August 26, 2016

Harrison REVIEW THE

August 26, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 35 | www.harrisonreview.com

County DA probes fire department records

By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer

OVERHAUL Earlier this month, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino announced that an engineering firm has been selected to oversee various capital projects at Rye Playland, including improvements to rides and infrastructure as well as the potential redevelopment of the historic pool. For more, see page 5. File photo

WJWW replacing water main piping in Rye

By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer In an effort to maintain infrastructure, the town/village of Harrison recently approved measures to jointly fund and replace water main piping in the Greenhaven section of Rye, following an urgent request by Harrison Mayor Ron Belmont.

Belmont, a Republican and member of the Westchester Joint Water Works board of trustees, requested approval for WJWW

to replace approximately 1,000 feet of piping on Douglas Circle near Greenhaven Road, located in the city of Rye. Harrison requested the initiative to address an immediate issue after piping on Douglas Circle malfunctioned on Aug. 4, according to Belmont.

The preliminary total cost of the WJWW project, which is funded jointly by Harrison and the town and village of Mamaroneck, is estimated at $600,000.

Harrison is responsible for

$325,800 of the cost, while the village of Mamaroneck and the town of Mamaroneck are responsible for $160,200 and $114,000, respectively.

Westchester Joint Water Works is a nonprofit public benefit corporation which operates the water systems of its three-member municipalities: Harrison, and the town and village of Mamaroneck. The company, which was created under a special act of the New York state legislature in 1927—governed by a

three-member board of trustees including Belmont, village of Mamaroneck Mayor Norman Rosenblum, and town of Mamaroneck Supervisor Nancy Seligson—supplies water to more than 14,800 retail customers and sells water on a wholesale basis to the village of Larchmont, United Water New Rochelle and the Aquarion Water Company of New York.

WJWW purchases all of its PIPING continued on page 9

The Westchester County district attorney’s office is investigating complaints filed from within the Harrison Fire Department related to the department’s accounting practices, a spokesperson for the DA has confirmed.

The investigation partially relates to the department’s fundraising practices, though no specific details relating to the probe have been released by the DA’s office.

As part of the investigation, the Public Integrity Division of the DA’s office is conducting interviews with Fire Department personnel.

According to the state attorney general’s charities database, Harrison’s volunteer Fire Department lost its tax-exempt nonprofit status three years ago after not filing the requisite form. Its last documented filing was in 2009.

The treasurer responsible for filing those forms, William Powell, was removed from both the office and the Fire Department in May. Powell owns two restaurants in Harrison: Powell Catering and Hallstead Avenue Beer Garden.

He also served as the chief of the Fire Department in 2004.

As a result of having a cancelled charitable organization registration, the Fire Department is barred from soliciting charitable contributions or grants, or conducting charitable fundraisers, according to the state’s charities website.

The donation page on the Fire

Department’s website, which links directly to PayPal, is still functioning as of press time. The page details the department’s 2016 fundraising drive, asking for a donation of $25 or more.

Without a nonprofit status, the Fire Department must pay taxes on the money it collects through donations, and must follow more stringent guidelines in spending donation funds.

According to the department’s website, all volunteer firefighters enjoy financial benefits such as free life insurance, college tuition assistance, state income tax credits and discounts at some businesses within Harrison.

The department’s website lists 48 volunteers, and at least 16 have held or currently hold officer positions. The department also employs 13 full-time professional firefighters and a superintendent of fire equipment.

In a released statement, Harrison Mayor Ron Belmont, a Republican, stressed that funding for the professional division of the department—which is provided by tax collections—is not subject to the investigation.

The mayor added, “The town board has not been involved in the investigation as it was referred directly from the volunteer department to law enforcement.”

Frank Allegretti and Nelson Cantor, attorneys for the town, could not be reached for comment as of press time.

Neither Powell nor fire Chief John Masciola could be reached for comment as of press time.

CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com

2 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • August 26, 2016

August 26, 2016 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 3

Jenkins ‘committed’ to county executive run

Ken Jenkins, a Westchester County lawmaker since 2007, has decided to run for county executive. Jenkins is the first county executive candidate from any political party to make his intentions known. Photo/Andrew Dapolite

By CHRISTIAN FALCONE Editor-in-Chief When Ken Jenkins lost the Democratic nomination for Westchester County executive in 2013, it taught him a lot, he says. Three years later, Jenkins will try to use that experience to propel himself to the top office in the county.

Jenkins, a Democrat from Yonkers who currently serves on the county Board of Legislators, formally announced his candidacy for county executive on Aug. 17, well in advance of the 2017 campaign. He wanted to get out early to avoid a situation similar to last time when, he said, some people realized he was running too late in the process. “We’re not going to have that scenario this time around,” he told the Review.

Noam Bramson, the mayor of New Rochelle, went on to clinch the 2013 nomination besting Jenkins, but lost the general election to County Executive Rob Astorino, the Republican incumbent.

At the convention, Jenkins, 55, made a commitment to party leaders not to challenge Bramson’s nomination by way of a primary, a decision he’s proud he stuck to.

During this campaign, however, he is willing to fight to the end.

“I’m committed to making the case to the people of Westchester both in a primary, if that’s necessary [this time], and certainly in a general election,” he said.

Primaries aren’t bad, Jenkins says. “It gets more people in-

volved, more engaged, and the net result is a better product overall. Your person might not win, but you’re able to influence platform and policy,” he said, adding that the Democratic presidential primary between Hillary Clinton and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders helped reinforce that philosophy.

Throughout the upcoming campaign, Jenkins says he plans to expose the financial missteps of the Astorino administration, as well as the “flat-out lies” to protect the county executive’s no tax increase mantra he’s touted since taking office in 2010.

He criticized his political rival for using gimmicks, such as overestimating sales tax income to make the budget numbers work, and then borrowing to compensate for shortfalls in revenue. This year alone, Jenkins says, the county is $26 million over its budget projections.

“Borrowing to pay for daily operating expenses is something we wouldn’t do as individuals.

You’re shopping with your credit card to put food on your table [and] you’re paying interest on your basic daily needs,” he said.

“You can’t talk of a zero percent tax levy and continue to borrow money.”

Jenkins says he has delivered tax cuts, maintained programs, and balanced budgets as chairman of the legislative chamber; he chaired the county Board of Legislators from 2010 to 2014.

If elected, Jenkins says he would do away with patronage jobs, invest in ailing infrastruc-

ture, work to restore the county’s damaged relationship with the federal government and advocate for a countywide revaluation.

To get out from under the stigma of being the highest-taxed county in the country, the lawmaker says Westchester has to first provide property tax fairness before it can offer property tax relief.

One of his platforms is to call for a full-scale revaluation proposal. Jenkins contends that the county currently refunds approximately $10 million a year in tax certiorari claims, or assessment reviews filed in court by property owners. “We don’t get that money back,” he said. “If you are underpaying you’ve been getting over, and if you have been overpaying you’re taking on too much.”

In 2011, the Westchester Collaborative Assessment Commission recommended reforming the property tax assessment system with a loose goal of later conducting a full revaluation. However, that plan never gained any traction with the Astorino administration, likely because any reassessment of properties would increase taxes for at least a portion of property owners, causing reassessments to develop the moniker of the political third rail.

“Real leaders don’t tell you what you want to hear,” Jenkins said of Astorino, “they tell you what you need to hear.”

He has also been critical of JENKINS continued on page 8

4 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • August 26, 2016

What’s going on...

Harrison Public Library

tion is required. For more information or to register for this program, call 835-0324.

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.

Ken Burns’ ‘The National Parks: America’s Best Idea’ West Harrison branch temporary closing The West Harrison branch, at 2 Madison St., 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. All books must be returned to other Westchester Library System locations. Holds will be available for pickup at the Richard Halperin Memorial Building, 2 Bruce Ave.

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 registra-

The last two parts of this six-part series will be held on Monday, Aug. 29 and Tuesday, Aug. 30 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Richard Halperin Memorial Building.

The National Park Service turned 100 on Aug. 25, and everyone can take part in the celebration.

This Ken Burns film series traces the birth of the national park idea in the mid-1800s and follows its evolution for nearly 150 years. Using archival photographs, first-person accounts of historical characters, personal memories and analysis from more than 40 interviews, and what Burns believes is the most stunning cinematography in Florentine Films’ history, the series chronicles the steady addition of new parks through the stories of the people who helped create them and save them from destruction. It is simultaneously a biography of compelling characters and a biography of the American landscape.

Manhattanville College Chorus, orchestra and ensemble auditions Manhattanville College Chorus is looking for musically qualified people to join the chorus. Rehearsals are on Monday evenings from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Berman Center on the college campus, located at 2900 Purchase Street in Purchase.

The chorus, under the direction of John Cuk, gives two annual concerts. The first concert will be a holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 11, and will feature selections of Carl Orff’s arrangement of “Carmina Burana” for two pianos and percussion plus seasonal music. Those interested in joining should contact director Cuk at John.Cuk@mville.edu.

The Manhattanville College Community Orchestra will be holding auditions for the 2016-17 season.

All qualified musicians are welcome to audition for positions in the orchestra, which rehearses regularly on Wednesday evenings from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the East Room, Benziger Hall, also located on the college’s campus. Those interested in auditioning for the orchestra should contact director Carl C. Bettendorf at Carl.Bettendorf@mville.edu.

The Manhattanville College Community Jazz Ensemble and Wind Ensemble will also be holding auditions for their 2016-17 season. All qualified musicians are welcome to audition for positions in the jazz ensemble and wind ensemble. The community jazz ensemble rehearses regularly on Tuesday evenings, and the wind ensemble rehearses regularly on Thursday evenings from7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Berman Center on the college’s campus. Those interested in auditioning should contact director Terry Reynolds at Terry.Reynolds@mville.edu.

All groups consist of college students and residents of Westchester and Rockland counties, Fairfield County in Connecticut and New York City.

For more information about any musical group audition, call the Music Office at 323-5260 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Neuberger Museum of Art Exhibition: ‘Landed: Surveying New Geographies’ The exhibition “Landed: Surveying New Geographies” features artists using unconventional methodologies and experimental media to contextualize the sociopolitical and cultural factors that determine the demarcation of land, its occupation use and succession. Artists in the exhibition include Lewis Baltz, Ingrid Burrington, Hock E Aye Vi Edgar Heap of Birds, Jan Henle, Louis Hock, Ekene Ijeoma and Hyperakt, Shimpei Takeda, Bradley McCallum and Jacqueline Tarry, and Georgi and Nina Tushev. The work will be on display until Oct. 2. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., and is closed on Monday. The museum is located at 735 Anderson Hill Road in Purchase. For more information, call 251-6100 or visit neuberger.org.

‘Destination: Latin America’ Gallery Talk In conjunction with the exhibition “Destination: Latin America,” the Neuberger Museum will be holding a gallery talk with Curator Patrice Giasson on Wednesday, Oct. 5 from 12: 30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Giasson examines key works from the exhibition, tracing the impact of the Mexican

Revolution on contemporary Latin American artists and their responses to history, globalization, migration and social criticism. During the talk, she will explain the exhibition. Tickets to the gallery talk are free for Purchase College students, staff, faculty and Neuberger Museum of Art Circle Level Members, and are $10 for the general public.

“Destination: Latin America” will be on display until Jan. 22, 2017. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., and is closed on Monday. The museum is located at 735 Anderson Hill Road in Purchase. For more information about 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. The Faculty Selection Committee chooses students who are accepted at accredited colleges and are financially eligible.

Lola Geiger, executive director of the Feeley Fund who was 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.

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.

The Harrison Players Open auditions for comedy The Harrison Players Community Theatre Group presents open auditions for “The Women,” a 1930s comedy written by Clare Boothe Luce. It will be directed by Anthony J. Valbiro.

The dates and times for the auditions will be Thursday, Sept. 8 from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 11 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The location will be The Veterans’ Memorial Building, 210 Halstead Ave. in Harrison.

