Greenburgh Insider: BJs coming to Crossroads Shopping Center on Route 119.

 

Residents have asked for a store that sells groceries. The BJs website indicated that groceries are frequently sold for up to 25% off grocery store prices.

BJs COMING TO GREENBURGH--CROSSROADS SHOPPING CENTER, ROUTE 119.

 

The Town of Greenburgh was recently informed that Crossroads Shopping Center will be filling the former K-Mart space with a BJ’s Wholesale Club. The store will be the first in the Center since the closure of Waldbaum's in 2012 to offer a wide range of food products (fresh produce, meats, refrigerated, frozen foods, beverages, bakery, etc.), in addition to a wide variety of non-food goods.  The BJ website indicates that frequently groceries sell "up to 25% off grocery store prices."  Many residents of Fairview who live near the Crossroads Shopping Center have asked  in the past for a store that will sell groceries at this location.  Having BJs at this location will be helpful to seniors who live on or  off of Manhattan Ave and who don't have cars.  The BJs club should be a quality of life enhancement.  And will help our residents save money on groceries and other items. 

I am pleased that Crossroads Shopping Center is bringing this use to the Center and am additionally encouraged by several other vacancies that have been filled or will soon be filled in the Center. New additions include the PGA Tour Superstore, and soon to be new additions Phenix Salon Suites and Duck Donuts. The BJs store is anticipated to start construction soon with a targeted opening at the end of this year.

PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor

Greenburgh Insider: Greenburgh fire departments present Town Board with fire safety tips.

 

Watch informative presentation that could help us save lives in the future!

 

GREENBURGH FIRE DEPTS PRESENT TOWN BOARD AND COMMUNITY WITH SAFETY TIPS.

Local Officials Emphasize the Message: “Close Before You Doze”.

link to discussion can be found below.

GREENBURGH, NY_  Following the devastating fire in a Bronx complex recently that started due to a space heater and spread due to faulty self-closing doors, Greenburgh town officials  have been hosting information sessions helping residents learn safety tips that could prevent a similar tragedy from happening in Greenburgh.

.At our Jan. 26 Board meeting, representatives from each of Greenburgh’s three paid fire districts – Fairview, Greenville, and Hartsdale – convened online to present important fire safety tips and answer citizen questions, now on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/6e6phcCThHs

An important motto to memorize with your family is: EDITH, Close Before You Dose. EDITH stands for Exit Drills In The Home, meaning your family should map out your floorplans, obstacles and exits, and practice your escape. Each room should have two ways to get out. There should be a designated meeting place outside. And everyone should know not to reenter to retrieve anything once they are out. “Close Before You Dose” was well-demonstrated by a video clip showing a test fire’s effects on a room that was barricaded from the fire by a closed door versus the room with its door open to the fire. The open-door room was gutted, while the room with the closed door showed no damages at all. External doors to your house or apartment should be closed, as well as each bedroom door before going to bed. 

Fairview Captain James Malone Jr., Greenville Lt. Mark Bendel, and Hartsdale Deputy Chief Charles Nanko shared many more essential safety tips, including:

·         Each level of the house should at minimum have one working smoke detector – or better to have one inside and outside of each bedroom. 

·         Never leave heating appliances unattended (and make sure they are UL tested and good quality). 

·         Disconnect charging accessories, especially with lithium batteries that can spontaneously catch fire. 

·         If your home still has two-prong outlets, it’s time to upgrade your electrical system. 

·         In the event of a fire, feel door with back of palms from bottom of door to top. If it’s hot, don’t exit that way. Never use elevators. And never prop open doors. Sometimes it’s safer to stay put, as we saw with victims in the Bronx, who may have been better off closing apartment doors and staying in their homes. 

·         See, smell and/or hear something? Call 911. Don’t assume someone else is calling; the faster the call, the faster the response. 

Some startling stats shared were that fire doubles in size every 30 seconds. While 30 years ago you used to have an average of 17 minutes to get out of a burning home, now with all our highly combustible synthetic furniture you may have 3 minutes. 

To learn more, please watch the video, and reach out to your local fire department to learn more about their programs, meetings, and educational materials. These tips hopefully will save lives in the future. The information session was very informative and should be shared with friends, family and neighbors.

PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor

Greenburgh Insider: African American stories: post depression era as told by Eugene Rutherford.

 

A series about the struggles and challenges the african American community experienced.

African American History Story submitted by Eugene Rutherford, lifelong resident, Town of Greenburgh; Storyteller; Retired Teacher/Educator.

