The View from Edgemont: Do Contested Elections Make the System Stronger?
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I have been reading with great interest the recent articles posted here on nominating committees in Scarsdale and was not surprised to read that many intelligent and well educated people do not understand why Scarsdale elects a “non-partisan” committee of nominators to nominate candidates for a “no-contest” election. As Scarsdale residents debate whether their non-partisan system needs revamping, I asked Edgemont residents about Edgemont's own nominating system: the School Board Nominating Committee (SBNC) sponsored by the Edgemont Community Council. The purpose of the SBNC is to put forth the exact number of candidates for the vacant seats on the Board of Education each year.
One longtime resident said: I never really gave it much thought but I think a Nominating Committee runs contrary to what a democracy is all about. Why should a few people get to decide who they think are good candidates for the School Board as opposed to letting the community as a whole decide? Every person's vote should count the same. And, in a way, the Nominating Committee probably tends to perpetuate the status quo as I suspect they are inclined to favor similar-type people.
Laura Cooperman, another longtime resident and former member of the SBNC, said: The idea of the nominating committee is a good one - the community is asked for names of candidates, those candidates are vetted in private by the nominating committee (who have been elected by their civic associations), therefore eliminating campaigning and the mudslinging so often seen in politics, and then the most qualified candidates are presented to the community for election. Hopefully those who are not given the nomination are told what they can do to become stronger candidates, and are encouraged to considering running again in the future. The dark side to the current nominating committee process is that it could potentially be manipulated, and private agendas could be disguised as "what is best for the community." To maintain the integrity of our current process complete transparency is necessary, meaning absolutely no private conversations or emails among nominating members regarding any of the candidates. Any discussion about candidates, whether electronic or otherwise, need to happen in the presence of the full committee. Further, it is the right of community members seeking a position on the BOE to run outside of the nominating process; and while not ideal, it should be remembered that candidates running outside the system are our neighbors and are attempting to volunteer in a meaningful and important way.
Another resident expressed confusion at the system and questioned what is wrong with having a choice on election day the way they do in his former neighborhood of Eastchester. He feels that contrary to beliefs that contested elections can get "dirty," contested election candidates get to express their views and opinions on the issues facing the schools and everyone knows where they stand on important issues. He used to vote for whomever he thought would be the best candidate. Last year, he voted in Edgemont for two residents because they were the only two names on the ballot and he was supposed to pick two. But he had no idea where either one of them stood on any issue, especially class sizes which his family is very concerned about.
As for my opinion: I ran in the May 2010 Edgemont BOE election without the SBNC's endorsement and am proud of doing so. Even though I lost the election, I won the respect of many people and helped educate people about nominating committees. Voter turnout was very high that year and I recall that the Edgemont budget easily passed. Residents were fine with a contested election and Edgemont did not fall apart because of it, rather I think it made Edgemont stronger with more interest in the school budget and BOE proceedings.
See a response to this piece from SBNC Chair Marc Ackerman here:
Caroline Tzelios is a "stay at home" mom of three kids who never stays at home. She has spent the past thirteen years volunteering in the Edgemont Schools and recently completed her two year term as PTSA co-president of Edgemont High School. She is the current co-chair of Edgemont's ACE Theater Committee and serves on the Edgemont School Foundation and E Club boards.
Scarsdale Boys’ Soccer Prepares To Make A Post-Season Run
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Last season, the Raiders turned heads throughout the Scarsdale community when they fought all the way to a Class AA state semifinal showdown with New York state powerhouse, Brentwood. Although the Raiders lost that battle, they took pride in having had their best season in thirty years and in winning the support of many local fans. When the 2011 season began, the Raiders were met with high expectations. On September 22nd, the Raiders played their homecoming game against town rival Mamaroneck, and a mob of Scarsdale residents crowded around the turf field in anticipation of a Scarsdale victory. To the fans’ surprise, Mamaroneck pulled away to a 3-0 lead and a 4-1 victory. Subsequently, the Raiders fell to New Rochelle in another home game, leaving them with measly 1-3 record in league play. Hopes of a playoff run seemed out of reach.
