Village Election Postponed Until April 28
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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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.
Concerned About Voting in Person in the Village Election? There's Still Time to Vote by Absentee Ballot
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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.
New Rochelle Man Arrested for Burglary at Eastchester Elementary School During the School Day
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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.
Letter in Support of Bob Selvaggio for Village Trustee
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- Written by: John Ferebee
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Letter to the Editor: I write to enthusiastically endorse Bob Selvaggio for Scarsdale Trustee. I have known Bob for 20+ years and know him to have the highest integrity. One of his sons and one of mine went through Scarsdale's school system together and then went on to attend Bucknell University together. Among other shared concerns, Bob and I participate in organizations that promote civic education and free speech. Bob and his wonderful wife Lisa raised their family in Scarsdale, and though their children have flown the nest, they plan to continue living here.
Bob has expert knowledge and skills that would be tremendous assets for our Board of Trustees, especially at a time when the Village is facing serious fiscal issues. He has a PhD in economics and extensive experience in the financial services industry. He is Head of Analytics at a successful financial risk management firm that he co-founded and that includes banks, insurance companies and government agencies and regulators among its client base.
A primary concern for Bob is maintaining the affordability of living in Scarsdale. The steep reduction in the SALT deduction has increased housing expense and depressed real estate values. As Trustee, Bob would aggressively pursue efforts to address these deleterious effects. And he would be very judicious in assessing the Freightway Redevelopment Project, which could bring additional residential apartments to the Village. He is for a transparent project-design process and would be against any design that would not contribute positively to Scarsdale's cash flow or that would result in higher attendance at Scarsdale's schools. I know that Bob has the analytical and due-diligence skills to pose the right questions about these and other issues, and that he would be a dedicated public servant. I urge you to seriously consider voting for Bob Selvaggio for Village Trustee.
John Ferebee
Paddington Road
Scarsdale Foundation Offers Scholarship Aid
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Students who graduated from Scarsdale High School or lived in Scarsdale during high school and who have completed their first, second, or third years of college are invited to apply to the Scarsdale Foundation for tuition assistance. For the 2019-2020 academic year, the Foundation awarded need-based grants totaling $124,500 to 29 students attending private and state-supported colleges and universities.
Applications for the 2020-2021 academic year should be submitted online from the Scarsdale Foundation’s website: www.scarsdalefoundation.org (click on the College Scholarships link). Completed applications must be submitted by Monday, June 1, 2020. You may contact Scholarship Committee Co-Chairs Anne Lyons or BK Munguia at: [email protected]. Please note "Scarsdale Foundation Scholarship Inquiry" in the subject line of your email.
The Foundation welcomes contributions from the community to augment the funds available for distribution each year. Contributions may be donated to a specially earmarked Scholarship Fund of the Scarsdale Foundation, enabling the Foundation to carry on the tradition of helping our students in need pursue a college education. Donations may be made online by visiting the Foundation’s website or mailed to the Scarsdale Foundation at P.O. Box 542, Scarsdale, NY 10583.
The Scarsdale Foundation also hosts The Bowl Dinner where we recognize those individuals in our community who, through volunteer service, continue to set an example of civic responsibility toward the betterment of the community. This year the Bowl Dinner will be held on April 22 at The Brae Burn Country Club.
For more information regarding the work of the Foundation, please visit their website: www.scarsdalefoundation.org.
Contacts:
Anne Lyons, [email protected], 914-725-9810
BK Munguia, [email protected], 914-472-4053
