Meet the immovable object

When a petition was filed to annex 507 acres from Monroe into Kiryas Joel, we heard nothing from the leadership of KJ.

Instead their proxies spoke.
Attorney Steven Barshov, and KJ Schools Superintendent Joel Petlin accused the citizens of Monroe of anti-Semitic and bigotry.

Monroe Town Supervisor Harley Doles tried to distract us with a letter writing campaign to the NYS Attorney General and Comptroller. He offered false comfort with unsubstantiated claims that environmental reviews (SEQR) for the annexation could take up to ten years.

We are waiting for a decision from the DEC on which municipality will take the lead in the SEQR (environmental) review.

On July 7, an impatient Harley Doles attempted to sneak through a resolution that would cede lead agency to Kiryas Joel in exchange for KJ making its best effort to separate from the Town.

If separate, KJ would no longer have bloc vote influence over the rest of the Town. The part he glossed over – this agreement was contingent on the approval of the annexation.

Mr. Doles’ insistence on moving the annexation process forward, with no legitimate show of good faith from the leaders of Kiryas Joel (“we’ll try our best to separate”) leaves us with two gnawing questions for Doles:

1. Why do you want the DEC to stop deliberating on the lead agency question?

2. After reciting ad nauseam that you cannot state an opinion on the annexation, why did you introduce a resolution that calls for its approval in exchange for separation?

Mr. Doles’ resolution failed. Later, United Monroe received a bizarre offer by KJ Administrator Gedalye Szegedin: Would United Monroe endorse a plan that offered separation in exchange for ALL Monroe land north of Route 17?

In the face of public outrage over the questionable relationship between Doles and the KJ leadership, Szegedin thought this would be a good time to negotiate for more than the 507 acres on the annexation map.

The bait-and-switch routine was on. KJ surrogates used their talking points:

1. Petlin again accused us of intolerance.

2. “Peacemaker” Doles wrote a letter to the editor insisting that separation, and not the dubious circumstances surrounding the annexation or corrupt government would keep our town from self-destructing.

3. Szegedin pleaded that the KJ government has no influence to withdraw the annexation petition.

4. Town Councilman McQuade alluded to bigotry and anti-Semitism at the July 21 town meeting.

The leadership of Kiryas Joel has a history of operating under cover of darkness, with disregard for the environment and neighboring communities. When this covert enterprise senses it may not get what it wants, proxies use tantrums and accusations of anti-Semitic and bigotry to intimidate politicians into compliance.

This has not changed.
Mr. Doles, taking a page from the KJ playbook, has doubled down on his contempt for the citizens of Monroe.

He filibusters his meetings into the night to discourage public participation.

He keeps resolutions that deserve public scrutiny off of published meeting agendas.

He and his cronies – Councilmen McQuade and Burke – pass appropriations in the late hours, after returning from long executive sessions.

In recent meetings, and this past Monday in particular, taxpayers were forced to leave the Town Meeting before it was adjourned. This has not changed.

Here is what has changed: The people of Monroe will no longer tolerate the methods of any government that works in the shadows to achieve its objectives.

We will not cave under false accusations of intolerance.

Our resolve is firm; you have met the immovable object.

To the elected leaders of Kiryas Joel – show us that you can be the “good neighbors” you say you want to be.

Have the annexation petition withdrawn; initiate and complete the process to become a separate municipality with no conditions, and walk into the sunlight to have a conversation with the people of Monroe.

To Messrs. Doles, Burke and McQuade – clean up your government. Treat the taxpayers of your town with the respect and dignity they deserve by obeying the New York State Open Meetings Law. Stop targeting Town residents with your campaign of anti-Semitic and intolerance accusations.

Or, resign.
John Allegro
Town of Monroe