Airmont residents' suit against proposed
yeshiva to resume

Jan. 4, 2009 "A lawsuit by a neighborhood association opposing a settlement
between the village and developers of a yeshiva will be back on track next month.
Until late November, the lawsuit by the Hillside Avenue Preservation Association sat
on a judicial back burner as a federal appeals court weighed arguments brought by the
village against the same settlement and yeshiva plan." Journal story here.

Bob Baird's Top Stories of 2008

Jan. 1, 2009 The Journal columnist lists the following as the top local
stories in 2008:
A Surprise Verdict (Martinez found not guilty in fragging trial.)
Shocker in Sloatsburg (Ex Asst. DA, Beth Modica, guilty of sex with teens.)
Another hit for Karben (Ex Assemblyman Karben guilty of DWI.)
Bridging the decades (TZ Bridge becomes major headache in its 53rd year.)
Mirant (Power company pulls tax plug on North Rockland.)
Just Call 1-866-FRAUD (Gregg Brie of Pomona rips off two dozen people for more than $2 million.)
Death at Summit Park (90-year-old nun dies after being struck by falling closet.)
Another Brinks ruling (Supreme Court refuses to hear an appeal for a new trial from Judith Clark.)
Read the column here.

Documentary available from Penn State University
For images, description and link to the trailer click here.

Rockland grassroots group plans additional relief
for storm-ravaged Haiti

December 23, 2008 "A small grass-roots coalition that recently returned from
a relief mission to Haiti is already planning its next efforts to aid the hurricane-ravaged
nation, even as a massive, months-old state relief effort remains to be completed."
Story here.

Let the fine fit the crime

December 23, 2008 Preserve Ramapo Chairman Robert Rhodes compares the fines
levied against the sponsors of the annual Kapparot ceremony and Rockland County
Sewer District 1. Seems the Sewer District gets its tickets punched at
a different counter. Letter to The Journal here.

Getting no charge out of utility bills

December 22, 2008 A Monsey resident writes, "It's difficult to determine these
days in a confusing economy whether we who are compelled to be customers
of the local utility companies are in fact consumers or victims." The bad news
made apparent in Rabbi Muschel's letter will only be compounded by the increase
in water bills that will approach a factor of 10X when the company starts delivering
Hudson River water to our homes from its proposed filtration plant in Haverstraw.
Read the letter here.

New York State budget proposal draws complaints--even
from the Governor

December 21, 2008 "Even Paterson in recent days has taken to being critical of his own
budget, saying Friday in a radio interview on WOR-AM radio in New York City that 'I can't
believe that I became governor and I'm cutting education like this.' But Paterson said he
has no choice but to slash education funding by about 3 percent statewide and limit growth
in health-care spending. He said he also needed to seek to impose a variety of fees and taxes,
on such items as music downloads, cable television and even movie tickets." The effect
on the embattled local school districts will likely be devastating. Story here.

Karben agrees to plea--sentenced to a sleepover

December 11, 2008 The court case had reached jury selection when Ryan Karben
pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of driving while impaired by alcohol. He was
given a two-day jail sentence and a fine. Taken to the Rockland County Jail last
night at about 10pm, he was reported released by 8 am this morning. "His attorney,
Kenneth Gribetz, said that under the law, people who serve a portion of a day receive
credit for the entire day. 'There was no special treatment given to him,' Gribetz said.
'He's fully served. He's completed his sentence.' Prosecutor Kevin Gilleece said this morning
that he was not aware Karben had gotten out." Journal story here.

School board debate over Lime Kiln closing produces
many questions

December 11, 2008 "The questions ranged from why schools Superintendent Ira Oustatcher
was recommending closing a school at all since savings would be minimal, to why school capacity
figures varied by more than 100 students on different scenarios presented by the administration
and a demographer, even though the numbers referred to the same schools." Story here.

Spring Valley responds to HUD's critical review of
its Section 8 office

December 11, 2008 "HUD investigators found severe deficiencies, including inadequate,
undertrained staffing, failure to maintain documents correctly and securely, failure to
issue housing vouchers to needy individuals as well as unauthorized spending to the tune
of about $560,000." Journal story here.

Many disagree with Lime Kiln closing

December 9, 2008 "I am very disappointed with Sunday's article, "Ramapo school braces
for end," about the closing of Lime Kiln Elementary. It was 974 words long, but only a single
community voice against the plan was mentioned. More than 600 people who came to the
two public forums that were held in November opposed it almost unanimously. Not mentioned!"
Read full text of Steve White's letter here.

Democrats for Change Emerge as Largest
Voting Bloc at County Reorganization Meeting

December 5, 2008  The reorganization meeting for the Rockland
County Democratic Party was finally held last night at the Clarkstown
Town Hall. Over the three-hours plus, the reform faction within
the Ramapo Democratic Party presented their case for change and
then defeated the St. Lawrence/Schoenberger Machine faction in
a head-to-head contest over the viability of Chairman Monte's future.
Story and background on the legal fight here.

Oustatcher recommends closing
Lime Kiln School

December 4, 2008 "East Ramapo will do without Lime
Kiln School next year but gain a full-day kindergarten
program under a plan proposed by Schools Superintendent
Ira Oustatcher. The plan, the result of months of discussions and three public forums,
was presented to the Board of Education at a meeting last night that drew nearly 250
people. The board took no action, but will debate the recommendation over the
next month." Story here. Click on photo above for larger image of school and property.

Update: Lime Kiln Elementary School braces for end

December 7, 2008 "We're hanging in," said Principal Lori Lowe-Stokes, who has been at
the school for five years as principal and served two years there as an assistant principal.
"We're going to celebrate Lime Kiln until they close the doors in June, if, indeed, they do."
Journal News follow-up story here.

Rockland Democrats organize tomorrow--
Will Ramapo's racket politics prevail?

December 3, 2008  Led by those who lost their committee seats in the fall
election, and following the directions of the party bosses Christopher St.
Lawrence and Ilan Schoenberger, it's expected that the Ramapo Machine Democrats
will seek Vince Monte's imprimatur for their illegal machinations. (More)

Legislator Joe Meyers on the County Budget Meeting Tuesday

Read the letter in which Legislator Meyers explains the planned hike in taxes and his
alternate proposals.

Journal News Editorial--Building codes are there
for a reason

Nov. 29, 2008  "This week, a fire at a Kaser synagogue once again turned up a slew of violations,
from bars on second-story windows to a lack of smoke detectors and sprinklers. Building and health
codes are hardly rules made up just to cite for fines - these are well-thought-out measures that save lives.
"Every one of these statutes has dead bodies" traced to them, Rockland Emergency Services director
Gordon Wren Jr. told the Editorial Board. A rash of building and health code violations turning up during a fire is
hardly an isolated occurrence. . . In 2007, Hillcrest Fire Department threatened to stop covering the Village of
New Square because of the imminent danger their volunteers faced fighting fires amid building and safety violations.
Real danger lurks for a firefighter faced with a home carved up, rebuilt, changed without following building codes:
Turning a corner to find a wall where a hallway was anticipated, having to beat back flames fed by materials
stored in an illegal home business. To those who believe such problems are limited to pockets of heavily populated
Ramapo, think again." Read entire editorial here.

