Mount Vernon mayor Richard Thomas pleaded guilty yesterday to stealing campaign funds and lying on a disclosure to the State Board of Elections. New York Attorney General Letitia James said Thomas was ordered to pay a $13,000 fine in addition to a one-year conditional discharge. Thomas may not seek or accept any elected or appointed public office. He’ll also resign and leave office effective September 30th.
Orange County Lawmaker Criticized for Social Media Post
An Orange County lawmaker is in a bit of online controversy for posting a controversial message on Facebook announcing he is proud to be heterosexual. News 12 says Legislator Joseph Minuta posted on Facebook, “Regardless of your orientation…I’m proud to be heterosexual.” Another Orange County legislator called the comments “highly insensitive.” The post has since been taken down.
One Idea for Other Uses at Ramapo Ballpark: Rodeos (Yee-Hah!)
The town of Ramapo is expecting to soon get a consultant’s report on the things it can do to help make more money from the ballpark. Rockland Business Association CEO Al Samuels says if the field can take it, they might want to consider hosting rodeos…
Ramapo is expecting to get the consultant’s report sometime this month.
Police: New City Woman Killed After West Haverstraw Man Drives Drunk Through Red Light
UPDATE: 11:46AM Monday: The victim of yesterday’s fatal accident is Jayde Marks 21, of New City, Clarkstown Police said.
An unidentified woman was killed early yesterday morning after a 22-year-old West Haverstraw man allegedly drove drunk through a red light, crashing into her car. Clarkstown Police say the accident occurred around 1am at Route 304 and Germonds Road in New City. Police believe Michael Mercado was heading south on Route 304 while the driver of the other car was heading east on Germonds Road. There were no passengers in either car. The woman was taken to Nyack Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Mercado was transported to Westchester Medical Center for a non-life-threatening injury. Mercado is being charged with vehicular manslaughter, DWI, refusal to submit to a breath test and going through a red light. He will be arraigned when he gets out of the hospital.
Rockland Woman Elected to International Real Estate Group Post
A Rockland woman has won a leadership position with a prestigious global real estate group. Vanessa Saunders is the founder and CEO of Global Property Systems in White Plains, and was elected as Secretary General of the Marketing and Networking Committee of the International Real Estate Federation…
Saunders is the first person from the Hudson Valley region to fill this position.