Megan Simon to Receive Rising Star Award from Scarsdale Edgemont Family Counseling Service
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Scarsdale Edgemont Family Counseling Service (SFCS) today announced it has selected Megan Simon to receive its annual Rising Star Award in recognition of her volunteer leadership and contributions to many Scarsdale organizations. The annual Rising Star Award recognizes leaders in the Scarsdale Community who have demonstrated dedicated, impactful and active community service.
The Award will be presented to Simon at the SFCS 2024 annual benefit gala Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Scarsdale Golf Club. Tickets to honor Megan Simon can be purchased at SFCSGALA.org.
"This award recognizes that Megan has become one of Scarsdale’s most active and valued community leaders in the last 10 years. Her demonstrated leadership, dedication and energy have earned her the respect and acknowledgement of the Scarsdale community and of the organizations she serves," said James Genova, LCSW, executive director, Scarsdale Edgemont Family Counseling Service.
"Megan’s involvement is driven by her desire to enhance our schools and community organizations. She enjoys working with people and, as a leader, cultivates a collaborative team environment in all her volunteer roles.”
Scarsdale Native Returns to Serve the Community
Megan Simon (neé Wolters) grew up in Scarsdale, attending Greenacres Elementary School, Scarsdale Middle School, and Scarsdale High School. She moved back to Scarsdale in 2014, with her husband Chris Simon to raise their two children: Patrick Simon (age 14) and Devon Simon (age 12). Attracted by the excellent schools and her own experience growing up, Megan was eager to get involved in supporting community organizations.
Megan began by joining several Parent Teachers Association (PTA) committees at Greenacres School and at The Hitchcock School, rising within just a few years to become Greenacres PTA President and the
PTO President at The Hitchcock School. Throughout Megan’s time as Greenacres PTA President, she worked with Parent Teacher Council (PTC) leadership, the District Cabinet and Board of Education towards a successful $68M dollar bond referendum. The majority of those funds were used for the renovation of Greenacres in addition to addressing health and safety issues at all seven Scarsdale schools. Her demonstrated leadership, dedication and relationships within the school district then led her to be named PTC President in 2021-2022. As PTC President during part of the COVID pandemic, Megan served on the District Restart Committee as well as on the Scarsdale Middle School Restart Committee; these committees helped plan and facilitate a smooth transition for both students and staff back to in-person classes.
In addition to her leadership of the PTA and PTC, Megan was named co-president of the Scarsdale Schools Education Foundation (SSEF) in 2021, a role she continues to this day. During her tenure, Megan has overseen SSEF’s donations of all the upgraded cameras and microphones used by teachers to enhance remote learning during the COVID pandemic. Most recently, Megan has been involved with SSEF’s grants to Scarsdale Middle School for the library renovation and to Scarsdale High School for flexible furniture, which can be moved and reconfigured in classrooms to create different learning environments that best meet teachers’ needs.
In 2023 when her son entered high school, Megan joined the board of Maroon & White, the athletic teams support organization. Megan currently serves on the journal committee, which is Maroon & White’s largest fundraiser.
In addition to the Scarsdale School system, Megan has been on the board of Scarsdale Golf Club for the last five years, serving as the head of admissions, secretary, vice president and, now, president. She will continue working on this Board for the next two years.
Prior to her return to Scarsdale, Megan worked in advertising sales and marketing for CBS and A&E Networks. She is a graduate of Bucknell University.
Letter to the Editor: George Latimer for Congress
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(This letter was submitted by Ari Sternberg of Tunstall Road)
George Latimer, Westchester County Executive, is running in the upcoming democratic primary to challenge Congressman Jamaal Bowman. Mr. Latimer is an effective leader who has focused his three decades of public service on addressing the issues that impact the lives of our community.
Congressman Bowman is not just a disappointment, he has betrayed my trust. He has done little for our community.
Congressman Bowman focuses on headlines to position himself as the leader of a small radical faction of the Democratic Party.
Congressman Bowman was one of only six democrats to vote against the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill. Instead of fighting to secure much needed resources to help repair NY’s roads and bridges, upgrade Westchester’s water infrastructure and help address flooding, he preferred to grandstand for headlines.
Congressman Bowman is one of the only nine Democrats who voted against resolution HR-771 condemning the barbaric attack by Hamas against Israel on Oct.7. To truly understand what Congressman Bowman voted against condemning, please read: ‘Screams Without Words’: How Hamas Weaponized Sexual Violence on Oct. 7." Please note, this is not an easy-to-read article. A person who voted against the condemnation of rape, mutilation and extreme brutality cannot, should not represent our community, should not represent any community.
Politics should be about serving others. Congressman Bowman’s myopic focus on self-promotion has done little for his constituents.
