GOSHEN—The Orange County Legislature held two sessions to hear what county residents had to say about the town board of Monroe’s vote on Sept. 8 to allow Kiryas Joel to annex 164 acres from the town.
At the second of the two sessions on Sept. 17 the Orange County Legislature voted 11-1 to join a lawsuit with eight towns opposing the annexation. The legislature needed to act promptly, as the Monroe Board’s decision triggered a 30-day waiting period in which interested parties can respond, negotiate an alternative, or seek other solutions.
Residents React
Residents who spoke were overwhelmingly against the annexation. Speakers’ statements often concluded with applause and vocal approval from the audience. County Executive Steven Neuhaus presented a status report on the county’s position.
Wawayanda resident Therese Pierce has lived in the county her whole life. She was concerned with long-range financial costs to the county. “In no time at all Orange County is going to be faced with bankruptcy. I urge you to think about all the people in Orange County who say they are entitled.”
Carole Mullouly from Central Valley left Brooklyn in 1971. She said she likes diversity but not the rules laid out in Kiryas Joel. She read the welcome sign at the entrance to Kiryas Joel and pointed out how it said that the visitors should maintain gender separation in all public areas. Mullouly said this welcome sign did not make her feel welcome in Kiryas Joel.
Russ Kassoff called Kiryas Joel “insular.” “How can a community that does not take part in our all-encompassing community decide what can be taken from us?” Kassoff said the legislature has a responsibility to its citizens: “It is imperative that you reach out to the entire community to educate and inform as to what is going on above politics that will affect everyone’s everyday lives.”