Three assail county's budget review

Nov. 30, 2008 "Three freshman county legislators want deeper and more strategic
spending cuts as the vote to adopt the 2009 county budget nears. Rockland Legislators
Joseph Meyers, D-Airmont; Jacques Michel, D-Spring Valley; and Frank Sparaco, R-Valley
Cottage, also expressed concern about the budget's accuracy and criticized the overall
budget review process. Story here.

Orange & Rockland wants to hike gas delivery charge

Nov. 29, 2008 "The company yesterday said it would ask the state Public Service Commission
to approve a rate increase that would allow O&R to collect about $12.5 million
more in annual revenue. The company's proposed increase would be applied just
to the delivery of natural gas, not the cost of the gas itself, which is an additional
charge." Story here.

Discrimination lawsuit against Spring Valley
to head to mediation

Nov. 28, 2008 "A $6.5 million federal civil rights case alleging the village board improperly
denied a commuter bus company a special permit due to bias against the Orthodox
Jewish owners is likely to head to mediation soon. The plaintiffs, operators of the Monsey
Trails bus company, filed a lawsuit in March in U.S. District Court in White Plains in
which they asked a federal judge to order the village to grant the permit and to pay millions
in compensatory and punitive damages." Journal story here.

Ramapo officials should be responsive

Nov.24, 2008  A letter to The Journal News complains about the 5% pay raise
that the Ramapo town board and supervisor voted for themselves. Letter here.

Suffern wants quarry details

Nov. 24, 2008  "Village Attorney Terry Rice said last week that Suffern was concerned
over what Tilcon was planning to do to the property, which it donated to the town of
Ramapo in 2006 for parkland and flood-control purposes.The town has since sold the
64 acres to a condominium developer, Quarry Ridge LLC, which is making plans for
about 500 residential units on 25 acres of the property. 'It's unfortunate that no one
has discussed the issues with the village where the property is located,' Rice said."
Complete Journal story here.

Tilcon: Ramapo's plan to sell
quarry to developer violates
terms of original agreement

Nov. 19, 2008  "When the agreement was
signed, Tilcon assumed that the town intended
to use the property only for parkland and flood
control, the latter by diverting water from the
Mahwah River to the quarry pit. Then in June,
the Ramapo Town Board agreed to sell the property
to Quarry Ridge, which has proposed building nearly 500 condominiums on 25 acres of the 64-acre
site between Lafayette Avenue and the Thruway." Read the Journal story along with comments
from James Hyer and Robert Rhodes, who are suing the Town over its attempt to sell the property,
the letter from Tilcon's attorney, and photos--all here.

Airmont denied dismissal of religious discrimination case

Nov. 18, 2008 "In its 2005 lawsuit, the government charged that Airmont's prohibition
against dormitories specifically discriminated against Congregation Mischknois Lavier Yakov
and its plans for a boys' school on 19 acres off Hillside Avenue. 'Members of the congregation
believe that it is essential for these boys to live, study and pray in the same place,' the
Department of Justice stated, 'in order to minimize outside influences and to intensify the
religious learning experience.'" The proposed buildings would have living space for
more than 1,000 residents in what is now a rural setting of single-family residences on a
narrow road. Journal story here.

Water tower targets Hillcrest, New Square

Nov. 17, 2008 Ordered by the Public Service Commission to upgrade service, United
Water has installed a new water tank off Summit Park Road in New Hempstead.
The area had experienced dangerously low water pressure from its hydrants and
brown water in the supply lines to homes during summer months. Story here.

Ramapo's version of "Trickle down" economics

Nov. 12, 2008  In a September 30 Press Release, the Town of Ramapo claimed
a significant reduction to Highway "A" Fund and Highway "B" Fund (total $1.1
million in savings). In a news story today, the villages have been told that they
will be absorbing a 9% increase for Town-provided highway services. The Town
will be paying less and the villages more for the same snow removal and repairs.
Anyone else think this would be a good time for a complete, independent audit
of the services billed to the 8 villages? Airmont Mayor Dennis Kay asked for an
itemized bill and he's still waiting for Ramapo to get back to him with one. 
Maybe the villages could make that a complete, independent, forensic audit? Read
Jim Walsh's "Ramapo villages bristle as highway costs rise 9%."

Suffern urban renewal hearing scheduled for January

Nov. 12, 2008  "Villagers will get a look at a revised urban renewal condominium
plan in January." The controversial changes include a six-floor building with
about 100 units and possible eminent domain seizures. "The village board
plans to form a committee, including some of its members, residents and
members of the Planning Board, to review builders' proposals." Complete
Journal coverage here.

Toxins still in ground on West Street

Nov. 10, 2008 "The Department of Environmental Conservation is preparing to sample
soil gas in two businesses and six homes near the former COSCO manufacturing facility at
15 West St. in Spring Valley. The action comes after the agency revisited the COSCO
site and found that the soil gas contained several contaminants, including trichloroethene,
or TCE, and tetrachloroethene, or PCE. The TCE was used by COSCO, which shut in the
late 1990s, as a vapor degreaser and discharged in rinse water into a stream, the DEC
said." Complete Journal coverage here.

Democracy missing at the Democratic Committee Meeting

Nov. 5, 2008  "I wish that our politicians in Ramapo could play fair and straight with the
voters. Unfortunately, wishing doesn't make it so. I am thankful for the opportunity to
participate first-hand in the political process in Rockland County and more specifically in
Ramapo politics. I am learning so much about who and what separates us in this community."
Read the full text of the letter to the Journal here.

October 30, 2008 Back on Sept. 9, the voters in Ramapo
handed over the majority in the Ramapo Democratic
Committee to a reform group calling themselves Ramapo
Democrats for Change. In a third reorganizational meeting
held last night, there was only one way Supervisor St. Lawrence
and his supporters could have any hope to at least claim (until the
courts decide) that control of the committee should belong to the minority—by breaking state election laws,
trampling on their own committee rules, and stepping over the expressed will of the electorate. They did all three.
At the opening of the meeting, when County Legislator Joseph Meyers and the reformer group’s attorney
stood to raise their legal objections to the meeting, St. Lawrence and a number of town employees
began yelling from the side, "Throw them out!" There was no question who was in charge of the assault
on the rights of the Ramapo voters last night. (Complete coverage)

St. Lawrence and board appoint Yitzchok Ullman to
fill vacancy--Time for an ethics check?

October 28, 2008 Last night at the Ramapo Town Board Meeting, Supervisor St.
Lawrence and his board appointed the administrator of Monsey Park Home for
Adults to replace Itamar Yeger on the board. Yeger announced his retirement a
few days after the deadline that would have given the public the right to vote
on a replacement (see "Voter Suppression in Ramapo"). A second candidate who
had gathered considerable support, James Hyer, received no votes from the
Board. (More)

Ramapo record on
'Open Space'
stirs questions

October 27, 2008 For years, Ramapo Supervisor
Christopher St. Lawrence and town attorney Michael
Klein have assured us that the open space he has been
buying will never be developed. Preserve Ramapo has suggested that St. Lawrence is not to
be trusted and asked why he has refused to dedicate this property as parkland, a simple process
requiring only a formal resolution by the Ramapo Town Board. (More)

October 22, 2008 Last week, The Journal News
reported that Christopher St. Lawrence and his board
were interviewing three candidates for the position
on the Ramapo Town Board left vacant by Itamar Yeger’s
resignation. Almost sounds like an open and reasonable process,
until you look into the details. (More)

JN: Ramapo Town Board seat draws candidates--
Preserve Ramapo endorses James Hyer for position

Oct. 21, 2008 "A newly formed Ramapo Democratic Committee will be interviewing
prospective candidates to fill a vacant Town Board seat.The Sunday night meeting at
Suffern's Village Hall will provide time for candidates to speak to the committee and answer
questions from the audience. Committee Chairman Joseph Meyers said yesterday that he
expects a decision to be made that night, and the committee's recommendation forwarded
to the Town Board in time for its meeting on Monday." Journal story here.
Read Preserve Ramapo Press Release Endorsing James Hyer for Board Position here.

Questions about the "Old Dems" loyalty
to the party

Oct. 19, 2008 In the middle of the most momentous and dramatic presidential
election in modern memory, the Ramapo Democratic Machine has been strangely
silent. Is it possible that they are afraid of upsetting their own political base
by supporting the Obama-Biden team? Read Bob Frankl's letter to The Journal here.

The Meyers/Preserve Ramapo lawsuit over sale
of open space property gets new judge

Oct. 18, 2008  "A lawsuit over the town's sale of the former Tilcon New York quarry
to a developer went before a new judge. A Town Board resolution earlier that year
stated the property could be used for purposes including flood control, open space
preservation and parkland. On March 18, Ramapo advertised in the Rockland County
Times for proposals from prospective buyers of the quarry." Journal coverage here.

Hundreds attend forum to discuss
sale of East Ramapo school
buildings

Oct. 17, 2008 A crowd estimated at 300 filed into the Chestnut
Ridge Middle School auditorium last night to listen to a presentation
about the possible future sales of one or two schools in the system. The school board’s
Long Range Planning Committee said they were there to listen to the parents, students,
teachers and residents. Seven or eight of the 36-member committee were present. (More)

Ramapo considers yeshiva impact

Oct. 17, 2008  "The town Planning Board on Nov. 5 will review potential environmental
impacts of a proposed new yeshiva near Pomona that would replace one that has operated
illegally in a single-family house. The Bobover Yeshiva of Monsey proposes a three-floor building
for up to 250 students. The yeshiva continues to operate in a single-family house at 609 Route 306,
despite being cited for violations of town and state building codes since opening a year ago.'The
expected growth to 250 students,' wrote John Lange of Frederick P. Clark Associates, 'presents a
relatively dense development which is out of character with the surrounding neighborhood.'" The
complete Journal coverage here.

Study will ID Rockland watersheds to address drainage

October 10, 2008 "The county plans to launch a major new study to determine the
location of all watersheds in Rockland, an effort it hopes will lead to addressing drainage
and flooding problems. A watershed is basically a basin and when changes are made to
that basin, problems can occur. Many flooding problems in Rockland are the result of
having too much ground surface covered by such impervious materials as concrete and
asphalt. Impervious surfaces include streets, sidewalks, roofs, driveways, parking lots
and patios - all of which have sprouted up around Rockland in recent decades as more
and more housing units and shopping centers have been built." Complete JN story here.

Spring Valley must repay $560,000 to the federal
government for misuse of Section 8 funds

October 8, 2008 "The Village will have to repay $560,000 to the federal government
because it misused Section 8 funding. A comprehensive review also found tenants'
files contained errors and that the village had failed to use the majority of its low-
income housing vouchers. The village also failed to adequately maintain accounting
records. The village must repay that figure with non-federal funds, HUD said." Journal
coverage here. There is also a separate criminal investigation that is ongoing by
the Inspector General's Office of HUD.

Journal News follow-up editorial "Hurting for Housing" can be read here. In the
piece, the editor once again calls on Mayor Darden to get his act together.

"I'd like to see all of them dead,
starting with Jacques Michel"

October 6, 2008  A criminal complaint has been
filed against Spring Valley trustee Demeza Delhomme
for alleged threats and threatening actions taken against
newly elected Democratic Committee members
from the Ramapo Democrats for Change who have
recently won a majority on the Committee in Ramapo.
The threats were said to be directed at individuals and family
members, and Delhomme represented himself as a member of the Democratic
machine warning one Committee Member, "I know where you live and so
do the St. Lawrence people." Story and all documents here.

Robert Rhodes' comments on the story that appeared on LoHud.

Ramapo Dems acting undemocratic

October 6, 2008 "The defeated Ramapo Democratic machine has already refused
to participate in two reorganization meetings that would have tested its ability
to outvote the Ramapo Democrats for Change. ("Ramapo Democrats for Change
meet again," Sept. 26.) The first was at the Nyack Seaport after the county meeting
to which all committeemen in the county had been given notice. The second was the
meeting at the Spring Valley Cultural Arts Center. The machine had scheduled the meeting
and then had successfully asked the Appellate Court to order the meeting. Then it cancelled
the meeting at the last minute." (More)

Suffern board unlikely to reduce project's height

October 6, 2008 "It appears unlikely the village board will accept its planners' recommendation
to reduce the height of condominiums to four stories in a proposed urban renewal project. Four
votes on the village board are needed to overcome the Planning Board's opinion, and as of last
week that majority was in place. Only Trustee John Meehan supported the planners' recommendation
for the Orange Avenue project. "I felt the Planning Board came up with a fairly decent compromise,"
Meehan said. "The people didn't like the idea of six stories, they didn't like the density." Full story here.

East Ramapo takes notes from public on
cutting a school

Sept. 30, 2008 "East Ramapo schools may look different next year, if plans to
reconfigure grades or close a building or two are put in place. In order to enlarge
a debate on building use that so far has been mostly in-house, the district will hold
two open forums to get ideas from residents Oct. 16 and 28." The first forum is
Oct. 16 at 7:30 at Chestnut Ridge Middle School, the second is Oct. 28 at 7pm at
Pomona Middle School. Journal story here.

Airmont, Montebello shape new master plans

Sept. 30, 2008 "With the aim of giving the commission breathing space, the
Montebello board is expected to enact a moratorium on accepting new construction
plans for review. A draft of the resolution, which is scheduled to go before the board
Oct. 15, stated that the moratorium was not intended to extend beyond May 1." Journal
story here.

Ramapo Democrats for Change resume court battle

Sept. 30, 2008  "The Appellate Division made its decision (to lift the restraining order)
without hearing oral arguments from us," James Hyer, the attorney for the insurgent
group led by Joseph Meyers." Read today's legal update here, and comments from
the online commentators and a letter writer to the paper on the term "insurgents."  

United Water says it will build Hudson River treatment
plant in Haverstraw

Sept. 30, 2008  "United Water New York said yesterday that it would build its permanent
Hudson River water treatment plant on a section of a former landfill in Haverstraw town.
A variety of pollutants, including some known to cause cancer, have previously been
detected in the salty river. United Water would have to show it can remove the material
to a safe level before it could serve the water to people." One estimate claims the cost
of the treated water will be ten times the current winter rate for customers. Journal
story here.

Rockland sixth worst in the entire  nation for property tax bills

Sept. 27, 2008 In a recent national survey, Rockland County was exposed as one of the top ten worst
localities in the country based on the oppressive property tax burden. The median tax bill for all others
in the nation is $1,838 while Rocklanders pay a painful $7,535. With several hundred million needed to
repair the sewers in Rockland County Sewer District #1 (includes the new processing plant gift for
developers in Western Ramapo and DEC's mandated repairs), and building continuing at an accelerating
rate in Ramapo, don't expect the situation to improve any time soon. (More) 
 

 Ramapo Democrats for Change Call for
 a "YouTube Thursday" for Upcoming Meeting

Sept. 23, 2008 The Reform Democrats have asked those attending Thursday's meeting to
bring a videocam, digital camera with video, or just charge their cell phones to
record the entire meeting--from beneath the marquis outside on the sidewalk to every
motion and vote inside the theater. All irregularities and illegalities will be posted as
soon as possible on YouTube, and several other sites, with links and emails sent to the
State Democratic Committee and other officials.

Chaos in Ramapo

Sept. 21, 2008 In an editorial, The Journal News writes, "A bitter battle for control
of the Ramapo Town Democratic Committee in the Sept. 9 primary election continues
to grow more contentious, and even upended the Rockland County Democratic Committee
organizational meeting Wednesday night. The stakes are high for the Ramapo Democrats.
The Sept. 9 election tipped the town committee to the Democrats for Change side, with
the margin 165-125, according to [Legislator Joseph] Meyers’ latest numbers. But there are
up to 32 vacant seats in play." The vacancies are filled, by tradition, by the majority
winners in the election. Full text here.

Ramapo Democrats
for Change elect new
slate of party officials

Sept. 18, 2008 Asked the same question,
"Have you ever seen anything like this?," a
reporter with long experience, a political
activist whose career ranges over decades,
and two ex-mayors all had the same answer,
"No." The breadth of the reform movement that won a strong majority in the election
for the Democrats for Change was enthusiastically represented by 300+ attending
the County Committee meeting last night. The meeting began with a refusal by
Democratic Chair, Vincent Monte, to follow party rules and ended with a new
profile for the Ramapo Democratic Party. Read the Journal story here.
               Election Results are here.
 

The Way to Steal an Election

September 16, 2008 "The Ramapo Democrats for Change won a majority of Ramapo
town committee seats in the Sept. 9 primary, taking control 167 to 127. As the majority,
they say they are entitled to fill 26 remaining vacant seats and to name the new leadership
of the Ramapo committee." The reformers hope to elect an entirely new slate of officers
at a Ramapo caucus to be held at the beginning of the County Democratic Committee meeting
Wednesday (9/17). Larry Toole, brother-in-law of one of the Machine's two czars (Christopher
St. Lawrence), is the outgoing Ramapo Chairman, having lost his committee seat in the election.
Toole has announced an illegal Ramapo Committee meeting for Sept. 25 that would take place
in a much less public setting, away from the other town supervisors and their constituents. The
meeting is illegal because the rules require that this reorganization meeting take place before
the county meeting which is tomorrow. Read today's Journal coverage here and if you would
like a close-up look of Democracy either in action, or failing, here in Rockland, the meeting is
at the Nyack Seaport, 21  Burd Street, Nyack, tomorrow night at 7:30. It is a public meeting.

Latest mismanagement of Ramapo Police by
Supervisor St. Lawrence

September 16, 2008  First there was the situation where "a young Ramapo officer
was publicly excoriated by Town Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence for ordering
a Hasidic Jewish woman, being booked on a fraud charge, to take off her wig." What
followed was a St. Lawrence public apology to the officer. Now, "Ramapo Officer
Ernst Tenemille, who has sought a work schedule that would permit him to observe
his Sabbath as a Seventh-Day Adventist, has found his request stalled on technicalities.
Now he faces more paperwork and a Police Commission hearing to explain his needs.
None of that happened when Ramapo's first Orthodox police officer earlier this year
was granted Friday night through Saturday off, to accommodate her religious obligations."
A Journal editorial asks, "Why the different treatment?" Full text here.

Newly elected Ramapo Democratic Committee to meet
Wednesday to elect officers and fill vacancies

Sept. 12, 2008  The Ramapo Democratic Committee will likely display a new
approach to local politics when it meets this Wednesday at the Nyack Seaport.
The committee now contains a majority of reform candidates who will caucus
at the County Committee meeting. The Ramapo group will elect officers, fill the
28 vacancies, and vote on the adoption of rules. This town-level reorganization
meeting was supposed to be announced 10 days prior to the county meeting, but
the incumbents did not schedule it. Here is the letter that was sent to all the
Ramapo Committee members. 

Machine Democrats in Ramapo still in denial

Sept. 11, 2008 "The town Democratic committee has shifted toward a reform
movement that toppled a long-entrenched establishment in Tuesday's election.
Losers for seats on the county committee included Laurence O. Toole, the acting
party chairman and a brother-in-law of Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence. The
insurgents, who called themselves Ramapo Democrats for Change, claimed 167
seats on the committee, while their opposition took about 127, according to figures
of the county Board of Elections." Complete Journal story here. Details of the
election results here.

Scale of Suffern's urban renewal plan may be curtailed

Sept. 11, 2008 "The scale of the village's urban renewal plan for part of Orange Avenue
could be dramatically reduced and eminent-domain powers eliminated if the village
board agrees with a resolution approved last night by the Planning Board. The elimination
of two sections of the proposed condominium project, leaving only the part closest to
Lafayette Avenue, was offered to the Planning Board at the outset of its meeting by
Deputy Mayor Dagan LaCorte." Journal story here.

RCC report finds water, mold problems at Brucker Hall

Sept. 11, 2008 "A 233-page report on environmental concerns at Rockland Community
College's Brucker Hall was released yesterday, detailing high levels of mold and bacteria
in certain areas but confirming no immediate danger in the building. "Although the building
can be occupied to conduct business, there are concerns about the unit ventilators and water
intrusion that need to be addressed," the report by environmental consulting firm Colden
Corp. stated." Journal story here.

Ramapo Democrats for Change
Kicks over the Political Machine

Sept 9, 2008 There were 294 committee positions up for grabs
in the Primary Election, and the reform group took a total of
166 seats to 131 for the entrenched machine. There are still
28 more open positions, but because these are given to the
winners to fill, the final majority that the Ramapo Democrats for Change have won
this election day is a solid 194-131. The 60% to 40% victory assures a new direction
for the Democratic Party in Ramapo. Rockland Legislator Joe Meyers told those
celebrating in a gathering in Airmont that, "This is the rebirth of the Democratic Party
in Ramapo. Now the people will have a voice in a Democratic Party that respects the
environment and expects sane planning. A party that represents all diverse groups
within the town." Preserve Ramapo sees this as a watershed moment in Ramapo Politics
that has run so far off the tracks. Also visit www.ramapodemocratsforchange.com. 

