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Citizen Bondi Advises Supervisor Davis "Enough is Enough" While Board asks Davis/Powell to Pay $2K in Legal Fees
by Edward Paul Greiff
At the Town Board meeting of April 18, 2007, Putnam Valley citizen Anthony J. Bondi Jr. informed Town Supervisor Sam Davis that "Enough is enough," and that he, Mr. Bondi, was "looking forward to the turning of a new leaf (a new Supervisor) on January 1, 2008."
Bondi said he wanted to speak as a private citizen, not as a member of the Ethics Board on which he sits, and respond to the disparaging comments that Supervisor Davis, in legal submissions in connection with the recently-settled litigation against the Town, had made in arguing his case. Bondi stated that his comments were directed to Sam Davis and reflect his personal opinion and not the opinion of the Ethics Board.
Mr. Bondi said, "Now that the litigation is over I may finally address an issue which was very disturbing to me as a citizen of the Town. I volunteer my time as a private citizen, not as an archbishop of an Orthodox Archdiocese. However, unbeknown to many in this Town who were not privy to the paperwork during the court proceeding, you, Mr. Davis and your attorney sought to marginalize and discredit me personally and my parish with your comments. You had the audacity and the unmitigated gall to try to tell the judge how to think of me, singling me out personally of all the members of the committee for an "ad hominem" (personal) attack. Listen to what was written . . . The court should not confuse his title with the bishop title used in the Roman Catholic Church."
Continuing Bondi said, "You attempt to tell the court with what level of dignity it should see and treat me . . . to the point of saying that I was not to be considered a bishop as one might consider a Roman Catholic bishop."
"Your ignorance was put to rest by an affidavit based on information from the Vatican which clearly stated the respect, dignity and equality with which they see Orthodox bishops. The Vatican recognizes that the Eastern Orthodox Church possesses true sacraments and above all, by apostolic succession, the priesthood and the Eucharist, whereby it is linked with the Catholic Church in closest intimacy."
Bondi told Davis, "You, sir have demeaned and insulted me personally and professionally, the Orthodox Church, Orthodox Christians, and people repulsed by bigotry. I would like to have a public apology from you, sir for your demeaning and mean-spirited insult to me, and all of the Orthodox Christians."
Supervisor Davis replied that he disagrees strongly with most of the points made by Bishop Bondi.
Joan Mercado also chastised Supervisor Davis stating at one point, "Sam's lack of leadership, his divisiveness and arbitrariness have made a mockery of the entire town. He has even lost the respect of two council persons on the Putnam Valley Town Board in his own Democratic party."
Supervisor Davis replied that most of Ms. Mercado's information is inaccurate.
Councilman Dan Ricci kept the heat on Supervisor Davis by announcing that an Article 78 lawsuit brought against the Town by Sam Davis and Dawn Powell has been denied by the courts. The residents are facing a legal expense of $2,000 which was spent to defend the Town Board and Board of Ethics. After a lengthy discussion the Board passed a Resolution demanding Davis and Powell reimburse the Town $2,000 for this litigation expense. The motion was carried by majority vote.
The continued ruffling of each others' feathers between Supervisor Davis and the Town Board detracts from the very positive activities going on in Town that truly reflect the community-minded spirit of the residents of Putnam Valley. For example, Parks & Recreation Director Frank DiMarco reported that the opening day ceremonies for the baseball league were a huge success with 1,500 to 2,000 people attending and he thanked Ray Gallagher and staff for their hard work. "It gets bigger each year," he said.
Putnam Valley Fire Chief Bruce Johnson reported they responded to 34 calls for the month of March and 102 calls year-to-date. The department responded to 32 calls during the recent rain storm and assisted with the flooding in Mamaroneck with manpower and equipment. Chief Johnson praised all of the volunteers.
Ambulance Corps President Giles Spoonhour announced they responded to 60 calls for the month of March and 159 calls yearto date. CPR courses will be given on May 12 and May 15 and a second blood drive will take place at headquarters in May.
Ed Hertzel announced that Town Day will take place on September 15 and volunteers are needed to make floats and to help in the festivities. Putnam Valley Arts Committee is seeking performers for the event. An agreement was signed with July-4-Ever Fireworks Company to provide the fireworks for Town Day at a cost of $7,000. The next Town Day Committee meeting is May 14 at the Putnam Valley Fire House.
A Comprehensive Plan Committee Public meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 24 at the Putnam Valley Elementary School Gym at 7pm.
A public hearing has been set for Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at 6:30pm at Town Hall to hear comments on amending the Noise Ordinance section of the Town Code, Chapter 82 entitled: Noise.
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