'Unbelievably heartbreaking news...'

By Nancy Kriz
MONROE — If Facebook had an "extremely dislike" button to click, chances are Monroe residents unhappy with the DEC's decision to award the Village of Kiryas Joel lead agency status in the 507 acre annexation request would be clicking it.

Postings on that social media site, which quickly followed after rumors were confirmed on Wednesday, reveal anger, frustration and anxiety over Commissioner Joseph Martens' decision and Town of Monroe, Orange County and state officials' conduct in this issue, despite the fact that being named lead agency only means the DEC gave the village the lead role in the environmental review process for the original annexation request.

The approval or disapproval of that request won't take place until that process is completed.

In fact, that approval or disapproval could be many months, if not many years away, given the many parties involved, the complex issues regarding sewer, water, land use and the Monroe-Woodbury School District as well as inevitable litigation and appeals which are likely to take place.

What's also unknown is how the recent 160-acre annexation request of Monroe town property commonly referred too as "The Fingers," and newer 336-acre annexation request of Monroe property into the Town of Blooming Grove/Village of South Blooming Grove will complicate the knotted issue.

Clearly, Facebook user postings represent one-sided public outcry about the situation, which began in January 2014 when the annexation request became public knowledge.

But The Photo News offers selections of Facebook postings that provide clues to the tone, mood and demeanor of a community in crisis.

While Facebook is a public site, and all postings are considered in the public domain, a decision has been made to not publish user names so as to allow for the mostly - though not always - civil conversation to continue:

"The corruption runs so deep. I fear there is no turning back and have lost all faith."

"Hang in there everyone. This is only the beginning. We will fight and win."

"Instead of New York it should be called "Kiryas York."

"My child's future education in Monroe is ruined."

"I can see how early Americans felt about England..... When is enough ....enough?"

"Outrageous! Inexplicable! Criminal!"

"Unbelievably heartbreaking news..."

"This is not really shocking to me but I'm disturbed on many levels as well as significantly frustrated. We must act now!!!! Get whomever you know, register them to vote, attend meetings, donate to anti -annexation and or the campaign fund because not acting is no longer an option!!!!"

"Really? Would someone like to question Mr. Martens on why he would make a decision to award Lead Agency to a municipality that has continually shown disdain for all environmental regulation, has been repeatedly cited and fined by the DEC themselves, and shows little evidence in correcting their practices? If I understand correctly, the DEC could have designated themselves as lead agency -- please keep me honest here -- so it begs the question of, if so, 'why didn't they?'"

"The fox guarding the hen house."

"Unbelievable, the DEC Commish says the high density development practised (sic) by KJ is more environmentally sustainable than large lot zoning. What is he smoking?"

"I'm so shocked by this. The levels of corruption in KJ and our NYS is amazing. Welfare fraud, banking fraud, tax evasion, women's rights, isolationism, assimilation issues, etc......"