Complete Election Results--Candidates and Final Numbers--here
 

Click on image for St. Lawrence's
midnight victory speech

The ZBA, the cops, and the Supervisor

Two homes replaced with 42, political fraud, and the machine
boss makes promises to his base--connecting the dots.

Sept. 2, 2008 The notice for the public hearing first appeared
on West Central Avenue on a cold, rainy Thursday in February.
In fact, it was February 14, Valentine’s Day. The laminated
12 by 18-inch signs were bound to trees with blue tape. What
was unusual about these notices was the middle section below the
heading: VARIANCE REQUESTED OR OTHER REASONS FOR
HEARING. A large block of text, 27 lines, followed, itemizing
not just a single variance, but a list of 50 variances. The list
was too long for anyone to stand in the cold rain and read all
the way through, in fact, it was almost too long to fit on the large
poster. Fifty variances—there was no way any board would allow
that many violations of the zoning rules, no way. (More)
 

Preserve Ramapo sues Supervisor and board
over broken pledge to protect open space

August 28, 2008 Preserve Ramapo warned the residents
last year that St. Lawrence and his board had formally dedicated only
one of the open space properties, the one that surrounds St. Lawrence's
home, and that all the rest were vulnerable and could be sold to
developers. At the time, St. Lawrence and his attorney Michael Klein
were "shocked and dismayed" at the accusation. St. Lawrence said
of our warning, "This is utter nonsense." Less than one year later, the
two have overcome their indignation and entered into a contract with
developer Jeffrey Goldstein to sell item number 16 on their list of "Open Space, Parkland and Historic
Preservation"--the Tilcon Quarry. Goldstein wants to build 440 condos on the property that had been gifted to the
people of Ramapo by Tilcon. Wednesday morning, Robert Rhodes, Chairman of Preserve Ramapo, was joined
by Legislator Joseph Meyers and attorney James Hyer as they filed a Supreme Court lawsuit to prevent the sale of
the open space property. More.

SOS site offers info on coalition's efforts
to oppose Suffern overdevelopment

August 28, 2008 On its new website, the Stop Overbuilding Suffern coalition explains,
"The SOS Coalition is not against development in Suffern. We are dedicated to a reasonable and
sustainable approach to development which does not rely on the use of Eminent Domain for private
development. We urge everyone to read the plan for themselves and understand the issues at hand
and underlying negative impacts a plan of this scale will have on our Town, our Village and our lives." You
can read the documents at the SOS website.

Journal News: Town must formally dedicate Liberty
Rock as protected parkland

August 23, 2008 "Ramapo's decision to purchase 55 acres in Sloatsburg,
including what's known as Liberty Rock, has the elements of smart decision-making.
Now, though, one more step needs to be taken: Ramapo Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence
must set forth in formal documents that the purchase will be dedicated as parkland." In the editorial
Attorney Michael Klein once again claims that all of the open space and parkland properties are already
protected even though developer Jeff Goldstein has a firm offer in his hands from the Town allowing him
to purchase the Quarry (item number 16 on the Town's official Open Space and Parkland list). Read the
editorial here and the details of the lies surrounding the sale of open space by the town here.

August 22, 2008 What do you do when you’re running
behind and time is running short. Well, Isaac Lebovits was
in a position where he could not squeeze another drop out
of the stone—the objections were exhausted and the machine
Democrats were more than a dozen down a few weeks before
their Sept. 9 Primary contest with the Ramapo Democrats for Change. As the saying goes, desperate
times require desperate measures, so Mr. Lebovits took a trip to political "deadland" to look for an
opportunity among the mummified remains of election districts done in by recent redistricting. More.

Tapping Hudson no substitute
for planning

August 22, 2008  "Responsible planning must
be based on real information, not propaganda
provided by interested parties. Unfortunately,
United Water, working closely with the Rockland
Business Association, is doing its best to mislead
the citizens of Rockland." Read the full text of
Robert Rhodes' letter to The Journal News
here.
You can also read Rhodes' July Testimony at
the Public Hearing on the Proposed United Water
Experimental Treatment Plant.

NY Assembly passes 'circuit breaker' tax relief,
but remains divided on Senate plan

August 21, 2008  "New York's Assembly passed its "circuit breaker" proposal meant
to provide property tax relief to many homeowners statewide, but the legislators
remained divided on the tax cap plan supported by the Senate and Gov. David Paterson."
Story and editorial on the circuit-breaker and cap relief plans here.

Journal News: United Water needs to be
watched more closely

August 19, 2008  "The cause of last year's over-release, United Water has said,
was a broken valve. Because of it, there was no way to gauge what was being
sent out, was the company line. Yet, that valve had been malfunctioning for 18
months. The extra release was only discovered when county hydrologist Dan Miller
observed that the West Nyack reservoir was low and investigated. It wasn't from
United Water's self-regulation." Read the entire editorial here.

United Water fined $10G for sending
too much water to New Jersey

August 14, 2008  "The DEC ruled in February that United Water had exceeded the
release limits set by a state-issued permit. The company is required to release 9.75
million gallons of water per day in the stream above the intake valves of the Nyack
village Water Department. The DEC determined that United Water exceeded its permit
limits by 231 million gallons between June 1, 2007, and Sept. 22, 2007." Story here.

Ramapo growth drains nature

August 13, 2008 "The pattern of overdevelopment in Ramapo is ecologically unsound,
leading to abuse and disregard for our natural resources. If continued, what will be
left for future generations?" Read the entire letter here.

Who gets to define 'true Democrat'?

August 12, 2008 "It is outrageous that Town of Ramapo Supervisor Christopher St.
Lawrence would publicly state that challengers to his position are not "true Democrats"
and are attempting "to hijack the Democratic party," as stated in Thursday's article, "Upstarts
plotting political takeover." I do not believe, as Mr. St. Lawrence appears to, that only
those who agree with the supervisor's actions can participate. Mr. St. Lawrence, this is
America, not a dictatorship and it is counter to Democratic beliefs for one person to control
politics and squash dissent." Full text of the letter here.

Ramapo petition drive not a plot

August 10, 2008 "As a candidate for the Democratic Committee in the Town of
Ramapo - as reported in the Thursday article, "Upstarts plotting political takeover"--I
strongly object to the term "plotting." Read Steve White's letter to the Journal here.

Supervisor St. Lawrence and his Board
are sued by worker

August 8, 2008  The Journal News reports today that the
supervisor and Town Board are being sued in federal
court by a former employee charging that he was
disciplined for refusing to post a four-foot by eight-foot
St. Lawrence campaign sign on his lawn. Tim Cronin's
lawyer explained, "We're suing over the violation of his
First Amendment right to take whatever position he wanted in a political
race." We reported on this in an extensive story titled "The Awful Price of
Independence in Ramapo." You can read that story here, and check today's update
in the Journal here.

Public hearing on Suffern's Orange Ave. urban
renewal plan will continues at Sept. meeting

August 5, 2008  "The Planning Board will resume its public hearing on the project at 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 10. It follows the three-hour session Wednesday during which residents aired concerns
over property condemnation, traffic congestion and population density that might result from
the construction of up to 315 condominiums. When the hearing concludes, the Planning Board
will offer an opinion to the village board on zone changes needed for the project." Journal
coverage here.

Karben DWI trial may move to Orangetown

August 5, 2008  "A justice hearing Ryan Karben's misdemeanor drunken-driving charge
will consider a request to transfer the case from South Nyack to Orangetown. Judge Mascola
is expected to rule on the issue within days. A pretrial hearing in the case has been set for Sept. 19."
Since abruptly resigning his position as State Assemblyman, Karben was hired as an attorney for
Spring Valley and Suffern and does political consulting and private legal work. Journal story here.

Rockland Sewer District #1 Processing Plant
Fails DEC evaluation

August 2, 2008  "The state Department of Environmental Conservation will issue an
"unsatisfactory" rating to a Rockland sewer plant that has been the source of foul odors,
the agency said. Meanwhile, Rockland County Sewer District No. 1 hopes to convince the
county Legislature to amend a contract Tuesday so 1.35 million gallons of sludge can be removed
from the district's plant in Orangeburg." This is the plant that Vice Chairman of the Sewer
Commission, Christopher St. Lawrence, has said has absolutely no problems with capacity. But
then, he has also denied the 3.4 million gallons of raw sewage spills last year, has claimed the
Upper Saddle River clean waters act lawsuit is history, and has lined up taxpayers to pay the
$50 million repair bill demanded in the DEC consent order and the $175 million processing
plant in Western Ramapo, so welcomed by developers (who will not be paying a dime for the favor).
Journal story on plant's "failure to effectively treat the sewage coming into the facility" here.

August 1, 2008 It’s not just a dump, it’s a Superfund
Cleanup Site. That puts it in the major leagues of
dangerous landfills. The N.Y. State Department of
Environmental Conservation will continue to monitor
the site for 20 more years to make sure poisonous
leachate doesn’t run into the groundwater. It’s 86
capped acres of fermenting garbage that has to be
vented so methane buildup doesn’t one day blow it all over the Torne Valley. And now it’s
being seriously considered as a future site for 650 living units. Once again, a really bad smell
leads back to Town Hall in the form of a damp money trail. (More)

Suffern residents assail urban renewal plan

July 31, 2008  "The village's Orange Avenue urban renewal plan was assailed last night
by some residents who raised concerns about population density, potential traffic jams
and the unfairness of eminent domain. The Planning Board also was told to consider the
overall impact of multiple housing development projects totaling more than 1,400 units
already proposed in and around the village. 'People didn't move here from Queens or Brooklyn
to live in another Queens or Brooklyn,' said David Stedge, who foresaw an eventual need for
more schools." Journal story here.

Terrible sewage odor in Orangetown neighborhoods

July 30, 2008 Tax money keeps flowing in large quantities through Rockland Sewer
District #1's pipes. In Western Ramapo, $175 million will be invested in a "toilet to tap"
processing plant that has developers climbing over each other in the Sloatsburg/Suffern
area; the DEC has ordered repairs that Sterns Wheeler say will begin at $50 million; and
now at the Orangetown end of the system there's a year-long problem that has resisted
repair and fouled neighborhoods around the processing plant. "It's almost every day since
spring," [resident] Sandra Ostrom said. "The bad thing is it gets in the house and you can't
get it out of the house. There are days when I'd like to have the windows and doors open,
but you just can't. There are days it makes me sick." Journal coverage here.

State environmental committee to hold water
meeting in Rockland

July 29, 2008 "The Assembly's Committee on Environmental Conservation will focus
on the protection of water quality and aquatic resources when it convenes at 2 p.m.
Aug. 6 in the Allison-Parris County Office Building, 11 New Hempstead Road in New City.
Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee, D-Suffern, said she requested the meeting be held in Rockland
because the county is grappling with a variety of water issues." Journal coverage here.

United Water to Ratepayers,
Haverstraw, and the DEC:
You're all Irrelevant

July 27, 2008  The mailing arrived Saturday and
it featured the decision (corporate, obviously rather
than environmental) by United Water concerning the future of water in Rockland.
"After a careful study of the local environment, the community and water treatment
processes, we have determined that a water treatment plant on the Hudson
River would be the best choice." More.

Study warns: Raw sewage makes swimming in
the Hudson hazardous

July 25, 2008  United Water plans to have us all drinking from the River by
about 2015. Because the corporation is not worried about PCBs, radioactive
leaks, and legacy pollutants, the new report by Riverkeeper and Lamont-Doherty
Earth Observatory pointing out that "discharges of raw sewage can make
swimming in the Hudson River potentially hazardous" will likely not phase them.
If carcinogenic chemicals don't deter you, what's someone peeing in the water fountain?
Raw sewage, however, often contains chemicals along with the waste, as well as
contagious elements from every household and hospital with residents who are ill.
"The sampling [from the recent study] showed that even days after a storm, some places
along the Hudson still showed high levels of pathogens--biological agents that cause
illness and disease." Journal article here. Lamont-Doherty article "Is the Hudson
Swimmable?" here.

RCC mold study to be completed next month--
Legislator Meyers says process needs more light

July 24, 2008  The consulting firm Colden Corp. examined Brucker Hall and Academic II
for conditions that could be a threat to the health of employees and students. Their report
might be ready next month. "County Legislator Joseph Meyers, D-Airmont, and two women
who formerly worked at Brucker said they disliked how the investigation was going. 'I just
feel that they're not opening up the process,' Meyers said. He said the local union and county
Health Department hadn't been included in the process, and the study's scope wasn't provided
to him, even after several requests." Journal coverage here.

Drinking Water: Public utility or private enterprise?

July 24, 2008  "United Water wants Haverstraw to approve a pilot desalination
[and purification] plant without scrutiny under the State Environmental Quality Review
Act - in anticipation of later building a full-scale multi-million-dollar facility that would
draw from the Hudson River. Water is a necessity of life. Should private enterprise
control our wallets and our water faucets?" Read the full text of the Community View here.

Ramapo zoning board approves condos for
almost 1,000 residents near Auntie El's in Sloatsburg

July 24, 2008 Sloatsburg Trustee Brian Nugent was stifled in his attempt to get information
from Ramapo through a Freedom of Information Act request, and the Ramapo Hills development
now passes to the Planning Board. This is project number 9 in a list of 14 aimed at the
Sloatsburg area, all of which will add 14,000+ new residences in the area. See chart
of the proposed growth here, and the Journal article about the ZBA decision here.

