Letters to the Editor, April 18

Pound Ridge writer says Asaro’s letter was ‘off base’

To the Editor, 

The more I think about it the madder I get. Ron Asaro’s letter from last week is totally off base. (“Pound Ridge man accuses town board of targeting citizen,” April 11.)

It’s like he went to another meeting and reviewed another experience. None of what he says is true. And if you don’t believe me, go online and look at last week‘s meeting or review the agenda printed in anticipation of last week’s meeting. You’ll see Ron has no basis in reality. It’s just making me crazy. Ron is a smart guy. By now, he should know to tell the truth. And spare us the civics lesson. 

The agenda included an item for review: Donna Simons is suing two state agencies she contends improperly got involved in our drinking water travails. That’s it. Just a  $7,600,000 grant is at stake. Free money. 

At the board meeting the town attorney had a personal issue and could not attend. Life happens. His appearance was postponed for two weeks. That’s it. 

There was no intimidation or silencing whatsoever. No slander. Not petty. 

And when I say that’s it, that’s it. You can look it up. 

Robbie Everett Pound Ridge

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Different headline shifted tone and intent of letter to the editor

To the Editor:

I’m writing to express my concern about an editorial decision made regarding my recent letter to the editor submission, which appeared in your publication under the altered title, "Pound Ridge man accuses town board of targeting citizen” (April 11). This was not the title I submitted. My original title was “When government targets a citizen for speaking up.”

The change is not a minor editorial tweak — it significantly shifts the tone and the intent of the piece.

My original title was meant to draw attention to a broader and principled issue: the troubling dynamic that can arise when a local government uses its platform or authority to marginalize or discredit a private citizen for exercising their right to speak up. It is about civic responsibility, government transparency, and the chilling effect such actions can have on public discourse.

The substituted title, by contrast, reframes the piece as a personal accusation — casting it as a dispute between an individual and the Pound Ridge Town Board rather than a commentary on institutional behavior. It also reduces a serious concern into a “he said, she said” narrative. Using the phrase “Pound Ridge man accuses …” positions my editorial as a subjective grievance rather than a justified warning.

This editorial choice distorts the purpose of my submission and undermines its message. At the very least, I believe contributors should be informed when such changes are made to the tone or framing of their work — especially when it’s published under their name.

I hope you’ll consider restoring more transparent editorial practices and honoring the voice and intent of future contributors.

Ron Asaro Pound Ridge

Editor’s note: The Recorder’s letters to the editor guidelines state that letters can be edited for content, tone and clarity; this policy applies to headlines included in the letter submission. Any adjusted headlines are intended to accurately reflect the contents of the submitted letter. At Ronald Asaro’s suggestion, we will amend our guidelines to make it clearer that letter headlines are also subject to the editor’s changes.

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Pound Ridge Town Board member disputes allegations over wrongdoings

To the Editor:

Ron Asaro’s April 11 letter (“Pound Ridge man accuses town board of targeting citizen”) references an April 2 Pound Ridge Town Board agenda item, an update on ongoing litigation. Ron notes this “wasn’t just a routine report.” Indeed, it was a timely update regarding litigation that directly impacts the business district and the town’s efforts to deliver clean water.

However, characterizing this as a “targeted, public callout” or “slanderous and petty” is misleading. The agenda item did not aim to shame anyone; naming the petitioner is standard legal procedure, as legal actions carry the petitioner’s name.

Allegations the board is attempting to “publicly shame,” “silence dissent” or “intimidate opposers” are offensive and untrue. These claims distort the facts and undermine our democratic process. A referendum resulted in a majority vote favoring the water district and infrastructure project. Upholding that democratic decision is not intimidation, it is respecting majority rule.

Ron suggests the town is “using institutional power to silence dissent.” Posting an agenda item silences no one. The lawsuit is proceeding through the legal system, as it should. However, this legal action delays essential clean water services intended to address a public health issue. Informing the public is transparency, not retaliation.

While “citizens should not fear retaliation for holding their government accountable,” litigation to reverse a democratic decision is not courageous dissent; it is obstruction.

Finally, Ron writes, “accountability starts with respecting … residents ... who have the courage to speak truth to power.” The board has done exactly that. There was a public hearing. The process was open, fair, and democratic. Trying to reverse the outcome through litigation isn’t “speaking truth to power,” it is rejecting it.

Public engagement is encouraging. Diverse opinions make our community stronger. With local elections approaching, we must distinguish disagreement from wrongdoing and transparency from intimidation. Pound Ridge deserves an honest, informed conversation, not inflammatory rhetoric.

Diane Briggs,  Member Pound Ridge Town Board

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If Lewisboro is getting grant for seniors bus, why can’t Pound Ridge, writer asks

To the Editor:

On April 11, The Recorder reported that Lewisboro will likely receive a federal grant to purchase a new van for town seniors (“Federal grant will fund van for seniors”) in the amount of $102,000 for its parks and recreation department to serve the towns’ seniors.

I have repeatedly asked Kevin Hansan and the Pound Ridge board to replace the broken-down town bus for seniors in Pound Ridge which has no air conditioning. 

In my view, the needs of seniors in Pound Ridge are being neglected. If Lewisboro can obtain a federal grant, why can’t Pound Ridge even so much as apply for a grant from the federal government or the state government? Perhaps this is a time for a change in Pound Ridge.

Katherine Biagiarelli Pound Ridge

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Writer says most in Pound Ridge still not aware of alternate firehouse idea

To the Editor:

Fire Commissioners Chair Peter Gallagher did an excellent job solving the problem he was asked to solve, i.e. fitting larger modern fire trucks into an old firehouse on a hillside.

However, another idea, further developed from my letter to the editor of March 14, (“Writer asks, Why not move Pound Ridge firehouse to the green?”) by a Democrat (me), an Independent, and a Republican, solved that one problem, saved a specimen tree, made the 9/11 Memorial accessible, and created a public services hub saving money by combining construction of a new firehouse and a new police station on flat ground at the Town House.

At the Sunday, April 6, public hearing Commissioner Gallagher mentioned my name early on and said my idea would not work without saying what the idea was. When two ladies in the front interrupted, I raised my hand to speak and when recognized stood to quickly introduce myself and explain the idea. I was cut off by Commissioner Gallagher and shut down before I could explain much at all. The two ladies yelled at me that it would cost $20-$25 million, and a fellow commuter told me to shut up.

So, most voters never knew that there was another idea, evaluation of the feasibility and cost efficiency of combining construction projects into one public services hub has not happened, “Tree City” as designated by a sign from the Arbor Day Foundation will cut down its most beautiful tree, and the police still work in a tiny cabin. 

Ellen Kearns Pound Ridge

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When using roads for exercise, dress for safety, not fashion

To the Editor:

Spring is here! And with it comes the new fashions for outdoor exercise wear!

I enjoy walking and running on our twisting, winding roads. I favor clothing in subtle earth tones like forest green, stonewall gray, dead-leaf brown, and for those early dusk and late dawn runs the ever-so-slimming black. I like to fit in with nature and blend with it. You might say I’m invisible.

Oh yes, I know I could wear a reflective safety vest or fluorescent pink, yellow or orange that can be seen from literally a mile away … as a FASHION VIOLATION!!

You, the sleepy commuter, the harried soccer mom, or the teen with a freshly minted license will barely have time to look up from your texting when BAM!!!

And as you approach my fine but mangled body, please don’t say something lame like “Are you alright?” or “Can I call an ambulance?”

No. The only words I want to hear from your mouth are “Nice outfit!!”

Lincoln Cleveland, M.D. Bedford Assistant medical director, Pound Ridge Volunteer Ambulance Corps