December 16, 2016

Harrison REVIEW THE

December 16, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 51 | www.harrisonreview.com

Wegmans eyes ‘Platinum Mile’ development By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer The town/village of Harrison is seeking to approve a developer’s plan to replace an old office complex at 106-110 Corporate Park Drive with a Wegmans Food Market, which would be the first of its kind in Westchester County. Normandy Real Estate Partners, which owns an abundance of property on the “Platinum Mile” along the Interstate 287 corridor, and Wegmans, are proposing to construct approximately a 125,000-square-foot, 2-story grocery store, which will also include a café area, at the Corporate Park Drive location. Wegmans is a privately owned regional supermarket chain headquartered in Gates, New York, which is located near the city of Rochester. The company, which Yukiko Miyadawa and her daughter, Chiho, explore the newly painted, owns 92 stores across the mid-Atcarpeted and furnished West Harrison Branch of the Harrison Public Library. lantic and New England regions, is The branch reopened on Dec. 12 after renovation delays. known for selling locally sourced For story, see page 6. Photo/Andrew Dapolite food and has operated since its founding in Rochester in 1916. The proposed facility in Harrison would replace three existing underutilized office buildings of 10-7, and modifies a previous also voted to include $15 milAfter backlash from lawmak- on Corporate Park Drive, but not By JAMES PERO budget submitted to the legisla- lion in projected revenue derived ers across the board, however, the EastRidge Enrichment CenStaff Writer tive chamber by Astorino last from a deal privatizing the man- the board voted unanimously to ter and White Plains Daycare and A $1.8 billion budget was month, will retain the county ex- agement of Westchester County send out a request for propos- Preschool, which is located at passed by both the Westchester ecutive’s proposed flat tax rate, Airport on the condition that the als, RFP, that could possibly 109 Corporate Park Drive, at the County Board of Legislators and but will also add four addition- plan undergo a public bidding transfer the management of the rear of the property. The planned supermarket also County Executive Rob Astorino, al engineering positions to the process. county’s airport—which is bea Republican, this week, even county’s depleted Department Previously, the $130 million, ing processed through an FAA- comes on the heels of the apdespite lawmakers trepidation of Public Works roster, in ad- 40-year agreement, which was run privatization program—to proval of Harrison’s first mixeduse facility at 103-105 Corpoover the inclusion of $15 million dition to injecting $1 million to sent down to legislators on Nov. another company. in tentative revenue from a deal the county’s Title XX child care 3 by Astorino, a little more than Current operator of the coun- rate Park Drive. In September, privatizing the county airport. program as a result of legisla- a month before the budget’s final ty’s airport, AVPorts, has already the Town Council approved the The 2017 budget, which was tors’ amendments. approval deadline, would have said it would have bid on the construction of a 421-unit rental development and indoor parking passed by the Board of LegislaAfter what was shaping up to given the investment firm Oaktree BUDGET continued on page 11 garages known as the Residences tors on Monday by a slim margin be a dead-end deal, legislators Management the exclusive bid.

The branch is back

Westchester County budget finalized, includes airport deal

at Corporate Park Drive. “This is all part of a long project that we began four years ago,” said Mayor Ron Belmont, a Republican, referring to one of his initiatives since taking office in 2012. “It’s amazing how much growth we’ve seen on Westchester Avenue since we began repurposing the land.” Despite the enthusiasm for the planned Wegmans grocery store, the town will have to approve a zoning change on Dec. 15, after press time, to allow the company to set up shop in the special business district of town. The land designated for construction is located in an SB-O district, which requires special approval from the Town Council. That type of district restricts buildings to be constructed up to four stories high. “At this point, there is very little to it, but I think it would be a wonderful addition to our community,” said Harrison Councilwoman Marlane Amelio, a Republican. “From what I’ve heard, it’s a wonderful store that offers just a variety of great food products, and we’re looking forward to it.” Wegmans, in partnership with developer Steiner NYC, a Brooklyn-based firm, is planning to open a second location in the New York metropolitan area. The company is anticipating opening a supermarket along Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Admiral’s Row, which is located along the East River, in 2018. Deputy Village Attorney Chris Cipolla could not be reached for comment, as of press time. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com

2 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • December 16, 2016

Astorino issues luring safety tips Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino advanced his Safer Communities initiative last Friday morning when he issued safety tips for parents and their children about what to do in the event they encounter a predator. Sparked by recent incidents of child luring, Astorino, who was joined by Commissioner of Public Safety George Longworth and county police officers, coined the “3 Gs”: Get Loud, Get Away and Get Help. These three common sense steps to safety can prevent tragedies. “This week’s incidents, thankfully, did not result in any abductions,” Astorino said. “However, they serve as a reminder that we must be vigilant and never take our children’s safety for granted. For all the parents out there, as well as teachers and all caretakers, the most important thing you can do is to have this conversation with your kids.” Included among the suggested discussion points: • If anyone ever grabs you, yell and fight. • Yell “stranger” or “he’s not

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, left, alongside Commissioner of Public Safety George Longworth, holds a press conference on Dec. 9 to issue safety tips for parents and their children about what to do in the event they encounter a predator. Photo courtesy Westchester County

my dad.” Get the attention of other people near you. • Be suspicious if an adult you don’t know asks for your help. Common luring techniques are when a stranger asks a child for help in finding a lost dog or help with finding someone or something in another location. • If you feel a car is following alongside you, walk in the opposite direction if it

is safe to do so. • If you have a cell phone and feel unsafe, call 9-1-1 right away. • Always remember, the police are there to help you. Don’t hesitate to call them. • The above tips and more suggestions for family discussions are available as part of the Safer Communities initiative on the county website, westchestergov.com/safercommunities. (Submitted)

