Procedure Committee Recommends Changes to the Non-Partisan Resolution

The Procedure Committee has convened to consider proposed amendments to the Non-Partisan Resolution which lays out the procedures for the nomination of Mayor, Trustees and Village Justice for the Village of Scarsdale. The Procedure Committee is composed of ten elected members of the Citizens Nominating Committee who have completed their three years terms, ten appointed members from the Scarsdale Forum, formerly the TVCC, and two representatives from SNAP – Scarsdale Neighborhood Association Presidents.

These proposed changes will appear on the ballot for the Citizen’s Nominating Committee election in November 2011. According to Committee Vice Chair David Brodsky, "Responding to recent reports of the Scarsdale Forum Committee and the League of Women Voters regarding the non-partisan system, the Scarsdale Procedure Committee has adopted proposed amendments to the Non-Partisan Resolution designed to encourage wider participation of the residents of the Village in the election of Village officials."

Though the language is in the process of being finalized, here is a summary of the proposed amendments to the Non-Partisan Resolution.

Summary of Proposed Amendments to the Non-Partisan Resolution

The Scarsdale Procedure Committee has adopted resolutions amending the Non-Partisan Resolution, as summarized below. These amendments will be on the ballot for voter approval on November 15, 2011. The full text of the proposed amendments will be available on-line at http://www.scarsdaleprocedurecommittee.org, along with the current Non-Partisan Resolution, marked to show proposed changes.

1. Proposed amendment to Article II, Section 1, to prohibit simultaneous membership on The Procedure Committee and any of the other committees of the Non-Partisan System (the Citizens Nominating Committee, the School Board Administrative Committee, the School Board Nominating Committee, the School Board, or the Village Board).

2. Proposed amendment to Article IV to add procedures authorizing mail-in ballots and certifications for the election to the Citizens Nominating Committee.

3. Proposed amendments to Article V (a) regarding eligibility to serve as a member of the CNC to encourage greater diversification of membership from the Village of Scarsdale, including prohibiting simultaneous membership on the CNC of two members from the same household and membership by former Trustees and Mayors unless more than three years has passed since they held such positions, (b) authorizing The Procedure Committee to set the rules of procedure for the CNC, (c) establishing voting procedures for CNC nominations, including dealing with last minute allegations, and (d) requiring confidentiality of CNC proceedings.

THE PROCEDURE COMMITTEE
Michelle Lichtenberg, Chair
David M. Brodsky, Vice Chair
July 3, 2011