July 22, 2016

Harrison REVIEW THE

July 22, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 30 | www.harrisonreview.com

Town Democratic primary becomes official

By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer

Thank you

On Tuesday, July 19, state Sen. George Latimer, right, and state Assemblyman David Buchwald, left, commend the work of the Harrison Police Department in making seven arrests on drug charges. State, town and police officials also joined at the press conference by the parents of two recent overdose victims. For story, see page 3.

Photo/Andrew Dapolite

Harrison police make additional arrest in drug probe

Harrison police have made another arrest in connection with an ongoing narcotics investigation that launched in June and involved the death of two Harrison residents.

The Harrison Police Department arrested resident Kacey Torpey, 33, on July 13, following the arrests of Rachael Brissett, 17, of Harrison, and Alexandra Derose, 22, of Mamaroneck, on June 24.

Torpey was charged with

the criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, a felony, and was arraigned in Harrison Town Court on July 14.

Police were able to obtain drugs, drug paraphernalia and large denominational U.S. currency following an executed search warrant of Torpey’s residence in Harrison.

Investigators believe Torpey provided one of the Harrison victims with cocaine prior to his death last month. Police

also believe that victim also purchased tainted heroin in the Bronx at around the same timeframe.

On June 26, the Police Department arrested prominent heroin dealer Jeffrey “Flee” McCaskill, 27, along with Diamond Samuels, 32, Deshaun Hardaway, 27, and Justice Sabina, 33, all residents of the Bronx, for conducting a drug deal on Halstead Avenue in Harrison.

Harrison police Chief An-

thony Marraccini said, “I think it’s imperative that we look to obtain treatment for people that suffer with horrible and devastating addictions.”

Marraccini said the department will continue with its investigation and anticipates further arrests.

Torpey is being held at the Westchester County Jail with a bail set at $500,000, as of press time.

-Reporting by Franco Fino

Harrison Town Councilman Joseph Stout and political newcomer Chris Rodier have each accumulated enough petition signatures to trigger a Democratic primary on Sept. 13. The two candidates are seeking a town board seat, with the winner then carrying the Democratic line in the general election.

Now, both candidates are vying to contest Republican nominee Richard Dionisio for the one year remaining on Canella’s unexpired term.

In January, Stout was appointed by an all-Republican town board to fill the seat vacated by Joseph Canella, a Republican, who left the board after being elected as a town justice.

The county Board of Elections requires that all municipal candidates seeking elected office collect signatures from at least 5 percent of their party’s registered voters by July 14 in order for that candidacy to become valid.

Stout and Rodier each told the Review that they met the 260-signature requirement before the deadline. Rodier estimated that he received about 350 signatures, while Stout estimated that he amassed more than 400.

The Board of Elections would not confirm these estimates, as it first needs to review the signa-

tures and hear any objections by the opposing side before certifying the count.

Stout, 60, is a retired parks administrator who has worked in both Westchester County and municipal parks departments and served as superintendent of Harrison Parks and Recreation.

Stout said his biggest concern was maintaining community services while keeping the town below the tax cap, adding that his 40 years of experience in public service have helped him understand how to get things done in government. He added that he wants to monitor downtown development, including projects like the 143-unit Avalon apartment complex at the Harrison train station, and the Harrison Playhouse Lofts, a mixed-use development on the site of the defunct Harrison Avenue movie theater.

“My goal is to make sure that they’re done properly and to make sure that they have a PRIMARY continued on page 5

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2 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • July 22, 2016

July 22, 2016 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 3

PD to roll out state-funded addiction program

By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer The Harrison Police Department has announced the creation of a program called Heroin Opiate Prevention Effort, HOPE, created to reach out to residents suffering with addiction. The program was announced during an emotional July 19 press conference held

by Sen. George Latimer, a Rye Democrat, and Assemblyman David Buchwald, a White Plains Democrat, to honor the Police Department for its efforts to combat heroin use.

According to Harrison police Chief Anthony Marraccini, the department will open its doors to individuals seeking to combat their addiction with HOPE beginning as early as September. The program will allow addicts to surrender drugs and drug parapher-

nalia without the threat of incarceration.

“I am personally saddened by the events that led us here,” Marraccini said. “It’s time for law enforcement to reach out and be able to offer real assistance to people who suffer from addictions.”

Last month, Harrison police arrested prominent heroin dealer Jeffrey “Flee” McCaskill, 27, and five others following the June deaths of Harrison residents Mark Rubinstein, 26, and Lauren Greer, 29.

“This is a scourge that affects communities across the whole country,” Buchwald said. “I’m hopeful [the arrests] will be followed up with thorough prosecutions.”

Marraccini said the Police Department has partnered with SOBA College Recovery, an addiction help organization located

in New Brunswick, New Jersey, that will provide residents with addiction help counseling and proper rehabilitation.

“I pray that something gets done today, and changes are made,” said John Greer, the father of Lauren Greer. “The drugs that are out there are so dangerous that if something is not done, more people are going to die right in this town.”

John Greer also warned that if the judicial system failed to “send a message” to the arrested drug dealers, more residents would lose the battle to drugs.

Peter Rubinstein, father of Mark Rubinstein, alluded to the ongoing battle against narcotics as a deadly disease that develops over time. “Kids are impressionable from kindergarten through college,” he said.

In June, Gov. Andrew Cuomo,

Harrison resident Peter Rubinstein, father of heroin victim Mark Rubinstein, 26, reflects on the Police Department’s efforts in its ongoing narcotics investigation.

Harrison police Chief Anthony Marraccini announced the creation of an addiction help program called Heroin Opiate Prevention Effort, HOPE, on July 19. Photos/Andrew Dapolite

a Democrat, signed legislation that aims to address the ongoing heroin and opioid crisis statewide. According to Latimer, the state will provide $141 million for efforts to combat heroin addiction, plus an additional $25 million in funding for state-operated treatment centers.

The legislation requires health insurance companies to ensure coverage for opioid treatment; restricts the ability of health insurers to unfairly limit available treatment and medications; reduces the amount of prescription opioids in the community; and enhances and increases com-

munity and inpatient treatment services.

As of press time, Harrison police will continue with its ongoing narcotics investigation and the department anticipates further arrests.

CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com

4 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • July 22, 2016

What’s going on...

Harrison Public Library

3-D printing demonstration On Wednesday, July 27 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Richard Halperin Memorial Building.

Did you know a 3-D printer can print out toys, small tools, and even body parts in plastic? Do you want to find out how it works? Come see the library’s new 3-D printer, MakerBot Mini, in action and get inspired. All are welcome.

Visit harrisonpl.org for more information on programs and summer hours at the Richard Halperin Memorial Building and the West Harrison branch.

One-on-one technology help The library will be helping patrons with their phone, tablet or laptop on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Richard Halperin Memorial Building. People are encouraged to bring their devices during this drop-in help session. This program is free and open to the public, and registration is required. For more information or to register for this program, call 835-0324.

Citizenship and English classes At the West Harrison branch on Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and at the Richard Halperin Memorial Building on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Through Thursday, Aug. 11. These are free citizenship and English classes for adults 18 and older, run by Southern BOCES. Space is limited. Call 524-9214 for more information.

Middle Eastern belly dancing On Wednesday, July 27 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Richard Halperin Memorial Building. Dancers from Josie’s International School of Dance will perform and instruct a belly dancing demonstration for all ages. Beautiful, sensual and fun, belly dancing originated in the Middle East and is a non-impact exercise that is suited for everyone. Registration is required online or by calling 835-0324.

Bilingual Storytime On Thursday, July 28 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the at the Richard Halperin Memorial Building.

For ages 1 to 4. This is an activity with stories, songs and a puppet show in English and Spanish with Miss Claudia and Miss Nancy.

Neuberger Museum of Art

TGA Golf Camp Piano concert Idith Meshulam Korman, pianist and artistic director of Ensemble Pi, will be performing at the Neuberger Museum of Art, located at 735 Anderson Hill Road in Purchase on Wednesday, July 27 from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The performance will include musical works selected in response to the visual practice of Korman’s friend Louise Fishman, whose retrospective is on exhibit in the museum.

Fishman and Korman will engage in an informal discussion at the close of the concert. Tickets to the concert are free for Purchase College students, staff and faculty, as well as Neuberger Museum of Art Circle Level Members. General admission tickets are $10. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 251-6100 or visit neuberger.org.

The Feeley Fund Make the Difference

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon at the Richard Halperin Memorial Building. A representative from the Youth Employment Services of the Harrison Youth Council will be available to discuss job opportunities with students in the Teen Center.

On Fridays from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Richard Halperin Memorial Building. Give your child the gift of language. This is a fun class where families can learn to communicate with their preverbal children using American Sign Language.

Based on the award-winning 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.

The E. J. Feeley Harrison High School Student Aid Fund awards monies to those graduates who are accepted in accredited colleges. The Feeley Fund is short of its goal to meet the financial needs of their eligible youth. The Feeley Fund, established in 1967, is a continuation of the Harrison High School Scholarship Fund begun in 1947.

Since then, more than 1,000 students have received more than $550,000 in financial aid. Checks made payable to the Feeley Fund and sent to Feeley Fund, Harrison High School, 255 Union Ave., Harrison, NY 10528 will “Make the Difference.” For more information, call Lola Geiger at 939-7066.

Singalong with Chloe

West Harrison branch temporary closing

Harrison news

On Mondays from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the West Harrison branch. For newborns to age 2. No registration required. Participants come together as a community to celebrate early childhood through music and movement. In this class, 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.

Starting Aug. 15, the West Harrison branch will be temporarily closed for carpet replacement and other repairs, to be done by the end of September.

A reopening date will be announced when possible. The book drop will remain open for return of library items until Aug. 15. After that date, all books must be returned to other Westchester Library System locations. Holds will be available for pickup at the Halperin building.

Summer Job Info 4 Teens

Chloe’s Sign & Play

country pop in West Harrison’s Village Green. Call the Harrison Recreation hotline at 670-3039 for more information.

Burglar alarm systems If you have a burglar alarm system installed in your home or business, you must be registered. An application must be filed with the Harrison Police Department Alarm Bureau. There is a $75 annual fee for residents, $150 for businesses and $25 for seniors. For more information, call 813-7455.

Volunteers needed Meals on Wheels is a volunteer organization in the community of Harrison. Please consider volunteering to deliver meals to Harrison’s homebound citizens. For more information, call 917-553-4618.

Harrison Recreation For further information, call the Leo Mintzer Center at 949-5265 or the Sollazzo Center at 6703179. You may also call the Harrison Recreation hotline at 670-3039. Most applications are available on harrison-ny.gov, unless stated otherwise, where you can also view the summer recreation brochure.

Summer Concert Series All concerts start at 7 p.m. On Wednesday, July 27, Voices Heard/Laughing Buddha will perform a mix of oldies and current tunes in downtown Harrison, on Purdy and Halstead avenues. On Thursday, July 28, the Tracy DeLucia Band will perform

Come out after the Harrison Recreation Day Comps and learn how to play golf with Coach Paul over the summer. All equipment is provided.

Program is on Thursdays through Aug. 25 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Veteran’s Memorial Park, located at 182 Crystal St. in Harrison. Price is $329. Registration is done online at playtga. com/southernwestchester. For questions, call Sean at 917-685-1961.

Football Position Clinics For grades three to eight. These clinics will present the non-contact skills and drills for future Husky football players. Drills will be led by the Harrison football coaching staff and modeled by the varsity football team. The focus of each drill will be movement and technique that will become the foundation of football development within the youth program. Clinics will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays on Aug. 2, 4 and 9 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Harrison High School field.

Summer swim lessons Registration is ongoing for all summer swim programs. All swim lessons are held at the Ron Belmont Pool Complex, located at 9 Casarella Way in West Harrison, unless stated otherwise. For more information, call the Harrison Recreation ho­ tline at 670-3039.

