Anonymous Comments: To Post or Not to Post?
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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"I have been reluctant myself to enter any conversation on the website because of the free reign for destructive anonymous comments. I wonder if you might have more conversations on-line if people like me felt more comfortable contributing."
We received the above from a former school board member who urged us to rethink our policy on permitting anonymous comments on the site. Since the launch of Scarsdale10583.com, nearing six years ago, the posting of anonymous comments has been a hotly debated issue.
Even a former mayor, sent us harsh words about the comments that were posted on the site during Hurricane Sandy when many were without power for almost two weeks. Defending her performance during the storm, former Mayor Flisser warned, "If you get your information from ill-informed websites frequented by cyber trolls who are encouraged or even wholly created as sock puppets by anonymous bloggers you'd get a skewed view of the Village's response to the crisis."
Those who favor the policy say it gives them free reign to state what's on their mind without fear of repercussions while those who are against it say anonymous posts allow community members to attack one another without assuming responsibility for their statements.
As the site administrator, I see that the comments offer a glimpse into what people are really thinking. Who knew that 1,700 people would vote to turn down the first Scarsdale school budget in 40 years? The disgruntled failed to express the strength of their numbers at school board meetings and caught many by surprise. A careful reader of the comments on the site might have picked up a wave of dissent. On the other hand, some of the comments that are submitted are too pointed and put us in the uncomfortable position of moderating nasty debates.
We asked some of more involved users what they thought about the policy – and it's a mixed bag.
Here is what you said:
Michael Otten, a former member of the Scarsdale School Board said, "Why are so few willing to put their names on their comments? The site says "Name (required)," but obviously most of the comments do not include a real name."
Jeff Blatt, another former School Board member is passionate about this issue. He said, "Anonymous comments on 10583 are the height of cowardice and are typically supplemented by the same anonymous poster publishing almost identical comments under multiple anonymous names. This has the effect of making it seem as if many share the same view when in fact the commentary is all coming from one individual. I try to teach my children that free speech is a right to be used responsibly and with integrity. Both of these principles are violated by anonymous posters. If an individual is unwilling to stand tall behind a comment, then a strong case can be made that the comment should not be published by a web site that purports to provide a forum for civil and progressive dialog. I am willing to say whatever is on my mind precisely because I am willing to sign my name to my comments. I often am counterattacked by the anonymous. Such attacks roll easily off my back. I am only offended by the fact that I have such cowardly neighbors. For the few who have responded and signed their name, thank you for engaging.
But Bob Berg, currently the President of the Scarsdale Forum, and one who enjoys debate has another view. He said, "The bottom line for me is - who cares? As the butt of many comments, occasionally positive, but often vile, on your website, both anonymous and purportedly named, I certainly don't care. I'm probably in the minority. But I know others who have been verbally abused who now have retired from public participation in important community discourse. That's sad and unfortunate since your website should be a forum for reasoned debate, even if posted without attribution. And the blame has to lie with you for posting ad hominem attacks. So the solution is simple -- you just need to exercise a modicum of judgment and not post inappropriate comments."
We also received this unsolicited comment from someone who calls themselves "Scarsdale Teacher" and believes that anonymity is necessary to protect teacher-student-parent relationships. Here is what he/she wrote. "I appreciate Mr. Otten (and others) who post under their names. I wish I felt able to do so. But in trying to provide a teacher's perspective on issues that relate to the schools (note that I have made no comment at all on the wisdom or fairness of the reval itself), I must be mindful that I teach the children of other commenters in this forum. I do not wish to prejudice my relationship with any of my students, either because they know I agree with their parents or because they know I do not."
So where do we come out? We agree with Berg that it's up to us to be judicious about which comments we post. We should refuse to put up comments that include personal attacks, low blows and unproductive criticism but permit those that engender community conversation. We promise to do our part to be more effective moderators and ask that you, our readers, do your part to maintain our forum. Here's how you can help.
-Include your name when you can
-Avoid personal attacks and naming names
-Make constructive comments that move the dialogue forward
Comments about comments? Please send them to us in the box below.
A Summer Job for Mom or Dad
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- Written by Stacie M. Waldman
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If you watched wistfully as your kids went to camp this year, next summer you should consider going too. Many local camps in Westchester (as well as sleep away camps) are eager to hire parents for the summer. John Collins, Director of Badger Day Camp in Larchmont, has seen the benefit of hiring people who are also parents. "It's great to have an employee with guaranteed experience that is personally invested in the welfare of the children and the camp," he said.
Working at camp can allow you to explore a hobby or passion, while spending more time with kids and getting a break on the camp fees. Did you play the acoustic guitar and write music before having kids? Did you play college soccer or do you love coaching baseball? Working at camp can mean getting back to do something you had loved before your own kids took over all of your free time.
There are numerous positions at camps for which a parent can apply, including waterfront staff, head counselor, division leader, program coordinator, marketing director, sports staff, farm or gardening staff, various office jobs, cooking, yoga, drama, art, computers, nurse, and doctor, among others. Some camps prefer that you have an education degree and/or teaching experience; others just require an interview and proof that you have the ability to teach a certain activity or lead a particular group. Don't downplay the skills you have attained as a parent. Most parents of campers are thrilled to learn that a head counselor or instructor has kids of his or her own at camp.
There are many benefits to working at a summer camp, whether day or sleep away, for example:
• It's fun! Really fun most of the time.
• It's active. Yoga then tennis followed by swim and martial arts maybe?
• Your kids will LOVE seeing you there, guaranteed.
• Playing a role in teaching a three-year-old how to swim for the first time and forever is priceless.
• Free hot lunch daily (and maybe ice cream too)
• You'll have the opportunity to see your kids socializing and learning.
• Many camps offer a significant discount on tuition, a salary, or both. Kids may even go for free!
• You may have influence over your own child's camp experience.
• You can have a true impact on other kids' lives for eight weeks.
There are a few realities to working at a summer camp to keep in mind. Badger's John Collins thinks there are challenges to overcome if you are working at a camp that your child attends. "You may need to realize for the first time that your own kids don't come first," he said. "You have 10 to 20 kids in your group who are looking toward you as their parental figure/role model for the day and every one of those children has to be treated equally no matter what the situation." If you're working as a head counselor or division leader, you may be responsible for helping your counselors do the "nitty gritty" work at camp, like applying sunscreen to a whole lot of wiggly four-year-olds, serving lunch to kids that may be picky eaters, and helping kids get dressed for swim (as well as redressed after swim). You will also have to manage counselors who can be conscientious and mature, or sometimes not so much. You may be a contact point for parents so you need to feel comfortable with this aspect of the job. If you're an instructor, camps often count on you to develop teaching plans for your activity. Instructors are responsible for different age groups, so the plan needs to be appropriately adjusted to reflect age differences.
Working at a summer camp can make you feel young again, at least until your own kids walk in the door. There's nothing like having a bunch of high school and college kids as your assistant counselors when you're a division leader or head counselor. Have them guess your age at the end of the summer and I bet they'll guess that you're 5-10 years younger than you really are (as evidenced by asking my own counselors for the past two summers).
Last but not least, a tremendous benefit to working at a local summer camp is the giant list of qualified babysitters you can add to "favorites" on your smartphone.
Contributor Stacie Waldman worked at her children's day camp this summer.
Sidewalk Sale is a Hit in Scarsdale
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Scarsdale Villagers indulged in a day of bargains and good buys at the annual Sidewalk Sale sponsored by the Scarsdale Chamber of Commerce on Thursday July 31 through Saturday August 2.
With substantial markdowns at stores such as LF and Gingerbread Kids, this event was a joy to shoppers with an eye for value. Many retailers set up booths to promote themselves and introduce their merchandise to new customers. Residents spent the three days strolling around town and exploring stores that they may have not known about before. Olivia Garcia, a rising senior at Scarsdale High School, was one of the many that went to the sale. Olivia commented, "It was awesome. There were a bunch of great deals and the people were really friendly."
