I think it's disgraceful of Mayor Gross to malign a group of dedicated volunteers this way. He owes each and every member of SKFE #2 an apology and a blanket apology to the general public.

The public is very fortunate to have such dedicated volunteers who risk their lives and health to create a better village.

It's unfortunate the current Mayor has alienated so many in this small village.

I think Joe Gross reads articles and forums on this site. Maybe he read this one. http://cornwall-on-hudson.com/news.cfm?page=5277

I respect ones that spend money wisely and I also respect ones who question where and how money is spent I also respect and honor ones who volunteer their time. I also believe our Mayor and trustees also honor and respect our volunteers and just because one questions or digs a little deep to find where money is spent has no bearing what so ever on their respect or honor of our volunteers. I would ask one to take a look at the letter at this link http://cornwall-on-hudson.com/news.cfm?page=5277 and ask yourself why a wedge has to be constantly be driven in this community. I'm not sticking up for the Mayor I just know frustration sometimes gets the best of us and we all should come together.
And next time Dan I'll type after 3:15 on a Monday afternoon. (Comment referred to was deleted)

The bottom line is each citizen has one vote and can vote anyway they like. I am not a member of SKFE #2 yet only voted for Mr Kane for Trustee. That is my right and I exercised it. He didn't go around promising anything like others have done. He had the best resume by far, a calm temperment and foremost a sense of humility. Those are qualities the majority of the voters saw so he was overwhelmingly voted into office. Next March another vote will take place and again each member of the village can vote any way they chose.

Funny how the perception of our Town is to outsiders that are aware of our woes. Feedback is that the cronys are being revealed and some are really afraid that its going to change. What Cornwall should be concerned with is the loss of the Supermarket and the potential loss of the Military School. Would you send your child to school here with a main street that looks as dreadful as ours? The recent Grant that Edsell has applied for is great. That is how leaders will rebuild our community. Mayor, I like what you are doing, limit your valuable time responding to these clowns and reach out to groups that can help us. Contact the HR Greenway, apply for some grants and turn this ship around. I cannot vote for you, Im in the Town Limits.

Nonsecular?

Does that mean SK Engine company is a religious organization?

I don't believe anyone in the village would question the dedication of the volunteers of Storm King Engine. I don't believe that dedication is what is being questioned here.
Mr. Munterich states that as a nonpartisan, nonsecular organization, SKE members do not engage in the endorsement of any candidate or religion. He goes on to state that there was no organized effort to influence the outcome of the last election nor would any be permitted. I would ask Mr. Munterich to refer back to a letter to the editor on this site dated Jan. 24, 2010. In the letter a Mr. Dennis J. Wood stated that Trustee Barbara Gosda doesn't realize the voting block that SKE members and families have. Sounds like an organized effort to me. On the day of the election while waitig to vote a man in front of me had a voter registration card he was presenting to the inspector. He said he had never voted here before. When she cleared him to vote and he approached the booth he said he didn't know what he was voting for. When told he was voting for two trustees he said he was told to only vote for one.
No organized effort? Makes one wonder doesn't it.

We have only lived in the village for four years. I become more disillusioned and disatisfied with the tone and rancor found in local politics. The focus of all in public office should be to do what is best for the village. I certainly don't see that on either side. When we moved here it was clear that there was a small group in charge of everything with little transparency in local government. That obviously continues. Neither side is completely right or completely wrong. It is not something that inspires me to make an effort to put down solid roots in this community. What a huge disappointment this has been.

>>>On the day of the election while waitig to vote a man in front of me had a voter registration card he was presenting to the inspector. He said he had never voted here before. When she cleared him to vote and he approached the booth he said he didn't know what he was voting for. When told he was voting for two trustees he said he was told to only vote for one.
No organized effort? Makes one wonder doesn't it.<<<

Sorry Joe Cornish but that is refered to as hearsay and is completely invalid if not ridiculous. I for one do not believe it.

Dennis Wood expressed his own belief not that of the company.

You should be more concerned about a mayor who defies a 3 - 2 vote and is dictating how the village will be run. We elected a village board to run this village not one man to dictate how it will be run. This should worry everyone.

Your right P Welch, that is refered to as hearsay, as in I heard him say it. And I wasn't the only one. The gentleman working the the voting booth , whose name I will not mention but who is well known to anyone that votes in the village, also heard him.

Well Joe even giving you the benefit of the doubt, that person is allowed to vote anyway he wants to. Not the way you or others want him to.

BTW, hearsay is also refered to as balderdash.

It's easy to dismiss the testimony of people who report something that they hear another person say - especially if you don't *want* to believe it.

It's harder to dismiss the implicit threat in a letter that refers to a "voting bloc" and the power it represents. But it will be dismissed by those who close their eyes when the truth doesn't fit their agenda.

Sadly - it is hard to focus on the work necessary for the good of the Village when so much time must be spent fighting off the attacks of those who are angry over their loss of "power".

Wake up -- it's not about power -- it's about fairness and what is best for the community.

Was it a "voting bloc" when "certain" residents of Cliffside Park tried to block an individual from LEGALLY building a home on his property? Some were so mad they lost they upped and moved.

Every citizen IS allowed to vote anyway they want not the way some believe is best for the community. Then if they don't like it maybe that community is not for them and they can move like you

Turn what Ms. Paull says around: It is easy to accept the testimony of people who report something that they hear another person say--especially if you *want* to believe it. That is why hearsay is not permitted in a court of law. Let's have some real evidence.

As I said - it is easy to dismiss "hearsay". What Ms. Shearson did not address is that it is not so easy to dismiss an implicit threat stated in a letter. Although, it's obviously easy for some to ignore it, and focus attention elsewhere.

Ms Paull,

May I respectfully suggest you turn your worries towards your new residence in Nyack. Since you left a lot has happened here that you are apparently not aware of. Worry about the crime in Nyack. I'm sure they must have a site where you can vent. BTW, here in Cornwall we support our volunteer firefighters and appreciate all they give to our community.

Although we did move closer to NYC for work purposes, we miss COH tremendously and hope to return someday. The effort to silence me is wasted.
You should know that we support and appreciate our firefighters here in Nyack as well, but we don't interpret "support" to require blanket acceptance of heavy-handed tactics or implicit threats. And the firefighters here seem to be a varied group, which encourages individuals to think (and vote) for themselves.

While eating dinner in Pasta Cuchina in New City I overheard that everyone in Nyack fears for their lives and no one leaves their homes at night. They also said the crack problem has been overtaken by the Methamphetamine problem and violent crime is out of contol. This is what I would worry about if I lived in Nyack. I certainly would not dismiss what I heard about Nyack.

Ahhahaha! This "fear" is so overwrought and unrealistic to be actually pretty funny. Nyack has its problems (what community doesn't?) But "fearing for our lives" is not on the minds of anyone I know in Nyack. And staying in our homes is unthinkable in this town with a lively (sometimes too lively for some folks) nightlife. Talk about "hearsay"! Come on down some evening and enjoy the wonderful restaurants and activities in Nyack and speak to people who actually live here. And you might want to speak to people under the age of 70 - it's a general tendency for older people to become unreasonably fearful in their later years - it's not a reflection of reality.
Cheers!