Village Voices

Details: Published: 10 December 2013; Created: 10 December 2013; Last Updated: 12 December 2013; Hits: 5546

meters2 In an effort to improve payment for parking tickets, Scarsdale Village will now tow any car that has accumulated three or more tickets at the maximum fine within a period of 18 months. Rita Azrelyant from the Scarsdale Village Manager's Office says, "We encourage all scofflaws to come to Village Hall and make arrangements to pay for all outstanding tickets in order to avoid being towed. Tickets can be paid online at www.parkingticketpayment.com."

The new policy was enacted on December 2 and Azrelyant reports that, "We have not had any tows however we have had an increase in the number of scofflaw individuals paying their parking tickets."

Holiday Season Fire Prevention Safety Tips

The Scarsdale Fire Department offers the following holiday season Fire Prevention Safety Tips. These safety tips have been prepared by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and can help you and your family to avoid the devastation that a fire during the holidays can bring.

Christmas Trees: christmastreefireplace

Many artificial trees are fire resistant. If you buy one, look for a statement specifying this protection.
A fresh tree will stay green longer and be less of a fire hazard than a dry tree. To check for freshness, remember:
A fresh tree is green.
Fresh needles are hard to pull from branches.
When bent between your fingers, fresh needles do not break.
The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin.
When the trunk of a tree is bounced on the ground, a shower of falling needles shows that tree is too dry.
Place tree away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources. Heated rooms dry trees out rapidly, creating fire hazards.
Cut off about two inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood for better water absorption.
Trim away branches as necessary to set tree trunk in the base of a sturdy, water-holding stand with wide spread feet.
Keep the stand filled with water while the tree is indoors.
Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways. Use thin guy-wires to secure a large tree to walls or ceiling.

Artificial Snow:

Artificial snow sprays can irritate lungs if inhaled. To avoid injury, read container labels and follow directions carefully.

Lights:

Use only lights that have been tested for safety. Identify these by the label from an independent testing laboratory.
Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Discard damaged sets or repair them before using.
Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house, walls or other firm support to protect from wind damage.
Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord.
Turn off all lights on trees and other decorations when you go to bed or leave the house. Lights could short and start a fire.
Never use electric lights on a metallic tree.
Keep "bubbling" lights away from children. These lights with their bright colors and bubbling movement can tempt curious children to break candle-shaped glass (which can cut) and attempt to drink liquid (which contains a hazardous chemical).

Candles: candle

Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders.
Keep candles away from other decorations and wrapping paper. Place candles where they cannot be knocked down or blown over.

Trimmings:

Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials.
Wear gloves while decorating with spun glass "angel hair" to avoid irritation to eyes and skin.
Choose tinsel or artificial icicles or plastic or non-leaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.

In homes with small children, take special care to:

Avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable.
Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children. Pieces could be swallowed or inhaled.
Avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food. A child could eat them!

Fireplace:

Before lighting any fire, remove all greens, boughs, papers, and other decorations from fireplace area. Check to see that flue is open.
Keep a screen in front of the fireplace all the time a fire is burning.
Use care with "fire salts" which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals which can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation or vomiting if eaten. Keep away from children.

Paper and Wrappings:

When making paper decorations, look for materials labeled non-combustible or flame- resistant.
Never place trimming near open flames or electrical connections.
Remove all wrapping papers from tree and fireplace areas immediately after presents are opened.
Do not burn papers in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.

In General:

Have working smoke detectors installed on every level of your home. Test them monthly and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times.
Keep matches, lighters, and candles out of the reach of children. Avoid smoking near flammable decorations.
Make an emergency plan to use if a fire breaks out anywhere in the home. See that each family member knows what to do and practice the plan.

Thomas M. Cain
Chief of Department
Tel 914-722-1215
50 Tompkins Road
Scarsdale, NY 10583

Details: Published: 02 December 2013; Created: 02 December 2013; Last Updated: 02 December 2013; Hits: 13057

The Village of Scarsdale will begin to accept applications for semi-annual parking permits for the Freightway Garage on December 2, 2013. Permits will be sold on a "first come, first serve" basis with preference provided to Scarsdale residents through December 13, 2013.

There will be no automatic renewals. Six-month permits will be valid from January 1, 2014 through June 30, 2014 at a cost of $500. Permits are available to residents, merchants and employees of the downtown business district. Permits for non-residents will be available at a cost of $620.

