January 5, 2012

Dear Neighbor—

Happy New Year! It is difficult for me to accept that 2011 is already over. It certainly was a very busy year!

There is much to report since our last email blast about eight weeks ago:

Annual Meeting – We held the Gedney Association’s Annual Meeting at the Woman’s Club of White Plains on November 16. Thanks to the Woman’s Club for their generosity and to everyone who was able to attend. We had a very large crowd. Mayor Tom Roach was our guest speaker and he was well received. The Mayor spoke briefly and responded to many questions from the floor.

We also elected four members to the Association’s Board of Directors. Elsie Lahrmann of Richbell Road and Yvonne Gumowitz of Ethelridge Road were re-elected. Ellen Lee and Joe DeMarzo each of Hathaway Lane were elected to the Board for the first time. We thanked Ari Burstein and Denise Serra for their most effective work while members of the Board. Both Ari and Denise will be missed. The Board’s officers were elected as follows:

Terence Guerriere, President
John Sheehan, Vice President
Midge Sanchez, Secretary
Joseph DeMarzo, Treasurer
Yvonne Gumowitz, Information Officer
A complete list of the Association’s Board is attached.

FASNY – The application of the French American School of New York to construct and operate a multi-building educational complex continues to dominate the Association’s activities.

The Neighborhoods Committee - In response the overwhelming offers of assistance from the our neighbors to further the Association’s efforts in opposition to the French American School’s plans for the former Ridgeway Country Club property, the Board established The Committee for the Preservation of Our White Plains Neighborhoods (the “Neighborhoods Committee”). Although the name of the committee is a bit unwieldy (feel free to make suggestions for a better one), the work of the committee members has already been impressive. Ellen Lee has agreed to Chair the committee and it has almost 25 members.

The Neighborhoods Committee’s objective is to effectively communicate the facts about FASNY’s plans and the effects of the proposed development on the neighborhoods and taxpayers of White Plains. We recognize that FASNY has hired a professional public relations firm and has already spent significant amounts of money to persuade the people of White Plains of the merits of the planned multi-building educational complex. We expect the public relations effort to continue. The Neighborhoods Committee is gathering and will be disseminating facts and information to help counteract the public relations efforts of the School. You will hear more from the Neighborhoods Committee as the year progresses.

Petition in Opposition – At the Annual Meeting, we launched a petition drive. The petition states our opposition to FASNY’s plans for the former Ridgeway CC property. Volunteers have already gathered an impressive number of signatures from White Plains residents; we will continue the petition drive throughout the winter. Please let us know if you would like to sign the petition or if you would like to help gather signatures.

Yard Signs and Car Magnets – As you have undoubtedly noticed, yard signs symbolizing opposition to FASNY’s plans for their property have been adorning many yards throughout White Plains. 300 signs have been distributed and we have a long waiting list for more. Additional signs have been ordered and will be available soon. There are also car magnets available. The signs are designed to withstand weather of all kinds. Please, if you already have a sign or expect to have one soon, leave them up throughout the winter and spring! Please note that you may need to occasionally adjust the signs after a strong wind or particularly nasty weather. If you would like to receive a sign or magnet, please let us know by writing us at info@gedneyfarms.net.

What is next for FASNY’s Application? - The environmental scoping process continues. The scoping document was completed and accepted by the Council in December. Over the next several months the School will be gathering the information called for by the scoping document. Their submissions will then be reviewed by the city and, when deemed complete, accepted by the Council. There will then be a public hearing and the process will continue with the School’s submission most likely going through more review and modification. Although it is difficult to predict, it is reasonable to assume the public hearing will be held in either May or June of this year.

The Proposed Open Space/Recreational Zone - The proposed rezoning of the golf course properties (Fenway, Maplemoor, the former Ridgeway and Westchester Hills) is also proceeding through the environmental review process. The city is preparing a response to the scoping document and we should expect a public hearing to be held sometime in March or April.

Website – Our website, www.gedneyfarms.net, has been a great success and contains much useful information. However, it is due for a facelift. Yvonne Gumowitz, a Gedney Association board member (and recently crowned Information Officer), has done a great job creating and maintaining the website. She will now be tackling the website refurbishment in the coming months. If you have constructive ideas and/or have some expertise in web design, I am sure Yvonne would welcome your assistance.

As always we will try to keep you informed in the coming weeks and months.

Thank you.

Terence Guerriere
President, Gedney Association