Harrison REVIEW THE
July 7, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 27 | www.harrisonreview.com
See ya! Harrison High School’s Class of 2017 celebrated their graduation ceremony at Purchase College on June 23. This year, the district graduated 285 high school seniors. For more, see page 6. Photo courtesy Harrison school district
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Tax receiver candidate’s residency in question By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer A candidate running for the locally elected receiver of taxes position may not actually live in Harrison, the Review has learned. According to property records obtained by this newspaper, Michael Giordano owns homes in Westchester and Putnam counties; he owns a home in West Harrison on Woodside Avenue and a home in the village of Brewster in Patterson, New York, on Blossom Lane. Yet, Giordano has indicated on tax forms that his Blossom Lane home is his primary residence. According to documents received by the Review from the town of Patterson in response to a Freedom of Information Law, FOIL, request, Giordano has been receiving a School Tax Relief exemption, also known as a STAR exemption, at his Brewster residence since 2001. The last time he received the exemption was in 2016, and, according to Amanda Tompkins, Patterson’s assessment clerk, he is scheduled to receive the exemption again in September of this year.
According to the New York state Department of Taxation and Finance, multiple-property owners in the state must collect a STAR exemption only on the property they consider their primary residence, the location where they spend the majority of their time. But when asked by the Review which of the two was his primary residence, Giordano said that he lives in West Harrison and that he owns property in Brewster. However, he did admit that his wife and children live at the Brewster residence, and said that he visits there regularly. In mid-June, Giordano’s son, Anthony, graduated from Brewster High School. Giordano is seeking to run as a Republican in the general election by way of primary, hoping to unseat the party-backed candidate Rosa Mastrogiacomo-Luongo. The winner of that primary would take on the Democratic candidate, Maria Mioli Pennella, also a registered Republican, and independent candidate Helen Pesce in November election. Joe Angilletta, Mastrogiacomo-Luongo’s campaign manager
and uncle, pointed to the fact that Giordano’s Brewster home is not currently on the market, adding, “In my opinion, I believe he’s committing election fraud and defrauding the good people of Harrison.” However, Giordano pointed to state election law, which requires only that a candidate for elected office has the means to establish a primary residence in the municipality in which they are seeking office when the term of that office commences. “I’ve told everyone that my established residence will be, and it is, 14 Woodside Ave.,” Giordano said. According to data from the Westchester County Board of Elections, BOE, Giordano has only been registered to vote in Westchester—using his West Harrison residence—since Aug. 16, 2016. Prior to that, according to the Putnam County Board of Elections, he had been registered to vote at his Brewster home. If elected on Nov. 7, Giordano said he will live in the apartment of his two-family West Harrison home while his wife lives in the Brewster home. But eventually, he would plan to sell the Putnam County property. “We’re defi-
At a glance Giordano owns properties in Brewster and Harrison, but says his primary residence is his Harrison address He has been receiving STAR tax rebates on his Brewster home since 2002. According to state law, that rebate can only be collected on a primary residence State election law says Giordano does not need to be a full-time resident in Harrison until the term of office commences
nitely going to sell that house,” he said. “I’m not going to stay by myself in Harrison forever.” Giordano has been a Harrison employee in the tax receiver’s office for 22 years and currently earns an annual salary of $70,666. His election would constitute a nearly $40,000 per year raise, as the tax receiver in Harrison makes $101,050 per year and is elected to a four-year term.
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Giordano registered to vote in Harrison last August, and was previously registered to vote in Brewster According to Giordano, if he’s elected, he plans to live in Harrison while his family stays in Brewster until that home is sold
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What’s going on... Harrison Public Library
bles win a small prize. A Summer Reading Challenge project.
Fashion drawing class On Monday, July 10 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Library Building. For ages 6 to 12. Join Yin Su of the Fashion Arts Studio of Westchester for an open class. Visit harrisonpl.org for more information on programs and library hours.
The Total Solar Eclipse 2017
On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through July 28 at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Library Building. The YES (Youth Employment Services of the Harrison Youth Council) representative will be available to discuss job opportunities with students in the Teen Center.
On Monday, July 10 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Library Building. For ages 6 and up. On Aug. 21, 2017, a rare total solar eclipse will occur across North America with the path of totality traversing the continental United States from Oregon to South Carolina. Paul Alimena of the Westchester Amateur Astronomers will discuss the eclipse phenomenon and share his experiences in the moon’s shadow.
Tower Garden Salad
Draw Like a Superhero
On Monday, July 10 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Library Building. Join Danielle Colavito to learn how to support your healthy lifestyle with the Tower Garden, a vertical aeroponic growing system. Assemble your own salad with freshly picked vegetables from the Tower Garden and receive free recipes for making delicious salads and dressings. Refreshment will be served. No registration. Limited to 20 participants—first come, first served.
On Tuesday, July 11 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Library Building. For ages 6 to 12. Artist and teacher Alex Conte will share his skill and passion for drawing graphic characters.
Summer Jobs 4 Teens
Build a Marble Run On Monday, July 10 from 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the West Harrison Branch. For grades K-3. Using pool noodles, build a marble run. The fastest mar-
Summer Reading Challenge Read-In On Wednesday, July 12 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the West Harrison Branch. Each Wednesday during the Summer Reading Challenge, children can come and read with a teen. Teens can read to a child, or a child can read to a teen. Kids choose. Use this time to practice reading out loud or to complete part of the library’s Summer Reading Challenge to win great prizes. Stop by to spend some time reading and enjoy a snack, too.
Get Growing with the Tower Garden On Wednesday, July 12 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Library Building. For ages 4 and up. Children ages 7 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Come meet the library’s maker-in-residence, Danielle Colavito, and local author of children’s gardening books, Anne Mottola. Learn what grows in the garden and how vegetables can grow without soil, vertically in the Tower Garden. Plant bean seeds without soil to take home, cultivate and observe them sprout and grow. No registration. Limited to 15 children—first come, first served.
Pajama Party with Chloe 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.
50+ Adults: Microsoft Word On Thursday, July 13 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Library Building. Learn the essentials of Word, including document creation, spell check, formatting, fonts and much more. No registration. Limited to 10 participants— first come, first served.
Lemonade Thursdays On Thursday, July 13 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Library Building. For ages 6 to 12. Cool off with some lemonade to talk about books and camp. Participants will complete some of the “Build a Better World” Summer Reading Challenge tasks together.
Chloe’s Sign & Play On Fridays from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Library 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 award-winning Baby Signing Time series, this class will give parents a window into the hearts and minds of their little ones. Through fun songs, stories and games, parents and children will learn many useful signs for everyday communication.
Victory Garden On Friday, July 14 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Library Building. Inspired by the “American Girl” book series. Bring your favorite doll or come alone to hear about victory gardens, plant a doll-sized garden, and make a 1940s snack.
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. The spring/summer brochure is currently available online, and new programs and applications are added regularly. Visit harrison-ny.gov/recreation for more information on programs and the Recreation Department.
Summer employment opportunities The Harrison Recreation Department still has positions open for their summer camps. Please call Kristen Ciafone at 670-3068 if you are interested
in working as a counselor this summer. Adults with experience preferred.
Summer Concert Series All concerts start at 7 p.m. On Wednesday, July 12, R.A.D.A.R. will perform at Ma Riis Park in downtown Harrison. Brick oven pizza from Pizza a Legna will be available on July 12. On Thursday, July 13, FDR Drive will perform at the West Harrison Village Green.
Engineering for Kids From Monday, Aug. 14 through Friday, Aug. 18. All classes to be held at the Sollazzo Center. For second-graders, “Junior Chemical Engineering” will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, and “LEGO WeDo Robot” will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For grades 3–8, “Minecraft: Traveling into the Future” will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, and “LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Robogames” will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information and to register, call 2462606 or email westchester@engineeringforkids.net.
Basketball Camp From Monday, Aug. 21 through Friday, Aug. 25 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For boys and girls grades 3–8. Instruction in ball handling, shooting, dribbling, passing with demonstration on how to make yourself a better basketball player. Fee: $220, made payable to the Town/Village of Harrison.
Engineering Using LEGO From Monday, Aug. 21 through Friday, Aug. 25 at the Leo Mintzer Center and Monday, Aug. 28 through Friday, Sept. 1 at the Sollazzo Center. There are morning sessions from 9 a.m. to noon for ages 5 to 7, and afternoon sessions from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for ages 8 to 12. For more information and to register, visit play-well.org.
Harrison school news The Feeley Fund The Eugene J. Feeley Harrison High School, Student Aid Fund Inc. has awarded grants to four Harrison High School 2017 graduates: Caroline DeCarlo, attending Pennsylvania State University; Michael Maida, attending the University of New Hampshire at Durham; Steven Maldonado, attending the University of Pennsylvania; and Mariah Reyes, attending Sacred Heart University. Headed by Dr. Christopher Tyler, the Faculty Selection Committee chooses students who are accepted at accredited colleges and are financially eligible. The Feeley Fund, established in 1967, is a continuation of the Harrison High School Scholarship Fund begun in 1947. Since then, more than 1000 students have received more than $550,000 in financial aid. Lola Geiger, executive director of the Feeley Fund, ably assisted by Mary Riguzzi, thanks all Harrison residents, parents and faculty for providing the financial assistance for these worthy young people. Contributions may be sent to: The Feeley Fund, 255 Union Ave., Harrison, NY 10528. The Class of 2018 may obtain information about the Feeley Fund from the Guidance Department of the Harrison High School. 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.
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Harrison REVIEW
THE
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Publisher | Howard Sturman ext. 21, publisher@hometwn.com Christian Falcone Associate Publisher | Editor-in-Chief ext. 19, chris@hometwn.com Sports Editor | Mike Smith ext. 22, sports@hometwn.com Assistant Editor | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 25, sibylla@hometwn.com
Harrison High seniors bid farewell
The class of 2017 left its mark on the Harrison school district as 285 seniors took part in the school’s commencement exercises on Friday, June 23, at SUNY Purchase’s Performing Arts Center.