One full month after announcing sale of Tilcon Quarry
St. Lawrence decides to sit down with Suffern

July 22, 2008  "Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence said he would attend a
village Board of Trustees meeting next month to explain the town's sale of the former
Tilcon quarry. His appearance at the Aug. 4 Suffern meeting was urged by Trustee John
Meehan, who, during a July 7 village board meeting, called St. Lawrence's behavior
'absolutely unacceptable.' " What's more unacceptable is the fact that the Quarry is
an Open Space parcel that was supposed to be protected. It was sold to a developer
who is a serious political backer, having cut the third largest check to St. Lawrence's campaign--
just behind the number two donor, Michael Tauber, the developer who brought the RLUIPA
lawsuit against Pomona. Developer Goldstein, of Arco Management, wants to build 440 units
on the quarry site. St. Lawrence has offered a bonus for even higher-density development.
The current proposed number of units will increase Suffern's overall population by 10%-15%.
Journal coverage here. Details on the announced sale here.

O&R granted 9% rate increase over three years:
St. Lawrence approves--Vanderhoef balks at hike

 July 18, 2008 "The PSC approved an increase of about 3 percent for each of the
next three years after holding public hearings and conducting negotiations with
interested parties, including Rockland County and the town of Ramapo. Ramapo
Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence signed off on the final version of the plan,
while County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef did not, citing poor timing in the
face of a challenging economy. St. Lawrence has praised the plan." The rate hike
kicks in in two weeks (Aug 1) in the month with the highest usage of the year.
Complete Journal News coverage here.

Jaffee Co-Sponsors "Circuit-Breaker" Bill

July 18, 2008 "The circuit-breaker bill (A01575B/S1053B) is a first step toward
urgently needed property tax reduction. While the circuit-breaker bill will
provide significant relief to Rockland taxpayers, property tax reform requires
a multifaceted approach." Read the full text of the Assemblywoman's letter here.

Why is United Water
Ducking an Environ-
mental Impact Study
for its Pilot Water-
Treatment Plant?

Coverage of the Haverstraw
Town Board meeting here.

Do You Really Want to Drink
Hudson River Water?

July 12, 2008 "United Water New York's
proposal to build a reverse osmosis desalinization
and filtration plant to supply Rockland County with
drinking water from the Hudson River leaves many
with a bad taste in their mouths and concerns about
the quality of our drinking water, how the plant
will affect the ecosystem of the river, the
increased development it will bring on land - and at
what costs?" Read George Potanovic's Community
View here and please attend the public hearing Monday.


          Photo  George Potanovic, Jr.

DEC demands United Water test site plans

July 12, 2008 "The state environmental agency has ordered United Water New
York to submit detailed plans for its Hudson River water treatment plant so the
agency can determine whether an environmental review is required. In a letter
dated Monday, the state Department of Environmental Conservation informed
United Water that a third party had provided the agency with a copy of the company's
application for a special permit from the town of Haverstraw." Journal story here.

Politicians: It's property taxes, stupid

July 10, 2008  "Gov. David Paterson, Assembly Speaker Sheldon
Silver and former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno agree
that property taxes are seriously threatening to drive homeowners
out of their houses. But they couldn't agree to do anything about it."
Read Irv Feiner's Community View here.
 

Embattled Pomona to celebrate 40th

July 9, 2008 "The village will celebrate its 40th anniversary Sunday,
coinciding with its second annual music festival and craft fair. The
village was formed Feb. 3, 1967, to 'fulfill the vision of a close-knit
community vested in their rural roots.'" Currently, the village has about 3,000 residents
in one of the more bucolic corners of Ramapo--a corner that is threatened by an
urban explosion of upwards of 10,000 residents on the Tartikof and Patrick Farm
projects. Journal story here.  

Rockland hires firm to test
for toxic mold at RCC

July 8, 2008  "Colden Corp., a national consulting
firm, was hired to examine some campus facilities
where health and safety concerns have been raised.
The review will include Brucker Hall, the 171-year-old
administrative building where many of the worker
complaints have originated." Journal story here.

Ramapo Hills developer takes second crack at
zoning variances

July 7, 2008  "A developer seeking to build 263 condominiums will ask approval for a second
time from the town's Zoning Board of Appeals. The Ramapo Hills development by Baker
Residential Limited Partnership of Pleasantville is proposed off Route 17, just south of Sloatsburg."
The builder needs a super-majority vote to overcome objections to the project by the County.
The Journal story is here.

"A Fed Bear is a Dead Bear"

July 7, 2008 On the day before Independence Day,
Bob Rhodes took these photos of a young bear
that was wandering the neighborhood. He describes
what he saw and offers some old advice to those who
would want to protect these animals and the neighbors as well. (More) 

Robert Rhodes Announces
Preserve Ramapo Plans to
Sue Ramapo over Sale of
Quarry to Builder

July 3, 2008 "We believe this sale is illegal.
A municipality is not allowed to give gifts to
private parties. The fact that the developer is a generous contributor to St. Lawrence’s
election campaigns does not give him the right to accept gifts from the town of Ramapo."
The Chairman of Preserve Ramapo explained that they are in the process of researching
the sale and gathering documents for the action. (More)

Lower Hudson Sierra Club
looks at United Water's solution
for Rockland's Water Crisis

July 3, 2008 "At a recent public meeting with
William Janeway, director of NYSDEC (Dept. of
Environmental Conservation), Region 3, United
Water's proposal [to use the Hudson as a source
of drinking water] raised many more questions
than it provided answers. A long list of questions
asked by the public and environmental activists
painted a skeptical view about potential health
impacts, sustainability, and the indirect costs to
ratepayers and all residents of the lower Hudson
Valley." You can read the entire article by George Potanovic, Jr.--it is on the front
page of the recent issue of Terra Firma available as a PDF here.

Property taxes may dominate
state elections

July 3, 2008 "The state Legislature left the Capitol last week
without addressing the state's soaring property taxes, but the
issue remains the hot topic as lawmakers headed back to their
districts to seek re-election. The demand from voters and special-
interest groups to deal with the state's high tax burden is putting
increasing pressure on legislators - desperate to retain their jobs
after November - to do something about it… Yet the tax cap has
its opponents: in particular, powerful teacher unions who fear a
cap would limit school spending. Union support and money will be
critical for candidates in competitive races this year. The Working Families Party countered
the business groups' efforts and started its own website Monday, www.taxcutnow.org, which
instead promotes tying property taxes to income - called a circuit-breaker." Full text of the
article here and visit the Working Families taxcutnow website to calculate your situation.

United Water finds temporary solution

July 2, 2008  United Water is still running behind, trying to catch up to the need created by
developers who are dropping plans like leaves all over Ramapo, with some projects adding a
thousand or more residents at a time. The utility announced yesterday it has found three sources
to temporarily fill the dangerous gap. It was ordered to do so by the Public Service Commission.
And yet the assumption persists that builders have the right to continue covering the valleys and hills,
and residents are required to subsidize their projects with skyrocketing costs in the hundreds of
millions to expand the sewer system, and water rates that in the near future will be unmatched
throughout the state. Unmatched because United Water has decided the only way out, long-term,
is to process Hudson River water. Journal story here.  

