Boykin and Flisser Meet at LWVS Candidates' Forum
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Former Scarsdale Mayor Miriam Flisser sparred with White Plains Councilman Ben Boykin at the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale Candidates' Forum at Scarsdale Village Hall on October 24. The two are vying to win a seat on the Westchester County Legislature to represent District 5 which includes Scarsdale, most of White Plains and a portion of Harrison.
Both candidates emphasized past achievements in public service and their professional careers to demonstrate their abilities to work with others and get things done. As a former Village Trustee and Mayor of Scarsdale, Flisser recounted some of the initiatives that were implemented during her tenure including the Fox Meadow Stormwater Improvement Project at George Field and Cooper Green, the emergency notification system at Village Hall, leaf mulching, a new generator law and the tax revaluation that is now in process. Dr. Flisser, who is a pediatrician, cited her experience working with parents and children to come up with practical solutions to health issues.
Boykin touted his educational resume, professional record and tenure as a White Plains Councilman. The former Assistant Treasurer of Nabisco, Boykin claimed to have a facility with budgeting and cost control and vowed to keep County taxes low while tackling flooding and infrastructure issues. He referenced the development of downtown White Plains including the construction of The Ritz Carleton, City Center and The Source (site of Whole Foods) as examples of his ability to work with community and business leaders to revitalize the downtown area.
When asked to identify the three main issues affecting the county, both Boykin and Flisser discussed issues specific to Scarsdale.
Boykins three top priorities were:
- Holding down property taxes
- County funding for flood remediation
- Infrastructure and transportation issues
Flisser used this opportunity to warn voters against the threat to the Village posed by the Affordable Housing Settlement and said, "the most important issue is to maintain our Village in a Park ..... the federal system is not serving Scarsdale."
The candidates diverged on their views on the Affordable Housing Settlement and it's possible effects on Scarsdale. Flisser read quotes from letters sent from HUD to Scarsdale Village during her term as Mayor, referring to a study from Rutgers University that called for 160 units of affordable housing to be built in Scarsdale. Boykin responded by saying that the study had not been adopted and claimed that the settlement posed no threat to Scarsdale. He repeatedly stated that "New York State is a home rule state. Only a local municipality can change their zoning code. Scarsdale is 98% built out and there is no room for additional development. It is a matter of sitting down, communicating and collaborating"
According to Boykin, the HUD Monitor has now identified seven Westchester communities with "exclusionary zoning practices" and asked them to address how they will overcome these impediments to Fair and Affordable Housing. On the list are Pelham Manor, Mamaroneck, Harrison, Croton, Ossining, Pound Ridge and Lewisboro. Boykin contends that the issues could be worked out through collaboration with the Federal Monitor and criticized the Republicans for using "fear mongering and scare tactics" to make voters believe that the county would sue local municipalities to force changes in zoning codes and build multi-family homes in areas now zoned for single-family housing.
In her rebuttal to Boykin's claims, Flisser responded, "It is naïve to think the State and Federal governments will not interfere. These seven communities are having their zoning law scrutinized. Why do we need a monitor? Is this high school?"
Questions were posed from the audience, Most audience members appeared to have been asked to attend by members of the candidate's constituencies. More discussion followed on flooding, the County Charter Commission, bonding to pay for operating expenses (both were against bonding for anything but long-term capitol projects), increases in daycare costs and Rye Playland.
In closing remarks, Boykin said, "I am ready to serve you now. I don't have a learning curve. I know how to build consensus and I understand the issues faced by us at the local level.... flooding, infrastructure and quality of life."
Flisser said, "I have served thousands. I have deep experience and will serve your needs and keep taxes down. I support job growth and local zoning control. I came to this country from war-torn Europe and winning the election and serving you will allow me to express by gratitude."
Election Day is Tuesday November 5. Polls are open from 6 am to 9 pm. For more information visit vote411.org. (Photo credit Nan Berke)
Announcing the Winners of the 2013 Halloween Window Painting Contest in Scarsdale
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The Scarsdale Recreation Department estimates that 645 people participated in the annual Halloween Window Painting contest – which is no small feat for the recreation department staff and parents to organize. Thankfully the weather was ideal for painting and the sunny, dry conditions made for great results. Due to the simultaneous scheduling of the Scarsdale Concours d'Elegance, a vintage car show in downtown Scarsdale, painters were located on Weaver Street, Palmer Avenue and the Golden Horseshoe Shopping Center – but according to Dan Walczewski at the Recreation Department everything ran well and there were few complaints.
Participants included 157 individual entries, 124 team entries and 120 parent/child collaborations.
The Grand Prize was awarded to Kathleen Kantor who is a sophomore at Scarsdale High School for her painting pictured at left that shows a unicorn with a candy corn horn. See the real thing at Lange's Deli in Scarsdale.
The award ceremony will take place on Thursday November 7 at 7:30 pm at the Quaker Ridge School auditorium. Congratulations to all the participants.
See the list of winners and their creations below:
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
Group 5
Group 6
Group 7
Group 8
Group 9
Group 10
SHS Principal Reports Impressive Student Stats for Scarsdale
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- Written by Stacie M. Waldman
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The Scarsdale School Board met at Edgewood School on October 7th and heard the first Educational Report of the school year from SHS Principal Kenneth Bonamo. Now serving his second year at the school, Bonamo gave a positive report on the state of the school, including updates on academics, teaching, extra-curriculars, guidance and college acceptances. Here are highlights of what he shared:
Staffing and Class Sizes: SHS has a high level of individualized in student academic support including a low student to teacher ratio of 11:1. Teaching quality has been described as the greatest influence of students' academic success, and class sizes help determine how much time a teacher can spend with each student. A class size in the low to mid-20s is the goal for all classes. Different academic levels of classes are offered ensuring that academic needs and abilities are met for all students.
Tutorial System: SHS has tutoring available for students. A survey was administered to 25% of student population (n=343) last spring. A total of 95% said teachers are readily available- 31% of students were tutored before school, 54% after school. Mr. Bonamo reported that 96% of students said tutorial time is helpful, whether to review for an upcoming exam or ask a question, and 98% take advantage of this support (18% often, 36% regularly, 34% sometimes, 10% rarely).
Student Support: SHS has 9 counselors/Deans that work with the same students during their four years at Scarsdale High School. They lead programs such as parent engagement seminars and help with the college application process. Consistent with peer schools, there are between 180-190 students allotted per Dean. There are also 2 staff psychologists, a school nurse, 2 academic support teachers, and 2 community outreach workers.
Professional Development: Mr. Bonamo defended the Scarsdale Teachers Institute and educational grants, stressing that investment in teachers' ongoing learning results in improved classroom education as well as increased enthusiasm for teaching. The Colorado River Project has been implemented in science classrooms and helps students learn creative and critical problem solving skills. The Math STI class has been cited as a program worth keeping, and interdisciplinary teaching is being encouraged when possible.
Innovations in Curriculum: Civic Education in 9th grade continues to help 9th graders transition to high school. Advanced Topics (AT) courses are offered at the High School level and provide advantages for students in college admission, prepare students for AP exams, and helps with national rankings. SHS has chosen an AT curriculum versus an AP curriculum in order to provide solid teaching and flexibility in the curriculum.
Administrative Support: SHS has 1 Principal and 3 Assistant Principals, on par with peer schools. The school spends $245 per student for materials such as textbooks and e-textbooks, SMART Board technology, wireless access within the school, etc. Extracurricular activities including drama, music, and athletics are offered. One third of students were on at least one team last year. Extracurricular activities increase students engagement in school, correlate positively with student achievement, and help them develop life skills. School safety and security has been enhanced and the feedback has been positive.
According to Bonamo, statistics demonstrate that the high school is turning out highly successful students. Here are the numbers:
- The class of 2013 had an average SAT score of 1937, the highest in the region (including lower Westchester and Nassau County). This average SAT score is consistent with scores over the last 5 years.
