September 16, 2016

Mamaroneck REVIEW THE

September 16, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 38 | www.mamaroneckreview.com

Endorsed Dems edge out primary challenger

Never forget

By JAMES PERO Staff Writer

The town of Mamaroneck and the villages of Larchmont and Mamaroneck held a joint 9/11 memorial ceremony at Girl Scout Rock by Memorial Park. Pictured is the plaque dedicated by the Girl Scouts of Larchmont-Mamaroneck with the names of residents who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.

For coverage, see page 6.

Photo/Sibylla Chipaziwa

Board Dems, mayor power struggle may end in court

By JAMES PERO Staff Writer A move to alter the mayor’s ability to appoint land use officials in the village of Mamaroneck could end up in litigation between Democrats on the village board and Republican Mayor Norman Rosenblum after proposed local laws were passed.

The laws, which were passed by the board’s Democratic ma-

jority on Sept. 6 after a heated public hearing, aims to transition the power of appointment of members to the village’s land use boards and the position of village attorney from Rosenblum to the Board of Trustees. Although approved by a majority of the village board, in order for the acts to become law, they require the approval of a public referendum.

Rosenblum, however, claims that the meeting was held in vio-

lation of the state Open Meetings Law since it was not properly noticed in advance. As a result, Rosenlbum told the Review that he will “probably” involve his own lawyer to fight the upcoming referendum.

“The meeting was done improperly,” he said, “and I’ll continue to review whether or not they broke [the] Open Meetings Law.” Rosenblum said the public

hearing for the proposed public law failed to be noticed properly ahead of time, with a notice printed in the paper on Monday, Sept.

5 instead of Thursday, Sept. 1.

However, according to Trustee Leon Potok, a Democrat, an opinion sought from Robert Freeman, the executive director of the New York state Committee on Open Government, COURT continued on page 9

A decidedly close Democratic primary for three open village of Mamaroneck Board of Trustees seats yielded success for two newcomers and one incumbent, and sunk hopes for fringe candidate and challenger Stuart Tiekert.

According to unofficial Westchester County Board of Elections results, the Sept. 13 race saw all four candidates reel in close to a quarter of the total votes cast.

Political newcomers Keith Waitt and Victor Tafur both secured 27 percent of the total vote, with incumbent Trustee Leon Potok receiving 25 percent and Democratic challenger Tiekert, a former chairman of the village Democratic Party, trailing just behind with 21 percent.

“I’m gratified that the voters heard our message of experience and leadership,” said village Democratic Party Chairwoman Randi Rabinowitz.

Despite only 80 votes separating Potok and Tiekert, Rabinowitz said that the neck-andneck race was anything but unexpected. “[Tiekert] and his team did a formidable job of getting the Rye Town voters out,” she said. “But we won the election

in Mamaroneck.”

According to preliminary tabulations from the village Democratic Party, while Tiekert—who is currently a district leader in the town of Rye—edged out the three establishment candidates in many of those Rye districts, Waitt, Tafur and Potok swept the vast majority of districts in Mamaroneck.

This marks the first foray into village politics for both Waitt and Tafur, who will now both vie to maintain a Democratic majority on the village board against three Republican candidates running for trustee during the general election in November.

Seats on Mamaroneck’s village board opened after present Democratic trustees Ilissa Miller decided not to run for re-election and David Finch told the Review that he wasn’t asked to run again earlier this year.

PRIMARY continued on page 8

2 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • September 16, 2016

September 16, 2016 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 3

New measures on campaign donors draw criticism

By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a measure late last month that aims to toughen election, lobbying and ethics enforcement laws, in an effort to limit the power of independent expenditure campaigns.

State Sen. George Latimer, a Rye Democrat who is running for re-election, said, “It doesn’t solve the problem.”

The legislation would diminish the influence of a U.S. Supreme Court case known as Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which has encouraged wealthy donors to increase campaign contributions through independent expenditures to publicly support or criticize a candidate, according to the governor. In 2010, the Supreme Court ruled that corporations have the same free speech rights as people.

An independent expenditure is a political campaign communication that touts or expressively advocates for the defeat of an identified candidate that is not made in cooperation with or at the approval of a candidate, or a candidate’s authorized committee.

Cuomo said, “Citizens United is one of the worst Supreme Court decisions in history, and in just six years has already had a profoundly corrosive impact on our democracy.”

Under the new agreement, independent spending groups— political consultants and lobbyists—are required to register with the state and may not be formed by a candidate or run by the candidate’s family members

Following Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s signing of a new measure into law that targets lobbyists and independent expenditure groups regarding campaign money, nonprofit organizations and state and local politicians responded.

File photo

or former staffers.

The law will also strengthen anti-coordination between independent spending groups and candidates, as it prohibits independent spenders from contributing directly to candidates and prevents political action committees, PACs, from making contributions to independent expenditure committees operating under common control.

However, according to Rye City Councilwoman Julie Killian, a Republican candidate for the state Senate, political spending is not necessarily the issue. “Corrupt and go-along career legislators are the problem,” she said. “If we really want to change the culture of corruption

in Albany, we need to enact term limits for state officeholders.”

Killian also criticized Cuomo for previously receiving business-backed aid. “It’s ironic that the governor, who has raised tens of millions [of dollars] from people who have state contracts, wants to now limit campaign donations from legitimate organizations who want to express their constitutionally protected free speech,” she said.

In 2011 and 2012, a controversial business-backed group called Committee to Save New York spent $17 million to advance Cuomo’s agenda during his first two years as governor.

Among others to criticize the new measures is Common Cause New York, a nonprofit political advocacy organization that engages in lobbying that has been openly opposed to the legislation. The group has argued that the legislation places stringent restrictions on nonprofits, and will prevent those opposing the government from expressing their free speech.

Susan Lerner, the executive director of Common Cause New York, said, “Common Cause New York is deeply disappointed that Gov. Andrew Cuomo has chosen to ignore the causes of systematic corruption in Albany, and instead wrongfully punish organizations’ proper and lawful collaboration to more effectively advocate for their causes.”

According to Lerner, her organization believes the new law will not stand on appeal.

CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com

Clarification In the Sept. 2 Q&A with Democratic trustee candidate Victor Tafur, he stated, “What prompted 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.”

The division Tafur was referring to came from a Board of Trustees meeting in March to discuss the proposed flood mitigation project. Tafur added that the Flood Mitigation Advisory Committee meetings have been an example of inclusive outreach and constructive dialogue.

Town of Mamaroneck’s

Official Newspaper

4 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • September 16, 2016

What’s going on...

Mamaroneck Public Library

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.

Book Sale Room volunteers needed Visit mamaronecklibrary.org for more information on library hours and programs.

Bilingual Storytime/Hora del cuenta bilingüe On Mondays at 10:30 a.m., excluding Nov. 14.

A drop-in Spanish/English storytime for children ages 6 months to 7 years old with siblings and caregivers.

Los lunes a las diez y media de la mañana, excluyendo el 14 de noviembre. Una hora del cuento en español y inglés para niños de los 6 meses a 7 años con hermanos y cuidadores/as.

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,

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.

Special art exhibit “Croatia: Oil Paintings and Film Photographs” will be on display in the Warner Gallery through Friday, Sept. 30. Andrew A. Smith is an artist with a law degree and a lawyer with a degree in art. His photography, which is almost exclusively on 35mm and larger film, includes oft-neglected small details in our world. His paintings include

portraits and translations of his nature and seascape photographs. Smith was born in Kingston, Jamaica and resides in Pelham. For more about Smith and his work, visit filmandoil.com.

Larchmont Public Library Visit larchmontlibrary.org for more information on library hours and programs.

Bringing Up Healthy Children in the 21st Century On Monday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Michael P. Coords Activity Room. No registration required. Dr. Seth Pearl will guide parents through the research related to otitis media (ear infections), colds, sore throats, asthma, colic and other childhood illnesses and the studies that show the ineffectiveness of medicine and pharmaceutical treatment. Participants will discuss the growing evidence that antibiotic overuse and the inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics actually damages a child’s health.

Research from British Medical Journal, JAMA and the CDC show alarming trends leading to increased incidence of childhood disease linked to drug therapy.

Divorce and Custody 101: Rules for Success with Elizabeth Douglas On Thursday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. in the Village Center. No registration required. Sadly, not every marriage is made in heaven, nor are all marriages going to stand the test of time. In the midst of the stress of a divorce, battles over child custody exacerbate the ugliness of the divorce process. This much-needed program will present things you need to know to survive divorce and move forward, touching on divorce, custody, support and maintenance, and family life before, during and after your divorce.

The Center for Continuing Education Notable Neighbors series “One World Trade Center: Engineering an Icon” will be the subject of a lecture by New York Times bestselling author Judith Dupré on Monday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the Tiered Classroom at Mamaroneck High School. Dupré, the author of “One World Trade Center: The Biography of the Building,” is the only journalist to have unfettered access to the site, team and archives. Part of The Center’s Notable Neighbors series, the event is free of charge. Prior to the lecture, The Center will also be holding a Meet the Teachers Open House at 6:30 p.m.

To register for a free ticket to the lecture or for more information, visit LMCCE.org or call 698-9126.

At Home on the Sound 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.

Knights of Columbus Mamaroneck Golf outing for charity On Monday, Sept. 26, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Hampshire Country Club in Mamaroneck. The cost is $175, which includes breakfast and lunch.

For more information, visit knightsofcolumbusmamaroneck.com.

Village of Larchmont news Parking permits Parking permits 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 Ave. Peruse produce, meat, seafood, baked goods, specialty foods and much more through the summer and fall and support local farmers and businesses.

Larchmont Big Truck Day On Saturday, Sept. 24 from noon to 4 p.m. on Larchmont Avenue, from US 1 to Cherry Street.

Children of all ages are invited to climb on and clamber over the biggest trucks provided by the village of Larchmont and the town of Mamaroneck. There will be lots of additional activities, too. Presented in conjunction the Larchmont 125 Larchmont Day Street Festival. Rain will cancel the event, but it will be held drizzle or shine.

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.

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 16, 2016 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 5

Letters to the Editor

Re: Shore Arces Club’s water quality article To the Editor, Using soundhealthexplorer.org is a great way for Mamaroneck residents to learn about the health of local beaches. The article “Water Quality Trouble Looms at Shore Acres Club” published on July 22, however, misinterprets some of the site’s data, resulting in a doom and gloom scenario.

We want our neighbors to know that data from the Westchester County Department of Health is used for soundhealthexplorer.org grades. Grades are calculated using the five most recent years of beach monitoring data available. In 2015, there was only one date when the Shore Acres Beach’s water quality failed the EPA safe swimming standards. That was on June 10, 2015, after two days of rain. It’s fairly common for a beach to suffer pollution after rain, especially one so close to a stream.

The photo caption incorrectly states “virtually no improvement over the past three years.” In fact, Shore Acres scored a B in 2015 and shows a marked improvement in water quality for swimming over prior summers.

Any user can easily go to soundhealthexplorer.org, set the time bar for any recent period they choose, and see the results for themselves visually.

Tracy Brown, director of Western Sound programs for Save the Sound, Mamaroneck

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6 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • September 16, 2016

Mamaroneck THE

REVIEW

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Publisher | Howard Sturman ext. 21, publisher@hometwn.com

Larchmont, Mamaroneck

remember 9/11 victims

Christian Falcone Associate Publisher | Editor-in-Chief ext. 19, chris@hometwn.com Executive Vice President | Ira Ellenthal ext. 31, irathal@hometwn.com

The Girl Scouts memorial plaque which bears the names of the 12 local victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks sits just outside of Larchmont’s Memorial Park. Photos/Sibylla Chipaziwa

Sports Editor | Mike Smith ext. 22, sports@hometwn.com Editorial Assistant | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 25, sibylla@hometwn.com Reporter | James Pero ext. 20, james@hometwn.com Graphic Designer | Arthur Gedin Graphic Designer | Jim Grasso Advertising | Lindsay Sturman ext. 14, lsturman@hometwn.com Advertising | Lynne Starr ext. 29, lynne@hometwn.com Advertising Coordinator | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 27, ads@hometwn.com Staff Writer Corey Stockton, Franco Fino Staff Photographers Bobby Begun, Andrew Dapolite

Members of the local Police and Fire departments begin to place wreaths in front of the 9/11 memorial.

Columnist Lenore Skenazy

By SIBYLLA CHIPAZIWA Editorial Assistant

Letters

The evening was cool and breezy on Sunday, Sept. 11 as people of all ages gathered at Girl Scout Rock just outside Memorial Park in Larchmont to remember the 12 former residents who were killed on Sept.

11, 2001 in the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history. The town of Mamaroneck and the villages of Larchmont and Mamaroneck held a joint memorial ceremony at 5 p.m. to remem-

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Westchester County Legislator Catherine Parker says that gratitude is what comes to mind when she reflects on the events of 9/11.

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State Sen. George Latimer addresses the audience, saying that 9/11 resonates with all of us because many victims were civilians.

U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel says he is proud to represent Larchmont and Mamaroneck and that 9/11 was a major turning point with ramifications felt at home and worldwide.

ber and reflect.

Mamaroneck Town Supervisor Nancy Seligson opened the ceremony by thanking the Fire and Police departments of the three municipalities; the Mamaroneck EMS and Larchmont/ Mamaroneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps; the town’s Highway Department for the park upkeep; local veterans from American Legion Larchmont Post 347 and Mamaroneck Post 90, and VFW Potts Jr. Post 1156; local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts; local and elected officials; and residents in attendance.

“This is an opportunity for us to come together as a community and to help us remember that tragedy, and to honor the lives that were lost and the bravery we all saw,” she said, thanking local emergency responders for all they do every day.

A member of the Boy Scouts America Larchmont Troop 4 led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Rev. Dr. William P. Crawford gave the invocation.

“Here, 15 years later, we remember with Girl Scouts and so many children among us now who were not even born then,”

Two uniformed members salute the 9/11 memorial after placing a wreath in memory of the 12 local victims who perished on Sept. 11, 2001.

Crawford said.

U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel was the highest ranking elected official on hand for the ceremony. “[9/11] was the day, I think, we lost our innocence,” he said. “[Seligson said that 9/11] was a beautiful day; we all remember that day,” Engel added, mentioning the JFK assassination and how similar the feeling was for people his age at that time.

Engel said that all 9/11 first responders and anyone else that was at ground zero should get the proper medical help they need, mentioning that legislation covering that aspect was just passed and signed in New York state by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “We have to make sure the funds continue to be there,” he added.

Village of Larchmont Mayor Lorraine Walsh perhaps gave the most emotional of remarks, as her voice broke as she started to speak. “Will [9/11] become just another day that we take out our flags, perhaps gather at ceremonies like this one to mourn the

fallen, and go home back to our everyday lives?” she asked, saying that 9/11 should rekindle our belief in the strength of courage, sacrifice, compassion, common ideals and humanity to come together.

Westchester County Legislator Catherine Parker said that 9/11 brings about gratitude and makes her realize how powerful prayer can be. Her neighbor and friend, a female ordained minister, decided to volunteer to pray over the dead at the ground zero morgue every day for six months, saying that she answered a calling.

“There were thousands of people, in their own way, that answered a calling that tried to help, lend some comfort,” Parker said. “That is the prayer that I believe was answered.”

Three members from the local Boy Scouts then placed 12 flags in front of Girl Scout Rock as the names of the local 9/11 victims were read aloud to an audience with bowed heads, CONTINUED on next page

September 16, 2016 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 7

Local veterans from American Legion Larchmont Post 347 and Mamaroneck Post 90 and VFW Potts Jr. Post 1156 present the colors and stand at attention. Photos/Sibylla Chipaziwa A member of the Boy Scouts America Larchmont Troop 4 leads the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

followed by taps played by local resident Stephen Chinn and a moment of silence. Five wreaths were then placed in front of the memorial by the local Girl Scouts and representatives from the three municipalities and the American Legion. Some first responders had to leave at this time, as Seligson said, “No matter what, they’re always on call.”

The Girl Scouts sang “God Bless America,” as some audience members sang along in

hushed voices. State Sen. George Latimer said, “This day is a different day, and there are elements that remind you of other ceremonial days. The people that died this day were first responders… ready to risk their lives for others, but normally don’t see themselves in that type of combat role…. They were doing what they were trained to do, but they were facing a most sure death. How many amongst us can do that?”

Latimer added that 9/11 resonates with so many of us because the attacks killed civilians, too. “They went into their office for their day of work, and now they’re a part of a plaque, a part of remembrance,” he said.

“When a civilian dies, it attaches itself to… those of us who are not trained [like first responders].

That’s why this day is somber, because it could have been us.”

CONTACT: sibylla@hometwn.com

The Girl Scouts of Larchmont-Mamaroneck close the ceremony with a rendition of “God Bless America.”

8 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • September 16, 2016

Opinion-Editorial

Homelessness and hunger in Westchester

By CLIFFORD JACKSON and JEFFREY MEYER We have been writing about homelessness and/or volunteering on their behalf for many years. Food Bank for Westchester, FBW, using their Mobile Pantry, a 36-foot commercially equipped truck, travels throughout Westchester County delivering food to impoverished areas.

Our culture demonizes those in need of food assistance and shelter. This stereotype is the exact opposite of their reality. This demonization by many exudes the hypocrisy of this nation and those who have this depraved attitude, especially when this society purports to have so-called “Christian values.”

Most of the clients we serve usually fit into the following categories: the elderly, the disabled or the working poor. We even encounter many college students.

The working poor are often

working for about $10 to $12 an hour, not enough to get ahead.

The common denominator is that usually 50 to 75 percent of their monthly income is allocated to rent. Also, more than 25 percent of all homeless people work, but because of this system, they do not have a sustainable wage that will allow them to have a place to live.

The elderly and disabled have a similar story. Rent and medicine consume what income they have. Many seniors have said what they receive from a food pantry used to be a bonus; now, it's a necessity.

The first question asked when the food truck arrives is "Do you have meat today?” because most cannot afford meat.

Fortunately, Food Bank almost always has meat. The Mobile Pantry usually operates more than 20 times a week distributing food to thousands of Westchester County residents.

FBW estimates that 20 percent

of Westchester County residents are food-insecure. This is engendered by a rapacious “cutthroat market-driven culture,” and the “fallout” is this level of hunger and homelessness.

People should not go bankrupt due to an illness. People should not desist from seeing a doctor because they can’t afford one. We are the only industrialized Western nation without universal health care. That's a moral obscenity. Social Security must be strengthened and enhanced for our seniors to be able to retire with dignity.

There are many volunteers in Westchester County who work for food pantries and homeless shelters and serve their neighbors every day, and this is an example we should follow.

Clifford Jackson is a resident of Larchmont, and Jeffrey Meyer is a resident Tuckahoe. The views expressed are their own.

PRIMARY from page 1

From left, village of Mamaroneck political newcomers Victor Tafur and Keith Waitt, pictured with incumbent Trustee Leon Potok, edged out fringe candidate Stuart Tiekert in a tight Democratic primary race for three open seats on the Board of Trustees. Photo courtesy village of Mamaroneck Democrats

Potok will seek re-election in November, marking his third term in office as a village trustee, if elected.

“I’m gratified that the voters supported the decision of the local Democratic nominating committee and I appreciate the hard work of the volunteers for all the candidates,” Potok told the Review.

Despite the intraparty rivalry that comes with a hard-fought

primary battle, Rabinowtiz said that the primary also served as an opportunity for trustees to hit the ground running toward the general election.

“It’s not wonderful to compete against each other,” Rabinowitz said, “but our mailers are out, our signs are up, so we have a head start.”

Now, Democrats will join forces with a goal of maintaining their majority rule of the

village board which they have held since 2010. Republicans maintained majority board control for only one year since 2006.

Tiekert said he had no expectations for the primary race.

“I’m proud of the campaign we ran,” he said, “but I’ve already offered my support to the other [Democrats].”

CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

September 16, 2016 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 9 COURT from page 1

confirmed that all procedures were followed.

According to Potok, while the state Open Meetings Law sets a three-day stipulation for a public hearing to be noticed in a news publication, a clause in the law also dictates that such a timeline should be followed “to the extent practicable,” providing for a loose interpretation of the rule.

Board Democrats have already retained an outside attorney, citing a direct conflict of interest between the potential decision to alter the appointment of village attorney and any potential legal advice provided to the trustees from current Village Attorney Charles Goldberger.

While the law must still be passed by public referendum— it’s scheduled to appear on the Election Day ballot—according to Rosenblum, a legal standoff could prevent the law from even making it onto the ballot.

Rosenblum said if a court determines that the proposed public law was passed in violation of Open Meetings Law protocol, an injunction would be placed on any further proceedings, forcing the law to lapse the deadline requirement for public referendum.

The proposed public law, passed on Sept. 6, marked the last date in which the proposal could be signed into action by the Board of Trustees and still be eligible for public referendum on the November ballot.

If the proposed ballot initiative is overturned in court before Election Day, board Democrats would be forced to wait until

Mayor Norman Rosenblum, a Republican, said he will “probably” sue over a law passed by the Democratic majority on the village of Mamaroneck Board of Trustees that looks to alters his powers of appointment, citing violations of open meetings law. File photo

next year to reintroduce the referendum, if they so choose.

Debate over both laws—regarding appointment to land use boards as well as the village attorney position—have boiled to the surface in recent months with Democrats claiming that such appointments fly in the face of the way the village is supposed to be structured.

