Who Wins? Who Should Win?

This is the opinion of site founder Joanne Wallenstein:
As a longtime resident and chronicler of the community I’ve seen many proposals for new facilities live and die.

Once upon a time, ice hockey enthusiasts set their sites on a skating rink next to the library but were dismissed by Fox Meadow residents who did not want an ice rink in a residential neighborhood. A few years later, in 2009, swimmers developed plans for an elaborate $25 million underground indoor pool and community center on the site of the outdoor pool. Neither of these passed muster, and in fact, some are still awaiting refunds for the fees they paid to join this never-built indoor pool.

After years of debate the community decided to commit $9.9 million of public funds in a public-private partnership for an extensive renovation and expansion of the library, but also shelved plans to build a new elementary school at Greenacres. Neighbors who bordered the Greenacres field launched a vocal and effective campaign to “Save the Field,” trumping others’ wish for a state of the art facility and silencing parents concerns about keeping children inside the antiquated school during the 2-year construction project.

Most recently, a proposal to build a dog park at the underutilized Weinberg Nature Center was squashed when a few neighbors raised the specter of increased traffic on Mamaroneck Road and the sound of barking hounds.

Why am I bringing this up?

Because we currently have two more proposals before us: one to install field lights on 80 -foot poles and a sound system at the high school…. and another for a large residential and commercial development project at the site of the Freightway Garage on the West side of the Metro North tracks.

Considering Scarsdale’s history, will these see the light of day? Will the fears of the few override the benefits to many?

I have no dog in either of these fights but it seems to me that decisions on most of the land use development proposals come down to NIMBY. If those who live closest to the proposed site, or would be most affected by the change are able to marshal support and run a successful campaign they can often kill a proposal that would improve the lives of other residents.

If however, the NIMBY forces fail to organize or are afraid to speak up, they’ll find that proponents for change will win out.

There are times when the overall benefit to the community should override parochial concerns. It’s unfortunate that many good ideas are turned down as a result of a few loud voices in the room.
And that’s where good governance comes in. The job of our school and village boards is to balance the needs of the individual vs. the community and strike the right compromise to benefit the most people.

Whatever the issue before them, let’s hope our leaders do their due diligence, listen carefully and do not permit a few outspoken people to dominate the conversation. Our chosen leaders have the interests of the community at large in their hands and it’s a big responsibility.

Police Arrest Plastic Surgeon with Large Cache of Weapons and Ammunition

Westchester County District Attorney and Police Chief with Bonnano's weaponsA 47 year-old plastic surgeon was arrested at Growler’s Beer Bistro in Tuckahoe on Monday August 12 after police received a report that he was threatening his ex-wife and her family. Police received information from someone who heard the threats and believed that the man was armed. Police confronted the suspect in the bar and found that he was illegally in possession of a loaded Glock semi-automatic handgun. He was taken into custody.

Police then searched the man’s car and found the following:

· 5 - assault rifles, fully loaded with high capacity magazines
· 3 - handguns
· 29- high capacity loaded magazines
· Over 1600 rounds of ammunition
· stun gun
· heavy ballistic body armor
· ballistic helmet
· handcuffs
· full head cover face masks
· multiple military style knives
· 4- brass knuckles
· pepper spray fogger
· scopes, binoculars and other paraphernalia

The defendant was identified as Matthew J. Bonanno (DOB 3/27/1972) of 240 East Shore Road, Apt. 239, Great Neck, NY 11023.

The Tuckahoe Police Department, working closely with the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, subsequently obtained search warrants for Bonanno’s homes, one in the Town of Mount Pleasant and one in Great Neck. In Mount Pleasant they found three additional unlicensed handguns . However in Great Neck, they uncovered a large cache of assault rifles, shotgun, handguns, high capacity magazines, body armor, hundreds of rounds ammunition, smoke grenades and other weapons. Those weapons were turned over to the Nassau County Police Department.

Bonnano was arraigned by Tuckahoe Village Justice David O. Fuller on August 13, and remanded without bail to the Westchester County Jail to await his next court appearance Tuesday, August 20 in Tuckahoe Village Court.

