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Published: 16 October 2013

Created: 16 October 2013

Last Updated: 27 October 2021

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White Plains Councilman Ben Boykin is running for County Legislature to represent District 5 that includes Scarsdale, most of White Plains and a portion of Harrison. He is running for the seat currently held by Bill Ryan and is running against former Scarsdale Mayor Miriam Flisser. He is a CPA who served as Assistant Treasurer at RJR Nabisco, and also worked at Deloitte. Boykin is a graduate of UNC and the Kellogg Business School at Northwestern. You can learn more about his campaign at voteboykin.com.

Here is what he has to say about County Government and Scarsdale:

Though 20% of our local taxes are paid to Westchester County, many in Scarsdale are not aware of what the County Government does here in the Village. Can you tell our readers how the County impacts Scarsdale and what changes we would see if you are elected?

County government is the critical linchpin between federal/state agencies and local municipalities in providing vital and essential services to the residents of Westchester County. Regional coordination is pivotal to efficient delivery of services to taxpayers. County government provides numerous services that are used by all County residents. County government should continue to:

• Provide critical safety and security services through Public Safety, Office of Emergency Management, Department of Correction, etc.
• Act as the social safety net for food, shelter and medical care and provide funding for social service and nonprofit entities
• Protect drinking water and air quality and manage wastewater treatment, handling of solid waste and delivery of clean water countywide
• Provide mass transit, operate regional airport and coordinate regional transportation initiatives
• Invest in and protect critical infrastructure countywide- roads, bridges, wastewater treatment facilities, mass transit and coordinate with local municipalities
• Work with businesses, local municipalities and state agencies to create jobs and improve regional economy
• Provide planning services to assist local municipalities in preparing zoning codes, comprehensive plans and environmental impact statements
• Serve as the administrative arm of the State for mandated services and also advocate for mandate relief
• Operate, protect and maintain countywide system of parks and recreation facilities
• Coordinate the delivery of emergency protective measures and services countywide dealing with natural and man-made disasters

Some of the roads that individuals in Scarsdale use are owned and maintained by the County such as Post Road and the Bronx River Parkway. The County Police provide safety and security for the Bronx River Parkway which traverses Scarsdale.

During the Spano Administration, Westchester County allocated $50 million to assist municipalities with flooding issues. Scarsdale received $1.6 million from the County (approximately half of the $3.2 million cost) for the South Fox Meadow drainage project. The Astorino Administration stopped this funding source and Scarsdale has not any additional funding to assist with flood mitigation. The Sheldrake drainage project to be completed in 2013-14 is expected to cost $600,000. I will work at the County Board to bring back the $50 million funding and assist Scarsdale with flooding and other infrastructure work.

One of my priorities at the County Board: Partner on Flooding, Infrastructure, Transportation

It is imperative that all levels of government work together to address unfunded mandates that increase our local tax burden. I will strive to ensure county, local and state entities collaborate effectively to solve the critical flooding, infrastructure and transportation issues that face our community.

What is your view on shared services among municipalities and how would that affect Scarsdale Village Government?

Shared services are critical to our municipalities if we are to continue to provide a high level of services in a cost effective manner to our residents. I am Chairman of the Shared Services Committee for the City of White Plains and the School District. I am using my broad-based business and financial expertise to save taxpayers money through service consolidations, cost reductions and efficiency improvements. As an example, under my leadership, the City of White Plains is maintaining and repairing all School District vehicles saving the taxpayers $75,000 to $100,000 per year.

The Scarsdale Village and Scarsdale School District should explore shared services opportunities that might include road and parking lot resurfacing, share vehicles to install LED lighting (the City of White Plains is using its bucket trucks to install LED lights on school property – another shared services opportunity) as a starting point for cost reductions and efficiency improvements.

An EPA lawsuit has charged that Water District #1 is not in compliance with the Safe Water Drinking Act. What do you plan to do to address this issue? Who will pay for the new water treatment infrastructure?

First, let me state that the Village's drinking water is safe. Water District 1 is administered by the County and includes White Plains, Scarsdale, Mount Vernon and Yonkers. The EPA has sued the County for failure to provide ultraviolent treatment to reduce the bacteria in the water system (giardia and cryptosporidium). Over the past two years, the Astorino Administration has gone back and forth on various ways to address the issues raised in the lawsuit. It is time for the County Executive and his staff to dialogue with the Federal government on these issues and develop an implementation action plan.
As a member of the White Plains Common Council, when we have been faced with issues relating to drinking water or environmental issues, the City has worked to gather information, seek clarification to better understand the situation(s) and work with the various agencies to resolve any disputes or comply as appropriate.

The EPA lawsuit could cost the County (or the municipalities) taxpayers about $1.0 million if this suit is not settled. At the County, I will seek to improve relationships between the County Board of Legislators and the County Executive to work with our municipalities to solve mutual issues.

It is not clear that a new water treatment facility is needed or required. The County may be able to retrofit existing water facilities to resolve the lawsuit. Assuming that a new water treatment infrastructure is built, the County would bond for this capital investment and repay the principal and interest over time. I would press for the County to seek federal funding for this project in order to reduce the cost that would otherwise have to be borne by taxpayers.

Westchester recently lost out on $7.4 million in community development grants because the county failed to comply with the terms of the affordable housing settlement. Do you think these funds are lost? Is there anything the County can do to recoup them?

Unfortunately due to the intransigence of the Astorino Administration and its failure to file a proper Analysis of Impediments (AI), the County has lost $7.4 million in funding from HUD permanently when a federal Appeals Court ruled that HUD could reallocate the funds. The County is at risk of losing another $11 million next year. What is so regrettable about this is that the Astorino Administration has continued to mischaracterize the settlement despite clear statements from HUD. It is interesting to note that it is the County's filing of improper AIs that formed the basis of the initial lawsuit and why the filing of a complete AI has been an important piece of the settlement. This reallocation of funds hurts the neediest in Westchester County. The Astornio Administration needs to work with HUD to resolve issues relating to the Housing Settlement that requires the County to build 750 units of affordable housing. About 325 units are currently in process or already built.

It is not possible for the County to recoup the $7.4 million at this juncture. But we can work to prevent the loss of additional funds. It should be noted that HUD has stated that in the reallocation process it will work to keep the monies in the region funding projects to other governmental entities that are entitled to apply directly to HUD for funding. Unfortunately it does not help those communities that were depending on these funds.

All residents should understand that neither Scarsdale nor any municipality in Westchester is a party to the settlement. The settlement is solely between the County and HUD and those are the only two parties with obligations under the agreement. The Housing Settlement has not and will not have any impact on Scarsdale.

New York is a Home Rule State and Land Use State. Under NY State Law, local municipalities control zoning. Federal, State and/or County government cannot change municipal zoning ordinances.

What is your position on the Women's Equality Act and a woman's right to choose?

• I am fully supportive of the Women's Equality Act and was disappointed that it did not become NY State law this year.
• One of my County priorities is to Protect a Woman's Right to Reproductive Health Care.
• I am Pro-Choice and will work to ensure that women have access to reproductive health care including information and affordable health services.

What is your position on gun control? Do you propose to limit gun sales in Westchester?

• I support the NY Safe Act that was approved by the NY State Assembly and NY Senate and then signed into law by Governor Cuomo in January 2013.
• I believe that individuals have the right to bear arms as provided under the Constitution. However, there are other issues that we must consider especially relating to mental health issues.
• Many crimes are done with illegal guns and we must stop the flow of these arms into our communities which get into the hands of individuals who commit crimes.
• I do not support gun shows at the County Center. I hope they can be legally barred from County owned property.

What past accomplishments are you most proud of? How will you use what you learned to make improvements in Westchester County?

I have been a member of the White Plains Common Council since 2000, and have been Council President three times. During my time on the Council, I was instrumental in $1.2 billion investment in downtown White Plains, fought to change zoning to protect White Plains neighborhoods, supported public safety initiatives to protect residents, protected our environment and created 180 units of workforce housing.

The City has reduced its carbon footprint through our environmental initiatives, including expanded use of LED lights, installing the first dedicated bike lanes in Westchester and adopting the Property Assessed for Clean Energy (PACE) program, which provides city businesses and co-ops a new way to finance sustainable energy improvements.

As a businessman, I understand that the economic future for Westchester County is dependent upon balance investment and attracting and retaining businesses, both big and small.

