April 14, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 15 | www.harrisonreview.com
Eastchester REVIEW THE
April 14, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 15 | www.eastchesterreview.com
New Rochelle resident, attorney to challenge Marcotte By SIBYLLA CHIPAZIWA Assistant Editor Westchester County Legislator Sheila Marcotte will face another challenge from the city of New Rochelle in the form of 23-year resident Damon Maher, the Review has learned. Saying the timing was right, Maher, in announcing his candidacy, has immediately gone on the offensive in attacking his District 10 opponent. “I think it’s a good year to challenge the alt-right agenda,” said Maher, a registered Democrat, adding that he wants to run a progressive, Democratic campaign against Marcotte. “I think people are energized in view of what happened in the national election.”
Maher is a managing partner with Levy Davis & Maher, a Manhattan-based law firm that focuses on employment disputes. He feels that Republicans like Marcotte and Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino are aligned with the alt-right, a type of governing philosophy defined by the Associated Press as a blend of racism, white nationalism, white supremacy and populism that rejects the American democratic ideal that all people are equal. “To have [President Donald] Trump allies and enablers governing us in this county, in the district, in the office of county executive is just unacceptable to me and people I know,” Maher said. Maher, 61, described the alt-
right agenda as in favor of guns and against immigrants and fair housing. Maher’s platform is simple: no more gun shows at the Westchester County Center; embracing affordable housing; protecting the county’s immigrant population; and stopping “phony county budgets that make it appear like taxes are frozen, when you’re just kicking current and recurring expenses down the road for somebody else… or the electorate to pay later,” he said, referencing Astorino’s claims of holding the tax cap stagnant for the past seven years. Maher has served on the board of trustees of the New Rochelle Public Library since 2014, after being elected to fill one of two vacancies. He also sits on the
EFD wins transparency case against volunteers
in a variety of ways, including through the collection of so-called foreign fire insurA New York state Supreme ance premiums, also known as Court judge recently ruled that 2 percent monies. A settlement the volunteer arm of the East- between the VFBA and the prochester Fire District is subject to fessional firefighters union in the the Freedom of Information Law early 1990s gave that union the requiring it to release dozens of right to 45 percent of the 2 perNew Rochelle Bar 14, Association cent monies; the VFBA, in turn, previously withheld documents. April 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 15 | www.mamaroneckreview.com board of directors, which comThrough those documents, keeps the remaining 55 percent. prises nearly 400 attorneys, law fire district officials could now A benevolent association finanstudents and legal professionals. gain insight into the meeting cial statement shows that the 2 Maher graduated from Yale practices, finances, tax docu- percent monies in 2015 amountUniversity with a bachelor’s ments, expenses and member- ed to almost $170,000 in total. in Russian and Eastern Eu- ship of the Eastchester Volunteer The VFBA gave about $76,000 ropean studies in 1977, and Officers Association, VOA, and of that income to the union. went to law school at Fordham the Volunteer Firemen’s BenevThat statement also shows olent Association, VFBA, of the that the benevolent association MARCOTTE continued on page 9 town of Eastchester. had spent $135,669 that year, In March 2016, after being and had an account balance of denied access to documents nearly $2 million. The FOIL remaintained by the VOA and the quests which were disputed in VFBA, the district filed a lawsuit the lawsuit are seeking a more asking a court to decide wheth- detailed explanation of the VFer those documents should be BA’s account balances and ex| Vol. 4, Number 11 penditures, | www.cityreviewnr.com April 14, deemed 2017 public. as the volunteers The district argued—and the have refused to explain how they court agreed—that the VOA is have accrued a $2 million sursubject to Freedom of Informa- plus. According to the district, tion Law, FOIL, because it per- the VFBA has not released its forms a governmental function 2016 financial statement, which on behalf of a government agen- was due by the end of February, cy, the fire district. The judge, as of press time. Fire Commissioner Steven Helen Blackwood, further ruled that the VFBA—although a pri- Baker said the district’s FOIL vate, nonprofit organization—is requests are an act of due diligence. “We’re asking for finanalso an agent of the district. Steven Blau, an attorney rep- cial records to make sure that resenting the volunteers, told the there’s no misappropriation of Review he will be filing a notice funds,” he told the Review. The fire district is also seekof appeal. “The benevolent [association], especially, doesn’t fit ing a roster of volunteers and the within that category,” Blau said. transcripts of meetings they’ve “The benevolent is totally in- held. The district has said it has dependent. [The fire board has] not seen an updated roster in no say over what the benevolent years. Winter said it’s important for does.” The VFBA raises money to fund the volunteer firefighters VOLUNTEERS continued on page 8
By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer
Mamaroneck REVIEW THE
Dozens of first responders gathered in the parking lot of William B. Ward Elementary School in New Rochelle on April 3 as part of an awareness campaign for autism. Chris Greco, a police detective, organized the movement, which has spread across 90 different departments and as far away as Texas. For story, see page 10. Photo/Jen Parente
INSIDE Bronxville school budget stays under cap Story on page 7.
2 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • April 14, 2017
April 14, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 3
Democratic caucus pushes paid sick leave bill By JAMES PERO Staff Writer A bill introduced to the Westchester County Board of Legislators earlier this month will seek to extend County-mandated paid sick leave to more than 100,000 Westchester county workers. According to a statement from the Board of Legislator’s Democratic caucus, the potential sick leave rules—which will now be discussed in a series of committee meetings—would apply to workers in both the public and private sectors, and would cover physical and mental ailments. Majority Leader Catherine Borgia, an Ossining Democrat and the primary sponsor of the bill, hopes that extending paid sick leave to those uncovered workers will benefit the workforce as well as the members of the public they come in contact with. “When public workers’ sickness is not contained, it can become problematic as a public health issue,” Borgia said, adding that many of such workers are forced to go to work while
ill. “Everybody gets sick. It’s a human condition and you can’t stop that.” Among the fields of chief concern, according to Borgia, are restaurant workers, home health care aids, and bus drivers, all of which come in close contact with the general public, and may increase the chance of spreading illnesses while sick. Currently, 54 percent of service industry workers and 47 percent of transportation workers are not afforded paid sick leave from their employers, according to the county’s Democratic caucus. Overall, 37 percent of Westchester County workers in both the public and private sectors currently lack any paid sick leave. While the Democratic caucus has thrown its full support behind the bill, Republican lawmakers and some county business owners have expressed concern over the financial impact the bill could have on business. According to Dan Branda, a spokesman for Republican County Executive Rob Astorino,
the administration will approach the proposal with caution. Reiterating a previous statement by Ned McCormack, communications director for the Astorino administration, Branda said, “Fundamentally, any proposal that raises the cost of doing business in the county— even if it’s well-intentioned—is a potential job killer, and must be reviewed accordingly.” Likewise, county Legislator Jim Maisano, a New Rochelle Republican, told the Review he thinks the law would only add to the state’s overregulation of businesses. “If Westchester does this, it puts our businesses at a strategic disadvantage,” he said. “If we introduce too many regulations, businesses may decide to go to different counties.” Currently, there are seven states nationwide that mandate that workers receive a certain amount of annual paid sick leave time in addition to 40 municipalities across the country. A similar effort launched in 2014 saw the passage of New
The Westchester County Democratic caucus will push a bill granting paid sick leave to more than 100,000 county workers, both public and private sector, to committee, but the bill faces opposition from some Republican lawmakers and businesses. Photo courtesy Westchester Democratic Caucus
York City’s first-ever paid sick leave bill which affected both public and private sectors. As currently proposed in New York City, workers covered under the bill would earn one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked; any employer
with less than five employees would be partially exempt, being required to provide unpaid sick leave only. The county bill will now go through three different committees—legislation, budget, and labors, parks and planning—
where it will be deliberated on by county lawmakers. Borgia said she hopes the bill will make its way out of committee for a vote by the full 17-member Board of Legislators this summer. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
4 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • April 14, 2017
What’s going on... Eastchester Public Library
Tween/Teen CSI: Forensics On Tuesday, April 18 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. For ages 9 to 13. Help us solve the homicide case of a local Bronxville scientist from the Bronxville Science Lab. Evidence has been collected from the crime scene and the library needs your help to find out who the suspect is. Registration is required online. Please add age or grade in the comment box provided.
For more information on hours and programs, visit eastchesterlibrary.org.
Westchester Coin Club On Wednesday, April 19 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Westchester Coin Club meets every third Wednesday night. All are welcome.
Sukey’s Circle On Thursday, April 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. For ages 6 months to 36 months old. Join Sukey Molloy for her award winning interactive series of musical play activities, designed to encourage movement, play and song in the developing years. Classes include play with balls, scarves, finger puppets, rhythm sticks and more. Space is limited, please register online.
Bronxville Public Library For more information on library hours and programs, visit bronxvillelibrary.org. The library will be closed on Friday, April 14 for Good Friday, and on Sunday, April 16 for Easter.
NewYork-Presbyterian/Lawrence Hospital The NewYork-Presbyterian/Lawrence Hospital is located at 55 Palmer Road in Bronxville. For more information, visit nyp.org.
Preparing for Pregnancy On Tuesday, April 18 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lake Isle Country Club, 660 White Plains Road in Eastchester. NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital OB/GYN experts will discuss preparing for pregnancy, birth plans, trends in fertility treatment and what you need to know if you’re thinking about getting pregnant. Speakers include Drs. Anna Burgansky and Nitasha Jain, Columbia University Medical Center OB/GYNs practicing with NewYork-Presbyterian Medical Group Westchester; and Dr. Rachel McConnell, of ColumbiaDoctors, the faculty practice of Columbia University Medical Center. To register, call 787-5000.
Breast Cancer Support Group On Thursday, April 20 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in
the NYP/Lawrence lobby Conference Room. This is an interactive and educational meeting for breast cancer patients and their loved ones. Meetings are led by Kate Gutekunst, registered nurse and oncology nurse navigator. The gatherings feature guest speakers and give participants an opportunity to share and learn from one another. Light refreshments are served. To register, call 787-5997.
Childbirth Class On Saturday, April 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the NYP/Lawrence lobby Conference Room. Childbirth classes are taught by certified Lamaze instructors trained to help expectant mothers prepare for giving birth. A tour of the NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital Center for Maternal Child Health is also included. Cost: $200. To register, call 787-5044.
Eastchester Recreation Summer camps Applications are available online at eastchester. org/departments/recreation, where you will also find more information on the camps below. Camp registration will close on Monday, May 15, and applicants will only be accepted if space permits. There are four separate day camp programs for children who turn age 4 by June 27 through youth entering grade nine in the fall of 2017. Camp Rainbow information will be available soon. Please check eastchester.org/departments/ recreation periodically for more information. Camp Galaxy Junior and Senior are full day programs for grades 1–3 and 4–6, respectively. Swimming and out-of-camp trips are included with Camp Galaxy. Both camps begin on Tuesday, June 27. Camp Quest is a travel camp for grades 7–9; trips are taken each day throughout the tri-state area. Please note that registration for this camp is on Friday, March 31 at 7 p.m. in the Community Room at Eastchester Town Hall. There will be two sessions: Session A starts on Monday, June 26; Session B starts on Monday, July 17.
Village Lutheran Church The Village Lutheran Church is located at 172 White Plains Road in Bronxville. For more information, call 337-0207 or visit vlc-ny.org.
Bible Study Men’s Bible Study meets on the third Saturday of each month, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The next meeting is on April 15. Attendees are invited to bring a breakfast item to share. Women’s Bible Study/LWML will meet on Saturday, April 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Friendship Room. Please join the group on the morning before Easter Sunday to study Joshua Chapter 22, and Chapter 16 of Max Lucado’s “Glory Days,” which is most appropriately titled “God Fights For You.” Please read the material in preparation for the meeting and bring a breakfast item to share as well as prayer requests. Contact Deacon Wendy Krolides at 722-6072 or Terry Vidal at 523-4296 with any questions.
JCC of Mid-Westchester JCC Academic Center The JCC Academic Center is registering now
for the following programs to help students prepare for spring 2017 exams: biology SAT subject test, chemistry SAT subject test and math 2 SAT subject test prep, AP review, Regents prep, and summer SAT and ACT intensives and boot camps. For details on all programs and online registration, visit jccmw.org. Questions? Contact Lisa Itzkowitz, director of the JCC Academic Center, at itzkowitzl@jccmw.org or 472-7176. All classes are held at the JCC of Mid-Westchester, 999 Wilmot Road, Scarsdale.
Westchester County news Green Initiatives for Small Business State Assemblyman David Buchwald’s spring 2017 Small Business Forum will be held on Tuesday, April 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at White Plains City Hall, 225 Main St. in White Plains. The forum will provide the latest information on green initiatives for small-business owners. Presenters from Energize NY, NYSERDA and the Business Council of Westchester bring expertise on navigating new programs and opportunities. A Q&A panel discussion follows. RSVP by calling 244-4450 or visit bit.ly/ GreenSmallBusiness.
Register for children’s summer camps Registration is open for Westchester County Parks’ popular summer camps for children and young people. Online registration is available at parks.westchestergov.com/activities/childrenscamps. For more information on any of the programs, visit the aforementioned website or call 231-4673, unless stated otherwise. Perfect Pitch and Swing Baseball Camp, for ages 8 to 12, at V.E. Macy Park in Ardsley. Slam Dunk Basketball Camp, for grades 3–9, at Westchester County Center, White Plains. Girls Volleyball Camp, for grades 6–12, at Westchester County Center, White Plains. Challenger Sports Soccer Camp, for grades 1–9, at V.E. Macy Park, Ardsley. For more information, call 714-8601 or visit challengersports.com. Hole-in-One Junior Golf Camp, for ages 10 to 17, at the county courses: Dunwoodie and Sprain Lake, Yonkers; Hudson Hills, Ossining; Maple Moor, White Plains; Mohansic, Yorktown Heights; and Saxon Woods, Scarsdale. Children’s Summer Ecology Program, for grades 1–9, at Cranberry Lake Preserve, North White Plains; Marshlands Conservancy, Rye; and Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Cross River. Conservationists in Training, for grades 7–9, at Cranberry Lake Preserve, North White Plains, and Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Cross River. Muscoot Wranglers, for ages 4 and 5, and Muscoot Young Farmers, for grades 1–8, at Muscoot Farm, Katonah. For more information, call 8647282. Summer Music Center, for grades 3–12, at Westchester County Center, White Plains. 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.
April 14, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 5
Astorino Indian Point lawsuit lacks support By JAMES PERO Staff Writer Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino’s plan to sue the state over an imminent shutdown of Indian Point is facing stark opposition from county lawmakers, who are less eager to challenge a deal struck by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, earlier this year. After Astorino, a Republican, announced that he would seek to send Cuomo’s plan to dismantle a longstanding nuclear power plant at Indian Point into a fullon environmental impact statement, county Board of Legislators Chairman Michael Kaplowitz, a Yorktown Democrat, called the move “dead on arrival.” “This lawsuit is a Hail Mary that is being thrown with a deflated football and has no chance of scoring any touchdown,” Kaplowitz told the Review. As it stands, Kaplowitz said, there is no majority support amongst county lawmakers on either side of the aisle who would be responsible for approving the suit to go forward by a full vote
of the 17-member legislature. Hesitation amongst many lawmakers, he said, has centered on whether a lawsuit would achieve its intended outcome. Even if the lawsuit were to successfully send Indian Point into a more stringent review process, there would be no guarantee that the plant would remain open as a result. However, Dan Branda, a spokesman from Astorino’s office, challenged Kaplowitz’s characterization that Republican lawmakers wouldn’t back the lawsuit, telling the Review that all it would need is “one Democratic vote” to proceed. While some county lawmakers have pumped the brakes, area lawmakers closer to the plant— many of which rely on its tax revenue and jobs to help stimulate the local economy—have thrown their support behind the county executive’s lawsuit. Mayor Theresa Knickerbocker of the village of Buchanan, which encompasses Indian Point, warned earlier this month that the move could have adverse impacts on her constituents.
“The impact on our village is going to be staggering,” said Knickerbocker, a Republican, in a statement. “There was no review process whatsoever. Everyone else, from homeowners to developers, has to follow [the State Environmental Quality Review Act]. Apparently, putting a shed in your backyard requires more environmental review than closing Indian Point.” Currently, Buchanan receives $3 million in tax breaks as per a payment in lieu of taxes agreement. Additionally, Joseph Hochreiter, superintendent of the Hendrick Hudson school district, said that the closure of the plant would negate a third of the district’s tax base and has halted intentions to move forward on a $14 million capital improvement project for the district. The plan to close Indian Point, which would take place over the course of the next four years, was announced earlier this year by Cuomo and came as the product of years of negotiations and even litigation with the plant owner, Entergy.
A lawsuit to stall the shutdown of a nuclear power plant at Indian Point, announced by Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, far left, lacks necessary support from many of the county’s lawmakers. Photo courtesy Westchester County
Numerous safety violations and concerns over the fact the plant is situated atop two fault lines have prompted efforts from Cuomo to eventually phase out the plant’s operations. According to the governor’s office, the plant has logged 40 various safety and operational events—hiccups and breakdowns of varying degrees—since 2012 alone.
Included in the most recent state budget is a task force, which consists of both state and local lawmakers as well as various officials from Cuomo’s administration, that will oversee the plant’s transitional process and quantify its social and economic impact in the region. Cuomo has slated a number of green energy initiatives— a major hallmark in his tenure as
governor—as potential replacements for the approximately 1,000 jobs that currently exist at the plant. From here, Astorino’s lawsuit will go before committee, where Kaplowitz said he expects the suit to sputter out before it reaches a vote by the county Legislature. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
6 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • April 14, 2017
Eastchester REVIEW THE
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 Sports Editor | Mike Smith ext. 22, sports@hometwn.com Assistant Editor | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 25, sibylla@hometwn.com Reporter | Corey Stockton ext. 16, corey@hometwn.com General Assignment | Taylor Brown ext. 30, taylor@hometwn.com Graphic Designer | Arthur Gedin
By TAYLOR BROWN General Assignment Reporter Andrew Kranichfeld, a local author and brain cancer survivor, plans to be the first blind person to ever compete in the Rye Derby, a 5-mile foot race through the city of Rye, where he was born and raised. Kranichfeld is participating in the race in order to raise money
and awareness for mesothelioma, a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. His father, Henry “Hank” Charles Kranichfeld III, died of mesothelioma in November 2016. Kranichfeld has been fundraising in the weeks leading up to the derby with a goal of raising $5,000 for the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, a New York City-based
Graphic Designer | Jim Grasso Advertising | Lynne Starr ext. 29, lynne@hometwn.com Advertising Coordinator | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 27, ads@hometwn.com Staff Writers James Pero, Franco Fino Staff Photographers Andrew Dapolite, Aaron Kershaw, Charlie McLaughlin Columnists Mary Marvin, Richard Forliano, Lenore Skenazy 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.
Postmaster
Send address changes to The Eastchester Review c/o HomeTown Media Group, 170 Hamilton Ave., Suite 203 White Plains, N.Y. 10601
Visit us online www.eastchesterreview.com
Follow us on Twitter, @eastchesterview Like us on Facebook, facebook.com/eastchesterreview The Eastchester Review is published weekly by Home Town Media Group for an annual subscription of $45. Application to mail at the periodicals postage rate is approved at White Plains, N.Y., 10601. Periodicals postage paid at White Plains and additional mailing offices.
Andrew Kranichfeld, a blind author, runs with his training partner Kristen Tracey at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. Kranichfeld is planning to run in the Rye Derby on April 30, to raise money for the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Photo/Andrew Dapolite
cancer hospital. Kranichfeld explained he chose Sloan Kettering because it was where he fought his own cancer battle beginning in 2010. “They saved my life twice,” Kranichfeld told the Review. In August 2010, after caring for his mother who lost her own fight with the disease, Kranichfeld was diagnosed with germinoma, a type of germ cell tumor which was found on his brain. A misdiagnosis left him without sight. Six years later, Kranichfeld was again admitted to the intensive care unit at Sloan Kettering in November 2016 with a lung virus, while his father was in the same hospital battling mesothelioma. While Kranichfeld recovered, his father did not. But the experience inspired him to begin a fundraiser while taking on the physical challenge of training and competing despite being blind. Kranichfeld wrote on his Go-
Andrew Kranichfeld’s father, Henry, pictured, lost his battle with mesothelioma last November. Kranichfeld is running to raise money and awareness for mesothelioma. Photo courtesy Andrew Kranichfeld
FundMe page, “5 Miles to Fight Mesothelioma,” that by running in this derby he hopes “to inspire others that they can do anything despite disabilities or other limitations.” Despite currently living in the Bronx, Rye has always been a special place for Kranichfeld, which is why he chose to participate in the Rye Derby. He said that he has a lot of support from the Rye community, which includes his friends and three local businesses that are sponsoring him: Carpet Trends, Jerry’s Post Road Market and Kelly’s Sea Level. “Rye is sort of my home away from home,” he said. The annual Rye Derby & Healthy Kids Day event begins on Sunday, April 30 at 10:15 a.m. This is the 29th year of the event. The derby raises money for Y Cares Financial Aid Program, which provides financial support to help cover people’s membership and programs at the YMCA. The Rye Derby has three runs: a 1-mile fun run, a 5K, and a 5-mile run. Kranichfeld has been running for exercise the past two years, but consistently training for the 5-mile run since January 2017. He said that he is able to run without sight because of his running guides, Erika Torres and Kristen Tracey. He and his running guide stand side by side, holding a 3-foot piece of rope between the two
of them, and run. Part of the training process for Kranichfeld includes running two to three times a week with other forms of exercise mixed in. He said that one of the challenges he faces being blind is that when running, it makes it more difficult to tell how much progress he has made. “Since I’m blind, I’m not getting that feeling of making progress,” he said. Kranichfeld went on to say how a good running guide will give him updates as to where he is, and how much he has run. He says that helps him feel like he’s actually going somewhere. Tracey said that this is her first time as a running guide. For her, the most challenging part of doing this has been “learning what kind of cueing Andrew responds best to, and being more alert to let him know any obstacles in the way.” Kranichfeld explained that he’s run in races before, but none were as long as the Rye Derby, which is 5 miles. He has plans to do a warm-up 5K run that helps raise money for colon cancer in early April. “Either way I’m gonna get the 5 miles done; if I have to walk [the derby], I’ll walk,” he said. As of press time, Kranichfeld has raised more than $2,800 toward his goal. To donate, you can visit mskcc.convio.net/ goto/5milesformeso. CONTACT: taylor@hometwn.com
April 14, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 7
Bronxville schools adopt 2017-18 budget early By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer The Bronxville Union Free School District adopted its budget for the upcoming academic year earlier than usual, creating a spending plan that would remain under the tax cap by allotting $500,000 from its fund balance, and neutralizing nearly all spending increases from the current budget. In March, the Board of Education unanimously adopted a $47.1 million budget ahead of schedule. According to Dan Carlin, the district’s assistant superintendent for business, the board approved the budget early to reduce its workload. “The board had a lot on its plate this year with the superintendent search and a capital project,” Carlin said. “The deliberations were complete, so they had no reason to drag it out.” The proposed budget for the 2017-2018 academic year includes a $545,000 spending increase from the current plan. That increase originally posed the risk of throwing the district over the state-imposed cap on tax levy increases, which, this year, is 1.6 percent for Bronxville. But the initial increase would have required the district to collect 2.79 percent more in taxes than it did for 2016-2017. However, the school board decided to allocate $500,000 from its fund balance to aid the budget, bringing the levy increase to 1.57 percent, coming in under the cap by about $12,000. According to Carlin, the contribution of fund balance to lessen the budget impact on taxpayers wouldn’t cut into the district’s reserves, as it estimates that it will likely replenish itself by the
end of the current academic year. Carlin added that over the last several years, the school district has used revenue from one year to balance the subsequent year’s budget; but as a result, the fund balance has leveled off. He estimated that at the end of the 20162017 academic calendar, the district’s fund balance would sit at about $6 million. The $6 million in projected fund balance does not include the $500,000 being proposed to balance the upcoming budget. Even so, the district’s fund balance is well above the state-mandated 4 percent of the budget. Most of the increase in spending in the proposed budget comes from two spending lines; salaries are estimated to increase by about $335,000. According to Carlin, most of that money would fund pay increases for instructors; however, some of that money would also go to fill two vacant facilities maintenance positions. The biggest expenditure increase in the proposed budget this year was in transportation costs. “Our big hit was in increases in private school transportation,” Carlin said. After estimating that it would spend about $377,000 over budget this year to transport school district residents to private schools, the district has hiked up its proposed expenditures in that line for the upcoming year. A New York state education law requires school districts to fund transportation for its students enrolled in private schools and out of district special education programs within 15 miles of the district. The district has little means of predicting how private school enrollment in the district will
At a glance The state cap on tax levy increases for the Bronxville school district is 1.6% for FY 20172018; the proposed increase is 1.57% The district will have to allocate its entire expected $500K surplus to bring the budget under the cap Salaries and private school transportation are among the largest increases to spending change from year to year, according to Carlin. From the 2015-2016 school year to the 2016-2017 school year, about 20 new district students enrolled in private schools, he said. “It’s usually a function of the economy,” he said. “When the economy is going well, we usually get a lot more residents filing for transportation to private school.” Even though Bronxville is in a consortium with Eastchester, Tuckahoe and Pelham to split the costs, years with higher than normal out-of-district transportation can strain the district’s spending. The Board of Education will hold a public hearing on the budget during its May 4 meeting before the budget goes to a public referendum on May 16. If approved, the spending plan would go into effect on July 1. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com
8 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • April 14, 2017
Village plan issues to consider
VOLUNTEERS from page 1
BRONXVILLE TODAY Mayor Mary Marvin
Eastchester fire officials are waiting to receive documents from its volunteer branch, as a judge recently awarded the fire district access to the volunteers’ financial documents, meeting minutes and membership records. File photo
the district to know how many volunteers it has because it is required to pay for workers compensation insurance for them. “We do have some administrative costs and some overall responsibility to know that the people who say they’re volunteer members of the department are conducting themselves appropriately,” he said. Last April, the Board of Fire
Commissioners voted 4-1 to remove David Horne—a volunteer for more than 50 years—from the volunteer department after learning that he had not been a resident of the fire district since 2009. According to state law, volunteer firefighters must live or work in the district in which they volunteer. A roster of volunteers dated March 2015 obtained by the Re-
view lists 42 volunteers, 15 of whom have addresses outside of the Eastchester Fire District. Baker said the district has not yet received any of the documents the court ruled it was entitled to. Blau told the Review that the district should not expect them soon, as an appeal is forthcoming. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com
Sherry is a beautiful tuxedo cat with the sweetest personality, approximately 2 1/2 years old. She loves attention, enjoys being petted and brushed, and is a little purring machine. She will sit at your side and nuzzle for some love. She is afraid of other cats, so an adult home where she can be your one and only is what she is looking for. Sherry is spayed, in excellent health, up-todate with all vaccinations and microchipped. The adoption donation for this lovely gentle feline is $100. To meet Sherry, call 835-3332 or 835-4133 or visit NY-PetRescue.org. (Submitted)
In late week’s column, I wrote of the trustees’ plan, in conjunction with our planning, zoning and design review boards, to revisit the village’s comprehensive plan as it relates to the business district. On a parallel track, we will be reviewing the same as it relates to the residential areas in the village. The goal is to ensure that the village’s plan reflects and addresses variables present in the current makeup and conditions in the village. All will be looked at with the goal of maintaining standards that enhance the quality of the village both in terms of home values and peace and enjoyment. The following is a list of issues which have come to the fore. It is by no means exhaustive and at this juncture we earnestly seek your input. You as residents are the boots on the ground having experienced village processes throughout your tenure here. We are quite aware that what looks practical on paper can often execute quite differently. Goal: To review all permit/ home improvement regulations • Are permits reviewed and granted in an optimal time frame? • Would a checklist of requirements for the home improvement process to be distributed at the onset of a project be helpful so no one is caught unaware or perhaps missing one critical document? • Should neighbors doing construction be required to alert those nearby of particularly intrusive periods, i.e., drilling, rock removal? • Should every project have a point person that neighbors can
call so they aren’t put in the often untenable position of only having the police to call if nearby construction is not complying with regulations? • Are permit time frames reasonable? Should renewals be allowed? What should be acceptable standards/hardships required to receive an extension/ renewal? Should the effect of prolonged construction on the quality of life of nearby neighbors be a factor to be weighed in the equation? • Should construction vehicles/workers’ cars be required to park off-site, or at least limit the number of vehicles that can park on or near a site? • Do we need regulations to protect mature trees from removal? • If trees are removed, should a new planting/landscape plan be required to offset the loss? • Should the noise ordinance be enforced even if work is conducted during permitted hours? • Should contractors be required to pay for road and curb repairs if heavy vehicles are potentially damaging our streets? • Is our floor area ratio, i.e., structure to open space, too harsh, too lenient? Are we allowing structures too large for certain lots or proper neighborhood integration of home sizes? • Are our setback rules conducive to proper sight lines and in accordance with neighborhood character? • Do our tear down/almost tear down rules promote proper sizing of residential homes visà-vis neighborhood character? • Would a gardener registry be helpful as a way to monitor leaf blower use and proper disposal of leaf and grass clippings? • In the same vein, would a landlord registry be advisable to make sure units are meeting all the health and safety codes as well as ensure that all units are
legally configured? • Do our overnight parking rules, no on-street parking between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., meet the needs of current residents? Some issues that must be addressed that were never contemplated by the authors of our current village codes include: • The design, size and location of solar equipment and panels. Since our homes are so close in proximity, one person’s ecological and financial benefit could easily impact the sight lines and attractiveness of a neighboring home if rules are not properly formulated. • How do we regulate the purchase of apartments, townhomes, etc. by corporate entities who use them as short-term rental options? How does this use affect the property values in a neighborhood? • How do we regulate the Airbnb phenomena? (It has already occurred in the village and only stopped by an alert call from a neighbor.) • How do we balance the parking needs of our nonprofit schools, churches and hospital, given their close proximity to driveways, front walks and street spaces needed by residential dwellings? Since our village is so tightly developed, planning, zoning and design review rules play a critical role in balancing the needs of one homeowner with the potential detrimental effects on a nearby neighbor. It is an intricate balancing act that has to constantly be recalibrated to maintain home values and the distinct character of our village. It requires vision, anticipation of changes and acknowledging the realities of current taste and aesthetics. Again, your input is so valuable at this point in the process. Share your thoughts at mayor@vobny.com.
Town of Eastchester’s
Official Newspaper
April 14, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 9
The personal degradations of war HISTORICALLY SPEAKING Richard Forliano
“War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing.” Those lyrics from a 1970 song by Edwin Starr during the Vietnam War still have a ring of truth today. Sadly, some wars are worse on their participants than others. No war has ever had or probably will never have a more devastating effect on the town of Eastchester than the American Revolution. The once peaceful and prosperous farmers of our town as well as the rest of Westchester County wanted little or nothing to do with the conflict. But wars have minds of their own. From the inception of the conflict, permanent bonds were broken between brothers, fathers and sons, siblings, wives and husbands, and even their children. Stephen Ward was both a fervent Patriot while also serving as the Eastchester town supervisor. After the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Stephen had his own Loyalist brother, Edwin, imprisoned in White Plains. When the British in the late summer of 1776 began their successful invasion of New York City, Edwin escaped from jail, joined the British army in New York City, and fought the entire war for England. Edwin Ward left behind his wife, Phebe Fowler Ward, and their six children. For seven long years under the most difficult of conditions, she ran the farm in Eastchester. Phebe was a relative of the Revolutionary war hero, Theodosius Fowler. It is likely that only through the protection of her brother-in-law, Stephen Ward, and the Fowler name that she was able to remain on the farm for the duration of the war. As the end of the war drew to closure, she wrote a woeful letter to her husband: “I have suffered everything but death to keep possession of my land in your long absence. Pray grant me speedy relief or God only knows what will become of me and my friendless children.” She was told that because her husband had joined the British
Connect with us on
army, she had no rights to their ancestral lands. Other residents of the town of Eastchester suffered a much crueler fate. Marauding bands from the armies of either side deliberately robbed and plundered the inhabitants, often burning their houses and barns. With no military or civil authority in control, roving bands of marauders and criminals with dim allegiance to either side stole, murdered, and terrorized the inhabitants. Soldiering was never an option for the majority of the population, consisting of women, children, and older men. Sandwiched between brutal military forces, these innocent bystanders were driven to do whatever it took to survive. Many of the farmers of lower Westchester and Eastchester would not pledge allegiance to either side. They trafficked with anyone who would offer gold or needed goods. The reminiscences of a young boy illustrated what in his later years he characterized as “the personal degradation of war.” Timothy Hunt had one uncle on the Loyalist side and another on the Patriot side. As a young boy, Timothy was attacked by a British officer who threatened to cut his head off if he did not surrender a pig. Even before reaching his teenage years, he witnessed the deaths of a party of Patriot militia. The next morning, he witnessed the British depositing the Patriot militia in a mass, unmarked grave without coffins. Another day, Timothy saw a man shot through the head by Tom Colbert, who then stripped him of his clothes to sell to the Patriots. In a 24-hour span, his house was visited by Skinners looking for clothes; and Cowboys, cattle thieves, looking for beef to sell to the British. But the worst was yet to come. This happened to him and his family when the war was technically over, but peace had not yet returned. The British were preparing to evacuate New York City. British soldiers seized Timothy when he was driving cows to his house, binding his hands behind his back. Making a good fire and placing a shovel to it
until the iron was red hot, they presented the instrument of torture to his stepfather, demanding $1,000. Otherwise they would torture him to death. They now broke a glass over the door, and placing a rope around his neck, hung him up a minute or two: after letting him down they demanded the money. Meanwhile, one drew the rope around his neck, to prevent his noise. They repeated the hanging and burning process. They then turned to Timothy who was sitting in the corner, with hands tied. They threatened to burn him to death unless he told them where the money was. The next thing was to bring his mother out; they threatened to torment her in a like manner if she did not give the money. But she stood before them without weeping, and said, “You have murdered my husband and have us in your power: but remember, God Almighty will bring you into judgement for these things.” They finally let the family go. At the same time, the father and mother of a neighboring family, the Pinckneys, stood by helplessly as fleeing British soldiers shot their son in front of their eyes. For seven long painful years, Eastchester and surrounding Westchester communities were found in a brutal no man’s land between warring armies. Their experience was in some ways similar to Syria today and Korea and Vietnam during their 20thcentury conflicts. With no civil authority under control, the people who remained behind were forced to make terrible compromises to survive. The people, many of them descendants of the original 17th-century English and Huguenot settlers, by enduring the personal degradations of war, are true heroes. Please contact us historian@eastchesterhistoricalsociety.org with any comments or questions you have about this column. For more information on the Eastchester Historical Society and its numerous programs go on the web to eastchesterhistoricalsociety.org.
