Harrison REVIEW THE
June 8, 2018 | Vol. 6, Number 23 | www.harrisonreview.com
MAN’S BEST FRIEND In an effort to put more teeth into a Westchester animal cruelty law, officials are looking at amending a database that requires animal abusers to be registered within a countywide registry system. For story, see page 6.
County, state to meet over Hutch overpass strikes Westchester County Executive George Latimer has called for a meeting with the New York State Department of Transportation after another incident involving a truck hitting an overpass above the Hutchinson River Parkway. According to Catherine Cioffi, the county executive’s communications director, Latimer has called for a meeting to take place in the county government office to develop an “enhanced and more aggressive” plan to prevent truckers from entering the parkway. As of press time, commercial vehicles are prohibited from traveling on the parkway, which is maintained by the state Department of Transportation. The call for a meeting comes after a truck carrying frozen chicken entered the parkway
and crashed into the King Street bridge in Rye Brook on May 31. According to Westchester County police, debris from the truck had to be cleared from the parkway, causing delays during the morning. “We have had enough,” Latimer, a Democrat, said in a statement. “Thursday’s incident tells us that what has been done so far is not enough and we have to treat this like the serious problem that it is. The strikes are dangerous to motorists, pedestrians and those who live near the Parkway.” The incident is not the first of its kind on the Hutchinson River Parkway. For years, trucks have accidentally ventured onto the parkway and have crashed into bridges running above the road. County police encountered
Westchester raises smoking age to 21 In a 16-1 vote, Westchester lawmakers approved a bill that increases the age to purchase tobacco products. On June 4, the county Board of Legislators officially raised the age to buy cigarettes and vaping products from 18 to 21 in an effort to reduce the amount people that become addicted to smoking. “I am so glad that Westchester County has joined the many jurisdictions in New York State and in neighboring states which have decided to put the public’s health and safety first,” said county Legislator MaryJane Shimsky, a Hastings-on-Hudson Democrat. “[This] will do much to protect our young people from the dangers of nicotine addiction.” Proposed in February by the county’s Democratic caucus, the bill follows suit with what other local communities have passed for their respective municipalities. In April, Rockland County passed a measure raising the age to buy tobacco or related products, while the town of New Castle passed similar legislation earlier last month. In 2013, New York City banned the sale of tobacco products to individuals under the age of 21. Additionally, 10 other counties across the state, including Suffolk, have outlawed selling tobacco products to people under that
threshold. Nassau County enforces similar legislation, but restricts the sale of tobacco products to those under the age of 19. As of press time, the statewide age for purchasing tobacco products is 18. State lawmakers have long debated whether legislation should be introduced to increase the smoking age. “This is an important step in keeping our kids safe and healthy, particularly with the research showing the negative impacts of nicotine on the adolescent brain,” said Majority Leader Catherine Parker, a Rye Democrat, on Westchester’s policy change. “Whatever we do to prevent kids from smoking or becoming addicted to nicotine today, pays dividends for a lifetime.” Democrats proposed to change the smoking age last year, but the legislation wasn’t popular with Republicans, who, through a bipartisan coalition, held a majority on the 17-member Board of Legislators at the time. With approval by the county Legislature, the measure will now move to County Executive George Latimer’s office for his signature. According to Catherine Cioffi, Latimer’s communications director, the county executive is expected to sign the bill on June 6, after press time. -Reporting by Franco Fino
After a truck crashed into the King Street bridge above the Hutchinson River Parkway on May 31, County Executive George Latimer has called for a meeting with the state Department of Transportation to find a solution to the reoccurring issue. Photo courtesy pennycolman.com
another truck on the parkway on June 1 near Lincoln Avenue in Mount Vernon, in which the driver had to be escorted off the road, causing delays during the morning commute. The truck made it off the parkway without damag-
ing anything, police said. Latimer has also called officials from the Trucking Association of New York to attend the meeting, which has no set date, as of press time. -Reporting by Franco Fino
Westchester County has banned the sale of cigarettes and other tobaccorelated products to anyone under the age of 21. Photo courtesy pixabay.com
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County proposes to keep executive’s name off signs County lawmakers have proposed legislation that would prevent the county executive from putting his or her name on signs across Westchester, piggybacking an order placed by County Executive George Latimer earlier this year.
Proposed by recently elected county Legislator Terry Clements, a New Rochelle Democrat, the bill mirrors one of Latimer’s first executive orders, which he signed when he took office in January. As part of the executive order,
Latimer, a Democrat, ordered the removal of the executive’s name from all Westchester-owned parks, golf courses and other properties. In a memo written by the county Board of Legislators, lawmakers said the policy of
having the county executive’s name on Westchester property provides “free political advertising” to the incumbent and is “a complete waste of taxpayer money.” If the bill is approved, current and future county executives cannot lift the ban without the county Legislature’s approval. During his 2017 campaign
Signage on all Westchester-owned parks such as Playland will likely no longer be available to bear the name of the county executive following legislation put forward by the county Board of Legislators
The Westchester County Board of Legislators has proposed legislation to ban the county executive from putting his or her name on signs and buildings owned by the county. The bill mirrors an executive order placed by current County Executive George Latimer earlier this year. File photos
for county executive against then-County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, Latimer promised to remove the executive’s face and name from Westchester-owned property. Prior to Latimer’s executive order, Astorino’s name was advertised across a number of county parks and buildings, as was the case for previous county executives. Since he took county office, Latimer has made it a habit of sending his executive orders to the Board of Legislators so that they could be adopted into law permanently, if desired. Without the approval of
the board, any future county executive could veto executive orders from a previous lawmaker. So far, county lawmakers have approved several of Latimer’s executive orders, including a ban on gun shows on county-owned property, as well as an order to establish a policy on how law enforcement addresses immigrants. As of press time, the county’s bill sits in legislative committee, waiting to be approved so that it could be voted on by the full Board of Legislators. Democrats hold a 13-4 supermajority on the board. -Reporting by Franco Fino
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What’s going on... Harrison Public Library
the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Library Building. Accomplished high school students in grades 10–12 will help senior citizens acquire computer skills. Senior citizens (beginners or intermediates) are invited to sign up for computer instruction. Please register online, at the Reference Desk, or by calling the library at 835-0324.
Pajama Party with Chloe For more information on hours and programs, visit harrisonpl.org.
Saturday Stories (& a Craft, too!) On Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Library Building. Ease into Saturday at the Library’s Children’s Discovery Center. Manhattanville College student volunteers will informally read favorite picture books and do a craft. Suggested for ages 2 to 4 years old.
Sing-Along Sundays with Chloe On Sundays from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Library Building. Celebrate early childhood through music and movement. Children and parents are sure to love the captivating songs, live accordion music, and activities designed with specific cognitive milestones in mind. This class will feature a variety of child-sized instruments and props, and a wealth of both traditional and original songs to add to your sing-along repertoire. Get ready for a fun, creative and engaging experience.
Computer Tutors On Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at
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 features songs, music and more. For ages up to 4 years old, siblings welcome. No registration required.
SCORE: One-On-One Mentoring On Wednesdays 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.
Chloe’s Sign and Play On Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Library Building. Give your child the gift of language. Chloe’s 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.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester LEGO City Builder
On Fridays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Library Building. Join popular local yoga instructor Angela Brandt for yoga with reading, crafts and hints woven in. The perfect start to a calm and fun weekend. For ages 6 to 12. Bring a mat, if you can, or use one of the library’s.
Enjoy building city scenes with LEGO bricks at home? Let your creativity loose with LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester’s newest play space: LEGO City Builder. This is an interactive city that visitors can add their own elements and designs right into the display. The new play area includes skyscrapers, police and fire stations, cafes, suburban streets, beaches, a LEGO Friends section and more. Celebrate the grand opening of this exciting new space with photo opportunities and custom builds created by Master Model Builder Anthony Maddaloni. Admission starts at $16.95; children under age 2 are free. Opening hours are Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester is located at 39 Fitzgerald St. in Yonkers. For more information, call 844-740-9223 or visit westchester.legolanddiscoverycenter.com.
Recreation
County news
Conversational English On Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the West Harrison Branch. This is an informal program of conversation and practice of the English language. Join in and make new friends.
Yoga with Angela
The spring/summer brochure is available at harrison-ny.gov/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. Applications for activities can be found at the recreation centers and the Recreation Department website. 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.
Golf course openings The six county-owned golf courses are now open, with the last of the snow melting. 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. For more information, visit golf.westchestergov.com. 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 Lawmakers look at strengthening REVIEW
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Publisher | Howard Sturman ext. 21, publisher@hometwn.com Editor-in-Chief | Christian Falcone ext. 19, chris@hometwn.com Sports Editor | Mike Smith ext. 22, sports@hometwn.com Reporter | Franco Fino ext. 18, franco@hometwn.com Graphic Designer | Arthur Gedin Graphic Designer | Jim Grasso Sales Director | Jim Scova ext. 10, jscova@hometwn.com Advertising | Mike Scova ext. 14, mike@hometwn.com Advertising Coordinator | Nancy Kaplan ext. 27, ads@hometwn.com Staff Writer James Pero Columnist Ron Belmont
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animal abuse registry By JAMES PERO Staff Writer The Westchester County Animal Abuser Registry may see the addition of new names as lawmakers move to rethink the threshold for how they qualify county residents. At two Board of Legislators subcommittee meetings on Monday June 4, legislators Virginia Perez, a Yonkers Democrat, and Margaret Cunzio, a Pleasantville Conservative, raised concerns over the threshold necessary to be added to the registry. Currently, though the local law creating the registry was adopted in 2012, only two names have been added to the list despite the adjudication of many other animal abuse crimes across Westchester. “I want to see mandatory inclusion on the animal abuser registry for anyone charged with animal cruelty,” said Perez said in a statement. “It has been said that the greatness of a society can be judged on how they care for their most vulnerable. We have the tools to help protect these animals and it is time to make sure this registry is being used properly.” Currently, as the local law
is written, a judge must place an offender on the registry, but according to an investigation by The Journal News that helped to spur the discussion of rethinking the law, many names were never added due to lack of awareness of the requirement by both police departments and sometimes offenders themselves. Offenders who accept plea bargains under the current iteration of the law are not added to the list. According to a statement by county lawmakers, one case in 2013 of an offender skirting the registry includes a man who was convicted of raping a Golden Retriever and subsequently sentenced to six years in prison. In addition to leaving animals vulnerable to abuse—the registry is a searchable database meant to be used as a vetting tool for people selling animals—the list may also act as a tool to flag violent offenders before they commit crimes against other people, given animal abuse in many cases can be a sign of sociopathic behavior. “Research shows us that behaviors like animal cruelty are often an indicator of sociopathic tendencies that could just as easily be directed toward children, the
The former location of Best Breeds in the village of Mamaroneck, pictured, where owner Richard Doyle was charged with mistreating animals. The storefront has since been shut down, but the backlash over the location led Mamroneck to approve the first anti-puppy mill law in the state. File photo
elderly, a spouse or others,” Cunzio said in a statement. “It is time to give the animal abuser registry
the power it was intended to have in order to keep pets out of the hands of known animal abusers.”
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.
Westchester lawmakers will mull lowering the threshold necessary to make the county’s Animal Abuser Registry after only two additions in the first six years of the law. Photo courtesy Flickr.com
Amending the law will be discussed by the board at its Public Safety and Legislation subcommittees in the months to follow. Previous discussions of adopting a countywide law that would ban the sale of dogs from so-called “puppy mills” were sparked in 2016 after several local municipalities adopted their own regulations, but never made its way to the Board of Legislators for a vote. The impetus for that law stemmed from a movement in the village of Mamaroneck, which in 2016 became the first municipality in the state to prohibit the sale of for-profit pets through what was dubbed by local activists as a “puppy mill law.” The ban was in response to a now-shuttered local business called Best Breeds, owned by Richard Doyle, who has since been barred from selling animals in New York after falsifying records and mistreating animals at his storefront. A similar statewide law was introduced this year but has not gone up for a vote by the state Legislature. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
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Is the food we consume safe to eat?
Rotten series creator Christine Haughney joins the Larchmont library for a free screening and discussion of an episode of her popular Netflix series “Rotten.” Photo courtesy Christine Haughney
In a world where huge global supply-chains are increasingly intertwined and consolidated, the documentary series “Rotten” starts on your dinner plate and follows the money to the shocking consequences—intended or
not—of regulation, innovation and greed. Is the food we consume safe to eat? Join series creator Christine Haughney, for this screening of the episode “Garlic Breath” that delves into the global garlic industry. The screening will be followed by a discussion period. As more and more of the food industry become globalized, that question becomes more and more important. Haughney, who now writes for Politico, created the sixpart Netflix series “Rotten,” which began airing on Netflix in January 2018. “Rotten” explores global food safety and gives food the true crime treatment, diving deep into the food production underworld. Prior to her work in television, she was a staff reporter for The New York Times for eight years on the real estate, metro and media desks. She also reported on the real estate industry as a staff reporter at The Wall Street Journal and Crain’s New York Business. Her investigations in the
real estate industry helped lead to the imprisonment of two real estate moguls. Earlier in her career, she worked as a junior reporter in The Washington Post’s New York bureau and was the first reporter sent in to report on the attacks at The World Trade Center on Sept. 11. Her reporting on air quality at Ground Zero launched a federal investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency. She graduated from Wellesley College with a major in Political Science and minor in Economics. She also graduated from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. She serves on the board of the Anne O’Hare McCormick Scholarship Fund. (Submitted) SCREENING OF NETFLIX SERIES “Rotten” Larchmont library Thursday, June 21 at 7 p.m.
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Get ready to stuff your face Harrison HARRISON HAPPENINGS Mayor Ron Belmont
In an effort to expand public safety outreach and communication, the town/village of Harrison has launched a new program that will allow residents to receive emergency alerts in real time. By utilizing the community alert system, NIXLE, residents can receive up-to-date information by text or email. The service will alert residents to emergency weather events, road closings and public safety advisories. To register, please visit nixle.com or our town webpage at harrison-ny.gov. I urge all residents to use this very important and useful tool. Back by popular demand, A Taste of Harrison will be held this weekend. Dozens of Harrison restaurants and merchants are preparing their offerings for A Taste of Harrison scheduled for Sunday, June 10. Library supporters, who make a modest donation to the library, will receive wristbands enabling them to sample the delectable fare offered by restaurants in downtown Harrison. Restaurants, merchants who donate raffle prizes, and other contributing sponsors underwrite the costs of the event so that all proceeds go to support the library
through the Harrison Public Library Foundation. A Taste of Harrison is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Sunday, June 10, in downtown Harrison. To join the fun, library supporters purchase wristbands that identify them to the participating restaurants. Wristbands are $25 in advance or $30 the day of event for adults. Children are $15 and those four and under are free. They’re available online at www.harrisonpl. org/taste-of-harrison or at the downtown Halperin Library or West Harrison Branch Library. Each year, The American Caner Society holds a fundraiser, Relay for Life, to support the organization. It’s an annual, global event and is staffed and coordinated by volunteers. Team members raise money by taking turns walking around a track, or designated path, for an extended period of time. This year, our community is joining the fight against cancer, at Harrison High School, June 9-10. For additional information on how to make a donation or to sign up, visit relayforlife.org/HarrisonNY. This year’s annual St. Anthony’s Festa took place last weekend in West Harrison. Once again, this greatly anticipated celebration had many residents and visitors, including esteemed guest Cardinal Timothy Dolan,
attending the festivities and enjoying the food, games and attractions. Vendors provided popular Festa favorites that included sausage and peppers, pasta and fresh cannoli. Children’s activities, music, dancing and carnival rides were enjoyed by Festa attendees of all ages. The event was a big success and provided a wonderful way of shining a light on Harrison’s Italian heritage. It was great to see many friends and familiar faces enjoying this very special tradition. Congratulations to all involved. In closing, I hope Harrison residents are enjoying this lovely late-spring weather. With warmer conditions, there is an increase in pedestrian and bicycle traffic. I urge all residents to drive with care, especially as you make your way to the train station. Aggressive driving is the leading cause of pedestrian and bicycle injuries and fatalities. By exercising caution and extending common courtesy, accidents can be avoided. Please be vigilant and yield to pedestrians and cyclists. The next “Lunch with the Mayor” is on Friday, June 15 and I will be at Copper House located at 11 Taylor Square in West Harrison. I will be at this location from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and look forward to meeting with residents and talking about issues facing our community.
