May 7, 2008

Today's Children Deserve Opportunites to Excel & Learn

Another year has whipped by and the school budget voting date of May 20 is once again upon us. As an educator and community organizer I constantly find myself addressing how educational missions in our school districts and communities influence a young person’s moral, social and academic life in the present and for the future. To protect the intellectual critical thinking capacity of all of our young people, we must support our public schools. For this reason, I urge us all to vote YES for the proposed 2008-09 Mamaroneck School budget

A recent and passionate quote from Robert Carter, one of the lawyers who argued the 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education case, is now worth reflecting upon: “…the preservation of the person has nothing to do with physical life expectancy and everything to do with intellectual expectancy.” As a community, we support “intellectual expectancy” by providing our schools with the resources to offer opportunities to all our youth.

There is a lot going on in our society affecting our young people that requires the omnipresence of educators. That’s a good enough reason to support the Mamaroneck school budget.

It is not by accident that I selected the Mamaroneck school district to educate my children and I feel they were well prepared for the challenges that faced them after graduation. My eldest child is completing her doctorate. My second child will be attending graduate school. My third child is in the middle school and deserves the same opportunities to excel and learn.

Luis Quiros
Mamaroneck, NY

May 7, 2008

School Budget Improves Services & Reduces Costs for Special Ed

I am writing as a parent of four children in the Mamaroneck school district. You may know my name as the president of Mamaroneck SEPTA but I want to make clear it is not in that capacity that I am writing.

First, I would like to commend the school board and the administration for offering the public many well-publicized opportunities to review the budget in detail and ask questions, make comments and offer suggestions, both at public meetings and in private via email.
Now is the time to vote... YES, please.
I have reviewed the budget and have attended (and watched) many hours of school board meetings discussing in great detail what is in the budget. I have also compared it to last year's budget.

Thanks to the leadership of the assistant superintendent for student support services, Dr. Anthony Minotti, this budget addresses the growing costs for the delivery of special education services, which are mandated by law, and it also presents plans for some major changes in order to achieve significant savings in the area of special education, some in the near term and more over time.

Specifically and very briefly:

1. This budget supports efforts to reduce the number of students referred to and classified as needing special education services. This is the sort of thinking that parents in SEPTA have been advocating for years.

2. Over the years, the dollar aggregate cost for children placed out of district for special education has been high. By law, children are placed out of district because the school district cannot provide the appropriate services in-district. By establishing new special education programs and services, which replicate what other public school districts offer, the district will be able to return students with disabilities to the district and reduce future student placements in private schools, reducing costs. I must add that while it is ultimately about the money it is also about our community embracing our children.

Please read the budget, understand how monies have been reallocated, and think past simply next year.

These days, many are in no position to bear further tax burdens but I do believe that the budget adopted by the school board is worthy of the community’s support.

Amy Lieberman
Larchmont, NY

May 1, 2008

Vote For School Budget Supports Home Values

The school budget vote is fast approaching and will be held Tuesday, May 20. I want to applaud the significant amount of work that our school board, administration, teachers and volunteers have dedicated to improving our schools and tax situation. Although the ongoing problem of state and union mandated costs has not been resolved, progress is being made on these issues and awareness of their impact is growing.

Please vote “yes” for the school budget and then continue to make your opinions known by emailing superintendent@mamkschools.org.

This year’s school tax increase of 5.41% - one of the lowest in the past ten years—consists almost entirely of these mandated costs. Voting down the budget for the second year in a row will not fix anything and could significantly hurt our community’s reputation and real estate values. A 5% increase on a $15,000 school tax bill is $750; a 5% drop in a $1.5M home’s value is $75,000! Families relocating to our county will steer clear of a community that does not support its schools.

Our community is desirable because of its intellectual and engaged population and its excellent schools. Let’s continue to live up to our reputation.

Cathy DeVore
Larchmont, NY

April 17, 2008

Encourage Community Service Via Sneakers & Bikes

The time has come for the Mamaroneck School Board to offer community service credit for those students who walk or bike to school. What better way is there to reduce traffic and improve the health and awareness of our students?

The students could document their walk or ride to school in a simple notebook that simply records the day and weather. The parents or one teacher at the specific school could sign the notebooks.

This simple option will give so many students the incentive to do what is natural and right for our environment. If implemented, this will cost zero money and will foster caring students who can make a difference easily.

David Litzky
Larchmont, NY

April 10, 2008

Consultants Overlook Harm of Artificial Turf

Your article (Schools Are Delaying Capital Bond Vote to the Fall) missed important details from the school board discussion of proposed artificial turf fields.

I was there to comment on the SEQRA application, which analyzes potential environmental impacts. Syrette Dym, a SEQRA consultant from Saccardi & Schiff, answered questions and noted concerns.

Ms. Dym registered the fields as shedding only water. But water passing through the fields is contaminated by the 27,000 ground up tires used for each field. For 3 fields, that's about 360 tons of plastic and tire waste at our high school . Discharged water filtered through the turf is contaminated with low levels of heavy metals and carcinogens. Since we don't know the makeup of the tires to be used, which varies, I questioned how the application could accurately reflect pollutant levels.

When Anthony Catalano, a Woodard & Curran engineering consultant, commented on numerous studies showing no harm, I became incensed and rudely interrupted. Why? I’m tired of "scientific" studies trotted out in defense of this heinous material -- crumb rubber. It's an insult to the public.

