FOIL Requests Re Town of Olive Route 28 Scenic Bypass

PO Box 130

West Shokan, New York 12494

July 19, 2012

Ms. Sylvia Rozelle

Town Clerk

Town of Olive

PO Box 180

West Shokan, NY 12494

Dear Ms. Rozelle:

At a recent public meeting Town Board member Bruce Lamonda stated that he had revised the Town of Olive Plan. When I e-mailed him for a copy, he said that it is not available.  Either there is a revised plan or there isn't.  Please state which.  If there is a plan,  I would like to see it.  

Today I have heard allegations from another Town of Olive resident that the town has conducted secret meetings with the Department of Environmental Preservation and Department of Environmental Conservation and has offered to transfer zoning authority to them.  

Under the provisions of the New York Freedom of Information Law, Article 6 of the Public Officers Law, I hereby request a copy of records or portions thereof pertaining to (or containing the following):

The revised Town of Olive Comprehensive Plan to which Mr. Lamonda alluded.

If the allegations are true, copies of all correspondence, signed agreements, and other documents between the Town of Olive and the Department of Environmental Preservation or the Department of Environmental Conservation concerning transfer of zoning or other legislative authority.

I understand there is a fee of $.25 per page for duplication of the records requested.  If the fee exceeds $20, please contact me before duplicating the records.

As you know, the Freedom of Information Law requires that an agency respond to a request within five business days of receipt of a request. Therefore, I would appreciate a response as soon as possible and look forward to hearing from you shortly.

If for any reason any portion of my request is denied, please inform me of the reasons for the denial in writing and provide the name and address of the person or body to whom an appeal should be directed.

Sincerely,

Mitchell Langbert, Ph.D.

845-657-846

mlangbert@hvc.rr.com

PO Box 130

203 Watson Hollow Road
West Shokan, NY 12494

July 19, 2012

Records Access Officer
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
625 Broadway
Albany, New York 12233-0001

Re:      Freedom of Information Law Request for Records Regarding Central Catskills Collaborative and Scenic Byway Nomination Final Draft of Project Description

Dear Records Access Officer:

Under the provisions of the New York Freedom of Information Law, Article 6 of the Public Officers Law, I hereby request a copy of records or portions thereof pertaining to (or containing the following):

The Route 28 Corridor Byway Plan, either 130 or 230 pages depending on conflicting media reports, associated with the Route 28 Central Catskills Scenic Byway Nomination Final Draft of Project Description. 

A copy of any Town of Olive Plan your department has drafted or negotiated as part of the negotiations concerning the Byway Plan.

A copy of the Route 28 inventory associated with the Byway Plan

Copies of all correspondence between your department and the Catskill Watershed Corporation and your department and the Town of Olive concerning the 28 Corridor Byway Plan.

Minutes of meetings concerning the above-referenced plans, specifically including any discussions of  transfer of  zoning functions from Olive or other Route 28 towns to your department.

I understand there is a fee of $.25 per page for duplication of the records requested.  If the fee exceeds $200, please contact me before duplicating the records.

As you know, the Freedom of Information Law requires that an agency respond to a request within five business days of receipt of a request. Therefore, I would appreciate a response as soon as possible and look forward to hearing from you shortly.

If for any reason any portion of my request is denied, please inform me of the reasons for the denial in writing and provide the name and address of the person or body to whom an appeal should be directed.

Sincerely,

Mitchell Langbert, Ph.D.

845-657-846

mlangbert@hvc.rr.com

PO Box 130

203 Watson Hollow Road
West Shokan, NY 12494

July 19, 2012

FOIL Records Access Officer
Department of Environmental Protection
59-17 Junction Boulevard, 19th Floor
Flushing, NY 11373

Re:      Freedom of Information Law Request for Records Regarding Central Catskills Collaborative and Scenic Byway Nomination Final Draft of Project Description

Dear Records Access Officer:

Under the provisions of the New York Freedom of Information Law, Article 6 of the Public Officers Law, I hereby request a copy of records or portions thereof pertaining to (or containing the following):

The Route 28 Corridor Byway Plan, either 130 or 230 pages depending on conflicting media reports, associated with the Route 28 Central Catskills Scenic Byway Nomination Final Draft of Project Description. 

A copy of any Town of Olive Plan your department has drafted or negotiated as part of the negotiations concerning the Byway Plan.

A copy of the Route 28 inventory associated with the Byway Plan

Copies of all correspondence between your department and the Catskill Watershed Corporation and your department and the Town of Olive concerning the 28 Corridor Byway Plan.

Minutes of meetings concerning the above-referenced plans, specifically including any discussions of  transfer of  zoning functions from Olive or other Route 28 towns to your department.

I understand there is a fee of $.25 per page for duplication of the records requested.  If the fee exceeds $200, please contact me before duplicating the records.

As you know, the Freedom of Information Law requires that an agency respond to a request within five business days of receipt of a request. Therefore, I would appreciate a response as soon as possible and look forward to hearing from you shortly.

If for any reason any portion of my request is denied, please inform me of the reasons for the denial in writing and provide the name and address of the person or body to whom an appeal should be directed.

Sincerely,

Mitchell Langbert, Ph.D.

845-657-846

mlangbert@hvc.rr.com

Letter to Helen Chase, Central Catskills Collaborative

PO Box 130

West Shokan, NY 12494

July 2, 2012

Helen Chase, Town Council/Robert Selkowitz

Town of Olive

Central Catskills Collaborative

PO Box 18

West Shokan, NY 12494

Dear Ms. Chase and Mr. Selkowitz:

I have finally had time to read part of the so-called Route 28 Central Catskills Scenic Byway Nomination Final Draft of Project Description of the so-called Central Catskills Collaborative that appears on the World Wide Web.  I object to the entire document, for it amounts to a primitive power grab by opportunists eager to hop on the special interest gravy train on offer by our dying New York State.  

For one, the plan claims that it and your group will contribute to the local economy, but there is no evidence that you or the plan's authors know how to do so.  Yes, let us imagine a state where the Department of Environmental Conservation is the engine of economic growth.  Then let us consider that it exists--in North Korea--and it has gone down in ashes. The New York State government that has funded this plan has repeatedly crippled the state and local economy, and your credentials are even less impressive than theirs.  

Because local, regional, and national planning have failed, as evidenced by the collapse of Robert Moses's New York State,  the Soviet Union, China, and the decline of the big-government, blue, rust-belt states, the entire discussion in the document  is inept and ill informed.  However, the following statement is especially shocking, even given the document's dismal quality:

"…existing and new development might be enhanced while managing the corridor’s significant resources. For example, are there any major intrusions on the enjoyment or character of the roadway? If so, describe what will be done to improve these conditions."

Private property is the cornerstone of prosperity.  If the individuals who drafted this plan cared about the economy, their first concern would have been for private property.  The document advocates spying on your neighbors, bullying them, and stealing from them.  It is a plan of action for criminals.  I am ashamed of this state, I am ashamed of this nation, and I am ashamed that I live in the same town as you.

 Sincerely,

Mitchell Langbert, Ph.D.

Cc: Governor Andrew Cuomo,  Joseph Martens, Commissioner, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation