East Ramapo superintendent to lose post
The Journal News July 19, 2015 “The East Ramapo school district will soon remove beleaguered Superintendent Joel Klein from his post, almost a year before his contract is set to expire, several sources told The Journal News. In recent weeks, the school board has faced intensifying pressure to distance itself from him – from community protests in front of Klein’s home demanding his resignation to state Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch calling for the same. The district, while not confirming that any action was imminent, did confirm “that Klein was in the last year of his contract and that the school board would soon develop a process for replacement.” Complete Journal News Coverage here.
Archives for July 23, 2015
Zebrowski Pressures State on fire Safety Enforcement
The Journal News July 16, 2015 “Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski, D-New City, also pressed the New York State Department of Education in a separate letter to enforce regulations mandating private schools in Rockland submit annual fire inspection reports showing the facilities are safe and meet regulations. He said 60 schools are in violation. Zebrowski and a countywide housing task force have raised concerns for several years that the lives of firefighters, students, and predominately poor tenants are being endangered by overcrowded houses carved up into multiple apartments and schools being operated in single-family homes without proper fire suppression equipment. [Read more…]
Apparently Not All Neighbors are Equal in Ramapo
An Illegal shortcut on Ramapo-owned land remains in use one year later
Journal News July 16, 2015 “People are still walking along an illegal shortcut built on town-owned property between two homes in Ramapo, even though it has been more than a year since the town became aware of the problem. Neighbors became concerned last summer after seeing strangers walking around their quiet residential streets to get to the 300-foot paved walkway, which connects 1 Neva Court to 9 Quince Lane.
Though no one but the owners of the two properties has legal access to the shortcut, the two homeowners claim in court they didn’t build it. Bushes were cleared and trees were taken down to make room for the path, and the only other way to access it is to cut through dense growth behind other private homes in the area. The Journal News first reported on the path in January. “I’m disappointed because it’s been taking so long in the process,” said Bob Cohen, who, along with his neighbors, alerted town officials about the shortcut.Ramapo sued the two homeowners after the town’s request to restore the woods went nowhere. The case is pending in state Supreme Court in New City. The next court date is set for Sept. 9. Tom Eichenberger, another neighbor, echoed Cohen’s sentiment, saying that allowing this illegal act for more than a year diminishes the town’s authority.” Read the complete Journal News story here.