December 14, 2004

Scholarship to Honor Kaitlyn Moriwaki

Kaitlyn Moriwaki, a student at Mamaroneck High School, died from a sudden illness on October 2, 2004. She was an extremely talented artist and musician and a very special friend to many of us in the Larchmont/Mamaroneck community. (See: Kaitlyn Moriwaki)

The Moriwaki family and friends are working to establish a scholarship in memory of Kaitlyn. The Kaitlyn Moriwaki Scholarship will go to a student or students who excel in the visual or musical arts. The scholarship will be administered by the Mamaroneck-Larchmont Student Aid Fund. We are hoping to make the scholarship an annual endowment – to do that, we need to raise at least $25,000.

If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to this scholarship, please make your contribution payable to (and send it to) the Mamaroneck-Larchmont Student Aid Fund, Inc., Mamaroneck High School, Mamaroneck, NY 10543. It is important that you note on your check and in a brief note, that the donation is to be credited to the Kaitlyn Moriwaki scholarship. If you would prefer a donation card for this purpose, please contact Judy Baumgarten or The Larchmont Music Academy, 833-8941, 2089 Boston Post Road, Larchmont.

If you have any questions, please call or e-mail Judy Baumgarten, 834-6522, JudyBaum@optonline.net.

December 1, 2004

Opening AP Gates Raises Issues: Stress, Cost

As a social studies teacher at Mamaroneck High School, I find your article about "gatekeeping" and Advanced Placement courses to be of great interest. The article referred to the change from two to three sections of AP American History as having happened seven years ago. The correct figure is closer to seventeen years. With the exception of one year, the number of sections remained at three, increasing to four, and then five, over the past seven years. (Editors' Note: correction has been made.)

Your article leaves the reader believing that the teachers are “confident” about the movement to “open the gates.” This confuses us, because until the most recent faculty meeting, the teachers had not been asked for input on the issue, and the word “confident” does not reflect the nature of our discussions at that meeting, and certainly not at our own meeting a few days later.

Parents and students want these courses for all of the right
reasons, and, unfortunately, some of the wrong ones. On several occasions, struggling students admit that they take the courses so they can get into good schools. Others say that they don’t want to drop the course because their friends take it. (The social pressure is enormous.) Some parents who spend weeks in meetings and phone calls demanding their children’s admission are then upset when their students’ grades fall below previous levels.

Now we may face the challenges of open admission. One will be economic. In my department this year, the AP classes are very large; in some cases, ten to twelve more than the eighteen maximum recommended by the College Board. Open admission classes should be much smaller. Regents classes and electives would have to run opposite AP classes so that students who want to opt out in the first quarter can do so without disrupting their schedules. These factors dictate increased staffing, which is very costly.

An open policy cannot come without some guidelines and a lot of guidance. Regardless of what some claim, many students simply cannot do college work in high school. Others, who have specific interests, would prefer to concentrate on those rather than cram their transcripts and lives with as many AP courses as those admissions officers demand. Others would thrive in an exploration of various electives in a Regents curriculum.

We continue to discuss these and other concerns, and we hope that our input informs whatever policy changes come about. Obviously, everyone seeks the right policy for the right reasons. We want to challenge all of our students without hurting any of them.

Kathleen Donnison
Mamaroneck High School

November 18, 2004

M. Johnson Raised Environmental Awareness

News that Maryanne Johnson passed away is reverberating around the community. The Johnson family has done so many wonderful things for Larchmont and Mamaroneck over the years. They will be remembered primarily for making the Larchmont Reservoir Conservation area, known as the James G. Johnson, Jr. Conservancy a reality.

Before the word ecology was part of everyone's lexicon, Maryanne Johnson was fighting to save the world around us. She was active in the League of Women Voters, where I met her, and clean water was her passion, along with conservation. With lots of other League stalwarts in the 60's and 70's, she harangued local citizens and our elected officials to raise everyone's consciousness about the importance of our environment.

Now, more than ever, the world needs more Maryanne Johnsons and she will be sorely missed.

Marlene Kolbert
Trustee, Village of Larchmont

November 16, 2004

Brit Appreciates Local Visit, Local French Toast

I’ve recently returned from a 12-day visit to Larchmont and wanted you to know that, on this occasion, I was no trouble to your fire department. (See: British Visitor Gets Rescue and Lift from LFD.) I found my way around easily and was determined not to get lost. I think I might have disappointed my grandchildren who have never forgotten my fire engine ride.

Larchmont is as charming as ever and the highlight of my trip was having French toast nearly every morning at 6 am at the Manor Park Deli in the village shopping area. Unfortunately, the owner didn't give me the recipe (Editor's note: see below) so I am back to eating a slice of brown bread and butter before I go to work. One of the unusual perks I enjoyed at the deli was a free read of all the daily newspapers. Being that it was your election period, I really enjoyed that.

Now I have two glorious memories of Larchmont -- fire engines and French toast!

Raymond Rudaizky
London, England

Tony Abregu, owner of Manor Park Deli, supplied the following:

Manor Park French Toast

Beat in a small bowl:
2 oz. milk
one egg

3 slices of bread (customers choice of white, rye or whole wheat)

Dip slice, one at a time, in egg mix. Put on a lightly buttered hot grill.

When done, sprinkle with ground cinnamon.

Secret tip: Use a really hot grill to get the right color.

November 7, 2004

Hold Legislators & School Boards Accountable

I was struck by the comment in your recent article on the school budget that certain cost "amounts are largely set by contract and state mandates and are not flexible."

It is true that these State mandates and contracts cannot be changed immediately. However, they are not given us from some higher authority beyond our control. We need to accept that mandates are legislated by the State officials whom we elect, and we have control on election day. And school contracts are the result of decisions made and signed by the school board itself, which has control every time that a contract is written.

We need to hold our State legislators responsible for the mandates that they legislate. And we need to hold the school board responsible for the contracts that it signs.

George Roniger
Town of Mamaroneck, NY

November 4, 2004

Latimer Thanks Voters

A sincere thanks to all of the people of Larchmont and Mamaroneck for
their vote of confidence in my race for the State Assembly. Their
overwhelming support is much appreciated; I treat that support very
seriously, and intend to work hard everyday to represent their interests
in Albany, and to justify their faith as expressed at the ballot box.

George Latimer
Rye, NY

October 21, 2004

Village of Mamaroneck GOP Accusation Baseless

In a desperate attempt to deflect criticism of their handling of the police scandals in the Village of Mamaroneck, the Republican candidates for the office of trustee have shamelessly and baselessly overstepped the lines of truth, propriety and decency.

In a letter to the editor, published in another media outlet, they have accused me of meeting on a regular basis with one of the attorneys of an officer currently involved in a lawsuit with the Village. They further indulge in a fantasy of me regularly meeting with these parties, as if to suggest that some grand conspiracy is afoot.

Shame on them: I have never met with this attorney. To suggest otherwise is a twisting of the truth. There is no need to get into the gutter with them. Not now. Not ever.

Tom Murphy
Candidate for Trustee,
Village of Mamaroneck

October 14, 2004

One Assemblyman Can Make A Difference

Election 2004 is almost upon us, and in my race for NY State Assembly the most frequently-asked questions I hear reference the dysfunctional New York State government, and whether one Assemblyman can make a difference.

In my public life - Rye City Councilman for 4 years, County Legislator for 13 years, with 4 of those years as Chairman of the Board of Legislators - I could point to a long list of accomplishments, some against the odds, that have proven to me what an energetic official can help accomplish. The Larchmont SSO, placed at the rear of Flint Park, was originally targeted for the Flint/Cherry intersection; expensive sewer repairs was originally planned to be put on the tax budget of Village and Town governments as a major unfunded mandate; bus routes serving Larchmont and Mamaroneck were slated for elimination; Davids Island would have had Xanadu towers on them. IKEA would have clogged our local streets. Effective representation (and I was proud to be a part of every one of these battles as your County Legislator) helped make the difference. Every one of these stories had involved citizens, committed municipal officials, and an attentive press to help create the right result.

