July 15, 2016

THE

CityREVIEW NewRochelle July 15 & 22, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 18 | www.cityreviewnr.com

Judge mandates county hire housing consultant

THE SWEET SCIENCE

By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer

Irish featherweight Carl Frampton poses with Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino at Champs Boxing Club in New Rochelle on July 12. Frampton is training at Champs in preparation of his July 30 WBA title fight against Leo Santa Cruz at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

For story, see page 15.

Photo/Bobby Begun

Killian campaign secures Independence line

By JAMES PERO Staff Writer Rye City Councilwoman Julie Killian’s campaign for the New York state Senate has received the backing of both the Independence and Conservative parties.

Bill O’Reilly, Killian’s campaign manager, said the endorsements will be crucial to the suc-

cess of her campaign going forward.

“It’s always helpful to have the extra party lines,” he said.

Killian, who announced her Senate run in early March, has already been nominated by the Republican Party and will also run on the Reform line, a minor party.

While incumbent Sen. George Latimer, a Rye Democrat, has

yet to announce his campaign for re-election, it is expected that both he and Killian—who announced her bid for a Senate seat in New York’s 37th District in March—will battle it out in the fall. Latimer has served two consecutive terms as a New York state senator.

According to Latimer, while the Independence endorsement carries weight in Westchester

County—it is the county’s third —largest political party—it is far from and unexpected developments in what many pundits are expecting to be one of the state races to watch this election cycle.

“It’s not a surprise to me at all, they endorsed my two prior opponents,” he said.

KILLIAN continued on page 10

A court ruling by a federal judge has mandated Westchester County to hire a consultant to help comply with a 2009 affordable housing settlement, despite the county executive’s disapproval.

During a hearing on Friday, July 8, U.S. District Judge Denise Cote ordered the county to hire a consultant by Aug. 7 in order to complete a settlementrequired analysis of impediment, AI, report, which highlights a municipality’s assessment of laws, regulations and procedures that affect a location’s availability and accessibility to fair and affordable housing units.

The AI, according to Holly Leicht, the regional administrator of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD, is a relatively important part of the settlement that she believes the county has neglected to complete.

A consultant, unlike the courtappointed monitor overseeing implementation of the housing settlement, Jim Johnson, will have a more hands-on role in completing the lengthy AI, according to Leicht.

To date, the county has submitted eight reports that have each been rejected by HUD for a lack of adequate data. And even with a federal judge’s mandate, county Legislator Catherine

Borgia, an Ossining Democrat, suggests that Republican County Executive Rob Astorino is determined to fight the ruling.

“When you enter into a settlement you promise to fulfill your end, and the county executive has refused to do that,” she said.

“He’s become more stubborn and willing to drag this out in court forever.”

The affordable housing settlement that was agreed to by the county during the administration of then-County Executive Andy Spano, a Democrat, requires Westchester to promote fair housing, as well as build 750 units of affordable housing in 31 designated municipalities that lack minority populations

by Dec. 31, 2016. The settlement came on the heels of a lawsuit filed against the county by the Anti-Discrimination Center.

Prior to the federal hearing, as many as three dozen activist groups from Westchester County rallied outside the federal courthouse in Manhattan, outraged by the county’s reluctance to comply with the settlement. Of the many activists to attend the rally, the Interfaith Clergy for Social Justice, one of the most outspoken social reform groups in Westchester, expressed concern for the lack of diversity within the county.

The Rev. Troy DeCohen, chairman of the Interfaith Clergy HUD continued on page 7

2 • THE CITY REVIEW • July 15 & 22, 2016

July 15 & 22, 2016 • THE CITY REVIEW • 3

Larchmont Playhouse pending sale concerns residents

The Larchmont Playhouse, located at 1975 Palmer Ave., has been on the market for $1.5 million since late April. A group of village residents is trying to raise funds to ensure it remains a cinema.

Photo/Andrew Dapolite

By SIBYLLA CHIPAZIWA Editorial Assistant A piece of Larchmont’s history and a source of entertainment in the village’s downtown area might switch hands again this month.

Now, a group of residents is trying to make sure the Larchmont Playhouse remains a cinema.

Located at 1975 Palmer Ave., the only cinema in the village is up for sale for $1.5 million, causing some to worry its use may change with its ownership.

In Coldwell Banker the listing for the 7,000-square-foot space, it states that the building could be repurposed as a retail space.

The cinema, which has three theaters, has been on the market since the end of April.

Barry Synnott, the listing agent for the property, told the Review that many people have reached out to him about the sale, but that residents may not need to worry, despite all the misinformation surrounding the

sale, including rumors of the property being transformed into an office space.

“There are parties doing their due diligence, and everybody will be happy at the end of the day. [The sale] should be coming to an end soon,” said Synnott, declining to provide any more information about the pending sale of the property.

Larchmont Village Administrator Justin Datino said village officials hope that the Playhouse’s future buyer will not repurpose the space, given that the building’s current owner, UTP Larchmont LLC, maintained the cinema after its sale in 2015.

Leading up to the looming sale of the cinema, a petition was launched on Change.org that has more than 1,000 signatures, as of press time, which will be sent to Synnott to show support for the movie theater, and online monetary pledges are being accepted by the resident group. According to the petition, the group has a few more weeks to raise the $1.5 million

in funds to try and save the movie theater, which first opened to the public in 1933.

Larchmont resident Ellen Zuckert said that more than 300 donors have pledged more than $260,000 as of July 5, with each pledge ranging from $25 to $25,000.

“We need bigger pledges, like $100,000 pledges which may include some naming rights in the theater,” she said. “Without some really major gifts, we’ll never make it.”

There have been at least two bids on the theater to date. One bid came from a Kickstarter campaign launched by Pelhambased nonprofit organization The Picture House, which withdrew its campaign after realizing it couldn’t match or surpass a private bidder’s $1.4 million offer.

A representative from Bow Tie Cinemas, the building’s current tenant, could not be reached for comment as of press time.

CONTACT: sibylla@hometwn.com

Follow us on Twitter

@ cityreviewnr

4 • THE CITY REVIEW • July 15 & 22, 2016

What’s going on...

New Rochelle Public Library

The New Rochelle Public Library has reopened the Memorial Highway entrance, but the Lawton Street entrance is scheduled to be closed for construction and is expected to be completed by fall 2016. While construction is underway, the only handicapped-accessible entrance will be the reopened Memorial Highway doors, which have a ramp leading down from street level. There will be additional handicapped-designated parking spaces on Memorial Highway. The only book drop at the main library will also be located by this doorway.

