(L to R): Councilman Yitzchok Ullman; Councilman Daniel Friedman; Town Supervisor Christopher P. St. Lawrence; Councilwoman Brendel Logan; Councilman Patrick Withers
There appears to be something stirring at the Town of Ramapo offices.
A Monday morning news item in The Journal News struck a nerve with Ramapo Councilman Daniel Friedman, who recently ran for Mayor of Spring Valley, his home turf. Bernard Charles Jr., also a Spring Valley mayoral candidate, was appointed as a Town public affairs consultant at the rate of $5000 per month for 2014. The Town Board adopted the resolution with a 4-0 vote, with councilwoman Brendel Logan abstaining. Charles and Logan are married.
“It is my hope that your investigation will be thorough so that we can uproot wrongdoing in Town Hall immediately,” wrote Ramapo Town Councilman Daniel Friedman in a letter to Town Attorney Michael Klein. Friedman called for an investigation into the possible “illegal” hiring of two new Town consultants, both of whom have relatives in the town office.
I am absolutely furious with what is going on in Ramapo Town Hall. This morning’s article pointed out truths that were kept hidden from me.
— Daniel Friedman (@CouncilmanDF) March 3, 2014
Akiko Matsuda reported Monday that the town board resolution called for Bernard Charles to diversify the use of the Cultural Arts Center located in Spring Valley, operate the town’s food bank, and increase “community participation in the town’s recreational programs held at the Cultural Arts Center and other town-owned venues.”
Additionally, Melinda Mallia was appointed as a temporary clerical assistant, working in several town departments “up to 35 hours a week, seven hours a day at $22 per hour”, at least twice what the Town Board voted for. Councilman Friedman said he was “dismayed” to learn of what he called the “conflict” between what he thought he voted for during the Town Board session and what Supervisor St. Lawrence apparently delivered.
Ramapo Councilman Pat Withers has also signed my letter calling for an investigation into the violation of Town Board personnel votes.
— Daniel Friedman (@CouncilmanDF) March 3, 2014
By the end of the day Monday, Friedman wrote Ramapo Town Attorney Michael Klein, requesting that “an immediate investigation into how the will of the Town Board was rejected” due to possible improper personnel decisions related to employees hired by the Town of Ramapo.
Bernard Charles Jr. / LoHud
“As you know, violating a vote of the Town Board is illegal,” Friedman’s letter said. “Unauthorized activity such as changing details of a Town Board vote after the fact is unacceptable.” Ramapo Town Councilman and Deputy Supervisor Patrick Withers signed onto the letter calling for Klein to investigate the employment issue.
In the LoHud article, Town Supervisor St. Lawrence said the Bernard Charles would have an office at the Town of Ramapo’s Department of Public Works. Charles also serves on the East Ramapo School Board. St. Lawrence told LoHud that “he expected Bernard Charles to work on a cost-assessment study for fire protection services because it came to his attention that some homeowners pay much more for fire services depending on where they live.”
The positions voted on by the board were drastically changed, resulting in taxpayer dollars being spent against the will of the Town Board.
— Daniel Friedman (@CouncilmanDF) March 3, 2014
Matsuda reported that St. Lawrence “expected Charles to continue to work for the village (Spring Valley) because his position with the town is as a consultant.”
Town fire service has been an issue that Friedman has actively adopted and delved deeply into through unofficial audits of the Ramapo fire protection district via complaints throughout the town of fire district costs and services.
“After further investigation and by the public admission of Supervisor St. Lawrence,” Friedman wrote in the letter to Klein, “it appears that the salary, responsibilities, and hours of employment of these individuals are almost entirely in conflict with what was agreed upon by the Supervisor and Town Board.”
Melinda Mallia was also approved during the same vote and subsequently hired as a paralegal to help in the Town Attorney’s Office. But Mallia’s initial salary discussion at the Town Board vote on the issue, according to Friedman, was specified as “$10 – $12 an hour” with her paralegal work specific to the Town Attorney’s Office.
Mallia’s father is Anthony Mallia, Director of Building, Planning and Zoning for the town.
Friedman called for the temporary suspension of both Charles and Mallia until Klein finishes an investigation into their hiring.
Friedman’s and Withers’ request is an affirmation of authority by members of the Ramapo Town Board over the actions of the Ramapo Supervisor. Friedman wrote in his letter to Klein:
“I would also like a written opinion about the legality of violating resolutions approved by the Town Board, as well as any consequences that an individual can face for doing so. It is my hope that your investigation will be thorough so that we can uproot wrongdoing in Town Hall.”