One Assemblyman, in Albany...can fight to complete sound barriers along the Thruway - for the benefit of Howell Park residents, for Larchmont Village residents on Soundview that hear the rush of traffic noise, for all of our residents.

One Assemblyman can fight for updated railcars on Metro North/New Haven Line, and push for better wintertime performance of trains and equipment.

One Assemblyman can advocate for improvements to the Palmer/Weaver intersection in the Town, and for a traffic light at Keeler and the Boston Post Rd. in Mamaroneck Village.

One Assemblyman can join 99 others and override vetoes that cut funding for our local libraries, Westchester Community College and supplemental aid for neighboring communities.

One Assemblyman can attend the Larchmont/Mamaroneck Summit regularly and participate in key community discussions; one Assemblyman can be there for the substance of discussions at the Town Board, and not just the symbolism of marching in parades.

One Assemblyman, properly motivated, will let residents of Larchmont Village, Mamaroneck Village and Mamaroneck Town know that they are represented fully and completely in the full range of issues at hand in Albany from education and the environment to lowering mandated property tax burdens.

One County Legislator has enjoyed and appreciated working hard for Larchmont and Mamaroneck these 13 years. I'd like to be your "One Assemblyman" for the next two years, and promise more of the same hard work and energetic representation if the voters give me that chance on Election Day, Tuesday, November 2nd

George Latimer
Westchester County Legislator

September 28, 2004

Latimer Is Up to Challenge of Reforming Albany

With all the talk of reforming Albany's legislative process, one
candidate for the State Assembly - George Latimer, running in the 91st A.D. - has actually delivered an agenda of significant reform in the Westchester County Board of Legislators. Latimer's 4 years as Chairman - and his efforts both before and after that tenure - marked the most significant reform movement in the Board's history. He personally insured cable TV gavel-to-gavel coverage of legislative meetings, crafted the user-friendly agenda, insured all Board meetings were held at night, delivered the most balanced redistricting plan in 2001 of any level of government, appointed every minority Republican to a committee chairmanship - - in short, the most unprecedented power-sharing in the Board's history.

His conduct on controversial public issues, through chairing public hearings and through legislative mark-ups, showed a balanced demeanor and fairness to all. Before he became Chairman, he was the first legislator to refuse committee meeting attendance stipends - a "backdoor pay raise," a practice that was ultimately discontinued.

The challenges of reforming Albany are clearly greater in scope and more daunting than changing the County Board, but George Latimer has proven his willingness and ability to bring change to the status quo. He deserves our support for the State Assembly this November.

Judy Myers
Councilwoman, Town of Mamaroneck

September 3, 2004

British Family (Fondly) Recalls Fire Sirens

As Brits who lived in Larchmont 1995-1998, now with fond memories fanned by reading regularly, almost religiously, your on-line organ and having visited fair Larchmont as recently as late July 2004, we were rather jealous to read about the London-based visitor, Raymond Rudaizky, who managed to get lost in Larchmont and had to be rescued by the Larchmont Fire Department. Through our time in Larchmont although our young daughters regularly admired the fire trucks (now called fire engines!) and were woken by the siren, we never managed to hitch a ride!

Pamela and Marcus Shapiro, Rebecca, Katie, William & Henry
Radlett, Herts. United Kingdom

August 30, 2004

Appeal for Help on Diabetes: Buy a Paper Sneaker

I am appealing to our friends in Larchmont and the surrounding area for your help. Our daughter, Gabrielle, was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes (Type I insulin-dependent) in November 2002, just a month after her second birthday. This disease has significantly changed Gabrielle's life. Life with diabetes means a constant balance between diet, exercise and insulin. Her daily routine is regimented with several insulin shots, 6-8 blood sugar tests, an insulin pump that continually delivers insulin to her and a low carbohydrate diet. Since being diagnosed, Gabrielle has had over 3,000 insulin shots and 4,471 finger pricks - and she's only three years old! This regimen makes
everyday childhood events such as having going to nursery school, playing sports, and going to birthday parties truly challenging! We constantly struggle to keep Gabbie's blood sugar under control. Sometimes it gets so low that her body shakes, other times, it is very high and she's unable to focus on simple tasks. The worst part is that
there is no cure for diabetes -- she will have diabetes for the rest of her life.

For those of you who are not familiar with diabetes, it is a disease that shuts down the natural pancreas-driven production of insulin, a hormone necessary to regulate blood sugar levels. It is not caused by obesity or by eating excess sugar. In fact, the causes are not entirely known. Insulin injections provide life support for a diabetic, but they do not prevent the insidious complications from diabetes such as stroke, blindness, kidney disease, heart failure, and amputation.

Stop & Shop Larchmont and Toy Box have generously agreed to help raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation ("JDRF") by sponsoring the sale of paper
sneakers. Through paper sneaker sales, JDRF has raised millions for diabetes research, one dollar at a time, thanks to support from caring individuals. We need your
help to make this year's JDRF Sneaker Campaign the most successful ever. You can help by buying a sneaker. Encourage your friends and family to do the same. Your paper sneaker, with your name added to it, will be posted on a special wall or window, along with all the other sneakers.

In addition, Dunkin Donuts and IHOP Larchmont along with Target White Plains have generously agreed to donate merchandise for an upcoming raffle on Sunday,
September 19, 2004 at 1 pm at Stop & Shop on 1326 Boston Post Road in Mamaroneck. We are asking everyone who can buy a raffle ticket to please join us and
raise money for this very worthy cause. Every contribution helps bring us one step closer to the cure. Your support of JDRF is deeply appreciated by my family and the over 17 million people affected by diabetes, thank you for your generous contributions.

Joanna May
Mamaroneck, NY

August 26, 2004

Board Should Provide Fair Compensation for Police

The presentation to the Village Board on August 2nd by the President of the Larchmont Police Benevolent Association raises serious long-term concerns to Village residents caused by this Board's failure to negotiate a fair and timely contract with the Larchmont Police Department.

As a result of the Board's failure, highly qualified police officers have left the department for better pay and benefits and others are actively looking to leave. The loss of experienced officers is a serious problem for Larchmont residents, and one that will needlessly continue unless action is taken.

The statistical comparison of Larchmont’s compensation of its police officers with other municipalities is a disgrace. Consider the following:

1. According to the 2000 Federal census, Larchmont ranks 3rd in median family income and per capita income in all of Westchester County, and 4th among all Westchester villages in median household income. In spite of this healthy financial picture and the millions of dollars the Village has in its surplus account today, the salary for a police officer in our village is anemic, ranking 14th out of 15 Westchester villages with a contract, and 19th out of 22 villages in the County.

2. All police departments in Westchester County provide longevity payments to their police officers. Larchmont' s payments rank 20th out of 22 County villages.

3. Larchmont’s uiniform allowance is ranked 32nd out of all 38 police departments in the County.

4. Detectives in the Larchmont Police Department (who do some of the Village’s most important work, particularly regarding safeguarding our children) are the lowest paid in all villages in Westchester County.

5. The police in the Town/Village of Mamaroneck are better paid than our Larchmont police.

6. In the important area of medical benefits, Larchmont pays our police the bare minimum required by law. Many Westchester municipalities pay considerably more upon retirement.

7. The most recent overall increase in Larchmont's tax levy (of approximately 8.5%) and the overall salary increase to Village employees (of about 7%) has not translated into fair pay raises and benefits for our police -- who continue to work without a contract.