@linkedin.com/company/hometown-media
MARCOTTE from page 1
University, earning his J.D. in 1980. “It’s kind of funny,” he said. “Occasionally, I get on the elevator in the building [of my law firm] and there are people here speaking Russian. I can make out a few words, and I want to say hello and goodbye, but I’m afraid [that I might hear something I’m not supposed to]. They could be spies for all I know.” With no political experience to speak of, Maher is currently putting together his campaign team and organizing his finances and accounts, while heeding advice from young advisors on the importance of using the Internet and social media to reach out to prospective constituents. “I’ve never had a Facebook account; I’ve never blogged, tweeted, whatever,” he said. “My young consultants tell me I have to do all those things.” He is waiting until after the county Democratic Convention on May 10, in hopes of receiving the party’s nomination, to hold an official fundraiser. As an attorney, Maher is
Damon Maher, a practicing attorney and New Rochelle resident, is running for county Legislator Sheila Marcotte’s District 10 seat. Photo courtesy levydavis.com
sensitive to the rights of lowwage workers. “I think they need a stronger voice, and that a progressive Democrat is going to make the right decisions on issues that come up for employees and their benefits,” he said. The candidate also pointed to a vote that Marcotte cast during her tenure as an Eastchester councilwoman, when she voted to rescind health benefits
for same-sex couples. “I don’t think that reflects the values of the people of this [legislative] district,” he said, describing it as “quite diverse in terms of ethnicity, race, religion and even political persuasion.” Marcotte, 51, served on the Eastchester Town Council from 2004 to 2010, where she then won a special election to her District 10 legislative seat. She has since been re-elected to the county Board of Legislators three times in several hotly contested races. In each race, Marcotte has overcome a decided voter registration disadvantage favoring her Democratic opponents. She last won re-election in 2015, defeating Haina Just-Michael, of New Rochelle, by a margin of 5 percentage points. The county legislative District 10 covers the town of Eastchester, the village of Tuckahoe and most of the city of New Rochelle north of Interstate 95. Marcotte, who has yet to announce her re-election bid, could not be reached for comment as of press time. CONTACT: sibylla@hometwn.com
Rye Brook to hold hearing on gun ordinance The village of Rye Brook may become the first municipality in Westchester County to regulate the potential location and operation of gun stores. The village Board of Trustees has scheduled an April 25 public hearing for a draft local law originally proposed in December 2016. The law would regulate where a gun dealer could operate within the village. The most recent draft of the law sequesters gun shops to commercial properties outside of a 500-foot radius from schools, day cares, playgrounds and religious centers.
The law would also regulate some gun store procedures. Stores would not be allowed to display guns in storefront windows, and would have to keep all weapons locked behind the counter. When a store is closed, it would have to store its guns in a fireproof safe or vault. The law would further require the store to maintain alarm and video surveillance systems, and submit biannual inventory reports; it would preclude anyone ineligible to purchase firearms from entering the store and would allow law enforcement officials to inspect a store twice within a six-month period.
Rye Brook received advice from Allison Anderman of the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, a California-based nonprofit organization which helps municipalities draft gun legislation. Several municipalities have proposed some iteration of gun legislation since November 2016 when a firearms dealer opened in Harrison less than 1,000 feet from an elementary school. The controversial and sudden opening of the store drew protest from area residents, nearly 3,500 of whom have signed a petition as of press time. -Reporting by Corey Stockton
She’s not crazy, her name just rhymes with it. Read Lenore Skenazy’s column every week in the Review. A past contributor to the Daily News and the New York Sun, Skenazy has also appeared on “The Daily Show,” been profiled in the New Yorker and even had her own reality TV show, “World’s Worst Mom.”
10 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • April 14, 2017
By ANDREW DAPOLITE Contributor In a display of solidarity between local emergency service departments and community members, emergency vehicles have been decked out with
Nicholas Merritt shows off a New Rochelle police autism awareness patch.
colored patches in support of autism awareness. The month of April is nationally recognized as Autism Awareness Month. The patches, customized to match each community’s emergency shields, include a multicolored puzzle design, which is the primary symbol for autism. The patch initiative spans agencies as far away as Texas and Florida, but it all started locally thanks to the efforts of Chris Greco, a New Rochelle police detective, and his wife Tracy. Their 10-year-old son Christopher has been diagnosed with autism and is non-verbal, meaning he cannot communicate with words. “In honor of my son, I started this challenge,” Greco said. “I got the approval from the police commissioner to place a magnetic patch over our existing car patches on our police cars, and then I thought it would be great if other agencies got involved.”
Autism, a mental condition present from early childhood, impairs a person’s ability to communicate and interact, which sometimes presents challenges for first responders arriving at the scene of an emergency. Greco said he hopes that the awareness campaign will help bring attention to not only the condition, but also prompt a review of training protocols related to the handling of children diagnosed with autism. In recent weeks, 90 different agencies have jumped on board in support, which culminated with an event held at William B. Ward Elementary School in New Rochelle on April 3. Ward was selected because it maintains a strong curriculum geared towards students with special needs and has been a strong supporter of the initiative. More than 20 different local agencies gathered at the school to kick off Autism Awareness Month. New Rochelle Police were joined by Eastchester police, Harrison police, the Mamaroneck Town Fire Department, and Larchmont police to name a few. Approximately 40 first responders met with children and handed out magnets, stickers and plastic fire
Emma Wert, a student at William B. Ward Elementary School proudly holds up her autism awareness patch.
From left, Franco Miele, principal of William B. Ward Elementary School, Chris Greco and his wife Tracy along with their two children, Christopher and Gabriella.
helmets and spoke with parents. “It was a great day to bring awareness to autism to the kids in the school district and to let all the families know that emergency services are in tune to their needs,” Greco said. While most emergency service departments already have some sort of training geared towards children with special needs, according to Greco, he hopes to bolster programs in the future. “At the end of the day we hope that the agencies will take a look internally to ensure that they have the proper procedures in place when handling calls of service involving special needs kids,” he said. “That’s what this was about.”
Joe Paprota, a Larchmont police officer, hands out patches to children.
From left, Lilian Sanchez, a New Rochelle police officer, Franco Miele, William B. Ward Elementary School principal, and Tom Raptis, a New Rochelle police officer.
April 14, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 11
Sponsored by
The Review, in collaboration with ArtsWestchester, offers a rundown of art-related events throughout Westchester County. You can find our Arts in the Area page each month.