Rockland budget hearing turns into forum on mold issue

July 2, 2008 "The county Legislature's public hearing on the $57.4 million proposed Rockland Community
College budget was overshadowed yesterday by conversation about the possibility of toxins at the campus.
Kevin Plunkett, the White Plains attorney hired by the county for issues related to the mold controversy,
told the crowd yesterday that the county has agreed to hire Colden Corp., a Philadelphia-based consulting
firm that specializes on occupational health and safety, to analyze the college. Legislature Chairwoman
Harriet Cornell, D-West Nyack, said there would be another hearing held on the mold issue once the
findings from Colden are released." Complete Journal coverage here.

Double-dipping in Ramapo

Item from the Ramapo Town Board report: "Retain the law firm of Stolzer and Greene of Washington,
D.C., to assist the town's special counsel, Holland and Knight of Manhattan, to defend the town against
a lawsuit by Chestnut Ridge, Montebello, Pomona and Wesley Hills in opposition to zoning for adult student
housing. Stolzer and Greene will be paid up to $25,000." The notice serves as a galling reminder for those
living in the villages rightfully suing the Town over its unfair gift of ASH zones to certain developers
that they are also paying out of the other pocket for Ramapo's defense of the indefensible.

Art event Thursday

Artists from Haiti are in Rockland this week for an
expo and sale of their works at the parking lot of the
International Food Mart on Route 59 in Spring Valley on
Thursday July 3 from 10 AM to 6PM.

East Ramapo parent floats petition to keep district from
renting out school space

June 27, 2008 Upset that an entire floor of classrooms at the Elmwood School would be rented out during the
upcoming school year and suspicious that the deal would be quietly settled after school was out for the
summer, Peggy Hatton showed up at Margett's school with this petition in hand. She had checked with
the Ramapo police the night before and knew what the procedure was to legally perform her appeal
to the parents who would be showing up for one of the last days of school. The Principal apparently
did not have the same understanding of parent's free-speech rights, and she called the cops to have
Peggy removed. The Police showed up, but not to stop the parent gathering signatures on the sidewalk--
rather, they went inside to talk to the principal. Later, a strange comment was given to the Journal News reporter by
"Superintendent Ira Oustatcher [who] said the district was in negotiations to rent out the bottom floor,
and that any information about the deal--including who would be renting it--could jeopardize it." Not much of
a civics lesson for the kids, either from the principal or the superintendent. Journal story here. 
 

RLUIPA Law Was Passed Anonymously

June 25, 2008  Harvey Sigal of Suffern points out an amazing fact about the RLUIPA legislation
that is currently being used by developers in Ramapo to eliminate all zoning restrictions--the
bill was passed anonymously, creating a "no-names no-blame" cover for our legislators. Read
the Community View here.

Victims of toxic mold at RCC
denied chance to speak at County
Legislature committee meeting

June 26, 2008 "Imagine going to work, feeling like
you have the worst flu of your life for a YEAR PLUS,
having your hands and face/mouth go numb the minute
you walk into the office, having your mouth taste like
sheetrock/dust, picking up your phone and realizing you
don't know your home # anymore - or the name of the
woman you say good morning to every day for nearly
2 years - you know it is in your brain - but you can't find
it. That was my existence every day. Today, I can't walk up a hill or stairs without gasping for air. I have
a handicap permit for my car. I carry an inhaler to breathe. It won't get better - in fact, it will likely
just get worse over time." This is part of Melissa Gluckmann's story that was not heard because Legislator
Philip Soskin shut down public comment after speaking to the County's attorney. (More)

Ramapo Water Tariff Reaches First Stage

June 25, 2008 It was reported in today's Journal that United Water New York "is preparing to
test various water-treatment methods as it seeks to tap the Hudson River to supply Rockland
County's homes and businesses." United Water's dishonesty and Ramapo's shortsightedness is
now going to cost all of us. (More)

Pomona sends comments and corrections to Ramapo
related to environmental review for Patrick Farm

June 25, 2008  In a letter sent yesterday, Mayor Sanderson addressed a number of
problems in the Ramapo Scoping document that outlines the environmental issues to
be studied before the Patrick Farm development can begin. Items include: "The document
proposes one environmental review for three distinctly separate actions, which is incorrect; the
physical setting is Rural (non-farm), not Suburban-Residential; the number of parking spaces
listed should be at least tripled; and the population number is grossly understated." Understating
the impact on the Scoping Document and environmental review makes approval that much
easier for the developer. Both the full letter and Scoping document here.

DA's welfare fraud sweep nets 43

June 24, 2008 "This administration is dedicated to pursuing fraud," District Attorney
Thomas Zugibe said yesterday. 'This investigation was very complex, intensive and
expensive. We want the money back, stolen from taxpayers.' Zugibe said his office
would demand that everyone who is convicted repay the money stolen. He said that
any requests for prison or jail sentences would be determined on a case-by-case basis
when prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Maria DeSimone. The investigation
produced the first major welfare fraud arrests in a decade across Rockland, authorities said."
Complete Journal News story with list of arrests here.

Schoenberger ends his obstruction to voting
machines for the disabled

June 23, 2008  "Legislator Ilan Schoenberger, D-Wesley Hills, was the one who initially
pulled the item off the Legislature's agenda earlier this month, much to the consternation
of election officials." The request was for four new positions "to facilitate the use of more
than 100 handicapped-accessible voting machines." The machines are needed for state and
federal compliance, and Joan Silvestri, Board of Elections Commissioner, said, without them
the county risked "losing about $3 million in federal funding." Journal story here.

Meyers and Suffern unhappy with St. Lawrence
brokering high-density housing

June 20, 2008 Responding to St. Lawrence's plan to sell the quarry, County
Legislator Joseph Meyers, D-Airmont, said, "The town of Ramapo should not be
acting as a real estate broker, a land purveyor, acquiring property for free and then
selling it to developers to encourage large-scale multifamily development." Suffern
Deputy Mayor Dagan LaCorte said, "He took this property two years ago without notice to
the Suffern Village Board with the promise of flood mitigation and possibly recreational
use. Now he's saying if you want flood mitigation, you're going to have to take 440
condominiums." Read James Walsh's coverage in The Journal here.

Patrick Farm To
Have nearly 500
Residential Units--
61 of the 207 acres to
Be Downzoned to MR-8

June 19, 2008 Developers Yechiel and
Isaac Lebovits have submitted a
Draft Scoping Document that will be
reviewed by the Ramapo Town
Board in a public meeting scheduled for
Monday, June 23 at 6:30 at Ramapo Town
Hall on Route 59. The builders propose the
construction of 497 dwellings on the 207-acre historic site. The proposal includes
a map change of 61.3 acres now zoned for R-40 (one residence with 40,000 feet) to
MR-8 (multi-family housing with 8 units per acre). The village-size development is
expected to increase local population with numbers that could match the entire
population of the Village of Pomona as it exists today. The site is located over a
primary aquifer. Read The Journal News story here. A PDF of the