At the August 2nd meeting, the Board took the position that it can't get involved in pay negotiations with our police because this is a matter "left to the lawyers," to negotiate. That stance is clearly misleading. Certainly, this Board confers with and directs its lawyer regarding the terms it seeks and is willing to accept. That has been its practice, of course, and if this Board for some undisclosed reason has not followed this practice in negotiating with the Police Department, then its lawyer is exercising excessive independent authority. One has to wonder why.

Now that the Village of Larchmont Police have been without a contract for over a year, with demonstrably inadequate pay and benefits, this Board must finally step in and promptly provide fair and just compensation -- and not hide behind the lawyers.

Thomas F. Curnin
Larchmont, NY

August 9, 2004

Another Hero: Supervisor O'Keeffe

The recent Larchmont Gazette article "Another Hero in Heart Attack Rescue at Sports Club" reminds us of the exceptional privilege of participating in the saving of a life.

There is yet another "hero" who participated in the chain of events which saved Joe Beck's life that day, Mamaroneck Town Supervisor, Valerie O'Keeffe.

At a Senate Place block party at the close of last summer, I, and my wife Susan, a registered nurse and CPR-Defibrillator instructor, asked Supervisor O'Keefe to consider purchasing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for use by the Town Police. We explained that police are often the first responders in cardiac emergencies when every minute counts, and that AED automation enables non-medical first responders to easily use that device.

Supervisor O'Keeffe promptly responded and our Town Police were provided with AEDs and the training to use them, in time for Mamaroneck Town Officer Anthony Hoffmann to save Joe Beck's life.

Thank you Valerie.

Barry Gedan
Town of Mamaroneck

August 5, 2004

Latimer Will Not Protest GOP Substitute Candidate

The situation regarding the Republican efforts to field a candidate in the 91st Assembly District is at best unclear. I have received legal advice that indicates the County Republican Party’s action in naming a fourth candidate (the third consecutive substitute) for the race is in violation of the state election law, and that we could successfully sue to invalidate this latest candidacy.

However, my whole career in government is about openness and inclusion, and I believe there ought to be competition, and a valid discussion of ideas between two candidates. Despite these circumstances, which may well have been illegal, I have instructed my campaign and my party to take no legal action to invalidate the current Republican-Conservative designee. My belief in democracy is stronger than just acting in my own narrow interest.

I welcome the debate to come, and I’m confident that I can make a stronger case to the voters of this district that I will be more effective fighting on their behalf in Albany.

Finally, I must call on the Westchester County GOP to end this practice of bait-and-switch. In three assembly races this year, the candidate on the Republican ballot is different than the candidate whose name appeared on the petitions circulated. Not only has that happened to me in this assembly race, but the same thing happened last year in my county legislative race – Republicans changed candidates between the petition drive and final certification. After a few weeks, the replacement candidate turned out to have moved out of the county – discovered too late to remove her from the November ballot. While legal, these practices are simply not fair to the voters; it all smacks of political gamesmanship instead of statesmanship.

We ought to run these races on a higher level, and that’s exactly what I intend to do.

George Latimer
Candidate for NY State Assembly
Westchester County Legislator

July 25, 2004

Pedestrian Tunnel Disgrace

There are two jurisdictions governing the tunnel under the train in Larchmont, Metro North and Larchmont Village -- why is a mystery. Now that Metro North has renovated its side, the Village side, which is crumbling, dirty and dark, is more than ever a disgrace. Even short of renovation, the Village could at least clean and paint. If the Village doesn't care, why not cede jurisdiction to the Town or MTA?

Stan Schneider
Larchmont, NY

  June 27, 2004

Thanks for the Memories, Gazette

My wife Pat and I live in Dunwoody, Georgia, where we've spent the last 25 years. However, both of us grew up in Larchmont, where we both graduated from MHS (Class of '58). The next 20 years we continued to live in Larchmont and raised our family. Recently a friend sent me the Gazettem highlighting an article. From that point on I now anxiously look forward to receiving the weekly update and local information.

This is only a small note to say thanks for the Gazette and for bringing a lot of our Larchmont memories back into our lives.

Tony Miller
Dunwoody, GA

June 10, 2004

Thanks to the Mamaroneck Village Police from Pre-K

On behalf of the children of the Mamaroneck Avenue School Pre-K program and their parents, we would like to publicly thank the Village of Mamaroneck Police Department for their outstanding work at our car seat installation check.

We would like to thank P.O. Scott Fraioli and P.O. Dave Casterella for sharing their time and expertise with us. Both officers were highly professional and patient with the parents who needed their help. We are especially grateful to P.O. Richard Carroll who arranged for new car seats to be available through a New York State grant and who has worked so closely with us to make this project a success. All three officers worked tirelessly to check and/or install about 40 car seats.

We extend our sincere thanks to Lt. Hank Paul for arranging this event. He is always helpful and responsive and we very much look forward to continuing to work with him in the future. Again, we appreciate your making your department available to the community for such an important endeavor.

Carrie Amon
Mamaroneck Ave School Principal
Meryl Schaffer, CSW
Mamaroneck Pre-K Social Worker

May 20, 2004

Memorial "Field" Not in Keeping with Kemper Deed

As a Mamaroneck High School history teacher, I respectfully disagree with David Carylon in his letter of May 11 (Vet/Historian for School Budget & Park). A Memorial “field” serves neither the “letter “ nor the “generous spirit of the deed.” If it did, the Kemper family would not be engaged in such a painful and legal battle with the district. Mr. Carlyon writes that “it was available property, money and compromise that determined the placement” of the memorial park. That is correct. The property was commercial and was likely to become an apartment house. The money was that of the Kemper family, because the District did not have the funds to expand the campus. The only compromise was the stipulation that the land be maintained as a Memorial in perpetuity. It was a park which the Kempers landscaped and on which they built the Memorial.

Mr. Carlyon states that it “would be a cruel irony if those who claim to speak for our children handicap our children.” Exactly who are “those people?” Has he become one by stating his point of view? As for the entitlement issue, Mr. Carlyon’s formula of “more fields, more kids play” seems obvious, but it is flawed. Exactly who will be playing? The high school fields are locked and their use is restricted to district and community teams. There are many kids who, for a variety of reasons, are not on teams. Shouldn’t their needs be considered as well?

We are fortunate that the budget has passed, and we are informed by the closeness of the vote and the size of voter turnout. It is heartening that Mamaroneck may soon be permitted to build two new fields in Saxon Woods Park. Perhaps now we can all take a breath, gain perspective, and continue our efforts on the part of our children in more civil
discourse.

Kathleen Donnison
MHS History Teacher

May 13, 2004

'BEDGRAGGLED PARK DUE TO SCHOOLS' NEGLECT

Stephen Kling’s letter (Build Field and Renovate Bedraggled Park) was remarkable in quite an unintended way. Through his ignorance and irreverence, his comments actually support all the arguments of those who are in favor of keeping the Kemper Memorial Park in its current configuration. His apt description of the run down condition of the park is directly attributable to the school board’s negligence and its failure to honor its obligation stipulated in the deed to “maintain the park.” To quote his very words, “That degree of bedraggledness didn’t appear overnight, but is a product of decades of neglect.” That is a very important point. How could anyone in his right mind believe the school board would maintain a newly configured park, when it has utterly failed to maintain the current park? So, if Mr. Kling finds the park in a despicable state of maintenance, he should march right up to the school board and demand that it rectify its negligence forthwith.

Let us correct his misconceptions about the community’s concern for the park. From the beginning the Kempers have looked over the welfare of the memorial and have contacted the school district time and time again about its deplorable condition and maintenance. That history is documented by written correspondence.

There are examples after examples of people who have planted flowers, people who came to pray and pay their respects, people who visit the park regularly. Instead of riding by and shooting off his mouth, it would be nice if Mr. Kling would lift a finger to make the park more presentable. And perhaps, as the Kempers did, he could donate a few hundred thousand dollars of his own money to the community, before speaking so disparagingly about a memorial that has touched the hearts of countless people for over fifty years. In other words, instead of cursing the darkness, it would be better for him to light a candle.

