A strike by the operator of the county’s bus service appears to be over. TransDev drivers with the Smart United Transport Union Local 1705 Friday went on a wildcat strike, causing significant delays into the weekend. They reportedly wanted better pay, medical and 401K benefits. TransDev said Sunday they had reached a tentative agreement Saturday night with the union. The county says all TOR service is fully operational at this time.
Suffern Central School District Board of Ed Suspends Superintendent
Suffern Central School District’s superintendent has been suspended. The Board of Education reportedly voted 4-3 Thursday to remove Douglas Adams from his job. His attorney Richard Ellsworth says the board’s action was retaliation against Adams, who had petitioned the State Education Commission, reporting that the board and its president were interfering with his ability to do his job…
Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Lisa Castaldo, will now be acting superintendent. In a letter to Suffern Central parents, Castaldo said that students, families, staff and community are her first priority during this period of transition, and she was confident the administrative team, faculty and support staff would provide stability in the days ahead. We reached out to Castaldo and the board of education for additional comment but did not hear back.
Ramapo Defends Recent Controversial Hires, Raises
Ramapo’s supervisor and his chief of staff are defending the hiring of several people for various positions in town despite charges of nepotism and other political connections as the basis for the hires. Supervisor Michael Specht told “The Morning Show” Friday the positions were already empty and they were filled by qualified candidates…
One of those hired is the son-in-law of Ramapo chief of staff Mona Montal, who told “The Morning Show” he is well-qualified for the job…
Montal says the job her son-in-law left will not be filled, so the town is saving $40,000 with his hiring. Rich, a Ramapo resident, was concerned the jobs weren’t offered to others as well…
Specht also defended recent raises given to him and town council members, noting that as the largest town in the county and the fifth in the state, salaries had to be brought up to be equivalent to what their colleagues are making.
Four Area Charlotte Russe Stores, Including Nanuet and West Nyack, Shutting Down for Good
Four area Charlotte Russe stores, in Nanuet’s Rockland Plaza, Palisades Center in West Nyack, the Galleria in White Plains and Paramus Park in New Jersey, are shutting down for good along with the company’s 508 other retail outlets around the country. The women’s clothing company had originally filed for bankruptcy last month with the hope of only closing about 20 percent of their stores. The company’s website is also no longer selling product.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO NOON SUNDAY
Mixed precipitation expected. Total sleet and snow accumulations of up to one inch and ice accumulations of up to one tenth of an inch expected.
Plan on slippery road conditions.
A Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of snow, sleet or freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. Expect slippery roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving. Check local Department of Transportation information services for the latest road conditions.