September Update- Election Results, New Police Chief, Mural Controversy, Marijuana Dispensary Public Hearing and More
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Eric Zinger's Greenburgh Information and News
Hello Greenburgh,
Fall is here, the weather is turning, football is here and school has started. Its been a busy couple of weeks for me personally, my son started Kindergarten at Lee F. Jackson and I am so proud of him and how he is handling the transition. To all the parents out there whose kids are starting school I hope you are having good luck, great teachers and happy kids. While the summer was relatively quiet, things are beginning to heat up and I'm excited to share the following local news updates with you.
Reminder, if there is something you would like to see me write about, please email me at eric@ericzinger.com. If you are also interested in writing any Op-Eds, or letters, I would be happy to post them on my website www.ericzinger.com
Recreational Marijuana Dispensary Zoning
The Town Board has scheduled a public hearing for 7:30pm on Wednesday 9/28 regarding the proposed zoning rules for where marijuana dispensaries can operate in the Town of Greenburgh. The Town previously voted to allow retail marijuana dispensaries but not allow consumption lounges and will now work on finalizing where those businesses may legally operate. The current proposal would predominately limit these facilities to the northern part of Unincorporated Greenburgh and Fairview. It would not allow any locations on Central Avenue, the 119 commercial area, or anywhere at all in Hartsdale or Edgemont. The Planning Board unanimously voted to issue a negative recommendation to the Town Board saying they believe "substantive revisions to the local law are necessary" and that the zoning requirements are far too restrictive. They recommended allowing medical and recreational dispensaries by special permit along Central Avenue and other commercial locations throughout the town. Because the Planning Board issued a negative recommendation, the Town Board would need a minimum of 4 votes to pass the zoning rules as is. I agree with the Planning Board that the current proposal is too restrictive. I believe that marijuana dispensaries should be allowed anywhere a liquor store is(marijuana is safer than alcohol by every single statistical measure in existence) and there is no cause to treat it differently, nor only allow them in certain areas.
Mural Controversy
I'm not sure how many people are aware but there has been a fair amount of local coverage, including in the NY Post, News 12, ABC, and CBS of a controversy regarding a mural in the Fairview section of Greenburgh. The short version is that the Town Board authorized and funded a mural to commemorate Black History on the side of an underpass on Manhattan Avenue. The artist provided sketches of the mural and the images to be featured, deviated from that sketch without Town Approval and added several additional individuals. Most notably, he added the image of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan. The Town Board has said that they will make sure his likeness is taken down, but so far the artist is refusing and there is an organized movement advocating to keep Louis Farrakhan on the mural.
New Police Chief
The Town of Greenburgh recently promoted Captain Kobie Powell to the position of Chief of the Town of Greenburgh Police Department. Chief Powell was raised and lives in the town of Greenburgh and has over 25 years of experience in the Greenburgh PD. Chief Powell was the first African American Captain in the G.P.D. and is now the the first African American to serve as Chief. With the major proposed infrastructure upgrades to the GPD along with the numerous public lawsuits, now is a critical time for the GPD and we wish Chief Powell great success in his role.
Election News
Last email I shared the wonderful news that Mary Jane Shimsky won the Democratic Primary for the 92nd Assembly District. This time around, I am letting everyone know that Jamaal Bowman won the Primary election for the 16th Congressional District. While he wasn't the candidate I was hoping would win, I certainly will be backing him in the general election and encourage all of you to do the same. In that election I also encourage you to support Kathy Hochul for Governor.
Additional Updates
Farmers Market- New farmers market at Greenburgh Town Hall on Thursdays from 1:00pm-6:00pm. Join the FB group to learn more about it.
Hopefully you have found this informative. Please forward to your friends and neighbors. If you have questions about any of the above, please email me at Eric@ericzinger.com
Eric Zinger
www.ericzinger.com