Northern Westchester

BEDFORD  — An evening of wine, jazz and art is planned Friday at St. Patrick’s School.

Sample light fare, listen to live entertainment from the jazz group The Flux, and browse art work for sale from local artists and student artists.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.

Everyone 21 and older is welcome.

For more information contact Dorothy Monaco at 914-234-7914.

The lawsuit filed by Katonah-Lewisboro teacher Kathleen Rutherford in late 2008 saying the district had unfairly suspended and then transferred her has been discontinued.

The agreement between lawyers for Rutherford and for the district, a stipulation of discontinuance with prejudice, ends the suit, which had been filed in U.S. District Court in White Plains, and prevents Rutherford from renewing it. The order was entered March 8.

Rutherford was teaching at Increase Miller Elementary School when she was suspended just before the end of the 2007-08 school year. District officials took the action after students complained about her treatment of them during preparations for the annual science fair. But other parents organized a petition in support of Rutherford, commending her teaching. Rutherford was eventually transferred to John Jay Middle School.

Neither Rutherford nor her lawyer, Michael Sussman, could immediately be reached.

Read on for the announcement from the League of Women Voters:

A forum on the controversial housing settlement agreement between Westchester County and the federal Housing and Urban Development agency and its impact on local communities will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 29, at Justice Court, Bedford Town House, 321 Bedford Road, Bedford Hills. (Snow date is March 7.)

The program, “Everything You Want to Know about Fair and Affordable Housing: Who’s Involved? Why Here? Why Now?” is co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Westchester and the LWV of Bedford, Lewisboro, North Salem and will feature a panel of key players on the local, regional and national levels. The forum will be open to the public free of charge.

The panel represents a broad spectrum of those currently involved, including the county government, HUD, local leaders, builders of affordable housing and the court-appointed monitor. At issue are plans to carry out an agreement between HUD and the county to build 750 units of fair and affordable housing in 31 communities identified as having little or no minority representation. (more…)

KATONAH – The Katonah Chamber of Commerce is inviting anyone with a taste for chili to kick off the new year tonight at its annual chili bowl.

The two-hour party will feature live music, drinks and an array of that great American comfort food called chili.

The event is from 6-to-8 p.m. at the Katonah Museum of Art on Jay Street.

Tickets are $20.

Call the Chamber at 232-2668 for more details.

Here is a press release  from the district:

Agreement Approved Between KL BoE and Support Staff

Resolves Nearly 6 Years Without New Contract for 280 Employees

The Katonah-Lewisboro Board of Education and the Katonah-Lewisboro Support Staff Association (KLSSA) have agreed on a new contract, resolving nearly six years of discussions. The members of the KLSSA have been working since that time under the terms and conditions of the contract that expired on June 30, 2006.

The average KLSSA member earns a salary of approximately $40,000 per year.

In strict terms, the agreement calls for a wage increase that would have averaged 2.1% per year beginning with the 2006-07 school year; however, the wages are not being paid retroactively. Instead, a one-time payment is being made for the current calendar year. But in the new agreement, increases for employee contributions to healthcare premiums will drive down the net impact to the district of this increase in salary. The net increase of the new agreement represents a 1.35% yearly increase over the term of the agreement. The agreement does not carry a financial impact to the current year’s budget, nor will it impact next year’s budget, since a hard freeze is in place for the 2012-13 school year. (more…)

Assemblyman Robert Castelli, who represents much of northeast Westchester, objects to the proposed new lines for his district as a continuation of partisan gerrymandering from 10 years ago. Here is his statement:

GHOST OF ELBRIDGE GERRY VISITS ALBANY

Recently, an account published by media outlets said that if Assemblyman Robert J. Castelli (R, C – Goldens Bridge) was re-elected in 2012, that “the seat would be his for 25 years.”

Notwithstanding the fact that Castelli (the sponsor of term limits legislation) has no plans to remain in Albany beyond his ability to serve effectively, that kind of longevity nevertheless may be guaranteed for many other lawmakers, thanks to decennial redistricting process, and the newly proposed district maps for the State Senate and Assembly.

“Ten years ago, the 89th Assembly District was gerrymandered,” Castelli points out. “And in one of those ironies of politics, it wasn’t gerrymandered to the advantage of one party or another, but more so to give one person in the same party a competitive advantage over another.”

Under the maps shared with lawmakers yesterday, Castelli’s 89th Assembly District is renumbered the 93rd Assembly District, and would add the town of North Salem, along with some adjustments to the district’s boundaries in the City of White Plains.

