The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

The Inside Press

Rob Greenstein Takes on a Run for New Castle Supervisor

by

Editor’s Note:  Rob’s letter to members of the Chappaqua Millwood Chamber of Commerce.

NON‐PARTISAN TICKET PROMISES NEW CASTLE VOTERS  TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT AND END TO STATUS QUO

The New Castle Republican Town Committee today announced its candidates for the 2013

Town Supervisor, Town Board and Town Justice races:

For Town Supervisor Robert J. Greenstein
For Town Council Adam M. Brodsky
For Town Council Lisa S. Katz
For Town Justice Stuart A. Miller

Rob Greenstein and Lisa Katz are registered Democrats. Adam Brodsky is un‐affiliated and Stuart Miller is a registered Republican.

Commenting on the slate, Jim McCauley, Vice Chairman of the GOP Committee noted, “After careful consideration, we selected candidates who have the skills, business experience, and, above all, the leadership qualities to perform a proper fiduciary role that places the interests of our residents and community above any political consideration or agenda.”

Asked why the GOP Committee is endorsing non‐Republican candidates, McCauley explained, “This election isn’t about partisan politics. The issues facing our town are neither Republican nor Democrat. That’s why, once again, our candidates will be running as TEAM NEW CASTLE.” “We need fresh perspectives, people with professional experience in business and strong records of community service, who have a passion for making New Castle a better place to live and raise our families, and who believe, as we do, that the town government has to do a better job not just of informing residents of what’s going on, but involving them as well,” McCauley added.

“Only now,” he continued, “are people becoming fully aware of some of the complex issues facing us, including the reasons behind our escalating tax burden; the affordable housing settlement; Chappaqua Crossing; what has helped and what has hindered businesses from prospering in our town; and the community Master Plan and planning process.”

Commenting on the nomination, Rob Greenstein said, “This election is about ending the status quo, where year after year our residents face increasing taxes, opaque government administration, and a lack of vision and community involvement in basic planning and oversight of our common property and natural resources. It’s time for real change in our town’s leadership. I am excited about involving everyone in these issues, taking a measured and more thoughtful approach to deciding what our community really wants and needs, and about finally exposing the decision making processes that in the past have been largely undertaken behind closed doors.” Candidates Adam Brodsky, Lisa Katz and Stuart Miller all voiced similar support and enthusiasm for the backing and endorsements they are receiving for their runs and echoed Rob Greenstein’s positions on transparency, change and the need for new leadership.

All four candidates will be cross‐endorsed by the Transparency in Government Party.

About Rob Greenstein – Candidate for Supervisor

Rob has lived in Chappaqua with his wife, Cindy, and their three children for ten years. His children attend Westorchard Elementary school and Seven Bridges Middle school. Rob is an attorney at the law firm Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP in New York City. He founded this law firm in 1995, two years out of law school. Rob also currently serves on the Board of Directors of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association. His work on the Chappaqua Crossing demonstrates his willingness to work on behalf of the residents of New Castle and fight for what’s right. Rob ran for Town Board in 2011 on his own party line, Transparency in Government. During that election, he ran on a platform of the revitalization of New Castle’s downtown business districts and the need for a Chamber of Commerce. Rob formed the Chappaqua‐Millwood Chamber of Commerce in 2012. The Chamber is approaching its one‐year anniversary with approximately 165 members, and it has been widely acknowledged as a great success. Rob graduated from SUNY Binghamton in 1989 and from New York Law School (full scholarship) in 1993.

About Lisa Katz – Candidate for Councilwoman

Lisa has lived in Chappaqua with her husband, Steve and their two children for seven years. Her children attend Grafflin Elementary school and Bell Middle school. Lisa is an attorney at the Law Offices of Lisa S. Katz, PLLC in Mount Kisco. Lisa founded this law firm in 2011, after having worked both in private practice at Manhattan law firms and as in‐house counsel at various public companies. Lisa has spent almost 20 years advising companies in all manner of business transactions, corporate compliance and SEC matters. Much of this work requires financial understanding and inquiry, which she will bring to the Board. She firmly believes in educating the community on important issues, and will bring common sense and practicality to the Town Board. Lisa graduated from both the College of Arts and Sciences and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1991 and from Fordham Law School in 1994.

About Adam Brodsky – Candidate for Councilman

Adam has lived in Chappaqua with his wife, Cathy and their four children for nine years. His children attend Westorchard Elementary school and Seven Bridges Middle school. Adam is an attorney, serving as Director of Commercial Properties and General Counsel for Buckingham Trading Partners, Inc., a family‐owned real estate company with a portfolio of shopping centers, apartment buildings and office properties, including commercial property in Chappaqua. Adam has worked as a real estate attorney with the firm of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver and Jacobsen and was Director of Development and General Counsel for Gateway Colocation, a company offering services to telecom and internet service providers. Adam currently serves as Public Member of the Board of Directors of the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corp. and is a former member of the Muhlenberg College Board of Trustees. He has a vast knowledge of business negotiation and cost cutting. Adam has lived his entire life in Northern Westchester. He will bring his breadth of experience in the private sector to the Town at this critical time. Adam graduated from Muhlenberg College, B.A. and from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, J.D. with honors.

About Stuart Miller – Candidate for New Castle Town Justice

Stuart has lived in Chappaqua with his wife, Beth and their three children for ten years. His children attend Roaring Brook Elementary school and Bell Middle school. Stuart is an attorney and partner with the law firm of Wilson Elser, LLP in White Plains. Stuart is a litigator and specializes in counseling his clients during catastrophic losses. Stuart was recently appointed the Co‐Chair of Wilson Elser’s National Transportation Practice Team. In 2011, Stuart was honored and named by the Business Counsel of Westchester as one of that year’s “Forty under Forty Rising Stars.” Stuart’s zeal for excellence in the practice of law was recognized in 2011 by the Appellate Division, Second Department, which unanimously appointed him to a four‐year term on the Character and Fitness Committee for the 9th Judicial District for the State of New York. In this role, Stuart screens recent bar examinees for admission to the bar and also provides recommendations to the Court as to the re‐admission of applicants who have been suspended from the practice of law. Stuart graduated from Hamilton College in 1994 and Brooklyn Law (Richardson Merit Scholarship) in 1997.

Further information will appear on the New Castle Republican Town Committee website at http://NewCastleRTC.org or can be obtained by contacting Jim McCauley at NCRTC@NewCastleRTC.org

Proud and Inspired

by

Photo by Melanie Lust
Photo by Melanie Lust

For June, I’m incredibly proud and inspired to have brought so many of my sponsors together  to so eloquently convey how they go about working with families who have children with Special Needs, or, as my remarkable friend and financial advocate for special needs families Laurie Nemeroff  pointed out to me, on behalf of those children who are simply differently abled!

I was equally moved following a thoroughly enjoyable March meeting on Long Island with Kevin Gersh, founder of “The Gersh Experience”–I learned about Gersh through Laurie. Her step-son Jared, who has Asperger’s, has benefitted immensely from their program.  Below too is just one example from our “Special Needs” section of how my sponsors have addressed a most deserving and able population. It’s about the “Moving Wheels & Heels Program” at the Steffi Nossen School of Dance since 2002.

The rest of the issue: a cover story highlighting New Castle’s Summer Concert series spotlights Tramps Like Us band leader and Chappaqua dad Mark Salore, as depicted by Carolyn Simpson, and as generously told by our Chamber’s Rob Greenstein.  Leaf through these pages and you’ll  also learn about an avid Hillary blogger, “Still4Hill.”  There’s also a sweet write up by an equally proud and inspired dad about a July wedding for two Greeley sweethearts, including his son.

Sadly, at least two profound tragedies transpired while preparing this issue… one in Boston, of course, and one closer to home. My goal here is simply to highlight beauty and hope. Toward that end, I bring you a diary of the shattering but also the later uplifting days by Zarah Kavarana, a  Boston University freshman from Briarcliff Manor. And, on behalf of Teresa, Eugene and Theo, I offer a special remembrance in words and pictures to honor the brilliant and talented Chatschik Bisdikian.

Love to you all; have a safe and happy summer.

Keeping Summer Safe and Fun for Your Dog

by

Maggie Mae stays cool with a drink of water visiting Chloe and Sophia in Connecticut. Photo by Ronni Diamondstein
Maggie Mae stays cool with a drink of water
visiting Chloe and Sophia in Connecticut.
Photo by Ronni Diamondstein

As the weather gets warmer I notice that my routine changes. I take my long walks in the early morning and my owner carries my water bottle with her whether we walk into town or go in the car. In summer the scorching pavement sometimes makes my paws hurt and I don’t like that one bit. Thinking of my hot paws made me wonder if there were to other things I should know about being safe in the summertime, so I decided to talk to a veterinarian, Julie Slavin of Visiting Veterinary Practice of Westchester.

“The warm summer months offer great opportunities for outdoor play with pets, but there are several precautions to take to prevent some commonly encountered problems,” said Dr. Slavin. I knew that I needed to drink more water and I asked her about that. Dr. Slavin said that unlike people, dogs don’t sweat and can’t regulate their body temperature so they are at great risk to get very sick from the heat.  And she also said that like walking on hot pavement, walking on hot sand can cause painful burns to pets’ footpads.

Once a month my owner gives me an extra little treat with my dinner. Dr. Slavin said that my treat was actually medicine to prevent heartworm disease. Mosquitoes spread the disease and they are around a lot in the summer. “Parasite populations are at their highest numbers during the summer months–fleas, ticks and mites as well as internal parasites,” says Dr. Slavin. “My owner checks me for ticks each time we come in from the outside and I get monthly treatment for them too, but not just in the summer. “Consistency in administration is key,” says Slavin.

