Harrison REVIEW THE
December 22 & 29, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 51 | www.harrisonreview.com
Astorino vetoes budget; legislators ready for override By JAMES PERO Staff Writer
nounced by Astorino. The deal seeks to reclassify the airport under a Federal Aviation Administration-run program that allows participants to transition their publicly owned airports into the private sector and then use subsequent revenue towards an operating budget. In November, Macquarie Infrastructure Corporation agreed to a $1 billion deal that would extend for 40 years and throughout its lifespan pay the county $595 million on top of $550 million in capital improvements at the airport. That deal will be subject to the approval of an incoming administration of County Executive-elect George Latimer, a Democrat, who has so far been critical of the privatization. Latimer will be sworn into office in January. Without revenue from the airport deal, however, lawmakers worry that the county would be required to draw money from its reserve fund to cover expenses. Without a certain total in its reserve fund, Westchester County lawmakers risk taking a hit on their credit rating—particularly a rating by credit agency Moody’s—which dictates how easily the county can borrow money. Currently, Westchester has the second highest rating from Moody’s of AA1. Legislators will hold a vote to override the county executive’s veto on Thursday, Dec. 22, after press time.
After the inclusion of a tax rate increase and restoration of several cuts by county lawmakers, County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, officially vetoed a revised budget. “Such an action by the legislature was unnecessary and unacceptable to county taxpayers, already burdened with the highest combined property taxes in the nation,” Astorino said in his a message to the county Board of Legislators. How long Astorino’s veto will hold, however, remains to be seen, as county lawmakers say they have enough votes for an override. Originally legislators voted by a margin of 12-5 to pass the budget— enough votes for a supermajority, which would trigger an override. Nora’s Ovenworks crowned three winners at its second annual baking competition, In addition to raising the tax where kids in first through seventh grades were given an hour to complete their levy by 2 percent, the lawmakdishes, which were then presented to three judges from the Harrison community. ers’ proposed budget restored For story, see page 6. Photo courtesy Nora Brunnett positions to the county Parks Department, the county’s Planning and Engineering departments, as well as support staff for the county executive’s office. vocacy nonprofit based in New for office five times, losing a race ments come after state AssemblyIf the revised budget were By FRANCO FINO York City called the Greater New for Harrison Town Council in woman Shelley Mayer, of Yon- to pass, it would mark the first Staff Writer York Chamber of Commerce, an- 2009 and a Democratic primary kers; Bedford Town Supervisor time since Astorino took office in Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano nounced his candidacy on Dec. for a state Assembly seat the fol- Chris Burdick; and White Plains’ 2010 that county residents would and Harrison resident Mark Jaffe 12. lowing year. Kat Brezler, a teacher and former see an increase in their tax levy. “In these tumultuous times we are the latest candidates to anIn 2011, Jaffe ran for county campaign organizer for Vermont Lawmakers say the tax levy nounce their bid for the senate need to be unified,” Jaffe said in a legislator, but lost that Democrat- Sen. Bernie Sanders during his increase is being included to seat that will be vacated when statement. “I pledge to fight every ic primary as well. In 2013, he presidential bid, have already help offset $30 million in reveGeorge Latimer becomes West- day to deliver necessary services was nominated by the party for said that they are interested in the nue from a deal privatizing the and maintain core Democratic the same seat, but ultimately lost Senate seat. chester County executive. county’s airport; a deal DemoThe Yonkers mayor, a Demo- values. If elected, I will fight for in the general election to incumThe Senate’s 37th District cov- crats have criticized since last crat, stated his interest in the posi- greater transparency in govern- bent Legislator David Gelfarb, a ers Rye, White Plains, Harrison, year when the initiative was an- CONTACT: james@hometwn.com tion officially in a video announce- ment, more affordable higher ed- Republican. Mamaroneck, Yonkers, North ment on Dec. 13. Spano is current- ucation, improved public health Jaffe ran another unsuccess- Castle, Bedford, and Eastchester. Follow us on Twitter @harrisonreview ly serving a second four-year term and safety, mass transit improve- ful campaign for Harrison Town Since a primary will not be ments and use my skills to help Council in 2015, when Republi- held for the vacated seat, county that is set to expire in 2019. Jaffe, who is currently the create good paying jobs.” cans won every seat on the board. Like us on facebook.com/harrisonreview chief executive of a business adJaffe has unsuccessfully ran SPANO continued on page 8 The candidates’ announce-
Batter up!
Spano, Jaffe jump into mix for Latimer’s vacated Senate seat
2 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • December 22 & 29, 2017
December 22 & 29, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 3
SUNY Purchase names new School of the Arts dean SUNY Purchase College has announced that Lorenzo Candelaria has been appointed dean of the School of the Arts. Candelaria, who is currently associate provost and professor of Music History at the University of Texas at El Paso,
UTEP, will replace Ravi Rajan, who left SUNY Purchase at the end of the 2016-2017 academic year to become president of California Institute of the Arts. Candelaria will begin his new role at Purchase College in July 2018.
