I'M ON JURY DUTY NEXT WEEK..TOWN BD WORK SESSION TUESDAY EVENING...FUN EVENTS...BONE MARROW DONATION...

TOWN BOARD WORK SESSION TUESDAY AT 7:30 PM (I’m on Jury Duty next week)…
Starting next Monday I will be on call – received a summons for Jury Duty. If I’m called in for Jury Duty I will not be at Town Hall during working hours. But, will be at Town Hall after hours, to catch up on work. If I am allowed to bring my blackberry to court I will respond to e mails received during the day. The work session that the Town Board usually holds on Tuesday mornings will Be held in the evening at 7:30 PM at Greenburgh Town Hall. There will be a special meeting of the Town Board at 9 PM.

Little one-year-old Mirabelle is the niece of Michelle Ghigliotti, a teacher at Highview. Mirabelle needs a life-saving donor and there will be a blood and bone marrow drive for her from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 2 in Tarrytown. NYSUT HQ 520 WHite Plains Road, Suite 400 Fourth Floor Please donate if you can.

Woodlands Middle/High School is performing Smokey Joe's Cafe tonight & tomorrow @ 7p.m. @ the school? Adults $10, seniors & students $5. It's a great show.

NOW THAT SPRING IS HERE – I WILL RESUME POSTING FUN WEEKEND EVENTS ON THE E LIST. The following is from www.rivertownsguide.com.
Hastings Friday Night Live: Art Walk || April 1
Visit our website to Register!
Partial Listings of Scheduled Events
-- Art Walk: Pop-up galleries throughout downtown Hastings.
-- Newington-Cropsey - Gallery of Art Tour @ 5:30
-- Station Café: Jim Bergesen, paintings and photographs. Reception.
-- Found Art Workshop - Matt Siegfried at the James Harmon Community Center
-- Fools’ Ball: A Fundraiser to Benefit the Village Arts Commission at the James Harmon Community Center. Music, Manifestos, Masks, Dessert, Drinks. Dress: Costumes or Festive Attire. 8:30 PM to midnight. $25 for one, $40 for two
Through this Sunday, March 27!
Hudson Valley Restaurant Week | Throughout the Hudson Valley
World-class dining at bargain prices awaits restaurant goers in the Hudson Valley region during the fifth annual Hudson Valley Restaurant Week. Visit our Local Events page for the Rivertown Listings and links… http://www.rivertownsguide.com/20localevents.php

Plan Ahead:
All of these events can be found on our site and so much more…
-- Friday, April 1 @ 5:30pm | Hastings Friday Night Live: Art Walk. Visit http://www.rivertownsguide.com/fnl for all of the details and to find out how you can be an exhibiter or host one!
-- Saturday, April 2 from 7:30pm - 10pm | John Gorka with TheThird Wheel at Purple Crayon, Hastings
-- Saturday, April 2 @ 8pm | Westchester Jazz Orchestra performs Monk Meets Mulligan at Irvington Town Hall Theater
-- Thursday, April 14 | WLS's 20th Annual National Library Week Book & Author Luncheon
-- Friday, April 15 | Tarrytown Third Friday, Main Street, Tarrytown
-- Saturday, April 23 from 10am - 3pm | Sheep Shearing Day at Stone Barns Center, Pocantico Hills
-- Saturday and Sunday, April 30 and May 1 | RiverArts Studio Tour
MORE GREAT AND FUN EVENTS ON : http://www.thehudsonindependent.com. The Hudson Independent serves the villages of Irvington & Tarrytown.

bone marrow needed for niece of teacher at highview

Little one-year-old Mirabelle is the niece of Michelle Ghigliotti, a teacher at Highview. Mirabelle needs a life-saving donor and there will be a blood and bone marrow drive for her from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 2 in Tarrytown. NYSUT HQ 520 WHite Plains Road, Suite 400 Fourth Floor Please donate if you can.

water rates info

LAST RATE HIKE NOVEMBER 2008
NYC HAS INCREASED WATER RATES CHARGED TO TOWN BY 46%
GREENBURGH RESIDENTS WHO USE UNITED WATER ARE CURRENTLY PAYING $7.76 (private company). IF RATE INCREASE GOES INTO EFFECT GREENBURGH RESIDENTS WHO GET WATER FROM TOWN WILL PAY $4.10.
The current base retail rate for water delivered by the Greenburgh Consolidated Water District #1 (CWD) is $2.39 per 1,000 gallons. The rates have not gone up since November, 2008. Since that time the cost of water purchased by the CWD from the New York City Board of Water Supply has increased by 46% from 2008 to the current rate. For the past three years, the CWD has absorbed the New York City increases without a corresponding retail rate increase. This has created a negative impact on the water district fund balance. Significant Capital Improvement costs related to infrastructure needs of the CWD are projected into the near future related to the current comprehensive Water System Study as well as other system modifications required by the regulating authority that will require expenditures from the Capital Improvement Account to continue to provide safe and reliable drinking water to the community. Other costs have also increased including including labor, electricity and chemicals added during the treatment process.
Unfortunately, the Town Board is being asked by the Commissioner of Public Works to increase the water rates. IF THE RATE HIKE IS APPROVED OUR RATES WILL STILL BE MUCH LESS THAN MANY OTHER JURISDICTIONS. UNITED WATER CHARGES $7.76 COMPARED TO THE $4.10 THE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS IS RECOMMENDING. MANY RESIDENTS OF UNINCORPORATED GREENBURGH (INCLUDING ME GET OUR WATER FROM UNITED WATER). We are holding a public hearing tomorrow evening (Wed, March 23rd) at the Town Board meeting. However-- we won't close the hearing and will provide residents with a chance to speak at our April 13th Town Board meeting on this request. This is the proposal:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the retail rate for water delivered by the Greenburgh Consolidated Water District No. 1 be set as follows:

In District Rate

Price Usage in Gallons

$4.10 up to 10,999 for quarterly customers or 3,333 monthly

$4.92 from 11,000 to 50,999/ quarterly or 3,334 to 16,999/monthly

$5.12 greater than 51,000/ quarter or greater than 17,000/month




Out-of-District Rate

Price Usage in Gallons

$10.25 per 1,000 gal all usage, all customers

AND, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the water rates so charged by the CWD shall increase or decrease proportionately to rate changes implemented by the City of New York Board of Water Supply with no further action required by the Town Board.

Submitted: March 22, 2011



GREENBURGH CONSOLIDATED WATER DISTRICT NO. 1

2011 RATE COMPARISON

DISTRICT
COST PER THOUSAND GALLONS

YONKERS
$3.25

MOUNT VERNON
$3.45

WHITE PLAINS
$3.50

WJWW - Harrison
$3.92

PROPOSED GREENBURGH
$4.10

WJWW - Town/Mamaroneck
$4.34

IRVINGTON (2)
$5.00

TARRYTOWN
$5.18

WJWW - Village/Mamaroneck
$5.89

ELMSFORD
$6.35

SCARSDALE (1)
$6.41

UNITED WATER (3)
$7.76

UNITED WATER (Rye, Rye Brook, Port Chester)
$7.78

Data based on review of water system annual reports performed by Westchester County Water District and provided to the Town of Greenburgh.

STATE OF REALE ESTATE WED...EDGEMONT MEETING TOMORROW...SHUTTLE SERVICE FOR SENIORS TO SUPERMARKETS...FRANK'S NURSERY

The Greenburgh Town Board will devote the first hour of the Wednesday evening, March 23rd meeting to discussing the state of real estate in Greenburgh. If you are a realtor we invite you to attend the meeting to discuss home sales/commercial sales in different sections of the town. The meeting starts at 7:30 PM and will be aired on public access TV. How is the town doing? Are sales up, down? Comparing this year to previous years, are properties selling for more or less? What are we, as a town doing—right and wrong? Why do people move to the town? How important are the services? If services are cut due to the budget – will that impact home sales? Are we doing what we should be doing to attract commercial businesses?

TOMORROW EVENING-, Monday March 21st at 7:30 PM the Greenburgh Town Board and town officials will meet with residents of Edgemont to discuss issues of concern. Meeting will take place at the Edgemont High School. This is part of our annual outreach series held in neighborhoods around the town.



TUESDAY'S WORK SESSION BEING HELD AT THE TOWN COURT AT 9:30 am. Planning Commissioner Thomas Madden will discuss some options for Frank's Nursery.



PROPOSAL TO HELP SENIORS WHO DON'T HAVE CARS AFTER A & P AND PATHMARK CLOSES-- REQUESTING SUPERMARKETS THAT BENEFIT FROM FUTURE SHUTTLE SERVICE TO REIMBURSE THE TOWN FOR OUR COSTS IF WE TAKE THEM TO THEIR STORES...

A few weeks ago,after the A & P announced plans to close the A & P and Pathmark I suggested that the town offer seniors shuttle service to the supermarkets that are serving the community. I am suggesting that we ask the supermarkets to absorb the costs of this service since they will be benefitting from the business. Will be reaching out to all supermarkets in our area and will ask if they would like the town to transport seniors/disabled residents to their supermarkets on a regular basis. This could be a win win. The town is offering seniors and people who don't have cars transportation to supermarkets. The seniors receive an important service that is needed and they get to participate in an enjoyable activity. The supermarkets benefit too--more customers and free advertising from the town.

Paul Feiner

REVENUES UP IN COURT...SUGGESTION- NIGHT TRAFFIC COURT...LIBRARY FOUNDATION FUNDRAISER

REVENUES UP IN COURT $515,266 IN 2011 COMPARED TO $401,658 LAST YEAR
Last year the Greenburgh Town Board appointed Regina Hill as the first Court Administrator for the town of Greenburgh. She was highly recommended by Judge Apotheker, who is overseeing the Greenburgh Town Court on behalf of the NYS court system. The appointment is paying off. This is the comparisons of court revenues from January 1st to March 16th for three consecutive years.


2009: $365,187.77, as of 3/16/09

2010: $401,658.50, as of 3/16/10

2011: $515,266.00, as of 3/16/11



TOWN BOARD WORK SESSION TUESDAY AT TOWN COURT, NOT TOWN HALL

The Greenburgh Town Board will hold our next work session AWAY FROM TOWN HALL--ON TUESDAY, MARCH 22ND. The work session meeting will be held at Greenburgh Town Court on Tarrytown Road. Among agenda items:

Thomas Madden will provide the Town Board with a report and recommendations: uses for Frank's Nursery (which we took over via foreclosure). We are seeking revenue opportunities for the town. We will then meet with Regina Hill and discuss the court operations.



ANOTHER REVENUE GENERATING IDEA FOR THE COURTS--AND A CONVENIENCE FOR RESIDENTS: TRAFFIC COURT ONE EVENING PER MONTH



During the Town Board Work Session scheduled for Tuesday, March 22nd, Court Administrator Regina Hill will propose that Greenburgh Court should have Traffic Court one evening per month. All three Judges are already in agreement.



We currently have night court for Small Claims every Monday night. I am proposing that one of the night Small Claims court be changed to a Traffic Court night. This will give us an additional court session to schedule not guilty pleas for a conference. This additional night court will also increase our revenue for the day.



GREENBURGH LIBRARY FOUNDATION TO HOLD FUNDRAISER AT GREENBURGH LIBRARY MAY 23RD

SAVE MONEY IF YOU RSVP IN MARCH

Books and Cooks will be May 23, Monday, at the GPL at 6PM. Hon Restaurant Chair is Peter Kelly and Hon Author Chair is Ben Cheever….cost is $125 and we will offer a $10 discount for March.
Funds raised will be used to help the Greenburgh Library.

PAUL FEINER

DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS TO BE HIRED...JOB CLUB INFO

Butch Nanna, the Deputy Commissioner of Public Works, will be retiring in the near future. He has been a tremendous asset to the town. We will miss him and thank our dedicated Deputy Commissioner for his hard work and service to the town.. We are in the process of looking for a new Deputy. We have not replaced many vacant positions- due to the budget. This job is critical to the smooth functioning of the Department of Public Works and should not be left vacant. Details are posted below.
3 years ago I started a job club. I e mail out of work residents job openings as I learn of them (almost daily). If you would like to be added to the e list and receive frequent job listings, please e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com. I also started a jobs site on www.linkedin.com (greenburgh jobs group). I encourage those who have job openings to let me know of the openings or to post the jobs on the site. Other jobs are posted on my facebook page.
Good luck with your job search if you are out of work. And, feel free to contact me if you'd like me to share contact information that could be helpful to you.
PAUL FEINER
Deputy Commissioner of Public Works

Town of Greenburgh

Salary between $100,000-$120,000

The person in this position supervises the daily operations of the nine Bureaus of the Department of Public Works activities for the Town and, as directed, is responsible for the implementation of policies established by the Town Board. The Deputy Commissioner may act for and in place of the Commissioner.

Essential Job Functions: Oversee the daily operations of the Department of Public Works (DPW) bureaus insuring adequate staffing, equipment and material resources throughout all the Bureaus of the Department. As directed, may review plans, technical engineering reports, budget estimates and proposed ordinances and regulations submitted by bureau heads. Interact with the general public, developers, and contractors on matters relating to DPW. As directed, supervise in the preparation of specifications of bids for materials and equipment, and assist with final recommendations to the Town Board for any such bid award. As directed, confer with the Town Supervisor and Town Board on matters relating to the Department. Coordinate, and manage the Town Capital Improvement projects. Assist with budget preparation for DPW related operations including Annual Town Operating Budget, Capital Budget and Consolidated Water District Distribution Improvement Project Budget. Does confer with representatives of other governments on DPW related matters.

Supervisory responsibilities: Includes but is not limited to the planning, scheduling and assigning work, making hiring recommendations; instruction and/or coordinating training of staff in proper work methods, checking and approving work; conducting performance evaluations; recommending salary adjustments and promotions; and making recommendations regarding unsatisfactory employees.

Requires: Comprehensive knowledge of the modern principles and practices of administration as applied to the design, construction and maintenance of highways, sewers, and other public works facilities; thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering as applied to the development and management of municipal public works; thorough knowledge of the materials, methods and techniques utilized in the construction and maintenance of streets, highways, sewers and refuse disposal facilities, ability to organize, direct and coordinate the activities of several bureaus, ability to develop long term plans and programs and to make decisions on matters of major policy and on complex technical and administrative problems; ability to establish and maintain satisfactory relationships with other officials, employees and the general public; ability to express ideas on technical subjects clearly and concisely, orally and in writing; physical condition commensurate with the duties of the position.

Training & Experience: (a) Graduation from an engineering college registered by the University of the State of New York and three years of progressively responsible experience in the field of engineering with at least two years of experience in an administrative capacity overseeing various municipal public works programs, such as construction and maintenance of roads, sewers and other public works activities or (b) several years of progressively responsible

experience in the field of civil engineering and graduation from a 4-year high school; or (c) a satisfactory equivalent combination of the foregoing training and experience sufficient to indicate the ability to do the work.

This is an unclassified position

(A Civil Service examination is not required)

Send Resume to:

Town of Greenburgh

Assistant-Comptroller-Personnel

177 Hillside Avenue, Greenburgh, NY 10607

Fax: (914) 993-1630

E-mail: mgadson@greenburghny.com

The Town of Greenburgh is an Equal Opportunity Employer


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Luz Vidal [mailto:childrensresources@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2011 9:44 AM
To: Paul Feiner
Subject: job posting



Hi Paul,

First, I want to thank you for posting our past positions. The Last 2 teachers we hired were referred by you and we are very pleased with them. As I still have two positions available, I am writing to ask you to post the position I am describing below. Again, thank you. Your job posting works!

Warm regards,

Luz



Seeking licensed special education teacher to work in a school-based setting. Teacher will run small groups using a sequential reading comprehension program. Monday through Friday from 9am-6pm. Located in the Bronx and in Manhattan. Please email your resume to childrensresources@gmail.com.

CUOMO CONCERNED ABOUT INDIAN POINT-HIGHEST RISK OF CORE DAMAGE FROM EARTHQUAKE

Cuomo’s Concern Over Indian Point Renewed
Gov. Andrew Cuomo expressed surprise and concern over an MSNBC report that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission rates Indian Point’s reactor No. 3 as having the higest risk of core damage from an earthquake.

The governor said this is an issue that he plans to pursue ASAP. He also noted that he has long had concerns about the Hudson Valley nuclear power plan and recommended while he was attorney general that it not be relicensed.

“One normally doesn’t think of earthquakes and New York in the same breath, especially compared to California and out west,” Cuomo said. “So, that is a matter of concern; we are going to be checking into it – the statement and the basis for the statement – immediately.”

“I’ve had concerns about Indian Point for a long time….I understand the power and the benefit. I also understand the risk. This plant in this proximity to New York City was never a good risk. But this is new information that we’re going to pursue.”

MSNBC.COM RANKS INDIAN POINT AS THE HIGHEST RISK OF EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE

Indian Point Energy Center. There, on the east bank of the Hudson, Indian Point nuclear reactor No. 3 has the highest risk of earthquake damage in the country, according to new NRC risk estimates provided to msnbc.com.

GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET COULD LEAD TO CLOSING OF NY SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF--IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN

Governor Andrew Cuomo proposed budget, if approved, could lead to the closure of the New York School for the Deaf--which is located on 555 Knollwood Road. I think the closing of this historic school would be a big mistake. I am very familiar with the successes the school has had and have held every one of my swearing in ceremonies at the school since being elected Town Supervisor (and before that Westchester County Legislator). I spoke at and attended a very well attended rally at the school today with County Legislator Mary Jane Shimsky and encourage residents to write to Governor Andrew Cuomo at the Executive Chamber, NYS Capitol Building, Albany, 12224. I plan to introduce a resolution before the Greenburgh Town Board urging the Governor & State Legislature to save the school. I will also urge the school districts in Greenburgh to urge the state to save the school.

The closing of this school will destroy NY State's reputation as having the finest system of deaf education in the nation. There are serious consequences that the proposal will have on deaf children.

The 2011 budget proposal is a radical change and shifts the costs of educating students who require complex education environments to individual school districts. School districts do not have specialized staff and are completely unequipped to meet the educational needs of these children. Yet, your budget will nevertheless require school districts to serve these children, but not give them the staff needed to appropriately serve them. In fact, there are not enough specialized staff to serve the deaf children of this state unless they are served in centralized locations such as the existing state schools. THIS PRPOOSAL ELIMINATES THE ACCESS OF DEAF CHILDREN TO AN APPROPRIATE EDUCATION. Every student has a legal right to a free appropriate public education under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Given that schools for the deaf serve some of the most complex learners in the state, and a large percentage of the children have more than one disability, we can say with total certainty that many children will not have their educational needs met in their home school districts, thus stripping them of their right to an appropriate education.
WHY THE PROPOSAL HURTS THE DEAF AND MAKES NO SENSE
• Schools for the deaf will be forced to close, leaving deaf children isolated in school districts, without teachers and peers who can directly communicate with them.


• Already financially devastated school districts will be unable to provide essential services required to appropriately educate deaf children.


• The proposal will result in deaf children being assessed by people who cannot communicate directly with them. School districts do not have the specialized staff who are familiar with deaf children and do not have the appropriate tools to evaluate them.

• The proposal will violate the federal law mandate for a free appropriate public education. The school serves many children who have complex learning needs that cannot be met properly by their local school districts.


• The proposal will result in special education litigation throughout the State caused by the district and state’s failure to provide a free appropriate public education.


• The proposal will cost New York State more in the long term. Experience has shown that deaf children who are deprived of an appropriate education are more likely to be functionally illiterate, unemployed, and completely dependent on government services and assistance.
Paul Feiner
Greenburgh Town Supervisor

HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF--THE 2ND OLDEST SCHOOL IN THE UNITED STATES



In the early 1800s, the Rev. John Stanford gathered a small group of deaf children in downtown New York City to teach them the alphabet and basic language skills.




Chartered in 1817, the New York School for the Deaf is the second oldest school for the deaf in the United States and the oldest in New York State. Originally located in New York City in the Almshouse behind City Hall, the school moved uptown in 1829 to a ten-acre parcel of land between present day Saks’ Fifth Avenue and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.



The school moved again in 1856, after purchasing a 37.5-acre wooded estate on the bank of the Hudson River, near the current location of Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. The school adopted the name of this estate, Fanwood, as its nickname, one that has followed the school to its current location.



In the late 1890s, Fanwood adopted a military curriculum to instill discipline and provide a more structured learning environment for students. The school was the first in the nation to do so and was also the first school for the deaf to form a military band. For the next 50 years, precise military drills in tight formations were a daily occurrence on the Fanwood parade grounds.





After spending 80 years in Upper Manhattan, the school purchased a 77-acre apple farm on Knollwood Road near White Plains in 1934. Embarking on a major expansion program, the school constructed Ford, Peet and Currier Halls, the current centerpieces of its campus, as well its athletic field and several residential dormitories. In 1952, the school dropped its military program and become a coeducational institution again. Since then, Fanwood has continued to expand its mission of providing a wide range of educational services to help deaf and hard-of-hearing children in school and become successful adults.



In 1964, the school built Johnson Pavilion to accommodate the growing numbers of elementary school children who became deaf as a result of the rubella epidemic. Today, the pre-school classes represent the fastest-growing segment of the school’s enrollment.



Since 1977, Fanwood has practiced a total communication approach to learning – which challenges students to develop their linguistic ability in a number of areas, oral and written English in addition to American Sign Language.



Fanwood has also fully recognized the benefits of using technology to help deaf children function in the world of the hearing. The TTY phones and closed caption TVs of the 1970s have given way to video phones, smart boards and computer learning aids.



In addition, all students are now assigned MacBooks as part of the Apple 1:1 program for use in the classroom and, for high school students, to use at home as well.



As the New York School for the Deaf approaches its 200th anniversary, Fanwood will continue to build upon its heritage of combining individualized instruction for students with the latest innovations in education for deaf students.

REASONS WHY I THINK THAT INDIAN POINT SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN

SOME REASONS WHY INDIAN POINT SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN

Many of my constituents are concerned about Indian Point. The recent Japan earthquake and nuclear power plant radiation leaks (meltdowns) have caused many people to question what would happen if our area experiences an earthquake. Indian Point, like the nuclear power plants in Japan, are located on earthquake faults. Although it is unlikely that we will experience as strong an earthquake as the earthquake in Japan – Indian Point is located very close to NYC. I do not believe that nuclear power plants should be located near heavily populated areas.

I believe that the NRC and other government agencies should carefully review whether we’re prepared. The authorities in Japan reassured residents of Japan that they would be safe if there was an earthquake. They were wrong. Entergy may also be wrong. We want them to be right. Hoping that we are safe and watching their TV commercials and reading newspaper ads doesn’t make us safe. Since 911 Entergy has donated substantial dollars to many non profit organizations in Westchester. They should be applauded for helping worthy causes. However--giving to Westchester causes does not mean that we are safe and secure.


An earthquake is only one risk. The other: a terrorist attack. Indian Point is a possible terrorist target.

Are we at greater risk because Indian Point is so old (built almost 40 years ago)? Has age caused corrosion and rusting? We all know of the pipe leaks. Is there corrosion or cracking on the inside of these pipes?

A report from Lamont Doherty (Columbia University's earth observatory) indicates that our region is due for a big earthquake—a 6 or 7 magnitude. Are we prepared?

If an evacuation would be required most of my constituents (myself included) are not prepared. There have been no evacuation exercises involving the general public. Elected officials in Greenburgh and in a good portion of Westchester have not been briefed as to what we should do. Our roads can’t handle an evacuation and traffic will not keep moving. There are inadequate shelters.

Unlike Japan, we have not planned to provide our residents with KI pills and protection. Radiation suits are not available. And, our cell phone system in Westchester is not very reliable –there are many sections that have no cell service, making it difficult to communicate.

Do we have a contingency plan for food and water contamination? If winds carry fallout toward the New Croton, Kensico and Hillview reservoirs contingency plans for food and water supply are necessary.

Enclosed, please find a copy of an article about Lamont Doherty. I am very concerned. I believe that we’re ignoring warning signs. I look forward to your response.

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Town Supervisor

914 993 1545 or 914 438 1343

enc




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: IPSEC1@yahoogroups.com [mailto:IPSEC1@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Allegra Dengler
Sent: Monday, March 14, 2011 1:51 AM
To: ipsec1@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [IPSEC1] Lamont-Doherty scientist says the region is overdue for a big quake



http://www.lefthudson.com/2011/02/lamont-doherty-scientist-says-region-is.html
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Lamont-Doherty scientist says the region is overdue for a big quake

A scientist who runs the region's seismographic network for Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory says the New York City area is past due for a significant earthquake. And some researchers are jittery about the proximity of one fault line to the area's only nuclear reactors.


Won-Young Kim, a Rockland County-based scientist, told Metro New York that “it can happen anytime soon,” and that “we can expect it any minute, we just don’t know when and where.”

The New York City area sits on top of the Ramapo Fault Zone, which spans more than 185 miles in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. There is significant public knowledge about the fault in the region, with some of the public specifically worried about its proximity to the Indian Point nuclear plant in Westchester County. Entergy Nuclear Northeast, which runs the power plant, has frequently assured the public that the reactors can withstand a significant earthquake.

Despite the rarity of strong East Coast earthquakes, there are some that do occur. Furthermore, when these events do occur, the areas affected by them are on average ten times as large as western ones for events of the same magnitude. Thus, the potential for earthquake damage from them are moderate.

A 2008 study by Lamont-Doherty researchers argued that a magnitude 6 or 7 earthquake was destined to originate from the Ramapo Fault Zone, which would cause hundreds or even thousands of fatalities and billions of dollars in damage. Studying around 400 earthquakes over the past 300 years, the study also argued that there was an additional fault zone extending from the Ramapo Fault Zone into Southwestern Connecticut and running just one mile from the Indian Point plant.

The study was used by then Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who argued unsuccessfully that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission should consider the Lamont-Doherty's data as part of its decision on whether to extend the licenses to Entergy.




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fundraiser for victims of Japanese earthquake-April 27th...Habitat for Humanity helping victims of last weeks flood

TOWN CLERK TO ORGANIZE BENEFIT PERFORMANCE FOR VICTIMS OF JAPAN EARTHQUAKE
We’re looking for bands…volunteers for April 27th benefit at Greenburgh Town Hall…

Town Clerk Judith Beville will organize a benefit performance for the victims of the earthquake in Japan. The event will be held at the lobby of Greenburgh Town Hall on Wednesday April 27 from noon to 7 PM.
We are looking for musicians/bands to perform during the day. Visitors to Town Hall will have the opportunity to make voluntary donations to a non profit organization. The non profit organization that we will donate the funds to will be chosen in the near future. .
We are looking for musicians to perform during April 27th and are also looking for volunteers to help organize this event. After the earthquake in Haiti Town Clerk Beville organized a similar gathering for the victims of the Haiti relief effort. Close to $3000 was raised in one afternoon for AFYA, an organization that provides medical relief to Haitian victims. A subsequent fundraising effort was held at the E Hartsdale Ave farmer’s market last year. That initiative also raised substantial funds for the victims of the earthquake.
If you would like to volunteer for this cause or perform – please contact Judith Beville at jbeville@greenburghny.com or call her at 914-993-1504. If you have family or friends in Japan who have been impacted by the tragedy – it would be meaningful if our community could also help those with a Greenburgh connection.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HELPING VICTIMS OF LAST WEEKS FLOOD
Last week residents of Elmsford & N Elmsford experienced two major floods and suffered significant property damage. Habitat for Humanity is sending volunteers to help neighbors on Babbitt Court with some removal of ruined furniture, sheetrock, etc… I have been in contact with Jim Killoran, executive director of Habitat for Humanity and am very grateful to his organization for assisting others as they try to get their lives back in order. If you would like to volunteer please contact Jim at Jim@habitatwc.org or Office: 914-636-8335x101

PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor

help victims of japanese earthquake

Help Survivors of Japan Quake & Tsunami
An 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit Japan early Friday morning approximately 250 miles northeast of Tokyo, sparking a tsunami warning across the Pacific region. According to news reports, the death and injury tolls number in the hundreds. The powerful tsunami waves triggered by the earthquake swept cars, buildings, and trains away, causing additional widespread damage. The area remains on alert due to powerful aftershocks, which may last for days.
These are some of the organizations that are accepting donations to the victims of the earthquake.
AFTER THE HAITI EARTHQUAKE WE ORGANIZED A COMMUNITY FUNDRAISER--Town Clerk Judith Beville organized a fundraiser at Town Hall to help the victims. If you would like to help participate in a similar community initiative to help the victims of the Japan quake - please e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com or Judith Beville at jbeville@greenburghny.com. If you have family or friends living in Japan - please ask them how we can be of the greatest help. Helping a family with a Greenburgh connection would be meaningful.

ADRA; Initial $25,000 of aid committed. Assessment team evaluating affected area and preparing broader response. Providing food and shelter for train passengers that are stranded in Tokyo.


AMERICAN RED CROSS; Gifts to the American Red Cross International Relief Fund will support their disaster relief efforts to help those affected by the earthquake in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific.

AMERICARES; Emergency team is on full alert, mobilizing resources and dispatching an emergency response manager to the region.



CONVOY OF HOPE; Disaster Response team established connection with in-country partners who have been impacted by the damage and are identifying the needs and areas where Convoy of Hope may be of the greatest assistance.

DIRECT RELIEF INTERNATIONAL; Emergency response team has mobilized and will continue to monitor the situation worldwide to provide assistance as appropriate and needed in support of the recovery effort.

DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS; Sent two three-person teams attempting to get to the worst-hit areas in Iwate and Miyagi prefectures. Another 25 MSF medical and logistical staff in Japan are on standby to respond once the situation has been assessed.

EFCA; TouchGlobal Crisis Response is in contact with EFCA ReachGlobal staff in Japan assessing the situation to provide relief to those affected by the Japan earthquake and resulting tsunamis.

GLOBALGIVING; Established a fund to disburse donations to organizations providing relief and emergency services to victims of the earthquake and tsunami.

INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS; Putting together relief teams, as well as supplies, and are in contact with partners in Japan and other affected countries to assess needs and coordinate our activities.

LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL; Providing over US$1.25 million, or 100 million Japanese Yen, for immediate relief. This includes major catastrophe and emergency grant funds as well as designated donations from Lions around the world. LCIF is also monitoring the impact to other Pacific Ocean nations..

MERCY CORPS; On behalf of Peace Winds Japan. Mercy Corps is accepting donations to help survivors of Japan's earthquake and tsunami through our longstanding partner, Peace Winds Japan. Your donation will be used to meet immediate and longer-term needs of earthquake survivors.

OPERATION BLESSING INTERNATIONAL; Teams are currently staging at the Philippines office, preparing their gear and supplies until they are ready to deploy in the coming days. OBI is also poised to send medical and humanitarian relief supplies from locations in the U.S.A. either by ship or aircraft, and possibly deploy additional personnel from the Philippines and other locations into the hard-hit area.

OXFAM USA; Oxfam is poised to respond if disaster strikes vulnerable countries in its path.

SALVATION ARMY; The Salvation Army has been in Japan since 1895 and is currently providing emergency assistance to those in need.

SAVE THE CHILDREN; Mobilizing to provide immediate humanitarian relief in the shape of emergency health care and provision of non-food items and shelter.

SHELTERBOX; ShelterBox responds instantly to natural and man-made disasters by delivering boxes of aid to those who are most in need. The box includes a tent for a family of 10, cooker, blankets, water purification, tool kit and other items survivors need to rebuild their lives in the days, weeks and months following a disaster.

WORLD VISION; World Vision staff members are on high alert, preparing to respond.
Paul Feiner
(PS: The above list -from AOL)

FLOOD ALERT--how much salt did we use this winter?

Tonights rain storm could produce some flooding. If your car is parked near a section of town that usually floods - you might want to move the car to higher ground. I have spoken with the Police Chief and Public Works department and have also been in touch with Con Ed. Everyone is preparing for the storm. The town public works department has been inspecting drains and brooks and clearing them of debris.
If you experience storm related problems you can always contact me. My e mail address is pfeiner@greenburghny.com. My cell phone is 438-1343 and my home phone is 478-1219.



HOW MUCH SALT DID WE USE THIS WINTER TO DEAL WITH SNOW/ICE STORMS? Since October, we have purchased 8,047.98 tons of salt at $65.52 per ton for a total of $527,303.65

PAUL FEINER

WORLD READ ALOUD DAY

Today is World Read Aloud Day. Pam Allyn of Hastings is the head of a group LitWorld (litworld.org). She asked that I publicize the following decree.
We are uniting our voices in cities and communities across the globe.
We celebrate the power of stories and words to change worlds.
We join our voices for quality literacy education for every child worldwide.
Today 774 million people cannot read or write. They are denied the joy and light of reading
every day.
Education is a human right and a means to attaining other human rights that we declare to be
universal.
Literacy education improves the health of children and families, spurs economic growth and
advances equality.
For many children worldwide, quality education is the difference between life and death,
between hope and despair and being able to make the most of oneʼs potential. This is our
opportunity to give voice to the future.
By coming together and raising our voices on this day, we show the worldʼs children that we
support their lives: that they have the right to read, to write and to share their stories to change
the world.
Today I pledge my passion for quality education and my support for the cause of literacy. I
encourage everyone to take part in this day and this cause.
As a representative of my community, I will continue to advocate for the causes most important
to us and I encourage all of you to join me in the fight for our children and all childrenʼs futures.
In observance of World Read Aloud Day, I invite you to take a moment to think about what you
would miss most if you could not read or write.
Itʼs time for all of us to join the global literacy movement. Through our voices we can be free and
be part of words changing worlds.
This decree is designed to be presented on March 9, 2011, but you are welcome to modify the
first lines and read it aloud or post it on your website on any day, because we need to support
Readerʼs Rights every day until we achieve Global Literacy.

FLOOD DAMAGE IN ELMSFORD--WHAT SHOULD BE DONE...SHIMSKY SWEARING IN...ANTI BULLYING EFFORT

SUNDAY NIGHTS STORM CAUSED LOTS OF DAMAGE TO BUSINESSES AND PROPERTY OWNERS 9A, ELMSFORD---WHAT SHOULD BE DONE???
Sunday nights rain storm caused lots of damage to businesses and property owners in Elmsford and N Elmsford (9A corridor). Councilman Kevin Morgan posted some amazing photo's of the flood on my facebook page earlier this evening. Kevin Morgan joined Elmsford Mayor Robert Williams and Congresswoman Nita Lowey yesterday on an inspection tour. When I took a look at the flooded 9A corridor yesterday I thought I was looking at a lake--it was so bad.
I have been in contact with Congresswoman Lowey’s office and suggested that we set up a meeting with the Army Corp of Engineers and NYS DEC. In my opinion, what is needed is for either the Army Corp or NYS DEC to oversee a coordinated initiative. Greenburgh can’t act alone. Elmsford can’t act alone. What happens along the river in other jurisdictions impacts our properties.
It would be great if we could identify short term action steps that could be taken –and long term action steps. If the Army Corp and NYS DEC advise communities along the river of action steps we could/should take – I would be prepared to use TIF funds (this is a special fund that can only be used in the corridor) to follow up. We might want to also look into setting up an early warning system –so that we can alert businesses/property owners before it’s too late –helping you reduce your losses.
During the past fifty-seventy years there have been many federal studies of the river. The Army Corp of Engineers has talked about major flood control initiatives for years and they have spent millions on studies...studies...studies...studies..and studies. We don't need studies. We need some action to help the poor businesses and property owners who are devastated when it floods. Smaller, less costly initiatives could be helpful and might get some results.

2 HIGHLIGHTS WEDNESDAY EVENING TOWN BOARD MEETING
SWEARING IN CEREMONY, COUNTY LEGISLATOR MARY JANE SHIMSKY 7:30 pm

VIDEO AND PRESENTATION--PLAN TO COMBAT HARASSMENT, BULLYING AND BIAS

Many middle school and high school students who reside in Greenburgh and the villages have been the victim of bullying, harassment and bias. This is not a local problem-- it's a national problem.
Mike Zeldes has chaired a Task Force assisting irvington's Middle School and High Scool Principals in developing a robust plan to combat harassment, bullying and bias in the community. On Wednesday, March 9th there will be a brief presentation at the Town Board meeting (after Legislator Shimsky's swearing in ceremony). The 17 minute film was created by students at the HS which candidly and vividly captures the issue from the student's perspective. The creation of this film followed a new awareness of issues of harassment, bullying and bias on campus due in large part to an anonymous "climate" survey taken by students in September which allowed them to explain harassment and bias that either they have witnessed or experienced while attending the HS. The results were eye opening to say the least. The Student made film premiere will be a part of an overall introduction by the principals of a plan they hope to fully implement over the next several years and a dialogue with the community at large about this exciting endeavor.

On Wednesday evening we will also pay tribute to former Councilwoman Timmy Weinberg who passed away last week.
Paul Feiner

rally for LOIS BRONZ CHILDRENS CENTER MONDAY..REASONS WHY WESTHELP SHOULD NOT CLOSE

REMINDER--RALLY IN SUPPORT OF THE LOIS BRONZ CHILDREN'S CENTER ON MONDAY, MARCH 7th at 6:30 PM --GREENBURGH TOWN HALL. SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR CHILD CARE!

COUNTY IS PENNY WISE AND POUND FOOLISH- DON'T CLOSE DOWN WESTHELP
GREENBURGH WILL LOSE $1.2 MILLION A YEAR IF COUNTY GOES AHEAD AND CLOSES FACILITY....

It's my hope that Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino and the members of the Board of Legislators will reverse the decision to close down WestHelp Greenburgh. It's a penny wise and pound foolish decision.
In the 1980s, when I was a member of the Westchester County Board of Legislators, I objected to Westchester County's policy of housing the homeless in hotels. Every hotel in Westchester - including the Rye Town & Tarrytown Hiltons was used as a homeless shelter on a daily basis.I recall speaking out during one meeting of the Legislature objecting to the fact that we had spent over $200 a night to house a homeless family in the Rye Hilton.

Nineteen years ago that approach stopped. The county started placing the homeless in transitional housing. One of the sites: WestHELP Greenburgh. Not only does this facility provide housing, it also provides supportive services to homeless families. Over 2,400 families have been placed into permanent housing and close to 300 homeless clients have been placed into unsubsidized employment in the last decade.

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino announced plans to close WestHelp Greenburgh- effective September, 2011. I believe this is a costly mistake. I have concerns that the county - in the future- will be forced to house the homeless back in hotels. The reason: the NYS constitution requires the county to find shelter to house the homeless. Once WestHelp closes it will be difficult to persuade any other neighborhood to agree to house the homeless in their community.

WestHelp is also more cost effective than housing the homeless in an expensive luxury hotel. The shelter's daily rate is $92.27 per unit per day (108 units). Most of the other shelters around the county cost the county about $120 a day per unit. The town of Greenburgh has received $1.2 million a year for rent under an agreement between the county and town.


I cannot understand why the county is closing a facility that is efficient, and cost effective when all signs indicate the number of homeless adults and families will increase in the near future. Important indicators include:



DSS has acknowledged a significant increase in applications for Food Stamps. The total number of Food Stamp applications taken in January was 1,679. As of today the total number of Food Stamp cases in Westchester County are 37,266 and the total number of individuals receiving food stamps are 68,098. The number of requests for the food pantries and soup kitchens has also increased. Historically, increased demand for these safety net services is indicative of a pending increase in homelessness.



Foreclosures and evictions continue to increase.
Unemployment rate it Westchester is about 6.5%


Since 2009, the County has used Federal stimulus funding (HPRP money) to provide families at-risk of homelessness with rental assistance payments that have kept them out of the homeless system. This funding has now ended and the County no longer has a way to keep these families from losing their housing and falling into homelessness. $2.37 million dollars was a one-time award issued in 2009.



If West HELP Greenburgh closes, there will also be a ripple effect on the economy and the provider community. These partnerships with local service providers allow the County to leverage State and Federal resources that are not otherwise available. For example, West COP Day Care operates a quality child care program for homeless children at West HELP Greenburgh which contributes more than $600,000 of Federal funds to the County’s continuum of homeless services. If West HELP Greenburgh is closed, the result will be a further reduction in any financial resources that the County may use to offset services.



The shelter contract contributes $1.2 million annually to the Town of Greenburgh. This critical revenue stream will be lost if the WestHELP Greenburgh contract is terminated. A loss of $1.2 million in revenue translates into a significant tax hike in our town-wide budget.



Let me know what you think. The members of the Town Board will be voting on a resolution calling on the county not to close down WESTHELP.



PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor

TAKE MY CHILDREN AUTHOR TO BE GUEST FRIDAY ON WVOX PROGRAM--GOTTLIEB EXPERT ON ADOPTIONS

Greenburgh resident Bernice Gottlieb, author of the bookTake My Children ... and an expert on adoptions will be my guest on my WVOX (1460 AM) radio program tomorrow from 10 AM to 10:30 AM. The program is streamed live on the website: www.wvox.com

WANTED-REALTORS...FRANK'S NURSERY UPDATE...SWEARING IN CEREMONY FOR SHIMSKY...FOR GARDENERS

The Greenburgh Town Board will devote the first hour of the Wednesday evening, March 23rd meeting to discussing the state of real estate in Greenburgh. If you are a realtor we invite you to attend the meeting to discuss home sales/commercial sales in different sections of the town. The meeting starts at 7:30 PM and will be aired on public access TV. How is the town doing? Are sales up, down? Comparing this year to previous years, are properties selling for more or less? What are we, as a town doing—right and wrong? Why do people move to the town? How important are the services? If services are cut due to the budget – will that impact home sales? Are we doing what we should be doing to attract commercial businesses?
If you would like to be placed on the agenda of the March 23rd meeting – please e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com.

FRANK’S NURSERY UPDATE—if you see town staff at the nursery property, we will be boarding up the building (which we acquired due to foreclosure). The Commissioner of Planning, Thomas Madden will present the town with a suggested plan of action—next steps—at our Tuesday, March 22nd work session beginning at 9:30 AM. There is a tremendous amount of interest in the property –we are considering some revenue generating possibilities that could help the town in the coming months.


FOR GARDENERS…
This promises to be a wonderful event for suburban gardeners (and wanna be suburban gardeners!) i http://renewgreenburgh.org/events.html#dobbsferry2. It is organized by South Church in Dobbs Ferry and the info is all found on RenewGreenburgh.org.
Westchester County Legislator Mary Jane Shimsky will hold a ceremonial swearing in ceremony at the Greenburgh Town Board meeting –Wednesday, March 9th at 7:30 PM. We welcome our new Legislator and am excited to have the opportunity to work with her on issues of importance to our community.
PAUL FEINER

jazz elite concert saturday...leaf composting friday...stormwater info

lJazz Elite's young musicians to perform benefit concert in Greenburgh with Kenny Lee Allstars



WHAT: Jazz Elite, a group of young, advanced-level musicians from the Tri-State area, will host "A Night of Jazz". They will perform pieces from Charles Mingus, Duke Ellington, Mongo Santamaria and Dizzy Gillespie.



Students have practiced with music professionals, such as jazz legend Jon Faddis; hard bop jazz trumpeter Cecil Bridgewater; Ron Carter, professor of Jazz Studies at Northern Illinois University (NIU); and saxophonist Tia Fuller, who plays in R&B singer Beyonce's all female band.



WHEN: Saturday, March 5 at 7 p.m.



Admission to the event is: $35 for adults, $25 for senior citizens, $10 for students, and FREE for children 12 and under.



WHERE: Union Baptist Church, 31 Manhattan Avenue, Greenburgh (White Plains)



WHY: A news and photograph opportunity for local media to document local young, talented musicians in the community.



The benefit concert also allows a chance for local business leaders and individual citizens to support a good cause. Proceeds will help students attend the New Generation jazz festival and competition in California.



For more information about the event or to make a monetary donation to the program, contact Artistic Director Iantheia Calhoun at 914-462-2669 or mscjazz@mac.com.

Greenburgh's jazz elite member
Malik Browne~ Hartsdale
Joey D'Angelo~ Hartsdale
Jackson Davis~ White Plains (Greenburgh)
Kareem Glover~ White Plains (Greenburgh)
Kedar Glover~ White Plains (Greenburgh)
Randy Gonzalez~ White Plains (Greenburgh)
Esteban Rodriguez~Hartsdale
Sammy Washington III~ White Plains (Greenburgh)
Reece Williams ~White Plains (Greenburgh)
Eugene Yaw Boakye-Firempong ~White Plains (Greenburgh)
About Jazz Elite
Jazz Elite is an extended, conglomerate middle school and high school jazz program that includes students from the Tri-State area. The group's College Conglomerate Division is set to launch next season. Conductor and artistic director, Iantheia Calhoun, founded Jazz Elite in 2003 to provide advanced-level training for young thriving jazz musicians. The program is designed to challenge student's aural, sight-reading, and improvisational skills, while providing a relaxing, and fun learning environment. Jazz Elite is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions on behalf of Jazz Elite may be made payable to Fractured Atlas and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. For more information, visit www.jazzelite.org.


LEAF COMPOSTING SEMINAR

Each year, collection, carting and disposal of leaves is extremely costly for Westchester municipalities. In 2009, the Village of Irvington spent $30,000 (according to Irvington DPW Commissioner Greg Nilsson) in leaf tipping fees alone. The Village of Tarrytown estimates total leaf management costs for 2010 at $175,640 (figure from Village Admin).

Economy and ecology come together in a new environmental initiative to reduce economic and environmental costs to municipalities of annual leaf collection, carting and disposal while protecting and building up soil on public and private property.

On Friday, March 4 from 9-11 am at the Greenburgh Nature Center,
Tim Downey, proprietor of Aesthetic Landscape Care, and several other local landscapers will be offering a training on how landscapers and municipal grounds crews can save time and money and reduce environmental degradation by mulching and utilizing leaves on-site, whether on public lands or private properties. The training will be hosted by the Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583.

Flyer/registration forms for municipal workers and landscapers are attached.

For more information, please call Anne Jaffe Holmes at the Greenburgh Nature Center, 914-813-1812.


Please visit our new website at www.greenburghnaturecenter.org.


Supervisor Feiner:



As part of the requirements under the MS4 - Phase II Stormwater Education and Outreach Program, I will be asking that you send out an email to all persons on the g-list 4 times per year.



Below is a link to an erosion and sediment control factsheet which provides information pertaining to vegetated buffers:



http://www.greenburghny.com/FCpdf/Stormwatercenter.net%20-%20Erosion%20%26%20Sediment%20Control%20Factsheet%20-%20Vegetated%20Buffer.pdf



In summary, Vegetated buffers are areas of either natural or established vegetation that are maintained to protect the water quality of neighboring areas. Buffers slow storm water runoff, thereby helping to prevent soil erosion; provide an area for the runoff to permeate the soil; contribute to ground water recharge; and filter sediment and nutrients. They also have long-term environmental and social values, such as: reserving space for trails and greenways; reducing impervious area; preserving wildlife habitat and corridors for wildlife migration; and preventing warming of water resources by shading such areas. Vegetated buffers can be used in any area able to support vegetation. They are most effective and beneficial on floodplains, near wetlands, along streambanks, and on unstable slopes.



Please consult the attached factsheet for more information. Any questions or comments may be directed to Aaron Schmidt, Environmental Planner, Town of Greenburgh, at aschmidt@greenburghny.com.



Thank you,



Aaron Schmidt

Environmental Planner/Forestry Officer

SUPERMARKET CLOSINGS...BUDGET TO BE TOPICS AT MEETING MONDAY EVENING TDYCC 7:30 PM

A community meeting will be held on Monday, February 28th at 7:30 PM at the Theodore Young Community Center on Manhattan Ave. Members of the Town Board will meet with residents to discuss concerns. These community outreach meetings have been held annually and provide the public with the opportunity to discuss issues with officials in an informal setting. The Board recently met at the Virginia Road school to discuss the future of WESTHELP. Two other meetings are being scheduled during the month of March-- in Edgemont and E Irvington.

Among issues that are expected to be discussed: the recent announcement by the A & P to close the A & P supermarket on Route 119 (near Manhattan Ave) and Pathmark on Central Ave. Both store closures are expected to create hardships for the elderly and for lower income residents. Many seniors on Manhattan Ave, without cars, walk to the supermarket from their homes.

I have been in contact with Mort Williams, a smaller supermarket located next to Pathmark. They are applying for permission to accept food stamps. Over a week ago I wrote to a number of other supermarket companies - encouraging them to look at opening another supermarket at the soon to be vacant stores.

The town currently provides limited transportation to supermarkets - as part of our senior programs. We can make adjustments - if needed and help seniors and those on limited incomes get to other supermarkets in the area to do some of their food shopping. I have also contacted K Mart (located near the A &P) and am requesting that they address the food needs of their customers by increasing the food items being sold at the store.

Budget issues (including the proposed NYS property tax cap) will be discussed at this meeting. Other concerns may also be addressed.
PAUL FEINER

I"M SENDING THIS TO K MART IN RESPONSE TO A & P STORE CLOSURE ANNOUNCEMENT

K Mart Manager
White Plains

As you may know, the A & P on 119 (next to K-Mart) is closing in the next month or two. This will create significant hardships for seniors who currently walk to the supermarket for food shopping.
I would appreciate it if you would consider reorganizing your floor plan so you can handle more supermarket items. I will advise our senior citizen population of steps K Mart is taking to address the hardships residents of Fairview will have after the supermarket closes.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,

PAUL FEINER

farmer's market at soon to be closed supermarkets?

Will be contacting the landlords of the soon to be closed A & P on 119 and Pathmark. WIll ask if we could set up a temporary farmer's market until new tenants are found.

PATHMARK CLOSING...DELI DELICIOUS CLOSED...WELCOME LEGISLATOR SHIMSKY

Congratulations to County Legislator-elect Mary Jane Shimsky on her election to the Westchester County Board of Legislators. She will represent a significant portion of Greenburgh in White Plains.

The A&P, which filed for bankruptcy protection late last year, will close 32 stores, including four in the New York City area. Among the stores to be closed are the Pathmark supermarket on Central Ave in Hartsdale. Town officials will be working with the landlord of this large space to attract a great new tenant. Greenburgh residents who love supermarket shopping will be getting a new supermarket. Stop & Shop will be building their new super supermarket on 119, at the Tarrytown border. The Town Board approved the application yesterday.

Deli Delicious on Tarrytown Road has also closed. The reason: the Zoning Board has expressed their intentions to deny the deli permission to have a drive thru window.

PAUL FEINER

DELI DELICIOUS IS NOW CLOSED--DUE TO ZONING BD ACTION--I DISAGREE WITH DECISION

I disagree with the informal decision of the Zoning Board to deny the variance requested for a drive through window for Deli Delicious. The store is now closed. The residents who opposed the variance request may have won the battle - but at some point in the future the property will be sold. It's possible that traffic impacts from another business will be less desirable than a deli. I think the town has to be more business friendly. Closing a business that has been an asset to our town for 28 years is sad. It also sends the wrong message to other businesses considering Greenburgh--that we are not business friendly. Vacant businesses = more unemployment, more tax certiorari refunds (higher taxes), more eyesores and make it more difficult to attract other businesses to our town.
PAUL FEINER
Dear Mr. Feiner:
As a result of the decision made by the Town of Greenburgh Zoning Board of Appeals to deny the variances requested for a drive through window for Deli Delicious, the owner, Ernie Tartaglione, was forced to close the doors to the building he built and the business he operated for the last 28 years. I must tell you that it was heartbreaking to see Ernie hugging his employees, one of whom was his own son, as they left the premises in tears and without a job. This should also be a sad day for the Town of Greenburgh, as it is left with another empty store in a prominent location in the Town and a number of unemployed residents. It certainly does not send a very positive message to the existing businesses in Greenburgh or to anyone who might be contemplating starting a new business there. Even though the outcome of the lengthy Zoning Board of Appeals process was not what we had hoped it would be, Ernie and I want you to know that we appreciated your understanding of the problem and your support for the application.

WESTCHESTER SKATING ACADEMY RESPONDS TO TODAY SHOW REPORT ON AIR QUALITY PROBLEMS AT SKATING RINKS

Last week, in response to a news report on the TODAY SHOW about air quality at skating facilities across the nation (some skaters have been hospitalized), Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner wrote to area skating facilities and to the Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Health. Feiner received the following response from the Westchester Skating Academy.

________________________________________
From: Dean Hall [mailto:dean.hall@asecenters.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2011 5:19 PM
To: Paul Feiner
Subject: Letter dated February 11, 2011 Air Quality Concerns

Mr. Feiner,

I received your letter in regards to air quality within our facility the Westchester Skating Academy. Below is a statement that is currently on our website that should answer your questions and concerns.

AIR QUALITY AT OUR FACILITY (WESTCHESTER SKATING ACADEMY)

There is nothing more important to us than the safety of our guests and employees. This facility has continuous fresh air ventilated into the ice rink(s). We employ electronic carbon monoxide detectors that, if an issue arises, will alert our operations personnel and activate the fresh air purge system. The ice resurfacers are operated with clean burning fuel and exhausted through a catalytic converter. We regularly maintain the ice resurfacers to ensure that they are in good working order in accordance with the highest safety standards.

If you have any other questions please feel free to give me a call.

Dean Hall
Vice President
American Skating Entertainment Centers
Work: (914) 347-8232

march 7th meeting --help the lois Bronz Children's Center

Dear Parents and Concerned Members of our Community:

After all the speculation and rumors, we, the Board of Directors, would like to inform you that the Lois Bronz Children’s Center has no intention of closing. Facing challenging economic times, we find ourselves in the same situation as many businesses across America, struggling to make ends meet. However, LBCC isn’t like most businesses. We provide vital services upon which hundreds of children and families depend every year. Our board and staff take this responsibility seriously and remain committed to caring for your children.

To address the financial pressure, we have made major adjustments to the way we operate. We have taken many cost cutting measures in our back office operations and business processes. These measures were planned and implemented very carefully so that they would not affect the availability or the quality of your children’s early childhood education.

For over 45 years, LBCC has been there for our parents who depend on us to take care of their children so that they can go to work. We are grateful for the support we have received over these four decades from Federal, State and County governments, WestCOP, corporations and other generous foundations and individuals. Yet now, many of these organizations and individuals are facing their own fiscal crises. It's important to remember, that as a private not-for-profit facility - not a public institution - we rely heavily on financial donations and we have been actively seeking funds from new corporations, individuals and foundations

Now we turn to you for ideas to raise money. It is the time for our community to come together to demonstrate its commitment to quality early childhood education in our own back yard.

On March 7th, Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner will host an indoor rally for parents and concerned community members. We urge you to attend and invite family and friends who can help support LBCC.

We look forward to seeing you on March 7th at 6:30 pm at the Greenburgh Town Hall, 177 Hillside Avenue. Please bring your ideas and donations!

Sincerely yours,

LBCC Board of Directors

REQUESTING COMMISSIONER OF BOARD OF HEALTH TO INVESTIGATE TODAY SHOW REPORT ABOUT ICE SKATING SAFETY PROBLEM--CARBON MONOXIDE FROM FUEL RESURFACERS

GREENBURGH TOWN SUPERVISOR PAUL FEINER HAS WRITTEN TO THE COMMISSIONER OF THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH ASKING THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO FOLLOW UP ON THE TODAY SHOW REPORT--RELATING TO SAFETY OF ICE SKATING RINKS. THE TODAY SHOW INVESTIGATION, WHICH WAS SEEN BY MANY WESTCHESTER RESIDENTS ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH, INDICATED THAT fuel powered resurfacers that spit out carbon monoxide and miniscule particles at ice skating rinks across the nation could be dangerous to the health of children and skaters. There are other methods of cleaning the ice that are safer.
A copy of the e mail Feiner sent to the Commissioner and County Executive follows:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Paul Feiner
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2011 10:35 PM
To: caa9@westchestergov.com
Cc: ceo@westchestergov.com
Subject: REQUESTING COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH TO FOLLOW UP ON TODAY SHOW REPORT-SAFETY OF ICE SKATING RINKS


Commissioner of Board of Health
Cheryl Archbald
Westchester County

Dear Commissioner:
I would like to request that your department review the investigation conducted by the TODAY show which indicated that fuel powered resurfacers that spit out carbon monoxide and miniscule particles at ice skating rinks across the nation could be dangerous to the health of children and skaters. There are safer methods that are more costly.
If you believe that the findings of the TODAY show have merit - please reach out to all ice skating rinks in Westchester and ask them to address this problem. I received some complaints from parents of skaters who watched the TODAY show.
I am enclosing a copy of a summary from the show which aired on Thursday morning.
Sincerely,

PAUL FEINER
enc

Toxic carbon monoxide fumes looming at ice rinks may be putting the thousands of children who skate and play hockey at risk, according to a "Today" show investigation.

Former Ice Capades dancer Linda Davis was diagnosed with long-term carbon monoxide poisoning, which has left her with chronic lung and memory problems and requires her to use a respirator, she tells the show.

"It started small, and then it progressed into completely debilitating me," she said. "You just don't know what your child is exposed to."

Nancy Fischer recently learned what her 14-year-old son, who plays ice hockey three or four nights a week, has been exposed to after he fainted in the locker room and couldn't get up. He had to be rushed to the hospital, where doctors told his family he'd been stricken by carbon monoxide poisoning -- along with the rest of his team.

"It was very scary," Fischer tells "Today." "I didn't know the long-term effects. You think your kids are safe in a rink -- and he wasn't."

But how are the dangerous fumes getting trapped inside the rinks? Through the machines used to clean and resurface the ice, experts say.

Many rinks sweep the ice with fuel-powered resurfacers, which spit out both carbon monoxide and miniscule particles. The fumes and the particles linger inside the enclosed rinks and can wreak havoc on those who breathe them in.

"There's very little ventilation," certified industrial hygienist Joseph Cocciardi tells the show. "Whatever toxic materials are in the ice rink stay there."

Last week, at least 61 people taking part in an ice hockey tournament in Gunnison, Colorado, were sickened by fumes and had to be treated for carbon monoxide poisoning. The "Today" investigation found that at least 250 in all have been poisoned at ice rinks around the country.

Watch a video from the "Today" show detailing the issue.

town owns frank's nursery...radio program (bullying) tomorrow on wvox...jazz elites.. pets alive

GREAT NEWS. We own Frank’s Nursery! The town of Greenburgh now owns the abandoned Frank’s Nursery off of Dobbs Ferry Road. We foreclosed on the property because the owners did not pay their taxes. The order and judgment of foreclosure sale was signed by NY State Supreme Court Justice Lester Adler. The property is just under 7 acres and is in a prime location (near the Sprain Parkway). In the coming months we will explore options for the property: (sale or renting out the property, keeping the property for future town uses). I believe that the town should turn this property into a revenue generator for the town. Your thoughts are welcome…

MY GUEST ON WVOX TOMORROW—MICHAEL ZELDES –CHAIR OF A GROUP THAT ADDRESSES BULLYING AND BIASED BEHAVIOR 10 am Friday--- program streamed live on www.wvox.com or 1460 am
I have two guests on my WVOX Radio (1460 AM) program tomorrow (Friday) between 10 AM and 11 AM.

Michael Zeldes is a resident of Irvington for over 14 years and the proud father of an 8th grade boy and a Fifth grade girl in the Irvington School District. Michael is the Chairman of the Village's Diversity Task Force, a group he formed 9 months ago to pro-actively address Bullying and Biased behavior in and out its schools. He has recently led efforts to implement various programs in the District to raise awareness and train Faculty and other school staff in the hopes that by doing so bullying and other harassing behaviors will be not be tolerated at school or within the community.
Additionally, Michael is a board member of the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital Foundation at Westchester Medical Center and is has chaired its annual Wines of the World wine tasting and auction fundraising event for the past 6 years.
From 10:30 to 11 I will interview Julie Fraitag-Weinstein, Director of the Inter-Village Continuing Education

PETS ALIVE (formerly called the Elmsford Animal Shelter) is having their Valentine’s Day party Sunday, February13 at 100 Warehouse Lane, South between 12 and 3:30 PM. Meet the pets and consider an adoption. www.petsalivewest.org.

If you watched the Town Board meeting on TV last night you probably were impressed with the young adults who set the tone for the meeting with their brief jazz concert. Jazz Elite is a group of young, advanced level musicians from the region. They will be hosting a “Night of Jazz on March 5th at Union Baptist Church in Fairview. The event will help raise money for the group's members to attend an upcoming jazz competition in California. Artistic director, Iantheia Calhoun, who is also a music teacher at Woodlands High School in Greenburgh, New York, will conduct the performance.

"We are excited about this concert! We want to show metropolitan-area parents that they don't have to send their children all the way to New York City for a quality music program," Calhoun said. "Those who attend will have the great opportunity to see the high level of talent in our young musicians, who practice right here in Westchester."

Founded in 2003, Jazz Elite is a sponsored program by Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Funds donated by businesses, other organizations and private citizens – which are encouraged – are helpful in keeping the program afloat and allow students to attend various music festivals throughout the year. With additional funding, Calhoun hopes to expand the program for students so they are able to participate in more events and receive private music lessons.

As part of an annual tuition program, students take part in weekly rehearsals at the Theodore D. Young Community Center in Greenburgh, New York and participate in jazz clinics with music professionals, such as jazz legend Jon Faddis; hard bop jazz trumpeter Cecil Bridgewater; Ron Carter, professor of Jazz Studies at Northern Illinois University (NIU); and saxophonist Tia Fuller, who plays in R&B singer Beyonce's all female band.

Students audition in September at an assigned location in Westchester County for a seat in Jazz Elite. The program is designed to help students develop their aural, sight-reading, improvisational, and Big Band ensemble playing skills throughout the year.

Prior to forming Jazz Elite, Calhoun organized a Jazz Ensemble at Woodlands High School in Greenburgh, New York. Those students performed at the Greenwich Festival in Connecticut and Sleepy Hollow Festival in New York, as well as the prestigious Next Generation Festival in California, which the young musicians of Jazz Elite plan to attend this April. Proceeds from the benefit concert will assist in that effort.

"Jazz, to me and to these students, is something special," Calhoun said. "With jazz, you really have to think; you're expanding your mind. You have to look at the chords, and understand how to solo over those changes. Then, you have to communicate it to your audience and move them through your expression. Jazz is on such a grand level of understanding and expression. I'm proud to expose our children to wonderful pieces of work in the jazz music genre.”

Currently, Jazz Elite – an ethnically diverse group of 7th to 12th graders – has eight woodwind section players, five trombone players, six trumpet players and eight members in the rhythm section. The program is always looking to bring in additional talent, according to Calhoun.

"A Night of Jazz" will take place on Saturday, March 5 at 7 p.m. in the main auditorium of Union Baptist Church, located at 31 Manhattan Avenue in White Plains. Admission to the event is $35 for adults, $25 for senior citizens, $10 for students and free for children 12 and under. For more information about the event or to make a donation to Jazz Elite, contact Artistic Director Iantheia Calhoun at 914-462-2669 or mscjazz@mac.com.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor

report --meeting --new businesses

From: Paul Feiner
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 11:48 PM
To: gblist@cit-e.net
Subject: WELCOME NEW BUSINESSES---REPORT OF MEETING TO DISCUSS WAYS TO ATTRACT NEW BUSINESSES


Members of the Town Board, Planning & Zoning Boards met with residents of the community, commercial realtors on Feb 8 to discuss ways in which the town can be more business friendly. The meeting was very productive. Commercial realtors indicated that they would like to see the town amend our parking requirements and signage laws. Current restrictive signage laws make it difficult for businesses that are not located close to the road to publicize their services. If we amend our laws it would make it easier to attract businesses to Central Ave and the other commercial sections of town. In addition, we discussed a proposal that could save applicants significant dollars and time: having joint Town Board, Planning Board and Zoning Board hearings. If presentations would be made to different boards on the same evening applicants would not have to pay their attorneys and consultants to attend as many meetings. And the time period required to review the applications would be shortened. A draft of the comprehensive plan will be released to the community in the coming months. Some of the recommendations may be incorporated into the document.
Dennis Dilmaghani indicated that he would like to meet with residents of the Edgemont community. He owns the abandoned health spa on Central Ave and would like to replace the spa with a development that would be acceptable to the community. A meeting with Mr. Dilmaghani and civic leaders will be proposed.
We also discussed action steps the town could take to make businesses feel more welcome. Among the ideas: posting information about new businesses on the website and helping the local businesses publicize their new services. We also are going to conduct a survey of existing businesses --to get their feedback (experiences they had dealing with town government staff and the boards reviewing applications).
WELCOME NEW BUSINESSES!
2 new businesses opening...A New Martial Arts Studio named
Scarsdale Aikido & Shaolin Martial Arts and Yoga Studio



Located at 77 Tarrytown Road

FIRST NATIONAL URGENT CARE FRANCHISE, DOCTORS EXPRESS, TO OPEN IN HARTSDALE, NY, AND SERVE WESTCHESTER COUNTY

As emergency room visits escalate in New York and the nation continues to debate—and survive—the healthcare issue, a local entrepreneur and two doctors are working to do their part to offer a cure for the ailing healthcare system. Dan H. Purugganan of Mount Kisco, NY, is the Franchisee and Master Developer for a flagship urgent-care center called Doctors Express, located in Hartsdale, NY, at 359 North Central Avenue in the Dalewood Shopping Plaza between the Pathmark and Verizon stores.

The state-of-the-art center will open to patients on Friday, February 11th, 2011, with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting event slated for Thursday, February 17th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Grand Opening event is for media and area dignitaries. A special community day with kids’ activities and tours of the facility will be open to all on Saturday, February 19th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. . The company was founded in Baltimore, MD, in 2005 by an emergency room physician seeking a more efficient, affordable and personable system for urgent care patients. Doctors Express walk-in medical centers are quickly becoming America’s first nationally branded urgent care centers. Much like an emergency room, Doctors Express is a full 4-stage urgent care facility with physicians on staff. The centers provide state‐of‐the‐art treatment for acute illnesses, trauma, and sports injuries, including minor surgical procedures. Digital x‐ray service is available at all Doctors Express locations. Pre‐employment physicals, drug screening, and treatment of work-related injuries are also available to local employers. For more information, visit www.DoctorsExpress.com.



SHOP LOCALLY.
PAUL FEINER

RUSSIAN OFFICIALS TO ATTEND TOWN BD MEETING

Visiting local elected officials and administrative offices from Russia: Pavel Aleksandrovich Voronichev, Mikhail Borisovich Galakhov, Andrey Ivanovich Golikov, Pavel Mikhaylovich Stetsko, Yevgeniy Yuryevich Yumashev, Yelena Sergeyevna Potapova will attend the Town Board work session Tuesday morning and the Town Board meeting Wednesday evening. These leaders (including Mayors from Russian towns) are participating in the Open World Program. The goal: to enhance understanding and capabilities for cooperation between the United States and Russia. The leaders are gaining significant, firsthand exposure to America's democratic government and our free market system.
Funded almost entirely by the U.S. Congress, Open World links Members of Congress to Eurasian leaders and is an instrument for Americans engaged in citizen diplomacy.
Since its founding by Congress in 1999, the Open World program has enabled some 16,000 current and future Eurasian leaders to experience American democracy, civil society and community life; work with their American counterparts; stay in American homes; and gain new ideas and inspiration for implementing change back home. More than 6,000 American host families and their communities in all 50 states have partnered with Congress and Open World to make this ambitious public diplomacy effort possible. Open World currently operates exchanges for political and civic leaders from Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Councilwoman Diana Juettner, who has been working with the Rotary Club to facilitate this visit in Greenburgh and I met with some of the Russian visitors at the Rotary Gift of Life fundraiser this past weekend. The Rotary Clubs are raising money to provide heart transplants to sick children.

PAUL FEINER

candidate sign regulation...snn meeting tomorrow...meeting to promote downtown business development tuesday at 7:30 PM

SHOULD CANDIDATES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE BE REQUIRED TO REMOVE CAMPAIGN SIGNS AFTER THE ELECTIONS ARE OVER --AND LOSE A DEPOSIT IF THEY DON'T

PUBLIC HEARING FOR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2011, AT 8:30 PM, TO CONSIDER A LOCAL LAW TO PERMIT THE TOWN BOARD TO REGULATE THE POSTING OF POLITICAL CAMPAIGN SIGNS WITHIN THE TOWN BY REQUIRING THE IMPOSITION OF A REFUNDABLE FEE FOR SUCH SIGNS UPON A CANDIDATE, POLITICAL COMMITTEE OR POLITICAL PARTY, REFUNDABLE ONLY IF SIGNS HAVE BEEN TIMELY REMOVED AFTER THE PRIMARY OR ELECTION FOR WHICH THE SIGNS HAVE BEEN POSTED .

STUDENT NEWS NETWORK MEETING MONDAY, FEB 6 AT 4:15 pm to 5:15 PM a few weeks ago I announced plans to start a new program in town--student news network. Students will have the opportunity to report the news, anchor and produce TV news shows and express their views on issues that interest them. We have had a number of meetings with students since I first started SNN. We have about 50 students working on the project and hope to air our first show in five or six weeks. Alan Brody of iBreakfast.com and Mo Krochmal, a former NY Times reporter who deeveloped the first social TV model as a Hofstra University Journalism professor, are donating their time to the start up of SNN. Town Clerk Judith Beville is also involved in the program. If you are a student and want to get involved, please e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com.i

On Monday (Feb 7) SNN will meet at 4:15 to 5:15 PM at Greenburgh Town Hall. We are asking students to be ready with story ideas. Tell us what you need to know about--writing, video shooting, editing, radio/podcasting, interviewing. We will form training groups.
INTERVIEW WITH DR. ZUCKERBERG POSTED ON SNNEWS.

On Friday, February 4th I hosted my weekly radio interview on WVOX radio (1460 AM). My guest was Dr. Edward Zuckerberg, father of TIME Magazine Person of the Year Mark Zuckerberg. The Associated Press wrote a story about the interview which can be heard in its entirety on SNNews:Listen to the interview on SNNews: http://bit.ly/hOuqbH . Over 270 news outlets from around the world published the AP story summarizing the interview.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH FOLLOW UP MEETING WITH TOWN BOARD, PLANNING BOARD, ZONING BOARD AND BUSINESS LEADERS---WHAT ACTIONS CAN THE TOWN TAKE TO HELP TURN VACANT STORE FRONTS ON CENTRAL AVE INTO NEW BUSINESSES. Meeting begins at 7:30 PM--Greenburgh Town Hall. We need to promote and encourage a vibrant & healthy business community.
PAUL FEINER

YOU CAN LISTEN TO WVOX RADIO INTERVIEW WITH DR. ED ZUCKERBERG, FATHER OF MARK (OF FACEBOOK FAME)...ON OUR STUDENT NEWS NETWORK SITE

My interview on WVOX on Friday, February 4th with Dr. Edward Zuckerberg, father of TIME MAGAZINE PERSON OF THE YEAR MARK ZUCKERBERG (founder of FACEBOOK) was the subject of a news story by the Associated Press. As a result, over 260 news outlets world wide published summaries of the interview.

Danielle Brody of Edgemont co-hosted the program with me. She is a member of SNN--student news network. The entire interview has been streamed on the snn website. If you would like to listen to the hour long interview in its entirety visit:

Listen to the interview on SNNews: http://bit.ly/hOuqbH


Streamed on Student Network News - a project Paul Feiner launched with support from Alan Brody of iBreakfast.com and Mo Krochmal, who developed the first Social TV Broadcast model as a Hofstra University journalism professor.

ASSOCIATED PRESS STORY ABOUT MY INTERVIEW WITH DR. ED ZUCKERBERG, FATHER OF MARK --TIME MAGAZINE PERSON OF THE YEAR

Zuckerberg Dad: Mark Got Computer Exposure Young
Facebook Founder's Father Says Parents Should Support Children's Passions
BETH J. HARPAZ, Associated Press

POSTED: 12:16 pm PST February 4, 2011
UPDATED: 12:30 pm PST February 4, 2011

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NEW YORK -- Mark Zuckerberg's father said in a radio interview Friday that an early exposure to computers inspired his son's interest in technology, and he encouraged parents to support their children's strengths and passions with a balance of "work and play."

