Section: Croton-on-Hudson Village News
May 6, 2008
Croton-on-Hudson Wins Westchester Water Tasting Contest
The Westchester County Department of Health held its annual water tasting contest today at which residents sampled water from four of the County’s municipalities and proclaimed Croton-on-Hudson their favorite.
The blind taste test was held in recognition of National Drinking Water Week outside of the Michaelian Office Building on Martine Avenue in White Plains from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nearly 140 people sampled water from the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, Town of Greenburgh, City of Yonkers, and City of Peekskill.
Croton-on-Hudson received the most votes (40), followed by Greenburgh (37), Yonkers (31), and Peekskill (30). Of the municipalities that participated, Croton-on-Hudson was the lone well water supplier.
For additional information about the contest or other water quality initiatives, contact the Westchester County Department of Health at 914-813-5000 or visit www.westchestergov.com/health.
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April 25, 2008
Seth Davis Strikes Back at Croton's Mayor Schmidt
Because of widespread interest in the Mayor’s high-handed suppression of a citizen’s constitutional right to freedom of expression at a public meeting, Crotonblog is publishing the following communication and attachment from Seth Davis to the Committee on Open Government in Albany:
“Dear Mayor and Trustees:
I have been traveling on business since Sunday and have finally forced myself to watch the video of Monday night’s meeting.
Please know that I consider Mayor Schmidt’s treatment of my son Kevin to be not only shockingly rude but unlawful. The videotape of the meeting clearly shows that the Mayor asked Kevin to “sit down” less than 5 minutes after Kevin began to speak. Moreover, it is beyond the realm of comprehension for a public official even to suggest that members of the public be barred from speaking at open meetings of a governmental body because they participate in a particular exchange of information in a public medium. While you may not agree with a certain blog, you must recognize that we live and have lived for over 200 years under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which guarantees every citizen not only the right to post his opinions wherever he may please, but also to be heard before his representative bodies.
I have filed a request with the New York State Committee on Open Government for an advisory opinion on the legality of Mayor Schmidt’s actions. A copy is included.
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April 23, 2008
Happy Birthday to You! Now Eat.
It’s always someone’s birthday at Caruso’s Deli, located at 43 Croton Point Avenue (map) in Croton-on-Hudson. And when it’s yours, stop by on Mondays and Tuesdays from 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM or Wednesdays through Sundays from 6:30 AM to 8:00 PM, for a free lunch—dubbed as their “Happy Birthday Special.”
For more information about the deli, their espresso or catering services, please call Caruso’s Deli at 914-271-9100 or just stop by.
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April 18, 2008
Save the Date: Blood Drive on May 4
In Croton, Spring also means that it is the season to donate blood. So, on Sunday, May 4, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, the Croton Community Blood Drive is set to take place in the gymnasium at the Croton-Harmon High School.
And as a reminder, being a blood donor involves no risk what-so-ever, since all equipment touching the donor is brand-new, sterile, disposable, and used only once. Refreshments will be served to donors and babysitters and transportation will be provided to those in need.
At the drive, there will also be an opportunity for residents to be screened and registered to become a bone marrow donor. Even those unable to donate blood can be tested. And to do so, blood donors would simply give an extra tube of blood to be tested. Non-donors, that include people who are deferred for a cold or low iron, or for travel restrictions, would be given a mouth swab test—with the results going to the National Bone Marrow listing.
For more information, please call Carol Shanesy at 914-271-7645 or Jo Ann Fannon at 914-271-5529, or email communityblooddrive@gmail.com to make an appointment or if you have questions.
Please note that prior to all blood donations, donors are carefully screened—therefore those who should not donate will not be permitted to do so.
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April 2, 2008
Cleanup Underway at Major Diesel Fuel Spill at Metro North
First discovered on Saturday, March 29, 2008, cleanup of a 17,000 gallon diesel fuel spill on the 1,000-acre Metro North facility in Croton-on-Hudson began yesterday, April 1.
Adjacent to a large fuel storage tank is a large gaping hole that measures nearly 100 feet in diameter from which a hazardous materials cleanup contractor has begun removing fuel-soaked soil.
The site of the spill, as shown in the following three photographs, is visible from the southern side of the bridge that carries Croton Point Avenue over the rail yards, and is not near the Hudson River. However, the aftereffects of the spill create additional activity in an already-busy area where several new construction projects, part of a major expansion project by the MTA, are under way.
The magnitude of the cleanup project is a reminder of the often-overlooked potential for environmental disaster posed by the presence of the MTA’s railroad servicing and repair facility in one of the most sensitive areas of the village of Croton-on-Hudson.
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April 1, 2008
Crotonblog Sold—New Owner to Be the Croton Republican Committee
The owners of Crotonblog, announced today that they have accepted an offer from the Croton Republican Committee to purchase their innovative and irreverent blog after three years two months and 18 days of operation. The selling price was not disclosed, but it included a substantial amount of cash, a valuable collection of Topps baseball cards plus a set of highly collectible toy soldiers in exquisite detail made by the W. Britain firm.
“We decided to sell because it was getting somewhat boring going after the Republicans year after year,” announced the principal owner and editor in a news release. “They have no imagination politically and allow themselves to be manipulated by a small coterie of lobbyists and people with an axe to grind. Their 2008 ticket is a good example. The Croton Republicans today are about as far as you can get from the party of Abraham Lincoln.”
Crotonblog’s ace reporter interviewed two members of the Croton Republican Committee about the terms of the sale. “Frankly,” said Chairman Charles “Chuck” Trendell, “I thought Vice Chairman Otto Wintermeier here would make the announcement.” Your alert reporter noticed that both were wearing lapel flag pins. He decided not to mention that flag pins had gone out of style. Even the President no longer wears them.
“No, no, Chuck. You were going to do the announcing,” said Mr. Wintermeier. Then he added quietly to this reporter, “He always calls me ‘Otto’ when he’s peeved with me.”
“But isn’t that your name?” this award-winning reporter asked. “It’s the name by which you’re registered on the Board of Elections registration lists.”
‘Yeah, sure. But it’s not the name I use. Anyway, we’re getting away from the subject here,” Mr. Wintermeier pointed out.
“You screwed up. Otto. Why don’t you just admit it?” Mr. Trendell demanded.
“Okay, okay, Chuck. So I screwed up. But your baseball cards weren’t enough. I’m the one who threw the toy soldiers into the pot and clinched the deal.”
“Otto, you dummy. Can’t you see that this guy is taking notes on everything we’re saying?”
“Can we get back to the reason the Croton Republican Committee bought the Crotonblog?” your crack reporter asked.
“That’s easy, ” Mr. Trendell offered. “They caused our defeat by harpooning everything we said and did.”
“You mean lampooning,” Mr. Wintermeier suggested.
“That, too,” Mr. Trendell said brightly.
“So you really bought Crotonblog to shut them up,” your prize-winning reporter declared.
“Yeah, I suppose you could put it that way,” Mr. Wintermeier acknowledged, somewhat reluctantly. “I wanted to start our own blog with Rob DiFrancesco as editor. You know, kinda bring him back into the fold, sort of, ” he added. “But Chuck wouldn’t have it.”
“You bet your bippy I wouldn’t have it. That kid could screw up a two-car funeral. He almost cost us the 2007 election.”
“And there’ll be some policy changes, too. Crotonblog will be more like Fox News, only different,” Mr. Wintermeier said.
“That’s right,” Mr. Trendell joined in. “No more of that ‘fair and balanced’ crap. It’s our way or the highway from now on.”
At this point, the door opened and in came Joan Minett, former secretary of the Croton Republican Committee. We had heard that she had been replaced by Mrs. Jean Kraemer because nobody could read Mrs. Minett’s shorthand notes, including Mrs. Minett.
She was out of breath. “It’s raining cats and dogs out there. I just stepped in a poodle,” she explained as she closed her umbrella. Nobody laughed. “I rushed over here because I heard a rumor that the Committee was thinking about buying that awful Crotonblog from Mr. Russ Whale.”
“We’ve already bought it. And you’ve got his name wrong,” Messrs. Trendell and Winterneier suggested simultaneously, proffering the correct name.
“Wheel, Whale. Whatever.” Joann Minett replied. “He’s evil.”
Sensing that the conversation in front of a crackerjack reporter was getting onto thin ice, Mr. Trendell said, “Well, Joann, now that we own Crotonblog there’ll be no more film clips showing you at the microphone wildly waving your arms.”
“Gesticulating,” said Mr. Wintermeier.
“That, too,” added Mr. Trendell.
“I don’t see why everybody got their underwear in a twist because I do that all the time when I talk. I can’t help it. I’m Italian, and we all talk with our hands. It’s in our blood. Who’s this guy here?” she asked, nodding in the direction of your investigative reporter.
“He’s a reporter from the Crotonblog,” Mr. Trendell explained.
“Then he’s the enemy.” She shook her umbrella at me, getting water all over my notes. “Are you the one who does all the strolling? You better watch out. You don’t want me after you. Remember, we pay your salary.”
“In that case, how about a raise?” this overworked reporter asked, dodging the wet umbrella that sailed right by his head. It looked like this was going to be the beginning of an unusual working relationship.
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March 26, 2008
Congressman Hall Secures Funding for Education Programs at Van Cortlandt Manor
Congressman John Hall (D-19) was the distinguished special guest at a meeting of Historic Hudson Valley’s Board of Trustees on Feb. 29, where the organization formally thanked the congressman for securing $47,161 in federal funds that will enhance educational programs at Van Cortlandt Manor, a living history museum in Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y., owned and operated by the organization.
From left, Waddell W. Stillman, president of Historic Hudson Valley; Congressman John Hall; Mark F. Rockefeller, chairman of Historic Hudson Valley’s Executive Committee; and Michael Hegarty, chairman of Historic Hudson Valley’s Board of Trustees. (Karen M. Sharman, photo)
“I’m happy and proud to help make resources available to organizations like Historic Hudson Valley because doing so helps protect open space while enhancing educational programs,” the congressman told the group’s board at the meeting.
Recognizing the key role heritage tourism plays in economic development, Congressman Hall told the group, “Historic Hudson Valley’s important work promotes a fundamental truth that a healthy economy and protecting the environment don’t have to be adversaries.”
“I want to thank the congressman for his efforts on behalf of Van Cortlandt Manor,” said Michael Hegarty, chairman of Historic Hudson Valley’s Board of Trustees. “With its location at the confluence of the Hudson and Croton rivers, this site is a natural learning laboratory.”
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March 18, 2008
Our Condolences...
Tragically, the Poughkeepsie Journal is reporting that Teresa Fiorentino, 75, of Croton-on-Hudson, who worked at the coffee stand in the Croton Harmon train station was struck and killed by a southbound Amtrak train at 8:31 AM this morning.
The staff of Crotonblog is deeply saddened to have lost a friendly face who regularly helped hundreds of commuters every morning with everything from a newspaper to a hot cup of coffee. We extend our deepest condolences to Ms. Fiorentino’s surviving family members.
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March 11, 2008
Trustee Candidate Debate Set for March 12
Word out of Croton’s Municipal Building this morning is that the trustee candidate debate—sponsored by the League of Women Voters—is set for Wednesday, March 12, 2008, beginning at 7:30 PM. The debate will also be televised live on Cablevision channel 78 and also presented as a live webstream, available from www.crotononhudson-ny.gov.
As a reminder to residents, the village election, for two open trustee seats, will take place on March 18, 2008 with polls open from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Running for office are Democrats Ann Gallelli and Rick Olver opposing Republicans Joann Minett and Joe Streany. For information on the candidates, visit www.crotondems.org and www.crotongop.com.
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February 28, 2008
Ann Gallelli Elected President of the Westchester Municipal Planning Federation
Croton resident, Ann Gallelli, has been elected President of the Westchester Municipal Planning Federation (WMPF). A member of its Board of Directors since 2004, Ms. Gallelli succeeds Noel Shaw of New Rochelle who retired in December, 2007.
The Westchester Municipal Planning Federation evolved in 1962 from the efforts in civic planning education organized by the late Hugh R. Pomeroy, Westchester’s first Director of Planning. The goals of the organization are “To create an effective and permanent countywide organization for the exchange of information on matters of planning interest.”
WMPF offers training programs for municipal planning and zoning board members. Its annual Land Use Training Institute, held in conjunction with Pace University, provides a certificate program for planning officials, planning and environmental consultants, land use attorneys and other interested parties to meet local training requirements and to learn about current issues and practices in planning. WMPF also conducts an annual award program recognizing the accomplishments of municipalities and residents who have made significant contributions to planning in Westchester County. In cooperation with the County Department of Planning, WMPF has also produced several publications to help planners and board members carry out their roles in making land use and zoning decisions.
On her selection, Ms. Gallelli commented, “I am very honored to have been selected for this post. I look forward to the opportunity to work with the land use professionals and municipal officials on the WMPF Board in furthering its programs and goals.”
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February 15, 2008
International Educator Edith Kimchi Offers Parent Workshop Saturday
Renowned international educator Edith Kimchi presents a transformative workshop for parents and teachers at The Garden Road School in Croton-on-Hudson on Saturday, February 16 from 3-5pm.
Kimchi will discuss “Natural Pathways of Development from Birth to Seven Years: Practical Inroads for Parents and Educators.” Enter into the feelings, thoughts and responsive lives of our children. Learn how to meet their needs at this critical and exciting time in their lives.
The cost is $20 per person. For reservations, contact Donna Mikkelsen at The Garden Road School at 914-827-0451 or info@thegardenroad.org. The School is located at 138 Maple Street in Croton.
Edith Kimchi is the founder of a successful alternative school system in Maale Zvia, Israel, where she served as the school principal for its first six years. Kimchi continues to advance similar methods in North America, most notably at The Garden Road School in Croton. She is currently a senior lecturer for the Israeli Ministry of Exterior Affairs in the field of educational leadership, and serves as the Head of the Education in Katzrin, Israel.
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January 31, 2008
Croton’s Cub Scouts Hold Annual Pinewood Derby at Croton Auto Park
For the third year in a row, on Friday evening January 11th, 2008, Croton’s Cub Scout Pack 28 held their annual Pinewood Derby at Croton Auto P ark. Croton’s only auto dealer once again cleared out and decorated their showroom and generously underwrote many of the costs associated with the race to provide a venue for Pack 28’s finest Derby yet. The race was a big success and a truly fun night was had by all.
Hosting the Pinewood Derby is a natural extension of the community support that Croton Auto Park provides to many local organizations. It also didn’t hurt that they had an audience of close to 60 families, many of whom are already Croton Auto Park customers or others who may be in the market for new vehicles in the coming years. Before and during the races, participants enjoyed pizza & soda and got a chance to sit in several brand new Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles. Pack 28 sends out a HUGE Thank You to Mr. Giordano and his staff at Croton Auto Park for their time and generosity.
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