Pre-wedding melee erupts in Kiryas Joel; trooper cars pelted with eggs, plastic bottles
By Chris Mckenna
Times Herald-Record
KIRYAS JOEL — Young men shouted and pelted trooper cars with eggs and plastic water bottles Monday during a melee that erupted hours before an outdoor wedding that was expected to draw thousands of spectators.
Troopers say roughly 200 young men staged a rowdy protest as workers from Orange & Rockland Utilities removed decorative lights that had been strung from poles without permission. The lights were for the wedding of a granddaughter of Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum, a Satmar Hasidic leader.
Protesters blocked the company’s trucks with metal pedestrian barriers and then climbed on the trucks, troopers said. Then they used the same barriers to block trooper cars as state police tried to escort the utility workers out of Kiryas Joel.
One trooper was treated for minor injuries. No police cars were damaged.
One man was arrested and was expected to face a felony charge. His identity and the charges were not immediately available.
....................................................................................................
Some background:
Moshe Witriol is head of KJ's "Department of Public Safety." That is to say, the enforcement arm of the people who run things.
The "buchers" are the yeshiva boys who act as Witriol's insta-mob.
The State Troopers are under standing orders that Witriol calls the shots. Laws (whether real or made up on the spot) that he wants enforced, get enforced. Laws that he wants ignored, get ignored.
Today, apparently, the buchers were pelting the O and R crew with eggs and bottles while Witriol stood nearby and watched.
O and R called the Troopers and the buchers turned their attention to them.
Right after the Troopers put one of the buchers in cuffs, Witriol sprang into action. He tried to get them to let the kid go.
Generally, the buchers are to be allowed to abuse whomever they want.
The problem is, the Troopers don't believe that that extends to allowing the buchers to abuse the Troopers themselves.
Live and learn.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Two From The Record
Fired street sweeper seeks damages from Kiryas Joel
By Oliver Mackson
Times Herald-Record
June 02, 2009 6:00 AM
KIRYAS JOEL — Anthony Martin of Highland Mills says he lost his job because he blew the whistle on tax cheats in the government of New York's fastest-growing village.
In a suit filed May 22 in U.S. District Court, Martin says the village's public works boss fired him last year because he notified the state Department of Labor and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service that Kiryas Joel failed to deduct taxes from his paycheck.
Martin started as a full-time street sweeper in Kiryas Joel on May 26.
On Aug. 13, he reported the lack of payroll deductions to the state and feds, and on Aug. 22, the village fired him, according to his lawsuit.
"His speech addressed a matter of concern, i.e., municipal corruption, and is protected by the First Amendment," wrote Stephen Bergstein, the lawyer representing Martin.
Neither DPW Director Zalman Stern nor Donald Nichol, the village's lawyer, could be reached to discuss the suit Monday.
Authorities did not respond to a request for comment about what, if anything, they were doing about Martin's report.
Martin wants damages and compensation for lost wages. The suit doesn't name an amount.
He also wants to go back to work.
"Working for the government has its benefits," Bergstein explained. "The government doesn't go out of business."
Broker sues Orange County, claiming bid for La Guardia denied based on religion
By Chris Mckenna
Times Herald-Record
June 02, 2009 6:00 AM
GOSHEN — A real estate broker who tried to buy the former Camp La Guardia property has filed a lawsuit claiming Orange County rebuffed his offer because his clients were thought to be Hasidic Jews affiliated with the Village of Kiryas Joel.
Robert Lawrence, owner of Hudson Valley Realty Company in Goshen, is suing the county and County Executive Ed Diana in federal court for the $460,000 commission he said he lost, citing violations of the federal Fair Housing Act and the Fourteenth Amendment. Neither he nor his former client is demanding the 256-acre property, which the county recently agreed to sell to a Westchester County developer.
