By: Daniel Friedman

On Tuesday night, about 25 candidates for offices in Spring Valley and Ramapo came together at the Kurtz Civic Center for the first and only debate of the primary season. It was a much-anticipated event as there had not been a single debate between any candidates seeking any office, and soon after it began, there was standing room only as residents of Spring Valley and Ramapo came to hear their candidates speak and debate on the issues affecting the future of the village and the town.

The debate began with short statements by the candidates for Town Council. David J. Stein, an incumbent councilman, spoke about his experience and record as a councilman, and as someone who has lived in the town for over 50 years. Yitzy Ullman, another incumbent councilman, said that during campaigns, many candidates like to talk about making changes. In his mind, he said, with Ramapo ranked as the safest town in America, “there should be no changes.”

After that, Supervisor Christopher P. St. Lawrence sat on the stage with Bruce Levine, the Preserve Ramapo candidate for town supervisor. During the debates, each candidate laid out their vision and the reasons they want to be supervisor. “I love this town and I fight for this town every single day,” said Supervisor St. Lawrence. St. Lawrence went on to talk about how Ramapo was ranked as one of the best places to live by Money Magazine, and the different accomplishments of his administration.

Shaking his head, Bruce Levine spoke about his fight against more development in the town. He pledged to fight against “growth driven by profiteer developers,” and spoke about his experiences as an attorney for the village of Spring Valley.

On the issue of affordable housing, Levine said that there wasn’t enough being done by the town of Ramapo on the issue, and said that developers were down zoning Patrick Farm, for instance, for their own benefit. St. Lawrence responded by pointing to the fact that there was a requirement agreed to that there would be 100 units of affordable housing on the Patrick Farm project itself.

“When he talks about affordable housing, he’s lying,” said St. Lawrence. The town, for example, began work on an affordable housing project in Spring Valley until the village sued the town to stop it, with Bruce Levine himself filing the lawsuit as the village attorney.

On the issue of East Ramapo taxes, St. Lawrence talked about the contributions the town has made to East Ramapo programs, including safety officers provided by the town. Levine said that he felt that the town should pay for schoolbooks and other expenses that the school district is responsible for.

In his closing statement, St. Lawrence focused on his experience, particularly the way he worked to borrow money to buy properties which later produced enough income for the town to pay off its debts. He also talked about separating light and water taxes into different districts in the town to make sure that everyone, even those who are tax-exempt, are paying their fair share for using utilities. Levine spent his closing statement discussing the opening of the Spring Valley public pool, which Supervisor St. Lawrence worked to reopen recently.

The candidates for trustee in the village of Spring Valley each had two minutes to discuss their platforms. Each candidate spoke about the general issues facing the village, including taxes, safety, and business growth. The time constraints of having so many candidates debate in one evening were apparent when the trustee candidates spoke, as attendees could tell they had more to say, but they were not allotted time to detail any of their specific proposals.

The candidates for village justice had a little more time to talk about their campaigns. Not every candidate, however, opted to speak about their ideas. Vladimir Leon recited a poem instead.

David Fried, a former county legislator who represented Spring Valley, spoke about his experiences and background, and his current work in the County Sheriff’s office. He also spoke about his new ideas for the justice court. “We need to move from punishment to problem solving,” he said, referring to his goal of making sure that people sent to prison never return once they are released.

Susan Smith talked about her legal career and her work for many different law firms in New York City, as well as her private practice in Rockland. Alan Simon, who is running for re-election, spoke about his myriad of experiences as an attorney, a lawyer for the District Attorney, and at a different time, an attorney for the Public Defender. He mentioned the positive changes he made since being elected a judge four years ago. “One good term deserves another,” he concluded.

Perhaps the highlight of the night was the debate between all the mayoral candidates. There are six people running in the Democratic Primary for mayor: Demeza Delhomme, a current Trustee, Bernard Charles, a former employee of the village, Vilair Fonvil, who has sought this office before, Margareth Jourdan, a former trustee and a judge, Noramie Jasmin, the current Deputy Mayor, and Jacques Michel, a county legislator.

Their debate, which lasted a little more than an hour, was constantly interrupted by shouting, laughing, clapping, and even some hollering, by those in attendance. Overall, virtually every candidate spent their time attacking the current administration and promising change.

The debate began with opening statements from each candidate. Jourdan, a former judge, said, “I know how to make laws, and I know how not to break them. Michel spoke about different issues affecting Spring Valley, but puzzlingly closed by saying, “Today marks the beginning of the end of the village of Spring Valley.” With Mayor George Darden standing nearby, Vilair Fonvil said, “I have seen this village deteriorate under two mayors.” Calling the village “sick,” and pointing to the mayor, Fonvil said, “The chief executive of this village doesn’t respect people.”

Demeza Delhomme credited Supervisor St. Lawrence for getting involved with the village and said he would build on the progress made and the partnership between Ramapo and Spring Valley. Bernard Charles spent his opening statement talking about growing up in Spring Valley, and promised to make “changes.” Noramie Jasmin said she attended leadership training classes and worked with Mayor Darden on village issues, and would build on that if she were mayor.

The first question posed to all the candidates was what they would each do differently than the current administration if they were elected mayor. With Mayor Darden standing 15 feet away from all the candidates, none of them were shy to speak their mind.

Jacques Michel began by bringing up a large poster with a collage of different headlines revolving around the current administration, including the missing funds from Section 8, and different lawsuits facing the village. He said he felt that such issues should have never happened, and wouldn’t if he were mayor.

Vilair Fonvil was even blunter. He brought up different lawsuits against the mayor, including a harassment suit. All of a sudden, the audience responded loudly. Some groaned, some laughed, others clapped, and different people around the room began to yell. “No, no, no, no!” shouted one woman. The moderator interrupted Fonvil and asked that no candidate make any personal attacks. Fonvil defended himself, saying he was only responding to the question of what he would do differently, and concluded by saying, “After all the corruption in the village, I will be above reproach.”

Bernard Charles was more diplomatic. “We need to come together and not deal with the nonsense of who did what,” he said. Demeza said that he would “hire professionals, not politicians,” to do the work of the village. He suggested professionals should help make the decisions as opposed to the mayor making all the decisions alone. In her response, Jasmin addressed her opponents’ comments rather than the question. “I have to apologize for all of my opponents. They have no clue and no concern about government.”

Another question asked was whether Spring Valley needed a leader, a manager, or both, as a mayor. Demeza Delhomme said, “I have been managing almost half of my life,” referring to owning his own business. He said everyone should have management experience and a career. “A trustee is not a profession,” he said sharply. Jasmin only said she felt the village needed an administrator.

Bernard Charles said the village needed “leaders who would get things done.” He mentioned the park on Main Street, which was dedicated two years ago, but was never opened. Fonvil said the village needed both a leader and a manager, “and we have not had any of that.” While he was speaking, Deputy Mayor Noramie Jasmin started laughing at his suggestion, and Fonvil shot back, “You can laugh all you want.”

Jacques Michel talked about different programs he was involved in when he worked at the Sheriff’s Department, and then showed a pie chart to the audience. Margareth Jourdan said that leaders empower people, but in Spring Valley, “nobody is doing that.”

On the issue of taxes, Fonvil said that taxes were raised under “Noramie-Darden.” Michel and Charles said there should not be a “duplication of services,” with Charles adding that he would attract small businesses. Demeza Delhomme said that too much money is being wasted, and that the village needs better lawyers, and Jourdan spoke about bringing in businesses, while Jasmin argued that she had brought businesses to the village.

On economic revitalization, Noramie Jamsin said that she and Mayor Darden brought in businesses that created 1,500 new jobs. Demeza Delhomme responded, “I am speechless because it seems to me that people don’t have eyes to see,” and said the village needed people who would work with Supervisor St. Lawrence to do things for the village. Bernard Charles also took aim at Jasmin’s statement. “I don’t see 1,500 people working, I see people on the streets.” Fonvil agreed. “I don’t know where those jobs are,” he said, adding that he felt the village should work on creating job opportunities outside the village, but didn’t elaborate.

Jacques Michel said, “If Spring Valley stays the way it is, there will be no businesses in Spring Valley.” Jourdan said she felt that businesses should be placed in the center of the village and not in its outskirts.

In their closing statements, the candidates highlighted different aspects of their campaigns. Bernard Charles said, “I had a lot of opportunities here,” but added that today’s youths don’t, an issue he would address. Fonvil stated, “I can bring positive changes to the village,” saying that the village “had to rise above the failures” it faced. Jacques Michel discussed his experience as a religious leader, and Margareth Jourdan said the village should stand on its own feet. “We shouldn’t need rescuing from Supervisor St. Lawrence,” she said.

Demeza Delhomme talked about the need for leadership. “I produce leadership,” he said. “I don’t just speak about it,” he added. He talked about his decades of community involvement, and how he would bring that to village hall. Jasmin closed by saying that she kept promises she made alongside George Darden, and would continue the work she started.

On September 15th, voters in Ramapo and Spring Valley will go to the polls. In Ramapo, voters will choose their party’s nominee for supervisor, town justice, and two council members. In Spring Valley, voters will nominate candidates for two trustee seats, two village justices, and a mayor.