Tuckahoe Village Departments

TUCKAHOE TALK
With Mayor John Fitzpatrick

GET OUT OF YOUR CAR AND STROLL!

May, 2008

It is time to take that stroll around the village that winter weather may have been preventing. My advice in this regard is to all town residents. For those always on the move in a car I recommend the stroll for a couple of reasons; it's good for your heart, and good for local business. The Depot Square and Main Street area have many new spots and old favorites that deserve our patronage. Last Spring a patrol officer was on foot through this particular business district on Thursday night through Saturday night, a practice that will continue this year as well. It is not quite a return of the beat cop of days gone by, since modern times have allowed for an expansion to include the bicycle officer as well. This summer the assignment may very well include the addition of a newly donated police Segway. I am a firm believer that our officers are more approachable without the car surrounding them, but reality makes it imperative that they still be able to respond anywhere in our village within a few minutes.

I believe the presence of our officers' assists in stemming the possibility of unruly youth congregation that is prevalent in warm weather. Kids are going to gather, that is inevitable; they just are required to act appropriately. I am of the opinion that the "Welcome to Tuckahoe" sign should not have ten to twenty kids draped over it. Furthermore, cursing and balls bouncing off the walls proves unacceptably distracting to those patrons looking to enjoy a summer night at the many restaurants in the mall area featuring outdoor dining; At this point some may say, "Where are these kids supposed to go?" or "Doesn't he care about the youth?" This year, just as last year, while this program is in effect, the lights at the Main Street playground will stay on until 11pm, combined with additional hours at the community center. Multiple activities are also available through Supervisor Colavita's Teen Scene. Additionally, I look forward to newly elected Trustee Coleman moving forward with her campaign thoughts for our youths. Beyond that, I don't think Village government is responsible to entertain kids 24/7.

A darker side of youths gathering is the ever common teen drinking. In anticipation of the season the Bronxville Eastchester Scarsdale Tuckahoe Alcohol Drug Enforcement (B.E.S.T.A.D.E.) Task Force went throughout the jurisdiction (excluding Bronxville) a few months ago attempting to buy alcohol with an under age youth. Of eleven establishments sampled: three knuckleheads in Tuckahoe and one in Scarsdale were busted. Last summer in the Crestwood section of the Village, Tuckahoe Police broke up a few drinking parties that occasionally occur on the other side of the station in the parking lot. They ticketed the participants and confiscated any alcohol. With all of this in mind, the task force has setup a "Party Buster Hotline" phone number for residents to call if they witness any underage drinking, drug use or illegal sale of either. The number is 961-3138. All calls will be picked up by answering machine and no Caller Id is used so all calls remain anonymous. If you can't remember the number don't worry, just call our Police desk.

I promised the stroll through our village would be good for your health, and thus far I have only given you an assignment to stay on the lookout. Your stroll through the village will undoubtedly have you noticing some new spots and some old. One highlight in the eatery department is the reopening of Burrito Poblano, the Mexican restaurant that closed due to a fire in the spring of 2007. This little spot is a favorite of many residents of the entire town. Keeping the good news rolling: It appears the Thomas Stone restaurant located further up on Main Street has finally been granted a liquor license. The State Liquor Authority moves at such a slow pace that this new restaurant nearly succumbed to long winter without an ability to serve a drink. One can now enjoy their piano player along with a cocktail. I recommend stopping in. For the ladies of our community a new women's clothing shop Verano has opened on the corner of Cameron Place and Main Street. I have stopped in to chat with the new proprietors. They are quite nice, but since I lack any "Project Runway" sense of fashion, I can give no further details. The new Tap House in the former home of Rockwell's has their big beautiful new windows wide open to catch the breeze, and judging by the size of the crowd they are doing well. Another recent addition to the Tuckahoe Mall is Spice Village, offering traditional Indian cuisine. Each afternoon the aroma emanating from their kitchen wafts through my office windows, and I realize they are aptly named. These new arrivals are perfect compliments to old favorites Angelina's, Mamma Assunta's, Roma's and An American Bistro.

P.S. For those interested, I am proud to let you know that I have now married three couples and the Beautification Committee is quite happy.