Guppies: For 3-year-olds who are ready for swimming. Program runs on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from July 5 to Aug. 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. No rain dates. Class sizes are limited. Fee: $90 made payable to Town/Village of Harrison.

Tadpoles: For 4- and 5-year-olds. Swim lessons starting the week of July 5 through Aug. 4. Program runs on Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 12:30 p.m. Class size is limited. No rain dates. Fee: $90 for 10 lessons payable to the Town/Village of Harrison.

Pre-Team: For ages 7 and up. Come and develop your child’s swimming skills. Children must be able to swim 10 yards unassisted. Program runs from July 5 to Aug. 4 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. No rain dates. Fee: $150 made payable to Town/Village of Harrison.

Summer, Strength, Speed and Power: This camp uses a progressive curriculum that is designed using physiological truths to properly prepare the athlete for his or her sport. The training is done in an authentic manner that incorporates 3-D motions enabling our athletes to translate the newly acquired function for improved performance. Program runs from July 6 through Aug. 15 on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. at Harrison High School for ages 13 to 18.

Fee: $360.

Deadline for our What’s Going On section is every Thursday at noon. Though space is not guaranteed, we will do our best to accommodate your listing. Please send all items to news@hometwn.com.

July 22, 2016 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 5 PRIMARY from page 1

positive effect on the downtown area and the residents of Harrison and also on the businesses downtown,” he said.

Stout’s primary opponent also plans to focus on the town’s tax-spending and development projects.

Rodier, 40, who has never held public office, is running on a platform of increasing transparency in town government. A professional software engineer, Rodier previously told the Review that, regardless of the results of the election, he planned to design software which would analyze town expenses in Harrison and compare them to neighboring municipalities.

Rodier added that he plans to address parking issues in downtown Harrison, and what he called the “mis-development trend,” referring in part to a zoning amendment unanimously approved by the town board, which allows the construction of senior living facilities in several residential zones throughout the town, including a 160unit Brightview living facility being considered on the site of the former Lake Street Quarry. Rodier belongs to a group, Save Harrison Inc., which is currently suing the town over

this amendment.

The Harrison Democratic Committee has officially endorsed Rodier.

Committee Chairwoman Elizabeth Pritchard said it wanted a candidate with no political experience and no ties to Republican officials.

Whichever Democratic candidate makes it through to the November election would be running in the hopes of being elected as the only Democrat on the five-member town board.

In recent elections, Harrison residents have voted heavily in favor of town Republican candidates. In last year’s town board elections, which featured three open seats including that of the mayor, the Republican candidates swept the Democrats, each gaining at least 65 percent of the vote.

Further, a Democrat has not been elected to the town board since 2009, when then-Mayor Joan Walsh was re-elected after defeating then-police Chief David Hall.

However, voter registration in Harrison has started to shift in favor of the Democrats over the last year.

According to the county Board of Elections, last year there were 5,270 registered Republican voters in Harrison compared to 4,808 Democrats. The most

recent Board of Elections statistics show that registered Democratic voters in Harrison have grown by 494 voters, or 9.3 percent, while Republican registration numbers have grown by 206 voters, or 3.7 percent.

Town Democrats believe their increase in voter registration can help them take the election regardless of who wins the primary.

“I will say that people seem disenfranchised by the Republicans in general and I think that extends from the national level and down to the local level,” Rodier said, adding that he believed the increase in voter registration would benefit the Democrats in the upcoming election.

Pritchard added that the upcoming presidential election could be adding to the heightened enrollment figures, as could student enrollment at Purchase and Manhattanville colleges, which are both located in Harrison.

“I think it would be highly likely that we would get some votes out of [the colleges] because of the presidential election,” she said. “It won’t affect the primary, but it will affect the actual election.”

CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com

Voter registration in Harrison

Registered Registered

Democrats Republicans

All Other Ratio of Registered Democrats to Voters Republicans

2015

4,808 5,270 5,858 91.2-to-100

2016

5,302 5,476 5,797 96.8-to-100

Change in registered voters

+494

+206

-59

—

Percent change

+9.3%

+3.8%

-1.0%

—

Source: Westchester County Board of Elections

Voter registration numbers for Harrison Democrats have increased at more than double the rate of town Republicans, which may help the winner of the town board Democratic primary win a seat in the November election.

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.”

6 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • July 22, 2016

Harrison REVIEW

THE

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

Publisher | Howard Sturman ext. 21, publisher@hometwn.com Christian Falcone Associate Publisher | Editor-in-Chief ext. 19, chris@hometwn.com Executive Vice President | Ira Ellenthal ext. 31, irathal@hometwn.com Sports Editor | Mike Smith ext. 22, sports@hometwn.com Editorial Assistant | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 25, sibylla@hometwn.com

Town concert series

in full swing

Fourteen concerts are held throughout the summer in various locations: the Village Green in downtown Harrison and street concerts all over the town and in West Harrison. The con-

certs start at 7 p.m. and offer an array of musical sounds, ranging from country to progressive rock and contemporary.

Jackie DiMaggio and her guest Michael D’Amore held a

street concert on Wednesday, July 13 and offered an array of contemporary classics that the audience could dance and sing along to.

-Review staff

The 2016 concert series is sponsored by the Harrison Recreation Department. Photos/Bobby Begun

Editorial Assistant | Suzy Berkowitz ext. 30, suzy@hometwn.com Reporter | Corey Stockton ext. 16, corey@hometwn.com Reporter | Franco Fino ext. 18, franco@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 Bobby Begun, Andrew Dapolite Intern Justin Grant, Josh Stabile Columnists Ron Belmont, Lenore Skenazy Letters

The community’s opinion matters.

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

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Michael D’Amore belts out classics from the Temptations, the Four Seasons and other popular groups of the past decades.

Jackie DiMaggio performs her rendition of “God Bless America” and many other popular tunes at the 2016 Harrison Summer Concert Series.

Remaining concert schedule

Postmaster

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

Visit us online www.harrisonreview.com

July 27

Voices Heard/Laughing Buddha

Purdy and Halstead avenues

July 28

Tracey Deluica Band

West Harrison

August 3

Club Dennis

Harrison and Halstead avenues *6:30 p.m. start time

August 4

Patrick Perone and the Blue Suede Rockers Showband

West Harrison

August 10

Day Camp Show

Ma Riis Park

August 11

Day Camp Show followed

by Frank Trapani and guest

West Harrison

August 17

Reunion

Thatcher and Halstead avenues

August 18

Sundown

West Harrison

Follow us on Twitter, @harrisonview Like us on Facebook, facebook.com/harrisonreview The Harrison Review (permit #106661) is published by Home Town Media Group weekly for an annual subscription of $32.

Application to mail at the peridcals postage rate is approved at Port Chester, N.Y., 10573.

Periodicals postage paid at Port Chester and additional mailing offices.

Information on singer Jackie DiMaggio’s future performances and CDs were available.

ALL START AT 7 P.M.

July 22, 2016 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 7

Upcoming town projects and fighting addiction HARRISON HAPPENINGS Mayor Ron Belmont

The town board continues to work hard to maintain our services and has made good on its pledge to repair and enhance our municipal infrastructure.

Recently, our Department of Public Works finished paving

more than 10 miles of roadway utilizing the eco-friendly, hot-inplace road recycling program.

Upcoming projects include sidewalk restoration in various locations, the second phase of rehabilitating the Mintzer Center (the first phase included the roof replacement), and upgrades to the Cottage Avenue and Winfield Avenue sanitary sewer pump stations.

The board continues to de-

State Assemblyman David Buchwald joins state Sen. George Latimer, Harrison Mayor Ron Belmont and police Chief Anthony Marraccini in announcing a program to help residents battling heroin and opiate addiction. Photos/Andrew Dapolite

velop a work plan that reflects a range of priorities, taking into consideration funding, staff resources and progress made with ongoing projects. Although town personnel can’t do everything in a single year, the work plan provides a solid foundation that will help us reach our goals.

This week, state Sen. George Latimer and Assemblyman David Buchwald praised the Harrison Police Department for its outstanding work in apprehending a drug ring selling tainted heroin in our community. The Police Department was presented with a proclamation from the Senate and Assembly, recognizing the department for its outstanding police and investigative work.

During a time when our country is facing an increase in opioid abuse, I am grateful to the Harrison Police Department for identifying the severity of the problem. It has become a national crisis and too many lives have been lost. As a community, we are taking the necessary steps needed to address issues

associated with this problem.

The town/village of Harrison is committed to using all available resources as we work toward the prevention of death from opioid overdose.

Please be aware that the closure of the Kenilworth Bridge, over Interstate 287, will occur on Monday, July 25 and will reopen near the end of October. A more precise date for the opening will be determined at a later time. The closure is necessary for the NYSDOT to replace the concrete deck on the existing bridge. By use of a dedicated walkway, pedestrians will be allowed to cross the bridge during the replacement of the deck.

I would appreciate your patience as the project moves forward, and should you have any questions, please feel free to contact my office.

Please see this important message from the Westchester Joint Water Works: The recent hot, dry weather has resulted in high water usage primarily due to the increased use of residential automatic irrigation systems during the early morning hours. This situation is stressing our water system in terms of pressure, and possibly affecting our ability to

Mayor Ron Belmont at a press conference on July 19 at police headquarters addresses Harrison’s heroin problem. The Police Department was praised for its recent work in arresting suspects tied to tainted heroin that killed two residents.

meet fire protection and normal domestic uses.

In order to lessen the demand during the early morning hours, we are asking residential customers that have irrigation systems and contractors that service those systems to set the controls to operate every other day using a simple odd/even approach: House addresses ending in an even number can water on even numbered calendar days,

but not between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. House addresses ending in an odd number can water on odd numbered calendar days, but not between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

As a precaution, this odd/even approach will continue through Sept. 30.

Thank you for your cooperation. Voluntarily taking these steps should reduce the possibility of mandatory irrigation restrictions.

8 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • July 22, 2016

Westchester speaks out

on high-profile killings

Hundreds of protesters of all races and denominations rally in downtown White Plains at a justice march in the wake of two African-American civilian shootings by police this month. Photos/Bobby Begun

Justice marchers’ moods and messages are easy to observe during the rally in White Plains.

By SIBYLLA CHIPAZIWA Editorial Assistant Gun violence has always been a hot topic in the news, and lately, civilians and members of law enforcement have both been targeted in what some call a racist agenda, and what others call retaliation for how minorities are treated.

On Thursday, July 14, local organizers held a rally calling for police reform in the wake of two civilian deaths of AfricanAmerican males at the hands of law enforcement that sparked outrage across the nation. Hundreds of participants of all ages and races marched for justice through downtown White Plains.

WESPAC, an organization based in White Plains that focuses on peace and justice activism, led the rally.

The march, which began at 6 p.m., started at Calvary Baptist Church and ended at Court Street, where a stage was set up for speakers to address racialized policing, police accountably, transparency, reform, and improving relations between communities and police.

On hand were members of the Westchester Coalition for Police Reform, a subdivision of the Westchester Martin Luther King Jr. Institute for Nonviolence.

The coalition handed out bro-

The Rev. Franklyn Richardson, of Grace Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, addresses hundreds of supporters in downtown White Plains at the conclusion of a march for justice and police reform on July 14. Richardson offered suggestions to address racialized policing.

Republican Mayor Norman Rosenblum of the village of Mamaroneck places a candle at a memorial during a vigil on held on July 15 in honor of the slain Dallas police officers. Photo/Chris Courtney

chures demanding police reform on both county and state levels, including establishing both independent oversight structures and a special prosecutor to investigate and discipline police misconduct.

The impetus of the White Plains rally were the murders of Alton Sterling on July 5, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Philando Castile on July 6, in

Minneapolis, Minnesota, as well as other civilians shot and killed by law enforcement during the week of the Fourth of July.

In response to those shootings, five Dallas CONTINUED on next page

July 22, 2016 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 9 police officers were gunned down, and several others were injured by Micah Johnson, an Army Reserve veteran of the Afghan War. The shooting took place during a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest for Sterling and Castile.