I ride in the car more in the summer time, and whenever we travel, I always ride in my crate. Dr. Slavin says that if your dog doesn’t like the crate, you can always use a harness type seatbelt. I love to go in the car but not all dogs do. “Car travel can be very stressful for some animals,” says Dr. Slavin. “If your pet is an inexperienced traveler, short ‘practice’ trips will help to get them acclimated prior to a longer trip.” And she had other good advice: don’t let your pet eat too much before you leave on a trip. “Some pets experience nausea and this can lead to vomiting.”

I’ve never flown in a plane, but if we do, I am small enough to travel in the cabin. Dr. Slavin says unless a dog can travel in the cabin, it’s not a good idea to travel by plane during the summer. “Larger dogs are placed in the cargo hold where the temperatures are not well regulated which can lead to overheating.”

I am lucky because my owner takes me on trips with her. Not all dogs can do this. Some  have to be boarded at a kennel. Dr. Slavin recommends that you visit the facility ahead of time to see if it is a good place for your dog and see if it is clean. Ask to see the size of the enclosure where your pet will be spending most of its time.  “See where they will be exercised and how often and meet the people who will be caring for your pet,” says Dr. Slavin. She also adds a note of warning: because of the potential risk of exposure to infectious diseases at boarding facilities, like kennel cough and influenza, make sure your pet is appropriately vaccinated. “Not every pet should be boarded,” says Dr. Slavin, “especially those that suffer from chronic illness, are immunosuppressed, elderly or suffer from anxiety.” Pet sitters in the home would be a better choice for these pets.

And then we got the most important advice of all: “Never leave your pet in a car without air conditioning. In minutes, a parked car can turn into an oven and kill your pet.”

I can’t wait to see what adventures I’ll have this summer. And I hope that I will see all my dog friends keeping cool!

For more hot weather tips for pets you can go to the ASPCA website:  www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/hot-weather-tips.aspx

Contact Maggie Mae Pup Reporter at maggiemae10514@gmail.com

Maggie Mae lives in Chappaqua with her adoring owner Ronni Diamondstein, who, when she isn’t walking Maggie is a freelance writer, PR consultant, award-winning photographer and a School Library Media Specialist and teacher who has worked in the US and abroad.

Pierce House – “An Important Stop on the Road to Freedom”

by

Front Inside ChappIn the early 1720s, Quakers migrated from Long Island to settle in and around Pleasantville. The Pierce Family made their way to the area in 1740. Quakers owned five of the seven main farms in Pleasantville during this time period.

In 1805, Joseph Pierce inherited 125 acres of property from his father, James. The home, known as Pierce House, is believed to have been built around 1813. The original house consisted of just the front two rooms of the current structure. An ardent Quaker, Joseph Pierce became a key figure in providing a safe path for slaves escaping through Westchester. Pierce House played an important role in the Underground Railroad, offering nighttime shelter for those seeking freedom.

This finely crafted, Federalist style Colonial home has undergone a number of changes over the years. The library and interior arches were added in the late 1880’s, when the house served as the Protestant Shelter for Children. During their ownership of the house, the Payne family of Reader’s Digest fame added mahogany paneling in the living room and the library. They also expanded the living space with a brick addition designed by James Renwick Thomson.

Today, this historic house has been meticulously renovated and restored while maintaining the integrity of the original period details. The residence is now a stunning home that is perfect for modern lifestyles.

Historic Greeley Barn for Sale!

by

houlian house 2The hamlet of Chappaqua is home to several historical structures. One notable property is the barn pictured here that Horace Greeley built on his farm in 1856.

History books tell us this was the first stone and concrete structure built in the United States. The barn overlooked his farmlands that are now much of the area we now know as “downtown Chappaqua.” Notoriously frugal, Horace Greeley considered concrete more economical and warmer than traditional wooden barns. Not only was its structure unique, but the barn’s “form equals function” design pre-dated Bauhaus by 60 years. The barn was made from 4,000 to 6,000 tons of stones gathered or blasted from the surrounding area.  Greeley, known as a man of ideas, was interested in improving the practice of agriculture in any way he could. Greeley’s idea of a poured concrete and stone structure was an engineering feat for the time. Cattle were housed on the main level (now a very large family living room 20×40 feet and 15 feet high with a floor to ceiling stone fireplace). The basement was accessible to carts through an arched stone entrance (now serving as the entrance to the doctor’s consultation office). Hay was brought to the second floor by a rear entrance where the grade was higher, thus eliminating the need to lift heavy bales.

After his death, Greeley’s daughter Gabrielle inherited the barn. She and her husband, Reverend Clendenin converted the barn into a five bedroom family home designed in the Victorian Gothic style.  They named the home Rehoboth after the biblical term meaning “broad space.”

houlihan house“This special property has been the home to the same Chappaqua family for the last 41 years,” states Helen Dorman, the listing agent. “It is a fabulous opportunity to own a piece of history.”

The home is currently featured in the Chappaqua Historic Society exhibit, “New Castle’s Beginnings: Our Founding Farms.” It is also listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.