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Published: 19 October 2011

Created: 19 October 2011

Last Updated: 19 October 2011

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The view from the Tappan Zee Bridge is one of the most beautiful sights on the Hudson. It’s too bad that one is usually in a car, battling traffic and barely able to take it all in. If Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner gets his way, honking horns and toll lanes will be replaced with walkways and bike lanes, turning the Tappan Zee into a suburban High Line.

Last week, the Obama administration approved Governor Cuomo’s request to fast track construction of a new Tappan Zee Bridge to replace the older and deteriorating bridge. On the heels of that news, Feiner unveiled a plan to make the current bridge a recreational expanse for walkers, bikers, residents and tourists to enjoy and to link Westchester and Rockland Counties.

Feiner who says that saving the bridge from demolition would save hundreds of millions of dollars likens this plan to the High Line in New York City where private monies funded this wildly successful project. He envisions a place where millions can enjoy summer events, gardens and sculptures and an attraction that would be a boon to local businesses, home prices and Westchester’s economy.

Feiner has reason to be optimistic. Another converted walkway in the New York Metropolitan area whose success has far outpaced expectations is the Walkway Over the Hudson . This pedestrian walkway converted from old rail tracks, links Poughkeepsie and Highland. According to a report in the New York Times, the Walkway has attracted over 600,000 visitors a year, far exceeding expectations, and is much cheaper to maintain than it would have been to demolish.

Feiner has support from founders of the High Line and the Walkway for the Tappan Zee conversion. On WNYC this week, High Line creators Joshua David and Robert Hammond told radio host Leonard Lopate that they were excited by the prospects of this project.

And Fred Schaeffer, the father of the Walkway Over the Hudson will lend his support to Feiner by speaking at a meeting Feiner is holding on November 16th to help form a committee to press for this project.

Not everyone is as excited by this idea. Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino’s office appears a bit dubious of Feiner’s plan. Astorina spokeswoman Donna Greene explains; “While it’s exciting that we got fast tracked, we don’t have a lot of specifics yet on what’s going to happen. We do know that the new bridge will be north of the current one but will let out at the same point. Feiner can say a walkway will cost less, but less than what? Money is tight and our priority is to get the best new bridge built we can. It is highly unlikely there will be enough money to do both.”

Aside from the economics, there are some practical matters to take into consideration. Parking: Would visitors inundate the towns of Tarrytown and Piermont? How would they get to the bridge from there if the new bridge will have similar access points?

The size and slope: The Tappan Zee differs from the High Line and the Walkway in that is it much longer, over 3 miles, compared to the mile and change of the Walkway Over the Hudson and the mile and a half expanse of the High Line. It’s also steep. The hill leading up to the bridge itself could detract walkers and will only be good for skilled bikers. Feiner says that the length is actually something he sees as a plus. “We can have that much more there. We can have gardens and rest areas and food stands. There are more possibilities with the length of it.”

Feiner adds that keeping this bridge rather than demolishing it adds another layer of security. He says that one police chief he spoke to says that this can provide another way to leave Westchester in case of an emergency and provides more security to this region.

On the other hand, one can’t ignore the Tappan Zee’s grim history of suicides. Some question how the area could be monitored and if a walkway creates an increased risk for more of these.

On a beautiful day, a pedestrian walkway over the Tappan Zee may seem like a great idea. The successes of the High Line and the Walkway Over the Hudson are compelling reasons to be optimistic about this project. However, in this tough financial climate where it is doubtful that government monies will be available, the prospect of funding the overhaul from private donations may be unrealistic. This may be a very cool idea, but one that is too hard to sell.

If you’re interested in learning more, attend the first meeting on the plan at 8 pm on Wednesday, November 16th in the cafeteria at Greenburgh Town Hall 177 Hillside Avenue, Greenburgh.

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Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 26 October 2011

Created: 26 October 2011

Last Updated: 27 October 2011

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No one knows how Jesus Alfaya found his way to the Greenacres School playground or why he paid repeated visits to the school.  Though anyone can easily walk into the park, residents consider it a neighborhood playground and generally assume it is a safe haven for their children. At least they did until Tuesday afternoon 10/25 when a neighborhood mom saw a man, later identified as Jesus Alfaya, sitting on a bench in the playground exposing himself and masturbating.  She called police after she saw Alfaya pull his pants down, sit on a bench and go at it.

At the time soccer practice was going on at the field and there were just a few kids in the playground. Fortunately an alert mom managed to clear the children from the playground before police arrived.  Officer Gaudio found the suspect in the park and when he questioned the man, Alfaya was very slow to respond. His eyes were red and bloodshot and he was evasive, refusing to even give his name. After three tries, he said his name was Jospeh Hernandez, date of birth 3/17/85, but failed to provide an address. Since he was so hesitant, the officer threatened to arrest him for impersonation if he would not give his real identity.

He was placed under arrest and a search revealed his wallet which identified him as Jesus Alfaya of Yonkers, date of birth, 2/12/85.  However Alfaya said he no longer lived in Yonkers and provided 381 Irving Avenue, Portchester as his address.

Turns out Alfaya had been at Greenacres before. One witness, Francesca Erigo of White Plains said that she had seen Alfaya at the park last week, smoking something that smelled like marijuana.

At Police headquarters Alfaya was charged with Public Lewdness and Exposure of Private Parts in a Public Place as well as False Impersonation as a result of giving police a fictitious name. He was booked, processed and brought to Village Hall to appear before Jude Galloway who set bail at $1,000 and sent him to Westchester County Jail.  A police search revealed that Alfaya is not a sex offender and has no prior record.

Lieutenent Altizio spoke to the Greenacres School Principal as well as a representative from the neighborhood association.  According to Altizio,  “It appears to be an isolated incident, although we are investigating to see if the subject was involved in any other incidents in the area.”

Altizio was puzzled that police were not called earlier when Alfaya was acting strangely in the park. He encourages everyone to be vigilant and to feel comfortable calling the police if they see any suspicious behavior.

The incident shocked Greenacres parents who quickly disseminated details of the event to friends around town via email.  School Principal Gerry Young sent an email to Greenacres parents to let them know that teachers and aides will be on heightened alert and asked parents to talk to their children about staying safe in unusual situations.

Why here? Greenacres School's close proximity to White Plains and the Route 22 busline leaves it more vulnerable to big city problems than some of the other elementary schools and perhaps residents have been lulled into a sense of complacency. Whatever the reasons, this incident is a wake-up call and warrants increased vigilance from parents, caregivers, educators and the Greenacres community.

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Published: 11 October 2011

Created: 11 October 2011

Last Updated: 11 October 2011

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The 2011 Scarsdale Concours d’Elegance will be held this Sunday, October 16 in Scarsdale Village. Each year, the event draws over 100 antique-car participants, hundreds of spectators and dozens of sponsors. Overall, the event has raised significant funds for charities across Westchester County. This year’s event will benefit the Windward School, White Plains Hospital Center, and Scarsdale- Edgemont Family Counseling.

Public viewing begins at 10:30 a.m. and will feature American and European automobiles presented by The Pepe Auto Group, which has added Cadillac to its portfolio of automotive lines. McLaren Greenwich, a division of Miller Motorcars will be publicly unveiling the highly anticipated MP4-12C to auto enthusiasts for the first time ever in New York State.

In addition, there will be a display of unique collector show cars including: 1923 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, 1954 Arnolt Bristol Bolide, Maserati Ghibli Spyder SS, and a freshly restored 1970 Lamborghini Miura S, restored by Vantage Motors. Viewing ends at 4 pm with Final Judging and an Awards Ceremony. This year’s panel of judges is comprised of distinguished members of the automotive press from various media outlets, including GQ, Top Gear, Consumer Reports, The New York Times and Car & Driver. In addition to Miller Motorcars, other sponsors for the 2011 show include The Presenting Sponsor; The Pepé Auto Group, Venu Magazine, Chubb Collector Car Insurance, Performance Flight, Classic Audi and Five Corners Real Estate.

Ralph Della Cava, Trustee of The Scarsdale Concours said today “We are honored and flattered to have been chosen by McLaren Greenwich to be the site for the unveiling of the MP4 -12C to the general public.” He added, “The automotive press has been anticipating the arrival of this car since April and we are pleased to be part of the reveal.”

Evan Cygler and Denis O’Leary developed the concept for the Scarsdale Concours in 2003 while students at Scarsdale High School in an effort to create a place to showcase unique cars--both new and vintage—and to raise funds for area charities. Joining the show’s founder are Lucas Meyer, Ralph Della Cava and Bill Doescher, Gordan Rafajac, Shelley Kronengold. All are vintage car enthusiasts whom have helped facilitate past shows.

For more information visit www.scarsdaleconcours.org