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Mamaroneck REVIEW THE

September 2, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 36 | www.mamaroneckreview.com

Flood mitigation project gets state green light

Something Fishy...

By JAMES PERO Staff Writer

In recent weeks, hundreds of dead fish have washed ashore in Mamaroneck Harbor and the surrounding waterfronts. However, according to Peter Linderoth, water quality program manager for Save the Sound, the incident is not entirely unusual and stems from both natural causes as well as human influence. For story, see page 9. Photo/Andrew Dapolite

Party-backed Democrats won’t debate Tiekert By JAMES PERO Staff Writer Candidates backed by the village Democrats vying for three seats on the village of Mamaroneck Board of Trustees have refused to partake in a primary debate against outsider challenger Stuart Tiekert, citing potential bias amongst organizers. According to village resident and president of Shore Acres Property Association Dan Natchez—who planned on organizing the debate in tandem

with Mamaroneck’s Coordinating Council of Neighborhood Organization and Groups—after sending out invitations to each of the Democratic primary candidates, he received only one response. “The only person to respond was Stuart Tiekert,” he said, referencing the three Democratic nominees’ only challenger. As a result, there will be no debate during the primary season between the four village of Mamaroneck Democratic candidates. According to Natchez, who

ran for mayor as a Democrat in 2015, the debate would have marked the fourth consecutive year that he and the Council of Neighborhood Organizations and Groups have held such debates, and the second instance for a primary debate. The council consists of residents across the Shore Acres, Stuart Avenue and Orienta neighborhoods. “The point of this was so that when issues come up residents can know what they are,” Natchez said, adding that the only other primary debate was attended by both candidates

at the time. However, Randi Robinowitz, chairwoman of the village of Mamaroneck Democrats, said DEBATE continued on page 8

After being sent back for further review in March, a $75 million flood mitigation project has been given the green light by the New York State Department of State, DOS, allowing for a, so-far divisive, project to move forward. The project, which would be carried out by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and funded through federal, state and local dollars, aims to significantly reduce flooding for homes and structures adjacent to the Mamaroneck and Sheldrake rivers. A current cost breakdown would see the federal government footing $45 million of the total sum, whereas the village could pay approximately $10 million. Already, local lawmakers have lauded the DOS’ decision—which was rendered Aug. 17—to allow the project to move forward into its next phase. “I am delighted that the proposed U.S. Army Corps project is now one step closer to congressional authorization,” said village Trustee Leon Potok, a Democrat. Similarly, Mayor Norman Rosenblum, a Republican, expressed excitement about the latest development. “If there’s anything I want to do during my time as mayor, it’s improve flood mitigation,” Rosenblum said. “I couldn’t think of anything better than that.”

Despite support from lawmakers, not all feedback on the project so far has been positive. Members of the village Harbor and Coastal Zone Management Commission have criticized the proposed project for relying too heavily on structural improvements, which members warn could degrade natural habitats and wildlife. Even so, Clark Neuringer, a harbor commission member, said there are a number of positive outcomes with the latest iteration of the Army Corps proposal. “I am delighted that the DOS took our recommendations seriously and got the Army Corps to include [things we asked for],” he said. Neuringer said that as a result of the commission’s recommendations, the plan will now reduce the amount of concrete used in the final product—by numbers not yet specified—in addition to retaining foot bridges at Columbus Park, keeping the Ward Avenue bridge, studying a large aquifer under the Washingtonville neighborhood, and planting a greater amount of trees after the project is completed. The project—which was sent back to the Army Corps after failing to comply with village waterfront policy—proposes widening and deepening approximately 1.8 miles of the Mamaroneck and Sheldrake rivers in order to increase the waterways’ capacity, in addition to FLOOD continued on page 8

2 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • September 2, 2016

September 2016

Planning ahead... SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Hispanic Heritage Month Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

SATURDAY

Mamaroneck Superintendent’s Conference Day

National Grandparents Day

Labor Day, government offices closed

Mamaroneck PTA Council meeting 9:15 a.m. VOM Board of Trustees meeting 7:30 p.m., Courtroom

TOM board meeting 5 p.m., Town Center

VOM Board of Trustees work session 5:30 p.m., Courtroom

VOM Board of Architectual Review 7:30 p.m., Courtroom

VOM Tree Committee 7:30 p.m., Regatta Conference Room

TOM rock removal public hearing 8 p.m., Town Center

Larchmont Planning Board meeting 8 p.m.

Larchmont Zoning Board of Appeals meeting 8:15 p.m.

Eid Al Adha

VOM Deer Ad Hoc Committee 7:30 p.m., Courtroom VOM Ethics Board meeting 7:30 p.m., Regatta Conference Room Larchmont Traffic Commission meeting 8 p.m., Village Hall

Mamaroneck full day kindergarten begins

VOM Board of Trustees work session 5:30 p.m., Courtroom Center for Continuing Education open house 7 p.m. Larchmont Board of Trustees meeting 7:30 p.m., Village Hall

School House Open and Demonstration 1 p.m.., Harbor Island Park

Mamaroneck All Elementary Walk to School Week starts VOM Board of Trustees meeting 7:30 p.m., Courtroom

Rye Neck and Mamaroneck schools open

Mamaroneck school building study session 7 p.m.

VOM Budget Committee 7:30 p.m., Regatta Conference Room VOM Committee for the Environment 7:30 p.m., Courtroom

Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center presentation 7 p.m.

VOM Flood Mitigation Advisory Committee meeting 7:30 p.m., Regatta Conference Room

VOM Planning Board meeting 7 p.m., Courtroom

VOM Council of the Arts 7 p.m., Regatta Conference Room

Rye Neck MS open house 6 p.m., Rye Neck MS

World Suicide Prevention Day

VOM Board of Traffic Commissioners 7:30 p.m., Courtroom

Rye Neck HS open house 7 p.m., Rye Neck HS VOM Board of Architectual Review 7:30 p.m., Courtroom

Larchmont Board of Trustees work session 7 p.m., Village Hall TOM Planning board hearing 7:30 p.m., Town Center

TOM board meeting 5 p.m., Town Center

Rye Neck Board of Education meeting 7 p.m., MS/HS Library VOM Harbor & Coastal Zone Management Commission 7:30 p.m., Courtroom

Autumnal Equinox

Mamaronart K-12 Faculty Art Show opens 3 p.m., Palmer Gallery VOM Recreation and Parks Commission meeting 7:30 p.m., Pavilion at Harbor Island Park

Larchmont Board of Architectual Review 8 p.m., Village Center

TOM Zoning Board of Appeals public hearing 7:45 p.m., Town Center

Rye Neck college financial aid workshop 7 p.m. VOM Planning Board meeting 7 p.m., Courtroom Larchmont Board of Trustees work session 7 p.m., Village Hall

MHS Back-to-School Night 7 p.m.

Mamaroneck All Elementary Walk to School Week ends

Larchmont Committee on the Arts Festival Noon to 5 p.m., Constitution Park

September 2, 2016 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 3

FBI plans to relocate field office to Rye

After its lease agreement expires for its location in White Plains, the FBI plans to relocate its field office to Midland Avenue in Rye, pictured. Photo/Franco Fino

Following the expiration of its current lease agreement for its location in White Plains, the FBI will relocate its field office to a larger facility in the city of Rye. The agency is expected to relocate from 222 Bloomingdale Road in White Plains to a newer 30,000-square-foot facility at 600 Midland Ave. in Rye, according to an FBI spokeswoman, who wished to remain anonymous. The relocation, which is expected as early as December, will transpire out of need to “stand alone” and in the interest of improving security, according to the spokeswoman. The agency will be the only tenant in the Midland Avenue building. The new FBI field office, which sold for $6 million in

January 2015, according to New York Commercial Realty Group, will continue serving as a centerpiece for counter-terrorism in Westchester and Putnam counties. Aside from the agency’s plans to improve security, officials would not disclose any further information about the move to Rye. Rye City Manager Marcus Serrano, who didn’t have any knowledge as to why the FBI was relocating to Rye, said, “It’s beneficial in case we need to work with them for any reason.” He also noted that Michael Corcoran, the city of Rye police commissioner, is happy with the FBI’s plans to relocate. According to Serrano, the city

does not have any jurisdiction relating to the FBI’s purchase of the two-story Rye building, but “there would not be any major consequences” as to whether or not the FBI relocated to Midland Avenue. The building was once occupied by USAlliance Federal Credit Union, a full-service nonprofit financial institution. The bureau currently has 18 field offices in the state, including three main offices in New York City, Buffalo and Albany, and five smaller resident agencies in the metropolitan area. Corcoran and Rye City Mayor Joe Sack, a Republican, could not be reached for comment, as of press time. -Reporting by Franco Fino

4 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • September 2, 2016

What’s going on... Mamaroneck Public Library

Visit mamaronecklibrary.org for more information on summer hours and programs. The library will be closed from Saturday, Sept. 3 through Monday, Sept. 5 for Labor Day.

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.

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 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.

AARP Smart Driver Course The library, in conjunction with AARP, will be hosting a Smart Driver Course for drivers of all ages on Monday, Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. in the Community Room. This course will help drivers refresh their skills, learn new defensive driving techniques, learn new safety tips and review new rules of the road. This course does not include tests. For more information or to register for the class, call 630-5887.

Book Sale Room volunteers needed The Mamaroneck Public Library has a wonderful Book Sale Room, thanks to the generosity of patrons who donate their slightly used books, DVDs and music CDs. The room is open daily during library hours and all materials can be purchased at very affordable prices.

The library is currently looking for volunteers to help organize the Book Sale Room and keep it tidy. Tasks include putting all books in order on the shelves and weeding out the materials that are not selling. Books are organized by author and genre. Those who love books and have a knack for organizing should consider volunteering for a few hours per week. Funds raised from the book sales help the library buy extra copies of popular books and materials. For more information on volunteering, call 698-1250.

Larchmont Public Library 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. The library will be closed from Saturday, Sept. 3 through Monday, Sept. 5 for Labor Day.

Larchmont Music Academy presents Kindermusik On Wednesday, Sept. 7. Online registration is required. There will be four sessions: for ages 18 months to 4 years old at 9:30 a.m. or 10:30a.m.; for ages 4 months to 17 months old at 11:30 a.m.; and for ages 4 months to 5 years old at 12:30 p.m. Can you clap up high? Sing down low? Tiptoe so quietly? Participants learn new songs, sing old favorites, play rhythm instruments, dance, laugh and snuggle. Come see just how much fun music can be.

Building Your Marketing Toolkit On Tuesday, Sept. 15 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Village Center. No registration required. Many small businesses and organizations find themselves seeking the right strategies to make their marketing efforts as effective as possible. But with so many marketing activities that they could focus on, they often miss some of the important marketing concepts that will help them understand why those activities are so important. This practical seminar presented by David Fischer is designed to uncover some of those core concepts and show that a little bit of marketing knowledge can go a long way.

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 mem-

bers only. The class will be held at United Methodist Church, 546 E. Boston Post Road in Mamaroneck. Visit athomeonthesound.org for more information.

Larchmont news Parking permits Parking permits for 2016 are still available for current and new residents of the village of Larchmont only. Permit fees are as follows: • Train station meter permit (Lot No. 3): $60, and a $5 per day meter fee Monday through Friday. • Apartment residents General Permit (“GP” Lots Nos. 4,5,6,7 and 10): $265. • Night parking: $155. All village of Larchmont 2016 parking permits will expire on Dec. 31. For more information and applications, visit villageoflarchmont.org/2016parking-permits.

Down to Earth Farmers Market On Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Dec. 17. The farmers market is located at the Metro-North parking deck off Chatsworth Avenue. Peruse produce, meat, seafood, baked goods, specialty foods and much more through the summer and fall and support local farmers and businesses.

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.

County events Westchester County Car Show Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino invites classic car buffs to the Westchester County Car Show on Sunday, Sept. 25 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Glen Island Park in New Rochelle. Registration for exhibitors on that day is from 8 a.m. to noon. Admission is free for spectators. There is a parking fee of $5 per car. In case of rain, the event will be cancelled. The show will feature displays of a wide variety of classic and collectible cars, street rods and motorcycles, all carefully restored to mint condition or modified for performance. The Westchester Street Rod Association will present more than 100 trophies to the best vehicles, classified by decades up to modified 2016. For information on entering a car or bike, call 260-9274, 666-2057, 844-8240 or 203-536-0747. For information about being a vendor at the event, call Beth Bricker at 231-4645. The car show is sponsored by Westchester County Parks, the Westchester Street Rod Association and Sassone Bros. Auto Body Repairs. 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.

September 2, 2016 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 5

Letters to the Editor

Mamaroneck Village Democratic Committee’s behavior To the Editor, As a registered Democrat, I am disappointed and even mystified by the recent behavior of the village of Mamaroneck’s Democratic Committee. On Aug. 29, it sent out an email blast with the subject line “Confused about the Village Primary?” that sought, apparently, to add to recipients’ confusion in order to shoo in its handpicked “nominees.” All three of the candidates the Democratic Committee is promoting are admirable people, but last time I checked, the committee has absolutely no authority to “nominate” the Democratic slate. And unless I’ve missed them every political year, the village doesn’t hold party conventions or caucuses for the purpose of doing so. That’s why there’s a primary on Sept. 13, when local Democrats get to choose from among whomever is able to get him or herself on the ballot. Yet the language of the Democratic Committee’s email was carefully calculated to suggest that recipients had no choice in the matter: “The Village Democratic Committee has nominated ONLY three candidates to fill ONLY three open spots on the Village Board…. Our official Democratic team… They are the only Democratic team that can win in the general election.” (I realize that the last part is just standard political advertising.) At best, that’s voter intimidation; at worst, it’s authoritarianism, however local. The email continues more egregiously, though, in saying that a fourth candidate “has called for the upcoming Democratic Primary [sic] in order to challenge the official Democratic slate.” Aside from playing loose with the word “official,” does the Democratic Committee mean that the primary wouldn’t be happening—or would be unnecessary—if this fourth candidate were not insisting on it? In what sense is he “challenging” anything, other than the status quo in Mamaroneck politics, and/or Republican hegemony? All this candidate is doing is pursuing the democratic process that we all claim so fervently to love, and practicing his right, and all of our right, to compete for public office. Yet the Democratic Committee’s email makes him sound positively undemocratic. This is the sort of political behavior that makes it harder and harder for me to defend our system to libertarians and anarchists. Last week, I somehow ended up on the village of Mamaroneck Republican Committee’s email list, and when I unsubscribed from it, the automated response did everything possible to make it sound as if I had removed myself from the village’s entire voter database—and might therefore be ineligible to vote. The attempt was fairly lame, given the party’s national expertise in voter disenfranchisement, but I’m sure it will make a lot of free-thinking Republicans worry that they won’t be able to cast their ballots. More voter intimidation! Even the invitation to unsubscribe included the ungrammatical, guilt-tripping admonishment, “If you do NOT like to stay in the loop of what is going on in the Friendly Village, please use the unsubscribe link….” God save us from our political selves, Democratic or Republican. Russell Hart, Mamaroneck

Why hide? To the Editor, As president of the Shore Acres Property Owners Association, SAPOA, which sponsored the debate for the Democratic primary for village trustee two years ago, I was shocked to learn that Randi Robinowitz sent an email stating that the local Democratic Party would not participate in the primary debate for candidates for village trustee. I am not sure who made that decision, as neither the full Executive Committee nor all of the district leaders of the party were consulted. When I ran for office, I sent for an agenda of honesty, transparency and openness, and welcomed the opportunity to talk to all. The only thing one has to fear is fear itself. I cannot understand why candidates, particularly two candidates that are not as well-known as others, would not seize the opportunity to let their views be known directly to and be questioned by their constituency. It is simply a disingenuous step back to the Dark Ages. Dan Natchez, president of SAPOA and Democratic district leader, Mamaroneck

About Letters to the Editor Publication is not guaranteed. We reserve the right to edit letters for content or space, at our discretion, without notification from the company. We reserve the right to reject submissions at our discretion without notice to the author. The letter should be signed and include the writer’s address and phone number for verification purposes. We will not publish letters that cannot be verified. The opinions of letter writers do

not reflect those of this newspaper. Please submit via fax to (914) 653-5000 or email to chris@hometwn.com or via post to Home Town Media Group, C/O Letters to the Editor, 170 Hamilton Ave., Suite 203, White Plains N.Y. 10601. We do not accept unsolicited Op-Ed submissions, film reviews, or food reviews.

6 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • September 2, 2016

2016

Mamaroneck THE

REVIEW

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Village board Democratic primary candidates

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Photo courtesy Victor Tafur

Victor Tafur STATUS: Challenger AGE: 52 OCCUPATION: Attorney; adjunct environmental law professor at Bard College; co-director of the United Nations Environmental Diplomacy Program at Pace University Law School YEARS IN VILLAGE: 12 POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Registered Democrat COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Mamaroneck Coastal Environment Coalition, a nonformal citizen working group affiliated with the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program; Save the Sound in Mamaroneck. ONE THING THE AVERAGE VOTER DOESN’T KNOW ABOUT YOU: When I was young I used to play the guitar, but it started to fade away. I think I’m going to start picking that up again, but in the meantime, I kayak and paddleboard.

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Photo courtesy Keith Waitt

Keith Waitt STATUS: Challenger AGE: 56 OCCUPATION: Self-employed YEARS IN VILLAGE: 18 POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Registered Democrat COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Village Industrial Area Committee member; village Budget Committee member ONE THING THE AVERAGE VOTER DOESN’T KNOW ABOUT YOU: I’m learning to play tenor saxophone

Q. Why did you decide to run for elected office, and what is the platform you plan to run on? A. The village is facing big issues with respect to planning, zoning and flooding, which is my area of expertise. I’ve been working in these areas for 20 years in different roles, including academics, advocacy and consulting for clients. I want to bring my knowledge to the table as we are in need of updating our village code and zoning. What promoted me to run for elected office were the Flood Mitigation Advisory Committee meetings, which I thought were divisive. I didn’t like the direction we were heading in. There are ways to move forward and put it together without fighting. I know it will be difficult, but we can do it in a collaborative way. I value local democracy and the chance to participate in the place that I live in. I want to be the voice for people who are new to the area, minorities and those who are just getting established. Q. As a newcomer with no prior political experience, what qualifies you to hold elected office? Q. Why did you decide to run, and what is the platform you plan to run on? A. I had started to volunteer with the industrial and budget committees, and I realized there was a certain limitation as a volunteer, so I felt it was time for me to be much more active and have a much more active role in what’s going on in making the decisions. I also feel that when you get to my state in life, it’s nice to start giving back to the community; a community that has given to us as a family over the years. I’m hoping that I will be able to provide some level of civility into proceedings that we have on the Board of Trustees, and maybe some common sense that people seem to have when having discussions. We’re really running on the platform of sensible development, community engagement, and environmental sustainability; in particular flood mitigation. If we’re trustees, we don’t want to interfere with the way the staff runs the village; we want to try to help them.

A. During my years in this country, I have appeared in front of planning boards, and several boards of trustees meetings to advocate for environmental groups. In those years, I’ve learned to see the good and the bad in community boards. I have been going to meetings for many years, and I’ve taken the time to read the material. I have spent a lot of time getting familiar with what happens here before I even consider a topic. Leadership requires collaboration, and that is my style and approach. Q. Challenger Stuart Tiekert has gone on record criticizing the leadership of Democrats on the village board over the last four years. What do you think of the village Democrats’ past efforts in managing the village, and will you take a different approach? A. Instead of criticizing the leadership of past administrations, what we need to do is learn from what has happened. We have to be responsive, learn to step to the plate, and show that we are committed. [Democrats] are working very hard to build a team and platform. We are being honest, independent and strong about Q. As a newcomer with no prior political experience, what qualifies you to hold elected office? A. If you see the board as being the legislative body of the village, the leadership of the village, I’ve been told I’m a strong leader. I’m certainly good at working with other people. I think strong people work well in teams, weak leaders don’t. I have an experience from a financial and business point of view. At the end of the day, whether people like it or not, running a municipality is like running a business. I have some insight on the budget, so that helps, too. Q. Challenger Stuart Tiekert has gone on record criticizing the leadership of Democrats on the village board over the last four years. What do you think of the village Democrats’ past efforts in managing the village, and will you take a different approach? A. You need to be able to work in a team. And I think the three Democrats on the Board of Trustees have not always

our own values and perceptions. However, the board has to be more result-oriented than driven by debate. Q. What differentiates you from the other Democratic nominees? A. I don’t have the wonderful sense of humor that Keith Waitt has, [or] the experience that he has, but I like to listen, and that’s the way I handle everything. I’m very analytical, especially in terms of environmental issues. Q. Trustee Ilissa Miller, who is not running for re-election, has been criticized for missing dozens of village board meetings. Do you think telecommuting into a meeting satisfies your responsibilities as trustee? A. I think it depends on the importance of the meeting. If certain meetings are more procedural, then it may be fine. If the meeting has a public hearing, it’s important to commit to being there. In this day and time, it’s definitely a resource, as we have other jobs that require us to be at other places at some times, TAFUR continued on page 7

worked together as a team for a common goal. The beauty of us is that we kind of agree on everything. One of the things is committing to that as well, and not wavering in the face of public opinion. We know we’re going to get people that say ‘you’re wrong,’ but we have to be strong on certain things and I don’t necessarily know we’ve seen that every time the last couple of years. I think that’s why the Democratic leadership chose Victor [Tafur] and myself and brought Leon [Potok] back, because together we brought that sort of value and strength in sticking together. Q. What differentiates you from the other Democratic nominees? A. I’m more impatient than Victor. Leon is a very bright, intellectual person and sometimes he’s misunderstood by people, and sometimes Norman [Rosenblum] likes to WAITT continued on page 7

September 2, 2016 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 7

2016 TAFUR from page 6

but it’s just a matter of degree to which you use it. Q. The village board majority is up for grabs in this year’s general election, which could sway the future dynamic of the board for years to come. With that said, how pivotal is this election, and why? A. It’s a big responsibility, considering some of the issues coming up in the next couple of years. The Democratic Committee brought in two new faces, alongside an incumbent, to correct some things, and work and listen hard to constituents. We need to maintain a majority, but also, it’s important to recognize that some of the issues we face WAITT from page 6

make him misunderstood as “the baddie.” I think I’m much better at getting out the message. Q. Trustee Ilissa Miller, a Democrat, who

are bipartisan ones. Q. Ralph’s Italian Ices and Ice Cream shop—and the zoning board’s recent determination that it was misclassified—has decidedly been one of the village’s biggest controversies of late. Do you think that issue points to any underlying problems with the village’s zoning and planning process? A. I think certainly there are a lot of lessons we can learn from this, and the village has to make corrections where there is doubt. We have to keep on top of these types of issues and react quickly. In this case, the reaction was too slow. However, we do need to make sure that businesses can open, and that it doesn’t take forever to do so. Land use and planning are so essential because there are new things we

can do to benefit the public. Q. The village may potentially move forward with a $75 million flood mitigation project carried out by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Do you support the project, and why? A. Absolutely. Around the time when my daughter was born in 2006, there was a major flood, and I couldn’t get home. Everyone has terrible stories about flooding. The way we deal with it will define who we are. We have to get this one right, and I am committed in doing so. I think flooding reveals that, in the village, this is a nonpartisan issue. Also, volunteers are one of the most important parts of the village, and it’s their efforts that will carry us.

is not running for re-election, has been criticized for missing dozens of village board meetings. Do you think telecommuting into a meeting satisfies your responsibilities as trustee? A. Most of my business operations are virtual, and it’s less

whether that’s the right medium as it is whether it’s conducted properly or not. So we decide whether or not a meeting is worth a phone call or is it a meeting that’s too serious so we need to see each other visually,

-Reporting by Franco Fino

or do we need to be there. There are times when it can be done by Skype and there are certain times you need to be there. Q. The village board majority is up for grabs in this year’s general election, which could sway the future dynamic of the board for years to come. With that said, how pivotal is this election, and why? A. The board Democrats have had the majority for a while and we want to make sure we keep that majority. Of all the people that the Democratic Party interviewed for candidates, I think they told the three of us to give [the party] the best chance to win the majority again in November. Q. Ralph’s Italian Ices and Ice Cream shop—and the zoning board’s recent determination that it was misclassified—has decidedly been one of the village’s biggest controversies of late. Do you think that issue points to any underlying problems with the village’s zoning and planning process?

A. Overall from a strategic view, zoning changes as history changes. I think it’s time that someone looks at, from a planning perspective, the overall zoning of the village and make sure that we are in sync with what goes on now. I know some of the story about how Ralph’s was originally approved and I’m not one to go find somebody to blame; I’d much rather learn from those mistakes. We have to ask ourselves, what went wrong with the process? Was it an error of omission? If that’s the case, let’s make sure the process is sorted out. The policy there was right, which is that something like an ice cream place—which is preparing food—needs to have a special permit. What’s very good is there is a community that actually rose and said, ‘This is not right,’ and that was listened to. Q. The village may potentially move forward with a $75 million flood mitigation project carried out by the U.S. Army Corps

of Engineers. Do you support the project, and why? A. I totally support it. I’d like it to move forward as quickly and expeditiously as bureaucracy in Washington [D.C.] allows. I think this is something that is long overdue and I know it’s the last chance we’re going to have to get the Army Corps involved, so I want to move as quickly as possible. If I am trustee, I would hate to think that I am trustee during a time that Mamaroneck has another significant flood, but I know that could happen and it’s scary. The Board of Trustees should also listen to the people affected by the project and understand those concerns, because this is something that affects everyone. At the end of the day, flooding is the No. 1 issue in my mind that faces Mamaroneck and I can’t believe with a mayor of 12 years, this hasn’t been addressed before. -Reporting by James Pero

8 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • September 2, 2016

Songs for Seeds comes to Rye Brook

DEBATE from page 1

that any such debate would fail in providing residents the context they need. “It’s been organized on behalf of a single candidate,” Robinowitz said. “And it’s not without bias nor does it serve the best interest of the voters.” According to Robinowitz, both she and the Democratic nominees—Trustee Leon Potok, Keith Waitt and Victor Tafur— are skeptical of Tiekert’s prior affiliation as Natchez’s campaign manager during his mayoral bid. Rather than cancel the debate entirely, Natchez said he will move forward with the event as scheduled. Instead of a forum between candidates, Natchez said the group will be holding what he calls an “information dissemination” session featuring only

Tiekert as of press time. “We invited all four candidates to come,” Natchez said. “And we would hope that they would change their minds and all four would show.” Tiekert, who plans on attending his personal forum on Sept. 7 at the Mamaroneck Public Library, said that the establishment Democrats are shirking their responsibilities as candidates. “Any candidate that respects the democratic process does not, in good conscience, dodge a debate,” he said. Over the past several years, Tiekert—who sought nomination by the Democratic Party in 2012 but eventually stepped aside for current incumbent Leon Potok—has established himself as a party outsider and vocal crit-

ic of village board incumbents. Robinowitz said that the Democratic nominees, who have already held several of their own forums around neighborhoods in Mamaroneck, will continue to do so for the remainder of the primary campaign, which concludes with a vote on Sept. 13. “We’re holding open meetings for anyone that wants to come,” she said. “Candidates will talk and then we’ll open it up to questions.” At press time, three “meet the candidate” events will have taken place. “As a group, we feel these will be more productive than a debate would be,” Robinowitz said.

Named best music class by New York Magazine and most magical music class by Red Tricycle, Songs for Seeds will begin offering 10 classes for children under 6 years of age at The East Pointe Dance Studio, located at 11 Rye Ridge Plaza, starting on Tuesday, Sept. 20 through Saturday, Dec. 17. Classes will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and the entire schedule is available at songsforseeds.com/ny/ryebrook. Dana Fisher, an Emmy award-winning TV producer at ABC’s “The View,” brought Songs for Seeds to Westchester and Scarsdale last fall, and it’s been so successful and so popular with children and their parents, she’s now expanding the toddler educational music program to Rye Brook. “We’re so excited to introduce Songs to Seeds to Rye

Brook, Rye, Port Chester, Harrison, Purchase and Mamaroneck,” Fisher said. “When we lived in Manhattan, I sent my two babies to Songs for Seeds. When we moved to Scarsdale, I kept thinking why was there nothing like Song for Seeds in Westchester? We opened classes in Scarsdale one year ago and the response has been overwhelming. We’re now thrilled to bring this educational and fun program to the Rye Brook area. The children and their parents sing and dance together and love it. There’s simply nothing like it, anywhere.” Songs for Seeds features 45-minute classes led by a three-piece live band of teachers/musicians who encourage kids to sing, play instruments and dance. At the end of class, the students are invited to sing with the band karaoke-style, and play the band’s

instruments, including guitar, keys and drums. Each week, the children experience music, instruments and language from a different culture. Magnetic art murals are created by the children during the singalong of well-known nursery rhymes, magic tricks are used to practice numbers and counting, and a wheel is spun to reinforce the names and sounds of animals. By mixing original kids rock ‘n’ roll with adult contemporary music, the band is sure to please little ones (and their adult parents!). Songs for Seeds was founded in 2009 by the owners of Apple Seeds, a Manhattan-based company that offers fun, educational programs for young children. For more information about the new Rye Brook classes, email ryebrook@songsforseeds. com or visit songsforseeds.com/ ny/ryebrook. (Submitted)

CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

FLOOD from page 1

Songs for Seeds, Scarsdale’s award-winning and beloved young children’s music program, is coming to Rye Brook. Photo courtesy songsforseeds.com

After a few speed bumps, a $75 million federal flood mitigation project is back on track with a green light from the New York State Department of State. File photo

the construction of about 7,500 feet of retaining walls to prevent overflow. Harbor commission members, who originally recommended the project be deemed inconsistent by the DOS in March, contend that greener alternatives, which don’t involve heavy channelization, were not seriously considered during the

project’s inception. According to the Army Corps’ projections, which submitted its plan to the village this past January, the project could potentially reduce first-floor flooding in some of the village by more than 80 percent, on top of reducing property damage resulting from floods by $3.2 million annually. From here, the Army Corps

must secure congressional funding approval, which the agency says it will attempt to do in 2017, and will look to break ground on the project by 2018. Cindy Goldstein, chairwoman of the harbor commission, could not be reached for comment as of press time. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

September 2, 2016 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 9

Massive fish kills seen in Mamaroneck Harbor

Despite large-scale fish kills along the Mamaroneck shoreline, the Westchester County Department of Health has kept local beaches open to the public throughout the latter part of the summer. Photo/Andrew Dapolite

By ANDREW DAPOLITE Contributor Over the past few weeks, hundreds of dead fish have washed ashore in Mamaroneck Harbor and the surrounding waterfronts, raising water safety concerns amongst beachgoers. However, in a statement emailed to residents and business owners on Aug. 29 in response to numerous inquiries, the village of Mamaroneck attempted to squelch apprehensions by offering a few theories for the massacre. Ideas ranged from naturally occurring conditions such as recent high temperatures, to anthropogenic influences such as an algae bloom triggered by fertilizer entering upstream storm water drains. According to the village’s statement, “fish kills generally occur in warmer weather when algae growth increases, then dies off and is consumed by decomposing organisms… subsequently lowering the oxygen levels in the water that fish need to breathe.” Harbor Island Park and local beaches, which are routinely monitored by the Westchester County Department of Health, have remained open to swimmers throughout the past few weeks. Lauren Amato, a Harbor Island Park employee, said that she observed workers removing dead fish from the shoreline beginning in mid-August. “It was not just one or two,” she said. “It was the entire

