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Written by Stacie M. Waldman

Published: 19 November 2013

Created: 19 November 2013

Last Updated: 19 November 2013

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The 2013 Scarsdale High School Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony on Saturday November 16 began with a warm introduction by Alejandro Garcia-Amaya and Julian Stein, board members of the Scarsdale Alumni Association. Kenneth Bonamo, Principal of Scarsdale High School (SHS) followed with a brief welcoming of the distinguished alumni, telling them that the message they send to students is, "Greatness is within your reach." Several alumni spent time on Friday, November 15th speaking with students in their classrooms. Nine alumni in all were honored; here are their inspirational stories:

The first person to be honored was Judy Cheng-Hopkins ('70), a past honoree who was unable to make it to the previous ceremony. Cheng-Hopkins came to the U.S. as a Malaysian exchange student with the American Field Service in 1969. Her host family was socially and politically progressive, which helped shape her experience in America. After high school, she enrolled in college in the U.S. and then earned her Master's Degree in in Economic Development from Columbia University. After graduating, Cheng-Hopkins secured a position at the United Nations Development Program and worked in Sub-Saharan Africa for many years. In 1997, she became a Director at the World Food Program. In 2006, she was appointed as the Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, one of the highest positions within the UN. In this impressive role, she is in charge of helping high-conflict, war-torn countries and regions determine a plan for sustaining peace once a commitment to peace has been established. She believes that her experience at SHS made her what she is today, and her education taught her how to write and read well. "And 40 years later, I remember almost all of my teacher's names," she concluded.

Howard Gertler ('92) is an Oscar-nominated producer. His documentary feature film "How to Survive a Plague" was nominated for an Oscar and won the Gotham Award for Best Documentary, the New York Film Critics' Circle Award for Best First Feature, the International Documentary Association's Emerging Filmmaker Award, and the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Documentary. He has numerous other film titles to his name as well. He is very active in the NYC film community including the Tribeca Film Institute and the IFP. Gertler attributes his success in part to his teachers at SHS and the values they instilled. Flipping through his yearbook, one of his teachers wrote, "If you settle in and do the work, your own creations will give you pleasure." This sentiment has remained with him and has helped him throughout his career.

Kimberly Harris ('88) was recently named as an Executive Vice President and General Counsel for NBCUniversal. Prior to accepting this position, she served in the White House as Deputy Counsel and Deputy Assistant to President Obama from 2010-12. In this role, she worked on two State of the Union addresses. Although she did not write the speeches, she vetted the text of the speeches for potential legal issues. This year, she is proud to have been honored by the NYC chapter of the National Organization for Women for outstanding commitment to women and the law. She believes that SHS gave her the confidence to believe that she could be anything she wanted to be. In fact, two of her teachers visited her when she worked in the White House, impressing upon her how much her high school days had influenced her. She felt her teachers' visible and audible confidence in her abilities. One of those teachers was Werner Feig. She credits him with making history, politics, and social studies come alive and inspiring her to pursue a degree and a career in law.

Janet Karim ('72) is a diplomat for the Permanent Mission of Malawi to the UN. She has tremendous responsibility in this position; her work encompasses social, cultural and human rights issues. She acts as the Mission's representative to UNICEF and other UN executive boards. For twenty years, Karim was a journalist in Malawi and was the first female editor with her own publication in Africa. She was influential in getting UNESCO to fund the first woman-run radio station in Africa. Karim moved to Scarsdale from another part of Westchester after her father, a diplomat as well, determined that Scarsdale was "the best school district around." The Karims were only the fifth family of color living in Scarsdale, during the era of civil rights demonstrations and apartheid, which she called, "a very difficult time to be living in America." Her first SHS report card was terrible and her teachers complained that she never questioned them. Her mother met with the guidance counselor and from then on she understood that Scarsdale teachers expected to be challenged by their students. Karim said, "I have been in so many situations where I was the only woman or only person of color, and I have always overcome those challenges. I believe," she continued, "Scarsdale High School has helped me learn how to challenge life's circumstances and move beyond them." Karim credits SHS with helping to make her the successful woman she is today.

Richard Kostelanetz ('58) is a writer, visual artist, critic, poet, composer, filmmaker, media artist, and lecturer. He is a Woodrow Wilson, Fulbright, Pulitzer, and Guggenheim fellow. To this day, he attributes his success to his ninth grade English teacher who taught him grammar. Kostelanetz finished his brief award acceptance speech by saying, "After being profoundly radical, deviant and unacceptable in so many ways, elite recognitions and acknowledgements are all a pleasant surprise. "

Michael Madden ('90) works for the U.S. Treasury Department as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Office of Intelligence and Analysis. He served in the U.S. Army and remains an Active Reserve, and he served in the Peace Corps in Kyrgyzstan. He spent Friday speaking with SHS students and exclaimed, "It was a humbling experience to be back home in Scarsdale. I'm really impressed with the students." Madden was the second president of the debate team back when there were only two other debaters and it almost folded due to lack of interest. Madden found a faculty sponsor, fought to maintain the team and today it includes 120 students who often fly around the country for debates. Madden also attributes his professional success to SHS teacher Werner Feig. "Mr. Feig taught me to question and challenge authority because they often get it wrong," he said. Now that he's on the other side, he agrees with that statement. Madden is impressed with the importance placed on service in Scarsdale, and he encouraged students to be of service in some way whether through community volunteering, the Peace Corps, or government. He encourages SHS students to strive for positions of authority and responsibility, in which they can use their education to truly make a difference.

Suzanne Nossel ('87) is the Executive Director of the PEN American Center. She also served as Executive Director of Amnesty International USA, worked at the U.S. Department of State, and acted as COO for Human Rights Watch. Suzanne is a published author, a blogger, and has served at the Century Foundation, the Center for American Progress and the Council on Foreign Relations. Suzanne is a regular contributor and commentator on human rights issues for major news outlets including CNN, MSNBC, and NPR. Nossel was at SHS during the 1980s when Jews were prohibited from practicing their religion in the Soviet Union, and it had such a profound impact on her that she joined the SHS Soviet Jewry Club with 30 other students. An activist was born, and she marched with the club down Fifth Avenue to the UN with a SHS banner to protest the treatment of Soviet Jews. It lit a fire in her and that intensity eventually carried over into her professional life. She is grateful to SHS and her teachers for teaching her how important it is to find professional fulfillment.

Cynthia Rosenzweig ('66) is a Senior Research Scientist at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, a Professor at Barnard, and a Guggenheim recipient. She recently co-chaired the NYC Panel on Climate Change. How did she get to NASA from Scarsdale? She credits the school for inspiring a love of learning and tolerance for differences, "like quirky is okay." She feels that the most special part of SHS are the parents and the community coming together for their children's educational benefit. Prior to accepting her award, she reminded the audience, "Climate change is the planetary issue of our time."

Daniel Schacter ('70) is a Professor of Psychology at Harvard University and a former Chair of the Psychology Department. He is one of the world's leading experts on memory and has over 350 publications credited to his name. He is the author of two books, both of which were recognized as New York Times Notable Books of the Year. Schacter is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and received the Award for Scientific Reviewing from the National Academy of Sciences. His work includes a focus on conscious and unconscious memory, distortion of memory, and the effect of aging on memory. While a student at SHS, his interest in psychology was sparked in Mr. Stemmer's health class. The class had a large psychology component and he became hooked on the subject for life. Schacter thinks SHS's main strength remains its student body, saying, "It's just as impressive as the Harvard student body."

Please see the Scarsdale Alumni Association website for more information. New members are welcome. Visit: http://www.scarsdalealumni.org to learn more. The awards ceremony is held annually and is open to the public. There are even donuts.

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Published: 02 December 2013

Created: 02 December 2013

Last Updated: 02 December 2013

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Attention Scarsdale10583.com readers! Who do you tip at holiday time? How much do you give? Who do you give a cash gift to versus a non-cash gift? These are questions we all wonder about around the holidays, and it can be awkward to ask friends how much they are tipping. So, let's compile our results anonymously and determine the norms for Scarsdale.

Complete this one-minute survey on tipping at holiday time. The data will be analyzed and an article based on the results will appear on Scarsdale10583.com.

After you fill out the survey, ask your friends and family in the area to complete it too. The more people that respond, the better the data will be. Click here to complete the survey:

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Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 13 November 2013

Created: 13 November 2013

Last Updated: 13 November 2013

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The application to construct residential apartments at 2-4 Weaver Street moved one small step forward at the meeting of the Scarsdale Board of Trustees on November 12. At that meeting, the Board moved to rezone the small strip of Village-owned land that is now the driveway to the parking lot. Trustees approved a resolution to rezone the strip from its designation as buffer parking and Residential A zoning to Business A zoning, so that it could be used as parking for the Tavern building.

This zoning change was made prior to the planned sale of the land to the developer as a trade-off for concessions from the builder who agreed to preserve the Tavern building in exchange for the right to build a larger residential building on the current parking lot and adjacent land. If the Village chose not to sell the land, the developer could exercise his right to tear down the Tavern building and use that space to build commercial or residential space on his property.

Though the sale of the rezoned strip of Village-owned land would allow the developer to build a larger building, the sale agreement will restrict the developer, Frederick Fish, from tearing down the Tavern, a historic building that the Historic Resources Survey by architects Li Salzman called "The most prominent example of the French Norman style" in Scarsdale. The architects said the building at "2 Weaver Street, (is) the centerpiece of Scarsdale's smaller commercial district adjoining the New York, Westchester and Boston railroad station. This building w as designed in 1924 by Arthur Loomis Harmon, a major architect of the period. It has stucco facades on two streets, highlighted with what appear to be crumbling bands of brick, and is anchored by a round tower that resembles that on a Loire Valley chateau such as Chambord."

Members of the Heathcote Five Corners Coalition, a group that has objected to development of the property, voiced their concerns about the zoning change. They feared that the new zoning designation would allow the developer to seek changes to the sale agreement with the Village and to request that the entire property be zoned as non-residential.

Trustee Jon Mark, who heads the Land Use Committee of the Board of Trustees provided context for the rezoning and explained why the resolution would allow the Village to realize "shared community goals." His entire statement is included below.

All the Trustees present at the meeting voted unanimously to approve the resolution to re-zone the property. Trustee Thomas Martin was not present.

In the public comments portion of the meeting Ellen Tiven Moore from the Center@862 reported that the Zombie Asylum Haunted House at Supply Field was a tremendous success and attracted over 2,000 people to the attraction over nine nights. She thanked the Village for the use of Supply Field warehouse, the recreation department staff, fire department and volunteers for their help as well as many sponsors including Lange's, Dobbs Dog House and Imagine Candy who supplied food.

Former Village Trustee Bob Harrison also spoke and asked the Board to change the practice of the Planning Board who according to Harrison, holds "meeting in secret to discuss agenda items." He claimed that "No other planning boards in the state meet in secret deliberative sessions." Raising his voice, he said, "We want open government in Scarsdale. No government is better than open government whether it's in Scarsdale or Washington."

Mayor Bob Steves announced that two elementary school students were in the audience that night. Their parents "bought Bob Steves at the Greenacres School Fundraiser," and the boys were present to observe the meeting. Thomas and Sam were given certificates and pins to commemorate their evening at Village Hall.

In other Village business, the Board approved the issuance of $3.5 million in bonds to fund the renovation of Fire Station #1 at Village Hall and authorized Village Managers to sign a professional services agreement with Grigg and Davis Engineers for $365,000 for design and construction plans for the fire station. Originally built in 1923, the renovated facility will accommodate larger fire apparatus and include a new entrance on Popham Road, a new kitchen, exercise room, dormitory for female firefighters, a community room, an elevator and improvements to the male dormitory. The renovated building will be accessible to the handicapped and comply with building code.

The Board approved the donation of a minibus from the school district to the Village of Scarsdale to transport volunteer firefighters. The 1998 Chevy minibus will be used to transport volunteers to emergencies and training sessions and other activities. The minibus was due to be retired by the school district but is still in sound condition.

A public hearing for a change to Village code regarding sidewalk cafes was announced for November 26. Currently, food establishments apply for a permit to have outdoor seating every two years. Under the new law they would be required to apply every year and to give the village a refundable deposit to cover potential damage to village property.

Another public hearing will be held on 11/26 in regard to a proposed change in the code regulating noise in the Village center. Under the new code, deliveries can be made to the Village from 6:30 am to 11 pm on weekdays and on weekend beginning at 8 am. Trustee David Lee said the new terms were a compromise between village residents, merchants and the staff.

