By: Daniel Friedman

Preserve Ramapo, an organization founded by Bob Frankl, who illegally voted in the September 15th primary, has come into trouble with the law once again. As a political organization that raises money, Preserve Ramapo is required to file regular reports with the Board of Elections disclosing their finances. The deadline to do sp has come and gone, and no such report was filed. The organization that supposedly pushes for more accountability among those in politics and government apparently has failed to practice what they preach.
 
Some questions relating to the finances of this organization and the Levine campaign remain. Firstly, where is Robert Rhodes? This entire campaign, beginning with the announcement by Bruce Levine of his candidacy for Supervisor as the Preserve Ramapo candidate, Rhodes has not been seen or heard from in months, and has missed every major public event and meeting which his most ardent supporters attended. Rhodes, who is the chairman of the group, has left his ship without its captain, which explains why Preserve Ramapo and the Levine campaign have been floating with no direction.
 
As for Bruce Levine, whose campaign account hovers near zero, and whose previous campaign account was left with a negative balance in the thousands, seems to have money for handouts signs, and mailings. Throughout this campaign, the question of where Levine's contributions come from has puzzled many. His expenditures don't add up, and do not account for all the activity of his campaign. Reserve Ramapo has already uncovered several shady contributions, including two from people who live in another state that each contributed $6,000- dozens of times the amount of his next highest contribution.
 
Ultimately, the voters may have their say on Tuesday, but the Board of Elections must have their say even sooner. Flagrant violations of campaign finance law and the flouting of laws which hold all people accountable, are unacceptable. When they fail to live up to the standards they set for others, Robert Rhodes, Bruce Levine, and the entire Preserve Ramapo organization show what they really are. Their hypocrisy is clearer than the water they are drowning in.