Turmoil over closing of remote-control track

Anya Tikka
Posted 8/21/12

PORT JERVIS, NY — The closing of the remote-control track RC Raceway in Port Jervis caused discussion at the monthly council meeting after the owner, John Fernandez, stood up during public comment …

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Turmoil over closing of remote-control track

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PORT JERVIS, NY — The closing of the remote-control track RC Raceway in Port Jervis caused discussion at the monthly council meeting after the owner, John Fernandez, stood up during public comment and demanded the council retract what he said were untrue statements given to media. The city is declining to renew his contract.

The proposed White Water Kayak Park is planned at the same location. Reports said garbage, including drug paraphernalia, were found around the area, but Fernandez said they weren’t connected to his track.

He said, “If you want your water park, good luck. The labor I did in that track is incredible.” Fernandez said the racetrack is nationally known, and if he moved it, it would be welcomed anywhere because of the visitors it brought to the area.

He demanded an apology.

Decker declined to offer any retraction to Fernandez. He said there were several reasons as to why the raceway track was closed. “The contract had an exit clause. There were several reasons why the contract was not renewed, including the water park. The RC track as it was had to be open for locals to use until the time came that we had to move it.”

Regarding receipts, Decker said Fernandez brought in many receipts, but his numbers changed all the time. “The bottom line is, there’s no way of figuring out how much money was put into that park,” he said. There were receipts from Home Depot and other places, but nothing to say what it was used for.

Councilmember Stan Siegel said he had had three phone conversations with Fernandez, and that initially he’d been supportive, but then seeing the comments made on social media, changed his mind. “I don’t want to invite him back to town,” he said.

One of the local residents stood up at the end of the meeting, and said locals had not been treated fairly at the track because they couldn’t compete with others who came with expensive equipment.

“I purchased several cars from Mr. Fernandez. I have about $15,000 worth of cars in my house. My son was being set aside with no practice time. Kids were standing aside, never got practice time. That’s why locals stopped going.”

Discussion of the matter, including the possibility of litigation, was continued in a closed executive session.

In other business, councilmember Kevin Cunningham reminded residents that the annual hydrant flushing was starting, and advised everyone to “flush your cold water before laundry to flush out any discoloring.”

Councilmember Carl Hendrick reminded everyone it was the Annual National Distracted Driving Awareness month, “We’re out there enforcing it.”

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