Comments on: Op-Ed: In Ramapo Vote for Growth; Vote Against Hate

By: ChanieE

ChanieE — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:55:43 +0000

I should have said I support removing tax exemptions for places of worship, not religious institutions. The government should not be getting into whether, for example, a particular soup kitchen is a religious institution.

By: torahyid

torahyid — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:52:23 +0000

I know St Lawrence ,hes getting my vote 100% ,there is a down side ,so what ,you know the alternative chas vesholom .This is a must for every thinking non hating Jew. 100% FOR ST. LAWRENCE he will win by a landslide. And you ChanieE your a big fool. You dont know whom to vote for, YOU CANT SEE THE DIFFERENCE?????????? REALY ??????????

By: ChanieE

ChanieE — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:43:41 +0000

YitzchokM – Your personal attack reflects more poorly on you than it does on me. You pretend you have any idea what I believe and then you criticize me for taking positions I have never espoused. Where did I imply that certain people should not be allowed to buy homes anywhere they like? And I have nothing against shteibles , it’s just that as a matter of economics, shuls tend to be a little more self-supporting than shteibles and are therefore more likely to survive if they have to pay their own way. If someone wants to fund a shteible – great – just don’t force me to.

And actually, I do support removing tax exemptions for all religious institutions. If you want to support an institution, go right ahead. It is selfish to expect all residents to support your institution of choice. I realize that this is not a Ramapo issue – it is a nationwide problem. Localities cannot fund local services because the property tax base is nibbled away so a few poor suckers end up paying way too much. And then of course the state government swoops in and saves the people by limiting tax increases instead of dealing with the real problem, which is the diminished tax base.

GregAaron – I know who the opposition is but knowing the incumbent and everything he has done, I cannot vote for Saint Lawrence.

By: gregaaron

gregaaron — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 17:41:35 +0000

@ChanieE:
Whether or not you have the hakaras hatov that St. Lawrence deserves, do you understand who the alternative is?

By: arc

arc — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 17:34:44 +0000

I’m a lifelong Monsey resident as well. I’m not chasidish but will sure as heck be voting for St. Lawrence. He may not be perfect but he is the most frum friendly candidate.

There is no way I’m voting for someone who is anti-chasidim and any expansion. Anti chasidim becomes anti all jews,shuls and schools etc…

St’ Lawrence may have approved many of the developments but Monsey was expanding before him. Imagine if they wouldn’t have allowed the shuls and projects.

Most of the people would still be here and there would be more issues. While a few have taken advantage they are the exception.

By: Benzion

Benzion — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 16:35:39 +0000

ChanieE-

Thank you. You are absolutely right. I know Saint Lawrence won’t be receiving my vote, nor from anyone in my family.

By: yitzchokm

yitzchokm — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 16:25:40 +0000

ChanieE-
What’s your solution? To ban people YOU don’t like (or can’t stand) from buying a house in the community? How very American (and Jewish!) of you. Take away tax exemptions? It’s either all or nothing. Just because you don’t like “vanity shteibles” doesn’t mean they shouldn’t get that tax exemption any more then the Shul you like. If your advocating in taking away ALL tax exemptions, for all institutions, including your shul and the church, that may be a legitimate point. But to single out vanity shteibles shows your true goal, which is to undermine a Jewish life to which YOU don’t understand and like. That’s disgusting.

By: yitzchokm

yitzchokm — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 16:13:38 +0000

Well written and to the point! Mr. Gestetner’s points are valid and correct.
The true hate Rhodes has to all Jewish people (not just the chasidem as some of us think) is self evident and understood. Looking at the “Preserve” agenda, posted on their websites, tells us all we need to know. Having a few “token” Jews representing their side doesn’t take away the facts of their platform.

By: ChanieE

ChanieE — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 15:19:33 +0000

Reposting my primary comments, with some updates.

Hakaras hatov?! Thanks for DESTROYING Ramapo?!

As a life-long resident of Monsey, I am disgusted at what my hometown has become. You can put up all the apartment buildings you want but do you really think the infrastructure problems will resolve themselves? Where is the waste supposed to go? (And I’m not just talking about the garbage, the non-recycled grocery delivery boxes or even the still-smoking disposable grill someone left at the park.)

Monsey was a vibrant community before Saint Lawrence was elected and we certainly were not lacking shuls so don’t start with these scare tactics about how won’t have shuls without him. I don’t care where people daven but when you think about the parking (a huge problem for neighbors of weekday minyanim – I can’t tell you how many times I could not get out of my own driveway) and tax exemptions (I have to pay for someone’s vanity shteible?!) , there are legitimate concerns.

The current supervisor does not care what the electorate thinks. I’m waiting for the Boulders to go bust so the stadium can be given away to one of the local chassidishe groups. I really don’t know who to vote for, though, since the opposition candidate is as odious as the incumbent.