HHS debate team off to great start The Harrison High School Debate Team is picking up where they left off last year—capturing a national championship, a national round robin invitational, a regional tournament and a novice championship. Senior Raffi Piliero has been leading the team in wins, traveling to Dallas and placing first in both the Greenhill Round Robin Invitational and the Greenhill National Championship. Piliero placed first among 102 national Lincoln-Douglas debate participants and bested the top 16 debaters nationwide in the invitational. Piliero also won the Byram Hills Championship after being the top

seed and the top speaker, and he was named the top speaker at the Bronx High School of Science’s New York City Invitational. Senior Matt Zinman was a finalist at the invitation-only Byram Hills Round Robin. Senior Sammi O’Reilly placed in the top 16 at the prestigious Yale National Championship, while juniors Carl Spana and Brian Siegel reached elimination rounds. Sophomores Caroline Wong and Matt Wilson also had an outstanding showing at this event, reaching elimination rounds in the JV division. Showing the depth of the younger Harrison High School

debaters, sophomore Eli Lapkin placed in the semifinals of the national Valley Sophomore Throwdown in West Des Moines, Iowa. Lapkin was invited as one of the top sophomores in the country. The HHS freshmen also showed their strength by winning and taking seven of the top 10 places at the Regis First Timers’ Tournament at Regis High School in New York City: Ava Zinman—first place; Matthew Repecki—third place; Eva Rogers—fourth place; Daiana Djangaracheva—fifth place; Victoria Lendino—ninth place; and Logan Wasserman—10th place. (Submitted)

The Harrison High School Debate Team looks to be having a great start of its 2016-2017 season. Photo courtesy Harrison school district

December 16, 2016 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 3

Officials promote scam awareness to seniors By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer State and local lawmakers gathered at the Leo Mintzer Community Center in West Harrison on Dec. 8 to conduct a presentation aimed at helping senior residents identify common computer and telephone scams. Harrison Mayor Ron Belmont, a Republican, state Assemblyman David Buchwald, a Democrat, and state Assistant Attorney General Irma Nimetz addressed an elderly audience and conducted their “Smart

Seniors” presentation at the community center, which is located at 251 Underhill Ave. Nimetz chose to identify three common telephone scams, and explained how con artists can often use trickery to deceive seniors. She said scammers manipulate people with a distracting “hook,” which causes people to pay less attention to details, and they attempt to appear trustworthy by associating themselves with relatives and mutual friends. According to Nimetz, con artists also present urgent deadlines, which are clear give-

Harrison Mayor Ron Belmont addresses a group of senior residents at the Leo Mintzer Community Center in West Harrison.

aways of a scam. “They all have emotional hooks and tend to play on your fears,” she said. “[Scammers] usually present something that sounds too good to be true.” According to Nimetz, three common telephone scams that costs victims nearly $3 billion a year include the sweepstakes scam, in which a caller requests the “winner” to send a check or wire money to cover taxes and fees; the grandparent scam, in which the caller identifies as a grandchild and claims to need money to cover an accident or medical expenses; and the home improvement scam, in which the caller offers free home inspections. While Nimetz focused on highlighting the number of scams seniors often fall victim to, Buchwald said that it’s imperative for residents to take action by pressuring telephone companies. “Part of the issue is that telephone companies just don’t know where these phone calls are coming from,” he said. The presentation comes in

A group of senior residents watch state Assistant Attorney General Irma Nimetz conduct a “Smart Seniors” presentation to raise scam awareness. Telephone and computer scams costs victims nearly $3 billion a year nationwide. Photos/Franco Fino

wake of a major telephone scam that occurred in Mumbai, India, in October, where police busted nine call centers that telephoned U.S. citizens pretending to be the IRS. As of press time, 80 people have been charged in connection

to the scam and police are planning to charge 630 more employees. According to Nimetz, the alleged con artists managed to rake in $150,000 a day from U.S. citizens through the scam. “This is serious stuff,” Bel-

mont said. “It happens every day and it involves people of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of intelligence; as soon as it happens, you should call the police.” CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com

4 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • December 16, 2016

What’s going on... Harrison Public Library

help with downloading e-books, audiobooks, apps, or using Google Drive, email, or searching the Internet with your tablet, phone or laptop? Bring your device and questions and get one-on-one assistance. Please register online, by phone at 8350324, or in person at the library.

Crochet and Knitting Visit harrisonpl.org for more information on programs and library hours. The Richard E. Halperin Memorial Library Building will be open on Friday, Dec. 23 from 9:30 a.m. to noon; the West Harrison Branch will be closed on Dec. 23. The Halperin building and the West Harrison Branch will be closed from Saturday, Dec. 24 to Monday, Dec. 26 for Christmas.

Family Film: ‘The Nutcracker’ On Sunday, Dec. 18 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Building. This colorful holiday classic is finally brought to the big screen, designed by famed children’s story author and artist Maurice Sendak, and written for the first time to be as close as possible to the original story. A lavish, exciting and heart-warming celebration of dance, of music, and of life. Based on the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s original production. Rated G; running time: 85 minutes.

One-on-One e-Help On Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Building. Need

On Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the West Harrison Branch. Want to learn how to knit or crochet a simple scarf? Join this class. Drop in anytime and bring hooks, needles and yarn, or practice with the library’s. No registration required. Call 948-2092 for more information.

Pajama Party with Chloe On Wednesday, Dec. 21 from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the West Harrison Branch. For children up to age 4; siblings are welcome. Participants can wear pajamas and sing with Chloe during this evening class with songs, music and more. No registration required.

Superheroes: Media Maker Mini Camp From Tuesday, Dec. 27 to Friday, Dec. 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Building. During the holiday break, tweens and teens will learn how to create their own animated, comic book-inspired short films with the library’s expert animators. The finished films will be shared at a culminating festival at the library. For ages 10 and up. Limited spaces are available. Register online, by phone at 835-0324 or in person at the library.

Harrison Recreation Please be aware that parents must have a current 2016 ID card to register children for all programs. Please be prepared to show proof of residency with a current utility bill and driver’s license. A school report card or progress report is required for a child ID card. Visit harrison-ny.gov/recreation for more information on programs and the Recreation Department.

Letters to the North Pole Write a letter to the North Pole. Please include your name and home address. The letters should be addressed to the North Pole. Drop letters off at the Sollazzo Center, Leo Mintzer Center, or Harrison Recreation Department in Town Hall through Tuesday, Dec. 20.

Computer Adventures This is a six-week enrichment program dedicated to providing children access to technology in a safe, fun educational and confidence-building environment. Courses provide technology programs for children in grades 1–8. Classes are scheduled to start the first week in January and will be held at the Leo Mintzer Center and the Harrison Community Center. For more information about the classes, times and to register, visit computeradventures.com/harrison or call 218-8175. The flier is also available on the Harrison Recreation website.

Basketball Clinic Children will develop the basics of basketball. For second-grade boys and girls starting on Wednesday, Jan. 4 for four weeks at the Sollazzo Center and the Leo Mintzer Center from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Fee: Free.

registered at the resident’s Harrison address and fall within the boundaries established by the state of New York. A valid driver’s license with the resident’s Harrison address and a copy of a recent utility bill containing the resident’s Harrison address are required. A completed application and the above mentioned documents may be submitted through the mail or by visiting the town clerk’s office at 1 Heineman Place. Please note, for your convenience, the clerk has instituted evening hours during Town Council and Planning Board meetings. Please call 670-3030 for dates and hours. If you get new license plates or purchase/lease a new vehicle, you must obtain a new permit. It is the resident’s responsibility to remove the old permit from the vehicle and provide proof of removal when applying for a new permit. Additional applications may be obtained by calling the town clerk’s office at 670-3030 or downloaded from the town’s website, harrison-ny. gov. Permits are not transferable. The permit cannot be used for business or commuter purposes. Permits may not be taped or glued onto the window. If a permit no longer adheres to the window, a new permit must be issued and the original permit returned to the town clerk. Permits that are taped or glued will not be honored and your vehicle may be ticketed. All parking regulations and restrictions, other than the two- and four-hour time restrictions for permitted cars, will remain and be enforced, including the 24-hour parking limit.

Manhattanville College

Wrestling Come learn the fundamentals of wrestling. Participants need to wear sweatpants or shorts, sneakers and a T-shirt. The classes will run from Jan. 10 to Feb. 15 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. For grades 1–6 at Louis M. Klein Middle School Gym B. Fee: $65 made payable to Town/Village of Harrison. Questions can be emailed to va21511@optonline.net.

Archery Basic beginning instructions in target archery including safety, shooting techniques, scoring, tackle care and maintenance. Ten one-hour sessions starting on Wednesday, Jan. 11 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. from third-graders through adults at the Sollazzo Center. Fee: $85 made payable to Town/ Village of Harrison.

Harrison news Residential parking system All permits issued between Aug. 1, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2015 will expire on Jan.1, 2017. The purpose of the residential parking system is to allow residents who reside within the district to park, during the day, on designated streets without regard to the two- and four-hour parking restrictions. Permits will be in effect on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. To obtain permits, residents must provide a valid registration for each vehicle. Vehicle(s) must be

Jazz and wind ensembles auditions The Manhattanville College Community Jazz Ensemble and Wind Ensemble announce auditions for their 2016–2017 season. All qualified musicians are welcome to audition for positions in the jazz ensemble and wind ensemble, which are composed of college students as well as residents of Westchester and Rockland counties, Fairfield County, Connecticut, and New York City. The Community Jazz Ensemble rehearses regularly on Tuesday evenings, and the Wind Ensemble rehearses regularly on Thursday evenings. Both groups meet from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Berman Center on the college’s campus at 2900 Purchase St. in Purchase. If you are interested in auditioning, please contact the director, Terry Reynolds, at Terry.Reynolds@mville.edu. For further information call the Music Office, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 323-5260. 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.

December 16, 2016 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 5

Manhattanville chef wins Pace contest Chefs from four college campuses faced off at Pace University in Pleasantville on Oct. 26 as Food Network Chef Jet Tila took them through a “Cutthroat Kitchen”-style challenge that tested their culinary flair and speed. Chefs from Pace University’s New York City and Pleasantville campuses, as well as chefs from Manhattanville College and SUNY Purchase College prepared two appetizers, a main entrée and a dessert for a panel of judges consisting of two Pace University staff members, Westchester Magazine’s John Turiano, Chartwells regional vice president and the executive director of SUNY Purchase’s College Association. Chefs were judged on creativity, flavor and presentation. Chef Tila, a guest chef on Food Networks’ “Cutthroat Kitchen,” threw some curve balls to contestants, randomly reducing their prep time and throwing in some challenging ingredients including a whole suckling pig and lamb. When it was over, Manhattanville Chef Janelle Oli-

Manhattanville College Chef Janelle Oliver in action at Pace University’s Battle of the Chefs in October. Oliver won the cutthroat battle, which was hosted by celebrity Chef Jet Tila. Contributed photo

ver took the trophy for best overall performance and her entrée, seared salmon and smashed red potatoes. “I didn’t think I was going to win, but I guess I pulled it all together,’’ she said. Tila said that it was all in good fun, but the battle also showed the skills of the chefs who are all employed by Chartwells, the food service company that serves all four school campuses. “These are all very high-caliber, highly trained chefs that are

bringing their skills to the university environment,’’ he said. The day’s competition, which drew dozens of hungry student onlookers, was organized by the school’s director of Dining Services, Kevin Henriquez. Pace students also assisted the chefs. The other contestants were Chef Thomas Ludewig, Pace Pleasantville campus; Chef Joseph Vaina, Pace NYC campus; and Chef Eric Frost, SUNY Purchase. (Submitted)

6 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • December 16, 2016

Harrison REVIEW

THE

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West Harrison Branch

reopens after construction

Publisher | Howard Sturman ext. 21, publisher@hometwn.com

By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer

Christian Falcone Associate Publisher | Editor-in-Chief ext. 19, chris@hometwn.com

The latest round of remodeling at the West Harrison Branch is in the books. After nearly four months of renovations, which included re-carpeting, refurnishing, repainting, and removal of asbestos, the West Harrison Branch of the Harrison Public Library has been reopened. On Monday, Dec. 12, several members of the library board of trustees, Harrison parents, library director Galina Chernykh and Harrison Mayor Ron Belmont

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gathered to unveil the facility. At 10 a.m., Belmont, Chernkyh, Robert Blake and Dave Donelson—president and vice president of the library board of trustees, respectively— came together to cut the ribbon which had been draped across the interior of the library. Opening day included a full schedule of events, including music and stories for children, winter crafts, a bilingual story time, paper house crafts, and a demonstration of the main library branch’s 3-D printer. The library board poured

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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.