I am an experienced leader with a vision for our future. I will take my business expertise, governmental leadership and school board experience to work for all of us at the County Board. At the County Board, I will work to:

• Adopt fiscally responsible budgets
• Hold down property taxes
• Include funding for a safety net and vital programs for those in need
• Protect a women's right to reproductive health care
• Provide funds for safety and security
• Create jobs and improve our economy
• Protect the environment and implement sustainable initiatives
• Partner with all levels of government to solve flooding, infrastructure and transportation issues

Women for Ben Boykin will hold a fundraiser for him on Sunday October 27 at 3 pm in White Plains. Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousin will attend. To R.S.V.P contact Deborah West Zipf at DZipf@optonline.net or call her at 914-686-6970.

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Published: 21 October 2013

Created: 21 October 2013

Last Updated: 17 August 2022

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Scarsdale's former Mayor Dr. Miriam Levitt Flisser is running for Westchester County Legislator. She is vying for the seat currently held by Bill Ryan and will face candidate Ben Boykin in the election on Tuesday November 5. This Thursday, October 24, the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale will host a candidates' forum at Scarsdale Village Hall at 7:30 pm. Come out to meet thecandidates and hear their views.

We posed pertinent questions about County issues to Dr. Flisser and here are her responses:

Though 20% of our local taxes are paid to Westchester County, many in Scarsdale are not aware of what the County Government does here in the Village. Can you tell our readers how the County impacts Scarsdale and what changes we would see if you are elected?

The most extensive example of County and Village cooperation now visible is the replacement of the deteriorated Crane Road Bridge, Exit 12 on the Bronx River Parkway. The project, funded by the County, paid the Village about $900,000 for parcels of Village land needed for bridge supports, fairly assessed by an independent assessor. Scarsdale is using the $900,000 for non-tax revenue, mainly road re-paving in much needed areas. In addition, the Village's merchant parking lot is on loan for construction staging until the project is completed.

The County Government also paid for about half of the functional (and beautiful) Fox Meadow Drainage basin project that cost $3.1 million. Unfortunately, Scarsdale failed to receive County matching grants for the Sheldrake Drainage project. This is an area where our County Legislator can make a big difference.

Scarsdale also uses County services such as the Emergency Dispatch System, to increase the efficiency and responsiveness.

What is your view on shared services among municipalities and how would that affect Scarsdale Village Government?

Scarsdale currently uses County Services (such as the Emergency Dispatch System) to increase efficiency and quality in our daily operations. The County's emergency preparedness plans protect us all, including the Ready Westchester Special Needs Registry, which protects residents who may need rescue in the event of major disaster. I worked on developing this system as the Scarsdale liaison during its inception. You may sign up for yourself, or a relative, here: https://secure05.westchestergov.com/specialneeds/
Scarsdale can benefit from shared services while protecting our community's investment in infrastructure, and maintaining our high standards for service.

For example, as Police Commissioner I worked closely with the Scarsdale Police Department, which already has policies and procedures in place to cooperate with the county and contiguous police departments. The Scarsdale Police Department regularly cooperates with White Plains and New Rochelle, among others to apprehend suspects in crimes. However, there is no substitute for local policing and municipalities value law enforcement that knows neighborhoods and local ordinances.

The Scarsdale Fire Department, for which I served as Fire Commissioner, as a matter of protocol, provides shared fire and rescue services to other municipalities and on occasion has called on other neighboring fire departments.

As a County Legislator, I would be open to proposals to improve productivity and reduce costs. Difficult economic times and the need to keep government expenses under control have raised the priority of shared services.

An EPA lawsuit has charged that Water District #1 is not in compliance with the Safe Water Drinking Act. What do you plan to do to address this issue? Who will pay for the new water treatment infrastructure?

As Mayor and Trustee, I was closely involved with water issues in Scarsdale. In fact, Scarsdale began issuing an annual report describing the quality of water in 2010. Scarsdale's water comes from the New York City Water Supply System to the Reeves Newsom Station via a pipeline belonging to Scarsdale, Mount Vernon, White Plains and Yonkers (more shared services), also known as Westchester Water District #1.

The water is treated with fluoride, chlorine, water pH adjustment with caustic soda and the addition of orthophosphate prior to distribution. Relatively recent EPA regulations require that water be treated with ultraviolet light, which is an advanced procedure, to remove Cryptosporidium. The County informed the EPA in 2011 that it would not be able to meet the April 2012 deadline for a number of reasons, including the $100 million county expense to redirect water from Kensico Reservoir.

The EPA and Justice Department lawsuit followed HUD's most recent rejection of Westchester County's Assessment of Fair and Affordable Housing and the County received no notification from EPA that the delay was problematic.

