“Volunteer firefighter Aaron Lerer points to his protective jacket with large, brown scorch spots staining the shoulder of the fire-resistant material. He holds up a helmet with a melted face shield and burn marks, and displays one of the radios needed by firefighters inside burning buildings that has an antenna held together by tape. The department’s main tanker truck is 24 years old, more than a decade past its shelf life, and has broken down at fire scenes. Those are just some of the issues Spring Valley firefighters say they are coping with as they respond to emergencies without proper equipment and dependable trucks. They blame a divided village Board of Trustees, which has refused to allocate money to aid the beleaguered volunteers. [Read more…]
Archives for February 13, 2016
JN Editorial: East Ramapo Needs Long-term Support
State education commissioner’s visit highlights improvements in troubled district, underscores need for oversight
“Elia’s day-long visit (and the fact that all three state-appointed monitors were at her side during the three-school tour) sent a clear message that deep concerns remain in East Ramapo and that the state Education Department is committed to long-term involvement. During a subsequent interview with the Editorial Board, Elia doubled down on her support for state legislation that would install a monitor, with strong oversight abilities, in the uniquely troubled district. Asked what she would do if the state Legislature will not install such a monitor, she said that the Education Department will continue to monitor the district to the extent that it can.” Read the full text of the editorial here.