To the Editor:
I am writing in favor of the Bronxville Board of Education's proposal to enlarge and reorient Hayes Field and to install synthetic turf. I urge voters to vote "yes" on May 19th when they vote on the school budget and election of new board members.
I have spoken publicly in support of the field enlargement and turf proposal on several occasions and have outlined the many, many reasons I believe that the board deserves our support on this issue. I have been willing to do so publicly, as part of the democratic process during which I believe the board improved its original proposal by making changes in response to public concerns.
While I respect the rights of any voter to disagree with me, I have been dismayed to see how much of that disagreement has been in the form of anonymous defamatory comments, many of which have appeared in MyhometownBronxville. I sincerely hope that any voter who chooses not to support the board's proposal will do so in a respectful and factually accurate manner and that this newspaper will not provide a forum for anonymous postings.
For any voters who still have questions about the proposal: I encourage you to read the remarks by board president Denise Tormey explaining why the board believes the plan is necessary and also to review the proposal itself, including schematic drawings of the field space and landscaping.
Both Ms. Tormey's remarks and the plans are available on the school website (www.bronxville.k12.ny.us).
Tracy Tarry
Bronxville, New York
May 13, 2015
Editor's note: MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements in letters to the editor, and the opinions do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff. Its objective in publishing letters to the editor is to give air to diverse thoughts and opinions of residents in the community.
Bronxville is a quaint village (one square mile) located just 16 miles north of midtown Manhattan (roughly 30 minutes on the train) and has a population of approximately 6,500. It is known as a premier community with an excellent public school (K-12) and easy access to Manhattan. Bronxville offers many amenities including an attractive business district, a hospital (Lawrence Hospital), public paddle and tennis courts, fine dining at local restaurants, two private country clubs and a community library.
While the earliest settlers of Bronxville date back to the first half of the 18th century, the history of the modern suburb of Bronxville began in 1890 when William Van Duzer Lawrence purchased a farm and commissioned the architect, William A. Bates, to design a planned community of houses for well-known artists and professionals that became a thriving art colony. This community, now called Lawrence Park, is listed on the National register of Historic Places and many of the homes still have artists’ studios. A neighborhood association within Lawrence Park called “The Hilltop Association” keeps this heritage alive with art shows and other events for neighbors.
Bronxville offers many charming neighborhoods as well as a variety of living options for residents including single family homes, town houses, cooperatives and condominiums. One of the chief benefits of living in “the village” is that your children can attend the Bronxville School.
The Bronxville postal zone (10708, known as “Bronxville PO”) includes the village of Bronxville as well as the Chester Heights section of Eastchester, parts of Tuckahoe and the Lawrence Park West, Cedar Knolls, Armour Villa and Longvale sections of Yonkers. Many of these areas have their own distinct character. For instance, the Armour Villa section has many historic homes and even has its own newsletter called “The Villa Voice” which reports on neighborhood news.
Village of Bronxville Administrative Offices
337-6500
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends
Bronxville Police Department
337-0500
Open 24 hours
Bronxville Parking Violations
337-2024
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends
Bronxville Fire Deparment
793-6400