Here is Trustee Jon Mark's statement concerning the rezoning at 2-4 Weaver Street:

Public Hearing re 2-4 Weaver Re-zoning ProposalNovember 12, 2013
Statement of Jon Mark,
Land Use Committee Chair

During the course of the Land Use Committee meeting on October 1, 2013, members of the Heathcote Five Corners Coalition raised the point that the re-zoning request should be denied and that instead the property be re-zoned "Residence C." Their points were set forth in a letter dated October 15, 2013 which was delivered to the Board at our last meeting on October 22nd. The Coalition has pointed out that apartment buildings in the Village Center are on land zoned "Residence C" and that Christie Place is on land zoned to permit "planned use development."

The Coalition members are concerned that by re-zoning the approximately 15,000 square feet of Village-owned land that is discussed in the Non-Binding Term Sheet, the developer could always seek a further modification to the non-binding terms and request that the entire property be re-zoned commercial.

The Coalition members also are concerned that the present proposed concept of using deed covenants to restrict use of the combined parcel to residential use for new construction and residential, full service restaurant and office space for the existing Tavern Building would be less effective than re-zoning the Village-owned land "Residence C". They argue that deed restrictions can be waived or changed by the parties whereas zoning changes require changes in the Village map through a public process.

These points were discussed among Board members and with the members of the Coalition at the time they raised the points at the Land Use Committee meeting on October 1st. As to the developer possibly requesting the Non-Binding Term Sheet be further modified to permit commercial use of the site, Board members noted that the land use restrictions contemplated by the Non-Binding Term Sheet were among the key terms it contained. A request of this sort by the developer would undermine one of the principal objectives of the discussions to date and, as such, would be denied and no sale of the Village-owned land would occur. This scenario, of course, would leave the developer in the position it is in today – with a right to build a commercial-use building on the land it presently owns and the right to tear down the Tavern Building as part of any such project. These are just the sort of actions the provisions contemplated by the Non-Binding Term Sheet would prohibit should the project proceed as presently proposed by the developer.

As to the effectiveness of deed covenants versus zoning changes, since deed covenants run with the land to which they apply, we believe that the restrictions contemplated by the Non-Binding Term Sheet, once drafted into deed covenants would provide effective protection of the sort contemplated. It is also noted that there currently is no logical nexus between rezoning the Village property to Residence C and the adjacent parcels, which are zoned Buffer Parking, Business A and Residence A-3. We believe that given the historic use of the Village-owned land as part of a parking lot primarily for the Tavern Building, re-zoning it Business A is consistent with that history, the present use of the land in question, as well as the use of the land that it abuts.

During the public comment section of our prior Board meeting, a comment was made to the effect that there has never been a clear statement by the Village staff as to what size building the developer could build as of right, as compared what could be built with the Village-owned land included. The record on this matter stretches over a five year period and several Village Boards. The public record clearly includes comparative information of this sort. For example, in plans submitted by the developer in the spring of 2011, there are both drawings and tabular information that clearly show that using only the land the developer presently owns and leaving the existing Tavern Building in place the developer calculates it could build a building having approximately 19,485 square feet of gross residential floor area. With the Village-owned land included, the developer could build a building having 37,380 square feet of gross residential floor area. In conversations with Village staff over the years, they have indicated their general agreement with those numbers.

It has always been understood and publicly disclosed, that a sale of the Village-owned land would allow the developer to build a larger building. However, without that sale as negotiating leverage, the developer presently has a right to tear down the Tavern Building and build a commercial building on the site it owns. The principle underlying the proposal to sell the Village land was to restrict the developer from exercising those rights. While far from perfect, it was the considered view of residents serving on the Planning Board and the Village Board – groups that have had various members over the course of five years -- that prohibiting commercial development of the site and preserving the Tavern building were two community-shared goals that were worth the trade-off of allowing the developer to build a larger structure. That is the position this matter reached quite a while ago, and where it stands today in concept.

It is again noted, as it was at the Land Use Committee meeting on October 1, 2013, the action today to re-zone the Village-owned land is a stand alone event. No sale of the Village-owned land is occurring or even being approved at this time. No merger of the Village-owned land with the land owned by the developer is occurring at this time. Those events will occur, if ever, only after the developer's plans have been approved by all appropriate Village bodies and when appropriately drafted deed covenants have been prepared.