CNC Election Results: Amendments Pass and Eleven New Nominators to Serve
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Village Hall was lively on November 15, 2011 when the Citizen’s Nominating Committee election was held. A total of 533 residents voted – in person or by absentee ballot -- slightly more than participated in the 2010 election. Eleven new nominators were selected and all seven of the proposed amendments to the Non-Partisan Resolution were passed. Under the new provisions, two members of the same household will no longer be permitted to serve on the CNC simultaneously and former Mayors and Trustees will need to wait 19 months before running for the CNC. These provisions were hotly debated but ultimately passed by healthy majorities by Village voters.
Below please find a thank you from David Brodsky who served as a Co-Chair of the Procedure Committee with Michelle Lichtenberg, as well as a review of the election results as announced by the Committee.
From David Brodsky: Thank you to the many volunteers who helped run this year's election to the Citizens Nominating Committee, and to the more than 530 residents who voted in person or by absentee ballot for candidates for the CNC and for seven amendments to the Non-Partisan Resolution. These amendments were aimed at making our form of government even more diverse and open to innovation. To those who could not vote, please know that, because of one of the adopted amendments, next year's voters will be able to vote by mail whether they are "absentee" traveling or unable to leave home, thus hopefully broadening voter participation.
Official Election Results:
The election of members to the Citizens Nominating Committee and approval of all of the nine proposed amendments to the Non-Partisan Resolution took place on Tuesday, November 15th 2011, as 533 residents, including 56 who voted by absentee ballot, participated in the election.
The electoral breakdown was as follows:
- Edgewood – 64 voted (including 2 absentee ballots) – Betsy Bush and Michael Duncanson were elected.
- Fox Meadow – 162 voted (including 5 absentee ballots) – Anita Mann and Salvatore Rao were elected.
- Greenacres – 106 voted (including 12 absentee ballots) – Mona Longman and Andrew Sereysky were elected to three-year terms and Glenn Fishman was elected to a successor term of two years.
- Heathcote – 134 voted (including 25 absentee ballots) – David Michaels and Emilia Rodriguez were elected.
- Quaker Ridge - 67 voted (including 12 absentee ballots) – Douglas Birns and Joseph Sarachek were elected.
The amendments to the Non-Partisan Resolution that were proposed by The Procedure Committee were overwhelmingly adopted, as follows:
Amendment 1: Add membership on the Citizens Nominating Committee (CNC) to the existing exclusions against simultaneous service on the Procedure Committee
405 Yes 62 No
Amendment 2: Clarify that CNC members elected to fill a one-year term may run immediately in the following election for a three-year term
417 Yes 42 No
Amendment 3: Allow the Procedure Committee to make recommendations to the CNC with respect to its Rules of Procedure
412 Yes 47 No
Amendment 4: Add mail-in ballots
422 Yes 51 No
Amendment 5: Add a household restriction on who can run for the CNC
363 Yes 91 No
Amendment 6: Add a former Trustee or Mayor restriction on who can run for the CNC
374 Yes 75 No
Amendment 7: Add to the voting procedures of the CNC
378 Yes 66 No
Get Involved in Your Village Government
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Letter to the Editor: We are the Chair and Vice Chair of the Scarsdale Procedure Committee, charged with administering the election this coming Tuesday, November 15, for election of members to the Citizens Nominating Committee and of amendments to the Non-Partisan Resolution that governs our Non-Partisan system of government, being proposed to facilitate participation on the CNC by more residents.
Recent comments by residents that they do not understand the Non-Partisan System and feel shut out by what is described as a group of insiders cause us to write now to urge residents to take two important immediate steps and several longer-term steps to become involved in the running of our Village:
First, read about the backgrounds of the candidates for the CNC and the substance of the amendments, by going online to www.scarsdaleprocedurecommittee.org.
Second, vote at Village Hall next Tuesday, or by mail-in absentee ballot before next Tuesday, for representatives of the Citizens Nominating Committee and on the amendments; the downloadable absentee ballot is also at The Procedure Committee website.
Then, even beyond next Tuesday’s election, there are abundant opportunities for Scarsdale residents to participate in and influence government in this Village:
• attend the biweekly Village Board meetings or watch them on cable,
• attend the frequent public debates sponsored by the Scarsdale Forum, such as the one held last month on the proposed amendments,
• ask questions or comment at the many public meetings held by the Mayor and Board of Trustees on every issue imaginable to the running of our Village, including budget issues,
• join one of the many Village committees, or
• apply to be a candidate for election to the School Board Nominating Committee or the Citizens Nominating Committee, School Board, or Village Trustee or Mayor.
Scarsdale is the essence of a participatory democracy and there is every opportunity to learn what the relevant issues are and to participate in the debate on those issues. Scarsdale has had a long history of effective volunteer participation in civic affairs. Today’s “insiders” are yesterday’s volunteers, who are joined year after year by new volunteers, who work hard on issues and committees and come back for more.
If you'd really like to help even sooner, please volunteer on November 15 to help administer the election.
Voter participation is lower than it should be. Last year, only 516 people voted, of which 138 of the votes were from absentee ballots. Please make every effort to vote this Tuesday in person, or by mail-in absentee ballot by close of business Monday, to make certain that we have greater voter participation and a more involved community going forward.
Michelle Lichtenberg and David M. Brodsky
Chair and Vice Chair, The Procedure Committee
Edgemont School News
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School news in Edgemont can now be followed on two new PTA websites. In the past, both the elementary schools and the junior/senior high school had pages on the school's eChalk system; and while both groups will still maintain active eChalk pages, they now have their own websites. Parents can check out all the PTA/PTSA news in greater detail on the sites and pay their membership dues online -- a move which should make it easier for all parents to join and support their PTA. Check out the Greenville and Seely Place PTA page at http://edgemontpta.my-pta.org and the Junior/Senior High School PTSA page at http://www.edgemontptsa.org .
In other new, the high school PTSA is selling fundraising tickets to their very popular Lord and Taylor shopping day coming up on Thursday, November 10th. Tickets only cost $5 each and all proceeds benefit the PTSA. Tickets can be ordered online at www.lordandtaylor.com/dogoodeastchester. Perhaps the most exciting PTA fundraising event this fall is the Harlem Wizards return to Edgemont to take on Edgemont teachers from all three schools in a fun filled basketball game where anything goes. The game has been set for Sunday, November 6th at 6:30 pm (doors open at 5:30pm) in the high school gym. Premium seats: (1st 3 rows) are going fast for $25 in advance or $30 at the door and General Admission seats are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. For tickets, visit the PTA website at http://edgemontpta.my-pta.org . Also at the high school, talented students performed in the fall drama, Twelve Angry Men…and Women on Friday, October 28th. The second show, originally scheduled for Saturday night was postponed until Tuesday night due to the unexpected October snowstorm that caused widespread power outages. The jurors "deliberated” for five weeks and put on two outstanding shows. Rumor has it that elaborate plans are already underway for the spring musical in March. Stay tuned for more details!
Later in November, the joint PTA/PTSA Partnership for Learning Differences committee will welcome back Dr. Joel Haber for an encore
The PTA Parent/Child Book Club has their first book group of the year scheduled for 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders on Thursday, November 17th. Parents and kids enjoy reading the book together at home and then gather with other families in small, informal discussion groups. The club will meet at 7:15pm at Greenville. These are this session's books: 2nd grade: The King’s Equal, by Katherine Paterson, 3rd grade: The Trouble with Chickens, by Doreen Cronin, and 4th grade: The Library Card, by Jerry Spinelli. The club will meet again in the winter and the fall. In other book news, the Seely and Greenville PTA’s recently held their annual New Book Fair, and is planning their Used Book Fair in the spring.
High School seniors will take a break from school and college applications when they attend the two-day Senior Forum at the end of November. They will spend the first day on Tuesday, November 22nd at Rocking Horse Ranch upstate and the next day at Chelsea Piers in the city enjoying what is already proving to be a great year.
(Pictured at top: Twelve Angry Men ...and Women at EHS)
Who's on Your Ballot for Election Day, Tuesday November 8th
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Tuesday November 8th is Election Day and local polls will be open from 6 am to 9 pm. Here is a review of whom you will find on the ballot in Scarsdale and Greenburgh. In Scarsdale, there are just a few contests:
Both candidates favor lowering county taxes, which now account for approximately 20% of your local tax bill.
Ryan’s positions are as follows:
- Press the state to takeover the local costs of Medicaid ($211 million) and eliminate other unfunded state mandates. The nine largest mandates account for 90 percent of County taxes.
- Look for ways to consolidate local government and realize efficiencies
- Capital improvement program to upgrade County roads and bridges, buildings and facilities, and other infrastructure.
- Create fair and affordable housing for working families
Choice Matters favor Ryan saying he “has been an active and vocal advocate for Choice since his early in the NYS Assembly.”
Pagan advocates:
- Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of County government to lower taxes and continue to provide services to residents
- Promoting transparency in government
- Cost effective management of County facilities like Playland
- Limiting the scope of County government and expanding it only when residents give a strong mandate to do so.
At a recent debate, Pagan came out “against the fair and affordable housing settlement” saying it threatens “to cost us millions of dollars.” According to Choice Matters, Pagan is rated pro-choice “but will not commit to supporting the Clinic Access Bill and claims to be a political novice.”
Also on the local ballot will be the names of three candidates for Justice of the State Supreme Court. This is the highest trial court in the state. Voters can vote for two of the following three candidates, Robert Di Bella (Dem/Rep), Paul Marx (Dem) and Edward Borrelli (Republican). Learn more about their backgrounds and positions on the League of Women Voters Website at: http://www2.thevoterguide.org/v/vote411/index.do?i=0
Last, Democrate Jeffrey L. Levin is running unopposed for Town Justice in Scarsdale. He is an attorney who attended New Rochelle High School. SUNY Buffalo and St. John’s Law School. There is no salary for this position and the term is four years.
In Greenburgh, Town Supervisor Paul Feiner is running unopposed for an 11th term. He has held the position since 1991. A constant presence
all over Greenburgh, Feiner has recently advocated putting power lines underground when major roadwork is done, turning the old Tappan Zee Bridge into a highline when the replacement bridge is built and mulching rather than collecting leaves. His proposed 2012 budget complies with the 2% tax cap. The salary for the supervisor job is $127,618 and has a term of two years.
Also on the Greenburgh ballot are the following races:
County Legislator: Mary-Jane Shimsky (Dem/WF) of Hastings is running for the 12th Districe that encompasses Irvington, Dobbs Ferry, Hastings-on-Hudson, Ardsley and Greenburgh. Active in the Democratic Party, Shimsky was originally elected to the Legislature in a special election in February, 2011. She is being challenged for her seat by Conservative Party candidate John Russo of Hartsdale who is advocating a salary cut for County Legislators and managers.
Alfreda A. Williams is running unopposed in District 8 which includes Sleepy Hollow, Tarrytown, Elmsford and Greenburgh. Williams is running on the Democratic and Independence party lines.
Councilmember: A $28,332 position with a four-year term: Vote for two of the three candidates:
- Sonjam Brown – Dem
- Ken S. Jones – Dem/Ind
- Kevn Morgan Dem/WF/Ind
Town Clerk: a $73,686 per year position with a two-year term: Vote for one:
- Judith A. Beville (Dem/WF)
- Sherron Fantauzzi (Ind)
Town Justice: a four-year position with an annual salary of $56,626: Vote for three of the four candidates:
- Delores S. Brathwaite (Dem, WF, In, IND)
- Arlene Gordon-Oliver (Dem)
- Walter Rivera (Dem, WF, IN, IND)
- Bonnie L. Orden (WF, IN)
Receiver of Taxes:
Anne Povella is running unopposed for this $85,822 per year job that has a term of four years.
The League of Women voters has a website, www.Vote411.org where you can enter your address to view a list of the candidates that will appear on your ballot and your polling location, as well as additional information posted by the candidates. Check it out.
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.
