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FORUM FOCUS
September 2021
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Message to Our Membership |
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Dear Members,
I hope you’ve had an enjoyable summer and wish you the best for Labor Day weekend and the season to follow.
My thanks to you for supporting the Scarsdale Forum and its contributions as our community’s "think tank." The Webster's Dictionary shorthand definition of a think tank is "an institute, corporation, or group organized to study certain subjects (such as a policy issue or a scientific problem)." The Forum's mission, unique among Scarsdale civic organizations, provides for both study and follow up action to influence policy in Scarsdale, and at all levels of county, state and federal government, on a wide range of issues and problem solving relevant to our residents.
The committees of the Forum, public membership meetings, and speaker programming also provide the platform for our members to express their views, and share information, ideas, and advice broadly with our elected officials, government, and school district -- all for the purpose of contributing to the general good of our wider Scarsdale community.
Please join us, and continue to enjoy the summer safely.
Sincerely,
Eli Mattioli,
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Notes from the Board of Directors |
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Scarsdale Forum committee chairs and co-chairs invite you to join us as we tackle the subjects described in more detail below in the Committee Update section. Meanwhile, other committees have met or are gearing up for the new season. Members may consider joining any one, several or all Scarsdale Forum committees listed on the website. No prior experience with the subject matter is required, so Join here.
PLEASE SAVE THESE DATES: venue and/or virtual login to be announced, including registration for public membership meetings and events. Look for updates soon!
The next Board meeting (Board members only) is scheduled on Zoom for Thursday, September 23, 2021 at 8:00 pm.
The next Membership Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 7, 2021 at 8:00 pm, speaker & registration to be announced.
The next Sunday Speaker Series event is scheduled for Saturday November 7, 2021 at 3:00 pm, speaker & registration to be announced.
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Downtown Revitalization
The Downtown Revitalization is co-chairing with the Municipal Services Committee in a collaboration with the Sustainability and Fiscal Affairs Scarsdale Committees on recommendations regarding a potential adult-use cannabis dispensary and consumption establishment in the Village. The Downtown Revitalization Committee is also focused on suggesting ways to make the Village Center a welcoming destination to shop, dine, and meet with friends and neighbors by supporting art, entertainment, and meaningful events for residents among other initiatives. Currently members are studying parking issues in the context of "complete streets" and improvements for Chase Park. The committee continues to focus on the Boniface Circle pocket park following the implementation of initial recommendations to attract users. Members typically convene monthly. Please contact Chair Susan Douglass, susanudouglass@gmail.com.
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Education
The Education Committee continues work on major topics that have emerged over the last several years, including Civics Education on Election Issues, and Media Literacy, Disinformation and Critical Thinking in Relation to Civic Participation. Please Contact Chair Barry Meiselman, barwest2@aol.com.
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Recreation
The Recreation Committee is initiating study on the condition of the playing fields, the Pool Complex, and bicyclist safety, among other recreation issues of importance to the community. Please contact Chair Jeremy Gans, jeremy.gans@jdjcapital.com.
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Fiscal Affairs Scarsdale
The Fiscal Affairs Scarsdale Committee is collaborating with the Municipal Services, Downtown Revitalization, and Sustainability Committees on recommendations regarding a potential cannabis dispensary and consumption establishment in the Village, following New York's recent legalization of adult use. Please contact Chair Anne Hintermeister, ahintermeister@gmail.com.
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Municipal Services
The Municipal Services Committee is co-chairing with the Downtown Revitalization committee on the collaboration with the Sustainability and Fiscal Affairs Scarsdale committees on recommendations regarding a potential adult-use cannabis dispensary and consumption establishment in the Village. Municipal Services members also look forward to participating in Village Board Working Sessions that will engage the community on the critically important recommendations made in the recent joint Forum committee Report on "Gas Leaf Blowers, Leaf Vacuuming, and Leaf Mulching," and in the most recent Municipal Services Report on traffic safety and implementation of complete streets and safe routes to schools policy and design. Please contact Chair Madelaine Eppenstein, meppenstein@eppenstein.com.
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Sustainability
In addition to its collaboration with the Municipal Services, Fiscal Affairs Scarsdale, and Downtown Revitalization committees on recommendations regarding a potential adult-use cannabis dispensary and consumption establishment in the Village, the Sustainability Committee is also continuing advocacy with the Municipal Services and Climate Resilience groups for more sustainable landscaping practices of mower mulching leaves, grass cycling in place, the elimination of Village leaf vacuuming, and reduced use of toxic pesticides. Contact Sustainability Chair Darlene LeFrancois Haber, dlefranc@montefiore.com.
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Zoning and Planning
The Zoning and Planning Committee is planning to meet to discuss zoning issues generally and in the context of future development. Anyone interested in chairing the committee should contact President Eli Mattioli, elimattioli@gmail.com. |
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Community Events, News & Resources |
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HAPPY LABOR DAY
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Have a Safe and Enjoyable Holiday
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Dine and Shop the 'DALE
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Scarsdale Forum Inc.
Scarsdale Forum Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to community education through discussion and analysis of issues relevant to Scarsdale residents. Since 1904, it has contributed meaningfully to village affairs through written reports, public speaker events and committee discussions. Membership is open to all Scarsdale and Mamaroneck Strip residents, regardless of citizenship status.
Forum Focus is distributed to Scarsdale Forum members generally in the first week of each month. Story ideas should be sent to communications@scarsdaleforum.com one week prior to publication to be included in the coming issue.
The Scarsdale Forum Yearbook is available here. Report corrections by email to Media Contact below.
Media Contact
Madelaine Eppenstein
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