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Harrison REVIEW THE

July 29, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 31 | www.harrisonreview.com

Council passes law regulating pet sales

THE

TRUMP

By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer

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Donald Trump accepted the Republican Party’s nomination for president at its national convention in Cleveland on July 21. The four-day gathering brought out some of the party’s biggest names and supporters. For more, see page 6. Photo/Charles McLaughlin

Harrison to decrease size of municipal parking spaces By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer The town/village of Harrison approved measures on July 21 to decrease the size of municipal parking spaces throughout the town in an effort to better accommodate drivers and increase the amount of spaces, according to the mayor. Under the newly amended provision, the town will decrease the length of all municipal parking spaces by 1 foot. The amended law also mandates the town to develop future parking spaces and aisles a foot shorter as well. Currently, parallel parking stalls are 23 feet in length; 45-degree angular parking stalls are 19 feet; and 90-degree perpendicu-

lar spaces are 19 feet. The width of all parking spaces will remain 9 feet. Any parking spaces on private property would not be affected by the new law. Despite the sudden change, however, town officials explained that it was only a matter of time before the lengths of parking spaces were adjusted, even with virtually no complaints from residents about the size of stalls. “There’s no reason to have parking spaces the length that they are,” said Mayor Ron Belmont, a Republican. Belmont explained that cars are no longer produced the same size as they were in the late 1960s through the 1970s, and newer models are actually de-

signed to be smaller and more compact. “Since people are driving smaller cars now, we want to try to accommodate them as much as possible,” he said. He said the provision, although it seeks to increases the amount of available spaces at the town’s disposal, will have a positive impact on drivers seeking to enter and exit angled or perpendicular parking spaces, as it will prevent people from being forced to make a K-turn. However, according to Councilwoman Marlene Amelio, a Republican, it is reasonable for residents to be upset with the change. “I can’t blame people for feeling squished, [as] nobody likes to park in tight spaces,” she said about parallel parking spaces.

The amended law also comes just in time for new developments, specifically within the Purchase hamlet of the town. According to Belmont, a new 85,000-square-foot, four-story medical office building is planned to be built on 3030 Westchester Ave. as an addition to the Harrison Executive Medical Park, as of press time. The four-story medical addition—which will be developed by Simone Development Companies—will feature an underground parking lot subject to new parking space requirements. There is no timetable for when parking spaces will be restriped and how much it will cost the town, as of press time. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com

Pet store owners considering opening a business in Harrison should be on their best behavior. On July 21, the Harrison town board unanimously passed a law restricting the methods by which a pet dealer may acquire dogs and cats to sell. The law makes it illegal to sell such animals within the town unless the dealer obtains the animal from a shelter or humane society located in Westchester County. Violating the law would be considered a misdemeanor, with penalties between $250 and $1,000 depending on the number of previous offences, up to 15 days in jail or both. While there are currently no pet stores that sell dogs or cats located in Harrison, town officials say the law is meant to be a proactive measure, ensuring that any pet store that opens in the town will be under these restrictions from the onset. “Everyone always says government is reactive in terms of legislative measures,” said Village Attorney Jonathan Kraut. “Right now, this is the sort of a law that you would put on the books in advance of a problem like that.” Councilwoman Marlene Amelio, a Republican who proposed the legislation, said it’s easier for a town to manage its businesses when it has regulations in place before any potentially affected businesses open in town. Paula Krenkel, co-president of Pet Rescue, a Harrison-based non-profit humane society, lauded the town for their efforts in the humane treatement of animals, adding that she hoped other communities would soon follow their example. “You just need one community to make it happen and others follow through,” she said.

In February, the village of Mamaroneck became the first municipality in New York to pass a law regulating the sale of commercially bred pets, partially in response to complaints about a local pet shop, National Breeders—which has since closed— and the store’s owner, Richard Doyle, who has since been arrested on charges of animal cruelty. Village of Mamaroneck Mayor Norman Rosenblum, a Republican who proposed the law in Mamaroneck, said the law in Harrison is nearly identical. There is also an existing law in Mount Pleasant, and similar laws are now being discussed in Rye Brook, Yorktown and New Rochelle. The latter is waiting on the results of an appeal filed by the New York Pet Welfare Association, which is suing New York City for a similar law that regulates both the distribution and treatment of pets, requiring them to be spayed or neutered before being sold. Rosenblum, who attended the Harrison town board meeting to address the matter, said that the municipal laws in the village of Mamaroneck and Harrison would not be susceptible to litigation, as they do not restrain trade. In 2014, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, signed a bill that allows municipalities within the state to place more stringent requirements on pet stores and breeders, as long as those rules don’t put an unfair restriction on trade. “This particular law is very simple and very narrow,” Rosenblum said. The law will go into effect after being signed by Secretary of State Rossano Rosado, a Democrat. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com

2 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • July 29, 2016

August 2016

Planning ahead... SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Harrison Chamber of Commerce meeting Noon, Chamber of Commerce, West Harrison

Senior Citizens Day

World Rowing Championships start

IB Diploma candidate orientation (Gr. 11) 11a.m., HHS

Architectural Review Board meeting 7:30 p.m., Municipal building

IB Diploma candidate orientation (Gr. 11) 11a.m., HHS

Gr. 6 Browse and Brunch 9 a.m., LMK

Grs. 7 & 8 new student orientation, 1 p.m., LMK

Summer Olympics end

World Rowing Championships end

WEDNESDAY

U.S. Open starts

THURSDAY

SATURDAY

Zoning Board meeting 8 p.m., Municipal building

Town/village board meeting 7:30 p.m., Municipal building

New student orientation (Grs. 10-12) 10 a.m., HHS Gr. 9 orientation and barbecue 10 a.m., HHS

