APA reassigns top attorney after controversial Sandy Lewis email
The Adirondack Park Agency's legal fight with Essex farmer Sandy Lewis continues to trigger fall-out at the Agency.
The APA has confirmed that lead enforcement division attorney Paul Van Cott has been reassigned after sending Lewis an email calling him "a sociopath."
Here's the treatment from the Valley News:
The Adirondack Park Agency has removed its enforcement program director from his position after he sent e-mails to Sandy Lewis calling him a "sociopath."Asked whether his controversial email played a role in the reassignment, APA spokesman Keith McKeever told the Valley News:
Paul Van Cott, who since 2004 has headed the APA's enforcement division, has been reassigned as part of the agency's general counsel office.
"The agency did not condone Paul's responses and we've recused him from his responsibilities in the Lewis and Douglas matters."Lewis himself trumpeted Van Cott's reassignment as a victory in his battle with the APA.
In a typical, rambling email, he levels criticism at a wide range of groups, including the media and NCPR. Here's a typical section.
For those who prefer fresh air, this is not rant. This is needed. And they need it, as do those who have long since forgotten what it's like when abuse is not the norm.
For those without courage, there's always the misuse of rant. Journalists rant - thus destroying. Listen to FOX, MSNBC, most any of them. The sheer noise is a blast furnace.
Lou Dobbs. Look at his puffy, pale face. What is he drinking? We have enough violence here.
posted by Brian Mann @ 11/25/2009 12:00:00 PM
14 Comments
14 Comments:
Wow, Sandy's last line was almost poetic:
lou dobbs
look at his puffy, pale face
what is he drinking?
we have enough violence here
Are there any full emails from Sandy available for public viewing?
Not sure what Paul meant by "sociopath" but do know people who have heard Lewis rant and rave. They have said Lewis is "foul mouth," so maybe that was what Paul meant.
When are people going to learn to have conversations in vacant parking lots and to only have them after making sure the other person is not "wired"?
What Shane said. If they can make a book of poetry out of Phil Rizzuto's game calls (http://www.amazon.com/O-Holy-Cow-Phil-Rizzuto/dp/0880015330), there's definitely a place on the shelf for Sandy's darker vision.
Sort of like Rod McKuen vs. Sylvia Plath.
Ranting and raving is only wrong if it goes against your agenda. The nation is full of people that rant and rave in extremely foul mouthed manners and they're called heros, artists, activists and visionaries.
Perception is the key.
I rather like the way Sandy Lewis calls out all sides. Even when I agree with a particular commentator, I hear the noise. Noise and discord has always been a part of the news business, though, hasn't it?
Anita, Russell NY
Paul should have been terminated for his unprofessional response. Of course his e-mail was all too typical behavior of some government bureacrats.
The APA also needs to refund Lewis' lega fees. In fact, the APA should refund the legal fees of anyone who successfully challenges them in court.
From what I hear of Mr. Lewis' emails and grandstanding, he has more than made up for the inconvenience of having to argue his case (for the farm employees' housing) in court. He's generally lowered the level of dialog to foul language and a variety of mean-spirited cuts - none of which could be construed as defensive; many of which were directed at Mr. VanCott.
Lewis been ranting for quite a while, and personally I think Mr. VanCott had probably showed some restraint before finally shrugging off his office's responsibility and firing back. I have no doubt he knew what would result, and I think this was his way of saying "take this job and shove it!" I say it's only fair for Mr. Lewis to receive a little of what he'd been dishing out.
To the named and unnamed, I would forward email used in this matter from sblewis@bellatlantic.net and see http://sblewis.com - as a thinking person knows, we are living in difficult times. Leaders have failed us. I published in the Press-Republican, In My Opinion - June 15, 2008, where care in word choice matters. Vernacular is quite useful in email. APA was found to be outside the law. Error of law was the Court's Opinion. APA knew this. APA bullies judges and us. ADK Council's Brian Houseal, no genius, called this a 'loop hole' 3x in one talk with me and his boss, Brian Ruder. Ignorance is not bliss. Paul Van Cott and John Stuart Banta have hurt APA. We need APA. Those who look the other way when government fouls up encourage more of it. Journalism has failed to hold APA to account. Brian Mann is ignorant of law, among others. He has a microphone. Calls to 518 522 1756 will be returned. Substantial change is coming to APA. See Maye case at sblewis.com and thank you.
Bret4207 said on November 25, 2009 5:34 PM
"Ranting and raving is only wrong if it goes against your agenda. The nation is full of people that rant and rave in extremely foul mouthed manners and they're called heros, artists, activists and visionaries.
Perception is the key."
That is correct Bret4207
Like when that hero and visionary Dick Cheney infamously told a certain Senator from Vt., when that Senator went to shake Cheney's hand (in the Senate well no less) - "Go f... yourself"
But Cheney did finish off the foul remark with his trademark "if you will."
Hardly ranting and raving. A true gentleman he was. Actively artistic too.
That's all well and good, Sandy.
But what I want to know is, when's your poetry collection coming out?
Frank- would that be the Socialist Seantor from Vt or the other socialist Senator from Vt that like to leak classified information that he agreed to keep mum? Either way, Cheney might well have handled it better, yet still have gotten the message across.
My thanks to the few who have requested email. A clarification: first, email, to and from, has been released: two elegant, responsible parties in journalism have it. There are conditions. First amendment rules, always. For those who wish, & thanks for asking, I require more than your email. Mail requires an address. Email files require your information. This is not marketing. This is purposefully offered, to those with specific interest. It is not more.
To the individual who worked with Paul Van Cott in Maine and wrote this to me: "Paul Van Cott worked in Portland office of Maine Department Environmental Protection (DEP) during late 1990's. He was brought over by (Edward O. 3rd) Ned Sullivan, formerly of NY DEP. In Maine, (NED) Sullivan was DEP Commissioner. Apparently, they both returned to NY about the same time. I think (NED) Sullivan went to a non-profit in the Hudson Valley," Who also wrote this: "Some years ago I worked with Van Cott in Maine and am not at all surprised at these reports of his recent abuses. Thank you," I have this to say: Paul Van Cott and I have had direct contact by phone, APA's nickel. After he kept my wife waiting for hours without apology and then sent Sarah Reynolds to do his bidding, saying it was her case, the man himself called me at the farm to settle APA issues with us - with me - though the permits and all actions were my wife's. He never meant it. He said APA sought total jurisdiction over this farm, sought to control our ability to house the farm worker, and required a negotiable fine. His call was tipped by Art Lussi - who called first. Art said, do what I did: I paid $2,500 and got no trouble. Finish your houses, ignore them, then negotiate. That is what APA board member Art Lussi said. My response to Van Cott in our only call: Go to hell. I will see you out the door. APA is too valuable to this region to have you and your ilk around. You and your 501(c)3 coterie will be exposed. PVC lacks the knowledge, skill and decency required of his position. His APA managers are worse. Paul refused to shake hands with our (2) counsel in open court, this after Assistant AG Loretta Simon Esq., his counsel, had done so - and Mr. Van Cott had shaken the hands of LeRoy Moses Douglas Jr., and his wife, Joan, and their (2) counsel sitting adjacent. Mr. Van Cott is troubled. At his face to face from 9:15 to 12:30 the famous Monday, Paul Van Cott told Mr. Douglas, ALJ Molly McBride, and Douglas counsel Matt Norfolk Esq., that he did not like Adirondack Council and did not like Brian Ruder. Another party overheard this statement. We must ask Mr. Van Cott what he does not like about Adirondack Council and Mr. Ruder - and why he fined John Bruce Maye $2,800,000 for nothing - then vacated. This is a mess, with journalists exhibiting Stockholm Syndrome and their self-interest. Their best source is APA and the Council, our region is where they live, and preferential treatment is commonplace. Discretionary, self-interest enforcement works for those who play the game, and Albany cravenly plays along. APA needs a cleansing broom; Keith P. McKeever, APA PR, must vacate, too. McKeever and PR John Sheehan of Adirondack Council should form another 501(c) or take over as Brian Ruder resigns and sells on Silver Lake.
There should be a criminal investigation into Paul Van Cott and the APA, and don't forget the Adirondack Council. What they and the Adirondack Council have been doing is criminal. We don't need an APA. What we do need is a media that isn't afraid to report or isn't so tainted that they refuse to report. As bad as Brian Mann is, Lois Clermont is much worse.
Sandy Lewis, being an outsider, believes that we need an APA. Well if it wasn't for the existance of the APA perhaps he wouldn't be owning the farm that he has, some poor local might still be farming there.
In response to 23rdNative... my wife's family came in 1950. We, she and I, came with 6 kids in 1976, were invited to buy our farmhouse at $135,000. We bid $75,000. Two years later, January 1978, we were asked to repeat our $75,000 bid. We declined, but added a field and wood to the east, for a total of $85,000, borrowed $45,000 to close. Subsequent purchases, contiguous, were made as and when asked, not otherwise. All neighbor farms failed, APA did not touch one, yet each was, and those that remain are, examples of pollution. APA employs a differential calculus with which all are familiar. The law is not formative in that calculus. Our farm has not expanded absent direct, person to person, solicitation: no brokers. Re criminal, it's criminal to use 501(c)3 dollars to benefit the donor; IRS crime. Brian Ruder donated to Adirondack Council, rose there to CEO, then used his Council on Silver Lake via APA. Complicit, limp-wristed prosecutors fear Adirondack Council and the enviro turbine in the press. I do not. To know Brian Ruder is to know what he does; he silently brags, and he asked us to join, promising help with Judith Enck in Albany. I refused. Brian Houseal came with Mr. Ruder. Ruder's solicitation, his pitch, was away from Houseal. Along the way, Mr. Ruder submitted his c.v. Heinz 57 Brands career stuff and more. I have little doubt what Brian Ruder did on Silver Lake. His wife, Ginny, is none too happy about his behavior there. This is what she implied to me. But she was aware and was part of it. Silver Lake neighbors know, starting with Bill Kissel, the White Knight of Molly McBride's Monday epistle, a/k/a application for Paul Van Cott's job. Bill Kissel wants Curtis Stiles' APA job - and I want the people of the North Country to work through Teresa Sayward and her peer to form plans for the transition at APA. Again: WE NEED A STRONG, SMART, FAIR, EQUITABLE APA - AND AN HONEST PRESS THAT HOLDS APA TO ACCOUNT. The region is in free fall. 23rdNative on Press-Republican is correct: Lois and he husband Bob Grady are part of it. Kim Smith Dedam has not got a chance. Note: that paper has ignored Paul Van Cott's news. This in itself is not news. 23rdNative is right as rain there. Thank you.
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