A noted scholar and arts administrator, Candelaria brings decades experience in arts advocacy and arts education to SUNY Purchase. As dean of the School of the Arts, he will oversee the nationally acclaimed conservatories
of dance, music, and theatre arts, and the highly regarded School of Art+Design and arts management programs. “As a candidate, Dr. Candelaria presented a vision for the School of the Arts that built on his work to bring the arts to diverse American communities—an initiative that he has led as Associate Pro-
Lorenzo Candelaria, appointed dean of the School of the Arts for SUNY Purchase College. Photo courtesy Humanitiestexas.org
vost at UTEP,” said SUNY Purchase Provost Barry Pearson. “As dean, Dr. Candelaria will continue to broaden the relationship to the arts across campus, and extend it to communities beyond the college, while finding ways to bring greater national and international attention to Purchase College’s School of the Arts.” Candelaria said, “Purchase College is a transformative community that genuinely embraces the opportunities and challenges of transdisciplinarity, social inclusion, and global citizenship. I look forward to growing in this unique and stimulating environment while working hard with our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends to drive a national conversation on a central role for the arts in public education.” Candelaria received his undergraduate education at the Cleveland Institute of Music and Oberlin Conservatory where he studied violin under Victor Danchenko and Marilyn Macdonald. He received his PhD from Yale University with distinction in the field of historical musicology. Prior to arriving at UTEP in 2013, Candelaria served for 12 years on the musicology faculty of the University of Texas at Austin and, in 2006, held the position of distinguished faculty fellow in ethnomusicology at the Yale In-
stitute of Sacred Music. A dedicated advocate for the arts in education and in public discourses on pressing issues of the day, Candelaria currently holds the position of vice president for Education and Community Engagement with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Post-Classical Ensemble in Washington, D.C., an experimental orchestral laboratory that integrates music, theater, film, and dance in thematic programs that revitalize the concert experience and promote relevant roles for the arts in contemporary society. He is active nationally and internationally as a speaker and writer. Candelaria’s current research focuses on Catholic music cultures in Spain, Mexico, and in the Hispanic Southwestern United States. Recent books include “American Music: A Panorama,” and “The Rosary Cantoral: Ritual and Social Design in a Chantbook from Early Renaissance Toledo,” a winner of the American Musicological Society’s Robert M. Stevenson Award. His current book project, “Music in Early Mexican Catholicism,” focuses on the central roles of the visual and performing arts in the religious formation of indigenous communities in 16th century Mexico. (Submitted)
4 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • December 22 & 29, 2017
What’s going on... Harrison Public Library
For more information on hours and programs, visit harrisonpl.org. The libraries will be closed on Monday, Dec. 25 in observance of Christmas, and on Monday, Jan. 1 in observance of New Year’s Day.
Bilingual Storytime On Saturday, Dec. 23 from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the West Harrison Branch. For ages 1 to 6 years old. Stories and songs in English and Spanish with Miss Mariella. Join after Storytime for arts and crafts. El sábado, 25 de deciembre de 11 a.m. a 11:30 a.m. en West Harrison Branch. Para edades de 1 a 6 años. Historias y canciones en inglés y español con señorita Mariella. Únete después de Storytime para las artes y la artesanía.
Film: ‘Love the Coopers’ On Saturday, Dec. 23 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Library Building. “Love the Coopers” follows the Cooper clan as four generations of extended family come together for their annual Christmas eve celebration. As the evening unfolds, a series of unexpected visitors and unlikely events turn the night upside down, leading them all toward a surprising rediscovery of family bonds and the spirit of the holiday. Starring Diane Keaton, Alan Arkin and John Goodman. Rated PG13; running time: 107 minutes.
3-D Modeling with TinkerCAD On Tuesday, Dec. 26 through Thursday, Dec. 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Library Building. For children ages 8 to 12. Participants are encouraged to sign up for all three sessions. In these three-part classes, participants will cover
the basics of 3-D modeling. 3-D modeling is used to design everything from jewelry to cars to characters in movies and video games. Learn how to use TinkerCAD, a simple and fun tool which allows you to create a 3-D model of your own to be printed. One design per participant will be printed after the class and can be picked up in the following weeks. Space is limited. Registration is required. Please sign up online, by phone at 835-0324, or in person at the library.
Tuesday Scrabble Club On Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the West Harrison Branch. Once a week, come join other patrons who enjoy the board game of Scrabble as much as you do. For adults. Board games will be provided. Seating is very limited. Please register online, at the Reference Desk, or by calling the library at 948-2092.
Board Game Club: Pokémon for Beginners On Tuesday, Dec. 26 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the West Harrison Branch. For grades two and up. Come and learn how to play the fascinating game of Pokémon. In this session, you will learn the basics of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Play with the library’s decks or bring your own if you prefer. Advanced players are welcome to participate with their own decks. There will be a special guest who will demonstrate the rules of the game. Play with the pros. Registration is required to attend this event. Please register online, at the Reference Desk, or by calling the library at 948-2092.
Origami On Wednesday, Dec. 27 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Library Building. Volunteers will be offering an origami program over the school vacation. Suggested for ages 5 and up. No registration required.
Pajama Party with Chloe On Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the West Harrison Branch. Wear your pajamas and hang out with Chloe during this evening class, which fea-
tures songs, music and more. For ages up to 4 years old, siblings welcome. No registration required.
SCORE: One-On-One Mentoring On Wednesday, Dec. 27 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Library Building. SCORE Westchester matches you with experienced small business advisors who work with you on your specific business needs. These are just some of the items for which business owners often seek guidance from SCORE advisors: starting a small business in Westchester; writing or updating a business plan; identifying sources of funding and preparing documents for financing; creating a marketing plan; launching an additional location; and adjusting to growth. Registration is recommended. Call SCORE to schedule an appointment at 948-3907.
LEGO Animation On Thursday, Dec. 28 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the West Harrison Branch. For ages 6 and up. Children ages 6 and 7 must be accompanied by an adult. Join the library to make a fun LEGO stop motion animation. Please download the Stop Motion Studio app prior to the program if you plan to bring your own tablet with a built-in camera. The library has a limited number of webcams and laptops for participants to share. This program will be offered twice, at 2 p.m. and at 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 28. Space is limited. Please sign up for one session. Please register online, at the Reference Desk, or by calling the library at 948-2092.
Conversational Spanish On Fridays from noon to 1 p.m. at the West Harrison Branch. Improve your Spanish skills by practicing with Mariella. Knowledge of basic Spanish required.
Recreation Please be aware that parents must have a current Recreation ID card to register a child for all programs. Please be prepared to show proof of residency with a current utility bill and a driver’s license. A school report card or progress report is required for a child ID card. The 2018 Recreation ID cards are currently available. For the Leo Mintzer Center in West Harrison, call 949-5265; the Sollazzo Center in downtown Harrison, 670-3179. The Recreation Hotline can be reached at 670-3039. For more information, visit harrison-ny.gov/recreation.
Nerf Soccer Indoor play, soft soccer ball. This is a free fourweek program in January after school. At the Sollazzo Center from 3:20 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays starting Jan. 8 for kindergarteners; Tuesdays starting Jan. 2 for grades one and two; Wednesdays starting Jan. 3 for grades 3–5. At the Leo Mintzer Center from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on Mondays starting Jan. 8 for kindergarten and grade one; Tuesdays starting Jan. 2 for grades two and third; Wednesdays starting Jan. 3 for grades four and five.
Junior Mechanical Engineering The Junior Mechanical Engineering classes introduce the youngest engineers to fundamental concepts of energy, materials, and movement. Through open and focused exploration, students explore and construct their own roller coasters, catapults, cars, and more. For grades K–2 on Mondays, Jan. 8, 22 and 29, and Feb. 5, 12 and 26 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Veteran’s Memorial Building. Fee: $130,
made payable to Engineering for Kids. For more information, call 246-2606 or email Westchester@ EngineeringForKids.net.
Engineering Explorers This class is designed to introduce topics across all the fields of engineering. How far can we launch an object using a catapult? How fast can we go in our model cars? Come explore the answers to these questions and more with us. For grades 3–5 on Mondays, Jan. 8, 22 and 29, and Feb. 5, 12 and 26 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Veteran’s Memorial Building. Fee: $130, made payable to Engineering for Kids. For more information, call 246-2606 or email Westchester@EngineeringForKids.net.
Wrestling Come learn the fundamentals of wrestling. Participants need to wear sweatpants or shorts, sneakers and a T-shirt. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Jan. 9 through Feb. 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for grades 1–6 at LMK Middle School Gym B. Fee: $65, made payable to Town/Village of Harrison. For more information, email victorarcara@gmail.com.
County news Golf course closings The six county-owned golf courses will close for the season after play on Sunday, Dec. 31. They will remain open until that date, weather and conditions permitting; check with the individual course. The courses are Dunwoodie, 231-3490, and Sprain Lake, 231-3481, both in Yonkers; Maple Moor, 995-9200, in White Plains; Mohansic, 862-5283, in Yorktown Heights; Saxon Woods, 231-3461, in Scarsdale; and Hudson Hills, 864-3000, in Ossining. The courses are expected to reopen in March, weather and conditions permitting. The exact date will be announced.
LEGOLAND Westchester Bricktacular Tis the season to be jolly at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester during Bricktacular. Join in on the festive holiday fun every weekend in December as you walk through a Winter Wonderland-themed MINILAND searching for LEGO presents in a bricktastic scavenger hunt. Help the LEGO delivery truck get all of the hidden presents delivered by the holiday for a chance to win a family four pack of annual passes. Snap a photo with our custom holiday themed builds created by Master Model Builder Anthony Maddoloni, and enjoy winter and holiday-themed mosaic builds in the Master Builder Academy. All visitors receive a limited edition Collector Holiday LEGO Brick. Annual pass members can keep warm with a free hot chocolate every weekend. On Christmas Day, the center will be open for Bricktacular’s last day. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester is located at 39 Fitzgerald St., Yonkers. Tickets start at $15.95; children under 2 are free. Opening hours for Bricktacular in December: Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Monday, Dec. 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 866-243-0770 or visit legolanddiscoverycenter.com/westchester. Deadline for our What’s Going On section is every Thursday at noon. Though space is not guaranteed, we will do our best to accommodate your listing. Please send all items to news@hometwn.com.
December 22 & 29, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 5
SUNY Purchase alumni donate $100K to film, media studies SUNY Purchase College has announced that Chris Wedge (Film, class of 1981) and his wife, Jeanne Markel (Visual Arts, class of 1981), have donated $100,000 to the School of Film and Media
Studies at SUNY Purchase. Wedge also holds an M.A. in computer graphics/art education from Ohio State University. This generous gift will help fund the renovation of the Film Sound
Stage at SUNY Purchase. Wedge is co-founder & vice president of Creative Development of Blue Sky Studios, FOX and an Oscar-winning director. Wedge is the driving force be-
hind the rise of Blue Sky Studio’s prominence as one of the most respected computer animation studios in the world. Wedge started his career in computer animation at MAGI/ Synthavision, where he animated key sequences for “TRON.” In pursuit of a graduate degree in computer graphics at Ohio State University’s Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design, he created two short films: “Tuber’s Two Step” and “Balloon Guy.” He wrote and directed Blue Sky’s first film, “Bunny,” which won more than 25 international awards for animation excellence, including an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 1998. Wedge went on to direct Blue Sky’s first two computer-animated feature films, “Ice Age,” nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film, 2002, and “Robots.” He was executive producer of “Ice Age: The Meltdown,” “Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!,” and the global
hits “Rio,” “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs,” and “Ice Age: Continental Drift.” He directed “Epic,” which was released in 2013. He recently completed his first live action/hybrid film “Monster Trucks,” released in 2017. Wedge was awarded with the Presidential Distinguished Alumni Award in 2009 and served on the honorary committee for the Purchase College Arts Gala 2012. On Jan. 26, 2016, Wedge came to SUNY Purchase to speak about his life as a student and his journey through his career and was interviewed by Iris Cahn, class of 1976, professor of film, School of Film and Media Studies. “On behalf of the college, I thank Chris Wedge for this generous donation,” said SUNY Purchase President Thomas J. Schwarz. “We’re very proud of everything Chris has accomplished in the film industry, and grateful for his continuing support of the School of Film and
Media Studies and the next generation of film directors, writers, and editors.” Agustín Zarzosa, chair of Film and Media Studies at SUNY Purchase, said, “The sound stage is a space of historical significance in which our celebrated alumni have shot their first films. Chris Wedge’s generous gift will ensure that our current and future students will have the opportunity to shoot their own films in a state-of-the-art sound stage.” Wedge said, “When colleges get it right, they produce graduates who are successful in their chosen path. Purchase College set me on my path and because of that I will always have a special affinity for my alma mater. One of the best ways I can demonstrate my loyalty to Purchase is by giving back. I appreciate the education this school provided for me, and I want to make it possible for students in the future to benefit, too. Thank you, Purchase College!” (Submitted)
Like us on facebook facebook.com/harrisonreview Jeanne Markel and Chris Wedge. Contributed photo
6 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • December 22 & 29, 2017
Harrison REVIEW
THE
P.O. Box 485 White Plains, N.Y. 10602 Tel: (914) 653-1000 Fax: (914) 653-5000
Publisher | Howard Sturman ext. 21, publisher@hometwn.com Christian Falcone Associate Publisher | Editor-in-Chief ext. 19, chris@hometwn.com Sports Editor | Mike Smith ext. 22, sports@hometwn.com Assistant Editor | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 25, sibylla@hometwn.com 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.
Nora’s Ovenworks hosts annual children’s baking competition
By TAYLOR BROWN General Assignment Reporter Nora’s Ovenworks held its second annual kids baking competition, giving children from around Westchester County a chance to show off their skills in a contest amongst their peers. The competition took place on Dec. 9 at Nora’s Ovenworks, a bakery that specializes in customized cakes, located at 64 Halstead Ave. in Harrison. Nora Brunnett, owner of Nora’s Ovenworks, said she was inspired to start the competition after seeing her sister participate in a baking competition, and receiving the suggestion from her students. “I work with a lot of kids, and everyone [was] coming in and saying, ‘You should do a baking competition,’” Brunnett told the Review. The contestants ranged from first-graders to seventh-graders, and included students from the kids baking classes held at Nora’s Ovenworks, as well as students from outside the community.
Nora Brunnett, owner of Nora’s Ovenworks, encourages her younger students to handle baking ingredients on their own. Photos courtesy Facebook.com/theovenworks
“I thought that it would be nice [for the] kids to kind of showcase what they are able to do all by themselves, because oftentimes we as adults and parents tend to take over,” Brunnett said. The children were instructed to turn in their recipes a week prior to the competition, and on the day of, they were given an hour to create their submissions.
Brunnett said that the first baker began at 9 a.m., and that children were coming throughout the entire day. “At one point, we had six kids in the kitchen baking,” she said. “It was kind of a continuous flow.” Some of the entries included chocolate chip cookies, a lemon sour cream cake, shortbread cookies, and chocolate cupcakes.
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, P.O. Box 485 White Plains, N.Y. 10602 Visit us online www.harrisonreview.com
Follow us on Twitter, @harrisonview Like us on Facebook, facebook.com/harrisonreview The Harrison Review is published weekly by Home Town Media Group for an annual subscription of $45. Application to mail at the periodicals postage rate is approved at White Plains, N.Y., 10601. Periodicals postage paid at White Plains and additional mailing offices.
Competitors from the first annual baking competition pose with Mrs. New York City.
Some of the students participating in the bake-off come from Nora’s Ovenworks’ baking summer camp classes.
After the participants were finished, their dishes were presented to a panel of three judges: Harrison Mayor Ron Belmont; Alex DeBourcy, Mrs. New York City; and Chef Stella Caruso, who teaches baking classes at Nora’s Ovenworks. “I chose Mr. Belmont because… he’s really great with kids,” Brunnett said. “He’s kind of a feel-good mayor, he’s very community-oriented, so I really liked that piece and wanted to bring it back to the bakery.” Brunnett explained she invited Debourcy back to be a judge for similar reasons. “[Debourcy’s] local, and I know that she works with the community a lot,” Brunnett said. Caruso said when judging the competition, she looked at presentation, execution, texture, and flavor of the baked goods. The grand prize winner of the competition was sixth-grader Revha Menon, a resident of White Plains, who created a lemon blueberry bundt crumb cake. Second place went to Aidan Grant, a fourth-grader who made a chocolate cherry muffin. Grant is one of Brunnett’s regular students. “[Grant’s] pretty proud of himself, and I was pretty impressed too,” Brunnett said. Brunnett said his recipe was
“quite intense,” and that although she didn’t get a chance to try it, it smelled amazing. Another participant who placed high in the competition was Greta Friedman, of Scarsdale. Lana Friedman, Greta Friedman’s mother, had brought her to participate in the competition for the second year. “[Greta’s] favorite part was to be alone in the competition and do everything by herself,” Lana Friedman said. “To be here by herself, and be able to create what she created was great. She really enjoyed every moment of it.” Caruso explained that for her, the most rewarding part of the competition was being able to engage with the community. “It was just a really wonderful community thing, where we saw these kids really light up,” she said. This year’s competition saw 16 contestants, compared to nine from last year, and because of the growing response, Brunnett intends to hold the competition next year. “This event is one of my favorite events, it really gives me a chance to see what the kids have learned and how they put it into action,” Brunnett said. “It was a proud moment for me.” CONTACT: taylor@hometwn.com
December 22 & 29, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 7
8 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • December 22 & 29, 2017
Good news and the new year HARRISON HAPPENINGS Mayor Ron Belmont
I have wonderful news for the residents of Harrison! Moody’s has once again assigned a Aaa (triple A) rating to our town. Aaa is the highest rating that can be given to any municipality. Moody’s refers to a sizeable and affluent tax base with ongoing commercial and residential development and manageable debt in citing Harrison’s credit strengths. It also cites management’s commitment to conservative budgeting of expenditures and revenues, the Town Council’s commitment to balancing budgets without the use of fund balance or one-time revenue sources, staying within the property tax levy cap, seeking ways to increase recurring revenues and decrease recurring expenditures, and reducing staff through attrition. I have every confidence that, with determination and persistence, Harrison will maintain this successful trend. On Dec. 15, I had the honor of attending the Westchester County Police Academy graduation at SUNY Purchase. More than 50
graduates completed a rigorous training program, focusing on physical endurance, mental acuity and procedural management, and will now join local law enforcement agencies. Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, Westchester County Police Department Commissioner George Longworth and Westchester County District Attorney Anthony Scarpino Jr. were in attendance. Harrison resident George J. Valentino was one of the graduates and is now a member of the Harrison Police Department. I’m very happy that this committed professional will be part of our town’s law enforcement community and wish the entire graduating class hearty congratulations. Town/village offices will be closed on Christmas and New Years Day. During the week of each holiday, the Sanitation Department will be working on a holiday schedule. During the week of Dec. 25, garbage and/or recycling normally collected on Monday, Dec. 25 will be collected on Tuesday, Dec. 26. Garbage and/or recycling normally collected on Tuesday will be collected on Wednesday, Dec. 27. There will be no bulk trash collected on Dec. 27.
During the week of Jan. 1, garbage and/or recycling normally collected on Monday, Jan. 1 will be collected on Tuesday, Jan. 2. Garbage and/or recycling normally collect on Tuesdaywill be collected on Wednesday, Jan. 3. There will be no bulk trash collected on Jan. 3. During the week of Dec. 18, our DPW will finalize their leaf collection process. Once crews proceed through each neighborhood, any remaining leaves must be placed in brown bags and placed curbside for collection on the second garbage collection day of the week. There will be no further bulk pickups after crews have completed each neighborhood. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. In closing, I would like to take this time to wish all of you a peaceful and joyous holiday season. I would also like to thank our town personnel for the commitment and dedication they exhibit on a daily basis. It is an honor to serve as your mayor, and the Town Council and I look forward to the coming year. We will work hard and continue to make Harrison a community of distinction. Here’s to a happy and healthy 2018!
Westchester announces $6M for youth programs
Westchester County awards more than $6 million in grants for 2018, 2019, and 2020 for programs under Westchester’s Invest-In-Kids. Photo courtesy Westchester.gov
County Executive Rob Astorino today announced that grants totaling more than $6 million—$2,123,000 annually for 2018, 2019 and 2020—will be awarded to 34 agencies for 56 atrisk youth programs under Westchester’s Invest-In-Kids program. “Invest-In-Kids is a vital partnership between Westchester County and our non-profits that responds to the needs of Westchester’s youth,” Astorino said. “I am excited to partner with these 34 agencies to provide essential services with far-reaching, positive results for our at-risk youth population.” Established in 1993, InvestIn-Kids addresses the needs of at-risk youth in 11 urban communities: Elmsford, Greenburgh, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Ossining, Peekskill, Port Chester, Sleepy Hollow, Tarrytown, White Plains and Yonkers.
Dr. Iris Pagan, executive director of the Westchester County Youth Bureau, said the grants are being awarded to 56 programs as part of a three-year request for proposals, RFP, process. The annual grants include $1,755,000 provided through Westchester County’s Invest-in-Kids program and $368,000 in anticipated grants provided to the Westchester County Youth Bureau by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. Under Invest-In-Kids, programs provide academic support, experiences in the arts, positive relationships with peers and adults, career exploration, and many other activities to support positive youth development. Grants will fund approximately 65 percent of each program for calendar years 2018–2020 with the agency matching 35 percent of costs. Under the terms of the
grant, all programs will be provided free of charge and must operate year-round. To help ensure the best possible outcomes for Westchester’s youth, Astorino and the Westchester Children’s Association created a public-private task force to review the RFP process. The task force designed a transparent and accountable award process for Invest-In-Kids, including a revised grant application and a community review board of youth service providers and child advocates to promote the grant, administer informational sessions for prospective applicants, and offer an objective review of the pool of applicants. Under Westchester County’s procurement process, contracts to award the grants will be submitted to the Board of Acquisition and Contract for approval. (Submitted)
SPANO from page 1
election to fill the final year of Latimer’s vacated seat. The governor is not required to call for a special election, and has the option to let the seat remain unfilled until the November 2018 election. The election may be import-
ant for Democrats to regain more ground on Republicans that will hold a 31-30 majority in January. The 37th District seat is one of two vacated positions in the New York state Senate.
