Forum Focus
October 2020


Message to Our Membership
Dear Members,

Each year brings new opportunities and challenges. But this time is demonstrably notable for the confluence of extraordinary events. A pandemic, a non-traditional school reopening, and a tense general election, to cite just a few. As immediate past president Tim Foley remarked in the October issue last year, “who could have predicted the dramatic and bewildering moment we now find ourselves in?”

Fortunately for Scarsdale Forum members and their guests, our Membership Meetings will feature speakers of note who are ideally positioned to provide context for the issues facing us as we navigate our new reality. Our Sunday Speaker Series will hopefully enlighten us and speak to our concerns and interests in the broader context.
 
The lively discussion at the Membership Meeting held on Thursday, October 1st, featuring Westchester County Executive George Latimer, put some of the relevant local issues in perspective. Looking forward, the Sunday Speaker event scheduled for Sunday, October 18 will feature Forum member Jordan Copeland, and is co-sponsored by the Scarsdale Historical Society and the Scarsdale Library. Read on for more information.
 
November means election season. Every vote matters. The General Election is on Tuesday, November 3. Another opportunity to vote this time each year is the nonpartisan Citizens Nominating Committee election, scheduled for November 10. So plan to vote and vote early, whether in person or by mail-in ballot.

Please also consider inviting your friends and neighbors to attend each of our meetings and events to help us all make sense of the unusual and historic times we are living in, and trying to cope with:
 
*The next Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 5

*The next Membership Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 18 featuring what is expected to be a highly anticipated State of the Schools presentation by Pamela Fuehrer, Board of Education President, and Dr. Thomas Hagerman, Superintendent.
 
*Register below for The Sunday Speaker event on October 18

All meetings and events will take place over Zoom beginning at 8:00 pm until further notice --it is a workable solution that keeps us well connected. Information on how to register or log in will be made available.

With best wishes for the fall and the season's holidays, and for your health and safety,
Sincerely,
Madelaine Eppenstein
meppenstein@eppenstein.com

October Programs

A Conversation with Jordan Copeland

Save the Date: The Scarsdale Forum, the Scarsdale Historical Society, and the Scarsdale Public Library will present a special program on Sunday, October 18 at 3pm via Zoom, featuring Jordan Copeland on
"A History of Black People in Scarsdale"

Through a variety of sources including maps, newspaper articles, photographs, and census records, you will learn about Scarsdale’s Black community and how it has changed over the past 300 years, from the time of slavery through suburbanization and the civil rights era.

Jordan Copeland is a Scarsdale resident, educator, musician and a member of Scarsdale Forum. He has researched and written extensively about the history of Scarsdale. This event is part of the Scarsdale Forum's Sunday Speaker series. All members of the public are welcome. Registration required: click here.
Committee Updates
Audit

The Audit Committee along with Treasurer Matt Martin and former Treasurer Randy Guggenheimer were at work this summer to confirm that Scarsdale Forum books and records are fairly stated and supported by proper documentation. A report was presented at the October Membership Meeting by Chair Tom Giordano, giordanotf@verizon.net.giordanotf@verizon.net
 
County Fiscal Affairs

The County Fiscal Affairs Committee has the challenging task of studying the annual county operating and capital budgets, and issuing its review and recommendations in a short time frame. The Committee's call with LoHud Tax Watch columnist David McKay Wilson was cancelled due to Tropical Storm Isaias. A new date had not been confirmed as of this publication. Contact Chair Richard Pinto, rpinto10583@gmail.com.
Education

The Education Committee's newly released report, “A Proposal for the Formation of a School Community Communications Committee,” (available here) envisions an independent, permanent entity collaborating with the School District Administration and the Board of Education in an advisory capacity. The SCCC would provide neutral ground to assist the District and BOE in meaningful ways with policy, decision-making, and developing successful communication strategies. Representation would come from all stakeholder groups in the learning community, including parents, students, educators, community members, the BOE and District Administration. The Report cites models and mechanisms that successfully use design thinking as a framework for problem solving, and includes a toolbox for ensuring stakeholder inclusion and participation. The Education Committee looks forward to working with the BOE and District on the recommendations. Contact Chair Barry Meiselman, barwest2@aol.com barwest2@aol.com

Membership

The Membership Committee invites members of the community to join the Forum and participate in our committees and events. Please contact Chair Gabrielle Wise, greiffel@me.com.

Municipal Services

As part of its follow up to previous work on traffic safety, the Municipal Services Committee invites the community to submit observations in Scarsdale of (1) motorist violations; (2) pedestrian and bicycle incidents; (3) gridlocked intersections; and (4) suggestions for improvements to sidewalks, traffic signals and signage throughout the village. Send feedback to Chair Madelaine Eppenstein at meppenstein@eppenstein.com.

Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee is asking our members to suggest the names of nominees to fill Scarsdale Forum officer and director-at-large positions. Any input should be submitted no later than Tuesday, December 1, so that the committee has ample time to recommend candidates at the February 11, 2021 Membership Meeting. Please forward suggestions to Chair Tim Foley at tim@commanderfoley.com, or one of the other committee members: Laura Liu, Jon Mark, Richard Pinto, and Karen Smith .

Community Events
Check It Out

New Sanitation Pilot Program
Scarsdale residents may drop-off clean plastic bags and plastic film for recycling at the Recycling Center 8am-3pm.

Halloween Window Painting:
"The Halloween Window Painting Program will take place on Sunday, October 18th. Due to COVID-19 and limited window availability, registrants will be assigned one of two sessions: (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM or 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM) Check out the program rules on the Village website (available here) when registering for a description of how we will be modifying the program this year due to COVID-19. Registration Deadline is Monday, October 12th."
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 available to all Scarsdale and Mamaroneck Strip residents, regardless of citizenship status. 

Forum Focus generally is distributed to Scarsdale Forum members in the first week of each month. Story ideas should be sent to communications@scarsdaleforum.com one week prior to be included in the coming issue.

Media Contact
Madelaine Eppenstein
meppenstein@eppenstein.com