Scarsdale Elects Village Trustees
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The results are in for the March 20th election for Scarsdale Village Trustees and Village Justice. Polls closed at the Scarsdale Library at 9 pm Tuesday and the numbers show that the three candidates who were nominated by the Scarsdale Citizen’s Party were the victors. According to Village Clerk Donna Conkling, Jon Mark had 390 votes, David Lee, 384 votes and Kay Eisenman received 351 votes. Mark and Eisenman were elected to serve second two-year terms while Lee is a new addition to the Scarsdale Board of Trustees. For Village Justice, John H. Galloway received 421 votes and ran unopposed.
Harry Reynolds, the independent candidate fro Village Trustee, received 140 votes. Reynolds objected to the secrecy of the Non-Partisan selection process and ran to protest the system. He favors traditional elections with open debate. Reynolds filed his petition to run before the deadline and therefore his name was on the official ballot. Those who voted for Reynolds may have been registering their discontent with the Non-Partisan system.
Commenting on his election as Village Trustee, David Lee said, "I'm truly looking forward to the work. I know from having observed board and committee meetings over these past two months that I'm joining a dedicated and bright group of trustees with a strong professional staff supporting them. It's also been evident that the issues can be challenging. But that will be part of what makes the work so interesting. I feel lucky to be given this opportunity."
Eisenman also conveyed her enthusiasm for another two years on the job, saying, "I am very pleased to have been re-elected to fulfill a second two year term on the Board of Trustees and thank the voters of Scarsdale who came out to reaffirm their faith in the non-partisan system. I know that the three of us will work hard to keep Scarsdale government open, fair and functioning smoothly and thank the voters for their trust in us."
Trustee Jon Mark added, ""I am pleased to have an opportunity to serve as a Village Trustee for a second term. These are challenging economic times for all of us. Making the expected levels of Village services available with less will continue to require making difficult choices and doing the best we can to balance competing interests. I look forward to working with the Mayor, my fellow Board members, Village staff and residents as we address these challenges."
This is the second year in a row that challengers have come forth in opposition to the Citizen’s Party Slate. In 2011, Sharon Lindsay and Robert
Selvaggio emerged as write-in candidates for the positions of Mayor and Village Trustee after questions arose about the Citizen’s Nominating Committee’s selection process. Since they had not filed petitions in time to appear on the official ballot, residents who wanted to vote for them had to write-in their names in the voting booth. In a very tense election, 1,028 voters participated, more than double the 2012 count. The contest galvanized the community as supporters of both the Citizen’s Party and the independent candidates urged their neighbors to vote.
This year, the situation was far more peaceful and the vote count returned to traditional norms. However, Reynold's relatively strong showing may indicate that doubts about the Non-Partisan system persist.
(Pictured at top, left to right: David Lee, John Galloway, Kay Eisenman, Jon Mark)
Vote Today in Scarsdale
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Today’s the day to vote for Scarsdale Village Trustees and Village Justice. The election is on at Scarsdale Library and polls will re-open at noon today. You can vote until 9 pm tonight.
On the ballot are two trustees who have been re-nominated by the Scarsdale Citizens' Party to serve second two-year terms, a new candidate nominated by the party and an independent.
Residents can vote for three of the four candidates for Village Trustee. The two incumbent candidates are Kay Eisenman and Jonathan Mark and David Lee is running for the first time. Independent candidate Harry Reynolds filed his own petition to appear on the ballot.
In addition, Justice John H. Galloway is running uncontested to serve another 4 -year term.
You can learn more about the candidates here or see the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale’s Voters Guide by clicking here.
Candidates Share Views at LWV Forum
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There’s a good reason the League of Woman Voters of Scarsdale calls their candidate’s panel a forum rather than a debate. Under Scarsdale’s Non-Partisan system the Citizens’ Nominating Committee selects candidates for nomination for Village trustee, minimizing the occurrence of contested elections and partisan politics.
As a result, at the LWV Forum held on Thursday March 8 there was virtually no disagreement among the three candidates selected by the CNC. On the panel were veteran trustees Kay Eisenman and Jonathan Mark who are seeking second two-year terms on the Board of Trustees and David Lee, who is running for the first time.
A fourth, independent candidate, Harry Reynolds, might have sparked some controversy, but he declined the invitation,
Will you tell your children that you can't tell them why the mayor was elected because it's a secret?
