Empty Nesters and everyone else: I respectfully disagree with Mr. Borrel on his post. There are…Read More many reasons behind why the budget proposal by the BOE and the administrators exceeds the tax cap guideline. I ask that you check my wife’s posting in the Patch for more insight but I will not repeat here. From personal experience, my perspective is that young parents looking to buy a home will research many things including the community support for the schools. It is fairly common to look into school board budget voting as an impartial indicator of the community's support. Imagine you are deciding between towns X and Y and then you hear that town X voted down the budget. You won’t research any further if this is important to you. You will move on to another place where there is more support. Please consider this into your decision when voting today. A vote for the budget approval will do a great service to the protection of our real estate values, not to mention preserve educational excellence in the eyes of the experts we are currently paying to make those recommendations. I believe most Briarcliff residents will agree with me as evidenced by the fact that there has not been a budget rejection by the public in decades. I would also like to personally congratulate the current Briarcliff BOE trustees for being the only school district in Westchester County to propose a lower budget than they did the prior year. Vote YES to the proposed Briarcliff budget. Vote JON SATRAN and SAL MAGLIETTA for BOE trustees.

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Mike Valenti May 21, 2013 at 11:57 am

It is Election Day in Briarcliff. There are TWO school board seats up for grabs and a budget to be…Read More voted on. Please join me in voting for JON SATRAN and SAL MAGLIETTA to continue their terms as school board trustees. Please also join me in voting YES on the proposed school budget. Your vote for JON and SAL is a vote FOR continued TRANSPARENCY, RESPECT, COMMUNITY VOICE, COLLABORATION, PARTNERSHIP, CIVILITY, FISCAL PRUDENCE and MUCH MORE. Moreover, your vote for JON and SAL is a vote AGAINST the type of UGLY, NEGATIVE, MUDSLINGING campaigning you are witnessing (especially in these final, desperate hours) from the Linder/Wasserman camp. If we are ever to see this type of campaigning cease we must SPEAK LOUD AND CLEAR and SEND A MESSAGE that it does NOT appeal to us here in Briarcliff and we will NOT support the candidates forwarded or supported by those who conduct themselves in this unseemly manner. Please VOTE YES for JON and SAL. Please VOTE NO for SLEAZY SMALL-TOWN POLITICS. Respectfully, Mike Valenti

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Opinion May 21, 2013 at 06:48 am

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Mike Valenti May 21, 2013 at 11:58 am

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Jay Borrel May 21, 2013 at 09:31 am

Hey Mike, the only thing worse than a tax hike and a secret appointment of a superintendent with out…Read More looking at other candidates is your wasting our time with endless BS

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Mike Valenti May 20, 2013 at 04:19 pm

Ladies and gentleman, please be very cautious. Does anyone who lives in Briarcliff know anyone…Read More named Herman Sexton or McKey Rivers. Vote FOR Jon and SAL tomorrow. The choice is clear.

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B'Cliff School Budget: A (Different) Factual Perspective

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Opinion May 21, 2013 at 06:37 am

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Mike Valenti May 21, 2013 at 11:58 am

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Gargamel May 21, 2013 at 07:26 am

Jay: more like Poooofff! Time to back to the North State Spa

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Jay Borrel May 20, 2013 at 09:57 pm

Mr. Valenti your small mind is imploding

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Budgeting Insights From A Former Briarcliff BOE Trustee

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Opinion May 20, 2013 at 09:23 pm

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Mike Valenti May 21, 2013 at 11:54 am

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Jay Borrel May 21, 2013 at 11:05 am

and every village needs an idiot. Why do we have so many?

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David Venditti May 21, 2013 at 10:53 am

The above post, not surprisingly, is all unsupported and irresponsible fear mongering, targeted at…Read More young families. It is a shame that dissent is no longer tolerated in this District. We were once a community where you could have loyal opposition and a free exchange of ideas, with all sharing the end goal. That has changed with the current cabal. Mr. Rubich gave a well reasoned and salient argument/factual explanation, unlike the unabashed partisan Q & As issued by the Board at taxpayer expense, or the continued irresponsible threats of draconian cuts if the Board doesn't get its way. George, you did a wonderful service to the community in your analysis, let's hope open minded people see through the smoke and mirrors and realize that we can have both a tax cap compliant budget (which would still be an increase in taxes) and educational excellence.

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Announcements May 20, 2013 at 06:27 pm

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BHS Softball Striking Out Breast Cancer

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Announcements May 20, 2013 at 06:18 pm

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It's Time to Stop

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Opinion May 20, 2013 at 02:01 pm

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Mike Valenti May 21, 2013 at 11:59 am

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W Obermeyer May 20, 2013 at 03:07 pm

I wonder why the voice of reason is suddenly so vocal? Reminds me of some earlier exchanges, if you…Read More have read one you have read them all.