Class President Adam Eljamal address his fellow classmates at graduation. Photos courtesy Monica Miles
Reporter | Corey Stockton ext. 16, corey@hometwn.com Reporter | Franco Fino ext. 18, franco@hometwn.com General Assignment | Taylor Brown ext. 30, taylor@hometwn.com Graphic Designer | Arthur Gedin Graphic Designer | Jim Grasso Advertising | Lindsay Sturman ext. 14, lsturman@hometwn.com Advertising Coordinator | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 27, ads@hometwn.com Staff Writer James Pero Staff Photographers Andrew Dapolite, Jen Parente Columnists Ron Belmont, Lenore Skenazy Letters The community’s opinion matters. If you have a view to express, write a letter to the editor by email to chris@hometwn.com. Please include a phone number and name for verification purposes. Community Events If you have an event you would like to share with the community, send it to news@hometwn.com. Delivery For home delivery or to subsribe, call (914) 653-1000 x27. Classifieds & Legals To post your notices or listings, call (914) 653-1000 x27. Postmaster Send address changes to: The Harrison Review c/o HomeTown Media Group, 170 Hamilton Ave., Suite 203 White Plains, N.Y. 10601 Visit us online www.harrisonreview.com
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Kendall Lefkowitz speaks to the audience.
Senior Thomas Baruzzi offers remarks.
Schools Superintendent Dr. Louis Wool gives sage advice to the Class of 2017 during Harrison High School’s commencement ceremony at Purchase College.
Harrison High School Principal Kimberly Beukema bids farewell to the graduates on Friday, June 23.
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Walter’s Hot Dogs to open in Stamford
Mamaroneck’s Walter’s Hot Dogs has announced two new locations this year: one in White Plains and one in Stamford, Connecticut. File photo
By TAYLOR BROWN General Assignment Reporter
roneck location last winter, and the delivery service has become “something we fully support as a business.” The latest Walter’s location will have a similar to set up to the Mamaroneck location’s roadside stand. There won’t be any seating provided by Walter’s, but Baca said that there are more than 20 tables in the park where restaurant-goers are encouraged to sit and enjoy their meals. “I think it’ll be well-received in the area,” said Jack Condlin, president and CEO of the Stamford Chamber of Commerce. Condlin explained he believed that Walter’s style of grab-and-go meals is a perfect fit for the park,
which is surrounded by residential and office buildings. As for the menu, Baca said that it will include the classic hot dogs, along with some specialty dishes that have been tested out on the Walter’s food trucks. This includes puffy dogs, Bavarian pretzel buns, cinnamon sticks and funnel cake fries. Due to limited space, Walter’s, which typically makes its Italian ice and ice cream in house, will be selling soft-serve ice cream instead. “We’re looking forward to having [Walter’s] open up,” Condlin said.
Walter’s Hot Dogs is planning to permanently bring its famous hot dogs across the border to Connecticut, by the end of August. The news comes a little more than a month after the second Walter’s location in White Plains was revealed. The third permanent installment of Walter’s will be located in Harbor Point at 200 Commons Park South in Stamford, Connecticut. “We’ve had a lot of interest in the past to open in Stamford,” said Gene-Christian Baca, owner CONTACT: taylor@hometwn.com and operator of Walter’s. He explained that Walter’s had developed a relationship with Business and Land Technology, BLT, a real-estate firm located in Stamford, which is currently working on re-development in Harbor Point. “[We] saw their vision and what [BLT is] currently doing at Harbor Point,” he said. “It was something we wanted to be a part of.” According to Baca, the stand will be open all year-round. “We plan to be there longterm,” Baca told the Review. Baca said that with this new location, Walter’s plans to focus heavily on deliveries by using UberEATS, a food delivery service run by Uber. The third permanent location of Walter’s Hot Dogs will be in Commons He said that Walter’s began Park South in Stamford, Connecticut. Photo courtesy Facebook.com/ using UberEATS at their Mama- harborpointstamford
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Emma Rose Abramson Leah Jordan Abramson Marvin Aca Samuel Adler Valeria Aguilar-Vargas Kevin Aguirre Nahuel Agustin Aguirre Umar Ahmed Frankie Damil Alba Adam Daniel Alper Melanie Berenice Alvarado Contreras Jason Thomas Amoriello Leslie Yaejin An Amit Ankawa Darion Alan Arango Muhammad Ishaq Asif Diana E. Attilio Allyson N. Baffour Owusu Daniel Scott Baker Brian Francis Barry Jared Bryce Bartman Thomas Baruzzi Johnny Belardo Jr. Noah Francis Bender Alexander Benedict Danielle Emily Bergman Nicholas Anthony Bilotta Ramzi Radi Bishtawi Cody Scott Bowers Karina Marie Brachlow Eric Christopher Bratberg Nicholas Joseph Bratberg Dahlia S. J. Brennan Michelle Brissett Rachael Ray Brissett Phillip Buffone Peter F. Burkhardt Laura Catherine Pellegrino Byrd Andres Cabre Correa Eddie William Cacsire Jordan Benjamin Canell Lucas Cannizzaro Angel Luis Castro Cynthia Castro Melquisedec Castro Aleksandrs Ceremisinovs Brooke Karen Chaco Michael Anthony Cherico Daniel Choe Megan Ann Clow Maya Coben Frank Daniel Coloccia Allie Coonin Tamyia T. Corbin Derrick Cosby Cassandra Alecia Cruz
Lucero Estefani Cruz Rodriguez Kyle Joseph Cummins Kiera Mariah Cutri Isabelle Johanna Daraio William Jackson Daraio Caroline C. R. A. De Schryver Kathryn Elisabeth DeBois Olivia Ann DeLuca Alexis Jennifer Demirjian Allen S. Denis Valenzuela Leonardo Monteiro DeSouza Joseph Carl Deutmeyer Yousef Diab Alejandra Victoria Diaz Julia DiNota Julia Johanna DiRusso Joseph Vikram Dolinak Nicholas Vincent D’Onofrio Robert William Donohue Giuliana Cardoso Dos Santos John Carlo Dos Santos Adam Musa Eljamal Nicholas Paul Erb Alexander Joseph Fameli Ryan Adam Feliciano Gabriel Ferreira Ryann Kate Fitzgerald Alissa Fogelson Christopher Forgione Nicole Forgione Krizia Anna Franciosa Jerome Xander Francisco Danielle A. Frattarola Christian Thomas Fugarino Maxim Alexander Fujita Christopher Joseph Gaeta Tasha Garayo Connor Molloy Gates Kendall Gaynes Alexander Vasilis Gianaris Andrew Gisondi Jason Giuliani Miwa May Goble Benjamin Goldman Delosangeles Gomez Vito Gaetano Gonnella David Rodrigo Gonzalez Nadia Christine Gonzalez Vanessa Anne Gordon Brooke Victoria Goulas Thomas Robert Gresham Elijah Noam Gropper Anton Guastella Serina Maria Guilianti Kyra Gurny Brad Aaron Guzman Naomi Guzman Hamza Hamid
Marisol Rene Hansen Elijah David Haribaran Jessica Hart Christopher Heffelfinger Matthew Hendler Michael Hendler Valeria Hesse Krista Hoffman Andrew R. Hollander Ryan Homem Alexandra Huhne Kayla Hymowitz Ehizogie Lington Ighobor Adriana Iolascon Kana Iwasa Sophia Magdalena Jacobi James Dominick Jacobson Kerby Marien-Sebastien Jean-Charles Jr. Taylor Marie Jones Gresi Kalamishi Alexander Kall Blossom Israel Kapio Dylan Karofsky Taylor Kelly Yelena Mary Kelly William Kim Daniel Scott Klein Mark J. Koenig Nimah O. Kohari Yuki Kojima Spencer Emerson Korek Nicole Rose Krgin Brady Vanderslice Lefkowitz Kendall Harra Lefkowitz Jennifer Lil Leighton Dylan Levkoff Eliana Sarah Litos Sonny John LoFranco Rachel Loguidice Sofia LoMedico Joseph Lucio Lopez Antezano Ross Anthony Macchia Jr. Michael Maida Steven Maldonado Angelo G Marciano-Sciola William R. Marriott Alex Marsh Jennifer Marsh Baxter Scott Martin Jay Gutierrez Martins Nicole Renee McAdam Sarah Jean McKinsey Matthew Richmond McLaughlin Morgan Eileen-Elizabeth McNelly Tiffany A. Medina
Richa Mehra Jake Logan Meyler Vincent Scott Miculcy Misa Miida Sophie Mittman Mariana Isabel Molero Zambrano Christopher Mora Sumino Mori Timothy Albert Morris Kristine Rose Moschetta Grant D. Muller Amina Cecilia Naddschar Kukai Nakahata Sabrina Nicole Narvesen Japhet Ndong Ella Tyler Andrew Neese Erin Elizabeth Nelson Jayme Alves Neto Lauren H. Nielsen Theodora Nitis Sofia Isabel Noejovich Matthew Novak Joseph Novello Nicole Marie Nuvoloni Anthony Michael Oppedisano Samantha O’Reilly Heymi Ortega Kota Otsuka Odalis J. Panza Gonzales Jackson Richard Paonetti Alycia Del Sol Pascual-Peña Ashlee Paulino Douglas Pazitka-Dorado Jr. Romy Morgan Pein Gabriel Pereira Nicole Pereira Gianna Pesce Luke Karel Petermann Jessica M. Petrucci Elisa Pettinato Joelle Philippo Raphael Piliero Sophia Pirinea Brianne Pittelli William Donald Pizzutello Allison Platte Laura Pauline Marie Powell Jessica Prado Sebastian Prado Gianna Nicole Prignano Charles Principato Luca Principe Diego Ryu Quinones Christina Danielle Rago Ellery Mohan Rajagopal Maribel Ramirez Martinez Madeline Valerie Rawson
Steven Reda Mariah Grace Reyes Lauren Riccobono Julie Nicole Robertson Karinha Robles Ramirez Andrew Roland Rocchi Jennifer Rodriguez Sebastian Rolon Jasmine Alexis Rosa Janice Rose Rosales Isabel Rosenstein Jacob Nathan Rosenthal Matthew Rossi Benjamin M. Rubin Danielle Ruff Kate Ryan Cory Joseph Sala Elijah Salem Chantale Santiago Brandonlee Santos Mustapha U. Sarki Lea E. Sarmiento Daniel Michael Schapiro Chloe Ray Schettino Jackson Gabriel Schultz Max L. Scoli Theresa Shanahan Lily Hannah Sherwood Sebastian Andrew Shires Lucca Soriano Siqueira Kyle Daichi Slater Kyle Dominick Stalteri Andie Blake Steinberg Luke Martin Steinthal Nikole Estefania Tapia Corral Oscar Vincent Terrana Taylor Brock Theis Amanda Tigani Christopher Tigani Julian Andres Tola Cifuentes Christian Matthew Toledo Lesley Torres Isabella Tosto Santiago Urrutia-Soto Emily Rachel Vaccaro Aaron Vannoni Tuminaro Nicole Velasquez Max M. Verkuil Adolfo Viruet Nicole Waldman Christopher Jeffrey Whitson Jack A. Wilson Stephen Windisch Harrison Holden Witte Melissa Yanez Matthew Alexander Zinman Samantha Sarah Zinman Anastasia Zubov
July 7, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 9
Caramoor Center gala welcomes summer
From left, Effie Fribourg, advisory council member for Caramoor Center for Music and Art, and Alexandra Fribourg. Contributed photos
The Caramoor Center for Music and Arts welcomed the arrival of the 2017 summer season with its annual benefit gala titled “Abbondanza Di Primavera: An Italian Evening at Caramoor.” The night’s festivities included a pre-performance
cocktail reception, an elegant Italian dinner al fresco, and premium concert seating in the Venetian theater. The concert celebrated 20 years of Bel Canto at Caramoor with A Night of Italian Opera and the After Dark post-performance party
with desserts and dancing. This year’s gala honored ArtsWestchester, the largest private arts council in New York State, for its steadfast support of Caramoor and arts advocacy in the Westchester community. (Submitted)
Caramoor Center for Music and Arts brought in members of Westchester County for the annual gala titled “Abbondanza Di Primavera: An Italian Evening at Caramoor.”
Little League achieves fundraising milestone
After reaching its goal in raising $50,000 for infield improvements, the Harrison Little League and town Recreation Department are taking steps towards its next phase of upgrades, asking for donations to fund the second phase of three projects. Photo courtesy Mike Connors
By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer The Harrison Little League has accomplished its goal in raising enough money for its first wave of improvements to the Brentwood Baseball Field. According to Mike Connors, a member of the board of directors of the little league, the Harrison Recreation Department and little league have retroactively raised $50,000 for construction to the baseball field that was completed in May, and are now actively taking steps toward the next phase of upgrades. “The support has been tremendous,” Connors told the Review, adding that the next step of the three separate improvement projects will consist of grading and leveling the field, and installing new sod for the entire outfield. “The first phase of improvements to the field was successful and we’re looking forward to the next phase.” The new construction, which is planned for the fall, is likely to include replacing sprinkler heads
in the outfield’s irrigation system as well. As of press time, the little league hasn’t established a fundraising goal for its second phase of improvements, but it is already accepting donations toward the project. The first phase of upgrades included a package of infield improvements such as a new pitcher’s mound, an up-to-date drainage plan, and installing new bases. As part of the $50,000 in updates, new sod and clay were installed to the infield, too. Connors said that a maintenance contract has been established with John Bulfamante & Sons Landscaping, which completed the infield renovation, to maintain the quality of the field throughout the year. Last season, flooding damaged the pitcher’s mound to the point where it was almost unplayable. According to Connors, to prevent that from happening again, the little league will need to regularly maintain the field. In order to raise money for the rest of the improvements, the
Recreation Department and little league will continue asking residents to purchase banners to be displayed at the field, which is located at 140 Webster Ave. On top of the banner sponsorships, which cost $500, the league is also accepting regular donations to get started on its next step of construction. Connors told the Review proceeds from the Andrew Gurgitano Memorial Golf Outing held on June 21 will also be donated to the Brentwood Field Renovation project to kick-start fundraising efforts. Gurgitano, who played for the little league, died suddenly in 2014. As of press time, there is no date set for the third wave of improvements to construct a new scorer’s booth, which would house the scoreboard’s controls and a new sound system. There is also no estimation for how that project will cost. Superintendent of Recreation Gerry Salvo could not be reached for comment, as of press time. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
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Fourth candidate to run for receiver of taxes it easier for seniors to pay their taxes. “It would be nice if the tax collector could—in case someone couldn’t get to the office—go pick up their check for someone who is disabled,” she added, although admitted that she didn’t know whether this would be legal. Ultimately, Pesce could run against as many as three Republicans in the November election. In addition to Mastrogiacomo-Luongo, registered Republican Michael Giordano has announced his intention to primary for the right to run on the Republican line. And Maria Mioli Pennella, also a registered Republican, is running as a Democrat, with endorsements from the Conservative, Working Families and Woman’s Equality lines. The receiver of taxes is elected to a four-year term with an annual salary of $101,050 per year. Election Day is on Nov. 7.
