At the Movies: Prisoners Explores a Father's Fury
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- Written by Deborah Skolnik
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Keller Dover is a mensch—a guy who doesn't just bring home the bacon, but (as we learn in this movie's opening scene) hunts venison, too. He teaches his son to know his way around a gun as well, explaining that it's important to be self-sufficient, in case the fabric of society is ever rent asunder.
So begins Prisoners, a bleak but gripping tale of two families and how they cope when, indeed, the unspeakable happens. On Thanksgiving Day, as the Dovers and their neighbors, the Birches, celebrate together, the couples' daughters both mysteriously disappear from the front yard. Have they run away? Have they been abducted? And what of the shabby RV parked nearby not long before?
The RV is tracked down by police, and its driver, a creepy, laconic fellow with a child's IQ, is a suspect. His stringy hair and oversized glasses are fashion felonies, but it's maddeningly unclear whether he's committed any actual crimes. When he's released for lack of evidence, we learn the shocking lengths that Dover (played by Hugh Jackman) will go to in order to get to the truth out of this oddball.
You won't always want to watch what happens next—though each scene involving the chief investigator, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, is worth keeping your eyes open for. His Detective Loki is a study in contrasts; a man who urges the anguished parents to remain calm, while his own face contorts into nervous tics. Maria Bello, as Dover's wife, also has a fascinating face. As the days drag on, her eyes darken and her lips fade till they merge into the divot under her nose. But her underwritten character does little besides retire to bed amidst snowdrifts of crumpled tissues. Viola Davis, as the mother of the other missing child, has it better: In one wrenching scene, she demonstrates where feminine gentleness ends and motherly ferocity takes over.
Will the tragic tots be found? Of course you'll be rooting for their safe return, but they're almost beside the point. Dover Keller's really the one who's gone missing. He's on an autopilot of ferocity and vengeance, one that, in the end, makes him as much a prisoner as he believes the girls themselves may be. Literally. You'll be playing his armchair quarterback--and conscience--long after the movie ends.
Is Prisoners easy viewing? No--especially given that this is "Walk to School" week in some parts of town. Is it for everyone? Absolutely not. And definitely not for children. But if you like suspense, and the chance to have movie-club-style debates with your date, you'll find plenty to ponder here. Just be aware that for the price of the ticket, you're about to watch a man sell his soul.
Deborah Skolnik is a Greenacres mother of two and the Content Director for Myron Corporation, a large business-gifts company in Maywood, New Jersey.
An Intergenerational Yom Kippur at Shaarei Tikvah
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One final long shofar blast, a tekiah gedola, is sounded at the conclusion of Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement. At Shaarei Tikvah, the Scarsdale Conservative Congregation, the tekiah gedola is sounded not by one but by several shofar blowers standing around the perimeter of the sanctuary. With the lights dimmed, each blower then sounds his or her shofar, one at a time, one after the other, with overlapping tones creating one single long sound to end the holiday.
The participants span several many generations. Jack Polak, age 100, who for many years was the main blower at our services, remains an inspiration to all of us, reciting the blessings before the shofar blowing. Our youngest blower was Alexandra Schweber, age 5.
Seated (left to right): Alexandra Schweber, Jack Polak, Ina Polak
Standing (left to right): Rabbi Dan Schweber, Daniel Lampert, Ian Silberzweig, Cantor Gerald Cohen, Caroline Stern Cohen, Naomi Seulowitz, Jeff Elliott, Josh Fields, David Sneider (not pictured: Ron Reckseit)
Photo taken: September 14, 2013 by Arthur Glauberman
Former Mayor Miriam Flisser Vies for Independence Party Votes in Tuesday Primary
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Though all 19 voting polls will be open in Scarsdale tomorrow, September 10, 2013, there is little at stake for local voters. In fact, there will be only one name on the ballot. The seat for County Legislator to represent District 5 (Scarsdale, White Plains and Harrison) is up for grabs now that Bill Ryan, who held the seat for eight terms has decided not to run. The Democratic candidate for the seat is White Plains Councilman Benjamin Boykin and the Republican and Conservative Party endorsements were given to Scarsdale's own former Mayor Miriam Flisser. However, that contest will not be decided until the November election.
The battle tomorrow involves the endorsement by the Independence Party which could be a determinant in November. Boykin was previously endorsed by the Independence Party and his name will appear on the ballot, but Dr. Flisser is hoping to take that line by waging a write-in campaign. Scarsdale's 357 voters who are registered as Independents are eligible to vote in the primary to decide whether Boykin or Flisser should appear on the ballot in November as the Independence Party candidate for the County Legislature for District 5.
Linda Killian, a Scarsdale GOP member who is working with Dr. Flissher on her campaign said, "We believe that Miriam Flisser embodies the beliefs of many independent voters in lower taxes and in no involvement by the Federal Government in local zoning laws."
All nineteen polling places will be open tomorrow, Tuesday September 6, from 6 am to 9 pm.
Write-in Campaign Costs Scarsdale Taxpayers $25,000
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Poll workers sat idle at 19 polls in Scarsdale on Tuesday waiting for 357 registered members of the Independence Party to vote. As of 7:30 pm, only 8 votes were cast.
The only contest on the ballot wasn't a contest at all. Ben Boykin, the Democratic nominee for County Legislator for District 5 (Scarsdale, White Plains and Harrison) had also received the endorsement of the Independence Party. Former Mayor Miriam Levitt-Flisser, who is running on the Republican and Conservative Party lines, also wanted the Independence Party endorsement. She gathered signatures to allow a write-in campaign on the ballot, called an "Opportunity to Ballot." Though the move was successful it ended up costing taxpayers dearly.
When Scarsdale Village Clerk Donna Conkling heard there was only one name on the ballot and very few eligible voters she called the Board of Elections to see if she could consolidate polling and limit expenses. However, the Board of Elections mandated her to open all 19 polling places in Scarsdale, incurring costs for moving voting machines, bringing in special machines for the handicapped, hiring inspectors and poll workers. All told, she estimates that the election cost taxpayers $25,000. For Village elections, which she runs herself, voting is done at Village Hall at a cost of under $1,000.
And how many write-in votes did Flisser receive? According to Mark Lewis of the Scarsdale Democratic Party, the former Mayor lost in both Scarsdale and White Plains. The official count shows Boykin with 29 votes. The ten write-in votes have not yet been counted but are assumed to be for Flisser. Watch for the official results here.
Lewis claims that the Opportunity to Ballot in Scarsdale and White Plains cost taxpayers $60,000. And, in the end, Flisser failed to win the Independence line. Another former Scarsdale Mayor Carolyn Stevens had this to say about the primary election: "Republican/Conservative candidate Miriam Flisser's losing effort to take the Independence Party endorsement away from its designated candidate Ben Boykin was a bigger loss for the taxpayers of Scarsdale. It cost the taxpayers of Scarsdale about $25,000.00 so that 5 people could write in her name."
However Linda Killian, a member of the Scarsdale GPO party and supporter of Flisser provided another explanation for the situation. "Choice is the cornerstone of a democracy. The alternative is no primary and that is unacceptable. Miriam Levitt Flisser offers Independent voters a choice between a candidate selected by a party boss and a truly independent candidate who made no promises of patronage or patronage jobs. Miriam Flisser gives voters an opportunity to reject abuse of the democratic system. The voting procedures were set up in anticipation of Rob Astorino running as a write-in candidate for the Independence party's line as County Executive and the resulting high turnout. Unfortunately, a Westchester County judge denied voters that alternative but allowed Dr. Miriam Flisser and others to mount a write in campaign."
