Nonprofit groups won't be pushed out

The River Reporter, November 11, 1997

By TOM RUE

MONTICELLO - Local nonprofit groups using the Monticello Neighborhood Facility won't have to find new digs, thanks to a deal hammered out by Monticello village attorney Michael Davidoff and approved on Monday by the village board.

The president of the Sullivan County branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Thomas Mack, spoke two weeks ago against advice by Davidoff that the municipality require nonprofit organizations using the Jefferson St. facility to certify that they have liability coverage for injuries caused by their negligence.

Mack told the board at a November 3 meeting that the national organization does not provide liability insurance to local chapters. Board members agreed to try and honor a request "not to push the NAACP out into the street."

On November 17, Davidoff reported that NAACP mid-Hudson Regional director Harold Ramsay of Poughkeepsie confirmed to him that Mack's statement was correct.

Under the newly adopted policy, otherwise uninsured nonprofit and "civic minded" organizations may still use the facility by buying coverage from the village's carrier, NIA Insurance, for $25 a month or $300 a year -- whichever is less.

"We're making them protect themselves," Davidoff explained, noting that the village is already insured for $1-million per occurrence, but he wanted to be sure that any negligence by groups using the facility was covered.

The NAACP isn't the only relieved nonprofit group.

The educational club Computer Power Users (CPU) had already begun looking for a new place to meet. "If the Village were to institute a $25.00/month usage fee on the Neighborhood Facility, CPU would be ready and willing to comply," said president Scott Waschitz in an e-mailed statement.

CPU meets on first and second Thursdays at 7:00 PM, he noted. "The Neighborhood Facility is an excellent meeting place and we are both thankful and lucky that such a facility exists nearby," Waschitz said.

The NAACP meeting schedule was not available at press-time.

Taxpayer groups have used the Neighborhood Facility in the past for candidate debates and other civic events. This may also continue. Davidoff and mayor James Kenny said they were unsure how many groups would be effected by the measure.

Village clerk Edith Schop said she would revise the application form for use of the building to reflect the new policy. Municipally-sponsored activities in the facility are unaffected, Davidoff said.