While we await the outcome of this additional legal assault by the federal government against Westchester County, the County, White Plains and Scarsdale have concluded that the water is free of Cryptosporidium and is safe to drink. No cases of illness relating to Cryptosporidium have been reported.

Westchester recently lost out on $7.4 million in community development grants because the county failed to comply with the terms of the affordable housing settlement. Do you think these funds are lost? Is there anything the County can do to recoup them?

Unfortunately these funds are lost due to the federal government's fiscal year and the court ruling. HUD has been using community development grants as weapon to try to coerce Westchester County Government to acquiesce to HUD's claims of discriminatory zoning. This is another example of the federal government imposing its vast resources – thanks to our taxes – to try to force us to comply with their radical views on housing.

HUD has rejected eight of Westchester County's filings on affordable housing compliance because the County will not give in to HUD's demand that Westchester County accuse its municipalities of discriminatory zoning laws. As a result, Westchester's poorest children are suffering from lack of lead abatement funds.

Shockingly, among the grants withheld are Lead Abatement Funds for our poorest communities; an issue which is critical to pediatricians like myself. Children who suffer from lead poisoning are condemned to a lifetime of significantly lower cognition, and carry these burdens forever. No amount of affordable housing can ameliorate the harm done from lead poisoning in a young child.
One must question the motivations of an agency that does not respond to this critical local situation.

What is your position on the Women's Equality Act and a woman's right to choose?

I am a pediatrician, a mother, and grandmother of four. As a licensed physician, I always comply with and support all NY State medical regulations; I maintain the strictest confidentiality, and provide compassionate care to all families who come to me for help.

What is your position on gun control ? Do you propose to limit gun sales in Westchester?

I support meticulous compliance with all existing firearms regulations and safety programs. In addition, allow me to use my medical experience to point out that it is the failures of current mental health programs that are at the foundation of gun violence and other criminal events that have tragically impacted our extended community. I will fight to keep our families and communities safe.

What past accomplishments are you most proud of? How will you use what you learned to make improvements in Westchester County?

My four years as a Trustee and two years as Mayor of Scarsdale were marked by many accomplishments and challenges.

As a public servant, I strive to solve problems, prevent problems through anticipatory policies and maintain a citizen-run government that is responsive and fair. My rule, "Miriam's Rule": "When a person emails you, respond with an email; when they call, return the call; and if they write, write them back." During my tenure as Mayor, I sent over 180,000 messages, never missed a meeting and never ventured more than 25 miles from Scarsdale because I had the responsibility of being the chief elected official of a community where I have lived for 38 years.

Hurricane Sandy demanded a tremendous municipal response. Our emergency response team met twice a day in the new Public Safety Headquarters and spent innumerable hours on the phone with Con Edison advocating for services. Although the Village was severely hurt by loss of power, Village residents who had working phones were able to receive emergency community notification calls. Unfortunately, Scarsdale was not deemed a priority by Con Edison and our power was out for an extended period of time. We held community meetings to inform residents of what was going on, we powered traffic lights with emergency generators and we opened the library to extended hours as a warming, computer and recharging center.

In the wake of Sandy, the Village Board enacted new code for the installation of permanent generators, which the Village Board had opposed for years due to noise levels. The Emergency Notification System, which I spearheaded has had many benefits for residents, not the least of which is providing a quick, efficient and inexpensive way to notify villagers of important changes, such as reducing water usage during droughts.

The accomplishment of which I am most proud is the installation of the Fox Meadow Drainage Basin, otherwise known as the rain garden. It has provided residents in the area with much needed reduction of flooding. At the end of my term as Mayor, the Board began planning for another flood abatement project in the Sheldrake area.

As Scarsdale residents know, I am unafraid to tackle tough issues. During my tenure as Mayor, the Board adopted a model zoning code that complies with HUD's model code. The Board worked hard to adopt model zoning that includes affordable housing without compromising the zoning code that protects the quality of life in Scarsdale.

Other projects that I championed were the planned modernization of the Reeves Newsom Pumping Station and the modernization of the Ardsley Station, which turned out to be prescient when the pump failed this fall, but was quickly replaced due to the planning in place.

Lastly, during my term as Mayor, the Village began a village-wide tax revaluation. Although I was not in favor of the revaluation in the beginning, as a result of community support presented by village residents I concluded that the "reval" would restore property tax fairness.

