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Town Board Appoint Darren Epstein as Town Justice And Jon Valentino As Councilman To Fill Vacant Positions
The Clarkstown Town Board voted last night to appoint Darren Epstein as Town Justice, filling the vacancy created by Judge Ascher’s appointment as a County Court Judge. Epstein recently served as a Deputy Town Attorney for Clarkstown.
Supervisor George Hoehmann stated, “Darren has served the Town ably as Deputy Town Attorney and has a well respected local private law practice. The Town Board and I wish him the best as he begins his new role in service to our residents for the remainder of Judge Ascher’s term.”
Epstein stated, “I thank Supervisor Hoehmann and the Town Board for their confidence in appointing me as Judge for the Town of Clarkstown. I look forward to using my legal experience to benefit the residents of our great town as your newest Judge.”
Epstein graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park and earned his JD from University of Baltimore School of Law.
The Town Board also appointed Jon Valentino to fill the vacancy of the late Councilman Mark Woods. Valentino is a retired NYPD Lieutenant and is currently employed as a funeral director at Higgins in New City.
“I am honored for the opportunity to serve the people of Clarkstown as Councilman and continue my commitment to community service,” said Councilman Valentino. “I understand I have big shoes to fill. Councilman Mark Woods was a giant in our community and I promise to continue his legacy and work on projects he was spearheading during his tenure.”
Temporary Receiver Appointed To Oversee Palisades Center
New York State Supreme Court Justice Francis Kahn, III appointed temporary receiver Chris Neilson to oversee the operations and finances of the Palisades Center, according to court documents.
Neilson is managing partner of Trigild IVL, LLC, a national real estate company that has handled thousands of court-appointed receiverships for commercial properties nationwide.
The temporary receiver has the authority lease properties, collect rents, pay bills, conduct routine maintenance and repairs valued less than less $5,000. Repairs or improvements above that amount require the mall owner’s consent or court approval.
The foreclosure case against the mall’s owner continues.
Wilmington Trust, acting as a trustee for CMBS bondholders, filed in New York Supreme Court, New York County, to foreclose on the 2.2 million-square-foot shopping and entertainment complex, claiming Syracuse-based owner Pyramid Management Group defaulted on a $418.5 million loan tied to the mall property.
Wilmington Trust sought to take possession of the mall. The trustee’s request for a receiver was made over a year ago. Plaintiffs have also asked that the assets be sold to satisfy the obligations under the defaulted notes.
Last month, the Town of Clarkstown has agreed to refund the owners of the Palisades Center $27.5 million in property taxes paid to the town, the Clarkstown school district and Rockland County over a four year period to settle several years of tax certiorari cases pending in Rockland County Supreme Court.
Dunkin’ Donuts Opens Newly Remodeled Restaurant In Pearl River
Following a devastating fire that broke out on November 29, 2021, and spread throughout the plaza housing Dunkin’, the restaurant located at 112 North Middletown Road in Pearl River is set to reopen its doors after nearly three years.
To celebrate the grand reopening, Dunkin’ is offering “Free Coffee for a Year” to the first 100 guests in line beginning at 9 a.m. on Friday, August 16. Recipients receive a coupon book containing four free medium hot or iced coffee coupons per month for 14 months, good only at the Dunkin’ at that location.
Dunkin’ franchisees Mike McAleer and Walter Buczek of Sicomac Partners will commemorate the occasion with a $3,000 donation to Feeding Westchester in conjunction with the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation. Feeding Westchester is a nonprofit food bank that works alongside nearly 300 partners and programs to distribute food and other resources to communities across Westchester County and surrounding areas.
“We are very excited to reopen to our loyal guests in Pearl River and the surrounding community,” said McAleer. “Additionally, we are proud to support Feeding Westchester with this $3,000 donation in partnership with the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, and to underscore an organization that provides impactful support and resources to the local community.”
The 2,800-square-foot Dunkin’ employs 15 crew members.