"My kids all grew up around the office and were all exposed to computers," said Dr. Edward Zuckerberg, a dentist. "There are advantages to being exposed to computers early on. That certainly enriched Mark's interest in technology."

Zuckerberg said he computerized his offices in 1985. Mark was born in 1984 and was raised in the house where his father's dental offices are located in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., in suburban Westchester.

The dentist spoke for an hour on Westchester station WVOX in an interview with Paul Feiner, supervisor of Greenburgh. Dobbs Ferry is a village in the town of Greenburgh.

The dentist said his own computer science background was "limited" - he majored in biology in college - but he said he's "always been technologically oriented in the office" and "always had the latest high-tech toys," including an early Atari 800.

"It came with a disk for programming," he said. "I thought Mark might be interested and I imparted that knowledge to him. From there it took off."

He said Mark got a book on programming, but "ultimately his ability to program was self-taught."

Feiner and a number of callers to the live radio program asked Zuckerberg for advice on parenting.

"Probably the best thing I can say is something that my wife and I have always believed in," he said. "Rather than impose upon your kids or try and steer their lives in a certain direction, to recognize what their strengths are and support their strengths and support the development of the things they're passionate about."

Zuckerberg said he "didn't believe in physical discipline" but added that certain behaviors require parents to let children know "right there on the spot, this is a behavior that will not be tolerated. If you impart your dislikes about certain negative behaviors early in their lives, they will learn to understand what your feelings on certain matters are."

Zuckerberg said he was not familiar with a new best-seller called "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother," which recommends pushing children to succeed academically in part by limiting extracurricular activities.

Zuckerberg said he doesn't want to portray himself as an expert on childrearing, but he said: "I think that extremes in any form in parenting are not good. Children need to be well-rounded. There's a place for work and a place for play."

He described Mark as "a good student" with "a special affinity for math and sciences," as well as a "very quiet guy" who "doesn't like to boast about his accomplishments." He said that when Mark was named Time magazine's person of the year, his famous son remarked that "it must have been a really slow year. He's very humble."

"I'm proud of his accomplishments and the accomplishments of all my kids," he added. Mark's sister Randi is marketing director for Facebook, his sister Donna is a Ph.D. candidate in classics at Princeton, and the youngest, Arielle, is a senior at Claremont McKenna College with a minor in computer science. Her dad said "she's doing a job search right now."

Asked for his opinion of the movie "The Social Network," Zuckerberg said, "If I sat back and looked at it as a movie and not as a story about my son, it was a tolerable experience." But he added that there were aspects of the film "which did not accurately reflect the way certain situations occurred. That was disturbing to me."

Asked by a caller whether his wife, Karen, worked when their children were young, he said, "My wife was a superwoman. She managed to work and be home. We had a unique situation because my office was in the house. I highly recommend it if it works for your occupation. It did afford the ability to work and be home with the kids at the same time."

Karen Zuckerberg is a psychiatrist but she helps out in her husband's office.

Zuckerberg said he uses Facebook to promote his dental practice and spends about an hour a day on the site. He also still does Mark's "routine dental care."

how much did we spend on snow removal...father of facebook founder to be my radio program guest...job success story

HOW MUCH DID WE SPEND ON SNOW REMOVAL SO FAR? The Town budgeted $250,000 for overtime for snow removal and $525,000 for salt purchases. Since January 1, 2011 $99,500 was spent in overtime, and the recent storms of the past week are estimated at another $100,000 bringing the total overtime costs since January 1, 2011 at close to $200,000.



With additional storms predicted for the coming weekend and next week, it is likely that the overtime budget will be spent prior to the end of the snow season and additional funding will be necessary from Town reserve funds.



FATHER OF FACEBOOK FOUNDER TO BE GUEST ON MY WVOX RADIO PROGRAM FRIDAY, FEB 4TH FROM 10-11
Dr. Ed Zuckerberg, father of TIME MAGAZINE's Person of the Year Mark Zuckerberg, will be my guest on my WVOX radio interview Friday, February 4th from 10 AM to 11 AM. WVOX radio can be heard live on www.wvox.com or on 1460 AM.

A SUCCESS STORY FROM A WOMAN WHO WAS JUST OFFERED A JOB!
WSJC (Lenore Rosenbaum) and I sponsored a very successful job forum this morning. Great job tips given to participants. Received the following e mail tonight from a woman who just was offered a job. If you're interested in getting job leads - please send me your e mail and I'll send you job opening updates as I learn of them. You can also join www.linkedin.com (greenburgh jobs group)
Michelle sent you a message.

Subject: Hi :)

"Happy to inform you that my job hunt is going well. I was offered a job at
Yonkers ___deleted name of company) as banker. Now all there is left is the dreaded 52 page
background check- but still in good spirits. Thanks for the good job leads"

Paul Feiner

RECOMMENDATION FROM TWO CIVIC LEADERS--REASSESSMENT

In recent months the Town Assessor, Edye McCarthy, Town Board members and I have met with school, village officials and civic leaders –asking for their input: should the town undertake a reassessment. We had a Town Board discussion with the public and state officials last night. The town (including school district, fire districts) loses about $10 million a year in certiorari refunds---revenue losses to the town. The town, alone, will see our revenues decline by about $5 million this coming year—due to certiorari refunds.
I have asked two highly respected members of the community to provide the Town Board with recommendations: the next steps we should take. This is their letter/suggestions. What do you think?

PAUL FEINER

January 26, 2011



Supervisor and Members of the Town Board

Town of Greenburgh

177 Hillside Avenue

Greenburgh, New York 10607



Re: Town-wide revaluation and reassessment



Ladies and Gentlemen:



As most of you know, the Supervisor has asked the undersigned, Peter Derby and Tom Rothman, to assist the Town in evaluating whether a Town-wide revaluation and reassessment will prudently and fairly address both the burdensome and costly issue of property assessment valuation challenges and their tax refunds and the perceived inequity of the current system of property assessment/taxation in the Town and whether a Town-wide revaluation and reassessment is the most equitable and cost effective method of addressing these issues.



For those of you who we have not had the pleasure of personally meeting, a brief introduction is in order. We are both long-time residents and homeowners in the Town. Peter Derby has served as an internal bank auditor, a bank corporate finance director, is a founder of Troika Dialog, the first investment bank in Russia, CFO and CEO of DialogBank, the first private bank based in Russia to receive an international banking license, was Managing Executive for Operations and Management of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and was a Trustee in Irvington. Tom Rothman is an attorney, has served as a senior counsel for local finance and real property taxation matters to State Comptroller Arthur Levitt, was senior partner for public finance with Willkie Farr and Gallagher LLP, and was a long time member of the Board of Governors of the New York chapter of the Government Finance Officers Association.



We have met with the Supervisor, Town Assessor and others, have reviewed reports and draft legislation prepared by or on behalf of various towns in the County, as well as by those acting on behalf of the County, and have concluded that without the benefit of certain specific information being obtained prior to a determination to undertake a Town-wide revaluation and reassessment any request for proposals to undertake a Town-wide revaluation under the prescriptions of existing law may be counter productive and may not be the most prudent, equitable and cost effective method of addressing these issues.



It appears axiomatic that the passage of in excess of a half-century since the last comprehensive revaluation and reassessment in the Town has created an assessment/taxation system containing certain inequities. It also appears axiomatic that State mandates requiring that residential real property units held in non-condominium ownership be assessed at fair market value whereas residential real property held in condominium ownership must be assessed at a “restricted value”, or a value significantly below fair market value, and the State prohibition on reassessing residential real property following resale or change of ownership results in certain inequities. Before undertaking an initial expense of a Town-wide revaluation, an expense believed to be considerable, as well as the continuing expense of periodic revaluation to assure that the Town does not find itself in the same expensive litigation/tax refund predicament it currently faces again (i.e. see Nassau County) it would be helpful, if not mandatory, to know the likely effect on Town taxpayers of a Town-wide revaluation and whether a “better fix” to these issues may be crafted. Finally, it also appears axiomatic that many purchasers of residential real property have relied upon the Town’s current system and existing assessments in making their decision whether to purchase a home in the Town, and whether that home is affordable. Accordingly, the Town needs to be prudent, fair and equitable in enacting any changes to the existing system of assessment so as not to reap unfortunate and unintended deleterious consequences upon a segment of our community while at the same time attempting to remove other existing inequities that are also hurting a segment of our community.



To this end, we recommend a modest expenditure to retain a suitable professional to determine, among other items as may be added by your body, by utilizing an appropriate and professional scientific sampling methodology, the following:

1. The likely affect on all classes of residential real property taxation in different neighborhoods throughout the Town of a Town-wide revaluation as prescribed under current law.

2. The likely affect on residential real property taxation throughout the Town held in condominium ownership if real property held in condominium ownership were assessed on the same basis as real property held in non-condominium ownership; and the likely effect on real property throughout the Town held in non-condominium ownership if the law were changed to provide that all residential real property were valued, assessed and taxed on the same basis.

3. The likely effect on residential real property taxation throughout the Town if the Town did not undertake a Town-wide revaluation, but residential real properties held in all types of ownership were reassessed after a sale or change in ownership to reflect a sale price of an arms length sale, with non-arms length sales or change in ownership being revalued and reassessed as if they had been on an arms length basis, and all residential properties not sold within any recurring five year period, revalued and reassessed every five years.

4. The likely cost of an initial Town-wide revaluation.

5. The likely cost of a continuing periodic Town-wide revaluation.

6. Based upon the experience and/or knowledge of the expert, and given the recent high, if not unprecedented, number of settled claims and challenges, whether it can be anticipated that assessment valuation challenges and tax refunds will significantly diminish if no action is taken.

7. Based upon the experience and/or knowledge of the expert, recommendations concerning these issues and measures likely to reduce any hardships reasonably foreseeable by a Town-wide revaluation and reassessment, including hardships on those economically at the lowest levels in the Town, on retired senior citizens and on those on pension or fixed income.

8. Based upon the experience and/or knowledge of the expert, will a Town-wide revaluation and reassessment predominantly affect the expensive older homes and the expensive newer homes or will such similarly affecting the middle and lower priced homes as well?

9. Based upon the experience and/or knowledge of the expert, would it be efficient to restructure the property categories into four categories, residential, commercial, condominium/cooperative and utilities?



To eliminate the possible perception of the chosen expert having an economic interest in a determination to undertake a Town-wide revaluation, the Town may consider stipulating that the expert chosen will (may at the Board’s discretion?) be ineligible to undertake any subsequent Town-wide revaluation.



Respectively submitted,

　

　

Peter Derby Tom Rothman