Patrons may also return books by using the book drop at the Hugh Doyle Center located at 94 Davis Ave., or in front of the Huguenot Children’s Library, located on North Avenue in front of New Rochelle High School.

Visit nrpl.org for information on these and other events and programs.

Summer hours at libraries The main New Rochelle Public Library will be closed on Sundays through Sept. 4. The Huguenot Children’s Library will be closed on Saturdays through Sept. 4. The main library will be open on Saturdays through Aug. 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Both libraries will be closed Saturday, Sept. 3 through Monday, Sept. 5 for Labor Day weekend.

Regular Saturday hours will resume at both libraries on Sept. 10. The main library will resume its regular Sunday hours, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., on Sept.

11. The Huguenot Children’s Library will remain closed on Sundays.

Summer hours at the main library are: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Fridays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sundays: Closed.

Summer hours at the children’s library are: Mondays and Thursdays: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays: Closed.

Cooking for Teens with Chef Giovanni Green Chef D’Amour Giovanni Green will teach children of all ages delicious healthy recipes on Mondays, through Aug. 8, from 4 p.m.to 5 p.m. in the main library’s first floor Meeting Room. The activity will provide participants with basic cooking techniques with simple, locally grown produce, and participants will be able to taste samples of their work. The workshop is free and open to the public, and registration is not required.

Family Film Screening: ‘State Fair’ The movie “State Fair” will be screened on Monday, July 18 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the main library’s Ossie Davis Theater. Rodgers & Hammerstein’s only score written expressly for the screen highlights this delightful musical about a family’s adventures at the Iowa State Fair. The father is looking for a blue ribbon for his prize hog, mom is looking for glory in her cooking, and the kids are looking for love. Songs include “It’s a Grand Night for Singing” and “It Might as Well be Spring.” Film not rated; running time: 100 minutes.

International Music and Dance Series The library’s International Music and Dance series will continue on Tuesday, July 19 with a La Troupe Zetwal performance of traditional dances of Haiti, with live drumming; Zouk, a French Caribbean social dance; and Soukous, an Angolabased rhythm. This and the following events will take place in the 138-seat Ossie Davis Theater of the main library on a first-come, first-served basis.

Arabian dance by Aszmara, with music of Armenia, Turkey and Egypt, will be performed on Tuesday, July 26. Music of Java and Bali will be performed by Son of Lion Gamelan, one of the oldest handmade gamelan orchestras in America, on Tuesday, Aug. 2.

Bokandeye African Dance and Drum Troupe will take the stage on Tuesday, Aug. 9. The series concludes with a special outdoor performance by Calpulli Mexican Dance Company, on Saturday, Aug. 20 at 1 p.m.

Summer programs Middle School Drop-In Program The Middle School Drop-In Program offers a variety of activities for youth in grades five through

seven, completed as of June 2016. It runs through Aug. 5 (no program on July 4) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The program takes place at both Isaac E. Young and Albert Leonard middle schools. Activi­ties include, but are not limited to: arts and crafts, sports (tennis, basketball, volleyball and soccer) and board games. A peanut-free lunch is also in­cluded. This year, due to cutbacks, there is a $60 supply fee in order to register. Applications are available 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday in the Youth Bureau Office, 515 North Ave. in New Rochelle, and online at newrochelleny.com/youth. For more information, contact the Youth Bureau at 654-2045.

Summer programs at Ward Elementary

Det. Fudge at 654-2080.

Weekend valet parking The city of New Rochelle reactivated valet park­ ing services in the downtown area. This white-glove valet service allows downtown restaurant patrons to drop off their cars at the New Rochelle Public Library’s south parking lot, between Lawton Avenue and Memorial Highway, and pay a flat $5 fee to park until midnight, eliminating the need to circle for a space or worry about expired meters. The city is work­ing jointly with the New Rochelle Downtown Busi­ness Improvement District to provide this service. Va­let parking services will be overseen by LAZ Parking, and will be available from 4 p.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday, through Labor Day weekend.

Parks and beach are open The College of New Rochelle Graduate School provides summer programs at William B. Ward Elementary School in New Rochelle for children ages 3 to 10. The program runs through July 29, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Young Explorers, for children ages 3 to 5, will participate in group activities involving small group instruction for literacy and early number sense, music and movement, dramatic play, creative arts and block building.

Children ages 6 to 8 in the Explorers program will engage in group activities including social studies, STEM programs, literacy and math, nature, dramatic play, outdoor play and movement.

The oldest campers, ages 8 to 10, will be part of the Discovery program which features hands-on STEM projects in LEGO robotics and 3-D printing, literacy and mathematics enrichment, social studies and science, outdoor experiences, creative arts, and music and movement.

City news Community youth fishing trips The New Rochelle Police Department and the New Rochelle Police Foundation announce the 2016 Community Youth Fishing Program for boys and girls ages 10 to 15. There are two more Wednesday trips scheduled for this summer: Aug. 3 and Aug. 10. Participants must arrive at the Fort Slocum Road Dock by 9 a.m. The boat returns at approximately 2 p.m. Lunch, soft drinks and equipment will be provided.

The trip is open to New Rochelle residents only and pre-registration is required. Forms can be downloaded online at newrochelleny.com or are available at NRPD headquarters front desk, located at 475 North Ave. For more information, call

Hudson Park Beach is open every day, conditions permitting, through Monday, Sept. 5. Beach hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hudson Park Beach includes a tented food court area, playground and picnic area.

For the best value, frequent visitors are encouraged to purchase an Omnicard, New Rochelle’s Parks and Recreation’s identification card. As an added plus, the Omniplus plan or Family Pass covers all beach access fees. The Omnicard is also your pass to enter Five Islands Park, Davenport Park, Cameron Dock, Sharkey Park and Neptune Park.

Omnicard fees: • Adult Resident (ages 14 to 61): $40 • Adult Resident Plus (Omincard + Hudson Park Beach pass): $75 • Non-resident: $65 • Non-resident Plus: $125 • Senior Resident (ages 62 and up) Lifetime card: $40 • Senior Resident Plus (Omnicard + Hudson Park Beach pass): $35 per season • Family – New Rochelle Residents only: $125 • Family – Non-residents: $250 Hudson Park Beach fees: • Adult Resident with Omnicard: $5 • Resident Guest: $5 • Resident Senior: $5 • Resident Senior Plus: Free • Family Omnicard: Free • Non-resident with Omnicard: $5 • Non-resident Guest: $10 • One-Day Pass: $10 Deadline for our What’s Going On section is every Thursday at noon. Though space is not guaranteed, we will do our best to accommodate your listing. Please send all items to news@hometwn.com.

July 15 & 22, 2016 • THE CITY REVIEW • 5

CNR student graduates with honors against odds A typical college student is consumed with schoolwork, socializing and career planning.

Bronx resident Bianca Jeannot had more pressing matters to consider, namely: • Managing all household expenses and routines after her mother, a single parent, died four years ago, when Jeannot was a senior in high school.

• Caring for her two brothers, both of whom have severe special needs.

• Shuttling to and from class, multiple on-campus jobs, an offcampus job and home, with cabs and trains as her only means of transportation.

Yet, somehow, Jeannot has survived—and thrived—in the face of harrowing hardships.

That she has earned her degree in English from The College of New Rochelle, CNR—having maintained a GPA above 3.5—is a testament to her indefatigable spirit, and to the school’s exceptional demonstrations of caring and support.

“It is an accomplishment I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life,” says Jeannot, who also re-

ceived a forensic science certificate from CNR. “I wouldn’t change anything for the world, because it’s my life, and it’s made me who I am today.”

Jeannot graduated from CNR on Tuesday, May 24 as an honor student; founder of CNR’s Anime Club; editor-in-chief of Phoenix, the school’s literary and arts magazine; and author of a graphic novel, the first three chapters of which have just been published. She will pursue a career either in management with the ASPCA or a stint in the New York City police academy that would eventually allow her to transfer to an animal cruelty unit.

Jeannot accomplished all of this despite a litany of devastating circumstances.

Her oldest brother, Paul, 34, suffers from renal failure requiring grueling dialysis. Her other brother, Michael, 26, has Down syndrome and requires supervision because he doesn’t eat or sleep normally.

Earlier in her life, her family spent seven years in homeless shelters.

Her mother died in February

2012, shortly after Jeannot had been accepted to CNR. With there no longer being a head of household, the scholarships and awards she received as financial aid became null and void.

Jeannot alerted CNR to the circumstances that had befallen her, and that she could no longer afford to attend the school. Instead of turning her away, CNR affirmed its commitment to her.

Admissions officers reworked her financial aid package within 24 hours.

Jeannot never looked back.

“There’s only one way to look, and that’s forward,” she says, and the commitment between school and student remained strong. Students and faculty, aware of Jeannot’s travails, were generous with their time, patience and assistance. She even got the opportunity to study for three weeks in London, with a close friend assuming her role as her brothers’ keeper at their Bronx apartment.

“The College of New Rochelle gave me ample opportunity I never would have gotten anywhere else,” Jeannot says.

Bianca Jeannot, right, shakes hands with Robin Roberts, television broadcaster and co-anchor of ABC’s “Good Morning America,” upon receiving her honors degree in English from The College of New Rochelle.

Jeannot, a Bronx resident, beat unfathomable odds to graduate. Contributed photo

“I don’t think I would have been able to found a club, study

abroad, accomplish everything I’ve accomplished, if not for the

incredible CNR community.”

(Submitted)

6 • THE CITY REVIEW • July 15 & 22, 2016

Doyle Senior Center

THE

CityREVIEW NewRochelle 170 Hamilton Ave., Suite 203 White Plains, N.Y. 10601 Tel: (914) 653-1000 Fax: (914) 653-5000

Publisher | Howard Sturman ext. 21, publisher@hometwn.com Christian Falcone Associate Publisher | Editor-in-Chief ext. 19, chris@hometwn.com Executive Vice President | Ira Ellenthal ext. 31, irathal@hometwn.com Sports Editor | Mike Smith ext. 22, sports@hometwn.com Editorial Assistant | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 25, sibylla@hometwn.com Editorial Assistant | Suzy Berkowitz ext. 30, suzy@hometwn.com Graphic Designer | Arthur Gedin Graphic Designer | Jim Grasso Advertising | Lindsay Sturman ext. 14, lsturman@hometwn.com Advertising Coordinator | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 27, ads@hometwn.com Staff Writers James Pero, Corey Stockton, Franco Fino Staff Photographers Bobby Begun, Andrew Dapolite

celebrates Juneteenth The Hugh Doyle Senior Center held a barbecue lunch on Friday, June 17, two days before the official date of Juneteenth.

Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19, dating back to 1865, making it the oldest known commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

Upon landing at Galveston, Texas, that day, Union soldiers led

by Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger learned that the Civil War had ended, and that those that were once enslaved were now free.

According to Juneteenth.com, the day celebrates “AfricanAmerican freedom and achievement, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures.”

-Review staff

Mr. and Mrs. Gerada Brescia show their support for the Juneteenth celebration at New Rochelle’s Hugh Doyle Senior Center on June 17.

Michael Richards, left, and Esmerito Henriquez of Hubbard Cupboard Caterers prepare a chicken barbecue dinner.

Interns Justin Grant, Josh Stabile Columnist Lenore Skenazy

Texas hold ‘em for the boys is just as popular.

Letters

The community’s opinion matters.

If you have a view to express, write a letter to the editor by email to chris@hometwn.com. Please include a phone number and name for verification purposes.

Community Events

If you have an event you would like to share with the community, send it to news@hometwn.com.

Delivery

For home delivery or to subsribe, call (914) 653-1000 x27.

Classifieds & Legals

To post your notices or listings, call (914) 653-1000 x27.

Bingo for the girls is a popular activity at the senior center.

Postmaster

Getting ready to cook for the Juneteenth celebration on Friday, June 17 at The Hugh Doyle Senior Center are, from left, Michael Richards and Esmerito Hendtiquez of Hubbard Cupboard Caters, and Phillis Maucieri, director of the Doyle Center. Photos/Bobby Begun

Send address changes to: The City Review New Rochelle c/o HomeTown Media Group, 170 Hamilton Ave., Suite 203 White Plains, N.Y. 10601

Visit us online www.cityreviewnr.com Follow us on Twitter, @cityreviewnr Like us on Facebook, facebook.com/cityreviewnr The City Review New Rochelle (permit #16661) is published by Home Town Media Group weekly for an annual subscription of $32. Application to mail at the peridcals postage rate is approved at Port Chester, N.Y., 10573. Periodicals postage paid at Port Chester and additional mailing offices.

Attendees participate in various activities at the Doyle Center ahead of the barbecue lunch to celebrate Juneteenth.

A peek at the beautiful gardens taking shape at the Hugh Doyle Senior Center.

July 15 & 22, 2016 • THE CITY REVIEW • 7

Area locals irate over Ralph’s craze

Village of Mamaroneck residents and members of the Board of Trustees are in an uproar following traffic and noise problems created by an ice cream shop that may have skirted village planning procedure.

Photo/Andrew Dapolite

By JAMES PERO Staff Writer The first Ralph’s Italian Ices and Ice Cream shop to hit Westchester County has caused quite a bit of an uproar. The storefront, which opened on Boston Post Road in the village of Mamaroneck in May, has area residents irate over long lines, loud noise and dangerous levels of traffic.

Further, Ralph’s, a popular Staten Island-originated chain, may have also skirted village planning procedures.

According to residents of Mamaroneck’s Keeler Avenue, who at a recent village Board of Trustees meeting voiced their concerns to the board, a lack of parking in the area has caused patrons of the shop to use their street as a quick parking stop.

As a result, according to Anthony Franceloa, a resident of Keeler Avenue, noise, unsightly garbage and a lack of parking have followed suit.

“For 18 years, I’ve resided on Keeler [Avenue],” Franceloa said. “Most of which has been peaceful and enjoyable.

Things have changed because of Ralph’s.”

According to the shop’s website, Ralph’s closes at 1 a.m.

Monday through Saturday and closes at midnight on Sunday.

Noise and congestion aren’t

the only unintended side effects of Ralph’s bustling business; more traffic has also created more dangerous conditions for pedestrians.

According to Stephanie Figliomeni, another resident of Keeler Avenue, lengthy lines have led patrons of the shop to pour over into the parking lot and into traffic.

“The lot cannot manage the amount of people that are visiting the establishment,” she said.

“We’re very afraid someone is going to get hurt.”

According to village of Mamaroneck Mayor Norman Rosenblum, a Republican, the village Police Department has already issued several summonses to patrons who have parked illegally in front of driveways and no parking zones.

After numerous complaints from residents, as well as a petition circulating door to door that looks to alleviate noise and unsightly garbage issues, the village is now working to rectify the problems created by Ralph’s, and has required the owner of the store, Scott Rosenburg, a Long Island resident, to hire an engineer who will conduct a layout study to alleviate traffic congestion.

Rosenburg contends that his business has “followed every procedure possible,” citing his compliance in adding a seating

area, as well as hiring an engineer to redesign a new layout. “[The residents] are treating me like a criminal,” he said. “It’s not right.”

According to Village Manager Richard Slingerland, there is no current timeline for when the study will be completed; but Slingerland said the village is looking to “fix it as soon as possible.”

The impact of Ralph’s on Boston Post Road, however, may only be part of the problem, according to Trustee Ilissa Miller, a Democrat, who said Ralph’s—which is currently classified as a retail establishment—did not follow the proper vetting procedure in place for fast food establishments.

“I’m not angry that [Ralph’s] is there,” Miller said. “I’m just perturbed that it bypassed the process.”

According to New York state law, a fast food establishment is characterized by several criteria: requiring customers pay before they eat, having 30 or more chain locations in total, and serving either food or drinks.

According to the company’s website, Ralph’s currently has 80 store locations across New York and New Jersey, meeting all three criteria.

CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

HUD from page 1

for Social Justice, told the Review that Westchester is one of the most racially segregated counties in all of the country, with 19 municipalities having less than 3 percent people of color.

“Our county executive, who was elected to serve all the people of Westchester, continues the practices of social injustices and immoral behaviors,” DeCohen said. “He had seven years to work with all communities to end the practices of exclusionary zoning in which he has not.”

According to Ned McCormack, director of communications for the Astorino administration, the county has submitted “extensive versions” of the AI report, and has complied with the settlement. “By any fair and rational basis, we feel that the county has met its obligation,” he added.

In June, the county anticipated reaching the number of required affordable housing units six months ahead of schedule, but Westchester lawmakers failed to authorize funding for 10 affordable housing units in the Cambium development, located in the

At a glance During a federal hearing on July 8, U.S. District Judge Denise Cote ordered Westchester to hire an affordable housing consultant The judge charged that the county has not completed a settlement required analysis of impediment report The county has until Aug. 7 to hire the consultant. The county is appealing the judge’s ruling

village of Larchmont.

Now, with much anticipation of the Astorino administration’s next plan of action, county legislators are concerned that settlement requirements will not be met by the deadline on Dec. 31.

“The deadline is right around the corner,” Borgia added.

But McCormack stressed that the county is working at “full speed” to ensure the settlement requirements are completed by the deadline. He also mentioned that there are currently affordable housing units in the pipeline for Harrison, Larchmont, New Cas-

tle, Lewisboro, Pelham Manor and Croton-on-Hudson.

According to Leicht, the future of affordable housing in the county is uncertain. “I have often said that if all that ends up happening is that the county builds these affordable housing units [to satisfy the settlement], and then never builds affordable housing again, this would not have been successful,” she said.

The county administration has appealed the federal ruling to appoint a consultant.

CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com

8 • THE CITY REVIEW • July 15 & 22, 2016

July 15 & 22, 2016 • THE CITY REVIEW • 9

Cryotherapy enters Westchester marketplace

By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer It may be summer in Eastchester, but one facility on Mill Road is freezing.

Nordic Cryotherapy, a company that opened in June, uses extremely cold liquid nitrogen gasses to relieve pain, increase athletic performance and improve aesthetics.

The various machines at Nordic Cryotherapy apply gasses—ranging from negative 180 degrees Fahrenheit to negative 250 degrees—to clients’ skin for as long as three minutes per session.

Dr. Marie O’Connor, CEO and founder of Nordic Cryotherapy, the first liquid nitrogen cryotherapy facility in Westchester County, compared cryotherapy to taking an ice bath.

Although ice baths only get as cold as about 40 degrees Fahrenheit, cryotherapy doesn’t feel as cold as that because clients’ bodies are being sprayed with gas, rather than soaked in liquid.

“It’s a very dry cold,” she said. “There’s absolutely no moisture in the air so it’s different than… an ice bath.”

O’Connor offers three types of cold therapy: facial, localized and whole body procedures.

