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New Castle News

Assemblyman Buchwald: Elected Officials Who Betray the Public Should Lose Their Pensions

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Introduces Bill to Strip Pension Benefits From Convicted Public Officials

Assemblyman David Buchwald (D-Westchester) has announced that he introduced legislation that would take away pension benefits from any state or local public official convicted of a felony where the public’s trust has been violated (A.7173). He added that in the past seven years alone, New York State has seen 32 state-level officials caught up in corruption cases. This has led to a breakdown in public trust and millions of taxpayer dollars wasted on unethical ex-officials’ pensions.

“If you have betrayed the public’s trust, you have no right to continue benefiting from hardworking taxpayers’ money,” Assemblyman Buchwald said. “People are tired of corrupt officials taking advantage of the system. This legislation takes a step toward putting integrity and trust back into our state government.”Buchwald’s bill is an amendment to New York State’s constitution.

That means in order to become effective, the bill must be approved by the current Legislature and then be passed again in two years, by a newly elected Legislature. It would then go before the public for a vote.

By amending the constitution, Buchwald’s bill would go a step further to strengthen the current law, which only strips pension benefits of convicted officials first elected after the law was passed in 2011. Buchwald’s bill, which is more encompassing, would apply to any elected official, regardless of when he or she first held office.

“I am confident that if this constitutional change were put before the voters it would receive overwhelming support.” Assemblyman Buchwald said. “As public servants, we took an oath swearing to uphold the law and to do so faithfully and honestly. I promised Westchester families that I wouldn’t stand for this type of behavior, and now, more than ever, we need to act.”

Chappaqua Crossing Debate Rages on at Hearing

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Janet Levy, addressing the board, in favor of the development. She was a rare voice in favor amidst the vast majority who came to oppose the plan.
Janet Levy, addressing the board, in favor of the development. She was a rare voice in favor amidst the vast majority who came to oppose the plan.

By Steven Bernstein

Emotions continued to run raw and high during the New Castle Town Board’s second public hearing on the proposed plan to use the 120,000 square feet at Chappaqua Crossing for largely retail use.

The reaction to the plan received overwhelmingly negative public comments among the 100 or so who showed up at Town Hall. Many residents voiced their concerns for public safety.

Resident and elder care attorney Lisa Katz maintained that that board had not voiced “one articulate and legitimate reason for this ‘monstrosity of a strip mall’ other than to reimburse Summit-Greenfield (the developer) for a horrible investment.”

“I never felt after D’Agostino’s closed that I was at a disadvantage because I didn’t have a grocery store right nearby,” said Emily Bloom, a resident of Chappaqua for the past 20 years.  Bloom also revealed her two sons, both members of the Chappaqua fire department,  “have expressed great concern about traveling to the fire house at certain times of the day, getting there in time to get on the truck. How can you fight a fire if the firefighters can’t get from their homes to the fire department?”

Hedy Simpson noted the danger to high school students just learning how to drive. “There are so many fender benders already…we can’t afford one with an 18 wheeler.”

Rob Greenstein, head of the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce, noted that some 30-40 members of 166 members of the Chamber had come to Town Hall to register their displeasure.  First, however, Greenstein  read a letter on behalf of Chappaqua resident Sue Grapel. The letter told of a horrific automobile accident Grapel was in on route 117 when she was forced off the road to avoid a truck.  She ended up hitting some street signs and a telephone pole.

“Thankfully I was able to get to the hospital quickly. I cannot believe that we, as a community would choose to severely increase the traffic on our only road that goes directly to our local hospital.  Our teenagers drive this road every day and an increase in truck traffic will be very dangerous to all that need to use this road daily,” Greenstein said on Grapel’s behalf.

“Forget the Town Board,” Greenstein urged later.  “Work with the residents, sit down and form a committee with the residents.  Nobody’s accepting this project without a fight.”  Greenstein also proposed that Summit-Greenfield, the developer, consider refocusing their plans to build in downtown Chappaqua instead (in a downtown transformation plan similar to other towns in the county) and “swap” town hall and the police dept. to the Chappaqua Crossing campus. Jacques from Healthy Choice Pharmacy suggested “looking in a progressive direction. Perhaps a community garden.”

There were, however, a couple residents, in the face of all the opposition, who spoke up in defense of the proposed plan.

“I believe that contrary to what everyone says that I represent the silent majority.  I think the town desperately needs a supermarket.  This one to me makes a whole lot of sense,” said Janet Levy, a resident of Chappaqua for 23 years, who also noted that the town is “crying for an increase in the tax base. The taxes here are higher than anywhere.”

“I do see a need for something to be done with that space,” said Audrey Roberts, another resident of Chappaqua.  “I don’t look at this necessarily as a zero sum game, that if we put shopping there, it will decimate downtown.  I will go downtown, the way I still go downtown, for the stores I like. One resident, Robert Leiblich, urged that Summit-Greenfield invest in a poll of every household in New Castle for an honest answer on the level of support they have.

At 4:30, the Town Board officially closed the public hearing.  Public comment will be open until Friday, May 10th at 4:30pm.  For all those who didn’t get a chance to attend one of the public hearings, or for those who did, but still have more to say, feel free to email the board at CHAPCROSSINGSEIS@TOWN.NEW-CASTLE.NY.US.

Outrage Expressed in Town Hall by those Opposed to Plan for Chappaqua Crossing

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chapp-crossing-hearingBy Steven Bernstein

Over 100 people packed Town Hall Tuesday, April 23, for the first public hearing on the plan for Chappaqua Crossing.  The New Castle Town Board heard only negative feedback from those who arrived regarding its consideration of the Summit-Greenfield plan to use 120,000 square feet of space at the old Reader’s Digest campus, for a supermarket and for other retail use. Meanwhile, at least one town board member made it clear that no decision has yet been reached.

