Forum Committee Urges Stronger Measures to Save Scarsdale's Shrinking Tree Canopy
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Category: Health
Chase Park: Photo by Cynthia RobertsA committee of the Scarsdale Forum is calling for far-reaching changes to Village code regarding trees after a report revealed extensive losses to Scarsdale’s tree canopy. Committee Chair Madelaine Eppenstein, who is one of the authors of the report said, “the report cites six years of permit data compiled by the Village indicating significant tree loss — of almost 1,000 trees removed with permits annually — without adequate replacement planting to maintain Scarsdale’s tree canopy. This data does not reflect trees that are removed illegally, or legally under certain circumstances”
And why is it so important to maintain the tree canopy? The Village’s tree code clearly outlines why trees are essential.
It says, ““The Village of Scarsdale finds that trees within the Village provide an important contribution to the health, safety, aesthetics and general welfare of Scarsdale residents and the community at large. Trees provide shade and aesthetic appeal, enhance green space, improve air quality, reduce energy use and atmospheric carbon dioxide, provide and promote habitat for wildlife, impede soil erosion, aid water absorption, inhibit excess runoff and flooding, provide screening, offer a natural barrier to noise, provide other environmental benefits and generally enhance the quality of life within the Village. These social, economic, and ecological benefits often increase as trees mature and the Village community's investment in trees has accrued over many years. This investment can be rapidly lost and is not easily nor quickly replaced due to the long length of time for a tree to mature. The destruction of and damage to trees and the indiscriminate and excessive cutting of trees can create barren and unsightly conditions, as well as surface drainage problems, increase municipal costs to control drainage, impair the value of real property and adversely affect the environment, health and character of the community.”
In order to protect existing trees the report calls for the Village to change the tree code to preserve the canopy by limiting which types of trees can be removed, requiring more tree replacements than currently called for and stepping up enforcement and fines for illegal tree removals.
The report goes further by requiring permits for the removal of dead or dying trees or invasive species. About these trees the report says invasives, “are still part of our canopy, providing water absorption, shade, and animal habitat. Due to the change in how residents maintain their properties and the decreasing amount of green space in our neighborhoods, invasive trees cannot spread as freely as they did in the past. These trees should be treated like any other tree that requires a removal permit and replacement.”
In light of the current building moratorium the committee is asking the trustees to examine the tree code at the same time they are analyzing the Village’s building and land use codes, as they are intrinsically tied together.
At the conclusion of the report drafted by the Sustainability and Municipal Services Committees On Environmental Protection and Preservation of Trees in the Village of Scarsdale, they make the following recommendations to the Scarsdale Board of Trustees:
1. Village formation, as directed by the Mayor and Board of Trustees, of a committee comprised of Village staff and representatives of the Scarsdale Forum, Friends of the Scarsdale Parks, and the Conservation Advisory Council, to review and implement the recommendations set forth in this Report;
2. Amend the Village Code as recommended in this Report;
3. Enforce the Village Code and amendments as recommended in this Report;
4. Revise Village staff and land use board procedures as set forth in this Report;
5. Appoint a voting member focused on environmental issues to the Board of Architectural Review. See also Scarsdale Inquirer, Letter to the Editor (Jan. 14, 2024, l
6. Institute a public education campaign and enlist the cooperation and support of the public consistent with these recommendations.
The report concludes with the following:
The six-year spreadsheet compiled by the Village regarding tree removal regulation reveals an ongoing practice of permitting the removal of trees without requiring replacements in kind, among other affirmative measures that could and should be taken to protect and preserve trees and our tree canopy. This history must be reversed before Scarsdale, our beloved village in a park, is reduced to an overbuilt and unremarkable suburb.
The report quotes world-renowned entomologist and wildlife ecologist Professor Douglas W. Tallamy who says,“We do not have the right to heat up our neighbor’s airspace by cutting down the trees on our property. . . . In short, we no longer have the right to ignore the stewardship responsibilities attached to land ownership. Our privately owned land and the ecosystems upon it are essential to everyone’s well-being, not just our own. Abusing land anywhere has negative ramifications for people everywhere."
In enacting Local Law No. 1 of 2024, the Board of Trustees has acknowledged the urgent need to reexamine Village Code provisions and related rules and regulations – as well as the practices of the land use boards and Village staff – in order to protect the character and environment of our Village. How we continue to approach development forms the basis of what our Village will be and what we leave for future generations. The Committees respectfully submit that significant steps must be taken expeditiously to amend the Village Code, to enforce the Village Code, and to enhance land use processes in order to stem the damage to our environment.”
Healthy Teeth, Healthy Heart: The Link Between Dental Health and Heart Disease
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Category: Health
If you are taking care of your dental health, you could be doing more than just guaranteeing a great smile — you could also be protecting your heart. Research points to a likely connection between periodontal disease (commonly known as gum disease) and heart disease, says Dr. Joseph Leanza, Director of the new White Plains Hospital Dental Care, which opened in December 2023.
About 47 percent of people older than 30 are impacted by gum disease, which is characterized by a bacterial infection, according to the CDC. As Dr. Leanza explains, these bacteria can move through your bloodstream, generating inflamma¬tion in your blood vessels — particularly in your coronary arteries. The inflamma¬tion can make it easier for cholesterol and fats (also known as plaque) to stick to the insides of your arteries, which in turn could increase your risk for heart disease as well as a heart attack.
“Periodontal and cardiovascular disease have many risk factors in com¬mon, such as smoking, poor diet, and hypertension,” says Dr. Joshua Latzman, Cardiologist at White Plains Hospital Physician Associates. Modifying these risk factors, he states, is crucial for optimal oral and heart health.
There are also multiple ways to help re¬duce your risk of gum disease — and fight it if you’re already showing symptoms, such as gums bleeding when you brush or prolonged bad breath, says Dr. Leanza. The dental expert has been affiliated with White Plains Hospital for more than 25 years and is now practicing in a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility at 79 East Post Road in White Plains.
“The first step is to go to the dentist regularly for evaluation,” he says, adding that twice-a-year cleanings are recommended; in some cases, going three or four times a year, or seeing a specialist like a periodontist, may be necessary. Your dentist may also suggest advanced treatments like scaling — a more intense cleaning — which can help fight gum disease. In addition to routine exams and cleanings, White Plains Hospital Dental Care offers the full complement of dental services, including oral cancer screenings, X-rays, crowns and bridges, dentures, extractions, fillings, implants, and root canals.
Dr. Latzman also emphasizes that patients who have undergone heart valve surgery should take extra precaution prior to a dental visit. “The bacteria that is introduced from the mouth into the blood¬stream during dental procedures can place those with prosthetic heart valves at risk for a condition known as endocarditis, so speak with your physician about whether you should take an antibiotic prior to a dentist visit,” he says.
Proper at-home care, including brushing and flossing, is equally as important. Dr. Leanza notes that your dental hygienist can recommend specific products, like a water flosser, or even certain toothpastes or oral rinses that can help specifically with gum disease.
“Prevention is always the best way to approach health issues,” says Dr. Leanza. “The earlier we start, the better, but it’s nev¬er too late to improve your dental health.”
To make an appointment at White Plains Hospital Dental Care, call 914-849-3488.
A Growing Crisis: Treating Childhood Obesity
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Category: Health
Childhood obesity is an alarming global concern that has been steadily worsening over the past few decades. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 1 in 5 children and adolescents are affected by this condition. What’s more, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the issue. “Post-COVID, obesity is especially on the rise in 6- to 11-year-olds and teens,” says Dr. Debra Etelson, a Pediatrician with White Plains Hospital Physician Associates in Somers.
There are many reasons driving this increase. First, the pandemic disrupted organized sports and unstructured activities, including outdoor playtime for kids, compounding an already prevalent problem. Among her patients, Dr. Etelson says, “I noticed a decrease in outdoor play even before the pandemic.” But, during the COVID lockdown, she says, “More kids were sitting in bed with their laptops. Eating habits also changed; intake of processed foods increased. Some of this was from boredom, or a lack of distraction from other things going on.”
Mental health also suffered, she adds, which can lead to serious physical health consequences. “More depression and anxiety from isolation can also translate to more obesity,” Dr. Etelson says.
This trend also led to a rise in diseases associated with obesity, such as hypertension and kidney disease, says Dr. Frederick Kaskel, Vice Chair, Affiliate and Network Relations, The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, and Professor of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Kaskel, a Pediatric Nephrologist who also sees patients at Montefiore’s Pediatric Specialty Center on Davis Avenue in White Plains, says this “common ground” of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and hypertension tends to run in families. “And there are stressors — socioeconomic, geographic, demographic, and genetic” — that may exacerbate these problems, he explains.
“Many kids live in an environment where they can’t even go out to walk. They have only bad food choices and food anxiety. It becomes a vicious cycle.” But it is not just a problem for children in less-affluent areas, he says: “It’s across the board. We are in an epidemic. This is a global health issue.”
The consequences of a lack of physical activity are lifelong. “If children are severely obese by age 6, there is an even higher chance they will be obese in adulthood. Early childhood is the time to develop good habits,” says Dr. Etelson, who has conducted research on childhood obesity and has raised two children with Type 1 diabetes. While this is different from Type 2, she understands the challenges and the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine.
