Letters to the Editor May 16

Bedford writer supports Sposato for Board of Education

To the Editor:

I’m proud to support Leo Sposato for the Bedford Board of Education. As a 30-year teacher and lifelong educator, Leo brings knowledge, experience and heart to everything he does.

I’ve known Leo for many years, not just as a dedicated professional, but as a trusted friend, who always listens, cares and acts with integrity. His passion for education and commitment to students, teachers and families is unmatched. 

Bedford would be lucky to have someone with Leo’s perspective and character on the board.

Tom Dwyer

Bedford

Pound Ridge man says Lawler coverage shows why traditional media is losing its relevance

To the Editor:

The May 9 front page story on Congressman Mike Lawler’s town hall  encapsulates why traditional media is losing its relevance. (“Lawler town hall: one disenchanted evening.”)

When The Recorder launched as the successor to The Record-Review, it claimed to be nonpartisan, abstaining from opinion pieces. The Lawler article offered little insight into the topics Lawler discussed but rather focused on the disruption caused by some attendees. The implication was Lawler incited raucous behavior merely because he is a Republican, twice elected to Congress, in a Democrat-leaning district. Never mentioned is Lawler was ranked the fourth most bipartisan member of the House of the 118th Congress. The article’s focus on chaos highlights disruptive behavior that seems to be only socially acceptable against Republicans.

The article’s dismissiveness of questions from Lawler supporters as “less challenging” should prompt self-reflection about The Recorder’s own reporting about our local community. For example, had it not been for letters to the editor, Pound Ridge residents would not know about the lawsuit facing our town stemming from the cannabis approval. We also would not know that PFAS is not the widespread issue claimed by the town in the pursuit of the water district and is already managed by some residents through less costly solutions. Where is the analysis asking why Pound Ridge is facing a 9.6 percent property tax increase in the upcoming BCSD budget versus a 3.1 percent increase for Bedford and 3.6 percent decrease for Mount Kisco?

While protesters object to DOGE, Albany’s latest budget of $254B, up 6 percent, shows the consequences of bloated government. This proposal equates to $13,000/person versus Florida and Texas at $5,000/person. Why isn’t The Recorder asking our local state representatives about making the state more efficient? The real chaos is not Mike Lawler, but rather the unaddressed spending addiction New York imposes on its residents, who increasingly are leaving.

Alexander Goldfarb

Pound Ridge

Pound Ridge writer takes issue with headline on PFAS letter 

To the Editor:

Friday’s edition of The Recorder (May 9) included a letter with a misleading headline: “Scotts Corners property owner says latest test of his water shows no PFAS.”  “Latest test of his treated water shows no PFAS” would have been more accurate and avoided the misconception that PFAS was not detected in the groundwater. According to the homeowner, one PFAS, PFOA, was detected in the groundwater at 4.6 ng/L for PFOA.  PFOA is one of the PFAS chemicals currently regulated by both NYS and the federal EPA and a result of 4.6 ng/L is a clear indication PFAS contamination is present in Scott’s Corners.  Fortunately, as the data of the treated water shows, the filter installed by the homeowner removes the PFOA. 

The letter states that the contamination in Scotts Corners is associated with “microplastic (PFAS).” Microplastics and PFAS are two different kinds of contaminants. In Scotts Corners we are dealing with PFAS. 

The state drinking water standard for PFOA is 10 ng/L but it will transition to the federal standard issued by the EPA (MCL) for several PFAS, including PFOA. The federal MCL for PFOA is 4 ng/L which is less than the 4.6 ng/L reported in the  letter. The PFOA in the well water sample exceeded the MCL.

PFAS as a group includes 15,000 or more compounds. New York state regulates two in drinking water. EPA has set standards for six. Commercial laboratories can reliably test for 29 PFAS.  The science continues to evolve. The monitoring and maintenance requirements for a public water supply to provide safe drinking water are comprehensive and when the drinking water standards are in the nanogram per liter or part per trillion range as they are for PFOA, PFOS and the four other PFAS, it is especially important that the water supply is safe. That is why the water district is important. A public water supply will provide drinking water that meets the drinking water standards for everyone in the district consistently. Public water is the best way to protect public health.

Ellen Ivens

Pound Ridge 

Water Wastewater Task Force

Bedford to Albany: fighting plastic waste for our health and wallets

To the Editor: 

Last week, I traveled to Albany to speak up about something I care deeply about — reducing plastic waste. I joined others from Bedford 2030, our community and from the state to advocate for the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act, a bill that could make a real difference for our health, environment, and wallets. 

New Yorkers throw out nearly 7 million tons of packaging each year, much of it plastic. That’s not just wasteful — it’s harmful. Microplastics have been found in our food, water, and even our blood. Early research suggests troubling health effects. 

And who’s paying for this mess? We are. Local governments and community members across the state — including our local towns and villages — are footing the bill to manage waste, while corporations continue to use excessive packaging with no accountability. In Westchester, much of our waste is burned in an incinerator — meaning neighbors in Peekskill are breathing garbage. That’s not right. 

This bill would require companies to reduce plastic packaging by 30 percent over 12 years, ban toxic chemicals like PFAS and formaldehyde, and shift the cost of waste management from taxpayers to producers. 

With the legislative session ending June 12, we have a real opportunity to protect our health, communities, and environment — in Bedford and throughout the state. Our legislators must not adjourn until this vital bill is passed. 

Midge Iorio

Katonah

A tactical slate is deceptive and doesn’t serve our kids

To the Editor,

With the important BCSD BOE vote coming up on Tuesday, May 20, I write with a word of caution to my fellow voters to be careful of contrived groupings of candidates. When candidates — who previously ran against each other — unite under one slate, one must question their motives. I would assert that this is no longer about outcomes for our students, or about prudent appropriation of tax dollars, but about the consolidation of power and influence. Furthermore, a voting block of four secures an instant majority of the seven-member board — thereby removing the democratic function a panel of seven independently-minded members would bring. Voters should do their own research on each of the candidates and especially the record of the incumbents. Those paying attention to recent board meetings will be aware that the narrative from the slate around security, resourcing, and delivery on promises is far from the reality.  

I look forward to casting three of my votes for Leo Sposato, Eric Florio, and Rob Mazurek. I’ve had the opportunity to speak with all of them individually about their visions for the district, and was impressed by their thoughtfulness, energy, and commitment. A decorated police officer, a teacher with decades of administrative and classroom experience, and an accomplished finance professional. In my assessment, each would bring invaluable real-world perspective to the board — on safety, student well-being, practical application of policy, and a pragmatic yet balanced approach to budgeting.

Those running should leave the Machiavellian political gamesmanship to the D.C. operatives and we, as part of an engaged electorate, should be trusted to bring our own critical thinking skills to the voting booth.

Andrew Weir

Mount Kisco