When they ask you why you voted for the mayor, if you didn't know why the mayor was nominated, what will you say?
When they ask you why people vote for mayor and trustees when it seems no one ever runs against them, what will you say?
When they ask you if Scarsdale is a democracy in which the reason for electing everyone is a secret, what will you say?
If your children seem to be smiling at you in a kind and gentle way, and you ask them why they are smiling at you in that way, and they say, "It's a secret,” what will you say?"
The League’s carefully orchestrated format allows for candidates’ opening and closing statements, questions from the League to the panelists and questions from the audience. Since all questions are formulated before the discussion begins, many were repetitive and touched on subjects that the candidates previously addressed.
In her opening statement Trustee Eisenman explained that she has worked as a planner for Westchester County for 23 years, and in that capacity does environmental reviews of projects giving her a broad understanding of development and land use issues. As a trustee, she has grappled with similar projects and learned to listen carefully to all and evaluate evidence with an open mind. She chaired the Village’s Conservations Advisory Council for many years and is enthused about a new move to mulch leaves in place on Village lawns rather than blow them to the curb to be carted away. She believes this new initiative will cut costs for fuel and labor and benefit the environment.
Through his work he has learned to listen carefully, draw out the facts, be fair and open-minded and treat others with respect.
Another Scarsdale native, Trustee Jonathan Mark said that his “Parents moved here in the early ‘50’s for many of the same reasons he likes Scarsdale today.” His father served on the TVCC and his mother was an elementary school teacher. Mark attended Dartmouth and Columbia Law School and initially turned his efforts toward his career, while supporting his wife’s volunteer work in the Village. He also said he has learned to listen and understand complex situations and said he would be honored to serve again.
When asked about what experiences qualified them to serve, Lee added that he is a “people person,” and is “approachable by the community.” Mark said, “I believe I understand process. Many times in hearing issues, the process is as important as the substance itself.” Eisenman explained that her work in the PTA allowed her to “get to know the Village from the ground up.” In addition to the PTA, she served on the board of the Scarsdale Adult School, the Board of Architectural Review and the Conservation Advisory Council, giving her “a good background to serve.”
As for challenges facing the board, Mark replied, “funding and prioritizing difficult issues,” and “getting the reval underway” if approved. For Eisenman, the primary challenge is “dealing with a difficult fiscal climate in light of the 2% tax cap,” and Lee mentioned, “storm water, drainage, flooding” and “sewer line maintenance and repair.”
The conversation then turned to flooding, when the panelists were asked what the Village can do to assist residents who have storm water damage. Mark said that the Village was expecting a plan in April to alleviate flooding in the Sheldrake River and would then consider issuing bonds to finance the work. Eisenman said that the Board can “make people aware of what they could get from FEMA,” and also said that the Village plans to line sewer pipes and maintain storm water sewers. A storm water project extending from George Field to Harcourt woods will help residents in Greenacres and Fox Meadow.
On the 2% tax cap, Lee said, “I agree with the Governor doing this as a reminder for fiscal discipline and allowing communities to override it as a safety valve.” Mark said, “I won’t say I disagree with the tax cap – and it certainly was a big factor (in budget discussions.) I do object that it caps taxes without capping mandated expenses such as the pension fund. The State did not address what is driving up taxes and forced the Villages to make difficult decisions. I am not a big fan of the way in which it was implemented.” Eisenman said, “the Governor did this to make municipalities consolidate. The 2% cap is not really 2% because it excludes some expenses including pension increases above 2% and a growth factor.” Without the cap, we probably would have come up with the same budget as we did.”
In her closing statement, Eisenman gave a nod to the Non-Partisan system, saying, “I think that the Non-Partisan system is the reason that Jon, David and I are sitting here. I had never contemplated being a trustee, but was asked by the Mayor to serve. We are fortunate to have that system because it is not a political system but brings out people who want to serve. I am grateful for that system.”
Village Justice John Galloway, who has already served for 17 years, will run unopposed for another term. In his remarks he said, I am very pleased to be nominated for another four-year term. I have had 17 years as Village Justice and have enjoyed it.
The Village election will be held at Scarsdale Library on Tuesday March 20th from 6-9 am and 12 – 9 pm. Absentee ballots are available at Village Hall.