Nordic Cryotherapy uses a liquid nitrogen mask to tar-

Nordic Cryotherapy, owned by Dr. Marie O’Connor, opened last month as Westchester County’s first cryothereapy facility.

get the face, and a vacuum-like hose for a specific muscle or joint. O’Connor said the localized therapy sessions can last between three and six minutes, depending on how much fat or muscle is in the targeted area.

Clients can also enter a large tank—called a cryosauna—to receive a full-body treatment.

Specialists at Nordic Cryotherapy require that patients wear gloves, slippers and underwear, and their heads be entirely outside of the open top of the tank.

O’Connor claims that any of the various cryotherapies her business offers can reduce pain, increase metabolism, repair tissue damage, tighten skin, increase collagen production, reduce stress, help circulation,

and burn up to 800 calories in a single session.

Some of the claims touting the benefits of cryotherapy have not yet been adequately proven by scientific studies, but clients have traveled from across the county to experience this alternative medicine.

Cryotherapy has gained popularity and recognition from its usage by athletes and celebrities. Boxing greats Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, and basketball star LeBron James have all entered cryosaunas reportedly for its performance benefits. And while O’Connor said she originally became interested in cryotherapy to help people with aches and chronic soreness, she said the

Owner Dr. Marie O’Connor receives a cryo-facial, a targeted form of cryotherapy claimed to help reduce acne, wrinkles and dark spots and increase collagen production. Photo courtesy Facebook.com

The cryosauna at Nordic Cryotherapy in Eastchester blasts clients with liquid nitrogen for up to three minutes, chilling their bodies at temperatures below negative 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Photos/Corey Stockton

majority of her clients are interested in the service for aesthetic benefits like skin tightening, increased collagen production and weight loss.

Many stars of the Bravo channel reality series “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” have undergone cryotherapy on the show, which O’Connor said has contributed to the service’s increased notoriety. She said cryotherapy facilities have even become a trendy first stop for bachelorette parties, treating groups for three-minute sessions, with champagne waiting for them once they’ve warmed up.

However popular the service has become, some cryotherapy practices can be dangerous if administered improperly.

Last October, Chelsea AkeSalvacion, 24, died in a cryosauna in Las Vegas after entering a machine after business hours, getting locked inside and suffocating from the machine’s liquid nitrogen forcing the oxygen out of the air.

O’Connor said her business administers strict protocol to ensure a similar accident does not occur, including using a brand of machine that does not lock. The machine’s door can be pushed open from the inside, and when open, all gasses stop flowing. O’Connor also stressed that nobody is allowed in the cryosauna alone, and that she always monitors her clients’ blood pressure before they enter the machine.

Paul Okura, president of the Eastchester-Tuckahoe Chamber of Commerce, attended the June grand opening and entered the cryosauna for a three-minute session. He said he felt refreshed afterward.

“Even after you get out of this device you feel rejuvenated for the entire day,” Okura said.

O’Connor said although most of her clients are not from the Eastchester area, she felt the town was the best location for this type of service because of its central location. Most of her clientele have traveled two

hours for a session at Nordic Cryotherapy, as the two closest facilities are Elite Total Body Cryotherapy in Wayne, New Jersey, and KryoLife near Central Park in Manhattan.

Although owners of cryotherapy facilities do not have to be licensed medical professionals, O’Connor, a registered nurse who has a doctorate in nursing practice, said it is helpful to have a medical background. “There is a medical component to it,” she said. “Your blood pressure does rise when you’re in there.”

She explained that during the treatment, blood rushes from clients’ extremities to their most vital organs: the heart, lungs and brain. When the session ends, hyper-oxygenated blood rushes back to the extremities with better circulation.

To enhance this effect, O’Connor recommends that clients use the facility’s stationary bike or treadmill for a few minutes to rewarm the body.

CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com

10 • THE CITY REVIEW • July 15 & 22, 2016

Police officer exam applications underway

KILLIAN from page 1

With endorsements from both the Independence and Conservative parties, Rye City Councilwoman Julie Killian, a Republican, will now carry four ballot lines in her November state Senate race. File photo

years later without the endorsement of the Independence Party, something no Republican had done running for the county’s top seat in 20 years.

This year, despite Killian and Latimer coming from different sides of the political aisle, each intends to run with governmental reform as a major facet in their respective platforms.

“We’re not getting the kind of reform we need out of the status quo,” Latimer said. “We need a change and a new construct; a bipartisan construct.”

Similarly, Killian has already sponsored a bill to limit the amount of time state legislators can serve in elected office.

“It’s this type of political careerism that creates a cozy atmosphere and gives way to corruption,” O’Reilly said. “If you want to break the back of corruption in Albany, you need

term limits.”

The 37th District encompasses the cities of Yonkers, White Plains, New Rochelle and Rye, and the towns of Eastchester, Harrison, Mamaroneck, Rye, Bedford and North Castle.

Candidates are elected to the Senate for two-year terms, with an annual base salary of $79,500.

Killian could not be reached for comment as of press time.

CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

on “Why We Celebrate Bastille Day” by Sheila Sarkar, a committee member. Celebrants and guests witnessed the raising of the tri-color of the French Republic and joined in singing “La Marseillaise” and “The Star-Spangled Banner.” A guest who attended the ceremony was Camille Aubert, 22, an industrial engineering student from La Rochelle, who will be interning at City Hall. Following the event, a light reception in the Rotunda took place.

That evening, the New Rochelle Jazz Festival “Jazz in

Section 58 of the New York State Civil Service Law and the New York State Public Officers Law. Candidates who pass the written exam will be required to pass psychological screening, medical and physical agility standards set by the Municipal Police Training Council in order to achieve a permanent appointment as a police officer.

Westchester County welcomes your interest in pursuing a career in law enforcement.

Find out more about police departments in Westchester County by visiting publicsafety.westchester.gov.

More information on the police officer exam can be found at humanresources.westchestergov.com. (Submitted)

P U B LI S H ES

New Rochelle celebrates Bastille Day On Thursday, July 14, the New Rochelle Sister City Initiative Committee presented its annual Bastille Day ceremony at 10 a.m.

The ceremony was presented by the Sister City Initiative, which seeks to deepen the 328year bond of friendship between New Rochelle and La Rochelle, France. The event took place in front of City Hall.

The ceremony included greetings by Mayor Noam Bramson, a short talk on sister city initiative programs by committee convener Peter A. Korn, and a brief note

A study guide to the police officer examination “Entry Level Police Officer Series” is available on the New York State Department of Civil Service website, cs.ny.gov. Download the study guide, or it is available in hard copy form and can be obtained at the Westchester County Department of Human Resources Office, located at 148 Martine Ave. in White Plains.

