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inauguration

Town Board Inauguration Welcomes Incumbents & Newcomers

February 22, 2020 by Kiran Sheth

L to R: Town Supervisor Ivy Pool, NY State Attorney General Letitia James and County Executive George Latimer

PHOTOS By Carolyn Simpson

On January 27th and before a packed Town Hall, New Castle inaugurated a new Supervisor and three Council Members, two of whom are newcomers to the Town Board. The ceremonies opened with the presentation of colors by various town first responders including the New Castle Police Department, fire departments from Chappaqua and Millwood and the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance. In an audience that included New York State Attorney General, Letitia James, and Westchester County Executive, George Latimer, the elected officials were administered their oaths of office.

The inauguration was the culmination of the hotly contested November 5th election between candidates from two slates–New Castle Democrats and the Republican-sponsored Team New Castle. In addition to the Town Supervisor, there were three Town Board positions that were up for election.

L to R: County Legislator Vedat Gashi, Town Justice Douglas Kraus, Town Board member Lauren Levin, Town Council member Jason Lichtenthal, Deputy Town Supervisor Jeremy Saland and Town Supervisor Ivy Pool

Ivy Pool was elected from the New Castle Democrats and succeeds Robert Greenstein as Town Supervisor and will serve a two-year term. Pool was first elected as a Council Member in 2017. Jeremy Saland, having assumed his position on the Town Board in 2015, was re-elected and will also serve as Deputy Town Supervisor. Jason Lichtenthal, who ran with Pool and Saland as part of the New Castle Democrats ticket, was also elected as a Council Member. Lichtenthal has served as a Commissioner in the Millwood Fire District. Lauren Levin joins Lichtenthal as the other first-time Town Board member. Levin ran on the Team New Castle slate and has served on the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce board and Streetscape Committee. Saland, Lichtenthal, and Levin will join the existing member, Lisa Katz, on the four-person Town Board.

Town resident and member of the Chappaqua Ambulance Volunteer Corps, Reese Highbloom commented on what he expects the new Town Board will accomplish. “I hope that the new board members can be a great face for the New Castle community, get to know each and every one of us and really hear what we want and what we have to say.”

Pool stated that the Town Board has an ambitious agenda and has prioritized certain initiatives including creating thriving hamlets, modernizing infrastructure, thoughtful capital planning and improving recreation and community spirit. “There are a lot of different goals and objectives that the Town Board has put together for what we hope to accomplish,” Pool affirmed. “The most immediate thing that we are working on right now is a rezoning initiative for downtown Chappaqua. We have done a great deal of work replacing infrastructure, but now we are ready to take that to the next step.”

Deputy Supervisor Saland emphasized Pool’s determination for the rezoning of the hamlet. “We are working on the form-based code to revitalize the hamlet. It is what the community wants and is consistent with the comprehensive plan.” Saland stated that the Town Board is eager to get to work for the people of New Castle. “I am excited to work with everybody on the Town Board; everybody is very eager, very hungry, very smart and very dedicated.”

Lichtenthal holds the belief that the town needs to come together in order to initiate progress and change. “We are in a time where we need to work together a little bit more than the past and we must come together with new ideas to move our town forward,” Lichtenthal passionately explained. He encourages the community to bring forth and share their ideas with the new Town Board. “Unless people come out and tell us how things are going and how they see New Castle, we are not going to be able to move forward as a community.”

Also sworn in during the evening’s events was Douglas Kraus for Town Justice. The incumbent Kraus was re-elected to his 7th term having served in the position since 1994. Vedat Gashi was also administered the oath of office for County Legislator representing District 4. Gashi, a Democrat, will represent New Castle and portions of Somers and Yorktown on the Westchester County Board of Legislators.

At the end of the ceremony, Pool concluded with how she anticipates the new Town Board will serve the people of New Castle. “Here in New Castle, we can and will do better. The only way that we are going to get things done is to forge partnerships and engage all voices.”

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Douglas Kraus, George Latimer, inauguration, Ivy Pool, Jason Lichtenthal, Jeremy Saland, Lauren Levin, Letitia James, Lisa Katz, New Castle, Town Board, town supervisor, Vedat Gashi

‘A New Beginning’

March 8, 2018 by Jessie Greenstein

(L-R): Town Justice Noah Sorkin, Town Councilwoman Ivy Pool, Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein and Town Councilwoman Lisa Katz
PHOTO BY HANNAH ROSENBERG

Members of the New Castle community gathered for a very special and monumental night for all, including myself. The event was the swearing in ceremony of Rob Greenstein (who I want to state up front is my dad but I will call him Rob for this article!) as Town Supervisor, Lisa Katz as Deputy Supervisor, Ivy Pool as Town Councilwoman and Noah Sorkin as Town Justice.

The venue was the beautiful Chappaqua Performing Arts Center which supported a tremendous crowd and turned out to be an ideal location to hold the swearing-in ceremony. President William Jefferson Clinton was the honored guest and many New Castle residents were excited for a chance to see him either both before and/or during the ceremony. Some of the other honored guests were Pat Keegan and Mike Alter on behalf of Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Peter Harckham on behalf of Governor Andrew Cuomo, Michael Jefferson on behalf of Senator Terrence Murphy’s office, Assemblyman David Buchwald and Westchester County Legislator Mike Kaplowitz.

Town Justice Doug Kraus opened the ceremony asking the packed crowd to rise for the presentation of the Color Guard. A group of local boy scouts then led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by Greeley student, Elena Cantor, singing a beautiful moving rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner.”

The Oath of Office requires elected officials to perform to the best of their ability, noted President Bill Clinton, who also reminded us that they are human beings and often make mistakes.

Town Justice Doug Kraus thanked our neighbor and keynote speaker President Clinton for joining us. Judge Kraus also commended Adam Brodsky for his dedicated service and work for the town the last four years. In addition, Judge Kraus noted three responsibilities as residents of New Castle, stating that “we are all responsible for the success of our Government.” He mentioned that responsible citizens of a Democracy should have: …the duty to be informed, the duty to be involved and the duty to be reasonable.” He emphasized that “the last thing we should want to do is go after our elected officials when they work with the other side.”

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On Taking Greater Personal Responsibility

All of the members of the crowd waited patiently for President Clinton to rise to the podium. Adam Brodsky had the honor of introducing him and noted that in each of President Clinton’s inaugural addresses, he emphasized the need to take greater personal responsibility for our neighbors and our community. He mentioned that the Clintons attend many New Castle events and are often spotted in local stores in the town of Chappaqua. Brodsky then proceeded to introduce the 42nd President of the United States.

President Bill Clinton on stage at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center addressing hundreds of attendees and the panel of town hall officials soon to be sworn in, and guest dignitaries.
PHOTO BY HANNAH ROSENBERG

It was then President Clinton’s turn! President Clinton jokingly pointed out that he has lived in Chappaqua longer than any person being sworn in and stated that Chappaqua has been the longest place he has ever lived. He mentioned that he enjoys swearing-in ceremonies since they happen early in the year, which means it is a new beginning for the community. He relayed that the Oath of Office requires elected officials to perform to the best of their ability but also reminded us that they are human beings and often make mistakes.

Clinton continued: “When trying to do your best every day we wake up and inside our heart is like a scale–on one side of the scale there are ways that make us darker–on the other side there are ways to make us lighter. The balance is slighter different every day. If given the privilege of public service, put another rock on the lighter side every day.” He added that he is grateful when people take the risk to run in local elections. These people have chosen as Teddy Roosevelt once famously said, “to get into the arena.” He said we should thank them for being willing to run, and thank their opponents for being willing to run as well. He then lastly said, “Let’s get this show on the road.”

First to be sworn in was Town Justice Noah Sorkin. Judge Sorkin and his wife, Stephanie, have lived in New Castle for 27 years, sending their two children, Dana and Matthew through the local public schools. Judge Sorkin is beginning his sixth year as one of our local judges. Judge Sorkin said it was a “privilege and honor to serve as one of the Town Justices.” He thanked residents for their confidence and support noting that being a Judge “has been an amazing journey of public service.”

He thanked the Court personnel and staff, as well as the Town Prosecutors. He also acknowledged his mentors and role models County Judges Zuckerman and Kraus.

Newest member of the Town Board Ivy Pool together with Brownie Troop 1024. PHOTO BY LORI GOWEN MORTON

Newly elected Town councilwoman Ivy Pool came next. Ivy and her husband, Christian Edstrom, have lived in New Castle since 2010. They have two children, Mattias, 9, and Alexandra, 7, who attend Grafflin Elementary School. Ivy thanked everyone “for coming out to celebrate our Democracy, our community and our future.”

She thanked the New Castle Democratic Committee and Up2Us. In the aftermath of 2016 elections, Ivy felt called to run for public office. Ivy noted that “through consensus and collaboration that we can have a more effective Town Government.” By working together, “we will do great things for this town.”

Ivy promised to work hard every day. She acknowledged all of the young people in the audience, including the Girl Scouts from Group Troop 1024. She hopes that her election inspires those young people to run for public office.

Deputy supervisor Lisa Katz was then sworn in. Lisa has called Chappaqua home for the past 12 years with her husband, Steven, and their two children, Arden and Spencer. Lisa was elected and began to serve as New Castle Town Council Member in 2014. With this re-election, she begins her fifth year in office. Lisa vowed to continue to develop the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center into a regional arts and cultural destination. She thanked the New Castle Republican Party for “standing behind us and eschewing party politics.” Lisa stated “we are all in this together bound by our collective dreams to make New Castle a stronger, more vibrant and united community.”   

And last to be sworn in was Town Supervisor Rob Greenstein. Rob noted that “this really is the largest inauguration crowd in New Castle history” and thanked President Clinton for his role in bringing residents out. Rob has lived in Chappaqua for 14 years with my mom, Cindy, and my brothers Daniel and Mason.

Rob became the Town Supervisor in 2014. This is his third term. Rob congratulated Ivy for joining the town’s “collaborative government and working to make the community a better place to live and raise a family.” He also congratulated Lisa for leading the efforts to create the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center. Rob reminded us that our greatest resource is our residents. He thanked town attorneys, Keane and Beane, the police department, town employees and department heads. He thanked Adam Brodsky “whose vision and leadership will indeed result in an incredibly improved Chappaqua hamlet.”

He thanked Town Administrator Jill Shapiro for helping him over the last four years. Rob also thanked the New Castle Republican leaders for supporting a Democrat–three times–without regard to his political affiliation. Rob noted that we are a small town “but that doesn’t stop us from having big ambitions. He added: “We will continue to speak out about fairness, respect and tolerance.”

It was a truly special night for the community (and for my family), and I will always remember it.

Additional photos by Hannah Rosenberg, a junior at Horace Greeley High School, are within a social media album on our Facebook page, Inside Chappaqua and Inside Armonk Magazines.

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, election, inauguration, Ivy Pool, Lisa Katz, New Castle, Noah Sorkin, President Bill Clinton, Public Officials, Robert Greenstein, Swearing In Ceremony, town, Town of New Castle

Highlights from the 2016 New Castle Town Hall Inauguration

March 8, 2016 by Inside Press

Article and photos by Grace Bennett

At a sometimes light-hearted and sometimes poignant inauguration ceremony at Town Hall on Monday: Hala Makowska and Jeremy Saland were sworn in to serve first terms on the Town Board, Justice Douglas Kraus was sworn in again (after running uncontested and following 22 years of service to New Castle), and Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein was sworn in for a second term. Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino swore in Greenstein and Kraus, and former state Senator Steven Saland swore in Makowska and his son, Jeremy Saland.

Sworn in to serve (l-r): Jeremy Saland, Hala Makowska, Douglas Kraus, and Robert Greenstein
Sworn in to serve (l-r): Jeremy Saland, Hala Makowska, Douglas Kraus, and Robert Greenstein

• Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Town Board member Lisa Katz offered a welcoming statement. Of public servants, Katz stated: “We all aspire to stay united as a community…and all take pride in calling New Castle our home. Public officials in attendance, included the Clintons’ Director of Operations Oscar Flores; a district director for Congresswoman Nita Lowey; County Legislator Michael Kaplowitz; and former town supervisor Jan Wells.
• Former Town Supervisor Mark Tulis was introduced with a summary of his many accomplishments by Town Board Member Adam Brodsky. Tulis, in turn, introduced Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino.
• Astorino immediately quipped, “It’s great to be here in the heart of Trump country…Oscar, I’m joking!” He reminded everyone that “the hardest thing to run for is local office, “ and how fortunate we are to live in a society that engages in “a peaceful transition to power…the people of New Castle have decided in which direction they wanted to go.”
• New Town Board Members Hala Makowska and Jeremy Saland were both sworn in by Jeremy’s father Steven Saland, who served the 41st district as member of the New York State Senate, from 1990-2012. Stated Steven Saland: “There’s no more challenging spot than to be a member of the town board.” The proximity of a town board member’s constituents is what makes it so challenging and rewarding. “You don’t get the face to face time with state and national reps, but you can always get face to face time with your local reps…Labels don’t mean as much at a local level.” On Jeremy and Hala’s election to the town board, Steven Saland said: “Jeremy has always been a source of great pride to me and his mother.” He described Hala as “totally dedicated to the town,” citing her work as a fire commissioner, in particular.
• Post her swearing in, and following a thank you to New Castle first responders for all they do, Hala Makowska stated that “it’s local government that has the greatest impact on the quality of our lives and value of our properties.” She said that she “hopes to offer an independent voice” and is always “willing to listen to anyone who has something to say.
• Jeremy Saland choked back tears recounting his father’s accomplishments as state Senator including, he said, redrafting domestic violence laws, and more, laws that protected children, describing these undertakinigs as “the foundation of who he is.” A lesson from his dad, he noted, is “that the end result is equally as important as how you get there.” He emphasized the need for transparency in government and how important it is to consider the opinions of opposing views.
• Justice Kraus, before being sworn in, added lightly: “I know..this was a real cliffhanger,” referring to his uncontested candidacy. Nonetheless, he added, that he does not take New Castle’s support for granted.
• County Executive Rob Astorino swore in Robert Greenstein to serve a second term as Town Supervisor.
• Greenstein noted that he didn’t know what to expect when he was first sworn in, but does now! He said he was warned his position “might be viewed by some as a ‘thankless job,’ but it has been anything but.” He took the opportunity to thank Town Administrator Jill Shapiro stating, “much of what we do can’t be done without her,” Town Hall staff and all the volunteers for the town’s many advisory boards. “I’m looking forward to two more years of progress.”

County Executive Rob Astorino swearing in Robert Greenstein for a second term.
County Executive Rob Astorino swearing in Robert Greenstein for a second term.
Former state Senator Steven Saland swearing in Hala Makowska as a town board member
Former state Senator Steven Saland swearing in Hala Makowska as a town board member
Steven Saland, swearing in his son, Jeremy, as a member of the town board. Behind them (l-r), Robert Greenstein, Rob Astorino and Mark Tulis
Steven Saland, swearing in his son, Jeremy, as a member of the town board. Behind them (l-r), Douglas Kraus, Robert Greenstein, Rob Astorino, Mark Tulis, Adam Brodsky and Lisa Katz

Filed Under: New Castle News Tagged With: Chappaqua, inauguration, Inside Press, local government, theinsidepress.com, Town Hall

Inaugation Festivities in the Town of New Castle

January 5, 2012 by Sarah Ellen Rindsberg

An excellent turnout for the town's inauguration ceremony

By Sarah Ellen Berman

On Wednesday, January 4, a convivial atmosphere prevailed during the inauguration ceremony at town hall.  Colleagues, residents, well-wishers, and family members gathered to congratulate the newly elected officials.

Congresswoman Nita Lowey

The inauguration came at the end of a very busy day for Congresswoman Nita Lowey.  In order to officiate, she travelled directly from Albany to Chappaqua after attending town resident Governor Cuomo’s second State of the State address.  Lowey was completely at home at the event.  She addressed Elise Mottel’s children by name and chatted with many colleagues and friends.  The opportunity to conduct the swearing in was one that she greeted with the utmost enthusiasm.  “I am thrilled to be here,” she noted.  After presenting a brief biography and list of accomplishments for each official, Lowey administered the oath of office individually to:  County Legislator Michael Kaplowitz, Town Justices Douglas Kraus and David S. Zuckerman, Town Board Members Jason Chapin and Elise Kessler Mottel, and Town Supervisor Susan Carpenter.

The many compliments showered on the officials included mention of the fact that Justice Kraus’s recent decision in the case of People v. Alexander – which included a fatality – was affirmed by the appellate court.  Justice Zuckerman was lauded for his record of not having any of his decisions reversed by an appellate court.  Mottel was commended for her leadership in the revitalization of Millwood and Chappaqua.

The newly elected officials uttered words of praise in turn for Congresswoman Lowey.  “You’ve come to embody for me what it means to be a public servant,” Justice Kraus related.  Board Member Elise Kessler Mottel mentioned that when she called Lowey’s office to ask her to officiate, an affirmative response was immediately forthcoming.

County Legislator Michael Kaplowitz

In Lowey’s concluding remarks, the spotlight shone on the attendees.  “What makes New Castle a special place is all of you,” she said.  “I’m honored to be asked to swear you in and I’m honored to serve.”

Filed Under: New Castle News Tagged With: inauguration

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