A bluegrass take on Grateful Dead Popular multi-instrumentalist Keller Williams will take the stage at The Capitol Theatre on April 20 with his Grateful Grass project. The band gives an improvisational twist to the iconic songs of Grateful Dead in a style that is inspired by traditional bluegrass music. While the band has had a rotating lineup of impressive collaborators, such as The Keels and Keith Moseley, Williams has led the charge in producing revved-up, dance-worthy renditions of Grateful Dead tunes that die-hard fans can still sing along to. The night will open with opening band Love Canon, which gives the bluegrass treatment to ‘80s classics. Throughout the evening, the theatre will celebrate the start of spring with its “The Great Acorn Hunt” game—a play on the classic Easter egg hunt, during which audience members will win prizes, such as free tickets to upcoming Capitol Theatre concerts, for finding the hidden plastic acorns (a nod to the theatre’s squirrel mascot). For more information, visit thecapitoltheatre.com.
the Bronx staking their claim upon the world. Since then, it has evolved into a widely respected art form—works of art outside of the museum walls. This spring, ArtsWestchester will bring these works of art from the streets into its gallery. ArtsWestchester’s “From the Streets” exhibition follows the stylistic evolution of graffiti, from its genesis as a 1980s youth subculture in the Bronx to its rising prominence in the global art scene. Anchored by large-scale mural commissions by some of the best-known American urban artists, the exhibition’s murals, photographs, installations and works on canvas explore the evolution of this artistic movement and demonstrates the diverse range of talent amongst this “who’s who” of iconic street artists. Graffiti began in the 1970s as an expression of the experiences of urban youth but rose to prominence in the ‘80s, when competition between now-legendary artists urged one another on to greater innovations and pushed boundaries of cultural and artistic expression. Today, it is a recognized art form and is often seen as a welcome contribution to the economic development of communities. This spring, the artworks of more than 25 artists will move into a gallery setting, on view at ArtsWestchester from April 11 through July 15. “Putting this work in a gallery setting opens up the experience to a wider audience,” says Melissa McCaig-Welles, who co-curated the show with Marc Leader. “It also gives these works the recognition that they deserve, allowing a greater appreciation for this form of expression that changes communities and inspires so many of us.” Leader added, “Setting ‘From The Streets’ in a former bank-turned-art-gallery provides the perfect context for people to re-evaluate preconceived notions and explore the diverse facets that make up a global movement.” To accompany the exhibition, ArtsWestchester will present a series of gallery events, including documentary screenings and performances, which position the artwork within a broader cultural context. An opening reception will take place on April 8, as well as documentary screenings on April 27 and 29. For more information, visit artsw. org/fromthestreets. -Mary Alice Franklin
-Mary Alice Franklin
‘From the Streets’ to ArtsWestchester’s gallery Graffiti largely began with young vandals in
‘The Portal’ arranges meetings across the globe Communication is often the key to reconciling our differences and recognizing our similarities. It is what connects us, giving new perspectives on different people, cultures and ideas; but, when we
can’t truly be in the same space, look each other in the eyes and connect, it is more and more difficult to find common ground. That’s where Rye Arts Center is making a difference this spring. The center will be hosting “The Portal,” a room inside of a gold cube, which is equipped with immersive audiovisual technology. The installation allows its participants to enter the space and come face to face, in real time, with someone who is in a portal at another location. There are more than 20 participating locations, including Germany, Iraq, Mexico, Rwanda and—beginning in April—Westchester. Each anonymous meeting opens the door for cultural exchanges, from engaging in conversation to sharing a poem or a dance. The center will also work with schools and other organizations to increase the reach of the project. Rye Arts Center’s “portal” will be available from April through June. Before regular public hours launch toward the end of the month, participants can step into the installation at the opening reception for its “Making the Mark” exhibition on April 22. For more information on “The Portal,” visit ryeartscenter.org.
Hoffman used stop-motion Claymation to tell a candid story of a couple in an uncomfortable situation; Kervin Marseille incorporated Haitian culture into his surreal and poetic narrative; Reweina Tessema brought humor to a personal human experience from her youth; and Stefaniya Vey’s emotional personal experience was turned into visual storytelling through music. During their semester in the program, participating filmmakers have access to JBFC’s media lab, including filming equipment, editing software and mentoring opportunities. JBFC is taking applications for a new semester of the initiative. The deadline is July 1. For more information, visit burnsfilmcenter.org. -Mary Alice Franklin
-Mary Alice Franklin
Books take on a life of their own at Ossining Public Library New program at Jacob Burns Film Center nurtures young filmmakers Jacob Burns Film Center, JBFC, is arming the next generation of filmmakers with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in their industry. Its new Creative Culture initiative aims to fill a gap in support for post-college/pre-career filmmakers by creating a supportive network for these young innovators. The program accomplishes this not only through the introduction of equipment and resources, but also by helping these young visionaries to make connections, strengthen their storytelling skills and learn how to market their projects. Creative Culture Director Sean Weiner explains of the program: “It’s important that this isn’t a place that rips the rug out from under the maker after they finish the film. We will continue to explore ways to help give legs to the work developed here.” JBFC launched the short films of its seven inaugural filmmakers at an event last month, during which a wonderfully diverse array of films were shown: Alex Gonzalez brought audiences on a virtual reality journey through a mysterious landscape; Leah Galant documented a poignant and heartwarming friendship between two Holocaust survivors; Lucy Adams examined differing perspectives about internet addiction; Emily Ann
Artist Shiela Hale presents books as works of art—she alters them, builds them, and brings them to life in her new “Lost and Found” installation at the Ossining Public Library. The installation will include the artist’s ongoing “Volumes from a Black Library” project, a collection of books that have had their text shredded or replaced with bits of nature. This is in response to her anger at the way language is often used to “manipulate and deceive.” The artist disfigures the text so that it seems beautiful, but all of its meaning has been lost. In “The Scholar’s Desk,” pictured above, Hale reflects on the vast amount of knowledge contained in books that is often lost. The piece portrays a scene in which a scholar has been working at a desk piled with books. Audiences will see small book-like forms, information escaping from the book’s pages in an attempt to educate the world— by flying out onto the gallery walls like butterflies. The exhibition is on view through April 30. For more information, visit ossininglibrary.org. -Rocío De La Roca
These articles first appeared in the April 2017 issue of ArtsNews, ArtsWestchester’s monthly publication. ArtsNews is distributed throughout Westchester County. A digital copy of the full issue is also available at artsw.org/artsnews.
12 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • April 14, 2017
The Classifieds • Advertising that gets results OUR RATES:
$42.50 for up to 4 lines. Each additional line $2.00. Classifieds ads appear in all five of our publications.
HOW TO REACH US:
Email: ads@hometwn.com Phone: (914) 653-1000 x27 170 Hamilton Ave., Suite 203, White Plains N.Y. 10601
AUCTIONS
VACATION RENTALS
SENECA COUNTY: Tax Foreclosed Real Estate Auction Wednesday, April 19, 2017. Registration: 6:00PM Auction Start: 7:00PM 25+ Parcels Available. Location: 1 DiPronio Dr, Waterloo, New York 13165 County Office Building within the Office for the Aging department. Parking available in the south lot. For details visit www.auctionsinternational.com or call 800-536-1401 ext. 110
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
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 315-400-0797 Today! Donate your car to Wheels For Wishes, benefiting Make-A-Wish. We offer free towing and your donation is 100% tax deductible. Call 914-468-4999 Today!
COLLECTABLES TO P C A S H PA I D I N S TA N T LY F O R COLLECTIBLES! -WE BUY Baseball Cards, Autographs, Records, Silver Coins, Golf Items, Art, Jewelry, Comics Etc., Call Jim Today @ 914-310-5153
FINANCIAL Fix’n Flips, Hard Money/ Bridge Loans, No Documents- Stated Income Loans, up to 90% PP, 100% Rehab, Purchase- Refinance, One-Four Units, Mixed Use, Commercial Buildings, 888-565-9477
HELP WANTED AIRLINE CAREERS Start Here ñGet trained as FAA certified Aviation Technician. Financial aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. Call AIM for free information 866-296-7094
LAND WANTED LAND WANTED: Cash buyer seeks large acreage 200+ acres in the Central/Finger Lakes and Catskills Regions of NY State. Brokers welcome. For immediate confidential response, call 607-353-8068 or email info@ NewYorkLandandLakes.com
LAWN AND GARDEN Privacy Hedges -SPRING BLOWOUT SALE 6ft Arborvitae (Cedar) Reg $129 Now $69 Beautiful, Nursery Grown. FREE Installation/ FREE delivery, Limited Supply! ORDER NOW: 518-536-1367 www.lowcosttrees.com
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 LAKEFRONT LAND LIQUIDATION! 6 acres$99,900 Cortland Co in the Finger Lakes! Unspoiled lake, wooded privacy, great fishing! Ideal country homesite! Call 888-701-7509 NewYorkLandandLakes.com LENDER ORDERED SALE! 39 acres-$89,900 NO REASONABLE OFFER REFUSED! Delaware County, Catskill Mtn setting! Views, woods, meadow! EZ terms avail! Call 888-479-3394 today! NewYorkLandandLakes.com
DEADLINE:
Placement, correction or cancellation of an ad may be phoned in any time before noon on Monday for publication
WANTED TO BUY Buying Diamonds, gold, silver, antique and modern jewelry, better furs, U.S. and foreign coins, paintings, bronzes, complete estates. Highest prices paid. Call 914-260-8783 for appointment.
