Saturday, April 30, 2011

EDGEMONT ASSOCIATION BLOCK PARTY

Spent over an hour at the Edgemont Association's block party this afternoon. Chatted with residents about a variety of issues: crosswalk, a footbridge, Popham Road bridge construction, fire district overtime, pro's and con's of reassessment. Block party held at crane pond. Had a great time!

Friday, April 29, 2011

popham road bridge update...eileen fisher leadership institute..we helped get gift of life a heart/lung machine..tree city

tUpdate…

POPHAM ROAD BRIDGE OVERNIGHT WORK WILL END TONIGHT OR MONDAY…MEETING ON MAY 10TH AT SCARSDALE VILLAGE HALL

I stopped by at Scarsdale Village Hall this morning and met with the Scarsdale Village Manager to discuss the Popham Road bridge construction. We are going to have a follow up meeting on Tuesday, May 10th at 6:30 PM at Scarsdale Village Hall. Village officials will attend. We are also inviting metro north to the meeting.

Al Gatta, Village Manager for Scarsdale and his deputy, Steve Pappalardo, told me that the all night work should end by Monday, possibly tonight. The village will try to encourage contractors to use less noisy equipment tonight (seems like they were successful last night). We won’t experience this kind of overnight noise for the rest of the year.

The purpose of the meeting on May 10th will be to discuss the progress of the bridge work…what we can expect…notification of neighbors about construction related issues…timetable, etc..

You are all invited to attend the meeting. I am grateful to the village for trying hard to be responsive to the concerns of their Greenburgh neighbors.



EILEEN FISHER LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE PROGRAM HAS SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

The Eileen Fisher Leadership Institute (EFLI) is a project of the Eileen Fisher Foundation which has been developed to support women and girls. During the summer of 2011, EFLI has expanded to offer two sessions at the Eileen Fisher headquarters in Irvington, NY, July 18-29 and August 1-12. Applications are available for young women entering grades 10-12 in the Westchester County area. The program promotes leadership in young women through self-empowerment, connection with others and activism in their communities. Program fee is $900 however the cost should not be a deterrent to interested and committed candidates, financial aid is available. Apply Now! Please see the website for more details: eileenfisherleadershipinstitute.com. Contact info: Antoinette Klatzky (914) 473-8221 or aklatzky@eileenfisherleadershipinstitute.com





Town of Greenburgh Named Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation



Greenburgh, NY, (April 19, 2011): On April 1, 2011, the Town of Greenburgh was named a Tree City USA community by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor its commitment to community forestry. This is the first year the Town of Greenburgh has received this national recognition. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.



Communities that earn Tree City USA recognition not only have taken the time to meet the four standards, they know that trees: Promote healthier communities by filtering the air we breathe by removing dust and other particles; moderate climate, conserve water and provide vital habitat for wildlife; reduce the heat island effect in urban areas caused by pavement and buildings; and reduce energy use and increase property values.



Greenburgh’s Arbor Day is celebrated this year on Friday, April 29th and will be hosted by Richard J Bailey School, 33 Hillside Avenue, White Plains from 10:00-11:00 am, with poetry readings, education tables, free tree seedlings for the public and the ceremonial planting of a tree on the school grounds.



More information about Arbor Day 2011 in the Town of Greenburgh can be found at www.greenburghny.com. For more information about the Tree City USA program, please visit www.arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.



GIFT OF LIFE PROGRAM—WE SECURED A HEART/LUNG MACHINE FOR CHILDREN THAT WILL SAVE LIVES!

Luis Del Rosario of the Elmsford Rotary Club (he also owns Elmsford Raceway in Greenburgh) is very involved in an important charity—the Gift of Life program. Gift of Life Gift of Life is a program that addresses the medical needs of children who suffer from congenital heart defects and other similar conditions. The program is largely run through the efforts of Rotary Clubs throughout the world. The Rotary Club wanted to send a heart/lung machine to the Philippines. He asked me to help secure a machine. I contacted some hospitals (no success). Then—reached out to Mark Wagar of Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield (who worked with me last year when there was a dispute between area hospitals and the insurance company). He immediately responded and was able to secure an old heart/lung machine from NYU Lagone Medical Center. The machine is now in the Philippeans—helping to save lives.



To all that made this happen:



April 28, 2011

Dear Sir,

Greetings!

we would like to extend our Heartfelt thanks for your donation, Heart and Lung Machine which arrived at National Children's Hospital, April 20, 2011 10:30pm. Attached pictures).

this equipment will go along way helping our less fortunate cardiac patients needing close and open heart surgery.

Thank you so much and may GOD bless you more!


Myrna T. Valencia, MD, FPPS
Officer In-Charge
National Children's Hospital



FOR FUN WEEKEND EVENTS VISIT: WWW.RIVERTOWNSGUIDE.COM

THE HUDSONINDEPENDENT.COM.

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday May 14, 2011 Greenburgh taste off to benefit Woodlands High School. Noon to 3 PM. Taste dishes from local Greenburgh restaurants and caterers. Vote on competitive categories. Silent auction. Call Kaye Jackson at 703 2615 (kayeajackson@aol.com or Rosalie Jackson at 980 5749 (Jackson.rosalie@gmail.com).

PAUL FEINER

Thursday, April 28, 2011

overnight work on popham road bridge preventing sleep...greenburgh library foundation fundraiser...$1000 raised for japan victims

I received some calls/complaints from residents of Overton and Lynwood Roads in Edgemont. Residents can’t sleep because contractors are working during evening hours on the Popham Road bridge replacement project. All night work could take place sporadically for months. I am requesting a meeting with Metro North officials, village of Scarsdale officials and the contractor to discuss the following suggestions.
Some suggestions: Residents of Overton and Lynwood should be provided with advance notice before late night work takes place.
Residents should be offered free hotel stays if the work will be an all nighter. The town was able to arrange this with a private shopping plaza when overnight work took place in a parking lot area.
Work should not be allowed to take place all night.
Every resident of our community should be provided with the opportunity to have a good nights sleep. The following is an e mail I received earlier today from the deputy Scarsdale Village Manager who responded to complaints I forwarded to him.

From: Steve Pappalardo [mailto:spappalardo@scarsdale.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 28, 2011 1:40 PM
To: Paul Feiner
Subject: RE: Popham Road construction project

Paul,

I apologize for the inconvenience and I am sympathetic with the effected neighbors. We received a number of complaints from Scarsdale residents as well. Unfortunately the work that is being done at night is per Metro North’s direction. The Popham Road Bridge Replacement Project is a Village project but because the bridge spans Metro North Railroad tracks they dictate when certain construction activities are to take place. Any time there is a potential for a piece of equipment or building material to fall onto the tracks, Metro North requires the work to be performed at night when they can get track outages and trains are no longer running or running infrequently. Currently the bridge contractor is driving steel piles along the entire south side of the bridge from Garth Rd. to Scarsdale Ave. in support of the excavation work for the south abutment and the retaining wall adjacent to the Freightway Open Lot. The work is inherently noisy and commenced last night and will continue tonight and Friday evening.

Night work for the project will be sporadic until the project is completed in the spring of next year. Some nights the noise will be greater than other nights, although this pile driving work is the loudest part of the planned construction. We have and will continue to talk with the contractor and ask him, when possible, to perform the louder work earlier in the night. The Village appreciates the level of cooperation received to date and will continue to do the best we can to minimize inconvenience during construction.

Regards,

Steve

The Greenburgh Public Library Foundation’s fundraiser Books & Cooks – A Literary Feast, is just weeks away. On May 23rd from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Library, restaurants, authors and many library supporters will join in this very unique event. I hope you will come in support of the Foundation.

Peter Kelly from Xaviars is the honorary restaurant chair and X2O leads the list of exceptional restaurants and beverage supplies which include:

Arrosto; Bistro Z; Caffe Azzurri; Captain Lawrence Brewing Company; Coffee Labs Roasters; The Cookery, 42 the Restaurant; Good-Life Gourmet; The Great American BBQ Company; Lighthouse Ice Cream Kompanies; Morton's, The Steakhouse; Mughal Palace; Prospero Winery; Ruth’s Chris Steak House; SB&G Grill; and The SoNo Baking Company & Cafe.

The event will feature local authors who will be on hand to sign and discuss their books. They will be led by Honorary Author Chair Ben Cheever. He will be joined by Ira Berkowitz; Kate Buford; David Hajdu; Caitlin Kelly; Jenny Rosenstrach; and author/illustrator Eric Velasquez.

Join me in support of this event which will help provide enhancements for the library. Tickets are now on sale for $125.00 per person and may be purchased through the Greenburgh Public Library Foundation on their website at www.greenburghlibraryfoundation.org or by calling 914-747-0519. TheFoundation is getting ready to make a purchase of major technology for the multipurpose room so that it can be fully utilized for the many purposes that will benefit the community at large

Yesterday’s fundraiser for the victims of the Japan earthquake raised about $1,000, according to Greenburgh Town Clerk Judith Beville –who organized the concert in the lobby of Town Hall. The funds will go to the Japan Society.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

new restaurant approved...$1.8 million in improvements from grant for Manhattan Ave...thank you

The Greenburgh Town Board approved a new restaurant on E Hartsdale Ave tonight--Bosphorus Restaurant (Mediterranean Cuisine) --213-215 E Hartsdale Ave (the old Cheesery). E Hartsdale Ave is becoming restaurant row--with many terrific restaurants.


Town Board approves county grant to repair curbs, sidewalks, paving, lighting, landscaping, drainage systems on Manhattan Ave --$1.8 million dollars

WHEREAS, the County of Westchester (the “County”) has established a Housing Implementation Fund (“HIF” or “Fund”) to provide paving, lighting, grading, landscaping, drainage, road improvements, and other public improvements to encourage the development and maintenance of affordable housing in the County; and



WHEREAS, the County desires to enter into, and has previously entered into, Intermunicipal and Intermunicipal-Developer Agreements with municipalities in the County pursuant to which the municipalities on behalf of the County will oversee or construct said public improvements in conjunction with the development of affordable housing; and



WHEREAS, the County proposes to enter into Intermunicipal and Intermunicipal-Developer Agreements (“IMDA”) with the Town and Fairview Housing Development Fund Company, Inc. (“FHDFC”) pursuant to which the Town and FHDFC, on behalf of the County, will oversee construction of public improvements in conjunction with the maintenance of affordable housing; and



WHEREAS, in the Intermunicipal-Developer Agreement, the Town and FHDFC have agreed to construct and oversee construction of certain infrastructure improvements on behalf of the County on the property more particularly described on Schedule “A,” attached; and



WHEREAS, the County desires to fund the cost of the construction of the Infrastructure Improvements and shall use the proceeds of tax exempt general obligation bonds issued by the County for such funding; and



WHEREAS, the County desires that the Town oversee implementation of the construction of the Infrastructure Improvements; and



WHEREAS, the County and/or Developer shall engage the services of a Project Manager to assist in performing all professional and construction management services necessary to cause the work to be completed as required;



NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Greenburgh hereby authorizes the Town Supervisor to enter into a Intermunicipal-Developer Agreement with the County of Westchester and Fairview Housing Development Fund Company, Inc., to provide for repairs of curbs, sidewalks, paving, lighting, grading, landscaping, drainage systems and other public improvements to preserve and maintain the affordable housing development near 90 and 100 Manhattan Avenue and 33 Oak Street, using $1,800,000 in grant funding from the Westchester County Housing Implementation Fund (“HIF”).



A special thank you to Town Clerk Judith Beville for organizing the new residents/volunteer reception...to the bands and musicians that performed all afternoon and early evening--(Japan earthquake fundraiser), to the new residents and volunteers who chatted with officials about our town...to those who donated food for our reception. It's nice to live in a community

can you beat our prices...success story...new residents reception

A few weeks ago we started posting on the town website how much we pay for various items. This is our 3rd posting. Can you beat our prices? Is your company paying more or less than we are for similar goods? Would you like to be added to our bid list? We want to give residents the maximum value for their tax dollar. All RFPs are posted on the town website: www.greenburghny.com.
________________________________________
From: Mark McCrum
Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2011 1:02 PM
To: Paul Feiner
Quantity (3) Hewlett Packard #C4909AN inkjet cartridge (NEW) $20/EA, delivered
(100) corrugated file box 12x15x10, from the NYS IND FOR THE DISABLED, $1.84/ EA, DELIVERED
33.5 LB. PROPANE REFILL $23
GREAT FOOD TONIGHT AT NEW RESIDENTS/VOLUNTEER RECEPTION 6 PM TO 7:30 pm Are you a new resident of Greenburgh? Or…a volunteer? Join us at our annual new residents/volunteer reception tonight between 6 PM to 7:30 PM at Greenburgh Town Hall. Interact with your elected officials and appointed department heads. The food is delicious. The price is right: FREE! We appreciate the fact that you have chosen Greenburgh as your home. This year we’re going to have some great bands and music at Town Hall all day ---raising funds for the Japan Society earthquake relief fund. For info contact Town Clerk Judith Beville 993-1504.
IF YOU ARE OUT OF WORK---DON’T GET DISCOURAGED! Many residents are out of work. Don’t get discouraged. Keep trying. I received this nice note from a constituent today. I have organized a job club—send residents who are members frequent (ALMOST DAILY) updates of job openings that are available to them and also post job openings on www.linkedin.com (greenburgh jobs group). If you would like to receive job opening postings please e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com.
From: Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2011 12:31 AM
To: Paul Feiner
Subject: Finally Success

Paul,

After looking for 2 ½ years I finally found a perfect new job – and in Westchester (Yonkers). Thank you for your support and leads all through the process. I did get a few good interviews from your emails!

Best,
Rob

Paul Feiner

Monday, April 25, 2011

MUSICIANS NAMED FOR JAPAN EARTHQUAKE FUNDRAISER...TAXES DUE MONDAY (TWO DAYS LATER THAN USUAL)

TAXES DUE MONDAY---IMPORTANT INFO BELOW
LIST OF MUSICIANS PERFORMING AT JAPAN FUNDRAISER

The Town of Greenburgh welcomes performing artists to Town Hall to benefit

The Japan Earthquake Relief Fund established by

Japan Society. For more information contact Town Clerk Judith Beville, coordinator of the fundraiser --which will be held on Wednesday, April 27 at Greenburgh Town Hall from noon to 8 pm (NEW RESIDENTS & VOLUNTEER RECEPTION BEING HELD FROM 6 PM to 7:30 PM). Judith Beville can be reached at jbeville@greenburghny.com



12Noon: David Kain

1:30pm: G. Louis

4:15pm: Porter Carroll and Wali Muhammad

5:00pm: Jan Leder

5:30pm: Magic Lantern Show

5:30pm: Janis McClain-Johnson

6:00pm: Image Magicians with Billy Sudderth

6:00pm: Bill Galanin

6:30pm: Mark Morganelli

6:30pm: Valerie Girard, Yayo Sakaki and Lawrence Munday

7:00pm: Julie Corbalis / Jules and Family

7:00pm: The Blues Mothers

7:30pm: Lou and Gigi



TOWN/COUNTY/FIRE DISTRICT TAXES DUE ---Monday, May 2nd. Town Hall to be open till 7 PM on Monday evening. Usually, this tax is due the last day of April. However, since the last day of the month falls on a weekend you're getting an extra two days to pay the taxes, without penalty!


The Town of Greenburgh now has the ability to accept tax payments by ACH Debit of your checking account via the website www.greenburghny.com

This is a direct debit of your checking account for payment of your tax bill. There are no fees or surcharges associated with this type of payment.



ON-LINE TAX PAYMENT BY CREDIT CARD

The Town of Greenburgh now has the ability to accept tax payments by credit cards via the telephone (1-800-272-9829) and internet.

Since the town cannot absorb the service fee charged by the credit card companies, (these companies will not allow us to pass this fee along to the public) an outside firm had to be retained. Please be aware that this firm charges a significant 'convenience fee' to process your tax payment.

Official Payments Corp. is the same company that is utilized by the IRS and several State tax collection agencies.

For more information about 3rd party internet online payment check the Receiver of Taxes department on the town website.


.

Failure to receive a bill does not allow us to waive penalties for late payments.

We honor the U.S. Post Office Postmark only, not meter stamps.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact David Dwinell or a member of his staff at (914) 993-1512.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

STORY IN TODAYS LOHUD.COM HIGHLIGHTS NEED TO REFORM HOW CONTRACTS ARE AWARDED

The Journal News ran a story today (www.lohud.com) on no bid contracts awarded by the county of Westchester.

I also believe that this story highlights the need for more scrutiny re: the hundreds of millions of dollars in county contracts awarded by the Board of Acquisition & Contract. How many contractors donate campaign contributions to the County Executive and Legislators? Should the county do what the town of Greenburgh did four years ago? We approved an amendment to our ethics code and prohibit all elected officials from accepting campaign contributions from contractors. At the minimum the county should prohibit the County Executive and Legislators from accepting contributions from contractors who receive no bid contracts (or who are not the lowest bidder--since there is some discretion in awarding the contract). At the present time contractors feel obligated to attend annual 'birthday parties' of elected officials who give them business.

The county should also publicize contracts that are going out to bid. All contracts that are being bid out should be posted on the county website. Recently, the town of Greenburgh started doing this.The town is now posting all RFPs (requests for proposals) on the town website. We want to encourage more vendors to compete for business. Check our website: www.greenburghny.com to see most recent RFPs.

Another suggestion that could encourage more scrutiny of contracts: share purchase information with the public. Two weeks ago the town of Greenburgh starting posting on our website some of our purchases. We want to encourage residents to compare the prices we pay for goods with the prices their companies pay. If they are getting better rates than we are we encourage the resident to provide us with information re: who the vendor is so we can invite them to bid for town business.

Another suggestion: All non bid contracts that are approved should be publicized on the county website--for at least a week before the contract is awarded--providing other contractors with the chance to raise questions about the no bid contract.

The Board of Acquisition & Contract currently consists of the County Executive, Commissioner of Public Works and the Chairman of the Board of Legislators. THe Commissioner of Public Works is an appointee of the County Executive. He always votes with the County Executive--since his job is at stake. The county charter should be amended to expand this important Board so that there is more scrutiny of all county contracts --before the contracts are awarded.

PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor

Friday, April 22, 2011

FREE FOOD WEDNESDAY...WORK SESSION AGENDA...FLOODING PLAN OF ACTION...LICENSE PLATE READERS

REMINDER: NEW RESIDENT/VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION RECEPTION WEDNESDAY GREENBURGH TOWN HALL
6 PM TO 7:30 pm FREE FOOD FROM SHOPRITE, SCARSDALE...Dunkin Donuts (Knollwood Road), Sam's Club, Planet Pizza, California Pizza Kitchen, Rini's Restaurant, Elmsford
fundraiser for victims of Japanese earthquake NOON to 7:30 PM --excellent music, great bands, terrific cause. Contact Judith Beville, Town Clerk at jbeville@greenburghny.com for further information. Judith is organizing the receptions and fundraiser.
Town of Greenburgh
Work Session of the Greenburgh Town Board

Agenda: Tuesday – April 26, 2011 – 09:15 AM

(Work Sessions begin at 9:15AM except where schedule changes are made by the Board.)

(Please note that, although the Work Session Agenda is shared with the public prior to each Work Session, the Agenda may be revised at any point up to the start of the meeting as well as during the meeting, if necessary.)

(All Work Sessions are Televised Live on Cablevision Channel 76, Verizon 35 and are streamed live. Work Sessions and Town Board Meetings will be aired each Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting at 7:02am and 4:45pm. Each segment will run for approximately 6 to 7 hours,

depending upon the length of the two meetings.)

· 09:15 AM Agenda Review (Also, confirm 4/29)

· 09:30 AM Flooding Problems – Route 9A---Congresswoman Lowey's office, Assemblyman Abinanti and Senator Cousins office are expected to send representatives to the meeting. Goal: We hope to come up with smaller initiatives that the town can implement THIS YEAR. We need permission from other levels of government before we can take action steps to address flooding problems. Have been working with Elmsford Mayor Robert Williams on this initiative.

· 09:45 AM Japan Fund Raising Event – Update

· 09:50 AM Ethics Code Revisions – Discussion

· 10:30 AM Status of RFP for Environmental Testing re: Franks Nursery

· 10:45 AM Petition to Re-zone Property – 2240-2260 Saw Mill River Rd.

· 11:00 AM Motion for Executive Session by_____2nd by_____Aye________

· 12:00 Noon Adjourn

AT OUR FIRST WORK SESSION IN MAY THE POLICE CHIEF, JOSEPH DECARLO, WILL DISCUSS A PROPOSAL TO PURCHASE LICENSE PLATE READERS. THIS TECHNOLOGY COULD HELP US REDUCE CRIME AND MAKE ARRESTS. I AM EXCITED ABOUT THIS INITIATIVE.

· · April 29, 2011 – 2:00pm – Meeting with Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assemblyman Thomas Abinanti re: Hotel Tax



CHECK OUT www.rivertownsguide.com and thehudsonindependent.com for calendar of fun events. www.patch.com (rivertowns, Tarrytown and Scarsdale) also is a good site to visit.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

SPECIAL NEEDS REGISTRY INFO

Special Needs Registry


What is the Special Needs Registry?
It is a list of county residents who may require additional assistance, transportation and/or sheltering in the event of a major emergency or disaster.


Who is eligible for the Special Needs Registry?
Any county resident with a physical or mental disability who would have trouble leaving their home quickly if told to do so. The Registry is only intended for use by those who live independently, and not in a residential special needs facility (i.e., nursing home or hospital).


Will my information be kept confidential?
Yes. However, the county will share the information with local, county, state and federal agencies for the purpose of emergency planning and emergency response.


Are the Special Needs Registry and 911 the same thing?
No. You must still dial 911 in an emergency.


Is participation in the Special Needs Registry voluntary?
Yes. Your submission of an application is your voluntary request to be included.

You may request to be removed from the Registry at any time by writing to: The Westchester County Office of Emergency Management, 4 Dana Road, Valhalla, New York 10595.

The submission of an application does not guarantee your inclusion in the Registry. Each application will be screened and evaluated on a case-by-case basis. You will be notified within 45 days of receiving your application if your application has NOT been approved.

Registrants are obligated to provide updated information on an annual basis. The county reserves the right to terminate registration at its discretion.

For a new User ID - Signup
Already have a User ID - Login
Special Needs Registry Flyers

How do I sign up?
• Recommended: Call 211 (between 8:00AM and 8:00PM) and they will sign you up over the phone.
- In the event you are having trouble reaching 211, please call 800-899-1479.
- TTY users may also dial 211.

• Apply online
• Down load the form and mail in the application. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)


Where can I obtain additional information?
To receive additional information about this program or to sign up, please call 211.

Footer
© Copyright 2010 | Westchestergov.com
All Rights Reserved

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

can you beat prices we pay for tires, windshields...new residents reception

Can you beat the prices we pay? Last week I started a new e mail advisory: CAN YOU BEAT THE PRICES WE PAY. Every week I'll post some town purchases--and the price we pay. If your business pays less than we're paying for an item--please advise. If you are a vendor and want to bid on possible purchases the town makes please contact me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com. Paul Feiner
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Mark McCrum
To: Paul Feiner POSTING #2
Sent: Tue Apr 19 16:49:25 2011
Subject: pricing

NYs Contract Pricing /truck tire



Goodyear Tire 10x17.5-reg/g114 Price $227.65/ea





Local purchase



Police car wind shield $145.33

ON WEDNESDAY APRIL 27 STOP BY AT TOWN HALL--ENJOY THE MUSIC, FOOD AND DONATE TO THE JAPAN EARTHQUAKE RELIEF FUND--NOON TO 7:30 pm

(NEW RESIDENTS RECEPTION AND VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION RECEPTION BEING HELD FROM 6 TO 7:30 pm

Join us on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 from 12:00 noon to 7:30pm at Greenburgh Town Hall, 177 Hillside Avenue, Greenburgh, NY, as the Town of Greenburgh presents a fund raising event to support the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. Live music and entertainment will be provided by local musicians and singers. All performing artists are donating their time and talent to help raise funds to support relief and recovery for individuals and families affected by the Tohoku Japan earthquake that struck Japan on March 11, 2011. All funds raised will be donated to the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund established by Japan Society, “…an American nonprofit organization supported by individuals, organizations, foundations and corporations that bring people of Japan and the United States closer together through mutual understanding, appreciation and cooperation.” Confirmed performing artists include: Mark Morganelli and The Jazz Forum All-Stars, Adazeke and Image Magicians with Billy Sudderth, Janis McClain-Johnson, Valerie Girard, Yayoi Sakaki, Bill Galanin, Jan Leder, Magic Lantern Show, Julie Corbalis, Jules and the Family, Gary Meglino (G. Louis), Lawrence Munday, David Kain and Jazz Elite. Expecting confirmations from: Porter Carroll, Jr., Kenny Lee, Jonathan Lewis (Atlantic Star), Duke Jones, Joe Boykin and others.

The event is free and open to the public. Donations in the form of cash or checks are greatly appreciated. For further information, please contact Judith Beville, Greenburgh Town Clerk,

(914) 993-1504 or jbeville@greenburghny.com.

Friday, April 15, 2011

WHAT'S NEXT NOW THAT A & P AND PATHMARK ARE CLOSING? shuttle service...morton williams reducing prices...pathmark store in negotiations

The A & P ON 119 AND PATHMARK ARE SCHEDULED TO CLOSE TODAY. WHAT’S NEXT?
SHUTTLE SERVICE FROM MANHATTAN AVE TO SHOPRITE…REDUCED PRICES AT MORTON WILLIAMS…A NEW TENANT EXPECTED SOON AT PATHMARK LOCATION…SUPERMARKET POSSIBILITY AT A & P PROPERTY IF TOWN ALLOWS EXPANSION OF SPACE

Every Wednesday starting on April 20, 2011 the town will provide shuttle service to Shop Rite at 12 noon. The next stop will be 100 Manhattan Ave. and the next stop will be public housing Oak St. and Maple St. We will then journey down Central Ave. to Shop Rite. We will return at 2:30 pm and will drop people off in reverse order of the above. The schedule and stops are what will be done initially and we will adjust according to the needs of those who take advantage of the service. Shop Rite has been working with the town on numerous initiatives – contributing funds to town programs and providing substantial food donations to town programs at the Theodore Young Community Center, Town Hall and to the Greenburgh Nature Center. If those who take advantage of the shuttle service request that we make stops at other supermarkets along the route we will try to accommodate their request. If we did not provide shuttle service to residents of Manhattan Ave to an area supermarket it would have created significant hardships. Some residents don’t have cars and have walked to the supermarket on Route 119 for many years.

MORTON WILLIAMS REDUCING PRICES—APPLYING FOR WIC LICENSE NOW THAT PATHMARK IS CLOSING
Morton Williams Supermarket, in the Christmas Tree shopping center, has lowered prices across the board. Savings are clearly marked in every aisle, with 200 items on sale every week. Every department has introduced larger sized family products, and they continue to prepare fresh food daily. The store also accepts EBT and has applied for a WIC license. If there is something a customer would like to see, he/she should should let the store manager know, or email hartsdale@mortonwilliams.com. The sales circular may be found each week at www.mortonwilliams.com.

LANDLORD OF PATHMARK SUPERMARKET NEGOTIATING LEASE WITH NEW TENANT—I have been advised that the landlord of the supermarket that had housed PATHMARK is close to an agreement with a new tenant. We anticipate that an announcement could be made within the next month. The good news: We don’t expect the store to stay vacant for a significant period of time.

WE’RE WORKING HARD TO HELP OWNER OF PROPERTY THAT HOUSED THE A & P ON ROUTE 119 TO REPLACE SUPERMARKET WITH ANOTHER SUPERMARKET. Earlier this month I met with the owners representative of the landlord that currently leases to the A & P on Route 119 (Crossroads Shopping Center). I have been advised that the landlord would be receptive to renting the space to another supermarket --provided the town allows for the expansion of the existing building. The A & P is going to close down the A & P on Route 119 in the middle of April. There is at least one supermarket that is very interested in relocating to Crossroads provided that they be allowed to expand from 38,000 square feet to approximately 55,000 square feet. Modern day supermarkets require more space than the supermarkets of the 20th century. The owner of the property is reaching out to potential supermarket tenants. Hopefully, the landlord will give us some good news soon and we can work with them to help them lease the space to another supermarket.
PAUL FEINER

FUN EVENTS FROM WWW.RIVERTOWNSGUIDE.COM & THE HUDSONINDEPENDENT.COM

http://www.rivertownsguide.com


WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS
- Tarrytown Third Friday Main Street, Tarrytown
Friday, April 15 from 5pm - 9pm
We'll be out on Main Street and Broadway celebrating Earth Day and all things spring, so come on out, do a little shopping, get a bite to eat, and enjoy your town. Music, Activities, and more.
- The 3rd Annual Sausage Festival, Half Moon, Dobbs Ferry
Saturday, April 16 from 12 – 3. Come and enjoy great company, food and beverages on the Hudson River at the fabulous Half Moon restaurant in Dobbs Ferry, NY. It is located just steps from the Dobbs Ferry Train Station which is on Metro North's Hudson Line from Grand Central Station. All proceeds of the Sausage Fest are given to the Abangoh Children's Project. Learn more here: http://www.abangoh.org/
- Comedy on Central
Friday, April 15 @ 7:30pm
Music Conservatory of Westchester, White Plains
The Music Conservatory of Westchester hosts Jon Chattman's thecheappop.com for an evening of humor with the area's brightest comedians. Lineup includes Regina DeCicco (Rockland), Mills the Comedian (NY), John Miele of Mamaroneck, Amy Carlson of New Rochelle, and more! Hosted by Yonkers' favorite Dante Mercadante. Part of the proceeds benefit the Music Conservatory of Westchester.
- LEGO® FUN
Saturday, April 16 & Sunday, April 17 from 10am - 4pm, Lyndhurst
All ages are invited to this fun filled weekend of all things LEGO. Admission: $8 for Adults, $7 for Children 3-12. No reservations required. For info, call Judy Beil (914) 631-4481,ext 43231.
- Earth Day Westchester 2011 @ Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla
Sunday, April 17 from 10am - 4pm
A celebration of green, sustainable living. Get there early for some amazing give-aways. The first 200 families to arrive will receive a free gift, of either a composting bin, curbside recycling bin, dogwood sapling or inflatable EarthBall globe. In addition, the first 500 people to arrive will automatically receive one free raffle ticket. This year's raffle prizes include two mulching lawn mowers, a unisex children's bicycle, a free home energy audit and other items related to the Earth Day theme.

