Harrison REVIEW THE
February 10, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 6 | www.harrisonreview.com
Town mulls Secondhand Dealers Law rewrite By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer
WELCOME TO
THE CLUB
Harrison junior Avery LaBarbera celebrates her 1,000th career point with head coach Louis Kail, left, and Harrison athletic director Chris Galano on Feb. 3. LaBarbera is only the second female player in school history to reach the milestone. For story, see page 15. Photo/Mike Smith
Apawamis Club to see $900K in tax challenge refund By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer The Apawamis Club has been granted a considerable reduction in its property tax assessment as a result of a recent settlement with the city of Rye and the town/village of Harrison. On Jan. 4, the state Supreme Court approved the reduction of The Apawamis Club’s assessed property value, which will ultimately cut the country club’s taxes in half—to approximately $200,000 a year. The club’s tax assessment is shared between Rye and Harrison as a result of the 4-acre, 18hole club being partially located in both communities. Rye is responsible for assessing 75 percent of the club’s taxable value,
and Harrison is responsible for the remaining 25 percent. “We thought it would be best to negotiate a settlement with The Apawamis Club,” said Rye City Attorney Kristen Wilson. “They were willing to have a seat at the table and discuss various years of compensation, and, at the end of the day, we agreed upon a value that is favorable for both of the municipalities involved.” The private club, which is located at 2 Club Road in Rye, will be refunded approximately $900,000 as a result of a change in the tax assessments for the years 2011 through 2016. The club is expected to receive just under $600,000 from Rye, and just over $300,000 from Harrison. The tax assessment case is one
of the biggest in Rye since the Miriam Osborn Memorial Home Association case, in which the city assessor revoked Osborn’s tax exempt status in 1997. According to Wilson, the Apawamis settlement is similar to several other current cases in the state regarding the tax assessments of private country clubs. There are four country clubs in Rye and nine in Harrison. In 2013, Harrison settled a similar case with Westchester Country Club; it also settled a tax case with Willow Ridge Country Club last year. Wilson said that, ultimately, golf course memberships have been on the decline and their assessed values have been plummeting. Further, country clubs’ income streams throughout the
state have also decreased drastically. For that reason, the Supreme Court has routinely challenged the taxable value of private country clubs, Wilson said, including The Apawamis Club, which reported gross receipts of $15 million in 2014. Gross receipts are the total amounts an organization receives from all sources during its annual accounting period, without subtracting any costs or expenses. The state Supreme Court’s ruling could pave the way for successful determinations for several other private country clubs located in Westchester, including an ongoing assessment challenge by Trump National Golf Club Westchester, which is owned by REFUND continued on page 7
Harrison is considering rewriting a law that requires vendors of certain used goods to obtain a town license. But the discussion has also reignited debate over a controversial gun shop whose owner has sought such a license. Town Attorney Frank Allegretti said the Law Department proposed the revision to fix major holes in the existing Secondhand Dealers Law which made it unspecific and unenforceable. “It was deficient in many respects,” Allegretti said during a recent public hearing on the matter. “We couldn’t even figure out when it was initially drafted. It seems it may have been drafted 80 [or] 90 years ago. It didn’t address a lot of things.” In its current form, the law does not specify who is responsible for issuing the licenses and does not detail any application process, an expiration date, the required posting of the license, or the application fee. According to a Freedom of Information Law, FOIL, request submitted by the Review in January, the town has never received an application for a license to deal secondhand goods. However, town officials said that’s because the law does not explicitly detail an application process. Allegretti said that Harrison had received inquiries from multiple local merchants looking to apply for a license since November 2016, but the town did not have an application form on file. During the Jan. 26 public hearing, resident Frank Gordon asked the town to postpone their consideration of the law, asking whether it was a prudent use of the town’s resources, as only a few individuals have requested an application for a license. “It’s
a little bit perplexing as to the motivation behind the town looking into this particular law at this particular time,” he told the Review following the hearing. One of those individuals seeking an application was Louis Zacchio, a Harrison resident who owns L&L Sports, a gun store on Halstead Avenue which has been the subject of protest from thousands of Harrison residents, including Gordon. The Secondhand Dealers Law namely applies to businesses which sell precious metals and stones, guns, cameras, musical instruments and electronics, and gives exception to thrift shops, antique dealers, used car dealers and businesses which sell books, rugs, pianos and works of art. The proposed revision of the law would require applicants to list names, ages and addresses of all employees who would operate under the license and whether any of them have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony in New York state. It would further require the police chief to conduct an investigation to ensure that the applicant’s business complies with all other laws which it is subject to. In December, Westchester County legislators Catherine Parker, a Rye Democrat, and Ben Boykin, a White Plains Democrat, sent a letter to the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, ATF, requesting the agency conduct an audit into Zacchio’s compliance with state, local and federal laws, including Harrison’s Secondhand Dealers Law. Matthew Myerson, a spokesman for the ATF, said that the ATF had received the letter and is reviewing it, but declined to comment on whether the agency was conducting an investigation. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com
2 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • February 10, 2017
February 10, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 3
Legislature approves anti-corruption bill By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer State officials have taken a big step in the fight against public corruption, as the Legislature has approved a proposal to enact a constitutional amendment that would strip taxpayer-funded pensions from state and local leaders who commit felonies in connection with their office. The pension forfeiture proposal will be on the ballot for a referendum held on Election Day, Nov. 7. Enacting a constitutional amendment in New York state requires both the Senate and Assembly to pass the proposal in two consecutive sessions. Afterward, the proposal goes to voters to make the final decision. “Overall, this has had great bipartisan support, and I think it will send an overwhelming message against corruption in government,” said state Assemblyman David Buchwald, a White Plains Democrat, who first proposed the legislation in May 2013. “This measure will cause high level public officials to think
The New York state Legislature has approved Assemblyman David Buchwald’s legislation that would require convicted public officers to forfeit their taxpayer-funded pensions. The bill will go to referendum on Nov. 7. File photo
twice before they decide to do something corrupt.” Elected officials, gubernatorial appointees, municipal managers, department heads, chief fiscal officers, judges, and several other policy-makers convicted of a felony, involving the breach of public trust, would all be subject to forfeiture of pension benefits. If it were passed in November, the provision would only apply to officials who committed crimes on or after Jan. 1, 2018,
succeeding the date of the constitutional amendment. Currently, a public officer in New York state can accept bribes, steal public funds or engage in numerous other forms of public corruption without the threat of pension forfeiture, even if convicted. Susan Lerner, the executive director of Common Cause New York, which is a statewide coalition that champions open, honest and accountable government, said, “Public officials who break the law shouldn’t get a taxpayer pension, period.” In 2015, after then-Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, a Manhattan Democrat, was arrested and later convicted of public corruption charges, he applied and was successfully granted his pension, which comes to $79,224 a year, according to the state comptroller’s office. Silver was convicted on Nov. 30, 2015 of charges that included honest services fraud, money laundering and extortion, after serving as the head of the state Assembly since 1994. He is currently serving a
12-year prison sentence. Former majority leader of the state Senate, Dean Skelos, a Long Island Republican, was also convicted on federal corruption charges, and was sentenced to five years in prison in December 2015. Skelos had served as the majority leader since 2011. As many as 34 state and local officials have been convicted in New York since 2002 on charges including bribery, conspiracy, falsifying records, racketeering, fraud, extortion, federal corruption and perjury, among a mix of several other felonies and misdemeanors.
The only other state to exceed that number is Pennsylvania, which has seen 41 state and local officials imprisoned on similar charges since 2002. “You would think that the threat of losing your job and paycheck, and the immense embarrassment from your community would be enough of a deterrent for these guys,” said state Sen. George Latimer, a Rye Democrat. “Hopefully now we’ll see better behavior. People just won’t tolerate corruption anymore; everybody’s on notice.” With a tremendous amount of support for the bill, and with
expectations that the legislation will pass with an overwhelming majority vote of the public, there are still a handful of individuals who oppose it, Buchwald said. Only four officials voted against the bill, including state Sens. Ruben Diaz, Kevin Parker, Diane Savino and Velmanette Montgomery, all Democrats representing areas in New York City. “Some folks are still in total denial on how seriously corruption erodes public trust in government,” Buchwald said. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
4 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • February 10, 2017
What’s going on... Harrison Public Library
SCORE workshop: Technology for Small Business
Visit harrisonpl.org for more information on programs and library hours.
On Wednesday, Feb. 15 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Building. SCORE Westchester—a nonprofit association that provides advisory and small-business mentoring services for people looking to start or grow a small business—will hold a workshop called “Technology for Small Business: Explained and Explored.” Refreshments will be served, compliments of the Friends of the Harrison Public Library. Please sign up for the event online or by calling the library at 835-0324.
Sing Along Sundays with Chloe
Mommy and Me Yoga with Angela
On Sundays from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Building. Celebrate early childhood through music and movement. Children and parents are sure to love the captivating songs, live accordion music, and activities designed with specific cognitive milestones in mind. This class will feature a variety of child-sized instruments and props, and a wealth of both traditional and original songs to add to your singalong repertoire. Get ready for a fun, creative, and engaging experience.
On Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Building. Bring your own mat for a relaxing yoga class with the littlest ones. For non-walkers and their caregivers.
Japanese Storytime On Tuesday, Feb. 14 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Building. Join the library for a storytime in Japanese. For ages 1 to 3.
Chloe’s Sign & Play On Fridays from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Building. Give your child the gift of language. Sign & Play is a fun class where families can learn to communicate with their pre-verbal children using real signs from American Sign Language. Based on the awardwinning Baby Signing Time series, this class will give parents a window into the hearts and minds of their little ones. Through fun songs, stories and games, parents and children will learn many useful signs for everyday communication.
Yoga with Angela On Fridays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Building. Bring your own mat and water to this lovely, mind-and-bodyrelaxing yoga experience with Angela Brandt, a registered and certified yoga instructor. This is an opportunity to create self-esteem, physical coordination, breath relaxation and strength. For grades 2–5.
M&M Productions: ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ On Saturday, Feb. 18 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Building. Shakespeare’s comedy of love, wit, deception, revenge and redemption, presented by M&M Productions and the Red Monkey Theater Group. This new dramatization is directed by Tal Aviezer, set in the late 1940s, just after the close of World War II, and features period costumes and music, including classics of swing and big band, as well as original choreography and original songs composed and performed for the production. This free event is open to the public and generously sponsored by the Harrison Public Library Foundation. For more information, contact the library at 835-0324.
Harrison Recreation Please be aware that parents must have a current 2017 ID card to register children for all programs. Please be prepared to show proof of residency with a current utility bill and driver’s license. A school report card or progress report is required for a child ID card. Visit harrison-ny.gov/recreation for more information on programs and the Recreation Department.
2017 resident IDs and pool passes 2017 resident IDs and pool passes are now available for purchase. To get a resident ID or pool pass, you need the following: adult – current utility bill and picture ID; child – report card or progress report.
Little League Little League registration is currently underway. Applications are available at all recreation centers and on the Harrison Recreation website, harrison-ny.gov/recreation.
Mini-Day Camp During the February school break. A fun-filled week of day camp including arts and crafts, sports, games, and special events. Camp will be held from Monday, Feb. 20 to Friday, Feb. 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for children in grades 1–4 at the Sollazzo Center. Fee: $200 made payable to the Town/Village of Harrison.
Volleyball Have fun while you learn the fundamentals of volleyball from the Harrison High School volleyball team. For girls in grades 4–8 from Wednesday, Feb. 22 through Friday, Feb. 24 from
9 a.m. to noon at the LMK gym. Fee: $45 made payable to the Town/Village of Harrison.
Neuberger Museum The Neuberger Museum of Art is located on the SUNY Purchase College campus, located at 735 Anderson Hill Road in Purchase. For more information, call 251-6100 or visit neuberger.org.
Winter Family Day On Saturday, Feb. 18 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. A creative afternoon of printmaking activities inspired by the artists in the museum’s current exhibition, “POP! Prints from the Permanent Collection.” Generously sponsored by Neuberger Berman. Free for Family Circle Members and above. General admission: $10 per child.
