Tag: Planning Board

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Courts should decide hospital expansion

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Courts should decide hospital expansion

OCTOBER 24, 2014    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014, 10:01 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Let courts decide Valley’s fate

Rurik Halaby

To the Editor:

I support The Valley Hospital’s decision to take the matter of its renewal to court, as I know that we, the residents of Ridgewood, will win if Valley wins. Valley has to renew to remain viable. And its future cannot be dictated by a small band of neighbors who are only guided by their parochial needs.

And before the politicians start beating their chests, I will relate a discussion I had with a Village Council member after the council voted against Valley in 2011. He/she shook his/her head and lamented the fact the issue ever came to the council: “It should have been settled by the courts.” Well, hopefully the Village Council’s work will be done for it.

History is full of missed opportunities, and Ridgewood’s great missed opportunity this past year was our mayor not mediating behind the scenes between Valley and its neighbors to alleviate the neighbors’ concerns and to arrive at a workable solution. If I lived in the neighborhood, I certainly would have had my concerns, but I would have worked hard to get Valley to address them to the satisfaction of most of the neighbors.

This is now doubly difficult because the neighbors’ fears have gone beyond rationality to the realm of paranoia: The neighborhood being smothered with a blanket of noxious fumes, basements being flooded, walls getting cracked, and children being mowed down by heavy trucks on their way to school. These concerns made me wonder if this project was actually taking place in the most advanced engineering country in the world.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/letter-courts-should-decide-hospital-expansion-1.1117450#sthash.MC5oZryJ.dpuf

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Reader says Valley tried to buy the license of Pascack Valley for $2 million in order to terminate and keep it CLOSED Pascack Valley, arguing that there were too many available health care services and beds in the region.

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Chris Christie at People First , Open Pascack Valley Hospital Rally

Reader says Valley tried to buy the license of Pascack Valley for $2 million in order to terminate and keep it CLOSED Pascack Valley, arguing that there were too many available health care services and beds in the region.

Richard Keenan, Valley’s chief financial officer and senior vice president, said in his testimony “Most nights there are approximately 300 unoccupied hospital beds in Bergen County,” Some remaining hospitals “are still running at dangerously low occupancy levels,”

Do recall that Valley tried to buy the license of Pascack Valley for $2 million in order to terminate and keep it CLOSED, arguing up to 2013 decision that there were too many available health care services and beds in the region.

“The bed need study that we conducted again shows that opening another hospital in the most overbedded county in the state makes no sense,” said Valley CEO Audrey Meyers.

From a Valley lawyer at the time : ‘The board of trustees and the leadership of The Valley Hospital continue to believe that the opening of a new hospital ( PV) during an era of health care reform, declining hospital reimbursement, reduced patient hospitalizations, insignificant population growth and a challenging economy is wrong for the health care system of Bergen County,” “The latest numbers show that there will be no increase in demand for health care, and a new hospital will only hurt existing hospitals.”

So Valley basically argued that Pascack Valley wasn’t inherently beneficial to the region given healthcare surpluses but knowing that PV’s continued closure was inherently beneficial to Valley accumulating additional profits .

PV hearings exposed Valley’s ulterior motives and any pretense of altruism. The embarrassing double talk of Valley, the repeated attempts to shove through an overbuild and now this wasteful suit has alienated this community

Valley enjoys a coveted address and gracious host but its rather affluent residents are also educated and attentive and not willing to let the detriments of unbridled expansion degrade their town. Valley always had their support and ability to properly renew but their aspirations to be a regional behemoth needed to be thoughtfully planned especially given past rulings and guidance about limitations which they obviously choose to disregard.
Technology today allows the option of operating a right sized base with satellites , Valley could take this route or materially expand at another location as some other regional hospitals did. No legitimate rationale exists for any huge expansion not to be in a suitable location. Poor planning or arrogance are not a basis for an overbuild.

The existing building of HUMC PV was totally renovated with the newest technology for $80mil . Valley is a larger structure as is so the cost would be proportionately higher but a proper renewal would result in large scost avings that can be reinvested elsewhere. Valley and its trustees should take a cue from others and embark on a proper renewal at Van Dien and other options before they lose whatever is left of their goodwill and rank.

wine.comshow?id=mjvuF8ceKoQ&bids=209195

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Reader says Valley should focus on being a Community Hospital and stop the race to nowhere

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Reader says Valley should focus on being a Community Hospital and stop the race to nowhere

by Thed

I’ve seen a lot of comments on this blog that people should stop going to Valley, stop using doctors that go to Valley, etc. to try to send the hospital a message.

