August 3, 1993, The Times Herald-Record, p. 5

5 cited at board meeting
New chief arrests foes of Stericycle

By ALEXANDER H. WILLIAMS
Staff Writer

MONTICELLO -- Five protesters were arrested at a Monticello Village Board meeting last night for carrying signs opposing a proposed medical waste processing plant.
The arrests, on charges of civil disobedience, a violation, came at about 8:10 p.m. after the five members of Sullivan County Action Coalition, a taxpayer group, were warned that they could not bring the signs into the meeting, said Police Chief Michael Brennan.
The protesters were displaying signs opposed to Stericycle, a medical waste processing firm that wants to open a plant in Monticello. Stericycle is seeking approval from the village Planning Board.
Glenn Pontier, the editor of the River Reporter, Mary Marino, Charles Stephenson and Charles [sic] and Carmen Rue tried to bring the signs into the meeting despite warnings, Brennan said.
Brennan said he was acting under the orders of Village Manager James J. Malloy, who told him earlier in the day that protesters could not bring in their signs due to the expected large crowd. More than 50 people attended the meeting.
Malloy said the wigns would disrupt the meeting.
Pontier, 47, left the police department after being released at about 9:30 p.m.
After demonstrating outside with other protesters, he said he went in Village Hall and was confronted by Brennan. He then walked past him with his sign that read: "Taxation Without Representation Is Tyrrany."
Pontier said he boarded the elevator. When th edoors to the elevator opened to the meeting room on the second floor, Brennan arrested him.
Yesterday was Brennan's first day as police chief. It was his first arrest as chief since replacing Walter Ramsay, who retired.
"This is so silly," Pontier said. "I don't know what their problem is. They're freaking out... This is so Mickey Mouse."
Several other protesters agreed to leave their signs downstairs, Brennan said.
None of the people arrested was handcuffed, Brennan said. All cooperated.
The protesters are to appear Aug. 10 in Village Court. They face maximum penalties of 15 days in jail and a $250 fine.
Stephenson, 66, of North Branch, and Marino, 39, of Monticello, said their constitutional rights had been violated.
"It's my right. Why should I be denied?" said Stephenson



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