LF was a favorite among teens, who were eager to own the latest trends in fashion at great prices. Petticoat Lane also attracted a large crowd to their sale of designer handbags, jewelry, and more. Aside from the seemingly popular clothing sales, other retailers such as Imagine Candy and La Dentelliere provided residents with not-to-miss bargains. Namu Steakhouse brought their barbeques outside and offered steak and cold drinks to hungry shoppers. It was another successful Sidewalk Sale for Scarsdale Village.
BOT Introduces New Leaf Law and More at August Meeting
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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To mulch or not to mulch – that was the central question at a lively meeting of the Scarsdale Board of Trustees on Tuesday night August 12th. Even though it was the dead of summer, a passionate group turned out to persuade the Board of Trustees to approve new Village code that would put an end to the curbside collection of loose leaves in Scarsdale. Under the new provision, residents would be encouraged to grind or mulch their leaves in place with a power mower or to pack them into bio-degradable bags for pick up by the village. Though at face value the move does not appear to be revolutionary it has excited much discussion for and against. Environmentalists believe that the current practice of toting away leaves is expensive and wastes valuable organic matter while cost-conscious residents fear that mulching will be an undue burden on landscapers and that the new code is really a cut in services.
Mayor Steves announced that the text of the new law had been drafted, but rather than vote on it at the August meeting the BOT would send it to committee for further consideration. Though the Board has received input from the Friends of the Scarsdale Parks, The Conservation Advisory Council and the Scarsdale Forum, Steves is looking for "broad discussion" and the "full community to weigh in" before trustees put the measure to a vote. He also hinted that this fall, when the Village will still vacuum up the leaves, the Village will be more aggressive about giving summons' to those who leave large piles of leaves in the streets rather than at the curb.
Speaking in favor of the measure were:
Dan Hochvert of Woods Lane who said, "It seems that we resist change." He explained that he has been mowing his lawn since his eldest son left for college and has found that grinding the leaves with a power mower works well. As for the flower beds, he leaves the leaves where they fall and they turn into mulch.
Michelle Sterling of Brayton Road also spoke in favor of leaf mulching and encouraged people to "have a few conversations with your landscaper." She said that "people are making more of this that it needs to be" and said that "it ought to cost less, not more" for landscapers to mulch in place rather than use gas blowers and haul them away. Referring to a letter in the Scarsdale Inquirer from a resident who claimed she did not have enough grassy area to absorb all her falling leaves, Sterling said, "just because 1% can't mulch is not a good enough reason not to pass this resolution. Do you want to stall an initiative that's good for most for the 1% for whom this doesn't work?"
Howard Nadel said that the Fiscal Affairs Committee of the Scarsdale Forum had come out in favor of the measure as well. He said, "I have been mulching for the past few years and it works well. People are slow to change.... Let's do this, and let's do this together."
Madelaine Eppenstein, speaking as a resident who, with full disclosure, is also a co-President of the Friends of the Scarsdale Parks and a Forum Sustainability Committee member, told the Board that since the Village already picks up organic yard material once a week, including bagged leaves prior to the fall season, the new collection program would just be extending that service to bagged fall leaf pick up instead of vacuuming fall leaves from the curb side.
Ron Schulhof, a resident and member of the Conservation Advisory Council spoke enthusiastically about the proposed new measure. He told trustees that he had an organic gardener and mulching had eliminated the need for pesticides. He said he was recently at a workshop for landscapers in New Rochelle who were won over when they saw the new equipment available to mulch. He said, "This is not a reduction in services but an opportunity for the staff to focus on other things."
Lena Crandall of Fox Meadow Road said she favored mulching and invited anyone with questions to call her. She helped her own landscaper and the landscaper at the Scarsdale Woman's Club to mulch.
Anne Jane Holmes and Braden Cohen from the Greenburgh Nature Center also attended. Holmes said that mulching "relieves the landscapers load" and is a triple win for the homeowner, the landscaper and the Village. She said "she had not seen this depth of community dialogue anywhere else," though many other Villages have adopted mulching. Braden said that "leaves are organic matter, a resource." Mulching will "help the entire community" and reduce flooding.
Last, David Fenigstein said, "I am proud that we don't use fertilizer or pesticides. Mulching has long-term benefits for our children. Let's get it done ...We should be leaders from a sustainability point of view."
Personnel:
In other Village news, the Mayor noted changes in the staff at the Village Managers Office. Rita Azrelyant, an Assistant to the Village Manager in Scarsdale was recently appointed as the Director of Parking Services in Greenwich at a salary of $105,000. She holds a master's degree in Public Administration from the Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and was chosen from 18 applicants.
John Goodwin, also an Assistant Village Manager has accepted a new position as Assistant City Manager in Canandaigua which is in the Finger Lakes Region in upstate New York. John is also a graduate of the Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and has worked in Scarsdale since March, 2010.
Steves said he was sorry to see both go, thanked them for their service and wished both Rita and John well in their new positions.
Deputy Village Manager Steve Pappalardo said that Goodwin had done "Yeoman's work for the Village of Scarsdale" and congratulated him on the move.
Road Closures:
Pappalardo then relayed information on a series of road closures on the Bronx River Parkway and in Scarsdale Village.
The BRP will be closed from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm on Thursday August 14 and Friday August 15 for paving and on August 18 and August 19 for painting of paving markers. In Scarsdale Village, four roads will be repaved during the week of August 18. A portion of Chase Road as well as Spencer Place, Harwood Court and Boniface Circle will be repaved from August 18 – August 20 and on August 20 and August 21 the parking lines will be painted. There will be no driving downtown during those days, though pedestrians can use the sidewalks.
Movies:
The Village of Scarsdale Pool will be the scene of an upcoming film from Bootleg Productions in Brooklyn who has asked for permission to use the diving pool to film an underwater scene. Trustees granted the production the right to use the diving pool beginning Monday August 18 for a maximum of four days.
The Board approved a host of additional resolutions. Of note were the following:
- A change order for the construction of four rain gardens at the Scarsdale Library that will absorb 450,000 gallons of water from the roofs of the library
- $49,197.50 in funding to support the Older Adult Services Program and $234,316 to support the Youth Services Project at Scarsdale/Edgemont Family Counseling Services.
- $87,500 to support the Scarsdale Teen Center
- Extension of the closing date on the sale of 3 Edgewood Road to February 21, 2015 to accommodate provisions regarding title insurance.
- Extension of the lease of Village owned land to John Ramsey of Ramsey Farms for farming purposes.
- Permission for the Scarsdale Concours d'Elegance to hold an antique car show in Scarsdale Village on October 5, 2014.
- Permission for the Peter C. Alderman Foundation to hold a charitable walk on Village walkways on Saturday September 13.
Appointments:
- Harold Porosoff of 22 Olmstead Road was appointed as an alternate member of the Planning Board to fill the unexpired terms of Marc Samwick.
- Josh Stampfli of 151 Rock Creek Lane was appointed to the Conservation Advisory Council.
- Robin Schiff of 12 Sage Terrace was appointed Chair of the Advisory Council on Youth.
- Lucas Meyer of 21 Autenrieth Road was re-appointed to serve as Associate Village Historian.
- John Cromwell of 269 Nelson Road was appointed as an alternate member of the Committee for Historic Preservation.
Sidewalk Sale July 31 - August 2 in Scarsdale Village
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Over 35 local retailers and businesses will participate in the Scarsdale Chamber of Commerce 2014 Sidewalk Sale on Thursday July 31, Friday August 1 and Saturday August 2 in Scarsdale Village from 10 am to 6 pm. There will be great deals from merchants, information from service providers plus a full day of entertainment on Saturday in Chase Park.
Bring the kids to enjoy animals from the Greenburgh Nature Center, Amazing balloons from Scott Kazan and live music from DG Dave of Summit Entertainment in Chase Park on Saturday August 2nd
Mark your calendars for Thursday July 31, Friday August 1 and Saturday August 2 and plan for some fun in Scarsdale Village.
