Sad News; Strange Bedfellows; A Day to Celebrate

Power of Ten Update

In this issue:

  1. Rev. Brightman has passed
  2. School board member resigns
  3. An outrageous choice
  4. School board still paying lawyer who cursed at student
  5. Martin Luther King Celebration Jan 20 at SVHS

1) Rev. Brightman has passed

The Rev. Walter Brightman Jr. passed away last month at the age of 81. Rev. Brightman often spoke about the East Ramapo children and the need for them to receive a quality education. He really cared about the kids. Rev Brightman will be missed by all of us.

The Journal News: Spring Valley activist Brightman dies at 81

2) School Board Member Resigns

East Ramapo Board of Education member MaraLuz Corado stepped down in December after serving less than six months on the board. She was the FOURTH member of the East Ramapo School Board to resign in 2013!!!

The Journal News: E. Ramapo board member resigns

3) An Outrageous Choice

Democrats at the County Legislature officially selected former East Ramapo School Board member Aron Wieder as the Legislature’s Democratic Majority Leader. SMH!

Preserve Ramapo: An Outrageous Choice

4) School board still paying lawyer who cursed at student
“…after much public pressure, the East Ramapo School Board president Mr. Yehuda Weissmandl announced on July 8 that the district would “transition to other legal representation”. Six months later this firm is still in place no disciplinary action has been taken by the school district in either case. Given that the original “transition” from an existing law firm to Minerva & D’Agostino took all of one school board meeting, I find it insulting to our community that six months later, tax dollars are still being paid to this law firm.” – Rockland County Executive Ed Day
5) Martin Luther King Celebration Jan 20 at SVHS
The Martin Luther King Multi-Purpose Center and Spring Valley High School celebrate 50 years of civil rights history and honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 20, 2014 from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Spring Valley High School, 361 Rte. 59, Spring Valley, NY.
Program will include keynote speakers Dr. Weldon McWilliams IV and Ms. Mercedes Smith.
Entertainment including Chiku Awali Dancers. Arthur Lorde’s Motherland Rhythms, JAMCCAR’s Ekklipse Steel Band and Christ Centered Ministry’s Voices of Praise.
The event will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Martin Luther King Multi-Purpose Center in Spring Valley, the 50th anniversary “Freedom Summer”, and the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Civil Rights Act.
Also featured will be performances by Spring Valley High School students.
Admission and light refreshments are FREE.