Residents object to rally

Officials say no cars on Lackawaxen Road next time

By FRITZ MAYER

TUSTEN, NY — While many members of the community were pleased with the latest Rally New York held in Tusten, most of the residents of Lackawaxen Road have a far different view.

The residents signed a petition last fall to prevent the race from being run on their road. That worked, but it did not stop spectators from parking on their road and, according to residents, wreaking havoc.

Lance Brodmerkel, who lives on the road of attractive homes, estimated that half of the 100 or so spectators who turned up for the rally on March 31 were drinking alcohol. He said some were also imitating the drivers and “spinning out” on the loose gravel on the road. He added that most of the spectators were from outside the state and were aged about 45 and older. “These were not kids,” he said.

Brodmerkel had pictures of beer bottles and a bag of trash left on the side of the road. He said there was a portable toilet in the area, but it was not very close to the special stage (racing area), and people were relieving themselves in the wooded lots along the road.

He said by hosting the rally the town is endorsing a “drinking and driving event.”

Two New York State troopers were stationed near the special stage, and a third was summoned when residents called police and said spectators were reportedly driving recklessly on the end of the road, away from the event, at the intersection of Route 97.

Trooper Barry K. Falk, who was stationed near the special stage at Lackawaxen Road and Cochecton Turnpike, said there were probably some coolers of beer among the spectators but that he did not personally witness any open drinking. He said the troopers were on hand to ensure that the event was kept as safe as possible, and that overall it was a safe event. He added, however, that the officer near Route 97 did issue a few summonses.

Ivan Orisek, one of the principle organizers of the Rally New York events, dismissed the concerns about drinking, and said the real concern was that some of the residents on Lackawaxen Road did not want cars to be parked on the street. He said it’s a public street, and there’s nothing wrong with cars parking on the street.

Chuck Hoffman, who shares a house with Brodmerkel, said cars were directed to park on the side of the road, but there’s not enough room to accommodate them.

Whether the parking is legal or not, Orisek said that because of the complaints, if the special stage in question is used at the next rally, there would not be a spectator section at that location, which will eliminate the problem and the complaints.

Tusten supervisor Ben Johnson said event organizers consulted with him in coming up with the solution to the situation.

Ed Jackson, chairman of the Tusten Planning Board, and an official with Rally New York, said the complaints came from a limited number of people.