Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Deadline passes; Hasidic camp still open
A Hasidic group has defied a state deadline to leave the former Homowack Lodge.
The Department of Health, citing health and safety conditions, gave Congregation Bais Trana a deadline of noon Monday to leave the sprawling grounds in the Sullivan County Town of Mamakating, a spokesman said.
As of Monday afternoon a girls camp was still occupying the property.
A large group of girls was playing basketball. Several adults were seated in the lawn area and lights were on in a building that was posted as vacant.
There was no indication of anybody preparing to pack up and leave the resort, located off Route 209.
DOH prepared what is known as a Commissioner's Order to Vacate the grounds after the agency first asked the congregation to leave voluntarily. The congregation did not comply, and so an order was served with the condition that the congregation leave by Monday.
The congregation, which is based in Rockland County, does not have a permit.
DOH denied the permit June 30, but the camp opened anyway. DOH and the Town of Mamakating also found numerous code violations. County fire personnel have called the buildings firetraps.
About 265 campers and 35 families are occupying the buildings, but state officials are unsure about the actual number.
DOH officials indicated last week that if the congregation does not comply, it will commence a court action to force the group off the former resort's grounds.
A DOH spokesman didn't immediately respond on Monday afternoon to a request seeking comment.
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090728/NEWS/907280316/-1/SITEMAP
Comments:
Chillul HaShem of the first order. Complete obliviousness to 'dina d'malchusa dina'.
Comment Credit ---This article posted by 
: July 28, 2009 3:45 PM
: July 28, 2009 3:45 PM
they have a agenda with this camp,this is nothing about the well being of the children, most parents don't realize this, any SMART parent that went through that school or yeshiva, knows what i am talking about. MARK MY WORDS, they will not shut it down unless forced.
Comment Credit ---This article posted by : July 28, 2009 10:32 PM
: July 28, 2009 10:32 PM
What is going on here? Is this a sect, a cult, that is above the law? Please B4 they do a Tisha B'Av on us chas vsholom.
Comment Credit ---This article posted by : July 28, 2009 10:39 PM
: July 28, 2009 10:39 PM
If my child's camp was being called a "firetrap," I think I would err on the side of caution and side with the building inspector rather than the side of the camp, which has shown negligence by opening without a permit and ignoring court orders. Why would you trust your child's safety to these people? Do they ignore rules on seat belts, etc. as well. Why should a parent trust that they would? Also, these girls are learning some very important lessons from the people running this camp, but I don't think they are ones we want our daughters to learn.
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Comment Credit ---This article posted by : July 29, 2009 11:35 AM
: July 29, 2009 11:35 AM