- 97% of students attended 4-year colleges from the 2013 graduating class. Among the class of 2014, 71 students (or 20%) were recognized as National Merit Scholars.
- Over the last 10 years, there was a 9-point increase (from 55% to 64%) in students accepted to the most competitive colleges.
- According to a survey of students that graduated in 2013, 68% felt better prepared for college as compared to their peers and 23% felt as prepared as their peers for college.
Reports from the other schools will follow at subsequent meetings.
Jennifer Vaughan Comes Home to Launch Physique 57
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Jennifer Vaughan Maanavi has returned to her hometown, Scarsdale, to open Physique 57 at its first ever pop-up location in the Golden Horseshoe Shopping Center on Wilmot Road. Three signature Physique 57 classes are offered daily by Co-Founder Tanya Becker who is teaching in addition to Physique 57 instructors from the Manhattan location.
Jennifer grew up on Crossway and graduated from SHS in 1989. Her parents still live in her childhood home. Speaking about the opening of the studio she said, "It feels nostalgic to bring Physique 57 to Scarsdale. It has been fulfilling to watch our brand grow on a global scale and a pop-up in my hometown brings the expansion of Physique 57 full circle." Jennifer has fond memories of growing up here and said, ""From the Steffi Nossen School of Dance to Scarsdale High School cheerleading, this is where my love for dance and exercise was born and blossomed. To me, it is only fitting that Physique 57 launch in the place where my fitness journey began."
She originally discovered the Lotte Berk Method when she sought to rehabilitate an injured back and get back into shape while working long hours as a finance professional and MBA student in New York City. Soon she was addicted. Upon learning the only Lotte Berk Method studio in Manhattan was closing, Jennifer put her Columbia MBA to work and opened up an exercise studio to take over where Lotte Berk left off. She sought out Tanya Becker, one of the most adored instructors from her former studio, to act as her co-founder and build an updated and modernized version of the eponymous technique. Together they developed a new challenging and comprehensive exercise program that is now the basis for Physique 57's internationally renowned method.
Physique 57's Interval Overload format is a challenging, muscle-targeting workout that utilizes intervals of cardio, strength training, and stretching. By overloading muscles to their max, then immediately stretching afterwards, muscles are able to fully elongate after every workout, giving clients a long, lean beautiful body. Instructors are trained to teach the method to clients with varied levels and learning styles and continually evaluated to assure quality control. All instructors are dancers and therefore innately attuned to proper alignment, movement, execution and anatomy. This benefit allows for a safer and more effective class.
Check out Physique 57 in the Golden Horseshoe at 1142 Wilmot Road and view their class schedule here.
Bank Robbery on Central Avenue and Lockdown at Edgemont Jr/Sr High School
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Greenburgh Police received back-to-back calls on the afternoon of September 26 about a gunman at Edgemont Junior/Senior High School and an armed robbery at the Capitol One Bank at 911 South Central Park Avenue in Scarsdale. Just after lunchtime on Thursday police received a call that a man with a gun was spotted at the school. The police arrived at 1:45 pm and placed the school in lockdown, darkening all the classrooms and instructing students to sit against the walls. Police checked every building on the campus and no gun was found. According to Superintendent Victoria Kniewel, the report is believed to be false. By 2:30 pm classes resumed and after-school activities were given the go ahead.
However, also at 1:45 pm police received a report that an armed robbery had occurred at the Capital One Bank on Central Avenue. According to Captain Chris McNerney, "a male suspect entered the bank, displayed a firearm and ordered everyone to the ground. The suspect then took an undetermined amount of cash and fled the area in a dark grey sedan with dark tinted windows in an unknown direction. The suspect is described as a light-skinned male wearing an NYPD knit hat, gloves, a mask covering his face below his eyes, dark colored long sleeve shirt, blue jeans and tan work boots. He was also in possession of a police type radio-scanner."
The school and the bank are about a mile apart. Police are trying to determine if the two incidents are linked.