Mail all applications to: Parking Permits Village of Scarsdale 1001 Post Road Scarsdale, New York 10583

Applications by mail must include the following:

Check or money order payable to "The Village of Scarsdale" for the correct amount. No credit cards accepted.
Residents: Name, address, home and business phone numbers
Valid copy of applicant's driver's license and car registration (for each car covered by permit - maximum 2 cars)
Copy of most recent utility bill

Merchants and employees in the Village Center must include a note from their employer on stationery and their most recent paycheck stub. Merchants/owners in the downtown business district, must include a copy of valid lease or your most recent utility bill.

Parking permit applications are available at www.scarsdale.com. For further information, please contact the Village Clerk's office at (914) 722-1175.

Citizen's Nominating Committee Organizational Meeting:

The Citizen's Nominating Committee (CNC) invites Scarsdale residents and other interested persons to observe the initial portion of its Organizational Meeting, which will be held on December 8, starting at 7:30 p.m., in Rutherford Hall at Scarsdale Village Hall. The initial portion of the meeting will include presentations or statements by and discussions with the Scarsdale Mayor and Village Trustees, discussion with respect to and voting upon the CNC's rules of procedures (including best practices with respect to due diligence), review of the responsibilities of the CNC and certain other matters.

The CNC will meet later in the evening and several times in January in order to nominate a single qualified non-partisan candidate for election to each open position on the Village Board of Trustees. The CNC tries to get the best and most qualified Scarsdale citizens to serve on our Village Board.

Details: Written by Joanne Wallenstein; Published: 12 November 2013; Created: 12 November 2013; Last Updated: 14 November 2013; Hits: 18098

traininsnow (Updated 11/13 at 11:20 am) A fatality on the train tracks at the Hartsdale Train Station around 7:55 am this morning (Tuesday 11/12) paralyzed service during the morning commute. A southbound train hit a man on the tracks near the parking lot that runs along the Pipeline, just south of the station. The victim was identified as Bradley Ewing, age 43 of Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the Westchester County Medical Examiner the manner of death was suicide and Ewing died from "blunt force trauma of the body with multiple skeletal fractures, laceration of organs and hemorhhages" after he jumped in front of the moving train. A commenter on Scarsdale10583 indicated that Ewing was an ER nurse. (see below) Ewing may have recently been living in Hartsdale. It was snowing heavily at the time of the accident and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Ewing was killed by a southbound train that left the Southeast station at 6:49 am and was scheduled to arrive at Grand Central at 8:24 am. Thousands of commuters were stranded for hours inside that train as well as on other trains headed north and south on the Harlem line as officials investigated the incident and cleared the tracks. Power to the third rail had to be shut off to both the north and southbound tracks.

According to an 11:00 am report from Marjorie Anders at the MTA, people who were on the train that struck the "trespasser," as the MTA called him, were stuck on the train for hours. The medical examiner did not arrive until 9:55 am and the train that hit the victim was held until his arrival. The examiner has not released a report as of yet.

Anders said, "People aboard the incident train had to wait from 7:55 am when the incident occurred until 10:25 a.m. when a transfer was complete. An empty train was brought along side and the people were escorted across a metal plank from one train to the other. Four crewmembers were in the doorways to guide and assist passengers across in single file. No other trains were moving while this evacuation was underway."

Here's what happened to people on other trains at the time of the incident:

Two southbound trains were annulled at North White Plains and two southbound trains were held at White Plains. They are now on the move 90 minutes late.
Three northbound trains (reverse peak) were annulled at Crestwood and turned south again because they couldn't get through.
Two more never left Grand Central and other trains also were delayed.

The area was deluged with police and emergency vehicles and siren could be heard for miles. After the initial investigation, MTA Police allowed power to be restored to a single track and some service resumed at 8:40 with significant residual delays.

A Scarsdale resident who was stuck on the train for an hour today said, "It made for a lousy commute - I was delayed 1 hour in White Plains. Metro North kept us informed and did their best. Just a sad situation..."

Details: Published: 18 November 2013; Created: 18 November 2013; Last Updated: 18 November 2013; Hits: 4746

Missing Jewels: On 11/17 a Cooper Road woman reported that approximately $15,000 in jewelry was missing from her home. She originally noticed that her jewelry bags were empty on October 12 but thought she might have misplaced the items or left them at her summer home. Missing were a moonstone ring, a black diamond necklace, three pairs of gold earrings, and diamond stud earrings. She said the items were taken sometime between August 25 and October 12.

Assault: A Scarsdale woman reported that a 68 year-old Hoboken man came to her home for dinner on November 11 and arrived in an agitated state. She invited him to sit down and relax but instead he became enraged and grabbed the woman by the throat and began to squeeze tightly. She told him to back off and he grabbed her shoulders and put his face to her forehead "in an aggressive manner." She began to feel pain her right eye and he finally let go. After he let go and she noticed that she was bleeding from a cut above her right eye. He offered to take her to the hospital but she told him to leave. She told him never to return again. She did not wish to press charges but did not want him to contact her again. Later that night he called and asked about her eye. She made the report to the police the following day and did not wish to be taken to the hospital but said she would see her own doctor.

