Mamaroneck REVIEW THE
August 5, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 32 | www.mamaroneckreview.com
IAC seeks funding for zoning analysis By JAMES PERO Staff Writer
The First Lady? Hillary Clinton accepted the nomination for president at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday, July 28, becoming the first female ever to be nominated for president by a major political party. For more, see page 6. Photo courtesy Twitter
Town considers amending construction law By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer In light of complaints from residents about noise and heavy vibrations, the town of Mamaroneck is considering amending a law that requires construction companies pursuing the removal and excavation of rocks to file for a permit. According to Town Administrator Stephen Altieri, the Town Council is currently reviewing the law as it exists and is deliberating about possible ways to make it more restrictive on rock removers by no longer allowing
construction without a permit. The proposal would require a permit for rock removal, regardless of the total amount of cubic feet of land disturbed by construction, according to town officials. The town code currently mandates that any rock removal work that will disturb more than 2,000 cubic feet shall be illegal unless a permit is issued for the subject property. Following the issuance of the permit, construction will be allowed only within 15 days, except weekends and public holidays listed in the New York state general
construction law. However, Altieri said if the removal of rock includes construction for sewers and storm drains, projects are permitted to exceed the 15-day limit. “By nature, [those construction projects] take longer than 15 days,” he said. If the new proposal is eventually approved, the 15-day limit would remain in effect. The rock removal law was originally created in 2007 to address disturbing the peace concerns over excavations in the town that lasted for an extended period of time, according to
Town Supervisor Nancy Seligson, a Democrat. “Our intent was to have [companies] finish construction within 15 days [because] rock removal in general is upsetting to neighbors,” she said. However, despite the current 15-day regulation against rock removal, Seligson told the Review that some construction companies work their way around the law with a loophole. She said that rock removers could simply propose to disturb just less than 2,000 cubic feet of LAW continued on page 8
A $100,000 state grant being sought by the village of Mamaroneck will allow a vision to reshape Mamaroneck’s industrial area of Washingtonville to move forward. The grant, which was considered on Monday, July 25 during a village Board of Trustees meeting, would help build on a plan unveiled earlier this year by the Industrial Area Advisory Committee that re-envisions Mamaroneck’s historically manufacturing-based area of Washingtonville into a hub for business and entertainment. According to Assistant Village Manager Daniel Sarnoff, who has worked closely with the committee, the money would go toward helping the group move forward with its analysis of zoning, branding, marketing and traffic in the area. “It would fund the next phase of the study,” Sarnoff said. Another facet Sarnoff says the grant will help address is current zoning regulations, what he says is one of the first aspects of the industrial area that must change before anything outlined in the committee’s plan moves forward. “It’s part of the process,” Sarnoff said in regard to altering the zoning. “You have to know what the market supports in terms of the zoning.” Currently, zoning in the area is classified to allow only man-
ufacturing businesses; a classification which prohibits much of what the committee has proposed. In October—after more than a year of planning—the industrial committee unveiled its plan to redevelop the district. According to the plan drafted by the committee, the industrial area features 700,000 square feet of unused development space. This untapped space, the study indicates, could be used for a diverse number of businesses; from restaurants and art galleries to office and living spaces for cutting-edge IT companies and startups. And while the committee looks mostly to the future when it comes to the industrial area, according to Spatz, it will also attempt to retain businesses that are already there. “We’re just opening up the variety of businesses,” he told the Review in October. “We’re not looking to proliferate a certain type of business.” Mayor Norman Rosenblum, a Republican, said that while he supports the plan, this step is important to figure out just what kind of demand such a plan would have amongst business owners. “The whole purpose is to take that area and look at it as a blank slate,” Rosenblum said. “But you have to figure out what the market is before you rezone.” CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
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2 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • August 5, 2016
August 5, 2016 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 3
Legislator: Standard breached contract
An agreement transferring control of Rye Playland struck between Westchester County and Standard Amusements in March is facing some scrutiny after the management company was granted an extension of its first significant payment to the county. The reason for the extension, according to county officials, is a looming decison over the fate of the Playland pool, pictured. Photo/Chris Courtney
By JAMES PERO Staff Writer According to one Westchester County lawmaker, less than three months into a 30-year deal transferring control of countyowned Rye Playland to management company Standard Amusements, the private group has already breached contract, failing to make its first payment to the county. “[Standard] missed their first contractual payment,” said county Legislator Ken Jenkins, a Yonkers Democrat. “We’re just giving away too much control.” According to Jenkins, who opposed the contract that turned control of the amusement park over to Standard, the company’s first payment of $1.75 million—$250,000 of which was already paid to the county upon the contract’s approval in March—was due on June 15. Specifically why the rest of the payment wasn’t made, Jenkins said, is still unbeknownst to him and his fellow lawmakers. “There has been no information as to why they did not make the payment,” Jenkins said. “It’s possible that they didn’t know what we were going to do with [Playland’s] pool.” On July 21—more than a month after the initial payment was due—a letter from Deputy County Executive Kevin Plunkett to Standard granted the company an extension for its
first payment until Sept. 30; a date that coincides with the county Board of Legislators’ revised deadline for deciding the fate of the Playland pool, a decision that was initially supposed to be finalized by July 31. Matt Richter, communications director for the board, who described Jenkins’ characterization of a “missed payment” as inaccurate, said that negotiations about the pool have played a central role in the decision to grant Standard an extension. “[Standard] was worried about the fate of the pool,” Richter said, adding that both parties had maintained communication over the issue prior to the June 15 payment deadline. “There was never any discrepancy; never an expectation that wasn’t met.” Richter said that both parties agreed that if a payment extension was imminent, wiring the $1.5 million to the county wouldn’t be necessary. Currently, the future of Playland’s pool is under scrutiny by the Board of Legislators, which will consider several bond acts to either renovate the pool— which continues to leak significant amounts of water daily—or to remove it completely. According to Board of Legislators Chairman Michael Kaplowitz, a Yorktown Democrat who spoke about the pool last month during a committee meeting, Standard has little
interest in keeping the pool. But for county Legislator Catherine Parker, a Rye Democrat, the pool’s removal is a deal breaker for her. “If that was [Standard’s] intention to demolish the pool, the Board of Legislators should have been told that upfront,” Parker said. “A decision like that could’ve cost support for the agreement.” Currently, according to a Standard Amusements representative, the company envisions the site of the pool as a spot for “light refreshments” and an “open veranda.” A contract between Standard and the county, however, leaves the future of the site open to interpretation by the company. Projections put the cost of filling and removing the pool at approximately $2.7 million, while estimates to rehabilitate the pool have come in at $9.5 million, according to a recent county Labor, Parks, Planning and Housing Committee meeting. Now, the Board of Legislators will have approximately 60 days to come to a decision over what it wants to do with Playland’s ailing pool, otherwise Standard has the option to exit the agreement as per the contract. Representatives for Standard Amusements could not be reached for comment as of press time. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
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What’s going on... Mamaroneck Public Library
Visit mamaronecklibrary.org for more information on summer hours and programs.
Pokémon Go Pokémon Go is a free game app for your smartphone that lets you catch Pokémon in real world locations, like the Mamaroneck Public Library. The library is a PokéStop, where you can stock up on Pokéballs, potions and other items to help you catch ‘em all. Is Pokémon draining the battery of your smartphone? Remember to use the free Kwikboost charging stations in the front lobby, Teen Room or Children’s Room to recharge your device. Post pictures of the Pokémon you find at the library on the Mamaroneck Public Library’s Facebook page. Each week, a winner will be chosen to receive a 3-D-printed Gym Badge. Remember, the picture must involve the library in order to qualify.
health insurance-related topics, including essential plans, Medicaid, Child Health Plus and health coverage for business owners’ employees. Clients should be prepared with their Social Security numbers, documents for legal immigrants, birth dates, employer and income information and insurance policy numbers. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the Westchester County Department of Health at 813-5192. Appointments are available in English and in Spanish.
Live-action Pac-Man and Floor Scrabble On Wednesday, Aug. 10 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. For teens. Play live-action Pac-Man or Floor Scrabble in the library. Registration is required by calling 630-5875.
Tabletop Thursday On Thursdays from noon to 4 p.m. in the Teen Room. Teens are welcome to drop in for activities, games, crafts, video games and other activities. This program is free and open to the public, and registration is not required.
Larchmont Public Library
All ages story and craft hour On Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon in the Children’s Room. No registration required. There will be stories will appeal to all ages of kids and their caregivers, and a craft simple enough for the little kids and creative enough for the big kids.
On Your Mark, Get Set, Crunch On Tuesday, Aug. 9 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. For school-aged children. Prepare nutritious and delicious smoothies, lettuce wraps and parfaits. Registration is required. Sign up in person or by telephone at 630-5894.
Do You Need Health Insurance? Make an appointment for a one-on-one information session with a Westchester County health department navigator, who will be in the library’s Tech Room on Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Representatives will answer questions about
On Your Mark, Get Set, Play!: Giant Games On Monday, Aug. 8 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. For children entering grades three to five. Online registration is required. Make and play giant versions of popular games, such as Connect Four, chess and Jenga.
Project Linus Knitting and Crochet Group On Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon in the Village Center. Join this knitting/crochet group and use your talents for a good cause. The group has created and donated several blankets to Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital for the benefit of local children. No registration required. For all questions related to Project Linus, email Doris Patt Smith at momdsmith1@yahoo.com.
Read Around the World Storytime: North America On Tuesday, Aug. 9 from 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. For ages 5 to 7. Pack your bags and get ready to travel the world. Every Tuesday, participants will visit a different continent through stories, music, and crafts. Come join in the fun and get your special Read Around the World Storytime Passport stamped. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 3:15 p.m. on the day of the program.
Mystery Fun in Ryder’s Garden
Although the main library is under renovation, the library is open and operating from the Larchmont Village Center, located directly behind the main library building. For information about the library’s renovation, call 834-2281 ext. 3 or visit larchmontlibrary.org. Find more programs on the website, as well as summer hours.
Saturday Sahaja Meditation On Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon at the Village Center. No registration required. Sahaja Meditation is unique because of how quickly it can help you achieve self-awareness. You will feel calmer, more relaxed and better focused every time you meditate. Try it for free and see.
Every Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., there will be a craft or gardening activity in Ryder’s Garden for children ages 3 and up. This activity is free and open to the public, and registration is not required.
Move and Groove Storytime: Bubble Wrap On Thursday, Aug. 11 from 2:15 p.m. to 3 p.m. For ages 3 and 4. On your mark, get set, move in storytime. In honor of the Summer Reading Program theme, there will be stories and then movementbased activities. Participants will hear bubble wrap stories, have a bubble wrap run and create bubble art. A free ticket is required to attend this event. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 1:45 p.m. on the day of the program.
Cooking workshop with Chef D’Amour Giovanni Green On Thursday, Aug. 11 from 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. For ages 6 to 10 with family members. A free ticket is required to attend this event. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 3:15 p.m. on the day of the program. Join Chef Giovanni Green of Break Bread not Hearts and have a delicious experience at the library as you pick vegetables from the garden and cook with them. You can learn about food, where it comes from and what is good for you while you learn how to whip up a tasty treat. The food used in the program will be from the yield of the vegetable garden planted in Ryder’s Garden this past spring.
Diaper Derby On Friday, Aug. 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. For pre-walkers. Heats will begin at 9:30 a.m. On your mark, get set, race. Everyone will be a winner
as the babies crawl from a starting line to the finish line in good spirited competition. Babies will all be awarded prizes. A free ticket is required to attend this event. Tickets are available on a firstcome, first-served basis beginning at 9 a.m. on the day of the program.
At Home on the Sound Volunteers needed At Home on the Sound is seeking additional summer volunteers to drive older neighbors in Mamaroneck and Larchmont to errands, shopping or appointments. The local nonprofit supports adults who want to remain in their own homes as they age. Rides will be provided on weekdays, and volunteers can determine when and how often they drive. For more information or to become a volunteer, call 899-3150 or email athomeinfo@athomeonthesound.org.
Gentle Chair Yoga with Arlene On Mondays at 10 a.m. Yoga instructor Arlene Towers specializes in yoga for older adults. This class is appropriate for men and women at all fitness levels. Fee: $10 payable to the instructor. Open to At Home on the Sound members only. The class will be held at United Methodist Church, 546 E. Boston Post Road in Mamaroneck. Visit athomeonthesound.org for more information.
Larchmont Newcomers’ Club Community softball games All players ages 18 to 70 are welcome to join the Larchmont Newcomers’ Club softball team for a community softball game every Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Flint baseball field next to Hommocks Ice Rink. Participants should bring a baseball glove. For more information, email the organizer at rjhellman@verizon.net.
Town of Mamaroneck events Summer Concert Series The Kathy Thompson Band will play on Monday, Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. at Memorial Field in Larchmont, located on Myrtle Boulevard. This is the rain date for the Monday, July 18 concert. The Kathy Thompson Band mixes old school funk, soul and R&B hits with contemporary artists, and are able to command any audience of any age. The town’s Sustainability Collaborative table will be set up to educate people about environmental initiatives the town has taken, including subsidizing rain barrels for residents. Rain barrels will also be available for purchase during the concert. The concert is free and open to the public. Attendees are welcome to bring chairs and blankets. Food will be available for purchase, and the playground will be open for children. Free parking is available in a commuter lot on Myrtle Boulevard. For more information, call 381-7865. 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.
August 5, 2016 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 5
Hillside Avenue Bridge to be replaced By JAMES PERO Staff Writer In the hopes of receiving some financial help to replace a dilapidated Hillside Avenue Bridge, the village of Mamaroneck will seek a $250,000 state grant to cover engineering and design costs. The bridge, which is located
along Hillside and Howard avenues and traverses the Mamaroneck River, would most likely be completely replaced, according to Village Manager Richard Slingerland, who cites its age and poor condition as motivating factors. “At this point, it’s safe for people to travel over,” Slingerland said. “But if you drive over
it, you can see sidewalks are closed due to past damage.” According to the New York State Department of Transportation, the bridge earned a rating of 4.33 out of 7; by the department’s standards, anything under a score of 5 is considered structurally deficient. Another bridge located on Tompkins Avenue in the village
According to Village Manager Richard Slingerland, the replacement of the Hillside Avenue Bridge, built in the 1930s, currently doesn’t have a cost estimate.
The village of Mamaroneck is looking to replace the Hillside Avenue Bridge, seeking a state grant to help with engineering and design. Photos/James Pero
of Mamaroneck—which also traverses the Mamaroneck River—received the department’s second lowest score of any bridge in Westchester County a rating of 3.49. Although there is currently no estimate of what replacing the Hillside Avenue Bridge— which was built in the 1930s— would cost, or how long it would
take to remove, Slingerland explained that the cost of the removal would be split evenly between the town and village of Mamaroneck, as well as the town of Rye. According to Assistant Village Manager Daniel Sarnoff, a 15-year-old court case dictates that all three municipalities are responsible for capital improve-
ments to the bridge given its location; the Mamaroneck River is the dividing line in between the towns and village, he said. Slingerland said the cost of the bridge’s removal will be contingent upon what methods are used for construction as well as the bidding process. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
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Mamaroneck THE
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Clinton accepts historic nomination
Democrats from across the country came together for the Democratic National Convention from July 25 through July 28 to nominate Hillary Clinton’s candidacy for president. The convention marked a historic moment, as Clinton became the first woman to accept a presidential nomination from a major political party. She recognized this pivotal moment when addressing the crowd on the final night of the conven-
tion. “When any barrier falls in America, it clears the way for everyone. After all, when there are no ceilings, the sky’s the limit.” Before accepting her nomination, Clinton was spoken highly of by a multitude of elected officials from various political affiliations. President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Joe CONTINUED on next page
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Bill Clinton, who served as the 42nd president, takes the stage at the Democratic National Convention on July 28. Photo courtesy Alex Hoffman
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Hillary Clinton and former president Bill Clinton embrace after Bill speaks on the final night of the convention.
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Hillary Clinton while accepting the nomination for president on the final night of the Democratic National Convention. Now, she and running mate Tim Kaine hit the campaign trail ahead of the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Photos courtesy Twitter
August 5, 2016 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 7 Biden took the stage toward the end of the convention, expressing both gratitude to the nation and trust in Clinton to lead the country toward greatness. Former presidential candidate and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders also took the stage, urging his supporters—some of whom took to the convention in protest over what they considered an unfair election after controversial emails were leaked, documenting an orchestrated effort
to tilt the Democratic primary in Clinton’s favor—to turn their support toward her, adopting the phrase “stronger together.” A multitude of other advocates and high-profile speakers filed in throughout the fourday-long event, concluding with Clinton urging the nation to join the movement. Now, she and running mate Tim Kaine hit the campaign trail ahead of the Tuesday, Nov. 8 general election. -Reporting by Suzy Berkowitz
Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders takes the stage, urging his supporters to vote in favor of Hillary Clinton. Photo courtesy Alex Hoffman
Hillary Clinton embraces daughter Chelsea after she speaks on the final night of the Democratic National Convention, held in Philadelphia. Photos courtesy Twitter
U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, of New York, and New York state Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins. Stewart-Cousins represents the 35th Senate District, which encompasses Tarrytown, Scarsdale and parts of Yonkers, White Plains and New Rochelle. Photo/Jonaliza Misa
Hillary Clinton makes a surprise entrance after President Obama’s speech on July 27. The president embraced his former secretary of state after stating that there is no one more qualified to be president than Clinton.
