Happy Valentine’s Day
School energy plan promises $300K annual savings
Flight risk? With the increased of drones, the Federal Aviation Administration has started efforts to reguate the aerial devices. Now, they are under scrutiny in the city of Rye as officials consider their own local legislation. Pictured is a drone photograph of Long Island Sound. For story, see page 11. Photo/Andrew Dapolite
By SARAH VARNEY Education Reporter
SUNY Purchase takes anti-racism initiatives By ANGELA JORDAN Staff Writer Several changes have been made at Purchase College this academic year in response to student demonstrations last year that coincided with the national Black Lives Matter movement. Last fall, the college reintroduced its previously defunct Global Black Studies minor, and on Jan. 22, Purchase officially opened the new Multicultural Center located on the ground floor of the Fort Awesome dormitory. The center will serve as a
place for student organizations and other members of the college to host events such as film screenings, lectures and forums relating to racial diversity and culture. One of the attendees who spoke at the opening of the center was Joel Aure, the college’s chief diversity officer. “The Multicultural Center is great step for Purchase College,” Aure said. “I think it will be a very inclusive environment, but it will also be a place for students to have difficult but necessary conversations about diversity and inclusion.”
The primary force behind the opening of the center is Geovanna Borden, the college’s new coordinator of diversity programming and initiatives and an alumna who graduated from the school last May. Borden, one of the leading voices during the demonstrations and forums last year, had the position created specifically for her by the college after she graduated. During those forums and discussions last year, students of color were given the opportunity to speak about the racial climate on the campus, and cited dozens of individual disturbing
incidents, ranging from slurs to discrimination in the classroom. The most notable examples were two separate instances of graffiti in the underclassmen dorms on the campus, one of a swastika and the other of nooses, which caused uproar among the student body and attracted some media attention. Raymond Turchioe, a former Purchase student, was arrested in connection to the swastika last March, but no arrest was ever made in connection with the noose drawings. anti-racism continued on page 5
At the Feb. 3 meeting of the Harrison Board of Education, members heard a proposal by Johnson Controls that promises annual savings of $376,210 over the life of a $7.5 million energy project. In total, over the life of the 17-year contract, the district would save approximately $9.8 million, and any savings that don’t materialize would be covered by the service provider. Robert Salierno, assistant superintendent for business, said financing for the Performance Energy Contract would be innovative. Essentially, the money that the district currently spends for maintenance and operations annually—approximately $350,000—is placed in escrow each year. Debt service costs for the project’s financing are paid by the district. Each year of the contract, the district receives “progress payments” based on that year’s energy savings. Those payments can be used to offset debt service costs if desired. The project would fall under the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency’s Performance Energy Contract Program under the auspices of the Department of Energy and its $3 billion Clean Energy Fund. The New York state entity grants money to nonprofit and commercial facilities based on annual savings. All projects are required to save at least 250,000 kilowatt-hours annually. Harrison’s yearly kwh savings are projected to be 4.4 million kwh. Under the Johnson Controls proposal, the district would receive
an estimated $387,000 rebate from NYSERDA after the completion of the project in 2017. Under the terms of the Performance Energy Contract, the “Energy Service Operator,” Johnson Controls, is liable for any annual savings that do not materialize. “The beauty is that it won’t affect the budget and there are no upfront costs,” Salierno said. In addition, it doesn’t result in any tax increase or have any impact on tax cap restraints. The proposed contract calls for a slew of improvements including replacing the three boilers at Harrison High School. Under the plan, Johnson Controls would install three new condensing boilers fueled with natural gas. In addition, the company would install two “cogeneration” models that generate both heat and electricity. Excess power could potentially be used to heat the swimming pool at the middle school, Salierno said. The high school boilers have been a longtime source of discontent within the district. Installed in 1973, the furnaces are well beyond their life span, said Lenny Purcell, director of facilities and operations for the district. Superintendent of Schools Louis Wool added that keeping rooms at the high school a consistent temperature is a constant problem. “One room will be hot and in another room it will be cold,” Wool explained. New energy control software, coupled with three new boilers will solve that problem, said energy continued on page 9
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2 • The HARRISON review • February 12, 2016
February 12, 2016 • The HARRISON review • 3
Harrison students win $20K for mobile app
Harrison High School students won Best in Nation and a $20,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation for designing an app to help feed the homeless. From left, Steve Siciliano, high school principal; Paul Bilotta, student; Diane Frawley, the students’ teacher and advisor; Thomas Alvarado, student; Christine Cardascia, student; Josh Munoz, student; Ricky Harris, student; Ben Struhl, student; Joan O’Keefe, high school director of science and technology education; Mayor Ron Belmont; and Andrew Testa, PR manager of the Northeast market, Verizon Wireless. Photo/Kieran Kesner
By SIBYLLA CHIPAZIWA Editorial Assistant Six Harrison High School students were going about their school day on Feb. 2 when they got a surprise visit from a Verizon representative. The students had developed a concept for a mobile app called Pay It Forward that helps provide food to the homeless. Students Thomas Alvarado, Paul Bilotta, Christine Cardascia, Ricky Harris, Josh Munoz and Ben Struhl soon learned that they, along with their faculty advisor, Diane Frawley, had won $20,000 for their school and a chance to fine-tune their app with MIT experts over the summer to be presented at a national conference in Nashville, Tennessee. Frawley, the students’ faculty advisor in the Verizon Innovative App Challenge, said that she’s thrilled for them and hopes their success inspires other young people to think outside the box and to help others in need. “It is the greatest reward to see your students excel and achieve great success, both inside and outside the classroom,” she said about working with the students on their app, Pay It Forward. “I have always told my students that they can change the world. Now I see that they are doing it. What a great feeling.” The Pay It Forward app will enable consumers to prepay for a meal in person at a store or restaurant or online for a homeless or needy person to pick up. Af-
ter the purchase has been made, the shop or restaurant owner will hang a sticky note on a designated wall so the free meal can be redeemable for the first homeless or needy person who comes in. The students developed their app based on an in-person system used at Rosa’s Fresh Pizza in Philadelphia, where a customer has the option to prepay for a meal for a homeless or needy person on-site. The six students got the idea for Pay It Forward when Struhl was on a class trip to Cooper Hewitt Design Museum in New York City and was struck by the homeless men and women he saw. Harrison High was one of eight schools that won Best in Nation in the fourth annual Verizon Innovative App Challenge. The $20,000 grant is provided by the Verizon Foundation, which created the app challenge with the Technology Student Association, TSA. The national competition, where coding skills are not needed, encourages students to come up with app ideas to fight issues in their schools or communities. Frawley added that she feels privileged to work in a school district that values technology education, pointing out that it can help students develop the confidence to communicate ideas and to solve problems. “I know I am in the right place and I hope that other schools see the value of this program in their schools,” she said. Andrew Testa, the Verizon
PR manager of the Northeast market who surprised the students on Feb. 2 with their prize, called surprising them “a career highlight,” and that being able to recognize their creativity and thoughtfulness on behalf of Verizon was exciting and rewarding. “Getting young people to realize the power of critical thinking and technology to drive change is what this contest is all about, and these skills will undoubtedly prepare them for jobs in the future,” he said when asked why Verizon has an interest in technology education. At Harrison’s Board of Education meeting on Feb. 3, Superintendent of Schools Louis Wool reported that Testa became teary when presenting the students with the award. “The fact that [the students’] humanity was the focus of the application makes us very proud,” Wool said. The app challenge is also a collaboration with MIT Media Lab, a research laboratory that focuses on the merging of technology, multimedia, sciences, art and design. The lab will provide a team of experts to work with the Harrison students to finetune the app and to teach them some coding. In its fourth year, the Verizon Innovative App Challenge aims to further develop or support STEM-related programs. It is predicted that the U.S. will be 3 million people short of highskilled workers by 2018. CONTACT: sibylla@hometwn.com
4 • The HARRISON review • February 12, 2016
What’s going on... Harrison Public Library
1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Richard Halperin Library Building. The class will be taught by Ms. Aarti Kumthkar. She holds a master degree in computer and information systems and has extensive experiences in computer programming and business development technology. For more information or to register for this event, sign up online or call 835-0324.
Singalong Sundays with Chloe Both the Halperin Library Building and the West Harrison branch will be closed on Monday, Feb. 15 for Presidents Day.
Photobooks: Make a Memory for Your Valentine During the second part of this four-part workshop series, held on Saturday, Feb. 13 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Richard Halperin Library Building, participants will learn how to combine photographs to create original and unique photobooks to give or to treasure. For more information or to register for this event, sign up online or call 8350324.
Introduction to Python Programming Python programming language is really powerful, friendly and easy to learn. It has become the scripting language of choice for many large organizations, including Google, Yahoo and IBM due to its power, simplicity and complete object model. This series of seven classes is for beginners. This class will take place on Sunday, Feb. 14 from
On Sundays from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Halperin building. Join in and come together as a community to celebrate early childhood through music and movement. In this class you will sing, shake and move. 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.
Masters Miniatures Special Concert: Love This part of the Masters and Miniatures classical music series, which will be held on Saturday, Feb. 14 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Richard Halperin Library Building, will be presented by Vadim Ghin Music, a nonprofit organization that provides free music education for its students. Musicians include violinist Philip Wharton, pianist Steve Masi and clarinetist Diana Petrella. This event is free and open to the public.
Jewelry and beading workshop Join Melanie Rose, owner of Beadz, Inc., in a professional style, hands-on, beading workshop held on Tuesday, Feb. 16 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the Richard Halperin Library Building. Everyone will work on a design board and choose from high quality materials including crystals, semiprecious stones, lead free charms and beautiful beads to create a necklace and a choice of a bracelet or earrings. Fun and easy techniques will be featured. This class is limited to 10 participants. For more information or to register for this event, sign up online or call 835-0324.
School break pretend play and dress-up time Kids will be able to dress up and let their imaginations run wild on Tuesday, Feb. 16 and Wednesday, Feb. 17 from 10 a.m. to noon at the West Harrison branch. Come into the warmth of the library so children ages 1 to 6 can dress up with fun costumes. This event is free and open to the public.
Open computer lab On Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Halperin building. Come to the Learning Center every Thursday afternoon and use the library’s laptops to browse the Internet, use Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office, Lynda.com and more. Staff will be available to answer your questions, from how to download library e-books to using your new phone.
Harrison Recreation February mini day camp registration Sign your child up for a mini day camp that will be held from Monday, Feb. 14 through Friday, Feb. 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sollazzo Center. It will be a fun-filled week of day camp including arts and crafts, sports, games and special events during the winter recess. For grades one through four. Fee is $185 payable to the Town/ Village of Harrison. Registration is ongoing.
Baseball umpire class Learn the proper mechanics and techniques for umpiring baseball games, taught by certified high school umpires. Open to boys and girls 14 and up, adults are welcome. Upon successful completion of the class, there are guaranteed working games in the Harrison Little League spring season. The classes will take place late February through early March at the Sollazzo Center. Fee is $25. Registration is ongoing and you can sign up at any recreation center.
Part-time positions available The Recreation Department hires staff for various part-time positions. Adults and young adults who are at least 16 years of age are invited to ap-
ply. Positions are open for instructors, lifeguards, camp counselors, camp specialists and day camp directors. Applications are at all recreation centers.
Purchase College
Africa! Family Day On Saturday, Feb. 13 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Neuberger Museum of Art on the campus of Purchase College. Check out the beautiful collection of African art and celebrate Black History Month. Immerse yourself in folk stories told by master storyteller Dr. Joyce Duncan, and enjoy a photography workshop, light refreshments and music. For more information, visit neuberger.org.
‘Serious Money’ performance “Serious Money,” an original play written by Caryl Churchill will be performed through Saturday, Feb. 20 with performances every night at 7:30 p.m., excluding Monday, Tuesday and Sunday, Feb. 14, and a second matinee performance at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13 and Saturday, Feb. 20. “Serious Money” follows the aftermath of the murder of an insider trader and his sister’s investigation. Meanwhile, a corporate raider attempts to complete a hostile takeover. Churchill’s cynical farce illuminates the dark underbelly of the global financial system and the poisonous greed and ambition on which it depends. General admission tickets cost $17.50 and senior tickets cost $12.50. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the box office at 251-6200 or email center@ purchase.edu.
Purchase Symphony Orchestra concert The Purchase Symphony Orchestra is made up of the phenomenally talented students of the Conservatory of Music where every player is coached individually and jointly towards making each concert a memorable occasion. They will be performing a concert on Friday, Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m. The concert will be conducted by Ransom Wilson, and will feature a piano solo of the Mozart Overture from Don Giovanni performed by Stephen Buck, a piano concerto by Laura Kaminsky and a Beethoven Symphony No. 7. General admission tickets cost $17.50 and senior tickets cost $12.50. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the box office at 251-6200 or email center@ purchase.edu. 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.
February 12, 2016 • The HARRISON review • 5 anti-racism from page 1
Purchase alumna Toni Marriott, one of the student activists who called upon the school to make changes last year, described the administration’s response as “liberating.” “I’m happy and I feel very privileged and blessed to have been a part of that revolution at Purchase that started it all,” Marriot said. “It makes me feel empowered to know that kids at Purchase could now get what I longed for while I was there. It makes me feel better to know that Purchase is actually starting to take racism on campus seriously and trying to better the community there.” In addition to the opening of the center, Marriott also emphasized the importance of the reinstatement of the Global Black Studies minor to Purchase’s academic community. “It’s only right that at these higher institutions, that we’re paying mounds of money for, that I can be educated in the history and stories of my people [as opposed to Eurocentric history],” Marriott said. According to the college’s provost, Barry Pearson, the Mul-
Purchase student Alia Tejada protests at the Millions March in Manhattan last year.
Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, students from SUNY Purchase focus on anti-racism activism last year, which has elicited changes from the college’s administration this year. From left, Purchase alumni Josh Banks, Geovanna Borden, Darwin Javier and Elazar Abraham organize a group of students in preparation for the Millions March in Manhattan in December 2014. Photos/Kelsey Sucena
ticultural Center and reintroduction of the Global Black Studies program are “two prongs of the same effort,” and that the ultimate goal that was set forth by
“This is about remaining vigilant,” Pearson said. “We never want to slide back into complacency on these issues. A representative for state
Purchase’s administration for this year was to create permanent, institutional changes in response to concerns about racism and diversity on campus.
Sen. George Latimer, a Rye Democrat, presented a Senate certificate of merit at the opening of the center in recognition of the school’s efforts to
create the space. Borden could not be reached for comment as of press time. CONTACT: angela@hometwn.com
6 • The HARRISON review • February 12, 2016
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Mr. Whoodini
preserves the magic in learning By SARAH VARNEY Education Reporter Ask a 7-year-old to name a clown and chances are he or she will say “Ronald McDonald,” but back in the 1960s and 1970s, Bozo was king. “Bozo’s Big Top,” a TV show that ran seven days a week, starred Bozo and his sidekick, Mr. Whoodini. Only the youngest baby boomers remember Bozo the Clown today, and even fewer remember Mr. Whoodini.
Mr. Whoodini was played by Larry Johnson, an educator who taught in Livonia, Michigan. He’d gotten his start as a magician with his own show filmed at local station CKLW, based in Windsor, Michigan. After his two-year run as Mr. Whoodini on his solo show “The Magic Shop,” station producers
“The Amazing World of Light” used black light to wow students. Today, the same show includes laser lights. Photos courtesy Mobile Ed Productions
Larry Johnson today, in his office at his company’s headquarters in Redford, Michigan. He jokes that “one of these days I’ll find the time to retire.”
suggested he team up with Bozo, played by Larry Harmon, to become his sidekick. Johnson agreed and the two actors teamed up for “Bozo’s Big Top.” “Bozo’s Big Top” ran for eight or nine years, and as their show went on, Bozo became big business. Harmon franchised the Bozo name in the mid-1960s, and for a while, nearly every city had its own Bozo. At its height, Johnson said there were at least 43 Bozos, with each city having their own local show. While Johnson says he didn’t make “a ton of money” during his Mr. Whoodini years, he did make enough to get a business off the ground. Larry Johnson, founder of Mobile Ed Productions, performing as Mr. Whoodini, Bozo the Clown’s sidekick, circa 1960.
Offstage, Johnson worked at Whittier High School as the “activities administrator” where he sought out extracurricular presenters to give assemblies to the student body on a topic related to the curriculum. Finding quality “acts” was challenging. “I was kind of unhappy with some of the programs that the school was bringing in. I figured I could do a better job,” Johnson said. So he created a school assembly program called “The Amazing World of Light,” which demonstrated different types of light, including lasers and holograms. At the end of the program, he would roll out a “black art cabin”—a black light diorama with special effects— all with a flare. It was a hit. “Within the state of Michigan, I sold 60 programs that first year,” Johnson recalled. Its success proved his theory that children learn better when they’re having fun. “The best way to teach children is when they don’t know they’re learning,” he said. “The Amazing World of Light” kindled the inspiration for Mobile Ed Productions, which formally started in 1979. Today, the small Michiganbased company employs approximately 32 people and offers 28 different programs for schools. Mobile Ed “performers” give about 10,000 performances a year in approximately 3,500 schools across the country, Johnson said. Johnson, who refers to the programs as “acts” and the presenters
as “performers,” said the company tries to schedule appearances five days a week. Keeping up with changing school curriculums is always a priority. “Every year, we expand our programs and we add new effects,” Johnson said. “We try to provide things that schools can’t do on their own.” The program offers a living planetarium at a cost of $35,000 and robots for their STEM Science Fair, which cost $10,000 each. Although the shows are expensive, Johnson said the program tries to make them affordable for schools without resources. Most performers have been with the company for many years, Johnson said. Sometimes a costumed presenter or a live prop pops up at headquarters. Working at Mobile Ed is a lot of fun, he said. “Some days we’ll have someone dressed as Benjamin Franklin running around saying ‘hi’ to everyone,” he recounts with a chuckle. Performer Dick Buchholz has worked for Mobile Ed for 16 years. Based in Chicago, his animal act once featured an alligator. “Sometimes he’d come in and put an alligator on the floor,” Johnson said. “There’s nothing like having a 6-foot alligator wander into your office.” At 73, Johnson said he’s way overdue for retirement. His son Ryan, 29, is the only of his four sons involved in the business. CONTACT: sarah@hometwn.com
February 12, 2016 • The HARRISON review • 7
8 • The HARRISON review • February 12, 2016
Thanking our police and community updates Rye seeks to switch to LED streetlights, cut energy costs HARRISON HAPPENINGS Mayor Ron Belmont
I am happy to report that recently, the online security publication Protection 1 chose Harrison as one of the safest cities in the U.S. The featured article, “50 Safest Cities in America,” is now live on their website, Security.Protection.1.com. The Harrison Police Department has made it their mission to serve and protect all residents and visitors. I am proud that their hard work and dedication has led to Harrison being recognized as one of the safest places in America. I commend Police Chief Anthony Marraccini and his entire police force for their professionalism and diligence in keeping our streets secure and out of harm’s way. Look for the “Safest Cities” badge proudly displayed on our town website. The Harrison Public Library recently opened its Lecture Series with a timely presentation called “Middle East Alliances.” The library had a full house as Joan Katen, a leading expert on Middle East politics, a writer and a distinguished adjunct professor at Pace University, led the discussion. The next lecture
will be “The Rise of ISIS.” The Lecture Series is a very popular event and registration is required as space is limited. Participants may do so on the library’s website or by calling the library at 835-0324. To assist with advance preparation, participants may review the relevant chapter of the “Great Decisions” briefing book which is available at the library’s Information Desk. I would like to, once again, bring your attention to a very important community event on Thursday, Feb. 25 when the Tunnel to Towers Foundation will be holding a fundraiser concert at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester. The concert will benefit the family of West Harrison resident Sgt. Joseph Lemm. Sgt. Lemm was killed in December by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan. The concert will include performances by the Drifters, the New York Tenors, and Sgt. Lemm’s daughter, Brooke. Treat your valentine to what I’m sure will be a very enjoyable evening. Tickets for the 8 p.m. concert start at $50. To purchase tickets, please call 877-987-6487 or visit nypdsuperman.com. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go directly to the Lemm family. Although winter is still with us, it’s never too early to start
thinking of warmer days ahead. This summer, local pastry shop Nora’s Ovenworks is offering a summer program for children who are interested in developing their culinary skills. Half-day camps will be in session July 5 through Aug. 19. Children in fourth grade and above will meet from 9 a.m. to noon, and children in first through third grades will meet from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Students may sign up for one week or for all seven weeks. For additional information, please call 777-1063. In closing, please remember that Monday, Feb. 15 is a holiday. Garbage and/or recycling normally collected on Monday will be collected on Tuesday, Feb. 16. Garbage and/or recycling normally collected on Tuesday will be collected on Wednesday, Feb. 17. There will be no bulk trash pickup on Feb. 17. The next “Lunch with the Mayor” is on Friday, Feb. 19 and I will be at Silver Lake Café, located at 17 Taylor Square in West Harrison. On Friday, Feb. 26, I will be at Harrison Pizza, located at 248 Halstead Ave. in downtown Harrison. I will be at these locations from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and look forward to meeting with residents and talking about issues facing our community.