If you would like to share your family story please e mail Paul Feiner at pfeiner@greenburghny.com or Judith Beville at jbeville@greenburghny.com

These stories will be archived, presented to the Library History room shared with students at different schools. 

Late 1930’s – Post Depression Era

After a week of hard manual labor, African-American men in Newberry, South Carolina frequently engaged in card games.  Since all participants started off feeling “lucky,” there were always a lot of coins on the table.  The European-American cops felt equally a lucky as they patrolled the wooded areas where the games often took place.  As the cops arrived, the players began to scatter.  Not everyone was able to escape.  The cops would confiscate all money left behind and arrest those not fortunate enough to flee.  All-in-all, those were good weekends for the cops of Newberry, S.C.

One particular weekend night, my Great-Uncle John Livingston was participating in one of the card games.   The European-American cops were lucky enough to find the card game and my Great-Uncle John was unlucky enough to get arrested and have his money taken by the cops.  

Great-Uncle John was a laborer for the Newberry Lumber Company owned by the Murray family.  John had been injured due to a safety violation.   John, being of a certain spirit, filed a lawsuit against Newberry Lumber Co.  The lawsuit was pending at the time of John’s arrest.  Newberry, being a place where news travelled effectively by word-of-mouth, Mr. Murray became aware of John’s circumstances.  He, immediately, dispensed a messenger to the jail where Great-Uncle John was being detained, with what Mr. Murray deemed an offer that John couldn’t / wouldn’t refuse: “Drop the charges/lawsuit and I’ll get you out of jail.” John instructed the messenger as follows:   “Tell Mr. Murray to leave me here!”   

My Great-Uncle John served his sentence, won the lawsuit, was awarded $500.00 and left Newberry, South Carolina for a new residence in Virginia.

 

 

Greenburgh Insider: DON'T PARK CARS ON TOWN ROADS TONIGHT EVEN IF YOU HAVE AN EXEMPTION.

 

We need the cooperation of residents tonight. Crews will be removing snow on E Hartsdale Ave, surrounding streets and around town. Even if you have an exemption permit for overnight parking, please park elsewhere.

We need your help. Our crews are working tonight and tomorrow removing excess snow from our streets. Cars should not park on E Hartsdale Ave and on surrounding streets. If you have a parking exemption permit don't park on your street tonight. You can park cars overnight at Webb Field, Richard Presser park on Central Ave.

I've been driving around town and think Greenburgh employees did a very commendable job today. A big thank you to all who have helped out. Greenburgh employees are fantastic!  Residents who called me agree.

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Insider: Greenburgh snow advisory--don't park cars on town streets tonight.

 

Even if you have a hardship exemption, cars must be removed from streets tonight.

Greenburgh Department of Public Works will have 38 plow vehicles performing snow removal and salting on Town roadways beginning later tonight. Building Maintenance crews will be on site maintaining Town Facilities such as TDYCC, Greenburgh Police Department and Town Hall. Parks and Recreation crews will also be on site removing snow and salting sidewalks along portions of East Hartsdale Avenue and nearby train stations. 

EAST HARTSDALE RESIDENTS SHOULD NOT PARK THEIR CARS ON EAST HARTSDALE AVE/COLUMBiA TONIGHT  --PARK CARS AT WEBB FIELD.

 

Please be advised that parking restrictions are in effect for the overnight hours in conformance with Town Ordinance 460-20 (Snow Parking). In addition “snow emergency” restrictions are in effect for the East Hartsdale Avenue / Columbia Avenue metered parking spaces.  Residents are asked to utilize Webb Field on Central Park Avenue for overnight parking.  

 

Based on the recent forecast, several inches of snow is predicted during the overnight hours.

 

Paul Feiner

Greenburgh Insider: Traffic advisory -tomorrow's funeral for NYC Police Officer.

 

Those who wish to pay respects could gather around Macy Park.

The funeral mass for fallen NYPD Police Officer Jason Rivera will be held tomorrow, Friday, January 28th, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. After the mass, the funeral procession will make its way up to Greenburgh for a private, family-only service at Ferncliff Cemetery.

Please expect significant traffic delays and be aware that Secor Road will be closed between Rt. 9A and Essex Place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Any member of the public wishing to pay their respects may gather at Macy Park on Saw Mill River Road in Ardsley. Gathering on Secor Road around the cemetery is not permitted due to safety and security concerns.

Paul Feiner

 

Greenburgh Insider: Covid vaccines...covid tests @Greenburgh Neighborhood Health Center.

 

Stop by at the Greenburgh Neighborhood Health Center tomorrow if you need a vaccine or booster---and registered patients can also get tested.

