TIMES
WALLKILL VALLEY
The war
on drugs
Walden law allows village
to evict drug dealers
By TED REMSNYDER
Combating the scourge of drug
addiction and the blight it can bring to
local neighborhoods requires varied
methods. So
the
Walden
Village Board
adopted a new
instrument
to
rid
its
municipality
of
this
insidious
problem when
it
approved
Local Law 8
of 2016 at its
meeting
on
Oct 4. The new
legislation,
which is based
on a state
model
law,
clears the way
for the village
to evict tenants
from
rental
properties if
it’s
proven
that they’ve
possessed or
sold
illegal
narcotics.
The law, which was passed unanimously
last Tuesday by the board, allows the
Continued on page 31
Two drugs
convictions
from a tenant
would allow
the village to
inform the
resident’s
landlord that
they would
have 15 days
to bring
eviction
proceedings
against the
offender.
Vol. 34, No 41 3 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016
Bushmen
pound
Po’town
Page 44
3
ONE DOLLAR
Harp
& Jazz
Page 16
www.WallkillValleyTimes.net
‘Interim’ label coming off
Valley Central picks Xanthis as permanent superintendent of schools
By JESSICA COHEN
[email protected]
Chosen as much for his listening
as for what he says, John Xanthis
ascended from interim superintendent
to superintendent of Valley Central
School District on Tuesday. The school
board approved his appointment, with a
five to zero vote.
“I have great partners. I feel supported
here,” he said immediately after the
vote. “I don’t know what value I bring.”
Asked afterward what Xanthis does
bring, Sheila Schwartz, school board
president, said, “First, he’s a gentleman
and listens to people. He gets consensus,
so he can move any initiative forward.”
What needs to move forward now, she
says, is the district strategic plan.
“We’re already moving forward on
the Common Core literature and math
curriculum. We need a consensus to
modify it, to fit the needs of children. We
knew we could talk to him.”
John Solimando, principal of Berea
Elementary gave Xanthis credit for
a cooperative effort that led to better
math strategies.
“He listened to a math consultant
and sent teachers to professional
development courses. They came back
with great ideas that we’ll use this year.
We’ll do whole group instruction, then
break students into groups at different
levels. And then each student does
independent practice.”
What to do with Smart Schools
money for technology may be the
biggest upcoming challenge, says Dan
McDonald, Valley Central Middle
School assistant principal.
“It must be used for children to
enhance learning, but that’s broad,”
Valley Central School Board President Sheila Schwartz (l.) praised Superintendent John
Xanthis (r.) for his ability to move any initiative forward.”
he says. “We have flexibility but with
strings attached.”
McDonald and Rich Steger, president
of Valley Central Teachers Association
both gave Xanthis credit for a
harmonious relationship between the
teachers’ union and administrators.
“The previous superintendent was
good, but this is more of a team feel,”
said McDonald. “His listening approach
is a unifying force that gives a sense of
camaraderie with unions.”
“He values every voice and genuinely
wants to hear people’s thoughts. There’s
not one issue where he doesn’t ask
for opinions,” said Steger, a physical
education teacher. “Walking through
the halls, he asks people’s opinions.
Within a couple months, he seems to
know everyone’s name. And in the
elementary school, kids know him by
name. That’s not usually the case.”
McDonald noted that Xanthis greets
everyone by name—“custodians, food
workers, everyone.”
“He knows my kids’ interests
and hobbies,” said McDonald. “He
introduced his wife and told her my
kids’ ages, names, interests, and grades.
He’s never met them face to face. When
he’s talking to you, it’s a genuine
conversation.”
So what’s on Xanthis’ mind?
“I’m excited about the five-year
strategic plan. When we met at the
retreat, it was at the top of the list,” he
Continued on page 31
SERVING CRAWFORD, GARDINER, MAYBROOK, MONTGOMERY, PINE BUSH, SHAWANGUNK, WALDEN AND WALLKILL