The Tuckahoe Police Department was assisted by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office prosecutors and the Westchester Intelligence Center, the Mount Pleasant Police Department, the Westchester County Department of Public Safety’s Real Time Crime Center and the Nassau County Police Department.

Matthew J. Bonanno

Former Greenacres Resident and Community Volunteer Vivienne Braun Passes Away at 58

Former Greenacres resident and active community volunteer Vivienne Braun passed away at age 58 on the morning of August 13, 2019 surrounded by her family. A memorial service will be held on Friday August 16 at Westchester Reform Temple.

According to STEP Board members Vivienne “was always strong, enthusiastic and dedicated to her family, friends, STEP and numerous other Scarsdale and worldwide organizations and charities that she whole-heartedly supported.”

Vivienne received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bryn Mawr College, a Masters degree in International Relations from The Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and a Masters degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Manhattanville College

She was an active volunteer in Scarsdale where she lived for 20 years and served in many leadership roles including President of the Scarsdale High School PTA, Vice-President of the Parent-Teacher Council and board member of the Scarsdale-Edgemont Family Counseling Services.

At Westchester Reform Temple, Vivienne was co-chair of the Social Action Committee and tutored elementary school students through a program sponsored by the Westchester Jewish Community Services. She was on the board of the Scarsdale Student Transfer Education Program where she has served as chairwoman and secretary.

As supporters of the Friends of the Israeli Defense Forces, Vivienne and her husband participated in bicycle rides in Israel where they visited military bases and met soldiers.

Former Scarsdale Forum President Robert Berg said this: “Vivienne and I worked on some school and community issues several years ago. As we all know, Vivienne was a tireless supporter of the schools. What I admired most about Vivienne was her willingness to stand up for her principles, even if that might not be the most politic way. Vivienne will be missed. My condolences to her family on her untimely passing.”

Vivienne was a strong advocate for her beliefs. After the Scarsdale School Budget was defeated in 2013 (for the first time in 43 years), speaking before the Scarsdale Forum, Braun said, “Over 1,700 people voted against the budget because they believe the board can do better and can propose a budget that they can support. The people who voted no used their vote to send this message to the board.”

She continued, “We want the BOE to stop spending on fancy window-dressing that may make the Scarsdale "brand" internationally prominent but that we know is a charade if the board ignores the core industry of this town which is to provide our children with a superior education. We are telling the Board of Education to spend responsibly and focus on those items in the budget that directly affect the education of our students.”

“I ask the board to listen and incorporate the views and ideas of the voters. The hallmark of Scarsdale is educational excellence. Spending that is not directed squarely at this imperative will not fly in this economic environment. The vote has shown that if you build it, they will NOT come and if you don't spend wisely, they will not acquiesce.”

After leaving Scarsdale Vivienne and her husband Perry moved to Greenwich, CT where she joined JCC-UJA Greenwich. Vivienne and Perry have three children, Jack, Nicole and Andrew Braun.

A memorial service for Braun will be held Friday morning August 16, 2019 at 11am at Westchester Reform Temple.

Conntributions in Vivienne's name can be made to;

Hunter Hillel
c/o Merav Fine Braun
695 Park Avenue
Room 1317A
New York, NY 10065
Please specify in memo The Vivienne Braun Fund to address food insecurity.

Or
Anti-Defamation League
605 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10158
https://www.adl.org/

Profiles in Volunteerism: Leah Dembitzer

This month we begin our series of profiles of notable community volunteers – people who spend their time and energy making Scarsdale a great place for all us of to live. There are hundreds of people who pitch in – doing everything from manning the PTA’s, coaching sports, planting and maintaining gardens, advocating for those in need to serving on the boards of community organizations and Village Boards and Councils. Perhaps this network of committed volunteers is what makes Scarsdale the special place it is.

