ERA On the Ballot this November in New York: Learn More
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This November, New Yorkers have the power to protect abortion rights and secure our fundamental freedoms for generations by voting YES on Proposal 1, the New York State Equal Rights Amendment. Prop 1 has the effect of cementing existing legal rights into the NY Constitution, which currently prohibits race and religion based discrimination. The amendment expands coverage to include protections against discrimination by the government based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy.
As we have witnessed on the national front, complacency is dangerous, and laws that we assumed were safe may change overnight with the political tides. Prop 1 is about ensuring that we New Yorkers, not politicians, control our healthcare decisions and personal futures.
Throughout Westchester, many of us have shared personal stories about the importance of protecting reproductive freedoms and protecting the liberties of all New Yorkers. “With
Jenna Lauter from the NY Civil Liberties Union will speak at the Scarsdale Library on Tuesday October 1 at 7 pm the fall of Roe v. Wade and increasing attacks on reproductive rights across the country, many of us have realized that the legislative protections we once took for granted can no longer be assumed,” stated one Scarsdale League of Women Voters board member, who is also the parent of two high school students. “That’s why Prop 1 is essential: it permanently protects reproductive rights, including the right to abortion and IVF, in New York’s state constitution, safeguarding them from future political rollbacks.”
Many in our community have also shared their concerns about other forms of discrimination—whether it’s age-based bias in the workplace or the fear that LGBTQ+ New Yorkers could face discrimination in employment, healthcare, or child custody. Prop 1 closes these gaps in our state Constitution and brings the Constitution into alignment with existing state law. It confirms that no New Yorker should be denied access to healthcare, public sector employment, or public services based on who they are. And it reinforces existing laws to ensure that LGBTQ+ New Yorkers are protected from discrimination, that seniors won’t face age-based bias in the workplace, and that pregnant individuals cannot be penalized or disadvantaged.
For another board member, this is personal. “I’ve seen how older colleagues and friends have struggled with age discrimination,” she stated. “It’s heartbreaking to watch someone’s skills and contributions be ignored because of their age. Prop 1 will make sure older New Yorkers are treated with the respect they deserve.”
All New Yorkers deserve the freedom to control our own lives, futures, and healthcare decisions – including personal reproductive decisions, such as our right to abortion. Although some have tried to divide and distract us from the amendment’s goal of guaranteeing our personal freedoms, Prop 1 does not change any existing laws or regulations. It simply codifies our fundamental civil rights and reproductive freedoms in the New York State Constitution.
To learn more about this ballot initiative, its significance, and its potential impact, the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale invites you to a community discussion with Jenna Lauter of the New York Civil Liberties Union, on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at 7pm at the Scarsdale Public Library, 54 Olmsted Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583.
Join us in being part of the conversation, flipping over your ballot to vote YES on Prop 1 in November, and ensuring New York remains a stronghold for reproductive rights and equality.
Register for the event on our website at https://lwvs.org/events-and-speakers/
Read the amendment text and learn more about the NY ERA: https://lwvny.org/nys-equal-rights-amendment/
Scarsdale's Tommy Hess to be Honored by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation
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Tommy Hess, an advocate for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, past president of the young professionals in NYC and first recipient of the Young Humanitarian award will be recognized with the Foundation’s Community Impact Award at this year’s Quest for a Cure Gala. The event is scheduled for October 5, 2024, at Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, New York.
Tommy's journey with ulcerative colitis began on May 25, 1994, when he was just about to celebrate his 21st birthday. Instead of a joyful surprise party planned by his family, he faced a life-threatening situation in his hospital room at Mount Sinai. A team of doctors burst in, declaring an urgent need for surgery to save his life. That day marked the beginning of a long and challenging battle against inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Following the unexpected surgery, Tommy spent a month recovering in the hospital, which included a second operation and battling a severe infection due to a ruptured colon. His health struggles continued for years, with Tommy enduring six surgeries, various medications, and debilitating arthritis in his 20s—a difficult side effect of IBD that made even simple tasks like sitting or standing a challenge.
Thanks to advancements in treatment, the support of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, and the love of his family and friends, Tommy has been enjoying good health since his last surgery in 2017. His resilience and determination have made him a beacon of hope for many living with similar conditions.
