Formation Shelborne Should Go

We’ve previously written about the Formation Shelbourne scam that Mr Feiner and his Town Board have thrust and continued to perpetuate upon the residents of Edgemont and the Town. Prior to his leaving the Town as our Planning Commissioner to pave over greener pastures in Stamford, CT., Thomas Madden assured the management team from Formation Shelbourne that their assisted living project would sail through the process, guaranteeing the proverbial “done deal”. Mr Feiner was also a willing participant and he too assured project approvals and a resistant-free project from the Town.

Others have also reported this egregious violation of public trust and spoken about it at Town Board meetings. The fallacy of doing this is the wanton lack of attention paid by the Board members as they have appeared to have been instructed by Mr Feiner to ignore the concerns of the residents. In fact, if it weren’t for Town Attorney Tim Lewis’ berating of residents who go past the emperor's allotted three-minute public speaking constraint, there might not be any Board involvement with the public. Complaining, questioning and offering suggestions as often as is done by residents results in the Town Board only feigning deafness.To help get these issues out in the forefront, another frustrated resident, Edgemont resident Jeff Sherwin, has created a new website to address some of these illegalities.See it by clicking on this link:
https://www.greenburgh-zoning.org/#greenburgh-is-spot-zoning

The silence from Town Hall about doing the right thing with this project has almost been deafening. It is blatantly obvious that Mr Feiner and his instructed Board will not alter their support of a project laden with many needed zoning variations, questionable neighborhood concerns and safety issues. The property in question, owned by the Al Krautter family, currently houses the Sprainbrook Nursery. They are continuing to operate the nursery while the conditioned sale stagnates during the Town’s mishandling of this oversized proposal. Should they cease the nursery's operation, the current zoning that allows the business to operate under a "grandfathered" zoning clause, would revert back to residential, ending the Formation Shelbourne’s ability to utilize the property for their proposed assisted living facility. And, quite probably, wind up terminating the sale of the property.

Many examples of concern have been given as to why the proposal should not be approved and continued. But closed-door promises were made - as has been done for the last 24 years - and must be honored at all cost, no matter how ethically or legally improper those promises might be! You’ll recall the Town Board beaming and postulating as they passed the Brightview Assisted Living Center-written bill specifying assisted living proposal conditions for future projects. The trouble with it was it was written to Brightview’s specifications for their project! Obviously flawed, adopting it is just another misstep made by this administration.

Trying to circumvent the new zoning regulations for their own profit, Formation Shelbourne is seeking variances to the requirements of being within 200 feet of a state right of way and being built on a minimum of 4 acres. There are other conditions to be met, but these are the two most glaring that should easily negate this proposal. The property is less than the newly adopted zoning law's required 4 acres and is more than 6,000 feet from the nearest state right-of-way. Mr Sherwin’s website video drive proves the distance is miles away, not feet. Mr Feiner has again violated the the trust of the taxpayers and residents. He should immediately resign if he wishes to show any kind of good faith toward the residents and prove he is not in the pocket of these and other developers. But rather than step down, we're sure he will "step it up" and do several more Town financed mailings and email blasts lauding this project. 

Regardless of what he does, there promises to be another lawsuit on the Town's horizon over this project. There are many projects in the Town that may have merit. There will be more in our future that will also be good. But illegal promises made by Mr Feiner behind closed doors and condoned by his Board should put an immediate end to this project. We hope that some day, this Board will find a moral compass and try to do the right thing. Until then, we keep seeking A Better Greenburgh.

Welcome to the Neighborhood

Moving can be an exciting time. These guys, however, had a different kind of excitement. Following their cell phone GPS, they made a left onto Knollwood Avenue as they tried to get to their buddy's new home. Unbeknownst to them or their GPS, Knollwood Avenue is a pretty steep road. So much so that had they made the turn in the daylight, they might have seen the gouges in the road from other vehicles and tried an alternate route.

Giving it the gas, the driver of the U-Haul truck got as far as he could before forcing the trucks back step into the blacktop - stuck. As he continued to try "giving it the gas", the rear wheels spun furiously, smoking like a dragster at a race strip. Finally, with too few options present, they called for help. Brendon's Auto Body tow truck arrived, hooked up and pulled them back out onto Rt 119. While the police officer on scene controlled traffic, no tickets were issued and all's well that ends well.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Annual Mitzvah Day

SCARSDALE SYNAGOGUE’S CONGREGANTS

TO COOK FOR THOSE IN NEED WITH

RESTAURANT 808 SOCIAL’S EXECUTIVE CHEF, SALVATORE CUCULLO

ON ANNUAL MITZVAH DAY

SCARSDALE, NY – Members of Scarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont and Emanu-El will put on aprons alongside the recently opened 808 Social’s Executive Chef Salvatore Cucullo, Jr. and cook for those in need on Sunday, November 20, 2016, at the Reform Jewish congregation’s annual “Mitzvah Day.”  The food will be going to Grace Church.

Each year Scarsdale Synagogue sets aside a special community-wide “Mitzvah Day” for a variety of social action activities. A mitzvah is a deed of loving kindness.  The public is invited to attend. Burners will be lit and pots stirred from 9:00 to 11:00 AM.

Cooking is but one highlight of Mitzvah Day. Other activities will range from other hand’s-on community service projects, to learning opportunities with the Synagogue’s clergy and “fun”-raising activities such as Karaoke for a Cause.

“Mitzvah Day is a wonderful tradition here at Scarsdale Synagogue,” said Rabbi Jeffrey C. Brown, “setting aside one day a year for our congregation and the wider community to do good deeds together, supplementing what people already do on their own throughout the year. We expect a large turnout and welcome our friends and neighbors to join us, regardless of their faith and affiliations.”

A full list of Mitzvah Day activities and the Mitzvah Day schedule can be found at bit.ly/mitzvahday-2016.

HOW TO HELP

The Synagogue will be collecting much needed and useful items to donate to worthy organizations in the greater Westchester and North Bronx communities, including:

●      Children’s Clothing (ages 14 and below) for the Sharing Shelf – long sleeve shirts, sweatshirts, jeans, khakis, sweatpants, long sleeve dresses (4T – youth size 10 only), fleece jackets, winter coats, hats & gloves, sturdy shoes (merrills, sneakers, snowboots, & uggs), NEW socks, NEW underwear

●      Children’s Books - Gently used books (for ages 5 and below).

●      Diapers and Wipes for Westchester Diaper Bank

●      Holiday Drive to benefit My Sister’s Place (continuing through mid-December) -  toys for all ages, scarves, hats and gloves for all ages through adult and jewelry or other modest items for the adults (both men and women)

●      Lightly Used College Dorm Supplies for Grad Bag – New or gently used:  XL twin sheet sets, blankets, comforters, duvets, desk lamps, small rugs, plastic hangers, extension cords, window fans, bed lifts, over door hooks, laundry bags/hampers, alarm clocks, storage lockers, book ends, bulletin boards, surge protectors, small suitcases

●      Food for the United Interfaith Food Bank – rice, pasta, soup, mac & cheese, pasta sauce, canned beans and canned fruit, canned meat or stew

●      Pet Supply Drive for the New Rochelle Animal Shelter – dog and cat food, leashes, cages, bedding, dog treats, cat treats, stuffed animals

●      Crafts & Games benefitting CHAM

●      Items for US Soldiers benefiting MSAWI –chapsticks, travel sized baby wipes, travel sized gold bond baby powder, gum, protein bars, old, non-working cell-phones

Events begin at 9:00 AM unless otherwise noted, and are as follows:

●      Cooking for the Hungry with 808 Social Executive Chef Salvatore Cucullo, Jr.

●      9:30 a.m. - Sunday Social Action Salon with Rabbi Brown – an informal reflection on the pressing plight of poverty today.  As the basis for discussion, we will be looking at several Jewish texts and clips from the award-winning documentary Living on One dollar.

●      9:30 a.m. - Yoga and Reflection (minimum donation of $18 (or more) suggested)

●      PJ Library Corner - Intergenerational book corner where adults can read social action themed books to children of all ages

●      UnSelfies for #GivingTuesday - What will you do to help others during this holiday season? After Black Friday and Cyber Monday, comes Giving Tuesday on November 29.  Take an "Unselfie" describing what you commit to do or give on #GivingTuesday and post it on Facebook

●      Soup in a Jar in partnership with the Bronx Jewish Community Council - We will gather and package dry soup ingredients for donation to Jewish senior citizens living in the Bronx

●      Karaoke for a Cause - Support The Trevor Project (to support suicide prevention within the LGTBQ community). Make a donation if you want to sing or to get someone else to sing or to stop someone else from singing!

●      A Living Page of Talmud - Join us as we explore -- in real time -- Biblical and Rabbinic texts with YOUR modern commentary and perspectives on pressing social issues to “repair the world” (Tikkun Olam)

●      Prepare Holiday cards for families who have lost loved ones to gun violence and for Schaffer Extended Care Center, a comprehensive facility offering short-term rehabilitation and long-term care for medically frail seniors

●      Trip of a Lifetime - Share your memories of a memorable trip for posting on the Trip of a Lifetime website, an organization that helps to fund life-changing travel opportunities for underprivileged youths

About Scarsdale Synagogue

Scarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont and Emanu-El is a Reform Jewish congregation committed to creating a covenant community of shared lives and real relationships.  We are an inclusive, caring and visionary community.  As we journey together Jewishly, we strengthen ourselves and our sacred community.  www.sstte.org

For further information, please contact:

Roberta Aronovitch, Executive Director

Scarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont and Emanu-El

2 Ogden Road, Scarsdale, NY  10583

www.sstte.org

Tel: (914) 725-5175

Email: roberta@sstte.org

Unveiling of Street To Honor Bishop

Remembering Our Veterans

Time Will Tell

So many good candidates started out in this Presidential race. Some had foreign affairs expertise, some had domestic experience but only candidate, Trump, had a business acumen that none of the others enjoyed. Sure, the media went into hyper-drive to find fault with all and any of his deals. They focused on four bankruptcies which may or may not have significance. Regardless, he was the political outsider and not part of the political establishment which the electorate has proven desirable with their votes. 

In the end, one candidate was left standing and finally won a long and contentious campaign. A President Trump was not many people's first (or 2nd or 3rd) choice for the nation's highest office. But many are relieved that making history as the first female president will continue to be reserved for someone of a higher ethical quality and moral competency. It's also sad that someone like Julian Assange was the one to expose much of the information that probably made the case against Clinton and ultimately contributed to her loss. That should have been the media's job but they chose a different direction. Could we ever see a political thriller written like All The President's Men nowadays given the abdication of our press and media to challenge politicians and governmental organizations? It's doubtful.

Many have said some nasty things on Facebook, Twitter and elsewhere about both sides. A lot of negative things were said about both candidates by both candidates. Will President Trump follow through with his threat and go after Clinton with her email debacle? It's also doubtful. It was a great one-liner during the debate but reality is usually more tempered. Time will tell.

We are Americans and work best when we stand together. We're hoping our future is bright. Again, time will tell. God bless America!

It’s Simple - Just Vote

There’s been a lot of useless back and forth arguments, name-calling and such about who’s a better candidate for President during this campaign season. We find most people do not want either candidate, neither the historic first female president or the successful billionaire businessman.

Running for County Legislator in 2009 and State Assembly in 2010 was an eye-opening experience, teaching first-hand that the system IS rigged. There IS voter fraud with the archaic petition ballots with candidates on BOTH SIDES using dead voters’ names to qualify a candidate to run for office. No one verifies them. Why? It’s all part of the rigging. Want to change it? Good luck with that. It’s overseen by NYS law and the locals will say their hands are tied and there’s nothing they can do. Of course, there’s really nothing they want to do.

Then there is fraud at the polls. It’s supposedly why we have poll inspectors – to prevent fraudulent voters from voting on behalf of the dead (or at least someone else). Yet the inspectors are impotent to stop the fraud! When someone comes up and gives a name of a person who has (registered and) voted before, but is DEAD, the poll inspector does NOT look at any ID or driver’s license, OR ANYTHING to verify who that person is.

The rigging actually begins with both parties. Depending on whose turn it is to run will dictate who gets any support from the party. It’s up to the new guy to raise his own money. Lose and you’re kicked to the curb. Win, and you’re everybody’s best friend and the respective political party sucks up to you. So, while you may want things to change, the ensconced establishment wants no part of it. In fact, it seems like the power brokers are the ones chanting “Never Trump”.

Clinton has been in the political arena for 30 or so years. Trump for 18 months. Given Clinton’s overweight baggage, it’s inconceivable that she could be qualified for any position. And for those of you voting for her to make history and elect the first woman president, she has already created history of the wrong kind. Your vote should not be about making inconsequential history. It should be with a quality candidate that offers a true vision and an ability to unite. After thirty years, there’s not much of that with Clinton.

So many are disappointed that out of however many millions of New Yorkers and in fact all US citizens there are to choose from, that Clinton and Trump are what our choices have come down to. It’s so sad.

But there’s still more rigging at the top. You see, this time it was Clinton’s turn. In the last election they told her to step aside when Obama ran and dutifully, she did. She played by the party’s rules as she was forced to wait to get the power she craves. Notice how everyone abandoned her when the “new” email stuff was exposed? She went on the attack against FBI Director Comey. Once the FBI said they would not indict, they all came back to her side. She’s toxic! They are only on board if she keeps her nose clean. They’re nothing but fair weathered friends. In reality, they are political whores.

The media is rigged in her favor as well. How can you tell? Well, if you can’t tell, you’re simply not paying attention. Every news cast shows her smiling and waving and hugging people. And they spend about five to ten minutes more air time on her than on Trump. The coverage of Trump is always shorter and showing him saying one blip of a sound byte. They focus on the percentages where one minute he has 4% more than her and they discuss the 4-5% margin of error. When she’s ahead, there’s no mention of any margin of error!

Even better for her are the RINOs who tout “Never Trump”. They are rigging their own candidate to lose in the very election they claim is the most critical of our time. It will have a ripple effect on other candidates in lesser races. But they don’t comprehend how their myopia will have a bigger impact beyond Trump. You never see the Democrats do this. They always stick together. Is it any wonder the Republicans can’t win?

It’s not about the presidency per say, but the 95 appointments to all the courts, not just the Supreme Court, that she’ll get to make and will have lasting and long term impacts on us. It’s about open borders and immigration, destroying her husbands mistresses, enabling her husband to abuse women, Vince Foster, Benghazi, lying under oath, the email/server scandal and much more. We’re holding our noses knowing that the only way to stop Clinton is to vote for Trump – ugh!

“What difference does it make?” Plenty! The Voice Of The Electorate (VOTE) must be heard and the two-sided establishments must be changed. We’re all in for change. How about you?