Personally, I'm most proud of my three grown children and their families. It's hard to raise children; and my husband (a retired Scarsdale school teacher) and I devoted our entire young lives to it, along with assistance from our extended families, including our family matriarch, Esther Flisser who lives in nearby Yonkers at age 95, and my late mother, who lived in Scarsdale until age 98. I came to the USA as an immigrant, and in gratitude for the opportunity I was given here, I have devoted one half of my work to public service, including as a medical volunteer; and in the voluntary positions of Trustee, Fire Commissioner, Police Commissioner, and Mayor of the Village of Scarsdale. I hope to be able to continue in public service as a legislator for Westchester County.

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Published: 07 October 2013

Created: 07 October 2013

Last Updated: 07 October 2013

Hits: 2797

Scarsdale Mayor Bob Steves took the podium at the Scarsdale Forum meeting on October 3 to give his State of the Village address. Referencing troubles in Washington D.C. Steves joked that the Village Board has not voted to shut down the local government.

He reported that the Village was continuing to grow, move forward and change and said that the state of the Village was a reflection of those who contribute their time to Village government. Calling Scarsdale a "relatively small community," he encouraged everyone to participate in "constructive dialogue."

He reported that the Village completed Fiscal Year 2012-13 with a surplus of $215,000 despite $1,000,000 in expenses relating to the recovery from Hurricane Sandy. Though revenues were slightly less than projected, Village Managers were able to keep expenses in line and ended the year in good shape.

The total Village budget was approximately $43 million, with 70% of the revenues derived from real estate taxes. Though the Board wrestled with the state imposed 2% tax cap, they balanced the need to contain expenses with the demand for services and ultimately decided to raise taxes beyond the cap to meet resident's needs.

Steves told the group that 37% of the budget is spent on public safety for Scarsdale's own police force and firefighters who also call on resident volunteers at times.

On the issue of water he said that watering restrictions would soon be lifted to allow residents to water their lawns on their own schedules. Work on the Reeves Newsome Pumping Station has been completed and renovations are currently underway at a pumping station near the Hartsdale Train Station. Once complete Scarsdale should have increased water capacity. Though Water District #1 was hit by a lawsuit about safe drinking water by the EPA, Steves asserted that our water is safe and that the County is looking for ways to treat our water with ultraviolet light to bring it into compliance.

Other updates include the following:

• A new sewer tax that has been levied on residents will allow the Village to repair the infrastructure.
• The Popham Road Bridge renovation is complete and work on the Crane Road Bridge on the Bronx River Parkway will continue for quite some time.
• Storm water retention projects have been completed at George Field and Cooper Green, with some funding received through grants from the County. The final leg of the project is at Harcourt Woods and that work will be done soon.
• The Board is looking at ways to preserve neighborhood character. They are examining building requirements including FAR and setbacks and discussing how historic properties can be saved.
• The tax revaluation data collection process is now complete and residents will see their new assessments on the July 2015 tax bills.

Though there were few questions from the audience, one senior citizen, Maggie Schwartz, took the opportunity to seize the mic and recite a litany of complaints about Scarsdale. Her monologue touched a plethora of issues including crime, noise, senior services and emergency response. She complained that two dogs have been barking at a neighbor's home for the past eighteen years and said the only time she got a reprieve was when thieves robbed the neighbors and let the dogs out. She complained that seniors need to share school buses with students and that their outings are often cut short when buses are needed to pick up children at the end of the school day. Discussing a recent senior trip to a restaurant at Arthur Avenue in the Bronx she said, "I had just started to eat my spaghetti when we all had to rush out of the restaurant and board the bus so that it would be back in Scarsdale in time to drive the children home. Why can't we spare a bus for the seniors?"

She went on until David Irwin said, "we are going to have to cut you off now." Looking around, Schwartz said, "Why? I don't see anyone else who wants to speak!"

Steves addressed many of Schwartz's complaints and said, "If you are not getting the attention you need, let me know."

Also at the meeting, Former School Board Presidents Liz Guggenheimer and Jill Spieler were honored for their service by the Scarsdale Forum. The two served together for six years and saw the community through controversial discussions regarding the school budget and the Superintendent earlier this year. Scarsdale Forum President David Irwin presented each with a gift from Wilson and Son Jewelers to thank them for their work on behalf of Scarsdale.