Businesses Dig Out From Flood of '07
“Looking back, it seems like a nightmare,” said Martha Bentley, manager of Merritt Realty. Merritt's offices are at 43 Theodore Fremd Ave., which was directly in the path of the rising floodwaters on March 2. “Early that morning, we called the police to say there was water in the parking lot. We knew the signs of a flood. It's happened a number of times, so we thought we were prepared,” Bentley recalls. “But, the water rose so fast! Within 10 minutes of our call to the police, the water was coming in the front door.”

School Board Notes
Budget Increase: 7% in Spending, 5.8% in Taxes
With the removal of two recommended teaching positions, the Board of Education lowered the proposed 2007-08 budget from $64,239,795 to $63,999,338. What was originally a 7.35% budget-to-budget increase is now at 6.95%, which would equate to a 5.772% tax rate increase.

Reader's Forum 
Loitering Around
Like the zombies in a George Romero movie, some ideas simply will not die, no matter how deservedly. The latest proposal to emerge from the grave is a loitering ordinance, recently proposed by Councilman Gerry Seitz. This is the same proposal that was considered and killed by the Council almost two years ago.

Congress-woman Nita Lowey, center, received the YMCA Congressional Champion Award  at the annual YMCA Advocacy Meeting in Washington, D.C., earlier this month. “By giving Nita Lowey this award, the Rye YMCA is recognizing a leader who not only believes in our mission but works alongside us to build a healthier, vital community for all kids, families and individuals,” said Gregg Howells, Executive Director, pictured at right. Fitness staff member Nick Mendoza-Conner is at left.

Protect Against Identity Theft
That was what Gary S. Brown, Westchester County's Director of Consumer Protection, discussed at Rye Rotary's weekly lunch meeting March 2. He said 250,000 cases of I.D. theft are reported across the country each year, 17,000 cases in New York alone.

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Nature at Your Doorstep
It Happens Every Spring
As a public service, staff at the Rye Nature Center attempt to answer any and all calls about wildlife. As spring approaches, there are daily calls about fledgling birds. People who bought a cute baby bunny or downy chick for their children for Easter call to ask us how to care for the new pets, or dispose of the new pests.

Follow Up on the News
Landmarks and BAR Meet on 9/11 Memorial
Manursing Lake Restoration
Fire Headquarters Close to Reopening

City of Rye Pitches In
Assistant City Manager Scott Pickup told The Rye Record that the City is taking a number of steps to deal with the flooding issues. Here are his remarks: