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Published: 17 February 2011

Created: 17 February 2011

Last Updated: 17 February 2011

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Here is a note from Lena Crandall, President of the Friends of Scarsdale Parks: The south entrance to the Red Maple Swamp, 5.4 acres of open space in Greenacres, is in the process of restoration. Mark Colbran, a Boy Scout in Troop 60, Scarsdale, has initiated the rejuvenation as part of his Eagle Scout Service Project. The goal is to remove invasive plants such as English ivy, multifloral rose and Norway maple trees from the freshwater wetlands, and replant with native trees and plants in the spring.

Last November, Colbran coordinated 33 volunteers, including donated manpower from Ridgecrest Landscaping; they cleared fallen leaves, tore up English ivy, which had migrated from surrounding backyards, and cut down Norway maple saplings. Concurrently, the Village refurbished the storm water drainage system at the South entrance to eliminate the forces of erosion on the main trail. With permission from the Village, in particular Suzanne Busby, Superintendent of Parks, Recreation and Conservation, and Eric Gerringer, Deputy Superintendant of Public Works, and the go-ahead from adjacent property owners, Bartlett Tree Company recently volunteered manpower to cut down seven Norway maples. The Swamp trail will benefit from their woodchips and their logs, which will define the path. The removal of the Norway maples is important because their shallow root systems, dense shade, and release of toxins into the soil inhibit other plant growth.

This exciting Eagle Scout project has had the support of the Greenacres Neighborhood Association, The Friends of the Scarsdale Parks, the Conservation Advisory Council and village staff. Colbran greatly appreciates the efforts of many volunteers, Ridgecrest Landscaping and Bartlett Tree Experts for helping to prepare the site in anticipation of spring planting. Landscape designer Eti Katoni will lend her expertise in the selection of appropriate wetland flowers, shrubs and trees; the native species will provide food and shelter to the many birds and small animals that inhabit and visit this preserve. A new split rail fence, signage and waste receptacles, funded by the Village of Scarsdale, will also be installed by Colbran to complete the restoration.

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Published: 02 March 2011

Created: 02 March 2011

Last Updated: 02 March 2011

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To the Editor: Like a lot of people, my family and I moved to Scarsdale, not because it has good schools, but because it has GREAT schools. Just as important, it has lots of other families that value the schools the same way. It has a creative School Board that has focused on working with students to foster critical thinking and problem-solving instead of rote learning, as evidenced in the Singapore Math program and Capstone projects for 5th graders. And Scarsdale residents have passed the school budget with over 70% voting "yes" in the last two budget votes. This is not just an indication of how much we value the schools, but also an endorsement of all the work done by the Board of Education and Superintendent McGill.

While many school districts are facing difficult times, and the Board needs to weigh the needs of the Elementary schools in relation to the needs of the entire district, the current proposal being considered by the Board to raise class sizes at the elementary school level seems too drastic a measure. Larger classes for children in their formative years could have long-term implications for them as students and increased costs to the district. I would argue that the class sizes are in fact already too large, and Superintendent McGill would agree with me. He stated, back when the current class sizes were being proposed, that students in smaller classes are active learners, view themselves, their peers and their teacher more positively, and problems can be identified more quickly.

Even temporarily raising the class size limit is unacceptable. Today's "temporary" becomes tomorrow's "standard" on which more increases would be based. The Board needs to come to a consensus on creative solutions to budget problems without compromising on the values we hold as residents of Scarsdale. Leave elementary school class sizes alone.  To learn more about the effort to maintain classes sizes, click here.

Regards,
Neil Pierson
Bradley Road
Scarsdale

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Published: 06 February 2011

Created: 06 February 2011

Last Updated: 07 February 2011

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What are qualities that are absolute requirements for a member of a volunteer board of directors? The ability to work in groups to accomplish tasks would be one such quality, I suppose. Perhaps a person of integrity, who would never twist facts or take them entirely out of context - a person like that would be a good choice. Maybe someone who is an active listener would be well qualified. You know, the type of person who asks a question and actually listens to and processes the response before rebutting. That would be a plus. Someone who places value on other peoples' time and can communicate without being redundant - we'd appreciate that, I would think.

Maybe someone with the strength of character to openly change their mind when confronted with new facts or information - we might want that.

I would think we'd want someone with the ability to recognize that the world is complex and that most issues have shades of gray that need to be thought through. Yeah, that would be good.

Hey, come to think of it, we also might want someone who knows how the role of a trustee might differ from the role of an operating, paid executive - that might be good. Or maybe someone with a fundamental sense of the limits of their own knowledge, and some respect for those who have knowledge that you might be lacking - that would be a nice trait.

Ability with numbers - yeah, we'd want that, though the math in these roles is pretty elementary.. Perhaps someone who recognizes that if taxes go down from 3 percent to 2 percent, that is a 33% reduction, not a 1% reduction. That would be fundamental, I would think.

So who are these people who gave us Bob Harrison? Do they know anything about how highly functioning boards actually accomplish great things? Do they understand that there are outstanding professionals who would sooner quit and find work elsewhere then work for bosses wholly lacking in grace, wit, and integrity.

Alas, I suspect we know these people who give us Bob - those who share Bob's agenda. And come to think of it, we know an organization whose members support men like Bob. Indeed, the TVCC can change it's name to the "Scarsdale Forum," but it cannot change its essential nature. It is by and large a political action committee whose main agenda is the minimization of taxes. It provides soapboxes for anyone in need of one, and allows those who stand upon them to cloak themselves in the legitimacy of a decades old Scarsdale institution. Yuck.

So let's go ahead and connect the dots. The CNC is over weighted with TVCC members, sympathizers, or cronies. And hey, there's a candidate out there that's for the same things these cronies are for, right? And what do you know: presto, alakazam, the "non-partisan system" that is supposed to choose open minded and non agenda-driven candidates has given us a pure partisan candidate. Boss Tweed couldn't have drawn it up any better himself.

There are of course, good people involved with the TVCC, and I know some of them. And membership is open to all, and thus, the power to change this organization is ultimately in the hands of the people. But let's be realistic - people like to join groups that share their personal sensibilities. It is unlikely that those of a different political orientation would en masse join a group for the purpose of changing it. Easier to start an alternative group or write for 10583.com (this reality, by the way, is occasionally upended by heroes such as those who recently wrote the TVCC minority report on school board finances. But such bravery requires an effort and energy that is very hard to sustain).

A few months ago, I received a call from someone on the CNC asking me if I would be interested in becoming a village trustee. I was flattered and said that perhaps next year, that I needed a year off from public service after six years on the Board of Ed.

Now however, that will never happen (those who find Blatt distasteful, your stand and cheer moment has arrived!). There is zero chance that I would work long hours in a volunteer capacity side by side with a man like Mr. Harrison. And sadly, I suspect others will feel the same way. This will be one of the costs of the Harrison nomination - a thinning of the already minimal ranks of those who will volunteer for office.

The larger question is whether the perversion of the Harrison nomination will lead to the downfall of the non-partisan system itself. I suspect that apathy, and the hope that this year's Harrison nomination is a one time mistake, will leave the flawed "non partisan" system intact. But it will remain flawed until people actually volunteer in strong numbers to serve on the CNC. That is the only way to turn those who would vote for a partisan candidate out of office. In the meantime, if I had the ability to serve, I would gather the required signatures and challenge the Harrison nomination. As I cannot, I pray that there is someone out there who will do exactly that. Anyone with a pulse who can do it has my vote.

Please. Someone. Anyone......

Submitted by Jeff Blatt, Greenacres Resident and Former Member of the Scarsdale School Board