Letter to the Editor: The Library Did the Right Thing
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- Written by Diane Greenwald
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(This letter was submitted by Diane Greenwald)
Open Letter to Scarsdale:
Please join me in thanking the Scarsdale Library Board, Library Director Elizabeth Bermel and the entire Library staff for their professionalism, clarity and good judgement regarding a controversial request from Brave Publishing for Kirk Cameron, former sitcom actor and current political activist, to read his ‘children’s book’ in our community. The Library legally declined to sponsor his program but has accepted their request to rent a room, also required by law.
In their Dec 19 statement, we learn that our public Library’s multi-purpose rooms, “designated public forums” cannot be denied to a renter based on content. “First Amendment jurisprudence requires libraries to rent facilities equitably regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of those who seek to use them.” We could face legal action, which was threatened in the press. But room rental is not an endorsement of the content and, importantly, the Library has discretion concerning programs that they initiate or sponsor, “based on educational suitability and audience interest.” The statement goes on to explain, libraries (including ours) “are often pitched programs or events by members of the public, publicists, and authors, and a public library is not required or able to put on every program requested.” Bottom line, room rental is not an endorsement.
The Library did the right thing.
Going forward, I encourage our community to read statements at www.scarsdalelibrary.org for accurate and vetted information. As more questions arise, I urge this community to be patient for the facts and follow the Library for updates. It is gratifying to see many in our community choose to reflect on this story as informed consumers, rather than speculate, assume and perhaps fall prey to misinformation, as has been sensationalized by Cameron and his agenda-driven publisher/publicist.
This situation has landed at our door, unwelcome, and we can pull together and not allow this ugly agenda to divide us. We do not have to frame this reading as Kirk Cameron, Brave Publishing and Fox News dictate, as part of some partisan culture wars, in this instance, as their ‘alternative’ to a popular drag queen reading hour program. We should not give them that power.
Why is his message the opposite of the message from drag queens reading books? It is not an either-or! Maybe the Library-sponsored programming variety we value is that we welcome drag queens to read stories about tolerance and self-acceptance, and so, we can welcome other members of our community (and beyond) to read about self-acceptance and tolerance. Fire fighters, CEOs, bakers! Different types of learners, different perspectives and life experiences -- come read to us! I can think of nothing more American than tolerance.
We can be people who respect this guy’s right to rent our space, and we do, but we do not have to listen to him or feed his craving for attention. And we can tell our own stories, without diminishing each other, or anyone else. Again, this does not have to be partisan, and the only elephants and donkeys I want see at the Library are Babar and Eeyore. The Library is under no obligation to promote their program and we can ignore it too.
During my years of service to the Library, I often described this institution as a “cornerstone of democracy.” This could not be truer today. I am grateful that our library, placed on the front lines of this worrisome issue, understand the law, and reflects our values, “committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion for all community members.”
I hope you all agree, our answer to this program is love, as American as apple pie. It can our response together. LOVE IS LOVE. SCARSDALE IS LOVE.
Happy holidays, in peace.
Diane Greenwald
Former Library Board President;
Ally to our LGBTQ+ Community;
Proud, Accepting American and Global Citizen
Sign Up for Flu and COVID Vaccines at SVAC December 17
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps will be holding a clinic for Flu Vaccine and COVID Booster Vaccine for 12 years old and up on Saturday, December 17th from 11:00am to 3:00pm. Please sign up on their website at www.scarsdalevac.com. Sign up for vaccines is open today through Wednesday evening at 9:00pm. They are ordering as much vaccine as is required, so there is no wastage.
Please bring your health insurance information and driver’s license for identification. They will be submitting requests for payment to your insurance company directly. They are not requesting co-pays.
They are also providing flu and covid booster vaccines for the homebound. Please call 914-722-2288 or email covid@scarsdalevac.com to schedule your home vaccination.
Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps
Flu and COVID Booster Vaccine Clinic
Saturday, December 17th – 11:00am to 3:00pm
Scarsdale Elects New CNC Members and Passes Amendment to Allow Non-Citizen Residents To Participate On The CNC
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Greenacres candidate Zhendi Shi casting her ballotTwelve new members were elected to serve on the Scarsdale Citizen’s Nomination Committee (CNC) on Tuesday November 15, 2022. These new members will join current CNC members for a total of 30 Scarsdale residents serving on the CNC. Together the CNC will vet and nominate a slate of non-partisan candidates to run in Scarsdale’s March election for Mayor and the open Village Trustee positions.
The current and newly elected CNC members are:
Amendments made to the Non-Partisan Resolution (NPR), which is the document that governs the CNC process, were part of the CNC election ballot.
A total of 170 residents voted for CNC candidates. The total of candidate votes cast by area is as follows: Edgewood 41, Fox Meadow 32, Greenacres 27, Heathcote 40, Quaker Ridge 30.
A total of 158 residents cast an amendment ballot, and all of the amendments passed by majority vote.