Identity Thefts: An Axtell Road woman went to the cash machine on November 8 and found that she had insufficient funds to make a withdrawal. Since she knew she should have funds in her account the bank put her in touch wit the Chase Fraud Department who found that someone had written a $4,200 check against her account. Chase determined that the check was fraudulent and froze the account.

A Park Road man reported that someone had filed a false tax return using his social security number. He discovered the fraud when he went online to file his return and was rejected because a return had already been filed using his personal information. He reported the incident to police on 11/16.

Stolen Ink Cartridges: A woman stole $1,451 worth of computer printer ink cartridges on the morning of 11/14. As the woman exited the store the security alarm was activated and a woman was seen leaving the store with a large Hallmark shopping bag. The manager then noticed that 32 ink cartridges were missing and the security devices had been removed. Police reviewed video surveillance and saw the same woman enter the store without the shopping bag and leave the store with the bag filled with merchandise. The store manager said that other CVS stores have had similar thefts on print cartridges.

Missing rental car: A Madison Road man said that he went to the Hertz Rental Car office at 865 Scarsdale Avenue at 4 pm on Thursdays 11/14 and rented a 2013 Hyundai Elantra four door sedan. He said he would come back at 10 pm to pick up the car. However, when he came back late that night the car was gone. The man had never driven the car or given anyone else permission to pick it up. He reported it as stolen.

Graffiti: Gold graffiti was spray painted on two stop signs – one on Old Lyme Road and the other on Normandy Lane. The damage was found on the morning of November 14. A "Children at Play" sign at the intersection of Oxford and Park Roads was spray painted with silver paint. The damage was also discovered on the morning of 11/14. In addition a street sign at the intersection of Penn Road and Franklin Road was spray painted in gold as well.

Harassed: A divorce lawyer reported that she received a threatening email from her client's son on November 14. The email said that the attorney had "ruined his family
and that he would "come after her at some point." The lawyer contacted her client who did not believe the email was sent by her son and suspected that someone else had used his email address to send it. The lawyer asked for an order of protection against the person she suspected had sent the email.

Elder Care:

A Ridgedale Road woman came to police headquarters on November 12 to express her concerns about the care of an elderly man in the neighborhood. She claimed that health aides were providing improper treatment and care. Police asked her to complete paperwork but she refused to do so. She has limited contact with the man per the instructions of his legal guardian.

A home healthcare aid called police on the morning of November 13 when she went to a Fox Meadow Road home to check on her client and he failed to answer the door. The Scarsdale Fire Department got into the house through a second floor window and found the man asleep in his bed. The man was taken to the emergency room for examination of injuries that appeared to have resulted from a fall.

The husband of an elderly woman on Gaylor Road called police on the night of 11/13 to say that his wife needed help getting up after a fall. Police helped her up and asked if she wanted medical attention. She declined further help.

Disputes:

An occupational therapist called police on 11/13 about a dispute she was having with Fenimore Road residents about the fee for her services. The residents felt that the therapist was taking advantage of them and the therapist said she would follow-up in court.

A Morris Lane man called police on the afternoon of November 17 to say that someone had parked their car in his driveway. Police found the owner of the car, asked him to move it and gave him a warning for improper parking.

Fire: Police put out a small fire in an oven at a Crane Road home on the morning of November 14. The housekeeper called police when she was cleaning the over and it went up in flames. The homeowner was notified.

Alarm: A Taunton Road woman called police at 8:30 pm on 11/14 when an alarm sounded in her house. Police found that the burglar alarm had gone off. The woman said she had moved in 11 months ago and was not aware that the house had a burglar alarm.

Jewelers:

An Eastchester man came to police on the morning of 11/15 to complain about a transaction he had at Holsten Jeweler's a year and a half ago. He claimed that he dropped off some items for an appraisal and when he came back, some of the jewelry was not returned. However, police spoke to Holsten's who explained that the man had brought the jewelry to them to be sold. Holsten's returned what was not sold and said they had a check for the man for the balance of the items.

Police were also called about a dispute at another jewelers – Valnetini Estates Inc, on Garth Road. At noon on November 15 Sandra Henry of Hartsdale and Debra Lindsay of White Plains called police after they had a disagreement with the jeweler and he locked them into the store. Mr. Joong-Kun Park claimed that the exit door had a safety feature to prevent people from exiting the store. By the time police arrived, the two women were outside.