As far as what the park means to so many, all Mr. Kling would have to do is visit the VFW and talk to the WWII veterans and their families, or most people in the community, or if he preferred the other extreme of age, talk to any of the students who wrote essays about how much the park means to them and how important it was to their education. He could even talk to his own son, who is on the student committee fighting to preserve the park.

But for people like Mr. Kling and his friends on the school board it is much easier to maintain opinions borne of ignorance than to spend the time necessary to become enlightened. So, yes, Mr. Kling you did “jump in too late to a briskly boiling controversy”. If you want to get some facts before spewing forth your opinions, get off your bike and go visit the archives of the Larchmont Historical Society. The next time you get a flat, you will know who is responsible for the missing benches in the park and its state of neglect.

Richard Cantor
Scarsdale, NY

(editor: the writer is the grandson of the park's donor)

May 5, 2004

BOARD PLAN SERVES PAST & FUTURE GENERATIONS

The Mamaroneck School District needs more playing fields because of the dramatic increase in the numbers of boys and girls in our community playing sports. Participation in sports provides tremendous benefits to our children. Not only are they spending several hours of the week exercising their bodies when they might otherwise be sitting at the computer or watching tv; they are also learning important social skills regarding teamwork, winning and losing, and connecting with other children and adults in the community. And experts advise us that involvement in extracurricular activities helps teens refrain from engaging in risky behaviors in those same after-school hours.

Before the controversy over moving the Kemper Memorial, I had been at the high school countless times without ever having been aware of the memorial’s existence. Having since learned about the monument and the land that was donated, I understand the concerns of the Kemper family, veterans, and the Historical Society. However, I feel that the school board’s thoughtfully designed plan preserves the spirit of the original gift. It calls for a beautifully laid out park with the memorial at its center, which will probably draw more visitors and attention than the current configuration. Naming the playing fields after Lt. Kemper would also raise awareness of that generation’s sacrifices. This plan will enhance the memorial site and the memory of the young people who gave their lives during WWII, as well as serve the good of the current and future generations of youngsters in our community.

Philippa Wharton
Larchmont, NY

April 29, 2004

BEAD-DAZZLED OPPOSES PARK SWAP

After reading The Sound & Town Report local newspaper, April 23, 2004 page 7, I was disturbed to find our retail business, Bead-Dazzled By Diane listed in an advertisment titled "Open Letter to the Village of Larchmont." The advertisment was paid for by RAPP, (retailers against poor planning) and we wish to make our position clear on this matter. Before this advertisment was printed, we never heard of this organization; we are not members and never given any financial support to this group. We are opposed to the park land swap for the same reasons that John Troy states in his letter of April 22, 2004.

We urge the Village trustees to vote against the park swap. We support S.T.E.P. (Save the Existing Park) and the 125 Larchmont residents who oppose the park land swap.

Jerry & Diane Shapiro
Bead-Dazzled By Diane
Larchmont, NY

April 22, 2004

SWAP WOULD BE 'IRREPARABLE LOSS'

Every time I pass the two lots on Parkway/Palmer, my opposition to the proposed land swap is further re-enforced.

The existing Village park on Parkway

• is larger (by 400 sq. feet)
• has more attractive trees, six v. two in the Palmer lot
• is safer, particularly for small children
• has a better layout for a park (its shape & grade)
• is more attractive. The Palmer lot is squeezed in between a a solid wall and an active driveway.

Add to these practical reasons, the fact that the vast majority of neighbors are opposed to the swap, as clearly evident at the Village meeting on March 29.

The proposed swap will benefit only one family in the Village. It will be an irreparable loss of valuable open space to all others.

I urge the Village Board to listen to the neighbors not to approve the land swap.

John Troy
Larchmont, NY

April 15, 2004

PALMER BUFFER PARK WOULD BE FOR ALL

When I was a kid here in Larchmont, I and my three neighbor/buddies, bundled in our winter clothes, stood in befuddlement, watching the Public Works Department guys installing a cement creature in “our” park at Vanderburgh Avenue. A little later, there appeared a duck head on a spring and other ride toys, then a slide, and the soon-to-be famous sandbox. We local kids were now forced to reconsider our proprietary attitude to the park as other kids we had never seen before came into “Turtle Park” to play.

As we went around to different parks, exploring our “world,” we never went to the “Parkway Park” next to the Morris property. It was confining and odd. Maybe we didn’t even know it was a park.

Later, …much later, I made a study of Vanderburgh Park and learned that the Village Board, at the time, had designed this park as a buffer between the commercial area at Chatsworth and Palmer and the residences north of there. In the 1940s, an apartment building six stories high was proposed for the site where the park is now. Indeed, the buffer idea was stronger.

The buffer park idea has come up again in the proposed swap. I truly believe it would be the correct choice for the Village to make: to have the park placed as the buffer property between the commercial and residence area; that is, to the left of the Morris property.

This would result in the greatest amount of enjoyment for the most people, and would be a consistent planning move based on precedent and logic.

Beyond equities of value, beyond the family suggesting this swap, the concept of “open space” would still prevail, and moving the park would be the correct thing to do for all.

After all, isn’t that what a park is for…all?

Jim Fleming
Larchmont, NY

April 9, 2004

PRINT GAZETTE WILL GIVE EVERYONE ACCESS

Congratulations on your new venture. The service you provide to the community is extraordinary.

I am proud to live in a community with an outstanding local news service. A print version will allow everyone in the area access to the Larchmont Gazette.

We all owe you a debt of gratitude for the work you have been doing without any financial remuneration. Recognition of your excellence should give you a great feeling of satisfaction in a job well done.

Marlene Kolbert
Trustee, Village of Larchmont

April 6, 2004

DC MARCH: OK FOR MEN, WOMEN & CHILDREN

It is clear from Ms. Federspiel’s letter of March 23 that she is anti-abortion. That is ok. Intelligent people do disagree on this issue.

I do not, however, feel that it is ok to impose one’s opinion on others by restricting access to reproductive health care services.

The April 25th March for Women's Lives in Washington is about preserving the right to choose safe abortion as a means to terminate a pregnancy – but it is also about the larger issue of ensuring access to fundamental primary, preventive health care, care that will ensure the health of parents and their children. The march is about preserving services that have been scientifically proven to promote wellness, services that the current presidential administration has attacked since it took office. As examples, I offer the administration’s opposition to comprehensive sex education as a means to prevent unwanted pregnancies; and its opposition to condoms as a means of preventing the spread of deadly infections such as HIV.

I stand by my statement that the march is an important place for men, women and families to be. Not only does the march stand for the importance of accessible reproductive health care to ensure the health of families – the march is an example of our right to protest, our precious freedom of speech. The march is a living history lesson, and will not harm children.

Lisa Perry
Larchmont, NY

March 26, 2004

TEST TIPS FOR PARENTS

Recently, as an educator, I participated in “Parent’s Night” at a school district out on Long Island. It happened to be the same night as “Family University” in the Mamaroneck School District (where I reside). The positive response I received from parents that night disseminating State Assessment Information was so overwhelming, I feel compelled to share this information to parents in my own community.

The Internet Resource Information below was prepared by a colleague of mine and is an invaluable resource for any parent.

Assessment Information

• Regents Exam Information - NYS Education Department has links to past Regents exams.

• Regents Exam Prep - The goal of this nonprofit site is to help high school students meet the New York State Regents requirements in English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.

• Intermediate Level Test Prep - Each testing area provides lessons, practice activities, teacher resources, and sometimes literature tie-ins for ELA 8, Math 8 and Social Studies 8 assessments.

• Elementary Test Prep - Each testing area provides lessons, practice activities, teacher resources, and sometimes literature tie-ins for ELA 4, Math 4 and Social Studies 5 assessments.

• NYS Assessment Information - Links to test samplers and schedules of state assessments.

•SAT Test Prep Questions - The SAT Prep Center provides you with exercises where you can learn about question types and their answers, as well as tips and strategies for test day.

The State Education Department has recently announced that, beginning with the June 2004 administration, the Regents Examination in Living Environment (9th Grade) will include a new section, Part D. The questions on Part D will consist of a combination of multiple-choice and open-ended questions related to at least three of the four required living environment laboratory activities and will compromise approximately 15% of the examination.

Sample questions are available and provided to help teachers and students become familiar with the format of questions for this part of the examination.

If your child is taking the Living Environment Regents, it is a new section of the Exam (Part D) that they should be aware of and prepared to take in June.

Ginny Welp
(NY State School Administrator)
Larchmont, NY

March 23, 2004

"MARCH FOR WOMEN'S LIVES" IS A MISNOMER

The title "March for Women's Lives" disregards women's emotional and physical battles that occur after abortion.

In the March 17 issue of the Gazette, Planned Parenthood Board member Lisa Perry of Larchmont says, "It is so important that women, men, families go to Washington for this March. From Day 1, the Bush Administration has turned its back on scientific evidence and public opinion in advancing its own narrow agenda on women's health and reproductive rights."

On the contrary, scientific evidence shows through increasingly detailed ultrasounds a baby in the womb, not an inconvenience to be disposed of. As far as the public opinion Ms. Perry talks about, polls show year after year that more people oppose abortion than are for it.

It also sickens me to think of people bringing children to an abortion rally. (The article lists the bus fare for the children attending the rally). That is really sad--teaching children that babies shouldn't be born if their parents don't want them. Disposable babies? No. Please don't teach our children that.

Carey Federspiel
Larchmont, NY

March 15, 2004

LARCHMONTERS: PLEASE DRIVE MORE CAREFULLY

I would like to respond to the letter "Plea for Common Courtesy in Larchmont." I couldn't agree more.

I have lived in Larchmont for four years now and nowhere have I seen such lack of respect and common courtesy as I have seen on the roads here. I drive my children to and from school everyday and each day I see at least one, if not several, examples of drivers doing all manner of illegal things: cell phone use, cutting in front of others, double-parking, eating or drinking while driving and driving while having one or two dogs on the driver's lap, the list goes on.

It's absolutely ridiculous to be driving this way at any time but I am asking Larchmont drivers to please be especially careful during school hours. And please, do consider others when you are parking. Thank you.

Brenda Duell
Larchmont, NY

March 11, 2004

PLEA FOR COMMON COURTESY

This is a plea to my fellow Larchmonters. The lack of parking space in our village is compounded by the lack of consideration that is constantly observed by other drivers. Perhaps it's a lack of driving and parking ability, but to see a car parked in the middle of two spaces is so annoying. I realize in some cases it happens when someone else has just pulled out, but I have seen people pull in and use two spaces. That and the use of cell phones show a great disregard for others.

What has happened to common courtesy over the 70 years that I’ve lived in Larchmont?

Sally McGuire
Larchmont, NY

CHANGE IS OK IF IT ADDS MORE THAN IT TAKES OUT

I write against the triumph of the status quo. As a permanent resident but not a citizen of Larchmont, I have obviously no right to have a say in how my taxes are spent and elective bodies take decisions, but I would like to share my views on a few topics that agitate the community (mainly about land by the way). The established attitude of the partisans of the status quo towards the Kemper memorial and now the Village land swap participate in the same religion of the past that give our village its quaint and attractive ambiance, but also a definite sense of living in history for the sake of it.

Social groups do not progress by constantly looking at the past and rejecting change because it is different. Or rather, social groups that behave this way wither and die. I will not go further but say that any re-arrangement of the status quo that seems to add to the collective benefits more than it takes out from individual or collective entitlements and beliefs should be encouraged. I don't believe that this great nation was built on status quo.

Pierre-Antoine Boulat
Larchmont, NY

March 3, 2004

KEMPER ISSUE NEEDS POINT/COUNTERPOINT

I don't know how the Kemper Memorial Park issue is going to be resolved. But I do know that Tuesday evening's public meeting on the issue at Mamaroneck High School's McLain Auditorium didn't really solve anything, except, perhaps, to keep the flame of passion surrounding the issue burning ever brighter.

While the intention of the organizers of the meeting was, undoubtedly laced with hope, the reality was that the meeting was victimized by the same old “They Said (the Mamaroneck School Board), He Said (Richard Cantor).” The Board carefully and clearly presented its side; Mr. Cantor carefully and clearly presented his side. So it wasn't in the presentation that a less than successful evening resulted. No, it was, I think, in the format of the evening.

What the School Board said it was doing with/to the Kemper Memorial Park and why it was necessary to do so made a lot of sense to me.

What Mr. Cantor said about why the School Board was legally and morally wrong to initiate such an action also made a lot of sense to me.

What didn't make so much sense, however, was the way the School Board was impugned and disrespected at most every turn, with no chance to defend or refute these attacks.

It's one thing to stand and call the School Board a group of liars who deliberately take action to desecrate a hallowed ground; it's another thing to say that when you know that you are going to be called upon to back up those strong, inflammatory statements.
It's one thing to say that the School Board has not exhausted every possibility in its search for another playing field, because you have presented alternatives to that School Board; it's another thing not to offer specifics of those alternatives, such as estimated costs and what potential building demolitions might be involved.

So my point is, how about setting up a different kind of forum than the one that I witnessed on Tuesday. How about a meeting where the School Board and Mr. Cantor meet in a Point/Counterpoint discussion? This way, when one side calls the other a liar or misinformed or left out of the discussions or worse, the other side can defend itself on the spot.

Who knows? Perhaps an atmosphere of clarity and trust will finally pierce the sodden, murky, impenetrable air that is currently swirling around this issue.

And, wonder of wonders, perhaps we all will learn a valuable lesson in the misplaced art of respect, trust and compromise.

Syl Michael Morrone
Larchmont, NY

March 2, 2004

KEEP MEMORIAL AS IT WAS

I was raised in Mamaroneck and my father, grandfather, two brothers and I were all in the service. I like to come home and see the Kemper memorial as it always was. People like us have not got too many years left, and we don’t want to feel as if we are pushed aside.

Nicholas V.Muir
Denver, NY

February 4, 2004

DOOR CLOSED TO CHOICE IN NO CONTEST ELECTION

Last week the Democrats and Republicans in Larchmont closed the door on choice. In the March 2004 election, there will be no contest, no choice, for the three Village Board positions whose terms are expiring. (See: No Contest.) And on April 5, the same people who now hold those seats will begin a new term. And none of us will have had a choice, a voice, an opportunity to vote.

That is really sad.

It’s sad because there will be no League of Women Voters debate and no meaningful discussion of issues. And there are issues, such as the proper use of the village’s monetary surplus.

Assertions will be made and remain unchallenged, such as the one in last week’s Larchmont Gazette, in which a Republican announced that the board appoints Democrats and Republicans. That’s a whitewash statement that ignores the dismissal of Democrats from the technology committee, which is now virtually moribund.

You may say that no one came to the debates anyway and the voting numbers have been low. But that’s begging the question. The process being discarded does not depend upon the numbers who are smart enough or energetic enough to participate. The process exists because it’s essential to democratic public life.

The nolo contendere stance taken here is a throwback to the pre-1960’s when a group of Republican men could sit around in rocking chairs and decide who would hold the positions that ostensibly run the village.

This decision turns its back on Democratic party history of at least 40 years during which the Larchmont Democratic party fielded a full slate of candidates even when the chance of winning was so low as to be invisible. But the process, the democratic process, was important enough to labor over and struggle over and they did.

