John Allegro, podium, had words, and a petition

CHESTER - Over 300 Orange County residents showed up for a public forum in Chester Monday evening, one that focused on an upcoming vote by the county legislature to sell for the former Camp LaGuardia site to a developer.

Last week, the Physical Services Legislative Committee voted 5-1 in favor of Easy Equities’ proposal to build over 1,000 townhouses and commercial/retail space on the 258-acre site that used to be a New York City-owned homeless shelter.

Resident John Allegro was among those concerned with the selection process.

“As far as the RFP process goes, what were the pre-qualifications of potential bidders?  It sounds as though if due diligence was done concerning the pre-qualifications of bidders, that Easy Equities would not have gotten as far as they did today,” said resident John Allegro, who also submitted a petition with over 150 signatures disapproving the recent committee decision to go with Easy Equities as a developer for the site.

Other residents were concerned about infrastructure.   “You mentioned water, but nothing was said about sewers,” said resident Ernest Radazzo.  “The sewer district right now is to the maximum.  KJ (Kiryas Joel) is pumping more into there than the normal people (residents).  What are we going to do about that?”

Barbara Hake shared both those worries.  “The roads that feed Camp LaGuardia, maybe back 20 years ago, were fine, but now there are so narrow, and not meant for traffic.  What is the town going to do to help us keep our way of life and do this property right by us, and not put people in there who are going to flip it?”

County Executive Edward Diana said he was also shocked at the committee’s decision to scrap the university plan, which he supported, and go with the Easy Equities proposal.  Though the legislature will be voting on their proposal during Wednesday’s general session, Diana said he is not so worried about the outcome.

 “I was shocked, but I think they are going to do the right thing on Wednesday.  As a matter of fact, I know they are going to do the right thing, but I need to have a vote on one of the other two proposals.  There is one that I feel is better, but they are both commendable.”

One of the alternatives includes a private university, while the other Diana mentions is another townhouse and commercial developer, but on a smaller scale than Easy Equities.

Several residents complained that the county was moving too fast on the property, and that money was too much of a motivating factor, not the quality of life for Blooming Grove and Chester residents.

That is also the concern of county legislator Gregory Townsend, who organized the public forum. 

“I don’t think we have enough information in terms of the background of the people, financially as well as how they work as a developer.  I want to make sure the project is done in the proper aspect.  Money is important, but sometimes, it’s about quality of life.”

Diana didn’t think there will be enough votes at the full legislative session to approve the sale to Easy Equities.