Crumb rubber is relatively new. Science hasn’t kept up with commerce. The many studies finding no harmful effects come mostly from stakeholders, the tire and turf industry or environmental departments happy to be rid of responsibilities for landfilling tires (one tire for every New Yorker every year).

No study has investigated what kind of tires are being used for crumb rubber. Should we allow our children and environment to be guinea pigs before we determine complete safety? Our country has a rich history of marketing products whose safety is questioned: lead paint, cigarettes, arsenic-treated lumber, pesticides and asbestos. They were fought for years by dueling studies -and ultimately banned. I predict crumb rubber will also be banned from turf fields.

I believe Mr. Catalano believes crumb rubber to be safe. Most crumb rubber safety studies depend on dilution of the offending chemicals – i.e. toxins and heavy metals which leach out and are diluted by groundwater. That is like saying, “Why bother controlling pollution since there's so much already there?” Multiply by the thousands of fields being built (850 in Westchester alone) and it does matter. Why make it worse when there are viable alternatives to make it better?

Another undisputed fact not addressed in the SEQRA is: these fields heat up – even creating "heat islands." Temperatures of 150 to 170 degrees have been recorded on synthetic turf. Mr. Catalano joked, "No one's going to burn up when they walk onto the field," but how will our children hold up in those temperatures during soccer or football game?

Blue area 62 degrees. Red area, 117
degrees, circled area is artificial turf field.

Given global warming, building heat islands is exactly the opposite action to take (see: heat effects.) Other communities are resisting the siren's call of extended play: (see: synturf.org/moratoriums.html).

Two recent independent studies see potential problems, suggesting, at least, that the "precautionary principle" should prevail. (See: EHH and RAMP.)

(For more, see video of Dr. David Brown, a nationally recognized toxicologist kept from making a full presentation on the Flint Park field.)

Catherine Wachs
Larchmont, NY

March 27, 2008

Nanny Has Positive Tale to Tell

In these days of nanny "tell all" articles, I'd like to contribute an article of my own. From 1991 to 1993, I worked as nanny to Spencer and Taylor, sons of Leslie Holleran and Andrew Mondshein. If you expect this to be full of gossip and put-downs, I'm afraid you'll be sadly disappointed. I have nothing but happy memories of the time I was privileged to spend with this special family.

I remember that my friends at the time were madly jealous of my working conditions, and I'm not just talking about my salary, which was more than generous. What my friends envied most was the respect and kindness that Leslie and Andy always showed me. Leslie used to introduce me as her friend who helped take care of her kids, while my friends would be referred to as "the nanny."

Their two boys were a joy to be with. Spencer was very funny, always making up jokes with strange punchlines! Taylor was so affectionate, it broke my heart when they moved away from New York City. I've read [in the Gazette] with joy and pride how Spencer seems to be following in his parents' footsteps and Taylor is excelling on the basketball court.

I've since returned to Ireland and have four kids of my own. I've been blessed with the caregivers my children have had.

I don't know if Leslie, Andy, Spencer and Taylor will ever get to see this, but I'd love them to know that the two and a half years I spent with them were among the happiest of my life.

[Editor's Note: The Gazette put Ms. Clooney in touch with the Holleran/Mondshein family, who now lives in Larchmont.]

Yvonne Clooney
Waterford, Ireland

March 26, 2008

School Budget is Out Of Touch

There is something finally very insulting or very out-of-touch with the initial 2009 Mamaroneck School budget with a 9.8% school tax increase. To describe it, too, as a sort of talking points budget, subject to change, is irresponsible.

We are now in a recession or depression; people are losing jobs left and right; basic food and energy costs are taking their tolls - and the "talking points" budget is presented as if nothing is happening.

Something, many things, are terribly wrong with our school administrators and the board people who are supposed to represent us.

Nathaniel Siegel
Larchmont, NY

March 19, 2008

Community Came Together To Face Bomb Threat

The threatening graffiti written by some very misguided individual(s) resulting in the lockdown of Mamaroneck High School last week demonstrated one abiding fact: in times of crisis, this community really knows how to come together to provide assistance and support. (See: MHS Re-Opens Campus After A Week With No Bomb Threat.)

In spite of increased concern, fear and frustration, the police, faculty and administration promptly secured the school and ably provided a safe environment for our children. Assisting them in this difficult process were the PTSA and the 100 plus parent volunteers who gave tirelessly of their time and patience. We all owe them a hearty thank you.

Noel Dennis
Larchmont, NY

March 13, 2008

Prom Brings Magic to MHS

On Wednesday March 5th the Student Council and the Coast Board at Mamaroneck High School hosted a prom for the senior citizens living in the Town of Mamaroneck, Village of Larchmont and Village of Mamaroneck. The best description of the entire evening was “magical.” The students, under the direction of Carol Scheffler, coordinator of student activities, raised money and decided to spend the funds by treating local senior citizens to a prom. (See: Senior (Citizens) Prom Rocks the MHS Gym.)

From start to finish, these students set forth a goal of making the evening a very special and memorable event. The high school gym was transformed into a prom-like setting with table decorations adorned with balloons and pictures of the past. The seniors enjoyed dinner catered by Carlyn’s Cove in Larchmont, D.J. tunes that brought back memories, and an array of door prizes donated by parents and local merchants. The high school rhythmic dance team, Steppers and the a capella group, Sound, performed for the seniors.

The real magic was the interaction between the students and the senior citizens. The students danced with the seniors, from waltz, to cha-cha, to conga lines. They took the time to sit and talk about families, school, and just about anything that came up. The highlight of the evening was the crowning of a queen and king. As the couple danced, the smiles that lit up the gym from the students and the seniors were enchanting.

On behalf of the seniors citizens, I want to thank Carol Scheffler and all the students who participated in this event. The seniors are still talking about their prom and how special the students made them feel. The wonderful impression these students left with the senior citizens will stay with them forever.

Maria Gallagher
Coordinator, Larchmont-Mamaroneck Senior Citizen Center

March 5, 2008

It Truly Takes a Village

I have lived in Larchmont my whole life and have always loved the village that we all grew up in. Not till the passing of my mother, Sally McGuire, did I realize how lucky we all are to have each other in this little town. To feel the love and warmth of community, church and friends is overwhelming.

Thank you does not seem to be enough to tell you all how much you mean to my family. To all of our friends and neighbors near and far who helped celebrate my mother's life: Thank you Larchmont old and new.

The McGuire Family
Larchmont, NY

February 28, 2008

Have Kids Rate Teachers

I have lived in Larchmont for 20 years and I have three children in the school district. In my opinion, the elementary schools are strong, Hommocks is good, and the high school is a decidedly mixed bag with apparently no mechanism for upping the bar.

There is no good, objective measure for rating our high school. Test scores are as much a reflection of who lives in our community as the quality of teaching. In almost every other realm, we vote with our pocketbooks on what to buy. Not so with teaching. Our kids are placed with teachers the program churns out and, at a time when the rest of the world is emphasizing pay for performance, we have no way to get an accurate read on performance and to reward accordingly. When a teacher gets up in front of the classroom, he is the undisputed leader. He can educate, entertain, bully, berate and bore. Only the kids know.

Who should evaluate our teachers? The people in the best position to know-the kids.

A simple suggestion for the school board: Create a one-page evaluation with a scale of 1 to 10 on key metrics to help teachers improve their teaching, e.g., quality of handouts, homework, class atmosphere, availability for help, etc., and leave room for written comments. Ask students to give specific constructive feedback. Factor out the top and bottom 5% to dispense with outliers, then collate the data. Each teacher gets only his evaluation, which hopefully he will use to improve his teaching. The school board gets only the combined data for the department so individual teachers aren’t singled out before they’ve gotten a chance to respond. For example, we only see that on a scale of 1 to 10, the physics department received an 8 and the Spanish department a 4, but each teacher sees where they need to improve in the eyes of their key customers. Trending the data over time demonstrates progress. I am not suggesting anything as radical as tying scores to teachers’ pay, but in this world, what we care about, we measure. By measuring, we improve.

This is hardly a revolutionary suggestion. College students rate professors because students have a choice of teachers. In high school, students don’t have a choice, but they should have a voice. And if you think students’ opinions shouldn’t count, consider this -by the time they graduate, our kids will be voting. If we care about their evaluation of who should govern - a subject on which most of them have woefully little data - then we should at least care about their evaluation of teaching- a subject in which they are in the very best position to know.

Teachers want to improve and to do so they need honest, constructive feedback. If the school board can’t implement this, then each teacher certainly can and could even devote one session to an open discussion about what worked well and what didn’t. That’s how we improve. We ask.

Jeri Finard
Larchmont, NY

February 5, 2007

Water District Would Not Add Government Layer

Re: VOL Supports Water District Law, Despite Concerns, which appeared January 31 in the Larchmont Gazette.

I believe the Larchmont Village Board misunderstood two key aspects of the Regional Stormwater Management District, as currently proposed by the Long Island Sound Watershed Intermunicipal Council (LISWIC).

LISWIC currently consists of 12 governments in the lower Long Island Sound area. The proposed district would not have the power to tax property owners. Funds would be raised on a fee basis to be determined. For example, the fee might be $5 per month for single- and two-family houses; commercial properties would pay based on their amount of impervious surface, etc. The ability to tax lies with the local government not the district.

Secondly, the district would not be another "layer of government." The district is conceived as an intermunicipal, service-sharing body. Its governing board would be made up of the chief elected official (or his or her designee as approved by the municipal board) from each of the participating communities. The district would be patterned after the Westchester Joint Water Works, which is certainly not "another layer of government."

Phyllis Wittner, LISWIC Chair
& Mamaroneck Town Councilwoman

January 31, 2008

Passing of a Larchmont Institution

I felt a kind of nostalgia this week when I saw the change along Palmer Avenue.

The Larchmont Store is no longer, and with its demise comes the end of an era and a chapter in my life in this community. Other stores have also come and gone: The Seed Store, The Larchmont Pharmacy and Merry-go-Round. Perhaps their closings have touched others this way. But for me, The Larchmont Store represented a way of life with its convenient location and seemingly endless inventory of items.

The Larchmont Store was an incredible establishment of just about everything you might need: drains for the dishes, white gloves for ballroom dancing, toys for birthday gifts, sewing notions for replacing zippers and buttons, lampshades for odd lamps and supplies for just about every school project assigned through high school. It offered moderately priced merchandise (of course, ‘moderate’ is a relative term) and sometimes helpful employees (that added to its eclectic qualities).

The toys along the side wall were on perfect eye-hand level for a little one in a stroller. And through the years the store provided my children with many of their needs- notebooks, rulers, paints, warm gloves, pajamas, underwear and duffle bags for camp.

I will miss this community institution. It served us very well.

Gerry Goldberg
Larchmont, NY

January 24, 2008

Improve Safety & Service, Merge With TMFD

If the Larchmont Village Board wanted a paid chief, it should have dissolved the volunteer fire department and then appointed a paid chief. So now, rather then admit it, the board, like Nero, continues to fiddle while Larchmont burns.

After the recent Fire Council meeting (see: Volunteers & Chief Battle Over Leadership & Fire Safety) and as evidenced by a one room garage fire requiring mutual aid (see: New Year's Day Fire Smokes Mayor Feld's Home), it is very clear that the department is not only dysfunctional but now is hardly functioning.

Give the taxpayers a break, improve service and provide for the safety of Larchmont's residents and its firefighters. Merge with the Town of Mamaroneck Fire Department now!

James Sweeney
Former Chief, Larchmont Fire Dept.

January 10, 2008

Attend Fire Council Jan. 14 to Discuss Recent & Future Fires

I was not at the fire at the mayor’s residence; however, I was paged by 60 Control [Westchester County's dispatch] at 6:55 am to respond to the scene with the Village of Mamaroneck Fire Department. Fifteen or so personnel responded, and I was not needed and stayed behind.

I believe Fire Council should be the next proper forum to discuss the matter of that fire and future fires in Larchmont.
Fire Council meetings are open to the public. There ae a lot of issues to be worked out, and although I am not welcome at Village Hall, I strongly urge concerned residents and press to attend.

The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 14, 2008 at 8 pm in the company room at Larchmont Village Hall.

PJ Abrahamsen
Former 1st Deputy Chief, LFD

January 4, 2008

Consider Alternatives to Crumb Rubber

The residents of Larchmont are being misled regarding their choices for artificial turf fields. The company FieldTurf Targett that they have been speaking to offers no viable alternative to crumb rubber. They present the choice to Larchmont as artificial turf with crumb rubber or natural grass. This choice forces there to be only two sides – either you have to accept the crumb rubber because you want the fields or you oppose the artificial turf.

The truth is that other companies offer choices for the infill material for artificial turf and all Larchmont needs to do to satisfy both the concerns surrounding crumb rubber and the need for artificial turf fields is to contact other companies and ask about alternatives.
Don't be satisfied to just take what FieldTurf tells you. They are looking out for their own interests - not yours. Safe alternatives exist that also perform better, do not stick to your shoes and your face, and do not absorb heat to the degree crumb rubber does. Plus since they are manufactured you know exactly what you are sprinkling on your field. This is not the case with crumb rubber made from recycled tires. Tires comes in all sorts of sizes shapes and chemical compositions. Why not chose the known over the unknown and make everyone happy?

Sportexe BladeMaster X uses TerraSport XPS infill. Mondo Ecofill has 300 installations worldwide including 6 fields in the US , one of which is at Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn. Go see it for yourselves. The largest manufacturer of artificial turf in the world is TenCate. This year they increased their production of Thiolon Infill Pro to respond to an increasing worldwide demand for a “safe” (their words!) infill material.

Susanne Krivet
Redding, CT

See: LETTERS ARCHIVE: 2007 for more on this topic.

December 13, 2007

Latimer Lauds NY Project Sunlight

As a member of the New York State Assembly - one of the 212 individuals whose member items, campaign donations, and legislation are being tracked by a new website, Project Sunlight - I say bravo!

The effort by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, led by Blair Horner, is exactly the kind of transparency needed in Albany, giving citizens the chance to evaluate what elected representatives are doing - or not doing - in a comprehensive way. As a fighter for governmental openness as a former city councilman, county legislator and chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators, I can say that no one legislator, however well-meaning, could create such a complete effort. I've released my own member item lists for public scrutiny in the past, but unless it is done in an easy way, accessible for all of us, such individual openness gains little attention. (See: Latimer Releases Data on Member Items, Capital Projects.)

Project Sunlight is a big step in the right direction in the reform of Albany.

George Latimer
Assemblyman, 91st A.D.

May 8, 2008

Old Timers Should Vote Yes on Budget

Just a reminder from an “old timer “ that even those of us whose kids have been out of school for a long time should go to our elementary school , reminisce and vote yes for the school budget.

It is important that we keep the schools in good shape the way others did when our children were going through the system. Strong vibrant schools help to make this community a good place for all of us to live.

Please remember to vote next Tuesday, May 20th from 7am to 9 pm at your local elementary school.

If you want a button, I still have some nice orange ones that say “I Still Vote Yes!“

Jane Orans
Larchmont, NY

May 7, 2008

Don't Use Fear to Sell School Budget

It is unfortunate that fear has replaced logic as the key point of arguments these days:

"If the U.S. doesn't invade Iraq, we will face another terrorist attack!!!"

“If we don’t stop Iran, it will get a nuclear warhead.”

"If you don't pass the school budget, the value of your house will plummet."

Is it any wonder that we now lock our doors tight at night, we are wary of talking to our neighbors, and we don't let our children walk five feet away from us. We are paralyzed by fear.

I have seen many school budgets fail and it has done very little to home values. I don't have an opinion one way or another on the school budget. However, the budget should stand on its own merits. If it is a good budget, it should pass. If it is not, it should fail. It should be that simple. We shouldn't settle for a subpar budget just because someone is selling fear.

People steer clear of communities for a number of reasons. In fact, one big reason is high property taxes.

I implore people to stop using fear to sell your arguments. We get quite enough of it from the government and 24-hour news media.

Brian Morris
Larchmont, NY

May 7, 2008

Impressed With Hommocks & MHS - Voting Yes on Budget

I am the parent of a son entering Hommocks next year and a son in third grade at Murray Avenue. Each year, as the school budget has come up for a vote, I’ve looked skeptically at spending directed toward our high school and middle school. I’ve asked myself, how do those resources benefit the children in our elementary school?

Finally, it was our turn to tour Hommocks as the parents of a member of next year’s incoming sixth grade class. I was impressed! I saw current technology, innovative programs, pleasant facilities, and a great learning atmosphere.

I wish it were possible for the parent of every elementary school student – and for every taxpayer – to visit Hommocks and Mamaroneck High School to see how our tax money is put to work to benefit all the children in our community. Then, like me, you would more fully understand and appreciate the quality education our community supports through the school budget.

I encourage all voters – especially parents whose children are in elementary school – to vote “yes” on May 20 to support the ongoing strength of our community’s middle and high schools.

Debra Schwartz
Larchmont, NY

May 6, 2008

Children's Librarian Reassigned to Obits

I would like to share some information of which you may not be aware.

Ray Messing, who has been head children's librarian at the Larchmont library for as long as I have lived here, has recently been “reassigned" and is now working in a nearly windowless basement room on a project having to do with obituaries from the early 1900s. Ray is most unhappy with the situation but does not have the authority to change the assignment.

Because I have a long-standing relationship with Ray, as a parent of two children who often used the children's library as an after-school study spot, as a volunteer who leads toddler singing sessions in the children's library, and as a fellow Community Unitarian Church member who sees Ray's tireless volunteer work on CUC's Actions for Social Concern committee, I did not want to sit silently while she was treated this way.

I called the library director, Diane Courtney, to ask her about this, and she responded that she was unable to discuss a personnel issue. However, she did listen while I expressed my thoughts on the matter.

If you, too, are appalled at this treatment of a respected librarian who has served the community for many years, perhaps you would like to make those feelings known to the director, the board, or the Friends of the Library. Apparently, families who do not like Ray have been very vocal at planning meetings. It would be good for the board to hear from people who appreciate Ray as the wonderful
librarian that she is.

Many people I know are serving as volunteers on the committees for the current fundraising and planning efforts toward a major expansion of the children's library. They were not aware of Ray's situation when I spoke with them, but they each expressed dismay upon learning about it.

Whatever the reasoning behind the decision to "reassign" Ray, it is clearly an affront to Ray and to her professional capabilities. To offend the head children's librarian like this, when a major effort to raise funds for the renovation of that portion of the library is underway, seem ill advised as well as unkind.

Please feel free to forward this message to anyone else who might be concerned for the future of the children's library and of Ray Messing. It is my hope that if the director is made aware of the many families who are grateful to Ray for her service in the children's library, she will reconsider this "reassignment."

Jean Young
Larchmont, NY

May 1, 2008

Mandates Driving School Budget

It seems that every year the Mamaroneck school budget increases and our taxes go up. Faced with a slowing economy, surely this year we will get a reprieve?

The answer is “no” – but voters must still vote “yes” to support our schools. The budget is responsible and fair, and it reflects the reality that the district’s hands are tied when it comes to reducing expenses and that school enrollment has continued to increase.

The majority of the district’s budget in any year consists of “mandated expenses” and contractually required salaries and benefits. Mandated expenses are dictated by a multitude of federal and state laws and court decisions, and seldom come with a revenue stream attached (that’s why they are called “unfunded mandates”). Mandated expenses have increased enormously over the last 20 years. The district can do little or nothing to reduce these costs.

Mamaroneck school enrollment has gone up. Over the past 12 years, our school population has increased over 20%. Currently, the district educates approximately 5,000 students in pre-K through grade 12.

Other local districts are in the same boat. Compared with the other Westchester school districts over the past three or four years, Mamaroneck’s budget increases are about average. In fact, this year we spent $753 less per pupil annually than the median for Westchester, placing us 31st out of 46 Westchester/Putnam school districts in per pupil expenditures.

If the budget is voted down, and the district chooses to adopt a contingency budget, education in this community will suffer, but the savings to the taxpayer will be minimal. In fact, the cost difference between the proposed budget and the contingency budget for the average assessed home at $20,000 is only $0.66 per day – less than the price of a cup of coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts.

Education has become increasingly important to compete in our global economy, and we as a community need to support education even as we tighten our belts a notch. Our children deserve the advantages provided by a great public education, and we have a duty to vote ‘yes’ to the school budget and give them the best we as a community can afford.

Ann LoBue
Larchmont, NY

April 28, 2008

Artificial Turf: Bad News Surfaces

Our village, town and school board officials don't want to talk anymore about the safety of artificial turf, but the bad news just keeps on coming. Natural turf has no surprises. Fake turf, it turns out, does.