Unfortunately, I don’t think they would receive that message. The truth of the matter is that most people are not going to stop going to Valley due to this issue. Most will continue using Valley as they always do, but maybe not be happy doing it.

I have no problem with most of the doctors, staff, etc. that work at Valley. I have a serious problem with the administration. They are tone deaf, their embarrassment of attorney Drill should actually be named Tool based on his immature and annoying behavior during the previous legal proceedings, and unless you have a financial interest in Valley, I would think that most residents that were indifferent to Valley’s expansion are now seriously opposing it.

The truth of the matter is, based on my observations about convenience etc., Valley’s arguments that it needs to double its size etc. to compete and to serve the community are irrational. Most people will go to the local medical establishments in their communities. Valley does not need to increase their draw to compete with the megahospitals in the region. If they continue on the path they have followed for the past half a century and focus on the local community and stop the race to nowhere, they could modestly improve over time and still be successful.

Microsoft Store

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Village Support for Valley Continues to Drop

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Village Support for Valley Continues to Drop 

I’m not going to disparage Valley service as their paid and volunteer workforce deserve better. Having said that, I am extremely disappointed in the actions of the hospital over the past several years and also disappointed with some trustees and foundation members who live in Ridgewood but apparently haven’t protested the shameful suit by the hospital. In my mind, their silence means tacit approval of these dealings which I find quite offensive to our residents. 

A renewal of the hospital site should been simply that and the wishes, laws and decisions of this community should have respected. I will not boycott my doctors who are caught in the middle but I will no longer support the hospital nor will I hold some villagers in the same regard.
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Reader says Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli should resign

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file photo by Boyd Loving

Reader says Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli should resign

If the deputy mayor’s firm still does work for Valley, i think he should either resign from the council or have his firm agree they wont represent Valley for a period of at least two years after everything is resolved. Clearly, Al can’t participate in any discussions involving Valley and this is a time where we need our entire council in place. Valley has declared war against the Village and the Village needs to be at full force to respond.

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Former Director of the Department of Pediatrics at The Valley Hospital 2010 letter

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Former Director of the Department of Pediatrics at The Valley Hospital  2010 letter

Check out Cannalito’s other letter (from 2010), https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/on-expansion-of-the-valley-hospital-1.941110?page=all

In it, he says “I suggest that the Valley administration, if it has not already done so, explore the option of moving the hospital out of Ridgewood, then consider converting its campus in one of three ways: as an in-patient and out-patient mental health and/or drug treatment and rehabilitation center, a nursing care facility or housing.

“It is often better to deal with someone or something you are familiar with and know, even if it is not ideal, than take a risk of dealing with an unknown person or thing. Ridgewood residents should carefully consider that.”

I wonder if he got his playbook from that attorney who unsucessfully suggested if zoning for a house on Ridgewood Avenue wasn’t changed to two homes, it might become a drug rehab.

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Reader says Valley Needs New Management

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Reader says Valley is just a bully in Need of New Management

Let us not forget the reason why Valley is a no, should be a no, and will always be a NO! Detriment, Detriment, Detriment! Valley makes me sick, not that sick, I won’t go there anymore! I believe Valley has both bully’s and morons at the helm. They are the spiteful ones who don’t give a darn about anyone but themselves. I saw in an article after their defeat that mentioned they should accept this decision and put forth reasonable variances that should be accepted if they need more room here and there…just like everyone else in this town. You are a non taxpaying pompous bully-Valley…stop the nonsense and conform. 

No Judge, in his right mind is going to overturn this decision. By the time your mess is over, most of us will be long gone. Ridgewood needs to just get a Public Defender, for free, like Valley’s taxes. Don’t make all the taxpayers suffer! Let’s all figure that 2% cap increase on taxes for sure now. We figured on it anyway? Christie, is looking pretty good now? U liberal holes! “Boycott Valley “signs from CRR soon? I doubt it, a little to Politically Incorrect (but true)?. Enjoy the WE
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Former Director of the Department of Pediatrics at The Valley Hospital says Valley Should Move

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Former Director of the Department of Pediatrics at The Valley Hospital says Valley Should Move 

For those whose didn’t see Dr. Cannalito’s letter, it can be found athttps://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/the-record-letters-saturday-oct-18-1.1112286

His final statement is “The Valley Hospital should not have to repeatedly put up with this nonsense. It would be better served if it boycotted the village and moved the hospital to another town.”

While our motivations are different, I have to agree with his conclusion – if Valley continues to contend it simply can’t live within the confines of the H-Zone and some normal sized variances, it would be better served if it moved.

He is the former Director of the Department of Pediatrics at The Valley Hospital.

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Valley has grown beyond its original intent

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Valley has grown beyond its original intent

OCTOBER 17, 2014    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Print

Valley is beyond its original intent
by Laurence O’Donnell

To The Editor:

Valley Hospital has disappointed us, to say the least. In its relentless campaign to nearly double its size on the same 15-acre site, it is turning to the court in Hackensack. It apparently finds no message in the facts it was turned down by the Village Council in 2010 by a resounding vote of 5-0 and on resubmission of a substantially similar plan to the Planning Board, by a vote last May of 5-2 against the expansion.

The case against the massive expansion is simple: It is too much for a site surrounded by homes with a major middle school at one end. Valley doesn’t seem to accept this.

Seventy-five years ago, before the hospital was built, the 15-acre site was occupied by a horse farm — probably acceptable to the neighbors. The original intent of the hospital was to serve the community — also acceptable to the neighbors and the community.

Actually, Valley started to tread in troubled waters three or four decades ago when it changed its mission from a community hospital to a regional one. Many Ridgewood residents wondered if the hospital and the community could handle big increases in patients, visitors and traffic. Their concerns proved to be valid.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/letter-valley-has-grown-beyond-its-original-intent-1.1111529#sthash.31rsCzog.dpuf

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Panel discusses ways to energize Bergen County downtowns

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Panel discusses ways to energize Bergen County downtowns

OCTOBER 16, 2014    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014, 1:48 PM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Ridgewood, Fairview, Hackensack and Paramus may have very different community identities, but they do have one thing in common: They all care about the development of their economic centers.

This was clear when officials representing each of these communities spoke on a Bergen Community College panel on Oct. 7 about the challenges and triumphs they have encountered during ongoing efforts to support their economic centers.

The discussion, titled “Reviving and Refocusing Suburban Downtowns and Regional Economic Centers,” attracted about 40 attendees, many from the Bergen LEADS leadership course.

On the panel were retired Fairview Police Chief Frank Del Vecchio, a Ridgewood resident and Fairview Chamber of Commerce member; Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce President Paul Vagianos; Paramus Regional Chamber of Commerce President Fred Rohdieck; and Hackensack Chamber of Commerce member Francis Reiner, the community’s urban design, planning and redevelopment consultant.

The forum was meant to explore how changing demographics are affecting distinct Bergen County municipalities’ economic centers, and in turn, their “community identities,” which are often shaped by these economic hubs.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/business/business-leaders-agree-rising-tide-lifts-all-boats-1.1111089#sthash.VbU6ZXv4.dpuf

 

Next Village of Ridgewood CBD Discussion Meeting – October 29 at 7PM

Wednesday, October 29th the Village Hall Court Room, 131 N. Maple Ave, from 7PM to 9PM – the conversation will continue regarding the Ridgewood CBD. There will an opportunity for comments from attendees and at 7:30PM a Panel will discuss the role of arts in the Central Business District.

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Valley Hospital’s President’s Council Reception

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From left: Gynecologic-Oncologist William Burke, M.D.; Robert Silverman, M.D., Co-Medical Director, The Valley Institute for Pain;  Audrey Meyers, President and CEO, The Valley Hospital and Valley Health System;   Alexander Zapolanski, M.D., Director of Cardiac Surgery, The Valley Hospital; and Joseph Pizzurro, M.D., Director of Orthopedic Surgery, The Valley Hospital.

Valley Hospital’s President’s Council Reception
 

On June 21st, The Valley Hospital hosted its annual President’s Council Reception at The Ridgewood Country Club.  The President’s Council is a group of community and business leaders who learn about the work of The Valley Hospital and its affiliates and serve as liaisons to The Valley Hospital community.  Throughout the year, the President’s Council Members attend presentations given by members of the Medical Staff and Administration about Valley’s programs and services.

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From left: John Williams (Franklin Lakes) with President’s Council Member Eric Epstein and his wife, Julie, Valley Hospital Foundation Trustee (Wyckoff), with President’s Council Member Kathie Williams (Franklin Lakes)

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From left: Alexander Zapolanski, M.D., Director of Cardiac Surgery, The Valley Hospital; joined by President’s Council Member Stephen Borg (Tenafly) and Chris Farrell, Director of Philanthropy, The Valley Hospital Foundation.

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David Bolger (Ridgewood), President’s Council Member,  with Ann Swenson, President, The Valley Hospital Foundation.

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From left: The Valley Hospital Foundation Chairman and President’s Council Co-Chair, Denis Sullivan (Wyckoff) and Scott Schroeder (Ridgewood), Valley Hospital Foundation Trustee and President’s Council Co-Chair.

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From left: Sally Jones, Director of Gift Planning, The Valley Hospital Foundation; with Vicki Bruni, President’s Council Member (Ridgewood): and Paula and Ned Lipes, President’s Council Member (Mahwah).

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Sandy Carapezza, (left) Director of Donor Development, The Valley Hospital Foundation; with Beverly and Howard Klein, President’s Council Member (Fair Lawn).

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From left: Alexander Zapolanski, M.D., Director of Cardiac Surgery, The Valley Hospital; with Laurel Mengarelli, and Lenni and Robert Puritz, President’s Council Member (Glen Rock).

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Robert Gutenstein (left), The Valley Hospital Foundation Trustee and President’s Council Member (Ridgewood) with fellow President’s Council Member Harry Plonskier, (Mahwah).

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From left:  Robert Silverman, M.D., Co-Medical Director, The Valley Institute for Pain;  President’s Council Member, Joseph Fiorenzo and his wife, Susan (Wyckoff); Gynecologic-Oncologist William Burke, M.D. and Denis Sullivan (Wyckoff), Chairman, The Valley Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees and President’ Council Co-Chair.

President Council members not pictured:

Chuck RussoDomenick SaglimbeniJoe Scorese

https://www.valleyhealth.com/valley_foundation.aspx?id=1132

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Readers target their Ire toward Valley Fund Raising

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From left: Gynecologic-Oncologist William Burke, M.D.; Robert Silverman, M.D., Co-Medical Director, The Valley Institute for Pain;  Audrey Meyers, President and CEO, The Valley Hospital and Valley Health System;   Alexander Zapolanski, M.D., Director of Cardiac Surgery, The Valley Hospital; and Joseph Pizzurro, M.D., Director of Orthopedic Surgery, The Valley Hospital.

Readers target their Ire toward Valley Fund Raising 

I am a supporter of some sort of modernization, without doubling size.
A reasonable discussion should have led to a compromise size.
Suing the Village because the legal process didn’t work in your favor is a bunch of bullshit. (and if my taxes go up Valley won’t get my donation$)
All of my doctors are at Valley, and I intend to voice my opinions on the lawsuit.
I do not like the idea of a ‘tax exempt status’ when the CEO is reportedly paid $3m dollars (as I read here-please correct if inaccurate) AND having Doctors that do not ‘participate’with any insurance (= anesthesiolgists) . Or billing patients for what insurance doesn’t cover… THEN paying the big salaries reported.What is the point of ” donating” ANYTHING to a business that is going out of it’s way to screw an entire town ? As a matter of principle, I shelved the idea of becoming a volunteer. Let them hire someone, since the people who do a highly questionable job of running the place can push some of that money down to those who are really doing the work.I loved the advertisement for the Valley Ball. As Valley sues the Village threatening to raise our taxes and destroy the community, it advertises for the Valley Ball in the middle of the Ridgewood News real estate section. Didn’t have my reading glasses on, but I think it said: “Party like you are on the Titanic. Throw on a dinner jacket and come donate so Valley can devote its dollars to paying lawyers to bring a lawsuit that devalues your property.”Valley’s gall is only surpassed by the gullibility of those who continue to support Valley.I would love to see the list of corporate sponsors for the Ball so I know what stores and restaurants to avoid. What self-respecting Villager (who isn’t on Valley’s social or monetary payroll) is going to attend?

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Readers says The best defense against heart disease is a very healthy lifestyle.

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Readers says The best defense against heart disease is a very healthy lifestyle.

Valley can build separate buildings. That’s what I thought it was doing. Buying up all that land.

It can use its present location for Maternity for example and other buildings for other things.

Don’t kid yourself no. 2. Cancer has NOT advanced very much since the 1950s. Get it and find out for yourself.

