FASNY Proposes Three Impossible Traffic Plans to City

August 21,2013

Honorable Mayor Tom Roach and Common Council Members:

My name is Sharon Gould. I have written to you concerning FASNY before. After reading their new proposals I feel compelled to write again. Things seem to be going from bad to worse to the ridiculous. 

I have been on the petition and traffic committees opposing FASNY since the beginning. I have heard how this is only a " Gedney Farms situation; it will not affect us."  Well, now the worm has turned! 

Concerned neighbors put together information flyers and started taking them all over the North Street and Bryant Avenue areas.  We went to every street off these streets and also every house facing these streets.  We spoke to many people.  I can assure you, your constituents, the people you represent, are extremely upset.  They can now see how all of FASNY's revised proposals, including Ridgeway, will destroy our lives.

Why should FASNY, for their students, be allowed to have such power over a city?  What about our students?  How can FASNY get away with changing streets, putting in traffic circles, and closing streets?  This is unbelievable.  I hope you all noticed that on their maps they forgot to mention something as important as the YWCA and the Church. The property the YWCA is on is falling off the page and the church is nonexistent. I have taken kids to the YWCA for 35years and now I take my grandchildren. The parking lot is packed.  People come from all over to attend classes, nursery school and day care programs. Parents are driving little babies over there.  

This major traffic increase would probably increase accidents. I walked North Street yesterday. The traffic is tremendous and everyone is driving very fast.  It is crazy there right now.  Bryant is a very busy street already and they have Memorial Methodist Church and Nursery School.  Where FASNY proposes their new access is right across the street from a New York State Group Home and also Wyndham Close Condominiums.  There are hundreds of people there.  It is also a dangerous street. 

At some point in time, everyone in White Plains will use Ridgeway, North St. and Bryant to get to the high school and other places. There are so many events at the high school that everyone participates in.  FASNY is  simply trying to make a square peg fit in a round hole and it is impossible!!  I am trying very hard to understand how FASNY can be so arrogant and totally ignoring of our lives. These are truly the actions of very selfish people. They obviously don't care at all how this will ruin and alter a city. 

There are many other issues but I am only speaking of this now. I don't doubt they have deep pockets and will do anything to achieve their goal. Please do not let them achieve their goal at the expense of the citizens you represent. This would be a crime to destroy these neighborhoods and ruin a city. You have it in your power to prevent this disaster. Once it happens you can never turn back and the damage will be done forever. I appreciate your time.

Sincerely, 

Sharon Gould