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The Real Herman Sexton May 20, 2013 at 02:57 pm

oh wow, let's relive the attempted election of Mike Valenti several years ago. We went through…Read More this, proved I was a resident, etc. Anyway, does anyone know anyone in Briarcliff more annoying than Mike Valenti

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Briarcliff Election - The Fact of the Matter

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Opinion May 20, 2013 at 11:44 am

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Mike Valenti May 21, 2013 at 12:06 pm

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Gargamel May 21, 2013 at 07:36 am

the key to understanding a failed candidacy of Mike Valenti's is having to suffer through endless…Read More repetition of his failed logic. Really folks, the only one imploding here is Mike. For Sal and Jon: please tell us that you do not encourage him? I hope not because it has to hurt.

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W Obermeyer May 20, 2013 at 03:13 pm

One can fool some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time. And by…Read More repeating something ad nauseum it does not become true or a fact ...

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Briarcliff PTA Exec Board Supports School Budget

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Opinion May 20, 2013 at 05:34 am

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David Venditti May 21, 2013 at 10:55 am

I think the executive board should post its actual vote and minutes and explain why, on such an…Read More important issue, a select few deign to speak for the masses that comprise the PTA, rather than seek a consensus of the members at large.

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Lisa Jenner May 20, 2013 at 01:53 pm

There goes Mike again, with his crystal ball and his ability to read minds - the voice of the…Read More Briarcliff community. He knows that the Linder/Wasserman camp is desperate and that their campaign is imploding. I, too, have been wondering about the mailings from the school district regarding the budget. While I realize that the current BOE needs to present and explain the budget to the public, some of the material comes dangerously close to campaign materials.

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McKey Rivers May 20, 2013 at 11:33 am

Is Mrs. Maglietta incapable of speaking for herself? Or is Sal showing off his new found knowledge…Read More about when it is appropriate to recuse yourself from voting on a matter when you have an actual self interest or a perceived self interest? And will the Magliettas reimburse the school district for the campaign materials they have been sending at public expense and on School District letter head?

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Briarcliff Manor School Tax Increase Hurts Your Home’s…

I write this post to urge you to vote FOR candidates that will protect your hard earned…

Opinion May 18, 2013 at 08:57 pm

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David Venditti May 21, 2013 at 11:01 am

Thank you Mr. Valenti for bringing my post back into attention. I also thank you for repeating my…Read More name at least five times in your rant, but at least the spelling was correct. One would think I was running! As for my evaluation of the real estate market, I would be happy to discuss this with you your "expert" disagreement the next time you are on the faculty with me on one of my Continuing Professional Education lectures on Real Estate and Land Use, but, somehow, I don't imagine I'll see you there. If you are invited to speak, coffee is on me. At any rate, I am truly grateful for your comments, as one thing I learned in the ten years of elected service trying to better this community while keeping it affordable was that, often times, the greatest endorsement of your positions come from the nature of those who oppose your views, so thank you kindly.

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McKey Rivers May 20, 2013 at 04:47 pm

Does anyone other than crackpots like Mike Valenti and sycophants aligned with current School Board…Read More members think that it is healthy for the current effective school taxes in Briarcliff to be in excess of 2% of market values (2.0106%) while the school taxes on a home with equal value in communities like Chappaqua (1.8611%), Tuckahoe (1.8600%) Eastchester (1.7360%), Scarsdale (1.5471%) and Bronxville (1.3791%) are significantly lower? Real estate professionals will tell you that tax rates in excess of 2% of market value present substantial obstacles to entry to market for many potential buyers. This factor is a big part of the reason for declining enrollment in Briarcliff where families with school age children are deterred by tax affordability from even looking, never mind buying a home, when other area communities with excellent school districts have taxes that are much more affordable for an equal value home. The negative market impact of tax unaffordability can result in a downward spiraling effect when home prices are pushed lower to attract market interest. To worsen the tax unaffordability situation in Briarcliff by passing a tax cap excessive budget is in nobody’s interest especially when there are reasonable tax levy compliant alternatives that have been demonstrated to have no negative impact on educational programs, sports, clubs, music or staff. If Briarcliff voters want to preserve their lovely community, the school district and home values, they must defeat the proposed budget and vote for Paul Wasserman and Sonny Linder for school board.

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W Obermeyer May 20, 2013 at 02:51 pm

Well written post, with a realistic analysis of the property market. Very few young people will…Read More consider Briarcliff Manor a viable option for purchasing a home, particularly if one can get similar education while paying much less in taxes. The decline in enrollment testifies to this unfortunate situation. And to increase the tax rate at this juncture is not only unnecessary but the poorest possible timing for slowly recovering real estate values.

