Crotonblog: The blog of Croton-on-Hudson, NY

Bruce Apar's Ethical Double Standard (and Goof)

In the 99th Assembly district bitter words are being exchanged between challenger John Degnan and incumbent Greg Ball. The latter is accused of mailing out campaign literature containing lies about his opponent.

The North County News, which advertised for a copy editor recently, still needs the services of a good copy editor or proofreader. The current edition features an editorial written by Editor in Chief + Publisher Bruce Apar from which we extracted the following gem:

“A Degnan supporter has been sending anonymous letters to Ball supporters that claim to tell the truth about Ball. Whoever it is didn’t even have the strength of his or own convictions [sic]. Sending anonymous letters is an act of cowardice. Enough already.” (Mr. Apar obviously tripped over “his or her.”)

As the target of many snide remarks from a small band of vicious posters on the NCN chatroom, Crotonblog feels that turnabout is fair play. The phrase “act of cowardice” has been heard before at NCN. When that newspaper began a competing blog unimaginatively called “Croton Blog,” readers who posted comments were required to reveal their identities. Mr. Apar piously explained that anonymous comment on a blog was “an act of cowardice.” The real Crotonblog was regularly reviled for allowing anonymous comments.

NCN’s blog with the copycat name, however, was really a chatroom. It was soon closed down because of low participation. Mr. Apar next started a series of community chatrooms pompously described as “forums.” To encourage participation, the naïve former requirement that posters reveal what Mr. Apar had described as “their own legal names” was abandoned.

To Rezone or Not to Rezone?

To the editor:

The Harmon Business Development Committee was formed in the summer of 2007 to study what could be done to improve commercial conditions in the Harmon area of the village. After more than a year of work, the Committee has made its final recommendations to the Village Board of Trustees. The process, rationale, zoning change recommendations and next steps are all detailed in the Committee’s final report which is now posted on the Village’s website.

You can access the report using the following link: HEDC Final Zoning Change Recommendations Report. More information on the Committee and its members can also be found on the Village’s website by using the following link: Harmon Business Development Committee

The Harmon Business Development Committee stands ready to address any questions, issues and/or concerns the public may have with what is being proposed. We will also keep the public informed of any additional public sessions on these recommendations that we envision will be scheduled in the near future.

— Kieran Murray, Chair, Harmon Business Development Committee

Why so Noisy at Metro North?

Complaint Corner is the place to gripe about the things that irk you in everyday life: Village services, a surly shopkeeper, an unfair parking ticket, unnecessary noise, people who don’t play by the rules—you name it. Perhaps others have had the same experience. By raising our voices and letting off steam, maybe we can effect changes. Here’s another complaint that we’ve received:

Has anyone noticed that the noise from the Croton-Harmon train station has gotten louder in recent months? The constant roar of the trains idling at the station is an unacceptable situation of noise pollution and makes it miserable to be outside in the evening or to open the windows at night.

How can we do something about this?

— Can’t stand the train noise

Editors note: We invite readers to share their gripes with other readers. There’s no need to sign your name as a whistleblower. Send your contribution to us by filling out the Contact Us form found here.

Croton Police Blotter - Week of June 30th

June 30

11:14 AM: There was a report from a neighboring resident about a loud beeping noise in the area around Veterans Corner. The responding officer later determined that the noise, a malfunctioning deer repellent system, originated from a home on Old Post Road South.

6:40 PM: There was a report of a disoriented man who was trespassing at a residence on Nordica Drive. Patrol responded to the scene and charged a 60-year-old male resident of Croton with trespass. The man was taken into custody and later released on his own recognizance pending an upcoming appearance in village court.

7:01 PM: There was a report from a resident of Grand Street that sometime within the past three weeks, jewelry was taken from her home. Detectives were unable to find evidence of a forced entry while the matter remains under investigation.

July 1

12:31 AM: Officer on patrol charged a 45-year-old male resident of Ossining with driving without a license. The man was later released pending an upcoming appearance in village court.

1:40 PM: There was a report of a dispute between two individuals on Half Moon Bay Drive. Patrol responded to the scene and helped the involved persons to settle their disagreement without further incident.

6:29 PM: Officer on patrol charged a 28-year-old female resident of Croton with driving without a license after being pulled over on Croton Point Avenue. The woman was later released pending an upcoming appearance in village court.

Sick. Sick. Sick.

The bucolic village of Croton-on-Hudson is a little corner of Paradise where Happiness with a capital H reigns supreme. Or so one would have to believe to judge by the many protestations of sweetness and light by a small band of residents intent on proclaiming Croton to be a heaven on earth.

But suddenly there is trouble in Paradise. Someone out there doesn’t like Crotonblog. In fact, someone doesn’t like us so much that they took the trouble to mail a package of odoriferous material to us. It arrived yesterday.

Crotonblog is not so much bothered by the contents of this package as we are by the thought that among our neighbors there are people sick enough to go to the trouble and expense to do something like this. It is, we suppose, the ultimate poison pen letter.

Our initial impulse was to turn the matter over to the Croton Police Department. A wise friend advised us not to bother. It does not come within their jurisdiction, he pointed out. He advised us to turn the package and its contents over to the Postal Inspectors. According to our friend, the little-known Postal Inspection Service, the law enforcement arm of the US Postal Service, have a high rate of success in solving crimes involving use of the mails. Those who have used the mails to defraud or threaten others have found to their sorrow that the Postal Inspectors are relentless and have ways of tracing mailed material or discovering the identities of such mailers.

To the list of those in Croton who have had their tires slashed, their cars keyed, or their houses egged, add the name of Crotonblog. We have been the recipients of a package whose disgusting contents were labeled “Gorilla Crap.” What is so disquieting to us is the thought that out there is a person who did this may be someone among our neighbors, perhaps even among our friends, Chaucer’s “smiler with the knife beneath the cloak.” Someone in Croton sick enough to consider this some kind of a joke.

But there was a telltale giveaway in the package, revealing that the sender was not so clever after all. Crotonblog thinks the residents of Croton should know about the presence of a mentally ill person in our midst. The person who perpetrated this has done more harm to Croton’s image than any public airing of a difference of opinion could have caused.

Sick. Sick. Sick describes the perpetrator to a T, a letter in his name. We’ll withhold the rest of the clues to his identity for the Postal Inspectors. Crotonblog reproduces below a photograph of the contents of the package:

Click image to enlarge.

Is Croton is Going to the Dogs?

I find it rather odd how the dog owners of Croton on Hudson, who already have made the Croton Gorge Trail a dog run, will now be rewarded with their own dog park at Black Rock Park. Is this the old “if you can’t beat ‘em, give ‘em all” mentality or is Croton truly going to the dogs? I can no longer safely use the Gorge Trail, now, I must avoid Black Rock Park as well—great!

— One of the few and neglected, non-dog owners of Croton

Sticker Shock!

To the editor:

I’ve sent the following letter below to every elected federal and state representative with jurisdiction over our electoral district.

Dear Sir or Madam,

My Con Edison bill arrived today and I am in shock.

I expected an increase because of the reports of higher energy costs but the Con Edison increase is simply untenable. It is especially horrific for older Americans living on a fixed income. We are 83 and 75 years old respectively and have no possibility of increasing our limited retirement incomes.

As two old people, our lifestyle is such that we use a minimum of electricity. We do not have air conditioners; we do only 2 or 3 loads of wash a week, we are asleep by 10:00 p.m., do a minimum of cooking on an electric stove, and the only small electric appliance we use is a coffee pot and toaster. (We can’t conceive of what young families must be paying for electricity. If we, 2 older people, pay $355.00 for one month’s electricity what must young families be paying?)

We understand the need to absorb part of Con Ed’s additional costs of doing business but this excessive increase is staggering. We’ve all seen, at one time or another, the perceived abuses of 4, 5 or even more Con Ed workers standing around a particular job. One or two may be working and the others watching the work. Two or three additional trucks are often parked at the same job with workers simply sitting in the trucks “waiting.”

Please take whatever action is necessary to assure that the outrageous increase is appropriate. It borders on criminal price gouging. Perhaps it’s time for an in-depth investigation of this huge monopoly.

We’d would appreciate hearing your comments on this crisis and more to the point, what you might be able to do to alleviate the pain.

— Georgianna Grant

That Darned Weather Station!

After being out of commission all night, Croton’s weather station finally came back at 8:45 a.m. this (Friday) morning, showing a straight horizontal line for every category of statistic, including temperature, wind speed, pressure, etc. In past incidents it was hung up with the same statistics showing for the date and time when it stopped recording. Now the date and time are changing, but the statistics are still frozen and unchanging.

This afternoon when the temperature is in the 90s, Croton’s weather station will be showing it at an unchanging 78 degrees all day—the same temperature it was at 8:15 a.m. What a joke! I get more reliable statistics from a small device bought at Radio Shack. Even a broken clock tells the right time twice a day.

What goes here? The climate is changing everywhere on the planet except in Croton? How much are we spending to get such unreliable information. What good is this expensive toy if it only works sporadically? And what is the Village doing about making sure we get what we are paying for? Who’s in charge of this stupid project anyway?

— Weather Buff

Croton Teen Theatre to Present Anything Goes

Croton Teen Theatre is proud to present its 2008 summer production, Anything Goes at Croton Harmon High School. The cast is comprised of teens from the surrounding area and is sure to delight audiences of all ages.

Under the direction of Tom Berger, Artistic Director of Re-Directions Theatre Company in Manhattan, musical director John Bronston, and choreographer Anne-Marie Galler, the shipboard tale of identity mix-ups coupled with songs such as “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “You’re the Top,” and “Anything Goes” is a must see this summer.

Performances are on July 25th at 8:00 pm and on July 26th at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm at Croton Harmon High School, 36 Old Post Road South, Croton-on-Hudson. Seating is assigned and the better tickets sell out quickly so reserve your seats early by calling JoAnn McLellan at 271-4476. Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for students, seniors, and children. Refreshments will be sold during intermission and a fifty-fifty raffle will be held at each performance.

Croton Police Blotter - Week of June 23rd

July 23

11:23: Officer on patrol charged a 43-year-old male resident of Hazelton, PA, with driving with a suspended license and possession of a forged instrument after being pulled over on Old Post Road North. The man was taken into custody and was later remanded to the Westchester County Jail in lieu of posting $5,000 bail pending an upcoming appearance in village court.

June 24

2:04 AM: Officer on patrol asked a group of people parked in a car at Silver Lake Park to leave the area.

2:34 AM: Officer on patrol reported an incidence of vandalism and property damage to Caruso’s Deli on Croton Point Avenue. The matter is under investigation.

8:41 AM: There was a report from an employee at the Van Wyck Liquor Store that the wires that provided phone service to the business were cut sometime overnight. The matter is under investigation.

10:46 AM: There was a report of a dispute between two individuals at a residence on Lark Lane. Police reponded to the scene and helped to mediate the disagreement without further incident.

You Call This a Showroom?

You’ve seen his ads on TV. One proclaims that old saw, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Another is his own coinage, “We have a showroom in every neighborhood.” His name is Mark Franzoso, and he’s your typical siding salesman.

He does indeed have a showroom in one very important Croton neighborhood, and it’s making a very shabby first impression. The neighborhood is the highly touted “Gateway” where Croton Point Avenue joins South Riverside Avenue.

Click picture to enlarge.

With the demise of Croton Dodge, Mr. Franzoso snapped up the lot where the former Dodge franchise used to store its unsold new cars and trucks. As unsightly as that usage may have been, Mr. Franzoso has outdone the previous owner in making the property unattractive.

During the past winter’s election campaign Mr. Franzosos placed a temporary storage building on the property and decorated it with illegal signage for a candidate. The candidate lost by a wide margin. Since then, the lot has been allowed to go to rack and to ruin. It is overgrown with weeds and covered with litter.

On this lot near South Riverside Avenue, a huge (and we do mean bus-sized huge) RV has been parked for weeks. A prominently displayed “For Sale” sign lists a White Plains telephone number. This is clearly illegal. Neither Mayor Schmidt nor Acting Village Manager Zambrano has taken notice of this highly visible stain on Croton’s escutcheon.

Mr. Franzoso is no stranger to doing as he pleases under the noses of this administration, which can be counted on to close its eyes and ignore Franzoso violations. At the Franzoso headquarters farther down Croton Point Avenue, his company cars and trucks are parked indiscriminately all over the sidewalk, impeding the passage of pedestrians. Here, too, no one in this administration seems to notice the many Franzoso infractions.

There’s an old saying to the effect that “It’s not what you know but who you know that counts.” This would seem to be the operating slogan for Mr. Franzoso, who, along with his buddy Mayor Schmidt, can take credit for assisting in Croton’s downhill slide. Zambrano, the apple of Schmidt’s eye, is angling for the post of Village Manager, and will do nothing to displease “The Boss.”

