Harrison REVIEW THE
March 1, 2019 | Vol. 7, Number 9 | www.harrisonreview.com
Gordon to run for mayor; Dems announce full slate
Worth the wait
A new exhibition opening early in March will feature a significant collection of 33 works, including six vintage prints, by Harlem Renaissance photographer James Van Der Zee. For more, see page 6.
Active shooter event training being offered to public Westchester County is offering an opportunity for residents to learn the strategies and skills they could use to survive if an active shooter event occurred in their place of work or other public venue. Known as Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events, CRASE, the training class will be offered on Wednesday, March 6 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Westchester County Center in White Plains. The training is free and open to the public. CRASE training is a training program used by corporations,
schools, workplaces, governments and law enforcement officers all over the country to raise awareness, educate and empower residents with the knowledge they may need if they find themselves in this nightmare scenario. “Government’s most important job is ensuring the safety of its residents – and CRASE training is just another way we can meet that important task,” Latimer said. “This is a wonderful opportunity to inform and empower yourself in case of emergency.”
CRASE training is built around the principles of Avoid, Deny and Defend. The Westchester County police officers who conduct the training provide practical guidance and actions that the public can take during each of these stages, Public Safety Commissioner Thomas Gleason said. Gleason said: “CRASE is a proven plan to increase the odds of surviving if you are present during an active shooter incident,” Gleason said. Westchester County police
have already provided CRASE training to hundreds of county employees, many school district employees and other members of law enforcement, who have brought the training back to their local communities. In addition, county police have worked closely with educators, staff and students to enhance the prevention of, and response to, an active shooter event in school buildings where county police officers serve as School Resource Officers. (Submitted)
The Moving Harrison Forward slate of candidates—Frank Gordon for mayor, and Lauren Leader and Michael Romita for town board—has been endorsed by the Harrison Democratic Committee, according to its chairman. With deep local roots and backgrounds in business, law and public policy, the Moving Harrison Forward team represents a refreshing change from Harrison’s entrenched leadership, according to Frank Corvino, the Harrison Democratic Committee chairman. They bring diverse experience to the tasks of government and a willingness to work with other government officials in a nonpartisan way to make the smart decisions that Harrison deserves. “They are determined to listen and respond to the concerns of frustrated residents, stand against scandal and corruption, and deliver municipal services as efficiently as possible,” Corvino said. The Moving Harrison Forward team will run on the Democratic line and will also seek third-party endorsements. In a joint statement, Gordon, a current town councilman, Leader and Romita said, “Harrison is our home and we cherish its longstanding history and traditions. The town faces many challenges, from our high tax burden, to neighborhood revitalization, to the safety of our children. We believe these issues should be faced with integrity and transparency by leaders who respect the views and input of town residents.” Corvino said, “We are fortunate to have such highly-qualified people willing to serve in our local government. Most importantly, they are committed to restoring respectful and responsive town leadership.” The committee also endorsed Patricia O’Callaghan for town justice. “Tricia O’Callaghan has had a long and distinguished legal career,” Corvino said. We are
proud to propose her as the first woman ever to serve as a justice in the Harrison Town Court.” The committee will also choose to cross-endorse Republican Town Clerk Jacqueline Greer for re-election. Gordon, who had a 25-year career in accounting, law and finance, applies the same principles of outstanding customer service that he learned in business to resident service as an incumbent member of the Harrison Town Council. A graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and recipient of JD and MBA degrees from the University of Chicago, he also volunteers at the Harrison Food Pantry. Leader is co-founder and CEO of All In Together, a nonpartisan non-profit that trains women in civics and civic leadership. She is a sought-after adviser to major corporations on issues ranging from diversity to corporate social responsibility. Author of “Crossing the Thinnest Line,” she frequently appears as a commentator on MSNBC and other media outlets. She has two daughters, and her oldest attends Harrison public schools. She was a 2018 Presidential Leadership Scholar and is a graduate of Barnard College. Romita is a partner at Mercury Strategies, a public policy firm, and Ranger Asset Management, a real-estate investment firm. He previously ran Harrison-based and family-owned Castle Oil Corp.as executive vice president of strategy and operations. After law school, he served as an environmental litigator at the U.S. Department of Justice. He recently co-chaired the County Executive’s Transition Committee on Economic Development and enjoys strong ties to the local business community. He holds degrees from Tufts University, Michigan Law School and the London School of Economics. (Submitted)