The following is an excerpt from a discussion at Synturf.org entitled Federal Consumer Agency to Investigate Lead in Artificial Turf:

"The decision by the Consumer Product Safety Commission to investigate lead in artificial turf fields is a departure from the agency’s decades’ old policy of turning a blind eye to lead issues associated with artificial turf. Specifically, in September 1979, CPSC denied a request to establish mandatory safety standard for synthetic turf. The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) had petitioned CPSC in May 1976 to reexamine the risk of injury presented by synthetic turf and 'to develop appropriate product safety rules.' CPSC 'determined that based on the evidence presently available, the use of artificial turf as a surface cover for athletic playing fields does not present an unreasonable risk of injury. NFPLA petitioned CPSC previously on the synthetic turf question; that petition had similarly been denied.'

Catherine Wachs
Larchmont NY

April 10, 2008

Consultant Also Passionate About Turf Safety

The following is a response to comments by Catherine Wachs made in emails and at the April 1st Mamaroneck School Board study session:

Regarding suggestions that I only gave one side of the story on turf fields, I am a professional who is paid to consult. I do not have any special interest, which is what you imply. Whether it is grass or synthetic turf, it is up to the client to set the vision. For your information, we are involved in multiple grass field/park redevelopment projects. In fact, for these and all of our projects, we incorporate sustainable, innovative and environmentally friendly designs, and we are extremely proud of that. As mentioned at the meeting, our role is to assist with the SEQR process, not to design.

Also, it is frustrating when others make totally false statements, such as saying at the public meeting that synthetic turf is not mentioned by Saccardi & Schiff [the schools’ consultant] in the Environmental Assessment Form (EAF). They had to go through the exercise to pull out the EAF to point out that it is in fact mentioned, and there were no apologies provided to Saccardi and Schiff. We have seen this misrepresentation of information at public meetings regarding this subject time and time again, and that is frustrating to me as a professional.

It is worth noting that I am the father of two teenage daughters who have been playing on synthetic turf fields for a number of years. I share a similar passion to you, and that is be sure my children are safe from negative environmental impacts. Speaking for myself, as a loving parent, I have never had any reservations based on my knowledge of synthetic turf fields.

I trust that you can understand that we are not the enemy. I take a lot of pride in my hard work and knowledge accumulated over the years. I have a BS and MS, both in civil/environmental engineering, am certified as a professional engineer (PE) in NY and CT, and am a Diplomate of Environmental Engineering with 20 years of experience. Please show a little more respect. Thank you.

Anthony C. Catalano, P.E., DEE
Senior VP, Woodard & Curran
White Plains, NY

March 27, 2008

Upset At Lack of Teacher Contract

I cannot begin to express how disappointed and upset I am that the Mamaroneck school district has not yet come to an agreement with our teachers and that our community appears to have accepted this. It is now the end of March and there is still no agreement.

We are very fortunate to live in an area where education is a priority and where our schools attract great teachers. Contrary to what many believe, a teacher’s day does not begin when the children arrive and end when they leave. Hours of preparation are required beyond the school day in order to be a good teacher. Planning, grading, meeting with other teachers, meeting with students to provide extra help, being life long learners, communicating with parents—much of this is done outside the prescribed school hours. I would be willing to bet that many of our teachers work through at least part of their lunch on a regular basis. That the district doesn’t seem to acknowledge or value this is unacceptable.

There is no other profession that I can think of where one is “on” all day and trying to meet the individual needs of upwards of 20 children at a time. Our teachers are dedicated and devoted to our children and their jobs and strive to give the students the best education they can provide. It is time that we as a community recognize the hard work that our teachers do and make it clear that we expect an agreement that does the same thing.

Amy Merians
Larchmont, NY

March 26, 2008

Calling Volunteers to June 22 Mam'k Historic Harbor Street Fair

It is with great enthusiasm that I announce the return of the Historic Harbor Street Fair!

On Sunday, June 22, Mamaroneck Avenue will once again transform into a historic walkway lined with memorable photos depicting our past. There will be an international food court with delectable fare, hundreds of art, antique and business vendors, as well as riveting musical performances that will echo through the streets.

The Historic Harbor Street Fair is indeed the most spectacular event that takes place in our area, and there are some exciting changes we have in store this year. First, our picturesque Harbor Island Park will serve as the home of the main stage, the showmobile. Opening ceremonies and a string of musical performances will take center stage with the masts of the tall ships and the beauty of the Long Island Sound serving as a backdrop. Also featured this year will be the “Eco Village”, an entire area dedicated to environmental and ecological awareness as well as hands-on participation for both children and adults to enjoy. As in the past, Norwalk Maritime Aquarium will be on hand bringing along a touch-tank that is always a big hit with the kids.

The Street Fair is also pleased to welcome Mystic Seaport to this year’s festivities. A series of marine educators, historic role players and sea shanty singers will stroll through out Harbor Island Park adding to the spirit of the day.

Many of the old favorites will return to the Harbor such as the snack court, children’s game area, the Coast Guard Auxiliary booth and so much more.
Entertainment will abound on Mamaroneck Avenue, as well. The music tent will entertain diners as they sit and enjoy a meal from the variety of global cuisines offered in the food court. Clearview Cinemas will again feature silent movies, a true tribute to a classic form of film with historic ties to Mamaroneck. Also, Café Mozart has again graciously donated an incredible series of musical talent that will perform on a stage throughout the day. And as always, as you stroll the avenue, you’ll be greeted by mimes, clowns and other entertainers.

As you can see, the preparations are fast underway and a team of dedicated volunteers are working tirelessly to ensure this year’s fair will rival the success of fairs past. As much as we’ve accomplished, the road ahead remains long and we need your help. The street fair can only be as great as the community that rallies behind to ensure its success. Volunteers are always welcome. Consider becoming a part of history by getting involved. We welcome new faces and new ideas.

And with that….time for me to get back to work in planning this event! To all those who have helped coordinate this year’s efforts in any way, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I look forward to working with a united and spirited community as we approach our 5th Annual Historic Harbor Street Fair.

Jennifer Graziano
Historic Harbor Street Fair Chairwoman

March 19, 2008

VOL Police Lauded for Quick Response to Prowler

(Editor’s Note: This letter was originally sent to Larchmont Police Chief Steve Rubeo.)

I am writing to tell you about some terrific work by several of your officers.

Yesterday evening at 7:30 I called the police department to report a prowler I spotted coming out of our garage. Within minutes officer Michael Doucette arrived at our house. After giving him a description of the prowler, the officer told me that he and other policemen would search the neighborhood. Officer Doucette returned 30 minutes later, saying that they had spotted a man fitting the description, and while he took my written report, other officers were continuing the search.

In the middle of completing the report, Officer Doucette suddenly dashed off to join other officers who apparently were in pursuit of the suspect.

The next thing I knew, after leaping over several backyard fences, the officers had cornered the suspect in our next-door neighbors' yard and were putting handcuffs on the guy. Frankly, the scene seemed like something from the movies or TV. It was amazing to me that within an hour of my original phone call, your men were making an arrest!

I want to tell you how impressed I was by the work of the policemen responsible for apprehending the suspect: Detective James Cristiano, Officer Michael Doucette, Officer Michael Pizzo, and Lieutenant John Poleway. My wife and I are grateful to these men for their quick action. Fortunately, our family has never before had an experience like this since moving to Larchmont 15 years ago. But seeing first-hand our policemen in action is very reassuring. Please express our thanks to the officers involved.

It's comforting to know that men like these are protecting our community,

Malcolm Frouman
Larchmont, NY

March 13, 2008

Restaurant Owner's Complaint is Off-Base

At a meeting of Larchmont restaurant owners held at Village Hall on March 13 to discuss late night noise outside their establishments, I heard one owner say that the complaints of occupants of subsidized apartments should not be considered because the restaurant owners pay more in taxes than “those people” do. I thought we could all expect our opinions to be heard and considered regardless of the amount of taxes we pay.

As disappointing as this comment was, it was more disturbing to me to observe that none of the dozen or so other owners said anything in opposition to this argument. I’m hoping that was because they were as surprised as I was by the remark and rendered temporarily speechless.

Tom Curnin
Larchmont, NY

February 28, 2008

Nothing Changes in Special Ed

Regarding Board Considers Special Ed Ideas - But Won't Merge Schools: Nothing has changed in all the years I have been reading about Mamaroneck School District special education reports. More money is spent on reports, and little will be done to change anything.

I am a parent of a previous special education student who needed to bring a federal law suit against this district because Dr. Mark Orfinger [Mamaroneck High School’s principal] allowed my son to bring in a calculator model (approved by New York State) to class, but wrote a letter refusing to allow him to turn it on. Was this ignorance by the district in not understanding the outcome? I don’t think so.

In my opinion, there is a “dirty little secret going on.” It is no accident that so many students are placed out of the district. The reason is in my opinion is that the district doesn’t want to lower its published standardized test averages (including SAT scores) in which these students will be included.

We had been offered a “blank check for private school” for my son to leave the district, instead of allowing him to use a graphing calculator. My son, who has since graduated college, refused to leave because all he needed was a minor modification. He asked me to take the district to court because he felt that it was “discrimination” and hardly inclusion.

Dr. Sherry King, who was superintendent at the time, told me that the regular education teachers did not want to comply with his IEP [individualized education program], and did not want to learn the technology, and that she was not going to order them to comply.
Yes, there were some teachers that were wonderful, but the district policy allowed those who didn’t want to be bothered to grossly ignore special education regulations.

It saddens me to read that nothing really has changed. These same suggestions have been written about before. I doubt anything will be done by the district to implement them.

I do recommend that parents of special education students legally fight the district when there is lack of inclusion so that their children will understand that “you believe they can succeed if given a chance.” If you don’t advocate, the children will develop poor self esteem and the outcome is grim.

Action, and only action will change things for these students. No more reports are needed. These children can succeed and do succeed if given a chance. Most do not need out of district placement.

Eleanor Sherman
Larchmont, NY

February 5, 2008

Webcast All Public Meetings

You made an excellent point in "Tech Talk" about the importance of "broadcasts" of government meetings and the value of LMC-TV for televising government meetings. The value of the Gazette in informing the public should also be highlighted. However, it should be mentioned that LMC-TV does not currently televise all of our municipal government meetings. Further, as a cable service, LMC-TV is not available to those who receive their TV signals from either of the two national satellite-TV services or to those who receive their TV signals "over-the-air.'"

A 2007 Executive Order by Governor Eliot Spitzer directed state agencies to make their meetings available on the Internet. Perhaps, until our municipal governments see the importance of, and take the responsibility for providing full access to public meetings via the Internet, the Gazette or a similar source will consider recording public government meetings and making these available on-line. Hopefully, we'll also see government providing for "universal access" and "net neutrality" of the Internet. Such would be consistent with the efforts of Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and Assemblyman George Latimer, among others, as discussed in the Gazette recently (see: Project Sunlight) regarding the "people's right to know" and the concept of 'universal service' as applicable in the 21st century.