Even stranger than the election was a court order from the Westchester County Supreme Court to impound all voting machines issued on September 10. According to the order, "all election canvass returns, voting machines, poll bags and paper, absentee, military, affidavit, or emergency (“election day”) ballots and all unopened envelopes containing such ballots relating to the Independence Party Primary Election for the election for the public office of County Legislator for County Legislative Districts 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, and 14" were impounded. The voting machines were secured in their respective polling locations and all materials were secured in a locked room in Village Hall by the Scarsdale Police Department, and all keys turned over to the Scarsdale Police Department as per this Court Order until the materials can be picked up by the Board of Elections.
What's the lesson? Beware of politicians who claim they will safeguard your tax dollars.
In other election news, it appears that incumbent Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner has won the Democratic Nomination for his position. Longtime adversary Bob Bernstein of Edgemont challenged the eleven-term supervisor for the nomination but with 93% of the vote counted, Feiner has 66% of the vote (3,631 votes) to Bernstein's 34% (1,862 votes).
Letters in Support of Bob Bernstein for Greenburgh Town Supervisor
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To the Editor: I am writing to urge all registered Democrats to vote for Bob Bernstein for Greenburgh Town Supervisor in the primary election on Tuesday, September 10th. Polls are open from 6 am to 9 pm.
Bob Bernstein is the endorsed candidate of the Democratic Party. He is a 22-year Edgemont resident in unincorporated Greenburgh and is superbly qualified to undertake the leadership Greenburgh needs to confront the many complex issues facing our Town. He is an astute lawyer who has contributed his legal skills without compensation, together with Herb Rosenberg of Dobbs Ferry, to regain over $1.1 million for Greenburgh taxpayers, which the current supervisor was giving away illegally to a school district. He has represented Catholic nuns on Dromore Road whose home and property are threatened by a large-scale development. He will gladly accept the higher bid of $3.5 million for town property such as Frank's Nursery, and not 'give away' town assets to a lower bidder for $1.7 million, because of personal pique, as the current supervisor has done.
What more can Town residents ask for in a candidate? Today, we have dysfunction in Town government, management by personal favor, and extreme ineptness in policy development. Bob Bernstein will restore our Town to reasonable, responsible management and work with all the residents on solving their problems.
As a civic leader, I have been very distressed at the lack of response of Town government to several urgent problems in our community. Bob Bernstein will not govern by personal fiat, but through professional endeavor and relentless pursuit of what is right for our town and our taxpayers. He has integrity, resourcefulness and demonstrated ability.
Please vote for Bob Bernstein for Greenburgh Town Supervisor in the Democratic Primary on Tuesday, September 10.
Carol A. Wielk
Hartsdale, New York 10530
To the Editor:
Today I received a Feiner mailing that was directed to residents who live in Greenburgh's villages that read, in large bold-type letters, "A new challenger would TRIPLE your Town taxes." To support that claim Feiner quotes a newspaper article dated February 17, 2008. And that claim is a fraud.
It is true that in 2004 Bob Bernstein challenged the Town's allocation of park and recreation expenses to the unincorporated area budget because the Town Board permitted everyone in the town, including village residents, to use those facilities. I represented the villages in that litigation, and I know the whole story. The case was decided in the villages' favor in February 2008 and affirmed by the Court of Appeals in January 2009, and that settled the issue. After those rulings no one, and certainly not Bob Bernstein, has suggested that village residents be taxed for the Town's parks and recreation facilities. It is a non-issue.
Feiner knows this perfectly well. Yet he dares to imply that Bob Bernstein is currently trying to have village residents pay for the Town's parks and recreation facilities, and no words other than "fraud" and "lie" can be used to describe Feiner's message. That corrupt mailing is sufficient to disqualify him from village residents' votes.
I am a former advisor to Feiner (indeed, in 2008 he wanted to appoint me as Deputy Town Supervisor). I switched my support to Bob Bernstein this year precisely because Feiner is so frequently untruthful and unethical. I urge village residents to make the same switch that I did, and vote for Bob Bernstein on Primary Day.
Herbert Rosenberg
89 Southlawn Avenue
Dobbs Ferry, NY
(914) 693-6541