From left, Robert Blake, Galina Chernykh, Dave Donelson and Mayor Ron Belmont cut the ribbon at 10 a.m. to re-launch the West Harrison Branch library’s programming. Contributed photo

$250,000 from its capital budget into the facility to replace the carpet and paint the interior of the branch, and originally estimated the project to be completed before November. But the renovations were delayed, since the library trustees decided also to replace the furniture. “It was a good delay, I guess, if there is such a thing,” said Donelson, who is also the president of the Harrison Public Library Foundation. “In the process of bringing the project home, we brought it in under budget and decided that we could use those funds to replace the furniture in the library, which had been here for about 40 years. So by the time we learned that we were going to have the ability to do that, we couldn’t get the furniture here in time to open the library.” Part of the construction included asbestos abatement which wasn’t originally planned when the project was launched. Blake, library board president, said that while none of the asbestos was hazardous because it was all encapsulated, “when you’re doing a renovation, whatever you can mitigate, you mitigate and you go on from there.” The West Harrison library has undergone several layers

From left, Harrison Public Library Foundation President Dave Donnelson, Galina Chernykh, library director, and Robert Blake, president of the library board of trustees, at the reopening of the West Harrison Branch on Monday, Dec. 12 after $250,000 in construction and renovations.

of upgrades over the last few years, most of which was partially funded by a total of about $75,000 in state grants since 2013 as well as funds in the library’s capital budgets. But in an era where libraries are less about books than they are about the latest technologies, the library board has not stopped looking ahead. “There’s never a finish; there’s always something to do,” Blake told the Review. Donelson added that the library board may look to replace the roof on the main branch. “The other thing that this facility lacks is a good meeting space,” he

said. “Libraries these days are as much gathering spaces for people as they are about the books in the stacks.” The Harrison Public Library Foundation is already beginning to raise funds for the next phase in the system’s development. The West Harrison library is now open for normal hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. A full list of monthly events is on the library’s website, harrisonpl.org. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com

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Members of the Harrison Public Library board of trustees and Harrison residents gather to see the newly refurbished West Harrison Branch after an improvement project had kept the branch closed for four months. Photos/Andrew Dapolite

December 16, 2016 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 7

‘Larchmont’: A father, a son, and a small town By SIBYLLA CHIPAZIWA Assistant Editor With a population of 6,000 in an area just over 1 square mile, the village of Larchmont may not seem so small to its residents. However, “Larchmont,” a new indie film from two village natives, highlights just how quickly news can spread, and how inescapable that can be. Twenty-four-year-olds Ben Zuckert and Will Seife, both former Larchmont residents who now live in Brooklyn, coproduced the movie. “We were born [in Larchmont] and grew up there; we both went to Chatsworth, and then Hommocks and then Mamaroneck High School,” Seife said. “We actually grew up down the street from each other [in Larchmont Manor],” Zuckert added. “Larchmont” marks the duo’s first feature film, which was shot in various locations in Larchmont in the summer of 2015 in just 18 days with help from about 70 people—many of them

local residents—in front and behind the camera. “The shoot was very exciting, but also very stressful,” Zuckert told the Review. “We had to make sure we got everything in those 18 days.” Obstacles included working with actor union guidelines and labor rules. “It was a blind faith operation that it was going to work out,” Zuckert said. “We both lost a lot of weight.” Seife said, “We were both wearing a lot of different hats for the shoot.” Zuckert said he realized he wanted to shoot a movie in his “beautiful” hometown while he attended Tufts University. “Larchmont” focuses on the relationship between a recent college grad questioning his choice to continue on to medical school and a recently unemployed father. “[Larchmont] affects both of the characters’ stories; at least for the dad, who lost his job but doesn’t want his friends to know,” Zuckert added. “But because Larchmont is such a small town, word starts to get out

quickly, and people start to approach him about it.” The son is affected by the village because not many people his age, between 22 and 30, live there, while his father has to deal with neighbors and friends wondering what he is doing with his life. “If we had taken this story and placed it somewhere else, it would have been a totally different story with how these characters would’ve coped with these situations,” Seife said. “Larchmont” is an independent release; the company that released the film, Sugarsoap Productions, was founded in the fall of 2014 by Zuckert and Seife, a few months after the movie was conceptualized. The film simultaneously premiered on Oct. 22 at the Yonkers Film Festival, YoFiFest, and the Twin Cities Film Festival in Minneapolis. “It was really nice to have the premiere very close to Larchmont so we could get a lot of the cast [and crew] out, and people who are close to us,” Seife said of the Yonkers premiere.

A scene from the movie “Larchmont” featuring actor Brian A. Mason, who plays the role of a son who is questioning his choice to go to medical school upon returning home after graduating from college. Photo courtesy Ben Zuckert

The Larchmont Public Library will hold a free screening of the film on Sunday, Dec. 18 starting with refreshments and popcorn at 3:30 p.m. The Emelin Theatre in the village of Mamaroneck, in conjunction

with the Center for Continuing Education’s Notable Neighbors series, will hold a screening on Thursday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. “People have been hearing about this [movie] or maybe saw us shooting around town,”

Seife said. “We want to give a lot of opportunities for [local residents] to see it.” For more information, visit larchmontmovie.com. CONTACT: sibylla@hometwn.com

8 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • December 16, 2016

Opinion-Editorial

Foster parents needed and leaf collection

Gun shop opponents in sustained resistance By FRANK GORDON The lights on in the L&L Sports gun shop in downtown Harrison may indicate that it is open for business, but opponents concerned with its impact on the central business district and its proximity to Parsons Elementary School have commenced several initiatives that they believe, in time, will produce results. One group of residents is working with town officials and their attorneys on the possibility of an ordinance, the key elements of which are being researched. Federal and state laws concerning commerce in firearms pre-empt the local regulation of firearm transactions, as affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of District of Columbia v. Heller (2008). That case overturned a city’s complete ban on handguns within city limits as contrary to the Second Amendment’s right to bear arms. But the case explicitly acknowledged that local zoning laws that regulate only where commerce in arms can occur comport with the Second Amendment. Indeed, existing federal statutes recognize that, if applicable, firearms dealers must obtain a local business license or permit and comply with all local ordinances and regulations. The state that has experienced the most activity in this

area is California. Many municipalities in California have adopted ordinances that prohibit gun retailers from operating within specified distances from sensitive uses, such as residences, churches, parks, schools and day care centers. Other restrictions that have been incorporated in such ordinances include land use (“planning”) permits and law enforcement (“operating”) permits. Planning permits address typical land use concerns to ensure a use is compatible with its surroundings (e.g. buffers, hours of operation, noise controls, parking management, etc.), while operating permits ensure the person selling firearms meets state and federal requirements, while also meeting local concerns, such as security. Under any proposed ordinance, L&L’s existing retail location would likely be allowed to remain because applying new laws retroactively is problematic. A separate group of residents plans to assist a local resident in challenging the town of Harrison building inspector’s decision to approve the gun shop’s zoning change of use. The change of use relates to the site’s change from a retail service establishment to a retail store. This effort would entail an appeal to the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals, the main thrust of which would be that the building inspector erred

in granting expedited approval of the gun shop’s application without having to undergo a full review by the Planning Board. Full Planning Board review would entail submission of a site plan, convening a public meeting and allowing a sufficient comment period, among other things. The expedited approval of the gun shop’s change of use application and the manner in which it was executed is a legitimate basis for a formal legal challenge. A third group of residents is reviewing L&L Sports’ proposed and past business dealings to ensure that the business complies fully with applicable federal, state and local laws, as L&L Sports has claimed. Compliance with these laws is essential to the safety and security of Harrison residents. Opponents are hopeful that, with the assistance of town officials and determined residents, they will be successful in arriving at a pragmatic solution that is acceptable to all interested parties, including L&L Sports. Like the fable of the tortoise and the hare, the gun shop has gotten off to a fast start due to the short notice of its opening, but concerned residents are confident that their sustained efforts will eventually catch up.

HARRISON HAPPENINGS Mayor Ron Belmont

The wait is finally over for the patrons of the West Harrison Branch of the Harrison Public Library. It was an honor to be at the recent ribbon cutting and reopening ceremony on Monday. The newly improved facility is now open for business, and one of the first things visitors will notice is the new carpeting and freshly painted walls in the public areas. Updated furnishings and new computers have also been added. Harrison has a top notch library system and it’s wonderful to see that this much anticipated improvement has been completed. Beginning in January, the Harrison Public Library at 2 Bruce Ave. will, once again, be offering the discussion series, Great Decisions. This is America’s largest interactive program on world affairs and we are very fortunate to have this exciting seminar take place at our library. The program meets monthly and involves reading articles, listening to leading ex-

Frank Gordon is a resident of Harrison. The views expressed are his own.

perts on the relevant topics, and meeting in groups to discuss the most critical global issues facing our world today. The program is free and open to the public. Please visit the library at harrisonpl.org or call 835-0324 for more information. Our Recreation Department is currently taking applications for winter programs. Back by popular demand, basketball clinics, archery and pre-school soccer clinics as well as our wrestling program (for grades 1–6 only) will be offered in January. Please remember that parents must have current ID cards to register children for all programs. 2017 cards are now available for purchase. Proof of residency is required. For more information, call the Leo Mintzer Center at 949-5265 or the Sollazzo Center at 670-3039. Recently, the United Way of Westchester and Putman Counties reached out to my office regarding the need for foster parents. Currently, there are hundreds of children in Westchester County who need a temporary and loving home. This month, United Way has stepped up their efforts in promoting the need for

foster care. Orientation is held on the first and third Wednesday evenings of each month. Financial support and training is also provided. To learn more about how you can help, please visit uwwp.org/foster or call United Way at 997-6700. Harrison Town Clerk Jackie Greer would like to remind residents that she has extended office hours to coincide with the town/village board meetings. The hours are from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. These hours are in addition to the after-hour service available during the Planning Board meetings on the third Tuesday of each month. For more information, please call the Town Clerk’s Office at 670-3030. In closing, I would like to clarify that leaf collection is still in progress. Piled leaves should be left curbside for pick up. Monday, Dec. 19 reflects the last date in which leaves can be left in piles. After Dec. 19, leaves must be bagged. Our Highway Department is in the process of doing the final sweep of our municipal roadways and is continuing to pick up leaf piles. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

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10 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • December 16, 2016

December 16, 2016 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 11 BUDGET from page 1

After backlash from many legislators, a deal to privatize Westchester County Airport will move forward after a bipartisan decision to budget $15 million in prospective revenue. Photo courtesy westchestergov.com

contract if there had been an opportunity to do so. “The feeling on our floor was that there might be real merit to participating in this FAA privatization program,” said Legislator Mary Jane Shimsky, a Hastings-on-Hudson Democrat, who had previously expressed doubt over the proposal’s efficacy. “And with putting the whole concept out to competitive bid, you could get a deal that is worthy of being signed off on.” The deal plans to extract revenue from the airport by charging a fee for its management while simultaneously—through the FAA’s program—altering a federal law that dictates that revenue from the airport be used for airport-related expenses. Through the program, the county would be allowed to funnel airport revenue into its operating budget. Though the money has been budgeted, Shimsky said any deal, and therefore revenue, is still contingent upon a successful RFP process, necessary approvals from stakeholders in the airport—including 65 percent of the airlines operating there—and an expedient processing of the application by the FAA, which has in some cases dragged on for as long as 29 months. If that revenue doesn’t come to fruition, Shimsky explained, the money budgeted from the

airport deal would likely have to come from the county’s cash reserves, which could have adverse impacts on the county’s AAA bond rating and therefore its ability to issue low-interest debt. The county is already projecting a $30 million budget shortfall for its 2017 budget due to declining sales tax revenue, increasingly high health care costs, and lower gas and energy prices. Currently, of the 10 airports that applied to the FAA’s program since its introduction in 1996, only one—Luis Muñoz Marín airport in Puerto Rico— has completed the process and has since remained privatized. Even despite the county board’s unanimous decision to pursue the deal, both Shimsky and other Democratic legislators, many of which voted against the approval of the budget, have continued to express concern over what they describe as an “unbalanced” budget. “This budget puts the county’s finances at the edge of the cliff without any financial flexibility,” Democrats said in a joint statement this week. Among the chief concerns listed by the Democratic caucus are what they describe as an overly optimistic sales tax revenue of 3 percent in addition to negotiations regarding the county’s union contracts—all of which are expired this year—

which could result in increased salaries and benefits. Lawmakers cut Astorino’s plans for an enhanced Kensico Dam from the budget; an extensive project to revamp the area was announced by the county executive back in October and would have poured upwards of $17 million into a revamped reflecting pool and skating rink. But one major amendment to the budget, prompted by the legislators’ review, will be four new engineering positions to the county’s Department of Public Works. These positions—through supervising construction sites and processing RFPs—will help tackle the $1.5 billion in capital project backlogs that include repairs to roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure. “[The budget adds] critical positions to our county police and engineering positions in the Department of Public Works to help address a major backlog of capital projects,” said Board of Legislators Chairman Michael Kaplowitz, a Yorktown Democrat. Nonprofits, some of which have been faced with significant budget cuts in 2016, will see a marginal increase of $210,000 for community-based organizations in the most recent county budget. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