Houlihan Lawrence open houses to appear on Waze
In its latest effort to maximize exposure for its listings, Houlihan Lawrence, the leading real estate brokerage serving New York City’s northern suburbs, will begin feeding its open houses to Waze, the world’s largest community based traffic and navigation app. Each open house will receive a branded pin on the map at its location, along with a separate takeover ad that a user would see when at a complete stop within three miles 0of the home. “We’re proud to add this service to our mobile arsenal, which already includes our highly-rated?] iOS and Android app,” said Stephanie Williams, head of digital for Houlihan Lawrence. “It’s just the latest way we’re putting our client’s homes in potential buyer’s pockets.” In order to easily advertise each open house on Waze, Houlihan Lawrence partnered with HomeSpotter, whose Boost platform helps real estate brokers to advertise their listings on social media and online. The ability to also advertise on Waze was recently added and Houlihan Lawrence is one of the very first
Beginning on June 3, Houlihan Lawrence will use the Waze app to advertise the company’s open houses in Westchester, Fairfield, Putnam and Dutchess counties.
companies in the country to take advantage. The program will launch for the companywide June 3 Weekend Escapes Open House event, built around an integrated print and digital campaign promoting the area as an alternative to traditional summer destinations like the Hamptons. More than 350 properties
are scheduled to be featured across Westchester, Fairfield, Putnam and Dutchess counties, and agents will give out beach balls and frisbees to help build excitement. Houlihan Lawrence, which this year celebrates its 130th anniversary, is well-known for its innovation throughout the real estate industry. (Submitted)
Taste of Harrison readies menu to support library
Dozens of Harrison restaurants and merchants are preparing their offerings for A Taste of Harrison scheduled for Sunday, June 10. Library supporters who make a modest donation to the library will receive wristbands enabling them to sample the delectable fare offered by restaurants in downtown Harrison. “A Taste of Harrison is a great event for the town,” Harrison Mayor Ron Belmont said. “It showcases the downtown restaurants and merchants and raises money for the library. Plus, you get to enjoy some excellent food. It’s a win-win-win for everyone.” Restaurants, merchants who donate raffle prizes, and other contributing sponsors including Willow Ridge Country Club underwrite the costs of the event so that all proceeds go to support the library through the Harrison Public Library Foundation, HPLF. A cadre of HPLF volunteers makes it all possible. “I’m very excited that the Taste of Harrison has returned for 2018,” Westchester County Legislator Nancy Barr added. “It’s a fun way to raise money for the Harrison library. Many thanks to the restaurants, volunteers and residents who come together to make the day a success.”
A Taste of Harrison is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 10. To join the fun, library supporters purchase wristbands that identify them to the participating restaurants. Wristbands are $25 in advance or $30 the day of event for adults; $15 for children and free for those 4 and
under. Wristbands can also be ordered online at harrisonpl.org/ taste-of-harrison or at the downtown Halperin Library and West Harrison Branch Library. Wristbands can be picked up at the downtown library on June 9 or at the HPLF information table the day of the event. (Submitted)
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Iona Prep graduates 196 during 99th commencement Iona Preparatory School held its 99th Commencement exercises on Thursday, May 24, at Iona College in New Rochelle. A total of 196 seniors graduated, having earned more than $29 million in merit scholarships, with an average award of $60,300. Of note, 7,500 service hours were amassed in their senior year alone. Visa CEO Alfred F. Kelly Jr., of Rye, received the Alumni Award and spoke to the graduates about choices and consequences; specifically, the choice to take Iona Prep with them as they enter the next phases of their lives. “I would strongly suggest that Iona Prep has gifted to you a number of great treasures: friends, values, study habits and Christ,” Kelly said. “All four of these
Iona Preparatory School Valedictorian Peter Calicchia, 18, of Tuckahoe, left, receives the Brother William M. Stoldt, CFC Memorial Award for General Excellence from Bro. Thomas Leto, Iona Prep President, during commencement exercises at Iona College on May 24.
gifts, sounds like to me, are gifts that keep on giving…and can be with you the rest of your life.” This year’s valedictorian was Pe-
ter Calicchia, 18, from Tuckahoe. The salutatorian was Charlie Flanagan, 17, of Rye Brook. (Submitted)
Iona Prep Salutatorian Charlie Flanagan advises his classmates to remember the life lessons Iona Prep has instilled in them during graduation ceremonies on May 24.
Iona Prep’s graduating seniors and their families during the 99th commencement. Photos courtesy Diana Costello
Bro. Thomas Leto, Iona Prep president, reminds the graduates that they will always be loved, and are always welcome back home.
