Scouts Deliver Cheers to Scarsdale Veterans
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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On Veterans Day, Scarsdale Girl Scout Troop #2688 delivered smiles, words of appreciation and cookies to 18 Scarsdale Veterans as well as the Veterans who work for the police and fire departments.
See photos below, contributed by Debra Asher.
Mr. Treglia gives a wave.
LWVS Calls Splitting Scarsdale Into Two NYS Assembly Districts "A Grievous Error"
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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One of the proposed districting maps for the NYS Assembly would divide Scarsdale into two districtsNY State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin has represented the 88th District, that includes Scarsdale since 2001. A Scarsdale resident, she is one of the most powerful legislators in the Assembly and has sponsored legislation on state government reform, children and families, domestic violence, sex trafficking, education, health care, animal welfare, and preventing gun violence
However, all this could change, depending on the outcome of the work of the Independent Commission that is charged with drawing district maps. Though it is supposed to keep "communities of interest" together, the commission has submitted two proposed maps for the state assembly, one which divides Scarsdale among two districts.
On Monday November 8, Alissa Baum, President of the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale testified before the Independent Commission that is charged with drawing new district maps for Congress, the NY State Senate and the NY State Assembly, based on the 2020 U.S. Census.
She said, “Both the League of Women Voters of Westchester and the League of Women Voters of New York State have expressed their disappointment regarding the conduct of the redistricting process thus far. We share their concerns about the partisanship and lack of transparency which continue to embroil the drafting of proposed legislative maps.”
“The Scarsdale League Board was surprised to see that Scarsdale, which is thoroughly encompassed in the current Assembly District 88, has been split between two separate Assembly districts in the “Names” map released to the public. We are puzzled by the configuration of this map, and really by all of the recently released maps, because the Commission has provided no explanation whatsoever to justify the configuration of any of them.”
Three of the core requirements in shaping districts set forth in the New York State Constitution are to keep communities of interest together, keep municipal boundaries intact/preserve political subdivisions, and maintain cores of existing districts. The “Names” map violates all three requirements as they apply to the Village of Scarsdale.
Scarsdale is a unique community, sharing common interests in its exceptional school system, nonpartisan election systems of Village and school governance, and its village-in-a-park zoning/planning and municipal services. Despite its relatively small size, it contains numerous Village-based volunteer-led community organizations, has an active local business alliance for brick and mortar shops within its borders, and remains one of few communities to have been able to sustain a printed newspaper of local circulation, serving as the official paper of record for both the co-terminous town/village and the school district. Why did the Commission disregard municipal lines and remove portions of four of the five Scarsdale neighborhoods from representation in a single Assembly district?
Scarsdale’s school district comprises one high school, one middle school and five elementary schools. In the “Names” map, segments of four of the five elementary schools - Edgewood, Fox Meadow, Heathcote, and Quaker Ridge -- have been cut off from the rest of the town of Scarsdale and placed into a different Assembly district, literally splitting the neighborhoods of four elementary schools that serve as the Village’s traditional polling sites. This result is totally unacceptable, and we fully expect the Commission to correct this grievous error.
The drawing of legislative districts may be an art rather than a science, requiring the commission to balance several factors in order to configure maps encompassing the entire state. However, without the opportunity to see the negotiation process or consider the Commission’s rationale, we have to wonder if the split of Assembly District 88 was due to an unlawful partisan or political factor.
The Village of Scarsdale, with its strong school system and common interests, deserves the representation of a s\ingle legislator in each of the Assembly, Senate, and U.S. Congressional districts. We hope that the Commission takes its charge seriously and listens to the public so that it can draw political boundaries that are in the public’s best interest.”
Paulin said, "Municipalities should be kept whole in legislative districts whenever possible. Dividing towns, villages and cities dilutes the vote of residents and leaves them without a clear, singular representative to advocate on their behalf. To break up the Village of Scarsdale would be a disservice to its residents - Scarsdale is a cohesive community and should remain whole in a single State Assembly district. I commend the Scarsdale League of Women Voters for engaging in public comment before the Independent Redistricting Commission and for strongly advocating to keep Scarsdale whole.”
Installation of Gas Main Snarls Traffic in Greenacres
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Traffic has come to a standstill in Greenacres, where the installation of a high powered gas transmission line has closed Walworth Avenue between Fenimore Road and Greenacres Avenue on weekdays from 8 am to 5 pm. Work began in August and appears to be progressing slowly. With so many people accustomed to using this primary north south route to travel to and from White Plains and over the bridge to Hartsdale and the train station, the road closure has proven to be a major headache.
Because alternate routes are in heavy use, they are often the scene of difficult traffic conditions as well. Drivers are now using Brite Avenue to travel north and south. But since cars are parked on both sides of the narrow street, drivers often have to stop and alternate passage with dangerous maneuvers.
The situation is further exacerbated by additional road and home construction in the area. Last week, a crew was repairing a gas leak on Greenacres Avenue, large cement mixers were blocking one lane of traffic on Kingston Road, construction equipment was blocking a portion of Brite Avenue at Butler Road and large machinery was also obstructing 38 Brite Avenue further into Fox Meadow where the Village is relocating a stormwater pipe.
One day last week at 4 pm, we found 25 cars lined up to get through the light at Feminore Road and Walworth Avenue, and drivers waiting on roads leading to Fenimore trying to turn onto it, only to be blocked by exasperated drivers attempting to get to Hartsdale.
The blockages turns what is usually a ten minute trip to the Village into 20 to 30 minutes either way.
What’s worse, is that this is just the beginning of what was originally a six month project that will disturb residents throughout. Con Edison already appears to be behind schedule.
We asked Allan Drury, a spokesperson for Con Edison, about the schedule for the project and here is what he shared:
“We are currently working between Fenimore Road and Greenacres Avenue. To wrap up work on this stretch as quickly as possible, we will increase our crewing and may bring in new equipment. The excavation along this first stretch has been more difficult than expected.Our goal is to be done by Nov. 18."
"Once we complete this stretch, crews will work from the intersection of Walworth Avenue and Greenacres Avenue north to Colvin Road. We’d like to finish that stretch by early January. Then we will work from Colvin Road to Brayton Road. We plan on completing this stretch by late February or early March. The winter weather could affect the pace of the work.
We will update residents on the schedule shortly.”
Commenting on the disruption, Andrew Sereysky, who heads up the Greenacres Neighborhood Association called the project “Unacceptable.” He said, “Here' what I've been hearing from my Greenacres neighbors affect by the work with a bit of my own commentary.
1) The Con Ed workers and Scarsdale Police officers assigned to the project are extremely courteous and cooperate in all ways possible.
2) With the project going into its’ fourth month for only one block, this seems to be an extremely long time. How long can this go on?
3) At this rate, with the pipeline scheduled to go from the White Plains border to Fenimore, the Greenacres' residents living on and depending upon Walworth Avenue will be inconvenienced for years to come. This is really unacceptable.”
Village Engineer Dave Goessel explained that this segment of the project is just a small piece of a larger project that will expand the pipeline from White Plains to the Bronx. The utility will apply to extend the pipeline north from Brayton Road to White Plains and south on Fox Meadow Road to Popham Road. Goessel estimates that Scarsdale will be living with this construction for up to five years.
In order to install the 30 inch high pressure line four to eight feet under ground, crews are having to remove rock and displace other utility lines making the work slow and challenging.
And what benefit is there to residents who are forced to endure the disruption? Goessel pointed out that Con Edison pays to repave any roadways they disrupt, allowing the Village to do more repaving than usual this year. But unfortunately the gas that will be transmitted by the line is targeted for other end users. The current gas moratorium that prevents residents and businesses from getting new gas service in Scarsdale will remain in force. What about a price cut to compensate Scarsdale users for the inconvenience of this major infrastructure project right in their neighborhood? No one has mentioned anything of the kind.
We also spoke to Scarsdale’s Mayor and Village Manager who were both sympathetic but explained that Con Edison is not accountable to the Village, only to the state who regulates the utility. They suggested we kick this complaint upstairs or upstate to our State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin or State Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins. So if you want to write a letter, please do!
Commenting on the situation, reader Russ Kopp said:
"I admit to not knowing the law or rules as it pertains to a mandatory police presence at road closures like the one at Walworth Avenue between Fenimore and Greenacres Avenues.
Still more, I don't know if such police presence mandates the officer on scene be solely restricted to road closure duties—something their accompanying Police vehicle, with emergency lights actuated, and additional signage, seems to be more than capable of enforcing from my experience.
But if permitted, said officers should also, in my opinion, be directing traffic at the Fenimore Road and Fox Meadow Road/Walworth Avenue intersection when such construction occurs; something I've asked the Police Chief and Mayor (the latter has not answered me) to make happen, without success on my part —precisely to avoid the kinds of traffic reflected in pictures from this article.
All too many times in my experience at this location, said traffic has been back up in both directions on Fenimore Road because the traffic light was red for such traffic, despite the absence of Northbound traffic on Fox Meadow Road to grant right of way (i.e. a green light) to.
Police or Traffic Officer presence directing traffic here would keep this intersection flowing but for the infrequent times that the light is green for, AND Northbound traffic on Fox Meadow Road exists, that an officer can grant momentary right of way to.
It's not like I'm asking the Police to dedicate limited assets to this endeavor. There is already an officer on scene literally standing there."
Russ Kopp
Local Clubs Enjoy an Increase in Membership and Participation
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Though it’s hard to imagine an upside to the COVID pandemic, local clubs were definitely the beneficiary of a surge of new members. What was behind this trend? Why were current residents and new homeowners so anxious to join up? We sent out inquiries to a few clubs and heard a lot of good news about an increase in membership and participation.
Bill Minard, General Manager and COO of Scarsdale Golf Club at 1 Clubway Harstdale, shared the following:
“We realized a slight uptick in membership last year during COVID and a dramatic increase in membership levels this year with a significant number of inquiries coming in after New Year’s. Year over year we increased our golfing membership by 15% which is well above our historic levels. This includes members coming in directly and converting from our Summer Guest program. We are currently on a waitlist for new admissions.
During COVID, the Club became a safe haven for our members as we were able to safely provide golf and tennis from the onset. In June when outdoor dining was permitted during New York’s States Phase 3 Opening, we painstakingly established new protocols that far exceeded those mandated by New York State. In addition to providing a safe environment for our members, it created an atmosphere where our members felt safer and more comfortable at their Club than outside our doors. Our members looked at their Club as the standard of excellence. We maintained a disciplined process as we re-opened our other Club amenities including our Swimming Pool Complex, Fitness Center, Bowling Alley and Day Camp program through Phase 4.
Our board committed to a costly proactive initiative to enhance the air quality of our interior space in all of our buildings by installing an indoor air purification system using combined technology of Ultraviolet (UV) light and REME HALO/PHI Cell technology. These advanced oxidation units treat every cubic inch of air conditioned and heated space.
Using our website software, we established reservation systems for all aspects of our programming including tee times, court reservations, dining, pool, fitness, and bowling reservations. We also restricted guest usage .Our golf course realized more than a 25% increase in rounds played and our Tennis Courts were filled.
In August, we cornered the market on outside space heaters and extended our awning coverage to provide outdoor dining that members enjoyed through the end of December. We actually had heaters placed by each seat, not just the table. As a graduate of the CIA, I have a passion for the culinary arts and our food and beverage team delivered outstanding quality meals with warm, friendly, and personalized service.
I share the extent of the Board and Management’s efforts during COVID as a key factor for driving our membership levels this year. The entire staff of the Club went above and beyond for our members during very difficult and uncertain times. I remember in one of my communications to membership stating “We have never lost site on re-opening the Club and look forward to greeting you when we re-open. However, we know, it will not be quite the same for the foreseeable future.” We are now fortunate to be returning to normalcy.”
We asked Minard why so many people were looking to join a club and he said, “During COVID members could not travel, take vacations and sleep away camps were cancelled which made the Club not only the best option, but the only option for safe activities and socialization. There are still a significant number of individuals working from home and this affords extended times for the entire family to enjoy the amenities of a private club setting together. Our Club is family centric with a very diverse membership. It is apparent that new families joining our Club first, desire to provide their children with opportunities to learn the life sports with Golf, Tennis and Aquatics instruction from PGA and USTA professionals and second, for Mom and Dad to participate and enjoy all of the Club’s fine amenities in a safe environment with their friends and family. Finally, we attract many families from NYC who are anxious to get outdoors to golf, play tennis and lounge by a pool as a change from their difficult environment. We are located just 40 minutes from Grand Central Terminal and walking distance from the Hartsdale Metro North train station.”
We also asked Minard if any changes were made to accommodate new members and young families. He said, “Scarsdale Golf Club has always been family centric for many years introducing a Day Camp back in the 70’s. We have a junior sports program that teaches golf, tennis, paddle and swimming. The children are taught by professionals and compete locally and statewide. Our younger, grade school kids are also included in clinics and lessons. Coupled with the quality of our facilities and extent of our programming we continue to attract young families with our junior membership opportunities. We recognize that this could be an issue if/when everywhere is fully open again next summer.”
