Scarsdale Adult School Spring Registration and Art Show
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The Scarsdale Adult School is celebrating its 75th year and registration is now open for the spring/summer semester. 75th anniversary catalogs should be arriving by mail shortly. At more than fifteen convenient local venues, new and returning faculty will be teaching enriching day and evening courses to adults seeking to satisfy their intellectual curiosity, learn new skills, and enjoy scholarly rapport with other members of the community. This semester at SAS includes a wide range of humanities classes on art, architecture, economics, film, history, literature, music appreciation, religion and writing. It boasts hard to beat prices for all its recreational classes in dance, fitness, and games.
New this semester are many options for parent/child and entire families. The catalog has even more computer-related, home and garden, and personal organization classes in its skill enhancement course selection, along with unique courses in arts and crafts, cooking, photography, foreign languages, music, finance, and self-improvement. Health and wellness courses on nutrition, spirituality, and stress reduction round out the curriculum.
Come One, Come All to the SAS Art Show:
To inaugurate a year of festivities in recognition of Scarsdale Adult School's 75th Anniversary, SAS will be hosting its first ever 
teacher/student art show. For the entire month of February, artwork submitted by SAS instructors and their students will be on display at the Scarsdale Public Library.
In honor of SAS instructors and students and to celebrate the start of many commemorative activities yet to come, SAS will begin the art show with an opening reception, free to the public, on Tuesday, Feb. 5th at 7 pm, in the Scott Room of the Scarsdale Public Library. Join fellow SAS fans and enjoy the beginning of a year of special events!
Receive the latest news on course changes or additions to the printed catalog by subscribing to the Scarsdale Adult School monthly newsletter. If you have not been receiving monthly e-blasts, go to the SAS website and click on the yellow and green "Subscribe to Newsletter icon near the bottom of the home page.
To enroll for classes and view all SAS offerings, visit www.ScarsdaleAdultSchool.org. Call (914) 723-2325 with any questions.
At Last: Scarsdale Board of Trustees Passes New Code for Standby Generators
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Though residents continued to make noise about decreased noise requirements for permanent standby generators, the Scarsdale Village Trustees passed resolutions clearing the way for the installation of louder standby generators at their meeting on January 22, 2013.
The trials of Hurricane Sandy increased public pressure for revisions of the former Village Code that had a highly restrictive clause preventing residents on smaller lots from legally installing standby generators. After residents were without power during the storm, some for as long as twelve days, residents called for the passage of new provisions that were already in the works. Since 2011, the Planning Board held four hearings on the new law, and the Village Board another five, seeking to strike a compromise between those who object to noise and their neighbors who wanted an alternative source of energy during storm emergencies.
They passed two resolutions, the first prescribing the setbacks from the rear and side yards for permanent standby generators, detailing when they could be used and the times of day they could be run for weekly maintenance.
Here are the new setback requirements by zone:
Rear Lot Line:
AA-1 District: 15 feet
A-1 District: 10 feet
A-2, A-2a or A3 Districts: five feet
A-4, A-5 Districts; 3 feet
Side Lot Line:
AA-1 District: 20 feet
A-1, A-2 or A-2a Districts: 10 feet
A3 District: five feet
A-4, A-5 Districts; 3 feet
(To determine your district, see the instructions below*)
The generators can only be used during an electrical power outage and maintenance can take place from Monday – Friday between 8:00 am and 9:00 pm and on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays between 10 am and 5 pm. All permanent standby generators must have an electrically operated auto-transfer switch.
The local law governing noise was also amended to allow the standby generators to emit 70 decibels of noise as measured 23 feet from the unit except for generators on smaller lots in the A3, A4 and A5 districts which can measure 66 decibels when measured at 23 feet. This last provision was modified from 65 decibels to 66 when Trustee Brodsky learned that a popular and affordable generator made by Generac ran at 66 decibels.
The new code did not pass without discussion. Lisa Runyon from Brown Road said she lives on a small lot and the noise from a generator three doors away kept her awake during the storm. She asked the Board to require those on small lots to purchase quieter brands and to turn off the generators between 11 pm and 7 am to allow their neighbors to sleep. However, Karen Brew from Ferncliff Road took the opposite stance, urging the Trustees not to discriminate against those on smaller lots. She said during power outages, "we need to have our minimal needs met" and said, "I feel that in these situations, noise is the least of the concerns."
Trustee Harrison made an eleventh hour attempt to propose an amendment to the law to require screening on three sides of the generator, a proposal that had been discussed and rejected at the Law Committee meeting. The amendment failed to be seconded. He also spoke out of turn and rambled on about generators, refusing to comply with the Mayor and follow procedures. Trustee Steves supported the measures but said, "I will vote yes because it is the best law we could put forward and balance concerns of all the neighbors. We will not provide a quiet community in the event of the storm. There will be noise; however it appears that the community wants these (generators) without restrictions. This is a time when the community should be considerate of their neighbors. People have rights to do things but they have neighbors as well."
According to Tom Monahan of Yost & Campbell, "The change in the law in Scarsdale brings the town in line with other municipalities and will allow many residents to take charge of their own power needs , a comforting thought in light of the ever increasing threat of storms and power outages we all face." Monahan, who is president of Yost & Campbell has been installing HVAC systems for 74 years and is now an authorized Power Pro Generac dealer based in Mt. Vernon.
*Here's how to determine the district of your house and setback requirements:
1. Go to to www.scarsdale.com, the Scarsdale Village website;
2. About half way down the home page is the section titled "Interactive";
3. In the Interactive box, click the link to "Online Property Inquiry";
4. The next screen contains a pull down box containing street names in the Village database. Find the street name about being inquired about and click on that street name;
5. The next screen contains a pull down box containing numbered street addresses for that street and the user should click on the specific address being inquired about;
6. The next screen will contain the information contained in the Village database about this property, including what zone it is in, assessment information, tax information and permit information back to when the house was originally built.
Crime Down in Edgemont for 2012
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Greenburgh Police have released a report on crime in Edgemont in 2012 and overall, it appears that crime is down when compared to 2011. Burglaries decreased slightly from 15 to 14 incidents, but larcenies, including thefts from cars decreased from 108 incidents to 83.
Also down slightly were DWI's going from 13 in 2011 to 11 in 2012, with a sharper decline in drug-related incidents that decreased from 25 in 2011 to 17 in 2012. Criminal mischief was down precipitously from 52 incidents in 2011 to 35 in 2012, while fraud and forgery rose 33% from 30 to 40 incidents.
Overall, Part 1 offenses decreased 15% and Part 2 offenses by 5%. The numbers can be viewed in the charts below.
William S. Miller to Receive the 2013 Scarsdale Bowl
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This announcement was forwarded to Scarsdale10583 from the Scarsdale Bowl Committee: William S. Miller, an extraordinary citizen with over 40 years of significant volunteer service, will be the 2013 recipient of the community's highest award, the Scarsdale Bowl. The Scarsdale Bowl is awarded annually to "one who has given unselfishly of time, energy, and effort to the civic welfare of the community," according to the Bowl founding documents. Miller, now 80, has served in a myriad of civic roles from trustee and president of the Board of Education in the mid 70's and early 80's to Planning Board member and chair this past decade. Jane Veron, chairman of the Scarsdale Bowl Committee, said, "Bill embodies the heart and soul of the Bowl award. He has consistently dedicated himself to the community with grace, intellect, compassion and respect. His commitment spans decades, leaving an indelible imprint on all facets of Scarsdale life. Bill has the gift of blending careful listening with enlightened insight. With an inclusive and gentle spirit, Bill embraces every responsibility and works tirelessly on behalf of all of us." Miller will be honored at the Scarsdale Bowl dinner on Wednesday evening, April 17, at the Lake Isle Country Club in Eastchester. Veron encourages all members of the community to attend: "It is an incredibly uplifting evening to celebrate the spirit of volunteerism that permeates and propels our Village." Scarsdale residents may request an invitation by sending an email to [email protected].
"The Scarsdale Bowl was initiated in 1943 to recognize an individual's outstanding contributions to the civic life of this community," said Veron. The Bowl Committee, a diverse group of 15 community volunteers, selects the recipient after reviewing many candidates who are nominated by the community. Some members were amazed that Miller had not already received the Scarsdale Bowl. The Committee was convinced that Bill's effective service coupled with his care for others is the hallmark of a recipient of the Scarsdale Bowl. Last Sunday evening, the Committee voted to honor Miller. Delegates from the Bowl Committee including Veron, Scarsdale Foundation president Richard Toder, Foundation liaison Evelyn Stock, Foundation secretary/treasurer Deborah Pekarek and Committee members Carolyn Stevens and Linda Chayes arrived at Miller's home on Popham Road to announce his selection. Miller was completely surprised. Miller appeared "stunned, overwhelmed, humble and very appreciative," Veron said.
