Harrison REVIEW THE
March 10, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 10 | www.harrisonreview.com
Town looks to consultant for gun law recommendations By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer
Harrison approves $161K overhaul of Ma Riis playground By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer The Harrison Town Council has approved a total renovation of the playground in Ma Riis Park, which is also slighted for several other improvements after the summer, according to the mayor. On March 2, the town approved the purchase and installation of playground equipment totaling $161,640 from Game Time, a commercial playground equipment manufacturer, in an effort to continue “a complete renaissance” of park improvements that began last year with updated decorative fencing, according to Mayor Ron Belmont, a Republican. “We think we have a good feel for what people want and
we’re finally moving forward with this,” he said. “We’ve wanted to do this for a while and the park is going to be really nice once it’s complete.” The funding for the purchase came from the town Subdivision Recreation Fee account, which now has a remaining balance of $543,422, according to Town Comptroller Maureen MacKenzie. The project, which doesn’t have a start date, as of press time, is expected to be followed by a number of other improvements to the park. According to Belmont, the Town Council is planning to replace the park’s gazebo, renovate all the walkways in and around the park, and reconstruct the playground’s access way to
the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Library Building, which is located at 2 Bruce Ave., in the fall. The mayor said that wave of improvements are planned to occur later in the year to avoid disrupting parkgoers during peak season, and will most likely kick off in December. “Unfortunately, some improvements take time, but people will be really happy when we’re done,” Belmont added. According to Town Engineer Michael Amodeo, Harrison received $145,000 in grant funding from the New York State Department of Transportation for the fall improvements. In addition to the park projects, the Town Council is also considering upgrading other municipal-
owned property in Harrison. According to Councilman Stephen Malfitano, a Republican, the town is planning to undertake a project to completely renovate and extend the Sollazzo Center, which is located at 270 Harrison Ave. The recreation center has a game room, a fitness room, and a basketball gym. “We’re very interested in pursuing reconstruction for the building,” Malfitano said. “It’s really well beyond its useful life.” He added that there is currently no timeline for when the Town Council will introduce a proposal to carry out the Sollazzo Center renovations or how much the project would cost. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
Harrison officials are working with legal consultants in considering a series of ordinances aimed at regulating the locations and operations of gun stores in the town. During a meeting on March 2, the Town Council heard from Allison Anderman, a staff attorney for the nonprofit Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, a California-based organization which tracks, analyzes and suggests gun legislation across the country. Anderman presented a potential ordinance which, according to the law center, is likely to withstand legal challenges under the Second Amendment. Harrison has been beleaguered by the discussion of potential gun store regulations since November 2016, when residents had learned that L&L Sports, a gun store, would be opening on Halstead Avenue, less than 1,000 feet from Parsons Memorial Elementary School. When the Town Council told the community there was virtually nothing they could do about the issue, some residents contacted the law center. Anderman said she began meeting with concerned residents since then, but hadn’t met with the Town Council prior to the March meeting. Addressing several of the issues raised by residents, the law center has proposed a nine-part ordinance which would regulate the locations in which a gun store owner could open a business, and even further regulate the safety, security and inspection procedures with which the store
owner would be required to comply. Those proposed regulations would prohibit firearm dealers from operating a business out of a residential address and would prohibit dealers from operating within certain distances of socalled “sensitive areas,” including schools, day cares, parks and residential zones. Additional provisions of the ordinance would require all employees of a gun store to undergo background checks; would authorize the Police Department to frequently inspect a gun shop; and would prevent those who are legally ineligible to purchase or possess a firearm from entering such a storefront. While the town is not required to adopt all nine provisions, Anderman said that they are each legally defensible, adding that none of the proposed provisions in the ordinance had been invalidated by a court. “I don’t think there’s any reason why they wouldn’t adopt all nine [provisions],” she said. “Many jurisdictions in California have many if not all of those provisions,” Anderman told the Review. “A lot of them have some, but not all. In New York [state], this hasn’t been as much of a focus and so there are only a handful of [municipalities] that regulate gun dealers on a local level.” She added that none of the municipalities in New York state which have worked with the law center have all nine provisions in their ordinances. The Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence was also involved GUN continued on page 8
INSIDE Rosenblum may run for county seat Story on page 10.
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March 10, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 3
State, county lawmakers consider Uber laws By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer While New York state lawmakers reconsider a law that would allow mobile-based ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft throughout the state, Westchester County could precede that law, as lawmakers here consider their own law. Ride-hailing services have been operating in New York City since May 2011, picking up riders who request a ride via a mobile app which automatically charges customers through a debit or credit card. But riders and drivers have not been able to legally utilize popular ridebooking apps like Uber and Lyft anywhere outside of the five boroughs. However, Westchester, New York City’s closest neighboring county to the north, may soon look to become the exception to the statewide rule. County Legislator Ken Jenkins, a Yonkers Democrat who plans to run for county executive this fall, recently proposed legislation that would allow ride-hailing
services to legally operate in Westchester. Currently, drivers of such vehicles are only allowed to travel through Westchester if either the pickup or drop-off location is in New York City. The proposed county law, which was recommended to the county Public Safety and Social Services Committee on Feb. 13, would require drivers to submit to background checks and maintain at least $1 million in liability insurance, and for the app to display a photo of the driver’s face. “The main concerns are things that have to do with licensing,” Jenkins said. “But another fiscal consideration is the amount of money that goes to municipalities that have taxi and limousine commissions [TLCs] locally.” He said that the county is seeking to draft a law that would allow ride-booking services in its municipalities without negatively impacting the revenue that they make through taxi medallions and similar fees administered by TLCs. If ride-hailing becomes legal in the county, providers would still
have to receive individual approval from some municipalities which have TLCs, including White Plains and New Rochelle. Currently, luxury ride-booking services such as UberBLACK are allowed to operate in those cities as long as they are sanctioned by the city’s TLC. Drivers who do not have that permission could face hefty fines. According to Jenkins, the county can fine up to $2,500 to drivers who illegally pick up riders at the Westchester County Airport. But during a Feb. 13 county Board of Legislators meeting, Jenkins suggested that those fines aren’t issued as frequently as they should be. Jenkins sponsored a similar county bill last year, but the bill never made it out of committee. He said they tabled the discussion at the time because a similar law was being considered in the state Legislature that would legalize ride-hailing throughout New York. That bill never made it through the Legislature and onto the desk of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat. However, the governor is pushing to bring ride-hailing
A screenshot of an Uber map taken in the White Plains area on March 6 shows at least four Uber drivers within about 2 miles of the city’s Metro-North station. Photo courtesy Uber
across the state this year. In January, during his State of the State address, he proposed legislation that would expand the reach of ride-booking services outside of New York City. A version of that legislation passed in the state Senate 53-5 in February; but, as of press time, that bill has no counterpart in the state Assembly. A separate law in the state Assembly aims to impose a tax on ride-hailing services in New York City. State Assemblyman David Buchwald, a White Plains Democrat, said that bill is an attempt to ensure that taxi drivers and companies are not more heavily burdened than ride-hailing services and their drivers. “There’s no doubt that many people would utilize Uber and similar companies, Buchwald said. “But it’s also important to make sure that all the transportation providers are operating on a level playing field.” The assemblyman added that he supported expanding ridebooking across the state, but first wants to ensure that there would be adequate provisions for consumer safety. According to a Siena poll UBER continued on page 8
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What’s going on... Harrison Public Library
your device and questions and get one-on-one assistance. Please register online, by phone at 8350324, or in person at the library.
SCIENCE Club
Visit harrisonpl.org for more information on programs and library hours.
On Tuesday, March 14 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Building. For grades 3–5. In honor of Amelia Earhart. Participants will continue the exploration of the science of flight. In this session, participants will make an arrow paper airplane to see why this design is better for distance. Registration is required. Please sign up for this event online or by calling the library at 835-0324.
Sing Along Sundays with Chloe
Crochet and Knitting
On Sundays from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial 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 singalong repertoire. Get ready for a fun, creative, and engaging experience.
On Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the West Harrison Branch. Want to learn how to knit or crochet a simple scarf? Join this class. Drop in anytime and bring hooks, needles and yarn or practice with the library’s. No registration required. Call 948-2092 for more information.
One-on-One e-Help On Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Building. Need help with downloading e-books, audiobooks, apps, or using Google Drive, email, or searching the Internet with your tablet, phone or laptop? Bring
Pajama Party with Chloe On Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the West Harrison Branch. For children up to age 4; siblings are welcome. Participants can wear pajamas and sing with Chloe during this evening class with songs, music and more. No registration required.
Business plan workshop On Wednesday, March 15 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Building.
This SCORE Westchester workshop, called “Don’t Create Your Business Plan Before You Do the Homework,” presents an interactive discussion focused on how to define your product/service; understand the market you want to enter; how you will enter it; sourcing; pricing; and getting ready to do a business plan. Presented by Nina Mattikow, whose extensive experience as the founder and CEO of one of the first audio publishers, and who via innovative marketing and sales grew the company to sell to every major retailer in the U.S. Refreshments provided compliments of the Friends of the Harrison Public Library. Registration recommended. Please sign up for this event online or by calling the library at 835-0324.
English for Japanese Speakers On Fridays from 9:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Building. This class is for Japanese speakers learning English. Practical everyday conversational English is taught, and always tailored to the students’ needs. This class is taught by Julie Jacobs. Class is held once a week on Friday mornings and follows the Harrison school district calendar.
Conversational Spanish On Fridays, March 17 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the West Harrison Branch. Do you want to learn or improve your Spanish skills? Learn to speak Spanish with these basic lessons with Mariella. ¡Aprende un nuevo idioma!
Chloe’s Sign & Play On Fridays from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Building. Give your child the gift of language. Sign & Play is a fun class where families can learn to communicate with their pre-verbal children using real signs from American Sign Language. Based on the awardwinning 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.
way. Applications are available at all recreation centers and on the Harrison Recreation website, harrison-ny.gov/recreation.
Youth Flag Football League For children in grades K–6. This program is mostly focused on the fundamentals of the game. Players will learn the basics of football as well as practicing speed and agility drill. Teams will be formed and games begin during the third week of the program. The tentative spring season starts in April and will run on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. at LMK or Feeley Fields. Please contact Joe Gallace with any questions at 924-8380 or harrisonyouthflagfootball@yahoo.com. Fee: $180; late fee will be $200 after March 11.
Neuberger Museum The Neuberger Museum of Art is located on the SUNY Purchase College campus, located at 735 Anderson Hill Road in Purchase. For more information, call 251-6100 or visit neuberger.org.
‘Eva Hesse’ screening On Wednesday, March 15 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. As the wild ride of the 1960s came to a close, Eva Hesse, a 34-year-old German-born American artist was cresting the wave of a swiftly rising career. One of the few women recognized as central to the New York art scene, she had more than 20 group shows scheduled for 1970, in addition to being chosen for a cover article in Artforum magazine. Her work was finally receiving both the critical and commercial attention it deserved. When she died in May 1970 from a brain tumor, the life of one of that decade’s most passionate and brilliant artists was tragically cut short. Artists such as Dan Graham, Richard Serra, Nancy Holt, Carl Andre, Robert and Sylvia Plimack Mangold, Eva’s husband Tom Doyle, and her friend, writer Lucy Lippard, speak candidly and with great passion about the ‘60s, Hesse’s work, and her life.
Westchester Chamber Music Society
Bilingual Storytime and craft
The Onion String Quartet
On Saturday, March 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the West Harrison Branch. For toddlers to 6-year-olds. Stories and songs in English and Spanish with Miss Mariella. Sábado, 18 de marzo de 10:30 a.m. hasta 11 a.m. en West Harrison Branch. Desde infantes hasta niños de 6 años. Es la hora del cuento en inglés y español. Diviértete leyendo y cantando con Señorita Mariella.
The Westchester Chamber Music Society presents The Onion String Quartet on Sunday, March 12 at 4 p.m. The concert will be held at Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester, located at 2125 Westchester Ave. in Rye. A reception with the musicians and sponsors will follow the performance. The Westchester Chamber Music Society is celebrating it 66th anniversary during the 2016-2017 season. Led by Dr. Caroline Bauman, a pediatrician and longtime Rye resident, The Westchester Chamber Music Society has always been committed to bring first-rate artists to Westchester. Tickets can be purchased at WestchesterChamberMusicSociety.com, or you can call 967-7399 or 723-6192 or buy at the door. Tickets are $40, and students are always free. Senior group discounts for groups of 10 or more are available.
Harrison Recreation Please be aware that parents must have a current 2017 ID card to register children for all programs. Please be prepared to show proof of residency with a current utility bill and driver’s license. A school report card or progress report is required for a child ID card. 2017 resident IDs and pool passes are now available for purchase. Visit harrison-ny.gov/recreation for more information on programs and the Recreation Department.
Little League Little League registration is currently under-
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.
March 10, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 5
Cuomo touts electric vehicles; unveils $4.8M plan By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer As part of a state initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the governor has announced a plan championing the use of electric vehicles. The plan, which will work hand-in-hand with several other projects already in progress, calls for a total commitment of $4.8 million that includes the installation of electric vehicle charging stations, incentives for employers to encourage employees to drive electric vehicles, and extensive public education and outreach. “With these actions, we are taking another step toward a cleaner, greener and more sustainable New York for all,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat. “This multi-pronged campaign will help in this administration’s efforts to fight climate change, strengthen infrastructure to support the use of electric cars, and help reduce New York’s carbon footprint on our roadways.” The goal of the campaign,
which supports the governor’s already occurring ChargeNY initiative, is to help the state reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030. Richard Kauffman, the chairman of Energy and Finance for New York, which governs the state’s Department of Public Service, Power Authority, and Energy Research and Development, said, “We can’t cut greenhouse gasses and reach our emissions reduction goals without also making inroads in the transportation sector.” The campaign will be overseen by the New York state Energy Research and Development Authority, which is responsible for finding and supporting innovative energy solutions for New York’s economy and environment. ChargeNY aims to install 3,000 plug-in electric vehicle, PEV, charging stations throughout the state and support an expected 30,000 to 40,000 PEVs on the road by 2018. Since the start of ChargeNY in 2013, New York state has installed nearly 500 charging
stations, bringing the state’s total to more than 1,100. With the new initiative, which was announced on March 6, the state intends to install 450 charging stations in Westchester County, New York City, Long Island, and the cities of Buffalo, Rochester, Utica, and Albany. As of press time, there is no information about where the charging stations will be located within the county. State Assemblyman David Buchwald, a White Plains Democrat, said, “Having these charging stations in Westchester County makes sense because we have a very robust marketplace when it comes to electric vehicles.” Buchwald added that, while state officials are hopeful to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and although inroads have been made in making transportation greener, there’s still more work to be done. “We’ve already made significant progress as businesses are more efficient and are using less electricity than we have in the past,” Buchwald said. “But,
On March 6, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a plan to spend $4.8 million to support the use of and install 450 electric vehicle charging stations throughout the state. Photo courtesy Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office
we’ll need to take more steps like this one if we ever want to achieve that goal.” In 2014, the state Legislature passed a bill to allow Tesla Motors, an American automaker, to continue directly selling their clean energy cars in New York. Buchwald said the passing of that bill was another small victory needed to promote electric cars. Prior to that, state lawmakers proposed to end Tesla’s direct sale to consumers with a 2013 bill that would have mandated
vehicles be sold exclusively through dealerships. The motor vehicle company, which has locations in White Plains and Mount Kisco, is the only car manufacturer company in New York that sells directly to customers in retail stores, which is similar to the sales model of Apple, the consumer electronics company known for its iPhone. Other motor vehicle companies sell cars through local businesses based on a dealership contract, in which salespeople sell their vehicles.
Last fall, Cuomo allocated $3 million for rebates through the Environmental Protection Fund for municipalities to purchase or lease zero-emission vehicles, such as battery electric and hydrogen vehicles, for their fleets, which would include police cars, fire engines and sanitation waste units. State Sen. George Latimer, a Rye Democrat, could not be reached for comment, as of press time. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
6 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • March 10, 2017
Harrison REVIEW
THE
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New Facebook project aims to improve journalism
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Looking to address issues with inaccurate or “fake” news as well as problems with the highly popular social media website, Facebook has launched the Facebook Journalism Project. Sources close to the company say the project came about as Facebook began looking to see how it could better work with the news industry, and help give its readership the tools they need to have a more meaningful discussion about the news. In January, Fidji Simo, director of product for Facebook, announced on the social media site’s blog that the company was launching the project with three main goals: finding the best way to spread news, improving the skills of reporters, and stopping the spread of inaccurate news. The project, according to a source with knowledge of the endeavor, is intended to be an ongoing task for the site. And part of improving the spread of news will include developing the skills
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, Aaron Kershaw, Charlie McLaughlin Columnists Ron Belmont, Lenore Skenazy
of the people who write it, Facebook claims. In the announcement post, Simo says that there are online courses available for journalists to improve their skills. Yet, the online courses available are mostly centered on topics including building a media presence, managing ads and targeting your ideal audience. But in another blog post on Facebook written by Áine Kerr, manager of journalism partnerships for Facebook, she explained that the journalism project would be hosting “working groups” to discuss news literacy with a variety of people including writers, teachers and organizations. These groups will be hosted at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism. While Facebook is claiming to want to improve journalists’ skills, the project has its skeptics. Dr. Mitchell Bard, assistant professor of mass communications at Iona College in New Rochelle, is not a believer in the project. “If journalists want to learn how to operate better on-
line, I don’t recommend Facebook,” he told the Review. Michelle Rea, executive director of the New York Press Association, an organization founded in 1853 that works to improve communication amongst smaller news publications, shares a similar sentiment. “I think it’s a giant PR stunt…,” she said. In all, the project has launched a larger discussion surrounding the involvement of social media in the dissemination of news and information. And the initiative also comes on the heels of Facebook coming under fire in recent months for contributing to the spread of fake news on its website. This increased when Facebook fired its Trending Topics team in August 2016. The team had worked to filter out headlines and stories for the trending topics section of the website. Without the team, Facebook began using an algorithm to determine what the trending topics were. Soon after the team was fired, however, the algorithm began taking fake news from untrusted
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Headlines like these can sometimes gain fake news stories thousands of views, and hundreds of comments from people who believe them. Photo courtesy cnn.com.de
Fake online news articles such as this one use clickbait to ensure that users, whether they agree or disagree with the headline, will click on it to find out more. Photo courtesy americannews.com
websites and displaying those in its trending section. Fake news became a popular topic again in November 2016 during the presidential campaign, when Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, addressed the concern that the false articles on the social media site may have had an effect on election results. Zuckerberg’s post inspired an open letter from the International Fact-Checking Network, IFCN. The letter, published on Poytner. org, encouraged the social media company to help its users more easily identify these hoaxes, and discuss ways to fight against them. Alexios Mantzarlis, director of the IFCN, said that fact-checkers have been at the forefront of the fake news issue before it became such a widespread problem on social media. Mantzarlis said that the IFCN had published the open letter because the company felt that it was a good time to step up and say the network would be happy to help combat the spread of fake news, especially since the IFCN had already been dealing with those types of things for years. Facebook has mentioned that they will now only be using factchecking organizations to identify fake articles, as long as they abide by IFCN’s code containing the five rules of fact-checking: fact-checking needs to be fair, honest about sources, transparent about organizations that provide them with funding, open about the fact-checking procedures, and stay honest about any corrections made. While fact-checking is an important part of preventing the spread of misinformation, Facebook is also trying to help its users spot fake news on their own.
In the blog post, Simo wrote that Facebook will be working with the News Literacy Project, a nonprofit program that works with educators to teach middle and high school children how to look at real and fake news critically. Rea, who also brought up what the work of the News Literacy Project does, believes that “we need to take news literacy to a higher level.” Facebook and the News Literacy Project are currently working together to create a series of public service ads that will encourage users to look at news carefully, and help remind people to not believe everything they read. “We just want to help consumers,” said Peter Adams, senior vice president for educational programs at the News Literacy Project. Adams explained that the nonprofit has had conversations about how everybody on the social media platform is engaging with fake news, and they want to help people not be manipulated by these false news stories. These ads, which will be launching in the spring of this year, want to act as reminders to Facebook users that there is a lot of misinformation spread around, and provide users with tips to not fall victim to the headlines. Bard explained, however, that fake news is one of the things that gets people more engaged on Facebook and that by trying to combat the spread of it, the website is going against its goal of getting as many people active there as possible. “I don’t think we really know what the real goal [of the project] is,” he said. CONTACT: taylor@hometwn.com
March 10, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 7
County hosts affordable housing expo Westchester County’s 2017 Fair and Affordable Housing Expo will take place on Saturday, March 11 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. “Those who attend the expo can meet with the realtors, mortgage lenders and nonprofit counselors who will be available to answer their questions,” said Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino. “This is a great opportunity to learn about the affordable housing process and the county’s commitment to create a variety of fair and affordable housing opportunities.” Throughout the day, various workshops will be held to help answer questions such as: • Am I eligible for affordable housing? • Is it better to rent or own? • How much do I need for a down payment? • Are there any programs that help with down payments and closing costs? • What is the importance of credit and a good credit score? • What is the role of the nonprof-
it counselor, the realtor, inspector, the attorney and the lender? The first workshop of the day, which begins at 11:45 a.m., is about Westchester’s One Community campaign, which focuses on the county’s efforts to promote the benefits of diversity and affordable housing opportunities. At 1 p.m., a workshop on fair and affordable housing will discuss affordable homeownership and rental opportunities, and the application and selection process. There will also be a demonstration on how to navigate through Homeseeker Online, a website that provides information about affordable homeownership and rental apartment opportunities in Westchester. At 2 p.m., a workshop entitled “Rental Housing” will provide vis-
itors with an opportunity to meet with nonprofit counselors who will advise and describe the process of finding affordable rentals. The Fair Housing Department of the Westchester County Human Rights Commission, HRC, will give a presentation on the protections provided by Westchester County’s Fair Housing Law and will discuss how the HRC can assist individuals who believe they have been discriminated against in the course of their involvement in Westchester’s housing market. For more information on the expo, contact Westchester Residential Opportunities at ganderson@wroinc.org or 428-4507 ext. 314; or the Housing Action Council at hac@affordablehomes.org or 332-4144. The Westchester County Center is located at 198 Central Ave. in White Plains. The fee for parking at the County Center is $7. The event is co-sponsored by Westchester County, the Westchester Interfaith Housing Corporation and the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors Inc. (Submitted)
Felix is an adorable Jack Russell terrier mix, about 3 years old and 14 pounds. This little guy is a love to those that know him, but he is shy when he first meets you. He is fine with some dogs, but prefers to be your one and only. He needs a loving and nurturing home that will have the time and patience to help him come out of his shell and be the amazing boy he was meant to be! Could that be you? Felix is neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, and microchipped. Make him part of your family for an adoption donation of $300 to Pet Rescue. To meet Felix, call 834-6955 or visit NY-PetRescue.org. (Submitted)
8 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • March 10, 2017
Pet Rescue and a community garden
GUN from page 1
HARRISON HAPPENINGS Mayor Ron Belmont
Harrison may consider a nine-part gun store ordinance, proposed by the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, which would regulate the locations and practices of gun stores in the town. Photo courtesy Flickr
in advising the nearby village of Rye Brook in drafting its proposed gun store legislation, which is currently being reviewed by the village Board of Trustees. As a reaction to the backlash over the Harrison gun store, Rye Brook proposed a law in December that would either prevent gun dealers from opening within 400 or 500 feet of a school, or would restrict gun stores to opening within the village’s commercial outlet malls. That proposal was recently reviewed by the village Planning
Board, and is now back before the Board of Trustees. Harrison officials now plan to review the proposed ordinance recommended by the law center, but have not released any timeline by which the town board could act on it. “It’s in the hands of the attorneys,” Mayor Ron Belmont, a Republican, said. “We’re looking at it closely and we’re looking to do something.” Anderman added that if Harrison approves an ordinance, it would be at the town’s discretion
whether to allow L&L Sports to continue to operate at the Halstead Avenue location or to give the store owner, Louis Zacchio, a set amount of time to comply with a new law that could potentially put the store owner in violation. According to Anderman, the law firm Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel said it would defend Harrison pro bono if the town were challenged on a law that was drafted within the guidelines of the law center. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com
On Sunday, March 5, I had the pleasure of attending the opening reception for Youth Art Month in Town Hall. This year, Harrison’s talented students have displayed works of art that include mixed media, paint, water colors, ceramics and photography. Congratulations to all who participated. This wonderful event could not be possible without the commitment of the Harrison Council for the Arts and the dedication of devoted teachers. The next time you are in Town Hall, be sure to take a moment to see the brilliant exhibits, placed in the display case and hanging on the walls, throughout the building. I would like to take this time to recognize Pet Rescue. I had a wonderful time at this year’s Pet Rescue Gala. The organization, located in Harrison, serves the needs of abandoned and neglected dogs and cats. The animals are fostered by volunteers, provided with veterinary care and placed in permanent homes. Pet Rescue also has a spay/neuter program. The gala was a lovely event with wonderful food and warm conversation. Congratulations to the volunteers and staff for creating a top-shelf event for this very
UBER from page 3
released on Feb. 27, allowing ride-hailing services to operate throughout the state is supported by a bipartisan majority of New Yorkers. Of those polled, 76 percent were in favor of legislation allowing ride-booking throughout the state, while 16 percent were opposed. In
worthwhile establishment. An introductory, informational meeting will be held on Thursday, March 16 at 7 p.m., at the West Harrison Mintzer Center, to discuss a plan for a community garden. The garden will be located in Passidomo Park and may include flowers and fresh vegetables. Residents are encouraged to attend and learn about opportunities for participation. I would like to congratulate all those involved with the Harrison High School Footlight Players performance of “The Addams Family.” I was able to catch a performance and the production value in everything, from the set decor to the choreography and songs, was exceptional. The lively cast complemented the wonderful music and the talent was enjoyed by one and all. Well done, cast and crew, and a special congratulations to faculty members Lynn Fusco, Deborah Toteda and Meg Test for their hard work and dedication! In speaking with residents concerning issues that face our community, I understand the frustration many feel about potholes created by the snow, sleet and freezing rain our region has experienced this year. Although infrequent, this year’s precipitation required that our Highway Department plow and salt our roadways. January and February did present a few freeze and
thaw cycles that created the perfect condition for pothole formation. As water or condensation builds up and freezes on the road’s surface and in the cracks, the top layer of asphalt or pavement loosens and at times breaks free, thereby creating potholes. DPW crews work diligently to remove the snow, ensuring that our roadways are safe and passable. They are currently addressing potholes on municipal roadways, and are employing a permanent patching application. I am pleased that Harrison is ahead of many other municipalities in pothole response. That being said, please be sure to report any potholes to DPW at 670-3100. Several main thoroughfares, which run through our municipality, are state or county roads. Should a dangerous condition on a state or county road come to our attention, town personnel send an alert to the appropriate municipal office. I appreciate everyone’s continued cooperation and patience as we keep up with this season’s road restoration. The next Lunch with the Mayor is on Friday, March 10. I will be at Silver Spoon, located at 117 Lake St. 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.
response to the poll statistics, Uber tri-state general manager Josh Mohrer said, “New Yorkers are tired of telling pollsters, elected officials and community leaders they want ride-sharing in their communities.” Meanwhile, nationwide demand for access to ride-hailing is being recognized. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie,
a Republican, recently signed a similar ride-hailing bill into law, becoming the 36th governor in the country to do so. According to a draft of the Westchester law, a statewide ride-booking law in New York would pre-empt the county’s proposed legislation. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com
March 10, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 9
State DMV increases railroad crossing violations
The New York state Department of Motor Vehicles has increased the points assigned to motorists for violating traffic infractions made near railroad crossings. Photo courtesy wikipedia.org
The New York state Department of Motor Vehicles is cracking down on motorists that violate traffic regulations near railroad crossings. In August 2016, the DMV increased the points assigned to automobilists from three to five for infractions made near railroad crossings in an effort to prevent train crashes at the nearly 2,700 crossings statewide. The announcement was made recently during a state legislative budget hearing on transportation on Feb. 15. “If you are knowingly reckless at railroad crossings, you are putting yourself, those around you, and those in the train at risk for a catastrophe,” said state Assemblyman David Buchwald, a White Plains Democrat. “I’m pleased that the state government is taking seriously the con-
cerns of Westchester residents by showing how important it is to be careful at these crossings.” Prior to the change in the rules of the road, a traffic infraction near a railroad crossing only warranted a fine and a three-point penalty, which is the same value for speeding one to 10 mph above the speed limit anywhere else. In New York, the DMV may suspend drivers’ licenses if a motorist accrues 11 points in an 18-month period. According to Theresa Egan, the executive deputy commissioner of the state DMV, the new rule aims to protect motorists rather than punish them. “It’s very difficult to change behavior, [but] saving lives is certainly [our] main priority,” she said. The change in the DMV regulations comes just two years af-
ter the deadly Metro-North Harlem Line train crash in Valhalla in which six individuals were killed as a result of a train’s collision with an SUV. The crash was the deadliest in Metro-North history; it was also the deadliest crash in the country since the Washington Metro train collision in 2009, in which eight passengers were killed. “In my mind, the rule change comes directly from the unfortunate tragedy [in Valhalla],” Buchwald said. Initially, changes to increase the points for railroad crossing violations were rejected by the DMV, according to Buchwald, who introduced legislation in 2015 for a law change related to traffic infractions near railroad crossings; that proposal was made before the DMV changed the rule. -Reporting by Franco Fino
She’s not crazy, her name just rhymes with it. Read Lenore Skenazy’s column every week in the Review. A past contributor to the Daily News and the New York Sun, Skenazy has also appeared on “The Daily Show,” been profiled in the New Yorker and even had her own reality TV show, “World’s Worst Mom.”
10 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • March 10, 2017
By SIBYLLA CHIPAZIWA Assistant Editor The rise of nationalist populism in developed countries is changing politics by challenging mainstream parties, according to BBC journalist Razia Iqbal. For Iqbal, a British citizen, this viewpoint stems from having had a front row seat to the Brexit vote, the 2016 British referendum to exit the European Union, and other such movements in Europe. Through that lens, Iqbal focused a recent talk at Purchase College on the United States and the groundbreaking election of President Donald Trump. “It appears to me that a tectonic shift is taking place, which is affecting geopolitics, economics, society, and, as a result of all those things, culture… the way we are with each other,” Iqbal said of the new populist movements, calling them “a game-changer.” With the United States having been the world’s hegemon for decades, it’s not surprising that some people are concerned about such a shift toward populism. Iqbal said populism, or the support for concerns of average citizens counter to the elite class, creates “tribes” that lend themselves to a culture that looks to exclude others. Nationalism is the idea that national interests are more important than international concerns. It is not uncommon for the two ideologies to intertwine, which was the topic Iqbal addressed.
Razia Iqbal, a BBC journalist, speaks to an audience at SUNY Purchase College on Feb. 15 as part of its Eugene Grant Distinguished Scholar Lecture Series. Photos/Sibylla Chipaziwa
A recent wave of populism has influenced politics and has upstaged recent elections by challenging, and even defeating, traditional, mainstream ideological parties. Iqbal said in the U.S., such a groundswell is being seen today within the confines of the Republican Party, and the recent election of its now de facto leader, Trump. “But let’s not forget that he wasn’t even a member [of that party],” she added, referring to the president once being a registered Democrat. Iqbal believes that Trump’s rise to power filled a void in American politics that developed as a result of the perception of failed policies during President Barack Obama’s administration, where many Americans felt as though they had been ignored and left behind. “Where the established party is perceived to have failed is where populist
Razia Iqbal talks to Purchase College students after her talk on the recent rise of nationalist populism in the developed world.
leaders can emerge,” she said. “That tends to happen with populist movements [more so] on the right than the left.” Iqbal doesn’t believe that Trump is the next Adolf Hitler, as some liberal pundits have gone as far as to claim. But, she does believe that Trump’s is espousing populism by presenting the narrative that the country’s elites are favoring a “third group,” such as immigrants or refugees, instead of focusing on average citizens’ concerns. This element or group is what Trump and other populists use to place blame for what’s gone wrong in the country. “It’s not surprising that someone like Trump can emerge [and say], ‘I can find not only the solution, but I know who to blame,’” Iqbal said. Iqbal, a Muslim, said one thing that interests her is the people who are blamed, who are quite often marginalized. “I have always seen myself as someone who is on the outside,” she said. “There’s a big part of my heart that utterly relates to people who feel disappointed.” Born in East Africa before her family moved to London, Iqbal added that it is important to try to understand—whether right or wrong—why people can be swayed by populism and/or nationalism. Her advice to the young aspiring Purchase journalists in the room is that history is important. “[It] at least gives us perspective not to panic; to not allow our despair to overwhelm us,” she said, adding that the media, when it does its job well, can enlighten its audience. Iqbal stressed the importance for all political sides to listen to one another. Mentioning what is currently happening in the United Kingdom, she said, “It does worry me that people are beginning to hate each other. That is part of the nationalism that has emerged [there].” Having a marketplace of ideas, and respecting those with differing opinions, is important to maintaining a civil society. “I think civility and being part of a civilization forces us not to hate,” Iqbal said. “Why would you want to be part of what it is populism does, which is to divide?” CONTACT: sibylla@hometwn.com
Mamaroneck mayor considers county run By JAMES PERO Staff Writer Norman Rosenblum, the often outspoken Republican mayor of the village of Mamaroneck, is mulling going toe-to-toe with Westchester County Legislator Catherine Parker in what could be a hard-fought race along the Sound Shore, the Review has learned. According to Rosenblum— who has served as mayor in the village since 2010—he has been approached by county Republican Party officials multiple times, but has yet to make a final decision on whether to take the political leap. “There’s one basic principle that one decides on,” said Rosenblum, 74. “And that is what position can you best serve your community, and whether that is the village or the county remains to be seen.” Rosenblum told the Review that he plans on making a final decision on whether he will run for county office in the coming weeks. During his tenure as mayor, Rosenblum has fostered a loyal constituency in a primarily Democratic village, and has proven a stalwart in Mamaroneck where—despite consistent Democratic challenges—he has remained seated at the dais for four consecutive terms. At times, however, relations with Democrats on the Board of Trustees has taken contentious
Village of Mamaroneck Mayor Norman Rosenblum, a Republican, will consider a bid for Westchester County legislator, and the seat currently occupied by Rye Democrat, Catherine Parker. File photo
turns, culminating this past year when Rosenblum unsuccessfully filed a lawsuit against board Democrats that sought to subdue a referendum against his powers of appointment. Toppling Parker, a Rye Democrat, on a county stage, however, would likely prove Rosenblum’s biggest political challenge to date. In 2015—Parker’s last reelection bid—the two-term legislator coasted to an easy victory over Susan Watson, of Rye; Parker won with a formidable 59 percent of the total vote. Before winning election to the county Board of Legislators, Parker also served on the Rye City Council from 2008 to 2013. This year, in addition to all 17 seats of the county Board of Legislators being up for reelection, County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, who has held his post since 2010, is also expected to seek re-election.
Westchester County’s 7th District encompasses the city of Rye, the town and village of Mamaroneck, the village of Larchmont, and portions of the city of New Rochelle and the town/village of Harrison. When reached by phone this week, Parker declined to comment. County legislators are elected to serve two-year terms with an annual compensation of $49,200. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
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PUBLIC NOTICE Private/Parochial School Transportation The Harrison Central School District is accepting applications for Private & Parochial School Transportation for the 2017-2018 school year from all eligible residents. Applications may be obtained at the Transportation Office, Harrison Central School District, 50 Union Avenue, Harrison, NY 10528, or may be downloaded at: http://www.harrisoncsd.org/docs/general/reqfortransp1718.pdf. Completed applications, with all necessary documentation, must be received at the Transportation Office, no later than April 3, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. Gene George Purchasing/Transportation Agent Dated: Wednesday, February 22, 2015
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March 10, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 13
Crime and ineffective punishment RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy
It’s no secret that America loves to send people to prison. We have 5 percent of the world’s population and 25 percent of its prisoners—which is odd for a “land of liberty.” Lately it has become common to attribute our mass incarceration to the war on drugs. The conversation goes like this: “Why don’t we just release the non-violent drug offenders? That makes so much sense!” And it does. But it will not make that big a dent in the number of people sitting in cells, says John Pfaff, a professor of law at Fordham University and author of the new book, “Locked In: the True Causes of Mass Incarceration – and How to Achieve Real Reform.” (Book titles keep getting longer, don’t they?) Surprisingly, people arrested for drug crimes constitute only about 16 percent of the people in prison. Most of the rest are there for violent crimes. So for Pfaff the question is: Should we start releasing the violent criminals, too? At first blush, this sounds crazy. We need to keep violent offenders off the street. But one point that Pfaff makes is that “violent offender” is a misleading term. It makes it sound as if there’s a class of people who are wired wrong and incorrigible. This is wrong on two counts. First of all, some crimes are labeled “violent” that aren’t—like breaking into a house. But beyond that, some people are labeled “violent” who committed their crime only in the context of one particular situ-