Mori is a handsome, 14-week-old kitten with light brown ears and tip of tail, along with blue eyes. Rescued in Port Chester with the other kittens in his litter (now adopted), he lives with another cat and older dog in his foster home. Mori is a bit shy, but warms up to lots of petting and tender loving care. He will make a great addition to a family with older children, or a couple. Mori’s adoption donation is $100 plus $60 for the neuter deposit. To meet Mori, please contact Pet Rescue at 835-3332 or visit NY-PetRescue.org. (Submitted)

12 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • December 16, 2016

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JOBS AT JCC For additional information on employment at The Jewish Community Center, JCC, visit jccmw.org/employment-opportunities Communications Associate The JCC of Mid-Westchester is seeking a Communications Associate to join its Marketing and Communications team. The associate is responsible for creating and distributing communications material for the agency. Email marketing, direct mail, social media outreach, and other digital publications as well as creating some traditional brochures and posters. Half-time position at 20 hours per week. Nursery School Teacher The JCC of Mid-Westchester is seeking an enthusiastic individual for a teacher position beginning January 2017. The person selected for this position must possess a minimum of a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential for the infant/toddler level. This person must have a warm, friendly personality, relate well with children and adhere to program philosophy which includes: implementing daily lesson plans, maintain accurate records, communicate effectively with children and families, oversee all daily aspects of classroom, work effectively as a team and perform other duties as assigned. Aquatics Director The JCC of Mid-Westchester is seeking an experienced individual who will provide direction and leadership to the Aquatics department. The Aquatics Director will follow all Department of Health (DOH) aquatics standards to maintain safety for all programs in and around the pool area. Candidates should plan to start in December. This is a full time 40 hour position with benefits including building supervision on weeknight/weekends. Certified Pool Operator License a plus.

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December 16, 2016 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 13

Stephanie, the scorpion whisperer RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy

Stephanie Loria would like to set the record straight: “If you get stung by a scorpion and you are a healthy adult, you won’t die.” She paused, then added, “You may wish you were dead. But they get such a bad rap.” Yes, pity the poor scorpions—so misunderstood. Fortunately, the species has Loria on their side. A native of Glendale, Queens, and graduate of New York’s Catholic school system, she is perhaps the city’s only scorpion apologist. She loves the creatures, researches them, and this fall she got her Ph.D. in scorpion studies from the American Museum of Natural History’s Richard Guilder Graduate School. Other grads included a frog researcher, a bat specialist getting an honorary degree, and a guy who has identified 70 new species of wasps. Not sure I’d want to be at their Christmas party. But having never seen an actual scorpion—or scorpion researcher—I did want to meet Loria. So the other day I went to the museum and was escorted past dozens of dinosaur-demanding school groups, up to the restricted fifth floor, past hundreds of lockers housing insect specimens, and then through a hall lined with clear plastic boxes containing... omg. Tarantulas. Live tarantulas, the size of chipmunks, waving their furry legs. How did “Night at the Museum” miss these guys? One floor up I found Loria in her lab, scorpions at her side— dead. “We have some live stuff

downstairs, but those are more like pets,” she said. “These I actually collected during my trips to Southeast Asia.” And how does one collect a scorpion? Well, Loria said, cheerful as a flight attendant, you just have to go into the jungle at night. Scorpions are black, so you can’t see them except by using an ultra-violet flashlight, but then they phosphoresce like Jimi Hendrix posters. They also shed their exoskeletons. So you look for glowing bits of dead scorpion on the trail leading you to a live one and then, using foot-long tweezers, you try to grab it as fast as you can before it scurries into its borrow. At that point, says Loria, you often have “moths swarming around your face and you’re swallowing them, and sometimes you’re also near ants, and you’re covered with them, and some of them are pretty nasty.” Long story short, if you don’t manage to grab the scorpion with the tweezers, sometimes you just dig them out. That’s right: You stick your hands into a scorpion den HOPING you’ll find some. One time, Loria recalls, she and her advisor were on a nighttime hunt in the Malaysian jungle when suddenly, a scorpion stung him. “Two of his fingers were paralyzed and he had a burning sensation moving up his arm and into his chest,” says Loria. “It was just me and him in the middle of nowhere.” THEN WHAT HAPPENED??? “He took an antihistamine,” says Loria. By the morning, he was fine. After an agonizing night. Loria won’t let this prejudice you against scorpions. There are 2,200 species of them, she

says, and only 45 have poisonous venom. What’s more, they can live up to 25 years, and are members of the arachnid family, like spiders, but less popular. At arachnid conventions (I know, I know), “85 to 95 percent of the talks are about spiders,” says Loria, bummed. Scorpions get no respect. And yet, they have been around since before the dinosaurs. In her own pre-history, Loria grew up digging millipedes and centipedes out of her backyard and bringing them inside, to her parents’ non-delight. She had an ant farm, a moth farm, and a grammar school teacher who showed her rubber replicas of bugs and encouraged her curiosity. One time, Loria wore a dead cicada’s shell on her nose to freak out her schoolmates. It worked. But Loria wasn’t really trying to disgust anyone. She was just fascinated by the “behind the scenes” work that insects and arachnids do. “If you watch any nature shows on TV, it’s always about big cats, or other mammals we relate to.” But the real heroes, she says, are the smaller creatures we rely on. Bees pollinate. Millipedes play a role in decomposing. Spiders and scorpions keep the insect population down. By high school, she was taking after-school classes at the museum and did an internship studying flamingo behavior. Now that she has her Ph.D., she is heading to San Francisco to start studying the evolution of scorpion venom. Her future looks so bright, she has to pinch herself. Before anything else does. CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com

