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Scarsdale Decisions Are Hurting Your Pocketbook & Quality of Life

Scarsdale mayor & trustees disrespect residents. Unfortunately, they are not asking us our priorities for long-term financial planning.

Posted Thu, May 24, 2018 at 8:30 pm ET|Updated Fri, May 25, 2018 at 9:42 am ET

SCARSDALE NEWS and OPINION

NEW LOW: Scarsdale Mayor and Board of Trustees Disrespect Residents

Even before former Scarsdale Trustee and consummate volunteer, Bob Harrison, could utter a single word at Tuesday’s Board of Trustees meeting, Mayor Hochvert told Mr. Harrison to speak briefly. Subsequently, the Mayor repeatedly interrupted and criticized him. As the room filled with the echo of the Mayor’s agitated and blatantly disrespectful remarks toward a 38-year Scarsdale resident, not one trustee stood up for Mr. Harrison’s right to speak. What arrogance! We don’t cut off the Mayor when he drones on ceaselessly about the latest invasive weed he’d like to extirpate from the Village.
To view how Mayor Hochvert berated Mr. Harrison, please visit the Scarsdale Village ‘Live Streaming Cable TV’ website, http://bit.ly/2GIYNGQ. View “Public Comments” from the May 22nd Board of Trustees meeting. Begin the video at minute 11:10 to see the mayor mistreat Mr. Harrison even before he situates himself at the mic. Take a close look at minute marker 18:52 when Village Manager Pappalardo whispers to the Mayor, “Do you want me to answer him?” to which Mayor Hochvert snaps, 'NO!'

For the Mayor, Trees Are More Important Than Residents’ Priorities and Pocketbooks

The Board of Trustees refuses to address the adverse impact of SALT and does not intend to ask residents for input to create a long-term financial plan to withstand difficult economic or market conditions.

Net property tax expenses could increase by 30-40% for many Scarsdale households as a result of new limitations on income and property tax deductions. Go to our Facebook page and website, www.VotersChoiceParty.com for more information from our resident economist on the impact of SALT.

The Trustees view their power of appointment as a seigniorage and have taken full advantage to fill important posts with relatives and friends. Two wives and a brother of current Trustees now sit on important Boards and Councils, and the Trustees’ political supporters fill many positions. The Mayor said he sees absolutely nothing wrong with this. The Scarsdale Voters Choice Party begs to differ! Rank nepotism should have no place in Scarsdale government.
Despite the objections of the three continuing Board of Assessment Review members and a NYS statutory requirement that members have knowledge of local real estate values, the Board of Trustees did not reappoint an experienced and qualified volunteer to the Board of Assessment Review. Instead, they appointed two residents with no documented financial, real estate or valuation expertise.
The Trustees refuse to answer questions about appointments and admitted they have absolutely no written policies governing appointments.

Scarsdale Village Officials Refuse to Eliminate Nepotism and Patronage Appointments to Boards

Village Mayor and Trustees Reward Excess Water Consumption

The Village Board approved new water rates for residents that raise the base rate by 12% but lowers the excess rate by almost 4%. This is contrary to encouraging sensible sustainability.

This information is brought to you by the Scarsdale Voters Choice Party, a non-partisan organization created in January 2017 to:

Bring democracy to Scarsdale and increase voter participation.
- In the 2018 Village election, only 12.5% of eligible voters actually voted; the winning candidates, our current Trustees, were put in office by about 8.3% of the electorate.
- In previous single-party Village elections, only 4% of eligible voters in Scarsdale showed up at the polls. In the two elections since our founding, the Voters Choice Party has increased voter participation three-fold by encouraging previously disaffected residents to get out and vote.
Promote transparency in government.
- Our candidates run on issues, not away from them!
- Backroom dealing shrouded in secrecy must end. All taxpayers have the right to expect open meetings of our local government, so that we may scrutinize decision-making processes. Sunshine is the best disinfectant!
Support a no tolerance policy for nepotism and patronage in committee and board appointments.
Encourage data-driven decision-making and long-term fiscal planning with an eye toward providing services for the community as a whole and, in turn, keeping Scarsdale taxes reasonable.
End Groupthink - the inevitable byproduct of single-party governance that prevents creativity in problem solving. Groupthink manifests itself most clearly in the lack of meaningful discussions by the mayor and trustees of current issues and failure to address looming future problems.

Please support the Scarsdale Voters Choice Party as we work to bring democracy and good governance to our village!

Follow and Like Us on our Facebook Page @ScarsdaleVotersChoiceParty