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Village committee recommends deer drone study
LAW from page 1
rock, and a permit would not have to be filed, preventing the need for a limitation on the construction time frame. “Over time, there were a few projects in the town that went as long as a year, and residents complained about suffering from the noise and the constant vibrations,” Seligson said. She also mentioned that residents on Country Road previously complained about a rock removal project in 2009 on Fenimore Road. The project, which lasted a year, according to Seligson, was for the construction of residential parking lots. Seligson said the proposed
At a glance The town of Mamaroneck is considering proposing an amendment to its current rock removal law The amendment would require all rock removers to file for a permit regardless of the quantity of disturbed land Currently, companies must file for a permit with construction exceeding 2,000 cubic feet of disturbed land
law amendment will not affect its current provision about rock removal not being permitted in the recreation district of the town.
Councilman Tom Murphy, a Democrat, could not be reached for comment as of press time. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
Rye looks to create Department of Public Safety Deer roam in yards above the Mamaroneck River due to habitat constraints. Photo/Andrew Dapolite
By JOSH STABILE Intern After consulting with the village of Mamaroneck ad hoc Deer Committee, Mayor Norman Rosenblum will be proposing a deer count study by way of drones. At a committee meeting last month, the deer group suggested working with a wildlife rehabilitator to conduct a deer count study using drones, as they believe other studies, including pellet counts and direct visual counts, can be inaccurate. Rosenblum, a Republican, agreed that such a study would benefit the village of Mamaroneck moving forward, and said that gathering basic information before taking action is the right decision, one that “will determine a myriad of different potential problems.” The recommendation from the committee is currently awaiting the approval of the village Board of Trustees. The three major areas of the village where the drone study would be conducted are Harbor Heights, Orienta and Shore Acres. Through the use of infrared cameras, the drones would be able to track not only how many deer are residing in certain areas, but also the deer’s migratory patterns. It is possible that if deer are moving from one area to another, there may be fewer deer
in the village than originally suspected. Taffy Williams, a wildlife rehabilitator being considered to carry out the study, and the founder of the New York Whale and Dolphin Action League, a nonprofit charity, believes that conducting the study in the fall, when the deer are more active, would yield more accurate results. However, the damage currently being done by the deer is hard to ignore, and some residents want action now. “What is happening is that not only are they grazing in people’s gardens and on the street trees, but they’re also grazing on young plants in what woods we have,” says Eloise Sherrid, a Mamaroneck resident who has worked with various environmental and conservation organizations. “We should responsibly and sustainably hunt the deer... but maintain the population at safe levels,” said Sherrid, whose brother suffered two bouts of Lyme disease due to deer ticks. The committee, which also consists of Rosenblum and Trustee David Finch, a Democrat, agreed that before any major action can be taken, the village must first determine the initial problem causing the deer population to roam around residential areas in Mamaroneck as opposed to their natural habitat, such as the Marshlands Conser-
vancy in the city of Rye. To those who wish to hunt the deer to reduce the population, Finch disagrees. “There’s one thing we can’t do—get rid of the deer,” he said. “Killing the deer will not solve the problem.” Sherrid is not in favor of wiping out the deer population, but supports reducing it to a sustainable level, and doesn’t think the drone study will do much to combat the problem in the shortterm. Sherrid believes the Board of Trustees is in favor of this study because it doesn’t want to make a difficult or unpopular decision, and therefore, its response is to stall and hope the problem goes away. “If you ask me, they’re just looking for reasons not to do anything,” Sherrid said. Because the drone study, if approved, won’t begin for up to several months, residents will still need to be mindful of deer activity until then. For any residents who want to take precautions now, the village of Mamaroneck will soon use its website to provide residents with useful information about dealing with deer and other wildlife issues, including a special email address to report wildlife sightings, injured wildlife, and damage to property and plantings from wildlife. Any information gathered through these means are expected to be used in the drone study.
The city of Rye is moving forward with plans to scrap its police and fire departments in favor of a joint Department of Public Safety. Although it will require a public referendum, if approved, Rye would become just the third jurisdiction in Westchester County with such a department. Currently, only the city of White Plains and the county have departments of public safety. The move would combine the roles of police commissioner and fire administrator into one leadership position. The proposal, which was introduced in late May, would be the first major step in creating the city’s first public safety commissioner, and is being considered in part to help streamline the Fire Department’s
oversight and free up city funds to hire additional firefighters. Throughout the past several years, concerns have been raised over the department’s decreasing number of volunteer firefighters and paid staffing levels. Currently, fire Lt. Kurt Tietjen—the highest-ranking paid Rye Fire Department member— takes care of much of the day-today administration of the department. According to Tietjen, the position is a “logical step” in getting the department back on track, despite it still needing additional paid firefighters to help assist its current staff of 17. Because the public safety commissioner position would require alterations to the city’s charter, however, the creation
of such a position would also be required to go to public referendum, allowing residents to vote on the upcoming November Election Day ballot. The position’s creation would also require the approval of both the New York state and Westchester County departments of civil service. To fill the new hybrid role overseeing the fire and police departments, the city is expected to turn to Police Commissioner Michael Corcoran, who was hired in February. Corcoran told the Review that no one has yet formally approached him for the role, but said he works in conjunction with the Fire Department frequently. -Reporting by James Pero
Luna is an adorable 2-year-old, 50-pound, Labrador/border collie mix. She is super sweet, affectionate and a love bug, greeting her foster mom with lots of kisses. Luna loves to sit and watch TV with you. She is friendly with other dogs and cats, loves swimming, is playful but not pushy and is housebroken, too. She is happy to meet new people, but would prefer to live in an all-female household as she is uneasy with men. Luna is spayed, vaccinated, dewormed, heartworm-tested and microchipped. Why not donate $300 to Larchmont Pet Rescue and make Luna part of your home? To learn more, call 834-6955 or visit NY-PetRescue.org. (Submitted)
Best of Westchester shows off its finest
DeCicco & Sons Events and Cuisine provides catering services from its stores in Larchmont and Harrison.
Hal Prince Entertainment provided the music during Westchester Magazine’s Best of Westchester party at Glen Island Harbour Club on July 27.
Patrons are all smiles after a night of drinking, eating and dancing.
