Upcoming events.
Orange county - no kings day
Friends:
One theme most resonates with those vehemently opposed to our growing authoritarianism - we do not suffer kings lightly. No more kings. We believe in democratic institutions, checks and balances, shared power and detest the notion that one person can govern without restraint. Our courts are dealing with the Trump excesses daily but, as stakeholders, we have to do more, making our voices heard and not once...
June 14th is national "No Kings" Day and we must join our compatriots around this nation and stand up for our values and against the whims of one man.
As of today, I am unaware of any unified action planned for June 14 so Orange County Cares must step up and organize such an event. There are many venues which could work, but, in my view, the County Center, Goshen, is the most appropriate one. Our county government resides in Goshen and it is in the geographical center of our county. There is a very wonderful green space in the middle of the village for a huge rally.
So, I am inviting each of you to spread the word: NO KINGS IN ORANGE DAY - JUNE 14 BETWEEN 12-2 PM. I am asking all affiliated with Indivisible and Hands Off to Spread the Word.
Our themes are clear - we need to fight a king and:
Save our constitution, the First Amendment, academic freedom, checks and balances in government, free and fair elections, voting rights, a free press, agencies created by Congress to protect union right and workers' safety, the rights of the LGBTQ plus among us, consumer safety, the wholesomeness of our food supply, our environment, including initiatives intended to promote alternative energy development and production, the safety net including SNAP, WIC, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, veterans' benefits, the writ of habeas corpus, the right to asylum, public support for the arts, including PBS and NPR, women's right to be equally treated in every manner; our history from abridgment, our books from censorship, the rights accorded the disabled amongst us...and much more.
If you care, as you all of you do, please join me so we can speak as one and make our voices heard at noon on June 14, 2025 at the Goshen Village Square. Please spread the word and bring your family and friends. If you wish to speak, let me know and encourage others to do so.
Amazon/ocida public meeting
ORANGE COUNTY, NY – Michael Sussman, candidate for Orange County Executive, issued the following response to recent developments regarding the construction of a new Amazon warehouse in the Town of Wawayanda:
“Amazon has proposed building a 3.4 million square foot warehouse in the Town of Wawayanda. I strongly oppose the project for many reasons. The number of permanent jobs will be dwarfed by the number of robots in the new facility. Amazon has engaged in union-busting across the United States and has an abysmal worker safety record. The massive project will cause pollution and congestion the good people of Wawayanda do not deserve.
“Now, with its usual arrogance, one of the world’s richest and largest companies seeks subsidies from the Orange County Industrial Development Agency. I categorically reject any public funding for Amazon.
“The IDA originally scheduled a meeting to discuss the Amazon warehouse for a 5:00 pm meeting on June 4. I protested that starting time as it disenfranchised many, especially the working families of our County. In response to my advocacy, the IDA has now moved the meeting from the Town of Wawayanda Town Hall to a larger venue, the Minisink Valley Middle School (which is located at 2320 State Route 6, Slate Hill), and changed the date to June 10, 2025, and the start time to 6:30 pm.
“Several of our county’s construction unions favor the Amazon project – workers attended the Town of Wawayanda Planning Board meeting last week and expressed support for well-paying and local construction jobs. The irony is not lost on me that our unions strongly support a company with an abysmal union-busting record and a terrible worker safety record.
“Will Amazon’s presence really advance the cause of unions in our County? Workers should not be forced into a choice like this. Instead, our IDA should be supporting private-public partnerships to rebuild our cities, provide workforce housing and improve public safety. These opportunities do not exist today, but on January 1, 2026, when I take office as County Executive, I will initiate a massive housing program which provides comparable employment options.
“Please join me that evening, and let’s give the IDA a piece of our minds. We will fight against giveaways to wealthy corporations and the industrialization of our County. We defeated the last warehouse project we fought two months ago, and can defeat this if we work together and rally in support of each other. We need the kind of economic development which benefits our County comprehensively and over generations, instead of the kind that robs our communities of their character and chases short-term benefits for long-term sacrifices.”
Michael H. Sussman is the Democratic and Working Families Party Candidate for Orange County Executive.
Michael sussman volunteer meeting
For those who want to help in my county executive campaign, we are having our first meeting for volunteers on 6/5/25 at 7:15 pm at my law office, 1 Railroad Avenue, 3rd Floor, Goshen, NY. Please email contact@sussmanfororange.com with questions.
Robert Lewis memorial walk
Robert Lewis was a long-time resident of Port Jervis when, on June 2, 1892, he was brutally beaten and lynched by a racist mob. He is one of only two Black men lynched in New York State history whose identity is known. The other, Robert Mulliner, was lynched in Newburgh (also Orange County) in 1863.
This walk memorializes Robert Lewis. Walkers will meet at the intersection of Hammond Street and Sussex Street and walk approximately half a mile, following the route along which Mr. Lewis was dragged and beaten, concluding at the site where his life ended.
This event is hosted by Friends of Robert Lewis. NAACP members and supporters are invited guests. Please wear a dark blue shirt and arrive early.