Former Deputy Mayor Sharon Lindsay Passes Away
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Former Village Trustee and Deputy Mayor of Scarsdale Sharon Lindsay passed away on May 21 at Westchester Medical Center. She was 65 years-old and died of complications from liver failure. A resident of Scarsdale for 33 years, Lindsay lived on Mamaroneck Road with her husband George. She raised two children here, Will and Kim, and was expecting her first grandchild in just two weeks.
Bright, classy, smart and eloquent, Lindsay was a vital member of the Scarsdale community with impressive professional credentials and a lengthy resume of community service. Lindsay graduated from Fordham with a BA in Political Science in 1970 and earned a law degree at Harvard Law School in 1973. She worked as a litigation attorney at Milbank, Tweed, Hadley and McCloy and was the former head of litigation and dispute resolution at JPMorgan.
At the time of her death she was the President of the League of Women Voters of Westchester, and served in the past as a trustee of Fordham University, president of the Westchester Symphony Orchestra, president of the Greenacres Neighborhood Association, chair of the Scarsdale Board of Appeals, and trustee and deputy mayor of the Village of Scarsdale. She and her husband George were also longtime members of the Scarsdale Golf Club.
In 2011, when Lindsay failed to earn the nomination of the Scarsdale Citizen's Party for mayor she was drafted to be a write-in candidate to challenge the party's candidate, Miriam Flisser. The campaign galvanized voters, who showed out in record numbers to vote in the Village election. The vote was so contentious that police and poll watchers stood by in Village Hall. Ultimately Lindsay received 136 votes to Flisser's 798, but her campaign brought the Village's one-party system into question.
Speaking to Scarsdale10583 about the election in 2011, Lindsay said, "I was approached by a large number of unhappy residents who expressed a wish for a choice. That is the democratic way and is totally consistent with any election process at any level in our country."
Mayor Robert Steves who was a lifelong friend and colleague of Lindsay's said, "Sharon truly understood what it meant to be a member of a community. She gave to Scarsdale and Greenacres at the highest levels. Her intelligent approach to issues and her energy will be missed. All of Scarsdale should feel a sense of loss." Long-time friend Lynne B. Clark said, "Sharon Lindsay was a shining star in Scarsdale. She used her intelligence, legal expertise, charm, social grace and sense of humor to serve the community with excellence in many endeavors. People accepted her leadership gladly. Her large circle of friends will miss her." Michelle Lichtenberg who worked with Lindsay on the Greenacres Association and the League of Women Voters of Westchester and was also in a book group with Sharon said she will "miss Sharon's keen intelligence, wry sense of humor, infectious laughter and her shining light." Laura Fratt worked with Sharon on the Greenacres Board as well as the Board of the League of Women Voters of Westchester. She said, "Sharon always knew which questions to ask and was very much a people person. So gracious, too."
There will be a receiving line at Bennet's Funeral Home at 824 Scarsdale Avenue in Scarsdale on Friday May 23rd from 1-4 PM for friends to come and pay their respects to Sharon and her family. A memorial service will be planned for a future date. In lieu of flowers, the Lindsay family requests that memorial gifts be directed to Fordham University, Office of Development and University Relations, 888 Seventh Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10019, Attn: Stewardship. Donors are requested to note that gifts are made in the memory of Sharon Lindsay.
The Blight at the Five Corners
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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We received the following letter and photos from resident Jon Thaler who has many questions about the unoccupied building on Palmer Avenue. Here is what he said:
The new building on Palmer Avenue at the Five Corners looks terrible; is the town still on it? In a town where homeowners are tediously monitored for construction approval, inspection and safety why has the town let this go unchecked – why are there are two standards?
Questions abound:
Does the developer have a Certificate of Occupancy for this unfinished building? If so, why?
The building looks nothing like the rendering that was approved by the Board of Architectural Review. Will the town compel them to complete the construction per the approved plans? Where are the trees and the awnings?
Will the wall surrounding the ramp to the underground parking have any decorative finish?
In a town where one cannot have any signage, are the cinder block and metal stud "Space Available" signs approved and built to code? They seem to impede flow on the public sidewalk and also appear to be a safety hazard during storms as they are not anchored to any structure. Thee signs are supported by cheap metal studs with sharp edges that look like they could injure pedestrians and could easily move on a windy day. The Village fines people for posting small cardboard signs to announce garage sales, but permits these? And did I remember to say that they are ugly?
Wouldn't it be easier to find a tenant if the building looked nice. Balduccis should be commended for all the work done on their side to improve the parking lot and entrance. Why can't the developer of One Palmer Avenue do the same?
Jon Thaler
Wynmor Road
Scarsdale
Spring Cleaning: Where to Donate Your Stuff
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- Written by Jocelyn Kenner
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Spring has finally sprung in Scarsdale! Along with the blossoming of flowers and trees and warm breezes that beckon us to open windows comes the desire to tackle some spring cleaning projects!
How's the guest room that you have been using to hide last minute "clean-ups" before guests arrive? Or the attic that has boxes of books and bags of clothes, including your son's baby clothes.....and he's 27? Should we talk about the basement where games, sporting equipment and holiday decorations are stored that have not been touched since the last time Halley's Comet made an appearance?
You see, you are not alone! Everyone has some cleaning out to do, and I know you can do it! Grab some large plastic bags, a marker and post-its, play some energizing music and you are ready for a spring cleaning project!
While some of what you clean out will end up in the trash, most can be recycled or repurposed. Remember that your trash could be someone else's treasure! Besides, donating is much healthier for the environment. Below are my top 10 favorite local places to donate.
