Harrison REVIEW THE
September 1, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 35 | www.harrisonreview.com
Giordano revives candidacy on appeal By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer An appellate court has reversed a decision by the Westchester County Board of Elections putting Michael Giordano back in the mix for the upcoming Harrison receiver of taxes election. The 2nd Department of the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division validated Giordano’s appeal on Aug. 22, qualifying him to run in a primary against Rosa Mastrogiacomo-Luongo, the Republican Party-backed candidate. Eugene Warrington, owner of Walter’s However, despite the victory, Hot Dogs, died on Saturday, Aug. 27, the candidate will face one more but leaves behind a lasting legacy. hurdle in certifying his bid for For more, see page 3. office—an upcoming ruling by Photo courtesy Gene-Christian Baca the New York Court of Appeals, which will be a final determination in the case. “Why can’t we just let the people vote on Sept. 12th and decide who is qualified and deserving of the job?” Giordano told the Review. “I guess this is what polimissioner Peter DeLucia in this ing containers that should be dis- tics is all about.” Earlier this month, Giordabrief video on the Department of carded or turned over to prevent no, who currently works in the Health website at Health.West- collecting water. chesterGov.com/west-nile-virus Check and remove standing Harrison tax receiver’s office, and follow these tips: water from children’s toys and challenged the county Board of Elections, BOE, determination in Avoid the outdoors in the late play houses left outside. state Supreme Court that resulted afternoon and early evening when Remove discarded tires. mosquitoes are active and feedDrill holes in the bottoms of all in him being removed from the ing, and use insect repellents recycling containers that are left ballot. After the court upheld the BOE’s decision, Giordano filed when outdoors during these times. outdoors. Be sure to follow the instructions Turn over plastic wading pools, another appeal with the appellate on the label. buckets and wheelbarrows when court. The candidate was removed Adults can apply insect repel- not in use. lents with up to 30 percent DEET Change the water in birdbaths from the primary ballot after more than half of the objections on infants over two months of age at least twice weekly. by applying the product to their Keep storm drains and gutters filed with the BOE by a Harrison resident were upheld, some of own hands and then rubbing their clear of leaves and debris. hands on their children. Products Even with the swimming sea- which contended that the signacontaining DEET are not recom- son over, continue to chlorinate tures Giordano collected did not mended for use on children under swimming pools, outdoor spas correctly list the proper municitwo months of age. and hot tubs until properly win- pality which he was bidding for Wear protective clothing, such terized or drained for the season. office. In total, the BOE sustained as long pants, long-sleeved shirts Also, if not chlorinated, drain any and socks, when outdoors, espe- water that collects on their covers. 200 objections of 377 that were Residents who notice large ar- filed, leaving Giordano short of cially in areas where mosquitoes eas of standing water on public the required 285 signatures needare active and feeding. Check around your property property should report this to the ed to trigger a primary against for tin cans, plastic containers, ce- Westchester County Department Mastrogiacomo-Luongo. Other objections suggested ramic pots or similar water-hold- of Health at 813-5000. (Submitted)
Gone
but not forgotten
First positive West Nile virus case in Westchester Westchester County has learned of its first human case of West Nile virus this year, which was confirmed in a 63-year-old Briarcliff Manor resident who had been hospitalized, and is now recovering at home. The Westchester County Department of Health found signs of mosquito breeding activity around the resident’s home and removed them. “This first case of West Nile virus should serve as a reminder to residents to take precautions against mosquito bites by removing standing water from their property after it rains and using repellents when they spend time outdoors, especially from dusk to dawn, when mosquitoes are most active,” said Westchester County Health Comissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler,. The health department prepared for the mosquito season by educating the public through news releases and Keep Healthy and Bug Off messages distributed
through flyers, social media, and on our website, by giving fathead minnows to residents with ponds to reduce the mosquito population and by evaluating and treating as needed with larvicide all catch basins on county and municipal roads throughout Westchester. Throughout the season, the department also traps and tests mosquitoes to track the presence of mosquito-borne viruses in the county. West Nile virus was identified in two local mosquito batches starting July 18. West Nile virus infection most often causes a mild or moderate flu-like illness, but can be more serious particularly for people 60 and older, and those with other health complications. No residents were diagnosed with West Nile virus last year, but from 2010 to 2015, two to four residents were diagnosed each year and all recovered. To reduce the chances for mosquitoes to breed and bite around your home, watch Assistant Com-
that the candidate is not a resident of the town/village of Harrison and that he received petition signatures from residents that are not registered in the Republican Party. In July, Giordano’s candidacy was called into question after the Review discovered that he also owns a home in the village of Brewster in Putnam County in addition to his residence at 14 Woodside Ave. in West Harrison. Previously, Giordano told the Review he spends most of his time in Harrison. However, on tax forms, he has indicated that his primary residence is his Blossom Lane property in Brewster. Under that address, Giordano collects a School Tax Relief Exemption, known as the STAR exemption, which he’s received since 2001. 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, defined as the location where they spend the majority of their time. The receiver of taxes race has grabbed the spotlight in this year’s Harrison elections, where the mayor, town clerk and two members of the Town Council are up for re-election. If the appeal is upheld, a Sept. 12 GOP primary between Giordano and Mastrogiacomo-Luongo will take place with the winner then opposing Maria Mioli Pennella, a registered Republican running on the Democratic line, and Helen Pesce, running as an independent candidate, in the general election. The position of receiver of taxes is elected to a four-year term and pays an annual salary of $101,050. As of press time, a court date has not been scheduled with the state Court of Appeals. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com