COVID VACCINES--COVID TESTS AT GREENBURGH NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CENTER.

The Greenburgh Health Center continues to do amazing things for our residents--keeping residents healthy, safe and working hard to help you avoid serious Covid related sicknesses, hospitalizations or death.  We are very appreciative of their efforts.

COVID Vaccines at the Greenburgh Health Center tomorrow---no appointment necessary!

CoVid Vaccines here at the Greenburgh Health Center on Wednesday 1/26/2022 at 9:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. for adults and children 5 y. o. and above. We have Pfizer, Moderna and J & J. 

 

Vikki D. R. Simmons,

Personnel/Interim Site Director

Greenburgh Health Center

The Covid tests that we have are reserved for registered patients of the health center.  You may  publicize accordingly.

Judith Watson RN, BSN , MPH

Chief Executive Officer

Mount  Vernon Neighborhood Health Center, Inc.

Thank you!

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Insider: Westchester County Legislator Mary Jane Shimsky 12th District: Student Semester Bus Pass Only $90.

 

Student Semester Bus Pass Only $90.

Hudson Link is happy to offer a Semester Bus Pass to all college and high school students with a valid Student ID attending schools in both Rockland and Westchester Counties. The pass is valid from January to July 2022. 

Get to class, go to and from work, and enjoy exciting activities in the area!

For more information or to apply, visit www.ridehudsonlink.com/Fares-Passes/Student-Pass-Request

Greenburgh Insider: Crane's Pond- no ice skating this weekend--maybe next week (ice not thick enough).

 

Hopefully ice skating at Crane's pond can be open for skating next week-- ice still is not thick enough. Sorry!

It's freezing outside. But, the ice is not thick enough for ice skating at Crane's Pond this weekend. We double check the measurements and need a 4" thickness of the ice before we are able to open the pond for skating which people love and look forward to. We still need two more inches throughout the pond to safely open for skating.  Therefore as of now we don’t think the 4” threshold will be achieved and the pond will not be open for skating this weekend.

 

Once we hit the mark, hopefully early next week we will open the pond for ice skating. Crane's Pond is located in Edgemont, off of Pipeline Road.  If you see someone skating, please advise them that it is not safe yet.

PAUL FEINER Greenburgh Town Supervisor

Greenburgh Insider: FLOOD RELIEF PROGRESS REPORT.

 

Town to remove obstructions from stream off of Dobbs Ferry Road

Needed permission from NYS.

2 million dollars to be included in capital budget for flood relief initiatives.

FLOOD RELIEF FOLLOW UP.

GREENBURGH TO REMOVE OBSTRUCTIONS FROM STREAM LOCATED ON 100B TODAY --WORK TO LAST ABOUT A WEEK.

2 MILLION TO BE INCLUDED IN TOWN'S 2022 CAPITAL BUDGET FOR FLOOD RELIEF EFFORTS TO COMPLIMENT FED, STATE, COUNTY GRANTS WE WILL SEEK.

Last years storm created significant flooding and property damages to many residents of the town.  Last year, after the storm, we sent crews to clear obstructions from Troublesome Brook in Edgemont. That effort seemed to help reduce flooding on Clarendon Place, Winthrop Lane and other areas after subsequent heavy rains.  We have also sent crews to clear obstructions from the Saw Mill River in recent years --an effort that also has been helpful.

 

Today (January 21)  we are going to have town crews do similar work on Shelley Ave. Residents at that location suffered enormous property damages. It took an enormous amount of effort to be able to accomplish this. Shelley Ave flooding is caused by a stream  located on 100 B (Dobbs Ferry Road) right of way between Sprain Brook Parkway overpass and Spencer Court.  We had to apply for a permit from the state of NY to do the work and then needed easements from some of the residents. Took months.

 

We received clearance from NYS DOT to begin work in the states Right of Way behind your property.  We are going to begin work today by entering from Dobbs Ferry road and Spencer court.  We are going to clear the down trees and litter to better prevent future flooding.  I anticipate the work to take about a week depending on the weather, if we get some snow we will have to pull away for a few days. 

 

There are other areas around town that have experienced flooding in the past. It's an enormous problem around town. The 2022 capital budget will include $2 million dollars for flood relief initiatives. It won't be enough to end flooding around town but it's a start. And if we appropriate funds each year for this effort (similar to what we've done with sidewalks in recent years) and seek state, county and federal infrastructure grants we will gradually make headway.

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Town Supervisor

 

Greenburgh Insider: Andre Leon Talley lived in Greenburgh--we mourn his passing.

 

Greenburgh mourns Andre Leon Talley, a resident of the Worthington section of Greenburgh.

Andre Leon Talley, an internationally respected fashion icon and former Vogue creative director lived in the Worthington section of Greenburgh. He was a pioneering fashion journalist. The first Black Creative director of Vogue.  He worked wtih Diana Vreeland, Andy Warhol, Michelle Obama, Lee Radziwill and Anna WIntour. He was a stylist for United States President Barack Obama and also styled Melania Trump for  her 2005 wedding to Donald Trump.   He pushed for more Black and diverse representation in fashion. In 2020 France awarded him the Chevalier de Fordre des Arts et des Lettres honor for arts and letters. He was featured in documentaries. He died of complications from a heart attack and Covid-19.

Those who enjoy the food at City Limits in White Plains on the border of Greenburgh would frequently see Andre. In a September 17, 2011 article in the NY Times Andre said "I eat most of my meals at City Limits in White Plains where I always sit at the bar even for breakfast or lunch."  Andre Leon Talley will be missed. We are grateful that he was part of our community.

PAUL FEINER

https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2022/01/19/andre-leon-talley-fashion-dead/

Greenburgh Insider: Preparing for the storm expected to hit our area tonight after 6:30 PM.

 

Our crews have been called in -will start preparing for tonights storm at 5:30 PM

Snow, icy road conditions, heavy rains, winds expected after 6:30 PM

Advise: Stay off road tonight

Winds could cause some trees to fall- and power outages

Con Ed -preparing

Preparing for the storm tonight--

Greenburgh DPW crews will be called in at 5:30 PM this afternoon to prepare for the storm that is expected to hit our area starting around 6:30 PM. This is a report from weather works- what they anticipate will happen in Greenburgh tonight.  I spoke with the Commissioner of Public Works a short time ago. He advises residents to stay home tonight since the roads could get slippery. The cold weather conditions will result in quicker icing and snow conditions on the road. And, later tonight it will get very windy. It's possible that trees could fall - causing outages.

Be safe. And, careful. 

PAUL FEINER, Greenburgh Town Supervisor

Greenburgh Insider: Now is the time to prune a tree-advice from our forestry officer.

 

Our forestry officer asked that this be shared for those interested in pruning trees.

Need to Prune a Tree? Now Is the Time.

Do you have a tree that needs pruning? Winter is a great time to make any necessary cuts. Not only is it easier to assess a tree without its leaves, but pruning when insects are not active helps lower the risk of a fungus or disease (like oak wilt) entering the pruning wound. Want to know more, or wondering how to go about your planned pruning? Check out the article "Winter is a Great Time to Prune Trees" on page 34 of the December 2020 issue of the Conservationist, or visit the NYSDEC tree care webpage.

You may also contact the Town Forestry Officer, Sven Hoeger, by email at shoeger@greenburghny.com or by phone at 914-989-1536.

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Insider: Share a Family Story.

Share a Family story of struggle and/or triumph to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

PLEASE SHARE A FAMILY STORY OF STRUGGLE AND/OR TRIUMPH TO COMMEMORATE THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

African and African American “Storytelling” provides a rich legacy, memorializing the critical, historic narrative of “people of color,” from a personal perspective available solely to those who have experienced that specific moment.

On this, the 36th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I respectfully ask that members of our community consider sharing their family and personal stories of the “struggles and the triumphs” of those who endured racial injustice and social indifference. I believe it is critical that people from all walks of life hear these stories, so that they might better understand “how we have gotten to the place we are in today.”

Over my years of working in our wonderful community, I have often been told of the importance of “Storytelling” in the African American community and the many legislative and social narratives which were influenced by sharing personal experiences with generations of people who followed so that the power of these moments in history would never be lost. 

With this understanding, it would be my absolute honor to share your family’s stories of “struggle/triumph” with our community, as a means of celebrating the memory of Dr. King and all that his legacy means to the world. 

Should you have interest in sharing an experience with the good people of Greenburgh, please email your stories to me directly at pfeiner@greenburghny.com and it will be my great honor to post them on the Town Websites, starting immediately and continuing through the end of January.

The great Civil Rights leader, Congressman John Lewis was quoted as saying “The movement without storytelling, is like birds without wings.” Please consider sharing your story, in memory and honor of Dr. King and Congressman Lewis and memorialize the experience of your family among generations of your neighbors. 

With a great sense of respect, humbly submitted, be safe and well,

Paul Feiner, Town Supervisor