The city of Rye may soon convert all its traditional streetlights to LED as an energy-saving measure. Pictured is Purchase Street in Rye on a recent Sunday night. Photo/Andrew Dapolite
The city of Rye is considering replacing all of the city’s streetlights with more energyefficient LED lights. The reasoning behind the idea is that an investment in LED lighting generally improves nighttime visibility, increases energy savings by 40 to 80 percent, and can cut street lighting maintenance costs by at least 50 to 75 percent. A representative for Lumen Light Solutions, a Yonkersbased company that specializes in municipal conversions to LED lighting, gave a presentation to the Rye City Council on
Wednesday, Jan. 27 about the company’s services. LED lights have become popular in many communities because they are significantly more cost-effective and more eco-friendly than other common kinds of streetlights, including mercury vapor lights, which Rye currently uses. According to City Manager Marcus Serrano, Rye has a little more than 1,700 streetlights. The upfront cost would be $624,000, with the city standing to save $163,000 per year by making the switch. He said the cost for the LED lights would break even in
less than four years. Serrano has previous experience facilitating a municipality’s transition to LED street lights from when he was working in Dobbs Ferry. In addition to New Rochelle and Dobbs Ferry, Yonkers, Bronxville, Eastchester, Elmsford, Hastings, Irvington, Ardsley, Tarrytown, Greenburgh and Ossining have already chosen to transition to LED lighting. If the city were to move forward on converting all of streetlights to LED, Serrano said it should realistically take about six or seven months, at most. -Reporting by Angela Jordan
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.”
February 12, 2016 • The HARRISON review • 9
MTA, Metro-North ban hoverboards over fire risk BCW’s response to Cuomo’s State of the State The Business Council of Westchester was pleased to hear Gov. Cuomo’s support of several initiatives of importance to members and the Westchester business community, including enhanced tax credits for small businesses, a bigger focus on consolidation of municipal services to reduce cost to taxpayers energy from page 1
Hoverboards have been banned at all Metro-North train stations and onboard its trains. The popular gadgets use lithium-ion batteries, which have recently been found to pose fire risks. File photo
By SIBYLLA CHIPAZIWA Editorial Assistant On Jan. 27, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced that possessing hoverboards aboard trains or buses or at stations of the New York City transit system is banned, including the Metro-North Railroad, which has three lines running through Westchester County. Hoverboards—a self-balancing two-wheeled board or electric scooter—became a must-have gadget last year, especially during the holiday season. They are controlled by the user standing on sensored platforms. They operate on lithium-ion batteries, which have recently been scrutinized for posing potential fire risks under certain conditions, according to the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration, with reports of the batteries getting too hot, short-circuiting or
simply being defective, causing some hoverboards to self-ignite. The administration regulates hoverboards because of the batteries they use. In a released statement, the MTA said that its safety rules have long banned the use of personal wheeled devices, like skateboards or scooters, in subway and train stations. Customers are also not allowed to have hazardous and flammable materials on public transport. The fire risk that lithium-ion batteries pose led the MTA to ban the devices. Hoverboards have already been banned on other transport systems, such as on most U.S. airlines and in other major cities. MTA Chief Safety Officer David Mayer said that riders’ and employees’ safety are always the MTA’s main concern. “For obvious reasons, it is not safe to use… personal wheeled vehicles
on station platforms. We’re equally concerned about the safety risk of bringing devices that pose fire hazards into the confined spaces inside trains and buses,” he said in a released statement. Peter Todd, of New Rochelle, works in Larchmont and sometimes takes the one-stop ride on the Metro-North New Haven line to get to work. He finds the outright ban a good thing, as he’s not a fan of hoverboards. He pointed out the fire risks, and added, “I think hoverboard users are worse than people walking and texting at the same time. They perpetuate a lazy lifestyle.” A representative from the Westchester County Department of Transportation, which operates the Bee-Line bus and ParaTransit systems, could not be reached for comment as of press time. CONTACT: sibylla@hometwn.com
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Kiernan Moran, account executive for Johnson Controls. “If it’s unusually cold out, the system will sense that and recognize that the boilers will need to be turned on an hour earlier than usual,” Moran added. Other fixes proposed in the contract include switching interior and exterior lighting to LED systems; weather stripping doors and sealing areas around rooftop ventilators; and the installation of a districtwide energy management system that will let facilities personnel view the state of boiler performance, thermostat performance, controlled ventilation and fan control. These potential savings were
and improve efficiency of government, a moratorium on toll increases on the New York State Thruway, and continued funding for all Regional Economic Development Councils. The Business Council of Westchester’s 2016 Legislative Agenda will continue to press the governor and legislature for mandate re-
lief, and will also evaluate the impact of an increased minimum wage especially to small businesses as well as paid family leave. The BCW’s Governmental Action Council will be carefully evaluating the governor’s budget to assess the fiscal implications of this year’s budget. (Submitted)
Annual savings under energy performance contract Lighting fixture retrofits to LED:
$110,717
Weatherization measures:
$12,253
Energy management system:
$58,118
Steam trap replacements:
$26,476
Pipe, valve, tank insulation:
$18,553
Boiler/burner replacements:
$6,580
Installation of co-generation units:
$63,987
Ventilator refurbishments:
$4,902
The first-year savings of a $7.5 million energy performance contract being considered by the Harrison school district.