Manhattanville College Jazz and wind ensembles auditions The Manhattanville College Community Jazz Ensemble and Wind Ensemble announce auditions for their 2016–2017 season. All qualified musicians are welcome to audition for positions in the jazz ensemble and wind ensemble, which are composed of college students as well as residents of Westchester and Rockland counties, Fairfield County, Connecticut, and New York City. The Community Jazz Ensemble rehearses regularly on Tuesday evenings, and the Wind Ensemble rehearses regularly on Thursday evenings. Both groups meet from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Berman Center on the college’s campus at 2900 Purchase St. in Purchase. If you are interested in auditioning, please contact the director, Terry Reynolds, at Terry. Reynolds@mville.edu. For further information call the Music Office, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 323-5260.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester ‘LEGO Batman’ Movie Days From Saturday, Feb. 11 to Sunday, Feb. 19 at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester, 39 Fitzgerald St. in Yonkers. Super Hero. Crimefighter. Master Builder. “LEGO Batman” is all of those and so much more. Come meet Gotham City’s Caped Crusader during this celebration of the Warner Bros. Pictures’ feature film, which will include photo ops with the scene-stealing star, a themed scavenger hunt and LEGO Batman-inspired build activities. Starting at $15.95; children under age 2 are free. Hours: Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday to Thursday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call 866-243-0770 or visit legolanddiscoverycenter.com/westchester. 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.
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February 10, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 5
Arnold Breisblatt exhibit at HPL
Arnold Breisblatt
The Harrison Council for the Arts presents “Encounters of the Photographic Kind” by Arnold Breisblatt at the Harrison Public Library, Halperin building, 2 Bruce Ave. in Harrison, on view through Friday, Feb. 24. Meet the artist on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 2
p.m. to 4 p.m. This exhibit shows an interesting and creative perspective of the world around us, including portraits, objects, nature and abstract images. Breisblatt said, “My personal approach to photography is to isolate an image that expresses
my artistic point of view. I prefer spontaneity and flexibility; in other words, I like to ‘shoot on the fly.’ I call it the CEO moment— creative evolving opportunity. My subject can be anything that grabs my eye or peaks my curiosity, which I then transform into a strong visual statement—a lonely chair by a misty lake, a dried leaf tiptoeing on the road or an interesting person dressed as a rabbi. Also, I occasionally like to delve into abstract compositions which sometimes veer into fantastical images; a creative exercise that I really enjoy thanks to the new and exciting technical possibilities that are now available in the computer age.” Breisblatt holds a BFA in advertising design and visual communications from Pratt Institute. He is an art director and marketing communications professional, having taken many kinds of photographs for more than 40 years, including portraits, landscapes, as well as technical products. He became a digital photography enthusiast 12 years ago and has never looked back. His photos are currently in the permanent col-
“Beach Rose,” 2013. Photo by Arnold Breisblatt. Photo courtesy Arnold Breisblatt
lection of NYP Lawrence Hospital and he has exhibited at many locations in Westchester. He is a member of the board of directors at theWestchester Photographic
Society. The exhibit may be viewed Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Satur-
days from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call the library at 835-0324 or visit harrisonpl.org. (Submitted)
6 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • February 10, 2017
Harrison REVIEW
THE
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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 Reporter | Franco Fino ext. 18, franco@hometwn.com General Assignment | Taylor Brown ext. 30, taylor@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 Writer James Pero Staff Photographers Andrew Dapolite, Aaron Kershaw, Charlie McLaughlin Columnists Ron Belmont, Lenore Skenazy
Letters
Rye Playland
construction stalled by city lawsuit By JAMES PERO Staff Writer Progress on a slew of multimillion dollar renovations at Rye Playland continue to be hampered by litigation between Westchester County and the city of Rye, as construction at the park gets pushed back. According to documents obtained by the Review, the county administration has attributed a lawsuit filed by the city in July for spurring multiple contract delays, including an extended March 31 deadline for a county lawmakers’ decision on the fate of Playland’s pool, in addition to a construction schedule for $30 million in county-funded capital projects by March 1. According to Dan Branda, a spokesman for the Republican County Executive Rob Astorino’s administration, the county is expecting to meet its March
If Rye wins its lawsuit, and overturns the county’s declaration of lead agency, the city could call for a longer and more extensive review of dozens of potential projects at the park.
An extension on a decision regarding Playland’s pool is set to expire on March 31. A recent capital budget from the county includes $10 million to renovate the structure, but lawmakers will be tasked with determining just how those improvements are done.
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Multi-million dollar renovations at Rye Playland have stalled amidst litigation from the city of Rye, which is seeking to assert its authority over the projects’ environmental review. File photos
1 deadline for the schedule, but until a lawsuit with the city has been decided, “there will be no shovels in the ground.” According to Rye City Attorney Kristen Wilson, the city will still continue to mull over an injunction halting projects at the park, but will hold off on pursing any embargo until the judge’s decision on the city’s lawsuit. Wilson said there is currently no timeline for a decision on whether the city’s claims that an environmental review process, carried out as part of the State Environmental Quality Review Act, SEQR, was mishandled by the county. Under a contract between the county and Playland’s new management, Standard Amusements, an investment firm coowned by Harrison native Nick Singer, the county could still exercise one additional 60-day extension. As for the fate of the Playland pool, according to county Legislator Catherine Parker, a Rye Democrat, things remain uncertain. While $10 million has been allocated in a $300 million county capital budget for renovations, the county Board of Legislators must still determine just what type of improvement the pool will undergo. Parker said that if the details aren’t solidified by the March 31 deadline, it’s currently too early to determine whether or not the county would negotiate an additional extension. A deadline on the pool was
