In Support of Amy Paulin
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Letter to the Editor: We are getting closer to November elections and Scarsdale voters have to make some tough decisions. I've been looking closely at my Assemblymember in the 88th district. I was pleased to find that Assemblywoman Paulin continues to cast votes that are for the greater good. At a time when many lawmakers just vote the party line, Paulin continues to be her own person. It really struck a chord with me when I read that she broke with the Democratic leadership and voted against borrowing $2 billion to balance our state budget. If we had more lawmakers like Assemblywoman Paulin, New York wouldn't be in its current financial mess.
Eric A. Jaffe,
M.D., Scarsdale, N.Y.
Dear Scarsdale10583: When a lawmaker proposes a new tax on us, it is important that we have someone in Albany to fight back. That person is Assemblywoman Amy Paulin. She continues to fight against tax increases and has most recently stopped new taxes on soda, gasoline, cable television, movie theater tickets and Broadway shows. Assemblywoman Paulin has also halted increases in our income tax rate and the mortgage recording tax on co-ops. Can you imagine how many of our hard earned dollars would have been lost had these taxes taken effect? This November we need to re-elect Assemblywoman Amy Paulin so she can continue to be our advocate in Albany, making sure we are not saddled with unfair and burdensome taxes.
Thank you,
Julie Hoofnagle
To the Editor: As a Westchester County resident, mother of four children, and a child abuse pediatrician, I have been amazed at Assemblywoman Amy Paulin’s dedication, knowledge, perseverance and skill – particularly in the area of protecting children and keeping children safe. Almost 165,000 cases of child abuses and maltreatment in the State were investigated in 2009. More than 6,100 of these happened in Westchester County.
Assemblywoman Amy Paulin has worked tirelessly to protect the safety and well-being of our children. Having learned of the tragic death of young Nixmary Brown in New York City and of others here in Westchester, Amy actively investigated in hearings throughout the State the failings of our child welfare system and recommended substantive changes to address them. I met Assemblywoman Paulin when I testified at those hearings, and have been continually impressed at her commitment and knowledge about the complex issues related to child abuse.
As a result of her efforts, several changes in the law were made, including requiring teachers to report suspected child abuse directly to the state hotline, improving child protection investigations and supportive services in certain child abuse cases, and expanding and improving the process of reviewing deaths of children in the State. Assemblywoman Paulin has also tackled physician education in the area of child abuse pediatrics through her advocacy for child abuse pediatrics fellowship training and her steadfast support of a statewide sexual abuse medical education program.
As a physician who evaluates neglected and abused children every day, it is so important that we have an effective voice in Albany fighting to protect our most vulnerable. Although we have made significant strides in improving our child welfare system – much due to Amy’s success in enacting good laws – there is still work to be done. Returning Amy Paulin to Albany, I know will ensure that this critical work will be advanced and that Amy will continue her unwavering commitment to prevent harm to our children.
Jennifer Canter M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.P.
Child Abuse Pediatrician
Amy Paulin Deserves Our Vote
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How can our representatives in Albany think they can borrow their way out of our financial troubles? It seems illogical and ridiculous, but it's happening all the time. The Democratic leadership wanted to borrow $2 billion to help balance the budget. Thank goodness that fiscally responsible lawmakers like Assemblywoman Amy Paulin broke with leadership. Paulin and just eleven other lawmakers were responsible for the decision to not borrow in New York's final budget. Kudos to Assemblywoman Paulin for looking out for the people she represents. And hats off to her for being her own person and standing up for what's right. On November 2nd, let's give credit where credit is due and cast a vote for a true fiscal conservative, Assemblywoman Amy Paulin.
Jeffrey Zuckerman
Still Hopping After 79 Years
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Dear Scarsdale10583: The Scarsdale Women’s Exchange is reopening on September 7th, after having been closed for the month of August.
The shop is still hopping after 79 years. Founded during the Depression in 1931, the Exchange was originally founded to help women in need by selling their home-cooked foods and handmade items. There are currently similar exchanges in 19 cities.
The Scarsdale Woman’s Exchange stocks new handmade items, including knitted and crocheted baby sweaters and hats, quilts, dolls, smocked baby dresses, jewelry and countless items that are unique and reasonably priced. In addition, the shop also sells beautiful tableware, gift items, scarves, handbags and wonderful hostess gifts, Another feature are the delicious and decorative homemade tea sandwiches and baked goods that customers use for entertaining at luncheons, showers and parties.
The Exchange is a not-for-profit shop and when able, makes contributions to charitable organizations, such as Gilda’s Club, My Sister’s Place, Scarsdale Ambulance Corp., Scarsdale and Edgemont scholarship funds.
The staff includes manager, Doreen Goldsmith, and several helpful volunteers.
Stop by the Woman’s Exchange and see what the shop has to offer. You will be pleasantly surprised.
Renee Hock
Scarsdale Woman’s Exchange
33 Harwood Court
Scarsdale, New York
Tel: 723-4728 – Fax: 723-3670
Response to How Big is Too Big
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Dear Scarsdale10583: Congratulations on writing the most important piece of information I have seen about Scarsdale in the past 44 years that I have lived here. The property on 21 Carstensen borders on my property where I have lived for 30 years. With a few neighbors I vigorously tried to prevent the seven additions that they built in addition to the pool, barbeque (which if you have seen the drawings at Village hall looks like it belongs at a Caribbean resort and is 10’X 8’) and the fireplace close to the neighbors property which is approximately 13.9’ high, 10’ wide, and 3’ deep and looks like a Mayan temple. In addition to the claustrophobic backyard, more recently they have added retaining walls around most of the property. We initially thought these were going to be 3’ high sitting walls but they are now approximately 4’.
At the zoning board meeting this spring I mentioned that the house was in a drain sensitive area which was extremely problematic due to our recent storm-related weather problems; nobody cared and the Village said this was not an issue. Despite neighbors concerns the Village allowed everything to go forward. My neighbor and I who are most impacted by this project are extremely upset by this disaster which has been ongoing. I knew the people very well who lived in what was once a beautiful house.
Keep up the good work Scarsdale10583 and let me know if I can be of any help.
Are Village Penalties Out of Whack?
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Dear Scarsdale10583: Though I love living in Scarsdale, lately I feel that the Village is waiting to fine me excessively for minor offenses.
For the past 20 years, workmen and handymen have parked on the street in front of our home while they worked. However, in the past two months we have received three $30 tickets for parking next to our own front walk. The other morning we pulled the car up in front our house to load it for a big trip – and minutes later a policemen appeared and told us we were to be fined for parking in the wrong direction, as the front of the car was facing the wrong way.
And these fines are not limited to parking at home. Last week I was in the Village and parked on Chase 
Road in front of the Christie Place Sales Office. I put money in the meter but later found out that one could only park there after 3 PM and was given a ticket. Why is this necessary when construction on Christie Place was completed long ago and the office appeared to be closed. I later found out that three of my daughters friends received parking tickets in the village that same day.
Two friends have told me stories of outrageous fines they received for violating the 15 MPH speed limit in front of the Scarsdale Middle School. One friend was stopped for speeding on a Jewish holiday when the school was closed. He was travelling 40 mph and paid a $400 fine.
Now there’s a new fee to pay. If you violate the watering restrictions, you are subject to a fine of $250 per day. And if you cut down a tree on your own property without a permit, you’ll be assessed $250 per tree; no matter what danger the tree poses to you or your home. And pity the poor landscapers … $100 - $200 fees for using a leaf blower? Where will this end?
Signed,
Frustrated Taxpayer