“We didn’t want to get discouraged,” said captain, Griffin Flagg. “We knew that the scores didn’t reflect how closely we played those teams. They were all hard fought games; and, in our minds, we knew we could play with any team in the league.”
The Raiders could have let the season slip away; however, under the leadership of Flagg, and fellow captains David Alemany and Jason Peluso, the team came together and made a statement in front of a packed crowd at Mamaroneck High School. On a brisk night under the lights, the Tigers came out with fire in their eyes as they took a 2-0 lead. The Raiders were getting manhandled as the Tigers fired off shot after shot at Scarsdale goalie, Zack Shabman. After making consecutive spectacular saves, Shabman started screaming to his teammates at the top of his lungs.
“LETS PICK IT UP, BOYS! LETS GET THIS DONE!” he shouted.
At that moment, a little bit of the 2010 Raider magic began to trickle down Weaver Street and onto the soccer field. In the blink of an eye, the Raiders looked faster, stronger, and flat out fierce. Scarsdale cranked out three goals, dropping the jaws of the increasingly flustered Mamaroneck crowd. Scarsdale won the game by the score of 3-2; and, the boys, who had been playing in the shadow of an epic 2010 team, matured into a force of men who were ready to go to war together.
“After coming back from that deficit, we realized what we could accomplish if we played as a team,” Flagg exclaimed. “Beating such a highly touted team lifted all of our spirits, and we carried that confidence into the rest of our league games.”
The Raiders rode the momentum into a home game against White Plains, and Scarsdale played its best defensive game of the year. The Raiders shutout the aggressive White Plains offense in a 1-0 game, and it didn’t stop there. After taking North Rockland to overtime, Scarsdale travelled to New Rochelle and won another defensive battle in a dominant 1-0 performance. With one game remaining on the schedule, against last place Mount Vernon, Scarsdale has a chance to finish the season with a 5-3 record in league play. Taking this momentum into the playoffs could put the Raiders in a position to make an unexpected playoff run.
“Those of us who played on the team last year know that playoff soccer cannot be predicted,” said Flagg. “When you know a loss would result in the end of your season, you have nothing to hold back. Even the best teams in the state are vulnerable against a team of kids willing to wear their hearts on their sleeves.”
Former Scarsdale soccer captain and Union College standout, Chris Chiodo, spoke with me about the Raiders’ potential for post-season success. He verified that, come playoff time, all obstacles faced in the regular season are thrown out the window. When asked about what could make the difference for a Raider team hungry to win, Chiodo stressed the importance of support.
“It’s up to the seniors to set the tone for the rest of the team,” said Chiodo. “They have to remind their younger teammates that, for the seniors, a loss results in being forced to take off the maroon and white jersey for life.”
While it’s essential for the players to receive support from each other, there are other sources of support that must not be forgotten. Chiodo mentioned the support of his former coach and current varsity coach, Joe Cipriano.
“Cip believes in every player wearing a Scarsdale jersey, and it’s crucial for the team to trust him,” Chiodo stated. “Until proven otherwise, Cip will believe that his team is capable of exceeding expectations and winning the entire thing.”
If support is what this team needs then it’s time for the Scarsdale community to do our part. Their final game is at home on Friday 10/21, and the playoffs begin next weekend. Let’s show up and remind these kids why we’re proud to live in Scarsdale. And, for all we know, a little support could go a long way.
(Pictured at top: Team Captains Griiffin Flagg, Jason Peluso and David Alemany)
Author Michael Kanner is a graduate of Union College with a background in English and a passion for the written word. He worked at Scarsdale Golf Club as a tennis pro before offering his services to a private clientele, and he loves hearing constructive criticism from anyone willing to speak their mind. Michael can be contacted at Michael.Kanner4@gmail.com
Edgemont Incorporation Redux
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Seven years has passed since a group of Edgemont residents created the Edgemont Village Exploratory Committee (EVEC) to study the possibility of the incorporation of Edgemont and now the idea is back on the table. At the October 3, 2011 meeting of the Edgemont Community Council (ECC) directors voted unanimously to form a committee to investigate whether it makes sense to incorporate Edgemont now as Greenburgh's seventh village.
Why revisit this idea and why now, On the ECC Facebook Page , ECC president Geoff Loftus, cites a number of concerns, including escalating town property taxes over which Edgemont has no control, the Town's 56-year failure to conduct a town-wide reassessment which is costing the Edgemont school district millions of dollars annually, and the absence of any Edgemont control over zoning and planning. Greenburgh is now considering a comprehensive plan that is expected to call for substantially increased housing density along Central Avenue that could swamp the school district with a substantial increase in enrollment.
Loftus stressed that what is being considered is not "secession" from Greenburgh which is not legally or economically practical. Secession was a term used by opponents of incorporation in 2005 to scare residents. Appointed to the ECC committee to study the issue were ECC directors Marc Ackerman, Peter Mellis, Aubrey Graf, and Greg Adams.
In June 2005, the EVEC published the Report to the Community on Village Incorporation, and found that the cost of an Edgemont Village would be higher than the expense of remaining as part of the unincorporated area of Greenburgh. There were numerous issues including the ability to acquire land and create the village infrastructure. The EVEC report can be viewed here:
In taking the pulse of the community on this issue this week, I found that many had no idea that this committee had been formed -- and most admitted that they did not understand what it means for Edgemont to become a village. A relative newcomer in the community was curious about the discussions and wondered why she knew nothing about it. She said, “I feel that the debate has not been fairly disseminated to all of Edgemont, especially those new to the area who have the most to gain/lose by such a move. The membership of this village committee should be open to the Edgemont community more broadly so that we are insured of an unbiased report at the end.”
Another well informed community member said that he recalls that the EVEC report indicated that “Edgemont Village” taxes would be 33% higher than the current (in 2005) Greenburgh Town taxes. He felt that at this time, when real estate agents say that Edgemont properties are not selling as quickly as Scarsdale properties, the last thing we need is higher taxes. Common sense dictates that a small village cannot provide infrastructure and municipal services as efficiently as a l
arge town. He believed his taxes would go through the roof, just when Edgemont can least afford it.
A third community member said that if it would ultimately lower her family's taxes, she would be in favor of becoming a village but would like to hear more about how being a village would affect the schools. She worries about her kids' classes getting more crowded so if becoming a village could help in that aspect, she would like to hear more about it.
John Sganga of Edgemont has mixed feelings about the move. He said, “I am intrigued by the idea of a village. However I need to see how this will occur without additional costs to the homeowners of Edgemont. All types of governments today are being challenged to reduce taxes and increase services! I just assume that the village of Edgemont will add an additional layer of taxes to edgemont denizens. This will be unacceptable. However, I look forward to the findings of this new committee and I will review the results with an open mind!”
Personally, I would like to see more concrete information presented in open community meetings about whether or not Edgemont would be better off as the seventh village within Greenburgh. I also need to know how this will affect the Edgemont schools, if at all. I need to know that no school land will ever be used for village purposes. I need to know what my taxes will be under a new village and most of all, I need to know who will run this Edgemont Village.
Caroline Tzelios is a "stay at home" mom of three kids who never stays at home. She has spent the past thirteen years volunteering in the Edgemont Schools and recently completed her two year term as PTSA co-president of Edgemont High School. She is the current co-chair of Edgemont's ACE Theater Committee and serves on the Edgemont School Foundation and E Club boards.
STEP to Celebrate 45 Years of Making a Difference
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Scarsdale Student Transfer Exchange Plan (STEP) will celebrate 45 years of making a difference at a cocktail party on November 5th from 6-8 pm. The community is invited to attend the event at the Scarsdale Women’s Club and honor Eric Rothschild, a retired history teacher at SHS and one of STEP’s earliest supporters. To RSVP and purchase your ticket to the event, please click here:
Commenting on STEP’s history and where he hopes to see it go in the future Rothschild said: ”I got involved with STEP in the '60s because I was caught up in the excitement of trying to get America closer to her ideals. There were lots of people who were passionate about the idea of STEP and civil rights, even some who put their lives on the line and went to Mississippi during the summer of 1964. Also, the visiting STEP students themselves engaged me as amazing young men and women.” ”For the last 25 years, STEP has been swimming up hill, and continues to do things to help young people. At one point, there were 20 or 30 schools nationwide that had programs similar to STEP. Edgemont had it through 1979. I am proud of STEP's theme of generosity on one hand, and it's role as something that benefits Scarsdale kids as they come into contact with these remarkable STEP students. In the beginning, some people called it tokenism. But, if you do something long enough, it no longer is tokenism. STEP has benefited each student as an individual over the 45 years the program has existed.” ”I hope that 25 years from now, the breadth of the program would expand, so that STEP would host an even broader range of students. And I hope that Scarsdale continues to be the remarkably generous place that it is today.”
Terese Hunersen hosted a STEP student in her home for two years and also serves on the Board. Here is what she had to 
say:
“I became aware of STEP not long after moving to Scarsdale and was impressed with STEP's worthy mission. When we were asked to host a STEP student, I thought this would be an opportunity for our entire family to work together at changing someone's life for the better.” ”You only have to read the biographies of STEP graduates to understand what a difference STEP can make not only for an individual but for the students' future generations. These students not only have an influence on their own families but they are making a difference in the world. I believe that STEP opened up opportunities that they would not have had going to school in their own communities.”
”I hope that STEP continues to receive support from the Scarsdale community which will enable STEP to provide students with promise the opportunity to achieve their dreams. As long as disparity exists in education, there is a need for STEP's mission!”
Former STEP Board Chair and continued supporter Michelle Lichtenberg added, “Once my children entered the High School and I was involved in the SHS PTA, I became more aware of STEP. I was impressed by the STEP students' courage and motivation to come to new high school by themselves in a totally new region of the country to obtain a brighter future. I was also impressed by the host families who open their homes and their hearts to the STEP students.”
“As a STEP Board member, I have enjoyed getting to know the STEP students better and observe their development, their contributions to Scarsdale High School and to witness their maturation, and their ability to mentor and to be a role model for others, both in Scarsdale and in their hometowns. As a STEP Board member, I have enjoyed the supportive environment created collectively by the STEP Board, which brings renewed meaning to the expression that it takes a village to raise a child.” ”STEP helps young people of promise not just to spread their wings and fly but to soar.”
Everyone is encouraged to support STEP by attending the anniversary celebration. Click here to order your tickets for the November 5th event today.
Scarsdale Cheerleaders to Perform in London
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Two cheerleaders from Scarsdale have been selected to travel to London to participate in the New Year’s Day parade. Sophomores and good friends Lauren Wang and Alex Faegenburg will be going to London from December 26th to January 2nd, traveling with a group of cheerleaders and dancers from all over the United States.
The two attended the UCA Cheer Camp, Pine Forest at Trails End this summer where they entered a contest and were among the lucky few selected to go on the trip and participate in the parade. During their time in England they will rehearse, sightsee and perform.
Faegenburg explained how the two friends ended up qualifying for the trip. “This summer at Pine Forest Cheerleading Camp Lauren and I tried out for All-American, where we had to do our best jump, an Xtreme Routine dance, and the All-American cheer. The song that we danced to was a remix to "More" by Usher. We both qualified to go on the trip. I'm so excited that I got this opportunity to go to London! I've never been there before, and I can't wait to experience it with my best friend. My family is coming on the trip for their December vacation, so I can enjoy London with them as well. I can't wait. It's a great privilege and I get to do what I love to do, which is cheerlead!"
Lauren Wang has been on Scarsdale’s Varsity team for two years where she is a base. The team practices and cheers 5-6 days a week from mid-August through June, but Wang still makes time to be an officer of the Charity Water club and help out with Midnight Run. Alex Faegenburg started cheering as a seventh grader in the Middle School and is now on the JV team where she is a flyer.
