Why We're Voting for Tim Foley for the Westchester County BOL on June 24
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Scarsdale’s own Tim Foley is on the ballot on primary day on Tuesday June 24. He’s running to replace Ben Boykin who is retiring after twelve years as Scarsdale’s representative to the Westchester County Board of Legislature.
To those who are wondering what the Board does, the County manages roads like the Bronx River Parkway, water and waste facilities that are essential along with Medicaid and lots more. In short, “The Westchester County Board of Legislators is the policy-making branch of county government, serving one million residents. The 17-member Board allocates funds, approves the budget, and manages taxes, in addition to passing local laws, acts, and resolutions. It is the longest-running elected body in New York, with a history of over 300 years.”
Just today, the BOL released a statement on the military deployment against protesters in California. The statement says, “The Majority Democratic Caucus of the Westchester County Board of Legislators strongly opposes the Trump administration's unprecedented deployment of 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles since Friday. This action represents a dangerous overreach of federal power that undermines constitutional principles and threatens basic civil liberties.
The administration has deployed military forces against citizens exercising their right to peaceful protest without demonstrating the extraordinary circumstances that would justify such measures. This decision is clearly motivated by politics rather than genuine public safety concerns.”
We’ve known Foley for his many civic roles in Scarsdale where he was the President of the Scarsdale Forum, served on the Scarsdale Democratic Town Committee, the Scarsdale Bowl Committee, the Procedure Committee the Planning Board and more. We met him when he worked as Communications Director for State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin. He’s ever present, he’s a good listener and he’s thoughtful and smart.
Learn more about Foley in our interview here:
Beyond his resume, we know him as a trusted Scarsdale neighbor who’s on the right side of many issues in these polarizing times. We know we can depend on him to do what’s right for Scarsdale as our next representative in the County Board of Legislators.
The primary is on Tuesday June 24, 2025 and early voting starts on June 14, 2025. Find your early voting location here:
Latimer Laments the Closure of WP Social Security Office and Passes First Bill
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Today U.S. Representative George Latimer (NY-16) released the following statement as the Social Security Administration closes the White Plains Hearing Office:
“Like many in Westchester County, I am incredibly frustrated by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)’s decision to close this office in White Plains. I have sent three letters to different Commissioners explaining how detrimental this will be for our area. But it is now clear that they do not care about cutting services or the harm this will create for people.
If the SSA was interested in saving money, they would have taken the County up on their offer for a much less expensive space. If they were interested in finding actual fraud, waste and abuse, they would have undergone an audit, like major corporations do. But that is not what this is. This isn’t about saving money or finding fraud and waste. This amounts to a cut in benefits for people who are disabled or elderly who will have to travel much farther distances, at greater expense, to fight for their benefits. Arbitrarily closing offices with no understanding of how it will affect constituents is unconscionable.
I will continue to look for ways to change course. I am willing to work with anyone to keep these services in White Plains.”
Latimer’s Bipartisan Bill to Help Small Businesses Passes House Unanimously
On June 3, U.S. Representative George Latimer’s (NY-16) bill, the Transparency and Predictability in Small Business Opportunities Act, passed the House of Representatives unanimously. The bipartisan bill, co-led by Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04), also passed unanimously out of the House Committee on Small Business in March.
“Small business owners are often resource constrained. Every day, these individuals engage in a variety of business-related activities, from selling products to developing marketing materials to handling compliance issues,” said Rep. Latimer. “It can be confusing and deeply frustrating for a small business owner if a federal agency decides to cancel a solicitation without transparency into why that decision has been made. If we are serious about bringing more small businesses into federal contracting, we must ensure that business owners have confidence and trust in their federal partners.”
Once a federal agency determines they have a need for certain products or services, the agency’s acquisition personnel will post a solicitation on the federal government’s SAM.gov website for a contract to fill the requirements. When responding to a solicitation, small businesses can spend significant time and costs preparing a proposal.
Rep. Latimer continued, “Last year, the Small Business Committee heard testimony from a small business owner that said solicitation proposals can cost a small business upwards of $10,000 worth of labor to draft, develop, review, and execute. With that in mind, it can be rightfully frustrating for a small business owner if a federal agency decides to cancel a solicitation without transparency into why that decision has been made.”
The Transparency and Predictability in Small Business Opportunities Act would require the Small Business Administrator to:
Issue regulations addressing canceled solicitations for contracts that small businesses are eligible for to provide for the disclosure of additional information about why the solicitation was canceled and any plans to reissue the solicitation; and
Require a federal agency’s Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) to help small businesses seek additional opportunities if a solicitation on which they made an offer is canceled.
You can watch Rep. Latimer speaking about his bill on the House floor here
Join Me in Voting for Laura Liu for the Scarsdale School Board of Education
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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(This letter was submitted by Mayra Kirkendall Rodriguez)
I encourage Scarsdale residents to join me in voting for Laura Liu for School Board Trustee on May 20 at the Scarsdale Middle School from 7:00am – 9:00pm. I have known Laura for about a decade, since we have worked together closely in Scarsdale as cub scout and scout leaders, the Education Committee of the Scarsdale Forum, and as Parent Teacher Council (PTC) Budget Co-Chairs. From numerous conversations I have had with her, I also know that she has volunteered extensively at Heathcote Elementary School and in a number of Chinese organizations in Westchester County. Laura embodies what the Scarsdale School District stands for ‘non sibi.’
Despite her impressive academic background in chemistry and finance with degrees from Peking University, Columbia, and Cornell, she is incredibly humble and approachable. Since she has lived in Heathcoate for many years and has had her three sons in Scarsdale schools, I have observed frequently that she is well-informed about the needs of our students as well as mindful of teachers’ and taxpayers’ concerns.
