A Man With a Benevolent Mission
It must be ironic for John Carolin, 92, who fought in North Africa, Italy, France and Germany during World War II, to discover that perhaps his toughest campaign will be in Rye. Carolin, who first moved to Rye in 1948, has appeared four times before the City Council, and twice before the Rye Golf Club Commission, to plead the case to give less well-off senior golfers a discount at Rye Golf Club. To date, little or no action has been taken by the Council or Golf Commission to help seniors of limited means.

Rye Teachers Association Still Without Contract
Having worked under an expired contract for close to a year now, the Rye Teachers Association is anxiously awaiting the results of an independent fact-finder. Both the RTA and Rye City School District are hoping that the State-sent arbitrator will help bring the longstanding stalemate to a close.
The Board of Education has maintained a desire to curb spending and slow tax increases, while the RTA wants compensation equivalent to what teachers receive in comparable Westchester school districts. Although details of negotiations are not made public, each side presented their case to the fact-finder, who has been working on the contract since early March. The point of the fact-finder is to have an outside individual – with no slant towards either side – look at all the relevant information and render an opinion. It is part of the standard negotiating process in cases like Rye’s.

CRASH

Nobody was hurt when two cars collided at Playland Parkway and Forest Avenue June 12. The cars, however, were not so lucky.

Rye Toasts … Joe Murphy
We give thanks to Joe Murphy for a job well done. He has served on Rye’s Conservation Commission Advisory Council (CCAC) since 1998, and chaired it since 2002. He submitted his resignation at the June 11 City Council meeting.
Murphy joined the CCAC in 1998 to help change the direction of water management policies. Much of their focus is on wetlands issues.
When he became chair in 2002, the CCAC faced a serious crisis in the attempts by the Council at that time to convert the Rye Nature Center to a passive park or adjunct of the YMCA. He worked to set up the Friends and joined the board. He also served on an Operations Committee to coordinate relations between the Friends and the City.
In submitting his resignation, Murphy expressed concern that the City of Rye needs to give wetlands and other environmental issues a higher priority, and he urged the Council to fill the City Naturalist position with a person who will be an environmental advocate rather than a technician. He is optimistic that the Council will do the right thing.
A 46-year resident of Rye, Murphy has served the City well — on the School Board from 1977-85, then on the City’s Human Rights Commission and Finance Committee. In 1999 he helped found the Rye Senior Advocacy Committee. In 2007 he worked with the newly formed Environmental Advocacy Group of Rye to promote environmental awareness and sound environmental practices.

Graduation Pictures

City Planner Presents Latest
Trails and Sidewalks Report
At a City Council workshop June 18, City Planner Christian Miller presented his preliminary findings and recommendations regarding projects to improve safe walking and biking. Using a variety of photos and maps, he focused on two priority areas: Forest Avenue between Apawamis Avenue and Manursing Way; and, Oakland Beach Avenue between the Blind Brook Bridge and Disbrow Park/Thorne Place. The photos indicated the many impediments that prohibit pedestrians from walking safely along those roads.
On the Forest Avenue section, Miller recommended a road-widening project that would add paved “shoulders” of 3 to 5 feet on each side, thus serving walkers, bikers and strollers. On Oakland Beach Avenue, he proposed a combination of sidewalks and road alterations to provide more space for pedestrians and better visibility.

Proposed Cap on Property Tax Makes for Strange Bedfellows
If you think politics makes pretty strange bedfellows, consider this: Democratic Governor David Paterson has decided to support a 4% cap on local property tax hikes in New York State that was proposed by a commission chaired by Nassau County Supervisor Tom Suozzi (D). Paterson’s chief Westchester opponent on the issue is State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer, also a Democrat. Paterson’s biggest local supporter? None other than Oppenheimer’s Republican opponent in this fall’s election, Mayor Liz Feld of Larchmont.

County Raises the Stakes on Idling Restrictions
Westchester’s air is unhealthy! That’s what the US EPA has been saying for many years now. We have too much ozone and particulate matter getting into our lungs, which is gradually making it harder for us to get oxygen to our blood.
That’s why the Westchester County Legislature is considering proposed amendments to the County’s motor vehicle idling law that would be in some respects more limiting than Rye’s current law. And, it would enable County police as well as Rye City police to enforce it.

Tune in to RyeTV This Summer
RyeTV is holding a free moviemaking workshop this summer for ages 12-15.
Classes in Moviemaking will be offered July 8-10 and July 15-17.
Learn the basics of camera operation, lighting and portable shooting techniques. Must be able to take direction. Movie topic to be decided by students on their first day.
Classes in Final Cut Pro Editing basics will be offered July 22, 23, 24. Learn to edit your new movie. Take a step up from iMovie.
All classes are held from 3 to 5 p.m. Space is limited, so sign up today. Call 967-7242.
And home viewers of all ages will be interested to know that “BTW”, the government channel, is up and running on Verizon, channel 39.