Message from the Mayor: Pittsburgh, Audit, Historical Society, Vines, Burbio, Project Share
Posted on: October 31, 2018 - 12:07am
Fellow residents;
Rabbi Shechter spoke eloquently this weekend in the wake of the latest mass shooting obscenity in Pittsburg about the importance of persevering in the face of tragedy and loss. His words ring in my head as I wonder how we carry on through this dark week and beyond. Seeing police vehicles parked in front of the synagogue startled me with a moment of disbelief and “it can’t happen here” and ended with “that’s what the congregants of Tree of Light thought”. Perseverance is rooted in our incredible ability to compartmentalize – to carry on what has to happen from moment to moment and day to day, even though ugly realities hover at the margins. What can’t happen, and what I find myself personally battling, is becoming inured and dulled to the unacceptable level of violence in our society. No, this is not normal. Not the violence, not the level of demonization in our politics, and not the unholy intersection when crazed, self-appointed demon-hunters then act out violently in pursuit of those demonized. We stand in solidarity with our brethren, refusing to be cowed, and refusing to forget.
New York Comptroller Audit
========================
We have received the final draft of an audit carried out earlier this year by the New York Comptroller’s Office. The Village is audited every year by an independent firm – and those annual audits typically find no issues with our finances or associated procedures; and neither did the Comptroller. Unlike our typical financial audits, this extensive audit also covered other operational areas, including IT. Several areas were identified where the Comptroller's Office recommended controls that could be improved or implemented; at least one (the appointment of a treasurer) had been addressed independently of the Comptroller audit earlier in the year. Other areas identified included ensuring that all contracts are issued with competitive bids, the need for policies around vacation time accrual, and a number of policies and controls around our IT services that need to be improved or implemented. The Board will be reviewing each recommendation and associated actions plan with the Village Manager and other relevant staff over the next two weeks. We will then issue a report detailing our responses to these recommendations. The Board of Trustees welcomes the Comptroller's findings - they will help us improve policies and procedures that enhance our ability to provide effective oversight of Village management.
Historical Society Show
=====================
The Historical Society kicks off their last episode in a three-part series that has chronicled the history of Hastings. This one, known as “Growing Hastings: A Community Evolves”, opens on Sunday, November 4th from 2 to 4 pm. The first two were outstanding – and this will be a final capstone, bringing us forward to the current times. (Mark your calendar for “Deep Sky Over Hastings”, sponsored jointly by the Historical Society and the Westchester Amateur Astronomers, scheduled for Friday, November 16th from 5:30 to 8 pm. Details to follow.)
Vine Squad
===========
The irrepressible Vine Squad kicks off its season this Saturday. The Vine Squad is Hastings’ home-grown solution to fighting the invasive vines that threaten to swamp our trees and further damage our fragile environment. The Squad periodically meets for several hours on a Saturday morning and lop away. It is therapeutic in all sorts of ways for the people involved, as well! Join them this Saturday, November 3rd, from 10am to noon at Farragut Parkway between Exit 12 and High Street. We provide loppers, gloves, safety vests and training. If you have your own equipment, feel free to bring it and use it! Be sure to wear sturdy shoes and clothes. Kids as young as 12 are welcome for this session. Click HERE for more info. Write to vinesquad@hastingsgov.org to RSVP so they bring enough equipment.
Burbio
=========
A local outfit has come up with a clever idea to aggregate community calendars so you can see everything – school, village, church and community group events – in one place. This free service helps everyone stay informed about events in our community. This service is provided through a website (http://burbio.com) and an app. With Burbio.com, you can select calendars to follow, create a personalized event feed, sync events to your Google or iPhone calendars instantly and get notified when things change. If you are involved in a non-profit group or organization and want to get your events on Burbio, please contact: groupsupport@burbio.com
Project Share Thanksgiving Dinner
==============================
This annual event is just three weeks out: Project Share, run by resident extraordinaire Jeannie Newman and her crew of over 200 adult and student volunteers, has annually organized a huge Thanksgiving feast for the homeless where upwards of 800 people are brought to a festively decorated High School gym and then served a full Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings. Student serve the meal, there’s live music and it is a moving, and joyful event that lifts the soul. Just what we need in these harrowing times. It is entirely paid for by donations, and they always scramble to raise what they need. Please help by clicking HERE and giving generously to continue to light a candle and keep hope alive for these people.
Sincerely,
Peter Swiderski