The cities of Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, White Plains and Yonkers each hold their own separate examination.

Police officers are public officers and must meet all applicable provisions of the New York State Public Officers Law. Standards for police officers are established in accordance with

July” kicked off with a downtown event at 8 p.m. at Jolo’s Vegan Restaurant, located at 49 Lawton St. The special guest was pianist Nico Moretti from Paris. Jazz in July was organized

by Brian Carter, who has performed numerous times in La Rochelle. There were also additional downtown events on Friday, July 15 and Saturday, July 16.

For more information on the New Rochelle Sister City Committee, contact Korn at sistercitynr@gmail.com. (Submitted)

Mamaroneck THE

REVIEW CityREVIEW Harrison NewRochelle REVIEW THE

THE

Eastchester REVIEW THE

INSIDE

In 2012 and 2014, Republican candidates Bob Cohen, of Scarsdale, and Joe Dillon, of Yonkers, respectively, were both endorsed by the Independence Party, but were still defeated by Latimer.

In past elections, the endorsement of the controversial party has oftentimes been a harbinger of success for many Westchester candidates.

The Independence Party’s credibility, however, has come under scrutiny in recent years, following a feud between Giulio Cavallo, the party’s chairman, and Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican.

After Astorino was elected county executive in 2009, a year when he was endorsed by the Independence Party, he accused Cavallo of seeking patronage jobs for members of his party.

Astorino won re-election four

The Westchester County Department of Human Resources administers the police officer examination used to fill vacancies in the Department of Public Safety Services, the cities of Peekskill and Rye, and the towns and villages within the county.

The next examination for police officers in English or Spanish will be held on Nov. 19. The last day to apply is July 25. Apply today. This exam is held every three to four years.

All candidates for the examination must be a legal resident of Westchester County at the time of examination and for at least one month prior thereto, in this case Oct. 19, 2016. Candidates will be required to submit proof of residency upon request.

INSIDE WESTCHESTER COUNTY

www.hometwn.com | 170 Hamilton Ave., Suite 203, White Plains N.Y. 10601 | (914) 653-1000

July 15 & 22, 2016 • THE CITY REVIEW • 11

Z truth about young folks and food RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy

You can tell a person’s age by their teeth.

No, not by whether they’re missing or yellowed (or, if they’re really old: wooden!).

They key is what the teeth are sinking into. “Generation Z”— the folks born after 1995—have already established different eating patterns than the rest of us.

At least, so said an article I was reading in Nation’s Restaurant News. (Yes, I love reading trade magazines!) Fascinated, I called up the editor to ask, first of all, what new food trends are coming down the pike, and second of all—ye gads—does the generation born after 1995 really have a name already?

The answer to the second question is apparently yes. And the answer to the first, according to editor Sarah E. Lockyer, is that Gen Z is even more Millennial than the Millennials.

“We always believed that Millennials were the first digital natives,” she says. “But they really weren’t. They weren’t born with a phone in their hand. They got them at 10 or 12.”

That makes them practically pterodactyls compared to the Z’s. The newest kids on the block want to eat what they see on social media, and they want to put on social media whatever they eat.

That’s not news. Food porn is possibly more popular than good old-fashioned porn.

What’s news is how the restaurants are responding. Take Taco Bell, for instance.

“Taco Bell used to be food that you ate at 2 a.m.” Lockyer said. “You really didn’t think about it. And while that still happens today, now you can go on the Taco Bell app and you can add guacamole and take off sour cream and add extra cheese. It’s very mobile friendly. You order on your phone, you pay on your phone, you go pick it up.” Restaurants that are completely interactive in that way are the ones that are going to win, she added.

So are the ones that allow you to, in the words of an ancient Burger King jingle, “Have it your way.” Even McDonald’s is jumping on that trend. My husband went to the tricked out Mickey D’s near Bloomingdale’s and ordered from a kiosk rather than a human at the counter. He was served a giant, juicy burger slathered in chipotle mayo that made the Big Mac look like the meat equivalent of a flip-phone. Maybe even a landline.

Burgers themselves are still cool, but Gen Z is not eating as many of them as their elders. The Z’s prefer chicken, pizza and food that is ostensibly “clean,” a word that is both holy and amorphous. Ask me, it roughly translates to “$1 extra.”

YPulse, a New York market research firm specializing in young people, calls this trend the “healtifying” of fast food. Young folks aren’t rejecting milkshakes or cheeseburgers; they just want them organic, or locally sourced,

or something more “pure” (i.e., labor intensive).

So “clean food,” light-colored, ostentatiously healthy restaurants are winning out, as are places that feel communal: You walk in and sit at a big table with people you don’t know. Maybe you don’t actually strike up a conversation, but at least you feel like you’re not alone. (Except if everyone else is having a great time and you’re poking at your oatmeal.)

Communal tables are popular with older folks, too, particularly those willing to forgo a few car payments to afford a cup of soup at Le Pain Quotidien. But for young people, communal eating is not a new concept, it’s just the way they expect to eat: in groups and sharing food.

And then comes the sharing food experience. Everything is documented to the point where showing friends what you ate is almost like showing them your closet or (I’m dating myself again) your bookshelf.

So if you wonder who the Gen Z kids are and what are they bringing to the table (as it were), it’s organic ingredients, hypercustomized entrees, lots of sharing each other’s food without getting (visibly) annoyed about it, and phones busy every step of the way, from finding the restaurant to videoing the very last drop of Sriracha dipping sauce.

This generation may still be too young to earn a living, but the way they’re going, they better start soon.

‘In The Heights’ takes the stage

“In the Heights,” Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first Tony awardwinning musical, will play the WPPAC stage from July 29 through July 31, and from Aug. 5 through Aug. 7.

This show tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York City’s Washington Heights, a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions to take, and which to leave behind.

“In The Heights” is directed

by Jorge Acosta with musical direction by Katie Luekens Chan Chee and choreography

by Anthony Murphy. Scenic design by Travis George, costume design by Molly Seidel, and lighting design by JiYoung Chung. Music and lyrics by Lin-

Manuel Miranda, book by Quiara Alegría Hudes, conceived by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

The cast is headed by Edsel Romero as Usnavi, Sam Stein as Benny, Angelika Anastasio Beltran as Nina, and Shaunice Alexander as Vanessa. Supporting cast includes Robin Aléman, Dennis Polanco, Jessica Lynn Ford, Nerice Gerena, Daisy Guevara and Kevin Cusi.

