The Hudson Independent: News for Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, NY

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Let us know what you think by writing to letters@thehudsonindependent.com.

An Honor to be Editor of The Hudson Independent
To the Editor:
It is a strange feeling to be writing a letter to the editor of The Hudson Independent but I did not want to let the opportunity pass by to send my very best wishes to Rick Pezzullo as he takes the helm.

It was my honor and my privilege to have become the first editor of this newspaper more than three years ago. There were many changes as the newspaper evolved, but the mission remained constant: to produce every month the highest quality publication with the highest possible editorial standards. That was The Hudson Independent’s mission long before it had a name, when a group of community members gathered their financial and creative resources to build a newspaper from the ground up that has gone on to win awards from in- and outside the community, including the New York Press Association, and the Rotary Clubs of the Tarrytowns, which honored the newspaper as its 2008 Organization of the Year and the editorial board chairman, Bob Kimmel, as its Person of the Year.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Let us know what you think: write to letters@thehudsonindependent.com

To the New Editor
Dear Mr. Pezzullo:
In departing The Hudson Independent as its editor, Marcy Gray will leave large shoes to fill.

How was it that a supremely polished and professional local newspaper suddenly appeared in our mail boxes in February 2006 and has continued to flourish to this day —even winning a journalism award within just a year after its launch? It’s the kind of astounding achievement that can only result from both tireless work and entrepreneurial moxie on the part of a committed board and staff, and I have to believe Ms. Gray provided much of the required leadership and inspiration too.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Let us know what you think: send your letters to letters@thehudsonindependent.com.

Incident at the Family YMCA at Tarrytown
To the Editor:
On Nov. 17, the YMCA building was closed at 3:15 pm due to a leak that occurred during routine maintenance of the pool. YMCA staff immediately contacted 911 and began evacuation of the building. We commend and want to thank emergency responders from Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow, Elmsford, Ardsley and Irvington.  

Working with key YMCA management and staff, EMS staff treated several people in the parking lot while Tarrytown Fire Department and Westchester County Hazardous Materials team helped with the evacuation and ventilated the facility. Tarrytown Fire Headquarters offered their facility as a shelter to YMCA residents, staff and members during the incident. Several of our staff, including me, were among the individuals treated by EMS. YMCA Aquatics Director Melissa Weaver calmly and efficiently took charge of the situation while I was being treated. 

We are grateful to Melissa, Enrique Torres, Ryan Murray and David Matos as well as many other YMCA staff and all the emergency professionals for their help. We are extremely relieved and thankful that no one sustained serious injury during or as a result of the incident. 

We have and will continue to review our policies and procedures and work in cooperation with the Department of Health and Occupational Safety and Health Administration on any further recommendations for the safety of our residents, members, staff and neighbors.

On behalf of the staff and board of the Family YMCA at Tarrytown, I apologize for the inconvenience this incident may have caused, and thank our community for its support. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me at gerryr@ymcatarrytown.org or 631-4807, ext. 17.

Gerry Riera
CEO, Family YMCA at Tarrytown

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Let us know what you think! Send an e-mail to letters@thehudsonindependent.com

Back to the Future of Schools
To the Editor:
I was surprised to read Superintendent Howard Smith’s observation that America never intended for public education “to operate on a level beyond the middle” (“What’s the Rush?” September 2008).
This view does not jibe with the accounts of historians, who tell us that the American people have always sought excellence in their public schools, which until the 1960s were the best in the world.

Letters to the Editor

Let us know what you're thinking. Send your e-mails to letters@thehudsonindependent.com or write to us at 54 Main St., Tarrytown, NY 10591.

Kendal’s Contribution
To the Editor:
As with all of your articles, the story on Nick Robinson’s resignation from the Sleepy Hollow Planning Board was interesting and insightful (“Sleepy Hollow Planning Board Chair Resigns,” September 2008).

However, I take strong issue with the statement, attributed to Robinson, that “a comprehensive plan might have prevented developments like … Kendal on Hudson …” and its implication that Kendal on Hudson was some kind of “mistake” or undesirable occurrence.

Letters to the Editor

Let us know what you think: letters@thehudsonindependent.com.

‘Tarrytowners are Blessed’
To the Editor:
It is not often that our volunteers and professionals receive praise for their outstanding efforts in their service to the citizens of this small village, but I feel compelled to offer my congratulations, thanks and gratitude for the outstanding individuals that offer themselves to serve us as police officers, firefighters and ambulance corps volunteers.

I recently had the experience of needing the service of all three of these groups and, without exception, received prompt, considerate and excellent response. The Tarrytown Fire Department responded in minutes to two false alarms at the First Baptist Church. At 1 and 2 in the morning the manpower was outstanding and there wasn’t a disgruntled person at either alarm, although they were both false. They were there to do a job and whether it was real or false didn’t matter — they were there ready to act.

Letters to the Editor

Appeal for Help

The following e-mail along with an attached letter was sent Aug. 8 to The Hudson Independent:

In your recent issue you featured an article regarding recycling (“County Gets Tough on Recycling,” August 2008). One of the photos you displayed was of William Starr, Tarrytown resident, Irvington High School graduate and Irvington village (summer) employee. On Aug. 1 Billy was involved in a serious accident on I-95 in New Jersey.

Billy and his family are an intricate part of the surrounding communities. As stated, Billy was an Irvington graduate in 2007 as well as quarterback for the Irvington Bulldogs. His mother, Kathy Starr, is a nursery school teacher at Tarrytown Nursery School in Tarrytown’s Christ Church and his dad was the owner of Starr Automotive in Sleepy Hollow.

The Starr family is a major part of our family, when they are hurting we are hurting. I would do anything to help these people that are so dear to us. Please contact me for more information.

Dawn Carelli
dcarelli37@aol.com
224-3447, 332-0178

The e-mail's attached letter reads as follows:

As you may have heard William (Billy) Starr, son of David and Kathy Starr was involved in a serious car accident on Friday, Aug. 1, 2008. Billy sustained a severe and life-threatening head trauma and is currently in a medically induced coma in a hospital located in New Brunswick, N.J.

Letters to the Editor

We want to know what you think: E-mail your thoughts, comments, complaints or compliments to letters@thehudsonindependent.com.

Masons’ Lot Not the Answer to Parking Problems

To the Editor:
Re. “Tarrytown Presses Masons for Public Parking” (June 2008), I am totally against taking over the parking that belongs to the Masons. Why should this happen? My father has owned the home on 15 S. Washington St., for more than 30 years. If the village takes over that lot that would mean more problems for my parents and our neighbors. During the summer, my parents are always in their back yard, which faces the Masons’ parking lot. Making more car spaces means more car fumes into my parents’ home.

Letters to the Editor

We want to know what you think... E-mail your thoughts, comments or criticisms to letters@thehudsonindependent.com

Overcrowding in Greenburgh
To the Editor:
On May 21 code enforcement officers from the building department and officers from the police department went out on an inspection for overcrowding and illegal boarders at 206 Warren Ave., Greenburgh.

They found evidence that although the owner does not live in the house — a one-family residence — approximately 15 to 16 people do reside there. We are processing approximately 30 to 40 summonses for various violations that were discovered.

Letters to the Editor

Let us know what you think. Send your letters to letters@thehudsonindependent.com.

John Keels and the COC
To the Editor:
I have known John Keels for many years and know that he has given much of himself to the people of the community (“COC Founder John Keels to Leave After 43 Years,” March 2008).

Mr. Keels and his wife have acted as surrogate parents to many of the children in the community. He organized the African American Social Club and a tenants association for both Franklin Courts and 50 White St., and a baby clinic. He operated a food pantry and soup kitchen, created a much needed after-school program and started a minority youth and police relations program. Many years before the center was even open, he organized a women’s softball team, of which I was a part.