For our first interview, we are spotlighting Leah Dembitzer, the incoming President of the League of Women Voters in Scarsdale. We first spotted her at School Board meetings where she sat for many hours, observing the proceedings of the Scarsdale School Board. At times, she was the only one in the audience. Following these meetings, she reported back to the League and spearheaded in-depth consensus statements on board policies and actions. The League served as the community’s eyes and ears, providing an independent view on matters that affect us all.

Here is Leah’s perspective on her experience and why she volunteers:

When did you move to Scarsdale? Did you have a career prior to coming here and if so, what did you do?

I moved to Scarsdale in March 2009 after the birth of my second child. I was in graduate school for Art History for many years and worked in the New York art world as a Fine and Decorative Art Appraiser and as an art historical researcher.

What was your first volunteer job - and how did you get involved?

I first got involved at my son’s preschool. The school director (at Westchester Reform Temple Early Childhood Center) asked if I would be interested in being one of her program’s ECC Co-Chairs. The Co-Chairs work on creating welcoming events as well as social and cultural programs for ECC families. I was an ECC Co-Chair for three years and really enjoyed the volunteer work. I met so many new people and really enjoyed the creative collaboration.

What did that lead to - what are some of the other jobs that you have taken on?

After being ECC co-chair, and as my kids moved into the Scarsdale Schools, I became involved in the Quaker Ridge PTA, serving as PTA President and chair of the school’s Learning to Look program. I co-chaired PT Council Young Writers’ Workshop, an annual event for 3rd - 5th graders that is celebrating its 25th event in November. I met and worked with many talented local writers and creative thinkers through YWW on a well-loved event.

I also became chair of one of the Jewish Learning Lab programs at WRT, Sharing Shabbat, and am a member of WRT’s Board of Trustees. For WRT, I co-chaired their 65th Anniversary Homecoming Gala Event a few years ago.

How old are your children and do you find it difficult to balance you volunteer commitments with your responsibilities to your family?

My son Lucas is 12 and is entering 7th grade; Noah is 10 and is an incoming 5th grader and Sloan is 6 and will be in 1st grade. Sometimes it can be difficult to balance, usually when I have to attend meetings or events in the evening. Generally though, as I’ve been involved in the schools and organizations that the kids know, they are excited when I explain what I’m doing volunteer-wise.

What are you doing for this coming year?

This coming year, I’m President of the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale (LWVS) and I’m thrilled to be doing the important work of voter and issue information and education during such a complex cultural moment in our country. The League has many exciting upcoming speakers, programs and opportunities for community engagement this year.

What do you like about working with the League of Women Voters?

I really enjoy working with the League Board of Directors, an incredible group of local women. I like learning about Scarsdale’s local government and the schools. The League has been very involved in Youth Engagement as well and it is inspiring to see political interest and engagement in our student community.

Have you experienced challenges or found some people difficult to work with?

Yes, volunteer work is not always smooth sailing and you encounter people with many diverse personalities and ways of interacting. It is not always easy to get from Point A to Point B when you are coalescing diverse views. I’ve found that it is important to be positive and light with others and to not hold onto a negative interaction, to move forward.

In order to do you volunteer work, have you had to give up anything you like to do?

In general, I’m really happy as a volunteer in Scarsdale, and feel that the role fits well with my life. It’s not always easy or seamless to balance work or volunteer work when you are taking care of your kids too but volunteering in Scarsdale has brought a new edifying and inspiring dimension to my life.

What advice would you give to someone new to town about getting involved?

I would encourage anyone new to Scarsdale to seek out something related to your interests and get involved. There are so many volunteer roles and these roles are a powerful way to get connected to the community and to make a positive contribution.

What do you hope to accomplish?

Through the League of Women Voters, I hope to get people excited and engaged in voting and advocacy on the cusp of the 2020 election. The League is a near 100-year community organization — we celebrate 100 years in 2021 — started by Scarsdale women who fought for the right for women to vote in public elections. The Scarsdale League of Women Voters has been deeply involved in helping to inform the public about local issues. We welcome and encourage all community members to join the League and to get involved in making democracy work.