How You Can Help Westhab to Help Local Kids in Need
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- Written by: Ananya Gurumurthy
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This article was submitted to Scarsdale10583 by Ananya Gurumurthy, a freshman at Edgemont Jr./Sr. High School.
Westchester County, known to be one of the wealthiest counties in the country, still has persistent pockets of poverty. According to the Empire State Security Campaign of Westchester, the poverty rate is higher than both the national average and that of any other northern state*. Westchester's high countywide wealth averages have created the false perception of affluence, while the reality differs immensely. Sadly, economically stagnant communities are home to thousands of children who are often ensnared in the vicious cycle of poverty.
These children face multiple challenges throughout their lives. However, there are organizations like Westhab, whose mission is to ease the burdens on these children. Westhab has been attempting to provide these children and their families with the asylum and services they need. Additionally, Westhab has helped almost 1,200 at-risk youth by creating the Youth Services Program since it was founded in 1988. The Youth Services program offers homework help, clubs, and occasional field trips to all children. As a volunteer for the Westhab Youth Services in the Coachman Family Center in White Plains, I have seen firsthand how dedicated staff and counselors make a huge difference in young peoples' lives.
After speaking to Giselle Ayala, director of Youth Services at Westhab, I learned that there are a few simple ways to contribute. According to Giselle, "People can call Westhab directly at 914-345-2800 ext. 122 and ask whether they would like to help out with the Youth Services. After that, John Parssinen [director of volunteering] will direct them to the appropriate Westhab location. If someone would like to donate directly, they can contact Roxanne Telyczka at 914-345-2800 ext. 111."
Welcoming 2016 creates a great opportunity to get involved with our communities and make a change in the lives of others. It is a great way to kick-start the New Year, as it provides a great beginning to those being helped and it brings great joy to those who help out. In the New Year, volunteering at Westhab could prove to be a great resolution to make and to keep!
CNC Seeks Candidates For Village Trustee
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- Written by: Lena Crandall
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Do you know someone who might be interested in serving as a Village Trustee? The Scarsdale Citizens Nominating Committee (CNC) is currently selecting candidates to run on the Citizens' Non-Partisan Party slate for three open Trustee positions on the Village Board.
Potential nominees for Trustee must be citizens of the United States, residents of the Village of Scarsdale, and at least 18 years of age. Mayor Jonathan Mark noted that future trustees should be able to listen to residents, fellow Board members and Village staff; make the necessary time commitment; have a willingness to work with others; be interested in educating oneself on the issues presented; and a professional, courteous demeanor.
Trustee David Lee's seat will be open as his second term expires in 2016. Trustees Deb Pekarek and Marc Samwick will be eligible for nomination to serve a second term.
Further information regarding Scarsdale's non-partisan system can be found here.
Trustee David Lee, whose second term expires in 2016, advised the CNC during its public organizational meeting, that being a trustee is a lot of work, but a lot of fun for anyone interested in learning more about the ins and outs of local government. He suggested that the CNC, "...look for people with a record of community involvement, who appear to be open-minded and fair-minded, and yet willing to compromise when necessary in working toward consensus ... and look for people who would make themselves accessible to our residents and would be good communicators with them, while being able to maintain objectivity when deciding how to vote on Village issues." Finally he said, "look for people who get along well with others, which is critical for a well-functioning board and professional Village staff."
Does this sound like you or anyone you know? You can play a role in the Village's non-partisan system, by filling out the paperwork available on the web site, or suggest potential candidates to anyone of the volunteers serving on the CNC. The names of CNC representatives elected in each Scarsdale district can be found here. Chairman Howard Nadel can also be contacted at (914) 723-2829 or howard.nadel@gmail.com. Help make our democracy work by acting now.
Santa in Scarsdale
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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Santa had a busy week, posing for photos with Scarsdale kids and their parents at Breakfast with Santa on Saturday December 12th and answering the 156 letters he received from local children.
On Saturday, 143 families signed up for a pancake breakfast with Santa at the Scarsdale High School cafeteria. There was food, crafts and the chance to meet Santa and pose for photos.
Santa is spending this week responding to the 156 letters he received from local kids with their Christmas wish lists. Popular gifts on request this year are the ever-popular Hess truck, hoverbaords, minecraft, playstations, aqua beads and dolls.
However, some had more on their minds than presents.
Two children said that all they wanted was peace in the world.
And another little boy wanted to know if Santa was real. He said, "I have had a hard time this year going back and forth between my mom and dad's homes, and I really want to see someone awesome like you!
Mayor Addresses Gun Violence
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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New Yorkers were deeply shaken by the violence in San Bernadino last week. What measures are our lawmakers taking here to prevent a similar incident closer to home? At the December 8th meeting of the Board of Trustees, Mayor Jon Mark briefed residents on what the Scarsdale Police Department, along with Westchester County does to counter active shooters and terrorism.
Here are his remarks:
The horrific events that took place last week in San Bernardino are tragically very much on our mind during the start of this holiday season. With those sad events in mind, we are aware that this evening at another venue a forum is being held at which community leaders, clergy and members of various civic organizations are discussing this topic. We therefore thought it worthwhile to comment briefly here on how the Village has focused on this issue and some of the planning that has been done over the years. The following summary was provided by our Police Chief, Andrew Matturo.