Noise: A Christie Place resident called police at 11 pm on November 16 to complain about yelling and loud music coming from an event at Chat American Grill. Police went to Chat where a wedding was taking place. They asked the manager to keep down the noise and lower the volume of the music.

Homeless? A Greenacres woman called police on the afternoon of November 17 when she spotted a man at the intersection of Greenacres and Walworth Avenues walking down the street barefoot and wrapped in a blanket. She thought he might need assistance.

Missing Plate: A Montrose Road man reported a missing license plate. He parked his 2013 Honda Accord in his driveway on November 16 and the next morning found that the front license plate was gone.

Arrest: Police followed Juan Ibarra of New Rochelle at 6:44 pm on 11/15 after their scanner revealed the car he was driving had a suspended registration due to a lapse in insurance. When he saw he was being followed, Ibarra made an illegal u-turn on East Parkway and then went through a red light. Police removed the plates from the car and issued Ibarra traffic summons' for driving with a suspended registration, failure to stop at a red light and for making an improper u-turn. The license plates were removed from the car.

Details: Written by Marie Ceske; Published: 06 November 2013; Created: 06 November 2013; Last Updated: 07 November 2013; Hits: 10855

campus commonap Every year, seniors endure the stress of applying to college: figuring out which schools they like best, writing essays for the Common Application and college supplements, and collecting and sending their information to potential schools. This fall, students applying early to colleges have even more stress due to the new, glitchy Common App system.

This year, the Common App was completely restructured. However, it was rolled out without testing, causing many problems for applicants. As SHS senior Dana Goldstein stated, "I was under the impression that the intention of the new Common App was to further utilize technology to make an even more universal and accessible app; however, it was really poorly executed ... - a huge mistake in my opinion." These problems have caused the Common App to become almost less accessible because of issues such as scrambled words after pasting text, inaccurate word counts, poorly phrased questions, an extremely slow uploading process, and error pages after sending documents. This process became so frustrating that SHS senior Alexander Lin remarked, "I just sat there for a moment, contemplated screaming and just not applying to college at all."

In addition to changes to the process, there were changes to the actual questions on the application. However, this does not appear to be as bothersome because since seniors are applying for the first time, they have not seen the questions from prior years. As SHS senior Carina Spiro stated, "I don't feel like it's affected me any differently because I just wrote about what I wanted to write about and molded it to fit the question I chose." There are many options to choose from when writing the Common App essay, and the essay change seems to be having the least effect on students.

Parents and the faculty at SHS have been a big help to students as they struggle through the application process. As Alexander Lin stated, "My dean and all my teachers have encouraged me and kept my head above water during this entire process." While there isn't so much that deans and teachers can do to help fix these problems, an important part of their jobs is making students aware that they are not alone. As SHS Dean Matthew Sweeney said, "It's not just Scarsdale students, it's happening all across the country. When students realize it's not just them, it helps them feel better." This awareness is an important part of relieving stress for students and assuring that everything that's possible is being done. The Common App has even been sending daily updates to guidance counselors about these issues and how they are being addressed.

The Common App's problems have taken up a lot of unnecessary hours and have prevented students from doing other activities. However, some students do feel positive about their applications being done on time. Dana Goldstein commented, "The process has been very proactive-- almost everyone is ready to apply at least a week before their deadlines. "

Admissions officers have been sympathetic as well. Cornell University's Undergraduate Admission's website posted the following notice: "The transition to the new online Common Application (CA4) has been challenging for students and counselors. We understand your worries and we are committed to working with you through this process." The moved the due date for early decision applications back to November 8.

And Cornell is not the only school that has responded. The Daily Beast reported that 46 schools have moved back the deadline for early decision applications due to issues with the website. An article published on November 1 explains some of the problems with the online application that is used by 517 colleges and universities: "The website is giving you timeouts. You can't copy and paste from Microsoft Word. You have no idea whether your school has an essay supplement, and it's not accepting your form of payment. And if you're thinking of just throwing in the towel and mailing your application the old-fashioned way, don't even bother—most schools don't even accept paper applications anymore."

The extended deadline will be helpful to students who need extra time; however, this extension will slow down the admissions process and put colleges behind schedule for processing applications and making decisions.

It is hopefully just a matter of time before the Common App fixes these problems, hopefully in time to accommodate the thousands of applicants who will file applications for regular decision in December. Alison Melnick agrees, "I think the Common App is trying really hard to ease the stress, but I think no matter what it's going to be stressful." Therefore, there is only so much the Common App can do. However, despite the problems, many people are still in favor of using this tool to apply to college. As Dean Sweeney stated, "Overall [the Common App] is still a very good resource for students and colleges."

Here are the essay questions offered as part of the Common App:

Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?
Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?
Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.