previously extended twice; once in September 2016 and again last December. Ongoing litigation between the county and Rye dates back to August, when the city sued the county over alleged violations of the SEQR; specifically, the city claims, that the county had subverted due process by covertly declaring itself lead agency in April 2016 on a slew of upcoming capital projects at the amusement park. The lawsuit seeks to overturn the county’s declaration of lead agency, giving the city a greater say in the environmental review process of projects at Playland, which abuts some of Rye’s residential neighborhoods. Playland is owned by Westchester County but is located within the city of Rye. A legal dispute between the two entities harkens back to a previous management agreement between the county and Sustainable Playland Inc.; a deal that eventually dissolved after residential backlash over the proposal of an 87,000-squarefoot field house and the threat of litigation from the city of Rye. The newest management agreement between the county and Standard Amusements will split various critical capital projects at the ailing park in half, with $30 million being paid for by the county and another $30 million from Standard. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
February 10, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 7 REFUND from page 1
President Donald Trump’s company, in Briarcliff Manor. In 2015, Trump argued that the club’s taxable value was $1.5 million. But, the town of Ossining assessed it at $14 million. Subsequently after, the town Board of Assessment Review rejected the company’s grievance, which led Trump to file another grievance in 2016 claiming that the club was worth $7.5 million. In that year, the town had reassessed the private club at a value of $15 million; the town rejected that grievance as well. As of press time, the case is now awaiting a decision by the state Supreme Court. The Apawamis Club settlement will also have a bearing on both the Rye and Harrison school districts, as school districts are required to participate in tax certiorari cases along with their corresponding municipality. According to Dr. Brian Monahan, the interim superintendent of the Rye City School District, the school district will pay the country club $328,000. For the school district, the re-
On Jan. 4, the state Supreme Court approved The Apawamis Club’s property assessment settlement with the town/village of Harrison and the city of Rye. The private club is expected to receive approximately $900,000 in tax refunds from both municipalities. Photo/Andrew Dapolite
cent decision rearranged tax assessments dating back to 2010. The payment will be allocated from the school district’s 201516 surpluses, he said. Harrison’s school district is expected to pay the club $192,000 on top of the $900,000 from Rye and Harrison. Dr. Louis Wool, the superintendent of the Harrison school district, could not be reached
for comment, as of press time. According to Wilson, The Apawamis Club’s assessed value will be frozen for three years, as part of the settlement. Rye Assessor Noreen Whitty, Harrison Assessor Mark Heinbockel, and Harrison Attorney Jonathan Kraut could not be reached for comment, as of press time. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
8 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • February 10, 2017
Celebrating Harrison residents’ achievements Downtown FD voters pass $800K truck bond HARRISON HAPPENINGS Mayor Ron Belmont
Many of you may not know that Amelia Earhart was a Harrison resident. To celebrate her many contributions to the fields of aviation, publishing, and fashion, Harrison will be holding an array of events, throughout the coming months, that honor the 80th anniversary of Earhart’s last flight. In 1937, she attempted to pilot her own plane around the world and sadly disappeared over the Atlantic Ocean. On Thursday, Feb. 23, the Harrison Public Library will be showing the movie “Amelia” at 1 p.m. On Friday, Feb. 24 at 2 p.m., local historian Paul Hicks will offer an in depth look at the life and times of Amelia Earhart. Be sure to check the library’s website, harrisonpl.org, for updates on new events and programs. I would like to take this time to congratulate Harrison High School junior Avery LaBarbera for scoring her 1,000th career point in the Harrison varsity basketball game last week. LaBarbera is only the second female to achieve this goal in Harrison’s history. What a great accomplishment for a talented athlete. I’m very happy to report the Wegmans project is moving forward and will be before the
Planning Board at the end of the month. The Planning Board will send its recommendation on the zoning text amendment to the Town Council for possible approval. The Planning Board is the lead agency on the project and before the council acts, an environmental study must be performed (A Negative Declaration is a document that states upon completion of an initial study, that there is no substantial evidence that the project may have a significant effect on the environment). Thus far, Wegmans has been very thorough in its submissions, giving the town all the necessary information needed to render a decision. I am optimistic that the project will move forward without significant obstacles. Please make note of the following February sanitation schedule changes: Garbage and/ or recycling normally collected on Monday, Feb. 13 will be collected on Tuesday, Feb. 14. Garbage and/or recycling normally collected on Tuesday will be collected on Wednesday, Feb. 15. Garbage and/or recycling normally collected on Monday, Feb. 20 will be collected on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Garbage and/ or recycling normally collected on Tuesday will be collected on Wednesday, Feb. 22. There will be no bulk trash pickup on Feb. 15 and Feb. 22. Harrison Town Clerk Jackie Greer would like to remind resi-
dents that she has extended office hours to coincide with the town/village board meetings. The hours are from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. These hours are in addition to the after-hour service available during the Planning Board meetings on the third Tuesday of each month. For more information, please call the town clerk’s office at 670-3030. Greer has announced an update to the town’s website. The new design is much easier to use with dropdown windows and upgraded security. In the past four years, the town website has had more than 600,000 visits. To visit the new site, please visit harrison-ny.gov. Open enrollment to register your son or daughter for Harrison Recreation Little League baseball/softball is currently available, with a deadline of Tuesday, Feb. 28. The registration fee, before that deadline, is $90. After the deadline, it will be $125. If you have any questions, please call the Sollazzo Center or Mintzer Center. You can find all necessary information and forms online at harrisonlittleleague.org. The next Lunch with the Mayor is on Friday, Feb. 10. I will be at Silver Lake Pizza, located at 79 Lake St. in West Harrison. I will be at this location from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., and look forward to meeting with residents and talking about issues facing our community.
