Sunday, May 03, 2009

THERIVERTOWNPLAYGROUP.COM-- A GREAT WEB SITE: NEW PLAYGROUND EYED FOR WEBB?

GREAT WEBSITE: If you are a parent of a small child in Greenburgh/the river villages - check out therivertownplaygroup.com. It's a great web site that highlights some terrific events, things to do with your kids. There is a discussion section dealing with safety, babysitting and much more. Earlier this week I highlighted another good website: www.rivertownsguide.com. That guide keeps updating fun things to do around our area for everyone.
CHILDREN AT HIGHVIEW SCHOOL WANT A NEW PLAYGROUND AT WEBB--Recently, I spoke to students at the Highview School. The big issue: A new playground to replace the aging wooden playground at Webb Field/Richard Presser park. This park is next to the school--but is a town park. New playgrounds use plastic rather than wood. I read that some communities around the nation are applying for federal stimulus funds for playgrounds. We are looking into this funding source. Over a dozen years ago parents (led by Grace Rapkin) volunteered their time --helping the town reduce the costs of playground construction. The Webb Field playground, off of Central Ave, has been used by thousands of kids over the years and is one of the most popular playgrounds in the town. If you are interested in working on this issue - please e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

take the wall down

Not very Green said...

Paul,I noticed your Ford Taurus (hard not to ) today. The car is a disgrace. You are suppose to represent Greenburg. With all the bumper stickers and that mobile sign on the roof how do you expect respect when you don't even show it. Could you please take sometime and clean up the car. You are here to represent not chase people away.

PRESSER COOKER said...

Webb, eh? So even our Town Supervisor can't wrap his head around "Presser" lol.


The once beautiful park is an absolute disgrace.

By all means let's get a new playground! After all, the Highview kids really want one. The Highview kids. None of who live in Hartsdale, College Corners or Manor Woods. None of who might use the park outside of school, which is a whole other subject. Like, why with all of our money the school district can't build a playground? But hey, who cares that Hartsdale has been living with the mess at PRESSER since the town decided that everyone BUT the tax payers should be happy with it.

To quote my daughter "I was at the park today. It's GROSS! What happened to it?"

"You silly goose! You live in Hartsdale. This park is not intended to be pleasing to you. We only pay for it and get to watch it turn to garbage by people who don't live anywhere near it or even in the town for that matter"

"Paul Feiner could'nt care less about you. You are not his brand of child"

Anonymous said...

Please remove that that embarrassing wall.

Anonymous said...

"Paul Feiner could'nt care less about you. You are not his brand of child"This is 1000% true. Over 1800 invisible school age kids in Hartsdale. Paul's message is clear.
Tuff noogies. YOU DO NOT MATTER.

hal samis said...

CHILDREN AT HIGHVIEW SCHOOL WANT A NEW PLAYGROUND AT WEBB--Recently, I spoke to students at the Highview School. The big issue: A new playground to replace the aging wooden playground at Webb Field/Richard Presser park. This park is next to the school--but is a town park. New playgrounds use plastic rather than wood. I read that some communities around the nation are applying for federal stimulus funds for playgrounds. We are looking into this funding source. Over a dozen years ago parents (led by Grace Rapkin) volunteered their time --helping the town reduce the costs of playground construction. The Webb Field playground, off of Central Ave, has been used by thousands of kids over the years and is one of the most popular playgrounds in the town. If you are interested in working on this issue - please e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com

Dear Mr. Feiner,

Are there two Greenburgh's?
Are there two Highview Schools?
Are there two Paul Feiner's?
If I want to FOIL for Town records regarding these questions, do I ask for the X File?

My point is that the School District announced its intention, a few years's back, to consolidate Schools with Highview and two others (RJ Bailey and ___ ) being named.

Unless this has been cancelled, if the reason and object of your attention is Presser Park because it is next to Highview School, then you need a new stalking horse.

And wasn't a portion of those earlier federal grants (received and spent) for Webb field supposed to have been applied toward the playground?

Finally, plastic vs wood. A week after the Town was all gaga over eco-Green, let's seek out the petrochemical alternative.

Anonymous said...

The consolidation and restructioning was nixed by Fairview. Although this made perfect sense for the entire community, only those living there have a real say in what goes on. Why not? It only matters what Fairview thinks on a lions share of town issues.

So, now we have to bus kids all around Greenburgh Central to attend 3 different schools in 6 years time. That's right! 3 bus' at one household for your kids grades 1, 3 & 6. Despite the suggestion that there be 2 grades k-6 facilities(choose which one you like) it was considered a racist suggestion. How ironic. Wanting to engage the entire school district is, of course, an entirely racist idea!

Show me one other school district that does this? What a complete waste of money.
How dumb is this?

Does it really matter? Heck no!

Now the threat that if the school budget doesn't get voted in, they put the higher contingency budget into effect. Threats! "The CHILDREN! Think of the CHILDREN!"

Bloody hypocrites.

Gotta love this town.
Yes, 1800 invisible, unworthy of anyone's consideration, kids getting the shaft here.

whooooo hooo!
and Paul IS to blame as he perpetuates this attitude. Xposure after school. Free camp, Highview wants a new play ground.....

Wrong "brand" of child is right!

This town has hit an all time low.

Terry Williams said...

The New York State Comptroller has once again ruled that the WestHelp Educational Grant that Paul Feiner would like to award to the Valhalla Union Free School District does not serve a “legitimate Town purpose.”

I would urge Mr. Feiner to stop entertaining/refrain from making these proposals and focus his attention on managing the affairs of the town for the benefit of all of its residents.

Paul, in the interest of full disclosure, you should post a copy of the comptroller's letter to your blog.

Anonymous said...

LMAO! Pot(Terry) please meet kettle(Paul).

I suppose you think GC7 should have that money? What better way to serve a "legitimate Town purpose" Better yet, give it TDYCC to fund more college tours and after school programs that serve on those kids attending GC7 schools?

Too funny.

Response to Request from Terry Williams said...

The following is reproduced in its entirety in response to Terry Williams' request. As it is a public document subject to release under FOIL I hope Mr Feiner will not delete it:

April 20,2009
Paul J. Feiner, Supervisor
Town of Greenburgh
177 Hillside Avenue
Greenburgh, NY 10607

Dear Mr. Feiner:

Thank you for your March 23 letter requesting our opinion about whether proposed new programs at Valhalla Union Free School District that the Town proposes to fund with Town monies would be considered furtherance of a Town purpose.

First, let me remind you that this office does not have approval authority over these
programs; we do not pre-audit Town activities. Further, we have not audited the details of the proposed programs. Therefore, my comments are based solely on the information you have provided with your letter, in addition to our knowledge of this issue based on our previous audits of the Town and the District.

There are two issues that the Town should keep in mind when determining whether these programs are eligible for Town funding: first, whether the function is a legitimate Town purpose that is authorized by law; and second, whether the function is open to all Town residents.

The general function of providing education to children is a school district purpose, not a town purpose. It appears to us that many of the proposed programs are educational in nature and would not pass the first test that the function must be for a legitimate Town purpose. For example, it is not a legitimate Town purpose to train teachers who are employees of the school district.

I believe our previous audit report (Report 2007M-270) provided a fairly detailed
discussion of the details involved and was clear on the criteria that needs to be applied when considering the use of Town funds. Therefore, the best suggestion that I can offer is that Town officials, including the Town attorney, review these programs in light of that guidance.

Please contact Chris Ellis, Chef Examiner in our Newburgh Office, at 845-567-0858 if you have further questions, or have the Town Attorney contact Mitch Morris in our Legal Office at 518-473-4138 to discuss this matter.

Anonymous said...

The general function of providing education to children is a school district purpose, not a town purpose.Ya don't say.

XPOSURE

Anonymous said...

In light of the Comptroller's letter and its reminder that all grants must serve a townwide purpose, how can the Town Board and Mr. Feiner justify the Fairview Fire District's receipt of $200,000 at the end of the last fiscal year and the budgeted $100,000 for the current fiscal year? Fire districts, like school districts, are independent taxing authorities. They must present their own budgets and are responsible for levying sufficient taxes to cover their expenses. Their purpose is not townwide - it is to provide a necessary and valuable service to a very local community which pays for those services by paying taxes. The Town has no business subsidizing any other government.

Anonymous said...

Many of these comments border on bigotry & hatred. The money doesn't belong to the schools, nor does it belong to fire districts. This money should either go to building the Town's reserve fund or it should go to the general fund to offset future tax increases.

about that westhelp $ said...

the money belongs to the A fund which includes the villages (you know, the guys whose land the unincorporated library sits on free of charge).

town improvement said...

two ways to improve greenburgh

1. take the wall down
2. close or sell the tdycc

Anonymous said...

Many of these comments border on bigotry & hatred. Not sure which comments you are referring to but I totally agree.

Can you believe that the GC school district offered FREE SAT prep courses and not one single 11 th grade student living in the SD, attending one of the the 2 private high schools in the district, was notified or offered the opportunity to attend?

Imagine that.

Anonymous said...

Oh...and I'm going to add that it was brought to the school board & Superintendents attention that these children should be notified and it got a "no".

Those children had every right to be able to take advantage of those free courses. Those families had to pay for thier children to take the same course and it is not cheap! Why? They pay school taxes.

Truth be told this is the real RACISM going on here in TOV.

I can site a dozen examples where white families are shut out, made to pay, pay more for, is not made available to....situtations.

Can anyone explain this?

Anonymous said...

Dear Anonymous 2:13 - when citizens of our Town berate efforts on behalf of our school children one has to wonder why? When they call for the closing of the TDYCC one has to wonder why? Samis is a racist - I've heard him spew his venom at TB meetings by referring to the black community members as "you people". He complains about TDYCC and the Exposure program. These programs can only benefit our community as a whole. I am white - I've always felt welcome at TDYCC - I never felt like it belonged to the fairview community - it belongs to all of us. If people decide not to partake in the programs that's their choice. They shouldn't then turn around and say they're not welcome. The same with the schools - nothing keeps the system from being well integrated except for those who elect not to participate. Isn't it time to just stop all the hatred? It shouldn't matter the color of our skin - the bottom line is what's best for the next generation, regardless of color, race, religion.

Anonymous said...

Dear 2:24, Clearly you have no school aged children or have never had one in the school, and have never attended a school board meeting.

tdycc said...

the town should not be sponsoring the tdycc - thats something a not for profit organization like the Y should be doing.

if you think hartsdale is being treated fairly viavis fairview, you have blinders on.

Anonymous said...

Clearly you're wrong.

tdycc is for fairview per town code said...

here is what the town code says about the tdycc - its got a separate adminstration and separate books etc - its for fairview and it couldnt be clearer
as indicated by the name

town government should not be in the poverty alleviation game.

close or sell the tdycc - its a separatist holdover from another pre-obama era.





A. There is hereby created a Department of Community Resources which shall administer the programs and services conducted at the Community Resource Center (commonly known as the "Fairview-Greenburgh Community Center") and Yosemite Park. The Department shall provide social, health and recreational services and programs to Town residents. The Department shall give priority to programs and activities designed to alleviate the effects of poverty and cultural deprivation and services that promote individual improvement and self-sufficiency.

B. The principal executive officer and administrative head of the Department shall be the Commissioner, who shall be appointed by the Town Board pursuant to and in accordance with Town Law § 53-c. The Commissioner shall be appointed on the basis of his or her administrative experience and qualifications and such additional standards as may be required by the Town Board. The Commissioner shall have the power and authority to appoint and remove employees under his/her jurisdiction in accordance with the civil service laws and such other powers as shall be necessary for the proper administration of the Department.

C. The Commissioner may appoint one or more Deputy Commissioners, who shall have such powers and duties as are prescribed and delegated by the Commissioner. A Deputy Commissioner may act generally for and on behalf of the Commissioner.

D. The Department shall be divided into the following divisions under the control and direction of the Commissioner:

(1) The Division of Recreation and Cultural Affairs, which shall develop and administer Town-wide programs serving the recreational and cultural needs of Town residents.

(2) The Division of Social Services, which shall affirmatively address the social and educational needs of Town residents by providing, directly or through agreement with the county or New York State, counseling, tutorial programs and whatever other related services the Commissioner deems necessary and appropriate to alleviate the effects of poverty and cultural deprivation and to promote individual improvement and self-sufficiency.

E. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to delegate or transfer any power of the Town Supervisor contained in §§ 29, 52 and 125 of the Town Law or any other powers which may be lawfully exercised by the Supervisor.

F. The Commissioner is hereby authorized to promulgate and enforce rules and regulations regarding the use of any or all departmental facilities, including but not limited to the Community Resource Center (commonly known as the "Fairview-Greenburgh Community Center") and Yosemite Park, as may be deemed necessary and proper, subject to the approval of the Town Board.

G. Users of community resource facilities shall abide by the provisions of this chapter and all rules and regulations promulgated by the Commissioner and shall, moreover, obey all orders and directions of officials in charge.

Anonymous said...

So where in all that dribble does it say the TDYCC is for Fairview residents only? It clearly states for Town and Town-wide. The fact that it is located in the Fairview area doesn't mean it's just for residents of that community. It's for every resident of the town as is the case with all the other Town parks & rec. facilities.

about the tdycc said...

i guess poverty alleviation is for edgemont too?

who do you think you are fooling?

