An Orthodox Jewish congregation’s lawsuit, claiming Airmont violated its own zoning laws when it slapped their synagogue with violations, has been rejected by an acting state judge. The Journal News reported that the Rabbi of the Congregation of Echo Ridge claimed the village’s zoning and enforcement is discriminatory. The issue arose over parking issues at the 3 Echo Ridge Road location and parking planned for an adjoining property. The village still faces two other lawsuits claiming Airmont discriminates against Orthodox and Hasidic Jews to prevent them from practicing their religion. In a statement to WRCR, Airmont Mayor Philip Gigante said the village is “committed to enforcing its codes equitably and fairly. We believed this complaint to be without merit, and we are glad that the judge agreed and dismissed this action.”
News
Services for Former Spring Valley Police Chief Today, Funeral Thursday
Services are being held today for former Spring Valley police chief Adam Krainak, a 70-year member of the Rockland Hook & Ladder Company in Spring Valley, who died last week at the age of 97. Clarkstown supervisor George Hoehmann got to know the World War Two veteran when they were both members of the Clarkstown Sunrise Rotary Club…
Visitation is this afternoon from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 at Wanamaker & Carlough Funeral Home in Suffern. A funeral Mass will be held tomorrow morning at 10:30 at St. Joseph’s Church in Spring Valley, with burial to follow at Ascension Cemetery in Airmont.
Presentation on Ramapo’s Northeast Strategic Plan Being Held Tonight in Pomona
The Northeast Strategic plan for the town of Ramapo will be the subject of a work-in-progress presentation tonight at Pomona Middle School. Supervisor Michael Specht says the plan generally covers the area below Route 202 straddling the Palisades Parkway to the ballpark and south to the New Hempstead Road area…
Tonight’s meeting at Pomona Middle School starts at 6 o-clock. Another meeting may be held in February or March. For more information, click here.
Medical Marijuana Dispensary Coming to Bardonia
The town of Clarkstown is poised to be the first in the county to get a medical marijuana dispensary. LoHud.com reports “Valley Agriceuticals” will be opening a shop on Route 304 in Bardonia. It’ll be one of 25 dispensaries across New York. State regulators will have to decide when the shop can open to the public.
Rockland County Announces Grants for Groups that Promote Tourism
Rockland officials yesterday announced more than 200-thousand dollars in grants for groups that promote tourism in the county. Andrew Horn is the executive director of Stony Point’s Penguin Rep Theatre, one of the recipients of a grant. Horn said he’s proud of Penguin’s reputation and standing as one of the handful of theaters outside major cities in the country that puts on original productions…
Director of Economic Growth and Tourism Lucy Redzeposki said the grants are helpful, but working together has helped boost Rockland’s visibility as a tourist destination…
County Executive Ed Day said it’s important to be welcoming to visitors so that they share in the county’s beauty and spend time — and their cash — here…
The average county household would have to pay an additional $555 annually in property taxes to maintain current services if not for money generated by tourism. Other recipients of grant money include the Garner Arts Center, Rock-Bergen Music Festival, Visit Nyack and others. See the complete list here: