FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact: Suzanne Mitchell, ROSA (Ramapo Organized for Sustainability & a Safe Aquifer)
Telephone: 646-470-ROSA (7672)
Email: rosa4rockland@gmail.com
Organized Citizen’s Group Hires Attorney to Oppose Massive Development in Ramapo
“ROSA Names Albany Law Firm to Take on Town of Ramapo Planning Board”
RAMAPO, NY, December 22, 2010: William J. Keniry, Esquire, a partner at the Albany law firm of Tabner, Ryan, and Keniry, LLP, has been retained by ROSA (Ramapo Organized for Sustainability and a Safe Aquifer), a broad based group of citizens from the Town of Ramapo and neighboring communities, who oppose the massive high density housing project proposed for the Patrick Farm property.
Mr. Keniry has extensive experience in land use, planning, zoning and municipal law. After graduating from Albany Law School, Mr. Keniry was admitted to practice in the state courts of NY, as well as in the U.S. District Courts of the Northern, Southern and Western Districts. His entire career has been dedicated to upholding the laws of New York State.
ROSA chose Mr. Keniry due in part to his success with challenging development that does not comport with the legal requirements of State or local laws. ROSA’s Director, Suzanne Mitchell (Wesley Hills), adds “Mr. Keniry has a track record of integrity. He is not deterred that our advocacy began late in the review and approval process. Bill is passionate about our case and ROSA also admires that he is a member of the Committee on Professional Standards for the Third Judicial Department in New York (The committee deals with allegations of attorney professional misconduct).”
It is within ROSA’s mission to engage experts who can advocate on legal and environmental matters to give the group a voice in determining what is built on Patrick Farm. ROSA has also raised enough money to retain a licensed planner, Alan Sorenson, AICP. Mr. Sorenson is a former Sullivan County (NY) Planning Commissioner, current Sullivan County Legislator, and a planning specialist who operates his own firm known as Planit Main Street. Mr. Sorenson understands municipal planning and regional planning issues ranging from aquifer protection and appropriate density to the need for rigorous site plan review with adherence to Federal, State, and local environmental laws during the planning process.
ROSA values the quality of life, natural beauty, and character of the Town of Ramapo. Membership and the ability to make donations are open to all who are concerned that the Town’s last remaining open space and a primary source of drinking water is being threatened by a proposed massive, high density, multi-family housing project that sits partially atop a protected aquifer. ROSA is not anti-development, however the Town of Ramapo has not done the necessary due diligence for a project of this magnitude. ROSA insists (because the law allows for it) that the Town hire at the expense of the Patrick Farm developer, impartial, professional experts to evaluate this proposal. This must be done to ensure that studies and scientific evidence regarding the potential for permanent change to our community character and permanent environmental damage be unequivocally correct before this massive development is constructed on top of a wetlands and an enormous aquifer.
“We are not waiting around for the Town of Ramapo or their developer”, concludes Ms. Mitchell. “Neighbors are stepping up together and making sacrifices. They are generously sending in donations which allows us to hire experts to evaluate Patrick Farm in a way that protects our water and quality of life.”
WHO: ROSA, Ramapo Organized for Sustainability and a Safe Aquifer
WEBSITE: www.rosa4rockland.org
EMAIL: rosa4rockland@gmail.com
PHONE: 646-470-ROSA (7672)
LINKS: www.trklaw.com
ROSA: Informed and engaged citizens, who are professionally organized and
legally represented, working to ensure that development is proportional and appropriate for the land on which it is built.
Organized Citizen’s Group Hires Attorney
to Oppose Massive Development in Ramapo
END