LEGAL NOTICES Notice of Formation of GAT Training Center, LLC. Arts of Org. filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 12/28/16. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Gustavo Torres Guerrero (GAT Training Center LLC) 285 Marbledale Road, Tuckahoe New York 10707. Purpose: any lawful activity. NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY (LLC). NAME: PORCH + HALL, LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 3/9/17. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: The LLC, 7014 13TH Avenue, Suite 202, Brooklyn NY 11228 principal business location of the LLC. Purpose: any lawful business activity. Notice of Formation of Art Works Express, LLC. Arts of Org. filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 03/15/2017. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: United States Corporation Agents, Inc., 7014 13th Avenue, Suite 202, Brooklyn, NY 11228. Purpose: any lawful activity. TOWN OF EASTCHESTER / PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Board, other boards, commissions, committees, and advisory councils of the Town of Eastchester will be holding the following scheduled meetings during the month of May, 2017. Date Time Place
Board
May 2...............11:00 AM.......... Community Room...................................ARB Sign Review May 2...............8:00 PM.............. Town Hall Auditorium...........................Town Board May 3...............7:00 PM.............. Lake Isle.........................................................Lake Isle Advisory Board May 4...............7:00 PM.............. Town Hall Auditorium...........................Architectural Review Board May 4...............7:30 PM............. Community...................................................Environmental Committee May 9...............7:00 PM.............. Town Hall Auditorium...........................Zoning Board of Appeals May 16............8:00 PM.............. Town Hall Auditorium...........................Town Board May 23............7:00 PM.............. Community Room...................................Traffic & Parking Advisory Board May 25............7:00 PM.............. Town Hall Auditorium...........................Planning Board TBA...................7:30 PM............. 2nd Floor Conference Room........Recreation Advisory Board Dated: April 6, 2017 — Linda D. Laird, Town Clerk
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is Hereby Given that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Tuckahoe will hold a public hearing on a proposed Local Law on Monday, April 24, 2017, at 8:00 pm, at Village Hall, 65 Main Street, Tuckahoe, NY repealing Local Law No. 5 of 2016, A Local Law authorizing a property tax levy in excess of the limit established in General Municipal Law section 3-C. At such hearing all persons shall have an opportunity to be heard upon said proposed Local Law. A copy of the proposed law is available at the office of the Village Clerk. By Order of the Board of Trustees. Camille DiSalvo, Village Clerk April 10, 2017
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is Hereby Given that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Tuckahoe will hold a public hearing on a proposed Local Law on Monday, May 8, 2017, at 8:00 pm, at Village Hall, 65 Main Street, Tuckahoe, A local law to amend §21: Traffic of the Village of Tuckahoe Code regarding commercial vehicles. At such hearing all persons shall have an opportunity to be heard upon said proposed Local Law. A copy of the proposed law is available at the office of the Village Clerk. By Order of the Board of Trustees. Camille DiSalvo, Village Clerk April 10, 2017
REAL ESTATE AUCTION ON-LINE ONLY
(Selling separately or as entirety bid)
Beautifully Restored Historical Home with Equine/Recreational Property on West Canada Creek Lot 1: 8040 State Route 28, Newport, NY — Bring your horses and settle into this beautifully remodeled Greek Revival home. 54’ x 52’ 4 Season Pool Room w/ bedroom suite, wet bar, sauna. Gunite Pool Mineral Spring Salt Water. 17-Stall barn with tack room, round pen and lighted riding arena Lot 2: 8061 State Route 28, Newport, NY — Build your dream home on approx. 10 acres along the West Canada Creek. The Boat House is ready and waiting for your boat. Lot 3: Entirety Bid – Combination of Lots 1 and 2 Bidding Begins Online Only: On or about Friday, April 7, 2017 Inspections: Sunday, April 23, 2017, 1 pm - 4 pm Bids Close: Thursday, April 27, 2017, 11 am See Website for Terms & Details www.unclesamauctions.com
Bid Here:
www.collarcityauctions.com (518) 895-8150
(518) 274-6464
Licensed & Bonded Auctioneers & Real Estate Brokers
April 14, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 13
When your kid is ‘wasting’ time RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy
Every day after school and all day on weekends, kids run outside… to get to their soccer league, or ballet lesson, or origami boot camp. It’s all good, but here’s what it isn’t. Play. Playing is something else entirely, a chance for kids to make up games, run around, paint a rock or climb a tree. And it is this kind of open-ended, unstructured “just goofing around” that is not only pleasant, but absolutely critical to healthy child development. If we want kids to become problem-solving, socialized, self-controlled people—and we do—we can’t keep filling all their free time with adult-led activities. Why not? Because when adults lead an activity, kids become followers. But when KIDS lead an activity, they get practice becoming adults. Leaders. Doers. Entrepreneurs, not cogs. That’s the idea behind the “Genius of Play,” an initiative of the Toy Industry Association to raise awareness of play’s importance, and it was the topic of a panel discussion at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan recently, moderated by the former editor of Parents Magazine, Dana Points. While many parents think of playtime as empty calories, said Points, and believe that even preschoolers should spend more time being instructed on math and reading skills, “more playtime at age 3 is directly related to better vocabulary in kindergarten.” What’s more, she added, “Active play not only helps develop coordination and motor skills, it’s also connected to bet-
ter sleeping and eating habits. Researchers in Germany found a significant correlation between ample free time [in childhood] and adult social success.” What’s the connection? Nancy Schulman, former head of the 92nd Street Y’s pre-K program and now head of the Early Learning Center at the Avenues school in New York City, put it bluntly: “Everything about play benefits kids. Curiosity, inventiveness, self-esteem and resilience are the four things that kids really get through play.” Think about what you see when you watch a kid playing. “They will try something over and over and over again and keep failing but keep trying because THEY are setting the agenda,” Schulman said. THEY want to make the cat’s cradle, or kick the ball harder. That’s the kind of intense focus they will need in school—and life—but the classroom is a tough place to breed it. When kids are self-motivated, as they are in play (nobody’s forcing anyone to jump double Dutch), they get the experience of hard work and practicing without balking at... the hard work and practicing. They also get the experience of making something happen. To get a game going, even a game of “I’m the princess, you’re the frog,” you need to convince someone else to play with you. This involves all sorts of social skills, said Leslie Bushara, deputy director of guest services at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan: “You’re negotiating, you’re listening.” And if what you hear is that your friend doesn’t want to be the frog, you have to absorb that and adjust or you may not be able to play at all. So you come up with a workable solution: Let’s BOTH be princesses.
In the workplace, Bushara added, this is called “leadership.” In Little League or hip-hop class, kids learn certain technical skills and teamwork, but they are not making something happen. What’s more, they are being judged, so they’re not totally free to make up a new game or dance. Free play doesn’t have an authority watching and grading, which means kids get to use their imaginations. If they come up with something that doesn’t work, who cares? It’s just fun. You can’t run the bases backwards at Little League, but you can if you’re “just” playing. Voila: The seeds of innovation. This is the first generation to be deprived of the chance to just hang out with their buddies, getting all those good things going. “Only a quarter of our kids 6 to 15 are getting 60 minutes of play a day,” said Kim McCall, executive director of New York/New Jersey Playworks, an organization that sends play workers into schools to teach kids the playground games their older siblings no longer teach them. And, she said, many schools take even the meager 20-minute recess away from kids as a punishment, when recess is probably what those kids need the most. How can we give kids back their right to play when parents and schools face so many time constraints and fears? Actually, it’s surprisingly easy. After school, just keep the gym and/ or playground open for free play. Maybe have an adult in the corner, for insurance reasons. But otherwise, just throw out some balls, jump ropes and cardboard boxes and let the kids at it. A mind is a terrible thing to waste… by “teaching” it all the time. CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com
2017 Walk MS expected to raise $1B Since 1988, hundreds of thousands of people have taken part in Walk MS events across the country raising critical funds and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. This year, the cumulative fundraising is expected to surpass $1 billion. Walk MS unites teams of families, friends, neighbors and co-workers to raise funds that drive groundbreaking multiple sclerosis, MS, research, provide life-changing services and guarantee a supportive community for those who need it most. “Walk MS is a joyous gathering with a wonderful ‘we’re in this together’ feeling,” said Cyndi Zagieboylo, president and CEO of the National MS Society. “Every participant, volunteer, donor and sponsor is helping to drive us toward this exciting $1 billion milestone. Together, we are accelerating progress in making life-changing breakthroughs so that each person with MS can live her or his best life.”