Democratic leaders will be tasked with choosing a candidate to run in a special election. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, has not yet announced whether there will be a special
CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
December 22 & 29, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 9
10 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • December 22 & 29, 2017
December 22 & 29, 2017 THE HARRISON REVIEW • 11
Business Briefs Orthopedics at NYP Lawrence is transforming NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital Orthopedics is undergoing an exciting transformation, ushered in by nationally renowned sports medicine and orthopedic physicians from Columbia University Medical Center. Doctors will be seeing patients in Bronxville and Tarrytown, with surgical procedures performed at NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Dr. Jeffrey A. Geller Hospital. The collaboration with Columbia will result in a significant expansion of services offered, including the addition of fellowship trained experts in the following orthopedic specialties: hip and knee reconstruction, sports medicine, foot and ankle, hand, elbow, shoulder, spine, and trauma. These services are complemented by the hospital’s Joint Replacement Program and extensive outpatient physical therapy services. The new team will be led by Dr. Jeffrey A. Geller, chief of orthopedic surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital. He serves as chief and director of Research, Division of Hip & Knee Reconstruction at Columbia University Medical Center’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery, and as the Nas S. Eftekhar professor of orthopedic surgery at Columbia University Medical Center. Geller is a nationally recognized leader in the non-operative and operative treatment of arthritic disorders of the hip and knee. “We are delighted to bring these new specialized services to NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital and provide access to world-class Columbia physicians,” said Michael J. Fosina, president of NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital. “Our patients will have access to a wider array of orthopedic services using the most advanced surgical and non-operative techniques.” “Columbia Orthopedics is thrilled to expand our services to patients in Westchester County and local communities throughout the region,” said Dr. William Levine, orthopedic surgeon-in-chief of NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, and Frank E. Stinchfield, professor and chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Columbia University Medical Center. “Through our collaboration with NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital, patients will benefit from an academic medical practice that leverages the latest research and technology to deliver advanced orthopedic specialty care close to where they want and need it most—home.” The Joint Commission awarded NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital’s Joint Replacement Program its Gold Seal of Approval again in 2016, which demonstrates the hospital’s continuous compliance with national standards for health care quality and safety in disease-specific care. The certification award recognizes the hospital’s dedication with these state-of-the-art standards. New patients are welcome. Appointments can be made by calling 750-4650. For more information, visit nyp.org/lawrence-ortho. Founded in 1909, NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital has a long and well-established history of providing superior healthcare to the residents of southern Westchester County and its sur-
rounding communities. The 288-bed hospital joined the NewYork-Presbyterian Regional Hospital Network in 2014 and offers a cardiac catheterization laboratory, a maternity department and an emergency department providing emergency care to approximately 46,000 people annually. A new, stateof-the-art comprehensive Cancer Center, accredited by the American College of Surgeons with Multiple Commendations, offers infusion, radiation therapy, surgical and support services. NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital provides additional support and care to area residents through NewYork-Presbyterian Medical Group Westchester, a multispecialty physician practice, as well as ColumbiaDoctors, the faculty practice of Columbia University Medical Center. For more information, visit nyp.org/lawrence or call 787-1000.
New treatment alternative available to prevent stroke
Patients who have an increased risk of stroke due to an irregular heart beat called atrial fibrillation and who cannot use blood thinners can now take advantage of a lifesaving alternative offered at Westchester Medical Center, the flagship of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network, WMCHealth. As a regional leader in cardiac care, Westchester Medical Center has begun offering a new technology called the WATCHMAN, which offers a catheter-based alternative to blood thinners for preventing stroke in patients suffering from atrial fibrillation, a condition characterized by a fast, irregular heartbeat. “Because of our expertise in performing delicate cardiac procedures, Westchester Medical Center is among a select group of hospitals nationwide to offer this treatment to atrial fibrillation patients who previously had no other alternative,’’ said Dr. Sei Iwai, director of Cardiac Electrophysiology at Westchester Medical Center. “We are excited to offer a life-saving alternative for our patients whose risk for stroke makes them ineligible for traditional treatments.” The Westchester Medical Center cardiology team, including Iwai, Dr. Ryan Kaple, and Mala Sharma, MBBS, has already performed the first WATCHMAN procedures with excellent outcomes. Because the upper chambers (atria) of the heart don’t squeeze normally in atrial fibrillation, an outpouching, called the left atrial appendage, can collect blood that can then clot and travel in the bloodstream to the brain, causing a stroke. The standard treatment is using blood thinners to eliminate the risk of clotting and stroke, but some patients are prohibited from using these treatments long-term. The WATCHMAN technology enables interventional cardiologists to cap off the appendage using a procedure that involves threading a catheter through the groin area and into the left atrium where the WATCHMAN device is inserted to seal the opening. The technology is approved by the FDA. WMCHealth’s Heart and Vascular Institute remains at the forefront of advanced cardiac technology in the Hudson Valley and beyond. For example, the WMCHealth Heart and Vascular Institute’s cardiac electrophysiologists have performed approximately 500 atrial fibrillation ablation procedures. In April, cardiac interventionists performed their 300th transcatheter aortic valve replacement,
TAVR, procedure. The cardiac teams also perform hybrid catheter ablations, laser lead extractions, and transcatheter mitral valve and tricuspid valve repair using the MitraClip device, patent foramen ovale, PFO, closures, and alcohol septal ablations (for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). To learn more about Westchester Medical Center and the vital services it provides to residents of the Hudson Valley and beyond, visit WestchesterMedicalCenter.org. For more information about WMCHealth, visit WMCHealth.org.
Business Council of Westchester launches data exchange The Business Council of Westchester recently announced the creation of the BCW Data Exchange, a comprehensive online data center providing current and prospective Westchester businesses, nonprofit organizations and governments with a multi-platform, user-friendly source for up-to-date demographic information, statistical analysis and trend data about Westchester County. The research will be conducted by Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, a nonprofit policy, planning, advocacy and research organization. It will go live on the BCW website in the first quarter of 2018. The BCW Data Exchange will have the most up-to-date information on a wide variety of topics and issues impacting business in the county. Strategic areas will focus upon: demographics, snapshots of workforce data, housing, education, local government, transportation, infrastructure, real estate trends, municipal services, and other vital data relevant to the attraction and retention of businesses in Westchester. Customized reports will be available for those looking for a deeper dive into the data. “As the largest business organization in Westchester, we already serve as a resource for businesses and government officials seeking to understand the opportunities available in the county and how Westchester compares to other counties. We’re pleased to be adding this valuable tool that will also offer an unparalleled resource for our urban centers and communities across the county that are undergoing a major revitalization,” said Marsha Gordon, president and CEO of the Business Council of Westchester. “We are fortunate to be working with Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress on this important initiative. They are uniquely positioned to step beyond the limits of analyzing data from a single perspective and take a 360-degree examination of the challenges and issues that impact and shape the communities of Westchester,” Gordon added. “The mission of this initiative is to provide the framework and foundation to build and, in some cases, rebuild a prosperous economy and sustainable communities within Westchester County by
making informed decisions through data research and analysis,” said Jonathan Drapkin, president and CEO of the Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress. “As we like to say, ‘Data tells a story,’ and we are particularly pleased to be working with the Business Council in developing that story that will provide a baseline source of information to assist in the promotion, attraction and marketing of Westchester County for new economic development opportunities and to expand existing businesses,” Drapkin added. The idea of a comprehensive online data resource to help promote economic development in Westchester is the result of several years of strategic planning by the BCW board of directors. Board member Heidi Davidson, who chairs the BCW’s data committee, said that the new service would fill a real need in the business community. “We live in a world where having and understanding data is everything,’’ Davidson said. “The availability of current data has long been a challenge for Westchester as there has never been a single repository of data for Westchester County. The comprehensive data available through the BCW Data Exchange will fuel the BCW and Westchester’s economic development efforts.” Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress is a nonprofit policy and planning organization that promotes regional, balanced and sustainable solutions to enhance the growth and vitality of the Hudson Valley. Founded in 1965 by business, academic and civic leaders, and based in Newburgh, N.Y., Pattern works within the nine-county area that includes Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester. For more information, visit pattern-for-progress.org. The county’s largest and most influential business membership organization, The Business Council of Westchester is committed to helping businesses market, learn, advocate and grow. In addition, The Business Council of Westchester is actively involved in reviewing federal, state and county legislation and regulations in order to assess the potential impact on the business community and to influence the outcomes through advocacy when the business community’s interests may be affected. It also acts as an information resource for the business community and government leaders at all levels. For more information, visit thebcw.org. The next Business Briefs section will run in January. Please send any submission for our January 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.
12 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • December 22 & 29, 2017
The Classifieds • Advertising that gets results OUR RATES:
$42.50 for up to 4 lines. Each additional line $2.00. Classifieds ads appear in all five of our publications.
AUTO DONATIONS Donate your car to Wheels For Wishes, benefiting Make-A-Wish. We offer free towing and your donation is 100% tax deductible. Call 914-468-4999 Today! Donate your car to Wheels For Wishes, benefiting Make-A-Wish. We offer free towing and your donation is 100% tax deductible. Call 315-400-0797 Today!
FARMING GOT LAND? Our Hunters will Pay Top $$$ To hunt your land. Call for a FR E E info packet & Quote. 1-866-309-1507 www. BaseCampLeasing.com
HELP WANTED AIRLINE CAREERS Start Here! Get trained as FAA certified Aviation Technician. Financial aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. Call AIM for free information 866-296-7094
MISCELLANEOUS SAWMILLS from only $4397.00- MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill-Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship! FREE Info/DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com 1-800-578-1363 Ext.300N
WANTED TO BUY Buying Diamonds, gold, silver, antique and modern jewelry, better furs, U.S. and foreign coins, paintings, bronzes, complete estates. Highest prices paid. Call 914-260-8783 for appointment.
LEGAL NOTICES Notice of Formation of Flip&Flash, LLC. An Event Production Company.Filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 10/30/17. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 34 Merritt Ave., White Plains. NY 10606. Purpose: any lawful activity.
HOW TO REACH US:
Email: ads@hometwn.com Phone: (914) 653-1000 x27 P.O. Box 485, White Plains N.Y. 10602
Publish your LLC notice in our newpapers! New York State law requires that all LLC companies publish a Notice of Formation within 120 days of forming or else your LLC will be suspended. All five of our newspapers are designated by the Westchester County Clerk for this urpose. Allow us to guide you through what can be an unnecessarily complicated process. We provide the template for your publication along with the notarized affidavit signed by the publisher.
DEADLINE:
Placement, correction or cancellation of an ad may be phoned in any time before noon on Monday for publication
DONATE YOUR CAR
Wheels For Wishes Benefiting
Make-A-Wish® Hudson Valley
*Free Vehicle/Boat Pickup ANYWHERE *We Accept All Vehicles Running or Not *Fully Tax Deductible
WheelsForWishes.org Call: (914) 468-4999 * Car Donation Foundation d/b/a Wheels For Wishes. To learn more about our programs or financial information, visit www.wheelsforwishes.org.
For more information email us at
ads@hometwn.com.
Notice of Formation of Tesone Enterprises, LLC. Arts of Org. filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 10/26/2017. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 912 Heritage Hills, Unit C, Somers, NY 10589. Purpose: any lawful activity.
GET DEALT IN ON AN EXCITING CAREER. Become part of our team. SOONER OR LATER... SOMEONE’S GOING TO BLAB IT ON
WVOX
For details, visit RWCATSKILLS.COM.
Gambling Problem? Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). Resorts World Catskil s is an equal opportunity employer.