shoreline. There had to be over 50 fish. It was crazy.” While the site of the dead fish has come as a shock to some, Dan Catalano, owner of the store Harbor Island Bait and Tackle on East Boston Post Road in Mamaroneck, said it’s just something you have to deal with. “It doesn’t happen every year and it does not affect the sport of fishing at all,” he said. “The water is still clean. This time of year, people are still catching porgies, fluke and summer flounder.” Catalano says that the worst complaint he has heard has been the odor caused by fish rotting along the shoreline. “It smells a lot like sewage,” he added. Peter Linderoth, water quality program manager for Save the Sound, an environmental nonprofit organization with offices in Mamaroneck, told the Review that the situation is unfortunately not unusual. “The fish we are seeing in the harbor are Atlantic menhaden, commonly known as bunker,” Linderoth said. “They are a schooling fish and their numbers have been increasing in [the] Long Island Sound over the past few years. If a large school comes into an embayment that’s already at a point where the dissolved oxygen is low, the fish are very susceptible to basically suffocating.” Linderoth largely agreed with the village’s assessment that natural causes such as the warm

temperatures are contributing to the fish kills, but also stressed that excessive use of inorganic fertilizers on local area golf courses, park grounds and even residential yards could be an additional culprit. Linderoth further explained that fertilizer can enter the harbor through streams, groundwater and storm water drains, sometimes resulting in unsustainable levels of nutrient pollution. According to Linderoth, nutrient pollution does not necessarily make the water quality unsafe for people; however, it can sometimes lead to toxic algae blooms, which affect the food we eat. Linderoth also did not rule out the possibility that other bays and harbors along the Long Island Sound could be experiencing similar events despite a relatively healthy report card for the large majority of the estuary. Save the Sound is currently in the process of sampling the dissolved oxygen in Mamaroneck Harbor in order to see if any reductions can be made to protect marine life, which Linderoth believes is not limited to the bunker that live at the bottom of the food chain. Caren Halbfinger, public affairs director for the county health department, said that despite the fish kills, the Long Island Sound remains in excellent condition. “We have not had any beach closures this year other than preventive because of the amount of rainfall,” she added.

10 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • September 2, 2016

September 2, 2016 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 11

‘Off the Wall’: A sculpture exhibit Six sculptors join forces to showcase their techniques and talent in “Off The Wall,” a group show on display at the Mamaroneck Artists Guild through Saturday, Sept. 24. An installation by Sarah Coble and large metal sculptures by Mark Attebery and B.A. D’Alessandro combine with both whimsical and traditional examples of figurative bronze and clay sculptures by Jacqueline Lorieo, Marilyn Miller and Ruchama Schechter. Meet the artists at an opening reception on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The gallery is located at 126 Larchmont Ave. in Larchmont. Admission is free. The aim of Attebery’s recent sculptural work is to capture graceful, flowing movements observed within nature. While essentially abstract, the metal shapes suggest slowly unfolding transformations and incremental growth inspired by both botany and astronomy. D’Alessandro enjoys the challenge of taking an industrial product, cutting and fabricating shapes, then welding them together to create strong abstract designs in bright, bold color. Coble’s wall installation of 25 sculpted ceramic tiles, create a rhythmic composition of

“He She Them” by Ruchama Schechter. Contributed photo

gestural figures. Lorieo largely models figurative fragments, fired in clay or cast in bronze or glass. “The human body is infinitely complex and wondrous…. To see the interior of the human body and its workings, is to enter an amazing hidden world,” she said. Miller’s series of abstract sculptures in this show are based on flow, curves and movement

inspired by photography, nature and dance. Schechter’s work is greatly inspired by the natural beauty and intensity of the lowest point on the planet (the Dead Sea), where she lived for 15 years. These exhibitions are made possible, in part, by ArtsWestchester with support from Westchester County government. (Submitted)

Astorino seeks Senior Hall of Fame nominations Do you know a senior who is making or has made a positive difference in Westchester County through his or her professional life, volunteer work or both? If so, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino invites you to submit a nomination to the Westchester Senior Citizens Hall of Fame, now in its 34th year. “The Hall of Fame is a special tradition that honors seniors who have given their time and energy to improve the quality of life in their communities or the county at large” Astorino said. “Don’t miss this great opportunity to shine a light on people who merit special recognition for their contributions.” Those selected will be inducted into the Senior Hall of Fame at a festive luncheon on Friday, Dec. 2 in the Grand Ballroom of the Westchester Marriott Hotel in White Plains.

Nominations are due by Friday, Sept. 16 and may be obtained online at westchestergov.com/seniors. To be nominated, a person must: be at least 60 years old and live in Westchester; have made significant contributions to improve life in the county; be an outstanding leader or advocate; have done professional work that reflects innovative solutions to fulfill unmet community needs (if nomination is based on paid professional work); and not be a past Hall of Fame inductee (see the list of former inductees at westchestergov.com/seniors). All nominations will be reviewed by a judging committee of past Senior Hall of Fame honorees, members from the county Department of Senior Programs and Services’ Aging Network, the county’s Senior Council and the Older Americans Act Ad-

visory Council. Gala hosts are the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services, DSPS, Westchester County Parks and the Westchester Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services. DSPS Commissioner Mae Carpenter said that seniors have helped Westchester to become known for its renowned quality of life. “Today’s older generation molded a way of life that reflects the caring and generosity of its people,” she said. Please submit your nominations online at westchestergov.com/seniors, or if you prefer to mail your nomination, contact Rose Cappa at rose@theeventdepartmentny. com or 747-0519. Also contact Cappa to learn how to become a Hall of Fame sponsor or to sponsor a particular honoree. (Submitted)

Chase is a super sweet Lab/whippet mix, about 3 years old and 33 pounds. He loves going for romps in the dog park and is friendly with other dogs and people, too; although he gets a little nervous when people approach him quickly. His foster mom has been doing some training to help build his confidence; he loves having boundaries and a predictable routine. He is such a smart boy! At the end of the day, Chase just loves to cuddle and hang out with you. And he is totally housebroken, too. Chase is neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, heartwormtested and microchipped. Make Chase part of your family for an adoption donation of $300 to Pet Rescue. To learn more, call 834-6955 or visit NY-PetRescue.org. (Submitted)

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12 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • September 2, 2016

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September 2, 2016 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 13

Halle Berry and the war on moms RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy

The trailer for Halle Berry’s new movie shows beautiful Berry and her boy playing “Marco Polo” at a busy playground on a sun-dappled day. “Marco!” says Berry. “Polo!” chirps the boy, who looks to be about 5. “Marco!” calls Berry. “Polo!” comes the reassuring reply. “Marco!” I think you can guess what comes (or rather, doesn’t come) next. The movie’s title is “Kidnap.” The plot is based on our culture’s favorite parenting tale: The Mom Who Looked Away and Lost Her Kid. We have absorbed it so deeply that we shame any mom who isn’t watching her kids 24/7. Maybe you’ve seen the viral Facebook video where a guy screams at a mom who is buying a phone at the phone store and can see her kid in the car the whole five minutes she’s running her errand? Or maybe you heard about the mom who was arrested last week for letting her kids, ages 8 and 9, wait in the condo under an hour while she went to pick up dinner? A new study out of the University of California at Irvine may have figured out why we are reacting as if those short waits are crazy dangerous. Researchers Ashley J. Thomas, P. Kyle Stanford and Barbara W. Sarnecka discovered that when it comes to child safety, our risk assessment is determined not by a rational analysis of the facts, but by our judgment of the parent—particularly the mom. And in a society that has be-

come convinced, mostly from a surfeit of “Law & Order,” that children must be under constant adult supervision, we think any mom who doesn’t do that has put her kids in danger. What kind of mom endangers her kids? An immoral one. So it’s a feedback loop: Unsupervised kids have immoral moms, immoral moms endanger their kids. But here’s what the researchers found out: The more immoral we think the mom is, the more danger we see in her actions. In the study, participants were given a series of vignettes in which kids were left unsupervised. In each of these vignettes, the kids’ age, location and amount of time they were left alone were the same. The only thing that differed was the reason the mom left. In one scenario, for instance, the mom was dropping a book off at the library when she was hit by a car, knocked unconscious and no one realized the child was still in the car until 30 minutes later. In other scenarios, the mom left the child for 30 minutes to do some work, volunteer, or simply relax. And in another, she left for 30 minutes to meet with her lover. How much danger was the child in, on a scale of 1 to 10? “When the mother unintentionally left the child alone, people rated those scenarios safer than when she intentionally left the child alone,” Thomas told me in a phone interview. So when the child was unsupervised due to circumstances beyond the mom’s control, the kid was judged safer than when the

mom deliberately went to work, volunteer, relax or—the highest danger perception of all—have an affair. In other words: If we think the mom is bad, we think her kids are in more danger than if she’s good, like the mom who was hit by a car but otherwise did not intend to leave her child’s side. And here’s where it gets really nasty: When the researchers substituted dads for moms in their scenarios, the dads’ workrelated absences were treated the same as their unintentional absences. Their kids were perceived at the lowest level of danger. But when women left their kids to do some work, the perceived danger increased. Unconsciously, we seem to consider moms as selfishly, immorally choosing to endanger their kids by going to work. The researchers caution that their dad-scenario sample was small. But they also point out that the only model of childrearing that the public seems to deem decent is an old-fashioned one that only the wealthiest families can afford today: A stay-athome mom or someone hired to fill that role, constantly supervising the kids. Now the researchers’ hope and mine is that once we start to recognize the difference between real danger and our unconscious condemnation of moms who don’t live up to some 1950s mom ideal, we will stop arresting the ones who give their kids some unsupervised time, either out of necessity or FreeRange choice. CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com

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Coming this month, Inside WC will take a look at arts in Westchester. If you’re interested in advertising in our “Fall for Arts” issue, please contact sales representative Lindsay Sturman at 653-100 ext. 14 or lsturman@hometwn.com.

Astorino announces free Senior Law Day Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino recently announced that the 17th annual Senior Law Day will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the County Center in White Plains. The free event will feature 20 workshops on elder law topics, plus free 15-minute, one-on-one consultations with some of the county’s leading legal, financial and geriatric care experts. Parking is also free. “Successful aging is a lifelong process that requires thoughtful planning,” Astorino said. “It’s never too early to get yourself on the right path, and even if you’ve delayed putting together a plan, then now’s the time to start. Senior Law Day offers direct access to the professionals, free of charge. I encourage all residents to join us at the County Center, and I appreciate the private sector’s increased support over the past year.” Registration for Senior Law Day is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. Visit westchestergov.com/seniors or call 8136300 to sign up. Seniors can register for the one-on-one consultations on the day of the event. Senior Law Day will provide a wealth of useful information and resources, including: • Workshops covering everything from estate and financial planning to health care and affordable housing, taxes, wills, trusts and much more, including two workshops in Spanish. • A free copy of “MAP: My Aging Plan,” a booklet that details what individuals and families can do from their 20s through their 80s and beyond to age successfully. • A review of long-term care policies (participants should bring a copy of their policy to the event).

• Updated copies (upon request) of the “Elder Law Q&A: An Introduction to Aging Issues and Planning for the Future,” in both English and Spanish. Questions or comments can be emailed to seniorlawdayinfo@ gmail.com or tweeted to @seniorlawday. Senior Law Day builds upon the county’s award-winning Livable Communities initiative, which aims to empower Westchester’s older adults to remain in their homes as they age with dignity, independence and civic involvement. This past spring, Senior Law Day expanded and launched a new event in Yorktown, where hundreds of Northern Westchester residents participated in free workshops and consultations. Additional evening programs are offered in partnership with the Westchester County Library System throughout the year. “An estimated 7,000 seniors, family members and caregivers have benefitted from this program since Senior Law Day began in 1999,” said Mae Carpenter, commissioner of the county’s Department of Senior Programs and Services, DSPS. “I get many questions from seniors and families, like ‘When do I get started with estate planning?’ and ‘Should I continue to pay premiums for long-term care insurance?’ Senior Law Day is a great resource where seniors and their families can begin and continue planning their journey into aging.” Senior Law Day is presented by DSPS, the Westchester Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services, and the Ninth Judicial District of the New York State Office of Court Administration. Steven A. Schurkman, a partner with Keane & Beane in

White Plains, is chair of the annual Senior Law Day program and author of “Elder Law Q&A.” His associate, Sarah A. Steckler, is program manager. Please visit seniorlawday. info for a wealth of useful information. The resources mentioned above are also available at seniorcitizens.westchestergov. com/senior-programs-and-services/publications. Sponsors of this year’s Senior Law Day are: Amoruso & Amoruso LLP; Bernie Leiner; Long Term Care Insurance; Bleakley Platt & Schmidt LLP; Covey, Roberts & CarmodyRoberts LLC; Cuddy & Feder LLP; Ely J. Rosenzveig & Associates P.C.; Enea, Scanlan and Sirignano LLP; Ferncliff Cemetery Association; Glassman & Brown LLP; Hyman & Gilbert; Interim HealthCare of Greater NY; Keane & Beane P.C.; Lamson & Cutner P.C.; Law Offices of Jeffrey A. Ashe PLLC; Law Office of Valorie Joy Promisel; Life House Pooled Trust Services; Littman Krooks LLP; Lob Planning Group; Robert Leitner CFP; RIA, Financial Advisory Network; Rosenthal & Markowitz LLP; Salvatore M. Di Costanzo, Esq.; Shamberg Marwell Hollis Andreycak & Laidlaw P.C.; The Bristal Assisted Living; The Center for Special Needs Trust Administration Inc.; The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Center for Elder Abuse Prevention at the Hebrew Home at Riverdale; The New Jewish Home Sarah Neuman; The Osborn & Osborn Home Care; The Woodlawn Cemetery; Wartburg; Westchester Elder Care Consultants LLC; and Westchester Library System. For sponsorship information, please call Martha Marzano at 813-6435 or visit seniorlawday. info/sponsors. (Submitted)

14 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • September 2, 2016

SPORTS

The uncertainty of September LIVE MIKE Mike Smith

Most sports fans hope against hope that one day, their teams will be good. But sometimes, at least in my mind, “good” doesn’t always equal “fun.” Let’s face it; neither the Mets nor Yankees are particularly good teams at the moment, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t entertaining as heck to watch. In fact, I find that their shortcomings—and their upsides—are poised to make this one of the more intriguing months of local baseball in recent memory. As the calendar turns to September, the Bombers and the Amazin’s find themselves in similar positions. Both New York teams are just a few games out of the final wild card, have been playing solid baseball down the stretch, and if they can string together a few more weeks’ worth of series wins, could potentially

find themselves in a position to control their own playoff destiny. But neither team’s season has unfolded quite the way the respective organizations had envisioned prior to the start of the year. The Mets, of course, were coming off of a run to the World Series, armed with one of the most promising pitching staffs that baseball had seen in recent years, a budding outfield star in Michael Conforto, and the potential to get a full year out of captain David Wright, who is finally getting the chance to play for a winner for the first time in about 10 years. Of course, it being the Mets and all, injuries derailed the seasons of Matt Harvey and Steven Matz; spinal stenosis limited Wright to just 37 games; and Conforto has looked lost at the plate and ended up spending a good portion of the season playing for the Mets’ AAA affiliate in Las Vegas. So how have the Mets managed to keep afloat? Mostly be-

cause of the contributions of Yoenis Cespedes, who has also spent his share of time on the DL this season; Jose Reyes, who returned for his second go-around with the club after being released by the Colorado Rockies; and the ageless Bartolo Colon, who, with his 12-7 record, made the All-Star team again, 18 years after his first selection. Is this team close to as talented as it was a year ago? Not a chance; but watching this scrappy team compete day in and day out has certainly made for some compelling television in August. And when was the last time that the team from the Bronx had this type of energy around it? I’m not simply talking about success on the field. The Yankees, despite their success over the past 20 years—or perhaps because of it—have been historically boring for the last several ones. It has been an organization that has been content to trot out overpaid veterans year after

As the calendar turns to September, both the Mets and Yankees find themselves in the midst of the playoff hunt. But neither team’s season has gone quite as expected. Photo courtesy Groupe Canam

year, competing for—and winning—a division title or World Series from time to time. But for the first time since 1995, there’s a sense that the organization is in flux, but in a good way. A new crop of young players are becoming the face of the organization. Players like Aaron Judge, who still can’t really hit the offspeed stuff, but

has demonstrated the ability to launch mammoth home runs; Didi Gregorious, who is having a breakout season at age 26; and Gary Sanchez, who is hitting .383 with 11 homers in just 24 games, are forming a new nucleus that could be the start of a new dynasty. Will the Baby Bombers wilt under the pressure of a play-

off race? Can the Mets make the postseason with unknowns like Robert Gsellman taking the mound every five days? I honestly don’t know. And that uncertainty is what is going to make September so darn exciting.

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September 2, 2016 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 15

Tigers aim to defend crown

Two Tiger players battle for the ball during a preseason practice.

By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor As one of the pre-eminent field hockey programs in New York state, Mamaroneck comes into each season with a sizable target on its back. This fall, as the Tigers get set to take the field after graduating several players from their 2015 state title run, that target may be bigger than ever. But according to head coach John Savage, this year’s squad has both the talent—and the mental toughness—to once again emerge as a force in Section I. After graduating 10 seniors, eight of whom were starters from last year’s state championship team, Mamaroneck comes into this year hoping to defend their title with a smaller and younger team. But according to senior Sophie Miller, who will share captain duties with Paige Danehy this year, the Tigers’ youth should not be a hindrance. “I think the younger girls are going to play a big role this year, and we had a lot of younger girls get playing time last year,” said the midfielder. “We even got our state championship-winning goal from a freshman (returning sophomore Brigid Knowles) last year.” Danehy, who will patrol the midfield with Miller, said that the pressure of entering the season as the reigning state champs should not phase this group of young Tigers at all. “There’s definitely more pressure this year, but when you play in this program, there’s always

pressure on you,” Danehy said. “So we’re just starting off, working hard, and we’re very excited for the season.” Savage expects Danehy and Miller to solidify the midfield this year, helping to bridge the gap between a relatively inexperienced defensive unit and an attack that the head coach feels is poised for a breakout year. Knowles, who scored the game-winner in Mamaroneck’s double overtime state finals win over Maine-Endwell last year, and fellow sophomore Elizabeth Brissette willl be tasked with helping Mamaroneck flow on the offensive end this year. Danehy said the underclassmen have shown a lot of promise in the early days of camp. “A bunch of the young girls

are really stepping up this year and we only have four seniors, so we need that,” the captain said. “Our forwards, especially, are really starting to take charge and finish in the circle, and that’s really what we need.” The picture in goal is far less certain, however. The Tigers return senior Charlotte Mackie, who pitched a shutout in last year’s state title game, but Savage conceded that right now, the Tigers have a three-way positional battle, which he believes will help to elevate the performance of his prospective goalies. “We had [an outside coach] rate them and all three of [the goalies] rated high in different categories, so it comes down to who puts the total package together,” Savage said. “But there’s competition, and they all like each other and they push each other every day.” The Tigers will be tested early this year, with contests against Rye Country Day School and Oak Knolls—which was the top private-school field hockey team in New Jersey last season—before they open the Section I schedule on Sept. 7 against rival Scarsdale. Mamaroneck’s tough September schedule, said Savage, should be a good measuring stick as the Tigers look toward another deep postseason push. “We are going to get a good indication of where we are,” he said. “I’m hoping they’re prepared, but if they’re not, we’re going to know exactly what we need to do.”

Sophie Miller passes the ball on Aug. 25. Miller is one of Mamaroneck’s senior captains this year.

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Junior Emma Nishimura makes a save during a practice drill. Nishimura is one of three players vying for playing time in goal.

Hannah Hanley chases down the ball during a preseason practice. Photos/Mike Smith

16 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • September 2, 2016