Bulletin
February 2022
In this issue:
  • Message from the President
  • Voter Service Information
  • Upcoming Events
  • Recent Events
  • Other Announcements
Message from the President
The federal and state redistricting process enters its final stages this month. In New York, for the first time, an Independent Redistricting Commission (“IRC”) was formed to propose legislative maps for U.S. Congressional districts as well as State Senate and Assembly Districts. The IRC and its process was created by a 2014 amendment to the New York Constitution in an effort to reduce partisan gerrymandering and therefore enable the drawing of fairer legislative maps. The LWVS has worked diligently to keep the community apprised of the IRC’s work and encourage broad public participation to ensure that the Village of Scarsdale and Westchester County have districts that adequately represent our community. On this issue and many others, the LWVS aims to educate the community and encourage civic engagement in all levels of government so that Scasdale’s voters can make informed choices at the polls. 

In January, the LWVS held its Information and Consensus Meeting on the SBNC Election System. Laura Liu and Laura Gelblum, SBNC Administrative Committee Election Chair and Vice Chair, respectively, joined us to speak about the SBNC election process and answer questions.

The LWVS ended the month with an inspirational Winter Speaker Event, A Conversation with Khizr Khan. Thank you to former League president, Linda Doucette-Ashman, for moderating the event. Mr. Khan shared details of his fascinating life, his love for the U.S. Constitution, and his call for service and greater civic involvement. 

Looking forward to February, we will hold our annual Local Program Consensus Meeting, during which we will choose our local work for the 2022-23 year. At the beginning of this meeting, we will also discuss program planning priorities for the Westchester and National Leagues. Later this year, we will hold our annual School and Village Budget Information and Consensus Meetings (date TBD), and we will discuss the New York State League’s new position on election administration. Please join us for these important informational events!

I continue to be amazed by the tremendous work so many in our community do to make Scarsdale, and the larger world, a better place. I am proud to do my small part as President of the LWVS.

Upcoming LWVS Events:

  • Monday, February 7 at 10:00 a.m., Local, Westchester, and National League Program Consensus via Zoom.
  • Thursday, March 24 at 9:00 a.m., Village Budget Information and Consensus Meeting via Zoom.

Best wishes,
Alissa Baum
Voter Service Information
Mark Your Calendars!


Tuesday, March 15, 2022
6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Scarsdale Public Library
Scott Room

Follow this link for more information, including about how to register to vote and how to obtain an absentee ballot.
Breaking News:

Voting by Absentee Ballot for Fear of Contracting Covid Extended Through 2022

On January 21, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation to continue to allow voting by absentee ballot due to the COVID-19 pandemic through Dec 31, 2022. This legislation allows all New Yorkers to apply for an absentee ballot by selecting “temporary illness” for fear of contracting or spreading a disease such as COVID-19. This legislation first became law in July of 2020, and had expired December 31, 2021.
Breaking News:

Redistricting Update

On January 30, the New York State Legislature released maps for New York’s U.S. Congressional Districts. Scarsdale appears to be represented in a single district (Congressional District 16). New York Senate and Assembly maps have not been released at the time of this draft but should be forthcoming. The League is busy interpreting the Congressional maps now.
 
Redistricting is in the hands of the Legislature, because the New York Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) was unable to agree on a single set of redistricting plans.  The IRC, created by a 2014 amendment to the New York State Constitution, was intended to remove partisan gerrymandering from the legislative process. The IRC is composed of members who have not held political office or been involved in other political activities for at least three years.  
 
The IRC’s work appeared doomed from the start as Republican and Democrat IRC members were unable to reach consensus. Just a few weeks ago, when the IRC submitted its first redistricting plan to the Legislature, the IRC was unable to propose a single set of US Congressional, NY Senate, and NY Assembly maps. Instead, the Democrat and Republican members released two separate plans for each. The votes were split evenly between the competing plans, with each receiving 5 votes. The Legislature rejected both sets of maps on January 10.
 
Then, on January 25, the IRC announced its negotiations had stalled, and it was unable to submit a second redistricting plan to the Legislature.  Thus, the responsibility for drawing redistricting plans shifts to state legislators. Such plans must be passed by a ⅔ vote in both legislative houses and are subject to both the governor’s approval and the State Constitution’s requirements regarding fairness. 
 
The LWVS urges the Legislature to release its complete redistricting plan, as well as any underlying data, as soon as possible.  The release should be followed by a period during which the public can review and comment before the redistricting plan is brought for a vote. The State League has written a letter to the Legislature urging the Senate and Assembly members to allow for public input in their redistricting process. LWVS joins the State League’s call to action and also urges voters to contact their Legislators to ask for an open and transparent redistricting process.
 
This is a constantly evolving process, so check the LWVS website for the most up-to-date information. 
 
Scarsdale voters who wish to read more about the IRC’s redistricting process may visit the IRC’s website. Additional information is provided on the redistricting page of the League of Women Voters of New York State’s website and the redistricting page of the Scarsdale League’s website.
TRY Brochure: They Represent You

The TRY brochure, the directory of elected and appointed government officials published by the LWVS, is now available on our website.


https://lwvs.org/they-represent-you/
Upcoming Events
February

  • 2/7, Monday:
  • 9:00 a.m. Board Meeting
  • 10:00 a.m. Information Session and Consensus Meeting (Local, Westchester, and National Programs)

March
  • 3/14, Monday:
  • 9:00 a.m. Board Meeting
  • 3/15, Tuesday:
  • 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Village Election, Scarsdale Public Library, Scott Room
  • 3/24, Thursday:
  • 9:00 a.m. Information Session and Consensus Meeting (Village Budget)

April
  • 4/4, Monday:
  • 9:00 a.m. Board Meeting
Students Inside Albany
Application Deadline: Friday, February 4

For the eleventh consecutive year, the LWVS will select two high school students to send to the annual Students Inside Albany conference held on May 22-25, 2022 in Albany, New York. Any Sophomore, Junior, or Senior student who attends Scarsdale High School or resides in the school district is eligible to apply. 

Students Inside Albany is a four-day conference designed to increase students’ awareness of their responsibility in a representative government and provide the tools necessary for meeting that responsibility. This interactive conference will bring together high school students from across the state to learn about New York State government and the process by which citizens can participate in the policymaking arena. As part of this program, students will also tour the Capitol and observe both the Senate and Assembly in action by spending an afternoon shadowing their legislators.

The cost of the conference, including hotel and meals, will be co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters New York State Education Foundation, Inc. and our Scarsdale League. 

Applications are available via the button below and are due Friday, February 4.

For more information, see the LWVS website or contact SIA Chairs Lauren Tetenbaum Dorman and Cindy Yau at LWVSyouthprograms@gmail.com.
LWVS General Membership and Consensus Meeting:
2022-23 Programming for our
Local, Westchester, and National Leagues

Monday, February 7
10:00 a.m. via Zoom

Please join the LWVS on Monday, February 7 at 10:00 a.m. for a general membership and consensus meeting to discuss programming for LWVS and suggestions for programming for the Westchester and National Leagues for the upcoming 2022-23 year.

The recommended program for LWVS will be proposed for adoption by League members at the Annual Meeting in May 2022. Suggestions for the Westchester and National League programs will be communicated to the Westchester and National League Boards.

For further information, you may view our current LWVS Program, the LWV Westchester Program, and the LWVUS Program Materials. For more information, please contact Alissa Baum at lwvspresident@gmail.com.
Village Budget Portfolio Update

The Scarsdale Village Board of Trustees, the Village Manager, and the Village Treasurer have begun the process to assess the Village’s finances and evaluate revenue and expense projections while preparing the budget for 2022-23.  

This year’s budget process involved a notable change to make evaluation of the budget more transparent and easily comparable. Village department chairs were required to use a common budget worksheet to identify goals and objectives and to align budget requests with those goals and objectives. This allows the Village Board and the public to see clearly the intent and cost of departmental budget requests so that they can be prioritized based on available funding.

The first draft (or pass) of the budget, which includes all of the departmental budget requests, has a gap of $6,424,000 and should be viewed as a wish list or “envisioning statement.” More work will be done in the coming weeks to determine which items remain in the budget and which items will be eliminated or deferred. To balance the budget, the Village will need to review and revise revenue and expense requests, evaluate the option of appropriating Fund Balance, and determine the appropriate tax levy. No tax levy amount has been proposed, although any increase in the tax levy is limited to no more than 3.17% from last year in accordance with the New York State property tax cap law.

The continuing budget sessions are open to the public and public participation is encouraged at all Village Trustee Working Sessions and Board Meetings during the public portion of the agenda. The next meeting, the Second Pass budget review, is Tuesday, February 8 at 4:00 p.m. An additional Second Pass budget review will occur on February 16 at 4:00 p.m. if it is needed. Find meeting details and Zoom links at the Board of Trustees website.

Questions? Email LWVS Village Budget Portfolio Chair Tracy Tang at LWVSvillagebudget@gmail.com.
LWVS General Membership and Consensus Meeting:
2022-23 School Budget
 
 
At the Board of Education Meeting on January 10, 2022, Assistant Superintendent for Business Stuart Mattey provided 2022-23 budget development and staffing recommendations. These documents are available here.
 
To view the minutes from this meeting, visit the Scarsdale Board of Education’s BoardDocs website. Under the Meetings tab, select Jan 10, 2022 (Mon) and then View Minutes.
 
The League encourages members of the public to participate in the process. The Board Budget calendar has been amended and the Budget Study Sessions are now currently scheduled for February 14, March 7, and March 21. 
 
In light of the Budget Study schedule change, LWVS has postponed its General Membership and Consensus meeting regarding the School Budget originally scheduled for March 9. A new date will be announced soon.
Recent Events
LWVS Issues Consensus Statement on the 
Village Election System

On Monday, December 6, 2021, LWVS held its annual information session and membership consensus meeting regarding the Citizens Nominating Committee (CNC) election. Procedure Committee Chair Becky Bach presented and answered questions, assisted in advance by Procedure Committee member and past chair Madelaine Eppenstein. 

The recording is posted on the Information Sessions page of the LWVS website as is the LWVS Consensus Statement, which also appears on the Local Programs and Positions page.
LWVS Information Session and Consensus Meeting on the
School Election System

On Friday, January 21, the LWVS convened its General Membership and Consensus meeting regarding the School Board Nominating Committee election which occurred on January 11. Jyoti Ruta, the LWVS School Election System Chair, conducted the meeting.

Ms. Laura Liu (Election Chair) and Ms. Laura Gelblum (Election Vice Chair) of the SBNC Administrative Committee prepared a statement in advance and shared an overview of the Administrative Committee's work during the 2021-22 election cycle. Highlights of the discussion included Member Participation, Recruitment, Publicity, Voting and Finances. The League statement on the SBNC election will be published shortly.
Other Announcements
Interested in the Renovation of the Scarsdale Pool Complex?
Join a League Committee to Study the Pool Renovation Process!
The Scarsdale Village Board of Trustees is currently evaluating whether to repair or renovate the Scarsdale Pool Complex. The LWVS is forming a Pool Study Committee to follow this process and needs members to be a part of this new committee. The Pool Study Committee will be interesting, intellectually engaging, and critical to our League’s work in the Scarsdale community. If you have any interest or just have questions, please contact Alissa Baum at LWVSpresident@gmail.com.
Program Planning

LWVS will review the current LWVW Program at the Program Consensus Meeting on February 7 to assess priorities for County efforts in 2022-23. LWVS has the opportunity to recommend what the LWVW retains, edit what is in the program, and make suggestions for LWVW to consider adopting. Following the LWVS meeting, the LWVS will forward its recommendations to the LWVW for consideration in developing the proposed 2022-23 LWVW Program.

The current 2021-22 LWVW Program is available for review.


County Redistricting

The Westchester County Board of Legislators will soon begin the process of redrawing Westchester County legislative district maps. The LWVW is preparing for the anticipated redistricting and will take a leadership role in coordinating and organizing input from local LWVs in Westchester.


LWVW Committee on the Environment

The New York State League is mobilizing to actively address environmental issues. The LWVW will be reviewing New York State’s far-reaching Climate Action Plan. Because of the length and complexity of the Climate Action Plan, the LWVW is seeking volunteers to read and report on a portion of the plan. Please contact Susan Schwarz at sdschwarz@aol.com to help with this effort.
Membership Announcements
In Loving Memory of Renée S. Baylor

Beloved League Board Member

Renée Baylor’s long history of commitment to the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale and Westchester County spanned nearly 50 years. She began volunteering with the Scarsdale League, serving in multiple leadership roles including president and remained an active League Board member of both the Westchester and Scarsdale Leagues until her death this past January. 

As League Historian, Renée was a source of vast knowledge, wit, and reason among League members. She was a resource not just because of her institutional memory, but also because she always had the League’s mission in mind. Her dedication as a board member, writing and meticulously editing statements, and choosing language that was in alignment with League ideals, ensured that the League’s message was stronger and more relevant.

Renée’s mentorship to new board members was invaluable. She always encouraged the ideas and leadership of new members. Her support and excitement when these members became involved with League activities gave them confidence in their roles and continued to bring new life to the organization while it remained true to its principles. Her guidance, humor, knowledge, and intelligence will be sorely missed.

In the time-honored retreat,
Side by side, we’ll take a seat,
To younger hands resign the reins,
With all the honors, and the gains.
United, down life’s hill we’ll glide,
What’er the coming years betide;
Parted only when first, in time,
Eternal joys are thine, or mine. 

*Selection from a poem written by Elizabeth Cady Stanton to Susan B. Anthony in honor of her 80th birthday on February 15, 1900
Thank You

The LWVS requires the support and dedication of our community of volunteers. I would like to extend thanks to the League volunteers who contributed so much time and effort during the month of January.

Thanks to Jyoti Ruta for her thoughtful and detailed work on the SBNC Election Information and Consensus Meeting. The League is lucky to have her on this important portfolio.

Thanks to Diane Baylor for her precise recording of Board minutes, diligence in maintaining and updating our website, and expertise in preparing a detailed Village Election Consensus Statement. 

Thanks to Dana Matsushita for her time and meticulous attention to the LWVS Bulletin and for sending a slew of informational eblasts to our members. Thanks to Joan Bowen for coordinating our event publicity on social media.

Thanks to Cindy Yau, Heedan Chung, and Jessica Zellner, for their hard work and creativity in planning such a special evening event with Mr. Khzir Khan. Thanks to Anne Lyons for her dedicated work on the winter finance drive.

Thanks to Lauren Hertzog Fields, Beatrice Sevcik, and Jessica Zellner for their continued work on Voter Service, in particular educating the community about redistricting. Thanks to Suzie Hahn for her thoughtful and detailed work on the school budget portfolio.

Thanks to membership statistician Jenny Tabak for keeping our membership records up-to-date. Thanks to Erika Rublin for organizing and reporting on the League financials. 

Thanks to Elissa Ruback for all of her careful review and editing of Board work and for her wise counsel.  

Thanks to Lauren Tetenbaum Dorman and Cindy Yau for their work on Students Inside Albany. Thanks to Sara Pinto for her important Board work. Thanks to Kitt Rosenthal for serving as Liaison to the League of Women Voters of Westchester.

Thanks to SBNC Administrative Committee Election Chair Laura Liu, and Election Vice Chair Laura Gelblum, community volunteers who participated in our League School Election Information Session. The League appreciates the time and thought that they put forth in helping to inform our membership about local government.

Thanks to Linda Doucette-Ashman, a former LWVS president, for moderating a fabulous winter event with Khizr Khan. 

Finally, I would like to extend a very special thanks to Khizr Khan for his generosity in spending time with us to share his story and inspire us in our work of civic engagement.

I look forward to all of the great work that lies ahead!

All my best,
Alissa Baum
LWVS Nominating Committee
 
The 2021-22 LWVS Nominating Committee is calling for nominations to fill League Board Officer and Director positions for the 2022-23 year, as well as off-board member positions on the 2022-23 Nominating Committee.
 
The following is a list of our 2021-22 Nominating Committee members, all of whom are able to receive nominations for discussion and consideration:
  • Janice Starr* (Chair)
  • Heedan Chung
  • Kerry Hayes*
  • Dalya Khan*
  • Elissa Ruback

If you would like to nominate yourself or someone you know to be considered for the 2022-23 League Board or Nominating Committee, kindly contact 2021-22 Nominating Committee Chair Janice Starr at janice.starr@gmail.com.
 
*Off-Board members were approved at our annual meeting in May, 2021.
Stay Connected!

The LWVS Bulletin is published monthly. To ensure that you receive our news directly, please provide your preferred email and physical mailing address when you renew your membership or join for the first time.

Bulletins will be sent via eblast and posted on our website, Facebook page, and Twitter feed.

Contact us at LWVSMembership@gmail.com with any questions about your membership status or to change/update your contact information.
They Represent You
Village of Scarsdale

As of January 31, 2022
Board of Trustees

Jane Veron, Mayor
  Term ends April 2023
Justin Arest, Deputy Mayor
  2nd term ends April 2022
Sameer Ahuja
1st term ends April 2023
Karen Brew
1st term ends April 2023
Lena Crandall
  2nd term ends April 2022
Jonathan Lewis
  2nd term ends April 2023
Randall Whitestone
1st term ends April 2022
Board of Education

Karen Ceske, President
  1st term ends June 2022
Amber Yusuf, Vice President
  1st term ends June 2023
Jim Dugan
1st term ends June 2024
Carl Finger
  1st term ends June 2022
Robert Klein
  1st term ends June 2023
Jessica Resnick-Ault
1st term ends June 2024
Ronald Schulhof
  1st term ends June 2022
League of Women Voters of Scarsdale

2021-22


Officers

President: Alissa Baum

First Vice President: Elissa Ruback

Second Vice President: Anne Lyons

Recording Secretary: Diane Baylor

Corresponding Secretary: Dana Matsushita

Treasurer: Erika Rublin

2021-2022 Elected Board Members

Joan Bowen
Heedan Chung
Lauren Tetenbaum Dorman
Lauren Hertzog Fields
Suzie Hahn
Debbie Miller
Jyoti Ruta
Beatrice Sevcik
Jessica Zellner

Appointed Board Members

Renée Baylor (in memoriam)
Sara Pinto
Kitt Rosenthal
Jenny Simon Tabak
Cindy Yau

Committee Chairs
Advocacy: Alissa Baum

Audit: Amber Yusuf and Susan Lee Foley

Book Group: Jessica Zellner

Budget: Nancy Michaels (Off-Board)

Bulletin Editor: Dana Matsushita

Development/Finance Drive: Anne Lyons

Eblast/Publicity: Dana Matsushita

Environment/Sustainability: TBD

Hospitality: Kitt Rosenthal

Luncheons: Anne Lyons

LWVW Liaison: Kitt Rosenthal

Membership: Heedan Chung and Lauren Tetenbaum Dorman

Membership Statistician: Jenny Simon Tabak

Nominating Chair: Janice Starr (Off-Board)
Program/Education: Sara Pinto and Cindy Yau

School Budget: Suzie Hahn

School Election: Jyoti Ruta

Social Media: Joan Bowen

Voter Service: Lauren Hertzog Fields, Beatrice Sevcik, and Jessica Zellner

Students Inside Albany: Lauren Tetenbaum Dorman and Cindy Yau

Village Budget: Tracy Tang

Village Election: Diane Baylor

Website: Diane Baylor

Youth Engagement: Elissa Ruback
Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport – Get Involved!

The League of Women Voters
Creating A More Perfect Democracy For 100 Years
The League of Women Voters of Scarsdale (LWVS) is a volunteer nonpartisan political organization which promotes political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government. The League is nonpartisan in that it does not support or oppose any candidate for public office; it is political in that it takes positions on selected governmental issues after serious member study and consensus.