Spring Valley's mayor wants his municipality to regain control of its building department

Rockland County's takeover of Spring Valley's building department occurred in the months after a fatal fire at the Evergreen Assisted Living Facility in March 2021. Volunteer firefighter Jared Lloyd and resident Oliver Hueston died in the fire.

News 12 Staff

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Jul 20, 2023, 9:52 PM

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Updated 449 days ago

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Spring Valley Mayor Alan Simon says his municipality should regain control over its own building department.

Rockland County's takeover of Spring Valley's building department occurred in the months after a fatal fire at the Evergreen Assisted Living Facility in March 2021. Volunteer firefighter Jared Lloyd and resident Oliver Hueston died in the fire.

Simon criticized Rockland County's enforcement of Buildings and Codes in the village since New York state handed over control a year and a half ago.

"I am not happy with the job the county is doing," Simon said, claiming the county is not following up on violations and does not use the courts to hold property owners accountable.

Simon feels Adam McCarey, a village hire from Middletown, would do a better job.

"I believe instead of the mayor creating problems, he should take ownership of what has happened under his watch," said Ed Markunas, director of Rockland's Office of Building and Codes.

Markunas said his office does re-inspections and has administrative hearings developed through the county attorney's office.

Rockland County says OBC has found over 10,000 violations during 1,500 inspections since February 2022.

On Thursday afternoon, Simon said he has spoken with Lloyd's mother, Sabrail Davenport.

She said he spoke to her by phone and that she only spoke with him in his office shortly after that deadly day.

"That's the only time I spoke to that mayor. I have not heard from that mayor since. He's a liar," Davenport said.

During recent trials for Spring Valley building employees, the department was described as "disorganized and outdated" during testimony. When News 12 asked Simon about that, he said it was the best they could do with the money they had.