Volume 1, Issue 2
Table of Contents

Cover Story:
Putting All The Pieces Together
County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef keeps Rockland in his sights as he looks ahead to the Governor's race.

Feature Story:
Everybody's Going Downtown
What four of the county's villages are doing to encourage economic development.

Feature Story:
The Expo's Coming!
Annual Business-to-Business event partners RBA with Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce.

DEPARTMENTS:

Economics Roundup
• What's Your Investment Behavior?
• Taxes and Long-Term Care Insurance

Business Roundup
• HVCFI Accepting Applicants
• The Fine Art of Advertising

Retail Round-Up
• It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
• New in Town

Ask the Expert
• Human Resources
• Legal Matters
• Workplace Hotline
• Information Technology

Invest in Your Community
• Make-A-Wish Foundation
• JCC-Y of Rockland's Capital Campaign
• Other News

Odds & Ends
• From The Publishers
• PR Patter
• Reaching Out to Small Business
• Rockland Joins the Empire
• Big News for Local Small Businesses

Dedicated Section:
Rockland Business Association:

The President’s Desk
Empire Zone designation, grant programs drive new opportunities for business.

The Investor Hotline
Avoid these three common mistakes

RBA Happenings
• Other News
• Committee and Council Info
• Calendar of Events
• New Members

What are some of the common mistakes made by individual investors?
Here are three to keep in mind:

How can you make sure you have enough money on hand for emergencies?
No one expects to lose their job or become ill, but it can happen, and the financial repercussions can be lasting. A prudent strategy is to keep enough money in a separate account to cover living expenses for up to six months. Once your emergency plan is in place, you're ready to set up a regular investment plan for your future.

Are you at risk from keeping too little invested in stocks?
Many people don't have enough of their money invested in stocks and related investments. That's unfortunate. While stocks do go up and down, history has shown that they perform well over time. According to Ibbotson Associates, over the period from November 1926 through 2004, compound annual growth rates have been as follows: Small-Company Stocks 12.9%, Large-Company Stocks 10.4%, Long-Term Government Bonds 5.4%, Treasury Bills 3.7%, Inflation 3.1%. Past Performance is not indicative of future results.

How can you avoid paying too much in taxes?
Millions of Americans can cut their tax bill each year if they take the time to consider their choices. Here's how you can cut yours: Contribute as much as possible to your company offered retirement plan. There are many plans available for small businesses as well as the more widely known 401(k) and 403 (b) plans. You may be eligible for a tax deduction on the contribution, and your earnings will grow tax¬-deferred. Also think about putting money in municipal bonds and annuities. Annuities generate tax-¬deferred earnings. (However, be aware that withdrawals from an annuity before age 59? may incur ordinary income tax plus a 10% tax penalty.) Municipal bonds pay tax free interest. RBD

Provided by Gregg Kroner, courtesy of the Kroner Investment Group of Wachovia Securities, New City NY. For more information, please call their office at (845) 639-7227.

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The accuracy and completeness of this material are not guaranteed. The opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of Wachovia Securities or its affiliates. The material is distributed solely for information purposes and is not a solicitation of an offer to buy any security or instrument or to participate in any trading strategy.