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Published: 14 August 2012

Created: 14 August 2012

Last Updated: 16 August 2012

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The billboard wars continue at Metro North train stations where now a third group has launched a campaign. The controversy began in July when an anti-Israel group named the Committee for Peace in Israel and Palestine (COPIP) posted anti-Israel billboards at Westchester train stations. The posters contended that Israel had taken Palestinian land and turned the Palestinians into refugees -- and some called them “grossly distorted” and “misleading.” To counter the COPIP campaign, Stand With Us launched their own campaign, defending Israel and pointing the finger at the Palestinians for refusing to accept compromises for peace.

Now the American Freedom Defense Initiative has entered the fray and inflamed those on both sides of the conflict. The new billboard, which is posted at the Scarsdale Train Station, reads, “*19,250 Deadly Islamic Attacks Since 9/11/01 *and counting. Not Islamophobia, It’s Islamorealism.”

John Harris, a Scarsdale resident and Chair of the N.Y. Chapter of the Anti-Defamation League said, “It’s unfortunate that some people are trying to reduce the difficult issues in the Middle East to slogans on billboards. The latest Westchester ads by American Freedom Defense Initiative, a group headed by the anti-Muslim activist Pamela Geller, are offensive and inflammatory. Being pro-Israel doesn’t mean being anti-Muslim and anti-Arab. Suspecting a “jihadist” motivation by everyone who follows Islam contributes to an atmosphere where hatred and discrimination are easily justified. Geller has a First Amendment right to spread her views, but she does Israel no service by her bigoted attacks on all Islam. The ADL hopes that our Muslim neighbors recognize that Geller’s campaign reflects the thinking of a very small minority in the Jewish community and trust that they also understand, as do we, the dangers posed by extremists in all of our faiths.”

Last year the American Freedom Defense Initiative proposed posting an ad on city buses that read, “In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man,” and then between two Stars of David had the words, “Support Israel. Defeat Jihad.”

The MTA rejected the ad on the basis that it violated its prohibition on messages that demean individuals or groups on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or other characteristics.

However, last week U.S. District Court Judge Paul Engelmayer ruled that the ad was political speech as it expressed a pro-Israel perspective, and as such was protected under the First Amendment.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) objected to the advertisement from the anti-Muslim group as “highly offensive and inflammatory,” but said it agreed with a federal judge’s finding that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority was wrong in rejecting it.

“We support the court’s conclusion that the ad is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment, yet we still strongly object to both the message and the messenger,” said Ron Meier, ADL New York Regional Director. “We believe these ads are highly offensive and inflammatory. Pro-Israel doesn’t mean anti-Muslim. It is possible to support Israel without engaging in bigoted anti-Muslim and anti-Arab stereotypes.”

More information on Geller can be found here:

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Published: 05 August 2012

Created: 05 August 2012

Last Updated: 05 August 2012

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This letter was sent to Scarsdale10583 by Harry Reynolds of Scarsdale, in response to a series of pranks involving stop signs: To the fools who several times between July 27th and July 30th removed stop signs at Carman, Nelson, and Edgewood Roads, thereby endangering the very lives of men, women, and children, take this warning:

Do not think that the maximum risk entailed by the removal of a stop sign will be a police visit to your homes. Putting aside the minor issue of theft, should deaths occur in consequence of your removal of a stop sign, your conduct may constitute at least the felony of criminally negligent homicide or the greater felony of recklessly committed manslaughter in the second degree, to say nothing of lesser but serious crimes should injuries occur. In the language of the street, “If you do the crime, be prepared to do the time.”

In 1996, three friends in their early 20's removed a Florida stop sign as a prank. It caused the deaths of three teen-agers who drove into the path of an eight-ton truck. The three friends were each sentenced in 1997 to 15 years in prison where they remained until 2001 when their manslaughter convictions were reversed, and a new trial ordered, because of prejudicial statements by the prosecutor in summation. State v. Miller and Cole, 782 So.2d 426; State v. Baillie, 782 So.2d 435.

Rely on it. When you are tried in Westchester County, great care will be taken to avoid any error in your conviction.

Harry Reynolds

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Published: 31 July 2012

Created: 31 July 2012

Last Updated: 31 July 2012

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Many were dismayed to see trees and vegetation removed to accommodate a storm water retention basin at George Field and a rain garden at Cooper Green opposite the Scarsdale Public Safety Building on the Post Road. For some it was difficult to understand why removing established trees would alleviate flooding and others were shocked at the extent of the project.

However engineers contend that the seven-acre dry detention pond at George Field and the rain garden at Cooper Green will eliminate flooding in homes in the Grange, along Greendale,Oxford and Cambridge roads as well as Rugby Lane, Windmill, and Windmill Circle. And once the new plantings are installed, the area should again be beautiful.

Warren Breakstone, a Cambridge Road resident was a longtime advocate for the project and is pleased that it’s finally in the works. He said, “Mayor Flisser and the board of Trustees should be commended for their leadership in tackling the storm water issues in Greenacres. This has been a problem that plagued this neighborhood and many other areas Scarsdale for many years, and after much study and deliberation, a solution is finally at hand. Once this project in South Fox Meadow is completed attention should turn to the Cayuga/Middle School area, which is in dire need of a solution as well. Certainly no one likes to see trees cut down, but significant budget has been set aside for new plantings on the tail end of the project.”

Tracy Jaffe, who lives across from George Field, was a bit more skeptical. She said, “I truly hope that the end result justifies the destruction of so many trees, plants and the natural habitat for wildlife. People used George Field for impromptu games. Too bad we’ll no longer have this space for recreation.”

Eton Road resident Anna Decker was also sad to see the trees fall. She added, "We're amazed to see the goings on at George Field. It honestly makes me so sad to see all those trees come down and I miss our swamp that gave our area a woodsy feel. Still, I'm optimistic and hope that the beautiful natural plantings will actually come to fruition and having seen a flooded field after many storms, I understand the need just wish it didn't come at such a cost.Truth be told, I've cheered from the sidelines as our feisty George Field has gobbled up a couple big earthmovers and left them stuck in the mud. I feel like its our little protest! I'm also keeping my finger crossed that they won't be touching our beautiful willow tree on the Post Road side."

We asked John Goodwin in the Village Manager’s Office for an update on the project and here is what he shared:

"The South Fox Meadow Storm water Improvement Project is progressing as scheduled and workers have not encountered anything unexpected.

The initial work at George Field Park and Cooper Green involved the clearing and removal of underbrush and trees and the re-grading of the land in preparation of excavation for the dry detention basins at George Field Park, located between Post and Greendale Roads, and Cooper Green, located between Mamaroneck Road and 1162 Post Road across from the Public Safety Building. A number of these trees were dead, dying and/or considered scrub or underbrush. Although George Field Park and Cooper Green will look barren during construction, there is an extensive landscaping plan involved for both locations. At George Field Park 590 trees, plants and shrubs are being replanted and at Cooper Green, 30 new trees will be installed and over 1,000 plants and shrubs will also be planted. These plants and trees purchased by the contractors from local nurseries and will be installed during the upcoming planting season."

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Published: 21 July 2012

Created: 21 July 2012

Last Updated: 21 July 2012

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Questions have arisen over why Simon Cohen is challenging a proposed deal between the Village of Greenburgh and Game On 365. The company wishes to lease the property that was formerly the site of Frank’s Nursery on Dobbs Ferry Road to build a 161,500 square foot sports bubble. Cohen has launched a campaign against the deal claiming the site is zoned for residential use and that it’s a bad deal for Greenburgh. Cohen raises concerns about who is paying for an environmental clean up of the site, the terms of the deal and the RFP process. He has launched a website called “ Help Burst the Bubble ” to promote his cause and encourage residents to tell the Greenburgh Town Board to turn down the deal. He recently published a letter stating his objections on Scarsdale10583 which prompted many more emails and comments to the site.

But what’s really behind Cohen’s campaign? Is he just an interested local resident or is there more behind the push. It turns out Cohen only moved to the area a few weeks ago, and should have been well aware that he was moving near the site of a potential sports bubble. In addition, Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner claims that Cohen’s lobbying efforts are being funded by a competitive company, House of Sports, that is planning to open a similar sports facility in Ardsley, less than 3 miles away.

We emailed Cohen and asked him directly about his affiliation with House of Sports and the motivation behind his campaign and here is a copy of his reply;

“I am not affiliated with or supported by the House of Sports although I do know them. I have recently moved here after a messy divorce, I am creating a nice second home environment for my children with space to live and play. I feel that the Game On 365 organization are meerly creating a smoke screen to take your mind off of this entirely scandalous lease debocle. Rent AND taxes that are way to low.

My objections are very clear as detailed in my many many emails, letters, mailings and print ads. This is just the wrong proposal for the wrong site. They are paying $1.32 per square foot and re-selling it at $40, fourty dollars, doesn't that in its very self raise a flag? Aren't the town under pricing it? I'd say so. Just for one!!

In defense of the deal, Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner recently sent Scarsdale 10583 the letter below and asked us to post it on the site. He believes that Cohen has sent out misleading information and here is Feiner’s version of the story:

A lot of misleading and wrong information about the town's plans for Frank's nursery has been sent to residents from a company that is planning to build another sports facility in the area. The company, House of Sports, has funded a very expensive opposition campaign against the sports bubble because they don't want competition. I have received many calls and emails from residents wanting to know what is going on. Members of the Greenburgh Town Board have decided to start our meeting on Wednesday evening July 25 at 6:30 PM (an hour earlier) at Town Hall to provide the public with the opportunity to learn more about the proposal and to ask questions.

The proposed lease with Game On is for 15 years. The town will receive a minimum of $260,000 a year in revenue. After three years the revenues increase to $300,000 a year. And-the revenues escalate to $330,000 by the end of the 15 years. In addition, Game On will help the town cleanup a contaminated site ---they have agreed to pay $100,000 for the cleanup. The town factored the taxes into the rent. If the costs of the cleanup are excessive both the town and Game On have the right to back off from the lease. We have compared the revenues we are receiving to rent other localities that have sports bubbles in their communities receive. The town is generating much more revenue from our proposed agreement with Game On that neighboring localities. For example: Mt Vernon is receiving $65,000 a year. Armonk is guaranteed $134,900 Even with the taxes deducted from the rent, the rent payments we receive will be above market value.

In addition to the above, the town will benefit because we're getting more improvements to town land. Game on's construction costs will be site enhancements, utilities, septic, landscaping, paving, drainage, lighting on property owned by the town. At the end of the 15 years it's our property!

Some people have asked: how did Game On become the preferred tenant for this property. Last year, after the town took ownership of the property due to a foreclosure, we had a community meeting at Frank's. A number of proposals for the property were discussed. Neighbors objected to many of them. We put up a big sign outside of Frank's inviting people/businesses to submit proposals. I located letters that I sent to the Westchester County Board of Realtors and the Construction Industry Council of Westchester (letters were dated August 10) requesting that they circulate the RFP to their members. I also sent out notices about the RFP to newspapers, blogs, social media contacts, etc... We received three bids. Two bids were to purchase the property- the Sports Bubble was the third bid. Property values are not at the high point right now. We decided that leasing the land was best for the town. In 15 years we probably will get a few million dollars more for the property. And we're getting almost $5 million during the life of the contract. In addition, at the end of the lease we will own a clean site-something we don't own. We currently are paying over $50,000 a year in taxes to the school district, county and fire districts-and getting nothing in return.

Will there be traffic? A traffic study will be conducted as part of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). The Westchester Field House is an ideal project for the area since the majority of its business will occur during off-peak traffic hours; after school, during the evening, and on weekends. Also, as an indoor sports facility, the busiest season will be winter. During the winter, all neighboring properties (Westchester Golf Range, Elmwood Country Club, Rumbrook Park, Carlson's Nursery) have very little traffic, if any.

The Westchester Field House will have more parking than is required by code.

The process for the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) has started for the site and meets New York State requirements. The Town of Greenburgh has declared itself the lead agency as the owner of the property.

In comparison to similar commercial land leases, the lease payments are above market value.

Instead of selling the property in a depressed market, the Town board opted for a 15 year land lease which will generate close to $5,000,000 for the Town. The financial benefits to the Town include retaining ownership of a valuable property while receiving annual income that far exceeds any potential tax it would receive from selling the property.

As is standard with a land lease, Game On 365 will begin paying full rent upon the issuance of building approvals. Full approvals are anticipated within one year.

Game On 365 has agreed to pay for the Phase II environmental study. If any remediation is required, Game On 365 will spend up to $250,000 to clean up the site without the Town incurring any out of pocket expense.

The Westchester Field House is a multi-sport training facility with turf fields for activities and clinics where kids will be supervised by trainers, coaches and parents at all times.

Game On partners have more than 15 years of experience operating similar successful recreational facilities in Bergen County, New Jersey. Both the Soccer Coliseum in Teaneck and Superdome Sports in Waldwick are operated by Game On partners.

An attractive amenities building will replace the current dilapidated Franks Nursery. This building will sit in front of the dome substantially improving the overall visual impact from Dobbs Ferry Road.

PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor

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