I was ten years old when I hid my teacher’s reading glasses. I became a “leader” of the pranksters. However, the teacher did not think it was funny and I was sent to see the headmistress. For a TEN year old the prank was marginally acceptable.
Congressman Bowman is not ten years old, Congressman Bowman became a national punchline after he intentionally disrupted the proceedings of the House by pulling a fire alarm and then lying about it during the investigation (I did not lie when I was asked about the reading glasses.) This level of immaturity resulted in him becoming one of only 28 Members of Congress censured in the history of the US Congress.
Congressman Bowman sent a dangerous message to our young people: if you do not get what you want, become disruptive, and when caught, lie. In the last few years lying has become more or less the norm.
I regret that I voted for Mr. Bowman in 2020. It will not happen again. Congressman Bowman is not fit to represent our community.
I support George Latimer for Congress.
Under his leadership, the County’s bond rating was upgraded and the county is in good financial shape. Mr. Latimer has been a leader on local infrastructure projects and focused on real progressive issues like affordable housing, electrifying the bus system, maternal health, and increasing access to childcare for those who need it most. His track record of delivering results for our community, coupled with his thoughtful and collaborative leadership style, will be a welcome change in our representation in Washington.
Sincerely,
Ari Sternberg
Tunstall Road
Scarsdale
Voter Information:
New York’s 16th congressional district will hold its democratic primary on June 25, 2024. The race will feature incumbent Jamaal Bowman and several other candidates including Westchester County Executive George Latimer. In order to vote in this primary you must be a registered Democrat. The deadline to change your political party affiliation or select a political party if you are currently independent is February 14, 2024. You can check the status of your current voting information at https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/. You can change your political party by filling out a new voter registration form either on line or by returning the completed form to The Westchester County Board of Elections BY FEBRUARY 14. https://elections.ny.gov/voter-registration-process.
Local Art Exhibit at the Girl Scout House
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For this holiday season a wonderful gift-giving array of fine art is offered at the Betty Taubert Girl Scout House right here in Scarsdale on Wayside Lane. The walls of the Jeannette Leahy Gallery are covered with a selection of framed art at prices to suit everyone’s taste and pocketbook. At the same time, this is also an opportunity to support the Girl Scouts. Currently the Scarsdale Art Association is helping the local Girl Scout Service Unit (Scarsdale Edgemont Girl Scouts) continue to raise funds specifically for the house’s upkeep, offering to donate from 25% to 100% of all sales to the Girl Scouts.
Pictured above: Painting by Patricia Meller
Paulin Assists with Navigating Medicare
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Assemblywoman Amy Paulin hosted an informative free program at the Scarsdale Woman's Club last week with information about free help available for navigating Medicare. The program was open to the community and many many people came to get informed.
Paulin and Latimer Travel to Israel
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Assemblywoman Amy Paulin travelled to Israel this past week with George Latimer and other Westchester elected officials to express solidarity with Israel in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack and advocate for the release of the hostages.
“The trip was incredibly serious and devastatingly sad. That being said I was so glad to be there and stand in solidarity with the Israeli people,” said Assemblywoman Amy Paulin. “After Israel, New York has one of the largest Jewish populations in the world. My district and Scarsdale in particular have a large Jewish population, and I myself am Jewish. This is the time for all of us, Jewish or not, to raise our voices against antisemitism and hatred. It’s also the time for us to make sure the horrific atrocities that have occurred are accurately documented. We already see people trying to rewrite recent history, just as happened after the Holocaust, which is so upsetting. In Israel I was able to meet with survivors, first responders, IDF members and others to receive firsthand accounts of what happened. In addition to murder they described the rape and sexual mutilation of women of all ages. Hamas is denying they carried out any sexual violence during their attacks and there is proof that this is false. It’s crushing but we must bear witness even if it is painful. After hearing what I have heard, and seeing what I have seen, it is hard to not believe Israel is engaging in anything but a just war of self-defense. And there are still hostages being held, now two months later. We must bring them home and hold the terrorists that have taken them accountable.”
(Pictured at Top)
Front Row:
Westchester County Legislator Margaret Cunzio, Greenburgh Town Council Ellen Hendricks, NYS Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, Westchester County Legislator Vedat Gashi, Westchester County Legislator Tyrae Woodson-Samuels
Top Row:
White Plains City Council Member Justin Brasch, UJA-Federation of New York Senior Community Mobilizer Tali Strom, Westchester Jewish Council President William Schrag, Rabbi Menachem Creditor, Westchester County Legislator and New Rochelle Mayor-Elect Yadira Ramos-Herbert
Photo Credit: Office of Amy Paulin