Miller's long term devotion to public service distinguishes him. From 1975-1981, he was active as a member of the Scarsdale Board of Education; in 1980-81 he served as president. His membership on the Board of Trustees at Westchester Reform Temple began in 1971. He became Vice President in 1985 and President in 1989. He was a member of the Scarsdale Bowl Committee and Chair in 1997. His term as a Trustee of the Scarsdale Foundation began in 2000 and culminated in becoming President of the Foundation in 2010. The Scarsdale Planning Board work began in 2003. Eventually, he became Chairman for two years, between 2006 and 2008. He was also appointed to the Village committee to study traffic solutions at the Five Corners. Along the way, he was a Director of United Way of Scarsdale/Edgemont. He also participated on the Town Club's Education Committee and the Legislative Study Group on School Financing. Many of Miller's long term interests began at Harvard where he graduated with a B.A. magna cum laude and continued at Harvard Business School where he received his MBA with Distinction.
Today, Miller continues his deep involvement in Scarsdale. He serves on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the Scarsdale/Edgemont Family Counseling Service and is a member of the newly-formed Scarsdale Community Support Council. He is co-president of the Heathcote-Overhill Corporation, which manages and operates the coop apartments at 50 Popham Road, and serves as a Director of The Mathers Charitable Foundation, which funds basic research in the life sciences.
Miller is known in Scarsdale as the "go-to-guy" who can bring extraordinary intelligence to bear on complex problems. Bowl Committee members noted his ability to look at the big picture and focus on what is most important. An incredibly hard worker, he builds consensus with a calm and easy style. Committee members agreed: Miller is generous with his heart, spirit and time; and Scarsdale has been the major beneficiary.
Miller takes great joy in his family, including his wife Stephanie and his children from his marriage to Ann Miller, who passed away in 1998, as well as his two stepchildren. All six children grew up together and attended Scarsdale schools from kindergarten through high school, and all grew into wonderful professionals. Mark, an architect, and Steven, a professor of Political Science, live in California, while Rachel is a pulmonologist at NY Presbyterian Hospital, and Liz Guggenheimer is a lawyer in Manhattan and currently serves as President of the Scarsdale Board of Education. Bill's two stepdaughters are Debbie Singer, a pediatrician in Denver, and Marcy Singer-Gabella, a professor at Peabody College at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.
Local Control of Gun Control
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Even though the Newtown shootings ignited a passion for stricter gun control, from everything I see and hear it's going to be very difficult to pass meaningful legislation to prevent another tragedy. With 310 million guns already in the homes of Americans and ammo too numerous to quantify, guaranteeing our safety may prove to be impossible.
Even if Congress passes a ban on the sale of assault weapons, what about the millions of guns already out there and the endless rounds of bullets stored in peoples' homes? Though I support any measure to limit gun sales, to enforce stricter licensing requirements and to raise the cost of ammunition, I fear that legislation alone is not the answer to this terrible predicament we're in.
And if we can't depend on national authorities to correct the mess they made, how about seeking a local solution? After the publication of the map of those with gun licenses in the Journal News, conversations have grown heated from those who fear for their safety and others who defend their right to own a gun and store it in their homes. Despite the fact that there has not been an armed robbery in town for years and it's been shown that a gun in the house is more likely to be used against family members than to protect them, some feel strongly that the Second Amendment gives them the right to bear arms.
So while we wait for Congress to debate how to keep us safe, how about making a symbolic statement here in town? Let's declare Scarsdale a gun-free zone and ask those who have guns in their homes to bring them to the police station to be stored for safekeeping. When they need their guns to shoot deer they can go to the station and take them out for a limited time. Just as we store our jewels in the safe deposit box at the bank, we can store our guns with the authorities to assure that they don't fall into the wrong hands.
Though we can't pass a law to require this, we can implement a public service campaign to encourage it. And hopefully peer pressure and the sense of community will inspire residents to store their guns at the Public Safety Building, rather than in their nightstands. I believe many would be proud to say they live in a community that doesn't accept guns as a way of life.
Grassroots movement such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the Race to Nowhere – an anti-homework movement -- have been highly effective at getting the word out about their causes. Declaring Scarsdale a gun-free zone could send a message to neighboring communities and beyond, and begin to limit the risk that guns will be misappropriated by disturbed gunmen like Adam Lanza.
No, it's not the solution to the gun quandary, but it is a good place to start.