One Democratic woman, Eileen Gallagher, was elected in the 1960’s, followed in the 1970’s by the election of three Democrats, Larry Lowy, Mary Jane Feuerbach and Martin Quigley. And in 1980, we finally had a Democratic mayor when Martin was elected to that office.

The conditions then were what they are today. The weather could be unpleasant for campaigning. The effort to produce campaign literature was arduous. Money had to be raised, in small amounts, which meant numerous citizens were contributing to the process. Same needs then as now. And people met those needs and worked hard and frequently lost elections.

By the way, if the issue is fatigue and the inability for a board to be productive from January to March because elections are an annual distraction, the solution could and should be to take the steps to make the elections bi-annual. Don’t discard the electoral system altogether.

I hope the door that has been closed in the faces of the Larchmont electorate will reopen next year because I believe we have lost something essential here. In politics and in democracy, you not only have to talk the talk, you have to walk the walk.

Miriam Curnin
Former Larchmont Mayor
Larchmont, NY

January 21, 2004

KEMPER SISTER: HONOR THE DEED, KEEP THE PARK

I am Jean Kemper, the sister of Lt. Richard Kemper, for whom the Memorial Park at the Mamaroneck High School was named. The park was given by my parents, Adolph and Helen Kemper, to honor all of the students from the district who lost their lives in World War II. The deed by which the land was conveyed states unequivocally that it was to be “held and maintained for public and school use as a memorial in perpetuity.” My father not only made a gift of the land, but also had it landscaped; planted with trees, as a living memorial; furnished it with benches so students, faculty and the public could comfortably sit to enjoy the peace of the surroundings; and commissioned a monument on which are inscribed the names of those who sacrificed their lives to protect our nation.

You can imagine our family’s shock when in 2001 we received word that the School Board was planning to tear down the entire memorial – all of it – for a parking lot and soccer field. Now it expects us to endorse its “revised” plan to slice the park in half and cut down 30 beautiful trees that stand over 60 feet tall. Even more incredible, they expect us to believe their claim that all they want to do is “enhance” the Memorial. Just how gullible do they think we are?

We have every reason to believe that the Board is being duplicitous and that it intends to usurp the entire property piece by piece. First it plans to convert half to an athletic field and in a few years to convert the rest to a parking lot, moving the monument completely off the property. The question is not whether there should be a field or more parking. The question is where to put them. Destroying a memorial dedicated to those who defended our freedoms and made our playing fields possible is not an appropriate place, especially since there are alternative locations which do not infringe on the Park.

Painful as all of this has been to us, what is more grievous is the perfidy of the School Board in attacking our family, its benefactor, and attempting to manipulate public opinion by distorting the truth. Had it not been for our generosity, an apartment building would occupy the land in front of the school instead of a lovely memorial park.

The Board’s attempts to convert the land to alternative usage demonstrates its lack of respect and appreciation for the tremendous sacrifices of our veterans, the sanctity of the park as a memorial, the sacredness of the land on which it lies, the legal and ethical commitments embodied in the deed establishing and protecting the park, the historical significance of the park existing as it has for over half a century, and the greater importance the land has for the entire community as a memorial park versus parking spaces and a soccer field. All of these values and commitments were endorsed by the School Board back in 1945; and in accepting the gift of the Kemper Memorial Park, that Board obligated all future Boards to uphold its promises. It is time for the current Board to acknowledge this obligation to honor the deed and maintain the park, to apologize to our family and to create a new field in a more appropriate location.

Jean Kemper

January 15, 2004

BEAUTIFICATION MOOT AS LONG AS OVERHEAD WIRES REMAIN

On the subject of the proposed streetscape: street furniture (i.e. benches and garbage recepticles), flower boxes, trees, sidewalk surfaces, and other "beautifications" are moot so long as the overhead utility wires, which also require the mutilation of street trees, remain. Let us either bury these disfiguring and dangerous utility lines, or cease the expensive but futile efforts in other directions.

All of the other Sound Shore communities--from Pelham to Port Chester--have now eliminated these abominations at least from the Boston Post Road, if not elsewhere within their municipal limits. But perhaps there is something I am missing. Why should Larchmont Village be the only municipality on the Sound to preserve above-ground utility wires everywhere within our boundaries?

Judy Spikes
Larchmont, NY

January 14, 2003

MOVE WILL ENHANCE MEMORIAL, BENEFIT KIDS

This letter concerns the Mamaroneck community controversy over the Kemper Memorial. My husband and I have been members of the Larchmont/Mamaroneck community for 20 years. Our two children attended Mamaroneck Public Schools from Kindergarten through graduation at Mamaroneck High School, and we feel that they received superior educations.

I also write from the perspective of my professional role as a board-certified pediatrician who has practiced in Westchester for 20 years, for the past 10 years, as the Medical Director of School Health Services in a neighboring District

Several years ago, when I read the proposal to move the Memorial to the very front of MHS near the flagpole, this struck me as a brilliant and fitting way to give it much more prominence and the importance it deserves. It was very disappointing that the Kemper/Cantor family and Historical Society did not see the exciting possibilities for elevating the prominence of the Memorial in the community.

I have the greatest respect for those who serve our country in the Armed Forces. My own father and 2 uncles are all WWII veterans, and, as a teenager, I remember hearing my grandmother relate to me her daily distress, anxiety and the worry she lived with when my father, her precious son, a Navy man, was stationed in the Pacific at the tender ages of 18 to 22.

Gettysburg, Antietam, Normandy, the World Trade Center – these places are hallowed ground where men and women fought, spilled their blood, and gave their lives. The Kemper Memorial is a vital symbol of the ultimate sacrifice, but no blood was spilled and no lives were lost on this ground. This is what separates the site from actual battlefields which are sacred ground.

The Memorial itself is of immeasurable value to our community, but its specific location a number of yards in one direction or another does not diminish that importance in any way.

I know by my professional role how vital the Athletic program is, not just in building skills, but in providing students a niche within the larger school community, and through the mentor relationship the student athletes develop with their coaches. Indeed, for some students who are not academically inclined, their commitment to their sport team is what motivates them to maintain an academic average high enough to qualify to remain on their team. Additionally, any school-related activity in which students engage with a positive faculty role model reduces the chances that a student will be drawn into the negative influences and poor decision making of some adolescents such as alcohol and other substance abuse. If teens are kept busy, they are less likely to follow a destructive path that does not lead to success as adults.

Therefore, the proposal to move the Memorial to make room for the High School’s urgent need for more field space merits the community’s support.

The Mamaroneck Board of Education has the responsibility for the 4500 hundred children who must be educated to ever increasing standards, to maintain and improve our school buildings and facilities, and to have an eye on long-term planning for the students who will be aging up into the system for years to come.

This Board has been acting and planning responsibly. In a school district, decisions should be student centered. The Board should be applauded for its willingness to re-examine their plans, while keeping the focus on the current and future needs of the children of this community.

I urge those opposed to the current plan to take a step back. Consider that the memories and respect we all wish to preserve for Lt. Kemper and other MHS students and graduates who made the ultimate sacrifice during WWII to preserve the freedom and values we Americans cherish will be enhanced by the Board’s latest proposal, by giving the Memorial the importance it deserves, while also serving the needs of the future generations those brave veterans fought so hard and sacrificed so much to protect.

I sincerely hope that this conflict can be resolved to the satisfaction of all parties with the needs of our children uppermost in the final plan.

Adrienne Weiss-Harrison, M.D.
Larchmont, NY

January 7, 2004

VILLAGE NOT RESPONDING ON 9/11 MEMORIAL

The Larchmont Village Board continues its policy of not answering letters of residents critical of its performance.

On December 2, 2003, I hand-delivered a letter to the Village Clerk addressed to all the trustees in which I objected to the Board’s failure to respond in a timely fashion to questions raised in September in a letter from the Parks and Trees Committee that asked for direction on a proposed 9/11 memorial for Larchmont.

