You would think that as fast as St. Lawrence and his attorney were pedaling in the courtroom in White Plains, trying to outrun the 22 felony charges from the Dept of Justice, that he wouldn’t have time to continue to siphon public money to his bankrupt RLDC. So much for common sense. While St. Lawrence and his attorney, Michael Burke, were looking over perspective jurors, his corrupt machine was still still cranking up the giant sucking sound at Town Hall on Route 59, vacuuming millions in public assets. At the other end of the pipe, almost six million was blowing in at the RLDC office over at the ballpark. [Read more…]
Archives for June 2017
Anthony Mallia resigns, Board approves moratorium on temporary modular schools
Anthony Mallia arrest photo
Anthony Mallia, indicted on 188 felony and misdemeanor counts, has resigned his position as the Director of the Ramapo Building Dept., and the Town Board voted to accept his resignation at tonight’s regular Town Board meeting (June 28). The three questions that now remain are: will Mallia plead to the charges before the trial; will he cooperate with the DA’s Office and/or federal authorities to mitigate his sentence; or will he be before Judge David Zuckerman on July 24, at 10 am watching as jury selection begins for his criminal trial? [Read more…]
Preserve Ramapo celebrates an overdue conviction
Last night, many of the Preserve Ramapo faithful showed up at the Water Wheel restaurant in Tallman to celebrate the conviction of one of the most disastrous politicians in Ramapo’s long 226-year history. The former supervisor, Christopher St. Lawrence, was found guilty of 20 federal charges of bond fraud and will be sentenced in September. The damage caused by St. Lawrence’s abuses go well beyond those spelled out in the criminal charges that will remove him from the community. [Read more…]
St. Lawrence Conviction Party Today–Tuesday
Please join our celebration of the successful prosecution of Christopher St. Lawrence on Tuesday, June 27th. And help us continue the legal fight for an honest referendum for single member districts in Ramapo.
Our party will be at the Water Wheel in Tallman starting at 7 PM. The entertainment will be free, but the drinks and food will be on you.
If you have been following our fight for single member districts in Ramapo you will remember that we first circulated our petitions and then had to spend years in court to force Ramapo to hold our referendum vote for single member districts. [Read more…]
Federal judge rules Reimer ‘whistleblower’ lawsuit can go forward
Attorney Fred Lichtmacher Photo: Ricky Flores/lohud
“A federal judge who oversaw Ramapo Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence’s corruption trial ruled Tuesday that a key witness’ civil lawsuit can go forward claiming Ramapo officials defamed and retaliated against her for cooperating with the FBI and prosecutors.
In a two-hour oral decision from the bench, U.S. District Court Judge Cathy Seibel found that Melissa Reimer’s contact with the FBI was protected speech under the Constitution’s First Amendment.
She also ruled a jury can hear defamation charges against St. Lawrence, Town Attorney Michael Klein and Deputy Town Attorney Beth Finkelstein, who oversaw Reimer’s town disciplinary cases leading to her suspension. [Read more…]
Ramapo board changes mind, names Ullman interim supervisor; Brinn appointed to board
“Musical chairs continued Tuesday afternoon for members of the Town Board.
When the maneuvering stopped, the Town Board rescinded its Monday night appointment of New Hempstead Mayor Fred Brinn as interim supervisor and returned to the original plan: Deputy Supervisor Yitzchok Ullman as interim supervisor and Brinn as a board member, effective June 26, Ullman said. [Read more…]
East Ramapo budget passes
Graphics courtesy www.strongeastramapo.org
Brinn named interim Ramapo supervisor
New Hempstead Mayor Frederick Brinn
At a special meeting of the Ramapo Town Board this evening, New Hempstead Mayor Frederick Brinn was named as the interim Ramapo Town Supervisor, beginning Monday June 26 through December 31, 2017. The vote was 3-0 approving the appointment. Those voting were Yitzy Ullman, Brendel Logan-Charles, and Michael Rossman. Councilman Patrick Withers was absent.
Brinn will begin next Monday, temporarily leaving his position as New Hempstead Mayor.
Michael Castelluccio
Preserve Ramapo
Vote Yes Tuesday ERCSD Budget
Strong East Ramapo
Journal News editorial: East Ramapo Budget Must Pass
“It’s June. East Ramapo’s 2017-2018 budget remains unsettled. That’s a scary place for the deeply divided district, which has already seen two controversial spending plans upended this budget season alone.
The district has one more chance to win approval for its spending plan on June 20. East Ramapo voters must approve the $231.6 million spending plan. The alternative — an automatic contingency budget — would freeze the district’s tax levy, even as expenses rise, precipitating yet more cuts in the struggling district.”
Read the complete editorial here.
CUPON Chestnut Ridge Meeting Monday June 12
The monthly meeting of the Chestnut Ridge CUPON will take place Monday, June 12, at 7 pm at 26 Red Schoolhouse Road.
The agenda includes discussions of:
The upcoming ERCSD school budge vote;
Petitions for the Village;
Ongoing construction and properly licensed contractors performing the construction;
Increasing member and citizen participation in the Village;
and November Elections.