Anonymous said...

i guess poverty alleviation is for edgemont too?LOL! Ok. I'm going to work with this "poverty elevation TDYCC theme"

2000 census people living at or below poverty line:

Edgemont-189
Hartsdale-255
Fairview-343

There are more people in Edgemont & Hartsdale combined living in poverty then there is in Fairview.

Edgemont! Hartsdale! What has this town done to alleviate poverty in your neighborhoods? What has this town done for your families?

NADA

Percent of population at poverty level
NY-14.6
NYC-21.2
Westchester Co-8.7
Fairview-12.0

Isn't it obvious that Fairview is needier? Sheesh.

Anonymous said...

Fairview is the highest in poverty.That's bonkers.
The problem is that we that live in the other areas never stoop so low as to ask for alms.
We work our butts off but in no way will we take advantage of other peoples money.

here's my list said...

g) stop nutrition programs that subsidize other towns
h) appoint hal samis to the library board for some real oversight
i) remove all damaged, faded and unnecessary street signs
j) clean up the sewer connection fee mess
k) stop funding the comprehensive plan
l) tell westhab to get lost

Anonymous said...

Paul tell me what would happen if all the taxpayers took their tax bills and decided to pay the county ,the school and the fire dept. and the hell with Greenburgh what would yor recourse be.
You have many nonessential programs so why should we pay for them.
You took away garbage pickups and police in certain areas so why should we pay.
The essential thing is that we cover our butt with the important things.
All your programs and non necessities are not on the taxpayers agenda.
Yes we should contact every agency that could help all of us with our taxes and above all getting rid of the worse supervisor that this town has ever had.
If Presidents could get impeached why not a supervisor.

Anonymous said...

GET RID OF TOWN GOVERNMENT.
IT SEEMS THAT THERE ARE TOO MANY CHIEFS AND NO INDIANS.

Anonymous said...

Regarding Highview - the school has its own playground equipment (admittedly not very impressive) on school property up the hill, completely seperate from the Webb/Presser playground. Shouldn't the kids' complaint be addressed by the GC Board who are responsible for that property? Why is Paul involved in this issue? Clearly he hasn't bothered to investigate or he would know there are two separate playgrounds - one belonging to the school and one on town property.

Anonymous said...

Yes, there is a play ground at Highview. It is inadequate. One would think that the highest spending per child SD could provide a better playground but why should they?
Paul refers to "Highviews kids" because none of them live in Manor Woods or College Corners. The kids and families that actually live there and have Webb as thier neighborhood park, do not matter as is evident in the numerous complaints over the past several years and little done to restore the field and playground.

Eh, today's' JN says the principal at Highview fudged the state test scores!

Greenburgh. 80th best place to live.......for a fraction of the population.

well said said...

Greenburgh. 80th best place to live.......for a fraction of the population.

well said!
thats the fraction that doesnt pay much in taxes.

Anonymous said...

Let's Double the Budget of Greenburgh Parks and Recreation!

Poor little rich kids should have a tennis bubble. The Edgemont Recreation Commission could use limousine service. How about a nanny training workshop, or professional dog walkers club?

Just cut the after school, senior citizens, and youth programs at the TDY Center.

Promote the Rich and Wealthy!

Anonymous said...

This is who to contact at the State:

Contact

Office of the Attorney General
Public Integrity Bureau

Phone: (212) 416-8090

Email: public.integrity@oag.state.ny.us

PIB Hotline:
If you wish to report allegations of government wrongdoing, please call the New York State Public Integrity Hotline: 1-800-428-9072. Calls will be kept confidential.

Anonymous said...

7;48,

I love the sweeping generalizations you make particularly in reference to children. Lovely. You must be good friends with our Town leaders.

It must be comforting to know that every single child living outside of Fairview lives a life free of any social, economical, or mental distress.

Do you live under a rock? What's your objection to the town to consider all of the children in Greenburgh?

Anonymous said...

Twisting Comments

Can someone tell where it's stated that the TDY Center is ONLY for Fairview residents? Is there something about the Center you don't like? What rock are you living under? I know the rock where everyone looks like you.

Anonymous said...

Much Prejudice Here

The Parks Dept is a 90 day a year operation, but no one is calling for it's closure.Why can't pool and tennis be run privately? The right company would turn a PROFIT for the Town.Why should government be in the Pool and Tennis business?

about those parks said...

Why indeed?
The answer in part is that if the Town does not offer these services people will buy where they do.

The other answer is that parks and recreation have long been a part of the services offered by government from national parks to neighborhood parks.

The problem is the balance of parks vs. development has gone out of balance. We have too many parks as exemplified by the useless Taxter Ridge, which was bought for way too much money and which benefitted only Irvington's school district and the large landowners near the property.