The Scarsdale Police trains and partners with regional, county and state law enforcement agencies in an effort to maintain operational as well as intelligence preparedness in both "Active Shooter" situations and Counter Terrorism.
In the wake of the Columbine tragedy in 1999, all members of the Scarsdale Police Department continuously train in active shooter and rapid response techniques. Several times a year, through the cooperation of the Superintendent of the Scarsdale School District, all officers train in various school buildings throughout the district. Officers train with "simunitions" equipment and tactical gear, utilizing the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) protocols along with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) incident command structure. In addition to this ongoing training, the Scarsdale Police Department maintains a "random walk through" program wherein officers are assigned to different schools, on a daily basis, to conduct a walk through check. This program has fostered a positive relationship with the students and staff at each school and has given our officers an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the various floor plans of each building. We have also expanded this program to include other schools within the Village.
Our training officers have presented numerous on-site demonstrations for the staff at these schools as part of our overall annual training agenda. The Department maintains necessary equipment in each of the police vehicles assigned to patrol in order to respond immediately in the event of an incident.
The Scarsdale Police Department is a member of Counter Terrorism Zone 3 (CTZ3) which includes Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties. Along with all zones within the state, our department collaborates with the county and state police and receives daily briefings via email. Several of our officers are certified as Field Intelligence Officers who are updated regularly with pertinent information.
Several times during the calendar year, the Patrol Section Commander issues heightened states of alert orders, increasing specific patrol at all houses of worship, the Scarsdale train station and other locations throughout the Village, depending on intelligence shared within the zone. In addition, the CTZ3 issues "tasking" requests during the year requesting targeted patrol of locations based on current intelligence.
The active shooter training and rapid response would be used in the event of an incident related to terrorism.
The Scarsdale Police Department maintains an inter-municipal agreement with the Westchester County Department of Public Safety which includes all police departments within Westchester County referred to as, the Mutual Aid and Rapid Response Plan. When activated, the plan provides several levels of increased police personnel and equipment in response to unusual occurrences or civil unrest. Specialized units and resources are also available to any member department.
The Scarsdale Police Department encourages all residents to remain vigilant and be aware of their surroundings. Report any suspicious activity to the Police Department immediately so we can work together in keeping Scarsdale a safe place to live, work and enjoy.
Measures to address gun violence involve social and political choices that go far beyond the scope of our local government. It is not our intention to create a false sense of security with respect to events that are by their nature unpredictable, nor do we wish to give rise to undue concerns. However, we want residents to know that our Village staff and, particularly our Police Department, is very much aware of the violent events that have shaken all of us, and has taken the steps just summarized with a view to being prepared for what we hope will never happen here.
Bowl Seeks Nominees- SBNC Announces Slate of Candidates
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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From the Scarsdale Bowl: This week, as we close the book for 2015 on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday, the Scarsdale Bowl Committee will begin its work to select the 2016 recipient of the Scarsdale Bowl. The Scarsdale Bowl, under the sponsorship of the Scarsdale Foundation, has been awarded annually since 1943 to an individual, or in rare instances, to a husband and wife, who has given "unselfishly of his/her time, energy and effort to the civic welfare of the community." The founding donors of the Bowl believed that "many who serve generously and voluntarily, without office, honor or publicity, are those deserving of having their names permanently inscribed on the Scarsdale Bowl."
The Scarsdale Bowl will be awarded at a dinner on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, at The Fountainhead in New Rochelle. The ceremony will pay tribute to the 2016 honoree and to the spirit of volunteerism, central to the civic life of the Scarsdale community.
The Bowl Committee enthusiastically welcomes community input. It will hold its first meeting December 6, 2015, and requests that residents send nominations with suggestions of potential recipients to scarbowl@gmail.com, contact Michelle Lichtenberg, chair of this year's Scarsdale Bowl Committee, at 914.725.6545, or visit http://www.scarsdalefoundation.org/bowl_nomination.html.
School Board Nominating Committee:
The SBNC Administrative Committee announces the slate of 2016 candidates for the School Board Nominating Committee (SBNC). We are seeking the election of 2 candidates in each district. The candidates in each of the five elementary school districts are:
1. Edgewood – Michael Chayes, Jordan Copeland
2. Fox Meadow – Miriam Beveridge, Sang Han, Eric Liverance
3. Greenacres – Sharon Higgins, Tanya Singer
4. Heathcote – So Hyun Choe, Manos Makrakis, Melissa Pecullan
5. Quaker Ridge – Jonathan Drescher, Eric Premisler
The SBNC election will be held on Tuesday, January 12, 2016. Residents may vote in person in the Auditorium Lobby at the Scarsdale Middle School on that date from 7:00 to 10:00 AM and from 2:00 to 9:00 PM, or by mail-in ballot received by 4:00 PM on Election Day. In the event of a snow day, the election will be held on Wednesday, January 13, 2016.
All election information is available at www.scarsdalesbnc.com. Brochures containing biographical information on each candidate and instructions for completing and returning mail-in ballots will be mailed to Scarsdale school district residents and are also available on the website. Contributions to support the cost of printing and mailing the election brochure are gratefully appreciated; please visit www.scarsdalesbnc.com/please.donate.