extrapolated from a preliminary energy audit conducted over a two-month period starting last summer. If the board votes to approve the plan, a more in-depth
audit would be conducted for the formal application to the New York Department of Education. CONTACT: sarah@hometwn.com
CHI launches gift card initiative for homeless In an effort to address the growing problem of homelessness among New York families, Community Housing Innovations, CHI, has launched the Fresh Start program. This initiative allows the public to directly purchase Bed Bath & Beyond gift cards for homeless families in five counties outside of New York City, including Westchester County, where CHI operates 80 emergency housing apartments in Mount Vernon. CHI is the largest provider of housing for the homeless in suburban New York and has connected with Bed Bath & Beyond to encourage individuals, families and businesses to purchase gift cards through the Bed Bath & Beyond number at 844-52-ICARE. All of this tax-deductible donation will be given to a family or individual currently living in a local shelter in Nassau, Suffolk,
Westchester, Dutchess and Orange counties to purchase household items when they enter permanent housing. Donors will receive an acknowledgment of their contribution for tax purposes. “No family should have to spend the holidays in a homeless shelter, yet thousands of low-income New York individuals and families find themselves in that situation,” said Alexander Roberts, executive director of CHI. “Our goal is to provide a $100 gift card to each family when they find permanent housing, but the public may donate whatever amount they like.” CHI provides housing for 1,000 homeless people—primarily single mothers and children—each night in shelters and emergency apartments throughout the state. While social workers and housing specialists do their best, families face
the bleak prospect of spending the joyous holiday season alone with strangers. Finding an affordable, permanent home takes an average of four months. Since most people are in emergency housing due to eviction or foreclosure, they often have very little to their names. While counties provide the bare essentials—beds, a dining table, a couch—the gift cards will allow the families to buy linens, blankets, pillows and housewares that turn a house or apartment into a home. Community Housing Innovations Inc. provides the housing and human services necessary to enable low and moderateincome families and individuals to achieve the greatest social and economic independence at the lowest cost to society. For more information on CHI, visit chigrants.org. (Submitted)
10 • The HARRISON review • February 12, 2016
Feds release flood plan for Mamaroneck
School district optimistic about budget By SARAH VARNEY Education Reporter
A study released this week by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recommends a $72 million plan aimed at mitigating flood risks in the vulnerable community of the village of Mamaroneck. Pictured is a section of Mamaroneck Avenue after Tropical Storm Irene. File photo
A long-awaited analysis by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, which studied projects aimed to mitigate flood hazards along the Mamaroneck and Sheldrake rivers, has been submitted to the village of Mamaroneck. According to the report, the cost of the projects altogether would total approximately $72 million. According to the report, projects included in the plan will center on modifying the Mamaroneck and Sheldrake rivers in a number of ways, including the widening, lengthening and deepening of some of the tributaries’ channels to allow a greater flow into the Mamaroneck Harbor. The cost of the project would be split between both federal and nonfederal sources; approximately $45 million from federal sources and the other $24 million
from nonfederal sources; namely, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Westchester County. Both the county and local governments have requested federal aid for such projects since the 1970s when two floods—one in 1972 and another in 1975—caused significant damage to the village of Mamaroneck and surrounding areas. The two floods, according to the report, caused $18 million and $92 million in inflation-adjusted damage, respectively. Despite the approval of the plan, which addressed such issues by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1989, the project was eventually stalled due to cost concerns from nonfederal partners, according to the study. According to the most recent report submitted by the Army
Corps, the efforts would have funded a number of large-scale projects to help mitigate flood damage, including the construction of 7,500 feet of retaining wall—about 21 football fields in length—and the replacement of several bridges in the area. Interest in the project was renewed in 2007, after two serious flood events resulted in a Presidential Disaster Declaration which ultimately necessitated the assistance of FEMA. Now, according to village of Mamaroneck Mayor Norman Rosenblum, a Republican, the project has a better shot than ever of actually coming to fruition; one particularly encouraging aspect of the recent proposal is that it costs $30 million less than its last iteration. -Reporting by James Pero
While most Westchester school districts are anxious about balancing their 2016-2017 budgets, Harrison Central School District administrators are optimistic about making the numbers add up. The 2016-2017 school budget process statewide is fraught with peril this year because the 2 percent school tax levy cap has been set by the state at just 0.12 percent. Last year, school districts were allowed to ask for a 1.62 percent increase from property owners in the community. The 2 percent tax cap, established by the state in 2011, was instituted to keep property taxes from rising and to minimize school taxes, particularly in upstate New York where many communities face decreasing enrollment numbers. When the inflation rate is lower than 2 percent, the allowable school levy rate is automatically set to that number. The decreased levy number for this budget cycle, compared to the $109 million current school budget, will allow
addressed the issue at the Feb. 3 Board of Education meeting. The superintendent discussed the effects of the 2 percent tax cap and the annual holdup of full state aid allocations due to the 2011 Gap Elimination Act. The GEA decreases the amount of each school district’s state aid allocation using a percentage that takes into consideration income levels. Although Harrison’s state aid allocation for 2016-2017 is estimated to be $375,000, the district will only get $126,000 of that total. The remaining $249,000 will be withheld due to the GEA. “People come up to me all the time and ask, ‘Why can’t we return foreign language [studies] to the elementary schools?’ or ‘Why can’t we fix this?’ and the answer is there are constraints that are almost insurmountable for us,” Wool said. Salierno said the amount of state aid that school districts will receive for the 2016-2017 budget year will become more clear once the state budget is adopted at the end of March. CONTACT: sarah@hometwn.com
8-step formula to figure school budget tax cap X
+ — — X
Meet Asia, a pretty tabby tortie mix. Asia is about a year old and loves to play. She will happily greet you and insist on being pet and played with. What a wonderful cat for a family that wants a fur-ever furry friend. Asia is spayed, in excellent health and up to date with all vaccinations. To meet Asia, contact Larchmont Pet Rescue at 835-3332/740-4072 or visit NY-PetRescue.org. (Submitted)
Harrison school district’s 20162017 budget to factor in a levy increase of just $119,000. Despite the decline in the allowable tax growth levy, Robert Salierno, assistant superintendent for business, is optimistic about balancing the budget for 2016-2017. If there is a difference between how much the district is allowed to collect in taxes and the size of the budget, it’s likely to be very small, he predicted. “I think we’re going to be okay for at least a year, but it will be very, very close,” Salierno said. The combination of pension savings of $600,000, the return of monies from Payment In Lieu of Taxes arrangements, an increase in the tax base growth factor and even the retirement of several teachers will all boost the district’s revenue. The increase in the tax base growth factor will provide $980,000 to the district, a missing element in the current 20152016 school budget. Salierno is optimistic about the specifics, but Superintendent of Schools Louis Wool
—
+ =
Tax levy in prior year
$14.4M
Tax base growth factor
1.0035%
PILOTS (payments in lieu of taxes) received prior year
$43,621
Torts judgements in prior year
0
Capital tax levy in prior year
$306,000
Allowable levy growth factor
1.02%
PILOTS receivables for current year
$451,870
Available carryover from prior year
0
TOTAL
$13.7M
The numbers included in the chart do not represent any specific school district or budget. Instead, the chart is meant to merely illustrate how the tax cap can affect a school budget.