In a landslide decision, Harrison’s downtown fire district voters approved a bond to fund the majority portion of a $1.5 million aerial ladder truck, 141 to 45. On Feb. 7, the $800,000 bond was brought to voters of the fire district, which encompasses most of Harrison south of Interstate 287, at the fire station on Harrison Avenue. According to Jackie Greer, the town clerk, that district is made up of about 2,600 households containing a total of about 9,400 registered voters. In all, only about 2 percent of that voter base—206 voters—
showed up to the polls. The bond will fund more than half of a new 95-foot ladder truck manufactured by Seagrave. The remaining portion, about $700,000, would come from the fire district’s reserve fund. The new Seagrave will replace the district’s current ladder truck, a 23-year-old machine—called Tower Ladder 24—manufactured by Stuphen, which the fire Chief John Masciola estimated was costing the district more than $100,000 in maintenance and repairs every few years. The Fire Department will continue to maintain and use that
truck for nine months to a year while Seagrave manufactures and delivers the new rig; then the department will look to sell Tower Ladder 24 to another department or a collector. The downtown fire district has budgeted $16,400 to service debts in fiscal year 2017, reducing its existing debt to $15,000 beside the new bond. The district’s operating budget for 2017 is $4.15 million, which includes $50,000 allocated to the department’s reserve fund and salaries for 12 professional firefighters to supplement the mostly volunteer force. -Reporting by Corey Stockton
RCDS gets first place at physics tourney
The Rye Country Day School team, which took home first place in the U.S. Invitational Young Physics Tournament at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, at the award ceremony on Jan. 29. Contributed photo
High school students from across the country and around the world gathered at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia for the 10th annual United States Invitational Young Physics Tournament on Jan. 28 and 29. This year, students from the Rye Country Day School in Rye took first place in the tournament, the team’s captain gripping the large glass trophy that Sunday night after her team’s victory was announced to the group of students from seven
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states, China and Tunisia. Competing students faced off in head-to-head physics fights. In each round, a team of four students presented their solution to one of four open-ended research problems, and then were challenged, evaluated, and questioned by the opposing team of students. The students are tasked with defending their solution and continuing discussion about the solution. The winners are determined by a panel of judges who decided which teams
earned the most points. The problems are not tasks which can be solved within a short time with known methods, like in an exam. Instead, they are more complex, open-ended questions that can be solved from different angles. These problems were published several months before to give all participants enough time to work with physicists and mathematicians to conduct experiments and hone their scientific thinking skills. (Submitted)
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February 10, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 9
Jefferson hosts Latimer’s inauguration New Rochelle Jefferson Elementary School fifth-graders got to see an inauguration ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 25 when state Sen. George Latimer came to visit. Latimer was re-elected to a third term in the New York state Senate in the fall election. Principal Kimmerly Nieves
started the ceremonies by explaining to the students how a state senator helps make laws that govern the state and a senator’s role in the community. She said Latimer has always been an advocate for the school and the City School District of New Rochelle. The 37th District is com-
prised of Bedford, Bronxville, Eastchester, Harrison, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Port Chester, Rye, Rye Brook, Tuckahoe, White Plains and Yonkers. Fifth-grade students Ember Stevens and Elijah Brown also spoke before the crowd.
State Sen. George Latimer, center, takes his oath of office for his third term by New Rochelle City Judge Susan Kettner as students Eliljah Brown and Ember Stevens hold the Bible for him. Photo/Aaron Kershaw
“Your dedication to Westchester County has made this community a wonderful place to live and work,” Stevens said. “Your accessibility as a representative of our community is well-known.” “As Jefferson students, we have enjoyed having your presence at our school,” Brown said. He commended Latimer for coming to his classroom last year to answer questions and for taking part in the school’s summer reading challenge. New York state Assemblyman
Steven Otis, of the 91st Assembly District, and New Rochelle Councilman Jared Rice also attended the inauguration and spoke. After the oath of office was administered, Latimer made a couple of points—to both the students and to the adults. “You have certain responsibilities as kids, right? Later in life, you will have responsibilities too,” Latimer told the students. “What I just did by putting my hand on the Bible is I just agreed to do certain things. I am committing myself that I will do my
very best to do those things.” To the adults, Latimer said, “We’ve just seen in Washington the inauguration.... No matter how we voted on Election Day, we are one nation. That doesn’t mean we have to agree with things we don’t agree with. But it does mean we have to remember we are Americans. We have more in common than what separates us.” The Jefferson Chorus concluded the program by singing the Beatles’ song, “All You Need is Love.” (Submitted)
10 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • February 10, 2017
February 10, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 11
DEC: No fines for property owner over spill
The New York state Department of Environmental Conservation will not fine the property owner of a home located at 4 Pilgrim Road, pictured, for an oil spill that occurred on Jan. 25. Photo/Franco Fino
By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer The New York state Department of Environmental Conservation, DEC, will not impose any fines on the property owner of a vacant home on Pilgrim Road in Harrison that experienced an oil spill last month, according to a representative with the state agency. According to Jomo Miller, a media relations officer for the DEC, the agency is not anticipating any penalties on the property owner of the home located at 4 Pilgrim Road, which sits adjacent to a small body of water. The property is located just on the north side of Westchester Country Club. “The DEC continues to monitor the situation to ensure the environment and public are protected, [but] no penalties are anticipated at this time,” he said. Miller added that while the property owner is actively clean-
ing up the oil that leaked, it’s also important to recognize that the cause of the spill is due to recent nor’easter flooding, which is beyond the property owner’s control. On Jan. 25, local fire, police, and hazmat crews responded to several calls about a strong odor in the vicinity of the private road. When emergency crews arrived at the scene, they discovered that oil was spilling from an underground tank in the crawl space beneath the house. Miller said that oil is no longer leaking out of the tank since the last cap was replaced, but it’s still impossible to determine how much has been released. As of press time, it’s approximated that 500 gallons may have spilled from the tank. The DEC is responsible for regulating the conservation, improvement, and protection of New York’s natural resources and forest lands. “The remaining oil sheen will
be removed from the floodwaters after the ice cover thaws,” Miller said. “The oily debris [under the home] may take longer to clean up as there are safety concerns that must be considered.” He did not elaborate on the safety concerns being considered, but said that the icy conditions are preventing the oil from spreading out further. According to the National Weather Service, Harrison was forecasted to see a high of 58 degrees on Wednesday, Feb. 8. The vacant home is currently surrounded by “booms,” which are temporary floating barriers used to contain marine spills and assist in protecting the environment. According to Chris Cipolla, the village deputy attorney, the Harrison Law Department will meet on Thursday, Feb. 9, after press time, to discuss the situation. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
Mamaroneck village manager resigns After nine years in the village of Mamaroneck, Manager Richard Slingerland will resign, taking on a new role as village administrator in Tarrytown, the Review has learned. “Mamaroneck is a great community,” Slingerland said. “I became aware of an opportunity in Tarrytown, looked into it, and I was offered the job.” According to village Mayor Norman Rosenblum, a Republican, who has served all four of his terms as mayor working in tandem with Slingerland, the manager’s departure marks a
loss for the village. “I enjoyed the time with [Slingerland],” Rosenblum said. “While we didn’t agree on several items, whether it be something specific or in general, I think he added to the recognition of the village.” According to a statement released by the village of Tarrytown, Slingerland was selected amongst eight finalists—down from 35 initial candidates— and will replace administrator Michael Blau, who has served Tarrytown for the last 17 years. Budget documents for 2015
and 2016 show that Blau’s adopted Tarrytown salary was $222,000 for that time period. Slingerland said he will continue to operate under his current post as village manager until the end of March, and that he is not currently aware of any other prospective candidates to take his position. Currently, Slingerland is making $187,300 annually with the village. A new contract with Tarrytown, which was obtained by the Review, shows that Slingerland will earn $202,000. -Reporting by James Pero
Jerry is a handsome, large brown tabby, about 3 years old, who sadly and recently lost his brother Tom with whom he was close. Brought to us when his former owner lost her job, Jerry is ready for a new forever home that will give him the loving care he longs for. He is a friendly cat who enjoys people, is comfortable with other cats, and should do well in a family. Jerry is neutered, up-to-date with all vaccinations, and microchipped. His adoption donation is $100. To meet Jerry, call Pet Rescue at 835-4133 or visit NY-PetRescue.org. (Submitted)
12 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • February 10, 2017
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LEGAL NOTICES Notice of Formation of 1363 Beach Ave. LLC. filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 12/08/2016 location: Westchester County. Byron Castillo is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 1363 Beach Avenue, Bronx, New York 10472. Purpose: any lawful activity. Notice of Formation of Blackridge Management LLC. Arts of Org. filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 2/03/16. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 1955 Central Park Avenue, Yonkers, N.Y. 10710. Purpose: any lawful activity. Notice of formation of Biagio LLC dba Blooming Buds. Arts of org filed with NY Secy of State on 1/1/17. Office location Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 373 Halstead Avenue, Harrison NY 10528. Purpose: any lawful activity.
