Council Endorses Stormwater District;
New Projects, Taxes, Debt Possible
The City Council on March 5 voted unanimously to support the introduction of state legislation to create a Regional Stormwater Management District (RSMD). The District would be an independent entity overseeing stormwater projects for twelve communities in Westchester, including Rye, New Rochelle, Mt. Vernon, Port Chester and Harrison among others.

Two Candidates, Two Open Seats For May 20 School Board Election
With Board President Jim Culyer stepping down after 12 years of service, Rye citizens have just two choices for the two open seats in May 20’s School Board election. Incumbent Ed Fox and newcomer Young Kim are the candidates.

John Alfano to Receive Americanism Award
It’s hard to find a volunteer position John L. Alfano hasn’t performed with distinction over the past 30 years, and for his loyal service Rye American Legion Post 128 will honor him with its Americanism Award at Memorial Day ceremonies. The ceremonies take place on the Village Green Monday, May 26, 10 a.m.

Our Health Heroes
When Greenwich Hospital honors twelve “Community Health Heroes” at a breakfast Friday, May 9, two Rye residents will be among the honorees. They are Ann Barringer-Spaeth, Council of Community Services in Port Chester, and Gregg Howells, Rye YMCA executive director. They and the other individuals “have distinguished themselves by enhancing the health and well being of our region through various initiatives in collaboration with the hospital.”
The breakfast will be held from 8:30 to 10 a.m. in the Noble Conference Room.

Democracy Now
New to the RyeTV program schedule this month is “Democracy Now”, a daily TV news program, hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez. It is airing on over 700 stations, pioneering the largest community media collaboration in the U.S.
Sponsored by the Progressive Alliance of Westchester, the one-hour program will cablecast on Cablevision at 8 a.m. and again at 7 p.m. on Public Channel 76. For more information about the alliance, visit www.progressiveallianceofwestchester.org.

The 20th running of the Rye Derby went off without a hitch. Even the weather cooperated.

School Budget Vote, May 20
Rye City residents are urged to vote May 20 on the 2008-09 school budget. Voting will take place at Rye Middle School between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. At the May 6 Board of Education meeting, School Superintendent Dr. Ed Shine presented a proposed budget of $68,251,850. The number calls for a 5.1% budget-to-budget increase with an estimated tax rate increase of 5.6%. It is also an 8.2% increase over 2007-08’s forecasted expenses.
If the budget is defeated May 20, a second vote would be scheduled for June 17. If the budget was again not approved, a contingency budget of $67,505,550 would be enacted. The budget-to-budget increase would be 3.9%, with an estimated tax rate increase of 4.5%.

Buckle Up
The City of Rye Police Department will intensify seatbelt enforcement May 19 through June 1, as part of New York State's annual “Buckle Up New York/Click It or Ticket” campaign to increase the use of seat belts and child safety seats. The campaign will stress high-visibility, zero-tolerance enforcement aimed at increasing seatbelt use. It will urge motorists to buckle their seatbelts or receive a summons, using the slogan “Click It or Ticket.”

Rye Moving Forward With Senior Initiatives
Two new major initiatives mean increased services for Rye seniors. According to Joe Murphy, a senior care manager and coordinator for the ElderServe Safe Center, “The City of Rye is entering a new era of geriatric care on two levels. At one level, individual senior citizens will find it easier to access services for their special needs; at another level, local organizations, leaders and residents will find it easier to share ideas with each other to expand services to seniors.”

Westchester County Open Days
Unlocking the gates to America’s best private gardens since 1995, The Garden Conservancy’s Open Days Program’s 2008 season features more than 300 gardens from coast to coast, including 22 in Westchester County from April to November.