Law Suit Pending - Time To Fix a Mess

 Dear STGSB,  4/6/2024

I kindly request information pertaining to awards from NYS and payments made by STGSB to contractors for completed studies or reports to date. Please note that a FOIA request has already been filed in this regard.

Furthermore, I wish to inform you that STGSB has breached the terms of our agreement, specifically concerning the termination of my board seat. As a result, my legal recourse will involve either mediation, arbitration, or a court case.

Please provide me with an official address that my legal will send a certified letter.

VR/

Howard Ryan

The saying goes, "the road to hell is paved with good intentions," and this rings true in my experience as the founder of Save the Great South Bay. From our inception, we attracted devoted individuals committed to our cause, resulting in numerous accomplishments for which our members and newsletter subscribers can vouch. 

However, it appears my original vision for this organization has been compromised, with ego and self-interest creeping into the dynamics. As most of you know, Save the Great South Bay is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Never did I imagine, at the outset, that we would amass over 20,000 members and gain global recognition for our efforts to restore the Great South Bay, including the revitalization of oyster and clam harvesting.

However, I've observed disturbing trends in the organization's leadership. After relocating to New Jersey, I agreed to step down from the board, with the understanding that I would still have a voice, email account, and role as an ambassador. However, I soon found myself dealing with individuals, particularly Robin Silvestri, who restricted my ability to communicate with our audience and required approval for content publication. 

Robin's dictatorial stance has caused significant damage, leading to board members' resignations. Strikingly, MANY THOUSANDS in funding awarded to the organization by the state of New York appears to have been spent on her associates in suspiciously friendly transactions. Despite my repeated requests for transparency, I've met with silence.

While the restoration of the Great South Bay remains my utmost priority, I cannot stand by as the organization operates without proper leadership and violates the terms of my board resignation. Regrettably, I've decided to file a lawsuit to prevent further breaches and ensure the organization's funds are not misused. 

Let me clarify, there have been significant advancements towards our cause, but it's crucial that the organization's fiduciary responsibilities are not undermined by those who believe they know best.  Houston, we have a problem. Lawsuit Pending: https://savethegreatsouthbay.today/law-suit-pending