December 22 & 29, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 13
14 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • December 22 & 29, 2017
Hall of Lame LIVE MIKE Mike Smith
It’s that time of year again, the time of year when good deeds are weighed against bad ones, and the arbiter of who has been nice—and who has been naughty—rewards a select few for their actions. But I’m not waxing poetic about the jolly fat man up at the North Pole; I’m talking about the selection process for the 2018 inductees to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Although voting members of the Baseball Writers Association of America have until Jan. 24 to officially send in their ballots, over the last few years, several intrepid writers have made their voting results public in order to give baseball fans some sense of the early returns. And while I certainly enjoy the growing transparency in the process, as well as the opportunity to drag out conversations about who, in fact, is worth of enshrinement out for over a month, a quick look at the results
so far leave me as perplexed as ever about what exactly the writers are thinking. On Dec. 18, Hall of Fame voting tracker and Twitter personality Ryan Thibodaux released a first glance at this year’s vote, and while there are some no-brainers on there—Jim Thome, Vladimir Guerrero and Chipper Jones all look like locks—the steroid question seems to once again be a divisive issue among voters. Most curiously, perhaps, are the questions surrounding two of the game’s all-time greats who may have irrevocably tarnished their reputation with their ties to performance enhancing drugs: Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds. With 17.5 percent of voters having responded, both Clemens and Bonds seem to be on the cusp of the 75 percent mark for enshrinement enshrinement, with Clemens taking in 72.6 percent of the votes and Bonds taking in 71.2 percent. But as we found out in the 2016 presidential election, sometimes early numbers can be misleading. Most experts expect those
SPORTS
numbers to drop precipitously, as the writers who are most likely to release their ballots to the public ahead of time skew to a younger demographic and are thus less likely to penalize a player for PED allegations. But beyond the “will they get in” question, these early numbers piqued a different question in my mind: how can someone have possibly voted for Clemens and not Bonds, and vice versa? As of right now, two writers who made a case for Clemens left Bonds off the ballot, while Jon Heyman chose the slugger, but not the hurler. And that’s pretty tough to reconcile, at least in my mind. Clemens and Bonds are so intertwined at this point it seems ludicrous that a writer could make a case for one but not the other. Both players were inarguably Hall of Famers early on before late-career surges—inexorably linked to some shady pharmaceutical dabbling—turned them, numbers-wise, into absolutely otherworldly talents. If you want to keep them both out of the Hall, I would understand it, but how
Early vote results for the 2018 Baseball Hall of Fame class were released this week, and Sports Editor Mike Smith has a few questions. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.org
could you vote for one and not the other? The Hall of Fame voting process is a flawed one, for sure. Because it’s essentially a human process, and because writers come into each balloting sea-
son with their own biases about a player’s contribution to the game—and the way he treated writers during his career—you’re never going to have a perfect Hall of Fame where every player in it deserves it or every deserving
player gets his plaque on the wall. But let’s at least have a little consistency, fellas. That’s all I’m asking for.
Follow Mike on Twiter @LiveMike_Sports
TO COVER LOCAL SPORTS, YOU NEED A
LIVE MIKE! Follow Mike Smith @LiveMike_Sports stats • recaps • commentary Follow @harrisonreview for Mike’s live, in-game action updates
SPORTS
December 22 & 29, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 15
Harrison authors win streak boys basketball
league
HARRISON 51 EASTCHESTER 45 HARRISON HS
12/14/17
Game Notes: • Luke McCarthy scored 11 of his 17 points in the 3rd quarter • Harrison is currently riding a 3-game winning streak • The Huskies will take on rival Rye at the Westchester County Center on Dec. 23 By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor After a trying start to the basketball season, it appears as though the Huskies are back on track. With a tremendous performance at the Harrison Holiday Basketball tournament last weekend, the boys’ basketball team has kicked off a three-game win streak, building confidence as the second half of the winter campaign looms. Starting with a 51-45 win over league foe Eastchester in the tourney opener, the Huskies would go on to top Peekskill in the finals before traveling to Brewster to beat the Bears on Tuesday, Dec. 19. According to head coach Gary
Luke McCarthy looks for open space against Eastchester on Dec. 14. McCarthy scored 17 points to lead the Huskies to victory.
Chiarella, the Huskies’ win streak can be chalked up to players—especially those new to the varsity game—slowly acclimating to the increased level of competition. “I think we’re just getting more comfortable, especially with the
Sean Donnellan rises up for a shot against the Huskies. Harrison won 51-45.
speed of the game,” Chiarella said. “We were missing some experienced guys with injuries so we were playing a lot of newer kids, and even though they have the skill sets, they need to build up confidence to compete.” The Thursday night win over Eastchester may have been a turning point for the Huskies, as they rode a strong second-half effort from point guard Luke McCarthy—who scored 11 of his 17 points in the third quarter—to a tightly contested win over their rivals. McCarthy would go on to score 15 points in the win over Peekskill en route to being named the tournament’s MVP. “Luke is our general, he’s going to orchestrate what we do,” Chiarella said. “He can score a little more than he did last year, but he really has a lot of control over how things go out there.” McCarthy took a backseat to teammate Alex Siapanedes in the scoring department on Tuesday night, as the junior guard dropped 21 points against the Bears. Sharing the offensive load will be important for the Huskies down the stretch, according to Chiarella. “When we have been successful, it’s because we are getting contributions from everyone on the team,” said the head coach. “It doesn’t matter if it’s two points or
Tyler Menniti goes to the basket against the Eagles. Photos/Mike Smith
four points; you have to understand your role and be the best you can be every game.” The Huskies will be back in action on Dec. 21, when they take on Lincoln, and are currently preparing for a Dec. 23 showdown with rival Rye at the Westchester County Center. Although Chiarella admits that playing at the historic venue might be a new experience for many of his charges, he is confident that his team can be successful if they let the game come to them. “This is going to be the first time a lot of these guys have played Rye on the varsity level, and the first time any of them have played at the County Center, outside of maybe rec league,” he said. “Hopefully it’s not too big for them, and if they just treat the games the same and don’t get distracted, we should be OK.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com
Alex Siapanedes grabs a rebound against Eastchester on Dec. 14.
16 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • December 22 & 29, 2017