FRIDAY Summer Olympics start

Women’s Equality Day

July 29, 2016 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 3

Dionisio, Stout secure third-party lines By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer Two candidates running for elected office in the town/village of Harrison have secured the support of some of the county’s additional political parties, according to the Westchester County Board of Elections. Councilman Joe Stout, a Democrat, and Richard Dionisio, the vice chairman of the Harrison Republican Town Committee, each received enough signatures to run on the Democratic and Republican lines, respectively. However, Stout must first win a primary election against Democratic Party-backed candidate Christopher Rodier in order to run on the Democratic ticket in the November general election. But according to the Board of Elections, Dionisio has also captured the Independence Party and Reform Party endorsements, fulfilling his petition requirement to run on those lines in the general election. The Independence Party has 779 registered voters in the town/village of Harrison, while the Reform Party has only two registered voters, according to Board of Elections data. Stout, who met the signature requirement to appear on the Conservative line, said he will run on that ballot line alone in

the general election if he does not win the Democratic primary. Harrison Democratic Committee Chairwoman Elizabeth Pritchard said the committee would support Stout if he wins the Sept. 13 primary, but questioned his politics, noting that the Conservative Party aligns more closely with Republican ideologies. The Conservative Party has 325 registered voters in Harrison. Stout told the Review he decided to seek the Conservative line because he knows Harrison residents in that party. He stressed his belief that party politics don’t pertain to most decisions made at the local level. “Ideology shouldn’t trump practicality and business sense and experience when you’re talking about the basic level in government,” he said. Dionisio agreed with Stout’s sentiment of putting town before party.

“I want to get an attitude of non-partisanship out there,” he told the Review, adding that he reached out for the support of other parties in order to get a better understanding of the concerns of Harrison residents across the political spectrum. The Board of Elections requires all candidates to petition for a political party’s support when running for elected office. A candidate must receive signatures from 5 percent of a party’s registered voters in order to run on that party’s ticket. The three candidates running for town board this year are seeking the seat vacated by former Councilman Joe Canella, a Republican, after being elected town justice in November 2015. The winner of the election would fill the remainder of Cannella’s term, which expires at the end of 2017, but would have to run again the following year to win their own full four-year term. In January, Stout was appointed by an all-Republican town board to fill Canella’s seat. Hugh Fox, chairman of the Conservative Party, and Pat Lagano, chairman of the Independence Party, could not be reached for comment as of press time. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com

Rye looks to create Department of Public Safety The city of Rye is moving forward with plans to scrap its police and fire departments in favor of a joint Department of Public Safety. Although it will require a public referendum, if approved, Rye would become just the third jurisdiction in Westchester County with such a department. Currently, only the city of White Plains and the county have departments of public safety. The move would combine the roles of police commissioner and fire administrator into one leadership position. The proposal, which was introduced in late May, would be the first major step in creating the city’s first public safety commissioner, and is being considered in part to help streamline the Fire Department’s

oversight and free up city funds to hire additional firefighters. Throughout the past several years, concerns have been raised over the department’s decreasing number of volunteer firefighters and paid staffing levels. Currently, fire Lt. Kurt Tietjen—the highest-ranking paid Rye Fire Department member—takes care of much of the day-to-day administration of the department. According to Tietjen, the position is a “logical step” in getting the department back on track, despite it still needing additional paid firefighters to help assist its current staff of 17. Because the public safety commissioner position would require alterations to the city’s charter, however, the creation of such a

position would also be required to go to public referendum, allowing residents to vote on the upcoming November Election Day ballot. The position’s creation would also require the approval of both the New York state and Westchester County departments of civil service. To fill the new hybrid role overseeing the fire and police departments, the city is expected to turn to Police Commissioner Michael Corcoran, who was hired in February. Corcoran told the Review that no one has yet formally approached him for the role, but said he works in conjunction with the Fire Department frequently. -Reporting by James Pero

4 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • July 29, 2016

What’s going on... Harrison Public Library

knew. This film is in Portugese with English subtitles. This screening is free and open to the public, and registration is not required. Not rated; running time: 113 minutes.

Yoga for teens 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.

Summer Job Info 4 Teens 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. Singalong with Chloe 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.

Brazilian Film Series: ‘Central Station’ The film “Central Station” will be screened on Tuesday, Aug. 2 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Richard Halperin Library. This film is an emotive journey of a former school teacher who writes letters for illiterate people and a young boy whose mother just died and their search for the father he never

Teens are welcome to come to the library and learn yoga on Wednesday, Aug. 3 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Richard Halperin Memorial Building. Learn about the philosophy of yoga and experience ancient Egyptian poses. This program is free and open to the public and registration is not required.

Stitch Me Knot and Crochet Club Adults and children are welcome to join this weekly needle craft club on Thursday, Aug. 4 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Richard Halperin Memorial Building. Participants are asked to bring their own materials and learn and share different patterns and techniques with others. This workshop is free and open to the public, and registration is not required.

Chloe’s Sign & Play 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.

West Harrison branch temporary closing 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.

Neuberger Museum of Art Destination: Latin America The Neuberger Museum of Art will be exhibiting Destination: Latin America, an exhibition that

highlights the museum’s collection of Latin American art and discusses the key historical and artistic movements that influenced art. The exhibition opened on July 24 and will run until Jan. 22. The museum is located at 735 Anderson Hill Road in Purchase, and is open Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, noon to 8 p.m. Admission is $5 for the general public, $3 for seniors and free for museum members, children under 12 years old and Purchase College students, faculty and staff. For more information about the exhibition or the museum, call 251-6100 or visit neuberger.org.

The Feeley Fund Make the Difference The Eugene J. Feeley Harrison High School Student Aid Fund Inc. has awarded grants to four Harrison High School 2016 graduates: Andrea A. Bolivar Matos, Erica Marie Hassett, Anthony J. Saccomanno and Sydney McNeil Woolf. The Faculty Selection Committee chooses students who are accepted at accredited colleges and are financially eligible. Lola Geiger, executive director of the Feeley Fund ably assisted by Mary Riguzzi, thanks all Harrison residents, parents and faculty for providing the financial assistance for these worthy young people. Contributions may be sent to the Feeley Fund, Harrison High School, 255 Union Ave., Harrison, NY 10528. The Class of 2017 may obtain information about the Feeley Fund from the Guidance Department of the Harrison High School.

Harrison news 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.

TGA Golf Camp 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 hotline 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.

Summer Swim Team Children ages 5 to 17 can join the Harrison Summer Swim Team and compete in the Westchester County Swim Conference. Registration is ongoing. For more information, call 949-5265. Fee: $275 made payable to Town/Village of Harrison.