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facebook.com/harrisonreview
February 12, 2016 • The HARRISON review • 11
City of Rye discusses new drone legislation By JAMES PERO Staff Writer As the use of recreational and commercial drones expands, cutting-edge technology is facing cutting-edge regulation. Through an increasing array of federal and municipal laws, how and when people can use drones is being defined across the country, including in the city of Rye. During a Jan. 27 City Council meeting, councilmembers and City Attorney Kristen Wilson discussed the beginning of the city’s framework on how drones and their pilots can operate within city boundaries. Among the major facets guiding the proposed legislation over drone usage are privacy and safety, according to City Manager Marcus Serrano. “We have a lot of public parks… We want to make sure people are protected,” Serrano said. Equipped with cameras, modern drones—many of which are now affordable to the average consumer—are capable of deftly flying through the air and capturing bird’s eye view photos and video footage in high definition. According to Wilson, there are at least a few other municipalities in the region with laws regulating the usage of drones, including one in Rockland County. The Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, has already begun regulating drone usage by implementing nationwide guidelines that require registration and strictly limiting how and where they can be flown. The penalties for failing to register a drone with the FAA—which will kick in on Feb. 19—are punishable up to $27,000 according to the agency’s website. Additionally, both New York state and New York City have begun looking at their own legal models for just how and where drones can be operated. Wilson said that while developing their local law, Rye may want to proceed with caution, as the FAA is in the midst of developing more guidelines that may overlap. “The FAA is going to pre-
The Rye City Council will begin to discuss what will become the framework for local legislation regarding the usage of drones in the city. Photos/Andrew Dapolite
empt some of this,” she said. “They’re looking at it closely, too.” Interest in using drones, however, isn’t just limited to recreational users. According to Wilson, the Rye City Police Department and Rye TV have shown an affinity for the application of drone technology. New Rye Police Commissioner Michael Corcoran told the Review that, though he hasn’t officially considered the use of drones in Rye, they could have a valuable application in public surveillance. “You cannot use them too look into private homes. People have a right to privacy,” he
said, adding that police work could still benefit from their usage. “It would be somewhat useful in the public eye, a lot like a surveillance camera.” Corcoran, whose first day on the job was Feb. 1, also acknowledged that the usage of drones for police purposes also brings up its own sticky set of legality regarding search warrants. “That’s something we’d want to explore very closely,” he said. Representatives from the FAA could not be reached for comment as of press time.
Among the facets of drone usage discussed will be how drones are used in Rye’s public parks, in addition to how the city might use them for their services.
CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
A similar drone photo of Rye City Hall ran on the front page of the Sept. 25 issue of the Review.
According to City Attorney Kristen Wilson, a local law may eventually overlap with federal laws which she told The Review are already in the pipeline from the FAA.
12 • The HARRISON review • February 12, 2016
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February 12, 2016 • The HARRISON review • 13
There’s a reason ‘Cupid’ rhymes with ‘stupid’ RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy
There are holidays filled with joy, love, laughs and a gladdened heart. And then there’s Valentine’s Day. “I’m not sure he ever recovered,” recalls a friend I’ll call Clarissa, thinking of the Valentine’s Day when she was engaged to the man of her dreams, who gave her a pair of heart-shaped silver earrings. Nice, right? Wrong. “When I put them on, I realized they were tarnished. I went insane,” Clarissa said. “I thought, ‘This is the end of our relationship!’ I remember going down the street, crying my eyes out and calling my friend, ‘Matt bought me these tarnished earrings (sob) and I don’t want (sob) to speak to him again!’ It was like the tarnish was a metaphor for our relationship. I remember my family talking me down, ‘He doesn’t mean it. He loves you. It was inadvertent.’ But what kind of man gives a woman a tarnished gift?” A man who’s pretty worried about giving her a gift again, I’ll tell you that. Looking back—with her 30th anniversary coming up (yes, with Tarnish Man)—Clarissa can’t understand why she went so ballistic, but I do. Valentine’s Day is to relationships what pythons are to picnics. Another friend whose name I can’t use—do you sense a pattern here?—had been married for a few years and Valentine’s Day was upon him. “Of course, I was one of those last-minute shoppers,” he admits. “So I was
on Fifth Avenue and I just popped into a Victoria’s Secret to get her something.” He pauses. “I learned a lot that day.” Things you males out there may wish to note: 1. Buying lingerie for a woman is sometimes perceived, perhaps unfairly, as more of a gift for you. 2. Silk is an expensive material, long valued for its drape, feel and cost. 3. Polyester is a cheap, manmade material that can, to some benighted (ex) boyfriends/husbands, seem just like silk. 4. It’s not. Once my friend had learned this lesson the hard way, he never bought his wife any clothing again—not even a scarf. In fact, after that, it was mostly gift cards. “Let her handle it,” he says now, sounding a little shaken. Still married, but shaken. And then there was the “funny” Valentine’s Day that business guru Peter Shankman arranged for his date. They’d been going on five months. “Long enough for her to know my sense of humor,” he thought. So, he continues, “Did you know that on Valentine’s Day, White Castle takes reservations and puts out waiter service, placemats, candy hearts, etc.?” He told his girlfriend to dress up, “We’re going to someplace romantic.” They drove to Queens. They pulled into White Castle. The girlfriend assumed they just needed a place to park. But—surprise! During dinner, she cried. They broke up a week later. He has since married someone more fun. But of course, sometimes the gift a guy gives is actually quite perfect. That doesn’t mean all
goes as planned. “One year, I happened to get three bouquets delivered at work,” recalls Manhattan author and poet Elinor Nauen, who had been toiling at a women’s magazine. “Bouquet number one came from Johnny, my new boyfriend at the time. Bouquet number two was from a guy who worked there and had a hopeless crush on me.” The third bouquet was a thank you from a writer whose story she’d published. The gift just happened to arrive on Feb. 14. “I kept getting interrupted to go to the front desk for yet another delivery, and the small muttering that came at the second bouquet got pretty loud by the third,” says Nauen. And what were those co-workers’ mutters? “Everyone seemed to think I’d sent them all to myself!” So a day to revel in popularity became a day she realized all her coworkers thought she was a neutered, friendless narcissist. Gee, thanks! Luckily, she is still with Johnny—he bought bouquet number one—decades later. And the fact that he has never given her flowers since is something they’re both fine with. Considering that this is one of the happier stories I’ve heard, maybe the key is to simply sleep through the 14th, or do what my husband did in the early, giddy days of our relationship: buy your beloved a pound of bologna. Not as a metaphor. Just as a guilty pleasure that isn’t made out of polyester and can’t tarnish. It’s also unlikely your sweetheart will get three of those on the same day. CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com