My Top 10 Favorite Places to Donate (Click on the name for more information)
1. The Sharing Shelf: Donate gently used children's clothing (for ages 0-18) for distributing to children in need in Westchester County through social service agencies and teachers.
2. Furniture Sharehouse: Donate household furnishings for distributing to families in need in Westchester County.
3. Golden Shoestring: Drop off your clothes, jewelry, and housewares to the Larchmont location. Proceeds from this shop support community projects and help fund scholarships and community grants.
4. The Benefit Shop: Donate furniture and all sales go to fund local non-profits.
5. Humane Society: Drop off most household items to the new store in New Rochelle. Proceeds help provide individual loving care for lost, abandoned, injured, and mistreated animals.
6. Freecycle: A nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns.
7. Habitat for Humanity: Drop off to ReStores in Mt. Vernon and New Rochelle used household goods and help others get back in homes.
8. Best Buy: Drop off large electronics and appliances - Best Buy is a proud partner of a voluntary program, begun in 2006 to help protect the ozone layer and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases through responsible appliance disposal.
9. Veteran's of America: They will pick-up from you and take most household items.
10. Good Will: Drop off most household items to locations throughout Westchester County (Mamaroneck, Eastchester, New Rochelle, Yorktown, Bedford Hills, Croton-on-Hudson, etc.)
Of course if tackling a spring cleaning project alone feels overwhelming, you can always ask a family member or friend to help. Or, contact a Professional Organizer (me!) to jump-start your progress and give you the push and encouragement you need! Let me know how your projects go, as well as your suggestions of favorite places to donate. Contact me at [email protected].
Construction Site Signs: Eyesores or Eye Candy
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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We recently noticed that large printed signs are wrapping construction sites on Scarsdale streets. The signs are massive and picture the home that is currently under construction at the site. The detailed renderings and name of the construction site screen the work site and serve as large advertisements for the property.
We found this puzzling as Scarsdale has restrictive code about the posting of signs. How is it that these large, billboard-sized signs are permitted? We looked at Village code and were unable to find language that pertained to these new wraps so we asked Assistant Village Manager John Goodwin for an opinion, and here is what he shared:
"The Village does not currently require screening for construction sites in the Village. However, some construction sites have put up screening on the construction site fence on their own. The screening has generally reduced neighborhood complaints and has been viewed as a positive as they block the view of a construction site. The Village has received requests to be make it a requirement for construction sites. Some of these screens have included graphics such as renderings of the house being built. Although certain size advertisement signs are permitted, the Building Inspector is currently reviewing the Village Code to determine if the renderings and other graphics on the screens is a violation."
What do you think? Do these signs enhance or mar the landscape? Post your comments in the section below.
Bridges of Madison County on Broadway: Worth a Trip Over the Bridge
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Though I was initially skeptical about seeing the Broadway rendition of The Bridges of Madison County, friends assured me that this romance novel has been transformed into a sophisticated musical that would make for a wonderful night on the town. The prospect of seeing Kelli O'Hara perform was alone enough of a reason to go, and since I had met Director Bart Sher several times I put my reservations aside and reserved a ticket to the show. Unfortunately, on the night of the performance, I didn't get farther than the Hartsdale Station when snow snarled even steady Metro North. But the box office was kind enough to honor my ticket in March and I was happy that I seized the chance to go.
With superlative performances, great music and graceful staging provided by Kelli O'Hara of South Pacific and Light in the Piazza and Jason Robert Brown of The Last Five Years and under the direction of the acclaimed Bartlett Sher, the show brought the audience to their feet. The original score was beautiful, the staging was reminiscent of Rodgers and Hammerstein and the story was moving and romantic.
So what's the connection of Bridges of Madison County to Scarsdale? Well, some of you may remember Bartlett Sher who took the 7:58 am train from Hartsdale with many of us in 2002-2005 when he was staying in Greenacres with his sister-in-law, Martha Flanders and her kids, Drew (SHS '03) and Kit Morrison (SHS '06), while directing Shakespeare and G.B. Shaw, among others, for Off-Off Broadway's Theater For A New Audience. Bart even led a book club on how to read Shakespeare. So we in Scarsdale claim Bart (or Uncle Bart as he is known to Drew and Kit and their friends) as one of our own.
But "Bridges to Scarsdale" aside, there are many good reasons to see the show. Click here to listen to the music --and see what your neighbors said about the show below:
Nancie Schnur: "I am writing... from The Schoenfeld Theater during intermission... My husband Steve and I are blown away by this exquisite production. Every aspect is brilliant: the cast, the music, the staging, the lighting, the set, the multiple story lines and those magnificent voices. Kelli O'Hara and Steven Pasquale take my breath away. I never want this to end and may not leave the theater when it's over."
Dr. Daniel Smith: "LOVED The Bridges...."
Bruce Wolfson: " We are speechless. The seats were in the first row right at the steps where Steven comes on stage. From that moment through the curtain call it was magic and soaringly romantic. We absolutely loved it. The leads, the music and the direction were extraordinary. The packed house seemed to agree."
Peggy DaSilva: "We loved the show, the score, the leads, the staging. So romantic. Great evening!"
Betsy Broyd: "The show was WONDERFUL!!"
Alison Rose: "What a really wonderful creative venture....Kelli and Steven are magnificently matched and their songs inspired. The lighting was gorgeous, and scenery and props and how they spun around was incredible. A quick scan of the bios shows the finest musical, dramatic and theatrical talent of Broadway, Yale, Juilliard and Harvard was behind this brilliant masterpiece."
Bill Doescher: "The show, the sets, lighting, music, and lead performers were outstanding. We enjoyed it immensely."
Click here to purchase your tickets:
