Village Voices

Details: Published: 03 November 2012; Created: 03 November 2012; Last Updated: 03 November 2012; Hits: 3808

stormworkmen We chatted with State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin today about the upcoming election and restoration of power. She spent the day on conference calls with Con Edison and elected officials advocating for her district and here is what she learned:

The election will definitely be held on Tuesday. Con Edison’s top priority for the next two days is to restore power to the polling places so that the new digital voting machines can be plugged in. If all polling spots are not restored, voters may be redirected to another Scarsdale location.
If you happen to live near one of the polling spots – Village Hall or the Edgewood, Fox Meadow, Greenacres and Quaker Ridge elementary schools -- you may have your power back sooner than you think.
There are currently four line and tree crews from Con Edison in Scarsdale – up from one this morning. Also – Scarsdale10583 just learned that a few customers at the north end of Greenacres reported that they got their power back around 4:30 on Saturday.
Con Edison reports that 209,000 Con Edison customers in Westchester lost power in the storm. To date, power has been restored to 100,000 customers – none of those in Scarsdale. The utilities first priority was restoring power to hospitals and nursing homes – and now they are focusing on schools.

Paulin alerted Con Edison to the plight of residents blocked into streets by fallen trees. There are 12 such locations and she was able to get Con Edison to clear trees and wires from Drake Road and Lenox Place and perhaps several more locations.

paulinred Get more storm updates from Paulin at https://www.facebook.com/amy.paulin and call her staff at 914-723-1115.

Details: Published: 01 November 2012; Created: 01 November 2012; Last Updated: 12 November 2012; Hits: 4553

gastanks Is a gas crisis looming? Today many local stations ran out of gas and the line to buy gas at the Mobil station in Hartsdale extended all the way to Central Avenue! And this is at one of the highest priced stations around. In addition to fueling up the car, people are using gasoline to power home generators. Take a look at this photo of people filling up extra gas cans at the station to tide them over in case of rationing or to feed their generators. Scary times! (photo by Diana Glantz)

For high school seniors, Hurricane Sandy coincided with the due date for early decision college applications. And since many were without power, how could they complete their applications online? Here is a note about that issue from local college advisors, Collegistics:

College applications due November 1? No Internet?

How will the power outage affect early application deadlines to college? Many schools have offered extensions due to the effects of Hurricane Sandy. For an up-to-date listing of revised deadlines and other application-related information visit [email protected] or follow us on Twitter: @collegistics. If an extended deadline date is not specified, be sure to notify the school of your individual storm-related circumstances.

SAT Tests: The SAT will not be administered at Scarsdale High School this Saturday, November 3 due to ongoing power outages. The College Board has indicated that information regarding make-up dates will be emailed to students registered for the November 3 exam. Students who have a Waitlist Ticket for Saturday's test must re-register for a waitlist spot prior to the next test date, a Waitlist Ticket for the November 3 exam will not be honored. Please click here for further information.

Live Video: Tree falls on carThe Scarsdale Police department shared a frightening video of a tree falling on a car on the Post Road during the storm on October 29: - watch it here :

Storm Photos: Last, so many of you shared stunning photos of the aftermath of the Hurricane. Check out the photo gallery here:

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Photos by Elisabeth Brew, Charlotte Carr, Michael Chayes and Sunny Feinstein

Details: Published: 25 October 2012; Created: 25 October 2012; Last Updated: 25 October 2012; Hits: 4041

paulinengel Friends of Assemblywoman Amy Paulin gathered at the home of Philip and Cheryl Milstein on Sunday October 20 to support Paulin who is now running unopposed for her sixth term in the NYS Assembly. On hand for the elegant event were three generations of the Milsteins as well as many luminaries of the Democratic party. Senator Chuck Schumer and his wife Iris made an appearance and Schumer offered some thoughts on the upcoming presidential election and the national scene. During his amusing address to the intimate group his cell phone rang and it was none other than Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid – but he had to wait for Schumer until the Senator finished

Schumer addresses the group - photo Sarah Schuman

lauding Paulin who he called “smart, idealistic and practical.” Discussing the economy, Schumer said, “How do you combine the American dream with growing deficits?” According to Schumer the answer lies in a balanced approach, the closing of tax loopholes and investments in education, transportation, broadband and scientific research.

Congressman Eliot Engel was also on hand. Through redistricting Scarsdale has now been added to his district. When he learned of the decision, Engel said, "he died and went to heaven."

Chuck and Iris Schumer with three generations of the Milstein Family - photo J. Wallenstein

If Engel wins in November he will replace Nita Lowey as the Congressman for almost all of Scarsdale. Assembly candidate David Buchwald and Assemblyman Tom Abinati were also on hand.

(Pictured at top: Congressman Eliiot Engel with Assemblywoman Paulin - photo Sarah Schuman)

The Senator chats with Toby, Josh and Larry Milstein photo J.Wallenstein

Schumer with wife Iris -photo by Sarah Schuman

Paulin addresses the group - Photo by Sarah Schuman

Details: Published: 30 October 2012; Created: 30 October 2012; Last Updated: 30 October 2012; Hits: 4464

As we all can see, the storm has decimated the Village's power lines. In fact, 4100, of the approximately 5,900 homes in Scarsdale are now without power. In addition, the State of Emergency is still in effect, prohibiting driving and even walking in Scarsdale. Here is an email from Deputy Village Manager Steve Pappalardo received Tuesday afternoon October 30th: The most damaging effects of the storm occurred yesterday in the Village starting at 5:00pm and continuing overnight as sustained winds were 40-50 mph gusting at 75-80 mph swept through Scarsdale. Village Police, Fire, Building and Engineering personnel are still assessing and documenting the damage caused by the storm. Roughly 150 locations were impacted by fallen trees, 70% of which involved downed power lines. These numbers will increase as field assessments continue.

Numerous roads are closed to traffic and all major north/south and east /west traffic corridors are effectively closed and postroad10-2012 impassable. Village Public Works crews have been working to clear trees on main roads where power lines are not present in order to provide safe travel routes for emergency personnel. Tree removals where electric lines are present cannot occur until Con-Ed crews have de-energized the power to the lines. Residents are reminded that the Village-wide State of Emergency is still in effect, limiting all vehicular and pedestrian travel to emergency vehicles and personnel. For your own personal safety please stay in your homes and off the streets and sidewalks as there are live electric power lines laying across roadways throughout the Village. This increased traffic also hinders the ability of public works crews to efficiently perform their cleaning work.

Con Edison is reporting that electric power loss as a result of Hurricane Sandy is the largest in their history; roughly 4,100 Village of Scarsdale customers are currently without power as a result of the storm. It is too early for Con-Ed to provide a restoration timetable, however based on the regional impact and severity of the outages, restoration is expected to take longer than usual.

Residents can continue to call the Emergency Operations Center at 722-1150 or the Police Department business line at 722-1200 to report non-emergency storm related issues. Based on storm damage incurred last night, these lines are limited so if you receive a busy signal, please call again. Continue to dial 911 to report all emergencies.

In addition, sanitation collection services were suspended today and will remain so until Village roadways are sufficiently cleaned for sanitation crews to traverse their collection routes. We will provide further information in this regard as the clean-up work progresses.

Manos Makrikas sent in these two photos: One of a downed tree on the Post Road in Scarsdale that trapped a blue BMW.
The second photo was taken on Secor Road where a tree snapped an electricity pole and left a number of homes on without power.

Details: Published: 18 October 2012; Created: 18 October 2012; Last Updated: 18 October 2012; Hits: 6329

publicsafetyofficer Policemen, Firefighters and Ambulance Corp personnel were honored for outstanding service at the Public Safety Awards ceremony at the Crossway Firehouse on Friday morning October 12th. The stories that prompted these heroic acts were made public at the ceremony - some for the first time:

Participating in the ceremonies were Mayor Miriam Levitt Flisser, Police Chief John Brogan, Deacon Ted Gaskin, Village Manager Al Gatta, SVAC President David Raizen, Fire Chief Thomas Cain, Police Commissioner Jon Mark and Fire Commissioner Kay Eisenman. The national anthem was sung by SHS student Sophie Laruelle.

As there are so many wonderful stories, we will cover the police awards this week and follow with the Fire Department and Volunteer Ambulance Corps Awards in subsequent weeks. Here, in abbreviated format are the Police awards with descriptions of the incidents and the names of those who were recognized for saving the day:

SVAC’s David Raizen got a desperate call from a despondent woman who was threatening to harm herself on January 21, 2011. While reassuring her on the phone he was able to capture her phone number and relay it to Sergeant Peter Kelly who tracked it to an address in Mamaroneck. Raizen engaged her on the phone until emergency personnel could reach her. Raizen and Sergeant Peter Kelly were cited for their calm demeanor, quick thinking and compassion. Raizen was given the Civilian Public Service Award and Kelly, Command Recognition.

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On the morning of March 17, 2011 a pregnant Taunton Road woman went into labor and feared that the baby would be born before she could reach the hospital.

Police Officers Johnson and LoGiudice along with SVAC crew members, Bianna Kun, Shari Feig, Lisa Kulak and Jay Reide were able to move the woman into the ambulance and deliver the baby en route to the hospital. Both mother and child arrived in good shape due to the expertise of the emergency team. For their efforts, Officers Johnson and LoGiudice were given Administrative Recognition and

Jay Reidel, Lisa Kulak, Shari Feig and Bianna Kun were given Civilian Public Service Awards and recognized by the Village Board.

A Walworth Avenue woman called police on the morning of May 7, 2011 to say that a man had entered her home. The resident confronted the intruder and he fled. Sergeant Siciliano and Officer Paul Zavadil searched the area, found the suspect and arrested him for criminal trespass. They were given Honorable Service Medals for rapid response, diligent follow up and dedication to duty.

In response to a report of an assault on a Bee Line Bus on the morning of June 13, 2011, Police Officer Armando Nava went to the corner of Post and Huntington Roads where the bus was stopped. He got a description of the suspect who had the fled the scene and broadcast it to all untis. Robert Lua of the Scarsdale Highway Department had seen the man flee and discard his T-shirt so that he would not be recognized. A new description was broadcast and Sergeant John Spagna and Police Officer David Rosa stopped the man on Fisher Avenue in White Plains. The suspect admitted that he was responsible and was arrested. For their work Spagna, Nava and Rosa were given Administrative Recognition and Lua received a Civilian Public Service Award and recognition from the Village Board.

After a serious hit and run accident on the Hutchinson River Parkway near Weaver Street on the morning of July 13, 2011 Westchester County Police put out a request for assistance to locate a man and woman who had fled the parkway on foot. Sergeant John Spagn and Police Office Boris Grgas found the woman and arrested her on Meadow Road in Scarsdale. The second suspect continued to flee and police pursued him with help from Harrison, Mamaroneck and New Rochelle Police. Ultimately Police Officer Armando Nava and Office Steven Delbene caught the man on Winged Foot Golf Course. All four officers were given honorable service medals for their rapid response, diligent follow up and dedication.

Detective Servando Rodriguez was given an Honorable Service Medal for his work in tracking down suspects and investigating what happened during a fight at 2:55 am on August 19, 2011. During the fight four young men were injured by a gang of seven men who met them at the Scarsdale Train Station. Wielding baseball bats, broomsticks and a tire iron they assaulted the victims and then fled. Armando interviewed victims and witnesses and obtained a surveillance video that helped him to identify all seven assailants. On September 21, 2011 all the suspects were arrested and charged.

Police Officer Arefieg was also given an Honorable Service Medal for work that lead to the arrest of a jewelry thief who stole two diamond rings from Sam Lehr Jewelry on Harwood Court. At 1:20 pm on October 22, 2011 Arefieg saw a man run down Scarsdale Avenue and jump into a parked car. The man took off his hat and threw it onto the passenger seat and sped away. Due to the man’s unusual behavior, Arfieg noted the license plate number of the car. Shortly after, the jeweler reported the ring theft and the description of the suspect matched the man Arfieg had seen. Police were able to track the license plate number and subsequently identified, arrested and charged the man with several jewelry thefts. Arefieg was cited for his dedication to duty, diligent follow up and professionalism.

The freak snowstorm on October 29, 2011 caused downed trees and wires, power outages and “widespread” destruction in Scarsdale. The Police were flooded with hundreds of calls in a very short period of time. To make matters worse, the Police and Fire Departments were still in the process of moving back into the newly renovated Public Safety Building after two and a half years in remote facilities. In the midst of the storm and the chaos, a woman travelling in a car on Post Road went into labor. Police and ambulance personnel, with the assistance of the Scarsdale Highway Department cleared the road in front of the woman’s car to allow her to be rushed to the hospital where the baby was safely delivered.

During the storm, Officers maintained a calm demeanor, properly prioritized their responses and conducted themselves in a professional manner. The following were awarded Command Recognition for their work during the storm: