Welcome May! I hope that this letter finds you well as we enter this beautiful spring season with all in bloom.

In April, the work of the League included a general membership and consensus meeting to discuss the LWVUS federal judiciary study, the LWVNYS ranked choice voting study, and the LWVNYS voting systems approval process study. And later in the month, we held a wonderful book club discussion about Master Slave Husband Wife, by Ilyon Woo. 

Regarding our local Village politics, the LWVS Voter Service chairs are busy disseminating voter information on the School Board Election and School Budget Vote on May 20. You may view the Proposed School Budget for 2025-26 and read the League’s School Budget Consensus Statement. Please remember to vote!

Soon we will be hosting our Annual Meeting and Spring Luncheon at Scarsdale Golf Club, where we will have another incredible program, this year featuring Congressman George Latimer, CD-16. The topic of discussion will focus on the state of democracy. At the meeting, we will vote on our Proposed Annual Budget for 2025-26, our Proposed Local Program for 2025-26, and our Proposed Slate of Officers, Board Members and off-Board Nominating Committee Members for 2025-26. Please note that you have to be a current-year member in order to vote. We look forward to seeing you at our Meeting and Luncheon!

I would like to formally congratulate Dylan Lemberg as our Students Inside Albany representative. Dylan will attend the Students Inside Albany Conference in Albany on May 18 -22, during which he and his peers will get a look at the inner workings of New York State government and will gain a greater insight on how to participate in the public policy arena. Additionally, there is the opportunity to meet in person with legislators, which is always the highlight of the Conference.

Please note, our Membership Drive for 2025-26 will take place in early September. We welcome our entire community to join the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale. You may email lwvspresident@gmail.com with any questions about League membership.

This is my last year to serve as President of the Scarsdale League, and I am thankful and filled with gratitude towards our board and membership. I am so proud of the work that we do together, and continue to be inspired and amazed by my fellow Board members, League members, and the community members with whom we work throughout the year.

Please join us for the following Upcoming Events:

• Friday, May 9, LWVS Annual Business Meeting, 10:30 a.m. at Scarsdale Golf Club. Luncheon to follow at noon.
• Tuesday, May 20, Scarsdale School Board and Budget Vote, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. at Scarsdale Middle School, 134 Mamaroneck Road

My warmest regards,

Heedan Chung

SCHOOL BUDGET VOTE and SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION 

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

In-person voting from 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. 

Scarsdale Middle School 

134 Mamaroneck Road 

Subject to a vote are the Proposed 2025-26 School Budget (see LWVS Consensus Statement on the 2025-26 Proposed School Budget) and the candidates on the ballot for election to the School Board: Suzie Hahn, Colleen Brown and Laura Ying Liu. The election will be for the three seats currently occupied by Colleen Brown, Suzie Hahn, and Ron Schulhof. Ms. Brown and Ms. Hahn are finishing their first terms this year, while Mr. Schulhof completes his second.

The LWVS supports the proposed 2025-26 school budget and encourages the community to vote YES.

VOTER REGISTRATION INFORMATION

To be qualified to register to vote in this election, you must:

• be at least 18 years of age by the date of the election,
• be a United States citizen,
• have continuously resided in the Scarsdale Public School District for a period of at least 30 days immediately preceding the date of the election,
• not be in prison for a felony conviction,
• not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court, and
• not claim the right to vote elsewhere.

You are already eligible to vote if you meet either of the following criteria:

• You are registered with the Westchester County Board of Elections to vote in general elections, or
• You are registered to vote in the Scarsdale Public School District and have voted in a school election within the past four years.

Enter your information in the SUFSD Poll Place Finder/Am I Registered form to find out if you are already registered to vote in this election.

For more information, visit the LWVS School Budget Vote and School Board Election page or contact the LWVS Voter Service Chairs.

June Primary Election

Remember to check your voter registration status for the June 24, 2025 Primary Election on the New York State Portal. You may register to vote on any business day of the year, but your voter registration form must be received by June 14, 2025 in order to vote in the Primary Election. Early voting for this election will run from Saturday, June 14 to Sunday, June 22, 2025.

For more information about the June Primary Election, see the LWVS June Primary Election webpage. 

Questions regarding voting in the Primary should be directed to the LWVS Voter Service Chair.

May 2025

• 5/9, Friday:
• 10:30am LWVS Annual Mtg and Luncheon featuring Congressman George Latimer, Scarsdale Golf Club
• 5/20, Tuesday:
• 7am - 9pm School Budget Vote and BOE Election, Scarsdale Middle School Gym

June 2025

• 6/5, Thursday
• 5-8pm, LWVW Annual Convention featuring Spencer Reynolds, Manhattanville University
• 6/9, Monday
• 10am Joint Old/New Board Meeting, Private Home
• 6/14, Saturday - 6/22, Sunday
• Early Voting for June Primary
• 6/24, Tuesday
• Primary Election

League of Women Voters of Scarsdale

Annual Meeting and Luncheon

 Friday, May 9, 2025

10:30 am to 2 pm

(luncheon and speaker portion of event begins at noon)

Scarsdale Golf Club

Featured Speaker:

Congressman George Latimer

Agenda

I. Call to Order and Welcome to All: Heedan Chung

• Introduction of Parliamentarian
• Introduction of Secretary
• Adoption of Order of Business
• Motion for Annual Meeting Minutes to Be Adopted by the LWVS Board

II. President’s Report: Heedan Chung

III. Treasurer’s Report and YTD Budget and Actuals: Trish Chen

IV. Presentation of Proposed LWVS Budget 2025-26: Nancy Michaels

• Proposed LWVS Budget 2025-26
• Budget Adoption

V. Presentation of Proposed LWVS Local Program 2025-26: Anne Lyons

• Proposed LWVS Local Program with Outlook for Work
• Adoption of LWVS Local Program 2025-26

VI. Report of the Nominating Committee: Amber Yusuf

• Presentation of Proposed LWVS Slate for 2025-26
• Nominations from the Floor
• Election and Installation of 2025-26 LWVS Officers, Directors, and Nominating Committee

VII. Directions to the Board

VIII. Other Business Announcements

IX. Upcoming Events

• Sunday, May 18, 2025 to Wednesday, May 21, 2025 in Albany: LWVNYS Students Inside Albany
• Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 7am to 9pm at SMS: School Budget Vote and BOE Election
• Thursday, June 5, 2025, 5pm at Manhattanville University: LWVW Annual Convention
• Monday, June 9, 2025, 10am at private home: LWVS Joint Old/New Board Meeting
• Saturday, June 14, 2025 through Sunday, June 22, 2025: Early Voting for June Primary
• Tuesday, June 24, 2025: June Primary
• Friday, June 20, 2025 to Sunday, June 22, 2025 in Albany, NY: LWVNYS Biennial Convention

X. Adjournment

Featured Speaker:

Congressman George Latimer

George Latimer, a third generation Westchester native, attended Mount Vernon public schools, graduated with a B.A. from Fordham University in the Bronx in 1974 and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from New York University’s Wagner School in 1976. His public service career began in 1987 on the Rye City Council. In 1991, he was elected to the Westchester County Board of Legislators, where he served for 13 years. In 2004, he was elected to the NYS Assembly, where he authored more than 20 new laws. Latimer was then elected to the NYS Senate in 2012, representing the 37th District.

Latimer took office as Westchester County Executive in January 2018 as the ninth County Executive. He was then re-elected to a second term as County Executive in November 2021, never losing an election after over three decades in public office. During his tenure as County Executive, Latimer upheld an impressive record of achievements, including three consecutive County property tax cuts and credit rating stabilization. He was also responsible for bringing several long-standing infrastructure projects to fruition, including the historic Elijah J. Miller House, Sprain Ridge Pool, New Rochelle Family Court and the North and South County Trailways. Latimer also worked to electrify the County’s Bee-Line Bus Fleet and modernize all County facilities for a green future.



In November 2024, Latimer was elected to represent Congressional District 16 in the U.S. House of Representatives and began serving his two-year term in January 2025.

We are honored to have Congressman Latimer speak at our annual meeting. He will discuss the state of our democracy during these changing times, followed by Q & A. 

Tickets are $60/adult and $30/student

Adult price increases by $10 after May 2, 2025

LWVW Annual Convention (2025)

Thursday, June 5, 2025

5:00 - 8:00 pm

Featured Speaker: Spencer Reynolds

Senior Counsel in the Brennan Center for Justice’s Liberty and National Security Program

Topic: Protecting Liberty and Security + Bolstering Checks and Balances

Meet other local league members within Westchester County, hear what LWVW has accomplished this past year, learn what is on the horizon for 2025-26, vote on the LWVW program and LWVW budget for next year, install the incoming leadership team, and enjoy the speaker and buffet supper. Follow this link for more information.

LWVS General Membership and Consensus Meeting:

National and State Studies

On Tuesday, April 1, LWVS held a general membership and consensus meeting to discuss the LWVUS federal judiciary study, the LWVNYS ranked choice voting study, and the LWVNYS voting systems approval process study.

On the state study on "voting systems," there was consensus supporting greater transparency in approval and supporting the state Board of Elections ("BOE") or county BOEs in soliciting and making funds available to by such new systems. There was also consensus on the state study of Ranked Choice Voting in primary, general and/or special elections to elect federal, state, and/or local officials -- though there was no consensus about the use of nonpartisan primaries in this study. 

On the national Federal Judiciary Study, there was consensus that principles of accountability, independence, and ethics are essential to an effective Federal Judiciary, that the Supreme Court's perceived legitimacy contributes to a strong democracy, and that rigorous financial disclosure is needed for federal judges. However, there was no consensus on many options providing possible remedies addressing this issue. 

Following this discussion, LWVS submitted surveys convening these discussions to the state and national committees. For the state surveys, if approved by members, this will contribute to the creation of new state League positions on ranked-choice voting and primary voting systems as well as on how the voting systems approval process in New York could be improved. For the national survey, this will feed into a national position to be announced at the LWVUS 2025 Council in June 2025. 

Follow these links for materials developed by the state and national leagues:

• Resources on "voting systems", a.k.a. voting machines
• Ranked Choice Voting 
• Federal Judiciary Study

School Budget Update

At the April 7, 2025 Board of Education Business meeting, the Scarsdale Board of Education unanimously voted to adopt the proposed budget for the 2025-26 school year in the amount of $191,504,833, which represents a budget-to-budget increase of 3.55% and a tax levy increase of 3.40%.

Various Board members highlighted the proposed budget’s continued focus on educational excellence, including maintaining small class sizes at the elementary level and expanding the special education continuum. Acknowledging the financial challenges facing the District, many members appreciated the reduction in FTEs and a budget within the tax cap. Various Board members further stated that the Administration's continued use of the fund balance was not sustainable. All Board members strongly supported this budget.  

The LWVS supports the 2025-26 Proposed Scarsdale School District Budget and recommends that the community vote “YES” to approve the final proposed Budget on May 20, 2025 at Scarsdale Middle School.

Links:

• Scarsdale Union Free School District Proposed Budget 2025-26
• LWVS School Budget Questions and District Responses
• Video of School Budget Information Session
• LWVS Consensus Statement on the 2025-26 Proposed School Budget
• LWVS 2024-25 Information Sessions page

Village Budget Update 

At the April 22, 2025 Village Board meeting, the Board of Trustees adopted the General Fund Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Village Budget. The Board of Trustees also approved an amendment to increase the Pool Complex Project Debt Issuance forecast from $37,000,000 to $45,500,000; this new figure is the midpoint between the tentative costs of the two schemes still being studied by Village staff and consultants following a meeting on January 28. 

The adopted Village Budget includes a tax levy increase of 3.95%. The levy increase is $456,606 over the NY State tax cap. The increase equates to a 2.39% increase on the tax rate, which is a $203.25 increase for the average Scarsdale homeowner (at a $1,597,000 home value). The adopted tax levy increase matches the amount presented in the tentative budget.  With operating costs continually on the rise and infrastructure needs to consider, maintaining a steady increase to match the expenses and avoid large spikes in costs in the future was deemed the most prudent course of action, even though it meant exceeding the tax cap. In addition, it should be noted that mandated increases in insurance premiums and pension costs alone exceed the allowable levy increase under the state tax cap formula. 

Links: 

• 2025-26 Tentative Budget (Approved Budget will be shared when available) 
• LWVS Village Budget Consensus Statement 

LWVS Book Discussion

Master Slave Husband Wife

by Ilyon Woo

On April 25, a number of League members gathered in a private home to discuss Master Slave Husband Wife by Ilyon Woo. The book discussion was lively, with all participants sharing their insightful thoughts on this book, which detailed the real-life harrowing escape and self-emancipation of Ellen and William Craft, set within the context of momentous changes in American history.

In addition to talking about Ellen, William, their marriage, and their personal journey, the group discussed other historical figures and events explored in the book, including William Wells Brown, Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, the abolition-lecture circuit, and The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. The author’s extensive research process and the form of the book were also examined. All present enjoyed the book and were happy that they had read it.

Thank you

The LWVS thrives with the support and hard work of a community of volunteers. I would like to extend thanks to the volunteers who contributed their valuable time and energy during the month of April.

Thanks to my Executive Committee – Susan Lee, Diksha Mudbhary, Dana Matsushita, Diane Baylor and Trish Chen – for their wise counsel throughout this year.

Thanks to Kathy Gray for her work on Voter Service to keep our community informed and engaged. Thanks to Nan Eileen Mead for organizing Students Inside Albany.

Thanks to Anne Lyons for her work on the LWVS Winter Finance Drive and for her masterful planning of our Annual Meeting.

Thanks to Trish Chen for her meticulous work as Treasurer.

Thanks to Abigail Ruane for her conscientious work on the LWVUS Federal Judiciary Study, the LWVNYS Ranked Choice Voting Study, and the LWVNYS Voting Systems Approval Process Study.

Thanks to Dalya Khan for leading a wonderfully engaging and well researched book club discussion of Master Slave Husband Wife by Ilyon Woo.

Thanks to Diane Baylor for taking such careful minutes at our meetings.

Thanks to Dana Matsushita for her careful, thoughtful, and detailed work on the LWVS Bulletin. 

Thanks to budget chair Nancy Michaels and the LWVS budget committee –Erika Rublin, Diane Baylor, Trish Chen, Anne Lyons, Janice Starr, and Jenny Simon Tabak – for their work on the 2025-26 LWVS proposed budget.

I look forward to seeing the great work the League accomplishes. I urge you to stay informed, stay engaged, and most importantly, VOTE!

All my best,

Heedan Chung 

Village of Scarsdale

As of April 30, 2025

Board of Trustees

Justin Arest, Mayor

2nd term ends April 2027

Dara Gruenberg, Deputy Mayor

2nd term ends April 2027

Jeremy Gans

  2nd term ends April 2026

David Goldschmidt

1st term ends April 2027

Jason Kofman

1st term ends April 2027

Ken Mazer

 2nd term ends April 2026

Jeremy Wise

1st term ends April 2026

Board of Education

Suzie Hahn, President

  1st term ends June 2025

Jim Dugan, Vice President

  2nd term ends June 2027

Colleen Brown

  1st term ends June 2025

Leah Dembitzer

1st term ends June 2027

Robert Klein

  2nd term ends June 2026

Ronald Schulhof

  2nd term ends June 2025

Amber Yusuf

   2nd term ends June 2026

League of Women Voters of Scarsdale

2024-25

Officers

President: Heedan Chung

LWVSpresident@gmail.com

First Vice President: Susan Lee

Second Vice President: Diksha Mudbhary

Recording Secretary: Diane Baylor

LWVSrecsecretary@gmail.com

Corresponding Secretary: Dana Matsushita

LWVScommunications@gmail.com

Treasurer: Trish Chen

LWVStreasury@gmail.com

2024-25 Elected Board Members

Deborah Bhatt

Kathy Gray

Lauren Grossberg

Rokaya Hassaballa

Dalya Khan

Nan Eileen Mead

Abigail Ruane

Shilpa Spencer

2024-25 Appointed Board Members

May Cowan

Beth Cukier

Anne Lyons

Kitt Rosenthal

Jenny Simon Tabak

Committee Chairs

Advocacy: Abigail Ruane

Audit: Tracy Tang (Off-Board)

Book Group: Dalya Khan

Budget: Nancy Michaels (Off-Board) 

Bylaws, Policies, and Procedures: Diane Baylor

Communications:

• Bulletin Editor: Dana Matsushita 
• Eblast: Dana Matsushita  
• Publicity: Dana Matsushita 
• Social Media: Dana Matsushita 
• Website: Diane Baylor 

Development/Finance Drive: Anne Lyons

Environment/Sustainability: Lauren Grossberg

Hospitality: Kitt Rosenthal

Local Budgets:

• School Budget: Dalya Khan and Nan Eileen Mead
• Village Budget: Deborah Bhatt

Local Election Systems:

• School Election: Seema Jaggi
• Village Election: Diane Baylor and Beth Cukier



Luncheons: Anne Lyons

LWVW Liaison: Kitt Rosenthal

Membership: Diksha Mudbhary 

• Membership Statistician: Beth Cukier

Nominating Chair: Amber Yusuf (Off-Board) 

Planning and Zoning: Deborah Bhatt

Program/Education: Diksha Mudbhary 

Voter Service: Kathy Gray and Lauren Grossberg

• Candidate Forum(s)
• Naturalization Court
• Voter Registration Drive(s)

Youth Engagement:

• Civics Jeopardy: Susan Lee
• Mock Election: Susan Lee
• Students Inside Albany: Nan Eileen Mead

Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport – Get Involved!

The League of Women Voters

Creating A More Perfect Democracy 

For Over 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.