Weekend Quick Takes….
Links and info here http://www.rivertownsguide.com
- On Site Shredding & Mulching Training
- Tarrytown Third Friday
- Opening Reception: Peter Clark, Enrico Giordano & Setsuya Kotani
- Supertonic Songwriters Circle
- Anne of Green Gables
- Comedy on Central
- Gato Barbieri
- Daddy-O
- Chappaqua Farmers Market
- LEGO® FUN
- Awaken Wellness Fair
- Sheep-to-Shawl
- Wave Hill History Walk
- The 3rd Annual Sausage Festival
- Community Easter Egg Hunt!
- Poetry Walk: Fiber Plus
- Urban H2O & Tribes Hill presents Ina May Wool and Rob Morsberger
- Trio Shalva’s “Riding Alone”
- Jeremy Denk Performs
- The Leighton Brothers Band
- Free-a-Tree
- Earth Day Westchester 2011
- Annual Egg Hunt
- Science Sundays: “Solar System Exploration - What’s Next?”
- Songs from Shakespeare, Vocal Quartet & Lute "The Good Pennyworths"
- "Muse Uprising" Live Music, Art, and a Hudson River Sunset!

New Business in Hastings!
Grand Opening is on April 23 from 10am - 8pm
Hastings Velo, 45 Main Street, 914-478-2453
http://hastingsvelo.com/

Upcoming
Wednesday, April 27 from noon - 7:30pm
Japan Fund Raising Event
Greenburgh Town Hall, 177 Hillside Avenue| A fundraising event to support the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund of will be held in the lobby of Town Hall. Live music and entertainment will be provided by local talented musicians and singers.

Friday, April 29 from 10am- 5pm, Saturday, April 30from 10am - 6pm, and Sunday, May 1 from 10am- 5pm
Spring Crafts @ Lyndhurst
A Festival Fine Craft, Food & Fun. Just in Time for Mother's Day! With Mother's Day just around the corner, SPRING CRAFTS AT LYNDHURST, a Festival of Fine Craft, Food and Fun, offers shoppers the chance to find unique gifts that show mom just how special she is.

April 30 & May 1
RiverArts 2011 Studio Tour
Preview Shows are now open: Irvington Public Library and Hastings Municipal Bldg.

Sunday, May 1 from 1pm - 5pm
SHARE the Project, Inc. first annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser
Hastings Waterfront | Come help raise funds for the local community outreach not-for-profit organization, known to most as Project SHARE. The basic premise is simple, local high schoolers and craftspeople have donated handmade ceramic bowls and each guest is asked to keep a bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world. The money raised will go directly to SHARE the Project so they can continue to help end hunger and break social barriers. Local vendors have also donated soup for all to sample. As well, there will be a clay project for kids to do and a local band to enjoy. *Rain date: May 14th

Friday May 6 @ 8pm
Ed Kowalczyk of LIVE and Graham Parker will perform at the Irvington Town Hall Theater on in a special benefit concert
As the lead singer and songwriter of the group LIVE (Lightning Crashes, I Alone, etc.) which sold over 20 million CDs worldwide, Ed Kowalczyk enjoys a huge international following. LIVE has been one of the most successful and enduring alternative rock bands of the 1990s & 2000s. One of the main things that have enabled LIVE to maintain a devoted fan base is the substantial and durable nature of their lyrics, which have often reflected Kowalczyk's personal & spiritual concerns.

Friday, May 6
Hastings Friday Night Live: Dancing in the Streets
with Warburton Closed to Traffic! Details to be posted shortly on the website
http://www.rivertownsguide.com/fnl

From WWW.THEHUDSONINDEPENDENT.COM
Saturday 16
Sheep-to-Shawl: From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. explore each step of turning wool into cloth using 18th-century techniques at Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow. Call 631-8200 or visit www.hudsonvalley.org. Also April 17.
Book Sale: From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Warner Library in Tarrytown. Call 631-7734 or visit www.warnerlibrary.org. Also April 17.
Lego Fun: Join the Lego frenzy from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lyndhurst in Tarrytown. Call 631-4481, ext. 43231 or visit www.lyndhurst.org. Also April 17.
Easter Egg Hunt: At 11 a.m. for children ages 1 thru 8 at Patriot’s Park in Tarrytown. Call 631-8347.
Garden Readiness: At 10 a.m. get tips and techniques for greening your grounds at Teatown Lake Reservation in Ossining. Call 762-2912, ext. 110 or visit www.teatown.org.
Earth Day Celebration: Meet at Morse School playground from noon to 3 p.m. to help clean up Beekman Ave, plant new seedlings in the park and enjoy entertainment and snacks. Children from grades K-12 are invited to submit artwork, using at least one piece of recyclable material, to be displayed in Morse Park. Call (845) 230-8749 or visit www.destinationsleepyhollow.org.
Jazz Concert: At 3 p.m. Ted Daniels and his International Brass and Membrane Corps will perform at the Ossining Public Library. Call 941-2416 or visit www.ossininglibrary.org.
Music: Enjoy Josh Keller’s 1930s Review from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Black Cat Café in Irvington. Call 231-9060 or visit www.joshkeller.com.
Chamber Music: At 8 p.m. Friends of Music present American pianist Jeremy Denk at Sleepy Hollow High School. Call 861-5080 or visit www.friendsofmusicconcerts.org.
Comedy Night: Jackie Mason will perform at 8 p.m. at the Tarrytown Music Hall. Call 877-840-0457 or visit www.tarrytownmusichall.org.
Sunday 17
Spring Egg Hunt: At 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Greenburgh Nature Center in Scarsdale. Pre-registration required. Call 723-3470 or visit www.greenburghnaturecenter.org.
“Having the Conversation”: At 1 p.m. pastoral counselor Adrian Stizhak will lead a discussion on the issues confronting us as we and our parents age at JCC on the Hudson in Tarrytown. Call 366-7898 or visit www.jcconthehudson.org.
Bach and Poetry: At 2 p.m. cellist Robert Kogan will perform with Westchester Poets Express at the Ossining Public Library. Call 941-2416 or visit www.ossininglibrary.org.
Literary Afternoon: At 4:30 p.m. Elena Gorokhova and Jennifer Natalya Fink will read from their work at Hudson Valley Writers’ Center in Sleepy Hollow. Call 332-5953 or visit www.writerscenter.org.
Concert: The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will perform at 7 p.m. at the Tarrytown Music Hall. Call 877-840-0457 or visit www.tarrytownmusichall.org.
Monday 18
Vacation Nature Camp: Through Thursday 21 for grades K-3 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at at the Greenburgh Nature Center in Scarsdale. Pre-registration required. Call 723-3470 or visit www.greenburghnaturecenter.org.
Spring Minicamps: Through Friday 22 from 9 a.m. to noon for ages 4-5 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for ages 6-12 at Teatown Lake Reservation in Ossining. Pre-registration required. Call 762-2912, ext. 110 or visit www.teatown.org.
Family Story Time: For children ages 3 and up at 11 a.m. at the Irvington Public Library. Registration required. Call 591-7840.
Tuesday 19
Little Poets Corner: At 2:30 p.m. children ages 2 ½ -3 ½ will celebrate National Poetry Month creating and reciting rhymes at the Warner Library in Tarrytown. Call 631-7734.
Teen Movie: At 3 p.m. “Tron: Legacy” will be shown at the Warner Library in Tarrytown. Call 631-7734.
Wednesday 20
Movie: At 2 p.m. for elementary school children at the Irvington Public Library. Registration required. Call 591-7840.
Thursday 21
Earth Month Film: “My Father’s Garden” will be screened at 7 p.m. at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in Pocantico Hills. Call 366-6200, ext. 111 or visit www.stonebarnscenter.org.
Craft Table: Adult beading class with Karen Ringen at 7 p.m. at the Warner Library in Tarrytown. Call 631-7734.
Friday 22
“The Illusionist”: This adaptation of Jacques Tati’s final script will be shown at 8 p.m. at Irvington Town Hall Theater. Call 591-6602 or visit www.irvingtontheater.com.
Earth Day Concert: Celebration to benefit Clearwater featuring Pete Seeger, Peter Yarrow and others at 8 p.m. at the Tarrytown Music Hall. Call 877-840-0457 or visit www.tarrytownmusichall.org.
Saturday 23
Sheep Shearing Day: From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in Pocantico Hills. Call 366-6200, ext. 111 or visit www.stonebarnscenter.org.
Earth Day Celebration: From 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Greenburgh Nature Center in Scarsdale. Call 723-3470 or visit www.greenburghnaturecenter.org.
Sunday 24
Toadlily Poetry: From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. poetry reading by the adult Toadlilly Poetry group at JCC on the Hudson in Tarrytown. Call 366-7898 or visit www.toadlillypress.com.
Tuesday 26

Thursday, April 14, 2011

CAN YOU BEAT THE PRICES THE TOWN PAYS ON PURCHASES?

A new weekly feature: CAN YOU BEAT THE PRICES WE PAY?
The Town of Greenburgh, like every municipality & government entity, purchases many items –paper goods, chemicals for our pools and water system, furniture for buildings, tires for our vehicles, books for the library ---and much, much more.
We have a purchasing department—headed by Mark McCrum. He tries very hard to get the best prices for each of the purchases we make. Starting today – I will be posting a few purchases on our website weekly. Our goal: to confirm whether we are getting the best price possible for our purchase.
Here is how you can help?
1) Share the weekly purchase that we highlight with the purchasing department where you work. Ask them to compare our prices with the prices your business pays.
If we could do better – please provide me with the name/contact information of the vendor you purchase from. We will add the company to our bid list and invite them to submit bids the next time we bid the product.
2) If you are not on our bid list –and want to be advised of bidding opportunities, please advise. We recently started posting all RFPs (requests for proposals on our bid list). We want to promote competition. Contractors who deal with the town are PROHIBITED from contributing to re-election campaigns of town officials under our ethics laws so no one gets favorite treatment.
3) If the price we pay is lower than the price you or your company spends for similar products –we will be happy to share the contact information with you. Perhaps, you could save money.
This is a win—win for everyone. If we are overpaying you can help us save money in the future by introducing us to new vendors. If we are underpaying we can help you save money—and learn from us.
If you have any questions about why we are purchasing specific items you can also feel free to e mail me. If you would like me to highlight a specific purchase on a future update please advise.
I will also be contacting the school districts, fire districts in the town and county government and will invite them to compare our purchases with the purchases they make.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor
________________________________________
From: Mark McCrum
Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2011 11:31 AM
To: Paul Feiner
Subject: pricing
FOR ALL DEPT./COOP BID/JOINT BID WITH OTHER AGENCIES IN AREA
85 cartons,
5000/carton
COPY PAPER, HI-SPEED
8 1/2" X 11", 20# WHITE
$26.88/carton
Delivered

FOR POOLS, BID ITEMS
(10) Calcium chloride 50lb bag, delivered, $14.50/bag

(80)Diatomaceous Earth 50lb. bag, delivered $24/bag

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Rivertown Patch--summary of Indian Point meeting

News
Indian Point Opponents: How Many Lives Is the Plant's Energy Worth?
Scientists, doctors, public officials and anti-Indian Point activists hold community forum on the similarities between Japan's Fukishima Power Plant and Indian Point.

By Lizzie Hedrick | Email the author | April 11, 2011

0 Megumi Tanifuji flew from Japan to the United States just four days ago to take part in a Peace Walk to raise awareness about the dangers of nuclear energy.

"You never know what is going to happen," said the slight 31-year-old. "Everyone told us we would be okay—that the plant was safe. I want Americans to think whether they really want to risk the dangers of nuclear power plants."

Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner in conjunction with the Indian Point Safe Energy Coalition (IPSEC) hosted a community forum Monday in Greenburgh Town Hall to discuss the similarities between Indian Point and the Fukishima Power Plant which—after a devastating earthquake and tsunami in March—has released radiation causing mass evacuations of the land around the plant and concern over the safety of food and water.

"I am concerned that, as police commissioner of the Town of Greenburgh, I would have no idea what to do if there were ever an evacuation," Feiner said. "We've never been told."

Current plans require a 10-mile-radius evacuation around Indian Point if a meltdown were ever to occur; but some Westchester lawmakers are proposing the radius be increased to 50 miles.

"Six legislators have joined together to establish a 50-mile evacuation zone around Indian Point," said Joy Haber, legislative aide to Democrat MaryJane Shimsky. "Indian Point is the number-one public safety issue in the area."

Expert panelists invited to speak were doctors, officials, scientists and concerned citizens—but all had one thing in common: the desire to close Indian Point.

"There is no such thing as safe exposure to radiation," said Dr. Andrew Kenter, president of the New York Chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility. "Doctors are asked to treat and fix people when they're broken; when we're unable to do that, we have to prevent those things from happening."

Former State Assemblyman Richard Brodsky said: "If there were to be a meltdown at Indian Point there would not be enough money in the world to save this community, this economy and the lives, health and safety of the people who live here."

John Armbruster has been studying earthquakes in the Metropolitan area. "We are asking for a thorough, modern re-evaluation of the preparedness of Indian Point to the occurrence of earthquakes using up-to-date evaluation methods that were not available when Indian Point was originally licensed," he said.

Operating licenses for Indian Points' two units expire in 2013 and 2015. The state Department of Environmental Conservation declined last April to give Entergy—the plant's operating company— the water quality certification it needs for relicensing. But the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), whose approval is also required, recently said that no environmental impact exists to prevent the power plant from getting relicensed for another 20 years.

"You have to be suspicious of what you hear from the NRC," cautioned Mark Jacobs, co-founder of IPSEC. "Their job is both to promote and regulate nuclear energy. Obviously, both can't be done."

According to Marilyn Elie, co-founder of the Westchester Citizens Awareness Network, only five percent of energy in the Hudson Valley is generated from nuclear power from India Point.

"We know that Indian Point and Fukishima had different reactors and were on different ground," Elie said. "But what they share are regulators who feel they can predict and plan for everything. What we have to ask is how many lives is that five percent of energy worth?"

Saturday, April 09, 2011

DARRYL STRAWBERRY HELPING ELMSFORD LITTLE LEAGUE

An exciting morning. Marched in the Elmsford Little League parade with baseball legend Darryl Stawberry. Darryl is helping the Little League raise funds for their new clubhouse. He also has a foundation that supports the fight for autism. I told him about Greenburgh's special recreation programs. We're going to apply for a grant

work session agenda...community events

I am happy to announce that tickets are for sale to attend the “ Broadway to the Rescue” event being held for Pets Alive Westchester. This will be an amazing evening filled with Broadway’s Greatest Hits sung by notable Broadway performers. A large portion of the ticket price will go directly to our shelter.



“Broadway to the Rescue” takes place on April 11th, 2011 - 6:00pm at the Westchester Broadway Theater located in Elmsford. (1/2 mile from the shelter).
Please note: Dinner is included in the ticket price.



Please log onto http://www.broadwaytheatre.com/ for tickets.

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Assemblyman Abinanti open house Sunday...meeting Monday on Indian Point

You are cordially invited to attend the


The opening of

the District Office of



Assemblyman Tom Abinanti



Sunday, April 10, 2011

11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.



330 South Broadway, Suite 229

Tarrytown, NY 10591



MEETING ON INDIAN POINT MONDAY AT 7 PM AT GREENBURGH TOWN HALL

Where: Greenburgh Town Hall, 179 Hillside Avenue, Greenburgh, NY Monday, April 11

Who: John Armbruster, Lamont Doherty Institute, will speak on earthquakes and Indian Point. Paul Blanch, nuclear expert and consultant to the State of New York, will talk about the similarities in fuel pool design between Fukushima and Indian Point. Andy Kantor, Physicians for Social Responsibility, will speak on the effects of radiation. Steering committee members of the Indian Point Safe Energy Coalition who live in communities surrounding the plant will also be available for comments.

With the disaster in Japan and the reactors in Fukushima leaking radiation at dangerous levels into the air and water, and no end in sight, the Indian Point Safe Energy Coalition (IPSEC) will host a Community Forum on the lessons we can learn from Fukushima and how they apply to Indian Point.

Indian Point sits on a seismic fault line. According to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the design basis for the plant is geared to a 5.2 earthquake while seismologist estimate that a 7.0 earthquake is a possibility. The NRC has identified Indian Point as the nuclear reactor with the highest risk of catastrophic failure due to an earthquake out of all the 104 nuclear reactors in the United States.

The science that created the standards for the design basis of the plant is from the 1950’s. John Armbruster of the Lamont Doherty Institute is one of the authors of a seismological study published in 2008 that called for reexamining how earthquake proof the plant really is based on advances in the field and new understandings of how the earth moves.

The current evacuation plan for two miles in the direction of the plume within the 10 miles radius around Indian Point. Americans in Japan within 50 miles of the damaged reactors were told by the United State government to evacuate. Population density within the 50 mile area around the area of Fukushima is 500,000. Over 21 million people live within a 50 mile radius around Indian Point. Local officials in our area have acknowledged that the plan is unworkable. James Lee Witt, former head of FEMA and an evacuation expert, was hired by The State of New York to investigate this matter. He concluded the plan was unworkable as planned and practiced. Fukushima has shown us that sheltering in place is untenable for disasters that unfold over a period of time. Japanese that stayed in their homes are now living in an area with no services, food deliveries, medical care, and no first responders. They must self evacuate through radiological contamination.

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists and nuclear expert Paul Blanch, the spent fuel pools at Indian Point are similar to those at the reactor in Japan. They have no containment and are not hardened structures. They are ordinary commercial buildings like K Mart or Sears. While the reactors have four hour back up batteries, the spent fuel pools do not have an independent backup system for electricity or cooling. While some spent fuel has been moved to dry cask storage, 1,000 tons of high level radioactive waste remains in the pools for units 2 and 3. While the industry treats spent fuel as if it were benign, it is not.

Michele Lee, a member of the board of the Nuclear Information and Resource Service, said “First we had Sept 11, then Katrina, BP, and now Fukushima. How many failures of ‘fail safe’ systems do we need? What level calamity does it take before we understand there are some risks not worth taking?”

Marilyn Elie, co founder of Westchester Citizens Awareness Network said “Indian Point supplies only 560MW of electricity to our grid. The rest is sold on the open market from Maine to Ohio. That is about 5% of the electricity used in Westchester and New York City on a typical day. While there is a low probability of risk, there is a very high impact should the unknown happen. Why should our community have to face that risk when the market has already replaced the power?”

Buddhist nun Jun-san from the Grafton peace Pagoda will speak about her 206 mile pilgrimage from Indian Point to the Vermont Yankee reactor which she begin on April 10 at the gates of Indian Point. A visitor from the Fukushima region of Japan is also expected. Presentations will be followed by questions from the audience for all participating panel of experts.

The forum is free and open to the public.

FORMER US DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF EDUCATION ON MY RADIO PROGRAM

Education and improving performance in our schools is a hot topic. My guest on my WVOX (1460 AM) program this Friday, April 8th will be Katherine Tobin of Greenburgh, former United States Deputy Assistant Secretary of Education—performance improvement. The program airs live from 10 AM to 11 AM and is also streamed live on the internet: www.wvox.com. If you have any questions feel free to call in during the program: 636-0110. If you can’t listen to the program or call in please feel free to suggest questions.
PAUL FEINER

Katherine Tobin, Ph.D.
Deputy Assistant Secretary – Performance Improvement
U.S. Department of Education
2009 – 2011

As Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Education, Katherine Tobin focused on strengthening the Department’s culture and building its capacity to work most productively with its political and educational partners. Along with other senior leaders, she was responsible for change initiatives in three areas:
• Fostering accountability in terms of performance management through regular program office reviews
• Building the capabilities of current and future managers; and
• Creating an environment of trust through transparency and commitment.
Previously, Dr. Tobin was appointed by the President and served three years as a member of the Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service. She chaired the Board’s Audit and Finance Committee at a critical time, when, due to Congress’s legislation in 2006, the USPS needed to strengthen its organizational and financial controls to become compliant by 2010 with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. On the Board, Tobin provided strategic vision to the executive team, helped direct and control expenditures, reviewed business practices, conducted long-range planning and set policies on all postal matters.
She brought eighteen years of experience in education to the Department when she joined in September 2009. In her career she has served as a college and university administrator and faculty member, and she worked twelve years in corporate America. As a social scientist she led research teams at Hewlett-Packard, IBM, and Catalyst, a nonprofit dedicated to the advancement of women in business.
Dr. Tobin earned a Ph.D. and Master of Arts degree from Stanford University’s School of Education. She focused on higher education administration and policy with disciplinary training as an anthropologist. She earned a Master of Arts degree in Teaching from the University of Massachusetts and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Skidmore College.

Sunday, April 03, 2011

WVOX PROGRAM THIS FRIDAY FEATURES FORMER US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF EDUCATION FOR PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT

•Katherine Tobin, formerDeputy Assistant Secretary for Performance Improvement, Office of Management will be my guest on my WVOX radio program this Friday, April 8th from 10 AM to 11 AM (1460 AM or www.wvox.com). E mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com with suggested questions you'd like me to ask.
Katherine Tobin comes to the Department of Education having served three years as a governor of the U.S. Postal Service, appointed by the president in 2006. In that role, she provided strategic vision to its executive team, helped direct and control expenditures, review business practices, conduct long-range planning, and set policies on all postal matters. Tobin also chaired the board's Audit & Finance Committee. Tobin has 18 years of experience in education, having served as a college and university administrator, a member of university and college faculties, and a trained social scientist, leading research teams at organizations such as Catalyst, a non-profit dedicated to the advancement of women in business. She also worked as a manager and social scientist at Hewlett-Packard and IBM and created and ran her own company for four years. Tobin earned a Ph.D. and Master of Arts degree from Stanford University's School of Education. She earned a Master of Arts in teaching from the University of Massachusetts' School of Education, and a Bachelor of Arts in English with honors from Skidmore College.

Friday, April 01, 2011

IS THE SAW MILL RIVER PARKWAY SAFE FOR MOTORISTS? are you bothered by an unlit parkway...faded dotted lane dividers...no reflectors?

QUESTION: IS THE SAW MILL RIVER PARKWAY SAFE FOR MOTORISTS? ARE YOU BOTHERED BY AN UNLIT PARKWAY...FADED DOTTED LANE DIVIDERS...NO REFLECTORS...SIDE CURBS NOT PAINTED...BLIND CURBS IMPOSSIBLE TO FOLLOW?

I will be reaching out to the county and will ask that this be addressed. Is the lack of road maintenance contributing to accidents on the Saw Mill River Parkway?
What do you think? I will refer your comments to county officials.

Dear Supervisor Feiner,



In recent weeks I have had the dubious opportunity to travel home from Manhattan on the Saw Mill River Parkway on raining evenings. Last night I was driving north on the road at approximately 8:15 PM. And the conditions on the road were incredibly miserable and extremely unsafe.



At the same time as we were struggling with the road, there was an accident on the southbound said. The road is not lit, the dotted lane dividers have faded and in the rain and the glare of the road these so-called markers are almost impossible to see. There are no effective reflectors, and the side curbs are not painted white so one can discern the edge of the road. The blind curves in the road are almost impossible to follow.



In other words, it is an unsafe road and people are taking their lives in their hands. I have had a long driving career of over 43 years, and have logged millions of miles throughout this county and all over the country. It is a disgrace that the county is not recognizing that this road, in particular, is not in “drivable condition” at night. I am not looking for large infrastructure expenditures, but new paint, non-roadbed reflectors and lighting at the exits.



In this month’s issue of AAA New York Car & Travel, there is an explicit article, entitled New York’s Road to Ruin, about the sorry state of New York’s roads! Westchester is one of the richest counties in America and to allow its roads to deteriorate is an inexcusable disgrace. .



Will it take the death of someone in power’s loved one to initiate some due diligence, review and repair?



Sincerely,





Richard J. Garfunkel

Tarrytown, NY

10591



Please note that this week’s Work Session will begin at 10:30 AM. Thank you.



Town of Greenburgh

Work Session of the Greenburgh Town Board

Agenda: Tuesday – April 05, 2011 – 10:30 AM

(Work Sessions begin at 9:15AM except where schedule changes are made by the Board.)



(Please note that, although the Work Session Agenda is shared with the public prior to each Work Session, the Agenda may be revised at any point up to the start of the meeting as well as during the meeting, if necessary.)



(All Work Sessions are Televised Live on Cablevision Channel 76, Verizon 35 and are streamed live. Work Sessions and Town Board Meetings will be aired each Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting at 7:02am and 4:45pm. Each segment will run for approximately 6 to 7 hours,

depending upon the length of the two meetings.)



· 10:30 AM Budget Update—will discuss 1st quarter (January-March 31st) costs, revenues, overtime. Will also review approach being used reviewing all department budgets –preparing for 2012 budget.

UPDATES—EFFORT TO REPLACE THE A & P WITH ANOTHER SUPERMARKET ON ROUTE 119 (owners representative has advised the town that a supermarket is interested in moving in to the shopping plaza if the town allows them to expand the store. We will discuss the next steps. Have reached out to area supermarkets. I have asked if they will absorb the costs of a driver, gas to take seniors who don’t have access to cars to their supermarket after Pathmark & A & P closes. We are also encouraging the landlords of the existing Pathmark supermarket to replace Pathmark with another supermarket.

· 11:15 AM Motion for Executive Session – Legal/Contractual

By ________2nd __________Aye________________

· 01:00 PM Executive Session – The Courts





This Saturday April 2nd at 10am - 3pm Doctors Express, a new business located on Central Ave near Pathmark, will be giving free gifts and free blood pressure screenings at the City Center in White Plains.



Awilda cintron-wolfert notified me that her son Steven is in a great play at Iona prep. They are performing this weekend. ,

The Iona Prep Players are proud to present Peter Shaffer's Black Comedy,

a rip-roaringly funny British farce that explores all that can go wrong when the lights go out.





Place: Iona Preparatory School,

255 Wilmot Rd.,

New Rochelle, NY 10804

Phone: 914-632-0714



Saturday April 2, 2011 7:30 PM

Sunday April 3, 2011 3:00 PM



Cost $10.00 cost reduced for seniors and students

PAUL FEINER

follow up to concerns raised at edgemont meeting

Last week Greenburgh Town Board members, department heads and I had the opportunity to meet with residents of Edgemont at our annual community outreach meeting. As a result of the meeting we have already taken the following actions. These actions highlight the value of these outreach meetings and our desire to be responsive to the residents of Edgemont. I hope you will share this with residents.
*CRAIN’S POND—Most of the residents who attended the community meeting asked for an elevated crosswalk at Crain’s Pond. Since last weeks meeting we have posted the Request for Proposals on the town website (www.greenburghny.com ). I have spoken with Commissioner of Public Works Victor Carosi. We will invite leaders of the civic association to interview potential contractors so that the community will have maximum input in the selection and details of the crosswalk.
*HOUSECALLS—A few residents complained of street lights that were not working…obstructions to a path on Fort Hill Road…road/curb related problems. Commissioner of Public Works Victor Carosi and I made housecalls to some of the residents- personally inspecting and reviewing their concerns. We are in the process of addressing the individual concerns residents showed us. If you attended the meeting last week and did not provide us with your phone or contact info – please contact me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com or 993-1545. We will follow up on your concerns immediately.
· REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS ARE NOW ON WEB—To encourage more businesses and professional contractors to compete for town business (even if they are not on our RFP list) we just started to post all RFPS and contracts to bid on the town website.
· I have spoken with the Assessor, Edye McCarthy. Earlier this year the town was notified by the state that NYS was reducing the utility assessments. The Edgemont school district will lose about $14,000 a year annually –as a result of this. During the past few years the town has always notified the schools/fire districts before we settle any certiorari actions. We do not settle certiorari’s that impact school districts without their consent since they are being impacted. After we were notified by the state that the school district will lose $14,000 (not a significant dollar amount from a tax standpoint) we should have immediately shared the information with the school district and fire district. In the future—as soon as the state of NY advises of any action that impacts the schools or fire districts we will advise them immediately. The town had no input in the utility reduction. This action was taken by the state of New York.
· WE WILL REBID THE ENERGY GRANT: A constituent who spoke at our meeting was critical of an energy contract that the town was considering to provide consulting studies to assist the town in achieving its sustainability and energy efficiency goals. The cost: $30,000, conditioned on the costs being fully funded and paid for by a federal grant that we had received in 2009. Only one company bid on the grant. We want the process to be transparent. We want to encourage other contractors who may be qualified to do the work to submit a bid to the town. We will rebid the contract –and will post the RFP on the town website. I will also share the RFP with environmental organizations—and will ask them to forward to other qualified contractors.
Finally, a question was raised—what is the town doing to make government more efficient. A citizens panel, made up of over 30 residents (many with significant management experience) is working with me –reviewing every line in the budget. We are looking for ways to make government more efficient, to cut costs and expenses. In the past few days the Library Board highlighted their commitment to cutting costs by revoking salary increases that had been previously awarded to library administration. Every department head is coming up with cost cutting or new revenue generating initiatives.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor