Good Work

Details: Written by Joanne Wallenstein; Published: 09 December 2015; Created: 09 December 2015; Last Updated: 09 December 2015; Hits: 3724

automaticweapons New Yorkers were deeply shaken by the violence in San Bernadino last week. What measures are our lawmakers taking here to prevent a similar incident closer to home? At the December 8th meeting of the Board of Trustees, Mayor Jon Mark briefed residents on what the Scarsdale Police Department, along with Westchester County does to counter active shooters and terrorism.

Here are his remarks:

The horrific events that took place last week in San Bernardino are tragically very much on our mind during the start of this holiday season. With those sad events in mind, we are aware that this evening at another venue a forum is being held at which community leaders, clergy and members of various civic organizations are discussing this topic. We therefore thought it worthwhile to comment briefly here on how the Village has focused on this issue and some of the planning that has been done over the years. The following summary was provided by our Police Chief, Andrew Matturo.

The Scarsdale Police trains and partners with regional, county and state law enforcement agencies in an effort to maintain operational as well as intelligence preparedness in both "Active Shooter" situations and Counter Terrorism.

In the wake of the Columbine tragedy in 1999, all members of the Scarsdale Police Department continuously train in active shooter and rapid response techniques. Several times a year, through the cooperation of the Superintendent of the Scarsdale School District, all officers train in various school buildings throughout the district. Officers train with "simunitions" equipment and tactical gear, utilizing the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) protocols along with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) incident command structure. In addition to this ongoing training, the Scarsdale Police Department maintains a "random walk through" program wherein officers are assigned to different schools, on a daily basis, to conduct a walk through check. This program has fostered a positive relationship with the students and staff at each school and has given our officers an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the various floor plans of each building. We have also expanded this program to include other schools within the Village.

Our training officers have presented numerous on-site demonstrations for the staff at these schools as part of our overall annual training agenda. The Department maintains necessary equipment in each of the police vehicles assigned to patrol in order to respond immediately in the event of an incident.

The Scarsdale Police Department is a member of Counter Terrorism Zone 3 (CTZ3) which includes Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties. Along with all zones within the state, our department collaborates with the county and state police and receives daily briefings via email. Several of our officers are certified as Field Intelligence Officers who are updated regularly with pertinent information.
Several times during the calendar year, the Patrol Section Commander issues heightened states of alert orders, increasing specific patrol at all houses of worship, the Scarsdale train station and other locations throughout the Village, depending on intelligence shared within the zone. In addition, the CTZ3 issues "tasking" requests during the year requesting targeted patrol of locations based on current intelligence.
The active shooter training and rapid response would be used in the event of an incident related to terrorism.

The Scarsdale Police Department maintains an inter-municipal agreement with the Westchester County Department of Public Safety which includes all police departments within Westchester County referred to as, the Mutual Aid and Rapid Response Plan. When activated, the plan provides several levels of increased police personnel and equipment in response to unusual occurrences or civil unrest. Specialized units and resources are also available to any member department.

The Scarsdale Police Department encourages all residents to remain vigilant and be aware of their surroundings. Report any suspicious activity to the Police Department immediately so we can work together in keeping Scarsdale a safe place to live, work and enjoy.

Measures to address gun violence involve social and political choices that go far beyond the scope of our local government. It is not our intention to create a false sense of security with respect to events that are by their nature unpredictable, nor do we wish to give rise to undue concerns. However, we want residents to know that our Village staff and, particularly our Police Department, is very much aware of the violent events that have shaken all of us, and has taken the steps just summarized with a view to being prepared for what we hope will never happen here.