By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer In what has become the most contested political battle in the town/village of Harrison this year, there are now four candidates seeking the elected receiver of taxes position, as business manager Helen Pesce has announced plans to run as an independent. Pesce, a registered member of the Independence Party, said she plans to primary for the right to run on that line against Rosa Mastrogiacomo-Luongo, a registered Republican who already secured the endorsement of the Independence Party. But Pesce, 53, added that regardless of the outcome of the Sept. 12 primary, she will also run as an independent candidate. The manager of CTNY Limousine, Pesce highlighted her community involvement when discussing her qualifications for the position of tax receiver. She has spent 14 years on the town Beautification Foundation, nine years on the Board of Assessment Review, and has also been a member of the PTA, the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club. “With my background I just felt that it could be a good fit for the position,” she told the Review. “As you get older, you say, ‘What
Helen Pesce
is my purpose in life?’ I always love to help people; I’m a natural networker with people. I’m a natural people-person.” Pesce added that she was entering the race armed with innovative ideas to shake up the tax department. She said that she wanted to make the tax roll available for viewing online, bringing Harrison in line with neighboring communities. “Almost anywhere, nowadays, you can go online and get your tax information,” she said. She added that she would like to conduct tax seminars or webinars for Harrison residents, helping them to better understand the tax code and their personal tax bills. Pesce also said that she would like to find a way to make
CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com
The second annual Play2Learn festival will take place on Sunday, September 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Ma Riis Park. Contributed photo
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Eastchester REVIEW
Library hosts second Play2Learn festival
INSIDE WESTCHESTER COUNTY
170 Hamilton Ave., Suite 203 White Plains N.Y. 10601 (914) 653-1000 • www.hometwn.com
Westchester’s second Play2Learn Festival will be staged by the Harrison Public Library Foundation on Sunday, September 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event, which celebrates the importance of play in a child’s life, will be held in Ma Riis Park outside the library. “The Play2Learn Festival is all about the role of play in the development of children. Play contributes to their cognitive, physical, social and emotional well-being,” says Galina Chernykh, director of the Harrison Public Library. “It also gives parents an ideal opportunity to engage fully with their children.” Eight different play zones with
more than 25 hands-on activities will be distributed throughout the park. Play zones include creative play, science, music and dance, physical play, sensory experiences, make-believe, construction, and technology. Bubbles, science experiments, cookie art, animal mask-making, giant building blocks, science, technology, engineering and mathematics projects and an obstacle course are just a few of the activities. Popular partners and performers include Nora’s Ovenworks, A.I. Friedman, MacInspires, Clay Art Center, Curious-on-the-Hudson, Learn’ique, Chloe’s Kids, Songs for Seeds, and many more. “We were delighted with
the strong response to the first Play2Learn Festival,” says Dave Donelson, Harrison Public Library foundation president. “Over 1,500 parents and kids thronged the park and library and the feedback was tremendously positive. We look forward to an even bigger event this year.” The foundation sponsors the event through donations from numerous Westchester companies and individuals. Popular food trucks will sell refreshments and musical entertainment will be ongoing. The Harrison Public Library is at 2 Bruce Ave. in Harrison. For more information, visit harrisonpl.org/play2learn. (Submitted)
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NOTICE TO BIDDERS HARRISON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Notice is hereby given that SEALED PROPOSALS for: RFB # 17/18-16: Landscaping Supplies will be received until 2:15 p.m. on Monday, July 17, 2017 at the Business Office of the Harrison Central School District, located at 50 Union Avenue, Harrison, NY 10528; (914) 630-3011. All bids will be publicly opened and read at said time and place. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained at www.bidnetdirect.com/new-york or from the district Business Office beginning Wednesday, July 5, 2017. All bid addenda will be transmitted to registered bid holders and posted to www.bidnetdirect.com/new-york. Bids shall be submitted in sealed envelopes bearing the name and address of the bidder on the outside, addressed to: PURCHASING AGENT, HARRISON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT and clearly marked on the outside with the bid opening date and “RFB # 17/18-16: Landscaping Supplies”. The Harrison Central School District is not responsible for bids opened prior to the bid opening if bid number and opening date do not appear on the envelope. Bids opened prior to the date and time indicated are invalid. The bidder assumes the risk of any delay in the mail, or in the handling of the mail by employees of the Harrison Central School District, as well as improper hand delivery. The Harrison Central School District reserves the right to waive any informalities in the bids, or to reject all bids, or to accept any bid which in the opinion of the Board will be to their best interest. By order of the Board of Education Gene George, Purchasing Agent, Dated: July 5, 2017 NOTICE TO BIDDERS HARRISON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Notice is hereby given that SEALED PROPOSALS for: RFB # 17/18-13c: Acoustic Wall and Canopy Components will be received until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 13, 2017 at the Business Office of the Harrison Central School District, located at 50 Union Avenue, Harrison, NY 10528; (914) 630-3011. All bids will be publicly opened and read at said time and place. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained at www.bidnetdirect.com/new-york or from the district Business Office beginning Wednesday, July 5, 2017. All bid addenda will be transmitted to registered bid holders and posted to www.bidnetdirect.com/new-york. Bids shall be submitted in sealed envelopes bearing the name and address of the bidder on the outside, addressed to: PURCHASING AGENT, HARRISON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT and clearly marked on the outside with the bid opening date and “RFB # 17/18-13c: Acoustic Wall and Canopy Components”. The Harrison Central School District is not responsible for bids opened prior to the bid opening if bid number and opening date do not appear on the envelope. Bids opened prior to the date and time indicated are invalid. The bidder assumes the risk of any delay in the mail, or in the handling of the mail by employees of the Harrison Central School District, as well as improper hand delivery. The Harrison Central School District reserves the right to waive any informalities in the bids, or to reject all bids, or to accept any bid which in the opinion of the Board will be to their best interest. By order of the Board of Education Gene George, Purchasing Agent, Dated: July 5, 2017
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LEGAL NOTICES Notice of Formation of Ellen Del Colle Consulting Services LLC. Arts of Org. filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 04/27/17. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 10 Field End Lane, Eastchester, NY 10709. Purpose: any lawful activity.
