Astorino Claims There Is "Lawlessness" In Westchester, Despite The Statistics
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A video of a robbery at the Westchester Mall is being used by former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino in his campaign for Governor of New York State.
The video shows thieves mobbing the Louis Vuitton store on January 6, 2022 and making off with several handbags while the security guard looks on.
You can see it here:
Astorino posted the video on his Twitter page and said, ““The fact that it’s at The Westchester Mall as well just makes people open up their eyes that crime has to be stopped,” Astorino said. “We have to be tough on crime. What we are dealing with right now is the last two years coming home to roost where it’s basically been lawlessness.”
Despite Astorino’s charges, the fact is that crime has actually decreased in our area. According to White Plains Police Commissioner David Chong, “Crime is definitely not on the rise in White Plains,” Chong said. “Every crime statistic is actually down.”
About crime at The Westchester, the Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah said, “The Westchester District Attorney’s Office is aware of report of recent thefts in The Westchester mall. We understand how incidents like this create fear and anxiety in the community. As is the practice in White Plains, the WPPD is investigating these incidents at this stage and my Office will be involved when and if charges are brought to us by the police, unless our assistance is required prior to that. If and when we receive such charges, we will evaluate them and, if appropriate, prosecute them fully with the bound of the law taking all circumstances into account.”
Readers Reflect on Hagerman's Departure
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After Scarsdale Schools Superintendent Thomas Hagerman resigned abruptly at the January 24, 2022 meeting of the Board of Education, speculation was rife about his plans for the future. Had he accepted another position as a school superintendent or a job at a college or university or in the private sector? He offered no details.
The mystery was solved the next day with a press release from The Latin School in Chicago who announced that Dr. Hagerman had accepted the position of Head of School. The independent school includes a lower, middle and upper school and has 1,190 students enrolled this year.
The announcement from the Latin School says, “This decision is the result of a national search process initiated late last summer which included input from all of our community constituencies on both the position statement and feedback on candidates. Dr. Hagerman was unanimously recommended by the Head of School Search Committee to the Board of Trustees which unanimously approved his appointment.”
We have received many comments from readers in the past two days. Quite a few concerned the timing of his departure which may very well leave Scarsdale without adequate time to do a search and replace him by July. These searches often take many months and are often in sync with the academic year.
In fact, Dr. Hagerman’s contract required him to give the district 12 months notice. It said,
Article VIII - Termination
(A) This AGREEMENT may be terminated by written agreement between the BOARD
OF EDUCATION and the SUPERINTENDENT, or by the resignation of the SUPERINTENDENT submitted in writing to the BOARD OF EDUCATION. The SUPERINTENDENT shall give the BOARD OF EDUCATION notice of resignation twelve (12) months prior to the effective date of resignation. The resignation date shall not fall within the academic school year.
Furthermore, readers were puzzled why Dr. Hagerman pushed through a contract extension in June 2021 if he was contemplating a departure.
Others took issue with the letter he wrote announcing his departure. It says, “When I came to Scarsdale eight years ago, the District was yearning for academic improvement, curricular consistency, clear communication, operational transparency, facilities and grounds improvements, financial stewardship, strategic planning, policy revision, and so much more.” A reader said, “He didn’t inherit a mess of a district! He inherited a crown jewel of public education in the country. It is a swipe at all that came before him. “
Another reader pointed out a slight to parents and community leaders who took issue with him. The letter says, “Finally, I would like to thank both our parent leadership groups and the Board of Education—both those currently in place and those that I have had the good fortune of working with throughout my tenure here in Scarsdale. With few exceptions, these individuals have understood their roles as school community leaders; stewards of our resources; defenders of excellence in public education; and avid supporters of students, staff, and the broader school community.”
The consensus is that the way he chose to leave was consistent with the way he chose to lead. He was a stickler for rules but made exceptions for himself. He was an advocate of “communication,” but it was often one-sided and left no room for opposing views.
His legacy includes many decisions that were made from the top down, often polarizing stakeholders and silencing objectors. Scarsdale will live with the ramifications of some of these decisions for years to come including an extended school day, an expensive school lunch program, limitations on parent engagement and presence in the schools and an elementary school renovation that could have been so much more.
One aspect of his reign is sure to change with his departure. Undoubtedly the Board of Education will look to restore transparency and trust, and allow for free speech without fear. So many community members had things to say, but hesitated to identify themselves, including those quoted above. Hopefully we will no longer hear people say, “Can I comment off the record? I am too scared to use my name.”
Letter to the Editor: Scarsdale’s Political System is Quirky. In Fact, it’s Downright Confusing.
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To the Editor: Scarsdale’s political system is quirky. In fact, it’s downright confusing.
For example, when a pre-selected individual runs “unopposed” for a position in our town we call it an election. This is not “electing”. It is acquiescing.
