Statement from Mount Pleasant Town Supervisor Carl Fulgenzi regarding inaccurate comments to news media by JCCA Cottage School
Town is actively pursuing legal actions to stop construction work taking place on campus with no Town safety inspections or building permits
TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, NY (November 3, 2023) -- Over the last several days JCCA leaders have attempted to divert attention from illegal activities on their campus through a series of misleading and inaccurate statements provided to the local area news media. This is troubling and unfortunately consistent with their approach to the Mount Pleasant community.
Regardless of their recent comments to the contrary, the first time we heard from Ron Richter, the JCCA’s chief administrator, was after our July news conference at which we presented the statistics on the high number of police and EMT service and related issues.
Here are just some of the other misleading statements that JCCA have recently put forward:
- FICTION: The JCCA says that since the end of May they have made multiple attempts to meet with the town but only in late October did we agree to meet.
FACT: From last August through early October alone we have had several interactions with JCCA staff members including site visits, conference calls and an in-person meeting regarding fire and building inspections. In fact, on September 7 at Town Hall the Town Attorney, Building Inspector and Fire Inspector met with the JCCA’s attorneys to discuss the multiple permit and code violations on the campus.
- FICTION: The JCCA said they have never refused to let town officials have access to their campus.
FACT: As we have previously stated, on September 21 the Town Attorney and Fire Inspector went to the campus to inspect buildings where we were believed illegal work was being done without permits. JCCA representatives and attorneys denied us entry to those buildings.
- FICTION: The JCCA says they are operating below capacity and can accommodate migrant children.
FACT: As we have repeatedly stated and the JCCA has repeatedly demonstrated, they are incapable of handling the children already in their care. Further, they have commenced multiple construction projects to expand capacity on the campus without filing for any building and safety permits as required by law.
The Town remains ready to have a serious conversation about what the JCCA would like to do on the campus and what permits would be required. Until this occurs, we will have no choice but to pursue legal options and actions. The JCCA is not above the law.
Contact: Amanda Jasilli, ajasilli@mtpleasantny.com or 914-742-2301.