There were 7 substantive proposed amendments to the NPR, and 8 non-substantive ones.
Quaker Ridge candidate Alex Forschner
One of the substantive proposed amendments would allow Scarsdale residents who are not U.S. citizens to fully participate in the CNC process by serving on the CNC, signing CNC petitions, voting in CNC elections, and participating on the Procedure Committee.
“I’m extremely proud that our community has passed the amendment allowing non-citizen residents to vote in CNC elections and serve on the CNC,” said Michelle Sterling, Chair, Scarsdale Procedure Committee. “With the passage of this amendment we are not just talking about equity and inclusion but are walking the walk and bringing all residents into the fold. It makes sense to me that non-citizen residents who live, own homes, pay taxes, and send their kids to school here, should be able to participate in their 
Procedure Committee member Emily Shteinhauzgovernance. The SBNC passed the same amendment the year before last, and I’m so pleased that the CNC is now doing the same. Going forward, with this roadblock out of the way, my hope is that we see more participation and volunteerism from our residents on the municipal level, which will make our community better represented and stronger.”
“I’m a steadfast supporter of Scarsdale’s non-partisan system and believe it is part of what makes our community so amazing,” continued Sterling. “I greatly appreciate and congratulate the new CNC members who stepped up to serve on the CNC. I also thank Procedure Committee Vice Chair Peri Zelig for her partnership, hard work and steady leadership, and I thank the entire Procedure Committee for their commitment and diligence in getting us to this great day for Scarsdale.”
Procedure Committee Chair Michelle Sterling
Scarsdale Art Teacher Slashed While Trying to Stop a Subway Attack
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- Written by Wendy MacMillan
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Scarsdale Art Teacher John Catania was injured when he intervened in a subway attackWith its motto of “Non Sibi (not for oneself alone),” the Scarsdale School District has long taught its students, from kindergarten through 12th grade, how to be upstanders, to stop bullying, and to stand up for others if/when they are unable to stand up for themselves. On Tuesday November 22nd, SHS art teacher John Catania, age 29, put these teachings into action when he heroically stepped in to stop an attack on a fellow subway rider.
The incident took place as Mr. Catania, who joined the faculty at Scarsdale High School this past summer, was traveling on the L train around 10:30 pm. According to the Deputy Commissioner, Public Information (DCPI) of the NYPD, when police arrived they found “two victims with sustained lacerations; a 29-year-old male with lacerations to the head and back and a 28-year-old female with a laceration to the face.”
The report says, “The female victim was on board the north bound 'L' train, entering Manhattan from Brooklyn, when an unidentified adult male sitting across from her engaged her in a dispute which escalated to him grabbing her, striking her on the cheek with an unknown (and unrecovered) sharp instrument, and making anti-Muslim statements.” This is when Mr. Catania stepped in to intervene and was unfortunately struck on the head and back by the male with the same sharp instrument.
While the suspect fled the train at Union Square Station, both our hometown hero and the Muslim woman, although in stable condition, were rushed to Bellevue Hospital for treatment of their lacerations. Mr. Catania needed 26 staples to his head. Fortunately, the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force has identified the offender of the incident and he is currently in police custody.
Apparently Mr. Catania felt alone in his heroic efforts as he told the Daily News, “I was really hoping someone would help me out.”
Indeed, the world could use more upstanders like John Catania…people who don’t only teach others the importance of doing good wherever you can, but who also don’t hesitate to stand up to hate themselves.
Wait - There's One More Important Election - Vote on Tuesday
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Please vote in the CNC Election on November 15, 2022, 7:00-9:30 am and 2:00-9:00 pm at the Scarsdale Library.
The 30 members of the Scarsdale Citizen’s Nominating Committee (CNC) each year choose a slate of non-partisan candidates to run in Scarsdale’s March election for Mayor and Village Trustee positions. There are 12 new CNC members who are up for election on Tuesday, November 15.
The current and proposed new CNC members are:
This year several amendments to the Non-Partisan Resolution (NPR), which is the document that governs the CNC process, are also part of the CNC election ballot.
This year there are 7 substantive proposed amendments to the NPR, and 8 non-substantive ones. All of the amendments can be reviewed at www.scarsdaleprocedurecommittee.org.
One of the substantive proposed amendments would allow Scarsdale residents who are not U.S. citizens to fully participate in the CNC process by serving on the CNC, signing CNC petitions and participating on the Procedure Committee.
“At this year’s CNC election we have on the ballot an amendment to our governing resolution which will allow non-citizen Scarsdale residents to participate in the CNC,” said Michelle Sterling, Chair of the Procedure Committee. “We have many residents who live here, own homes, pay taxes, and send their kids to school here, but are not able to participate in their local governance because they are not U.S. citizens. With this amendment we have a chance to allow all residents to get involved and impact their local government by being able to participate on the CNC. I hope that residents come out and vote in support of it at the CNC election on November 15.”