Performances will take place on Friday, Oct. 21, Saturday, Oct. 22 and Sunday, Oct. 23.

For the character breakdowns and more information, visit harrisonplayers.org. If you have any questions, call 630-1089 or email harrisonplayers@yahoo.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.

August 26, 2016 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 5

County chooses Playland engineer

By JAMES PERO Staff Writer The selection of a consortium of engineering firms responsible for overseeing a slew of capital projects at Rye Playland marks

a major step forward in actualizing renovations at the outdated amusement park.

Earlier this month, following a brief request for proposals, RFP, process, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, a Re-

publican, announced that a consortium of engineering firms led

by LiRo Engineers Inc. has been selected to take on various park renovations.

“Hiring this consortium is the next step towards making the

new Playland a reality,” Astorino said. “The consultants will ensure this series of capital projects is streamlined and executed efficiently.”

Among the major renovations in the pipeline for the park—which hasn’t seen any significant work since the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy necessitated ma-

jor repairs to Playland’s boardwalk and Ice Casino—are various improvements to rides and infrastructure, as well as the potential redevelopment of the Playland pool.

A deal struck between the management company Standard Amusements and the county in May will see the investment of $32 million from the county and

Renovations to Rye Playland take a step forward after a consortium of engineering firms was chosen by the county to lead the redevelopment process. File photo

$27.5 million from the company, and will run for 30 years.

Nick Singer, co-founder of Standard Amusements, lauded the county’s expediency in the RFP process, which was launched in July.

“The speed with which Westchester County completed the RFP process and selected LiRo is impressive by any measure,” Singer said.

According to a statement by the county, a construction schedule for projects at the park will be finalized by the end of September.

Currently, one major project already being mulled over by the county Board of Legislators would decide the future of Playland’s historic pool.

Legislators must decide whether to replace the pool— which continues to suffer from significant leakage—or foot the bill for costly renovations, estimated at nearly $10 million.

So far, Standard has expressed its desire to have the pool removed and to repurpose the existing site for a veranda serving light refreshments.

CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

6 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • August 26, 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

Club Denis puts on a show downtown

Twin Gold, made up of twin sisters Louise Dobriner and Jane Fox, belts out a patriotic song to start off the show.

Sports Editor | Mike Smith ext. 22, sports@hometwn.com Editorial Assistant | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 25, sibylla@hometwn.com 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

Dennis Dion Nardone takes his WVOX show Club Dennis to the streets of Harrison on Aug. 3 at the intersection of Halstead and Harrison avenues as part of the town’s Summer Concert Series.

Teri Lamar and Vic Sabatini got together to perform during Club Denis’ set on Aug. 3 in downtown Harrison.

Staff Writer James Pero Staff Photographers Bobby Begun, Andrew Dapolite Intern 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.

Community Events

Bass guitarist Ceaser Moniutto of the Just Nuts Band performed on Aug. 3 at Harrison’s Summer Street Concerts in downtown Harrison.

If you have an event you would like to share with the community, send it to news@hometwn.com.

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For home delivery or to subsribe, call (914) 653-1000 x27.

A very respectable crowd sang, danced and ate at Harrison’s Street Concerts last Wednesday evening.

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The crowd was literally dancing in the streets. Photos/Bobby Begun

Mark Doyle on rhythm guitar of The Just Nuts Band.

August 26, 2016 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 7

Purchase alumna receives Princess Grace Award SUNY Purchase College is pleased to announce that Tamisha Guy, a 2013 graduate of the Conservatory of Dance, has received the prestigious Princess Grace Award for emerging artists in theater, film and dance.

Guy will receive a dance fellowship to support her work with Abraham.In.Motion, a modern dance company founded and under the artistic direction of alumnus Kyle Abraham. Abraham, who is being honored with a special project award this year, first received the Princess Grace Award in 2010.

A native of Trinidad and Tobago now residing in Brooklyn, Guy began her formal dance training at Ballet Tech, the New York City Public School for Dance under the direction of Eliot Feld. Later, she attended LaGuardia High School, and Purchase College as a double major in dance and arts management.

Upon graduating, Guy danced with the Martha Graham Dance Company and later joined Kyle Abraham/Abraham.in.Motion in 2014. She was named one of 2016’s “25 to Watch” by Dance Magazine.

Guy credits her teachers at Purchase for preparing her physically and mentally for a career as a dancer. She said the teachers “shared knowledge not only in the classroom, but were open about their experiences in their professional careers…. They shared that one's journey may not be easy but as long as you are passionate and muster up the will to keep pushing when things get tough, you will be able to sustain a career in dance. Being a Princess Grace Award recipient is a dream come true and I feel so blessed to have received such an honor. I will continue to share my craft and to work even harder to contribute to an art form that continues to give me so much.”

Nelly van Bommel, director of the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College, said, “We congratulate Tamisha Guy on her selection as a recipient for this prestigious award. Tamisha was a true role model for her peers when she was a student in the Conservatory of Dance. We look forward to continuing to celebrate her success.”

“We are thrilled to welcome

this year's incredibly talented award winners into the Princess Grace Foundation-USA family,” said Executive Director Toby Boshak. “Each year we enthusiastically support a passionate new group of emerging talents who will one day be at the forefront of the arts. We look forward to watching them grow as artists.”

The awards will be presented at the Princess Grace Foundation's Annual Gala, to be held on Oct. 24 in New York City in the presence of the Prince and Princess of Monaco.

The Princess Grace Foundation-USA is a nonprofit, publicly supported foundation, headquartered in New York City and founded 34 years ago by Prince Rainier III of Monaco to honor his wife, Princess Grace's legacy. The foundation's mission is dedicated to identifying and assisting emerging talent in theater, dance and film by awarding grants in the form of scholarships, apprenticeships, and fellowships. Since the foundation's inception, nearly 800 recipients have been awarded more than $13 million. (Submitted)

Volunteer with Save the Sound Be empowered to get out into your local water and see for yourself if water is safe for swimming or fish. Save the Sound is training volunteers to become citizen scientists. Interested volunteers should email pollution@savethesound.org for more information.

Communities along the Sound where water quality monitoring will be occurring this summer include Port Chester, Rye, Scarsdale, Harrison, Mamaroneck, Larchmont, New Rochelle, Pelham, Mount Vernon and Greenwich.

Volunteers will be needed one morning per week to collect water samples through Labor Day, in order to build up a complete picture of water quality in the communities surrounding the western Sound. Multiple trainings were held in early June.

After completing training, volunteers will travel to pre-selected sites in their communities, once a week before 9 a.m., with Save the Sound’s water monitoring coordinator. The collection time will likely only take 90 minutes on one morning every week. This work is very important. Save

the Sound has found that fecal contamination is highest in the streams, creeks, and rivers that run through communities and flow to the shoreline.

Connecticut Fund for the Environment, CFE, and Save the Sound provide many opportunities for residents to get involved in helping to protect the land, air, and water in the area. More than 13,300 people belong to the citizen network to stay informed about key environmental issues in the state. When thousands talk with one voice, our leaders listen. Make your voice heard. Visit ctenvironment.org to sign up.

Each summer, the organizations send teams of trained volunteers out around the western Sound to test their local waters for bacterial contamination and other signs of sewage overflows.

Contact pollution@savethesound.org for more information.

Volunteers working together can make a huge difference in the health of our planet. The Coastal Cleanup program is a great way to get outside and get involved.

Over the last 10 years, Save the Sound has helped organize hun-

dreds of coastal cleanup events that have brought together more than 17,000 volunteers who have removed 137,500 pounds of trash from 500 miles of waterfront.

You can get involved by joining an established shore, watercraft, or underwater cleanup or by becoming a Cleanup Captain and putting together your own team. For more information, visit the Coastal Cleanup page at ctenvironment.org or contact Valerie Wormely-Radford at vwormelyradford@ctenvironment.org.

The habitat restoration program has great projects that could use boots on the ground.

The program removes invasive plant species that are choking native flora, protects disappearing dune grasses, and builds fish ladders to help fish reach spawning sites. CFE and Save the Sound hold volunteer plantings to help rebuild the habitats around many of our restoration sites. For more information, visit our Habitat Restoration page at ctenvironment.org or contact Valerie Wormely-Radford at vwormely-radford@ctenvironment.org.

(Submitted)

8 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • August 26, 2016

Upcoming events, reminders and the Senior Picnic of Harrison are invited to swim at the Brentwood Pool before it’s drained for the season. Due to health regulations, only dogs will be allowed in the pool during this special event. No registration is necessary and this event is free for all Harrison residents.

I would like to bring your attention to an exciting program scheduled to take place at the Harrison Public Library. Residents and their families are invited to a spectacular event that the library is hosting on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 pm. in Ma Riis Park, across from Town Hall. The Play 2 Learn Festival is a free event celebrating the importance of play in the formative years. There will be eight different play zones with more than 20 hands-on activities.

The festival will include games, arts and crafts, live music, food truck vendors, raffles and funfilled play stations for children.

There will also be highly informative parenting workshops for the adults. I encourage everyone to take advantage of this wonderful program.

As the storm season approaches, I want to bring your attention to a very important

and underutilized communication option. In storms past, many Harrison residents were unable to receive my robo-calls as their phone service was interrupted during the storm.

Forwarding your calls to an additional phone number (for example, your cellphone) can increase your availability (especially if you are away from the telephone that is diverting calls to another number) for an extended period of time. To forward your home phone number or landline to a cellphone, you must consult with your landline service provider to confirm that the call forwarding feature is an option. Generally, the customer can enter numerical codes, using a landline or home phone, to initiate the call forwarding option.

In closing, the Harrison public schools will be back in session soon and I would like to remind motorists to be more aware and cautious as children begin their new school year by walking to and from our area schools. I encourage parents to take the time to talk to their children about safety and the importance of crossing at a traffic signal or crosswalk as they travel back and forth to school.

which has pitted the county executive against the federal govthe way the county executive ernment, has also drawn Jenkins’ has handled the county-owned criticism. The agreement stipuamusement park, Rye Playland, lates that Westchester build 750 and the implementation of a fed- units of housing in designated erally mandated affordable hous- communities by the end of 2016. ing settlement, which dates back Astorino has been outspoken against the U.S. Department of to 2009.

The deal Astorino struck with Housing and Urban Developthe private management compa- ment, HUD, claiming the agency ny, Standard Amusements, to op- has sought to extend the paramerate the amusement park for the eters of the agreement and atnext 30 years was a mistake, Jen- tempted to strong arm the county kins says, once the county had to into enforcing, by even litigation, commit $30 million of taxpayers’ zoning regulations on its own money toward capital investments municipalities.

Due to the standoff, HUD has into the park. He says he would have scrapped the deal and gone denied grant funding to the counback out into the market place to ty retroactive to 2013. “The federseek additional operators. “Right al government’s position is we’re now, all the power is in the ven- giving [the grant money] to somedor’s hands,” he said. “The fact is, one else,” Jenkins said. “Because of the recalcitrance of this adminthis deal is a bad deal.”

Astorino’s handling of the istration we have lost at least $25 affordable housing settlement, million in federal funds.

“Penny-wise and pound-foolish is a short synopsis of this administration. I think it’s beyond being shortsighted, the decisions being made. There is no look at the future,” he added.

Jenkins was the former chairman of the Yonkers Democratic Party and a past president of the Yonkers chapter of the NAACP. If he wins, Jenkins would be the first African-American county executive elected in New York state.

HARRISON HAPPENINGS Mayor Ron Belmont

I recently had the pleasure of attending this year’s annual Senior Picnic in West Harrison.

The weather could not have been better and hundreds of seniors enjoyed a day of fun and friendship. The menu included hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken cutlets, sausage and peppers, salads and more. Our Recreation Department really outdid themselves this year and should be commended for their efforts. It was a great success and I enjoyed seeing many familiar friends and new faces. The annual Senior Picnic is a wonderful event and many of our senior residents look forward to it each year.

