MIDDLETOWN – Middletown Alderman William Himaras Monday criticized Newburgh Mayor Nicholas Valentine for his invitation to the feds to hold the trials of the 9/11 terrorists in his city on the Hudson River.

Valentine is standing fast on his argument that his depressed city could use the money that trials would bring. But, Himaras, a newly elected Middletown alderman finds fault with that. “Has it come down to an ‘economic opportunity’ for the mayor of Newburgh?” Himaras asked. “It is absolutely deplorable that the thought of an economic shot in the arm on the backs of 3000 victims of September 11, 2001 is a viable and respectable opportunity.  He says it's not, then Mr. Mayor, what is the point?”

Himaras said the “self-proclaimed masterminds and criminals deserve to be tried back where they were held for all these years. These criminals should have been tried, convicted and sentenced years ago!” He said the trials “should not and will not be a dog and pony show for economic gain and popularity.”

The terrorists are war criminals “that shed the blood of Americans on our soil as an act of war,” Himaras said. “These evil individuals should be tried and convicted swiftly as war criminals during a military tribunal at a United States base off shore.”