High School Happenings: Maroon and White and the Summer Activities Fair
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Maroon and White is Scarsdale High School's parent athletic association that supports interscholastic athletics and the physical education department by gifting sports equipment that is used by all students. In fact, Maroon and White has committed to gifting at least $40,000 for cardio and cross training equipment for this school year. Additionally, Maroon and White sponsors Raider Pride Pep Rallies during the fall, winter and spring, the Holiday Basketball Tournament and helps fund several team tournaments. M&W also runs the Fall and Winter Sports Awards Dinners and a Spring Picnic that recognizes the accomplishments of all athletes, coaches and managers who participate on the interscholastic sports teams. All High School Families may join and support Maroon and White's mission by visiting their website at: www.maroonandwhite.org.
The Maroon and White Fall Sports Award Dinner to honor SHS athletes will be held on Tuesday November 12 at Lake Isle Country Club in Eastchester at 6:30 pm. To sign up, click here:
Shop Smart to Support Maroon & White: Shop at Lord and Taylor in Eastchester on Thursday November 14 to support Maroon & White. Click here to buy a ticket for $5 (proceeds go to M$W) and receive discounts on all purchases. For more information, please click here.
The Scarsdale High School Summer Activities Fair will be held on Wednesday, December 4th at 7:30pm. This is an opportunity for students and their 
families to meet representatives from a wide variety of exciting summer programs. Mark your calendar for December 4 to explore an endless array of programs offering precollege enrichment, sports, music, theater, travel, community service, language immersion, outdoor adventure, environmental studies and travel in the U.S. and abroad.
Scarsdale Education Foundation Surprises the Community with $90,000 in Grants
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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At their October 7 meeting, the Board of Education voted to accept their first major gift from the newly formed Scarsdale Education Foundation. These gifts, which were a surprise to many in the audience, will restore the funds that were cut from the budget for the Center for Innovation when the initial 2013-14 school budget was turned down from the community. At the time, the Board voted to cut $90,000 from the Center for Innovation Budget. The $90,000 in grants from the Foundation announced on 10/7 will allow the Center for Innovation to move forward with their plans. These grant awards were announced and accepted without community discussion on how Foundation funds should be allocated. A report of the Center for Innovation activities to date can be reviewed here:
Three grants were accepted:
- $30,000 was given to expand the work of the Center for Innovation at Scarsdale for a new program called HackScarsdale. This program allows students to learn computer programming, web design and web applications. It will begin as a club and grow as funding increases.
- $25,000 was awarded to the Middle School to develop and expand the use of interactive games following the successful introduction of these creative educational tools in 2012-13.
- A $35,000 grant was given to the Elementary Schools. Edgewood, Greenacres, Heathcote and Quaker Ridge will use the funds for the "Makerspace" program which will allows kids to use robotics, circuitry, and 3-D printers in creatively educational ways. Fox Meadow will receive a $5,000 grant to renew support for the Fox Meadow Pilot Project.
The community had little news about the Foundation's activities and many were not aware that they were in the process of fundraising or evaluating proposals for grant funding. Speaking for the Foundation at the Board of Education meeting was Scarsdale Education Foundation President Ellen Miller-Wachtel who said that the funds had been raised from individual donors. She promised to provide more details when time allowed. She also introduced Stephen Seward, a community member and professional fundraiser who has been selected to serve as the Scarsdale Education Foundation Executive Director, a part-time paid position.
In order to learn more about the Scarsdale Education Foundation and their funding sources we spoke to Seward who answered some of our questions below. At this point he would only share information that was discussed at the Board of Education meeting but said that more extensive presentation would be soon be given.
Here is what we learned:
When was the Scarsdale Education Foundation formed and what is the mission?
The foundation was incorporated in 2012, following a year of work by a Steering Committee appointed by the Board of Education. Our goal is to provide funding for innovative programs and services, as well as needed infrastructure improvements, that are supported by the BOE, administrators and teachers to enhance the education we offer students at all grade levels, and that could not be accomplished within the constraints of the general operating budget.
Who is on the Board?
Ellen Miller-Wachtel, President, Steve Gruber and Beth Zadek, Vice Presidents, Dave Shuster, Treasurer, Florie Wachtenheim, Secretary, Mark Bezos, Jeremy Cohen, Scott Eichel and Josh Silverman.
How much money have you raised so far and what is your annual goal?
Q. To date, we have raised over $1 million.
A. Have you made grants of all the funds you raised so far or do you have additional money in your account?
Q. Our first three grants were approved and accepted by the Board of Education this week, providing a total of $90,000 for MakerSpace (five elementary schools), Gaming and Simulation (Middle School) and HackScarsdale (High School).
A. How did you decide which projects to fund this year?
Q. The projects were developed by senior District leadership and discussed with Board of Education members before the Foundation board voted to approve the expenditures and submit them for BOE approval.
A.Is there a grant application process or do you work with the Superintendent to determine what should be funded?
See above.
Q. In the future do you plan to rely on individual donations or will there be fundraising events and activities as well?
A. We will be seeking community-wide support, but will be careful not to compete with existing organizations and efforts.
Q. You recently appointed an executive director. Please tell us about him --- how was he selected and is this a paid position?
A. Steve Seward has extensive professional background in non-profit development work and has been closely connected with the foundation on a volunteer basis since its inception. We are delighted that he accepted our recent offer to be the Foundation's first Executive Director, which is a paid position.
Q. Do you currently have offices?
A. We do not currently have offices.
Q. Are you looking for involvement from others in the community? If so, who should volunteers contact to find out how they can help?
A. We intend to return to a future Board of Education meeting to present the Scarsdale Schools Foundation in greater depth and to seek wider community involvement.
Seward did not reveal how they raised $1 million to date and who donated it. In addition, it was not clear whether or not the community would have a voice in making future decisions on how the foundation funds would be spent by the district. Despite questions, the $90,000 in grants and the news that $1million had been raised was a pleasant surprise to many and provided hope that the district would continue to be able to fund new initiatives.
Scarsdale Little League Seeks New Board Members
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Scarsdale Little League is an all-volunteer organization. They are the largest youth sports organization in Scarsdale. Each year, more than 900 children participate, 120 parents coach and coordinate and manage the league.
Their Board of Directors has 15 members who collaborate to set up and run innovative, exciting, competitive and educational programs for our kids during all 4 seasons. Scarsdale Little League focuses on participation, skills development and fun for all involved. In the past 12 months alone, they have added skills clinics in the spring, fall and winter seasons to supplement their parent-managed baseball teams. Clinics are led by former professional baseball players and major league scouts and they have been a huge hit!
If you are interested in making a difference in the lives of so many children in the community, click HERE to fill out the application for the Board of Directors. They are looking for moms and dads who are willing to commit their time, energy and opinions to our organization. If you have any questions about the Board or if you are interested in volunteering in any other way, please email Josh Glantz. joshglantz@gmail.com or begin the application process by clicking here.
Second-Act Careers: 50+ Ways to Profit from Your Passions During Semi-Retirement
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F. Scott Fitzgerald once famously wrote that "there are no second acts in American lives." Well, the WEBS Career and Educational Counseling Service is out to prove him wrong. On Thursday, October 17, at the Scarsdale Public Library it will hold a free workshop titled "Second-Act Careers: How to Profit from Your Passions in Semi-Retirement." Nancy Collamer, MS, an author and career coach will conduct the 90-minute session that begins at 7:30 pm.
Attendees will find out about new ways to find flexible work after "retiring" from their full-time job; learn realistic methods to turn expertise and interests into part-time income; and obtain information and advice on making these transitions.
Collamer is a career consultant, speaker and author of Second-Act Careers: 50+ Ways to Profit from Your Passions During Semi-Retirement. She has written extensively about careers for a number of websites including Oxygen Media (1998-2001) AARP.com, MariaShriver.com and Job-Hunt.org and has spoken at venues ranging from Harvard Business School to the California Governors Conference on Women. Her advice has been featured in numerous media outlets including NBC Nightly News, The New York Times, CNN, Redbook, Ladies Home Journal, O Magazine and Fortune. Registration is suggested at 722-1302.
Residents Speak Out Against Development on Farragut Road
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Avital and Greg Soldatenko and their lawyer were back at Village Hall on Tuesday night September 17 for a renewed attempt to obtain an easement that would allow them to build a house on a vacant lot that lies between Farragut Road and Lenox Place in Heathcote. The property abuts a de-mapped street that once ran between Farragut Road and Lenox Place. Without frontage on a road the lot cannot be developed.
When the Soldatenko's purchased the property in 2001 they were aware that it could not be developed without an appeal to the Village, which they first made in 2012. In October 2012 the Zoning Board of Appeals upheld the 1966 that no variance could be granted to allow for development on the lots. The Soldatenkos responded to the decision by filing an Article 78 proceeding in the Supreme Court of NY. They continued to attempt to have the street put back on the map or to get an easement to cross a triangle of Village-owned land to build a driveway to the home from Farragut Road and went before the Zoning Board of Appeals in January, February and March 2013. On May 29, 2013 the Land Use Committee again heard the request to reverse the de-mapping of the paper street and voted unanimously to deny it for the following reasons:
- When the Soldatenko's purchased the property in March 2001 they knew the property did not have road frontage
- The paper street was de-mapped 47 years ago and since that time others have purchased homes with the knowledge that the street was de-mapped and the land would not be developed.
- There was no compelling reason aside from personal gain to the Soldatenkos to remap the street or grant the easement.
The Soldatenkos have now filed four lawsuits and the Land Use Committee met again to hear their appeal for an easement on Tuesday, which began with a call to go into executive session. About a half hour later they reappeared to hear from the Soldatenko's attorney and residents from Lenox Place, and Farragut and Tyler Roads who had come to state their views.
Attorney Victoria Polidoro requested a 101 square foot easement across village-owned land for a driveway to the building lot, which she said was a residential building lot created in the 1920's. She pointed out that the area is already paved and has curbing and storm drains and said that if the easement was granted the public could still use the area. She contended that a study showed this posed no traffic or fire issues.