“I have not made up my mind,” said Town Board member John Buckley.  “We’re going to do this fairly, reasonably, and we’re going to see what’s in the best interest of our community as a whole.”

The general sentiment of those who spoke was that the board was not doing what was best for the community.  Dozens of citizens stood up and voiced their opinions about how such a project could negatively affect the town.

There were several concerns on how the proposed project would influence traffic, public safety, and how the town does not need a grocery store.  “We have no problem getting groceries now.  I don’t know of anyone in town who has that problem.  It’s not a burning issue.  It’s a very poor idea,” said David Aplin, whose family has lived in Chappaqua for the past 23 years.

No one who attended the meeting expressed any favorable thoughts about the plan.

“The traffic’s going to be horrendous. The access to this development is almost impossible, coming off the Saw Mill, it’s ridiculous.  We don’t need another grocery store, we can drive to Pleasantville or Mount Kisco,” said Robert Lieblich, another longtime citizen of Chappaqua.

“It’s the small business owners who are helping our downtown come to life.  They’re helping to cultivate a sense of community.  The town board should be held to prove that the New Castle Town community believes this huge change to the character of our community will benefit the town, who ask that you put a referendum on the ballot this November, asking the community to decide whether they want a third business district,” said Rob Greenstein, head of the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce.

“If we’re focused on preserving our high school as the center point of the town, and we’re moving traffic in that direction, I think that’s a big mistake.  You can’t move on that road for 45 minutes in the morning, and 45 minutes in the afternoon.  I think the school board should really be front and center and what they think about the ramifications of this project across from the school,” said Robert Bowen, a resident of the town for thirty-five years.

“I live right off of 117; it’s absolutely dangerous when trucks are on 117.  I can’t imagine what would happen if there were trucks going both ways on 117,” said Hillary Grasso, who moved with her family to Chappaqua two years ago.  She also noted dangers in crossing for Greeley students who would be drawn to the development right across the street.

The second public hearing will be held on Monday, April 29th.  Any citizen who wishes to share their concerns over the proposed plan for Chappaqua crossing should go so their voice can also be heard.

Turning Over the Reins at Grafflin Elementary School

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Dr. Michael Kirsch, Grafflin’s principal, will retire this year after 38 years at the helm.  He is only the second principal to have served at the school since its founding in 1962.  Every teacher, except one, has been hired by Kirsch.

Jamie Edelman
Jamie Edelman

After serving as principal at a school in Pennsylvania for two years, Kirsch came to Chappaqua and has been happily ensconsed in the hamlet ever since.  “I still pinch myself that I got the job here,” he said.  “It’s a wonderful place,” he continued.

During his tenure, many successful programs have been instituted.  Kirsch is particularly proud of the greenhouse and the educational activities housed therein.  Each student has tasted cucumber and lettuce grown hydroponically.  Kirsch sees the study of hydroponics as being of paramount importance to students due to the decrease in arable land and water for irrigation.  He also hopes that the greenhouse will plant new ideas in students’ minds.  “Maybe some kid will decided to become a botanist,” he mused.

Incoming principal Jamie Edelman, the current principal of Putnam Valley Elementary School, will begin her new position on July 1.  She was inspired to choose a career in education from a very young age by her mother, a teacher; her father, a board of education member; and by her second grade teacher.

Edelman has implemented several projects at Putnam Valley which she hopes to bring to Grafflin.  At read aloud day, local luminaries, including the county executive and board of education members, are invited to come to school to read one of their favorite books.  “It’s nice for the community to come into the school and get a sense of what’s happening,” she observed.  For the program entitled Great Expectations – which encourages students to follow the principles of being kind, safe, respectful and responsible – students earn a leaf on the tree in the lobby, emblazoned with their name.

At home, Edelman is the proud mother of Max, 10 and Julia, 8. “Nothing has informed my work as an educator more than my two children,” she related, in a jovial tone.

Rabbi Davidson Moves to Temple Emanu-El

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On July 1, after 11 glorious years at Temple Beth El, Rabbi Joshua Davidson will begin his new position as senior rabbi in Manhattan at Temple Emanu-El.  During his tenure in Chappaqua, he has been involved in many endeavors in which he takes great pride.  “Over the last decade, the synagogue has been known as one of the great hubs of social justice in Westchester,” Davidson noted.  In addition, he has been instrumental in fostering the strong relationship between Temple Beth El and the Upper Westchester Muslim Society.  Joint study sessions for adults from both groups have evolved into an intergenerational project.  Students from the two communities came together most recently to create quilts, illustrating biblical lessons.

Davidson views his new position as a logical extension to his spiritual path.  “I’ve always looked at my rabbinate as a service to the Jewish community and Temple Emanu-El offers a unique opportunity to serve that community because of its place in the American Jewish community and its place in NYC – the most dynamic Jewish community there is,” he observed.  Davidson looks forward to meeting one of the illustrious members of the congregation:  Mayor Bloomberg.

When asked whether he ever foresaw returning to Emanu-El during his ordination in the great sanctuary, Davidson spoke effusively:  I’m so filled with a sense of joy at that moment and so thrilled to be entering the rabbinate and so excited, I wasn’t thinking that far down the road.”

Board President Harry Cohen is but one of the many congregants who praise Davidson’s numerous strengths.  “His approach to understanding and communicating and living Jewish values, provides a wonderful example for the congregation,” Cohen observed.