Concern over the Impact on Local Politics

Concern must be raised about the impact of a group of people, with a growing population, upon the residents of Mamakating, and Sullivan County.
Members of insular Hasidic sects often receive their political instructions from the Rebbe or Rabbi who leads the group. This usually results in a bloc vote on any particular issue or for a particular candidate.
In 1999 four New Square men were convicted of bilking government aid programs and funneling the money back to the yeshiva in their community of 7,000 people. President Bill Clinton commuted their prison sentences in 2000. There were suspicions that the clemency was granted in exchange for the promise of a bloc vote for Hillary Clinton who was a candidate for US Senate at the time.
Mrs. Clinton met with leaders of the community in August 2000 and again, with Mr. Clinton, in December 2000 after the election. New Square voters gave her 1,400 votes to 12 for the Republican candidate, former Representative Rick A. Lazio. Mrs.Clinton's aides have said clemency did not come up in the August meeting and, when it was raised in the December meeting, she offered no comment.

The issues that are a concern to the residents of Mamakating might very well be contrary to the practices of the Skver Hasidim. The Skver know and care little of the outside world that surrounds them. They maintain their own self interest, often to the detriment of the community at large. What might be for the benefit of the majority of the people of Mamakating, will probably not serve the needs of the Skver, and they will vote accordingly.
Indeed, if the relations between the Village of Kiryas Joel and the Town of Monroe, within which it resides, are any lesson, residents of Mamakating will be negatively affected by this community. Here are two examples of the poor relations between Hasidic villages and the surrounding community.

Kiryas Joel eager for own library

Kiryas Joel checks out of Monroe Free Library

Here is a comical look how members of the Kiryas Joel community deceived each other as they were attempting to conceal a property acquisition.

ACE deal creates bad feeling all around