Budget and Board Vote Today

Both the candidates and representatives of Friends of Slate 2010 were out in force today, seeking to draw residents to the booths to vote in Scarsdale’s first contested School Board election in recent memory.

At the Scarsdale Train Station, both Suzanne Seiden, the candidate chosen by the School Board Nominating Committee, and independent Bob Harrison were on hand to chat with voters, distribute leaflets and encourage everyone to go to the polls. For Scarsdale residents, the vote is being held at the Scarsdale Middle School, and booths are open until 9 pm tonight. On the ballot are School Board Nominating Committee candidates Jill Spieler and Elizabeth Guggenheimer, running for their second three-year terms, as well as first-timers Lew Leone and Suzanne Seiden, who is being challenged by independent candidate Bob Harrison. Voters will also vote for or against the $135 million school budget. Which represents a 2.56% tax increase in Scarsdale and a 5.77% tax increase in the Mamaroneck Strip.

The community was surprised to see Scarsdale engaged in a whirlwind of activity. Full page ads were taken out in the paper, campaign signs appeared in windows of local retailers, direct mail was sent out and volunteers made phone calls from a local real estate office to encourage their neighbors to vote. In the past, since the SBNC candidates were not challenged, little campaigning was done.

In Edgemont, the community will choose four school board members from a list of five potential candidates and vote on a $48.5 million school budget. The Edgemont School Board Nominating Committee has endorsed David Chao, Tom McCormack and Gerry Stoughton for a second term on the Board and David Stern who is running for the first time. Challenger Caroline Tzelios is also vying for a seat. The budget will mean a 2.55% tax increase. Edgemont residents are encouraged to vote in the old gym of Edgemont High School and polls are open until 9 pm tonight.