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NOTICE TO BIDDERS HARRISON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Notice is hereby given that SEALED PROPOSALS for: RFB # 17/18-14c: Audio Upgrades at Harrison High School Music Suite will be received until 2:15 p.m. on Thursday, July 13, 2017 at the Business Office of the Harrison Central School District, located at 50 Union Avenue, Harrison, NY 10528; (914) 630-3011. All bids will be publicly opened and read at said time and place. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained at www.bidnetdirect.com/new-york or from the district Business Office beginning Wednesday, July 5, 2017. All bid addenda will be transmitted to registered bid holders and posted to www.bidnetdirect.com/new-york. Bids shall be submitted in sealed envelopes bearing the name and address of the bidder on the outside, addressed to: PURCHASING AGENT, HARRISON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT and clearly marked on the outside with the bid opening date and “RFB # 17/18-14c: Audio Upgrades at Harrison High School Music Suite”. The Harrison Central School District is not responsible for bids opened prior to the bid opening if bid number and opening date do not appear on the envelope. Bids opened prior to the date and time indicated are invalid. The bidder assumes the risk of any delay in the mail, or in the handling of the mail by employees of the Harrison Central School District, as well as improper hand delivery. The Harrison Central School District reserves the right to waive any informalities in the bids, or to reject all bids, or to accept any bid which in the opinion of the Board will be to their best interest. By order of the Board of Education Gene George, Purchasing Agent, Dated: July 5, 2017 NOTICE TO BIDDERS HARRISON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Notice is hereby given that SEALED PROPOSALS for: RFB # 17/18-15: Masonry Supplies will be received until 2:00 p.m. on Monday, July 17, 2017 at the Business Office of the Harrison Central School District, located at 50 Union Avenue, Harrison, NY 10528; (914) 630-3011. All bids will be publicly opened and read at said time and place. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained at www.bidnetdirect.com/new-york or from the district Business Office beginning Wednesday, July 5, 2017. All bid addenda will be transmitted to registered bid holders and posted to www.bidnetdirect.com/new-york. Bids shall be submitted in sealed envelopes bearing the name and address of the bidder on the outside, addressed to: PURCHASING AGENT, HARRISON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT and clearly marked on the outside with the bid opening date and “RFB # 17/18-15: Masonry Supplies”. The Harrison Central School District is not responsible for bids opened prior to the bid opening if bid number and opening date do not appear on the envelope. Bids opened prior to the date and time indicated are invalid. The bidder assumes the risk of any delay in the mail, or in the handling of the mail by employees of the Harrison Central School District, as well as improper hand delivery. The Harrison Central School District reserves the right to waive any informalities in the bids, or to reject all bids, or to accept any bid which in the opinion of the Board will be to their best interest. By order of the Board of Education Gene George, Purchasing Agent, Dated: July 5, 2017
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“Where Family Matters Most”
July 7, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 13
July 2017
Planning ahead... SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY National Parks Month
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National Picnic Month National Postal Worker Day
World UFO Day
2
3
Summer Concert Series: Frank and the Wanders 8 p.m., downtown Harrison
Independence Day
4
5
10
11
World Population Day
Architectural Review Board 7:30 p.m., Municipal building
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18
7
Summer Concert Series: Tracy DeLucia 7 p.m., West Harrison
Fireworks 9:15 p.m., Harrison Shopping Center
9
6
12
Summer Concert Series: R.A.D.A.R. 7 p.m., Ma Riis Park
19
Summer Concert Series: Jackie DiMaggio 7 p.m., Ma Riis Park
13
Summer Concert Series: FDR Drive 7 p.m., West Harrison
Video Games Day
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Zoning board 8 p.m., Municipal building
Moon Day
20
Town/village board meeting 7 p.m., Municipal building Summer Concert Series: Rat Race Choir 7 p.m., West Harrison
Parent’s Day
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International Friendship Day
25
Planning Board 7:30 p.m., Municipal building
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Summer Concert Series: Club Dennis 6:30 p..m, Harrison & Halstead aves.
