TRR photo by Tom Kane Pictured at the groundbreaking are, from left: William Boucher, donator of the property; school board members Bill Erdman, Jerry Triolo, Rich Sandler and Donna Sauer-Jones; Superintendent Michael Johndrow; board members Jeffrey Nober, Angela Daley, Rick Lander, K.C. Garn and board president Carol Nearing. (Click for larger image)

Sullivan West breaks ground

By TOM KANE

LAKE HUNTINGTON — Residents streamed on to the property of the proposed site of the new high school in Lake Huntington last Saturday morning to view the site, listen to speakers and witness the ceremonial breaking of the ground.

The nine school board members, Superintendent Michael Johndrow and land donor William Boucher wore hard hats with the Sullivan West emblem and wielded gold-colored shovels on the soft ground.

“This is a truly great occasion that so many people worked so hard for,” said Lake Huntington resident John Reggero, who served on several committees in preparation for the merger vote and the new school construction vote.

“This is going to transform our little hamlet of Lake Huntington and bring prosperity to the Town of Cochecton,” said Cochecton Supervisor Sal Indelicato.

“The county as a whole will benefit from this major step in educating our youth,” said Christopher Cunningham, a county legislator. “It’s going to draw more people here.”

Residents sat under a tent to get out of the sun and others stood around, watching and listening to speakers.

The combined band of students from Narrowsburg, Delaware Valley and Jeffersonville played the National Anthem and entertained onlookers. This was the first public appearance of the combined band.

Rumors of an active protest by site opponents circulated, but no pickets materialized.

Not everyone, however, was happy with the occasion. Dissenters included Noel van Swol and Tony Wayne, long time opponents of the merger.

Wayne denied that he was the creator of a videotape circulating in the district which condemns the present site and claims that toxic wastes are buried in the ground beneath the old Green Acres Hotel, torn down years ago.

Wayne claimed that the video was made by Anthony Cacioppo of New York City who had planned to move here and send his children to the school. Cacioppo could not be reached for comment.

“This is a sad day,” van Swol said. “This site has not been properly investigated. There have been rumors [circulating] for years about 55 gallon barrels of toxic waste that were illegally buried at the site. This is probably the worse site for a school.”

Van Swol pointed out pockets of garbage that dotted the property. “I’m not going to comment any further,” he said.