The upcoming Quest for a Cure Gala promises to be a memorable evening filled with purpose and community spirit. Chaired by fellow Scarsdale resident Jesse Edelman, the event will feature a silent auction, cocktails, dinner, awards, and entertainment, drawing over 300 supporters from Westchester, Fairfield Counties, and beyond. It is the largest annual fundraiser for the Connecticut/Westchester Chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, aimed at raising critical funds for IBD research and support services.
Tickets for the Quest for a Cure Gala are priced at $375 for individuals and $3,750 for a table of ten. Those interested in attending or supporting the mission can find more information at https://onecau.se/cw2024gala.
The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to finding cures for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis while enhancing the quality of life for affected individuals. Over the years, the foundation has invested more than $350 million in vital research initiatives, educational programs, and support services for the estimated 3.1 million individuals living with IBD and their families.
For further inquiries about the event or the foundation, please contact Jennifer Jara at Jjara@crohnscolitisfoundation.org or (475) 422-6178.
New York Botanical Garden CEO Beholds Black Oak in Scarsdale
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NYBG CEO Jennifer Bernstein and Bill Roberts in front of an historic black oak tree at 21 Autenrieth Road. The life of the tree will be endangered by a renovation to the home that was approved by the Board of Architectural Review. (Photo Credit: Cynthia Roberts)
Jennifer Bernstein, CEO and President of the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG), came to Scarsdale this week to behold the healthy and historic black oak tree at 21 Autenrieth Road.
Ms. Bernstein elucidated the extraordinary value this oak adds to our Scarsdale ecosystem:
“Mature trees like this beautiful black oak provide critical environmental services including oxygen, shade, stormwater mitigation, and wildlife habitat. Scarsdale is a part of the Bronx River watershed, and like all communities within the watershed, the treatment Scarsdale affords its mature trees has ramifications beyond its borders. NYBG strives to educate our surrounding communities that healthy trees and healthy yards contribute to a healthy river and ecosystem.”
During her visit Ms. Bernstein stressed the particular value of oak trees and recommended that residents read Professor Douglas W. Tallamy’s 2021 book, The Nature of Oaks. According to Professor Tallamy, “Oak trees support more forms of life and more fascinating interactions than any other tree genus in North America.”
Unfortunately, the future of this oak tree is threatened because the Scarsdale Board of Architectural Review (BAR) recently voted to approve a development plan for the house at 21 Autenrieth Road that includes constructing a new garage and driveway in the front yard near the tree. Neighbors had presented expert evidence that the most protective measure for this tree would be to keep all construction disturbance out of the tree’s 58-foot dripline, but the approved project will bring disturbance within 25 feet of the tree.
Should Fishing Be Permitted in Scarsdale?
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Is fishing legal in Scarsdale? That's the question now that the activity has become popular at Library Pond, which is home to largemouth bass, bluegills, carp and some enormous snapping turtles. Local dad, Brian Culang and his son were turned away from the pond by Scarsdale Police who said that fishing was not allowed. Culang questioned the rule as he thinks fishing is a healthy activity, preferable to playing video games inside, and appears to be harmless.
Below is a letter he wrote to the Scarsdale Police and Rec Department to find out more:
I recently visited Harwood Park with my son, who brought along a freshwater fishing rod to enjoy the afternoon outdoors. However, we were approached by SPD and informed that fishing was not allowed at that location due to Village code. (The officer could not have been more professional and we appreciate his service to be clear!)
I reviewed the Scarsdale Village Code but could not find any specific regulation prohibiting fishing in town. Could you please direct me to the relevant section that restricts this activity?
I did notice a sign posted at the park that reads "No Fishing"; it appears to be unofficial, lacking any Scarsdale or NY state markings.
I would like to ensure that we are not enforcing rules that actually aren't on the books! And if there is a town code against fishing, the good news is that I think I found a meaningful civic project for me and my son to work on together!
Thank you for your assistance.
Best regards,
Brian Culang
Scarsdale Democrats Encourage Locals to Get Involved
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George Latimer and Amy Paulin at a fundraiser for the Scarsdale Democrats on August 8, 2024.Buoyed by a surge in the polls for the Democratic presidential ticket, the Scarsdale Democrats held their final summer fundraiser at the Scarsdale home of State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin on a rainy Thursday August 8, 2024. Though it won’t be the last summer event for the group, it will be the last one at Paulin’s home, as she has announced plans to move to New Rochelle later this year.
Congesswoman Grace MengAbout 50 party members assembled to hear remarks from Assemblywoman Paulin, Congresswoman Grace Meng from Queens and County Executive George Latimer, who is the Democratic candidate for Congress in NY CD16, which includes Scarsdale. They all spoke about the challenges facing Democrats in this election. The big takeaway of the night is that election victories don't just happen; it takes organizing and volunteer participation and Myra Saul, Chair of the of Scarsdale Democrats encouraged everyone to swing into action. She also announced that Alissa Baum, former president of the Scarsdale League of Women Voters, will join her as co-chair for the 2024-2026 term.
Saul told the group that she had just returned from two weeks abroad where, “the good vibrations emanating from the Harris campaign, including the various successful zooms, the Georgia rally, the selection of Tim Walz as Kamala’s running mate and the Tuesday joint event have changed the dynamics of this year’s election for Democrats up and down the ballot.”
Saul recognized Henry Neale, who stepped down as a District Leader that night. She said, “Henry grew up in Scarsdale and attended Scarsdale public schools. He became a District Leader in 1976, the year he and his wonderful wife Sue, who left us too early and also was a District Leader, bought a home here. Henry’s tenure probably sets a record for longevity as a Scarsdale District Leader—48 years. He also was chair of our committee for several years in the early 90’s. As a District leader, Henry has been invaluable to the Committee in providing us with his keen political insights. It was Henry who convinced me that I should run to become chair and I will always be grateful to him for his confidence in me.”
She introduced Amy Paulin, George Latimer, Shelley Mayer, Susan Cacace, Democratic Candidate for District Attorney, Ken Jenkins, Deputy County Executive, and County Legislators Ben Boykin, who represents Scarsdale, Terry Clements and Judah Holstein from New Rochelle. She noted the presence of former Mayor Jon Mark and former village Trustees Kay Eisenman and Seth Ross.
Ken Jenkins, Grace Meng, Amy Paulin and Shelley Mayer
Also at the event were Justin Brasch from the White Plains Common Council and judicial aspirants Brent Broge, Diane Clerkin, John Collins, Collen Duffy, Jane Lippmann, Kyle McGovern Rachel Tanguay, Maryanne Scattaretico-Naber and Josephine Triovini for Supreme Court and Natasha Ginsburg, Sheralyn Goodman and Kimberly Ragazzo for County Court.
Introducing Congresswoman Grace Meng, Saul said, “Grace Meng was elected in 2012 to NY’s 6th congressional district situated in Queens, which is the most diverse county in New York State. As a child of immigrants, she has never forgotten where she came from or who she fights for. She is the first and only Asian American elected member of Congress from New York. Prior to her election to Congress, she served in the New York Assembly. From 2017 to 2020, she served as a Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee, where she supported Democratic wins and worked to improve outreach to groups too often ignored by both parties. As New York’s senior member and Vice Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, she fights for federal programs that improve the lives of working and middle class families.
As we all know, the path to flip the House runs through New York State. We have several important races here which are a must win for Democrats, including CD-17 to our immediate north where our speaker at last year’s fundraiser, Mondaire Jones, is in a battle to unseat MAGA Mike Lawler.
Scarsdale Democratic Leaders
With respect to the House races in our area specifically, Congresswoman Meng is a DCCC Regional Vice Chair. She played a key role in Tom Suozzi’s race to regain his Congressional seat that includes parts of Queens and Long Island. Congresswoman Meng’s charge was to help Suozzi energize the Asian American Pacific Islander community, which comprises 20% of the electorate in the District, in a culturally competent and authentic manner. Obviously, both she and he were successful!
So much is at stake in the upcoming election. This crowd knows those perils, but that is not enough. We need to stop the MAGAs at the voting booth. Here is Congresswoman Grace Meng to give us her impressions of the battle to take the House and our role in this endeavor.
Closing the event, Saul asked the audience to get involved. She said, “The Scarsdale Committee hopes that you will become active in our committee and attend our meetings. The highlight of these meetings is surely the opportunity to meet with and discuss issues with our local electeds.
Besides talking to friends and encouraging them to vote for Democrats, figure out your own game plan for 2024. What floats your boat—do you like to phone bank, write texts, write postcards, go out canvassing? If you want some advice, Scarsdale Democrats can help. The message is do something! You will be glad you did. With our collective energy and renewed focus with our excellent nominees at the top of our ticket, we will go out there and win. Let’s do it!”
Reach out to the Scarsdale Democrats scarsdaledems@gmail.com or visit their website here. scarsdaledemocrats.org.