She also asked that the board refrain from being prejudiced against her appeal because of the four lawsuits. She said, "We just want to put in a driveway to what already is a road. Unless you want to close off the road to all of Scarsdale, you cannot deny the clients access."
The Board then asked for comments from the audience. A Farragut Road man said, "The owners bought the houses knowing that the lots cannot be built on. The 1966 agreement was accepted by all owners. Except for personal gain, they (Soldatenkos) have provided no reason to make a variance."
A woman who does not live in the immediate area said, "I am here because I have been following the situation and have seen a 180 degree change in what the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) decided. First they denied the Soldatenko's request for a variance from the street frontage requirement and then, with no change in facts, the ZBA granted the request for the same variance. The only change I see is the filing of three lawsuits against the Village. I am concerned about the erosion of the Village's "trust capital". Also, when the Village was reviewing 2-4 Weaver Street the Village gave great scrutiny to a slice of property it owned. The Village should be just as vigilant about this parcel. Also, the Board has indicated an interest in preserving open space. The CAC Open Space Report is a good resource and promotes preservation of open space that provides walking paths between neighborhoods and cultural institutions. This exists here in the de-mapped Village property between Farragut and Lenox. Please use your trust capital wisely."
Another resident added, "The area was paved so that snow removal and emergency vehicles could turn around. This was a safety thing. The clien
t is getting access to this area to build a driveway because of the turnaround that was paved for safety. It was never mapped for a reason. "
Jeannie Mackler of Lenox Place spoke at length, saying, "We have lived here since 1965. Mrs. Tracy and Mrs. Murray also here have lived on Lenox Place since the late 1950's.... Many misstatements have been made to the ZBA over the months that I would like to clarify. When Mr. and Mrs. Scobey at 9 Lenox place approached us to de-map the stub of land between Farragut Road and Lenox Place in its entirety in 1965 they agreed that they would give up the development rights of lot 217. They approached us and there was an agreement between the Village of Scarsdale, the Scobeys and the neighbors. As a result they got a tax abatement. The Scobeys received a 50% reduction of the assessment of the property for tax purposes. On the Lenox Place end the Village put up a wooden barrier to show that it was not a through street. Later the Village added a "Dead End" sign to the Lenox Place street sign.
For a couple of years Friends of the Scarsdale Parks included the lot on a map of pocket parks ... We regret that for the purpose of convenience the Public Works department paved the end of Farragut. We never knew this would become contentious.... We have rules of law. We are proud of abiding by the codes and regulations. Everyday people walk and children are wheeled in carriages and children going to Heathcote school through here. There are many children going to the Westchester Reform Temple nursery school. Since when does the Village give away land that is publicly owned for the benefit of the owner who bought the property knowing the restrictions? Granting an easement would be tantamount to allowng the Soldatenko's a "flag lot" which has been made illegal by Scarsdale code since 1988. Today we presented the Board with a petition signed by 50 residents asking the Board not to grant the request for an easement on this property."
Stuart Schwam of 19 Lenox Place said, "There was no change (to explain the ZBA's change of decision). The Board was not asked if we would defer. They don't take no for an answer. One suit after another. We had that nailed down and then the change came and they let that go. Perhaps the ZBA should be reversed."
Polidoro then responded saying, "Mrs. Mackler proved my point that this is used as a public right of way. They can still do that. We won't impact the trail in any way . This is a vacant piece of privately owned land. Our client pays taxes. This is not a public park. The fifth amendment prevents the Village from taking it without paying for it. This agreement has taken on mythical proportions since 1966. The document speaks for itself. It restricts development as to this portion of the lot. It was recorded. Lets not take into consideration the musings of the neighborhood. They can still have a block party-only one more party to invite. My clients purchased the lot thinking that they can develop the lot one day."
Bernard Mackler said, "I am the only person here who signed the 1966 covenant. Mr. Soldatenko said the covenant would not be an issue. The Scobeys were compensated. I understood that a second house could not be built."
Stacey Rifkin of Tyler Road said, "Our kids play on the de-mapped area that was paved (for the convenience of the public works trucks.) I have an 8 and a 9 year old that play there with other kids all of the time. There can be 10 children playing together there. They run to the Temple and to Heathcote School."
Carole Koshakow from 26 Farragut Road said, "We moved in in 1998 and they said it was a dead end and would always be one. It was a forest. You couldn't see through to the other street ..... And what happened at 1 Palmer makes us think that the town does not give a hoot about aesthetics, space, or propriety. There is an atmosphere of fear that development takes priority over aesthetics. It tears at my soul. "
Following public comments Committee Chairman Jon Mark made a motion to go back into executive session and the trustees emerged 15 minutes later. He asked for a vote and Trustees Eisenman and Stern voted "no" followed by a motion to adjourn. The Trustees left without granting or denying the request for an easement, leaving everyone in the room puzzled by the outcome.
We called Scarsdale Village Hall the following morning to understand the proceedings and were told that the committee decided not to make a recommendation to the full Scarsdale Board of Trustees, tabling the item instead. What's the result? Since no easement was granted, access is effectively denied and no house can be built for now.
