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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 19 March 2020

Created: 19 March 2020

Last Updated: 20 March 2020

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According to Paul Feiner, the count of those diagnosed positive for the virus in Westchester continues to climb. After a call with the County Executive and local officials on March 18 Feiner reports that 538 people in the county are now infected, up from just 380 the day before. He says the climb is due to the increased availability of testing.

In Westchester 4,106 people have been tested and 13% are positive. Feiner says it takes about three days to get the results.

Feiner also noted that an executive order from Governor Cuomo goes into effect at 8 pm on March 19. The order mandates the closing of all indoor common portions of retail shopping malls in excess of 100,000 square feet of retail space available for lease. Any stores located within shopping malls, which have their own external entrances open to the public, separate from the general mall entrance, may remain open, subject to the requirements of Executive Order 202.3. Any restaurants in malls shall limit themselves to take out or delivery food services, and any interior entrances to common areas of the mall shall remain closed and locked.

Feiner says that parking lots for town walking paths will remain open so people can use these trails.

Additionally, all places of public amusement, whether indoors or outdoors, including but not limited to, locations with amusement rides, carnivals, amusement parks, water parks, aquariums, zoos, arcades, fairs, children’s play centers, funplexes, theme parks, bowling alleys, family and children’s attractions shall likewise be closed to the public at 8 p.m. on March 19. This directive shall not apply to public parks and open recreation areas.

Last, the US Army Corps of Engineers is assessing sites for mobile hospitals and will evaluate unused buildings to repurpose as temporary hospital sites. The County is compiling a list of recommendations for large parking lots and buildings for that purpose. The county is looking at possible new hospitals -temporary facilities at Arrowwood Hotel and College of New Rochelle.

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 16 March 2020

Created: 16 March 2020

Last Updated: 17 March 2020

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Candidate Robert Berg speaking to Village Clerk Donna Conkling and a police officer outside Village Hall on Monday March 16. Photo credit Lisa VanGundyIn an effort to keep New Yorkers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today issued an executive order delaying village elections statewide until the April 28 primary election.

"Our top priority has been keeping New Yorkers safe and stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus," Governor Cuomo said. "Public health officials have been clear that reducing density is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread and delaying village elections will help ensure poll workers and voters are not potentially exposed to the virus and at the same time maintain integrity in our election system."

Commenting on the delay, Scarsdale Non-Partisan Party Campaign Chairs Dara Gruenberg and Jon Mark said, “We applaud the Village’s effort in requesting a postponement which resulted in putting the interests of our friends and neighbors first. We are pleased with the Governor’s action to postpone the Village election until April 28th. As the days have gone on, the situation has become more dire, and we are relieved that the community does not need to gather for this particular purpose. We are grateful to those who made the extraordinary effort to vote by absentee ballot. We fully expect that Scarsdale will come together as one community to support each other in the challenging days ahead. “

Scores of voters lined up outside Village Hall on Monday March 16 to vote via absentee ballot before the 5 pm deadline. The Village Clerk’s office was overwhelmed. In order to issue the ballots they had to type a personalized envelope for each voter, a time-consuming process. It is unknown whether these absentee ballots will count for the postponed election.

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 13 March 2020

Created: 13 March 2020

Last Updated: 13 March 2020

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The Village has received many queries from those who would like to vote in the Village election on March 18 but are concerned about going to the poll at the Scarsdale Congregational Church.

Village Clerk Donna Conkling has an easy solution for you. Simply go online today Friday March 13 or Monday March 16 and download the application for an absentee ballot. Complete it and bring it to Village Hall before 5 pm on Monday. Staff will give you a ballot, you can complete it and give it to them on the spot.

You must apply by Monday March 16 at 5 pm.

For those who vote in the person, the poll at Scarsdale Congregational Church at 1 Heathcote Road will be open from 6 am to 9 pm on Wednesday March 18.

Village staff are working with church personnel and county election officials to maintain a clean, safe environment for voters; and residents are urged to participate in this important contested election. Scarsdale Mayor Marc Samwick assured the public that the voting areas will be disinfected continually throughout the day, and voters are welcome to bring their own pens and/or gloves to the polls.

Find all information about the election here: 

Conkling said that the CDC has issued new guidelines about voting during the outbreak, and voting by absentee ballot will minimize the risk of personal interactions:

Here are the CDC's recommendations for election officials:

Actions for elections officials in advance of election day

Encourage voters to use voting methods that minimize direct contact with other people and reduce crowd size at polling stations.

Encourage mail-in methods of voting if allowed in the jurisdiction.

Encourage early voting, where voter crowds may be smaller throughout the day. This minimizes the number of individuals a voter may come in contact with.

Encourage drive-up voting for eligible voters if allowed in the jurisdiction.

Encourage voters planning to vote in-person on election day to arrive at off-peak times. For example, if voter crowds are lighter mid-morning, advertise that in advance to the community.

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 07 March 2020

Created: 07 March 2020

Last Updated: 07 March 2020

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Authorities have arrested a suspect who allegedly entered an Eastchester elementary school during the school day and stole cash and a store card from an employee’s wallet.

According to the report, on February 28, Donald Bennett (born 9-20-59) entered the Waverly Grammar School, a public elementary school on Hall Avenue in Eastchester, “under false pretenses.” He entered a number of rooms and stole $65 cash and a store club card from an employee’s work area. He was escorted out of the building by a security guard. It was later found that personal property was missing. The investigation continues.

Similar incidents were reported at IHM, on February 12 and February 28, when a suspect entered the school, with children in the school. On February 28 an employee’s wallet containing $200 and credit cards was stolen. Scarsdale police say that incident is still under investigation.

On March 6, Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. announced that Donald Bennett of New Rochelle was arraigned on charges related to the theft at an Eastchester elementary school Feb. 28, 2020.

Bennett, a felon with prior convictions, was arrested yesterday by Eastchester Police and was arraigned on one count of Burglary in the Third Degree, a class D felony. On March 6, 2020 Bennett appeared in Westchester County Court for a bail hearing. Pursuant to the new NYS bail law, Burglary in the Second Degree is a crime which does not qualify for bail. Judge George Fufidio released Bennett on his own recognizance.

He is scheduled to return to Eastchester Town Court March 11, 2020.