Brian Lobel
Town of Mamaroneck, NY

February 1, 2008

Clean Up the Streetscape

I, too, feel nostalgic as the Larchmont Store takes down its sign and makes its way into local history. However, it is great to see Active Sports expand and continue to serve our town. We all have to change or die, and I, too, adored the Larchmont Store, but it had slowly gone downhill, and the proprietors seemed to lack the energy and imagination a business needs to keep a place something more than just a souvenir of the past.

So here's to the Active Sports guys; I am glad you are still there on Palmer Avenue, and I'll bet most of Larchmont is, too.

However, you and your fellow merchants can generate lots of good will and even more loyalty from your customers if you'll join together to keep your sidewalks cleaner. Some individual merchants do this, but far too few. A dirty streetscape sends a message not only of indifference, but downright hostility.

The Village of Larchmont itself can do more by figuring out a way to get those trashcans along Palmer, Chatsworth and the Post Road emptied more often. When they sit there, overflowing and disgusting, they do more damage to the downtown than any parking shortage can.

What we need here is some basic, inexpensive and low-tech housekeeping. Individual merchants and citizens, the Chamber of Congress (just what is their mission?) and the Village itself can pitch in more to keep our town pleasant and vital.

Monica Casey
Larchmont, NY

January 31, 2008

Grateful to Larchmont's Finest & Bravest

Early last Saturday morning, my elderly father fell and broke his hip in our home. We called 911 after realizing he was seriously injured, and within a couple of minutes, a Larchmont police officer was at our door. He assessed the situation and did a great job calming us down. Almost immediately after that, a Larchmont Fire Department engine arrived, with two firefighters. They examined my father and got things ready for the Volunteer Ambulance Corps, who showed up a few moments later.

We all count on our community's emergency response crews to be there when we need them. But until we really do need them, we don't fully understand how dedicated, skilled and professional these folks are. Everyone who helped my father that day has earned my family's sincere and awed thanks. In the emotion of the moment, we neglected to get their names, so I hope all of Larchmont's finest and bravest will know how grateful we are.

David Eisenberg
Paula Eisenberg, Publisher of Larchmont Gazette

January 24, 2008

Missing Cat: Have You Seen Tigre?

Our cat, Tigre (pronounced “T-gray”), has been missing since Thursday January 17th. He has a bit of wanderlust and he loves to roam the neighborhood hunting. He usually returns home after a day or two. Hopefully, a kind person has taken him in to keep him safe and warm. He is very friendly.

We ask anyone who lives near Pryer Lane to please check your garage, basement or outbuildings. He is a Ragdoll, with long white fur with grayish brown stripes on his face, legs and tail. He has blue eyes.

A cat’s sense of smell does not work as well in the cold weather, and we think he has wandered farther and can’t find his way home.

We are very worried; please help us bring him home to our children. Please call us at (914) 834-1601.

Maria Stanton
Larchmont, NY

January 10, 2008

Dutch Reader Reports Fun Coincidence

As I lived in the USA years ago, where my children were born, [Rye, NY] I visited your newspaper and there I found the name Karin Cofino, who received a special education award for "learning about my teeth." The article dates from March 15, 2007.

The name of my daughter happens to be Karin Cofino, also, born on March 15 1958, what a coincidence!

I just had to write you about this.

Sophia Teijmant van Leeuwen
The Netherlands

January 4, 2008

Palmer Needs "Stop for Pedestrian" Signs at Central School

Again, it is so nice to see Mamaroneck Town officials and residents talking together about pedestrian safety with regards to inattentive drivers and poorly timed traffic lights. It reminds me of conversations that I had with a Town traffic committee some 4 or 5 years ago regarding the very unsafe crosswalk in front of Central Elementary School, where there are only some insignificant blinking lights during approximately 2 1/2-3 hours per day. There was exactly nothing done, even after having had a separate phone conversation with then-Town Board member Judy Myers, (you can probably figure out who did not vote for her for her County position).

After begging for almost a year, the Town deigned to paint perpendicular lines within the crosswalk. And then, nothing else. So children and adults alike must continue to play dodge the traffic when crossing during all hours of the day and evening because no one sees fit to place the very popular and, I might add, effective, "Stop for Pedestrians" signs on the poles below the pedestrian crosswalk signs on either side of the road as they do in many communities across the country, especially in front of a school.

I'm sure this will be the status quo for years to come and I have, frankly, given up. I just hold my breath every time I see kids crossing that street on a Saturday afternoon to play in the playground.

Meg McConney Mirabella
Larchmont, NY

December 20, 2007

Myers For Denial of County Pay Raise

I applaud the action taken by the Westchester County Legislature today [on December 17] to deny the legislative pay raise as proposed.

I did not support the pay raise proposal because I did not believe that the issue was afforded the same due diligence given to the 2008 County budget as a whole. Until this due diligence is complete, including the establishment of a Legislative Compensation Committee and the issuance of an advisory opinion, I cannot in good faith vote for a stipend increase.

I look forward to a timely recommendation for fair and equitable pay levels, from this committee. I thank the League of Women Voters, the Westchester County Association and other concerned taxpayers in this County for their input and I look forward to working together with my colleagues to serve the needs of the people of my district and the County as a whole.

Judy Myers
County Legislator, District 7