Protect your home against holiday fires Across New York state, people are putting in Christmas trees, hanging festive lights, lighting candles, and otherwise readying for the holiday season. The Firemen’s Association of the State of New York, FASNY, urges all New Yorkers to enjoy the holidays with care, as this time of the year typically sees an uptick in home and house fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA, from 2010 to 2014, fire departments in the United States annually responded to an average of 210 fires that could be traced back to Christmas trees. On average, one of every 34 Christmas tree-related fires resulted in a death, compared to the average of one death for every 142 home fires. A full third of these Christmas tree fires began because of faulty or haphazard holiday lighting and wiring. “FASNY urges all New Yorkers to exercise care and caution while enjoying this holiday season,” said FASNY President Ken Pienkowski. “Please be certain that your homes are properly protected against fire, which includes showing care when setting up decorations, and ensuring smoke alarms are installed and functioning. Taking these simple steps will not only protect oneself, but also the brave firefighters who would respond to the emergency.” In addition to the following holiday-specific safety tips, having working smoke alarms is critical in protecting against fires. Three of every five home fire deaths in the United States occur in homes without smoke alarms or working smoke alarms. In 2015, legislation was passed and signed in Albany that will require all smoke alarms sold in New York state to be equipped with sealed-in, non-removable batteries capable of powering the device for at least 10 years. These alarms do not require bat-

tery changes during their lifespan, and greatly reduce the possibility of human error impacting the fire safety of the home. FASNY and the National Fire Protection Association offer the following safety tips. When choosing a Christmas tree: • Check a tree for dryness while at the seller’s lot—shake the trunk above a light-colored surface and watch for falling needles. If too many dry needles fall, choose a fresher tree. A locally grown tree from New York may be fresher than one brought in from out of state. • Avoid trees with an artificial-looking green tint on the branches or trunk—these trees may have been spray-painted to improve their appearance. The paint used may be combustible and could be hazardous as well. When in doubt, ask the seller if they sell painted trees. • Have the merchant saw off an inch or two from the trunk of the tree to help keep the tree fresh longer at home; also, if your tree is left outside, placing the trunk in a bucket of water will help keep it fresh. • When disposing of a tree, DO NOT leave it inside a home or building; DO NOT place it against the exterior of a home or building. In both cases, the tree is likely dried out and thus poses an increased fire hazard. When choosing holiday decorations and lighting: • When possible, choose decorations made with flame-resistant, flame-retardant or noncombustible materials. Look for these designations on the product’s packaging. • Purchase lights and electrical decorations stamped with the name or symbol of an independent testing lab—for example, “UL” or Underwriters’ Laboratories—and ALWAYS follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and maintenance. • Carefully inspect new and

previously used light strands. Look for frayed cables and replace any damaged or missing bulbs before plugging lights in. • Do not overload extension cords, power strips, or electrical outlets. • When using power cords to illuminate outdoor displays, ensure that they are designated for EXTERNAL or outdoor use only— NEVER use power cords that are meant for indoor use. This information is usually indicated on the product’s packaging. • Turn lights off overnight. If possible, use a timer device to turn your lights off automatically. This not only lessens the risk of fire, but saves on energy bills as well. If you light holiday candles or candelabras (menorahs, window candles, etc.): • Keep lighted candles and candelabras at least 1 foot away from any combustible materials. DO NOT place candles anywhere near window curtains, furniture, wrapped gifts or anything else that could ignite. • Place candles and candelabras where they cannot be knocked down or tipped/blown over. If possible, keep the candle inside a weighted holder or one with a wide base. • Extinguish a candle before it burns to within 2 inches of its holder. • NEVER leave a lighted candle unattended—extinguish a candle before leaving the room. • Discourage the use of candles in bedrooms and other areas where you may fall asleep. • Store matches and lighters in high places, out of the reach of children, and ideally inside a locked cabinet. • Consider using battery-powered candles instead; if using electrical “plug-in” candles, follow manufacturers’ instructions. For more information, visit the National Fire Protection Association’s website at nfpa.org. (Submitted)

14 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • December 16, 2016

Foul shots LIVE MIKE Mike Smith

Maybe it’s because I’ve been watching a lot of Knicks basketball, but lately, I’ve been thinking about free throws. Over the last week, the Knicks have squared off twice against the Sacramento Kings in contests that have featured two All-Star big men—Kings center DeMarcus Cousins and Knicks center Joakim Noah—who just so happen to be absolutely abysmal from the charity stripe. Now, perhaps it’s a little bit unfair to put Cousins’ struggles from the line quite in the same vein as Noah’s. So far this year, the burgeoning superstar has shot just 75 percent from the foul line, which is bad enough to put him in the bottom 25 of all qualified NBA players. Noah, on the other hand, who made his money as a player who can do just about everything

other than score the basketball, has been more than a bit worse, making his free throws at an absurd 31 percent clip. It might seem strange to see these stars—men at the top of their physical profession—fail so mightily at what seems to be the easiest part of their jobs, but then I started to think that maybe shooting foul shots is one of the sneakily most daunting tasks in sports. Putting aside the physical aspects of the free throw (it’s been well documented that taller players are at a disadvantage when it comes to hitting at a high percentage), I have to imagine that the foul line is the loneliest place in all of sports. Athletes—no matter the level—are certainly not exempt from facing mental obstacles. Just look at a golfer who inexplicably loses the ability to sink putts or a baseball player—looking at you, Steve Sax or Jon Lester—who suddenly can’t make a routine throw to a base; a small hiccup in the mind can undo

SPORTS

years and years of work on the most basic fundamentals. But whereas a case of the yips on the baseball field or on the golf course can serve to quickly derail a once-promising career, bad foul shooting in the NBA seems to be an accepted part of the game. As long as a player can help his team in other ways, like the explosive DeAndre Jordan, he’s going to be out on the court, playing meaningful minutes, and inevitably called upon to head to the foul line several times a game. Late in the Knicks’ Sunday night win over the Kings, Noah was fouled late in the game and proceeded to sink both shots to help New York hold on to a slim lead. But it wasn’t the Knicks big man’s actual shots that came to mind when I thought about the game the following day. After Noah’s first shot, Cousins walked up to him with a smile on his face and mimicked his “unique” motion, causing Noah to flash a sheepish grin.

