Spring Valley Treasurer Resigns Amidst Tensions With Mayor
By Idy Perl
Spring Valley Treasurer Greg Smith resigned from his post yesterday, only a few days after Mayor Alan Simon tried to fire him.
Smith said that although members of the Board of Trustees let him know that the mayor didn't have the authority to fire him, he decided to resign anyways.
Mayor Simon has a long history of confrontation, and has publicly yelled at employees, residents, attorneys and workers while in his position as mayor and even before. Smith related that two staff members had anxiety attacks in the office, apparently due to the mayor, but refused to comment further on the mayor's behavior.
The mayor is known to have a strained relationship with many members of the village government, which has inhibited their productivity and ability to focus on their actual jobs.