WELCOME TO CUPON CHESTNUT RIDGE NEW YORK

     C.U.P.O.N. of Chestnut Ridge is an inclusive group of concerned residents allied in our shared commitment to keep our community safe and preserve the character of our neighborhood by stopping overdevelopment and illegal building activity in the Village of Chestnut Ridge.   

 Key Objectives:  

 1) Hold Chestnut Ridge elected officials and village administrators accountable for the consistent enforcement of all building codes, zoning laws and permit approval processes   

2) Inform and educate village residents about issues that affect our neighborhood   

3) Keep residents engaged and mobilized for positive change and action   

4) Ensure all residents have a seat at the table and that our voices are heard before village decisions are made    

Rockland County women for the 2019  New York State Assembly Women of Distinction Awards. These  awards honor women who are making a difference in New York State, their  communities and in the lives of others. They are women who have overcome  obstacles, gone above and beyond to enact positive change, to do what’s right  and to inspire those around them. The 2019  Women of Distinction Awards  are an important opportunity to pay tribute to these women, whose strength,  vision, hard work and compassion are lifting up others, strengthening our  communities, our economy, and improving our quality of life. 

Hilda Kogut receives the award from  Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee at the New York State Assembly on April 8. 

Hello  Chestnut Ridge residents- so much has happened in the last few weeks that it  makes one wonder where to start.

Let's start with the Election!  First, thanks to all who got out and  voted.  Not enough of us, however, and the difference in the vote leaves us  wondering why the difference between the incumbents and our candidates was only  200 votes.  But the positive here is that more voters came out AGAIN, than ever  before in a Village election.  And, that this was the First time there was ever  a contest in an election for Trustee in this Village.    We learn from each  election and will take this forward for the next  election in 2 short  years.

PEOPLE MUST VOTE!!!!

First we must all be LOUD and DETERMINED in advising the Village at the  next Board meeting on 3/28/19 and by phone or letter or email!!  that the  conditions under which this election was held were abominable!!!  The Village  did not provide enough machines- knowing full well that the turnout was going to  be large.  The Village failed to employ enough screeners and thus the time taken  to vote was terribly long and the screeners could not do their job efficiently  and DID NOT do their job per the law- covering all signatures and challenging  voters who had seemed not to belong  at the polls!!


Also, Allan Rubin was terrific in a terrible situation.  How could anyone  have possible thought that this election could be managed by just one person?   The Village must consider adding another person to work with him to insure that  the integrity of the process is protected  and that breaks can be taken and  a  lunch/dinner  can be eaten!!!


Sadly, our poll watchers and the  voters  who observed  Grant Valentine's  less than professional and classless approach to the election process had no  success in stopping him/or shaming him.  Grant went back and forth into the  voting area telling people he was checking on his wife who was one of his team's  poll watchers.  He moved over the 100 foot  line and , in general, showed little respect for the election  process or the community at large..   Ladies and gentleman , it took a while but  we all have seen the real Grant Valentine over this election cycle
and he is anything but the nice

We are considering the results of the election and will consider the most  productive way to review it.  And, improve our performance as a group going  forward.

ENOUGH about the Election- Let's talk about the Article 78 Lawsuit which was  electronically filed to the NYS Supreme Court In New City on Thursday, March  21.  The Village Government will receive their voluminous copies on Tuesday,  March 26.

The law suit is available for your review  on this website..Read it and  consider the work and facts that have been poured into this document.  This suit  is factual and substantive.

This matter will take time but I believe we have a good chance of  prevailing-  the Village simply thinks that there will be NO Environmental  impact on 90% of the land in the Village.  How can that  be!!!   The facts are  indisputable.

Please note that this suit does not come to CUPON of Chestnut Ridge  cheaply.  Our superb attorney, Steve Mogel has worked over tirelessly along  with the planner, Alan Sorenson, to craft this document.  His work hours for March alone totaled 76 hours- or roughly $17,000.  Steve has been very   gracious  and has discounted this work as a donation to CUPON of Chestnut Ridge in  the amount of $4000- so we now owe  him roughly $13,000.  This is a large amount  of money but well spent I believe and I know many of you do as well.  I ask all  of you to think about this matter and the future of this Village .

Please , if you have already donated, donate again.  And, if you been a  watcher, it is time to be a participant in this fight.  This work is for all of  us- it is for the future of Chestnut Ridge, the beautiful, diverse community  that we all love!! 
 
I want to take this opportunity to ask you all to offer your time to help  the few of us shouldering a good amount of this work  We need people to FOIL  plans and documents and to attend meetings and report meeting.  Going forward,  there should be NO public meeting in this village without a CUPON member  attending.  

The party is over, folks!!!   We must make the Village government  accountable for its actions- nothing can occur in silent or secret going  forward.  Watching and asking questions is what will save this village.

And, to coin a phrase used by my friend's in law Enforcement- IF YOU SEE  SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING and take a picture, too!!!!


The next CUPON of Chestnut Ridge meeting is 4/3/19 at the Ambulance Corp  building at 7PM.  Please join us and bring a neighbor!!!

Hilda Kogut


 

Complaints can be filed at the Village Administration in person, by phone or by mail. It is important however to keep a record. CUPON CR recommends to use the official Complaint Form so that there is a formal record and a follow up document.  You can also pick up blank forms at the Village Administration Office.