KJ and Tiny Tim
Dear Nieces and Nephews, sometimes you need to look beyond HOW something is said and look to WHAT is being said and by WHOM.
For example, many folk say things with conviction, in self-assured tones and quite repeatedly, so that most believe it to be true. (presentation is key here) So, one may say "According to reliable sources, in the near future, the sun will generate enough gamma rays so that it will no longer be necessary to use cell phones. You will just need to orient your cranium in a particular direction when you are downwind to the intended party and speak so the intended party receives your message"
Sounds good? Well, it is just another way of saying "talking into the wind".
So when you read a report that has numerous citations and impressive language, it may be beneficial to also look at the WHO is saying it.
In the Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement for the 507 acre Annexation from the Town of Monroe to the Village of Kiryas Joel one should look at WHO prepared the document.
Lead Agency: VILLAGE OF KIRYAS JOEL BOARD OF TRUSTEES
P.O. Box 566, Monroe, New York 10949
Contact: Mr. Gedalye Szegedin, Village Administrator
(845) 783-8300
Planning Consultant:
TIM MILLER ASSOCIATES, INC.
10 North Street, Cold Spring, New York 10516
Contact: Tim Miller, AICP
(845) 265-4400
The Village has numerous environmental violations all documented on the DEC and EPA websites; violations of the Clean Water Act as recently as 2014/15!!! Strike one for WHO.
Let's look at Tim Miller Associates. First, you would think that they would be proud of this DGEIS! Why is this project not listed on their website? These are the same folk who did the Harriman Commons, BJ"s Wholesale Club, Home Depot etc.Those projects are listed, but no KJ. Yorktown, New Rochelle but no KJ.
You would think that when drafting something as comprehensive as
an Environmental Impact Statement, that they would have a surfeit of
hydrologists, graduate level engineers, geologists, ecologists and biologists
as well as pollution scientists and traffic specialists on their staff.
You would think that.
TIM MILLER AICP Pennsylvania State University, B.S.
Environmental Management, 1974
Management not science. But he is AICP certified.
“AICP Comprehensive Planning Examination candidates must
meet specific criteria for education and experience, so determine your
eligibility before you apply.” https://www.planning.org/certification/
Tim does not seem to have the educational
requirements, maybe his experience qualifies him.
Take a look at his
resume, available at: http://www.timmillerassociates.com/resume/TM_resume.pdf
You will find a
list of various project experience including marketing. Unfortunately specific
roles on those various projects is not readily available. Hmmn..
FREDERICK P. WELLS, RLA University of Connecticut at
Storrs, Bachelor of Science:
Environmental Horticulture / Landscape Design, 1980
There are only two members that appear to have any
graduate level degrees not just graduate level “work “ (which
could mean that they took one or two graduate level classes- hey, maybe they
took lessons in pumping up their resumes from Focus Media and Josh Sommers?)
There is even someone on staff with a Bachelors in Geography (yes, Geography not
Geology)
Horticulturists! Landscape Architects!!! Maybe they will record the number of trees the village will clear cut!
There is nothing wrong with having a Bachelor's degree
only and there is nothing wrong with being a landscape architect but that does not necessarily qualify one to conduct an environmental study. A BS in Geography does
not qualify you, nor does being RLA, to do an Environmental Impact statement. One should not pump
up qualifications to appear more than they are. Strike Two.
Auntie really hates phonies.
Now for the "WHAT" is being said. When you read the DGEIS (http://www.kj-seqra.com/507Acres/) you will find many references to studies conducted, permits, status and classifications of streams etc. Pay attention to the incorrect citations and the dates. Some examples:
" NYSDEC is presently overseeing the regulatory review process that would consolidate
all of the existing wells under a single permit and add capacity with a new well field
located on Village-owned property in the Town of Cornwall (the “Mountainville well
field”). A draft consolidated water supply permit (WAS No. 11609, revised January 23,
2013) is currently pending in the regulatory review process." (3.5.1 DGEIS)
When you search the DEC website for WAS No. 11609, it takes you to Onondoga County in 1991 ( http://www.dec.ny.gov/hearings/11609.html) Hardly relevant..
"The NYSDEC has conducted biological surveys of the Ramapo River to assess water
quality. Surveys were conducted in 1987, 1991, 1993, 1998. The surveys provide an
asssessment of water quality and the potential impact of the Harriman WWTP on the
river’s water quaility." 25 Ramapo River Biological Assessment, 1998 Survey, NYSDEC 1998 (3.5.24 DGEIS)
How reassuring for the residents of Rockland County and Northern New Jersey, who rely on the Ramapo River for their drinking water!!! Yum Yum! Drink up! The last assessment of quality was in 1998? Any chicken parts reported back then?
"WHAT" and having intellectually challenged, pandering politicians as your advocates, presenting "ANTI- ANNEXATION is equal to Auschwitz" arguments is:
Strike Three!!! You're OUT!!!
P.S. Governor Cuomo, don't forget to sign the Assemblyman Skoufis Annexation Bills soon!
And don't you dare to even think of a veto.
posted by Auntie Alibi @ 11:57 AM
8 Comments
8 Comments:
A simple question, Auntie. Why is the Village of Kiryas Joel and the Hasidic community so opposed to 2 laws proposed by Assemblyman James Skoufis? If you are following the law already, these minor additional steps to provide more transparency and more careful review should not be threatening to anyone. If it takes an extra meeting or two to ensure that things are done properly, this would guarantee a more acceptable outcome, wouldn't it?
In an athletic game, if an extra umpire or two are added, there should not be any objection if you are playing by the rules.
Objecting to better oversight and openness raises questions: What are you afraid of ? What are you trying to hide? What are you trying to sneak through? If you have a good and clear record about following the law, what is the threat? If you feel threatened, what are you hiding?
More importantly, why do Kiyras Joel leaders cry anti-Semitism all the time? Even when someone simply asks a question. By this definition, their own people who disagree with them are also anti-Semitic.
Fantastic post Auntie. Devastating. Well done. My hat is off to you.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Yes, Auntie removed the previous comment because, quite frankly it was not up to the level expected here. To repeatedly refer to the annexation bills as unconstitutional but not give evidence as to WHY it is unconstitutional is not acceptable.
What did your Auntie say? Repeat often and with conviction and it becomes the truth...
This was just published in the Mid-Hudson News today...believe it or not. Can these letters be verified and documented and each signature be validated. Find this very hard to believe.
Majority of annexation comments positive, KJ says
KIRYAS JOEL – As Kiryas Joel village officials and their consultant review written comments on the draft generic environmental impact statement concerning the proposed annexation of Monroe Town land into the village, they said the vast majority support the annexation.
So far, 4,110 written comments have been received with 4,054 in favor of annexation while only 56 oppose it, the village reported Friday.
The written comment period closed last Monday and village officials and their consultant, Tim Miller Associates of Cold Spring will respond to questions in the final generic EIS to be publicly released later this summer.
Following the village’s preparation of a DGEIS, Orange County hired its own consultant, which this week released its own comments, many of which were critical.
would be very interesting to find out if those 4,054 comments were pre-written comments that just needed to be signed and sent it---sort of the like the block voting in elections where residents are given pre-printed cards with the names of who they should vote for. Since the Village of Kiryas Joel is based on the religious and cultural practices of the Satmar Hasidim, where the rabbi and leaders are to be followed, it is to be expected that one will vote or send in comments as directed.
Did the 4,054 positive comments actually address information in the environmental review or did these comments simply say, "I favor annexation" with no discussion of economic and environmental impacts.
Are all of these 4,054 comments available for the public to see?
Monroe Conservation Commission
WRITTEN COMMENTS on the DGEIS for the KJ Annexation
If you did not attend or did not have the opportunity to speak at the public hearing, PLEASE send comments
Written comments on the Draft GEIS will be accepted through close of business on June 22, 2015. Comments on the DGEIS should be sent to Tim Miller Associates 10 North St, Cold Spring, NY 10516
Do the letters alluded to in the Mid-Hudson news article include ALL letters written from every faction, or only those who reside in Kiryas Joel. I doubt these numbers are reflective of all who attended the 06-10-15 meeting.
The comment period has expired a week ago. We hope that was not the intention of your comment here.
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