Democrats have accused the mayor of taking advantage of what’s known as the “hold over” rule, a state law, which allows Rosenblum to appoint members to land use boards on an interim basis after a member resigns from his or her position.

Once the interim appointee serves out the remainder of the unexpired term, he or she must be approved for another term by the entire Board of Trustees.

According to the rule, if the vote is not unanimous, then the hold over must stay on for a new term.

The rule, according to board

Democrats, disenfranchises the rest of the board by allowing the mayor the sole power of appointment in the case of resignation, and gives Rosenblum— who can shoot down the Democrats’ majority vote with his own—more authority over land use boards.

There are currently two hold over appointments serving on the Zoning Board of Appeals, David Neufield and Jennifer Bienstock Cohen.

Currently the initiative is slated to appear on the Nov. 8 ballot for public vote, but Rosenblum says that even if the law isn’t challenged prior, he’s unconcerned.

“Do you want a mayor in the village of Mamaroneck or do you want a board controlled by a political clique?” he asked. “I have no bosses other than the people of Mamaroneck.”

CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

10 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • September 16, 2016

Business Briefs JCCH announces new education director The Jewish Community Center of Harrison, JCCH, recently welcomed Ronit Razinovsky as its director of Education and Family Engagement at the synagogue’s Kehilah School.

Born and raised in Israel, Razinovsky’s first Ronit Razinovsky experience as an educator was during her Israel Defense Force service, serving as a “Morah-Chayelet” for young and underprivileged soldiers. That experience inspired her to continue her studies at the Hakibbutzim College, where she graduated as an elementary school teacher.

Razinovsky moved to Westchester County and started her career as a Jewish educator at Solomon Schechter of Westchester and she was the education director at the Shaarei Tikvah Religious School in Scarsdale for the last 20 years.

Razinovsky is a vibrant, creative and passionate Jewish educator with a strong belief in lifelong learning. She received a master’s in Jewish Education from the William Davidson School at the Jewish Theological Seminary, and recently joined the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education for an Executive Ed.D. in Jewish Educational Leadership and Innovation. She participated in the Leadership Institute, a mutual program from JTS and Hebrew Union College. She also has trained for two years with the Jewish New Teacher Project, mentoring teachers to increase teacher effectiveness and retention and student achievement. Her goal is to bring the language of teaching standards, collaboration and professional development into her school culture. Last summer, Razinovsky was accepted to Harvard Graduate School of Education where she studied an intensive course on “Improving Schools: The Art of Leadership.”

Over the years, Razinovsky has developed warm relationships with students and parents. “I am looking forward to getting to know the JCCH and Harrison communities and working closely with my teachers and the rest of the synagogue staff to create an exciting learning environment for our students and their families,” she said.

For more information about the JCCH Kehillah School, contact Razinovsky at 835-2850 ext. 125 or at ronitr@jcch.org, or visit jcch.org. The Jewish Community Center of Harrison is located at 130 Union Ave. in Harrison.

Pharmacy added to serve Purchase Professional Park Simone Development Companies and Fareri Associates have announced that ABC Drugs, a New York City-based pharmacy, has leased space for a new medicine only pharmacy at 3010 Westchester Ave. in the Purchase Professional Park in Purchase. The new outlet is designed to serve the needs of the office park’s growing medical tenant base and other doctors’ offices along the Interstate 287 corridor, where health care tenants have dominated commercial leasing activity over the past several years.

Glenn Walsh of Newmark Grubb Knight Frank is the exclusive leasing agent for Purchase Profes-

sional Park, and the tenant’s broker was Alfredo Pujols of WAP Realty Group Inc. The new pharmacy will be ABC Drugs’ fourth location and its first in Westchester County.

“Ownership specifically searched for a tenant to meet the needs of our medical tenants and their patients. We are extremely pleased to welcome ABC Drugs to Purchase Professional Park as yet another amenity for our health care and corporate tenants, as well as the surrounding community,” said Patricia Simone, president of Simone Management Group. “Unlike national drug store chains, ABC Drugs will focus exclusively on the dispensing of prescription drugs and other medicines in this 805-square-foot location. ABC Drugs is a full-service pharmacy with a strong commitment to delivering outstanding customer care.

They are dedicated to efficiency and affordability by which they carry out prescription services, pharmacist consultations and medication therapy management solutions.”

ABC Drugs differs from chain drug stores through its attention to the patient’s needs as an individual and not just a customer. This special one-to-one relationship with the pharmacist is an important factor in treating the individual as part of the ABC Drugs family. For patients taking more than few meds a day, ABC Drugs offers prepacked, properly labeled weekly blister packs which offer them ease of medication adherence, a free service that conventional pharmacies do not offer. Its relationship with patients is long-term. Its staff assesses patient profiles on each visit and is always there to offer them answers for any health care-related questions. At ABC Drugs, patients have personal access to pharmacists and professional staff in a holistic health approach to their well-being.

“ABC Drugs is proud to be opening this new location and working with the high-quality doctors and other medical professionals at Purchase Professional Park and in the surrounding area,” said ABC Drugs President Rajan Kohli. “Our dedication to professionalism and customer service has made ABC Drugs a new, independent name in New York and we will soon be expanding to Connecticut.”

Located in the heart of the Interstate 287 office corridor at 3000-3040 Westchester Ave., Purchase Professional Park features 220,000 square feet of state-of-the-art medical and professional office space. The four-building office park recently completed a major renovation and modernization of existing buildings and common areas, and was named BOMA Westchester’s Comeback Building of the Year. It has become the foremost location for medical practices in Westchester County.

