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when the Town of New Castle beganbuilding sidewalks, some of thedrainage in the area of Quaker Roadwas rerouted. This meant that substantiallymore runoff water wouldpass through the stream, and thusthrough the culvert beneath thedriveway. The culvert couldn’t handlean increased water flow. It collapsed,and so did Janet’s driveway.Thus began a months-long negotiationregarding the rebuilding of theculvert between all parties involved:Janet, the Town, the New York StateDepartment of Transportation, andeven the environmental watchdogRiverkeepers. When all was said anddone, Janet had poured thousandsupon thousands of dollars into thedriveway—before the culvert hadeven been repaired. Yet she wasdetermined to make the repairs necessaryto sell the house and to closethis painful chapter of her life.In the spring of 2007, Janet’s buildingplan was at last approved by theTown, the state, and Riverkeepers.She felt profoundly relieved. Themarket was good, and a good sellingprice seemed certain. In June of 2007,she invited contractors to bid on therepair of the culvert. When the bidarrived in the mail, however, thenews was shocking: the estimate wasnearly $300,000, more than shecould have ever paid. Soon after thatcame September 2007, the crash ofthe stock market and, of course, thedramatic fall in housing prices.The situation had essentially becomeimpossible. She could not afford torepair the driveway to the standardrequired by the state and the Town.Without the repair, the house couldnot be sold. In the fall of 2008, shemoved out, and began renting outthe house. The future of the houseremains uncertain to this day.During all these challenges, as atestament to Janet’s optimism anddetermination (as well as her outstandingstaff), her career in musiceducation continued to thrive. AtMusic in Chappaqua, 20 recitalseach spring demonstrate the lyricalskills of about 200 music students.The innovative rock music programtrains 50 students of electric guitar,bass, drums and vocals the delicateart of rocking the house. This summer,the school’s camp is expectedto enroll over 300 students.There’s a love story here too. Afterher divorce, Janet met MichaelMcTigue while getting fitted for skiboots at Hickory & Tweed; the twowere immediately smitten. Today,the couple have a beautiful oneyear-old daughter, Anastasia. Theolder girls are thrilled with theiryounger sibling, and the blendedfamily is doing beautifully.Like many of us, Janet is somehowweathering the financial storms ofthe last few years. Life is certainlynot perfect, but she counts herblessings and not her sorrows. Sheis, as she describes it, “Still standing!And happier than ever.” A good lessonfor all of us.MAGGIE PATRICK-STERNIN has written forInside Chappaqua since its first issuein 2003. She has worked in two art galleriesin Westchester and will one dayopen her own art gallery and skate shopin downtown Chappaqua.DANIELLE DEVITO is a Westchester Countyresident and professional photographerspecializing in photojournalistic styleportrait and event sessions throughoutthe county and New York City.DO YOU THINK YOUR REAL ESTATE TAXES ARE TOO HIGH?Tax Facts• Property values have gone down but taxes don’t necessarilyreflect this drop.• Getting a reduction has everything to do with the skill andexpertise of the individual representing you.• Real estate tax assessment specialist,David Ruzow, with over 30 years of experience, will tell youfairly and squarely if you have a case, and provide the bestrepresentation possible.June 15th is coming soon!You can only challengeyour taxes once a year.REAL ESTATE TAX CONSULTANTS, LLC351 Manville Road, Pleasantville, NY 10570914-495-3526/ granitetaxreduction.comMay 2010 Inside Chappaqua 21