Letters to the Editor, August 8

Vehicle idling has health effects, especially for sensitive groups

To the Editor:

I am writing to remind or inform folks of the state law prohibiting vehicle idling for more than three minutes.

This law helps to diminish pollutants such as carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) and nitrogen and sulfur oxides (which contribute to acid rain and ozone formation), as well as reducing the use of fuel.

These pollutants affect our air and our health. Additionally, idling near daycares, schools, hospitals and nursing homes has a greater effect on those more sensitive to exhaust fumes.

Gas dependency has far reaching environmental impacts. Ozone damages living things: plants, animals and people. Gas drilling and refining have additional environmental effects.

As an avid walker, I am privy to the large numbers of people idling in their cars, as well as unattended idling vehicles.

Sadly, while many municipalities and school districts have spearheaded education and enforcement programs, we only have a law, which no one seems to know or care about.

People who care about their health and that of their loved ones, and for the world at large, will reap the benefits of obeying and educating others about this law. To learn more, go to dec.ny.gov.

Judith Mason, DVM Katonah

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Mount Kisco writer supports Cait Conley to represent NY-17 

To the Editor:

I am a registered Democrat who previously served as a district leader and secretary for my town Democratic Committee. I am also someone who has, since the late 1980s, voted at times across party lines.

Since Trump took office again, we have seen government employees fired and replaced with non-professionals. This week the administration fired the leading U.S. labor market statistician because she reported a downward trend in the creation of new jobs.

Now we see on a national level what harm can occur when Donald Trump has decided to replace so many professionals with inexperienced political friends.  A few of these appointees previously held state or local government positions.  None had federal government experience. And day after day we see them botch and bungle and implode the operation of our government.   

I don’t always trust the government, but I do have a good amount of trust in public servants.

This is why I will vote for Cait Conley for Congress in NY-17.

I believe, if our democracy is to survive, we will need to rebuild or recover our national security. That requires electing competent lifetime public servants.  Cait Conley has that competence. In her career, she has written federal legislation, reviewed budgets, and worked with members of Congress to get things done.

The Democrats’ best chance of winning in 2026 is to nominate a veteran.  Veterans have proven they are running to serve, not for power or greed. While veterans would fight to preserve the highest ideals of our nation’s founders, those with federal experience are also, importantly, not naïve about the challenges.

I will be voting for character and competence on a national level; and a lifetime of public service. I will vote for Cait Conley.

Judith Sage Mount Kisco

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Writer says Pound Ridge Party denigrates office holders

To the Editor:

The members of the Pound Ridge Party are using the editorial page of The Recorder to denigrate the present office holders of the town of Pound Ridge. What they are doing is making noise and spending town money on issues that they themselves admit are costing money for legal fees that could well be used elsewhere.

We have lived in Pound Ridge since 1976. While we were happy to be here, we have felt there was a malaise of an us/them atmosphere. Today, Scotts Corners is blossoming. The town is alive and looking  wonderful. People are coming to town as a destination for daily activities from other communities. Town Supervisor Kevin Hansan gives weekly updates on events and issues around the town.

To the Pound Ridge Party: please stop your nonsense. The mismanagement of funds is at your feet, with your frivolous lawsuits. If you want to help, look for ways to help the town, not tear down those who are working hard and keeping most of us happy.

To The Recorder: thank  you. A free press is one of our fundamental rights and alerts the people to those who would take that right from us.

Joan Hallowell Pound Ridge

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McCown says Pound Ridge audit shows ‘serious lapses’

To the Editor:

On Aug. 1, the Office of the New York State Comptroller released a 16-page audit report on the town of Pound Ridge, covering procurement practices from January 2022 through November 2023. The report identified serious lapses in compliance with board policies and state laws.

The OSC stated in the Key Findings that “Town officials did not procure all goods and services in accordance with Board policy and applicable statutory requirements. As a result, officials cannot support that all goods and services were procured in the most cost-effective manner, which may have resulted in higher operational costs that would be passed onto taxpayers.”

Details included $745,362 in purchases made without competitive bidding and $299,176 in payments — mostly via town credit cards — that were not properly audited or reviewed. Of particular concern, 226 credit card charges totaling $54,359 lacked receipts or documentation. Town credit cards were issued to 11 department heads in 2020.

The OSC report also echoed concerns raised in earlier letters to management from the town’s independent auditor, PKF O’Connor Davies (PKFOD), though it did not address other significant deficiencies previously flagged — such as delay in issuance of independent audit reports, poor capital project tracking, and commingled funds.

In his July 15 response included in the report, Supervisor Hansan wrote, “We are pleased that the audit found no misuse, misappropriation, or fraudulent use of Town funds …” The OSC disputed that statement in a “See Note 1” annotation that stated, “Therefore, these audit results cannot be used to conclude there is no fraud, theft or professional misconduct.”

Residents are encouraged to read the full OSC audit available on its website and the required Corrective Action Plan due within 90 days. They should also ask the town to repost the PKFOD letters to management that were recently removed from the town’s website. These accounting failures highlight the risks that arise when financial statements are more than three years late and oversight is absent. Ultimately the risk from this is passed onto taxpayers. 

John D. McCown Candidate for Pound Ridge supervisor