Using the public records readily available online, Gossips confirmed that Dewan Sarowar owns 46 Green Acres Road in Greenport, a house he purchased in May 2016 and owns with Azmerin Sanya.
 |
| Google Maps |
After finding this information in public records, Gossips received the following press release from Mendolia:
Two Democratic candidates for Hudson's 2nd Ward Alderman have revealed that their opponent does not maintain his primary residence in Hudson's 2nd Ward. Victor Mendolia and Tiffany Garriga are seeking the two 2nd Ward Alderman seats in Tuesday's Democratic Primary. The two contend that Dewan Sarowar, their opponent in the Democratic Primary, is actually a resident of Greenport.
Victor Mendolia said "Mr Sarowar has for some reason continued to vote from a home in the 2nd Ward that he sold in 2014. He takes a Basic STAR exemption on a house on Green Acres Road in Greenport. STAR exemptions are only available to people for their primary residence. By taking the STAR exemption Mr. Sarowar has certified that the Green Acres Road residence is indeed his primary residence. We have no doubt that his full time residence is in Greenport."
Tiffany Garriga said "The people of the 2nd Ward deserve to be represented by someone who actually lives in the 2nd Ward, who sees the problems we face and is available to serve the residents of the 2nd Ward. Not someone who lives out of town."
Election law says: "The term 'residence' shall be deemed to mean 'that place where a person maintains a fixed, permanent and principal home and to which he, wherever temporarily located, always intends to return.'" Election Law §1-104 [22]
Mendolia and Garriga do not believe that Mr. Sarowar intends to ever return to the address he continues to vote from. The people of Hudson's 2nd Ward deserve having two full time residents who will fight for the things that they care about like affordable housing, safe streets, better and accessible green spaces and public transportation.Mendolia provided this evidence that Sarowar claims a basic STAR exemption on the house in Greenport.
I would like to correct what may be a misconception about principal residences, STAR exemptions, and voting. First, if a voter has more than one residence, s/he may choose which one to register and vote from. Second, the notion that a voter may register only at her/his principal residence has been overturned in case law, and, therefore, where a STAR exemption is claimed is not relevant to registration and voting. See the following sources, including the NYS Democratic Lawyers Council:
ReplyDeletehttp://nydlc.nationbuilder.com/secondhome
http://votewhereitcounts.org
http://upstatevoter.com
Thank you Virginia. For the record, we are not saying that what Mr. Sarowar is doing is illegal. We do on the other hand think that the voters in the 2nd Ward, should know that he does not really live in the 2nd Ward.
DeleteAgain, lest there remain any misconception about election law generally and the issue of residence: any individual who signs a voter registration form swearing or affirming that s/he lives at a certain residence is in effect saying that s/he really lives there.
DeleteThis issue should be addressed in the new term (2018.) Perhaps Hudson can adopt legislation that would require anyone serving as Mayor, Council member, Planning Board, ZBA, and all other agency positions to be a legitimate full-time resident of the City. No doubt this will require some legal research, as much of our municipal law flows from the NY Dep't. of State in Albany. But I would think that there would be broad popular support for such an initiative.
ReplyDeletePeople who live in other places and running for office (and some in office) seems to be a common occurrence here in Hudson. May be wrong but it is nothing new. Others have set the precedence and have gotten away with it.
ReplyDeleteI understand by your comment that it's an old-time practice so it's okay by you.
DeleteOld-time = good; new-fangled = bad. Got it.
p.s. The new thinking is that it's unseemly.
Unheimlich I do not condone this practice. This is simply your take on what I have posted.
ReplyDeleteGreat, glad to have that clarified. Thank you.
Deletecarol . Mr sorowar lived in 2nd ward since 1996. victor and others people information is not correct. if you need further information about this matter please contact mr. sorowar 518 6102426 . He will proved it.
DeleteI bought the house in Greenport for future investment. And if you didn't know, I also have a house in Catskill. I have lived in 9 Columbia Street since 2006 with my family and the names you mentioned are my family members. Prior to that, I also lived with my family at 39 Columbia Street from 1996 to 2006. I have always been living in 2nd Ward and still live here. Lots of the 2nd Ward voters know me very well and my history of residency. Some people are making a big deal out of it trying to make me down. Whoever gave this information isn't right. I hope 2nd Ward voters make the right decision on election day September 12th. And thank you Virginia for pointing out that information. If you want more information about my residency in hudson you can look at my phone and electric bills here: https://m.imgur.com/a/vgVDy
ReplyDeleteIf any of you want to know more about this situation you can contact me. For your information, the picture you provided for 9 Columbia Street is the wrong house.
Regards,
Dewan A. Sarowar
I bought the house in Greenport for future investment. And if you didn't know, I also have a house in Catskill. I have lived in 9 Columbia Street since 2006 with my family and the names you mentioned are my family members. Prior to that, I also lived with my family at 39 Columbia Street from 1996 to 2006. I have always been living in 2nd Ward and still live here. Lots of the 2nd Ward voters know me very well and my history of residency. Some people are making a big deal out of it trying to make me down. Whoever gave this information isn't right. I hope 2nd Ward voters make the right decision on election day September 12th. And thank you Virginia for pointing out that information. If you want more information about my residency in hudson you can look at my phone and electric bills here: https://m.imgur.com/a/vgVDy
ReplyDeleteIf any of you want to know more about this situation you can contact me. For your information, the picture you provided for 9 Columbia Street is the wrong house.
Regards,
Dewan A. Sarowar
If what Mr. Sarowar says is true, then he has illegally taken a STAR exemption in Greenport for which he must certify that it is his primary residence. So which is it?
ReplyDelete