Spring Valley’s Assistant Building Inspector, a former village fire chief, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in New City yesterday on charges he falsified documents he filed with the state. Rockland County D.A. Tom Walsh says the charges stem from the continuing investigation into the fatal fire at a village adult home that killed a firefighter and a resident of the facility. 45 year-old Raymond Canario, faces nine counts while 64 year-old Building Department Chief Wayne Ballard faces three counts. Ballard’s due in court next week.
This comes as Rockland has been given the go-ahead by the state to take over fire and safety enforcement in Spring Valley. That means the county, once the legislature approves and adopts certain laws, would conduct inspections and prosecute violators. Justin Schwartz is the chairman of the Rockland Illegal Housing Task Force, and says he’ll be disappointed if the legislature doesn’t act to help save lives…
Callers to “The Morning Show” Wednesday were also on board with the plan for the county to take over inspection duties for the village of Spring Valley…
In a Facebook post yesterday, Legislature Minority Leader Lon Hofstein said he spoke with legislature Chairman Alden Wolfe, who indicated they have enough votes to pass the necessary laws for the takeover to happen. 35 year-old firefighter Jared Lloyd and 79 year-old facility resident Oliver Hueston both died in the March 22nd blaze. Rabbi Nathaniel Sommer and his son, Rabbi Aaron Sommer, who were cleaning the facility’s kitchen ovens for Passover, have been indicted on various felonies including involuntary manslaughter and arson. Two Evergreen employees, director Denise Kerr of Brooklyn and Emanuel Lema of Pomona, have also pleaded not guilty to charges for allowing the oven cleansings to take place. Canario is due back in court December 8th.