The best defense against heart disease is a very healthy lifestyle.

Life style is 80 percent of health which includes a healthy environment. No traffic pollution no poison on lawn that gets into water spoils ecology causes nerve damage and CANCER !!We should be discouraging traffic from CBD. POLLUTION. YIKES!!

There are many hospitals around this area that have the same wonderful!! easy cancer cures as Valley. We don’t need Valley here at all. Growing up I was 15 miles from a hospital and survived to tell about it.

Are you aware of what was on News Hour a few days ago, channel 13 with Judy Woodruff, and in the Atlantic magazine this past Sept.

A proposal, written by a bioethiscist that people age 75 refuse all medication because statistics of millions of people PROVE that after that age health declines very precipitously and painfully and the cost of prolonging life not worth it emotionally, physically. It’s very painful for most people. We’re talkin fancy western countries. Not to mention financial and using resources that would be best used to save young people. Very much antibiotics that are becoming and are ineffective now from overuse.

Now that would put Valley out of business so very fast. They are counting on sickies 80 years and over for their survival. They said so at meetings.

But UP UNITL ABout age 75 it’s mostly in our control. Very much so. If we keep the lifestyle and environment clean. If we don’t live the correct lifestyle Valley, can’t really do anything significant for us despite their hype.
Valley should spread out. with multiple buildings. Why are they such pigs.

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Reader says time for Valley Trustees to Show their faces

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Reader says time for Valley Trustees to Show their faces 

During the Planning Board process Valley demanded a list of all members of the CRR to, among other things, establish their legitimacy as an organization and to limit the individuals’ ability to comment publicly. The CRR complied.

Now it’s time to out Valley’s Ridgewood-based supporters starting with Councilwoman Hauck. She was elected by Ridgewood tax payers who are now clearly the target of the organization she supports. She should renounce her support of Valley to fight the lawsuit or resign the Council. Now.

It’s also time to publish the list of attendees at the various Valley fundraisers. Let’s call these people out when you see them in town. Ask anyone still sporting an “I support the Valley Renewal” bumper sticker how they feel about Valley now. Valley is using the money you contributed to raise our taxes. Is this what you guys had in mind?

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Readers says Valley’s Board of Trustees needs to be accountable for this adversarial action

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Readers says Valley’s Board of Trustees needs to be accountable  for this adversarial action. 

The Valley Board of Trustees/Directors has not only allowed but financially rewarded the mismanagement of this now disgraced entity for it wrongful and failed attempts to bully the entire region.

The names of Valley directors should be made public so they can directly hear the wide annoyance at the poor decisions of its management team including the latest slap in the face to our village who has hosted and subsidized their tax free entity which is a farce to be discussed in detail another day.

First there was the Pascack Valley fiasco where Valley tried to sue to close that hospital agaisnt the wishes of that region instead of capitalizing on a golden opportunity to cheaply purchase a properly situated location that would have expanded their regional scope and market share while appeasing two communities. Valley’s lack of vision and their unethical legal maneuvering failed causing much lost of respect and goodwill and likely much business from that area , now Valley and its Board are repeating the same error that will further tarnish their standings in our community and the legacies of their predecessors.

The management and Board of Hackensack Hospital showed itself to be more attuned to the marketplace and prepared and likely will be again when other opportunities arise. Valley’s embarrassing doubletalk and repeated attempt to blatantly overdevelop a limited site despite knowing past rulings and objections reveals arrogance, incompetence and their over reliance on past back room brokering instead of sound management . To try to force something so sizeable and detrimental upon this town against its wishes was a Valley blunder and PR disaster and this high handed suit just tops off their list of errors.

There needs to be accountability for this adversarial action. Again, who are the Board of Trustees/ Directors? Time for them to be identified and properly addressed in good form for wearing blinders and showing disregard. I fully support and stand with the rightful decisions of our planning board and council and will gladly pay more taxes if that is what is required to fend off an hypocritical entity that argues positions without merit solely out of self interests and employs distasteful tactics to boot.

Our town reps were recognized by our residents for their thoroughness and integrity in this wasteful fiasco and my hope is that they wont feel pressure to succumb to the pressure tactics of a bully. Valley and its loud lawyers can scream like petulant children who don’t get their way to an absurd request . They can rant and threaten all they want but the resolve of this community to stand up for itself and its future generations will remain . High time for the Valley’s Board of Trustees to step up and stop the nonsense once and for all or face the music from the community