County Executive George Latimer Defends the Debut of Bicycle Sundays on the Bronx River Parkway
- Details
- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 3484
Bikers, runners and walkers welcomed the opening of Bicycle Sundays on the Bronx River Parkway on Sunday May 3, one Westchester tradition that was not cancelled due to the COVID crisis.
County Executive George Latimer made the call to continue this tradition to give residents an outlet and opportunity for recreation after they have been homebound for so many weeks.This year was marked by a change in the route at the north end and by the requirement that cyclists wear masks. Rather than turn around in front of the County Center at the intersection with Route 119, cyclists had to take the exit ramp off the parkway, cross on the overpass and return to the parkway on the entrance ramp on the opposite side.
Participants were also asked to wear masks and maintain social distance, and most complied.
We rode the parkway and saw everyone from serious cyclists, to walkers and families outside enjoying the warm weather and the open road.
Commenting on the event, and the opening of four county golf courses, George Latimer said, “People need a legitimate place to go and if we provide them with opportunities they will be much more likely to follow the rules. Latimer said that the steady drop in the number of active cases and hospitalizations shows that the county’s policies are working.
There was a large police presence and many signs posted to remind cyclists of the rules. Though participants were clearly enjoying the chance to get outside, Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner made his objections known.
Feiner has convened a Medical Advisory Committee made up of “prestigious local doctors” that recommended that the county delay the start of Bicycle Sundays and hold more in the fall. He quoted the Governor’s order that says, “Outdoor recreational activities where individuals come in close contact with each other should be avoided” and cited studies that said that “virus-laden droplets could travel 26 feet and that more than six feet of space is necessary for social distancing.”
After Bicycle Sunday Feiner published photos showing violations of social distancing rules and pictures of people not wearing masks and suggested that the route be shortened to prevent riders from bunching up at two points on the ride.
Asked about Feiner’s objections Latimer said, “I believe he is dead wrong. It was well-managed and people were following the rules…. he has a right to his opinion but if the situation gets out of control, we will shut it down.” Latimer called Feiner’s comments an “effort to get headlines…. Paul does not believe you should have parks open and I believe that is misguided.” The County Executive continued, “It is more of a battle between ideologies.”
Latimer commeneted, “I think the Town Supervisor should work on things that are in his domain. He can work on Central Avenue or Route 119 and enforce the social distancing laws there.”
Bicycle Sundays will continue on May 10, 17 and 31 and on June 7, 14, 21, and 28 from 10 am to 2 pm.
Letter to the Editor: Respect for Prudent Stewardship
- Details
- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 2202
(This letter was sent to Scarsdale10583 by Diane Greenwald)
Scarsdale Friends: I want to offer public thanks to Mayor Marc Samwick and Trustees Justin Arest, Lena Crandall, Seth Ross, Rochelle Waldman and Jane Veron for executing on a hard decision last night and passing the Village budget, one that includes a relatively small increase but also a promise of regular review for future relief.
As we all know, COVID-19 interrupted everything, including the village budget process. This budget, supported by the LWVS and the Scarsdale Forum, offers several important features, including a quick pivot by the Village to austerity operations; creation of a COVID emergency contingency fund; and immediate reductions to taxpayers generated from the Library reopening delay. It has more to go, but I am grateful this deciding body did not make rash or dangerous cuts out of panic.
I am not a finance professional but after years of community involvement, I have come to understand the Village budget. Truth is, it’s just not that complicated. Expenses, revenues, savings. The end! What gets complicated are the values that connect to our taxes and the collective priorities that can never be perfect but must respect and reflect our community ethos. Our taxes are the cost of a civil society and must be weighed very carefully.
Some in Scarsdale (the political party, the VCP) circulated a petition seeking immediate and drastic cuts to the proposed Village budget, and while I can understand the instinct, the devil is in the details. We all seek relief; no one is immune, but in truth, we have little discretion over our local budgets, which are heavily mandated by the State, and we have to be careful not to cut off our noses to spite our faces.
The VCP petition suggested cutting amounts largely from our fire and police departments, which illuminates just how tightly formed our Village budget really is. Cutting the funds of first responders (local heroes) during a pandemic is not low hanging fruit. This is not belt tightening -- it’s dangerous.
Thankfully, the Village Trustees did not act on these ill-advised recommendations. Taking into account the long-term health of our Village finances and our community profile, they acted reasonably. Our neighbors in towns like Pelham, Bronxville and Mt. Kisco, also approved budget increases; each of those towns and several other peer communities passed higher percentage increases than our own.
Moving forward, we should not frame future budget discussions in a way that pits neighbor against neighbor. We should not make sweeping assumptions about other peoples’ capacity and resources. And we should not suggest that those supporting iterative, careful, data-driven budgeting are out of touch and out to harm our more vulnerable.
In fact, our more vulnerable community members may rely on our tax-supported services most. Government provides for our collective health, our community safety and various services that improve and save our lives. This is the Scarsdale brand and impacts our investment here, the value of our homes.
We should be protective of our staff. Cuts that hurt village professionals also impact our local economy, our broader ecosystem. Beyond the mandates and legal contracts, we have some duty out of self-interest and as decent people to support our workforce – first responders and others. I want to thank all of Scarsdale’s exceptional employees who support us during these difficult times. We are with you.
I applaud our Village leaders for both their action – passing a careful budget – and for their intention – to continue to work on the budget to find the economies with careful reflection, which the law thankfully permits. As Budget Chair Justin Arest noted, “Unlike previous years, this vote… is not the culmination of our work, it is something of a beginning.”
Good luck going forward safely and thank you for your service.
Diane Greenwald
Staff Cutbacks at Scarsdale Sanitation Department Cause Cancellation of Bulk Pick-up
- Details
- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 3980
Due to staff cutbacks during the COVID crisis, the Village is making a few changes to sanitation services.
In a memo from the Department of Public Works dated April 13 they explain that they are operating with only 50% of their normal staff and ask residents to help
The first big change is that there will be no bulk pick-up of large items during the crisis. They ask that you defer any big pick-ups until the crisis ends.
Here are some other directives:
• No loose garbage. Please bag all garbage or place it in a trash can for pick-up.
• Make trash visible from driveway entrance. If it can’t be seen from the street, we may miss it.
• Monitor for service changes. Any service changes will be communicated by press release.
• Be patient. DPW staff are doing their best with reduced staffing levels.
Furthermore, though the recycling office is closed to the public, you can still bring your recyclables there Monday through Saturday 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. You can also drop off bulk items.
To support social distancing, they are now limiting the number of vehicles permitted on-site at the Recycling Center by stopping traffic at the scale. They ask for your patience as you wait to be waived up by staff. Once on-property, please dispose of your items and leave the property as quickly as possible.
When will things go back to normal? According to Deputy Village Manager Rob Cole, "The COVID-19 protocols will remain in effect for only as long as necessary. At this juncture, we are aware that our reduced staffing levels will continue through the end of April. The Governor’s Office revisits the target date every two weeks and it is subject to modification accordingly."
Scarsdale’s Got Talent
- Details
- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 4579
(Updated April 28) Scarsdale mother of 3, entrepreneur, MBA and vocalist Rebecca Gabin just released her own musical video version of “Little Girls” from Annie. She stars in it with help from her adorable brood of three little boys from her kitchen. Check it out by clicking here or on the photo above and meet Rebecca here:
What is your background? Are you a professional singer/actress?
Definitely NOT a professional! I've always loved musical theater but stopped pursuing any kind of performing around Middle School... went the "responsible" route and got my MBA. I took a few years off to stay home with the kids, but eventually went back to work and actually had just co-founded a new venture about a week before everything started shutting down. We will have to see what the climate is once the restrictions start to loosen up- hopefully we will still have a company to build post-virus!
Tell us about your experience in voice/theater?
My experience is limited. As I mentioned, I was actively performing until I was about 12- a convenient time to stop since I was spared from unnecessary scrutiny during what seemed like an unending awkward phase. I took some voice lessons in college, but just for personal enjoyment. Some of my family friends had heard me singing over the years, so I've pinch hit for charity events when they needed someone to squeak through an anthem. I had the great honor of being invited to sing Hatikvah at the U.N a few years ago and was told it was actually the first time that it was performed on the stage of the General Assembly.
Now that you’re a busy mom - are you able to continue to sing and act?
I stayed at home for a few years and was desperately in need of a creative outlet. I found a singing app (Sing! by Smule), and joined a community of really talented people, who like me, wanted to connect over music in whatever spare moments we could carve out of our busy family lives. My friends in town nicknamed me "Julie- Smuley" because they'd catch me in the car singing into my phone (don't worry- it was parked!) They were so supportive and encouraging that I actually decided to audition for some local theater- my first time in more than 20 years. It was incredibly daunting! My first audition, I got a callback but embarrassingly crashed into a piano numerous times during the dance segment...needless to say, I hobbled off without the role (or most of my dignity). But a few months later, I saw an audition for a production of Avenue Q in Wilton, CT and ended up getting cast and having an incredibly rewarding experience. It was a LOT of work, the rehearsal schedule was exhausting, and the kids complained that I wasn't there to put them to bed 3-4 nights a week. But it was 12 weeks, we got through it, and I will treasure the experience. A whole bunch of Scarsdale friends rented a bus and come out to cheer from the audience, which was really touching!
How did you get the idea for the video? On what song is it based?
I've seen so many memes about how moms in the time of COVID-19 are feeling more Miss Hannigan than Mary Poppins, and that immediately made me think of "Little Girls" from Annie. But I have 3 boys, so I had to work with what I had. I've actually done a lot of these types of videos through the app over the past few years (much too embarrassed to reveal how many!) Not all of them are parodies, but it's a way to get out some of that creative energy.
How did you get the musical background? Did you write the lyrics?
I used the singing app on my phone, it has all the backing tracks and lets you record your voice over them using just your regular headphones. I wrote some new lyrics and kept what made sense in this context from the original. I'm probably violating all sorts of copyright laws, but my cousin texted me to let me know the original lyricist had passed away, so I should be in the clear)
Who shot the video?
I just propped up an iPad, pointed it in our direction, and hoped it would look ok. Actually, I wrote a message on our pantry door, and thought that the camera would flip it so I wrote it backwards...but it turns out Apple is savvier than I am.
It looked like the boys were having fun! How old are they and what are their first names?
The boys absolutely had fun! I had actually originally recorded this on video without them- and when they heard me singing it, I played them the original Carol Burnett clip from the movie. They said they wanted to make a video with me, so we grabbed an iPad and had a video an hour later. They helped with planning the shots, and very happily did 2-3 takes of each sequence. I also taught my oldest how to use iMovie to edit it. The boys are Ethan (9), Zachary (7), Jonah (3).
How has the video done on youtube? Have you heard from old friends far and wide?
I initially put it on youtube because the file was tricky to send to some family members, and they were not on social media to see it otherwise. It's gotten a few hundred views, not viral, but very touching since I probably only sent the link to 15-20 people who I thought wouldn't see it on my social media page, which was private. Friends have been incredibly kind- most of them didn't see it on youtube, but rather on my social media, so they've been leaving lovely comments. One very generous friend shared the video with you, which I think is a great example of the kind of community we are lucky to be a part of. Most of the emails and texts are (playfully) calling me out as a fraud, since I'm not actually a big drinker and used to spend most of my time at home with the kids anyway.
What did you like to do before the crisis?
I liked to send my kids off to school. Every weekday. That was my favorite. I am really starting to miss restaurants, theater and (the prospect of) travel- all of the experiences that are better as a shared connection.
How are you managing these long weeks at home?
We are incredibly fortunate in our resources during this time, and I think it's a great time to teach our children about perspective through the example that we set every day. Dad is working, safely at home, while so many others are either out of work or in compromising situations. We have food, and Amazon, and space to spread out and run around. Our families are healthy and able to connect regularly. There are moments throughout the day that we have to breathe through, and we are all learning how approach each other with more patience and grace. And music. It really is the greatest stress release, and I think everyone should download the App and come sing with me!
Any ideas for additional performances?
We do have some ideas in the works! We're hoping to get some of our friends and family to participate (remotely) in the next one, so we'll keep you posted on how it comes out. It makes us smile, and honestly, sometimes that can be a small but powerful thing to share.
(April 28) Gabin released a second pandemic video today, this one to the tune of "Be Our Guest." Check it out on Youtube here:
Visual Inspiration: Out and About at the Sheldrake Nature Preserve
- Details
- Written by Jon Thaler
- Hits: 2054
Scarsdale photographer Jon Thaler found a good place to appreciate nature and social distance. He has been visiting the Sheldrake Nature Preserve on Weaver Street, just past Bonnie Briar Country Club. While out and about on the trails, he has seen hawks, geese, ducks and even bald eagles. More types of birds will appear as the weather warms up and he is expecting to see osprey, egrets and herons in the coming weeks.
Here are some of his stunning photos. See more here:
