Harrison REVIEW THE
February 24, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 8 | www.harrisonreview.com
Town may earmark hotel tax for capital improvements
Come back
By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer
kids Avery LaBarbera drives to the hoop in Harrison’s first-round playoff matchup with Pearl River on Feb. 18. LaBarbera had 29 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists in the Huskies’ 61-56 come-from-behind victory. For story, see page 15. Photo/Mike Smith
Harrison finalizes first in wave of Halstead TOD projects By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer A recently approved project on Halstead Avenue will join a wave of redevelopment projects sweeping downtown Harrison, as one of the first in a string of transit-oriented development proposals to receive final approval. Transit oriented development, TOD, has been a prominent form of development in Harrison over the last several years, appealing to residents who commute to work via mass transit. Since 2012, developers have proposed at least four TOD projects along Halstead Avenue, including the centerpiece of the entire movement, The AvalonBay project
proposed on the site of the current Metro-North parking lot. “Transit oriented [development] is perfect for Harrison because [the downtown area is] so close to the train station,” said David Gross, the owner, developer and architect of 241247 Halstead Ave. “We think it’s an appropriate apartment for an empty nester or a young adult looking to start their life in Westchester that can’t afford a house.” The property at 241-247 Halstead Ave. is less than a quarter of a mile from Harrison’s Metro-North Railroad station; but a 19-unit TOD development could eventually have to compete with a much larger long-awaited project directly on the site of the cur-
rent Metro-North parking lot. The proposed AvalonBay development on Metro-Northowned property has been in the works since 2012, and is currently before the Planning Board, where developers are seeking a zoning change to allow the project to move forward in a business district. That development would be the cornerstone of Harrison’s TOD push, as it would feature three 4-story mixed-use buildings and two pedestrian plazas, totaling 143 luxury apartment units. Those units would include 76 one-bedrooms, 59 two-bedrooms and eight threebedrooms; a total of seven units would be set aside as affordable housing. That development
would also include the construction of a parking garage with 751 spaces, most of which would be reserved for commuters. Following a potential zoning change, AvalonBay would still require additional approvals from the town of Harrison, Westchester County and New York state as well as an approval from the MTA. While the project has not yet secured all of the necessary approvals, it has already attracted other developers and investors into the town, according to Councilman Steve Malfitano, a Republican. “The degree of confidence that prospective investors have in TOD continued on page 5
municipal budgets to remain below the tax cap in recent years. While the town has remained under the state-mandated tax cap for six consecutive years, most of Harrison’s funding put forward in its $59.2 million budget this fiscal year comes from property taxes—approximately 77 percent. For this fiscal year, the town recently approved a 1.5 percent tax increase. “Right now, we don’t have an earmark to help lower our taxes,” said Mayor Ron Belmont, a Republican. “Any amount of revenue would help us.” Other local municipalities that already impose the hotel tax include the village of Rye Brook, and the cities of New Rochelle, Yonkers, White Plains, and neighboring Rye— the first municipality in the county that was given the authority to levy the tax in 2006. Westchester County also implements a 3 percent occupancy tax of its own. The city of Rye generates approximately $80,000 in annual revenue from the tax on its only hotel within city boundaries, the Courtyard Rye Marriot, which is located at 631 Midland Ave. On Dec. 31, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, authorized the tax in the municipalities of Tuckahoe, North Castle, Mamaroneck, Port Chester, Dobbs Ferry, Greenburgh and Hastings-On-Hudson. According to state law, the hotel tax has a three-year sunset clause attached to it, meaning that it must be renewed by the state in the fiscal year 2020.
Town officials have secured a law that allows Harrison to implement an occupancy tax on hotel and motel occupants. Harrison—one of eight municipalities in Westchester County given the authority to levy the 3 percent occupancy tax on Dec. 31, 2016—is expected to generate more than $300,000 in annual revenue from the tax, according to Councilman Stephen Malfitano, a Republican. Malfitano said that money generated through the tax will be placed in an account set aside for capital improvements or will likely be used to maintain the town with basic services, which generally include public safety, education and utilities. “This is a big deal for us,” he said. “Anything we can do to fund municipal services is certainly welcome.” There are currently two hotels in the town/village of Harrison: the Renaissance Westchester Hotel, which is located at 80 West Red Oak Lane, and the Hyatt House on Westchester Avenue. However, the tax is also implemented on country clubs and will also impact Westchester Country Club on North Street. The desirability of the hotel tax for local governments is that it aids municipalities in generating revenue outside of the need to increase property taxes on local residents, since most patrons of hotels are from outside of the community. “It’s finally come to fruition in a time when it’s really much needed,” said Malfitano, who explained that it’s becoming increasingly difficult for communities’ CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
INSIDE Brave the shave Story on page 6.
2 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • February 24, 2017
February 24, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 3
Rye Town Park finds new restaurant operator By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer The Rye Town Park Commission has selected a company to manage its restaurant and snack and concession stands at the park this year, following a two-month vetting process that began at the end of last year. On Feb. 16, Homestyle Caterers Inc. was named as the next vendor to succeed Starfish Grill Inc., which owned and operated Seaside Johnnies, the park’s former beachfront restaurant that shut down at the end of 2016 after a 17-year relationship. The company was selected among a pool of at least 11 candidates that submitted offers to operate either one, some or all of the food facilities at the park. Homestyle Caterers has offered to pay $92,000 in rent to operate a steak, seafood and grill outlet in the vacated restaurant space and a Nathan’s Famous fast food chain in the concession space for 2017. John Ambrose and Sam Chernin, the owners of Seaside Johnnies, were paying the commission $100,000
annually to operate their restaurant out of Rye Town Park. The catering company, which has two Nathan’s franchises located at the Westchester County Center in White Plains and at the Franklin D. Roosevelt National Park in Yorktown Heights, is proposing a one-year contract with $58,000 in capital improvements to the food spaces. “We’re really excited that we’re going to have someone in there this season that will help the park financially, and much more importantly, will provide food and drink for parkgoers,” said Rye City Councilwoman Julie Killian, a Republican and member of the park commission. “This is a really positive thing for the park, and we’re happy to get started with a licensee that seems to work really well with us.” Homestyle Caterers, which has been in business for more than 25 years, started out running its first restaurant, Morley’s Steak and Seafood, located at 123 Lake Ave. in the city of Yonkers. After expanding to several other locations, the com-
pany now manages food services in a number of golf courses, including the Dunwoodie Golf Course in Yonkers, the Putnam National Golf Course in Mahopac, and the Blue Hill Golf Course in Pearl River. Homestyle Caterers also manages the food services at Sacred Heart School in Yonkers and the Lincoln Tech School in Whitestone in New York City. Additionally, the company has locations in Lee Farms in Danbury, Connecticut, and Fort Skylar in New York City. According to Al Ciuffetelli, the president of Homestyle Caterers, the company employs more than 80 people and has a net worth of $5 million annually. The catering company was recommended by Tracy Lawler from JGL Food Service Consultants, which has also been commissioned to plan an extensive search for a long-term licensee beginning in 2018. According to Port Chester Mayor Dennis Pilla, a Democrat and member of the park commission, Homestyle Caterers is
The Rye Town Park Commission has selected Homestyle Caterers Inc. as the vendor to manage the restaurant and snack and concessions stands at the park this year. File photo
expected to submit a long-term offer once a formal request for proposals is released. “They have an advantage because they’ll be in the space for a year, but it’s a double-edged sword because the other vendors wanted to spend more money for capital improvements,” he said. Brooke Botwinick, a senior associate at JGL, said the consulting company originally narrowed the pool of candidates down to five applicants. After two drop-outs, there were three companies to choose from.
The two runner-ups were among the few vendors that proposed to operate all of the food service spaces at the park, according to Killian. Rye Town Supervisor Gary Zuckerman, a Democrat and president of the park commission, said, “There was a very thorough vetting of all of the proposals and the commission was unanimously pleased to pick [Homestyle].” He added that the park commission is expecting to finalize the contract negotiations before the next
meeting, which has not been scheduled as of press time. Pilla said that, as part of recent contract negotiations, the park commission will benefit from an additional stipulation in the contract, in which the park will collect 10 percent on all revenue generated by the Homestyle Caterers that exceeds $750,000. He added that the catering company is expected to begin operations in May as planned. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
4 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • February 24, 2017
What’s going on... Harrison Public Library
ternet 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.
Sing Along Sundays with Chloe On Sundays from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Building. Celebrate early childhood through music and movement. Children and parents are sure to love the captivating songs, live accordion music, and activities designed with specific cognitive milestones in mind. This class will feature a variety of child-sized instruments and props, and a wealth of both traditional and original songs to add to your singalong repertoire. Get ready for a fun, creative, and engaging experience.
This class is for Japanese speakers learning English. Practical everyday conversational English is taught, and always tailored to the students’ needs. This class is taught by Julie Jacobs. Class is held once a week on Friday mornings and follows the Harrison school district calendar.
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.
On Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Building. Bring your own mat for a relaxing yoga class with the littlest ones. For non-walkers and their caregivers.
Pajama Party with Chloe
Origami
On Wednesdays 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.
On Friday, March 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the West Harrison Branch. Come and learn how to make a delightful flower arrangement. These ongoing classes, featuring new projects, are brought to you by the Harrison Japanese Volunteer Group. Please sign up online or by calling the branch at 948-2092.
Stich me Knot
One-on-One e-Help
On Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Building. The Stich Me Knot knitting club is a weekly get-together for needle craft (knit, crochet, etc.) enthusiasts of all levels. Bring your own materials and projects to work on. Learn and share different patterns and techniques with other hobbyists.
On Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Building. Need help with downloading e-books, audiobooks, apps, or using Google Drive, email, or searching the In-
On Fridays from 9:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Building.
English for Japanese Speakers
Mommy and Me Yoga with Angela
Chloe’s Sign & Play On Fridays from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Building. Give your child the gift of language. Sign & Play is a fun class where families can learn to communicate with their pre-verbal children using real signs from American Sign Language. Based on the awardwinning Baby Signing Time series, this class will give parents a window into the hearts and minds of their little ones. Through fun songs, stories and games, parents and children will learn many useful signs for everyday communication.
Yoga with Angela On Fridays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Building. Bring your own mat and water to this lovely, mind-and-bodyrelaxing yoga experience with Angela Brandt, a registered and certified yoga instructor. This is an opportunity to create self-esteem, physical coordination, breath relaxation and strength. For grades 2–5.
Harrison Recreation Please be aware that parents must have a current 2017 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. 2017 resident IDs and pool passes are now available for purchase. Visit harrison-ny.gov/recreation for more information on programs and the Recreation Department.
Little League Little League registration is currently underway. Applications are available at all recreation centers and on the Harrison Recreation website, harrison-ny.gov/recreation.
Computer Adventures Once again, Computer Adventures will be offering its popular enrichment classes March 1 through April 6 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Computer Game Programming is for grades three and up, and will be held in Harrison on Wednesdays from March 1 through April 5. Minecraft Building Wonders is for grades three and up, and will be held in Harrison on Thursdays from March 2 through April 6. LEGO Jr. Robotics is for grades 1–3 and will be held in West Harrison on Thursdays from March 2 through April 6. Fee for each course: $195 for Harrison residents; $225 for non-residents. Space is limited to 12 students each course. For more information and to register, visit at computeradventures.com/ harrison.
Manhattanville College
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.
February 24, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 5 TOD from page 1
The AvalonBay project proposed on the site of the current Metro-North parking lot was one of the first transit oriented development, TOD, projects planned on Halstead Avenue; but several other TOD projects are now planned on that street.
our business district has increased immeasurably over the last couple of years in direct response to the Metro-North transit-oriented development 3.3-acre site,” Malfitano told the Review. The councilman added that he expects to see that confidence continue to build as the AvalonBay project nears approval and,
down the line, completion, explaining that a mixed-use building on that property would spur the development of housing complexes hoping to take advantage of the businesses at AvalonBay, and the development of retailers hoping to capitalize on a new customer base in the hundreds living in the apartments
constructed at that site. Gross said that the increase in TODs would likely bring about an increase in retailers and restaurants on Halstead Avenue, but added, “Our project is moving forward with or without the train station project.” CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com
The mixed-use building proposed at 241-247 Halstead Ave. would have 3,000 square feet of retail space and 19 one- and two-bedroom apartments. It is one of several proposed iterations of transit-oriented development on Halstead Avenue. File photos
6 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • February 24, 2017
Harrison REVIEW
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ranked as the team with the top donations, having raised more than $2,000. “If we can just help one child with the funds raised here… it’s great for everyone,” Carty said. Carty explained that one of the reasons the charity appeals to him is that St. Baldrick’s provides you with a list of cancer fighters and survivors in your area so that you can sponsor your own St. Baldrick’s event. This year, Molly Spillane’s is honoring 8-year-old Margaret Sheker from Larchmont. Sheker is a cancer survivor, having overcome acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which is a form of blood and bone marrow cancer. Ashley Ferrara, co-organizer
By TAYLOR BROWN General Assignment Reporter Molly Spillane’s is hoping to bring the Mamaroneck community together to “brave the shave” at its first annual St. Baldrick’s event. For the past eight years, Stephen Carty, owner of Mickey Spillane’s in Eastchester and Molly Spillane’s in the village of Mamaroneck, has hosted a St. Baldrick’s head-shaving event at Mickey Spillane’s to raise awareness for childhood cancer. Over this time, the bar has managed to raise more than $300,000. With a new location scheduled this year, Carty is hoping for a high turnout and for Molly Spillane’s to raise $15,000. As of press time, they have raised more than $4,000. The event will be held at Molly Spillane’s in Mamaroneck on Saturday, March 25. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a nonprofit organization that aims to raise funds to help find cures for children with cancer, was started in 1999 by Tim Kenny, John Bender and Enda McDonnel, who came up with the idea to raise donations by promising to shave their heads. The idea behind the event is to show solidarity with children who have lost their hair from chemotherapy. Leading up to the event, participants raise money to be donated to the charity. In 2016, there were 1,233 St. Baldrick’s events held worldwide and more than $38 million raised. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation prides itself on being “the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants.” Its website goes on to explain that 70 percent of the money raised every year goes toward research, 26 percent of funds goes toward fundraising for the events, and 4 percent goes toward the business side of the charity.
St. Baldrick’s attendees shave their heads to show solidarity with children who lose their hair from cancer treatment.
“As charities go, it’s one that I felt was so upfront, no question where the money was going,” Carty said. Carty added that he intends to host St. Baldrick’s at Molly Spillane’s for eight years, and then switch back to Mickey Spillane’s for another eight. The owner explained that Mickey Spillane’s had a lot of involvement from police and fire departments. “Our first event [that] we had in Eastchester, it really was community driven,” Carty said. To date, the Eastchester EMS has gotten involved with Molly Spillane’s and is currently The first St. Baldrick’s event was held on St. Patrick’s Day, making green a popular color at these events. Photos courtesy St.Baldricks.org
Molly Spillane’s has a fundraising goal of $15,000. The money raised from these events goes toward cancer research grants.
of the event and director of banquets at Molly Spillane’s, said she is working on reaching out to another local child as well. This is Ferrara’s first year participating
in fundraising for St. Baldrick’s and although she doesn’t intend to shave her head, she has CONTINUED on next page
February 24, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 7 already raised $800 of her $2,000 goal. The event has gotten everyone in the Molly Spillane’s family involved. Jake Terenzi, a part-time bartender at Molly Spillane’s and co-organizer of the St. Baldrick’s event, said that getting on board with the event was an easy decision. He said that it sounded like a great idea, and wanted to help out as much as he could. When he first got involved with the event he hadn’t planned on shaving his head, but has since changed his mind. “It’s for the kids, I mean why not. Hair eventually grows back,” he said. Terenzi explained he has two goals for the event. One is to raise $2,000; he is currently at $525. His other goal is to get as many people to shave their heads as possible, which he explained has been harder than raising donations. Last year, Mickey Spillane’s was able to get 38 “shavees”; Molly Spillane’s has a goal for this year of 40 people. As of press time, Molly Spillane’s has more than 10 people signed up to shave their heads, including Carty’s wife, Geraldine Carty. “My wife, five years
ago, shaved off her hair,” Carty said, adding that she raised roughly $20,000, and now shaves her head every year for the event. Ferrara said that Trendon Lynch and Liam Quinn, both bartenders, are also planning to have their heads shaved. And as the event day nears, Carty is hoping to get more of the local police and fire departments, and even the mayor, to participate. “We’d love everyone to get involved, [because cancer] has touched everyone’s life,” Carty said. CONTACT: taylor@hometwn.com
Molly Spillane’s event 211 Mamaroneck Ave. Mamaroneck, NY March 25, 6 p.m.
In 2016, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation saw a total of 46,261 shavees. As of now, there are more than 13,900 shavees registered. Photo courtesy St.Baldricks.org
8 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • February 24, 2017
More female recognition and sprucing up HARRISON HAPPENINGS Mayor Ron Belmont
I would like to take this time to congratulate Harrison resident Coco Lefkowitz, who was recently recognized at a Harrison girls’ varsity basketball game for her dedication to the game and her ongoing commitment to student-athletes. The proud mother of six Harrison Huskies, Coco has made a lasting impact on basketball in Harrison. Her tireless efforts led to the revamping of the Harrison Basketball Booster Club, where she created and ran community clinics linking the varsity teams to the Recreation programs and fundraised to support team gear and jerseys. Coco also coached for the Harrison Recreation Department, winning four recent championships. Racing around the county, she has seen nearly 500 Harrison basketball games in the past seven years, and has coached more than 250 Harrison Lady Huskies games. Thank you for your wonderful contributions. In recognition of the season preceding Lent, I recently joined the seniors as they celebrated Carnival. Brightly colored beads were worn and everyone enjoyed lively conversation and a delicious meal. This tradition
is a harbinger of spring, and although we have had a fairly mild winter so far, I’m sure that all who attended are eager for the warmer weather that lies ahead. In looking ahead, and thinking about the spring with great anticipation, I would like to bring your attention to this year’s annual Spring Spruce Up event. Please join the town/ village of Harrison by coming out to show your support on Sunday, April 2. We will be tidying up our roadways, parks, wooded areas and streams. Target areas in downtown Harrison include Ma Riis Park, Veteran’s Park, the stream behind LMK Middle School, Beaver Swamp Brook Corridor, and West Street (in the vicinity of the Interstate 95 bridge). Target areas in West Harrison include the Boulevard, various locations around Silver Lake and Underhill Avenue, and the Village Green. Feel free to contact the mayor’s office with additional areas that may need attention. Cleanup crew leaders will be at all locations and will provide lawn bags and instructions for sprucing up. Come full of energy and prepared to make a difference. For more information or to volunteer, please call my office at 670-3009 or visit the supervisor/mayor’s office at Town Hall. Take pride in Harrison’s appear-
ance and pitch in! As many of you may know, Amelia Earhart was a Harrison resident. In celebration of her many contributions to the fields of aviation, publishing and fashion, Harrison will be hosting events throughout the coming months that honor the 80th anniversary of Earhart’s final flight. In 1937, she attempted to pilot her own plane around the world and vanished over the Atlantic Ocean. On Monday, March 6 at 1:30 p.m., the Harrison Public Library will be offering a class on Depression-era cakes. The food shortage experienced during the Depression limited the availability of ingredients many used in baked goods. Patrons will learn how to make desserts from Earhart’s time. On Wednesday, March 8 at 7 p.m., the library will be hosting a book discussion on “Code Name Verity.” This work of historical fiction is set in World War II and centers on the friendship of two female pilots. The next Lunch with the Mayor is on Friday, March 3. I will be at Emilio’s Ristorante, located at 1 Colonial Place in Harrison. I will be at this location from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., and look forward to meeting with residents and talking about issues facing our community.
2 county, 1 Harrison police injured in Hutch chase An alleged hit-and-run last week escalated into a high-speed chase involving two police agencies which injured three officers before culminating near Lincoln Avenue in Harrison. After 9 p.m. on Feb. 15, 24-year-old James Rozsa, of Norwalk, Connecticut, wove in and out of traffic fleeing from police after another driver had signaled to Jerome Schulman, a county police officer, that Rozsa had rear-ended a car on the Cross County Parkway and then fled the scene, according to a report from the Westchester County Department of Public Safety. Schulman began chasing Rozsa’s white Honda sedan on the northbound Hutchinson River Parkway and was assisted by as many as 10 coun-
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ty police officers. The chase eventually carried into Harrison, where four Harrison police officers engaged in the pursuit, according to police Chief Michael Olsey. On North Street, Rozsa drove onto the shoulder to avoid traffic congestion. While attempting to get back onto the road, he was blocked by police. He rammed two county police cars, injuring two officers, and he attempted to strike a Harrison police car. Both damaged county vehicles were towed away from the scene. Police forced Rozsa to stop near Jefferson Avenue in Harrison, where he was combative with several officers who were attempting to restrain him, according to Kieran O’Leary, a
spokesman for the Westchester County Department of Public Safety. A Harrison police officer was injured while attempting to apprehend Rozsa. Rozsa was indicted in Harrison Town Court on Feb. 16. He is being charged with seconddegree assault, a felony, as well as four misdemeanors: reckless endangerment, fleeing from police officers, reckless driving and aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle. Rozsa is also being charged with several traffic violations, including the initial hit-andrun. Police also found a small amount of marijuana in the car, for which Rozsa is also being charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation. -Reporting by Corey Stockton
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Rye schools find new supt. in Chappaqua By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer The Rye City School District Board of Education has found its man, naming Dr. Eric Byrne as its next superintendent. Byrne, who has been serving as the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction at the Chappaqua Central School District for six years, will formally be appointed to the position at the next board meeting on Feb. 28, and he will officially take over as superintendent on or around July 1. “It’s an honor and privilege to have been selected as the finalist for the position,” Byrne said. “The reputation of the Rye City School [District] is quite incredible, and I look forward to working with their terrific faculty and strong administrative team.” Byrne began his career in education as a science teacher in the New York City public schools. He received his doctorate and a master’s degree in education from Fordham University; he also received a degree in natural science from Fordham. “After a rigorous selection process, the choice was clear,” said Board of Education President Katy Keohane Glassberg. “Dr. Eric Byrne’s background and experience as a leader in curriculum development and implementation is extraordinary.” In October 2016, Byrne was appointed as the acting superintendent of the Chappaqua school district for a brief stint, following the resignation of former Superintendent Lyn McKay, who stepped down while wrestling with the sexual abuse scandal of teacher Christopher Schraufna-
Caption: The Rye City Board of Education has announced the selection of Dr. Eric Byrne as its next district superintendent of schools. Photo courtesy Rye City School District
gel; Byrne served in that capacity until January 2017. He also previously served as principal of Chappaqua’s Roaring Brook Elementary School. As for the Rye district, Byrne said it would be premature to highlight a blueprint for the future; however, he said he will begin an “extensive entry process” once appointed. He added that, as part of that process, he will meet with stakeholders groups, administrators and teachers to devise a comprehensive plan.
“First, I want to take a look at what’s happening in Rye; see the strengths and opportunities for the district, and then we’ll have a much better sense of a plan,” he said. Byrne will take over for Dr. Brian Monahan, who has been serving as the district’s interim superintendent since Aug. 1, 2016, following the departure of Dr. Frank Alvarez, who stepped down from the post in July 2016. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
February 24, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 9
Town of Mamaroneck gun ban put on ice
A ban on guns across town of Mamaroneck property has been tabled after trepidation over the law’s enforcement and its legality. File photo
By JAMES PERO Staff Writer A proposal from the Mamaroneck town board that sought to ban guns on town property has been shelved after vehement public backlash as well as trepidation over the law’s constitutionality. “We were definitely wrestling with what kinds of protections can we really provide,” said Town Supervisor Nancy Seligson, a Democrat. “We decided that we would table it for now.” Among the major discussions leading the board to sideline the initiative, Seligson said, was difficulty in deciding just how to enforce the law; specifically, whether the town had the resources to conduct adequate searches on members of the public entering a building. “We started to think about what it would take to have some kind of search when people come into a building,” she said. “We decided we didn’t have the wherewithal to do that at this time.”
After some contentious discussion at a public hearing last month, the town board also realized that it could be facing several potential lawsuits if the proposal had moved forward. That public hearing saw dozens of owners and activists voice their concerns. Among them was Scott Sommavilla, president of the Westchester Firearms Association, who told the Review that his gun rights collective was “lawyered up.” Increasingly throughout the past several months, municipalities across Westchester County have begun to tackle the regulation of guns, following the controversial opening of a gun store in Harrison that operates less than a mile away from an elementary school. The store sparked widespread criticism throughout Harrison as well as an online petition to find a way to close the store that was signed by 3,500 people. While the county Board of Legislators introduced legislation to ban gun shows in county-
owned facilities—a law that was later vetoed by County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, and has since been retooled and sent back to committees—the village of Rye Brook has taken preliminary steps to ban gun stores within a certain proximity of schools. Currently on the county level, lawmakers will mull over the codification of a slew of provisions regulating gun shows countywide. That discussion stemmed from the administration of County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, moving forward, last month, with a gun show at the Westchester County Convention Center; the first gun show held by the county since 2010; a previously scheduled show was canceled in the wake of the 2012 shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Sommavilla could not be reached for comment as of press time. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
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Harper is a sweet and friendly boy, about a year old and 30 pounds. He knows some basic training, loves playing in the yard with all his furry friends, and seems to be housebroken, too. He would do best in a home with a fenced-in yard and older children due to his lively, puppy-like personality. Harper is neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, and microchipped. Make him part of your family for an adoption donation of $300 to Pet Rescue. To meet Harper, call 834-6955, visit NYPetRescue.org, or meet him in person at 7 Harrison Ave. in Harrison. (Submitted)
10 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • February 24, 2017
Business Briefs BioInc@NYMC forum focuses on growing, supporting innovation
Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino offered congratulations and thanks to Danone North America, which recently announced it will remain in Westchester County and move its headquarter offices and accessory food laboratory to downtown White Plains. The new location at 100 Bloomingdale Road will become home to more than 400 Danoners beginning early next year during a move to a re-imagined space that previously served as a retail location. “Danone North America is a terrific company,” Astorino said. “Westchester is proud to be a past partner and is excited to be part of its future success. Many thanks to Danone for its continuing investment in Westchester.” Danone’s North American companies, which include well-known brands such as Dannon and Evian, said in a press release that it recognizes that today’s talent prefers to be in an open and flexible working environment that inspires creativity and inclusiveness. Key factors in the relocation decision were the development of a modern, flexible workplace that will fully leverage technology, enhance collaboration, and align with the company’s unique culture and global brand, along with the location in a vibrant community accessible via mass transit. “We prioritized efficient and flexible design solutions for the changing style of our workplace that we envision for our future,” said Dessislava Miteva, the company’s chief people officer and vice president of human resources. “Increasingly we are working in open and flexible spaces that can adapt to the continually evolving needs of our company and our people. We want as much open space as possible to maintain the sense of community we currently have, to encourage informal and ad-hoc communication, and to ensure as much freedom and autonomy as possible in an energetic and exciting workplace. Additionally, being within walking distance to restaurants, shopping and mass transit are important for our company.” Economic viability of the needed construction and ongoing operating and tax considerations were also factors in the site selection, the company said. Danone North America has been working closely with the state of New York, Westchester County and the city of White Plains to secure the assistance needed to help support Danone North America’s growth agenda. Pivotal to Danone North America’s plans were the approval of a zoning amendment by White Plains to allow the company to move its accessory food laboratory, as well as the financial assistance awarded by the county’s Industrial Development Agency and by the state of New York, Empire State Development through its Excelsior Jobs Program and Capital Grant programs. This support will allow the company to expand its operations, attract new talent, update its office design, and retain its research and development team’s innovative accessory food laboratory. “We are deeply grateful for the support and patience of the city, county and state, which have helped to keep our company in the area and allow us to significantly update and upgrade the setting in which we work, which will allow us to continue to be a significant contributor to community stability and growth here in White Plains,” Miteva said.
Innovative industries, including biomed and tech, have put the Hudson Valley on the map and attracted researchers, entrepreneurs, and startups to New York state. Expert panelists shared their thoughts on growing innovation in New York, the impact it has on the economy, and obstacles that researchers and inventors face. As 2017 begins, these industries look to Congress to protect their intellectual property rights to their inventions, technologies, and advances in medicine that make them successful job-creators in the Hudson Valley. The panel was held at BioInc at New York Medical College, BioInc@NYMC, and moderated by Randi Schwartz, director of BioInc@NYMC and associate dean for academic administration at New York Medical College School of Medicine. The panel featured experts including Larry Gottlieb, president and CEO of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation, HVEDC; Amy Gallup Klann, Ph.D., counsel at Leason Ellis; Marc Zemel, managing director at MKM Ventures, CEO and co-founder of MOE Medical Devices and Retia Medical; Josephine Young, associate at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP; and Brian Pomper, executive director of the Innovation Alliance. Nathan Tinker, executive director of NewYorkBIO, was a guest speaker. The health care industry in the Hudson Valley, which includes pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical companies, is the largest area employer, as with 2015 data gathered by the HVEDC reporting 158,707 jobs. Additionally, area medical research universities like panel host New York Medical College provide a highly skilled workforce, and also fuel a need for inventors in the life sciences. “BioInc@NYMC is like no other resource in the Hudson Valley. We’re proud to offer biotech entrepreneurs and startups a place to launch successful businesses. We welcome the Innovation Alliance to New York, in an ongoing effort to connect our local innovators with a strong network and up-to-date information on issues that impact them directly,” Schwartz said. “Innovation isn’t a linear concept. Even though we wish it were to be as simple as having an idea, executing a plan, and seeing success, to be truly competitive and successful in 2017 we must take many factors into consideration. Knowing the regulatory policies in place, the patent system to protect our work, the latest in academia and research, how to connect with investors—innovators take an idea and create so much more. Like any attentive constituency, the Innovation Alliance exists to help educate and advise from a first-hand perspective, and we are proud to be here today in the Hudson Valley alongside such great talent,” Pomper said. “New York is home to a bioscience community that is unparalleled—not only do we have one of the largest communities in the world, but the strongest in terms of resources, jobs, academia, clinical trials, and innovators. NewYorkBIO exists to support the development and growth of New York’s life science industry and today’s discussion explored some of the most important issues to our members, including protecting intellectual property rights and supporting patent holders. I’ve had a chance to meet some of the Hudson Valley’s inventors and patent holders at today’s
event, and I’m happy to be here at BioInc at New York Medical College to visit their innovative space,” Tinker said. “Today’s panel demonstrated not only the variety in talent in the Hudson Valley, but the variety of opportunities and resources available to entrepreneurs, innovators, and researchers. My experience in biology, coupled with my current legal practice focus on the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors, has allowed me to experience many important proceedings and analyses,” Gallup Klann said. Zemel shared his story of innovation and growth as an entrepreneur here in the Hudson Valley. As the CEO and co-founder of two startup, he knows the challenges of developing specialized technology and growing a business. Since 2011, he has helped oversee the advancement of MOE Medical Devices, a startup developing nanosecond pulsed electrical plasma treatments for dermatology, and Retia Medical, a cardiovascular monitoring company, in his role as CEO. Additionally, Zemel holds 18 patents (issued or pending) and understands the importance of the U.S. patent system. “I’m a patent-holder, and I have worked long hours over the years to bring my ideas to fruition. I’m proud to call the Hudson Valley home, and to be surrounded by support I need to survive. Our elected officials must hold the highest priority in protecting the small inventors, like me, who contribute to the American economy. This includes voting against legislation that weakens our patent system—for without the patent system, I wouldn’t be here today,” Zemel said. Startups have found success in Westchester County due to its close proximity to New York City, the opportunity to collaborate with other small and mid-sized businesses in the area, and the business-friendly environment fostered by the HVEDC. The Hudson Valley manufacturing industry is an integral partner of the area’s biomed and tech innovators and has contributed 44,800 jobs in the region, according to a 2016 NYS Labor Department Report. This industry innovates new processes and technologies that help area businesses produce a more advanced product for the client, in a shorter amount of time. “The Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation is proud of how far our region has
come, in terms of innovation and job growth. NY BioHud Valley is a great example of how we’ve taken a cluster and turned it into a strong network of biomed and biotech companies—and it is vital we stay on the cutting edge of policy changes and proposals to help our members succeed and bring jobs to New York,” Gottlieb said. In 2016, the U.S. Department of Commerce found that intellectual property industries supported 45 million jobs and contributed $6 trillion dollars to the U.S. gross domestic product. Yet also in 2016, legislation was introduced in Congress that proposed broad changes to the patent system that would hinder the ability for inventors to protect their intellectual property rights. At the BioInc@ NYMC panel, innovators and patent-holders in the Hudson Valley voiced their concern for potentially harmful legislation in 2017. A working paper conducted by Harvard Business School and New York University professors for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 2016 found that innovation and startups benefit immensely from the protections patents offer. Obtaining a patent sets a startup up for long-term success: employment growth increases by 36 percent after the first patent is approved, and sales growth increases by 51 percent over the next five years. The study also found that patents help many innovators reach the ultimate financial goal. A startup with a patent approval is twice as likely to end up listed on the stock exchange. American innovators, abundant in the Hudson Valley, look to lawmakers to prioritize policies that protect and promote their work. Although much remains to be seen as the new incoming administration sets its legislative priorities, innovation remains the backbone of the Hudson Valley and the U.S. The BioInc@NYMC panel and event offered a unique opportunity for interaction and discussion between experts, experienced entrepreneurs, and small inventors alike. The next Business Briefs section will run in February. Please send any submission for our February edition to news@hometwn.com, with “Business” in the subject line of your email. Each submission may include one picture. If you have any questions, email us at news@hometwn.com.
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Astorino thanks Danone for continued Westchester investment
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February 24, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 13
Sudden onset unattractiveness RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy
When you go to the periodontist for oral surgery and all you’re worried about is the potential pain, you may forget to ask whether you will spend the next couple of weeks looking like a chipmunk beaten up by a gang of biker squirrels. Or at least I forgot to ask. So now when I look in the mirror, I see a face with golf ball bulges turning purple, lips stretched wide like taffy and my jaw the shape of a juice box. On the subway, I wrap my scarf as high as I can and try to ignore the fact that now when I breathe, I fog up my glasses. When I dared to venture out to the bakery (perhaps the source of this whole problem), I ran into an acquaintance and had to act like I wasn’t melting from shame (and the boiling scarf). “It’s, uh, great to see you too! Bye!” Even at home, I am surprised to feel sickeningly selfconscious around those nearest and dearest. Surely, beauty is not purplish-skin deep? Or is it? Being suddenly disfigured, even temporarily, made me wonder how other people— the gashed, pocked and bloated—face the world. So I asked around. My Upper East Side friend Mandy recalled the time she went to a fancy restaurant for lunch and ate something that made her feel like her throat was closing up. “Then I looked at my arm and there were all these blotches on it and I was starting to panic,” she said. “So
I staggered across the street and bought a big bottle of Benadryl and the pharmacist told me to take a double dose right now, and I was like, ‘Okay.’” The problem was, that night she was meeting a new guy. They had tickets to “An American in Paris.” So she ran home, changed into clothes that covered as much of her as possible, and met her date at the theater. The show, as far as she can recall, was delightful. “But I fell asleep and the guy kept elbowing me gently to wake me up, till my head lolled back on the seat again,” she said. Each time she fell back asleep, she snored. “And every time I would wake up, I was furiously itching myself all over.” It may not come as a huge surprise that they did not date again. But for Mandy, at least, the sudden onset unattractiveness was short-lived. Marisa, a grant writer in Manhattan, went through chemo 12 years ago, just a year after her husband died. Their son was in second grade. Today she is the proud mom of a college freshman, but the permanent loss of her eyelashes and eyebrows still smarts. “I get called sir a lot, then they look and go, ‘Oh, sorry,’” she said. What surprised Marisa most was how hard it has been to adjust. “I can be as vain as the next person, right?” Of course, right! It’s not just you, Marisa! It’s all of us. When entrepreneur Kathryn picked up MRSA, the antibiotic-resistant illness, the disease manifested itself in black holes on her face the diameter of a pencil eraser. As she noted matter-of-factly, even when psychological researchers show very young kids
pictures of people with some kind of physical imperfection, the kids “attribute that they’re stupid, lazy, dishonest, evil— things that are all truly NOT indicated by how somebody looks.” We are a culture hardwired, it seems, to distrust the imperfect, no matter how dumb and cruel that is. Genevieve fainted at the Herald Square subway station last August, breaking all her front teeth. “Luckily for all the other passengers, I was off the train before it happened,” she said. Yes, she’s a comedian—for real. But going out in public wasn’t funny. That first week, “Even with the check-out person at Duane Reade, I was talking with as little space between my lips as possible, trying to hide these jagged teeth.” Gone was the perk that noncelebrities and the non-disfigured take for granted: The ability to be invisible. Genevieve stopped going out, “until I woke up one day and realized: I don’t see people anymore!” She decided to bite the bullet (as well as she could) and go back onstage. “After six months of hiding from the public, I told the audience that I had broken all of my front teeth. Then I immediately covered my mouth,” she said. THAT got their attention. So she told them, “That’s a fun trick you can use on first dates. Mention you have a terribly unattractive physical impediment, and then hide it. You will hold their attention the rest of the night.” And then, if they can see beyond whatever it is, you’ve got a winner. CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com
Astorino highlights African-American heritage trail
Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino highlights the county’s African-American heritage trail and announces the 2017 Trailblazer Award winners at the Jay Heritage Center in Rye on Feb. 13. Photo courtesy Westchester County
In celebration of Black History Month, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino was joined on Feb. 13 by Barbara Edwards, chair of the Westchester County African American Advisory Board, at the Jay Heritage Center in Rye to unveil the new Westchester County Guide to African-American History and Heritage and to announce this year’s Trailblazer Award winners. “Black History Month is a time to celebrate and reflect on the many contributions African Americans have made throughout the United States,” Astorino said. “Westchester County is home to several unique sites for visitors to observe this important month and our updated Guide to African American Heritage and History is a roadmap to discover the rich African-American culture in our backyard.” The guide, produced by the Westchester County Office of Tourism & Film, maps various historical destinations throughout the county that date back to the 17th century, and can be found online at westchestergov. com. Natasha Caputo, director of the Office of Tourism & Film, said this guide is designed to give visitors and residents the best way to explore the county’s historical landmarks. “This guide gives visitors and residents alike a comprehensive way to follow our AfricanAmerican trail and explore the great historical landmarks we have here in Westchester,” Caputo said. “Not only does the guide have information about each destination on the trail, but we have included a map, information on events, art exhibits, notable Westchester residents and information on transportation and accommodations.”
Astorino also highlighted four landmarks on the trail: • The Jay Heritage Center, located in Rye, not only is the childhood home of Founding Father John Jay, but it was the home of several generations of people, both free and enslaved, who worked for the Jay family. Jay was the founder of the Manumission Society of New York, which advocated for the abolition of slavery and established schools to educate free AfricanAmericans. The Jay Heritage Center houses various artifacts, including a manumission document declaring freedom for a Westchester slave. • Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow, a property of Historic Hudson Valley, is a nationally significant late 17th- and early 18th-century milling and trading complex that was part of a vast 52,000-acre estate owned by the Anglo-Dutch Philipse family. Enslaved individuals of African descent operated the commercial center of the estate in what is now the village of Sleepy Hollow. • Philipse Manor Hall in Yonkers, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, served as the Lower Mill complex for Philipsburg Manor in the 17th century and contributed significantly to the development of New York’s commercial life. The records of their business and lives indicate that enslaved Africans were vital to their success and the development of Westchester. • St. Paul’s Church in Mount Vernon, a National Historic Site, was the center of community life in the 18th and 19th century. Many of the 9,000 interred in the cemetery are persons of African descent buried here in the 19th and 20th centuries. The church records at St. Paul’s include the
sexton’s book and burial records denoting the race of those entered into the historic graveyard. In addition to promoting the history and heritage of AfricanAmericans in Westchester, Astorino and Edwards announced the honorees for this year’s Trailblazer Award ceremony. For the past 18 years, Westchester County honors individual African-Americans each year with this award for their commitment to service, and generous use of their talent, which together create a bright future for us all. Edwards, who has worked with the county to coordinate the Trailblazer Awards for the past 18 years, spoke about the significance of the award and how it has shaped the county. “The history of African-Americans in Westchester has significantly shaped the development and richness of Westchester County,” Edwards said. “The 2017 Trailblazers, who will be honored this next week, inspire us by continuing the legacy of our ancestors’ perseverance, while making a positive impact for future generations.” The 2017 Trailblazer Awards winners are: • The Elizabeth Catlett Award for Arts and Culture – Vinnie Bagwell • The Betty Shabazz Award for Civic Engagement – Eddie Mae Barnes • The Rev. L. Alger Adams Award for Publishing – Sandra Blackwell • The Robert C. Weaver Award for Housing – Mack Carter • The Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award for Human Services – Nathaniel Fields • The Dr. Valiere Alcena Award for Health Services – Judith Watson, RN (Submitted)
14 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • February 24, 2017
SPORTS
Highs, lows of the postseason LIVE MIKE Mike Smith
There’s no question when it comes to postseason athletes, the intensity and pressure for our coaches and student-athletes get ratcheted up tenfold. And while that may be all well and good 99 percent of the time, creating indelible moments for our local sports stars, win or lose, sometimes the
grand stage of the playoffs can shine a light on some more negative aspects of the game. Don’t get me wrong; there has been no shortage of absolutely fantastic moments over the last week. Kate Robbins’ third-quarter buzzer-beater against Pelham that propelled Rye to a come-from-behind win over the Pelicans; the Harrison boys’ team putting together an unheard of upset of Ardsley from their spot as the No. 24
seed; heck, even the atmosphere in Scarsdale High School’s gym as Mamaroneck’s boys tried— and ultimately failed—to rally back from a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter of their Class AA playoff game against the Raiders; these moments all represent sports at its finest. But there have also been a handful of moments over the last week or so that kind of make you scratch your head. One early playoff story that
has gotten a fair amount of press has been the brawl that transpired between members of the Peekskill girls’ basketball team after a hard-fought loss to Tappan Zee on Feb. 18. According to observers, Red Devils’ players began arguing with one another following the game, leading to a fracas involving fans, parents and punches. Police were called and one woman was hospitalized, turning an already disappointing end to the season into something much worse for the Red Devils. I can’t speak to the underlying tensions that led to the fight, but one would have to assume that the pressure cooker of postseason
Following his team’s double-overtime loss to New Rochelle on Saturday, White Plains basketball coach Spencer Mayfield took to Twitter to voice his displeasure with the officiating. When it comes to the postseason, even great games can be marred by controversy. Photo courtesy twitter.com
play factored into it somehow. Of course, not all scandals— for lack of a better word—are quite as dramatic. That same day, in a first-round meeting between league foes New Rochelle and White Plains, the Huguenots escaped with a thrilling double-overtime win over the Tigers in what, if you just looked at the box score, one would assume was a classic showdown. But White Plains coach Spencer Mayfield took to Twitter after the game to fire back at the officials for what he saw as an uneven performance in which New Rochelle accumulated 32 chances at the foul line to his Tigers’ scant five. Did the referees cost White Plains the game? I couldn’t tell you. But I can say that, from a coaching standpoint, it’s impossible not to get frustrated when the numbers are that skewed. And sometimes, the ire of fans is directed at the governing body of local sports. When the leading scorer on Scarsdale’s hockey team, Ben Schwartz, was ejected from the final game of the regular season, Raider fans expected him to serve his mandatory
Huskies shock Panthers BOYS BASKETBALL
class a
FIRST ROUND
HARRISON 59 ARDSLEY 58 ARDSLEY HS
2/18/17
Game Notes: • Max Scoli and Will Marriott led the Huskies with 16 points apiece • Luke McCarthy put the game out of reach with a pair of free throws • The No. 24-seeded Huskies will take on top seed Byram Hills on Feb. 22, after press time By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor Most onlookers didn’t give Harrison much of a chance heading into its Class A firstround playoff game against Ardsley on Feb. 18. The Huskies
came into the meeting as a No. 24-seed, having won an outbracket game last week against John Jay, while the Panthers, seeded eighth, had two prior wins over the visitors this season. But on Saturday, Harrison showed just how important resilience and dedication can be, as they stunned Ardsley in one of the biggest postseason upsets in recent history, beating their league foes 59-58 in an instant classic. Harrison stormed out to a hot start, taking a 34-19 lead before the half. Ardsley roared back late in the game however, taking a 58-57 lead with just under six seconds left to play before Luke McCarthy gave Harrison the lead for good, with a pair of foul shots with 3.9 seconds on the clock. An ensuing half-court shot by Ardsley clanged off the front of the rim, ensuring that the Huskies would advance to the Class A quarterfinals where
they will take on Byram Hills. Will Marriott and Max Scoli each had 16 points to pace the Huskies, and Marriott also grabbed 15 rebounds in the win. According to head coach Gary Chiarella, the Huskies came into Saturday’s game with more confidence than one might expect from a No. 24seed. “Our mindset was that we’d played them twice, lost a close game the first time around, the second time we lost by 10,” Chiarella said. “But we’ve improved 1,000 percent since then.” Forced to play perhaps the toughest schedule of any other Section I team, wins were rare for the young, untested Huskies early on. Over the course of the year, however, Chiarella saw that his team’s refusal to quit could pay dividends if they were able to secure a playoff berth. “We had a lot of kids
Luke McCarthy drives to the lane during an early-season contest against Ardsley. Harrison lost two games to the Panthers during the regular season but topped the No. 8-seed 59-58 in the first round of the Class A playoffs on Feb. 18. Photo/Mike Smith
one-game suspension during the team’s first-round playoff game against Rivertown—which most expected to be an easy win for Scarsdale, even without the standout winger on the ice. But Rivertown forfeited the game, and Schwartz’ suspension was carried over into the highly-anticipated quarterfinal matchup between Scarsdale and No. 2-seeded Suffern, despite vocal protests from the Raider faithful. Many felt that Section I misinterpreted the rule and believed that the decision to hold Schwartz out for the Suffern game put an asterisk next to the Mounties’ 5-3 win on Feb. 21. No matter what happens in the postseason, no matter who wins, no matter how games go, there’s going to be grousing, complaining, and, in some instances, some undignified behavior. But as the playoffs continue, let’s just hope that the good moments outweigh the bad, and even those tough losses and bad situations provide our athletes— and our coaches—with some valuable life lessons.
Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports
who had not played any varsity games, and the strength of schedule we faced didn’t really give us time to get acclimated or used to the speed of the varsity game,” he said. “But this has been a special group; even when the losses were piling up early on, not one player had a bad thing to say and they kept on working extremely hard as our confidence kept growing.” The Huskies will once again play the role of underdogs on Thursday, after press time, when they go up against a topseeded Byram Hills team that has garnered some consideration as the best Class A team in the state. The Bobcats, the defending Class A champs, enter the postseason having won 14 straight games. If the Huskies hope to compete with the bigger Byram team, Chiarella said, they will have to focus on the fundamentals. “We have to be able to slow the pace down and we have to rebound the ball; we have been hurt at times by other team’s offensive rebounds,” he said. “And third, we just can’t turn the ball over.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com
SPORTS
February 24, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 15
Huskies hold off Pirates GIRLS BASKETBALL
class a
FIRST ROUND
HARRISON 61 PEARL RIVER 56 HARRISON HS
2/18/17
Game Notes: • Avery LaBarbera scored a game-high 29 points and teammate Kendall Lefkowitz added 18 • Harrison trailed 31-25 at halftime • The Huskies will play top-seeded Walter Panas on Feb. 23, after press time Kendall Lefkowitz brings the ball up against the Pirates. Lefkowitz scored 18 points for Harrison.
By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor All season long, the Harrison Huskies have thought of themselves as a team that knows how to close out games. And on Feb. 18, in their playoff opener against No. 9-seeded Pearl River, the No. 8 seed Huskies needed every ounce of their experience in close contests to fend off a spirited charge from the Pirates and overcome a halftime deficit to escape with a 61-56 win.
Heading into halftime, visiting Pearl River held a 31-25 lead on their hosts, but according to Huskies’ forward Kendall Lefkowtiz, the tenor of the team’s discussion at halftime was far from resigned. If anything, the senior said, the team rallied around the idea of going out as winners in their final home game of the year. “When we all got in there at halftime, we all knew that we didn’t want this to be the last
Megan Clow goes up for a layup in the Huskies’ Class A first-round game.
game of the season for our seniors,” she said. “We knew that we had to win it, and we had to go out and play hard.” Lefkowitz (18 points) and junior point guard Avery LaBarbera (29 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists) led the secondhalf resurgence that saw the Huskies finally take the lead for good with just 5:15 left to play. Head coach Louis Kail said, despite some early hiccups, the Huskies play their best when
Avery LaBarbera drives to the lane against Pearl River on Feb. 18. LaBarbera finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.
both LaBarbera and Lefkowitz are hitting shots. “Any time you get into sectionals and you have to play a team like Pearl River, it’s going to take some time to settle in,” Kail said. “But the two of them are as close on the court as they are off of it; they feed off each other, they lead our team, and I couldn’t be more proud of them.” LaBarbera also credited the team’s grueling regular season schedule with getting the team ready for a close first-round game. Including Harrison, there were four teams from League II-C that garnered top-10 seeds in the Class A playoffs, and a slew of games against teams like Rye, Eastchester and Pelham helped set the tone for playoff basketball. “Our league is so tough, and I think playing in it has really taught us the importance of finishing games,” LaBarbera said. “That’s something we did today, and the league definitely prepared us for this.” Coming up, the Huskies will have to contend with top-seeded Walter Panas in a Class A quarterfinal game, which will be played on Feb. 23, after press time. In order to beat the Panthers and advance to the Westchester County Center, Lefkowitz said
Gina Nuvoloni looks for open space on Feb. 18. Photos/Mike Smith
that the Huskies just need to stick to their team-first concept. “When it comes to these kinds of games, you have to rely on your teammates and they have to be able to rely on
you,” she said. “You just have to play team basketball, find your open teammates, and know that they’re going to find you, too.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com
16 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • February 24, 2017