THOMAS AND CARMEN RUE
PO Box 706
Monticello NY 12701

April 30, 1999

Ms. Kathleen Bonin
[home address deleted]
Sturbridge, MA 01566

Dear Kathleen,

Enclosed, as requested, is a copy of the Examination Before Trial of James J. Malloy, as well as contemporary news clips describing his role in the Musical Chairs fiasco which split and preoccupied our community for years. It is our view that the uninformed "opinion" article which you provided to us was in error with respect to its central thesis, and that it contained alleged quotations of questionable accuracy (e.g., of our current Village Treasurer, whom we encourage you to contact directly during business hours at 914/794-6130.) Malloy was in fact a central participant in the job swap. He initiated and/or perpetuated the chain of events set in motion upon the ouster of then Village Attorney Stephen Oppenheim. When Malloy appointed John Duiguid as Mayor after Malloy's cousin, Mark Schulman, was appointed to replace Oppenheim, Malloy became as guilty as the rest of the participants, in our opinion. He knew what he was doing, and knew or should have known (based on recommendations made by the NYS Department of State) that the behind-the-scenes method used in the formulating the set of resignations and appointments which constituted Musical Chairs was unlawful. The board, not Malloy, violated the Open Meetings Law, but Malloy's prime function as Manager was to advise the board. In our opinion, he brought misfortune and nasty infighting to our community, the effects of which lasted for years. We wish you well as your taxpayer group undergoes its own struggle with Malloy. We sympathize with your plight.
Examples of unwarranted methods which Malloy used to quell citizen protests in Monticello which he ordered or permitted included video-taped surveillance of law-abiding, peaceful citizens in the audience, and ordering the false arrests of five innocent persons (of whom we were two) for silently holding cardboard signs which disagreed with his policies and acts. As a Manager, Malloy seemed to us more than a bit fascist and lacking in the wisdom and good sense which are essential to a community leader. We harbor him no personal ill feelings, since he has been away from here for several years.
Feel free to share, reproduce or publish our written communications with you on this subject, as well as the enclosures, with anyone that you may desire.

Monticello residents send Sturbridge good wishes,

Tom and Carmen Rue
Monticello, New York
http://www.catskill.net/rue/

Enclosures


Related items

  • Malloy and the Monticello Five: Another view of Musical Chairs - letter of April 22, 1999 to Southbridge Evening News
  • Lawyer - Monticello taxpayers must pay the piper, news, October 31, 1996, The River Reporter
  • Citizens group wins fees due to "intentional and flagrant" violations, news media update, Reporter's Committee for Freedom of the Press, January 15, 1996
  • IN THE MATTER OF VICTOR W. GORDON ET AL., APPELLANTS, v.
    VILLAGE OF MONTICELLO INC., ET AL., RESPONDENTS.
    87 N.Y.2d 124, 661 N.E.2d 691, 637 N.Y.S.2d 961    , December 7, 1995
  • Sign carriers settle for $95,000 in federal court, news, November 8, 1995, The River Reporter
  • Musical Chairs moves to Court of Appeals, news, May 11, 1995, The River Reporter


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