A Tale of Two Lawyers

Maybe it will go away…

Your Auntie has reminded you of the political saying: “If you repeat something often enough it becomes the truth”. Now Auntie Alibi would like to introduce you to a variation on this theme: “If you ignore it, and keep ignoring it, it will go away”

“Now, what exactly are you talking about?” you say to your Auntie.

“Ah, my dear Nieces and Nephews” Auntie replies, “Why, I am talking about the Judge’s decision on the Valley View LDC.”

If you subscribe to the idea that Judge Slobod was remiss in her decision, you would have to believe, (according to Mr. Neuhaus and his counsel, the Laconic Langdon Chapman) that her decision was made going down aisle 6 looking for fresh produce.

County officials are continuing as if nothing has changed. Since they do not agree with it, they ignore the decision, thinking it will go away. But what is even worse, is the BRAZENNESS of the LDC Chair, Paul Ernenwein, who not only plans to continue meeting, he has shown his contempt by his statements. AND the Attorney for the County, Justin Miller, is dismissing the Judge’s decision by saying it is “overly broad”.

Let’s look at the comments made by Paul Ernenwein first:

PAUL SAID:  he wants to keep the LDC from "idiocy of local politics” and the elected officials, the very ones who are supposed to do this as part of their job, that is, the ones elected by the people. (And do these elected officials realize he basically called them “idiots”?)

Idiocy here means protect this transfer from the SCRUTINY of the people. You know, those idiots.

PAUL SAID: "There is a new emphasis on families aging together, it is critical to provide opportunities to age in place."

So, is the implication that if Valley View is county owned, then you can’t age in place? Paulie! We now see why the County chose you to serve as chair on the LDC board!

And citing a report from Patterns for Progress is like citing a report from CGR (remember Phil Clark from Clark Patterson Lee, the firm that worked on the county building plans? Phil is on the board of CGR and a major player there. No bias in those reports, either!)

BTW-There are some interesting names on the Patterns for progress board, including the following: Board Member: L. Todd Diorio, President, Hudson Valley Building Construction Trades Council. You remember him. He was going to plant himself in Stevie Thunder’s office and was quite visible at Steve’s side during the campaign. Executive Board Member: Richard O'Rourke Principal Member Keane & Beane, P.C. (remember them?)

And now let’s look at the comments made by Justin Miller.

JUSTIN SAID: The appellate court will find that OC“…has the power to transfer its nursing home to an LDC by simple majority vote of the county legislature.” And “do not have the effect of voiding the creation of Orange County Valley View Development Corporation, which was properly incorporated and continues to exist and operate as a local development corporation.”  

(Please note that NYS DOS doesn't have this "properly" incorporated LDC on it's website: the message reads:

No business entities were found for Orange County Valley View Development Corporation. Current as of July 25th)

You don’t have to be a lawyer to know that if the very process which creates an entity is declared illegal, then the thing it created is illegal.

Now, WHO are these guys? 

   

Paul Ernenwein:

Paul obtained his JD (1995) from:  Western New England College School of Law, (so did Catherine Bartlett Deprospo) He also served as an ADA in the Bronx (so did Billy Deprospo, Mr Nursing Home)

Coincidence? You decide.

               

From the (now) law firm of Catania, Mahon, Milligram & Rider, PLLC website:

 In 2002, Paul accepted a position with Tarshis-Catania. Paul is a trial attorney whose clients and case load include representing individuals who have been injured or arrested, defending doctors, hospitals, schools, towns, villages and cities. Paul's practice is concentrated on complex litigation including medical malpractice, legal malpractice, complex injuries and damages and criminal defense...Paul has served multiple philanthropic and not-for-profit organizations including, The Orange County Citizens Foundation, The Elant Foundation Cub's Place, The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Newburgh 247, The Newburgh Historical Society

Is that Elant? The fancy nursing home in Goshen?

Newburgh Historical Society? Does he have a relationship with Harry Porr and his daughter Johanna Porr, both OC employees with long standing relationships with the CE Neuhaus? 

     

Justin Miller:

Justin is a partner at Harris Beach PLLC (What happened to Shawn? Did they have to bring the “big guns” in to ignore the judge’s decision???)

From the Harris Beach website: http://www.harrisbeach.com/people/justin-miller

“Mr. Miller is a member of the firm and practices in the Public Finance and Economic Development Practice Group and serves on the Municipalities and Local Agencies and the Nanotechnology Industry Teams.  He focuses his practice in the areas of municipal law, state and local finance law, and industrial development.  Mr. Miller has extensive experience counseling public benefit corporations, local development corporations and municipalities regarding large infrastructure projects and financings.  He also provides legal counsel in the areas of public, industrial and commercial finance, formation and administration of special districts, SEQRA compliance, formation of not-for-profit entities, and general economic development initiatives, including New York’s Empire Zone Program.”

                           

The game of “connect the dots” will continue, my dear nieces and nephews. Auntie will keep you posted and if you come across interesting information, please share it with us! After all, we are in this together!!!

Word of the day:

INCESTUOUS  in·ces·tu·ous [in-ses-choo-uhs] being so close or intimate as to prevent proper functioning: an incestuous relationship between organized crime and government.