Details: Written by Joanne Wallenstein; Published: 02 December 2015; Created: 02 December 2015; Last Updated: 02 December 2015; Hits: 3481

bowl From the Scarsdale Bowl: This week, as we close the book for 2015 on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday, the Scarsdale Bowl Committee will begin its work to select the 2016 recipient of the Scarsdale Bowl. The Scarsdale Bowl, under the sponsorship of the Scarsdale Foundation, has been awarded annually since 1943 to an individual, or in rare instances, to a husband and wife, who has given "unselfishly of his/her time, energy and effort to the civic welfare of the community." The founding donors of the Bowl believed that "many who serve generously and voluntarily, without office, honor or publicity, are those deserving of having their names permanently inscribed on the Scarsdale Bowl."

The Scarsdale Bowl will be awarded at a dinner on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, at The Fountainhead in New Rochelle. The ceremony will pay tribute to the 2016 honoree and to the spirit of volunteerism, central to the civic life of the Scarsdale community.

The Bowl Committee enthusiastically welcomes community input. It will hold its first meeting December 6, 2015, and requests that residents send nominations with suggestions of potential recipients to scarbowl@gmail.com, contact Michelle Lichtenberg, chair of this year's Scarsdale Bowl Committee, at 914.725.6545, or visit http://www.scarsdalefoundation.org/bowl_nomination.html.

School Board Nominating Committee:
The SBNC Administrative Committee announces the slate of 2016 candidates for the School Board Nominating Committee (SBNC). We are seeking the election of 2 candidates in each district. The candidates in each of the five elementary school districts are:

1. Edgewood – Michael Chayes, Jordan Copeland
2. Fox Meadow – Miriam Beveridge, Sang Han, Eric Liverance
3. Greenacres – Sharon Higgins, Tanya Singer
4. Heathcote – So Hyun Choe, Manos Makrakis, Melissa Pecullan
5. Quaker Ridge – Jonathan Drescher, Eric Premisler

The SBNC election will be held on Tuesday, January 12, 2016. Residents may vote in person in the Auditorium Lobby at the Scarsdale Middle School on that date from 7:00 to 10:00 AM and from 2:00 to 9:00 PM, or by mail-in ballot received by 4:00 PM on Election Day. In the event of a snow day, the election will be held on Wednesday, January 13, 2016.

All election information is available at www.scarsdalesbnc.com. Brochures containing biographical information on each candidate and instructions for completing and returning mail-in ballots will be mailed to Scarsdale school district residents and are also available on the website. Contributions to support the cost of printing and mailing the election brochure are gratefully appreciated; please visit www.scarsdalesbnc.com/please.donate.

Details: Published: 16 November 2015; Created: 16 November 2015; Last Updated: 17 November 2015; Hits: 5276

"My husband and I want to thank you for your quick response to our problem last week. Everyone was friendly and helpful and made our experience easier for us. Thank you for being there for us when we need you!!"

"Thank you for your professional and sensitive care my husband received Saturday night. SVAC is a great community resource and I appreciate all that you do."

These are just a few of the heartfelt thank you notes that Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps (SVAC) received after providing emergency care to Scarsdale residents this year. SVAC has been serving Scarsdale for over 30 years and responds to about 110 emergencies each month.

Simply put, you never know when you will need a paramedic and an ambulance; but when you do, SVAC is ready to help, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Most of us expect a response within minutes of calling 911 and don't give much thought to how that service is provided. Unlike many communities, in Scarsdale ambulance service is not funded by the Village. Support comes from residents like you who rely on this essential service.

Your contributions allow SVAC to retain a few paid paramedics and to train volunteers from the community to drive and assist on emergency calls. They receive no funds from the Village and your tax dollars do not fund the service.

SVAC needs your financial support and is also looking for community member to volunteer. SVAC will train you so no prior experience is necessary – but if you do have a medical background and have a few hours a week to spare, they need your help.

This year, contributions from their annual direct mail drive are down. President David Raizen and Treasurer Peter Strauss ask you to send in your annual donation to allow SVAC to be there for you. Either respond to the SVAC appeal you received in the mail or:

Mail your check to:
Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps
P.O. Box 92
Scarsdale, NY 10583

To volunteer, email SVAC at info@scarsdalevac.com or call (914) 722 2288

Details: Written by Joanne Wallenstein; Published: 24 November 2015; Created: 24 November 2015; Last Updated: 24 November 2015; Hits: 4286

Lifting Up Westchester1 Members of the Scarsdale Golf Club braved blustery winds and 40 degree temperatures to play in the ninth annual Turkey Shootout tournament to raise funds to feed Westchester's hungry during the upcoming holiday season. The tournament raised a record of $7600 which was split between Lifting Up Westchester to support its soup kitchen, Grace's Kitchen, and the Food Bank for Westchester. The Turkey Shootout was the brainchild of member Ralph Watts, of White Plains who has served as tournament chair since the event's inception. Timed just prior to Thanksgiving, it was designed to be a hardship tournament -- one year golfers played in the snow. Funds donated will help Lifting Up Westchester and the Food Bank for Westchester provide more than 7,000 holiday meals to individuals and families in need over the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's period. 22 golfers competed in the tournament and the club received numerous donations from members and club staff. Taeko Hattori of Pound Ridge was the first women to compete in the tournament which also saw its youngest players ever-- Alex Mayer, 13 and Zach Hoexter, 14, both from Scarsdale. Over its nine-year history, the Turkey Shootout tournament has raised $51,450 to feed the hungry.

jules3 The Children's Hope Chest hosted it 3rd Annual Thanksgiving Event at Carver Center on 11/22 in Port Chester. Almost 550 Food Pantry clients at Carver attended the afternoon event. They were served a delicious dinner of pork, rice and beans, plantains, and vegetables. After the meal, the kids enjoyed arts and crafts, cupcake decorating, and getting manicures and tattoos. Over 60 middle school aged CHC volunteers from Scarsdale, Purchase, Harrison, and Rye Brook attended and helped greet/seat clients, serve dinner, and man the activity stations. Each Carver child received a new, warm winter coat, hat/gloves and candy. The 300 coats were collected specifically for each child (requested color and size) Jules4 by Children's Hope Chest donors and clusters. It was truly an amazing day for all involved. To get involved, visit childrenshopechest.com.

Scarsdale seventh-grader Sam Singer hosted a "puppy shower" for America's Vet Dogs to put the mitzvah (good deed) into his 2016 Bar Mitzvah. Sam Singer chose the cause to recognize the two great grandfathers for whom he is named, in honor of their service to the United States in WWII. Sam, a dog lover, helped raise awareness for VetDogs while collecting needed funds and materials required for raising dogs provided to veteran's with physical and emotional needs, free of charge. Sam is a Scarsdale resident and seventh grader at Horace Mann in Riverdale, Bronx.

Girl Scouts Troop 1940 joined the event in order to present donations and learn more about Sam's project. The children enjoyed dog-related crafts and dog-shaped cookies courtesy of Eleni's of NYC. To learn more about Sam's project or to make a donation, visit Samsmitzvah.vetdogs.org.

samsinger

Details: Written by Joanne Wallenstein; Published: 12 November 2015; Created: 12 November 2015; Last Updated: 12 November 2015; Hits: 4074

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congresswoman Nita Lowey paid a visit to Hartsdale on Wednesday 11/11 to honor local veterans and unveil plans to build a veterans memorial at DeSanti Park opposite the Hartsdale Train Station. Firefighters, police, boy and girl scouts and veterans were on hand for the ceremony that was arranged by Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner.

Gillibrand recognized the sacrifices of 23 Lowey million veterans and their families and called for the country to "honor them everyday." Saying that many veterans return home and find themselves jobless, homeless and suffering from PTSD she vowed to continue to fight for them to get what they deserve. She has introduced legislation to expand coverage for those who were exposed to Agent Orange and asked the group to send letters to their representatives in support of it.

feiner Congresswoman Nita Lowey thanked the veterans for their service and noted that she had helped Greenburgh secure $5 million in financing to restore the pool at Anthony Veteran's Park. She said that she recognized that Gillibrand "was a star" when she came to serve in Congress.