Cornwall-On-Hudson, NY – Village officials are entertaining the idea of annexing the 120-acre New York Military Academy.
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Trustee Douglas Vatter said a resident suggested it might be a good way to protect the character of the village should the site be developed in the future.
NYMA’s mailing address is Cornwall-on-Hudson, but it’s actually located in the Town of Cornwall.
There’s been concern among village and town residents as to what would happen to the site if NYMA closes for good. NYMA said it is suspending operations after the current school year.
While NYMA says it is not for sale, there have been reports of unsolicited potential buyers showing up on campus, including some described as appearing to represent either the Village of Kiryas Joel or some other Hasidic entity.
Village officials are choosing their words carefully, but Vatter said, “We’d like to be able to get control over (the site).”
Vatter said a separate village can’t be established inside an existing one. Also, the village could rezone the site if it annexed it. It’s currently zoned to allow one- and two-family homes per lot, and higher-density residential development under certain conditions.
State law would require both the town and NYMA to consent to the change. Cornwall Supervisor Kevin Quigley said he hasn’t been approached about the idea yet.
NYMA Superintendent Capt. Robert Watts said he understands the concerns of residents, but “NYMA is still an ongoing concern. We’re critical, but ongoing. All this talk about annexing property or changing zoning is inappropriate. We have not closed the school. We have not put the school up for sale.”
Mayor Joe Gross said it will take a lot of research before the village knows if it wants to annex NYMA.
another anti semitic hick town-why are you scared of us? we will bring people which means business. And we do not want to interact with you and we know you don’t want to with us.
Good for them, most of the character of Rockland has changed since my family moved up there 26 years ago; and it is not easy for me to say this since I am a frum person. But we have shown the existing residents very little respect, and this is not about property values. Rockland used to be an uncrowded beautiful restful low stress place to live. That has changed…and WE DONT WANT TO MOVE!
B”H
wow a new way to inflate real estate… put rumurs oout there that chasidim are interested… then the town will buy it at above market rates to “protect character of town “…. hmmm…
gut shabbos and gut yyom tov
these guys would rather have cheap teens or other elements living in that community rather some well behaved quiet boys living there.
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Misgarim beumous?
“Behaved quiet boys” VUS?
I can’t blame them. I love how Monsey was in the 70’s and 80’s and it upsets me greatly how the character has changed now that certain people have moved in and tekn over. Time for me to join my MO friends in Bergen County I think.
As much as I hate anti-semitism, that is not what this is about at all. The people who want to develop this and other land in the area, are not the type of Jews that we could all be proud of. The people that want to develop it have a history of turning an area into a welfare fed wasteland, who will do things that make their non-chasidic neighbors feel very uncomfortable, and who don’t have respect for the laws and customs of the locality. It is so sad to me how non-Jews and non-religious Jews look at our holy religion in a negative way because it is being represented by people who have no moral compunction about misappropriating government money through a complex network of fraudulent schemes, or who’s utter lack of respect for others might compel them to slaughter a cow on the lawn of a yeshiva, in full view of their educated, upper middle class non Jewish neighbors.
Chazal’s understanding of ‘Chillul Hashem’ is something that people would think is not fitting for a representative of a holy belief to do. Living in a land and being rude to the inhabitants and stealing doesn’t make a kiddush hashem!
I can’t really blame them. NYMA is in a beautiful town with lots of history. I would not want some group that doesn’t fit the character of the community and most importantly does not want to interact with the local communities to change the landscape and the environment in the town.
This sounds like the Torah’s description of the Egyptians with the Jews. Vayakutzu Mipnei Bnei Yisroel. And they were disguted with the Jews because they were multiplying too fast.
You guys sound like the arabs always blaming their problems on everyone else
All these people see is the way other frum communities are run, ‘Les Din V’les Dayan” so we {they} can blame themselves
I am reminded about a Maamar by Rav Samson Rafael Hirsch Ztzl who wrote that Yidden are like fish in that they will live in an environment all their own when Moshiach arrives, much like fish swim undisturbed in their ocean. Yidden live with the Umos HaOlam with discomfort, but we must and we should do everything to avoid conflict with our neighbors. It is sad that there are so many problems today in New York. The Rabbonim must provide better leadership. I am reminded of a story of Rav Avigdor Miller Ztzl who is said to have been approached by a African American Man and his son on Coney Island Avenue. The man asked the Rav why frum Yidden wear black clothing. The Rav answered: Because Frum Yidden believe black is respectful and honorable. The Man told his son, you see Black is respectful and honorable. Never forget that !!! Yidden — if we were all respectful, our lives would be so much easier and less stressful. Never forget Rav Miller’s lesson !!!
I am not Jewish. (GASP!!) But, hear me out, please. I stumbled upon this article out of sheer curiosity since my future in-laws live in Cornwall. I happen to live in Kensington, Brooklyn, which is a stone’s throw away from Midwood, one of the last thriving Jewish neighborhoods left in New York, notwithstanding Williamsburg.
Whenever new groups of people begin moving in “locals” get uptight about it, as this article shows. But, it is not a one-way street. It is not only the gentiles who shun those who are new to the area. Living here, I know from experience.
Two things are happening here, perpetuating what could possibly be a good situation:
1) It seems like the Chasidim are only willing to talk to one another about this and the locals are talking only to each other as well. A bridge needs to be built so that the chasm between parties may be closed. Communication is essential.
2) One of the comments above stated something along the lines of “our people want nothing to do with yours.” That is a giant problem. Nobody wants a neighbor who wants nothing to do with them. It doesn’t matter if they’re Jewish, White, Black, Asian, or Martian. Communication is the key to peace.