In further response to the Phil Reisman column, Rye Maypr Doug Frrench is biting back. In an email, French made the following statement:
"I read the Phil Reisman article on the supposed corruption in Rye and the "citizen soldier" who is waging his personal war on the City. Really? While I realize Mayors get blamed for everything, the alleged illegal renovations on the Mayor's home referenced in the article took place in 1972.
I was in the 3rd grade at the time. But the values my 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Puritz from FE Bellows instilled in me are the same ones that led me to one day serve my community on a volunteer basis in the top public service job in Rye.
Similar to what many homeowners experience, we got the proper CO that the previous homeowners should have gotten. In the end, the only thing we were asked to do was to remove the rug that we put in which replaced the green, shaggy rug that was previously there (Mike and Carol Bradyesque style). Can you blame us?
Be glad to talk about the real issues in Rye — Financial sustainability, Playland, Rye Golf, flooding, pedestrian safety, capital infrastructure — even home decor. No corruption in Rye, just dedicated volunteers and professional staff doing the right thing."
What an easily debunked pile of lies. Leave now Mr. French, and take your crooked influence peddling personal lawyer with you.
3rd grade again, really? Doug, if you take a peek at your below linked MLS listing it states that you put in a new heating system,electrical system and a new roof in between 1995 and 1997.If you were in the third grade in 95 how is it your kid is in collage today.
http://www.healtheharbor.com/french/MLS-listing-French.pdf
Mrs. Puritz should have told you if you lie your nose will grow.
Doug,
I heard that you are deeply concerned about your legacy. I think Phil’s column is a pretty accurate account of your mark on Rye.
But your statement is actually sad. You’re still using the “I was in the third grade” line over a year later. Interesting you don’t try and defend the double-star exemption you obtained when you were in your mid-thirties. When you were busted for double-dipping, you were forced to repay the county over $16,000 of illegal tax savings. That’s a fact, not an attack.
“Mayors get blamed for everything”. No Doug, it’s called accountability, a concept that apparently seems foreign to your administration. When you are voted into a position such as Mayor, residents hold you accountable. Accountable for the city manager, accountable for reading audits (especially when you sit on the audit committee), accountable for Rye Golf Club, and accountable for for following the laws even in your own home.
“Supposed” corruption in Rye?! The headlines (beyond The Rye Record) speak for themselves. You’ve been a disaster. You weren’t worthy of a re-election nomination from your own party, bowing out days after contacting the screening committee for an interview.
You have tried desperately to save your political career at the expense of others and just look at you now. Like quicksand, the more you move and thrash about, you just sink deeper and deeper and deeper. January is almost here.
http://www.hometwn.com/hometown-media-group/rye-sound-shore-review/mayor-french-out-councilman-sack-in-for-mayoral-run/
Doug French’s Legacy Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KHQIHMTaAA
“Doug you supposed to be the Mayor of this city and this is how you act? It is absolutely awful, you should be ashamed of yourself,ashamed of yourself!”
How do you say corruption in French?
Rye Golf Club.
13 Richard Place double Star exemption.
13 Richard Place building code violations.
Unethical behavior from Ethics Board.
Boat Basin.
Police uniform bids.
City Manager allowed to lie numerous times to public and City Council.
Andrew Dapolite.
More unethical behavior from Ethics Board.
Misappropriating $5,000,000 away from Rye’s infrastructure.
How do you say delusional in French?
“No corruption in Rye, just dedicated volunteers and professional staff doing the right thing.”
Here’s a partial list of dedicated staff doing the right thing according to French:
Scott Pickup (See definitions for malfeasance, misfeasance, incompetence,lying and mismanagement).
William Connors (Department and possibly Connors under criminal investigation). Also works for City labor lawyer Vincent Toomey. Quid pro quo comes to mind?
Scott Yandrasevich (Under criminal investigation).
Peter Fox (Under criminal investigation)
Kristen Wilson (See definition of conflict).
Dawn Nodarse(Submitted false sworn affidavit to court).
Comptroller Gribbons (Fled Rye in June of 2012).
I spent some time yesterday with the Westchester County District Attorney investigators inquiring about the Rye Marina witch hunt. That would be the same investigation initiated by Scott Pickup and Doug French. (Same DA investigators working on the Rye Golf Club investigation)
After about an hour and a half it seemed clear to me that the investigators appeared to be more concerned in Mr. Pickup’s actions than Mr. Fox’s. I believe, by the time we were finished, I had pointed out how and why Mr. Pickup and Mayor French created this witch hunt to draw attention from the Golf Club scandal and punish Peter Fox after they believed was helping and befriending Ray Tartaglione. Now the investigation is moving in the right direction.
Steve Otis creamed Doug French in the 2009 debates. It is remarkable French won. Rye got what they asked for…
Now Rye is asking for a turd sandwich.
I wouldn’t go as far as to call Peter Jovanovich a “turd sandwich”. He’s just angry and acts pompous to cope. Maybe the sexual harassment charges from 1993 are still affecting his personal life…
http://www.kroplaw.com/win_hill.html
I spent some time yesterday with the Westchester County District Attorney investigators inquiring about the Rye Marina witch hunt. That would be the same investigation initiated by Scott Pickup and Doug French. (Same DA investigators working on the Rye Golf Club investigation)
After about an hour and a half it seemed clear to me that the investigators appeared to be more concerned in Mr. Pickup’s actions than Mr. Fox’s. I believe, by the time we were finished, I had pointed out how and why Mr. Pickup and Mayor French created this witch hunt to draw attention from the Golf Club scandal and punish Peter Fox after they believed was helping and befriending Ray Tartaglione. Now the investigation is moving in the right direction.
@Ray
How interesting you spent some time with the D.A.
Were you being questioned about your part in the the barge fiasco
or were you being an up-standing citizen setting the record stright?
You are indeed a piece of work
@ Dim Wit,
It started out with them questioning me about the BS story that they were told by Pickup, French and a few others but no worries by the end, I did set the record straight. You don’t see me or Fox in handcuff do you?
Trust me; it was another witch hunt, just like sending the Westchester County Psychiatric Team to evaluate Schubert. Only difference is now they are using the DA’s office. I thought the investigators seemed a little pissed after I told them the Schubert story and about how they used the Psychiatric unit to try and get rid of Bob. My guess is they realized they were also being used. (God don’t like ugly)
I must tell you, I think they have some balls to put a twenty something year dedicated employee through what they did, just because they thought he was a friend of mine or he was helping me. But after seeing what they did to 89 year old WWII veteran Bob Schubert before he died, nothing surprises me. A vote for Jovanovich and this will continue in Rye!
Interesting how Jovanovich’s newspaper, the Rye Record is the only newspaper that I know of that prints rumors and wrong ones at that.
http://www.ryerecord.com/news/that-sinking-feeling.html
My guess is if you label it a rumor you don’t have to worry about libel suits.