That was recently followed by the shootings of three Baton Rogue police officers on July 17

by Gavin Long, a former Marine who served in Iraq.

Kenneth Chamberlain Jr., a co-founder of the coalition, is no stranger to police shootings. He lost his father, Kenneth Chamberlain Sr., to bullets from White Plains police officers in November 2011. The shooting took place at 135 S. Lexington Ave., Chamberlain Sr.’s home, which marked the first stop on the march.

Chamberlain Sr., an African-American and former U.S. Marine, was shot when police responded to a LifeAid alert.

Chamberlain Sr. refused help when emergency personnel arrived at his residence, leading police to break down the door to his apartment. Police used a Taser to try and subdue Chamberlain Sr., who police said was wielding a butcher knife, and also shot him twice. He later died at White Plains Hospital.

In 2012, a grand jury decided against indicting the police officers involved in the shooting.

This year, 639 civilians have died at the hands of law enforcement, as of press time, and 66 police officers have been killed in the line of duty over that same timeframe.

Now, as a country tries to unite behind a common cause, the importance of building relationships between police and the communities they watch over

Imam Ali, of Yonkers, addresses the gathering of supporters at the White Plains police reform rally. He shared his vision for an America that lives in unity and with respect for all walks of life.

Photo/Bobby Begun

Many rally participants brought out their children, bearing signs and T-shirts with important messages to all.

Photo/Andrew Courtney

reminiscent of civilians hugging and mingling with members of law enforcement in Dallas following the shootings played out more than 1,500 miles away.

Village of Mamaroneck Mayor Norman Rosenblum, a Republican, feels that the re-

cent events are a result of political correctness and “different groups representing their own agendas.”

“I think there has to be honest and open dialogue among all parties,” he told the Review.

“The first line of defense this country has is our uniformed personnel: your police, your fire, your EMS. And when you go after them, you’re going after everybody.”

A police officer looks on at a memorial adorned with candles in memory of the five Dallas police officers ambushed and killed on July 7 through July 8.

-with reporting by Andrew Dapolite

CONTACT: sibylla@hometwn.com

Residents of the village of Mamaroneck lay candles in front of the memorial at the village courtroom on July 15.

becomes a focal point.

Appreciation and admiration for the work of local police was shown in a candlelight vigil held in the village of Mamaroneck on the evening of Friday, July 15, which honored the police officers killed in Dallas on July 7 through July 8.

Participants gathered at the memorial in front of the Mamaroneck courtroom to light candles and show gratitude to the men and women in uniform who protect and serve their communities. Police officers from the area were present, and scenes

A police officer from the village of Mamaroneck speaks with a resident at the Dallas candlelight vigil. Emphasis on positive relations between law enforcement and communities is seen as one solution to the tensions felt nationwide.

Photos/Chris Courtney

10 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • July 22, 2016

Talking Business: With Stavros Orsaris

By IRA ELLENTHAL Executive Vice President The old saying that youth is wasted on the young doesn’t seem to apply to Stavros Orsaris, who’s making the most of his high energy, innate savvy and tireless desire to succeed in business.

The centerpiece of this success-story-in-the-making is Victory Mitsubishi in Larchmont, where Orsaris is turning heads as a high-ranking member of its new management team.

Granted, 22 is decidedly young for anyone to become a general sales manager of an automobile dealership, but those who know Orsaris agree that he exudes a maturity well beyond his years. Says a longtime family-friend, “He’s always acted older, carrying himself in a self-assured, confident manner.

What’s more, he’s forever asking questions and seeking the advice of elders in an obvious attempt to learn as much as he can, as quickly as he can.”

Bob O’Neill, manager of the Victory Mitsubishi account for SPAdvertising in New York City, also declares Orsaris ready and able to light a fire under the operation. Acknowledging that Victory’s previous management encountered more than a few issues, especially on the customer service end, O’Neill says, “Orsaris knows what he has to do

because he grew up in the automotive business and is already doing it. In virtually no time at all, customer service has improved dramatically.”

“It’s true,” Orsaris says with obvious pride. “In just a few months, our Sales Satisfaction and Customer Service Indexes have risen from the low 80s to the mid-90s. What’s more, they’re only going to improve further. Our sales and service staffs have gotten the message and they understand clearly that anything less will be unacceptable. Additionally, we updated our service department and hired the best possible technicians.”

And he takes the concept of customer friendliness a step further when he adds: “One hundred percent credit approval is our goal. Put another way, those with poor credit will be treated with dignity and respect.”

It isn’t going to hurt that the Mitsubishi brand has caught fire; in fact, even the competition has noticed, as evidenced by— among other things—the recent Basic Agreement signed by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (Nissan) and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) to form a far-reaching strategic alliance. Following an MMC share issue, Nissan will take a 34 percent equity stake in MMC. The alliance extends an existing partnership between Nissan

and MMC, under which the companies have jointly collaborated for the past five years. The collaboration includes purchasing, common vehicle platforms, sharing of technology, joint plant utilization and growth markets.

“We’re sitting pretty on the product front, too,” Orsaris says. “Our leading sellers, the Outlander and the Lancer, are earning high marks and, importantly, we’ve got the inventory—200 new cars and 100 preowned ones—in order to accommodate the growing demand.”

Victory’s bright picture intensifies when Orsaris raises the issue of community involvement.

“We want to become an integral part of the community, doing everything possible to further its initiatives,” he says earnestly.

“You hear about a lot [of] companies that talk the talk on the importance of supporting local initiatives; we’re actually walking the walk. Whatever is of interest to Larchmont and the surrounding area is of interest to us.”

With creative help from its ad agency, Victory Mitsubishi is even sporting a new slogan: Everyone Needs a Victory in Life.

“I really like it and, based on the feedback we’re getting, so do our customers,” Orsaris says.

CONTACT: irathal@hometwn.com

Stavros Orsaris, Victory Mitsubishi’s new general sales manager, is demonstrating strong leadership skills.

Stavros Orsaris has surrounded himself with a team of dedicated professionals. Photos/Andrew Dapolite

The Lancer, top, and the Outlander are among Mitsubishi’s hottest entries. Photos courtesy Mitsubishi

11 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • July 22, 2016

Business Briefs Fordham Westchester’s Ravazzin Center awarded $500K grant by county Fordham University’s Ravazzin Center, an extension of the school’s Westchester campus, has been awarded a $500,000 grant by Westchester County for its work with the Children and Family Institute.

The Ravazzin Center, part of Fordham’s Graduate School for Social Service, GSS, will use the grant money to evaluate a care model aimed at reducing the risk of homelessness for children in foster care.

Over the course of three years, GSS researchers will evaluate several components of the program’s work with homeless youth, including outreach, education, employment opportunities, and connections with families and support systems. The Fordham research team will also assess a network of peer-to-peer “navigators,” foster care teens who help other teens “navigators,” or foster care the social service system.

“Sometimes youth don’t feel that the professionals understand them,” said Janna Heyman, Ph.D., professor of Social Work and chair of the Ravazzin Center. “Having a young person that can say, ‘I’ve been there,’ and who can help connect them to professional support and guidance makes a big difference.”

The Ravazzin Center has spent the past two years studying how Westchester County helps its foster care youth. Its research revealed a gap in communications that has led to the implementation of the peer-to-peer approach.

The previous research also helped identify factors that lead to homelessness, such as the number of times a child has been moved from home to home.

“Now, we identify the youth that have been moved several times and understand that’s when we should bring in peer-to-peer navigators and professionals to further support them,” Heyman said.

The next three years will be devoted to implementing the program and evaluating its various components—from education to housing, to peer-to-peer programming.

The Ravazzin Center was established in 1995. Its mission is to empower social workers and communities to meet the needs of an aging society through development and dissemination of knowledge.

Fordham University’s Westchester campus is conveniently located off Interstate 287, Interstate 684 and the Hutchinson River Parkway. The 3-story, state-of-the-art building sits on 32 landscaped acres in West Harrison. Fordham Westchester is home to the Fordham School of Professional and Continuing Studies, Gabelli School of Business, Graduate School of Education and Graduate School of Social Service. It is also home to four institutes: the Beck Institute on Poverty and Religion, Children FIRST, National Center for Social Work Trauma Education, and the Ravazzin Center on Aging.

Furniture Sharehouse 2016 Designers’ Committee kickoff promises stunning results Prominent area designers gathered at Mamaroneck Self Storage recently to search through stacks of unique items from the Furniture Sharehouse inventory, as well as new items

donated by local home furnishing vendors, to begin the creative process that will result in 10 stunning vignettes to be featured in the Furniture Sharehouse’s upcoming gala, “The Power of Ten: Celebrating 10 Years of Furnishing Families.” The hallmark of the gala, these signature “Designer Vignettes” are part of the Gala Silent Auction, and an integral part of the evening’s fundraising.

Since opening its doors in 2007, Furniture Sharehouse has provided more than 54,000 items of free furniture to more than 10,000 individuals in need, including more than 5,000 children, to fill their empty apartments and help them rebuild their lives. The “Power of Ten” gala will help raise much-needed funds to furnish hundreds of families each year moving from homelessness, escaping domestic violence, struggling with poverty, and recovering from personal or natural disasters.

Mamaroneck Self Storage is providing storage and studio display space for the furnishings to be used to create the designer vignettes. Refreshments for the kickoff meeting were generously sponsored

by Mist Home Vintage and Modern, located at 614 Fenimore Road in Mamaroneck, putting the designers in the mood for “browsing and brainstorming.”

“The Power of Ten: Celebrating 10 Years of Furnishing Families” gala will be held on Friday, Oct. 28 at Mamaroneck Beach & Yacht Club.

For more information on ticket and sponsorship packages, contact Rose Cappa-Rotunno at events@ theeventdepartmentny.com or call 747-0519.

Houlihan-Parnes leases The Westchester Bank’s 5th branch

White Plains-based Houlihan-Parnes Realtors LLC announced that it has represented The Westchester Bank in a 10-year lease for a 2,050-square-foot storefront bank branch space located at 301-305 Mamaroneck Ave., Mamaroneck.

Jamie Schwartz of Houlihan-Parnes Realtors represented the tenant. John Manous of HoulihanParnes Realtors represented the owner.

Schwartz said, “We were once again able to find the perfect space for The Westchester Bank’s fifth bank branch. The space was formally a RadioShack that had occupied the storefront for over 25 years. It was not on the market at the time of our search, and we were able to negotiate a deal for the space prior to RadioShack rejecting the lease in its bankruptcy proceeding and vacating the space. It’s one of the prime storefront locations on Mamaroneck Avenue in the central business district, near many other national and regional banks.”

John Tolomer, president and CEO of The Westchester Bank, said, “As we continue our strategic growth of our bank branch system, Mamaroneck is a desired location both from a consumer and commercial business banking aspect. As the leading community bank in Westchester County, The Westchester Bank is also recognized as one of the fastest-growing

community banks in the country, with total assets in excess of $570 million, loan balances in excess of $470 million, and deposits of $476 million.”

Norm DiChiara, AIA of Norman DiChiara Architects P.C., designed the branch.

Houlihan-Parnes Realtors LLC is a nationally affiliated, multi-faceted real estate investment company headquartered in White Plains. Its companies and affiliates are engaged in the acquisition and ownership of all types of commercial real estate investment property in the continental United States. Its various companies and affiliates specialize in commercial mortgage finance, investment sales, property management, and leasing and mortgage servicing. For more information, please contact James J. Houlihan at 694-6070 ext. 324 or by email at jjh@ houlihanparnes.com.

The Westchester Bank is a New York state chartered and full service, FDIC-insured commercial bank offering state-of-the-art technology with a comprehensive line of business banking products to businesses and consumers, including business and personal checking, business lending, commercial mortgages, savings accounts, CDs, money market accounts, Interest on Lawyer Accounts (IOLA), attorney escrow accounts, and tenant security accounts. The Westchester Bank is headquartered at 12 Water St., White Plains, with branches located at 2001 Central Park Ave., Yonkers; 464 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains; 994 Broadway, Thornwood; and 51 South Moger Ave., Mount Kisco.

William Raveis in Rye gets new salesperson Mary McCabe has joined the William Raveis Rye office, located at 78 Purchase St. McCabe comes to Raveis with a wealth of experience and a strong network of industry and client connections. Prior to selling real estate, she owned and operated a successful Larchmont restaurant called Bellizzi. Her passion for real estate resulted in her transition into the business in 2013. She has since built a successful career in the residential market.

McCabe works with buyers and sellers across Westchester and Connecticut as licensed real eastate salesperson. She can be reached at 217-0032 or Mary.McCabe@raveis.com.

William Raveis is the largest family-owned real estate company in the Northeast. It is ranked fifth in the leading real estate companies of the world, and is the world’s largest luxury real estate network, with 3,500 offices. For more information, visit raveis.com.

The next Business Briefs section will run in August. Please send any submission for our August edition to news@hometwn.com, with “Business” in the subject line of your email.

Each submission may include one picture. If you have any questions, email us at news@hometwn.com.

12 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • July 22, 2016

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July 22, 2016 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 13

Fear-Pokémongering RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy

By now, even if you have not yet played Pokémon Go, you are more aware of it than your own breathing. You have read that the app has been downloaded more than any app, and that it has actually convinced kids to leave the house to go play outside—a miracle!

But you have probably also heard about the player who stumbled upon a dead body, and the two guys who walked off a cliff (but lived), and the 15-year-old who didn’t look up and got hit by a car. (She’s alive, too.) And then there were those four guys arrested in a black BMW somewhere in Missouri for waiting in a secluded area and robbing the Pokémon players who stopped by.

So if you are part of the vast web of Very Concerned Adults whose life’s purpose seems to be dreaming up terrible things that can happen to kids anytime they venture beyond the kitchen, you can relax. You’ve got your stranger-danger stories.

Phew! Now you can remind us that anytime people are headed outside, especially kids, they had better think long and hard first.

Following this incredibly predictable script, a bunch of our local TV stations are solemnly warning us about scenarios they have made up in their heads. Reports CBS New York, “there are worries that sex offenders might use the app to lure children.” And says NBC New York, the app “could potentially put young people at

risk.”

Note to news editors: Worries are not the same as “realities.” What’s more, pretty much anything can “potentially” put young people at risk, including eating dinner (they could choke!), playing baseball (they could get hit by a bat!) and attending school (what if they fall off the stage during a production of “Annie?”).

As delightful as Pokémon Go is to play—I love it and I’ve never played videogames (or whatever this is) before—it almost seems to be more exciting to the authorities who can spit out a new set of warnings faster than you can say, “Air Time!”

And so all the way across the country, the San Francisco Police Department took it upon itself to tell moms and dads that they should “know where [their] kids are going when playing with the app” and “set limits”—as if parents couldn’t possibly do that themselves. As if this whole “kids going outside” thing is just so new and crazy.

The ‘Frisco Fear-mongers also published this Pokémon Go Safety Tip: “Know your surroundings and pay attention to where you’re going/who is around you. Slow car paralleling a person on foot might be a sign it’s a getaway car.”

Um, yeah. Except that with literally 15 million people playing this game across the entire country for the past week, we have that one BMW in Missouri to point to as an actual menace.

Meantime, over in England, which you’d think has bigger problems to freak out about, the authorities are warning that

the app could be used to make children “easily accessible to criminals”—and they don’t even have the game there yet!

It’s almost like there’s a parallel universe out there: Game players get points for finding Pokémon, and the warning class gets points for dreaming up Hollywood horror movie plots. But the warners also get massive publicity, because nothing sells like kids in peril. Even if they aren’t in peril.

(Can I remind us all here that stranger-danger is the least likely of crimes?)

So the other morning, I was walking around my bustling, leafy Queens neighborhood when I saw one mom showing another mom the app. The explainer had her 10-year-old son with her. “Can he go out on his own to play?” I (a stranger!) asked.

“Oh no, no, no,” she said, as if I’d queried, “Would you bathe your child in acid?” The other mom agreed: No way.

“What age do you think you’ll let them play on their own?”

Answered Mom No. 1, grimly laughing: “28.”

The Pokémon game is so fun, so simple, so sharable, it is as if the company invented the 21st century equivalent of the ball—a toy kids can play with on their own, or in a group, or when they’re walking down the street.

But the ball came of age before the warning industry, indeed before the dawn of history, so kids simply got to go outside and play with it.

Imagine that.

CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com

If we had to describe Tilly in three words, it would be: stunning, athletic, endearing. Her looks are striking. She is a beautiful blond and white dog with eyes that look attentively into yours. Tilly is so attractive, people must stop to say hello. She enjoys being active, like running with one of our sporty dog volunteers throughout Harrison.

She is very muscular with a lean body that makes her look like a proficient agility dog.

Tilly would do best in a home with someone who is dog-savvy, can give her a predictable routine and continue her training program, to which she responds well. She is a wonderful communicator, very affectionate and would make a wonderful companion.

Tilly is spayed, vaccinated, dewormed, heartworm-tested and microchipped.

Why not donate $300 to Larchmont Pet Rescue and make Tilly part of your home? To learn more, visit NY-PetRescue.org or call 834-6955. (Submitted)

14 • THE THE HARRISON REVIEW • July 22, 2016

Mike drop LIVE MIKE Mike Smith

I feel like over the past few years, I’ve devoted a lot of space in my column to retirements.

Whether it was Derek Jeter’s emotional farewell at the end of the 2014 season, David Ortiz’s historic 2016 season or Tim Duncan’s perfectly understated announcement last week, I’ve always had a fascination with an athlete’s decision to hang ‘em up.

And now, I understand why.

A few weeks ago, I told some of my teammates on my men’s baseball team that this, indeed, would be my final season.

My body is too battered, my arm is hanging on by a thread, and lately, I realize there’s more I want to do in life than spend every single weekend of my summer on a hot, dusty field somewhere in the five boroughs.

I couldn’t tell you the last time I went to the beach.

So I decided that, no matter what, 2016 would be my last summer playing baseball.

Baseball has been a constant in my life ever since I was old enough to play T-ball. With the exception of two years in college when I decided that living the fraternity life was more important to me than taking the mound, I’ve been out there on the diamond.

So as confident as I am that my decision will stick, I can’t help but wonder how I’m going to deal without the sport I love.

Now don’t get me wrong; I’m not equating myself to the figures I mentioned above. These guys were titans in their fields, and I’m a weekend beer league player who had a spectacularly unsuccessful collegiate career that saw my ERA rise way higher than my GPA ever would.

But still, when something has been so important to you for so long, it’s always tough to walk away.

And to be perfectly honest, I’m starting to rethink my stance on the whole farewell tour.

My teammates spoke to a few other players around our league and word of my impending retirement got out. I may not have been one of the best players out there, but I served as a player, manager, league official, photographer— and on some occasions, sports psychologist—to a wide array of people I would never have come into contact with otherwise.

Sure, my own guys wanted me to stay on; I don’t think any of them want the unenviable task of running our team after all. But the pleas to stick around for one more year that came in from opposing players, coaches and umpires?

That was touching.

Watching Ortiz at this year’s MLB All-Star game, being

SPORTS

hounded by other, younger MLB stars to keep on playing, I understood that as much as these season-long farewells are about saying goodbye to the game, they are also a chance to gain validation from peers, which, no matter how many accolades these guys may accrue over the course of a career, may be the most important thing.

I took what will likely be my last-ever at bat on Sunday afternoon. My team may be playoff bound, but as the skipper, I can’t, in all honesty, envision giving a guy who is hovering around the Mendoza Line a meaningful postseason at bat.

On a 1-0 count, I turned on a letter-high fastball and drove a pitch into the left centerfield gap for what will likely be my last-ever hit on a baseball diamond.

Five years ago, it would’ve been a double. But now, creaky knees and all, I didn’t see any reason to push it. I made a hard turn around first, and shrugged as I headed back to the bag, where the opposing first baseman, a huge teddy bear of a guy I’ve played against for the last decade, greeted me with a grin and a warm hug.

It was a close game, it was a big spot, but he also knew it was time to say goodbye.

After the game, both teams decided that a couple of pizzas and a few cold ones were in order.

We hung out behind the backstop, trading war stories from

On Saturday, Sports Editor Mike Smith may have collected his last hit in 25 years of playing baseball. As he prepares to hang up the cleats for good, he is starting to understand just how hard it is to say goodbye.

Contributed photo

games across Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens and Atlantic City. Their first baseman starting harping on my looping curveball, and I had to quickly remind him that in 10 years, he still nev-

er got a hit off me.

We parted ways, dirty, sweaty, tired and happy, and once again, he implored me to give it one more shot.

I’m not going to rethink it.

But now I understand why saying goodbye can be so damned hard.

Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports

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

SPORTS

July 22, 2016 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 15

Local team ready for tourney

Rye’s Katie Popp blows past a defender at the Westchester County Center. Popp was selected to a Hudson Valley basketball team that will be competing in an annual state tournament.

By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor On Friday, Aug. 5, a handful of the top basketball players in Section I will head to Johnson City, New York, to take on the best teams from across the state at the annual Basketball Coaches Association of New York, BCANY, Summer Hoops Festival.

With a deep talent pool headlined by a number of 2016 All-State selections, Hudson Valley coach Kristi Dini is confident that her squad will have a strong showing at the prestigious tournament.

Entering into her fourth summer as the Hudson Valley coach,

Dini said she has seen interest in the summer festival rise through the years. This year, tryouts, which were held over three days in June, attracted 35 potential players, nearly double the turnout most years.

“Section I has some strong teams and even though some sections hand-select their teams and asked players to participate, we thought this was the most fair way to pick a team,” Dini said. “Ideally, the goal is to bring up a roster filled with talented players.”

Talent will not be a problem for the Hudson Valley squad.

Eight of the 12 players selected for the team received All-state

Katie Popp looks for an open teammate at the County Center.

Photos/Mike Smith

honors last winter, including both Korina Guerra and Katie McLaughlin from Ursuline High School, Katie Popp from Rye High School, and Avery LaBarbera from Harrison High School. “[Tryouts] were really exciting but it can be stressful,” LaBarbera said. “There were a lot of good players, not a lot of girls that I knew, but it was an honor to be selected.”

For Popp, a rising senior who played on the Hudson Valley team two years ago but had to pull out of the event last year due to an injury, the 2016 festival represents one last chance to bring back gold for the area.

“It’s definitely more exciting, as a senior knowing it’s going to be our last chance,” Popp said. “I think I’ve played either alongside or against pretty much all of the girls, I’ve known a lot of them my whole life, and we definitely have big aspirations.”

According to Dini, who previously coached at Somers High School, her time as a Section I coach allows her to enter the tournament with a good idea of just what her players are capable of.

“I knew all of them coming in, either having coached against them or scouted them,” she said.

“But on their high school teams, they’re not playing on a team where every player is as good as they are, so some of them might be playing completely different roles here.”

Avery LaBarbera, a rising junior at Harrison High School, competes during a playoff game in 2016.

LaBarbera was one of 12 girls selected to the Hudson Valley basketball team that will be competing at the BCANY Summer Hoops Festival in August.

Avery LaBarbera drives to the hoop during a 2016 game against Eastchester.

Because BCANY rules state that teams cannot practice until the week of the event, the Hudson Valley team will have to work quickly to form a cohesive unit.

“We haven’t been together for an official practice, and we have to get the girls used to playing with each other,” the coach said.

“That means putting in offenses, press breakers, a taste

of how you want to defend; it’s a lot to do in four days. It’s not easy. But these girls always rise to the challenge.”

CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com

16 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • July 22, 2016