Learn more about Scarsdale Golf Club here:
Fox Meadow Tennis Club on Wayside Lane has also experienced a membership boom. Founded in 1883, the club sits in the middle of Fox Meadow and has six tennis courts and nine paddle tennis courts.
A surge in new families moving to town has filled the club’s membership to capacity and there is currently a waiting list. According to Membership Director Geralyn Della Cava, though the club did not run a membership drive or offer a discount on the membership fee, they find themselves in the enviable position of being fully subscribed.
Why does she think the club filled up? Della Cave attributes several factors to the increase. During the pandemic people could no longer travel and could not congregate indoors. The club offered plenty of outdoor fun, even on the coldest days of the year when paddle could be played in winter conditions.
A vibrant junior program for tennis and paddle introduced many young families to the club. After parents saw how much fun their kids were having they asked to join themselves.
And once the word was out, friends told friends and FMTC became very popular.
Court usage increased as people who worked from home found that they could use the club during the afternoon or early evening hours when they would usually be commuting. In order to accommodate the demand for courts, an online court reservation system replaced the blackboard to make it easier to plan games.
The club pro, Pavle Jefferson worked hard to set up social games for the new members and integrate them into the competitive teams.
Because COVID prevented indoor events in the club house, members planned outdoor events, food trucks, tennis and paddle open days with breakfast and there was plenty of entertainment in the darkest days of the COVID crisis. The club warmed up chilly nights by purchasing a fire pit and outdoor heaters.
The club now has members of all generations who are enjoying a very lively atmosphere.
Learn more about Fox Meadow Tennis club by emailing membership@FMTC1883.com.
Other clubs were not as forthcoming with information. We received the following response from Sunningdale Golf Club: “Although Sunningdale does not release membership data to the public, our multi-generational, family-centric culture has generated robust interest, and we currently have a waiting list.”
And Bob Musich from Quaker Ridge Golf Club said, “We have no comments to your questions.”
Assemblymember Amy Paulin Speaks Out For Women’s Rights At Women’s March on October 2
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- Written by Michelle Sterling
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Below are remarks from State Assemblymember Amy Paulin about the recent challenge to abortion rights in Texas:
For years anti-abortion states and “pro-life” politicians have tried to chip away at Roe v Wade and abortion rights for women. For years they have sought to shut clinic doors and make it difficult, if not impossible, for women to access the reproductive health care they seek. Now in Texas we have seen what a pro-life governor, coupled with a pro-life majority on the Supreme Court, can do.
We all know that it is not pro-life to have sky-high maternal and infant mortality rates, to incite violence with lies about abortion, and to strip reproductive healthcare away from millions of women. Which is what is happening in Texas, Mississippi and other states that may soon follow. What is pro-life is supporting women in making decisions about their own bodies and helping them gain access to the health care they need.
The governors of Texas and Mississippi should be ashamed at how they have wasted money and resources on a fight whose only goal is to take away a woman’s personal right to make the best decision for herself and her family.
Of course, these new anti-abortion laws won’t curb the need for abortion care. They will, however, make it much more difficult, costly, and dangerous to obtain one. And the people who will bear the brunt of the horrific effects of these laws are communities of color, low-income communities, and youth.
This story has been around since I was a teenager in Brooklyn. There I had friends and classmates whose lives were changed forever due to lack of abortion access. And it is why I have spent a lifetime fighting to protect women and their rights to privacy and to control their bodies. Which is really what this is all about – curtailing abortion rights is a way of controlling women.
We must help women in the states where their right to abortion is under attack. This encompasses the courts, legislation, massive outreach, donations – everything we can do to help women in states with these draconian laws gain access to the services they need.
I am using the courts. Last month, I signed an Amicus Brief with legislators from 45 states which challenges the constitutionality of the new Mississippi abortion law, which bans abortion after 15 weeks.
I am also working on this in the NYS Legislature. I’ve just authored a bill which directly opposes and undercuts the Texas abortion bill. My bill makes it so that no claims can be made on NYS property which stem from an “aiding and abetting of abortion” verdict under the Texas abortion law. If it passes we will be the first state in the country to have directly attacked the Texas bill with our state law.
I will continue to use every method possible to fight for every woman’s right - regardless of their zip code - to a safe and legal abortion.