In the lawsuit, Lawrence claims his $11.5 million offer in March 2007 was rejected because Diana knew "the religious beliefs and affiliation" of the potential buyer and didn't want the former New York City homeless shelter sold to a developer with even a perceived connection to Kiryas Joel.
Diana spokesman Richard Mayfield said Monday that the county hasn't been served with the suit and doesn't comment on pending litigation.
The court papers identify Lawrence's client as "a major real estate developer of the Jewish faith." Michael Sussman, the Goshen civil rights attorney representing Lawrence, confirms the client was Isaac Rosenberg, a Brooklyn businessman and member of the Satmar Hasidic community.
Rosenberg is cooperating with the litigation but didn't join in suing because "he felt it would detract from his business opportunities," Sussman said.
Sussman said Rosenberg had hoped to build a mixture of homes and businesses, similar to what is now proposed for Camp La Guardia. But public fear that Orthodox or Hasidic developers would build "another Kiryas Joel" made his offer — conveyed anonymously through Lawrence — unpalatable to Diana and most county lawmakers, Sussman argues in the suit.
The county bought the property for $8.5 million in 2007 and ultimately chose Mountco Construction and Development Corp. of Scarsdale as the buyer, after a protracted Legislature debate over proposals by four bidders.
Rosenberg, who made his offer long before the county solicited bids for the property, didn't participate in that formal competition because he "determined that it would be entirely futile," Sussman said in the suit.
By Oliver Mackson
Times Herald-Record
June 02, 2009 6:00 AM
KIRYAS JOEL — Anthony Martin of Highland Mills says he lost his job because he blew the whistle on tax cheats in the government of New York's fastest-growing village.
In a suit filed May 22 in U.S. District Court, Martin says the village's public works boss fired him last year because he notified the state Department of Labor and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service that Kiryas Joel failed to deduct taxes from his paycheck.
Martin started as a full-time street sweeper in Kiryas Joel on May 26.
On Aug. 13, he reported the lack of payroll deductions to the state and feds, and on Aug. 22, the village fired him, according to his lawsuit.
"His speech addressed a matter of concern, i.e., municipal corruption, and is protected by the First Amendment," wrote Stephen Bergstein, the lawyer representing Martin.
Neither DPW Director Zalman Stern nor Donald Nichol, the village's lawyer, could be reached to discuss the suit Monday.
Authorities did not respond to a request for comment about what, if anything, they were doing about Martin's report.
Martin wants damages and compensation for lost wages. The suit doesn't name an amount.
He also wants to go back to work.
"Working for the government has its benefits," Bergstein explained. "The government doesn't go out of business."
Broker sues Orange County, claiming bid for La Guardia denied based on religion
By Chris Mckenna
Times Herald-Record
June 02, 2009 6:00 AM
GOSHEN — A real estate broker who tried to buy the former Camp La Guardia property has filed a lawsuit claiming Orange County rebuffed his offer because his clients were thought to be Hasidic Jews affiliated with the Village of Kiryas Joel.
Robert Lawrence, owner of Hudson Valley Realty Company in Goshen, is suing the county and County Executive Ed Diana in federal court for the $460,000 commission he said he lost, citing violations of the federal Fair Housing Act and the Fourteenth Amendment. Neither he nor his former client is demanding the 256-acre property, which the county recently agreed to sell to a Westchester County developer.
In the lawsuit, Lawrence claims his $11.5 million offer in March 2007 was rejected because Diana knew "the religious beliefs and affiliation" of the potential buyer and didn't want the former New York City homeless shelter sold to a developer with even a perceived connection to Kiryas Joel.
Diana spokesman Richard Mayfield said Monday that the county hasn't been served with the suit and doesn't comment on pending litigation.
The court papers identify Lawrence's client as "a major real estate developer of the Jewish faith." Michael Sussman, the Goshen civil rights attorney representing Lawrence, confirms the client was Isaac Rosenberg, a Brooklyn businessman and member of the Satmar Hasidic community.