THE ROUNDUP

Will Tuck takes a foul shot during Mamaroneck’s Dec. 9 game against Suffern. If you ask Sports Editor Mike Smith, the foul line is the loneliest place in all of sports. Photo/Mike Smith

And maybe, that’s the most healthy way to deal with being a poor shooter from the

Tappan Zee 72 Harrison 58 Harrison 55 AT TAPPAN ZEE 12/13/16 Lincoln 53 Taking on powerhouse TapBOYS BASKETBALL

AT HARRISON HS

12/7/16

The Huskies outlasted the Lancers at home last Wednesday, topping Lincoln 58-53. Harrison held a six-point lead heading into halftime and managed to hold on, drawing a combined 20 fouls on the day as they picked up the victory. Harrison was led by Luke McCarthy, who set the tone with 15 points, while Max Scoli also scored 12 in the win.

Saunders 42 Harrison 36 AT WHITE PLAINS HS

Alex Siapanides brings the ball up the floor against Lincoln on Dec. 7. The Huskies topped the Lancers 5853. Photo/Mike Smith

line; just chuckle, put your head down, and keep shooting until you make one.

12/10/16

At the Harry Jefferson Showcase at White Plains High School, Harrison fell to promising Class A contender Saunders by six points, thanks in part to a terrific game by 6-foot-4 Sean Bresnan, who finished with a game-high 18 points. Harrison got big contributions from Alex Siapanides, who led the Huskies with 12 points, while Tyler Menniti added 10 of his own.

pan Zee on Tuesday, Harrison had a hard time containing Kevin Lynch, who exploded for 25 points in the Dutchmen’s win. Lynch’s teammate Kieran Gibson had 15 points, while the Huskies were led by Luke McCarthy, who finished with 15 points and seven assists and earned the showcase’s sportsmanship award. The Huskies will be back in action on Thursday, Dec. 15, after press time, when they host Peekskill.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Harrison 47 Brewster 37 AT BREWSTER HS

12/9/16

Harrison picked up a wellfought road win on Friday, topping the Bears by 10. Huskies’ guard Avery LaBarbera scored a team-high 11 points on the afternoon, matching Brewster star Brianna Sayegh.

Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports The Huskies will be hosting their annual winter tournament this week, after press time, as Nyack, Valhalla and Hendrick Hudson will all travel to Harrison to compete. The finals are scheduled for 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17.

ICE HOCKEY

Rye Town/Harrison 10 Somers North/Salem 1 AT RYE PLAYLAND

12/12/16

At Rye Playland, the Titans continued their strong play, blitzing Somers/North Salem for a 10-1 win. Rye Town/Harrison had contributions from a number of players, including Christian Pizzutello and Kieran Storch, who both recorded their first varsity goals. The Titans have won four straight games and currently sit at 5-1 on the season. They will be back on the ice on Dec. 17 against Clarkstown. The Roundup incorporates information from the Harrison High School sports programs. To report game scores, you can email Sports Editor Mike Smith at sports@hometwn.com.

SPORTS

Huskies fall in quarterfinals WRESTLING

DIVISION I

QUARTERFINALS

NORTH 61 ROCKLAND HARRISON 13 HARRISON HS

12/13/16

Game Notes: • Rob Donohue, Daniel Choe and Jay Martins all picked up wins for the Huskies • Harrison forfeited matches in three weight classes • This was Harrison’s first-ever trip to the dual-meet quarterfinals By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor On Tuesday, Dec. 13, the Harrison wrestling team found itself in uncharted waters, taking part in the Division I quarterfinals for the first time since the earlyseason dual-meet championships was introduced a few years ago. But although the Huskies’ road

ended with a 61-13 loss to a powerful North Rockland squad, head coach Vin Nicita was proud of what his team has been able to accomplish. “I told the team coming in that making it to the quarterfinals was one of the goals and we were happy we did that,” Nicita said. “Obviously we were hoping we would keep the score a little bit closer, but we were missing a couple of guys and [North Rockland] just had too much depth for us.” The Huskies forfeited three weight classes to the Red Raiders, but picked up three wins on the afternoon from veteran wrestlers. Rob Donohue won his 220-pound match with a pinfall win over Pat Fenton; Jay Martins won a 10-2 decision against Jack Breyer at 126 pounds; and Daniel Choe topped Josh Fernandez 8-5 at 132. “I was definitely happy with

some of the veteran guys, they were going up against some top-ranked competition,” Nicita said. “Even Andrew Hollander, he was up late and just got caught in a roll and lost in overtime.” Eighth-grader Tyler Joseph also acquitted himself well despite a pinfall loss to CJ McMonegal in the third period. McMonegal was an all-section honoree last season and came into Tuesday’s competition as the second-ranked 102-pounder in the section. “Tyler was right in there pushing the pace in the first two periods and getting in deep on [McMonegal],” Nicita said. “I know he was upset with the way the match ended, but I talked to him afterwards and [told him] that he showed a lot of good things and hopefully he can continue to get better.” With the win, the Red Raiders will head to the semifinals which

December 16, 2016 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 15

will be held at John Jay High School on Dec. 15, after press time. Also reaching the semis were Suffern, which outpointed New Rochelle 45-25; John Jay, which beat Mahopac 81-6; and Arlington, which earned a 39-27 win over RC Ketcham. Nicita said that the Huskies’ early showings—and their matchup with Rockland—will hopefully propel his squad to bigger things as the season progresses. “In wrestling, the big thing is just trying to say healthy; it’s such a long season now, and if you don’t have a lot of depth, you are going to be in trouble,” the head coach said. “We just want to keep on improving as we move along, and wrestling these tough matches is just going to help them down the road.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com Andrew Hollander tangles with John Uce. Hollander fell 10-8 in overtime. Photos/Mike Smith

Daniel Choe competes against Josh Fernandez on Dec. 13. Choe won 8-5.

Tyler Joseph takes down CJ McMonegal during the 102-pound bout at the Division I quarterfinals on Dec. 13. Joseph fell late to McMonegal, who is currently ranked No. 2 in the section.

Jay Martins locks on to North Rockland’s Jack Breyer. Martins topped Breyer 10-2.

16 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • December 16, 2016