Harrison Track and Field Club This summer series will provide professional instruction and training for athletes of all ages to develop better running mechanics and introduce the lifelong sport of track and field. The program will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Fee is $85. For more information, contact Dominic Zanot at 552-6167 or harrisontrack@gmail.com. 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 29, 2016 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 5

Fordham social work program celebrates 100 years With a thriving health care system, an aging baby boomer population and a growing need for youth and family services professionals, the demand for social workers is skyrocketing. Few colleges and universities are as uniquely positioned to help meet this growing demand as Fordham Westchester. Fordham University has a lengthy history of successfully preparing social work students to enter the workforce. Fordham’s social work program, which offers undergraduate and graduate degrees at its Westchester campus, is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Aside from its exceptional academic reputation, the program’s staying power can be attributed to its comprehensive, flexible course offerings. Many classes are offered at night, on weekends or online, allowing students to complete their degrees while balancing work and family responsibilities. “As one of the nation’s oldest schools of social work, we have serviced our communi-

ties with 100 years of excellence,” said Ji Seon Lee, associate dean of the Graduate School of Social Service and Director of the Fordham Westchester campus. “We are looking forward to another 100 years, meeting the changing needs of our society.” Fordham’s social work program has never been more relevant. According to the website, socialworkdegreeguide.com, by the year 2030, all 78 million members of the baby boomer population will have had their 65th birthday, almost doubling the number of people this age now. With the huge demographic bearing down on the nation’s healthcare delivery systems, nearly 75 percent of social workers work with older adults in some capacity. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that, driven by an increasing demand for health care and social services worldwide, employment of social workers will grow much faster than average, at 19 percent, thus creating more than 114,100 new jobs by 2022

across social work subspecialties. The undergraduate social work curriculum at Fordham Westchester is offered through the Graduate School of Social Service and the School of Professional and Continuing Studies, PCS, which was created specifically for adult students to complete their bachelor’s degree or to begin their studies at a later point in their lives. In recognition of students’ rich and varied backgrounds, PCS accepts up to 75 credits from prior college courses meeting certain criteria, and up to 30 credits for life experience through a portfolio submission. Students who work toward their undergraduate degree in social work will learn: • How to promote human rights and social justice and improve the well-being of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. • Professional social work values and the Jesuit educational tradition, with its focus on social justice.

• Social work competencies necessary to effectively serve diverse populations. Students completing the Bachelor of Arts in social work will be qualified to work in a variety of settings, including mental health agencies, foster care and adoption, substance abuse, and services for the elderly, immigrants, homeless and victims of domestic violence. The Master of Social Work (MSW) program, offered at Fordham Westchester through the Graduate School of Social Service, is highly acclaimed. U.S. News & World Report ranked it among the top 10 percent of graduate school social work programs nationwide. And GSS was ranked No. 1 on OnlineSchoolsCenter.com’s list of top 20 online MSW programs. Fordham’s MSW program has several appealing features,

particularly for adult students with families and careers, including: • Concentrations in clinical, leadership, macro practice and research. • Flexible scheduling and student-centered plans of study, including part-time, weekend, extended and asynchronous, hybrid, and online options. • An array of supervised field placements. • Accelerated degree paths for BSW graduates, as well as specialized study plans for current social workers. • Joint MSW degree programs in law, public health, divinity and psychotherapy. “I went to the Fordham Westchester open houses, and they were very welcoming, much more so than other really prominent schools,” said Ossining resident Cynthia Duncan, who went on to earn

her masters degree in social work—requiring 66 credits plus field work and an internship—in three and a half years. Duncan was eager to escape the world of financial securities after 25 years, and she had gained an affinity for social work during her mother’s time in hospice care. “Fordham is a hard school and a hard program; they get everything out of you,” she added. “But it’s really flexible, offering two-, three- and four-year programs. And the teachers are unbelievable.” For more information on the School of Professional and Continuing Studies, contact Glenn Berman, director of Admissions, at 367-3322 or Gberman@fordham.edu. For more information on the Graduate School of Social Service, contact Anne Treantafeles, interim director of Admissions, at 212-636-6602. (Submitted)

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6 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • July 29, 2016

Harrison REVIEW

THE

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Trump accepts GOP nomination in Cleveland

Republicans from across the nation descended on the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, from July 18 to July 21, to take part in the official nomination of Donald Trump’s candidacy for president. In just 13 months, Trump went from announcing his candidacy, which came as a surprise to most political pundits, to presumptive

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

Delegates of the GOP filter into the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Photos/Charles McLaughlin

Columnists Ron Belmont, Lenore Skenazy Letters

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New York State Sen. Terrence Murphy, a Yorktown Republican, is all smiles at the Republican National Convention.

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Donald Trump gives the thumbs up sign to delegates as he accepts the Republican nomination for president.

Newt Gingrich, former speaker of the house, addresses the media during the Republican National Convention.

nominee to accepting the party’s nomination as the clear choice after knocking out 16 opponents in a lengthy GOP primary season. His ascension to the top of the Republican ticket proved to be one of the most historic rises in modern political history. Trump will now go on to face CONTINUED on next page

July 29, 2016 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 7 former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, in the general election. In receiving the nomination, which he concluded with a more than an hourlong speech on July 21, Trump’s appeal to voters was viewed as an anti-establishment candidate who is fed up with what he has termed a “rigged”

political system. Trump’s political run brought out the most Republican voters in the history of the party’s primaries. But his candidacy has not come without controversy due to his rhetoric, which has been viewed as divisive and hateful by several groups. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Calls to “Lock her up” were heard throughout the four-day convention as delegates set their sights on Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Photos/Charles McLaughlin

-Reporting by Christian Falcone

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Guiliani, left, shakes hands with Douglas Colety, chairman of the Westchester County Republican Party, right, while Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino looks on.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz drew one of the biggest reactions of the convention when he was cascaded with a chorus of boos for refusing to endorse Donald Trump’s candidacy.

Donald Trump, right, talks with Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, his vice presidential running mate.

Trump supporters rally for the nomination of Donald Trump as the Republican Party’s candidate for president on the convention floor.

8 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • July 29, 2016

HARRISON HAPPENINGS Mayor Ron Belmont

Last week, the town board passed a law that will permit the nonprofit organization, Energize NY, to fund the installation of solar panels, energy-efficient windows and other energy-saving systems for commercial and nonprofit entities in the town/village of Harrison. Seventeen of our neighboring municipalities have joined this initiative as a way to provide energy efficiency to older buildings with deferred maintenance concerns. This project will be a benefit to many of our local establishments, and I’m glad that the improvements will allow for a substantial savings in energy costs. Our municipal infrastructure continues to improve, and I anticipate that Halstead Avenue will be resurfaced in the near future. As part of the upgrade, trees will be removed and replaced with specimens that are consistent with those already planted in town. The older trees will be removed, as they have outgrown the area in which they were originally planted. Some have grown into overhead utility wires, creating problems when we have inclement weather. Root beds

have erupted, causing sidewalk defects which, in turn, create trip and fall hazards. I look forward to the enhancement of one of our main thoroughfares and am pleased that the streetscape will be greatly improved. Congratulations to all the local students who participated in the documentary film making camp held at the Harrison Public Library this summer. The workshop was designed to inspire young filmmakers and focused on the importance of storytelling. I was honored to attend the screening last week and was very impressed with the high quality of the films and the attention paid to technique. It was especially nice to see a documentary on the history of Harrison. Once again, our library has provided a wonderfully creative and educational opportunity and I hope this workshop becomes an annual event. Recently, Con Edison contacted my office, encouraging customers to use energy wisely and save money as hot weather continues to envelop the Northeast. Customers are advised to follow these money-saving conservation tips: • Set your air conditioning to the highest comfortable temperature. Each time you lower the thermostat by 1 degree, it drives up your bill by 6 percent.

• When the AC is running, close doors to keep cool air in and hot air out. Keep shades, blinds and curtains closed. About 40 percent of unwanted heat comes through windows. Even when using AC, use ceiling and other fans to provide additional cooling and better circulation. Turn off AC units, lights and other appliances when not at home, and use a timer or smart technology to turn on your air conditioner about a half-hour before arriving home. Keep AC filters clean. Con Edison offers a variety of energy-efficiency programs for this summer. The Smart AC Program connects customers with smart technology to control their room air conditioners from their computer or mobile device. Learn more by visiting conedsmartac.com. In closing, the town board recently passed a resolution to amend a local law which will prohibit the sale of commercially bred dogs and cats. Unlike private breeders, puppy mills are commercial dog breeding facilities that often sell puppies to pet stores. In many cases, animal health and well-being is either disregarded or compromised. The adoption of stricter laws will not only protect the animals, but may also protect the consumer from having to contend with a pet’s latent health issues.

Rye schools superintendent resigns By CHRISTIAN FALCONE Editor-in-Chief Rye City School District Schools Superintendent Dr. Frank Alvarez announced his resignation on Tuesday, July 19. Alvarez, who will step down from the district’s lead position on July 31, sent a letter to administrators, faculty and staff early Tuesday and informed the public of his decision at the Board of Education meeting that same night. According to district officials, Alvarez informed the Board of Education earlier this year of his intention to step down. Since that time, the two parties have been working to plan for the transition. And, after 22 years of being a schools superintendent, district officials say, Alvarez does not intend to return to being a full-time superintendent. “Rye has been a wonderful community in which to work,” he said in his letter. “I am proud of the many accomplishments attained in the last four years. The support of the Board of Education, faculty, staff and parents enabled several new initiatives

to take root and become important components of a productive school environment for all our students.” Alvarez highlighted the backing of a $16.35 million bond referendum in 2012 that funded the construction of a new science wing on the Rye High School campus, and the community’s overwhelming support—70 percent approval—for a 2015-16 override budget that included a 6.85 percent tax levy increase and implemented a full-day kindergarten program. Board of Education President Katy Keohane Glassberg thanked Alvarez for his service to the district. “Under Frank’s leadership, we have undertaken wonderful educational initiatives, including heightened focus on literacy and professional development districtwide; full-day kindergarten; [and] STEM offerings,” she said in a statement. “Students have flourished during his tenure and Rye continues to be one of the top-rated school districts in the country.” But Alvarez’s tenure wasn’t without controversy.

Most notably, in May 2013, he suspended four elementary school teachers over allegations of improper coaching on state tests. The issue divided the school community, led to a protracted stalemate and ultimately resulted in the permanent removal of one of the four teachers. Alvarez was hired by Rye City Board of Education in March 2012, after he resigned from the Montclair School District in New Jersey. He was given a five-year contract; he just concluded his fourth year with the district. Alvarez collected a salary of $239,334 this school year. In the meantime, the Board of Education will begin a search process to find a permanent replacement for Alvarez, Keohane Glassberg said, although no timeline has been announced. Dr. Brian Monahan has been hired to serve as interim superintendent. His hiring will take effect on Aug. 1. Monahan retired from the North Rockland Central School District in 2009 after a 14-year career there. CONTACT: chris@hometwn.com

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July 29, 2016 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 9

HUD monitor resigns after 7 years By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer The court-appointed monitor overseeing Westchester County’s compliance with a 2009 affordable housing settlement will resign seven years after accepting the assignment. James E. Johnson sent a letter to Judge Denise Cote on July 18, announcing his impending resignation, which he said would be on or before Aug. 10, his seven-year anniversary as monitor. Johnson did not disclose his reasoning for stepping down, but did say that he also retired from his law firm, Debvoise & Plimpton, in March. Johnson said he is committed to working with his replacement, who will be appointed by the U.S. Department of Justice following consultation with the county and approval by Cote. As a result of a 2009 settlement with the federal government under the watch of former County Executive Andrew Spano, a Democrat, Westchester agreed to build 750 units of affordable housing in 31 of its wealthiest communities by the end of 2016. However, Johnson’s letter suggested that he expected the terms of the settlement to continue beyond that timeframe. “Accordingly, the new monitor should recognize that the assignment may extend for months, if not years, beyond the end of this year,” he wrote. The relationship between Johnson and County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, has been shaky throughout the settlement. During his State of the County address in April, Astorino accused Johnson and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD, of making unfair demands of the county in order to provoke “a settlement that never ends.” Earlier in the year, Johnson had recommended that Cote hold the county in contempt of court and subject it to $60,000 fines. Ned McCormack, communications director for the county

James E. Johnson, the court-appointed monitor who has been overseeing Westchester County’s compliance to a 2009 affordable housing settlement, will step down seven years after he was appointed to the post. Photo courtesy Debevoise.com

executive, told the Review, “The county’s position from the start is that Westchester will fully comply with its obligations under the settlement, but that the federal government has no right to expand the terms or the length of the agreement.” McCormack added that all the Astorino administration asks of the new monitor is that he looks at the terms of the settlement “objectively and fairly.” County Legislator Michael Kaplowitz, a Democrat and chairman of the county Board of Legislators, said he and the monitor have had a more cordial working relationship. He added that Johnson, while “far from perfect,” conducted his job professionally. “The monitor engaged in a very important study, the Huntington study, which has helped clear the way for a lot of communities to see that they do not have exclusionary zoning,” Kaplowitz said. In what turned out to be his final action as monitor, Johnson removed two communities from a list of seven which he recommended that HUD sue; Crotonon-Hudson, Harrison, Lewisboro,

Pelham Manor and Larchmont remain on the list. Both Kaplowitz and McCormack said that the county lawmakers and the administration, respectively, would work to meet but not exceed the terms of the settlement before the end of the year. But according to Cote, the county is currently in breach of the settlement. On July 8, Cote ruled that the county was violating two terms of the agreement. She claimed that the county failed to introduce and implement an affordable housing public education campaign, and that it failed to develop and submit an approved Analysis of Impediments, AI, a document which lists possible systemic roadblocks in creating affordable housing. The county has submitted eight AIs since the settlement, each of which has found no exclusionary zoning. HUD has rejected each of the county’s analyses. As a result of Cote’s ruling, the county was ordered to hire a consultant to help them complete the analysis. The county, however, has appealed the ruling. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com

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Twyla Tharp to speak at Manhattanville Celebrated choreographer and American dance pioneer Twyla Tharp will be the third speaker at this season’s Manhattanville College’s popular Castle Conversations lecture series on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. Other speakers at the regional forum, intended to engage and challenge audiences in Westchester and Fairfield counties, have included such influential thought leaders as political analyst David Brooks and Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak. Appearing later in November will be restaurateur Danny Meyer. Tharp founded Twyla Tharp Dance company in 1965, and gained international recognition for expanding the boundaries of artistic forms of movement, combining jazz, ballet, boxing and inventions of her own making. In 1973, Tharp choreographed “Deuce Coupe” to the music of The Beach Boys for the Joffrey Ballet, a work considered to be the first “crossover” ballet. Tharp’s oeuvre is expansive. She has choreographed 129 dances, 12 television specials, six Hollywood movies, four full-length ballets, four Broadway shows, and two figure skating routines. She has received a Tony Award, two Emmy Awards, 19 honorary doctorates, the Vietnam Veterans of America President’s Award, the 2004 National Medal of the Arts, the 2008 Jerome Robbins Prize, and the

Twyla Tharp

2008 Kennedy Center Honor. Tharp has created dances for the American Ballet Theatre, The Paris Opera Ballet, The Royal Ballet, New York City Ballet, The Boston Ballet, and many others. Her works are performed around the world today. Elliott Forrest, the afternoon drive host on WQXR radio and WQXR.org, will be the conversation host. Tickets are $75 and available to purchase on the Castle Conversations website, castleconversations.org. Manhattanville College is an independent, coeducational liberal arts institution dedicated to academic excellence, and so-

cial and civic action. Manhattanville prepares students to be ethical and socially responsible leaders in a global community. Located just 30 minutes from New York City, Manhattanville serves 1,800 undergraduate students and 1,100 graduate students from more than 45 countries and 40 states. Founded in 1841, the college offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate areas of study in the arts and sciences, education business, creative writing, as well as continuing and executive education programs. For more information, visit manhattanville.edu. (Submitted)

She’s not crazy, her name just rhymes with it. Read Lenore Skenazy’s column every week in the Review.

A past contributor to the Daily News and the New York Sun, Skenazy has also appeared on “The Daily Show,” been profiled in the New Yorker and even had her own reality TV show, “World’s Worst Mom.”

10 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • July 29, 2016

Back to the Garden rocks Village Green

Annie Mash on the drums keeps it all together for Back to the Garden’s performance as part of the Harrison Summer Concert Series.

Back to the Garden performs at West Harrison’s Village Green on Thursday, July 21. This well-known group performed songs from the Woodstock Festival in 1969. Photos/Bobby Begun

Lead singer and acoustic guitarist Gary Adamson.

Geoff Hartwell on lead guitar.

Tom Sprock on the bass guitar.

On percussion, Fred Walcott shakes the tambourine.

Steve Avitable on the keyboards.

July 29, 2016 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 11

Rye threatens lawsuit over Playland control

A legal dispute harkening to a previous disagreement in 2014 is brewing after the city of Rye retained attorney Michael Gerrard to address concern over the county’s declaration of lead agency at Playland Park. File photo

By JAMES PERO Staff Writer A legal battle between Westchester County and Rye could be imminent after city officials threatened to sue for a say in the future of Playland. In a letter to County Attorney Robert Meehan dated July 18, Michael Gerrard, who was retained by the city of Rye, asserted that Rye, not Westchester County, should enjoy the status of lead agency for an upcoming round of capital projects at the amusement park. “Unfortunately, the county hasn’t followed the law,” said Rye Mayor Joe Sack, a Republican. “Months ago, apparently, the county had declared itself lead agency.” According to Sack, the county declared itself lead agency in May. Gerrard told the Review that if the county continues to ignore the city’s request for inclusion into the park’s process, litigation will be imminent. “I think [a lawsuit] would be a fair assumption,” he said. “We would only file a lawsuit if we thought we had strong grounds.” The city has set a July 28 deadline, after press time, for the county to respond before filing an Article 78 proceeding. According to Gerrard, the county has yet to respond, as of press time, but Ned McCormack, communications director for County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, said the county will do so before Rye’s deadline. Gerrard contends that following an agreement transferring the management of Rye

Playland struck between the management company Standard Amusements and Westchester County, the county has continuously skirted proper procedure. Among the concerns listed in Gerrard’s letter are several perceived SEQRA violations, as well as the county’s lack of communication on its intentions with Playland. Rye City Attorney Kristen Wilson told the Review that although the Article 78 has not been filed, the city could also ask for a temporary injunction on park projects, which would halt any work at the amusement park pending the outcome of the litigation. Wilson said that the city has not yet decided whether it will do that. County Legislator Catherine Parker, a Rye Democrat, said she understands the Rye City Council’s perspective. “There has been very little in way of communication to Rye to make Rye feel like it can have a seat at the table during discussions,” she said. “I would characterize the lack of communication as a hallmark of the Astorino administration.” In March, both the county and Standard Amusements agreed to a contract that would see both sides investing $30 million in capital improvements to rides, facilities and the park’s ailing infrastructure, and would eventually transfer the sole management of the park to Standard. However, McCormack says that the county has the right to steer the future of Rye Playland, given its status as a county park. “The county is lead agency on reviews and all land use decisions,” he said. “And the logic

for that is simple. If every county park is subject to municipal control, we wouldn’t have [a] county park system.” A debate over which body has agency over a review process and procedures regarding projects at the park harkens back to 2014, when both the county and Rye battled over a controversial field house project that was eventually scrapped due to local opposition. The project, which was proposed by Sustainable Playland Inc., a prior management company that was selected by the county executive to manage the park, aimed to build an 82,000-square-foot field house on park grounds. As a result, Rye appealed to the DEC and both parties sought control over park projects’ official review. Eventually, after complications from the litigation as well as growing public opposition, Sustainable Playland withdrew its interest in the park. Despite both battles being similar in nature, Sack says there is one key difference. While a prior dispute between the city and the county pre-empted a declaration of lead agency on Playland projects, the city is now working from behind. “At least the last time we became aware, therefore we were able to step in and protect our interests and preserve our rights,” the mayor said. “That’s what may necessitate the existence of the courts.” Representatives from Standard Amusements could not be reached for comment as of press time. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

Ralph’s owner set to sue Mamaroneck

The owner of a controversial business, Ralph’s Italian Ices and Ice Cream in Mamaroneck, may sue the village after the Zoning Board of Appeals voted to restrict the shop’s hours and impose a stricter review process. File photo

By JAMES PERO Staff Writer The owner of a controversial new Mamaroneck business, Ralph’s Italian Ices and Ice Cream, has threatened to sue after restrictions were tightened on the shop’s hours and zoning classification. “They allow you to open a business and then make decisions without any kind of due diligence,” said Scott Rosenburg, a Long Island resident and owner of Ralph’s. “I’ll file an appeal and I’ll sue them.” The impetus for Rosenburg’s suit comes after a determination by the village zoning board on Monday, July 18 that reduced the business’ hours and also mandated that Rosenburg apply for a special permit by Aug. 17, otherwise he could face the revocation of his certificate of occupancy. Prior to the zoning board’s decision, the business’ hours of operation ranged from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Satur-

day and 11 a.m. to midnight on Sunday. New stipulations by the zoning board dictate that until Rosenburg applies for the permit, Ralph’s will have to close at 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11:30 p.m. on weekends. When making their decision, zoning board Chairman Barry Weprin, who spoke to the Review regarding Ralph’s, said board members acknowledged that Ralph’s—which is currently classified as a retail establishment—should not be classified as such under the village’s zoning code. “The consensus among the board is that [Ralph’s] meets the definition of food service establishment,” he said. Village of Mamaroneck Mayor Norman Rosenblum, a Republican, who has attributed many of the problems spurred by Ralph’s to the business’ unforeseen success, said that if the situation comes down to litigation, it could be bad for everyone. “He has the same option as

the residents to sue,” Rosenblum said. “Neither side is going to be happy.” Potentially, Rosenburg could file an Article 78, which would appeal the zoning board’s decision and possibly end up in court. However, despite a potential lawsuit looming, Democratic Trustee Leon Potok said that the village always takes precaution to guard itself against litigation. “The outside attorneys retained to work with the [zoning board] and the other land use boards do a good job protecting the village,” Potok said. Fervor over Ralph’s has bubbled to the surface over the past several weeks after what residents have highlighted as onerous traffic conditions, unsightly garbage, and disruptive noise levels as a result of the business’ opening in May. While Ralph’s must apply for the special permit before Aug. 17, it has been permitted to stay in business in the interim. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

12 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • July 29, 2016

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NOTICE TO BIDDERS The Harrison Central School District hereby invites the submission of sealed bids for the following: RFB #16/17-20: Asset Recovery Bids shall be submitted in sealed envelopes marked “ RFB #16/17-20: Asset Recovery “ on the outside. Bids will be received until 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 9, 2016 by the Purchasing Agent (or his duly designated representative), Harrison Central School District, Business Office, 50 Union Avenue, Harrison, NY 10528; (914) 630-3011; Fax: (914) 835-2715, at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained at www.empirestatebidsystem.com or from the district Business Office beginning Thursday, July 28, 2016. The Harrison Central School District is not responsible for bids opened prior to the bid opening if bid number and opening date do not appear on the envelope. Bids opened prior to the date and time indicated are invalid. The bidder assumes the risk of any delay in the mail, or in the handling of the mail by employees of the Harrison Central School District, as well as improper hand delivery. The Harrison Central School District reserves the right to waive any informalities in the bids, or to reject all bids, or to accept any bid which in the opinion of the Board will be to their best interest. By order of the Board of Education Gene George, Purchasing Agent Dated: July 28, 2016

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July 29, 2016 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 13

Amazons, Prime RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy

Years ago, when Marcia Zug read a GQ magazine article about mail-order brides, she was revolted. A high-flying New York City photographer, fed up with all the demanding models he was dating, wanted to find a subservient woman to make him happy. So he ordered a pretty bride from a foreign country. When the bride got here, he found her annoying, too, so he sent her home—pregnant with his child—and went back to dating models. Zug never forgot that piece. And even after she left her hometown of Manhattan to become a professor of family and immigration law at the University of South Carolina, she felt she had to expose the evil men who get their brides by mail. She delved into her research and guess what? Now she’s married to a very different narrative. “I’m not suggesting that this is the marital path for everybody,” Zug said in a phone call. But in her new book, “Buying a Bride: An Engaging History of Mail-Order Matches,” she presents “the exact opposite idea” she went in with. Far from depressing and degrading, mailorder matrimony “can actually be a very good choice for certain people in certain situations.” Yes, even for the women. The book starts at the very dawn of mail-order love: Jamestown, Virginia, circa 1600. Unlike New England, which was settled by families, Jamestown was settled by men. Not only were conditions horrendous—one settler described it as “hell, a misery, a death”—there weren’t even any English-speaking women to

commiserate with. Some men high-tailed it home; others married Native American women and went to live in their villages. (Far comfier than Jamestown!) In desperation, the Virginia Company decided to try attracting Englishwomen. The incentive was to pay their dowries. For young women toiling as servants just to save up enough to marry, the offer was liberating, and about 140 came over. They got to choose their husbands and seem to have been treated quite well, thanks to the laws of supply and demand. In fact, real laws were written to keep them happy. They could, for instance, legally break an engagement—something they couldn’t do back in England. Fast-forward to the western frontier a couple hundred years later, when once again, American men were heading out, and women weren’t. As much as these men needed wives, some women back east needed husbands, including women appalled by the local prospects, like the gal who placed this ad in a Missouri paper in 1910: “Attractive women, not a day over 30, would be pleased to correspond with eligible man…. Would prefer one with property, but one with a good paying position would be satisfactory. The young lady is of medium height, has brown hair and gray eyes, not fat, although, most decidedly, she is not skinny. Her friends say she is a fine looking woman. Object matrimony. Reason for this advertisement, the young woman lives in a little dinky town, where the best catches are the boys behind the counters in the dry goods and clothing stores, and every one of ‘em is spoken for by the time he is out of his short pants.”

Gosh, I’d marry her—what spunk. Zug found little evidence of exploitation or mistreatment of these brides, and if you fastforward to the current day, the same still holds. Today, American men seeking brides can go on the computer and meet prospects as easily as online dating. Most of the women live in Asia or Eastern Europe. And while it seems like a terrible imbalance—seemingly any schlub with U.S. citizenship can attract a desperate catch from overseas—what’s really happening is a better marriage market for everyone. “The women come from countries where their prospects are not great,” says Zug. Some live where they’re not allowed to pursue a career. Some live where they are worthless if divorced, widowed, already have children, or are simply too old, at perhaps 25. These ladies look to America, and the path to get here is marriage. “The part that’s overlooked,” says Zug, “is that these men are often much more attractive to them than the men they see in their countries.” For their part, the men are not allowed to marry women sight unseen. Legally they must meet at least once before they marry, and the mail-order sites organize trips to meet the prospects. Once here, says Zug, the brides not only have far rosier prospects than back home, they often make the men shape up, too. As in, “I’m learning a whole new language. Go get your GED!” And unlike the GQ article, many of these couples live happily ever after—maybe even happier than most, since everyone likes to get a surprise in the mail. CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com

Town/Village of Harrison

Official Newspaper Harrison Schools

Be prepared for summer safety: Learn CPR School’s out and summer is finally here. If your summer safety plan consists of stocking bandages, anti-bacterial spray and sunscreen, you might be missing an important lifesaving tool—CPR. If a family member, friend or infant in your care had a cardiac emergency, could you recognize the signs and respond quickly and appropriately? This summer season, the American Heart Association, AHA, encourages families to be prepared for summer safety by learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR. With the swimming season and hot weather upon us, people should be prepared to act in case of a medical emergency. Accidents, choking and drowning are leading causes of death in children. Every day, about 10 people die from unintentional drowning, according to the Centers for Disease Control, CDC. Of these, two out of the 10 are children aged 14 or younger. Children ages 1 to 4 have the highest drowning rates. The fatal drowning rate of African-American children ages 5 to 14 is almost three times that of white children in the same age range. Learning CPR can help save lives in cases of drowning. Pool safety like locking gates, pool alarms, and closely monitoring children near pools and bodies of water are key to preventing drowning. Children and beginner swimmers should take swimming lessons and never swim alone. Find a local Heartsaver CPR class at cpr.heart.org. CPR is also vital when sudden cardiac arrest—a leading cause of death in America— strikes without warning. Nearly 326,000 out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrests occur annually in the United States. According to the American Heart Association, 90 percent of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die. But CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival. Since 2008, the American

The man pictured is performing hands-only CPR, an important lifesaving tool for those having a cardiac emergency. Photo courtesy American Heart Association

Heart Association has recommended that when you witness an adult or teen suddenly collapse to use hands-only CPR— CPR without breaths. Hands-only CPR teaches basic steps: First, call 911 and then push hard and fast on the center of the chest until professional help or an AED arrives. By using handsonly CPR, bystanders can still act to improve the odds of survival, whether they are trained in conventional CPR or not. The AHA encourages everyone to view a one-minute hands-Only CPR video at heart.org/handsonlycpr. Here are 10 pool and swimming safety tips from the CDC, the American Heart Association and PoolSafety.gov: • The American Heart Association recommends that if you have a swimming pool, learn CPR. Find classes at cpr.heart.org. • Install pool safety like selfclosing and self-locking gates, and pool alarms—and use them all the time. Latches should be out of reach of children. • Closely monitor children near pools and bodies of water to prevent drowning. No adult supervision? No swimming! Everybody out of the water!

• Because drowning occurs quickly and quietly, adults should not be involved in any other distracting activity (such as reading, playing cards, talking on the phone or mowing the lawn) while supervising children, even if lifeguards are present. • Supervisors of preschool children should provide “touch supervision,” be close enough to reach the child at all times. • Air-filled or foam toys are not safety devices. Don’t use air-filled or foam toys, such as “water wings,” “noodles” or inner-tubes, instead of life jackets. These toys are not life jackets and are not designed to keep swimmers safe. Plastic “water wings” or “floaties” can fall off while the child is in the water. • Never use floatation devices in lieu of supervision. • Watch children near any water, even in small plastic pools of less than 2 inches of water. • Children and beginner swimmers should take swimming lessons and never swim alone. • Avoid alcohol. Avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming, boating, or water skiing. Do not drink alcohol while supervising children. (Submitted)

@ harrisonreview

14 • THE THE HARRISON REVIEW • July 29, 2016

SPORTS

The first cut is the deepest LIVE MIKE Mike Smith

The great thing about sports is that, even when you think you’ve seen it all, the game always finds a way to surprise you. Whether it be an epic upset, an improbable catch or an impressive pitching performance, the one underlying fact about sports is that it has the ability to make you think, “What in the heck did I just see?” And it doesn’t always have to be on the field, either. On Saturday night, White Sox ace Chris Sale was slated to take the mound against the Detroit Tigers, in what many speculated to be his last start for Chicago’s north-side club before he was shipped off to a contender at the trade deadline. Shortly before the game was scheduled to begin, however, news came down that Sale had been removed from the lineup. At this time of year, a late

scratch like that generally only means one thing: The White Sox and a Sale-suitor were obviously close to hammering out a deal for the lanky left-hander. But this weekend, truth was stranger than fiction indeed. The reports came flying in on Twitter: Sale was traded, Sale was hurt, Sale had the flu. But then, the truth came out. Sale, unhappy with the White Sox’s decision to play the game in the team’s ugly, collared, throwback uniforms, did the only logical thing a rational human being would do in that scenario: he went into the clubhouse during his team’s batting practice session, grabbed a knife, and sliced up all the jerseys. I’ve been a sports fan all my life; I’ve seen all manner of clubhouse disputes find their way past locked doors, but this one? This one is a real doozy. However, as with all clubhouse explosions, one would have to imagine this goes a bit deeper than the sartorial choices of the

White Sox. Sale has been at odds with the Sox management all season long. From the flap about team officials asking Adam LaRoche to limit the amount of time his son spent in the clubhouse—a move that led to LaRoche’s retirement and some protestations from White Sox players, including Sale—to his displeasure with the team’s general inability to win games, and the swirling trade rumors, this was a potential maelstrom just waiting to boil over. Add to that, the reports that Sale had previously asked the White Sox to forgo the throwbacks on days he was pitching. He said it interfered with his delivery, and this became a perfect storm of frustration. Does that make Sale’s slashhappy actions justified? Definitely not, but it at least puts them in perspective. So what happens now? In 2008, when Manny Ramirez was in the midst of his acrimonious departure from the

On July 23, White Sox pitcher Chris Sale was scratched from Chicago’s lineup after cutting up his team’s jerseys prior to the game. As far as wacky clubhouse disputes go, Sports Editor Mike Smith thinks this might be a first. Photo courtesy Keith Allison

Red Sox, it was his mid-summer altercation with a clubhouse attendant that proved to be the final straw. A few weeks later, the right-handed slugger had his bags packed and was on his way to Los Angeles. I would imagine the same will

be true for Sale. The White Sox suspended him for five games, which, given the schedule for a starting pitcher, is more symbolic than anything else. But I bet that he’ll be shipped off to greener pastures before his spot in the rotation comes around again.

I don’t know where he’s going to end up, or what the White Sox are going to get for him, but let’s hope they can snag a new batch of throwback uniforms in return.

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

Ott breaks county mark By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor On July 25, the Westchester County Swimming Association kicked off its 91st annual County Championships at Lake Isle Country Club in Eastchester. Over the next two weeks,

swim and dive teams from all across the area will vie for a county championship, but on the event’s opening day, it was Rye resident Devon Ott who shined the brightest, as the diver set a new county record with a terrific performance. Ott, diving for the Shenorock

Devon Ott looks on as her name is announced as the first-place finisher at the 91st annual 13U Westchester County Swimming and Diving Championships on July 25. Ott edged her close friend and teammate Maddy Seltzer to claim the title.

Julia Hricay prepares to enter the water on July 25. Photos/Mike Smith

Shore Club, scored an impressive 214.30 on Monday—which was enough for a first-place finish in the 13U division—and shattered the previous record of 205.25, which was set by Westchester Country Club’s Carolina Sculti in 2012. The Shenorock diver has been competing at Counties for the past three years. “I’m really happy, I expected to make it, but I didn’t expect to get first,” she said. “I felt like I had a good chance, but I wasn’t quite sure.” According to the 13U champ, it was especially important to execute correctly on Monday because of the stiff competition. Ott’s Shenorock teammate Riley Vincent took fourth place with a score of 150.80, Yasmin Hill from the Briarcliff Country Club placed third with a score of 153.20, and Scarsdale’s Madelyn Seltzer took Ott right to the limit, scoring 212.60. “Maddy and I both dive at the Greenwich YMCA and we’ve both been diving competitively for three years now,” Ott said. “We’re close friends too, and we’ve been so supportive of each other, so it’s been really fun.” If Ott’s performance represented the pinnacle of success

at Counties, however, there are a number of other divers looking to eventually make their mark on the competition. Lauren DeLucia, 11, from Lewisboro, entered into Monday’s event as the day’s youngest participant and finished ninth with a score of 138.35. She said she was happy with her first experience at the County Championships and hopes to do better next year. “I think I did well for my age,” DeLucia said. “I finished ninth and the top eight get medals so next year, I’m going to work harder to get a better place.” The results were announced for the girls’ competition on Monday, and the boys’ competition resumed the next day due to the rain. August Hibler from Pound Ridge won the boys 13U event. The 14 to 17 divers competed on July 26, after press time, and the swimming portion of the County Championships will be held on Aug. 1 to Aug. 5 at the Rye Playland pool. As dive champs, both Hibler and Ott have earned the chance to head to Playland and cheer on their teammates next week. “I’m excited,” Ott said. “I’m excited to see what happens next and everything that goes forward.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com

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Devon Ott from the Shenorock Shore Club prepares to dive at Lake Isle Country Club on July 25. Ott broke the county record in the 13U competition, scoring a 214.30.

Lauren DeLucia from the Lewisboro Town Swim Team soars through the air.

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