Announcing a New Feature

As we travel around Croton, we hear many residents griping about the deteriorating quality of life here. So we decided to give readers a place to air their unhappiness. We propose to call it “Complaint Corner.” A local artist has designed a clever logo for this occasional feature.

It will be a place to gripe about the things that irk you in everyday life: Village services, a surly storeowner, an unfair parking ticket, unnecessary noise, people who don’t play by the rules—you name it. Perhaps others have had the same annoying experience. By raising our voices and letting off steam, we may be able to effect needed changes.

We invite readers to share their gripes with other readers. There’s no need to sign your name as a whistleblower. Send your contribution to us by filling out the Contact Us form found here.

Mysterious Happenings at Nappy's Corner

After Crotonblog called attention to the disappearance of the huge boards that blocked the storm drain at the corner of Benedict Boulevard and South Riverside Avenue, we pointed out that other debris still blocked that drain. A day later we found that something curious had happened. The debris mysteriously moved off the drain grate and now reposes in the gutter a few inches away.

Click picture to enlarge.

What could have caused this to occur? Here are some possibilities:

An unreported tornado touched down at that corner, picked up the debris and released it only a few inches from the drain.
A community-minded commuter brushed the debris off the storm drain with a folded newspaper.
The ghost of developer Clifford B. Harmon, unhappy with the condition of the development that bears his name, huffed and puffed the debris away from the drain.
An unhappy raccoon, tired of having the entrance to his abode blocked, pushed the debris aside.

We refuse to believe that Croton’s Department of Public Works sent someone to clear off the drain with a broom and neglected to tell the worker to pick up the debris. Readers are invited to speculate about what caused the debris to move off the clogged drain so mysteriously.

The Power of the Press a Blog

Two months ago, a vehicle struck the wooden telephone pole near the kiddie playground on Bungalow Road, leaving it in a condition perilous to life and limb. Crotonblog decided to do something about the lack of official action to correct this situation.

Five days ago we published a series of graphic photos of a hazardous situation that had gone uncorrected for too long.

There will be some who repeat the Mayor’s mantra and say that publication of those photos was an example of how “Crotonblog is destroying Croton.” We disagree. The Mayor has no monopoly on concern for this village.

We publish below—without comment or cut line—a photo made yesterday showing a new pole in place and ready to have the wires transferred and the damaged pole removed.

Click image to enlarge.

The Wheel that Squeaks the Loudest Gets the Grease

Mirabile dictu! Our parochial school Latin teacher would be pleased to see us using that expression. It means, “Amazing to relate.” Yes, amazing to relate, shortly after Crotonblog reported a blocked storm drain at the corner of Benedict Boulevard and South Riverside Avenue, a village crew appeared and removed the two huge boards that had been covering the drain. See the following Before (L) and After (R) photos (Click pictures to enlarge.):

Unfortunately, the powers that be did not read our complaint carefully enough. The assorted other junk that was also blocking the drain is still there, as can be seen in the right-hand photo taken after the boards were removed. We can therefore only give Croton’s Department of Public Works a barely passing grade.

We’re sure the workers were only told, “Get those damned boards out of there.” But there’s still work to be done on this storm drain. So our advice is to break out the brooms and dustpans, and get to work—if the Mayor and Village Manager want an “A” on their report cards for this effort.

A Wayfaring Local Weightlifter

Jeff Scott, a Montrose resident, is in Puerto Rico to compete in the 2008 XXII Pan-American Masters Olympic Weightlifting Championships, July 11 to 13. This annual competition brings together Olympic weightlifters from many countries in the Western Hemisphere and is being held this year at the Pabellon de la Paz in San Juan. At the end of September, he will travel to Greece to participate in the 24th IWF-World Weightlifting Championships to be held at Argostoli on the island of Kefalonia. Mr. Scott graduated from Croton-Harmon High School in the class of 1977.

In Olympic weightlifting, two events, or lifts, comprise the sport. One is the snatch in which competitors must lift the barbell over their heads from the floor in one continuous movement. The other is the clean and jerk in which competitors first “clean” the barbell from the floor to an intermediate position, “racking” the bar in a front squat, then standing up, and finally “jerking” the barbell to a position above the head. In both events, for a successful lift competitors must hold the bar steady above the head, with arms and legs straight and motionless.

Form is all-important in Olympic weightlifting. Three judges verify the successful completion of the lift. Once a competitor has met the requirements, the judge illuminates a white light. When at least two white lights are shown, the lift is regarded as successful, and the competitor may return the bar to the platform. If, in the opinion of a judge, the competitor fails to achieve a successful lift, a red light is shown. Two or more red lights disqualify the lift. In order for the lift to count, the bar must be lifted to at least knee level within 60 seconds after the bar has been loaded.

Here's Another Fine Mess, Mr. Mayor

According to New York State Department of Environmental Protection regulations, the Village of Croton-on-Hudson must have a storm-water management plan in place—and it does. In fact, the plan is reviewed with great fanfare each year at a public meeting by the mayor and the board of trustees. Furthermore, Croton has laws on the books to ensure that aspects of the storm-water management plan can be enforced.

It appears that the village is violating its own regulations by creating and tolerating a public nuisance and should take itself to court. Clogged drains are clearly a threat to public health, safety and welfare.

§ 196-26. Injunctive relief.

It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any provision or fail to comply with any of the requirements of this article. If a person has violated or continues to violate the provisions of this article, the SMO may request the Village Attorney to petition for a preliminary or permanent injunction restraining the person from activities which would create further violations or compelling the person to perform abatement or remediation of the violation.

§ 196-27. Violations deemed public nuisance.

In addition to the enforcement processes and penalties provided, any condition caused or permitted to exist in violation of any of the provisions of this article is a threat to public health, safety, and welfare, and is declared and deemed a nuisance, and may be summarily abated or restored at the violator’s expense, and/or a civil action to abate, enjoin, or otherwise compel the cessation of such nuisance may be taken.

In the Harmon section of Croton, however, one storm drain has escaped the notice of the village. It is certainly not exempt from application of the law. This drain, located at the southeastern corner of South Riverside Avenue and Benedict Boulevard, is completely obstructed by debris. Not only obstructed by litter, gravel, leaves and twigs—but by two massive six-foot-long 2” by 6” and 2” by 12” pieces of lumber. So overloaded is it by such an illegal and unseemly mess, one can barely see the plaque cemented next to the drain that cautions about dumping anything there because it drains directly to the Hudson River. Here’s pictures of the storm drain on taken on July 7 and 9, 2008 (Click each photo to enlarge.):

Croton, beautiful Croton… The clogged storm drain at this ugly corner adds insult to injury.

Would you believe that Croton regards this as a working storm drain?

Oblivious to the mess, a Croton Water Department truck drives right by the clogged storm drain.

Crotonblog continues to be baffled by the shameful neglect of the village of Croton by Mayor Schmidt, who seems to be able to close his eyes to the obvious. Although he rants and raves regularly, throws public temper-tantrums, and attempts to villainize Crotonblog for pointing out the ills that are being papered over on his watch, we must again ask the pointed question, “Mayor Schmidt, who’s minding the store?”

Close this Kiddie Playground, Mr. Mayor, Before a Fatal Accident Happens

Two months ago the tranquility of the kiddie playground in the Duck Pond Park was shattered when an errant motorist struck a telephone pole at the edge of the park on Bungalow Road. But more than the tranquility of the park was shattered. The telephone pole itself was splintered and left teetering at a crazy angle. A work crew was quickly dispatched and rendered first aid to the wounded telephone pole. Their impromptu therapy was laughable by the standards of even the most amateur of home handymen.

First, they planted a metal pole nearby in the ground with a menacingly sharp edge pointing upwards. Using yellow nylon rope, they then jury-rigged what can only be described as a temporary Bandaid for the pole, which was tilting at an alarming angle. Whoever masterminded this laughable lashup had obviously never earned a merit badge for knot tying in the Boy Scouts. Finally, proud of their creativity, the work crew went away, leaving their amateur handiwork for all the world to see and admire.

That was two months ago, and this charade has persisted, unnoticed by village government all this time. One can only surmise that no one bothered to call Verizon or Con Ed report a situation hazardous to life and limb. The pole also carries high tension wires, now sagging in alarming fashion.

When vehicle meets telephone pole, this is the inevitable result. Click picture to enlarge.

This telephone pole is now raw material for toothpicks. Click picture to enlarge.

Croton’s own “Gordian Knot” was not tied by any Boy Scout. Click picture to enlarge.

Would you let your child play on this toy car in the shadow of the broken pole? Click picture to enlarge.

