Wallkill Valley Times June 19, 2019

Vol. 37, No. 25 3 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2019 3 ONE DOLLAR Summer League Graduation season Page 44 Page 22-23 w w w .W V T I M ESON L I N E . c om Lawsuit announced against Brescia Wetdown in Walker Valley By LAURA FITZGERALD [email protected] Civil rights attorney Michael Sussman announced a lawsuit will be filed against Village of Montgomery Mayor Stephen Brescia for violating the first amendment rights of residents who were prohibited from speaking at a public meeting with Medline representatives on June 4. Sussman is filing the suit in White Plains U.S. District Court for the violation of freedom of speech based on viewpoint discrimination. “I think the most important issue is a federal constitution issue,” Sussman said. “It’s the depravation of a person’s right ATTORNEY MICHAEL to speak and the SUSSMAN slippery slope that brings us to, and the need to send a message to those who have so much power and control in the county that that is no Continued on page 2 “ W e’re inter- ested in a robust debate. Let the people make informed decisions, which can’t happen if voices are silenced by intimidation.” Photo provided Firefighters duel with hoses during the wetdown to welcome new fire apparatus, Saturday at the Walker Valley Fire House. Story on page 3. Montgomery council candidates to square off By LAURA FITZGERALD [email protected] The race for town council is heating up with six candidates for the two seats up for election. Dan Dempsey will retire when his term expires at the end of this year and Republican Mark Hoyt will run for re-election. Hoyt, Dwight Warrington, and Ronald Feller are the Republican candidates; Susan Cockburn and Kristen Brown are the Democratic candidates; and Joe Keenan is running as an independent on the Conservative party line. Keenan and Feller will face off for the Conservative Line and Hoyt, Feller and Warrington will vie for the Republican party in the primary on June 25. Rodney Winchell and Brian Maher will also face off in the Republican primary for town supervisor. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., location to be determined by the Orange County Board of Elections. To find your polling place, visit orangecountygov. com/783/Board-of-Elections. Mark Hoyt If re-elected, incumbent Hoyt (R) will focus on improving the town’s infrastructure and park system. Hoyt said a major issue he will contribute to is maintenance of town buildings. The town needs to plan for the maintenance of its buildings, which have fallen into disrepair. A recent report from Anderson Design Group stated the town highway department garage is deteriorated and poses a serious safety risk to workers. Building 112, which is connected to the town hall, has been unused and vacant for years. The board recently approved bids for a roof replacement on both town buildings Continued on page 12 SERVING CRAWFORD, GARDINER, MAYBROOK, MONTGOMERY, PINE BUSH, SHAWANGUNK, WALDEN AND WALLKILL