Sound Shore

Harrison Supervisor Joan Walsh submitted a budget today, which would raise taxes a bit more than 4 percent. The majority of that increase is a result from the the town’s decreasing tax assessment base. Spending is only increased within the state’s mandated 2 percent cap.

Walsh issued the following press release:

Supervisor/ Mayor Joan Walsh of the Town/Village of Harrison filed the proposed tentative budget for 2012 today with the Harrison Town Clerk. Supervisor Walsh stated that “The 2012 Budget that I am proposing meets the 2% Tax Levy Cap mandated by New York State.”  Under the proposed “tentative” budget, property taxes will rise 4.254%. “This is only the mid-point of the budget process…a final budget must be adopted by December 20^th and much work remains to be done before then,” said Supervisor Joan Walsh.

In calling the proposed budget a “work in progress”, Supervisor Walsh stated that “Harrison continues to experience material adverse changes to its fiscal condition and faces the same challenges as all local governments across the Nation … higher operating costs, unfunded state mandates and falling real property assessed valuations.” She said  “Significant increases for pension contributions required by the New York State Retirement System, increased major medical costs, debt service and fuel  costs amount to more than a $1.2 million increase in operating costs from the 2011 budget to the 2012 budget.” For the proposed 2012 budget, a $398,500 change in either revenues or expenses equals a 1% decrease or increase, respectively, in property taxes.  In addition, the continued economic downturn means that several Town/Village non-property tax revenue line items such as mortgage tax aid, building department fees and interest earnings are expected to remain flat, in line with their 2011 levels. (more…)

The city issued this press release this afternoon:
Storm Recovery Update
 The following Storm Recovery Update was sent citywide at 1:45 PM today through the City’s emergency communications network.
This is a recovery update from the City of New Rochelle regarding power outages, storm cleanup and leaf collection.
There are 1,400 households without electricity, an increase from yesterday due to revised reports and ongoing repairs. Con Edison crews have been working in our City but complete restoration to all households is not predicted until the end of Wednesday.
Families who plan to Trick or Treat tonight should exercise extreme caution and avoid wires and debris. Again, please report any downed wires to Con Edison at 1-800 75 CONED and to the New Rochelle Police Department at 654-2300.
Fall leaf collection has been suspended this week to allow for storm debris removal. However, collection of bagged leaves will take place as scheduled this Saturday.
For further updates, visit the City website at www.newrochelleny.com or tune in to Cable channel 75 or Verizon 28.

Here’s a digest of opinion content we published over the weekend:

Saturday, Oct. 29
Iran and Iraq: Commentaries
We ran a pair of commentary pieces addressing the American withdrawal from Iraq and the implications of an increasingly powerful Iran:
Withdrawal means a victor for Iran: Commentary, Frederick W. Kagan and Kimberly Kagan
Ending an unnecessary war is cause for rejoicing: Commentary, Bob Ray Sanders

Sunday, October 30
Rockland County Legislature endorsements: Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8
We offered endorsement of candidates seeking Rockland County Legislature seats:
District 1: Michael Diederich, a Democrat
District 2: Michael Grant, a Democrat
District 3: Jay Hood Jr., a Democrat
District 4: Ilan Schoenberger, a Democrat
District 8: Denet Alexandre, a Republican

Westchester County Board of Legislators endorsements: Districts 1, 2, 3, 5 and 17
We offered endorsements of candidates seeking Westchester County Board of Legislators seats:
District 1: John Testa, a Republican
District 2: Peter Harckham, a Democrat
District 3: John Nonna, a Democrat
District 5: William Ryan, a Democrat
District 17: Virginia Perez, a Democrat

Tappan Zee Bridge: Baird
Bob Baird assesses the potential infrastructure losses for Rockland County in the new plans to replace the Tappan Zee bridge.

Monday, Oct. 31
Immigrants and the GOP: Commentary
Justin Akers Chacon, a professor of U.S. History and Chicano Studies in San Diego, comments on the Republican presidential candidates’ approach to immigration.

MAMARONECK — Con Edison expects power to be fully restored by midnight Wednesday, though some areas will get power earlier, town officials said today.

With trick-or- treaters out and about tonight, parents should remember to carry a flashlight to make it easier to spot hazards such as down power lines in the sidewalks and streets. Always assume a wire is live and dangerous.

The town will open a warming center at the VFW Building at 1288 Boston Post Road today at 1 p.m. It will stay open as needed.

Henry Nyre, 7, garners positive reaction as he speaks at the podium about his father, Iona College’s new president Dr. Joseph Nyre, during the inauguration ceremony in New Rochelle on Oct. 28, 2011. Nyre is the first non-Christian Brother to lead the private Catholic college since its founding by the order in 1940. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

See more photos from the inauguration of Iona president Dr. Joseph Nyre in a photo gallery, and go to LoHud.com for the story.

Below is a letter from New Rochelle school officials to Trinity Elementary School parents regarding the recent abrupt resignation of Assistant Principal Nadine Pacheco, which Ned Rauch reported on in a story today. Pacheco’s own letter to the school community follows.

To the Members of the Trinity School Community:

We apologize for the manner in which the recent resignation of the Assistant Principal at Trinity Elementary School was communicated. We hope that this letter will clarify and address any remaining concerns.

We have recently learned that, in the fall of 2009, Assistant Principal, Nadine Pacheco, realized and indicated to our Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources that her provisional School Administrator and Supervisor (SAS) administrative certificate had expired. Mrs. Pacheco was advised that as long as she enrolled in a School Building Leader (SBL) certification program, she would be able to continue in her position. We now understand that this advice was not correct.

In early October, recently appointed Assistant to the Superintendent for Human Resources, Reza Kolahifar, was made aware of the fact that Mrs. Pacheco’s provisional certificate had expired and that being enrolled in a SBL program was not sufficient. Mr. Kolahifar immediately brought it to the attention of the Superintendent of Schools.

Mr. Organisciak met with Mr. Kolahifar, Principal Rolando Briceno, and Mrs. Pacheco and, after again verifying that she lacked the current certification, requested her resignation as Assistant Principal. Within two days, she delivered her resignation letter. It is our belief that Mrs. Pacheco’s performance in a school leadership role over the past four years and maintaining administrative stability should be the major determinants in how best to proceed. Accordingly, it has been recommended to the Board that they accept Mrs. Pacheco’s resignation as the Assistant Principal of Trinity School. It has also been recommended that Mrs. Pacheco be able to continue to serve at Trinity School in a teacher role, for which she possesses permanent certification, and temporarily maintain those leadership functions which she can be assigned in the capacity of a teacher. These would include: program development, providing professional development support to staff, student management, and handling matters related to students and their families. Without appropriate administrative certification, Mrs. Pacheco cannot formally observe and evaluate staff and, as a result, additional supervisory support will be needed. In the coming weeks, we will decide how best to provide this support and further discuss this temporary course of action.

Finally, we believe it is important to mention that until the Board of Education and administration had the opportunity to review this matter, specific details could not be discussed. We hope this answers your questions and provides a measure of reassurance of our commitment to the Trinity School community. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the Superintendent directly at 914-576-4200 or by e-mail at rorganisciak@nred.org.

Sincerely,

Chrisanne M. Petrone
President of the Board of Education

Richard Organisciak

Superintendent of Schools

And here’s Pacheco’s own letter: (more…)

From the friends of the Larchmont Public Library:

Local author Priscilla Warner will read from her new book, Learning to Breathe: My Yearlong Quest to Bring Calm to My Life, a witty meditation memoir for believers and skeptics alike, on Sunday, November 20th at 4:00 p.m. Larchmont Village Center, 121 Larchmont Avenue. The event is free and open to the public. Complimentary wine and snacks at 3:30 p.m.. Sponsored by the Friends of the Larchmont Public Library. For more information, see http://www.larchmontlibrary.org/friends.html or call (914-954-7481)

The Village of Mamaroneck Council of the Arts and the Mamaroneck Public Library are seeking local artists willing to participate in the upcoming Mamaroneck Village Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair on Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no charge to participate, but organizers are asking that each participant donate 5% of their sales towards the Mamaroneck Public Library. The fund will go towards purchasing an additional temporary hanging system to allow for larger art exhibitions in the community room. Those interested in participating should contact the Village of Mamaroneck Council of the Arts vomartscouncil@gmail.com with their name, email address, and description of the work they would like to sell at the fair.

New Rochelle players celebrates their 13-12 victory over White Plains, during boys football playoff game at New Rochelle High School Oct 27, 2011.  ( Frank Becerra Jr / The Journal News )

To see more photos from the New Rochelle vs White Plains game click here.

Rye’s Joseph Simolacaj is tackled by Pearl River’s Anthony Lapoma during their Class A quarterfinal football playoff game at Pearl River. Rye won 14-7.

See more photos of Rye at Pearl River football