Man Behind SBG Helicopter Drama Makes Big Contribution to Skoufis
Just when you thought the man who ran to be chair of the Democratic National Committee, James G. Skoufis, couldn't get any shadier, he does.
I’m behind. So today’s post will be a short one. I need to spend Monday editing and preparing the transcript that I’ll share with you on Tuesday. Until then, I want you to take a look at that second entry. The one that says Chaya K. Ostreicher, 296 Schunnemunk St Unit 202, Monroe NY 10950.
If you go over to Orange County’s Real Property Database and enter that address, here’s what you’ll find, it’s owned by a name that should be really familiar to Monroe Gazette readers: Moishe Ostreicher.
Moishe Ostreicher is the man at the center of numerous ongoing local controversies, which he comments on here in his testimony during the Gonzaga Park lawsuit. In that same testimony, Ostreicher also confirms the above address is his.
(This testimony comes from the ongoing lawsuit between Orange County and the white collar crime spree in the Village of South Blooming Grove. Wherein the men at the center of said crime spree, Joel Stern and Isaac Ekstein, tried to bulldoze their way through the county’s parkland. Despite disinformation from Carol Sculley, former campaign manager for Dorey Houle’s back to back losing bids to unseat State Senator Skoufis, the arrangement between Monroe and South Blooming Grove over the hydrogen sulfide smell does NOT impact this lawsuit in any way, shape, or form.
It’s also unclear if that hydrogen sulfide deal is legit.
The Monroe Gazette is ad-free and paywall-free, covering local news in Monroe and surrounding towns as well as county, state, and national issues that impact those residents.
Want to help keep the lights on? We’re looking to recruit 995 paid annual subscribers between now and June 24, 2027. If you’re new here or already a free subscriber, press that beautiful button below to upgrade.
Yes. We’re Back To The Helicopter Again
Mr. Ostreicher is ALSO the man who owns the property with the unregistered helipad.
Recently, Monroe resident Mr. Javier Dam—who is being victimized by the helicopter—reached out to State Senator Skoufis’s office after Congressman Ryan proceeded to be a dead end.
The FAA told The Monroe Gazette that their investigation into the helipad does NOT prevent the Town of Blooming Grove Police Department from enforcing the laws violated by the operation of the helicopter.
Monroe’s Village Mayor, and until the end of this month the Police Chief of Blooming Grove, Alex Melchiorrie, has refused to enforce those laws.
South Blooming Grove’s Code Enforcement Officer, and Building Inspector, Al Fusco Jr., despite the helipad not being approved by the South Blooming Grove Village Planning board, has not taken any action to shut down the helipad either.
So … imagine my surprise that, not long after Mr. Dam reached out to James G. Skoufis’s office—at The Monroe Gazette’s suggestion— there’s a $5,000 contribution coming from Moishe Ostreicher to State Senator Skoufis.
Of course, we asked Mr. Skoufis about this. We’ll update this post if he responds.
As you might have guessed. This is a bigger story than just the shady contribution to Skoufis. In the span of three days, Skoufis received about $50,000 from real estate interests in New York City and in Kiryas Joel.
This comes at the same time Monroe residents are calling him over Skoufis’s annual refusal to support a real estate transfer tax aka a preservation tax, for both Monroe and Woodbury. Something that is badly needed.
Especially if it turns out to be true Alex Melchiorrie has real estate developers sitting in with him at important meetings. If that’s true, I’d start worrying about the Rosco Smith House in the Village of Monroe, and what you can do to help preserve what land you can.
There’s a whole lot more coming soon on this story.
On the Hydrogen sulfide pollution:
Consider all the public officials who have a part to play here.
The Monroe Village Board of Trustees says it is up to the county.
The county seems to be waiting until its lawsuit grinds to a conclusion.
The OC legislator who was Chair of the OC Water District #1 committee is not making any statements.
The former Monroe Town Board never put it on their agenda.
The OC Department of Health has not made any pronouncements.
The NYS DEC seems to be AWOL.
The OC DA has not been heard from.
Who takes the lead to protect the air in Monroe which pond walkers and playground users of all ages breathe every day? The new Town of Monroe Town Supervisor Maureen Richardson.
Even if that deal is sabotaged or reneged upon,
we will still have Town Supervisor fighting for us.