ation. “You’re in a bad mood, you have a beer, you get in a fight with your friend at the bar and break his jaw,” says Pfaff. “If we’re trying to minimize future harm, some sort of anger management class might be more effective than prison.” But prison has become our knee-jerk response to all violence, even though often this isn’t addressing the real problem. Which is…? Well, says Pfaff, “Whenever you have young men who are denied upward social mobility and the state doesn’t do a good job of preventing violent crime, these young men will engage in violence against each other. It’s as true in 19thcentury Czarist Russia as it is in 20th-century Los Angeles. What is necessary is a change of circumstance.” That might sound like a verse from the “West Side Story” song—“Officer Krupke, you’re really a slob, this boy don’t need a doctor just a good honest job”—but Pfaff cites a current theory that looks at violence as an epidemic: A shoots B, B’s friends shoot C, C’s brother shoots D, and so forth. “One study tied 400 shootings back to one initial shooting,” Pfaff said. If we could just stop that chain at the start, so many lives would be saved—and so many fewer people would wind up in a cage. One method shown to work is a program in Boston called Project Ceasefire. It works like this: The cops determine which gangs are responsible for the majority of the gun violence. “Then they sit down and meet with those people and kind of give them two choices: ‘If you persist in this violence, we will crack down on you as a group, aggressively,’” Pfaff said. But
the cops also bring in an array of social workers to help with housing, food, employment, and health care. “And they say, ‘If you’re willing to put this violence behind you, we will help you build a more stable life.’ It’s called ‘focused deterrence.’ It’s carrot and stick.” A program like this called Cure Violence was introduced in Chicago. “And when the state cut the funding a couple of years ago, that’s exactly when the violence in Chicago began its sharp increase,” Pfaff says. Somehow, one solitary neighborhood managed to keep its funding. And there, says Pfaff, the crime rate continues to go down. This doesn’t definitively prove the program works. “But it’s worth a lot more study.” It certainly is. And so is a look at the prison guard unions. While many people are concerned about the advent of private prisons—after all, these make money on “heads in beds,” so they support more incarceration—the role of the public prison guard unions should not be ignored. Here in New York state, says Pfaff, our prison population is down 25 percent, and yet our correctional budget keeps going up. The more guards that are on the payroll, the more potential votes for laws that are tough on crime—perhaps excessively. After all, jobs depend on it. But lives depend on something else: preventing violence, not punishing it. Putting people behind bars ignores the cost to their families, and to taxpayers. If we want to make our cities safer, locking up violent offenders may not be the key.
As New Yorkers prepare to set their clocks forward one hour on Sunday, March 12, the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York, FASNY, urges all New Yorkers to check their smoke and carbon monoxide, CO, alarms to ensure their homes are properly protected. If alarms have removable batteries, those batteries should be replaced. Alarms equipped with sealed-in batteries should be tested to ensure they are in proper working condition. At the end of 2015, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill into law that will require all smoke alarms sold in New York state to be equipped with sealed-in, non-removable batteries that last for at least 10 years. The new law will take effect in 2019 and marks an important step in improving New York’s fire safety. According to research from the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA, three out of every five home fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms, and the vast majority of smoke alarm failures are due to dead or missing batteries. Ten-year smoke alarms require little maintenance, and unlike alarms with removable batteries, they are nearly impossible to deactivate. Regardless of the type of alarm in one’s home, FASNY recommends cleaning all alarms to remove any debris
CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com
will be received until 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at the Business Office of the Harrison Central School District, located at 50 Union Avenue, Harrison, NY 10528; (914) 630-3011. All bids will be publicly opened and read at said time and place.
LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS HARRISON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Notice is hereby given that proposals for: RFP #2017vi: Professional Legal Counsel for Public Works Projects will be received until 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at the Business Office of the Harrison Central School District, located at 50 Union Avenue, Harrison, NY 10528; (914) 630-3011. All proposals will be opened at said time and place. In the event that on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 the Harrison Central School District is closed or has an early dismissal due to weather or any other emergency, proposals will be due at 2:00 p.m. on the next day that school is in session. Specifications and forms may be obtained at www.bidnetdirect.com/new-york or from the district Business Office beginning Monday, March 6, 2017. All addenda will be transmitted to registered specifications holders and posted to www.bidnetdirect.com/new-york.
Change your clocks, check your batteries
Proposals shall be submitted in sealed envelopes bearing the name and address of the proposer on the outside, addressed to: PURCHASING AGENT, HARRISON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT and clearly marked on the outside with the opening date and “RFP #2017vi: Professional Legal Counsel for Public Works Projects “. The Harrison Central School District is not responsible for proposals opened prior to the opening if proposal number and opening date do not appear on the envelope. The proposer assumes the risk of any delay in the mail, or in the handling of the mail by employees of the Harrison Central School District, as well as improper hand delivery. The Harrison Central School District reserves the right to waive any informalities in the proposals, or to reject all proposals, or to accept any proposal which in the opinion of the Board will be to their best interest. By order of the Board of Education Gene George, Purchasing Agent March 6, 2017 Dated:
that might impede their function, and to test the batteries, changing them if necessary. “Installing and maintaining smoke alarms in your house is the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself from fire,” said FASNY President Ken Pienkowski. “This simple but vital maintenance includes ensuring that all alarms are equipped with working batteries. We strongly encourage New Yorkers to install 10-year smoke alarms, which cannot be easily deactivated. Equally important is installing and maintaining carbon monoxide alarms. These appliances are critical in preventing future tragedies.” FASNY smoke and CO alarm tips: • Test alarms at least once a month by using the test button. • If you have an alarm with a removable battery, be sure to check the batteries every six months, and change the batteries every year. If a battery is starting to lose its power, the unit
will usually chirp to warn you. Do NOT disable the unit. • Vacuum or blow out any dust that might have accumulated in the unit. • NEVER borrow a battery from an alarm to use somewhere else. • NEVER paint a smoke or CO alarm. • Install at least one smoke alarm on every floor of your home, including the basement, and in or near each sleeping area. • Smoke alarms should not be installed near a window because drafts could interfere with their operation. • Families should also develop and practice a home fire escape plan. • Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for testing smoke alarms and replacing the batteries. For more information on smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and other information on fire safety and prevention, visit fasny.com and nfpa.org. (Submitted)
LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE TO BIDDERS HARRISON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Notice is hereby given that SEALED PROPOSALS for: RFB # 16/17-28 Lumber and Building Supplies
Specifications and bid forms may be obtained at www.bidnetdirect.com/new-york or from the district Business Office beginning Monday, March 6, 2017. All bid addenda will be transmitted to registered bid holders and posted to www.bidnetdirect.com/new-york. Bids shall be submitted in sealed envelopes bearing the name and address of the bidder on the outside, addressed to: PURCHASING AGENT, HARRISON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT and clearly marked on the outside with the bid opening date and “ RFB # 16/17-28: Lumber and Building Supplies”. The Harrison Central School District is not responsible for bids opened prior to the bid opening if bid number and opening date do not appear on the envelope. Bids opened prior to the date and time indicated are invalid. The bidder assumes the risk of any delay in the mail, or in the handling of the mail by employees of the Harrison Central School District, as well as improper hand delivery. The Harrison Central School District reserves the right to waive any informalities in the bids, or to reject all bids, or to accept any bid which in the opinion of the Board will be to their best interest. By order of the Board of Education Gene George Purchasing Agent March 6, 2017 Dated:
14 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • March 10, 2017
A Classic pastime LIVE MIKE Mike Smith
Donald Trump is right. America doesn’t win anymore, and it hasn’t in a long time. But I’m not
talking about defeats in trade, wars or border security; I’m talking about the very essence of America itself. I’m talking about baseball. This week marked the beginning of the fourth installment of the World Baseball Classic,
SPORTS
WBC, an international tournament featuring teams from around the globe duking it out in what was once considered the most American of pursuits. And if past results are any indication, it won’t be the good old USA on the gold medal stand when all
the dust finally settles. Don’t get me wrong, the past three winners of the WBC have their own proud baseball traditions. Japan won the first two, in 2006 and 2009, and the last title belongs to the Dominican Republic, a nation that supplies its fair share of stars to the major leagues. But why has America, the nation in which the sport was birthed, lagged so far behind?
The fourth World Baseball Classic kicked off this week, but Sports Editor Mike Smith believes we can do more to make the games matter here in America. Photo courtesy mlb.com
It’s certainly not for lack of talent. This year’s iteration of Team USA, while lacking a few big names like Mike Trout and Bryce Harper, certainly has enough bats—and arms—to compete. Buster Posey, Daniel Murphy, Nolan Arenado and other perennial All-Stars are all aboard, which puts the Americans squarely ahead of teams like Israel, which features a few MLB re-treads like Ike Davis and Jason Marquis among a slew of minor league talent. But Israel has gotten off to a hot start, beating both South Korea and Chinese Taipei in pool play and it’s certainly not due to its abundance of star power. For teams like Israel, and even clubs with established MLB talent like the Dominican Republic, the WBC just seems to mean more. Minor leaguers jump at the opportunity to play on the big stage, and the sluggers from the Dominican Republic—players like Robinson Cano, Adrian Beltre and Hanley Ramirez—speak time and again about the honor of representing their home
countries in the classic. On the other hand, Noah Syndergaard, the Mets’ flamethrower who would probably be the best starting pitcher on Team USA’s roster, declined an invitation, saying, in no uncertain terms, that the WBC was simply not as important as getting prepared for the MLB season. And I can’t say I necessarily blame him. Playing in the major leagues is a full time job, and I can’t begrudge someone for opting to save himself for Opening Day at the expense of what happens to be an exhibition tournament. I don’t know how this gets fixed, whether it is by moving the dates of the WBC or increasing pressure from the MLB Players Association to get our best and brightest on the field, but one thing is clear. Until we, as a nation, decide that the WBC matters, we are never going to make America— or at least our American team— great again.
Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports
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LIVE MIKE! Follow Mike Smith @LiveMike_Sports stats • recaps • commentary Follow Mike Smith @harrisonreview for Mike’s live, in-game action updates
SPORTS
March 10, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 15
Future bright for Huskies By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor Harrison’s basketball season may have come to an end with a loss to Byram Hills in the Class A quarterfinals on Feb. 24, but for a young Huskies group, this season could be instrumental to the future of the program. As the squad looks ahead to next fall, head coach Gary Chiarella believes that big things are in store for a now-experienced Huskies group. After sneaking into the playoffs as a No. 24 seed, Harrison turned heads in the sectional tournament, winning an outbracket game against John Jay and stunning No. 8 Ardsley in the first round before falling to the top-seeded Bobcats 56-35 with a trip to the County Center on the line. Contending with a huge size differential, the Huskies couldn’t overcome the rebounding disparity and fell into an early 15-0 hole that spelled an end to their final four hopes. “Their length caused quite a few problems, especially with our defensive rebounding,” Chiarella said. “And even though
Matt McLaughlin goes up for a shot during an early contest against Ardsley. McLaughlin is one of six graduating seniors.
Luke McCarthy drives to the lane against Byram Hills on Feb. 24. McCarthy will be Harrison’s top returnee next year.
Max Scoli rises for a shot against the Bobcats.
we settled down to cut their lead to [six points], trying to come back on a team like that is pretty tough.” Despite the loss, however, Chiarella said that he had nothing but praise for his squad, which finished the year with a 6-17 record but showed great improvement late in the year. “After the game, we talked a lot about their attitudes and how outstanding they were, and how they never gave up,” Chiarella said. “There’s not one team that could say they outworked us this year, and that paid off in the end.” With six seniors graduating at the end of the year, the Huskies will return eight players next fall, including a couple of key pieces like junior point guard Luke McCarthy and sophomore Alex Siapanides. “Luke was our best player this year and Alex also played very well at times,” Chiarella said. “But we’re going to have a lot of athleticism, we’re going to have some more height, and we’re just going to need our bigs to come up big, no pun intended.” And as far as the team’s sur-
Will Marriot takes a shot against the Panthers in January. Photos/Mike Smith
prising run through the playoffs, Chiarella believes that the team’s late-season successes bode well for preparing the team for next year.
“The confidence level will be very high, the kids will step up, they’ll be a year older,” he said. “This year, we had almost no varsity experience coming in,
but as we settled down, we got that experience and I think it will make a huge difference.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com
16 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • March 10, 2017