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Briarcliff School Taxes Fuels Real Estate Value Death Spiral

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Opinion May 18, 2013 at 07:55 pm

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Gargamel May 20, 2013 at 09:07 pm

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Mike Valenti May 20, 2013 at 11:35 am

It's no wonder Linder and Wasserman's campaign is imploding. Just listen to the blend of venom and…Read More bile spewed by their desperate supporters. This election is as much about respect and civility as any other issue. It has been made clear throughout this campaign that Wasserman, Linder and their supporters will reverse us back to the troublesome place we were a few years ago. The desperation in your viscious and unbecoming attacks is palpable. And, ladies and gentleman, it it ain't broke don't fix it!!

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The Real Herman Sexton May 20, 2013 at 10:39 am

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i have 2 alto sax like new ready to sell- $400 each, great for middle school .

Buy | Sell | Trade May 17, 2013 at 06:50 pm

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A Budget Alternative for Briarcliff

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Opinion May 17, 2013 at 07:31 am

12 1 Recommend Sonny (Louis) Linder

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The Real Herman Sexton May 20, 2013 at 10:26 am

First off, I am the real Herman Sexton. I am not the fraud who wrote his stupid comments earlier in…Read More this blog. I am the man who destroyed Mr. Valenti's campaign several years ago. OK so let's start by laughing at the request by Mr. Valenti for transparency. He backs Mr. Satran who was a part of the team that secretly imposed a tax hike and appointed a new superintendent. How could you Mr. Valenti ask for transparency? OK, so Mr Linder makes dumb points, he is clearly Mr. Wasserman's puppet and yes Mr. Nadler did see this and point it out. The real Herman Sexton is OK with Wasserman and Linder since I do believe that they would be transparent. Linder simply wants to discuss on a more personal level. He and Wasserman are down to earth, warm and enjoy face to face. You, Mr. Valenti once again prove to be the biggest thorn in the side of Sal and John. You Mr. Valenti constantly pontificate upon BS. Your lack of understanding comes through each and every stroke of your keyboard. Don't back the CIA and ask them to release their files to the public. Reality, if we elect a group of board members, we should be notified of their inner workings. Make all decisions public and allow us a voice in our schools. Only one point makes sense, A TAX INCREASE HURTS OUR PROPERTY VALUE AND DOES NOT IMPROVE SCHOOLS. Let's use Edgemont as a model, small school, similar demographics and much less spending per student, yet they perform at a higher level. LETS FIX THIS NOW!

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Mike Valenti May 19, 2013 at 02:53 pm

Mr. Linder, This is YOUR post folks are responding to and your ideas. I find it curious at best…Read More that you began a public forum comment blog but advocate throughout your responses that the discussion should be taken off-line and out of public view. this really doesn't position you well as an advocate for transparency.

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Sonny (Louis) Linder May 18, 2013 at 05:07 pm

CORRECTION TO LAST POST: The last sentence should read: "Let's continue to share, but…Read More face-to-face." Thx - Sonny

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Here is another follow-up from last night's Briarcliff election debate: Although the idea of…

Opinion May 16, 2013 at 11:19 am

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More on STEM

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JanFisher May 17, 2013 at 10:55 pm

It is so wonderful that, recognizing the importance of STEM and following the recommendation of our…Read More educators, Sal Maglietta and Jon Satran agreed to bring on the district's first director of instructional technology.

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Briarcliff BOE Election and Budget

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Mike Valenti May 19, 2013 at 09:53 pm

BOTH JON AND SAL have demonstrated as BOE trustees their unwavering commitment to EDUCATIONAL…Read More EXCELLENCE, FISCAL PRUDENCE, TRANSPARENCY, RESPECT, COMMUNITY VOICE, COLLABORATION, CIVILITY and MUCH MORE. JON AND SAL’s record speaks for itself. Their comportment during this campaign reinforces that THEY embody the QUALITIES and SKILL-SET to continue to represent US and OUR school district. Under the CURRENT BOE’s leadership, our district has restored levels of TRANSPARENCY, RESPECT, COMMUNITY VOICE, COLLABORATION and MORALE that had deteriorated substantially under the previous BOE majority. They have done this while also maintaining extreme fiscal prudence (we are the ONLY district in the County to produce a year over year budget reduction for our community to vote on) and while making decisions ONLY after having ALL of the FACTS and listening to ALL constituencies. THE FACT OF THE MATTER is that JON AND SAL deserve BOTH of YOUR votes on Tuesday, as does the budget.

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