More than 1,000 people are expected to raise more than $375,000 at Walk MS: Westchester on April 23. Walk MS is an opportunity for people living with MS and those who care about them to connect, join together, and be inspired. In 2016 alone, nearly 300,000 people at more than 550 locations across the country walked to create a world free of MS, raising nearly $50 million. Last year, Walk MS: Westchester raised more than $381,000, with 1,162 participants making the event a success. This year, Walk MS: Westchester will be held Sunday, April 23 at Glen Island Park, 1 Pelham Road in New Rochelle. Check-in is at 9 a.m., and the walk starts at 10 a.m. For participation information or volunteer registration, visit walkMS.org, call 855-372-1331, or email fundraisingsupport@ nmss.org. Use the hashtags #walkMS and #WalkTogether. Genentech, Novartis and
Sanofi Genzyme are this year’s national sponsors of Walk MS. Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are leading to better understanding and moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 2.3 million worldwide. For more information about multiple sclerosis and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, visit nationalMSsociety.org or call 800-344-4867. (Submitted)
Free rabies clinic in New Rochelle Westchester County residents can bring their dogs, cats and ferrets in for free rabies vaccinations on Sunday, April 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Stamen Animal Hospital, 61 Quaker Ridge Road in New Rochelle. Call 632-1269 to schedule a required appointment. Cats and ferrets must be in carriers and dogs must be on a leash. Aggressive dogs must be muzzled. No examinations will be given and all pets must be supervised by an adult. “Vaccinating your pet against rabies will protect your pet and your family in case your pet has contact with a rabid or potentially rabid animal,” said Westchester County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler. Under New York state law, dogs and cats must receive their first rabies vaccine no later than four months after birth. A second rabies shot must be given within one year of the first vaccine, with
additional booster shots given every one or three years after that, depending on the vaccine used. Owners who fail to get their pets vaccinated and keep the vaccinations up-to-date may be fined up to $2,000. Rabies is a fatal disease that is spread through the bite or saliva of infected animals. Those animals most commonly infected are raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes. However, domestic animals such as cats and dogs are also at risk because they can easily contract rabies from wild or stray animals. A pet that is up-to-date with its rabies vaccinations would only need to get a booster dose of vaccine within five days of the pet’s exposure to a known or suspect rabid animal. Animals not up-to-date with rabies vaccinations would need to be quarantined or potentially euthanized following contact with a rabid or suspect-rabid animal. A change in an animal’s
behavior is often the first sign of rabies. A rabid animal may become either abnormally aggressive or unusually tame. It may lose fear of people and become docile or it may become particularly excited and irritable. Staggering, spitting and frothing at the mouth are sometimes noted in infected animals. Adults should encourage children to avoid touching unfamiliar animals and to immediately tell an adult if they have been bitten or scratched by an animal. All animal bites or contacts with animals suspected of having rabies must be reported to the Westchester County Department of Health at 813-5000. After hours, callers should follow instructions in the recorded message for reporting public health emergencies 24 hours a day. To learn more about rabies and its prevention, visit the health department’s website at westchestergov.com/health. (Submitted)
Like us on facebook facebook.com/eastchesterreview
14 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • April 14, 2017
SPORTS
Dressed for success But that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate bold sartorial deciLIVE MIKE sions. Even the ones that may, Mike Smith in the moment, seem to be misguided. All in all, I’d consider myOn Monday afternoon, I covself a baseball purist. There are ered a high school game between several things that bother me New Rochelle and Mount Vernon, with today’s game, including and the difference in unis was the overreliance on complicated stark. On one hand, the Huguenewfangled metrics, players’ nots wore crisp home whites with seeming unwillingness to beat their trademark purple lettering. A defensive shifts by hitting the solid, conservative look, one that ball to the opposite field, and would have seemed as at home in most recently, the major league 1960 as it does today. decision to allow teams to issue The Knights, on the other a free pass to first without throw- hand, went a different route, and ing the ball. came clad in gold and maroon If there’s one area in which camouflage tops, a style that has I’m all for innovation, however, seemingly gained traction in reit’s in the uniform department. cent years. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m It was garish, sure, but there’s an old-school guy. As much as something endearing about it. I may hate the Yankees, I have And even if the camo design always respected the organiza- never becomes the look of the tion’s decision to forgo the al- future, it will almost certainly lure—and moneymaking possi- one day become an interesting bilities—of donning alternative relic of the time. uniforms in favor of sticking to Over the course of baseball’s their traditional and iconic duds. history, there has been no short-
age of uniform designs that have been derided at their inceptions. Some, such as the White Sox collared shirt and shorts look from 1976, rightfully earned their spot in the dustbins of the past. Others, however, can make a comeback. A few years later, the White Sox (again!) unveiled a new look, a tri-colored V-neck with “Sox” emblazoned across the front that seemed to belong distinctly in the 1980s. They retired the jerseys a few years later, but have recently gone back to wearing them on occasion. Even area high school teams—notably Rye and White Plains—have unveiled their own iteration of these uniforms in the last few years, a nod to the past at a time when “retro” is in style. Even the San Diego Padres, who have had their own experiments with camouflage tops over the last few years, frequently call back to their own past. In the 2016 MLB All Star Game played at Petco Park, jer-
Mount Vernon’s CJ Spence delivers a pitch on April 10 against New Rochelle. While some baseball purists may scoff at the Knights’ camouflage uniforms, Sports Editor Mike Smith supports the look. Photo/Mike Smith
seys were designed for both the National League and American League teams that were inspired by the old Padres’ unis of the 1970s. The brown and yellow tops may have been considered downright ugly back then, but
now, seeing them on the field almost seems quaint. So, I applaud whoever is making the Mount Vernon decisions. Those camo tops might be tough to look at right now, but someday, those throwbacks have a chance of being hip again.
As traditional as baseball may often seem, it’s a game about taking chances. You just never really know which ones are going to pay off.
Follow Mike Smith on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports
SPORTS
April 14, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 15
Broncos learning on fly By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor After Bronxville fell 18-5 to Riverside Prep on April 10, there were no postgame lectures from second-year head coach Joe Ferraro, only the sounds of pens scratching on paper inside the Broncos’ dugout. To some, the idea of players keeping personal game journals might sound unorthodox, but for Ferraro and his inexperienced squad, the exercise figures to a play a big role in helping the younger ballplayers adjust to the game at the varsity level. Ferraro said that the journal idea came about after an interview with former Yankee great Derek Jeter in which the future Hall of Famer revealed that he regretted not keeping track of his performances early in his career. Ferraro feels that asking his charges to take stock of their own goals and progress, is a teaching method that relies
on the athletes themselves to look back on their own performances with a critical eye. “After the [Riverside] game, the first thing I asked them was to come up with one play or event from the game, and how we would have wanted it to go from a Bronxville baseball point of view,” Ferraro said. “We don’t want them working from a place of weakness. “And when we called on kids afterward, they had come up with scenarios that we as coaches hadn’t thought of.” The process of allowing his players to work through the ins and outs of a game is something Ferraro feels is important, especially this year, as 15 Broncos came into the season without any prior varsity experience. The talent, he said, is there, but it will take some time for the team to grasp some of the finer points of the mental game. “You can have a freshman
player who has more natural talent than a junior, but it’s still tough to compete and win,” Ferraro said. “There are certain things we just can’t see in a gym, and at the end of the day, we still have nine freshmen on the team.” And although the team has gotten off to a 0-2 start, with losses to both Riverside and Irvington, the head coach believes there have been plenty of positive takeaways. The team’s infield defense, anchored by sophomore shortstop Zip Malley, has been a bright spot, as has the play of catcher Jack Hommeyer, who has done a solid job with the Broncos young—but deep— pitching staff. “Hommeyer has done a good job controlling the running game, he’s thrown out multiple base stealers, and the infield has already turned three double plays,” Ferraro said. “And I think we’ve been a fun team to watch, we just haven’t been able to put together a full seven-inning game yet.” The Broncos will look to turn things around over the course of the next week,
Michael Greco offers at a pitch on April 10.
as they will take on Palisades Prep on April 12, after press time, and play four games in five days next week, including an April 18 rematch with Irvington that will be held at Provident Bank Park in Pomona. “Everybody is in the same boat this year with four or five games in a week, but we haven’t preached wins and losses,” Ferraro said. “It’s about teaching the core values of the program, thinking about what we’re doing wrong and then trying to fix it.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com
John Marshall throws a pitch against Riverside Prep on April 10. The Rams topped the Broncos 18-5.
Zip Malley waits for the pitch. Only a sophomore, Malley is a three-year varsity player and a team captain this year.
Owen Jaquette slides into third base against Riverside. Photos/Mike Smith
16 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • April 14, 2017