What's likely to be a turbulent political season in Woodbury began this week with party endorsements of candidates for three Town Board seats.
Republicans endorsed Michael Queenan and Henry Sullivan for two council positions Tuesday night, declining to support incumbent Councilwoman Geraldine Gianzero, who came in third. GOP Committee Chairman Ralph Caruso said the votes were: Queenan, 15; Sullivan, 12; Gianzero, 10.
His committee refused to endorse Republican Supervisor Sheila Conroy or any other supervisor candidate. Conroy, who had asked the committee for its endorsement for a second four-year term, got eight votes of support, Caruso said.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Committee met Monday night and endorsed John Burke for supervisor and Darlene Reveille and Amidee Haviland for the two council seats.
Conroy and Gianzero may still circulate petitions to run as Republicans, which means Gianzero could wind up in a primary with the two endorsed Republicans. Conroy, who has the Conservative Party endorsement, said Wednesday that she hasn't decided whether to run and with which party or parties.
All five current board members are Republican. But this year, tangled allegiances among the candidates and their positions on two controversial housing proposals are likely to mean more than party affiliation.
Chris McKenna
Saturday, April 30, 2005
Friday, April 22, 2005
Board does good job
Board does good job
The Gardiner Town Board has handled the current rezoning effort in an exemplary fashion.
First, board members appointed a Zoning Advisory Committee that included representatives of all views in the community. After the members held extensive meetings and public hearings and issued a draft report, the board also held three public sessions to allow additional public input. Then in response to the public's concerns The board decided to extend the moratorium on subdivisions so that it could respond to these concerns and enact a law that will reflect the community's values on land development issues.
We do still need to improve the draft law with provisions for larger lot sizes in the three tiers in the Ridge Protection Zone, 5-15-30 acres as we go higher, and driveway lengths limited to 1,200 feet (except when necessary to allow a property owner access). These changes will help ensure that we protect our town's most valuable resource.
It is wonderful to have a board that listens to its citizens. Thank you for your diligence.
Steven Levinsky
Gardiner
Take a look at what this town does to listen to the people!
SECTION 3 PURPOSE AND FINDINGS
A. The Town Board desires to implement a procedure for applications for land use approvals and zoning changes to the Town Board, Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals to ensure that neighboring property owners are appropriately apprised of the fact that an application has been made for a land use approval or zoning change and that thereafter the neighboring property owners and the public are made aware of the date of any public hearing scheduled for such an application.
B. This law is an effort to increase opportunities for dialog in the land use process; The Town Board believes that the land use approval process will benefit from the receipt of public comment on land use applications and zoning changes and that public comment will provide additional information to the various boards to consider in making a decision on an application.
C. Accordingly, the Town Board finds that the implementation of additional notice
and posting requirements are in the best interest of the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the Town of Gardiner.
The Gardiner Town Board has handled the current rezoning effort in an exemplary fashion.
First, board members appointed a Zoning Advisory Committee that included representatives of all views in the community. After the members held extensive meetings and public hearings and issued a draft report, the board also held three public sessions to allow additional public input. Then in response to the public's concerns The board decided to extend the moratorium on subdivisions so that it could respond to these concerns and enact a law that will reflect the community's values on land development issues.
We do still need to improve the draft law with provisions for larger lot sizes in the three tiers in the Ridge Protection Zone, 5-15-30 acres as we go higher, and driveway lengths limited to 1,200 feet (except when necessary to allow a property owner access). These changes will help ensure that we protect our town's most valuable resource.
It is wonderful to have a board that listens to its citizens. Thank you for your diligence.
Steven Levinsky
Gardiner
Take a look at what this town does to listen to the people!
SECTION 3 PURPOSE AND FINDINGS
A. The Town Board desires to implement a procedure for applications for land use approvals and zoning changes to the Town Board, Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals to ensure that neighboring property owners are appropriately apprised of the fact that an application has been made for a land use approval or zoning change and that thereafter the neighboring property owners and the public are made aware of the date of any public hearing scheduled for such an application.
B. This law is an effort to increase opportunities for dialog in the land use process; The Town Board believes that the land use approval process will benefit from the receipt of public comment on land use applications and zoning changes and that public comment will provide additional information to the various boards to consider in making a decision on an application.
C. Accordingly, the Town Board finds that the implementation of additional notice
and posting requirements are in the best interest of the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the Town of Gardiner.
Saturday, April 16, 2005
KJ homes, outside KJ
KJ homes, outside KJ
Space so tight, adjoining land could be developed
By Chris McKenna
Times Herald-Record
cmckenna@th-record.com
Monroe – New homes for Kiryas Joel residents are being proposed just outside the village boundaries in significant numbers for the first time.
At least three projects on the outskirts of the booming community are pending before the Town of Monroe Planning Board – two of which have come to the board's attention since the beginning of the year.
The three projects call for a total of 94 single-family houses, although the board is counting on as many as 188 homes in its review, because builders could theoretically include "accessory apartments" – better known as "mothers-daughters" – with each house.
Until now, most new homes for the Hasidic community have been built inside the village borders, where much denser development is allowed and residents can walk to synagogues, stores and essential services.
But with 17,000 people living in 1.1 square miles and development proceeding briskly, space is running short. Village Administrator Gedalye Szegedin told the Times Herald-Record in February that 989 housing units were on the drawing board.
The biggest and most recent of the three projects proposed in Monroe is Forest Edge, which surfaced in February. It calls for 49 single-family houses on 24.7 acres off Forest and Mountain roads, a property virtually surrounded by Kiryas Joel.
The owner, Ziggy Brach, confirmed that the village has offered him municipal water – which is surprising, since Brach, a Brooklyn electronics mogul with a house in Woodbury, is prominent in Kiryas Joel's opposition movement.
He'd been counting on individual wells for the 49 proposed homes. But he'll entertain the village's water offer, he said, once he hears the details.
"If it's reasonable, we'll do it," he said.
Forest Edge and a 29-lot proposal nearby are both on parcels that Brach and other land owners have asked be annexed into Kiryas Joel – part of a pending request that involves 184 acres in Monroe and Woodbury.
The Planning Board's water consultant has expressed concern about Kiryas Joel offering to supply all three projects with water, in spite of its water shortages.
"I question whether the wells for the village would meet the demands of this project and the other units that are coming in," Tom Cusack, a hydrogeologist, said Tuesday.
He urged the developer to hold off for two months to see if the state approves a high-producing well that Kiryas Joel has dug in Monroe. That well, along with another that just got approved, would boost the village water supply by 800,000 gallons per day, he said.
Space so tight, adjoining land could be developed
By Chris McKenna
Times Herald-Record
cmckenna@th-record.com
Monroe – New homes for Kiryas Joel residents are being proposed just outside the village boundaries in significant numbers for the first time.
At least three projects on the outskirts of the booming community are pending before the Town of Monroe Planning Board – two of which have come to the board's attention since the beginning of the year.
The three projects call for a total of 94 single-family houses, although the board is counting on as many as 188 homes in its review, because builders could theoretically include "accessory apartments" – better known as "mothers-daughters" – with each house.
Until now, most new homes for the Hasidic community have been built inside the village borders, where much denser development is allowed and residents can walk to synagogues, stores and essential services.
But with 17,000 people living in 1.1 square miles and development proceeding briskly, space is running short. Village Administrator Gedalye Szegedin told the Times Herald-Record in February that 989 housing units were on the drawing board.
The biggest and most recent of the three projects proposed in Monroe is Forest Edge, which surfaced in February. It calls for 49 single-family houses on 24.7 acres off Forest and Mountain roads, a property virtually surrounded by Kiryas Joel.
The owner, Ziggy Brach, confirmed that the village has offered him municipal water – which is surprising, since Brach, a Brooklyn electronics mogul with a house in Woodbury, is prominent in Kiryas Joel's opposition movement.
He'd been counting on individual wells for the 49 proposed homes. But he'll entertain the village's water offer, he said, once he hears the details.
"If it's reasonable, we'll do it," he said.
Forest Edge and a 29-lot proposal nearby are both on parcels that Brach and other land owners have asked be annexed into Kiryas Joel – part of a pending request that involves 184 acres in Monroe and Woodbury.
The Planning Board's water consultant has expressed concern about Kiryas Joel offering to supply all three projects with water, in spite of its water shortages.
"I question whether the wells for the village would meet the demands of this project and the other units that are coming in," Tom Cusack, a hydrogeologist, said Tuesday.
He urged the developer to hold off for two months to see if the state approves a high-producing well that Kiryas Joel has dug in Monroe. That well, along with another that just got approved, would boost the village water supply by 800,000 gallons per day, he said.
To Run or Not to Run Part 3
Well now I hear we have a third person running for town council. Three Republican candidates and I am sure we will have two Democrats. That leaves the Republicans with a primary, not sure if that’s good or bad. One thing I do know is it’s going to be a hard election for anyone to win. With all the issues it’s going to be a very close vote and I don’t see this an easy time for anyone. As for supervisor race I have yet to hear anyone come forward. I wonder if we will get an independent person this year like the last election.
Thursday, April 07, 2005
If you build it they will come
Woodbury
Car stuffed with stolen goods at mall
A Queens man seen stuffing merchandise into a booster bag at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets has been charged with helping steal more than $14,000 worth of goods from the shopping center, Woodbury police said yesterday.
Orlando Arroyos, 41, was arrested Tuesday afternoon after fleeing from the Ecko store and running to a vehicle stuffed with clothing stolen from several stores at the upscale mall, Detective Lawrence Menkens said.
Arroyos was charged with third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a felony, and sent to Orange County Jail in lieu of $17,500 cash bail.
That same day, town police arrested a Newburgh woman accused of pilfering more than $10,000 from a different Woodbury Common store where she worked.
Sharon Matyka, 42, pocketed the money from Loro Piana instead of depositing it in the bank over four months, Menkens said. She was charged with third-degree grand larceny, a felony, and sent to Orange County Jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail.
Car stuffed with stolen goods at mall
A Queens man seen stuffing merchandise into a booster bag at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets has been charged with helping steal more than $14,000 worth of goods from the shopping center, Woodbury police said yesterday.
Orlando Arroyos, 41, was arrested Tuesday afternoon after fleeing from the Ecko store and running to a vehicle stuffed with clothing stolen from several stores at the upscale mall, Detective Lawrence Menkens said.
Arroyos was charged with third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a felony, and sent to Orange County Jail in lieu of $17,500 cash bail.
That same day, town police arrested a Newburgh woman accused of pilfering more than $10,000 from a different Woodbury Common store where she worked.
Sharon Matyka, 42, pocketed the money from Loro Piana instead of depositing it in the bank over four months, Menkens said. She was charged with third-degree grand larceny, a felony, and sent to Orange County Jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Where have you all gone?
I was thinking the other day every two years there is an election and where have all the past Candidates and board members gone? So I started to think if you win and you get to sit on the board is it that bad that you never come back? To put in so many hours of your time and never come back. Why it that? So many have ran and we never see them again. Is it like that in other towns or it just Woodbury? I mean you serve your time and never come back to be heard from again so I ask where have you all gone you where once the leaders of this great town.
Sunday, April 03, 2005
To Run or Not to Run Part 2
Well he have a runner, Hank Sullivan just threw his hat in the ring for Town Councilman. I guess he is putting his money where is mouth is. Since I have been going to the meetings he has been there, always well prepared and does his homework. It’s nice to see one of the so-called six people who come to the meetings run. So now we have one new person in the race and one sitting member. Who else will come forward and try for the two seats? Will it be any of the so-called six. Will one of them step up and run for Supervisor (can you imagine) I must say this is now going to be a fun next couple of months. Will Bo be back or any of the past candidates try again. Or maybe some of the old sitting board will try to make a run again. Stay tuned for part 3.
Friday, April 01, 2005
Catskill
Even holding an empty hand, Orange County officials weigh in on the impact of Catskill casinos
By David Gordon
GOSHEN-Casino opponents cited the nightmarish traffic jams, increased air pollution and lung illnesses created by exhaust fumes from that traffic and the potential increase in crime that has historically followed gambling centers.
A handful of proponents stressed the need for the jobs casinos would provide.
They also asserted that the casino workers and the casinos themselves would spark Orange County's economy.
Most of the 20 or so people who spoke at a public information meeting at the Orange County Government Center in Goshen Monday night were strongly against building casinos in Sullivan County. The forum, called by the Orange County Legislature, drew about 60 people.
Legislature Chairman Alan Seidman stressed that the meeting was not a public hearing. The New York State Legislature has sponsored several public hearings on the casino issue, but none has been held in Orange County and none has allowed open participation by the public. However, a tape and transcript of the comments would be forwarded to state legislators, he said.
Harry Ross of Orange Environment, speaking on behalf of OE's President Michael Edelstein, predicted some 25 million additional automobile trips per year.
"There is no room on the roads for five successful casinos," he said. "And there's no room on the landscape for any additional lanes (on Route 17)."
As Route 17 becomes jammed, gamblers and commuters will look for alternative routes, Ross said.
"I think some of those clever drivers are going to find Goshen Turnpike."
Montgomery Supervisor Susan Cockburn agreed that the problem is not just Route 17. Her major concern was Route 17K, which she said could catch overflow traffic. She listed a half a dozen intersections that are now traffic nightmares and predicted far worse conditions to follow.
Several studies produced by the casino industry emphasized the advantage of being close to a major market like New York City, noted Woodbury Supervisor Sheila Conroy. None mentioned the traffic bottleneck Route 17 would create, and none recommended major improvements, she said.
Constructing the casinos will employ some 10,000 workers, said Josh Sommers of the Catskill Coalition. That's good news for workers in the construction trades in Sullivan, many of whom are unemployed, he said. But it's also good news for Orange County businesses, he added.
"That's a $2 million payroll for each casino. Where will those people shop? Sullivan County doesn't have a single major mall. Resort casinos will need millions of dollars worth of goods and services, and they will buy a lot of them in Orange County."
Sommers said he agreed with the speakers who emphasized the need for improvements to Route 17. The coalition is pressing for these improvements because not only it is in the interests of Orange and Sullivan counties, but also because it is in the interests of the casino operators, he added.
Todd Diorio, the President of the Hudson Valley Construction and Building Trades Council said the workers he represents are behind the casino project. Many are unemployed as the building boom and the economy slow down, he said. And, he noted, the Sullivan County Legislature voted in favor of the five-casino plan.
"They are trying to present this as environmentalists versus labor," said Goshen attorney Michael Sussman. "But labor lives in the county, and they have to live with asthmatic kids and not being able to get where they want to go."
Sussman also called for improvements in Orange County that would help add jobs, such as infrastructure improvements and possible a major medical center. He also claimed the Orange County Legislature had failed to take a lead role in opposing casinos when they were first proposed.
Goshen Supervisor Honey Bernstein acknowledged that jobs are important, but what kind of jobs?
"Do we want such uses as landfills and nuclear power plants? They also produce jobs. Surely we can seek better jobs than casinos; activities that add to the quality of life can also produce jobs."
While traffic and the environment were major themes among the speakers, potential increases in crime and the moral aspects of gambling were also on people's minds.
After 23 years with the New York State Police, eight years of which were in the gambling unit, Jerry Voss said he's convinced that gambling is associated with other crimes.
"They like to use the word ‘gaming,' he said, naming a litany of organized crime figures that had been involved in gambling over the years. "It covers gambling's sordid past."
Bob Lawrence waxed biblical, citing "the demonic trilogy of alcohol tobacco and gambling." Governments that become involved in these sins are bound to fall, he asserted.
"We believe God will always bless our country. I think the people of Sodom and Gomorra felt the same way."
But few thought the public meeting would change things.
"We in Orange County won't decide whether there will be casinos in Sullivan County, or whether it will be one, three or five," said Woodbury Councilwoman Lorraine McNeill. "But it will have a serious impact on our County."
County Executive Edward Diana did not see the public meeting as a waste of time.
"This was an open public discussion of concerns. The official public hearings were by invitation only. Any time people can be heard in open discussion, I would support that," he said.
By David Gordon
GOSHEN-Casino opponents cited the nightmarish traffic jams, increased air pollution and lung illnesses created by exhaust fumes from that traffic and the potential increase in crime that has historically followed gambling centers.