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February 10, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 13
Stop hating everyone who didn’t vote like you Astorino discusses tips to combat winter flu RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy
Want to start an argument? No? Well, that’s strange. Seems like arguing—screaming, shouting, or at the very least, extreme eye-rolling—is right up there with eating breakfast these days. Wake up, brush your teeth, glance at the latest news and... EXPLODE! Jeanne Johnson was sick of it. Johnson is a mom of two in Ridgewood, New Jersey, and a local activist. A few years back, she got the village to make its crosswalks more obvious, to encourage kids to walk—and cars to stop. Last week, she wanted to encourage something else to stop: The demonization of everyone who voted for someone other than the someone YOU voted for. So, to a local social hall she invited Guy Benson, a conservative author; Julie Roginsky, a Democratic strategist; and Lisa “Kennedy” Montgomery, the mordantly hilarious libertarian who has a show on Fox Business. In fact, all three are on Fox all the time, often sparring, but also always happy to see each other. That’s what Johnson wanted her fellow citizens to witness with their own eyes: You can disagree with someone’s politics, even vehemently, and not despise them as humans. As crazy as that sounds. Kennedy moderated the chat by asking the kind of questions that can stop a “You crazy s--head!” in mid-air. For instance, she wondered, was there ever a time when either of her guests realized the other side was not evil incarnate? Roginsky recalled a time back in college when she and her fel-
low feminists took a bus to a Rhode Island abortion clinic, where nuns and priests were protesting outside. As Roginsky and her retinue shouted, “Keep your rosaries off our ovaries!” she looked at the clergy, fervently praying, and suddenly it hit her: These clergy folk weren’t there to be judgmental jerks. They had come because they truly believe that a fetus is a life that must be saved. For them, blocking the clinic was no different from grabbing the gun from some nut holding a hostage. To this day, Roginsky remains adamantly pro-choice. But instead of seeing pro-life supporters as bad people, she seems them simply as... people. For his part, Benson flashed back to 2009, when Obama was sworn into office on a wave of Democratic euphoria. Conservatives were beside themselves: Here was a president who would pass every piece of liberal legislation this side of Sweden. The Republicans were on the outs, perhaps never to rise again. So Benson said, smirk-free, he truly empathizes with what Democrats are feeling now. He obviously doesn’t share their dismay (although he didn’t sound very happy about Trump). But he gave a knowing nod to the people who... well, that’s just the thing. The room was filled with ardent Democrats and Republicans, and probably some Libertarians besides just Kennedy. And you couldn’t tell who’s who. For Johnson, that was the whole point. “Because of space constraints, those [feuding] people ended up having to sit at the same tables together,” she said. She’d deliberately chosen round tables, so everyone would be looking at everyone else, and purple tablecloths. Not red. Not blue. Purple. The cookies for the event were iced in purple frost-
ing, “Together.” Cookies are always an icebreaker. And so was this event. Up on stage, Roginsky and Benson were discussing free speech. They’d just gotten word about the unrest—riots?—at the University of California at Berkeley, where masked agitators had caused $100,000 in damage as they protested a speech to be given by the right-wing agitator Milo Yiannopoulos. Roginsky was appalled. She is hardly a fan of Yiannopoulos, but “free speech wins,” she said. “Always.” For his part, Benson was ready with some good advice for the Democrats. “If everything is an outrage, nothing is.” In other words, if the left rejects absolutely everyone and everything Trump proposes, their message will get tuned out. Pick your battles, he advised, to get more traction. How did the two opposites manage to stay friends through this election and post-election season? The same way they handle the Twitter taunts that come their way. The trick is to “listen generously,” said Benson. Don’t assume the person who didn’t vote your way chose the other candidate out of bigotry, stupidity, or calumny. Assume they had their varied reasons, just like you had yours. Give folks the benefit of the doubt. By the end of the night, Johnson said she thought she saw that happening. “I know how contentious things were, or are, in our community—horrible. Just like we’re seeing on the national stage.” But after the event, the audience hung around for almost an hour, talking, laughing and eating those cookies. “Let’s do this again!” they said. That’s an idea no one could argue with. CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com
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Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino and Dr. Sherlita Amler, county health commissioner, speak at a news conference on how residents can keep the flu at bay this season. Photo courtesy Westchester County
With Westchester entering the high flu season, County Executive Rob Astorino urged residents on Feb. 1 to do four things to protect themselves, their families and the people around them from the flu and other seasonal viruses like Norovirus. “Get a flu shot if you haven’t already,” Astorino said. “It’s not too late. A flu vaccine is your best defense against the flu, and flu shots are readily available at pharmacies, supermarkets, doctors’ offices and by appointment at our health department clinics in White Plains and Yonkers. Follow mom’s advice to wash your hands thoroughly and often. When you have a fever, diarrhea or vomiting, stay home to avoid spreading illness to others. And finally, clean household surfaces with a bleach solution if anyone in your home is sick.” In a typical year, Westchester County experiences roughly 90,000 cases of influenza and 60,000 cases of the Norovirus during the flu season, which runs from October to as late as May. Last Tuesday, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, said New York state is experiencing epidemic flu activity. The latest figures nationally show influenza levels, entering the “significant” level with 3 percent of doctors’ visits being attributed to the flu. A 2 percent level of doctors’ visits is considered normal; 7 to 8 percent is considered a “bad” season. At a news conference in White Plains, Astorino and county health commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler said they were calling attention to disease prevention now because viruses flourish in the winter, when people spend