As the summer winds down, I would like to bring your attention to a highly anticipated endof-the-season event. Back by popular demand, the Brentwood Pool Puppy Plunge will take place Tuesday, Sept. 6 through Friday, Sept. 9 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturday, Sept. 10 and Sunday, Sept. 11 from 11 am. to 1:30 p.m. The lucky dogs JENKINS from page 3

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Doughboy statue to return to duty

The Harrison Doughboy, which stood in Ma Riis Park for 76 years before breaking and toppling over in June, could return to its pedestal, pictured, in the park as soon as Veterans Day. The town has allocated money to contract molding and casting from Polich Tallix, a foundry in Newburgh. File photo

By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer The iconic zinc statue commemorating Harrison’s World War I soldiers may return to its post as soon as Veterans Day, according to town officials.

The town will spend a total of $43,645 to rebuild the statue: $14,880 will be used to design the mold and $28,765 will cover the costs to cast the statue from bronze.

On June 6––the 72nd anniversary of D-Day––the 76-year-old statue broke at the ankles, fell from its cement pedestal, and shattered against the pavement of Ma Riis Park.

Polich Tallix, a foundry in Newburgh, New York, will be hired to mold and cast the statue.

Polich Tallix is responsible for projects including the aluminum decorations for the Metro-North Railroad overpasses entering both the Yonkers and Harlem125th Street stations.

The silicon-rubber mold will be modeled after the Doughboy statue in Bethel, Connecticut, which is identical to Harrison’s former statue.

The original Harrison Doughboy was cast from zinc, but the replacement will be cast from bronze––a copper-zinc blend–– which is expected to increase the statue’s longevity.

Harrison Mayor Ron Belmont, a Republican, told the Review that a Veterans Day replacement was not a certainty, but a goal for the town and the foundry to strive toward. He added that although the town celebrates the holiday in West Harrison, there will likely be some sort of unveiling ceremony when the Doughboy is returned to its post.

A Veterans Day restoration would be fitting timing; the statue was originally erected on Nov. 11, 1939––the 21st anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I––“Dedicated to

the men and women of Harrison who served in the World War,” as the plaque on the doughboy’s pedestal reads. The marble pedestal is still in place, and will be used as the post for the new statue. On the back of the pedestal are three plaques listing a total of 300 names of Harrison’s World War I veterans.

Prior to the statue’s toppling, it lost the bayonet at the end of its rifle, which Belmont said would also likely be replaced, bringing the statue back to its original form.

Harrison’s Doughboy is among more than 140 nationwide modeled after E.M. Viquesney’s “Spirit of the American Doughboy,” a design copyrighted in 1934.

According to Town Comptroller Maureen McKenzie, the statue replacement was originally estimated to cost between $50,000 and $80,000.

CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com

Harrison Central School District’s

Official Newspaper

August 26, 2016 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 9

Manhattanville music dept. calls for members Manhattanville College Chorus is looking for musically qualified people to join the chorus. Rehearsals are on Monday evenings from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Berman Center on the College campus located at 2900 Purchase St. in Purchase.

The chorus, under the direction of John Cuk, gives two annual concerts. The first concert will be a holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 11, and will feature selections of Carl Orff’s arrangement of Carmina Burana for two pianos and percussion plus seasonal music.

Those interested in joining should contact director John Cuk at John.Cuk@mville.edu.

The Manhattanville College Community Orchestra will be holding auditions for the 20162017 season. All qualified musicians are welcome to audition for positions in the orchestra, which rehearses regularly on Wednesday evenings from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the East Room, Benziger Hall, also located on the college’s campus.

Those interested in auditioning for the orchestra should contact

PIPING from page 1

On Aug. 18, following a request from Mayor Ron Belmont, the town/village of Harrison approved a proposal to replace approximately 1,000 feet of a water main on Douglas Circle in the city of Rye. Photo/Franco Fino

director Carl C. Bettendorf at Carl.Bettendorf@mville.edu.

The Manhattanville College community jazz ensemble and wind ensemble will also be holding auditions for their 2016-2017 season. All qualified musicians are welcome to audition for positions in the jazz ensemble and wind ensemble.

The community jazz ensemble rehearses regularly on Tuesday evenings, and the wind ensemble rehearses regularly on Thursday evenings from 7 p.m.

to 9 p.m. in the Berman Center on the college’s campus. Those interested in auditioning should contact director Terry Reynolds at Terry.Reynolds@mville.edu.

All groups consist of college students and residents of Westchester and Rockland counties, Fairfield County in Connecticut and New York City. For more information about any musical group audition, call the music office at 323-5260 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Submitted)

water from the city of New York through the Delaware Aqueduct in Yonkers, and Rye Lake, which is located near the eastern part of Kensico Reservoir in Harrison, according to its website.

Despite the approval of the infrastructure maintenance on Aug. 18, Harrison Councilman Joe Stout, a Democrat, voted against funding the construction. “I don’t understand why we would pay for an improvement that isn’t located within the three

communities,” he said.

According to Mamaroneck Town Administrator Stephen Altieri, the joint effort between the municipalities is required to cover a designated area of the city of Rye, as customers in Greenhaven pay for the water privately.

However, unlike ratepayers located within the three-member municipalities, Greenhaven residents would not be affected by a potential rate increase, accord-

ing to Stout. “They should pay for improvements that specifically benefit their properties,” he said of Greenhaven residents.

According to David Birdsall, a business director at Westchester Joint Water Works, the construction will be complete by Labor Day, Sept. 5. Greenhaven residents are receiving temporary water from local hydrants, as of press time.

CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com

10 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • August 26, 2016

August 26, 2016 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 11

Baumann photography exhibit comes to town Harrison Council for the Arts presents “From Jazz to Scapes,” photographs by Michael Baumann at the Harrison Public Library, Halperin Building located 2 Bruce Ave., on display from Aug. 29 to Sept. 30.

After a career in commercial photography and design, Baumann is focusing on his personal photographic passions. He likes to observe experience and capture unique moments in time.

In addition to observing and photographing life on the streets in New York City, enjoying nature and photographing landscapes, Baumann’s latest project (for the last four years and continuing) is hanging out in Harlem jazz dives, listening to great music, photographing and sometimes also video recording musicians in their element away from the limelight. He is not interested in visiting established, high-end jazz performances. He is fascinated by places where authentic

jazz is happening; the raw, real jazz and blues on the edge.

Many of the musicians Baumann listens to and photographs have been playing on records and touring the world with superstars like David Bowie, Ron Ayers, Stevie Wonder, George Benson, Duran Duran, Madonna, Blondie, Gregory Porter and more. They often jam at Paris Blues, play at The Post, Bill’s Place, New Amsterdam Musical Association, Red Rooster, Farafina, Nabe and others, and have interesting stories to tell. Music is their life.

Baumann is right there and very close to the musicians with his camera, since he photographs mostly with a 14mm to 24mm lens. His jazz photos are personal and intimate. He often photographs in black and white, as he likes the abstraction, contrast and dramatic effect of black, white and gray tones, “but using monochrome or color depends

on the subject matter, composition and also the feeling one likes to convey,” Baumann said.

“My jazz photos are almost all in black and white, since that just seems to fit better to jazz.

“It’s not so much about photography or being an observer— it’s more about the experience, being a participant. When energies are in harmony, being ‘in the zone,’ I sometimes capture a unique moment,” he added.

Baumann moved to New York City from Munich, Germany in 1971 and has lived with his family on the beautiful Hudson River in Dobbs Ferry since 2007.

The exhibit may be viewed from Aug. 29 to Sept. 30, Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, call the Harrison library at 835-0324 or visit harrisonpl.org. (Submitted)

“Tyrone Govan Plays the Blues” by Michael Baumann. Contributed photo

Buster is one very cool dude. Laid-back, sweet and gentle-natured, he loves affection from humans and gets along well with other cats and dogs. He has the cutest little “meow” and is the ultimate companion.

Buster is approximately 3 years old, neutered, fully vetted and in excellent health. His adoption donation is $80. To meet Buster, call Larchmont Pet Rescue at 835-3332/4133 or visit NY-PetRescue.org.

(Submitted)

12 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • August 26, 2016

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LEGAL NOTICES Notice of Formation of Daniel Six Industries, LLC. Arts of Org. filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 7/29/16. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10011. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of Carib Fish Market & Grill, LLC. Arts of Org. filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 6/15/16. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 30 Park Avenue, Suite 3K, Mount Vernon, NY 10550. Purpose: any lawful activity.

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August 26, 2016 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 13

Is the walk to school really so terrifying?

RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy

Can we please stop telling parents that it is normal to be terrified for even the shortest periods of time when kids are doing the most mundane activities: Walking to or from school?

Because here’s what NBC’s Alyssa Newcomb reported recently in a piece called “Backto-School Safety Tech That Helps Keep Kids Safe” (The title alone reinforcing the idea that kids are NOT safe without us taking new, tech-assisted precautions): “No matter how mature and responsible a child is, those few blocks without adult supervision are enough to make most parents worry.”

Since when? Since crime is back to the level it was in 1963?

Since we are living in the safest times in human history, according to Harvard’s Stephen Pinker? Since even child deaths at the hand of a kidnapper—already extremely rare—are now one-fifth of what they were just 20 years ago? “Most parents worry” about a few-block walk, in these particularly safe times, even if they know their kids are mature and responsible?

That seems like some kind of illness. Yes, it’s normal to worry if the neighborhood is truly crime-ridden. And naturally, it can be worrying if a child is late getting home, or if it’s the first week of school and the child is just getting used to the walk. But for parents to worry no matter how mature their kid, how short the walk and how safe the neigh-

borhood does not make sense.

Igniting the fuse of fear makes sense for only two groups of people: The media, who depend on fear to keep us engaged, and the makers of tech tracking devices, who depend on our dollars to stay in business. After all, if they can convince us that it is normal to fret any time we take our eyes off our kids, they can sell us products that keep our eyes upon them.

And so reporter Newcomb goes on to list four products that track kids and apprise the parents of their location. The PocketFinder is one. It goes into the child’s backpack and “updates a parent’s smartphone with their location every two minutes.”

Obsessed much? It also alerts parents the second their child veers off the proscribed path.

What a joy that makes walking home: Follow that squirrel for a block and mom calls 911.

Then there’s Life360, which is free and sounds like Harry Potter’s Marauder’s Map, showing every family member’s location. But if you pay a premium (aha!), you can get “expanded history data and a live adviser for urgent situations.” Just suggesting “urgent situations” makes the walk sound dire.

The Canary, also profiled, is part of a $199 home security system, allowing you “to see live video and hear audio from their home. Parents can even replay the video clip from when their child walked in the door, ensuring that they were with only authorized house guests.”

Maybe it should really be called the Stool Pigeon. It seems less like a normal household de-

P U B LI S H ES THE

REVIEW Eastchester REVIEW THE

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Harrison REVIEW

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CityREVIEW NewRochelle

INSIDE

Mamaroneck

Register for ‘9/11 Day Serve + Remember’

vice and more like the CCTV In honor of those whose lives above the door at a 7-Eleven. were lost or forever changed by And finally there’s the August the tragic events of Sept. 11, Smart Lock which lets you “see 2001, County Executive Rob and speak to whoever is at your Astorino will join with Volunteer door, even if you’re not home.” It New York! and Robison Oil to also locks and unlocks your door host the “9/11 Day Serve + Relong distance, “making it ideal if member” volunteer opportuniyour kid forgets their key,” ac- ties from Friday, Sept. 9 through cording to Newcomb. At $400, Sunday, Sept. 11. Service projit might be more ideal to make ects will kick off from 2 p.m. to your kid a few extra keys, or 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 9 at the Couneven hide one someplace clever. ty Center in White Plains, and So now I too have some ad- will run throughout the weekend vice on how to keep your kid at locations across Westchester safe on the way home from and the surrounding area. school—advice that the TV reWestchester County’s forport, in its haste to hail techno- mal 9/11 memorial ceremony at logical solutions to nearly non- The Rising at Kensico Dam in existent dangers, forgot. Teach Valhalla will begin at 7 p.m. on your children to: Sept. 11. As always, the public is Look left, look right, look invited to attend. left again when crossing the “On the 15th anniversary street. of the terrorist attacks of Sept.

Make sure that anyone turn- 11, 2001, we as a community ing sees them in the crosswalk. continue to come together in Ask strangers for help if they remembrance and unity, provneed it. Teaching “stranger dan- ing that love and service will ger” removes all the people who always prevail,” Astorino said. could help them in an emer- “Last year, we had 1,200 volungency. (Remember that Utah teers put 1,670 hours of service Boy Scout who was lost for back into the community as part three days because every time of 9/11 Day. This year offers so he heard a search party member many great ways to volunteer, calling his name, he scampered whether it’s giving blood, feedoff to hide from the “stranger?”) ing the hungry, educating our However, also teach your kids children or thanking our veterthat they while they can TALK ans. I hope you’ll all join us in to anyone, they cannot go OFF remembrance.” with anyone.

The theme of this year’s 9/11 And they should not get into Day is “Service. Empathy. Unisomeone’s car. ty.” Many volunteer opportuniThose are tips that make a lot ties are family-friendly and all of sense and, by golly, they are will help support one of 40 lofree! Of course, for a premium, I cal nonprofits and causes. Regwill add a new and pointless tip ister online at volunteernewyork. every month. Sign up now! org/service or call 948-4452 for more information.

CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com Westchester County will also host its annual employee blood drive in partnership with the New York Blood Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 9 at the

County Center. To sign up or learn more, please contact Janet Lokay at jel1@westchestergov. com or 995-2127.

“Join us as we remember the unity and compassion that was shared by the many first responders, blood donors and volunteers who came together after 9/11, and help us shine our light on the service and empathy that carries us forward,” said Alisa H. Kesten, executive director of Volunteer New York! “We encourage families, individuals and business groups to register today to honor the lives of those lost through these individual acts of service.”

David Singer, president of Robison Oil, the presenting sponsor, said, “Our company was built on service—service to our customers and our community. That is why Robison is honored to be able to support this important day for families and individuals of all backgrounds to join together and volunteer. This is an important day in our community to serve and take action.”

For a complete list of the 40 local 9/11 Day service projects, locations and their descriptions, which are scheduled from Sept.

9 through Sept. 11, visit volunteernewyork.org/service.

2016 9/11 Day participating nonprofits and causes include: Afya Foundation; A-HOME; Atria Senior Living - Briarcliff Manor; Community Service Associates; the #DadBeThere Fatherhood Initiative; Dominican College Project; Family Services of

Westchester: The Sharing Shelf; Girl Scouts; Graham Windham; Hillside Food Outreach; Humane Society of Westchester; Junior League of Central Westchester; Leake & Watts; Life Progressive Services; LiveOn New York; Meals on Wheels; Mercy College, Montrose Veterans Hospital; My Brother’s Keeper; My Second Home; New York Blood Center; One Sandwich at a Time; Open Door Family Medical Center; Operation Gratitude; Ossining School District; Our New Way Garden & Acorn Organics; Pace University Project; Project Linus; Ronald McDonald House of GHV; Rye Nature Center; Schaffer Extended Care Center; Teatown Lake Reservation; United for the Troops; Volunteer New York!

Hunger Relief Corps; Westchester County Department of Health; WJCS Kids’ Closet; Westchester Parks Foundation; WestCOP; and Worldwide Community First Responder Inc. The core mission of Volunteer New York! is to inspire, mobilize and equip individuals and groups to take positive action to address pressing challenges, support nonprofits and improve the quality of life in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties.

For more than 66 years, the organization has encouraged adults to serve, youth to build character, families to bond, young professionals to lead, mature adults to share their wisdom, and businesses to engage through volunteerism. Volunteer New York! helped coordinate more than 270,000 hours of service, which were devoted last year to more 500 nonprofits at a value of more than $7.3 million.

For more information, follow @volunteerNYnow on Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest volunteering news in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam, or visit volunteernewyork.org. (Submitted)

INSIDE WESTCHESTER COUNTY

www.hometwn.com | 170 Hamilton Ave., Suite 203, White Plains N.Y. 10601 | (914) 653-1000

Follow us on Twitter @ harrisonreview

14 • THE THE HARRISON REVIEW • August 26, 2016

Fantasy overload LIVE MIKE Mike Smith

If there’s one piece of advice for all of you fantasy football enthusiasts out there, it’s this: Nobody, and I mean nobody, cares about your fantasy football team.

Over the last 10 years or so, fantasy football has become an unavoidable facet of American sports culture. With fantasybased programing across both television and online platforms generating around $5 billion of advertising revenue annually, it’s pretty clear that Americans’ love affair with pretending to be NFL general managers isn’t ending any time soon.

And man, it’s really starting to become a drag.

It’s becoming tough to escape fantasy football talk, especially around this time of year, when legions of fans are gearing up for their annual

drafts. Hours upon hours of draft preview podcasts, spanning radio and television chatter, and “fantasy football experts” expounding upon their Top 10 practice squad tight ends?

It’s a bit overwhelming.

Now don’t get me wrong.

I’ve been playing fantasy football for at least half my life.

It’s a fun way to spend the season, a great way to connect with friends, and it helps me stay plugged into what’s happening around the league after my New York Giants get off to an inevitable 1-5 start.

But I’ll tell you something: I don’t feel the need to talk about my team, “The Tupa Mario Bros,” every time somebody brings up football.

Fantasy football’s growth is quickly transforming the way we talk about NFL around the watercooler.

In the old days, if Larry Fitzgerald hauled in a gamewinning catch on Monday

SPORTS

Night Football, the next day’s chatter would be about the acrobatic grab or the drama of a prime time NFL game.

Nowadays, any conversation about said catch is centered on how that reception won/lost the game for your buddy and how great/awful points-perreception scoring is, and what moves you suggest he make if he hopes to secure a berth into his nerd league playoffs.

Years ago, our fantasy football drafts were a fun way to spend an afternoon, talk some smack, eat way too much and engage in a little banter about the upcoming season.

Last August, my buddy Jones showed up to the draft with a computer program that he wrote to optimize his draft order based on projected scoring numbers for the first 10 weeks of the regular season.

I think we’re starting to take this a little too far.

So yeah, by all means, enjoy your fantasy football season.

Over the last decade, fantasy football has become a big-money industry that has become tough to avoid if you happen to use the Internet. Sports Editor Mike Smith thinks it’s all become a bit too much.

Photo courtesy Yahoo.com

Pick your teams, root for your guys, and send passive-aggressive emails out to the other people in your league if you think they’re abusing their vetoes whenever trades pop up.

Just keep all that stuff to yourself, because I don’t care.

But while I have your attention, I just wanted to ask your opinion. Do you think it’s worth taking Ezekiel Elliott

in the first round? I’m kind of on the fence, and right now, I could use all the help I can get.

Follow Mike on Twitter @livemike_sports

Thornton-Donovan 2017: An Andean adventure When Thornton-Donovan School in New Rochelle opens its doors for year No. 116, seven of its upperschool students will be in three different countries and three other high schools.

T-D has a vast network of sister schools sprinkled around the world and quite regularly sends its own to them, and receives international student visitors from them.

T-D has been pioneering in international education for decades and its student ambassadors use the school’s exchange program as ways to sharpen their diplomatic skills. With Liam Gorbutt in Japan, Janine Peroune in Germany, and Nikki D’Annunzio, Ben Rufa, Gavin Tomlinson, Diale Takona and Rayaan Ba in Italy, T-D will begin the 2016-17 school year on Sept. 8.

T-D is an independent and international day school with grades K–12. It boasts of its small size and small classes. It has 170 students from 40 different countries. T-D’s grades 9–12 will open at near capacity.

In February 2017, T-D will begin its Andean adventure and travel to Peru in February and

TO COVER LOCAL SPORTS, YOU NEED A

File photo

continue the undertaking by “Flying with the Condors” in Ecuador in April 2017.

T-D’s 2016-17 academic theme will focus on Machu Picchu and Galapagos.

As is the tradition, T-D’s graduates get accepted to many of America’s most elite colleges and universities as well as the world’s most prestigious institutions. Some of them are: DePaul, UConn, Haverford, Elon, UNC, Notre Dame, Dartmouth, Fordham, Case Western Reserve, American, George Washington University, St. Andrews,

University of Nottingham, Nanzan University (Japan), N.Y.U., University of Pittsburgh, University of Virginia, and McGill.

T-D teaches numerous foreign languages: French, Spanish, Russian, German, Italian, Greek and Latin. Japanese is also offered in the early spring, as T-D continues to visit Hiroshima in July of each year.

Admission information can be procured by contacting Director of Admissions Steven Schlitten at sschlitten@td.edu or visiting the school’s website at td.edu. (Submitted)

LIVE MIKE! Follow Mike Smith @LiveMike_Sports stats • recaps • commentary Follow Mike Smith @harrisonreview for Mike’s live, in-game action updates

SPORTS

August 26, 2016 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 15

WFAN holds charity softball game

By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor On Thursday, Aug. 18, sports radio personality and New Rochelle native Craig Carton returned home, leading a celebrity-laden team against all-stars from the city in an annual charity softball game at City Park. The game, now in its fifth year, gave area fans a chance to see local softballers square off against a host of former professional athletes, and helped raise money for the New Rochelle Parks and Recreation Gift Fund.

Carton, who co-hosts the popular “Boomer & Carton” radio show on WFAN alongside retired NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason, graduated from New Rochelle High School in 1987 and has returned to his hometown for the last five years for the annual charity softball game, tabbing his former teacher and New Rochelle football coach Harold Crocker to manage the city team while he and Esiason captained the WFAN All-Stars.

This year, the celebrity team included NHL player Matt Martin, former NFL player Chris Simms, local NFL product Ray Rice and a number of other onair personalities from the radio station. Former New York

Craig Carton, left, poses for a photo with New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson and Boomer Esiason prior to the fifth annual Boomer and Carton All-Star Softball game in New Rochelle on Aug. 18. Carton and Bramson were classmates at New Rochelle High School.

Yankees great Mariano Rivera, who lives in Rye, also took the field, but opted to play for the New Rochelle squad, manning first base for much of the game before coming on, naturally, to close out a 7-6 New Rochelle win.

“I always talk about New Rochelle fondly, and the fact that we get to come out here, support the Parks and Rec and shine a light on New Rochelle, that means the world to me,” Carton

WFAN radio host Craig Carton takes a cut at the annual WFAN Charity Softball game on Aug. 18 at City Park in New Rochelle. Carton, a New Rochelle native, has come back to his hometown for the softball game for the past five years.

said. “And for the people coming out to support us, people coming out here for the first time, that’s what New Rochelle is really all about.”

Crocker, who currently serves as the director of Athletics, Intramurals and Recreation at Ramapo College, said that he is not surprised at all by his former student’s success in the radio world, where he as emerged as one of the most influential radio hosts in the area, or by his desire to give back to the community.

“Even back then, you knew that [Carton] was a character, but he was someone that had a lot of character,” Crocker said. “He always had this go-get-it attitude, he’s a great guy, a great family man, and great for the city of New Rochelle.”

Carton’s popularity in his hometown was certainly on display last Thursday, with the hundreds of fans in attendance, although the former Huguenot is quick to shift the reason for the turnout onto the other notable figures on the field, including Rivera and Rice.

“You can forget about me, you have Ray and Mo, who is the greatest closer of all time,” he said. “But it shows that these guys care about giving back, they have pride in what they do and where they come from, and it really changes the dynamic of what we’re trying to do out here.”

CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com

Former Jets quarterback Boomer Esiason swings the bat on Aug. 18.

Ray Rice tries to tag a runner out at second base. Photos/Mike Smith

16 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • August 26, 2016