A handful of proponents stressed the need for the jobs casinos would provide.
They also asserted that the casino workers and the casinos themselves would spark Orange County's economy.
Most of the 20 or so people who spoke at a public information meeting at the Orange County Government Center in Goshen Monday night were strongly against building casinos in Sullivan County. The forum, called by the Orange County Legislature, drew about 60 people.
Legislature Chairman Alan Seidman stressed that the meeting was not a public hearing. The New York State Legislature has sponsored several public hearings on the casino issue, but none has been held in Orange County and none has allowed open participation by the public. However, a tape and transcript of the comments would be forwarded to state legislators, he said.
Harry Ross of Orange Environment, speaking on behalf of OE's President Michael Edelstein, predicted some 25 million additional automobile trips per year.
"There is no room on the roads for five successful casinos," he said. "And there's no room on the landscape for any additional lanes (on Route 17)."
As Route 17 becomes jammed, gamblers and commuters will look for alternative routes, Ross said.
"I think some of those clever drivers are going to find Goshen Turnpike."
Montgomery Supervisor Susan Cockburn agreed that the problem is not just Route 17. Her major concern was Route 17K, which she said could catch overflow traffic. She listed a half a dozen intersections that are now traffic nightmares and predicted far worse conditions to follow.
Several studies produced by the casino industry emphasized the advantage of being close to a major market like New York City, noted Woodbury Supervisor Sheila Conroy. None mentioned the traffic bottleneck Route 17 would create, and none recommended major improvements, she said.
Constructing the casinos will employ some 10,000 workers, said Josh Sommers of the Catskill Coalition. That's good news for workers in the construction trades in Sullivan, many of whom are unemployed, he said. But it's also good news for Orange County businesses, he added.
"That's a $2 million payroll for each casino. Where will those people shop? Sullivan County doesn't have a single major mall. Resort casinos will need millions of dollars worth of goods and services, and they will buy a lot of them in Orange County."
Sommers said he agreed with the speakers who emphasized the need for improvements to Route 17. The coalition is pressing for these improvements because not only it is in the interests of Orange and Sullivan counties, but also because it is in the interests of the casino operators, he added.
Todd Diorio, the President of the Hudson Valley Construction and Building Trades Council said the workers he represents are behind the casino project. Many are unemployed as the building boom and the economy slow down, he said. And, he noted, the Sullivan County Legislature voted in favor of the five-casino plan.
"They are trying to present this as environmentalists versus labor," said Goshen attorney Michael Sussman. "But labor lives in the county, and they have to live with asthmatic kids and not being able to get where they want to go."
Sussman also called for improvements in Orange County that would help add jobs, such as infrastructure improvements and possible a major medical center. He also claimed the Orange County Legislature had failed to take a lead role in opposing casinos when they were first proposed.
Goshen Supervisor Honey Bernstein acknowledged that jobs are important, but what kind of jobs?
"Do we want such uses as landfills and nuclear power plants? They also produce jobs. Surely we can seek better jobs than casinos; activities that add to the quality of life can also produce jobs."
While traffic and the environment were major themes among the speakers, potential increases in crime and the moral aspects of gambling were also on people's minds.
After 23 years with the New York State Police, eight years of which were in the gambling unit, Jerry Voss said he's convinced that gambling is associated with other crimes.
"They like to use the word ‘gaming,' he said, naming a litany of organized crime figures that had been involved in gambling over the years. "It covers gambling's sordid past."
Bob Lawrence waxed biblical, citing "the demonic trilogy of alcohol tobacco and gambling." Governments that become involved in these sins are bound to fall, he asserted.
"We believe God will always bless our country. I think the people of Sodom and Gomorra felt the same way."
But few thought the public meeting would change things.
"We in Orange County won't decide whether there will be casinos in Sullivan County, or whether it will be one, three or five," said Woodbury Councilwoman Lorraine McNeill. "But it will have a serious impact on our County."
County Executive Edward Diana did not see the public meeting as a waste of time.
"This was an open public discussion of concerns. The official public hearings were by invitation only. Any time people can be heard in open discussion, I would support that," he said.
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