On December 1, 2003, I attended a meeting of the Parks and Trees Committee and asked what had been the follow up on the various ideas for a 9/11 memorial
discussed at the Committee’s meeting in September 15 which I attended. At the December 1 meeting I learned that the Committee had sent a letter to the Board of Trustees in September outlining certain suggestions, including the creation of a task force to be chosen by the trustees to pursue the project, but that, as of
December 1st, no response had been received form the Board of Trustees.

The Board’s failure to respond to the Parks and Trees Committee has delayed further planning for the memorial.

I have not received a response to my December 2 letter.

Delay in responding is part of the Village Board’s continuing inattention to Village issues.

Thomas F. Curnin
Larchmont, NY

January 5, 2004

BOARD PLAN WILLFULLY IGNORES DEED

I am adding my voice to join the chorus of others in our community expressing dismay and outrage at the position being taken by our Mamaroneck School Board and Superintendent on the Kemper Memorial. Their proposal to move it and use the land for a new soccer field not only willfully ignores the deed that established the site, but also displays a callous indifference to the sacrifice members of our community made to preserve our freedoms, and to the importance of the Memorial to their loved ones, descendants and to our town. What the Board and the Superintendent propose to do is not honorable and it is wrong.

To the first point of law, the agreement that deeded the Kemper Memorial in 1945 requires that the “premises ... be held and maintained in perpetuity for public and school uses as a memorial.” This clearly means that the very land and trees of the site, not just the stone monument, comprise the Memorial. Just because its placement now seems inconvenient to the Board, and they have other uses for the space, this can afford no basis for ignoring the clear intent of the grantors and the sacred trust that the Memorial represents. The Board has also said that they could name the new field after Richard Kemper, but that would not change the fact that they would be building an athletic facility on the equivalent of a gravesite.

Regarding the second point of sacrifice, we can and should revere the history of our community, and our memories should not be so short as to decide that 58 years is enough time to pay tribute. To the Kemper Memorial families, and indeed to anyone else who has lost a loved one in the course of war or an attack on our country, in perpetuity is not too long to remember and honor their lives and how they gave them. The Kemper Memorial helps assure that we will not lose the thread of, what Abraham Lincoln called, those “mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave, to every living heart and hearth-stone, all over this broad land.” Another soccer field would not serve the same purpose.

We as a community MUST find another solution.

Vicky Amon
Larchmont, NY

December 27, 2003

PUBLIC MAY OBSERVE HISTORICAL MEETING

Recently, the local media has publicized a meeting to which the Larchmont Historical Society Board of Trustees has invited members of the Mamaroneck School Board to discuss the School Board’s proposals with regard to the Richard Kemper Memorial Park. This meeting will be held at 8 pm on January 8 at the Larchmont Village Center.

This meeting was intended as a private meeting for Historical Society board members with the School Board representatives, as our recent meeting with Richard Cantor (a representative of the Kemper family) was. As this has now been announced as open to the public, we have no problem at all with doing so in order that the public can hear about this dispute.

However, in light of the fact that this meeting was called for the purpose of giving our board members an opportunity to hear and question the School Board members and for School Board members to hear the feelings of the Historical Society board, it is my intention to limit questions to board members, or, if time permits, dues-paying members, of the Larchmont Historical Society. I hope that this clarifies the nature of this upcoming meeting.

Fred Baron
President
Larchmont Historical Society

December 8, 2003

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE ON KEMPER MEMORIAL

About three years ago, when I was President of the Larchmont Historical Society, I heard that the Mamaroneck School Board was planning on creating an athletic field and parking lot out of the Richard M. Kemper Park. I thought that there must be some mistake because the land in question had been donated to the School District by a grieving family. This donation was made to not only honor their only son, who was killed in France in l944, but to honor all of those from the community who gave their lives in World War II. But there was no mistake. Fortunately, to protect their donation, the Kemper family had included a restrictive covenant in the deed. Furthermore, New York State Education Law requires school boards to abide by the instructions of donors.

Why should we, as a community, insist on the preservation of this park as is? Because it provides vital insight into our community’s history. Far more lives were lost here during World War II than in any war, before or since. No matter where you lived, there was a family close by who had lost a loved one. Our community grieved and suffered. Many of the dead were not buried stateside. Others were never buried at all because their bodies were never recovered. Adolph and Helen Kemper’s gift, the park with its monument and trees, helped to give all of the families and friends some closure. It was a place to go to remember what had been and what would never be. Thousands, if not millions, of tears were shed on this ground. Each name represents heartbreak.

The School Board claims that their proposal means no disrespect to these individuals. To me, it does. Honoring the individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice is the most important thing in this discussion and honoring the promise made to Adolph and Helen Kemper is a close second. Both are way more important that any athletic field. It may be difficult for Kevin O’Shea (Journal News, Letters to the Editor, November 26, 2003) to schedule practices but it doesn’t come close to the difficulty the community had in dealing with the deaths of 100 young men and women in just three and a half years. This is the only memorial that honors everyone who lived in the Mamaroneck School District.

The School Board now says that the Kempers’ vision of a memorial park no longer has merit because it is in the wrong location. I beg to differ. The location is just fine and the vision is just fine. As a matter of fact, it is perfect.

It is the duty of the School District to abide by the promises made to a donor. If it can no longer do so, then the gift should go back to the donor with sincere apologies. Using it for another purpose is tantamount to theft.

Jan Northrup
Larchmont, NY

November 20, 2003

GAZETTE SCOOPS NEWSWEEK ON WINE

It was with gleeful pleasure that I read in your pixels that Landmark Vineyard's Overlook chardonnay was recommended as a most appropriate partner to our annual Thanksgiving turkey feast.(See: Which Wine with the Turkey?) It was indeed somewhat anticlimactic to find this same insider's tip posted in no doubt recycled pulp on page 92 of Newsweek magazine's November 24th issue. As a local, who still has deep roots in the community I applaud you journalistic scoop.

Eric Stern
formerly of Mamaroneck, NY

November 10, 2003

SPEND MONEY FOR EMPTY NESTERS, TOO

I'd love to see the money being spent on Flint Park (substantially for kids) being matched for the enjoyment of empty nesters and seniors on outdoor activity facilities. The latter don't seem to have the same ability to raise large sums (note the failure of the 11 year struggle to build a real nature center at the reservoir), but need facilities, none the less.

Joe Zelvin
Larchmont, NY

December 14, 2004

Mamaroneck Candidate Thanks Her Community

I wish to thank all the people who voted for me on November 2nd. In particular, I want to thank my many friends in the Latino, Jewish, African, Asian and Italian-American communities. This was a broad coalition and a broad representation of the village that supported the Democratic Party campaign. I also want to thank the people who, while not residents of the Village of Mamaroneck, supported me wholeheartedly.

The majority of those of you who voted for me did not know me before Labor Day. However, you took a good, hard look at my record and what I have accomplished in my life and you decided that I was going to represent you before the Board of Trustees of the Village of Mamaroneck. I am truly honored.

Although I was 138 votes away from our goal, I can assure you that your vote was not lost and it was not in vain. Your support has given me the impetus and motivation to continue being involved in the affairs of our village. We are not going away, we will be here and we will be very vigilant in making sure that our voices are heard, our power is demonstrated and our hopes and dreams are pursued.

A lot of work lies ahead, but together, we can strive to make our vibrant, mixed and multicultural community better integrated and represented. I urge you to support Trustee Tom Murphy and the rest of the Board of Trustees by attending their meetings on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of every month and expressing your needs and opinions as often as possible.

Thank you again for everything that you have done and continue to do for the betterment of our beloved Village of Mamaroneck. Happy holidays to everyone.

Elsa Puerto-Rubin
Village of Mamaroneck

November 24, 2004

Help Playland by Welcoming Boaters

What Do We Have? An historic amusement park, with a beautiful beach, wonderful pool, concerts, a large picnic area, a lake, an ice skating casino, fireworks, an environmental center, a natural wood, “easy on your feet,” boardwalk with great views of Long Island Sound, a modern safe dock with a nice fishing area, miniature golf, plenty of food choices and all the ice cream anyone could want.

What Do We Need? A plan that will help ensure the financial stability of our park while preserving its’ landmark attractions and still keep it affordable to everyone who wants to enjoy what it has to offer.

How Do We Get It? One way to help accomplish this, without bringing more vehicular traffic into the area, would be to tap into the thousands of regional boaters looking for places to go with their families and friends. With a minimal financial investment on the part of Westchester County and with help from potential federal and state grants, earmarked for transient boaters, and public waterfront access, giving recreational boaters access to Rye Playland seems to make lots of sense. The additional money these boaters would be spending in the park could be a big help toward preserving and enhancing this wonderful facility. It could become a real “destination location” for day boaters as well as long-range cruisers.

Whether by setting up a mooring field, a dinghy beach landing area or launch service to our fine new dock, the County has an opportunity to “break new ground” in making our “treasure” available to an even wider circle of fans, enthusiasts and fun seekers.

Yacht Clubs and boaters from up and down the Sound, the Hudson River, the South Shore of L.I. and even the Jersey Shore are always looking for new places to go. Let’s make it easy for them to come visit us.

With all the boating and business interests we have here in Westchester County, we should be able to make this happen, and it shouldn’t have to cost County taxpayers a bundle, either.

Ernie Odierna
Councilman, Town of Mamaroneck

November 16, 2004

Outgoing Mamaroneck Trustee Offers Thanks

Thank you to the Village of Mamaroneck, village staff, the appreciative residents, and to the ever-supportive Board of Trustees. Thank you to my friends and family members who made being a trustee of the Village of Mamaroneck possible for the past two years.

While having lost this past election by such a slim margin should have left me feeling sad and defeated, it has not. I am so grateful that our ticket was able to win two seats in a national election when the forecast for the success of the Republican Party was dismal and the countywide results reflected this. My dear friends and running mates, Joe Angilletta and Tony Vozza, will continue the good work they have begun.

I am so glad that I did in fact achieve so many things that I set out to do when I took office. Who thought two years would go by so quickly? Knowing the fickle nature of politics one of my goals was to set things in motion that would survive past my time on the board. I can say that this has been done. To name a few, the well reported 132 “leaks” will be completely repaired well ahead of schedule and water quality readings are improving; we have also received one $50,000 grant which the village is preparing to put to work. The Village of Mamaroneck is now “on the map” as a municipality that is serious about water quality, the environment and getting tough jobs done. Best of luck to the current board.

Christie McEvoy-Derrico
Village of Mamaroneck

November 7, 2004

With Election Behind Us, We Can Help Troops in Iraq

Now that the election is behind us and we begin to contemplate the holidays, it seems timely to remember that our troops in Iraq are still there—and are there for the long haul. I came across the following suggestions as to how we can support our men and women in the military, and I thought your readers might like to know of them:

Donate frequent-flier miles: In the largest R&R program since Vietnam, as many as 470 soldiers a day in the Middle East go on two-week leaves. The military flies them to three airports in the U.S., but soldiers then foot the bill for connections to their hometowns.

Operation Hero Miles (heromiles.org) has already contributed 540 million miles to help, resulting in 22,600 roundtrip flights.

Foster a military pet: Many called to active duty are forced to put their pets in shelters or give them away. Apply at netpets.org to
foster a dog, cat or bird for six months.

Give the gift of talk: Visit the USO’s site (www.uso.org) to see how you can help troops get free calling cards.

Care packages for soldiers: The historic tradition of sending a package to "any soldier" is more difficult in an era of terrorism. However, one proud father of a U.S. Army solider serving in Iraq has set up a web site, and with his son has devised a system for sending care packages. The website is anysoldier.us and it is full of recommendations on items the soldiers need today.

Send some fun: For $20, the American Red Cross will ship a package of snacks, puzzles and games to a service member. Contact your local chapter about Treasures for Troops (trianglearc.org).

Kate Kelly
Larchmont, NY

November 5, 2004

Article on POW Reminds of Sacrifices for Freedom

Ned Benton's article on What Happened to Master Sgt. MacDonnell is excellent. It is just the kind of reporting that brings to life the incredible sacrifices of those who went before us and reminds us that people of all walks of American life served to protect the freedoms of others.

All too often we see memorials that have been ignored for generations that stand for real people having given their lives for us in the most painful ways. Well done!

Bruce Cauley
Larchmont, NY

November 3, 2004

Impressions of an Election Worker: Nov 2, 2004

On election day, I served as an election inspector for district 12 in the Town of Mamaroneck at the Murray Avenue School voting location. It was an incredible and interesting experience.

Seeing elderly people in walkers slowly making their way and first time voters needing instruction in the mechanics of the operation of the levers in the booth was both moving and rewarding. I saw parents who wanted to bring their children into the booth to bear witness to our process and a teacher who wanted her students to see the process from both inside and outside a booth.

I noticed how differently people approached us to sign in, some impatient and anxious to be done, most patient and enthusiastic. And I was able to observe the various expressions of many people exiting the booth, reflections of their sense of satisfaction and pride sometimes coupled with what seemed like a "now we will have to wait and see" posture.

Regardless of (or maybe in spite of!) the outcome, it made me proud to be an American.

Jane Hoffman
Larchmont, NY

October 21, 2004

Does Dem Candidate Have a Conflict of Interest?

An apparent conflict of interest has been exposed. Buried in the criticism being thrown out by candidates Tom Murphy, Elsa Puerto-Rubin and Guy Zerega regarding this Board’s handling of the police matter, the candidates have brought to light questions of where their allegiances rest and whether they are able to adequately defend the village.

During the campaign, we have been aware that candidate Tom Murphy has spoken with one of the suspended officers on more than one occasion. It was revealed on the night of the debate that this selfsame officer has been known by the Internet handle “oneinsaneguy” and that he also posted on his Internet profile under “Hobbies & Interests” the following:

“What are they looking for when they give cops psychological screenings? I’ve heard of cops who murder, rape, steal, use drugs, and abuse their power. Ya even hear of cops who blow their brains out with their own service weapon. But the one thing you never ever hear about is a cop killing one of those no good dirt bag bosses who’s causing all that misery for him. Think About It!!”

As we sit in one capacity as the Board of Police Commissioners, residents can see why we felt that it would have been irresponsible and unsafe to speak with this individual. We may then question what gain did Mr. Murphy seek in speaking with such an individual? Although this question may have been on our minds, a greater question came about when Mr. Murphy said at the debate, in summary, the current Board has made every decision the lawyer for the police officers has wanted them to make!

Now the question is begged, how often and when has Mr. Murphy been meeting with the attorney for the suspended officers? This is the same attorney who stands to profit handsomely from suing the village and other municipalities.

It is our opinion that Mr. Murphy’s action in speaking with the suspended officer is in fact naive and misguided. He is playing with fire.

One of the suspended officers has been seen publicly attired in a t-shirt which states “Future Millionaire” rather than one that says “Defending the Constitution.”

As anyone present could see, three of the suspended officers were prominently present at the League Debate, sitting in the front row in support of the Democratic candidates, heckling and making menacing gestures to us. Another officer has also publicly expressed his support of the 3 Democratic candidates by posting their election sign on his lawn.

This has been an unfortunate situation that this Board inherited and that we have handled responsibly. Despite these events, this Board has many accomplishments, which we are proud of.

Christie L. McEvoy-Derrico
Tony Vozza
Joe Angilletta
Village of Mamaroneck Trustees

September 28, 2004

Law Enforcement Ethnic Categories Hurt Hispanics

Once again, in the case of the Bonner kidnappings