The Orange County Legislature already voted to stop the water
pipeline project, but Legislator Roxanne Donnery, upset that
Orange County Executive Ed Diana isn't enforcing the stop order, blocked construction of the pipeline yesterday. Donnery was joined by Woodbury Supervisor John
Burke. Diana says the legislature's vote to stop work is not legally binding. Therefore, he reportedly said, he would ignore it.
News 12 adds:
…Opponents of the project are concerned there won't be enough water for both municipalities and say the proper permits with the state are not in place.A representative for Kiryas Joel called the protest "a cheap publicity stunt." Donnery and Burke said they will continue to block construction and are willing to get arrested if that is what it takes.
Diana's office says the Legislature's resolution to stop construction is not legally binding and that construction will continue under both state and county permits.
Donnery also added in reference to the powerful Satmar hasidic voting bloc, "It's time the favoritism stops."