For the last 15 years, restaurateurs, residents, guests and vendors alike have looked forward to Westchester Magazine’s annual Best of Westchester party, which celebrates the culmination of an online survey collecting readers’ and editors’ highlights of the county, encompassing food, drink, shopping and leisure. From December 2015 through February 2016, more than 12,000 readers across the county cast their votes on what they thought were the crowning jewels of the lower Hudson Valley. Editors of Westchester Magazine selected favorite spots from 147 categories, including food and drink, fun and leisure, health and beauty, while readers selected winners from another 224 categories. Readers crowned Yonkers eatery X20 Xaviar’s on the Hudson best American restaurant, and Mamaroneck distributor Half Time best in beer selection. Best burger was awarded to Eastchester eatery Piper’s Kilt, the Rye Roadhouse took home the gold for best fried chicken, and Mamaroneck’s Sal’s Pizza won best slice. Larchmont’s Acura of Westchester was crowned best auto dealership, Mamaroneck’s Salon POSH took home best beauty salon, and Larchmont’s The Voracious Reader won best bookstore. The Best of Westchester party was hosted at New Rochelle’s Glen Island Harbour Club on July 27. The event brought out businesses from across the county, allowing them to display the goods and services they provide. Residents and guests enjoyed a night of eating, drinking, dancing and entertainment. -Reporting by Suzy Berkowitz
August 5, 2016 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 9
Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino spends some time with Miss Westchester and Miss Hudson Valley. Photos/Bobby Begun
A beautiful outdoor setting at Best of Westchester’s 2016 extravaganza last Wednesday evening at New Rochelle’s Glen Island Harbour Club.
David Spencer, of The Brazen Angel Entertainment Corporation, delights the crowd with his flair.
10 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • August 5, 2016
Ladies Sounding Off Comedy Nite
Data shows cleaner Long Island Sound beaches
a benefit for Save the Sound Oakland Beach in Rye
Comedian Kim Berns warms up the crowd at Molly Spillane’s on June 9.
Molly Spillane’s in Mamaroneck was the site of “Ladies Sounding Off” Comedy Nite, a benefit for Save the Sound on June 9. Kim Berns, host of “Anything Goes with Kim and Bonnie”
on 1490 WGCH, brought together three additional standup comedians (Mina Hartong of Fairfield, Celeste Jennings of Larchmont and May Wilkerson of New York City) to entertain more than 50 women and friends
gathered for a night of laughs. The event raised funds for Save the Sound’s efforts to make Long Island Sound’s beaches safe for swimming every day and to restore thriving fish populations. (Submitted)
Dry summer seasons in 2014 and 2015 helped with improved beach water quality, according to new data on SoundHealthExplorer.org. One hundred sixtyfive Sound beaches, or 83 percent of all Sound beaches, met or surpassed national averages for clean water in 2011-2015; up from 159 beaches, or 80 percent, in 2010-2014. However, some Long Island Sound beaches still suffer from periodic unsafe bacteria pollution. Thirty-five Sound beaches, or 17 percent, had water quality below the national average. Two beaches received an F (down from three in 2010-2014), five received a D (down from seven), and the remaining 28 got C grades (down from 31). “We want clean beaches that are healthy for all to enjoy,” said Curt Johnson, executive director of Save the Sound. “Our goal is to engage the public in improving their beaches by putting long-term bacterial data trends
at their fingertips. Now everyone around the Sound can understand their local water quality conditions and work to keep their favorite beaches clean and open for swimming.” This interactive map at SoundHealthExplorer.org paints a picture of water quality trends using data from health departments in New York City, Westchester County, Connecticut and Long Island. The Sound Health Explorer grades beaches on an “A” to “F” scale. Each grade is based on how often over the last five years a beach has failed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency bacterial pollution standards for safe swimming. That standard is 104 units of Enterococcus per 100 ml sampled. The website maps out many different potential sources of water pollution and tracks rainfall. Data consistently reveals that wet weather continues to drive pollutants into the Long Island Sound. By clicking on a
beach, the user can see if that beach suffers from bacterial contamination in wet weather and/or in dry weather and how often. Wet weather failures are suggestive of polluted stormwater problems. Dry weather failures typically indicate hyper-localized and ongoing problems, such as cracked and leaking sewer pipes, home sewer lines illegally connected to stormwater systems, or failing septic systems. “New York’s and Connecticut’s citizens shouldn’t have to skip a day at the beach to stay healthy,” said Tracy Brown, director of Western Sound Programs. “This tool can help decision-makers determine which communities are in most need of funding and can support increased investment in clean water.” To see a complete, Soundwide picture of beach health, visit SoundHealthExplorer.org. (Submitted)
Mamaroneck Union Free School District’s
Official Newspaper From left, Comedian and event host Kim Berns, Save the Sound program Executive Director Curt Johnson and spouse Nancy Dittes, and Save the Sound board member Libby Alexander. Contributed photos
August 5, 2016 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 11
Opt-out proposal could punish school districts By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer A proposed federal education regulation, which would strip Title I funding for public schools with excessive opt-out rates of standardized testing, has ignited opposition from parents, lawmakers and education professionals in Westchester County. Following an Aug. 1 deadline for public comments, the U.S. Department of Education began a final approval process to amend the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, ESSA, which was passed by Congress in December 2015. The Department of Education’s proposal to amend ESSA would label most Westchester public schools as “in need of improvement” and would cut federal funding for any school where 5 percent of students or more opt out of Common Core testing. The controversial Common Core State Standards Initiative, which highlights what students should know in English language arts and mathematics at the end of each grade from kindergarten through 12th grade, is currently authorized in New York state until 2022. “I find the regulations troubling,” said Dr. Brian Monahan, the interim superintendent of the Rye City School District. “Parents made individual decisions based on what was right for their children.” Despite the lack of notice for public comment, however, the Rye City School District will not directly get involved with the proposed legislation, according to Monahan, but will
keep a close watch on it. The federal act was drafted by U.S. Secretary of Education John King, the former New York state education commissioner, following the repeal of the No Child Left Behind Act on Dec. 10, 2015. The No Child Left Behind Act previously required all public schools receiving Title I funding to administer statewide standardized testing with the stipulation that students make “adequate yearly progress.” For example, each year’s fifth graders must score better than the previous year’s fifth graders, or the federal government would step in and set mandatory improvement plans. Parents and local school administrators have panned the Common Core testing, arguing that it takes the learning out of the classroom by setting unrealistic educational guidelines for success due to the high rate of failure on standardized tests. Linda Banta, a Larchmont resident with two children in public schools who joined a rally against the regulation on July 29 held by state Senate candidate Julie Killian and congressional candidate Phil Oliva, both Republicans, said, “It’s alarming that the federal government announced something in the middle of summer that could so adversely affect our schools and economy.” If the proposal is approved, Killian, a member of the Rye City Council, said that Westchester residents would ultimately be punished for exercising their right to withhold their children from the Common Core tests.
“This proposal could singlehandedly damage all that our students, teachers and families have worked for,” she said. While the final approval process for the proposed amendment began on Monday, Aug. 1, there is currently no set timetable for when a decision will be reached. According to Oliva, who currently serves as senior advisor to Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, the Department of Education has kept the amendment in total secrecy. “I guarantee 99 percent of parents in Westchester County don’t know about this,” he said. “We only found out about it by luck.” Oliva also stressed that the proposal, which would go into effect at the beginning of the 2017-18 school year, if approved, would also result in property depreciation. Meanwhile, state Sen. George Latimer, a Rye Democrat, has long been a vocal critic of the practice of standardized testing. “The opt-out rights of parents to do what’s in the best interest for their child should absolutely not be manipulated by the federal government,” he said. Following the 2012 rollout of Common Core, Latimer made an effort to explain his opposition to the initiative to King, the state education commissioner at the time, saying that he was “convinced we’re heading down the wrong path [for education].” Latimer is running for reelection to the state Senate this fall and facing off against Killian. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
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On July 29, state Senate candidate Julie Killian, of Rye, and Phil Oliva, a candidate for Congress, urged Westchester parents to voice their opinions against a federal education regulation. Photo/Franco Fino
12 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • August 5, 2016
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August 5, 2016 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 13
Maybe we can’t take a joke RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy
Just a few weeks after the terror attacks of 9/11, Gilbert Gottfried took to the stage of the Friar’s Club and explained he had to leave early to catch a plane to California. “I couldn’t get a direct flight. We have to make a stop at the Empire State Building.” The crowd booed and someone yelled, “Too soon!” But in fact, Gottfried’s timing was impeccable. He told the joke before the invention of Twitter, and before outrage became America’s consuming passion. The rollicking new documentary, “Can We Take a Joke?” brings our lust for umbrage into sharp focus. Audiences, it points out, have become hypersensitive—especially on campus. Chris Rock and Jerry Seinfeld have both sworn off college gigs, because, as Rock put it, “You can’t even be offensive on your way to being inoffensive.” And so the film, by documentarian Ted Balaker, with support from the free-speech advocacy group FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights in Education), interviews comedians, both famous and up-and-coming, about how they’re dealing with the onslaught of offendedness. One interviewee, stand-up Jim Norton, has worked his frustration into his routine. “Why is comedy the only form of the arts where people think they have to agree with, or approve the content?” he asks. “You don’t walk through a museum with a towel and throw it over paintings you don’t like [saying], ‘I don’t want anybody else seeing this because
I don’t enjoy it.’” Comedy’s job is, as George Carlin once said, “to find where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately.” That’s been the comedian’s job ever since the first jester joked about the king’s much younger wife. “If we steered clear of every topic that could offend someone, we couldn’t open our mouths,” says Lisa Lampanelli, whose entire act is making fun of absolutely everyone. That might not be your thing. But if it’s not, stay home. Instead, audiences are coming in, sitting down, and demanding that comics not say anything crude or cruel. But when my idea of cruel is your idea of hilarious, my super-sensitivity automatically wins. I get to declare not just that the comic isn’t funny, but that he is a bad person and needs to be punished. Consider what happened at Washington State University, where a student named Chris Lee wrote a musical designed to offend absolutely everyone. In fact, he billed it as such. But one night, the university itself requested 40 tickets. Those ticketholders came in and started shouting, “I’m offended!” They stood up and shook their fists. The shouts grew into threats. And guess what? Turns out the university had paid them to attend and disrupt the show. When Lee asked the cops for protection, they wouldn’t promise it. He had become someone not worth saving, because he was politically incorrect. Then there’s Justine Sacco. The young publicist was on her way to South Africa. As she boarded the plane, she tweeted, “Going to Africa. Hope I don’t get AIDS.
Just kidding. I’m white.” She was making a lame joke about the way whites see Africa, the continent where her parents had worked as anti-racism activists. But one of her handful of Twitter followers assumed this was actually a racist remark and retweeted it. It got picked up by more and more people, and by the time Sacco got off her 12-hour flight, she found herself the No. 1 trending item worldwide on Twitter, with people calling for her to be raped or killed. Because of a bad joke. Jon Ronson wrote about her story in his book, “So You’ve Been Publically Shamed.” As he notes in the film: The mob that took her down wasn’t actually making the world a better place; it was just getting off on outrage. The same thing happened to Gottfried when he joked after the tsunami. “I was talking to my Japanese real estate agent. I said, ‘Is there a school in this area?’ She said, ‘Not now. But just wait.’” He lost his job as the Aflac duck, and became officially a terrible person—moreso than after 9/11, when we were still able to be shocked but move on. Now, maybe that wasn’t a tasteful joke. But comedy does not have to be tasteful. It has to be allowed. It is free speech. It is the way a society copes with its fears and stands up to tyranny. I’m guessing Vladimir Putin doesn’t tolerate a lot of anti-Putin punchlines. “Do you really want to live in a world where everyone has to think twice before they tell any kind of a joke?” asks Greg Lukianoff, the president of FIRE. America, lighten up—or be prepared for dark times. CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com
Donations to county’s Backpacks to School needed Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino recently announced that the county is once again teaming up with The Sharing Shelf, a program of Family Services of Westchester, FSW, to collect and distribute school supplies so that children in need can start the school year ready to learn. This year people can donate online at fsw.org/backpacks, or see the list below for the nearest drop-off location. “Since launching our backpack partnership, we have helped give vital school supplies to thousands of children in Westchester County,” Astorino said. “As always, our goal is to help as many children as we can.” Backpacks to School is a collaboration between The Sharing Shelf and the county’s Department of Social Services. Local businesses have also opened their doors and will serve as drop-off sites for donations. “We can buy and fill a backpack for $25,” said Deborah Blatt, of The Sharing Shelf. “This year, we’ve made it easy and created a special link that allows people to help us purchase everything at fsw.org/ backpacks. We’ve seen an increase in demand each summer for new school supplies and backpacks. We need the community’s support to make a positive difference in the lives of local children, many of whom would otherwise start school without the basics.” Susan B. Wayne, president and CEO of Family Services of Westchester, said, “Being able to provide children with these much needed supplies cannot be overstated. Family Services of Westchester is proud to be working with County Executive Astorino and the many other community partners who are all working toward the shared goal of helping our children.” For more information about Backpacks to School, contact Blatt of The Sharing Shelf at 305-5950 or thesharingshelf@ fsw.org; or Joseph D. Kenner or Bryan Paler of the Department of Social Services at 995-3287, 995-3987 or JKenner@westchestergov.com. Astorino also encouraged fathers and school leaders to save the date for this year’s Dads Take Your Child to School Day, taking place on Sept. 20. The event serves as a kickoff for fathers to
be more involved in their children’s schooling all throughout the year, offering opportunities for dads to sign up to volunteer, serve on PTAs, receive informational mailings and more. Ask your school about any special activities planned for the day. The countywide coordination is part of Astorino’s #DadBeThere
fatherhood initiative, which aims to actively engage fathers in all aspects of their children’s lives. “It’s a fact: kids do better in school when dads are involved,” Astorino said. “Show your kids you care. Be there. And keep that momentum going all throughout the school year to help them succeed.” (Submitted)
OPERATION BACKPACK COLLECTION BIN LOCATIONS GOVERNMENT OFFICES Westchester County Michaelian Office Building 148 Martine Ave., White Plains 995-2100 Department of Social Services (DSS) central office 112 E. Post Road, White Plains 995-5000 Mount Vernon District Office (DSS) 100 E. First St., Mount Vernon 813-6164 Peekskill District Office (DSS) 750 Washington St., Peekskill 862-5078 White Plains District Office (DSS) 85 Court St., White Plains 995-5889 Yonkers District Office (DSS) 31 Warburton Ave., Yonkers 231-2653
NONPROFITS Family Services of Westchester main office One Gateway Plaza, fourth floor, Port Chester 305-6825 Family Services of Westchester, Pelham 507 Fifth Ave., Pelham 738-1728 Family Services of Westchester Lanza Center for All Ages 106 North Broadway, White Plains 305-6875
BUSINESSES Broken Bow Brewery 173 Marbledale Road, Tuckahoe 268-0900 Miller’s Toys 335 Mamaroneck Ave., Mamaroneck 698-5070 Sportech 124 S. Ridge St., Rye Brook 934-0001 PM Pediatrics, Mamaroneck 620 E. Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck 777-5437 PM Pediatrics, Yonkers 2290 Central Park Ave., Yonkers 337-5437 Vision of Tomorrow 132 Larchmont Ave., Larchmont 834-4052 Voracious Reader 1997 Palmer Ave., Larchmont 630-4581
14 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • August 5, 2016
SPORTS
The glory of the trade deadline LIVE MIKE Mike Smith
Over the course of an average Major League Baseball season, I generally watch a lot of baseball. More baseball than is probably healthy, if I really had to think about it. If there’s nothing else airing on a given night, I’ll probably flip back and forth between the Mets and the Yankees on my TV while also tuning in to watch my Red Sox on the MLB.TV package on my laptop. After those games wrap up, I’ll generally click on some West Coast game and fall asleep, at least for a few more months, with the soothing voice of Vin Scully emanating from my MacBook. But of the thousands of innings I watch each year, there is rarely a time when I’m following baseball with the same intensity as I do when the trade
deadline looms. As fun as following in-game action can be, following the frenzied action as teams struggle to get the final piece for a playoff run can be positively exhilarating. In the “old” days, it was a lot tougher. Without Twitter providing constant updates about potential moves, possible hang-ups due to medical issues, and stories—sometimes apocryphal—about players on the block storming out on the current teams, fans were beholden to major media outlets for the news. In 2004, I was working at a baseball training center in White Plains, and on deadline day, I was on our old dialup computer, frantically clicking refresh on ESPN.com to find out if the Red Sox were, in fact, going to trade my favorite player, Nomar Garciaparra. When the deadline hit, there was no news yet, and I went to give a lesson, only to come back an hour later to find
that Nomar had indeed been shipped off to the Cubs. Of course, the fast-paced world of Twitter has its drawbacks. Last year, as the deadline loomed, a Mets beat writer announced that infielder Wilmer Flores, who had spent the entirety of his professional career with the organization, had been traded in the middle of a game. Word reached Flores, and fans were left with the unforgettable shot of him crying on the field while being showered with applause from the Amazin’s faithful. The trade, however, fell through, and Flores still plays in Flushing today, but moments like that highlight the emotional impact that the trade deadline can have on the players we all watch. This year, while there were a few blockbuster moves—Texas made out like bandits, nabbing catcher Jonathan Lucroy, outfielder Carlos Beltran and reliever Jeremy Jeffers without
At 4 p.m. on Aug. 1, the MLB trade deadline passed, finding one New York team as buyers, and the other as sellers. Sports Editor Mike Smith thinks the days leading up to the annual deadline are among the most exciting of the entire season. Photos courtesy Wikipedia.com
giving up any of their highlytouted young players—the moves made by our local clubs weren’t quite as splashy. The Yankees traded off a good number of players from this year’s team, including Carlos Beltran, to come away with a haul of prospects that provide a much-needed youth infusion in their farm system. The Mets, after an initial deal for Reds’ slugger Jay Bruce fell through, were able to rework the offer to bring the power-hitting lefty to Citi
Field in a move that addresses the offensive woes the club has suffered through all season long. I doubt he’ll have the same kind of impact that Yoenis Cespedes had when he came over from Detroit last year, but the Mets need to start scoring runs, so this one was a no-brainer. But that’s the wonderful thing about the trade deadline; we just don’t know. Will these new Yankee prospects ever make their mark in the MLB? Will Bruce’s numbers suffer now that he’s
left the bandbox in Cincinnati? Only time will tell. But at least for one day, the teams that managed to bolster their roster for one last playoff push and the teams, like the Yankees, who are resigned to build for the future, are both feeling optimistic. It’s a long season, filled with ups and downs. So occasionally, fans need a touch of optimism.
Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports
Frampton dazzles at Barclays By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor On Saturday, July 30, Carl Frampton, a 29-year-old professional boxer from Northern Ireland, won the WBA featherweight title with an impressive showing against Leo Santa Cruz at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn. And even though Frampton might not yet be a household name among American fight fans, he is gathering a devoted following in Westchester, where he chose to train for the title fight. Frampton (23-0) spent the last month preparing for the bout at Champs Boxing Club in New Rochelle, which helped him to forge inroads with area boxing fans. His arrival was noted by elected officials, as Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino made a proclamation to celebrate the fighter on July 12, and the Westchester County Board of Legislators followed suit, recognizing July 30 as “Carl
‘The Jackal’ Frampton Day.” Last Saturday night, in front of a supportive New York crowd, he was able to outpoint the previously undefeated Santa Cruz in a majority decision, 116-112, 117-111, 114-114, laying claim to his first world title in the featherweight division. Frampton began his assault in the second round, rocking Santa Cruz with a flurry of hard punches to send the champion into the ropes and take control of the fight. Ryan O’Leary, the owner of Champs Boxing Club, was on hand to witness Frampton’s upset win. “He was the underdog, he wasn’t supposed to do that, but he fought a masterful fight,” O’Leary said. “He was standing and trading, he wasn’t running, and it worked.” According to O’Leary, Frampton’s stay at the gym meant that he—and the rest of the Champs organization—were pulling hard for the Irish fighter. “We had about 60 members
there at the fight,” he said. “And he got hit with a few good shots, and I have to say my heart kind of stopped.” O’Leary, who trains both amateur and professional fighters out of his Division Street gym, acknowledged that having an international star like Frampton train there was a blessing. “You can’t put it into perspective, you don’t realize how big this guy is, he’s massive in Europe,” O’Leary said. “But we didn’t even realize it, he was so fan-friendly, and you don’t think of it at the time.” Frampton’s presence, he added, had a profound impact on several of the local fighters. “Everybody raised their game, even I was training people differently,” O’Leary said. “Just seeing the way a guy like him trained, seeing the hard work that he put in, seeing a guy at the highest level, it was really overwhelming.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com
From left, Carl Frampton poses for a picture with Champs Boxing Club owner Ryan O’Leary and Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino in New Rochelle on July 12. Frampton trained at the New Rochelle gym in preparation for his July 30 fight against Leo Santa Cruz, in which the Irish fighter won the WBA featherweight title. Photo/Bobby Begun
SPORTS
August 5, 2016 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 15
2007 mark falls at Counties By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor Westchester’s 14- to-17-yearold female divers had a recordsetting day on July 26, as Kelly McCauley’s 9-year-old scoring record was broken three different times on Tuesday afternoon
at the County Championships. In an intense battle between a trio of evenly matched opponents at Lake Isle Country Club, however, it was 15-year-old Chloe Best—who, like McCauley before her, dives for the Larchmont Yacht Cub—who took top honors.
Rye’s Katie Laverty spins through the air on July 26. Laverty placed third, but also broke a 9-year-old county record on Tuesday.
Charlotte Cagliostro from the Bronxville Field Club performs a dive at the Westchester County Championships.
With a score of 236.35, Best edged Pelham Country Club’s Jennifer Bell (233.20) and Rye’s Katie Laverty (229.40) to win the County Championship on Tuesday afternoon. The top five were rounded out by Pocantico Hills’ Jessica Cowles (189.35) and Westchester Country Club’s Keelin Sibley (185.35). “I think I dove pretty well,” Best said. “But so did Jen and Katie, which was great to see.” In a field of 18 divers, Best drew the first lineup spot; something she believes helped her, especially late in the tight competition. According to the rising sophomore at the Ursuline School, the ability to set the tone for a round can be a bonus in meets such as this one. “I kind of like to be first because you don’t have to see anyone else in the competition and you’re just focusing on yourself,” she said. “I kind of like that, and I feel like it’s less pressure.” Laverty, 14, who dove right after Best, admits that her mindset is a little different than her opponent’s. Especially in hotly contested events, the Rye native prefers to ignore scores all together and simply focus on her next dive. “I didn’t know [how close it was], because I have this superstition where I can’t look at my scores until after the last dive,” she said. “Otherwise, I feel like if I’m doing well, I’m going to mess up.” Laverty, Best and secondplace Bell all surpassed McCauley’s previous benchmark of 218.85, which was set in 2007. According to both Laverty and Best, the trio, who compete both alongside and against each other in the wintertime, all relished the opportunity to square off at the 91st annual County Championships this year. “They’re great to dive with,” Laverty said. “We are on a bunch of teams and dive against each other a lot in the winter.” “I think it makes it more [exciting] to see each other in the offseason,” Best added. “We just went out and had a really good time.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com
Ranier Hibler extends her body prior to entering the water. Photos/Mike Smith
Chloe Best glides into the water on July 26 at the Westchester County Championships at Lake Isle Country Club. Best took first place in the 14 to 17 age group with a record-breaking score of 236.35.
16 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • August 5, 2016