Going To The Dogs

With all the media coverage being generated by Mr Feiner for the Pets Alive Animal Shelter, outsiders would think that's the only issue affecting the Town. It’s hardly an accurate assessment. Mr Feiner has a knack of taking center stage for non-critical issues. Don’t get us wrong, we favor a no-kill animal facility but recognize the complexities of maintaining a facility such as this. Why was the facility allowed to operate and never be inspected by the Greenburgh Building or Fire Inspectors prior to the structural problems that were finally discovered this past year? Someone dropped the ball.

Mr Feiner negotiated an ironclad contract with Pet’s Alive back in 1994 for them to utilize the property they purchased for $10 from the Town located behind Brookfield Recycling (formerly Brookfield Auto Wreckers). Subsequently, through the years, the building developed structural issues that were ignored, not discovered or addressed until recently. Almost immediately, the building was declared dangerous and uninhabitable! Pet’s Alive didn't know what to do, but ultimately began transferring their animals to other locations.

In the meantime, they sought to sell the property as they could not finance the extensive repairs necessary to fix the building. Pet’s Alive sought to sell the property since they couldn't afford to repair and ultimately stay in the facility. Mr Feiner, only interested in headlines, wrote to his regular media outlet sources saying Pets Alive must find a way to stay. In fact, the original sale of the property mandated that Pets Alive could not sell it if they weren't interested in keeping it. It could either be used as a Pets Alive/no-kill pet facility or be returned to the Town for use as a park, recreational or municipal purposes.

ABG knows there is a bit more to this unfolding story, however, the gist of it, regardless of Mr Feiner’s desires, is to either preserve the property or return it to the Town. While ABG prefers to see the facility either repaired or replaced, financial constraints indicate that probably won’t happen. As with the Town’s failing infrastructure, had regular inspections by the Town Building and Fire Departments, among others, and maintenance been performed, Pet’s Alive may have been able to circumvent the troubles they are having now. Some blame must also be cast toward the Pet’s Alive organization for not being vigilant about their facility. However, with taxes, costs and expenses as high as they are for businesses to operate in the Town, Pet’s Alive is as much a victim of Mr Feiner’s bad management as are the Town’s taxpayers!

If Pet’s Alive does in fact leave the property, ABG has a creative solution for the property. Once the Town removes the facility as it has been deemed uninhabitable, they should turn the property into an enhanced dog park. Where the building is currently located, there could be a large roof, similar to what we have at Ridge, Yellowstone and Macy Parks. Where the fenced in kennels are, there could be a free-run space for the dogs. Nearby there could be large concrete blocks with a water feed that would be used to groom dogs or cool them off on hot days. We can also offer the space to dog trainers for training classes. Along with the roof/shelter, there could be barbecues and outdoor benches with tables for families similar to other parks to picnic at while their dogs get some exercise. This could be a win-win for residents.

Putting caveats on contracts can be good. They can also work against us. Instead of trying to keep a failed facility simply because everyone loves pets, this is one of those times where we can make the best of a bad situation by letting the Town “go to the dogs” for a good reason. Then we will see A Better Greenburgh.

Memorial’s Disrepair Requires Overhaul

We understand Mr Feiner's proclivity towards grandstanding and hype. We also understand that after 22-years in office he has nurtured and become his own brand, developing a cult-like following and an ability to circumvent and/or ignore any opposition. Yet, to follow the traditional media's take on him, he can do no wrong. Not so, and we expose his illegal and unethical actions every chance we can.

We have continually followed and high-lighted the "other side of the story," often taking on issues that others prefer to ignore while Mr Feiner bloviates attention away from them and those with a critical eye. The Town employees, no doubt under orders from Mr Feiner, routinely obfuscate, delay and out and out refuse to supply information requested under the Freedom Of Information Law (FOIL).

Just ask Dorinne Livson, the President of the Worthington Woodlands Civic Association. She and her Civic Association are still waiting for a copy of the supposed Game On 365 contract after being given the run-around from Town Hall. ABG believes it is because there never was a contract and the Town is simply stalling in hopes of not being caught violating the law (again). By the way, when she asked Town Attorney Tim Lewis when she could expect the results of the FOIL request in 2013, he said rather matter-of-factly, "Sometime in 2015." 2015 is almost over and still no contract. Shameful.

With press releases galore, regurgitated in every printed and online source seeking to move his agenda, Mr Feiner is now claiming that the Memorial Wall at Webb Field/Richard Presser Park on Central Avenue, is in need of repair yet again. Several years after the original Memorial Wall was constructed through the generosity of an Arts Westchester, the Rotary Club and Walmart's Sam's Club, the tiles originally mounted began falling off. Subsequently, 1,686 cataloged tiles were cleaned, repaired and numbered and finally transported back to the Wall for reinstallation.

At the time of it's construction, many favored a different and more accessible location to have a Memorial built. But since this is where Mr Feiner wanted the monument, that was where it was to be built. Now, as we have learned through Mr Feiner's media deflection, the Wall is once again in need of having the tiles repaired because they are again falling off. ABG is critical because like so many patches that are made to our infrastructure, they are not designed to last. Could this be intentional on Mr Feiner's part so as to set up his next media campaign, soliciting sympathy, empathy, and more importantly, votes? We believe so.

So now he has offered several solutions with which he “hopes” to involve the public. We’re convinced he doesn't really care, but he can get more publicity from this. Most people won't even realize he's using this issue to campaign for re-election. His options are listed below in italics.
 
Options we have: Tear down the existing wall.

Preserve the tiles.

Replace the large wall with a new design.

Place the murals on the new memorial design.

Fix the wall.

The problem is that we tried to repair the wall in 2011, and it did not work. Some people believe that the climate changes contribute to the deterioration of the wall. I prefer a lasting memorial, not a memorial that will look bad every few years. Our goal is to maintain a beautiful 9/11 mural at Richard Presser Park.

Here is ABG's suggestion for the Wall:

Contact all of the high schools within the Town to assist in taking the existing tiles off the Wall, cataloging them and packing them up. This would qualify as Community Service hours for the students. Convicted criminals, Mr Feiner included, sentenced to community service could also participate. Then the Town should tear down the existing Wall and return the property to its original state. Have the tiles in need of repair get the necessary repairs to make them usable again. Map out the dimensions for the existing Wall and replace it on the Greenburgh Library's Wall near the main entrance and traffic circle area of the Library. This would avail everyone who uses the Library an opportunity to view the Memorial and it would be under constant scrutiny by everyone who sees it and works there, enabling better maintenance. It was also suggested to put the tiles on the handicap ramp from the bus stop at Route 119 toward the top, culminating at the top by the Library.

Mr Feiner decided how and where to put the Memorial Wall. It was under his direction that the repairs were made. The qualifications of those involved were never vetted, similar to what we see when Mr Feiner and the Town Board are the lead agency for a project. There are numerous examples of lead agency failures, such as the failed geothermal heating system at the Library, as well as their inadequate heating and air conditioning systems. We're not going to list them but suffice to say the list is long. If the Library is chosen as the new Memorial location, the brick siding would need to be properly prepped so we don't have to repair it again in five years after another installation. Besides prepping the wall, we'd suggest using a track system to accommodate expansion and contraction due to climate fluctuations. Similar, if you will, to the way vinyl siding is installed to accommodate the shift due to weather.
 
We want to see the victims of the horrific September 11, 2001 attacks honored. Since this Memorial Wall has had a sketchy past, perhaps this administration can finally do justice to the memory of those lost on that fateful day. Only then will we have A Better Greenburgh.