safe while getting the department’s various
tasks done efficiently. He is also big on the
safety of his employees. “I look forward to
being able to serve the public and serve my
guys,” Decker said. “I can´t do the job without
my guys. I depend on them a lot.”
In winter, the highway crew takes care
of about 120 miles of road, not including
main roads. They are responsible for plowing
snow, salting and sanding, and fixing
washed out roads after floods. During the
summer, Decker indicated that they fix
winter road damage, mow the shoulders of
roads and fix broken equipment.
Roger Decker said that though he is a bit
nervous about becoming the new highway
superintendent, he also very excited about
the job. He takes the office officially on Jan. 1.
FAVORITE SHOP Morgan Outdoors will
continue to be an outdoor retailer, but will
transition to new ownership following the
holidays. Manor Ink file photo