Local Station Pumps Tainted Gas
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At over $4 a gallon, when you buy premium gas, you assume you are getting high quality fuel. However, it turns out that some local residents weren’t even lucky enough to get gas at a “Getty” Station at 755 White Plains Post Road in Eastchester in early February. Customers at the station actually had a mixture of gas and water pumped into their tanks and their cars stopped dead within a few miles of the station.
One of the victims, Peter Zurkow of Fox Meadow, is aware of six cases of cars that were damaged by the watered down gas. He estimates that together the six victims paid around $7,000 in repairs, and that doesn’t include the cost of the tainted gas, towing or loss of use of their cars. Though he suspects there were many more victims, someone would need to be permitted to comb through the records at the station to determine if others were affected.
It turns out that despite the signage, the station is not a Getty affiliate, but is independently owned by Sam Jacoby who has not made himself available for comment.
Zurkow called both the Eastchester and Scarsdale Police who told him it was a civil not a criminal matter and instructed him to contact the station owner. However when Zurkow got no response from him, he called the County Health Department, which regulates environmental issues and the County Consumer Protection Department that regulates weights and measures. Zurkow filed a complaint with the County and also filed a FOIL request so that he could see the department’s findings.
In the report, which he received on March 7, it shows that the Westchester County Department of Health sent investigators to the station on February 11 in response to a complaint. They tested the contents of the gas tanks and found that the Premium tank contained five inches of water and the station was closed down by the fire department. It appeared that rainwater leaked into the tank via breaks in the piping.
The County has scheduled a hearing but it is not clear whether they can order the station owner to reimburse buyers for the damage done to their cars. No one knows if the station owners' insurance will pay for the claims, but since Sam Jacoby has not returned calls or text messages Zurkow and the others may have to file in small claims court to get their money back.
So next time you ride up to the pump, caveat emptor!
Coming and Going
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Five Guys Burgers and Fries is opening on Main Street next to City Center in downtown White Plains. The chain has been rated by Zagat every year since 2001 and serves burgers made from fresh ground beef with your choice of toppings as well as fries cooked in peanut oil. They are represented in almost every state in the union and there will soon be one in our backyard.
However Peniche, a wine bar and tapas restaurant at 175 Main Street has closed pending a sale. A popular hangout, it was always crowded when we stopped by and it will be missed.
Also coming to Scarsdale, is Martine's Bakery. They currently run a very successful shop in Tuckahoe, across the street from the Crestwood Station where they sell breakfast pastries, fresh baked artisinal breads, soups, sandwiches, salads, espresso, cappuccino and specialty cakes. They will move into the space previously occupied by Rush Jewelers on East Parkway and are hoping to open before Easter. Baking will be done in Tuckahoe, reserving more space for customer seating at the Scarsdale location. Martine's will have tables inside -- and outside when the weather allows, and will be open from early morning to dinnertime, seven days a week.
Photo courtesy of Betsy Cadel
Committee Deadlocked on Application for Duck Pond Home Demolition
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The Committee on Historic Preservation met on February 15 to again ponder the fate of the iconic house at 1 Duck Pond Road. At their last meeting on January 18, committee members asked for more time to review materials supplied by lawyers and architects representing David and Sherrie Matusz who are interested in buying the property and replacing it with a new home.
They are awaiting the decision of the committee on whether or not the house can be taken down before completing their purchase.
The Board members in attendance changed from the January 18 meeting to the February meeting. An architect on the Committee, Bana Choura-Loughran attended the January meeting and defended the house, arguing that it was an example of shingle style architecture and the work of Frank Ackerman who was a renowned architect of the period. At the February meeting it was announced that she was asked to recues herself from discussions about 1 Duck Pond Road and that comments from the 1/18 session should not be considered. No reason was given for her recusal.
On February 18, Linda Blair Doesher and Marjorie Ann Meiman were in attendance and they had not heard the discussion at the previous meeting about the style of the home and whether or not it was the work of an architect of significance.
The Matusz’s brought architect and historian John Milnes Baker who refuted the idea that the house was a significant example of an important building style or period and also argued that it was not unique. Their architect, Paul Benowitz countered the claim that Frank Ackerman had designed an addition to the home and argued that Ackerman had simply drafted plans of the existing structure.
However, Committee Chair Lucas Meyer had consulted Victor D’Ortona, an architect who serves on the committee but was not present. D’Ortona said the home was indeed an example of a shingle style home, but said it was not meritorious of preservation. Meyers also consulted another architect who reviewed the documents and concluded that Ackerman had designed an addition to the home.
The committee discussed their views and Linda Blair Doescher said, “We should consider protecting the Village’s special character and charm.” She added, “Alone, we are the guardian of these houses.” Marjorie Ann Meiman agreed, saying, “This house seems to be a transitional house demonstrative of the transition in styles. It may not be the best example of the period, but I haven’t seen anything quite like it.”
Board members Michael Braun and Robert Scheibe found nothing in the current preservation code to justify the preservation of the house.
When a vote was called, Braun and Scheibe favored the application for demolition; Committee chair Lucas Meyer and Linda Blair Doescher voted to deny it and Marjorie Ann Meiman abstained. Given that the members of the committee were deadlocked, Scheibe advised that the application should be turned over to the Village attorney.
It is interesting to note that if Ms. Choura-Loughran had not been asked to recues herself, one can assume the application would have been denied. Since her vote was pivotal, the facts concerning her recusal should be explained.
So for now, the house stands cold and empty with its fate in the hands of Village Attorney Wayne Esannason.
Announcing the Scarsdale Health Fair
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The Scarsdale Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce their first Health Fair on June 4, 2011* in the Scarsdale Village Hall parking lot from 10 am – 3 pm. The fair will include exhibitors, interactive health-related activities, entertainment for children and a raffle, and it will be held at the same time as the Farmer’s Market to piggyback on their attendance. The summertime market often draws 500 shoppers and the combination of these two events promises to bring many residents to Village Hall.
The Chamber is now seeking healthcare related businesses and practitioners to exhibit at the fair, sponsor an activity and advertise in the event program. They are inviting everyone in Scarsdale and nearby communities whose business is health and well-being. Representatives from local doctors, dentists, therapists, nutritionists, estheticians, exercise and fitness studios, spas, home healthcare providers, hospitals and charitable groups are all invited to take a table at the fair to meet and educate Scarsdale residents. Exhibitors can include demonstrations, and health tests or games to engage visitors at the fair.
There is a nominal fee for a table, chairs, tent and an electrical outlet, so please support the fair by participating. To sign up and get more information, contact Dr. Edward Feinberg at edfberg@earthlink.net .
*Rain date Saturday June 11, 2011
New Youth Liaison at the Scarsdale Police
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Q: Do you know the name of the police officer in Scarsdale who is responsible for youth activities? A: The Scarsdale Police have just appointed a new person as Youth Liaison officer, Detective Sherry Albano. She is available for any questions that parents or students may have about the law, for example on social hosting laws. She is also a great resource to parents for information and tips on drug and alcohol prevention. Contact Officer Albano at salbano@scarsdale.com or 914-722-1204
This is a monthly conversation starter from the Scarsdale Task Force on Drugs & Alcohol : The Scarsdale Task Force on Drugs and Alcohol is a community action group comprised of parents, students, teachers school administrators; representatives from village, local and civic organizations; and religious institutions. Since its founding in 1984, the Task Force has worked in our community to educate youth and adults about drugs and alcohol, help people develop drug free attitudes and habits, and recommend resources to those whose lives are affected by drug and alcohol dependency.