Rosenberg is cooperating with the litigation but didn't join in suing because "he felt it would detract from his business opportunities," Sussman said.
Sussman said Rosenberg had hoped to build a mixture of homes and businesses, similar to what is now proposed for Camp La Guardia. But public fear that Orthodox or Hasidic developers would build "another Kiryas Joel" made his offer — conveyed anonymously through Lawrence — unpalatable to Diana and most county lawmakers, Sussman argues in the suit.
The county bought the property for $8.5 million in 2007 and ultimately chose Mountco Construction and Development Corp. of Scarsdale as the buyer, after a protracted Legislature debate over proposals by four bidders.
Rosenberg, who made his offer long before the county solicited bids for the property, didn't participate in that formal competition because he "determined that it would be entirely futile," Sussman said in the suit.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Somebody's Lying
Orange County, NYC yet to sign off on KJ's water pipeline plan
By Chris Mckenna
imes Herald-Record
In an April 1 conference call with state officials, Kiryas Joel representatives let it be known that no more legal obstacles await their plans for a 13-mile water pipeline, for which they are seeking state financing.
Yes, Orange County sued over the project's environmental review, they acknowledged, but county leaders were satisfied with the revised version of that study "and said they won't challenge this," according to handwritten notes from that call.
But in truth, the possibility of a second county suit hasn't passed. "The county has made no comment to anyone involved in this process," county spokesman Richard Mayfield said. "There is no credibility to this statement. It's just not accurate."
County officials and their attorneys are still scrutinizing Kiryas Joel's amended review and have told no one, even in informal conservations, that they're satisfied with it.
Also, a top engineer with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection — the agency that must approve Kiryas Joel's request to tap the city's Catskill Aqueduct — has sent the village a litany of questions, raising issues about the village's projected growth, the amount of water it would draw, the sufficiency of its backup supply and the width of the proposed transmission pipe.
The engineer, who several years ago asked the village why it wanted a 24-inch-wide pipe when a smaller one would suffice, now wonders why the village has agreed to reduce the diameter to 18 inches without providing any supporting analysis.
"Please be reminded that the pipe size selection is not arbitrary," wrote Paul Aggarwal, section chief of community supplies engineering. "An engineering analysis supporting the desired pipe size for now and the future water demands must be submitted for our review."
Kiryas Joel officials want to start construction in January on what they now estimate to be an almost $30 million project.
Orange County lawmakers have discussed the county's legal position behind closed doors once since Kiryas Joel revised its environmental review and are likely to revisit the issue soon, as a July 31 deadline to file another lawsuit looms.
If anyone in their ranks deemed the amended study "satisfactory," it certainly wasn't Frank Fornario, the Blooming Grove Republican who helped lead opposition to the pipeline and now oversees a committee that would consider further litigation.
"I'm speechless," he said when told about Kiryas Joel's claim in the April 1 conference call.
So, where do we stand with the pipeline?
KJ claims that the County has no objections. A "spokesman" for the County say different. Eddie Diana says nothing.
Will the County go back to court?
How soon do they have to act?
Stay tuned...we'll let you know what's up.
By Chris Mckenna
imes Herald-Record
In an April 1 conference call with state officials, Kiryas Joel representatives let it be known that no more legal obstacles await their plans for a 13-mile water pipeline, for which they are seeking state financing.
Yes, Orange County sued over the project's environmental review, they acknowledged, but county leaders were satisfied with the revised version of that study "and said they won't challenge this," according to handwritten notes from that call.
But in truth, the possibility of a second county suit hasn't passed. "The county has made no comment to anyone involved in this process," county spokesman Richard Mayfield said. "There is no credibility to this statement. It's just not accurate."
County officials and their attorneys are still scrutinizing Kiryas Joel's amended review and have told no one, even in informal conservations, that they're satisfied with it.