The cast also features Kelly Ainsworth, Alex Arlotta, Haleigh Brown, Heather Rubin Cabrera, Anthony Fante, Halle Mastroberardino, Michelle Morris, Leighann Navarro, TJ Newton, Harrison O’Callaghan, Keith Odums, Phil Ordonez, Yukari Osaka, Arianna Pallens, Manuel Piedra, Luis G. Quintero Jr., Jonathan Rodriguez, Brenda Schoenfeld, Katharine Vaccaro and Sierra Meshele Williams.

Director Acosta said, “‘In The Heights’ is a musical story of a neighborhood, a group of people who love each other, who struggle together to take the

next step in life. In the end, the show is an affirmation of what it’s like to find yourself at home, wherever that happens to be.”

“In the Heights” will be performed on Friday, July 29, Saturday July 30, Friday, Aug. 5 and Saturday, Aug. 6 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, July 31 and Sunday, Aug. 7 at 2 p.m. at the White Plains Performing Arts Center, located at 11 City Place in White Plains. Tickets start at $25. To purchase tickets, visit the theater’s box office Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., purchase tickets online at wppac.com or call 328-1600.

For group sales, contact boxoffice@wppac.com.

“In The Heights” is produced

by STAGE 2, a program created by WPPAC to bridge the gap between its Conservatory and MainStage, giving college, graduate school, and community performers the opportunity to work in a professional regional theatre under the guidance of professional artists. (Submitted)

CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com

Meet wonderful Wilton, a very handsome, red and white male kitty who is searching for a loving forever home! He loves being petted and brushed and hopes for a family that will give him belly rubs and a nice window seat. Wilton is very playful but also content to be a lap cat when it’s time to relax. An added plus: he also gets along with dogs.

Wilton is about 9 months old, neutered and up to date on all his shots. The donation for Wilton is $80.

To meet this delightful boy, please call Pet Rescue at 835-3332 or 835-4133 or visit NY-PetRescue.org.

(Submitted)

12 • THE CITY REVIEW • July 15 & 22, 2016

The Classifieds • Advertising that gets results OUR RATES:

UP TO 4 LINES $42.50 for 2 weeks minimum. Each Additional Line $2.00

AUCTIONS AUCTION, Online w/Bid Center, Olde Beau Golf & Country Club, Golf Course, Lots, Land & Houses, Roaring Gap, NC, Begins Closing 8/4/16, Selling Regardless of Price at the End of the Auction, ironhorseauction.com, 800.997.2248, NCAL 3936

AUTO DONATIONS Donate your car to Wheels For Wishes, benefiting Make-A-Wish. We offer free towing and your donation is 100% tax deductible. Call 914468-4999 Today!

Donate your car to Wheels For Wishes, benefiting Make-A-Wish. We offer free towing and your donation is 100% tax deductible. Call 315-400-0797 Today!

LOTS & ACREAGE Mountain Top Liquidation 30 Mile Views! 4.3 Acres only $29,900. 90 mins from the city!

Excellent Financing Call Now 888-320-0920

MISCELLANEOUS SAWMILLS from only $4397.00- MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill- Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship!

FREE Info/DVD:† www.NorwoodSawmills.com 1-800-578-1363 Ext.300N

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE BETHLEHEM, NH: Auction: August 5, 3BR Ranch on 5± Acres. Mountain Views, 2-Car Detached Garage, Open Kitchen/Dining, Deck. (NH#2661). THCAuction.com (800) 634-SOLD

VACATION RENTALS OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND. Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Resort Services. 1-800-638-2102. Online reservations: www.holidayoc.com

WANTED TO BUY CASH FOR DIABETIC TEST STRIPS Up to $35/Box! Sealed & Unexpired. Payment Made SAME DAY. Highest Prices Paid!!

Call JENNI Today! 800-413-3479 www.

CashForYourTestStrips.com

HOW TO REACH US:

(914) 653-1000 x27 Fax: 653-5000 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING: 170 Hamilton Ave., Suite 203, White Plains N.Y. 10601

DEADLINE:

Placement, correction or cancellation of an ad may be phoned in any time before noon on Monday for publication

Slam Duncan LIVE MIKE Mike Smith

On Monday, July 11, one of the greatest basketball players to ever step onto an NBA court announced his retirement after 19 seasons as one of the most productive and reliable big men of all time.

There was no season-long farewell tour, no primetime press conference, no pomp or circumstance. It was just Tim Duncan being Tim Duncan.

The numbers are unimpeachable: 19 seasons, 15 All-Star appearances, two MVP selections and five NBA titles. But the most remarkable thing about Duncan’s career was just how unremarkable he was.

It’s not that Duncan wasn’t a phenomenal basketball player; of course he was. But it’s the way that he went about his job that made him stand out. In a league that relies on star power,

explosive, flashy players flying through the air and churning out impressive acrobatic plays that find their way into countless highlight tapes, Duncan was an anomaly; a 7-footer who was best known for hitting 15-foot bank shots with the precision of a robot.

Even his nickname, “The Big Fundamental,” spoke to substance over style.

If you think of the greatest players in the history of the sport, they all have a signature moment—or 12. Dr. J’s graceful baseline scoop; Jordan taking off from the foul line and his tongue-wagging; Hakeem Olajuwon’s “Dream Shake.”

For Duncan? It’s that simple 15-foot bank shot.

Lakers’ star Kobe Bryant— who once scored 82 points in a game—also retired this year.

Unlike Duncan, Kobe made his decision known early on and, as a result, got the kind of farewell tour that is all too common for the retiring stars of today.

SPORTS

I don’t begrudge him the tour; he earned one last season in the limelight.

But Duncan always marched to the beat of his own drum.

His only acknowledgement that the end might be near? After his Spurs fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals, he walked back toward the visitor’s locker room with one finger pointed to the ceiling.

There’s going to be a lot of talk in the next week or so about Duncan’s legacy and where he stacks up against the NBA’s alltime greats. In my mind, he’s clearly a top 10 guy.

But his real legacy, I feel, will be as an example for coaches.

For nearly 20 years, Duncan played basketball the right way.

He was steady, fundamentally sound, made his teammates better, and did all the little things that coaches hope to see from their charges.