As if the perilous pole was not enough, the condition of this kiddie park is disgraceful. Part of the splti-rail fence is down, leaving an opening through which a child could wander out onto Bungalow Road. Elsewhere, the fence is broken and has been repaired with yellow “caution” tape. This kiddie playground was once alive with the joyous shouts of children playing under the watchful eyes of parents or nannies. It is seldom used, and for good reason. The playground with its hovering broken telephone pole is an accident waiting to happen.

Mayor Schmidt is fond of blaming others for pulling Croton down by telling the truth about its deficiencies. The mayor obviously doesn’t get around much in the village. His limited itinerary takes him from home to his chiropractic office and the Municipal Building with an occasional detour to Peekskill and Chamber of Commerce luncheons, where he is held in high regard. He apparently does no mayoral patrolling in Croton, or he would have noticed this alarming situation long ago. Yet he claims to be on top of everything that goes on in this village. We’ve got news for him. It’s officially neglectful situations like this that are really pulling Croton down. Who’s minding the store, Mr. Mayor?

Croton Police Blotter - Week of June 16th

June 16

3:01 PM: There was a report by a passer-by about finding a full-bottle of prescription drugs on Elm Street. Patrol responded to the scene and took the bottle back to police HQ where it would be secured.

June 17

11:09 AM: There was a report of a disorderly woman in the area of Old Post Road. Patrol responded to the area and found a 47-year-old female resident of Manhattan who failed to obey police instructions by continuing to walk in the street. After police determined that the woman was intoxicated, she was taken from the scene and later remanded to the Westchester County Jail in lieu of posting $5,000 bail pending an upcoming appearance in village court.

9:55 PM: Patrol responded to a report of breaking glass in the area of Vassallo Park. Upon arrival, police questioned two female residents of Croton, aged 14- and 16-years-old, about the report. Subsequently, police took both girls into custody after determining that the older girl had consumed alcohol and was in possession of marijuana. Later, the pair was released to their parents.

10:45 PM: There was a report of a gas odor at a residence on King Street. Patrol and Croton fire department responded to the scene and later determined that the odor was coming from a leaking propane tank in the backyard.

Please Fix the Weather Station Again, Mr. Mayor

Click image to enlarge.

You’re always accusing others of pulling down Croton and destroying it. But it’s the little things that are neglected by your administration that really pull Croton down and diminish the quality of life here. Little things that your administration does nothing about.

In this new feature, called “Our Own Croton Watch,” Crotonblog will point out and show photos of some of the more egregious violations. And then we’ll keep score and see how long it takes your administration to correct them.

Take, for example, the expensive village weather reporting system installed with great fanfare. It has been out of action for the entire Fourth of July weekend. It stopped running at 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 3rd. It seems to break down regularly and for long periods of time. This obviously proves that no one in village government is charged with checking on it to make sure that it’s operating properly.

You are sure to include the weather reporting system in your reelection campaign literature as one of your accomplishments. Don’t you think that delegating the task of making sure it’s up and running is your responsibility? Who’s minding the store, Mr. Mayor?

Croton's David Rinaldi Slated for Upcoming Pleasantville Music Festival

Croton’s own David Rinaldi will bring his unique brand of family music to the Pleasantville Music Festival on Saturday, July 12 at 11:30am.

The music festival, now on its fourth year, is to headline Grammy winner Joan Osborne. “We’re excited to be bringing our family friendly music to such a fabulous and respected venue. Westchester is a fabulous place in which to raise kids. Nothing is more special than to being able to share our music with the people and places that have inspired it,” said Rinaldi.

Rinaldi, who released his first album last year is now promoting his second album—“The Boy Who Ate the Fish Food and other Tales” He will be playing with his five piece band “David and the Fireflies.”

When the Croton resident began writing songs for his two young sons, he hoped to create some quality family times and sing-along music for the car. Very quickly though, he found himself in demand in area schools and throughout Westchester as he shared songs from “Waking Up Underneath a Tangerine Sun”, his first album. Rinaldi enlisted some of his longtime musician friends also eager to share their musical parenting magic and the Fireflies were born. Prior to composing music for the younger set, Rinaldi had been lead guitar player and band leader for a number of groups in Connecticut and New York.

David’s music includes songs about caterpillars, mythical creatures, summer reading, brushing teeth, hiking in the woods, cleaning messy rooms, and super summer fun with bugs! Specially for Croton, a song about the Croton Dam is included in the new album. “We’re inspired by fireflies, grasshoppers, dragonflies and other forces of nature such as our own children,” the father of two adds. For the Festival, children will be welcomed to bring their own instruments to play along as David likes to invite adventurous fans onstage to help strum some guitar and sing along.

Additional play dates for David and the Fireflies include The Croton Free Library on Saturday, September 13, 2008, at 11 AM; and the Teatown Fall Festival on Saturday, October 18 at 12 noon.

For more information about David and the Fireflies, including YouTube music videos and clips, go to www.fireflysongs.net. For location and tickets to the Pleasantville Music Festival, go to www.pleasantvillemusicfestival.com. David Rinaldi’s music can be enjoyed for free on his website and can be downloaded from ITunes and Amazon.com. His CDs are available through CDBaby.com.

The Weekly Postscripts

Postscripts articles are initially published on the Internet at Notorc.com and are subsequently published on Crotonblog.com under an exclusive licensing arrangement with RSA Inc., the copyright owner. All other rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2006, 2007, 2008.

A Modest Proposal

If our recent inventory of commercial properties reveals anything, it is that when renters decamp they often do not remove the signage and other accoutrements of their occupancy. Instead these discouraging evidences of past occupancy remain, grim reminders in many cases of a failed business venture.

Instead of wringing its collective hands, crying crocodile tears and expressing concern over the sad state of Croton’s commercial properties, there is something that the Schmidt administration can do to remedy this situation. Crotonblog proposes that the village quickly pass an ordinance that would require renters to remove all signage and other evidence of their business presence from the exterior of a rental property. If the renter leaves without abiding by the ordinance, the responsibility then will devolve upon the landlord to remove signage and similar materials within 30 (or 60) days of the renter’s departure, or face a stiff penalty.

A simple step like this would remove an unsightly impediment to rental and facilitate early occupancy of Croton’s numerous unsightly empty properties. It’s a wonder that no one has thought of this solution to a continuing problem a long time ago.

A Heart All But Stopped Beating

To the editor:

What does the local real estate say on the matter of our village dying? Has there been any interest? It is terrible to walk down the streets and see NOTHING! The reason I stayed in Croton (from age six to today) with my family was because of it’s charming feel. Yes, the schools are good, the people are enjoyable, but the village itself is the heart of this town.

Today, the heart has all but stopped beating. Has there been any interest? I recently read here about a steakhouse that used to be here…something OTHER than pizza and nail salons.

Is there any ANY interest? Ah!!!!!

— A Life-long Citizen

Taking Stock: Croton's Commercial Vacancies

Croton is now awash in ideas about “the Croton we want.” It also has well-intentioned suggestions up the kazoo for attracting new businesses and bolstering Croton’s faltering economy. Crotonblog is not aware, however, of the existence of an up-to-date inventory of available properties.

With that in mind, Crotonblog here presents the following views of today’s 24 empty commercial properties. To those who will point out that some storefronts have been empty for years and that their owners have no intention of renting them, we would point out that an empty storefront is nonetheless an empty storefront, and its very presence tends to pull down the rest of a neighborhood and discourage the renting of nearby available properties.

As they say about residential properties, any Realtor will tell you that there is one quality all-important to the successful rental of a commercial property: location, location, location. Location is indeed important to a retail establishment, governing, as it does, the “traffic” that will be attracted to any address.

As used in marketing geography, the word “traffic” refers to customers who purposefully seek out a retailer, but it also encompasses “strolling” traffic. Some Croton neighborhoods are simply not conducive to strolling. The addition of a few benches for pedestrians might make them more attractive to strollers.

Looking at the individual locations shown here, Crotonblog cannot avoid the feeling that still another quality may be important in the rental of commercial properties: appearance, appearance, appearance. You be the judge. Would you be inclined to rent some of these unattractive properties for a retail business? Crotonblog welcomes your comments on the subject of attractiveness—and to get a closer look at any of the pictures, click them for a larger version.

Croton Point Avenue	Croton Point Avenue
South Riverside Avenue	South Riverside Avenue
South Riverside Avenue	South Riverside Avenue
South Riverside Avenue	South Riverside Avenue
South Riverside Avenue	South Riverside Avenue
South Riverside Avenue	Maple Street & North Riverside Avenue
North Riverside Avenue	North Riverside Avenue
North Riverside Avenue	Albany Post Road North
Albany Post Road North	Albany Post Road North
Albany Post Road North	Grand Street
Grand Street	Grand Street
Grand Street	Grand Street