In her leadership roles in cub scouts (ages 5 – 10) and scouts (ages 11-17), Laura has worked with boys and girls from all over Scarsdale. She knows how to roll up her sleeves and help with demanding Eagle projects, fundraising for Scarsdale Troop 4, developing activities for scouts, and even organizing end of year parties. No activity is too small or too big for her. Presently, as Troop 4 Committee Chair, she works with a lot of very different adult leaders; her skills in being patient and mindful of different opinions helps keep everybody on track to develop the best troop for our scouts.
When we were Scarsdale PTC Budget Co-Chairs, I witnessed and benefitted from her very good listening, quantitative, and writing skills. We engaged with residents to encourage them to be involved in the budget process, drew up questions for the District to answer, and designed a budget glossary and Frequently Asked Questions resource for parents. Laura will bring important analytical skills to the Board of Education at a time when fund balance, healthcare and insurance costs, and bond issuances will be key topics.
Additionally, Laura and I share a love of languages. As a bilingual speaker of Mandarin and English, she values the acquisition of foreign languages and is aware of the importance of raising our students as global citizens. I look forward to voting for Laura on May 20th.
Mayra Kirkendall-Rodríguez
A Heartfelt Celebration for Two Compassionate Members of the Scarsdale Community
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- Written by Sharon HIggins
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Friends, family and supporters gathered to walk the “red carpet” at the Scarsdale Family Counseling Service (SFCS) 2025 Gala, held at the Scarsdale Golf Course on Thursday, May 15th. The evening was blessed with perfect weather—a rare break from the recent rain—with clear skies and a stunning sunset setting the stage for a memorable celebration. The event kicked off with an energetic welcome from the charming and witty Lori Rothman, followed by heartfelt remarks from SFCS Board President Janice Starr. Starr also took the 
Wendy Gendel and Rona Muntneropportunity to thank Gala Co-Hosts Wendy Gendel and Rona Muntner for their dedication in making the event a reality.
The night’s first highlight was the presentation of the 2025 SFCS Rising Star Award. Last year’s recipient, Meg Simon, introduced this year’s honoree, Rachel Krisbergh, with a touching tribute. Simon shared how she and Krisbergh had first crossed paths through their work with the Greenacres PTA, forming a lasting friendship. Krisbergh’s extensive contributions to the Scarsdale community were showcased, from her leadership roles within the PTA to her commitment to inclusivity through the C.H.I.L.D. program and the "Learning From Our Differences" initiative. Simon also highlighted Krisbergh’s extraordinary efforts during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when she organized a fundraiser that raised over $55,000 to provide meals for frontline workers. “Rachel, you are a true leader—deeply thoughtful, a builder of bridges, and endlessly committed to advocating for others,” Simon remarked as she presented Krisbergh with the award, drawing applause from the crowd.
Next, the inaugural Guiding Star Award was presented to Maryellen Saenger by SFCS Executive Director 
James Genova. Genova praised Saenger’s tireless work since 2015, starting as SFCS’s first Aging in Place Coordinator. Saenger’s work grew to encompass wellness programs for active seniors in the community, and her role in launching programs like the Vital Aging Seminars and the Annual Vital Aging Fair was highlighted. Genova shared, “In a community that focuses so intensely on children, Maryellen’s guiding light reminds us of the importance of our seniors, our most cherished residents.” He described her as having “the care and compassion of Mother Teresa, the style and grace of Princess Diana, and the energy and charisma of Beyoncé.” The crowd erupted in applause as Saenger came up to the podium to accept the award.
The event also doubled as a crucial fundraiser for SFCS, supporting the organization’s wide range of services in Scarsdale and Edgemont. Following the awards ceremony, the lively Russ Flicker took to the microphone to lead a successful donation appeal, ensuring the evening raised vital funds for the cause. The Gala concluded with final remarks from Co-Chairs Gendel and Muntner, followed by the closing of the silent auction and a sweet dessert service that capped off the evening.
Reflecting on the event, Gendel shared, “The SFCS Gala was a heartfelt celebration that truly brought our community together. Seeing so many familiar faces—many more than last year—filled the room with incredible energy. This is one of our largest fundraisers, and the overwhelming support we received is a testament to the exceptional services SFCS provides. The impact we make when we come together is immeasurable.”
(Pictured at top: Russ Flicker, Lori Rothman, Wendy Gendel, Rachel Krisberg, Maryellen Saenger, Jay Genova, Rona Muntner and Meg Simon.)
Letter: Concerns Over Privacy Must Be Weighed Against Need For Protection
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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(This letter was written by Howard Wiesenfeld)
Dear Editor:
A number of Scarsdale residents have expressed concerns about the scope and selection of new public safety technology to protect our community (“Does Scarsdale Want to be Associated with Flock Safety?”, opinion piece by Mayra Kirkendall-Rodriguez).
But we all need to be equally serious about the real potential dangers that new security tools are meant to address: In the very same issue, it was reported that a third grade girl walking home from Heathcote School was approached by a stranger in a car. I don’t think it’s going out on a limb to say that most parents, in any community, are willing to do far more where their children’s safety is at stake.
We ought to be thankful that violent crime is not be an everyday problem in Scarsdale, but it is a difficult reality in many neighborhoods close to ours. Meanwhile, the entire metropolitan area has seen a shocking explosion in hate crime, including violence, against Jewish citizens and institutions. Many of the most egregious incidents have occurred in “low crime” areas.
While it is proper to examine the process by which the Village Board approves any contract, incremental concerns over privacy must be weighed against the very legitimate and urgent need to protect our families.
Howard H. Wiesenfeld
howardwies@gmail.com
