Over the coming weeks, we’ll continue to profile our Advisory Board members and hear directly from them about why they support incorporation.  Our next profile is of Betsy Stern, a 56-year Edgemont resident who has been actively involved in community activities for many decades.  Betsy talks below about why the prospect of a Village of Edgemont is so exciting to her.

When did you move to Edgemont?

We moved here in 1962 because of the school district, Edgemont’s location and because Greenburgh was an attractive and diverse community.  I’m sorry that the Town of Greenburgh has not served Edgemont well, to the point where separation is more desirable than remaining part of Greenburgh.   

Tell us about your family.

My husband Walter and I have three grown children: Sarah, David, and Willy, all of whom graduated from Edgemont High School.  Sarah and David moved back to Edgemont to raise their own families.  Willy is on the faculty of Vanderbilt Law School.

What have been your major Edgemont and Greenburgh community involvements?

I served for six years on the Edgemont School Board, including as President.  I was also a PTA President, chair of the Edgemont Day Camp, and worked on numerous projects in the schools, including founding the Great Books program in Edgemont. I was also chair of the Scarsdale/Edgemont United Way, and of the Greenburgh Arts and Cultural Committee.

What have been your major involvements outside of Edgemont?

I’ve served on the boards of Westchester Community College as Trustee and Vice President, Westchester Community College Foundation as Chairman and President, and founder of the WCC Volunteer Center and the Native Plant Center.  I also served as a board member of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, TX, the UJA Federation Women’s Division of Central Westchester, Westchester Medical Center, the Westchester Institute for Human Development, and the Westchester Parks Foundation.

Why do you support incorporating Edgemont into a village?

There may be risk in becoming a village, but there are also risks in remaining unincorporated.  I believe we can do better—much better—than Greenburgh does in managing our government.  The time is now.  Edgemont is full of smart, generous, creative, and able people.  We need to be set free to create our own village.  Exciting times!  Watch us!