“In essence, the partisan gerrymandering remains,” Castelli said. “I believe there is still time for us to do better, though, because when politicians are choosing their constituents, instead of the other way around, it’s the people that lose.” (more…)

Read on for the upcoming workshops by the Katonah-Lewisboro Family U Education Network. They’re held at the Katonah Village Library at 26 Bedford Road:

Family U Education Network 2012 Winter Workshop Series at the Katonah Village Library

• Friday, January 27, 2012 – Ellie Kirk and Wendy McLean – Introduction to Conscious Parenting: Parenting from the Center – More Relaxed, Positive and Effective

• Friday, February 3, 2012 – Anne Quinn, M.S. – Practical Strategies to Manage Stress

• Friday, March 9, 2012 – Joel Haber, Ph.D. – Help Your Child Develop Bullyproofing Skills for a Lifetime

To register, please arrive between 9-9:15 a.m. or mail the registration form. Presentations will be from 9:30-11:00 a.m.

For more details please visit Family University’s website at www.klfamilyuniversity.org.

NANUET HIGH SCHOOL TAKES ON JOHN JAY HIGH SCHOOL IN FIRST ROUND OF MSG VARSITY’S “THE CHALLENGE”

192 High Schools to Compete for the Title of Tri-State Champion on MSG Varsity

BETHPAGE, NY, December 26, 2011 – “The Challenge” is back and celebrating its 15th anniversary of showcasing the best and brightest high school students from the tri-state area. The new season of MSG Varsity’s award winning quiz show features a first round match-up between Nanuet High School and John Jay High School airing at a new time, 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, January 11, 2012 on MSG Varsity, Cablevision’s iO TV, Channel 14.

“We’re proud to celebrate academics on MSG Varsity through ‘The Challenge’ and to provide these extremely bright students a platform to showcase their talents with their communities,” said Theresa Chillianis, MSG Varsity’s General Manager. “Good luck to all of this year’s teams.”

Back for his third season as host of “The Challenge” is Jared Cotter, host of “MSG Varsity’s Talent Show” and a popular semi-finalist from American Idol. Cotter will serve as moderator, testing competing teams on their knowledge of history, arts and literature, current events, math, and science in front of a live studio audience.

“Each season I am blown away by the students’ intelligence and their wide array of knowledge in so many diverse categories,” said Jared Cotter. “I’m really excited to get the season started and to see which teams are going to bring it.”

The John Jay team is represented by Jackson Ruzzo, Melissa Grossbarth (Captain), Alex Lee, Jeremy Sabath and Angelo Angelino (Alternate). The academic advisor is Victoria Weiss. (more…)

News from the Board of Legislators:

Westchester Legislators Approve EOH Grant Funds for Drinking Water Protection

Votes, Including a Veto Override, Bolster Environmental Safety and Provide Tax Relief

White Plains, NY – The Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) voted to approve two separate measures recently that are meant to bolster environmental safety near the reservoirs in the northern part of the county. The legislative action will also provide tax relief to county taxpayers.

The first vote by the BOL authorizes release of up to $10 million grant funding from the East of Hudson (EOH) Water Quality Improvement Program to help a number of Towns in Westchester within the New York City Watershed finance implementation of stormwater retrofit plans.

The legislation was introduced in the BOL Environment & Energy Committee by BOL Majority Leader Peter Harckham (D-Katonah) to approve the funding for the municipalities and also authorize the County to enter into inter-municipal agreements (IMAs) with the municipalities for distribution of the grant monies. (more…)

Three music students from John Jay High School participated in this year’s All-State festival. Read more below:

Each spring, thousands of students audition a New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) level 6 solo for a rating from a certified judge. The audition results are forwarded to a statewide selection committee and a proficiency list is generated, from which students are selected for All-State participation. The Katonah-Lewisboro School District was proud to send Rachel Rodgers, Benjamin Tisherman and Nicholas Tisherman to this year’s All-State festival. Rachel performed on flute, Benjamin performed on clarinet and Nick performed on oboe, all with the Symphonic Orchestra.

The 76th NYSSMA All-State Annual Winter Conference was held in Rochester, New York on December 1st through December 4th, 2011. Nearly 900 student musicians rehearsed day and night, which culminated in three wonderful performances at the historic Eastman Theater. Congratulations to Rachel, Benjy and Nick on this outstanding accomplishment!

The Katonah-Lewisboro Union Free School District, a nationally recognized high performing school district, serves approximately 4,000 pupils in six schools: Increase Miller Elementary School Grades K-5, Katonah Elementary School Grades K-5, Lewisboro Elementary School Grades K-5, Meadow Pond Elementary School Grades K-5, John Jay Middle School Grades 6-8 and John Jay High School Grades 9-12.