Letters to the Editor May 9

Bedford Hills mom supports Leo Sposato for BCSD school board

To the Editor:

My name is Lara Paquette and I am a Bedford Hills resident with two children currently at school in the district. I have worked in education for 20 years and have experience in public schools, nonprofits, and the private sector. I am currently a high school guidance counselor. 

I believe that having Leo Sposato’s voice on the Bedford Central School District Board of Education would be invaluable. As a 12th grade English teacher, Leo sees firsthand how supporting students at every level can lead to success at the highest level. Working in a neighboring district gives him unique insight into the minds of our students and teachers. The board’s job includes creating policies that are enacted in our schools. Leo brings the lived experience of seeing firsthand how those policies can play out in the classroom. 

I would feel confident in the ideas that he brings to the table, as a current teacher’s perspective is one that is missing from our board. I appreciate Leo’s independence in this campaign. He is running on his own platform and will bring new opinions and ideas. It is troubling to me when candidates decide to run as a bloc who, if elected, would become the voting majority of the board. It is important, in our diverse district, to have representation from all communities and schools. Having spent time with Leo, I can say that he is fair, approachable, and has the students’ best interests at heart. You can’t be a teacher for as long as he has without genuinely caring about the success of the students with whom you work. 

Leo will bring his passion for education and level-headed nature to the board and we will be lucky to have him.

Lara Paquette Bedford Hills

Family is grateful for Gillian Klein’s support of girls flag football

To the Editor:

After a full year of dedicated planning and anticipation, the students were disappointed when they learned that the Girls Flag Football program was not included in the 2025-26 academic year budget. 

Recognizing the importance of offering Fox Lane High School girls this opportunity — one provided by just about every other local high school — Gillian Klein listened and, ultimately, the program was approved.

In this instance and others, Gillian has been accessible, attentive, responsive and, most of all, keenly focused on what is best for our students.  We are very grateful for her service on the BCSDNY school board, wholeheartedly endorse her reelection and strongly encourage others to, as well.

Clayton Rose, Alessandra Rose and Berit Rose, (Fox Lane High School class of 2025) Bedford

Scotts Corners property owner says latest test of his water shows no PFAS

To the Editor:

As a property owner in the Scotts Corners business district — and someone included in the town’s proposed water district — I want to share recent water testing results that I believe are important for the community to consider. 

As has been reported in this newspaper, the water district plan, which would pipe-in municipal water from Stamford to Scotts Corners, narrowly passed in a referendum that I, along with other concerned neighbors, helped organize to ensure transparency and due diligence.  The basis for this project — and the primary justification for a multimillion-dollar grant awarded to the town — is the argument that there is widespread microplastic (PFAS) contamination that can only be solved by tapping into municipal water supplies. Testing conducted at my property by the NYS Department of Health proves otherwise: our drinking water, which passes through a reverse osmosis system, contained no detectable PFAS contamination.Even more telling, our untreated well water — with no filtration — measured only 4.6 nanograms per liter of PFOA and non-detectable levels of PFOS. These two compounds are the only PFAS currently regulated by the state, which has set a maximum contaminant level of 10 nanograms per liter for each. Our results fall well below that threshold.This is great news for our family, knowing that our water is safe. It is also great news for the larger community and reaffirms what many of us have long argued — that a costly, one-size-fits-all public water solution is not appropriate for Scotts Corners. Let’s focus on solutions that reflect actual conditions on the ground and avoid placing unnecessary financial burdens on residents and businesses who are already in compliance. 

Scott Fernqvist Pound Ridge

Pound Ridge writer supports Sposato for BCSD school board

To the Editor:

I was impressed by Leo Sposato’s performance at the League of Women Voters forum last week. I encourage everyone in the Bedford Central School District community to consider voting for Leo Sposato. Having a teacher’s perspective on the board could bring valuable insight and help ensure that decisions are grounded in real classroom experience. He understands the daily challenges of instruction, student behavior and curriculum implementation and this expertise could lead to more effective and realistic decision-making.

Carmen Pignotti Pound Ridge

In Pound Ridge, writer says, transparency shouldn’t be selective

To the Editor:

I am responding to Robbie Everett’s letter, “Pound Ridge writer says Asaro’s letter was ‘off base,’” (April 18). I’ve been a Pound Ridge resident for six years. While Robbie and I have only crossed paths a few times, I recognize him as a generous member of our community whose contributions have had a positive impact and I’m genuinely grateful for that. 

As for my response, in August 2024 a Pound Ridge resident filed a lawsuit against the town. Since then, 15 town board meetings have been held, and 31 “A Note from the Supervisor” emails sent. That resident even publicly requested the lawsuit be placed on a meeting agenda. Despite all this, the town board chose not to disclose any information and there was no mention in meeting agendas or official communications.

Now contrast that with the town’s handling of a second resident’s lawsuit, filed Feb. 27, 2025, against the New York Environmental Facilities Corporation and Department of Health over the $7.6 million water project grant. That suit, which claims the town board “blatantly lied” in its application, was prominently featured unfairly and without balance on April 1 and 15 town board meeting agendas and in the April 4 and 18 supervisor newsletters.

The pattern is clear: One lawsuit was ignored, the other was spotlighted. Why the double standard?

But more importantly, did the town submit a truthful grant application? If not, frustration over lost funding should be directed at those whose actions put the grant at risk, not those asking fair and necessary questions.

If Robbie values open truthful civic dialogue, I hope he’ll join me in seeking answers to these questions.

Ron Asaro Pound Ridge

In Pound Ridge, writer says, no policy violations, no personal attacks — just facts

To the Editor:

In response to the letter to the editor, “Pound Ridge woman questions paper’s adherence to letters policy” (May 2), it claims The Recorder failed to follow its editorial guidelines and letters from Ron Asaro were “loose with the facts and high in personal attacks on the town board.”

Both claims warrant clarification.

The Recorder’s policy states: “Letter submissions by the same author are permitted no less than every 30 days. The author may respond to another letter sooner if that letter mentions them or their original submission.” Mr. Asaro’s letters were direct, timely responses to letters explicitly naming him, fully aligning with the policy’s clear provisions, as verified by publication standards.

The accusation of “personal attacks” misrepresents the content. Mr. Asaro’s letters focused squarely on town board actions as a governing body, not individuals. Criticizing public institutions’ decisions is a cornerstone of democratic accountability, distinct from personal attacks, and vital for robust community discourse.

Mr. Asaro’s letters raised critical, verifiable concerns. First, the town has consistently failed to file annual financial reports with the state on time for four to five years, raising serious questions about fiscal oversight and accountability. Second, the town board handled two lawsuits differently. A lawsuit filed against the town in August 2024 was never disclosed, undermining public transparency. Yet a recent lawsuit by a resident against state agencies, tied to the $7.6 million water grant, was promptly publicized and framed to discredit the plaintiff. Third, The Recorder accurately reported that the lawsuit alleges the town board “blatantly lied” on its grant application, a grave claim demanding urgent public scrutiny.

If certain parties in town government believe these claims are inaccurate, it should provide factual corrections rather than vague, unsupported criticism. A pressing question persists: Did the town board complete the $7.6 million grant application truthfully? Silence fuels resident distrust.

It’s time for leaders who prioritize Pound Ridge over politics. November nears, so vote for new leaders who champion transparency and preserve our cherished Norman Rockwell town, not sell it out.

Nick Cianciola Sr. Pound Ridgea