GOSHEN – Concerned over the state’s special monitor veto of an Orange County Industrial Development Agency financial incentive package for the proposed giant Amazon distribution center in Wawayanda, the IDA has filed an Article 78 proceeding in State Supreme Court, challenging the decision of monitor Brian Sanvidge and seeking to nullify it.
The IDA maintains that Sanvidge attended months of discussions about the Amazon project, yet never expressed any reservations or objections to the project, and it was only after “intense political pressure” from State Senator James Skoufis that he rejected the plan.
The IDA board also says Sanvidge filed his objection in an untimely fashion, making it unlawful.
“It’s deeply troubling that the monitor did not share any concerns whatsoever during our lengthy review process, and then attempted to veto the project without offering a single objection,” said Dean Tamburri, IDA board vice chairman and field representative of Laborers’ Local 17. “His actions have put at least a thousand local, union labor jobs at risk.”
In addition to Sanvidge, the IDA challenge names the Office of State Inspector General Lucy Lang, Sanvidge’s law firm, developer Scannell Properties, and Amazon Services.
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