Thursday, January 21, 2010
Sullivan elections board removes challenged voters from rolls
The Sullivan County Board of Elections has removed 151 people from the rolls in the Town of Bethel, siding with a group that challenged predominantly Hasidic residents who registered last summer.
Seasonal residents commenced a petition drive in Bethel after a dispute over the construction of a shul on Schultz Road. Then a group led by Legislator Dave Sager challenged 155 of the new registrations.
Essentially the issue came down to whether people who reside in seasonal bungalow colonies have the right to vote.
Election Commissioners Rodney Gaebel and Faith Kaplan have ruled that “such structures could not qualify as a residence for voting purposes” and that 151 of the new registrations do not meet the residency criteria. The commissioners did say that three of the challenged voters do meet the criteria.
One individual called and asked to be removed.
Sager plans to hole a press conference in the lobby of the Government Center at 11:30 a.m. Thursday.
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100121/NEWS/100129913
Seasonal residents commenced a petition drive in Bethel after a dispute over the construction of a shul on Schultz Road. Then a group led by Legislator Dave Sager challenged 155 of the new registrations.
Essentially the issue came down to whether people who reside in seasonal bungalow colonies have the right to vote.
Election Commissioners Rodney Gaebel and Faith Kaplan have ruled that “such structures could not qualify as a residence for voting purposes” and that 151 of the new registrations do not meet the residency criteria. The commissioners did say that three of the challenged voters do meet the criteria.
One individual called and asked to be removed.
Sager plans to hole a press conference in the lobby of the Government Center at 11:30 a.m. Thursday.
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100121/NEWS/100129913
Comments:
I am a resident of Sullivan County and the Sullivan County Board of Elections have given the shaft to the 151 denied voter registrants in the Town of Bethel. In the Town of Mamakating the Chairman of the Planning Board, John S. Piazza, resides in Orange County but has been allowed to register and vote in Sullivan County using his mommy's address in the County. This 50 year old married man does not own a home, rent, not even a bungalow for a few months of the year in the County. Despite challenges to his residency the Sullivan County Board of Elections has allowed him to vote from mommy's address. To my knowledge the Board of Elections has not asked the Sheriff's Office to investigate nor asked him to provide proof of a home in the County. It so happens VEI supporter, County Treasurer Ira Cohen, has supported his residency based only on Mr. Piazza's unproven statements and professing "I intend to return." In an effort to conceal his true residency Mr. Piazza has changed addresses on incriminating documents. I believe a check of addresses on a passport or a jury duty summons would reveal an Orange County address and the place he parks his head at night. This is typical Sullivan County politics at its best, keep out those you don't want - keep in those you do.
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