To get young children on the path to wellness, it is important that their caregivers and families be part of healthy habit formation, including ensuring they get enough physical activity and eat healthy meals and snacks. (This includes grandparents, who might help with caregiving but offer too much junk food!)
“We need early identification and community awareness,” Dr. Kaskel says. “The earlier programs are set up, the better [the outcome] is going to be.” At the Pediatric Specialty Center, Dr. Kaskel’s team screens patients for risk and then works with other specialists in Endocrinology, Cardiology, General Pediatrics, and other specialties to enact lifestyle changes — which Dr. Kaskel admits are “very easy to talk about, but very hard to do.”
In her practice, Dr. Etelson strives to develop a “therapeutic alliance with parents and caregivers,” to manage weight in children. “I like to dig in deep and find out what’s realistic” in terms of lifestyle changes, she says. “We make it a collaborative approach and see what will work with the family and other caregivers.”
Scare tactics don’t work. “It’s about setting realistic goals,” she explains. “We are not expecting dramatic changes, but we want to see progress.” She also stresses the importance of setting up and maintaining follow-up appointments. “I want families to have accountability, as this is the only way to address challenges and increase health outcomes,” she says.
Dr. Debra Etelson is a board-certified pediatrician at White Plains Hospital Physician Associates in Somers. To make an appointment, call 914-849-7075.
Health Matters: The original version of this article was published in Health Matters, a White Plains Hospital publication.
Sign Up for the 54th Annual Scarsdale 15K and 4M Runs
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Category: Health
The 54th Annual Scarsdale 15K & 4M Runs will take place on Sunday, April 7th. These are among the oldest road races in Westchester County and runners and walkers of all abilities are welcome! The races start and end at Scarsdale High School and route through the Fox Meadow and Greenacres neighborhoods. Visit here for course maps and registration.
Awards will be given to the top male and female finishers overall in both the 15K and 4M races, the top male and female Scarsdale finishers in the 15K race, and the top three male and female finishers in each age division for both races.
A virtual race option is available for those who would like to run the race on their own and have their finishing time displayed on the Results page of the website.
At around 8:30 am, the Scarsdale Police Department will restrict traffic through the Fox Meadow and Greenacres neighborhoods, though local access will be permitted.
Case of Whooping Cough Reported at Scarsdale High School
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Category: Health
A case of whooping cough has been reported at Scarsdale High School. On February 1, the school alerted parents to look out for signs of Pertussis in their families as the persistent cough is known as the "cough of 100 days." Here is an email from Ken Bonamo, Principal of Scarsdale High School, telling you what you should know:
Please be advised that there has been a case of Pertussis at Scarsdale High School. Pertussis is a respiratory illness also known as "whooping cough." This a highly contagious bacterial disease that is spread through the air by cough from an infected individual. Children and adults may develop Pertussis even if they are up to date with their vaccinations, as immunity to Pertussis may lessen over time. Remaining up to date on vaccination against Pertussis, however, remains the best defense to prevent illness.
There are three stages of Pertussis infection:
Stage 1: Mild upper respiratory symptoms including low-grade fever, runny nose, sneezing, and mild, occasional cough.
Stage 2: Spasmodic coughing episodes, often at night, sometimes followed by long whooping sound and possible facial color changes or vomiting after coughing episodes. Does not appear ill between attacks.
Stage 3: Although the infection is not contagious after appropriate antibiotic treatment or 21 days from start of cough, coughing episodes may persist for weeks to months ("cough of 100 days").
Once a susceptible individual is exposed to Pertussis, it may take up to 21 days for symptoms to develop. If you observe these symptoms in your child/self, contact your health care provider and request a test for Pertussis with a special nasal-throat swab. This test is performed at either the doctor's office or hospital emergency room. Blood testing is not confirmatory for this disease. Early treatment with the appropriate antibiotic for a symptomatic individual will eliminate disease transmission and may reduce disease severity.
Antibiotic prophylaxis (preventive treatment) is recommended for high-risk asymptomatic contacts (not currently showing symptoms) including all household contacts, as well as any other close contacts who are infants, women in their third trimester of pregnancy, or immunocompromised persons at risk for severe disease. Pertussis disease is particularly dangerous to infants who are not fully immunized. Prophylaxis is not generally recommended for school contacts, but if you or your child fall into one of these high-risk categories and may have been in close contact with the ill student, please speak with your healthcare provider.
If your/ your child's health care provider suspects a diagnosis of Pertussis, orders testing and prescribes antibiotics, you/ your child should remain home until five days of the antibiotic has been completed.
For additional information on Pertussis, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov. Parents or their physician may contact the Division of Disease Control at 914- 813- 5159 if they have any questions.