more time indoors together, and because February and March are the height of the flu season, according to the CDC. Amler said flu symptoms include fever, body aches, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, chills and fatigue, while norovirus symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. “Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu shot each year to protect not only yourself, but the youngest and oldest residents around us,” she said. “You can have the flu and not know it and pass it along to infants, young children and seniors, who are much more vulnerable to flu complications. Right now, Westchester is tracking for a normal flu season, but we still have a few months to go.” To avoid spreading and catching viruses, hand hygiene is critically important, Amler said. “Viruses spread more easily in the winter, and handwashing is one of the best ways to avoid viruses,” she said. “Wash your hands thoroughly for about 20 seconds—the amount of time it takes to sing the ABCs or to sing the ‘Happy Birthday’ song twice.” To avoid spreading germs, other tips include coughing into your sleeve—not your hands— and reminding children to wash their hands thoroughly after they sneeze. Also, wash your hands before and after using the toilet, blowing your nose or preparing food, and teach your children the right way to wash hands. Wet your hands, work up a lather, scrub the back of your hands, between your fingers and under your nails, rinse and dry.
Until they are well, people who are ill should stay home and avoid visits to newborns or family members in hospitals, nursing homes, hospices or assisted living facilities, Amler said. People there are often at increased risk for complications from flu or other viruses, and viruses spread easily in these settings. If you have a family member at home sick with the flu or another virus, hand hygiene and frequent cleaning are critical for everyone in your household. Environmentally friendly cleaning products often aren’t strong enough to kill germs, Amler said. Instead, clean high-touch hard surfaces with a bleach solution. Add a tablespoon of bleach to a gallon of water. Pour this into a labeled spray bottle and use it to clean countertops and tables, railings and door knobs, but don’t use on upholstered furniture. When you are sick, try to avoid preparing food for others and don’t share utensils. Free flu shots will be given by appointment at the White Plains district office, located at 134 Court St., on Feb. 17; March 3 and 17; and April 7 and 21. Free flu shots will also be available at the Yonkers district office, located at 20 S. Broadway, 2nd floor, on Feb. 24; March 10 and 24; and April 14 and 28. Call 9955800 to schedule a visit. For a visual reminder of these seasonal health tips, watch the county Department of Health’s video at westchestergov.com/ health. For more information, you can also call the Department of Health at 813-5000, follow on Twitter @wchealthdept, or like on Facebook at facebook.com/ wchealthdept. (Submitted)
14 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • February 10, 2017
SPORTS
Cheaters never prosper LIVE MIKE Mike Smith
Sometime around halftime on Sunday night, I sent my friend Derek an email. Derek, a Massachusetts native, is a wonderful human being, but also exemplifies the absolute worst of Patriots’ fandom—i.e., the smugness and sense of entitlement that comes with claiming the successes of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick as his own. So, seeing as his Pats were headed into the second half of Super Bowl LI trailing the Atlanta Falcons 213, I—being the good friend that I am—just wanted to know how he was doing. He didn’t respond. When the Falcons extended that lead to 25 points in the third quarter, I started to feel bad, so I reached out again. I told Derek that I was sincerely sorry to be witnessing Brady’s demise in real time and
that, although his Pats had put together a historic run over the last 15 years, maybe it was time to look to the future of the organization with someone like second-year player Jimmy Garoppolo under center. Despite my best efforts to let my friend know that I was there for him, Derek refused to answer. My other friends also sent Derek their condolences. My buddy Matt reminded him that, in some ways, it was good that the Pats would lose to someone other than the Giants this time. Justen let Derek know that if it were up to him, he would personally deliver a ball pump to NRG Stadium to help facilitate a New England comeback. Alex wanted to know if Derek would be driving up to Foxboro next fall for Brady’s inevitable retirement ceremony. We’re good friends, and we were just looking out for one of our own in his time of mourning. Of course, we all know what happened next.
Brady and the Pats scored 25 unanswered points in regulation and beat the Falcons in overtime in the most thrilling game in Super Bowl history. As the confetti rained down in Houston and Roger Goodell took the stage to a chorus of lusty boos, Derek finally broke his silence with just three words. “You were saying?” he responded. If you, like most of America, root against the Patriots, you shouldn’t be surprised by what happened on Sunday night. The Pats have exceeded expectations for nearly two decades now, winning five Super Bowls in that time and establishing themselves as one of the best dynasties in the history of American professional sports—particularly in today’s age of parity. Back in the heyday of the New York Yankees, it was often said that rooting for the Bombers was akin to rooting for U.S. Steel. If that’s the case, then cheering for Brady and the Patriots has to be
On Feb. 4, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots won their fifth Super Bowl with a 34-28 overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons. Sports Editor Mike Smith now regrets trolling his Pats fan friend early on in the game. Photo courtesy Wikipedia
like rooting for Darth Vader and the Galactic Empire; you may blow up a Death Star or two, or catch Belichick videotaping an opponents’ practice, but ultimately, they will always strike back. Derek hasn’t reached out to us since the night of the Pats’ latest win, but we don’t expect him to
be quiet for long. I’m sure that right now, he’s crafting a long, heartfelt email about how he understands how tough it must be for us to root for teams that aren’t a lock for the conference championship game each year, and that all we can do is keep our chins up.
But even though I know he’s a good friend, and that he’ll mean to cheer us up with his message, I can’t help but think that hearing from him will simply be deflating.
Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports
Huskies headed to sectionals By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor On Feb. 4, a handful of Harrison wrestlers punched their tickets to the sectional tournament, as the Huskies put together a strong showing at the Division IV qualifiers at North Rockland. With eight Huskies preparing for the upcoming Section I Championship, which kicks off at Arlington High School on Feb. 11, head coach Vin Nicita is hoping to see his wrestlers continue to succeed on the mat. Coming into last weekend’s divisionals, Nicita felt that the chance for multiple Huskies to advance to the next round of the postseason was high. Overall, his grapplers fared well against competition from Arlington, Brewster, East Ramapo, Hendrick Hudson, North Rockland, Nyack and Rye, as the Huskies garnered two first-place finishes and had six more athletes finish in the top four. “We knew that we had the possibility to do well, we figured we could have anywhere
from four to eight guys qualify,” Nicita said. “But I was definitely happy with our performance.” 126-pounder Jay Martins and 195-pounder Rob Donohue both placed first in their weight divisions, as Martins topped North Rockland’s Jake Beyer with a 4-3 decision in the finals, and Donohue earned a similarly close 8-7 win over Arlington’s Gabe Druden. Tyler Joseph lost a 10-1 decision in the finals at 96 pounds, while 138-pounder Dennis Breciani also earned a secondplace finish after being pinned by the Red Raiders’ Justin Maranta in the 138-pound finals. Andrew Hollander (145 pounds), Anthony Oppedisano (152), Zach Finn (170) and Mike Rozell (182) all picked up topfour finishes to qualify for the sectional tournament as well. In particular, Nicita was pleased with the performances of Finn, who edged a game North Rockland opponent to earn a sectional berth, and Hollander, who missed more than a month of the season due to a bout with mononucleosis.
“It’s hard just not being on the mat, not being able to keep up with the conditioning,” Nicita said of Hollander. “He didn’t look 100 percent but he dug deep and somehow found the strength; now he’s got another week to get stronger.” Although the official seedings for this weekend’s tournament will not be released until Feb. 8, after press time, Nicita believes that Martins will end up with a third seed in the 126-pound bracket, while Donohue and Joseph should come away with fifth seeds. The Huskies will spend the week preparing for sectionals by working with a handful of other teams in the area, and have set up joint practices with squads from Tappan Zee, Scarsdale, Woodlands and Rye. “Usually we’ll try to bring over whoever has people left and work together,” Nicita said. “We’re just trying to get our guys ready and hopefully have them still going into Sunday.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com
Jay Martins locks up with a North Rockland opponent during an early-season match. On Feb. 4, Martins won the 126-pound bracket at the Division IV qualifiers to earn a berth in the Section I tournament. Photo/Mike Smith
SPORTS
February 10, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 15
LaBarbera hits mark in loss girls basketball league
EASTCHESTER 65 HARRISON 62 HARRISON HS
02/03/17
Game Notes: • Avery LaBarbera and Cassidy Mitchell both scored 33 points • LaBarbera became the second Huskies’ player to reach the 1,000-point milestone • The Huskies nearly erased a 13-point deficit in the fourth
By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor On Feb. 3, Harrison junior Avery LaBarbera etched her name in the Huskies’ history books, becoming just the second female player in program history to eclipse the 1,000-point mark. With the Huskies hosting their league rivals from Eastchester, LaBarbera’s offensive prowess was on full display, as the standout point guard tallied a whopping 33 points on the evening. Unfortunately for Harrison, however, LaBarbera’s efforts were not enough to lift the Huskies past the
Julie Murtagh drives to the lane against Harrison’s Lindsay McConway on Feb. 3. Murtagh had 12 points in Eastchester’s 65-62 win.
Eagles, who rode a strong first half to a 65-62 road win. LaBarbera came into the game needing just 13 points to reach the milestone and sealed the deal in the second quarter with a floater in the lane. Play was stopped momentarily to acknowledge the point guard’s achievement, which marked the
Kendall Lefkowitz shoots a jumper against the Eagles.
first time since Krista Gambacorta scored her 1,000th point in 2001 that a female Harrison player has reached the plateau. “Last year, I remember seeing that one other girl had gotten it, so I told myself I was going to do it, too,” LaBarbera said. “I didn’t think that I was going to get it this early, but it really felt amazing.” But once play resumed, the Huskies found Eastchester firmly in control. The Eagles, led by a 33-point effort from Cassidy Mitchell, held onto a 53-40 lead heading into the fourth quarter. In the final stanza, LaBarbera and the Huskies roared back, into contention thanks to some timely defensive stops and a few long 3-pointers from the junior standout. Eagles coach Lindsay Farley said despite a commanding lead, her team was well aware of Harrison’s ability to score buckets quickly. “Every time we play them, it always comes down to the wire,” Farley said. “Once we heard that [LaBarbera] was only 13 points away from 1,000, we knew she was going to get it, but we stepped up and played with a lot of intensity.” Bad fortune struck the Huskies with just under three minutes to play, as LaBarbera was whistled for a delay-of-game technical foul after hitting a shot
Harrison junior Avery LaBarbera brings the ball up the floor against Eastchester on Feb. 3. LaBarbera had 33 points and became the second female player in Harrison history to reach the 1,000-point milestone.
to make the score 59-58. Mitchell hit both foul shots on the other end of the court, and the Eagles managed to stave off the late run. Harrison had a chance to send the game into overtime on the final possession, but could not hit from beyond the arc to tie the score as time expired. Harrison coach Louis Kail felt that the call against LaBarbera helped to halt the Huskies’ momentum late in the game. “Our kids fought, and I couldn’t be more proud of the effort,” he said. “[LaBarbera] did everything physically possible to will us to a victory, but the game was taken out of our hands.” For both Eastchester and Harrison, the game serves as one more test before the regular season wraps up next week. According to Farley, the Friday showdown gave her team a small taste of what they will see in the postseason. “This was a huge win for us, we know Harrison’s an amazing team,” she said. “Every team in Class A is going to give us a battle, so when you can come in to a game like this and get a close win, you know that hopefully you can do the same thing in the playoffs.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com
Lauren Gresia goes up for a layup against the Huskies. Photos/Mike Smith
16 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • February 10, 2017