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Summer Concert Series: Prognosis 7 p.m., West Harrison
14 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • July 7, 2017
Everybody hurts LIVE MIKE Mike Smith
If Major League Baseball was looking for a new storyline to supplant its pace-of-play problems this year, I don’t think “Why are all these players getting injured?” ranked too high on its list of potential narrative replacements. But here we find ourselves, nearly at the midway point of the season, and the proliferation of injuries—especially to star players—has become a major talking point about the season, and it sure doesn’t seem like there is any end in sight. As of June 30, MLB teams have placed a grand total of 383 players on the disabled list, which means that it won’t be all that long before the number of sidelined players blows away totals from the last two years (416 made trips to the DL in 2015 and 475 did so in 2016). The questions asked by sports pundits, fans and owners all
across the sport are “Why is this happening?” and “What can we do to prevent it?” Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a simple answer to either one. In any sport, there is obviously going to be a number of unavoidable freak injuries that cause players to miss time. Just think about Indians’ hurler Corey Kluber missing a playoff start after a mishap with a drone required stitches on his pitching hand, or, more recently, Yankee call-up Dustin Fowler tearing his patellar tendon after crashing into an outfield wall just a half-inning into his major league debut. Those kinds of things are just going to happen. But there are other injuries that seem, on the surface, like they could be avoidable. The best player in the majors, Mike Trout, will miss roughly eight weeks after tearing a ligament in his thumb during a headfirst slide. On Thursday night, Nationals’ speedy sensation Trea Turner broke his wrist on a similar play, leading many to question
SPORTS
the time-honored baseball tradition of hurling one’s self top-end forward into a base. But a change in players’ sliding behaviors isn’t going to change overnight. Many of these MLB players, some of whom have been sliding the same way for 20-plus years, won’t be quick to embrace a feet-first approach. At some point, muscle memory takes over. If guys are going to stop sliding headfirst, that is going to have to start at the youth, high school and minor league levels. But to be honest, that’s not even the real problem. If you ask most baseball people, the most troubling issue facing teams right now is keeping pitchers healthy. There is no quicker way to sink a team’s season than to see its ace—or, in the case of the Mets—its entire starting rotation/M*A*S*H unit, sidelined by a myriad of arm issues. Some, like Mets’ color analyst Ron Darling, blame training staffs’ insistence on building muscle mass and velocity over promoting flexibility. Others believe it’s a function of players
Mets’ starter Noah Syndergaard is one of several high-profile MLB players to spend a bulk of the 2017 season on the disabled list. Sports Editor Mike Smith thinks that this is a story the league would like to ignore. Photo courtesy MLB.org
specializing too early and throwing too many pitches before their bodies finish developing. Even more feel that simply toeing the rubber for the Amazins’ represents a risk to one’s bodily harm, which is something I can’t quite disagree with. So yeah, it’s a rough time to be an MLB player, and proba-
bly a worse time—at least psychologically—to be a team employee who works to keep these guys healthy. It may be worst of all for executives in charge of a league that was desperate to get any sort of news coverage that didn’t involve four-hour games and a need for pitch clocks to be instituted and now has to deal
with the fact that its players are dropping like flies. Baseball may be an integral part of American culture. But if this keeps up, playing the sport may as well be a pre-existing condition.
Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports
TO COVER LOCAL SPORTS, YOU NEED A
LIVE MIKE! Follow Mike Smith @LiveMike_Sports stats • recaps • commentary Follow Mike Smith @harrisonreview for Mike’s live, in-game action updates
SPORTS
July 7, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 15
Local rowers shine at nationals By JUSTIN GRANT Contributor If one thing is certain, it’s that RowAmerica Rye men’s team has a taste for gold. Since RowAmerica Rye opened its doors in March of 2013, the fact that the men’s team captured a total of three gold medals—in back-to-back years— is just unfathomable. One of the gold medalists savoring the moment at nationals in Sarasota, Florida, from June 9-11, was Gus Rodriguez, who graduated from Rye High School with two gold medals. Last year, he took home gold in the coxed four at nationals, and last week, he captured gold in a pair. This year, the RowAmerica Rye boat, crewed by Rodriguez and Greenwich, Connecticut, native Sean Hayes, edged rival Newport by 0.2 seconds to capture the gold. “It’s been a surreal experience both times,” Rodriguez said. “It was a very close race it came down to the last stroke at the end, and when we finished, I didn’t
know who won,” Rodriguez said that he and Hayes were confident heading into nationals, having already seen some of the best boats in the country at least year’s championship. “We are strong enough to win,” Rodriguez added. Following the victory at nationals, Rodriguez praised head coach Aleksandar Radovic on his the ability to get his team ready for the event. “Coach Radovic pushes us so well,” he said. “I felt like we knew what we were capable of but we just had to get stronger technically.” Rodriguez, who graduated from Rye High School on June 17, said he will try out for the junior nationals event in California and hopes to continue his success in the rowing world. Although the boys’ team took gold from the event, however, the top spot proved elusive for the club’s girls’ boats. The girls’ openweight four and lightweight four finished in third place, but the quad came in fifth,
and the pair came in 11th. Before coach Marko Serafimovski and his team arrived at nationals, he laid out a strong message to the girls. “Keep your feet on the ground and do not get too excited,” he said. “Always stay on top of your game, work hard, get a good night’s rest, stay disciplined, and to watch what they eat.” He added that trust between him and his rowers played a huge part in their road to success during the season and at nationals. Serafimovski stressed that one major technique his team needs to improve on is their posture. He went on to say that the major thing the team worked on to prepare for nationals was teamwork. “Make sure you rely on each other on the boat and trust one another,” he said. “Stay together in the water, we are about teamwork.” As Serafimovski looks ahead to next season, he has high hopes for the women’s team, which is still looking to capture its first-ever gold medal at nationals.
RowAmerica Rye team members pose with their regional medals on May 21. Contributed photos
The RowAmerica Rye women’s youth lightweight four boat receives their gold medals at the Northeast regional qualifier. The boat took bronze at nationals.
Gus Rodriguez, right, and Sean Hayes crew the RowAmerica Rye pair boat in Worcester, Massachusetts on May 21. On June 11, they won the gold medal at the USRowing National Championships in Sarasota, Florida.
16 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • July 7, 2017