Also, a top engineer with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection — the agency that must approve Kiryas Joel's request to tap the city's Catskill Aqueduct — has sent the village a litany of questions, raising issues about the village's projected growth, the amount of water it would draw, the sufficiency of its backup supply and the width of the proposed transmission pipe.
The engineer, who several years ago asked the village why it wanted a 24-inch-wide pipe when a smaller one would suffice, now wonders why the village has agreed to reduce the diameter to 18 inches without providing any supporting analysis.
"Please be reminded that the pipe size selection is not arbitrary," wrote Paul Aggarwal, section chief of community supplies engineering. "An engineering analysis supporting the desired pipe size for now and the future water demands must be submitted for our review."
Kiryas Joel officials want to start construction in January on what they now estimate to be an almost $30 million project.
Orange County lawmakers have discussed the county's legal position behind closed doors once since Kiryas Joel revised its environmental review and are likely to revisit the issue soon, as a July 31 deadline to file another lawsuit looms.
If anyone in their ranks deemed the amended study "satisfactory," it certainly wasn't Frank Fornario, the Blooming Grove Republican who helped lead opposition to the pipeline and now oversees a committee that would consider further litigation.
"I'm speechless," he said when told about Kiryas Joel's claim in the April 1 conference call.
So, where do we stand with the pipeline?
KJ claims that the County has no objections. A "spokesman" for the County say different. Eddie Diana says nothing.
Will the County go back to court?
How soon do they have to act?
Stay tuned...we'll let you know what's up.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Filling the Void
Woodbury seeks input to fill town board vacancy
Highland Mills - The Woodbury Town Board is accepting inquiries from town residents who may be interested in serving out the remaining time of Michael Queenan’s Town Board seat.Queenan resigned as town councilman when he was elected mayor of the Village of Woodbury in March.
The term expires Dec. 31, 2009. In November, an election will be held for a new four-year term.All letters of interest will be considered by the Town Board. Those letters may be sent to the Town Clerk Desiree Potvin, 511 Route 32, PO Box 1004, Highland Mills, NY 10930.
So, any nominations?
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Pond Bond
Tuesday we get to vote on whether we will raise the cash to fix the pond?
So yes or no and why?
And, do any of you believe enough in your position to sign your name?
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Independence? Prove it!
From an article in today's Record:
Republicans and Democrats who want their names to also appear on the Independence line in November now must complete an online questionnaire that includes some hot-button topics, such as dissolving tiny towns and villages to save taxpayers money.
"We want to make it less of a popularity contest and focus it more on highly substantive issues," explained Orange County's Independence leader, Langdon Chapman.
OK, so the Independence Party is against uneccessary villages. Like, perhaps, the Village of Woodbury?
And who was one of the loudest voices in Caruso's "Let's Form a Village" Choir?
John Burke.
Now the Dems are nominating Frank Palermo for the Town Board so that he will give their slate, headed by Burke, the Independence line.
If Burke gets the endorsement it will mean that the Independence Party's claimed interest in eliminating extra layers of government is pure manure.
Wait and watch.
Or better yet, call Langdon Chapman and shout.
Republicans and Democrats who want their names to also appear on the Independence line in November now must complete an online questionnaire that includes some hot-button topics, such as dissolving tiny towns and villages to save taxpayers money.
"We want to make it less of a popularity contest and focus it more on highly substantive issues," explained Orange County's Independence leader, Langdon Chapman.
OK, so the Independence Party is against uneccessary villages. Like, perhaps, the Village of Woodbury?
And who was one of the loudest voices in Caruso's "Let's Form a Village" Choir?
John Burke.
Now the Dems are nominating Frank Palermo for the Town Board so that he will give their slate, headed by Burke, the Independence line.
If Burke gets the endorsement it will mean that the Independence Party's claimed interest in eliminating extra layers of government is pure manure.
Wait and watch.
Or better yet, call Langdon Chapman and shout.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Catching Up
Sorry, a brief sojourn to Maryland turned out slightly less brief than planned.
Tonight (Tuesday) the new members of the village board have their first meeting. Village Hall, 7:30 PM. This is to be their last meeting there. After tonight they move the show to town hall, which has the video equipment.
From the Record:
O’Dwyer set to announce Orange exec candidacy
By Chris Mckenna
April 14, 2009 6:00 AM
GOSHEN — Democrat Pat O’Dwyer has scheduled a news conference Sunday for what is expected to be her announcement that she will run for Orange County executive in November.O’Dwyer, a party activist and former Town of Goshen supervisor, said Monday she will announce her political plans at the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame at 240 Main St. in Goshen. The event is open to the public and set to run from 1 to 3 p.m.County Executive Ed Diana, a Republican, has already announced plans to run for a third term this year.
The Uncle admits ignorance about O'Dwyer. Any thoughts, insights or slander from you folks?
Tonight (Tuesday) the new members of the village board have their first meeting. Village Hall, 7:30 PM. This is to be their last meeting there. After tonight they move the show to town hall, which has the video equipment.
From the Record:
O’Dwyer set to announce Orange exec candidacy
By Chris Mckenna
April 14, 2009 6:00 AM
GOSHEN — Democrat Pat O’Dwyer has scheduled a news conference Sunday for what is expected to be her announcement that she will run for Orange County executive in November.O’Dwyer, a party activist and former Town of Goshen supervisor, said Monday she will announce her political plans at the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame at 240 Main St. in Goshen. The event is open to the public and set to run from 1 to 3 p.m.County Executive Ed Diana, a Republican, has already announced plans to run for a third term this year.
The Uncle admits ignorance about O'Dwyer. Any thoughts, insights or slander from you folks?
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Ralph Was
Considering how much fun it has been to chat about Woodbury's own Gossip Girl, Ralph Caruso, the Uncle fears that that era may be coming to an end.
It appears that Ralph's sun is setting.
He hasn't won an election in decades, though not for lack of trying.
Not one of his Woodbury candidates has won in years.
His tenure as Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeal is also ancient history.
His one-time playmates on the Democratic Committee are poised to give the nod to Frank Palermo for Town Councilman. This is a wet chatooie in Ralph's face. Suffice it to say that Ralph and Frank don't play well together.
And now, our esteemed State Senator, Uncle Billie Larkin himself, has decided that Ralph's services as a chauffeur are no longer required.
Ralph has been fired.
Gasp!
No longer will our pal be able to stand before us and introduce himself as "Ralph Caruso, Aide to Senator Larkin."
O, how the mighty have fallen and the grape made low.
Prioritize
Ralph's attention was a bit diverted during the recent village election.
As attentive nieces and nephews will recall, Ralph set up THE CHAIRMAN'S CORNER in order to keep us all abreast of the pressing issues facing Woodbury.
He began with the "first in a series of Commentaries I will present as the Chairman of the Citizens for the Preservation of Woodbury for our community. They will cover a variety of subjects in no particular order, but will include Village, Town, County, State and Federal government matters."
From January 1st 'til now this appears to be a series of one.
And the only topic Ralph found noteworthy was the Pieman's living arrangements.
Hmmm.
Is Ralphie hoping for an invite?
And, the main (pretty much only) topic on the Perversionists home page is...guess who?
We begin to think Ralph has a crush on the Pieman.
And now, as the flyer reproduced up above shows, Ralph has asked us all to join in.
He has invited us to the Planning Board's public hearing tonight (Wednesday, April Fool's Day appropriately) at 7:30 at Town Hall. The subject is, yet again, the Pieman's home.
Do try to come. Bring snacks. For shut-ins, the festivities will be on cable channel 22.
In case any of you have questions about any of this, Ralph has kindly included his number. Feel free to call.
Oh Ralphie, Ralphie, Ralphie. Did you ever consider sending flowers?
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