Bro. Thomas Leto with Iona Prep’s 2018 St. Columba Award-winners for exemplifying the ideals and traditions of Iona Prep, during commencement exercises at Iona College.
Alfred F. Kelly Jr., VISA CEO and recipient of the 2018 Alumni Award, speaks to the Class of 2018 about choices and consequences.
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Latimer calls for ban on conversion therapy County lawmakers will begin discussing a law banning minors from undergoing gay conversion therapy in Westchester at the behest of the county executive. The law, according to a May 30 letter sent by County Executive George Latimer, a Democrat,
to lawmakers would ban anyone under the age of 18 from undergoing so-called gay conversion therapy—a pseudoscientific treatment aimed at changing the sexuality of a subject. “Conversion therapy is a dangerous practice aimed at altering
the sexual orientation or gender identity of an individual,” reads Latimer’s letter. “Enactment of this legislation will protect minors from this practice and the long-term psychological and physiological harm that can come as a result of it.”
Conversion therapy has been denounced by nearly all of the country’s leading health agencies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association and the World Health Organization, who say that in addition to being ineffective and lacking scientific basis, can actually do psychological harm. Among the most harrowing iterations are conversion therapies that have been known to torture their enlistees through electrocution which has, in extreme cases,
led to suicide. Already, 11 states and almost 40 municipalities have passed their own bans on conversion therapy including New York City, Albany and Erie County in Western New York. Though the practice is limited by state regulations on providers—under law, any provider governed by the state Office of Mental Health is not permitted to conduct conversion therapy—it still exists through private entities not associated with those mental health facilities.
If the law were to pass in Westchester, anyone found to be providing conversion therapy would be fined up to $1,000 and potentially face up to one year in jail. The discussion will coincide with national Pride Month which celebrates members of the LGBTQ, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer, community across the country. According to a county Board of Legislators agenda, lawmakers will discuss the potential law in committee during June. -Reporting by James Pero
Connect with us on @linkedin.com/company/hometown-media Westchester County Executive George Latimer is calling for a ban on gay conversion therapy which experts say is dangerous and ineffective. Photo courtesy Flickr.com
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LEGAL NOTICES Notice of Formation of 480 MAMARONECK AVE LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Sect’y of State of NY (SSNY) on 5/4/2018. Office: Westchester County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 480 Mamaroneck Ave LLC, 480 Mamaroneck Avenue, Harrison, NY 10528. Purpose: any lawful business, purpose or activity. Notice of Formation of Picture Perfect Wall Decor & Gifts, LLC. Arts of Org. filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 02/26/18.Office location: Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: United States Corporation Inc, 7014 13th Avenue, Suite 202, Brooklyn NY 11228.Purpose: any lawful activity.
NOTICE TO BIDDERS HARRISON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
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Notice is hereby given that SEALED PROPOSALS for: RFB #18/19-07: CABLING AT PARSONS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL will be received until 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 18, 2018 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 June 5, 2018. 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 #18/19-07: Cabling at Parsons Elementary School”. 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. A pre-bid meeting and walk thru is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 11, 2018 at Parsons Elementary School, 200 Halstead Avenue, Harrison, NY 10528. Potential bidders are asked to gather at the main entrance to the building. Although the pre-bid meeting and walk-thru are not mandatory, it is highly recommended that all potential bidders attend. 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: June 5, 2018
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June 8, 2018 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 13
14 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • June 8, 2018
Memory lane
SPORTS
LIVE MIKE Mike Smith
When you cover high school sports as long as I have, some games just seem memorable. Whether it’s because of a thrilling finish, an impressive milestone or historical context, there are some contests that simply stand out. I was reminded of one such game on Monday, when the Cincinnati Reds selected New Rochelle High School alum JoJo Gray with the 72nd pick in the MLB Draft. Gray, along with Beacon’s Lenny Torres, was one of two local hurlers selected on the first day of the draft, but his selection—and his status as a former Huguenot ace—certainly piqued my interest. After all, I have covered several of Gray’s high school games, seen him toss countless Kumar Nambiar fires a pitch for Mamaroneck in a 2015 game against gems and pick up more than his New Rochelle. Nambiar would go on to pitch for the Yale Bulldogs.
JoJo Gray steps in the box against Mamaroneck in 2015. Gray was a splendid two-way player for the Huguenots but made his bones as a college pitcher. Photos/Mike Smith
On June 4, New Rochelle graduate JoJo Gray was selected in the 2nd round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds. On hearing the news, Sports Editor Mike Smith began to think about one of Gray’s most memorable high school games.
fair share of wins. So why is the game that I remember most vividly one that he lost? On April 21, 2015, Gray and the Huguenots hosted their league rivals from Mamaroneck in a game that local sports writers assuredly had circled on their calendars. The Huguenots may have been struggling coming into the meeting with a record of 2-5, while the Tigers were on their way to an eventual state title, but the pitching matchup alone made this one a potential instant classic. Gray was toeing the rubber for New Ro, squaring off against Tiger ace Kumar Nambiar in what was a hotly anticipated pitching matchup, perhaps the best that Section I would feature all season.
And boy, did it live up to the hype. Nambiar tossed eight innings of two hit, shutout baseball, while Gray went 8.1 with 10 strikeouts. The Tigers scored twice in the top of the ninth, and even though the Huguenots got one back in the bottom half of the inning, it wouldn’t be enough as the Tigers would escape with the win. Regardless of the score, one thing was certain; both Gray and Nambiar were the real deal. And even though you never know what the future holds for our local athletes, both hurlers eventually confirmed my suspicions. Nambiar would go on to star at Yale, where he started 11 games this past year, while Gray—whose fastball now sits
in the low-to-mid 90’s—became a standout at LeMoyne where he went 11-0 with a 1.25 ERA this year on his way to being drafted in the second round. But no matter what the future holds for Gray or Nambiar, that April game three years ago will always be one of my most vivid memories of this job. Getting to see two top-flight pitchers, their stories yet untold, battling against one another into extra innings? There’s a reason I love what I do. And as much as I enjoyed watching Gray pitch all those years ago, I’m just as excited to see what he’s going to do next.
Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports
SPORTS
June 8, 2018 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 15
Huskies hope for consistency in 2019 By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor As the Harrison softball team looks ahead to next season, head coach Dean Marino has already identified the one major area in which his squad needs to improve. Although his club showed great promise both at the plate and in the circle this spring, Marino is hoping to see his Huskies turn the corner in 2019 and demonstrate a bit more consistency on a daily basis. The Huskies’ season came to an end in the first round of the Class A playoffs on May 22 when they fell to Lakeland 10-2. That Harrison had previously topped the Hornets 3-1 early in the regular season was not lost on the head coach. “A couple times this year, we’d play a team twice and have two totally different outcomes with a huge run difference in how we played; especially against teams like Eastchester, Rye and Lakeland,” Marino said. “And I was saying all year that even though we had a lot of talent, we were just very inconsistent and needed to learn how to stay mentally focused.” Numbers-wise, it’s hard to argue with Marino’s assessment of the ability of his squad. Harrison hit .345 as a team, led by tremendous campaigns by juniors Lila Mogavero (.455, 18 RBIs) and Kristy Iannachinno (.437, 24 RBIs), and got great production from classmate Tamara Day (2.27 ERA) in the circle, but was never quite able to string together multiple games where everything was clicking. The team finished with a record of 13-9 despite earning wins over several of the top teams in Section I. The head coach admitted that watching Ardsley—which captured its first sectional title in 30 years last week—gave him a greater appreciation for the benefits of having vocal leaders on the field. “The talent is important, but without that drive, without that leadership, it isn’t enough,” he said. “I learned a lot from watching Ardsley and their catcher Lauren Rende, who basically refused to let her team lose. We haven’t had a player like that in quite a while.” Luckily for the Huskies however, there’s still time for that player to emerge. The Huskies graduate just three players this year, including starting shortstop Gina Nuvoloni, and will return a stellar eight-player junior class that Marino expects to keep his club in contention next season. If that group can find its voice, he said, the sky is the limit for the Harrison program. “We had an unbelievable chance this year, and I still don’t know if this group really understands how talented they are,” Marino added. “We are so tough from 1 through 9 and if we can stay focused on winning each day, I think we have the ability to win the whole thing next year.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com
Tamara Day will be one of several Huskies returning next season.
Kristy Iannachinno swings at a pitch on May 18.
Gina Nuvoloni scores a run against Eastchester. Nuvoloni is one of three graduating players this year. Photos/Mike Smith
16 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • June 8, 2018