Letters to The Editor Week of Nov. 22

The library is more than books

To the Editor:

I’m hoping you will check out my request that’s as important as it is overdue: please include the library’s full budget request in the 2025 town budget.

The library is so much more than just books. It’s a hub of learning, creativity, and connection, offering everything from children’s storytimes and job-hunting assistance to arts and crafts, digital resources, free Wi-Fi, and even a quiet corner to breathe (or binge-read true crime). And the best part? No permit required to enjoy it.

Not every resident splashes in the town pool, bats a home run at the fields, or cruises every town road. Likewise, not every resident may visit the library. But, just like our parks and public services, the library is a cornerstone of what makes Lewisboro special. It’s a place where the community comes together, and everyone has a free ticket to explore, learn, and grow. 

Investing in the library isn’t just about keeping the lights on — it’s about fueling imagination, supporting education, and building community. So, as you finalize the 2025 budget, please recognize the library for the treasure it truly is.

Thanks for considering my novel idea!

Jennifer Bayley 

South Salem

Editor’s note: This letter originally was written to the Lewisboro Town Board. It is reprinted here at the author’s request.

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Comprehensive plan should commit to open space goal

To the Editor:

Bedford’s Comprehensive Plan, skillfully drafted by Planning Director Jesica Youngblood and her committee, presents an important opportunity for the town to recommit itself to its defining heritage of land conservation. 

Despite concerted efforts by our community dating back to the town’s first open space project — the 1681 establishment of the Bedford Village Green — our 6,000 protected acres total still falls short of federal and New York state minimum standards. 

To reach the 30 percent target established in the NYS “30x30” initiative, we need to protect at least 1,000 more acres through a combination of conservation easements and selective acquisitions over the next five years. With a concerted effort in partnership with our local nonprofits, it’s an achievable goal that should be explicitly embraced in the comp plan. Bedford’s parks and open spaces are at the core of the gravitational forces that are attracting new families, improving health and quality of life for residents of all income levels, safeguarding sources of clean drinking water, enhancing property values, and protecting the precious natural beauty of our town for future generations.    

John S. Needham,

chair, Bedford Open Space Committee

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Garden Club thanks daffodil supporters, planters

To the Editor:

The Lewisboro Garden Club thanks the many town residents and groups who continue to create the Golden Roads of Lewisboro by planting daffodils along our roadsides, by their sponsorships and donations, and by purchasing our daffodil bulbs. 

On Nov. 2, volunteers planted 4,000 daffodils at Keeler Field, along Main Street, adjacent to the South Salem Post Office.    

We thank our many volunteer planters including John Jay High School environmental science students, Cub Scout Pack 101, Girl Scout Daisy Troop 1040, Town of Lewisboro trail volunteers, community residents and many Lewisboro Garden Club members.

We are grateful to our Golden Roads Daffodils Planting Day sponsors: the Gary Page Family, Gossett Nursery, Lize Lubbe Physical Therapy, Ring’s End and to our donors — thank you.  

The garden club’s Golden Roads Daffodils initiative, in its 18 year, has planted over 63,000 daffodils along our town’s roadsides and residents have planted thousands more. Come April, look for our Golden Roads Daffodils Spring Driving Tour of all roadside daffodils at lewisborogardenclub.org. 

Golden Roads Daffodils is one of the many town beautification programs of our community service garden club. 

George Scott  Golden Roads Daffodils chair

Lewisboro Garden Club

South Salem