Excerpts from July 29 - August 4, 2010 Issue
As Stadium Project Moves Forward, Debate Continues
BY HERBERT S. FISCHER
Special to the Rockland County Times
RAMAPO—Current groundbreaking for a new ballpark that would house an independent baseball team near Route 45 and Pomona Rd. has triggered a polarizing standoff between the ballpark’s supporters and detractors.
On the supporting side of the fight stands the baseball league itself, the town of Ramapo and those residents that tout the economic, civic, and psychic benefits of the ballpark. However, the other side of the fight—the ballpark’s detractors—call the project an economic boondoggle. In the forefront of this side of the battle is Preserve Ramapo, a grassroots organization that opposes high-density development in Ramapo.
Michael Castellucio, spokesman for Preserve Ramapo, summarized the organization’s feelings best, when he characterized the town’s attitude toward taxpayers the following way: “We are going to build this thing, and you are going to pay for it, whether you like it or not.”
The $16.1 million facility, projected to begin construction in late August or September, has already broken ground with the clearance of trees. The town wants a Canadian-American League team to begin playing at the site by May or June 2011.
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MULTIPLE COUNT INDICTMENT HANDED UP IN CONGERS LOOTING
From Rockland DA’s Office
Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe announced Wednesday that an indictment has been handed up against Ivan John Murat (DOB 11/01/76) of 128 Ridge Road, Valley Cottage, New York and Paula Izurieta (12/02/80) of 17 Smart Avenue, Yonkers, New York, charging them with:
Two counts of Burglary in the Second Degree, class “C” felonies
On July 17, 2010, at approximately 10:30 p.m., the defendants illegally entered the residence of Richard Serpico, located at 3 Chauncy Street, Congers, New York. Serpico was killed in a motorcycle accident on July 16, 2010 in the Town of Clarkstown.
Murat and Izurieta entered the residence through a basement window and unlocked the front door. The defendants were observed by a neighbor loading the victim’s property into a black Ford sedan.
On July 18, the defendants returned to the residence and stole more property. The duo was observed by a second neighbor who called a friend, who contacted the decedents’ brother-in-law.
Murat and Izurieta were preparing to leave with another carload of stolen electronics and personal property when the victim’s brother-in-law arrived at the home and confronted them. The defendants were observed removing televisions from their storage units and were using laundry baskets as “shopping bags” to gather other small items throughout the victims’ residence. The relative held them at the home until police arrived.
A search of Murat’s vehicle by Clarkstown police officers revealed numerous items from Serpico’s home, including computers, component wiring, DVD’s, electronic games, clothing, alcohol, sunglasses, toiletries, sheets and towels.
A subsequent search of Murat’s residence also recovered numerous items stolen from the residence. Both defendants have made full statements. Arraignment on the indictment is pending.
Murat and Izurieta face a maximum of fifteen in state prison if convicted.
(To read the entire story please subscribe to the Rockland County Times)
Coopersmith Keeps Sparaco Off Independence Line
Assembly Candidate Frank Sparaco Denied Rockland Ballot Line over Stance on Taxes; but Party’s State Chair Doc Cavallo says Party’s Platform is Actually Similar to Sparaco’s
BY DYLAN SKRILOFF
Republican candidate for the Assembly Frank Sparaco is mad as heck at Chairwoman of Rockland County’s Independence Party Marsha Coopersmith.
He said Coopersmith has denied him a chance to primary against his opponent, liberal Democrat Ken Zebrowski Jr., even though Sparaco gained more than enough signatures to qualify and feels he’d be the favorite to defeat the 30-year-old incumbent in an open primary. Now Sparaco is reduced to petitioning for the “opportunity to ballot,” which means his supporters will have to write-in his name on election day, while Zebrowski Jr.’s name will be the only one to actually appear on ballots.
Strangely, the 33-year-old Sparaco said that Coopersmith cited his “no new tax” pledge as the reason for rejecting his petition, a pledge she told Sparaco was irresponsible. A call to the secretary of the state’s Independence Party Dr. Giulio “Doc” Cavallo, revealed however that he considers the Independence Party an anti-tax, fiscally conservative party. “I would just like to clarify from day one, the Independence Party is totally against raising taxes. That sounds a little weird,” he said of Coopersmith’s alleged statement.
Cavallo noted he had no say in how each independent chapter runs their petition process. “I don’t know the politics of what goes on in Rockland County; I just know from meetings we have, she seems like a nice lady, but that’s a strange comment,” he said. Coopersmith was called for comment at her home and office but did not return the call.
(To read the entire story please subscribe to the Rockland County Times)
St. Lawrence Offers his Two Cents on Afghanistan
BY HERBERT S. FISCHER
Special to the Rockland County Times
ROCKLAND COUNTY--The rapidly changing turn of events in Afghanistan has captured the attention of Rockland County, as officials and residents who might ordinarily sharply disagree with each other register a consensus of cautious optimism.
One of these rapidly changing events--the change in command from Gen. Stanley McChrystal to Gen. David Petraeus--"was the right decision," according to Christopher St. Lawrence, Ramapo's supervisor. "Petraeus was always a great adviser to McChrystal. And it only shows how our military forces have such an incredible wealth of talent."
St. Lawrence's ability to offer a keen insight into events overseas stems from having been reared in Baghdad. His father performed as a naval intelligence officer in World War II, and also served as a professor at the University of Baghdad in Iraq. By the 1950s, his father was asked by the U.S. State Department to develop the U.S. Olympics programs and coach an Olympic team. Further, he and his family routinely traveled through Iran, Lebanon, and Israel.
Miele's Musings
BY PUBLISHER ARMAND MIELE
THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG?
Charlie Rangel is finally in the hotseat for alleged ethics violations. Is our government finally ready to deal with corruption and acknowledge that “payola” is contagious and dangerous? Or is Rangel going to prevail on his long record of “service” in Congress, and get only a slap on the wrist?
Congressman Rangel hasn’t paid his taxes for years and has gotten away with it. Maybe he had some good connections. Maybe he knows too much and could take too many high-power crooks down with him. He is supposed to be working for the people paying his salary, and not himself. Instead he has abused the public’s trust. Will he get away with it?
There are those who will look at Rangel’s trial as entertainment, or who will complain that he did no harm-after all, he’s “served” for years and years, all he did was take a vacation on the public’s dollar, so what? Rangel himself insists he only made “mistakes.” Who is he kidding? Every leader who takes advantage of his position destroys the public trust. A politician does not own his position. He is not entitled to do whatever he wants. Now we know why Rangel has been in favor of higher taxes. He’s one of the legal crooks, the fakers and the greedy ones lining their pockets with our money.
(To read the entire story please subscribe to the Rockland County Times)