When multiple individuals vie for a position, we call it a “contested election” – which is redundant to the point of being comical.
It is part of our nonpartisan system, designed to “attract the best people” while minimizing the more unpleasant elements of politics.
This is why:
This approach has pros and cons.
It is worth noting, however, that we have created an entire level of democratic representation to vet/select School Board members, but intentionally impeded its ability to gather information.
I asked why that is to person familiar with the process. The answer: “Being allowed to ask questions is controversial.” I invite you to reflect on that sentence.
There are undoubtedly scenarios in which “being allowed to ask questions” is controversial, but determining who will represent you in government should not be among them.
On January 11th at Scarsdale Middle School there will be an election for SBNC – i.e., to “choose the choosers”. (Full disclosure, I am on the ballot.) But more importantly, in my opinion, there is a resolution that will allow the choosers to ask more questions.
This resolution is called Proposed Amendment No. 4 - Article III, Section C.2(a,b,c). It stipulates that the SBNC must determine an agreed upon process, but would allow SBNC members more latitude in what, when and how much they may ask.
If you favor enabling the committee to make more informed decisions on your behalf, you can do so by voting “yes” on Proposed Amendment 4.
Of course, I think you should be asking more questions of people running for the SBNC as well. After all, if you’re not choosing the choosers, then who is really choosing the chosen?
But one quirk at a time.
Frank Murtha
Jefferson Road
Scarsdale High School Class of 1988
LWVS to Host A Conversation with Khizr Khan
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The League of Women Voters of Scarsdale will host a Zoom conversation with Khizr Khan, moderated by former LWVS President Linda Doucette-Ashman on Sunday, January 30, 2022 from 8 pm to 9:30 pm.
LWVS is pleased to welcome Khizr Khan for an informative discussion about his life experiences, his embracing of American democracy after immigrating, and his advocacy for the values embodied in the Constitution of the United States. The evening will be moderated by former LWVS president Linda Doucette-Ashman.
This online event will be taking the place of their annual in-person winter fundraiser. As a public service, the webinar will be free to attend. LWVS appreciates donations in any amount to support our mission of encouraging informed and active participation in government.
Khizr Khan, founder of the Constitution Literacy and National Unity Project, is an advocate for religious freedom as a core element of human dignity. After immigrating to the United States in 1980, he attended Harvard Law School and obtained his LL.M degree. He is licensed to practice law before the Supreme Court of the United States, various Federal District Courts, Washington, DC, and New York State courts. In his law practice, he devotes a substantial amount of his time to providing legal services to veterans, men and women serving in uniform, and their families.
Khizr Khan is a Gold Star parent of U.S. Army Captain Humayun Khan. Capt. Humayun Khan was a University of Virginia graduate who was killed while serving in Iraq as he stopped an attack on his camp and saved the lives of scores of U.S. soldiers and Iraqi civilians. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star with Valor. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery Section 60 with full military honors.
Khizr Khan lives in Charlottesville, Virginia. He is author of three books:
-An American Family: A Memoir of Hope and Sacrifice (2017)
-This is Our Constitution (2017)
-Founding Documents of the United States of America
Khan’s acclaimed memoir and his highly regarded young adult book about the U.S. Constitution are both available for purchase (paperback versions) with a 10% discount at Bronx River Books. Follow the links above to purchase online (discount already applied to online orders). For in-store purchases, mention LWVS to receive the 10% discount.
Linda Doucette-Ashman served as co-president of the LWVS from 2017 to 2019, after having served for several years as a member of the board of directors, responsible for several different portfolios, including voter service.
Please click here to register:
WCC Teacher Arrested for Falsifying VAX Card
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Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced the arraignment of a former Westchester Community College assistant teacher who altered a COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card to obtain a full-time position at the college.
Sonya Tarter Wilson, 50, of Mount Vernon, was charged on December 21, 2021, in Greenburgh Town Court with Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, a felony. The Westchester County Department of Public Safety made the arrest following an investigation.
On November 9, 2021, at approximately 6:07 a.m., Wilson submitted a copy of a forged COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, with her name and date of birth, in order to obtain permanent employment at Westchester Community College, which has a vaccination requirement. When asked by the college for the original COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, Wilson admitted that the card she submitted belonged to a family member and that she altered the information on it.
“The creation of fraudulent vaccination cards is a deceitful tactic that puts others at an increased risk of the serious effects of COVID-19,” DA Rocah said. “Individuals with relevant information about anyone possessing or selling fake or altered COVID-19 vaccination cards are encouraged to contact my office.”
Wilson is scheduled to appear again in Greenburgh Town Court on January 21, 2022.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christine Cervasio. If anyone has information on someone purchasing, in possession of or selling fake or forged vaccination cards, please call the District Attorney’s Office at (914) 995-TIPS.
The charges against the defendant are merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