(Pictured at top: Daivd Lee, Kay Eisenman, Jonathan Mark and John Galloway)
Calling Scarsdale Residents
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The Board of Trustees Municipal Services Committee are reconvening to continue discussion of the issues raised at the 02.22.12 meeting, including the voiced concerns related to the procedures and competence of the Scarsdale Village Hall Building Department.
I encourage you to find the time to attend the Monday, March 19, 2012 meeting to be held at the Village Hall (in the Trustees Room located on the second floor) at 6:55 PM. Your presence will strengthen the effort to ensure the interests of Scarsdale residents are well represented.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Best regards,
Toril U. Hanna
138 Saxon Woods Rd
Tel.: 914-725.2378
email: torilhanna@aol.com
Greenacres Town Meeting
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On the eve of their 100th anniversary, the Greenacres Association held a Town Hall Meeting at Greenacres School on Thursday night March 1. Representatives from all major Scarsdale Village organizations were on hand to provide an update on Village affairs and the meeting was well attended by Greenacres neighbors and Village trustees.
Mayor Flisser, who is near completion of one year of her two year term, told the group that plans for the Fox Meadow flood remediation project were moving forward. Bids are currently under review with construction planned to begin in April. She asked residents with homes along the watercourse to give the Village access to their property to de-silt and repair the course.
Reporting on the Village budget, she relayed that the Board overrode the tax cap to allow for storm water remediation, sewer line and road repairs. The Village budget will go up 5.5%.
In his remarks, Village Manager Al Gatta conveyed concern about keeping Scarsdale independent in light of the tax cap. He believes that 
the state government imposed the cap to put pressure on local governments to merge and share services. Since the cap prevents local governments from increasing taxes and fees to fund rising expenses, he fears that the state is forcing consolidation on local municipalities.
School Board President Jill Spieler and School Superintendent Michael McGill were up next with updates on education and the school budget. Spieler reported that the Board and Administration are working on a school budget that is “right for Scarsdale,” without considering arbitrary spending caps. The Board will present their budget to the community at the March 5 meeting. The budget will come in under the cap due to projected decreases in school enrollment, lower salary costs and savings on energy and health insurance. The budget of $141.6 million represents a 3.81% tax increase for Scarsdale residents and a 2.64% increase for those in the Mamaroneck strip.
McGill told the group that the school is designing an education for the 21st century, teaching students to think creatively and critically and 
linking the work of Scarsdale students to international standards. The 2012-13 budget includes funds for the newly formed Center for Innovation to investigate how technology can be integrated into the educational program. The school is also looking at ways to redesign the physical plant to reflect new learning methodologies and allow venues for collaborate learning.
Greenacres School Principal Jerry Young thanked the Greenacres Association for the new basketball courts at the school. He reports that they are used by both students and the community. In light of two incidents of exposure at the playground he asked the community to be vigilant and take action if they see something unusual.
According to Fire Chief McCain, The fire station adjacent to Village Hall and the training station on Secor Road will both be remodeled in the coming year. Fire Station #1, built in 1923, is badly in need of repair. The supports will be reinforced and it will be remodeled to accommodate larger fire engines. The building at the recycling center will be renovated so that it can be used for training.
Representing the Police Department, Andrew Matturo reported that there were 18 burglaries in Scarsdale in 2011, 7 of those in Greenacres. He reported that police met with concerned residents, increased patrols in marked and unmarked cars, are scanning license plates in the area and are going door to door in the affected areas to tell residents how to safeguard their homes.
Suzanne Busby, Director of Parks, Recreation and Conservation said that the recreation brochure will be out in a few weeks. You can now renew pool and recreation passes online using the new system.
And speaking for the Scarsdale Ambulance Corps. Steve Rambone made a plea for more volunteers. SVAC will train willing adults (18 years+) and relies on volunteers and contributions to respond to over 1,000 calls each year.
Barry Meiselman, Chair of the Greenacres Centennial Committee shared plans for the upcoming celebration. There will be a gala at the Scarsdale Golf Club on June 2, a time capsule will be created, trees will be planted and a house tour is scheduled for fall, 2012. Participation is welcome. Anyone who wishes to get involved should email Barry at barwest2@aol.com.
Thanks to Greenacres Association President Kathy Steves and the Board of the Greenacres Association for producing an informative program.
