The Village Board of Spring Valley has scheduled a pubic hearing for Monday December 4 at 9:00 am to discuss the possibility of establishing a ward system for the election of village trustees and increasing the number of village trustees from 4 to 6. The purpose of the public hearing is for the village board to hear public input and feedback regarding a village ward system. The village board will also consider whether or not to set a date for a referendum so voters can decide for themselves whether or not to switch from the current at-large system of representation with only 4 trustees to a ward system with 6.
Archives for November 2017
Sentencing Hearing Part 2 Nov. 29
The second sentencing hearing for Christopher St. Lawrence at the Federal Courthouse in White Plains ended today at 1 pm. The prosecution’s expert witness from the SEC, Jonathan Wilcox explained how he determined the $2.3 million loss incurred by those who invested in the misrepresented Ramapo RLDC bonds. After hours of questioning, Judge Cathy Seibel adjourned the session and scheduled a resumption on December 11 at 1 pm. At that time, the expert witness for the defense will also present their estimate of the losses, if any, incurred by the investors. This information is necessary for the court to arrive at a number for the damage caused by St. Lawrence’s fraudulent numbers that were used to apply for the ballpark bonds. To be determined yet are the issues of a personal fine and the length of the sentence to be imposed. Judge Seibel also postponed the sentencing of Aaron Troodler until after the St. Lawrence sentencing is completed.
St. Lawrence sentencing delayed as judge weighs investors’ losses
“Former Ramapo Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence’s sentencing on corruption-related charges has been delayed for an indefinite period as the judge weighs the extent of financial losses incurred by investors who bought the town’s municipal bonds.
U.S. Judge Cathy Seibel will begin taking testimony Wednesday morning from witnesses for the prosecution and defense on the estimated financial loss to investors. How the investors will be repaid and any St. Lawrence restitution remain separate issues for Seibel to decide. [Read more…]
Christopher St. Lawrence faces prison term Monday for corruption
Ramapo Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence
“When U.S. Judge Cathy Seibel is scheduled to sentence Christopher St. Lawrence on Monday, the jurist will likely settle the disagreements between prosecutors and St. Lawrence’s attorney on the former Ramapo supervisor’s motivations to commit fraud and how much prison time he deserves.
However, Monday’s sentencing could be adjourned until December.
St. Lawrence’s attorney asked Seibel in court papers filed Wednesday for additional time to analyze the prosecution’s updated estimation of the financial loss suffered by investors who bought Ramapo bonds based on false information from St. Lawrence. [Read more…]
Rudy Laurent sworn in as SV trustee, replaces convicted Vilair Fonvil
Rudy Laurent Photo: Mark Vergari The Journal News
“Outgoing Mayor Demeza Delhomme swore in Rudy Laurent today as the new village trustee and deputy mayor.
Laurent will replace former trustee Vilair Fonvil, who was found guilty of corruption charges earlier this month, and so, lost his trustee seat.
“This is quite a beautiful present on this Thanksgiving period,” Laurent said after being sworn in at the Village Hall, where he was accompanied by his family. [Read more…]
State’s fiscal monitoring offers bark with no bite–Just ask Ramapo
A Community View by Bill Weber Published in The Journal News Wednesday, November 22, 2017
The fiscal stress monitoring system was set up by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli so that citizens, government officials, and other interested parties could access information related to the financial condition of municipalities and school districts.
According to the website, “The Fiscal Stress Monitoring System (the System) is OSC’s program to objectively identify issues with budgetary solvency — the ability to generate enough revenue to meet expenditures — for each county, city, town, village and school district.” [Read more…]
Rockland lawmakers seek more control on inspectors
“A pair of Rockland County’s state representatives on Monday urged Gov. Andrew Cuomo to sign a bill into law that would force inspectors to comply with code enforcement guidelines or face losing their credentials.
State Sen. David Carlucci and Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski introduced the bill, which would allow the state Department of State to revoke a code enforcement officer’s certificate on grounds of misconduct. [Read more…]
Spring Valley trustee Vilair Fonvil found guilty
SV Trustee Vilair Fonvil Photo: Ricky Flores/The Journal News
“Spring Valley Trustee Vilair Fonvil today was found guilty of corruption charges accusing him of stealing $11,000 from a summer camp program, ending his stormy career as a village official.
Co-defendant Jermika Depas, the camp program’s coordinator, was acquitted of all charges.
Rockland County Court Judge Kevin Russo found Fonvil guilty of stealing $11,000 in village funding for the 2016 summer camp program. [Read more…]
For Rockland, strong local zoning takes precedence
Robert Rhodes Chairman Preserve Ramapo
Letter appeared in the Sunday Journal News November 19.
The success of the Democratic Party in the recent election did not include Orange and Rockland counties. Is the success of the Republican Party here just the result of anti-Semitism as Democratic leaders suggest?
What is the real issue? Is it the growth of our Hasidic community, its skillful manipulation and political mobilization, or something more fundamental? [Read more…]
East Ramapo parents’ lawsuit: Election system stacked vs. minorities
“A group of parents from East Ramapo have sued the school district, saying that the at-large voting system used to elect members to the school board has led to a lack of representation by minorities.
Filed Thursday in U.S. District Court, the suit demands no further school board elections be held until a ward system made up of nine single-member districts is in place.
The plaintiffs, including seven black or Latino voters, as well as the Spring Valley NAACP, claim East Ramapo is in violation of the Federal Voting Rights Act. In addition to the school board, state Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia is listed as a defendant. [Read more…]