Talking Business: With Jennifer Graziano By IRA ELLENTHAL Meet Jennifer Graziano, who, with admirable gusto, has been helping to lead the Coxe & Graziano Funeral Home operation through its fourth generation. Notably, the company recently opened a state-of-the-art facility in Greenwich, Connecticut, as part of an expansion move. And, of course, it’s business as usual at its flagship in Mamaroneck where, in a separate, adjacent building, Zion Memorial Chapel, the only independent all-Jewish funeral home serving Westchester County, continues to flourish. We had gotten together to talk about Zion specifically, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and where, according to Jen, who’s also a non-practicing attorney, things are going swimmingly. “We’re right where we want to be at this point in time and we expect to keep growing at a fast clip,” she said with enthusiasm. Ten minutes into our conversation, I began to feel like a slacker as Jen ticked off what seemed like an endless list of charities, nonprofits and service organizations to which she willingly gives her time and energy. “It makes for a long, pressurefilled day, but I welcome the challenge,” she said. With a wide smile, a longtime friend commented, “Color her a tornado or a cyclone if you want, but mostly color her smart because she’s building inestimable goodwill for her business, at the same time as distinguishing herself as an outstanding corporate citizen.” Another person who knows her well added, “Jen’s in perpetual motion, sort of a mobile public relations, advertising and marketing juggernaut rolled into one—and I admire her greatly for all that she’s accomplishing.” Jen said that several rabbis who knew her father, Vincent, appreciated him for his character and professionalism, and were instrumental in convincing him to open Zion to fill the void in the marketplace. “He showed his appreciation by creating an environment in which understanding and empathy for the families we serve is never in short supply. I think of him as my role model and I have tried to emulate him in every way possible. I still do, in fact,
Funeral Director Jennifer Graziano. Photo/Andrew Dapolite
because he remains active in the business,” she said. Clearly comfortable in her own skin, Jen adds a woman’s touch to the business that, for obvious reasons, no man could bring. “No doubt there’s truth to that, but my father has taught me so much, like never to rest on my laurels and the importance of staying current and relevant in order to grow.” And something else: “He told me that the first day it becomes a job for me is the day I should leave, but that’s not likely to happen. I mean it,” Jen said. By the time I got around to raising the question of what it’s like for an Italian woman to run a Jewish funeral home, she was more than prepared for it. “It’s absolutely no problem at all,” she said. “I grew up with as many Jewish friends as any other kind. Like my father, I have always had great respect for Jewish traditions. And, let’s face it, Jews and Italians have a lot in common, including their love for food, faith and family.” Slim bordering on sleek, Jen is an attractive divorcee and the mother of a 4-year-old daughter, Mia, whom she adores. “She’s a hoot, the most important person in my life,” she said. “I spend as much time with her as possible and I want her to grow up to believe that any goal is attainable if you love what you do.” Since she has been working for her father since her early teens, I wanted to know what she would do differently if she was afforded a “mulligan,” or a second chance,
as they say in golf. “Absolutely nothing—except perhaps grabbing some more sleep and being a little more trusting that things would turn out well,” she said. Detecting signs of micromanagement, I asked if she runs her business that way. “Over the top, guilty as charged,” she laughed. “But I’m working on it, although I’m the first to admit that I still have a way to go.” As our hour together wound down, I was determined to throw her my best fastball with my final question, a real spur-of-themoment toughie designed to make her think long and hard. “When the moment arrives for you to meet your maker, what words would you like inscribed on your tombstone?” I asked. After the briefest of pauses, she said, “She did it all and she did it well.” Foiled again. I was impressed and, as I packed to leave, I complimented her for being so interesting. Tongue-in-cheek, she quipped, “I want you to understand that it’s never dull when a Graziano is in the room.” That clinched it: I was on the verge of telling her that I would like her to handle my funeral arrangements when my time came. But, not wanting her to think that I was an easy mark, I figured I could hold off for a few days before giving her the order. Ira Ellenthal is the executive vice president of Home Town Media Group.
14 • The HARRISON review • February 12, 2016
The best defense LIVE MIKE Mike Smith
On Feb. 7, the Denver Broncos topped the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50, and although it may not have been the most exciting game in the NFL’s history, I bet the memories of that game will live on for quite a while for one simple reason: youth coaches will love it. Regardless of the sport, coaches at every level—except maybe Mike Martz, that is—preach the importance of good defense. They’re almost clichés at this point: “A good defense beats a good offense,” and “Offense wins games, but defense wins championships.” These sayings seem to be rote platitudes taught on the first day of coach training. But here’s the thing: it’s pretty much true. On Sunday, it wasn’t the Broncos’ Hall of Fame-bound
quarterback that led them to a Super Bowl win; it was an allworld defensive effort led by MVP Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware, and a host of other Broncos who harassed and bullied the explosive Cam Newton from start to finish. The result was 19 hurries, seven sacks and one huge upset that nobody—including myself—saw coming. Coming into the game, most pundits saw this as a probable one-sided Carolina win. Newton was too dangerous, the Panthers’ receivers were too fast, and the Carolina offense was too balanced for Denver to possibly have a shot, right? And then the Broncos’ defense proved us wrong. If young kids get into sports dreaming of scoring touchdowns or hitting buzzer-beating shots, the first thing that most coaches want to instill in us is a healthy respect for what happens on the other side of the ball. It’s pretty easy to understand
SPORTS
why. Defense is the one thing, especially at lower levels, that isn’t about how fast you are, or how high you can jump; it’s about effort, toughness and buying into the system. Sure, Miller is an exceptional athlete. Heck, every player on that Broncos defense is a top 1-percenter. But the way that Denver, in just two short years, was able to remake themselves from an offensive juggernaut into a team led by its defense speaks volumes to the ability of a coach to change the culture of a ballclub just by focusing on the defensive side of things. If the offense scores the points, it’s the defense that supplies the backbone. When I was 9 years old, I had a CYO basketball coach who organized a team night where we all piled into our point guard’s living room to watch a game featuring NBA prospect Joe Smith. Smith would go on to play 16 years in the league, never
To COVER local sports, you need a
LIVE MIKE! Follow Mike Smith @LiveMike_Sports stats • recaps • commentary Follow Mike Smith @harrisonreview for Mike’s live, in-game action updates
quite reaching the heights that some of his draftmates, notably Kevin Garnett, did. But that coach didn’t want us to watch Smith’s athleticism or knack for scoring; rather, his effort on defense and on the glass, and his ability to set the tone and make his teammates better through his hard work on the floor. Given their preference, I’m sure youngsters would much rather tune in to watch Newton flip into the end zone, Odell Beckham make one-handed grabs, or Golden State Warriors’ guard Stephen Curry drain shots from beyond the arc. That stuff is fun, it’s entertaining, and for lack of a better term, it’s sexy. But some days, like last Sunday, those phenoms run into a brick wall, a defense that’s simply unwilling to bend. For a coach at any level, that sort of commitment to a defensive game plan is more gratifying than all the touchdowns in the world.
Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports
On Feb. 7, Von Miller and the Denver Broncos’ defense stymied the Panthers and Cam Newton en route to a 24-10 victory in Super Bowl 50. For youth coaches, the game will long remain a great example of the importance of defense. Photo/Jeffrey Beall
SPORTS
February 12, 2016 • The HARRISON review • 15
Huskies top Eagles again By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor Although Harrison came into Friday night’s game against Eastchester without head coach Louis Kail on the bench, the setback didn’t derail the Huskies’ hopes for a league win over the Eagles. Despite falling behind early, Harrison climbed back into contention and came away with a double-digit win, topping Eastchester 74-62 on the road. Kail, who picked up two technical fouls for questioning rough play during the JV contest preceding the varsity showdown, had to serve a one-game suspension in the nightcap, leaving coaching duties to assistant coach Scott Clough. According to Clough, however, stepping into the unfamiliar role was made much easier by the Huskies’ experience and commitment to the game plan. “I think when it comes down to it, we just play our game; it can be Eastchester, it can be Pelham,” he said. “We’re going to play our way and if we can do
Harrison assistant coach Scott Clough talks to his players during a timeout. Huskies’ head coach Louis Kail was forced to serve a one-game suspension after picking up two technical fouls during the JV game.
that, we’re supremely confident that we’re going to come out on top.” Although Eastchester started quickly, finding the net four
times from behind the arc in the first quarter to open up a 21-12 lead, Harrison battled back in the second to tie the game heading into the half.
Avery LaBarbera drives to the hole on Feb. 5. LaBarbera had 19 points in Harrison’s 74-62 win over Eastchester.
Gina Nuvoloni rushes past an Eagles’ defender at Eastchester High School.
According to Huskies’ point guard Avery LaBarbera, who finished with a game-high 19 points—15 of which came from foul shots—it simply took Harrison a few minutes to find its bearings. “Coach Clough is a great coach, but to have [Coach Kail] thrown out right before the game, it was kind of a wakeup call,” said the sophomore. “I think in the second quarter, that’s when we started playing as a team.” Harrison’s commitment to rebounding and its ability to defend Eastchester standout Cassidy Mitchell paid dividends in the final three quarters of the game. Mitchell had nine points in the first quarter, but was held to just one basket from the field for the remainder of the game. “We had to shut [Mitchell] down,” Clough said. “She killed us at Harrison, so we knew if we could take her away this game, we’d have a good chance to win.” With playoffs scheduled to begin after press time, Harrison is hoping that its strong showing against the Eagles will translate into postseason success. The
Cassidy Mitchell makes a move near the sidelines on Feb. 5. Mitchell led Eastchester with 14 points. Photos/Mike Smith
Section I seeds should be announced on Feb. 10, with outbracket games scheduled to be played the following day. “This was an awesome win because Eastchester is a great
team,” LaBarbera said. “To know that we’re as good as them is a great thing for us heading into the playoffs.” Contact: sports@hometwn.com
16 • The HARRISON review • February 12, 2016
SPORTS
Huskies shine at qualifiers By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor On Feb. 6, local wrestlers competed in the Section I qualifying meet, taking their first step toward potentially winning a sectional title and moving on to represent the area in the New York State Wrestling Championships on Feb. 26. For some schools, including Harrison, the day was a runaway success that will allow the season to continue, at least for another week. The championship featured four separate meets, held at Carmel, John Jay, Horace Greeley and Sleepy Hollow high schools, from which the top four wrestlers in each weight division earned berths in the Feb. 13 sectional meet at Arlington High School. The Huskies, who competed at John Jay High School, pushed six wrestlers through to the sectional competition,
A Harrison wrestler hits the mat at John Jay High School on Feb. 6. Harrison qualified six wrestlers for next weekend’s sectional championships.
A Mamaroneck wrestler competes at John Jay High School on Feb. 6. Photos/Mike Smith
something that ended up in line with head coach Vin Nicita’s predictions for the qualifiers. “We knew we could probably go anywhere from four to
Harrison’s top performer was Rob Donohue, who shined with a first-place finish in the 195-pound bracket. Donohue pinned John Jay’s Kyle Edelman
eight qualifiers, so we ended up right in the middle,” he said. “If a few things had broken differently, we could have sent eight to sectionals.”
Eastchester’s Nunzio Crowley wrestles in the 170-pound finals at Horace Greeley High School on Feb. 6. Crowley and his Eastchester teammates will practice at Harrison this week in preparation for sectionals.
Rob Donohue tangles with an opponent at sectional qualifiers on Feb. 6. Donohue took first place in the 195-pound bracket.
in the semifinals before topping Edelman’s teammate Ethan Zimiles in a tense overtime final. “[Rob] had beaten his semifinalopponent a few weeks ago at counties, but he hadn’t gone against [Zimiles] yet,” Nicita said. “It came down to overtime, first takedown wins, and he showed a lot of toughness.” Donohue was one of four Huskies to reach the finals, as Tyler Joseph (99 pounds), Andrew Hollander (138) and Jay Martins (126) all came away with second-place finishes. Nicita in particular was proud of TJ DiNota, a senior who fought to a third place win in the 170-pound bracket. “[TJ] missed his sophomore and junior year to injury, but he came back this year and got 23 wins and qualified for the section,”
Nicita said. “This was great for him.” Daniel Cho, who placed fourth at 113 pounds, is also headed to the sectional championships this coming weekend. Sectionals are scheduled to begin on Feb. 13 at Clarkstown South High School and the championships will take place the following day at Arlington. To prepare for this weekend’s tournament, Harrison will be hosting practices for local teams including Rye, Port Chester, Eastchester and Scarsdale. “Everyone kind of pulls together with the kids that are still around at this time of year,” Nicita said. “These are some of the best practices of the season and its definitely a fun time.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com