Sure, Kobe’s game might be the one that kids want to emu-

TO COVER LOCAL SPORTS, YOU NEED A

LIVE MIKE! Follow Mike Smith @LiveMike_Sports stats • recaps • commentary Follow @cityreviewnr for Mike’s live, in-game action updates

July 15 & 22, 2016 • THE CITY REVIEW • 13

On July 11, San Antonio Spurs star Tim Duncan announced his retirement. In a league filled with infinitely flashier players, “The Big Fundamental” emphasized substance over style. Photo courtesy ozwallpaper.com

late, but if you asked a high school coach, I bet they’d tell you they wish they had more players like Duncan.

So farewell, Timmy. You may

not have been the most exciting player the league has seen, but you were definitely one of its best.

And you made the bank shot

fun. Which is just about as cool as it gets.

Follow Mike on Twitter @livemike_sports

14 • THE CITY REVIEW • July 15 & 22, 2016

SPORTS

New Ro teams soar in 2015-16

New Rochelle cheerleaders compete at the Westchester County Center last winter. The Huguenot girls took third place at UCA Nationals in Florida, and placed second at the first-ever New York state championships in March.

By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor In just under a month, area high schoolers will be heading back to work on athletic fields all over Westchester, but although 2016-17 promises to be an exciting season, the summer months also give us a chance to look back at the sports year that was.

For the Huguenots, as has recently been the case, 2015 was a year when football was truly king.

Ten straight wins in Section I marked yet another Class AA title for New Rochelle. But what may be more impressive about the Huguenots’ run wasn’t the fact that they won so many games; it was how they won them.

While a lot of teams that win a Section I title are reliant on one

or two particular players, New Rochelle finished with an 11-1 record, precisely because they didn’t. Greg Powell, Keelan Thomas and Rashon McNeil, all seniors, came up big in clutch situations, but if there’s one play that defined the Huguenots season, it was made by an underclassman.

In the Class AA title game, sophomore Jonathan Saddler came in to spell Powell for a few snaps in a tight game. And how did he respond? By throwing one pass, a 56-yard touchdown bomb to McNeil. Not bad for a sophomore.

And as for the girls cheering on the sidelines this fall? They didn’t do so badly themselves when it came time to compete in the winter months, placing third

at UCA Nationals in February and scoring a second-place finish at the inaugural New York State Cheerleading Championships a few weeks later.

After all the success they’ve had through the years, it might seem as though New Ro’s cheerleaders may need their own cheer squad.

One of my favorite teams to watch last year, regardless of the sport, may have been the Huguenot girls’ basketball team. Led by All-Section point guard Kayla Correa, the Huguenots played well under firstyear head coach Robert Bynum, reaching the County Center where they fell to a darned good Ossining team that would go on to win its fourth-straight state title.

A Huguenot player drives to the hole against rival Mount Vernon. Photos/Mike Smith

Kayla Correa speeds down the court during a playoff game last winter. Correa and the Huguenots made their way to the County Center this year.

New Rochelle’s football team celebrates a Section I championship at Yorktown High School. The Huguenots finished 11-1 on the year.

And although the spring didn’t see a heap of postseason success for New Rochelle’s teams, there is a youth movement afoot, as the baseball team

and lacrosse squads are all moving in the right direction.

Aug. 15 is quickly approaching, and with it, another year of Huguenot sports.

I just can’t wait to see who we’ll be talking about next summer.

CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com

SPORTS

July 15 & 22, 2016 • THE CITY REVIEW • 15

Top pros hit ring in New Ro

By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor Featherweight boxing contender Carl Frampton might hail from Belfast, Northern Ireland, but he will be making Westchester County his home for the next few weeks as he trains for his upcoming bout with Leo Santa Cruz at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

On Tuesday, July 12, Westchester officially welcomed the undefeated fighter, as County Executive Rob Astorino met with Frampton at Champ’s Boxing Club in New Rochelle and proclaimed July 12 to be Carl Frampton Appreciation Day. Frampton, 22-0, will challenge Santa Cruz for the WBA Super World Featherweight Belt on July 30, and will use the Division Street gym in New Rochelle as the base of operations for his training camp. His only previous fight in the United States took place in El Paso, Texas, last year.

“I wanted to come to New York early, get used to the heat, and get my sparring in,” Frampton said. “My team did all the research and picked this place

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, left, works on the heavy bag with Irish boxer Carl Frampton at Champs Boxing Club in New Rochelle on July 12.

out in New Rochelle, and it’s a great spot.”

Frampton’s trainer, Barry McGuigan, said that he was hoping to plant a seed within the local Irish community to stir up some interest in his fighter.

“We only have three weeks to kick up the dust, so we wanted to find a place that had an Irish community,” he said. “We particularly wanted to get the Irish

fans on board.”

And although Frampton still has a demanding training schedule leading up to the fight, he said he’s going to make an effort to connect with the locals.

“We have a few things planned,” he said. “We’re going to see the consulate, probably hit up a few Irish pubs as well and shake a few hands and try to drum up a bit of interest. I know that people

Champs Boxing Club owner Ryan O’Leary, center, poses with Carl Frampton, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino and others on July 12. Photos/Bobby Begun

over here, not just the Irish community, but New Yorkers, they’re big boxing fans, and I’m hoping they’ll all get on my side.”

Carl Frampton signs a pair of boxing gloves as County Executive Rob Astorino issues an official proclamation to welcome the fighter to Westchester.

Astorino predicted that Westchester boxing fans will be pulling for the 29-year-old Belfast native.

“On behalf of the 1 million people of Westchester, [there are] many boxing fans and a great storied history of boxing, including at the County Center,” Astorino told Frampton. “So we’re wishing you luck.”

Ryan O’Leary, who runs Champs Boxing Club, said that even though Frampton and his team have only been in town for about a week, their arrival has transformed the local gym.

In addition to Frampton and his stablemates, Australian middleweight Sam Soliman is

also training at the New Rochelle gym in preparation for his July 21 fight with Sergiy Derevyanchenko, which will be held at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

Having so many accomplished pro fighters around, O’Leary said, has been a blessing for his own boxers.

“They can’t get over it, it’s amazing,” he said. “We’re a little gym on a side street in New Rochelle, and now we have a world champion from Ireland and a world champion from Australia in here, and the kids are blown away.”

CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com

Carl Frampton, right, poses for a photo with Sam Soliman, a ring veteran who is also training at Champs Boxing Club in New Rochelle.

16 • THE CITY REVIEW • July 15 & 22, 2016