Other amenities at Purchase Professional Park include: an on-site café; a fitness center; 24/7 building access with state-of-the-art camera security; landscaped courtyard with seating areas; on-site owner management; and abundant complimentary parking. The complex offers a highly visible and convenient location at Exit 10 off of Interstate 287, with access to major highways including Interstate 95, Interstate 684 and the Hutchinson River/Merritt parkways, and is just minutes away from the Westchester County Airport and Metro-North train stations in Rye, Harrison and White Plains, providing access to the growing suburban patient base in Westchester, Fairfield and Putnam counties.

Simone Development Companies is a full-

service real estate investment company specializing in the acquisition and development of office, retail, health care, industrial and residential properties in the New York tri-state area. Headquartered in the Bronx, the privately held company owns and manages more than 5 million square feet of property in the Bronx, Westchester County, Queens, Long Island and Connecticut.

Fareri Associates LP, Greenwich’s most active developer, is a family-owned and operated real estate investment and construction company focusing on development and re-development of office, retail, mixed-use and residential properties primarily in Fairfield County, Connecticut, and Westchester County.

ArtsWestchester welcomes new members ArtsWestchester, the state’s largest private, nonprofit organization working to ensure the availability and accessibility of the arts for all county residents, has announced the appointment of Robert W. Roth as its new board president, MiRobert Roth chael Minihan as its new board executive vice president, and four new board members.

Roth succeeds Froma Benerofe, who has completed two years as board president after leading ArtsWestchester through its milestone 50th anniversary year, contributing significantly to its vision for the future as the organization embarks on a capital campaign. Despite a busy schedule as a clinical social worker, Benerofe played a major role in ArtsWestchester business, particularly as the chair of the Grants Committee, which she guided through several important issues and changes.

Roth, a retired principal from the firm JMC Consulting, recently assumed the role of board president of ArtsWestchester at its annual meeting this summer.

Roth is a licensed professional engineer who has been recognized by the International Council of Shopping Centers for his expertise. He has more than 40 years of site planning and engineering experience with a vast array of clients including national retailers, developers, builders, institutions and municipalities. Roth is an expert in site design, civil engineering, traffic and parking, storm water management, and a host of other environmental issues. In addition to serving as an expert witness, he has presented numerous projects for approval to agencies and community groups. He has been an active and dedicated board member at ArtsWestchester since 2006, sharing his professional skills on the Building Committee, as well as the Development and Executive committees. Roth brings a passion for the arts and his belief in the mission of ArtsWestchester to his new role as president.

“I am certainly honored to follow Froma Benerofe as ArtsWestchester board president,” Roth said. “ArtsWestchester has worked for more than 50 years to build arts audiences and to strengthen Westchester County’s cultural sector, insuring the arts stay accessible to every segment of society, including our schools. The arts inspire our children, nourish our souls and enhance our communities.

I look forward to the opportunity to continue the important work of this dynamic organization.”

Stepping into the role of executive vice president is Minihan, an international tax advisor and founder of WTP Advisors who served as treaMichael Minihan surer and member of the Finance Committee for the past two years. With experience that includes public accounting and private industry, he served some of the world’s largest companies at PricewaterhouseCoopers in New York, where he assisted with complex quantitative international tax matters. Since joining the board in 2013, he has served on the Audit, Finance and Investment committees of ArtsWestchester.

The new 2016-17 members of ArtsWestchester’s board of trustees are: • Nick Moore, creative director at Roar Groupe, a marketing and branding organization, whose work includes campaigns for Fortune 500 companies, as well as previous pro-bono work for ArtsWestchester. Moore was part of the team that created and developed the “gray crayon box” campaign for ArtsWestchester using the tagline: “Imagine Westchester Without the Arts.”

• Nataly Ritter, an arts patron and world traveler, who formerly held positions at Young & Rubicam, BBD&O and McCann Ericson, and was a writer on the MGM film “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” She has been active with the Museum of Modern Art, and is a former board member and docent at the Neuberger Museum of Art. • George Troyano, president and publisher of The Journal News, is a sales and marketing executive who is leading the news organization into the digital age. His strategic vision has been transformational for The Journal News as a digital first media operation.

• Francis Corcoran, a representative of the Westchester Board of Legislators, is a Republican Conservative representing District 2, which covers Bedford, Mount Kisco, Pound Ridge, Lewisboro, North Salem and part of Somers. He is a first-time legislator having had an impressive career in the financial sector.

For more than 50 years, ArtsWestchester has been the community’s connection to the arts.

Founded in 1965, it is the largest, private, nonprofit arts council in New York state. Its mission is to provide leadership, vision, and support, to ensure the availability, accessibility and diversity of the arts. ArtsWestchester provides programs and services that enrich the lives of everyone in Westchester County. It helps fund concerts, exhibitions and plays through grants; brings artists into schools and community centers; advocates for the arts; and builds audiences through diverse marketing initiatives. For more information about ArtsWestchester, visit artswestchester.org.

The next Business Briefs section will run in October. Please send any submission for our October edition to news@hometwn.com, with “Business” in the subject line of your email. Each submission may include one picture.

If you have any questions, email us at news@hometwn.com.

September 16, 2016 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 11

Hundreds grieve 9/11 loses at Rising memorial

Jasmine Bailey, a New Rochelle resident and Westchester Community College student, sings the national anthem.

By ANDREW DAPOLITE Contributor Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino leads a family member of a 9/11 victim back to her seat after laying a wreath.

Photos/Andrew Dapolite

Local dignitaries in attendance included Harrison Mayor Ron Belmont, center, and Tuckahoe Mayor Steve Ecklond, left.

A New York City firefighter observes the ceremony from the audience.

Moments before the sun set below the tree line on Sunday, Sept. 11, a golden light was cast upon the eastern corner of the Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla, where the county’s official 9/11 memorial was erected a decade ago.

Comprised of 109 silver beams pointed to the heavens— one of which is an actual beam pulled from the rubble of the World Trade Center—The Rising memorial pays tribute to the Hundreds gather in front of The Rising memorial at the Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla on Sunday to honor the lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The memorial was erected in 2006.

123 Westchester County lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001 and serves as the gathering place for the in what seems like an increasAstorino offered his own county’s annual remembrance ingly divisive world. views on how victims of the at“Every personal story [from tacks should be honored in the ceremony.

This year, hundreds of West- 9/11] breaks our hearts, brings ways we live our day-to-day chester residents were in atten- tears, recalls memories all of us lives. dance honoring the local victims would like to forget, but are con“Today gives us a chance to of the worst terrorist attack in demned to remember,” Kaplow- reflect,” the county executive itz said. “Our Rising ceremony said. “9/11 is not just a memoour nation’s history.

Following the presentation of recognizes the collective nature rial for the dead. Equally, it’s an colors by the Westchester Coun- of all 123 Westchester victims.” opportunity for the living. It’s Kaplowitz noted that the a chance for us to hit the pause ty Department of Public Safety and The Pipes and Drums of the name of the memorial bears button on the overstuffed, overPolice Emerald Society of West- symbolic significance. stimulated and over-the-top ac“We can rise above our sur- tivities that consume our daily chester, U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey led the crowd in the Pledge of face differences and remember lives, and quietly ask ourselves that far more connects us than what are the really important Allegiance.

Family members of 9/11 vic- divides us,” he said. “This Ris- things for us to accomplish durtims joined Westchester County ing allows for private grieving ing our short time on this earth.”

Executive Rob Astorino in lay- while recommitting us publicly Family members of the vicing the wreath, as Jasmine Bai- to stand together to fight hatred tims joined elected officials A member of the Civil Air Patrol ley, a New Rochelle resident, in all its forms.” in reading the names that are United States Air Force Auxiliary According to Kaplowitz, the sang the national anthem. stands at attention. etched onto the memorial.

The first set of remarks was victims’ families deal with the As the Scarsdale High School delivered by Westchester Coun- constant realization that their Choir and Orchestra provided only light remaining was apty Board of Legislators Chair- loved ones were “slaughtered the final musical accompani- propriately cast upon The Risman Michael Kaplowitz, who in the pursuit of a horribly mis- ment for the somber event, and ing memorial in a moment of stressed the importance of unity guided ideology.” darkness fell over the plaza, the silence.

12 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • September 16, 2016

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September 16, 2016 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 13

Talking Business: With Stavros Orsaris

By IRA ELLENTHAL Executive Vice President The old saying that youth is wasted on the young doesn’t seem to apply to Stavros Orsaris, who’s making the most of his high energy, innate savvy and tireless desire to succeed in business.

The centerpiece of this success-story-in-the-making is Victory Mitsubishi in Larchmont, where Orsaris is turning heads as a high-ranking member of its new management team.

Granted, 22 is decidedly young for anyone to become a general sales manager of an automobile dealership, but those who know Orsaris agree that he exudes a maturity well beyond his years. Says a longtime family-friend, “He’s always acted older, carrying himself in a self-assured, confident manner.

What’s more, he’s forever asking questions and seeking the advice of elders in an obvious attempt to learn as much as he can, as quickly as he can.”

Bob O’Neill, manager of the Victory Mitsubishi account for SPAdvertising in New York City, also declares Orsaris ready and able to light a fire under the operation. Acknowledging that Victory’s previous management encountered more than a few issues, especially on the customer service end, O’Neill says, “Or-

saris knows what he has to do because he grew up in the automotive business and is already doing it. In virtually no time at all, customer service has improved dramatically.”

“It’s true,” Orsaris says with obvious pride. “In just a few months, our Sales Satisfaction and Customer Service Indexes have risen from the low 80s to the mid-90s. What’s more, they’re only going to improve further. Our sales and service staffs have gotten the message and they understand clearly that anything less will be unacceptable. Additionally, we updated our service department and hired the best possible technicians.”

And he takes the concept of customer friendliness a step further when he adds: “One hundred percent credit approval is our goal. Put another way, those with poor credit will be treated with dignity and respect.”

It isn’t going to hurt that the Mitsubishi brand has caught fire; in fact, even the competition has noticed, as evidenced by—among other things—the recent Basic Agreement signed by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (Nissan) and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) to form a far-reaching strategic alliance. Following an MMC share issue, Nissan will take a 34 percent equity

stake in MMC. The alliance extends an existing partnership between Nissan and MMC, under which the companies have jointly collaborated for the past five years. The collaboration includes purchasing, common vehicle platforms, sharing of technology, joint plant utilization and growth markets.

“We’re sitting pretty on the product front, too,” Orsaris says. “Our leading sellers, the Outlander and the Lancer, are earning high marks and, importantly, we’ve got the inventory—200 new cars and 100 preowned ones—in order to accommodate the growing demand.”

Victory’s bright picture intensifies when Orsaris raises the issue of community involvement.

“We want to become an integral part of the community, doing everything possible to further its initiatives,” he says earnestly.

“You hear about a lot [of] companies that talk the talk on the importance of supporting local initiatives; we’re actually walking the walk. Whatever is of interest to Larchmont and the surrounding area is of interest to us.”

With creative help from its ad agency, Victory Mitsubishi is even sporting a new slogan: Everyone Needs a Victory in Life.

“I really like it and, based on the feedback we’re getting, so do our customers,” Orsaris says.

Stavros Orsaris, Victory Mitsubishi’s new general sales manager, is demonstrating strong leadership skills.

Stavros Orsaris has surrounded himself with a team of dedicated professionals. Photos/Andrew Dapolite

The Lancer, top, and the Outlander are among Mitsubishi’s hottest entries. Photos courtesy Mitsubishi

14 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • September 16, 2016

SPORTS

Are you ready for some football?

LIVE MIKE Mike Smith

Baseball might still be America’s pastime, but I think it’s getting increasingly hard to deny one simple fact: Football is America’s sport.

The NFL kicked off the 2016 season in earnest on Sept. 11, as the league aired its first slate of Sunday games, prompting football fans all across the nation to embark on the annual tradition of surrendering one day a week to the gridiron gods for the next four months.

Autumn is a glorious time, indeed.

Last Sunday, I spent the 1 p.m. games hunkered down at Mickey Spillane’s in Eastchester, and honestly, I was amazed at what I saw.

Oftentimes, when local teams have “big” games—playoff contests most notably—you’ll see supporters of that club come to-

gether in public to share the experience of victory or defeat. But on Sunday, I wasn’t simply surrounded by Jets fans hoping for a few short hours of joy before Nick Folk’s inability to convert on routine kicks sent them home in foul moods; there were fans of all stripes gathered around the bar, tuned into their team’s openers hoping to bask in the glow of another NFL season.

I’m not kidding; just about every team was represented. There were entire families decked out in Packers’ green huddled around a widescreen offering the Green Bay game, screaming with delight each time Aaron Rodgers dropped back to pass.

There were Bills fans, who, free from the social constraints of attending a tailgate at Ralph Wilson Stadium, managed to avoid hurling their bodies through any flaming tables; there were Raider fans, clad in vintage Jack Tatum and Kenny Stabler jerseys, creating a Westchester version of Oakland’s “Black Hole” in

the back corner of the bar.

Heck, I think I even saw someone rooting for the Browns.

And that’s the amazing thing about football. What other American sport can get that many fans of different—often rival—teams in one place, breaking bread and sharing a drink or two?

Look, I love Major League Baseball. If I could only watch one sport for the rest of my life, I’d choose baseball in a heartbeat. But it’s undeniable how pervasive the NFL has become in our culture.

Perhaps because of the schedule, the NFL isn’t followed like other sports. It’s one game a week for 16 weeks. It doesn’t require the same massive, everyday commitment that following other sports does. Each regular season game is an event, and if there’s one thing Americans like, it’s events.

These next few weeks, baseball teams will be finishing out their regular seasons, vying for

Green Bay Packers fans huddle around a television at Mickey Spillane’s in Eastchester on Sept. 11. For sports fans in America, the first week of the NFL season is always appointment viewing. Photo/Mike Smith

playoff berths, and you’d better believe that with my Red Sox in the mix, I’m going to be tuned into just about every single game

until they finally clinch.

Unless, of course, they’re playing on a Sunday. If that’s the case, I’m going to have to take a

rain check.

Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports

TO COVER LOCAL SPORTS, YOU NEED A

LIVE MIKE! Follow Mike Smith @LiveMike_Sports stats • recaps • commentary Follow @mamaroneckview for Mike’s live, in-game action updates

SPORTS

September 16, 2016 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 15

Tigers fall to Scarsdale FOOTBALL

class aa

SCARSDALE 7 MAMARONECK 6 MAMARONECK HS

9/9/16

Game Notes: • The two teams were deadlocked in a scoreless tie until the fourth quarter • Running back Daniel O’Rourke rushed for 135 yards • Mamaroneck will look to improve to 2-1 on the year when they play Clarkstown North on Sept. 16

By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor On Friday, Sept. 9, two longstanding rivals squared off on the gridiron, as Class AA Mamaroneck played host to the Scarsdale Raiders in the first meeting between the two teams since the Tigers topped the Raiders in a playoff showdown two years ago. This time, however, it was Scarsdale that emerged victorious, as the Raiders bested Mamaroneck 7-6 in a rain-soaked

Daniel O’Rourke tries to break a tackle against Scarsdale.

Week 2 showdown.

Both defenses were spectacular on Friday, as neither team allowed a score for the first three quarters of play. Scarsdale was able to pick up the first touchdown of the game early in the fourth, as Ezekiah Bacchus

Eric Kwok wraps up a Raider ball carrier on Sept. 9 at Mamaroneck High School. Photos/Mike Smith

found the end zone on a 8-yard run and Scarsdale converted the extra point to jump out to a 7-0 lead over Mamaroneck.

The Tigers answered back, scoring on a run by Daniel O’Rourke—who finished the day with 135 yards on 21 carries—with seven minutes left to play, but were stopped on a twopoint conversion that ultimately sealed the win for the Raiders.

Despite the loss, Mamaroneck head coach Anthony Vitti was pleased with the way his team came out in the rivalry game.

“The biggest positive from an internal perspective is the incredible effort that our kids put forth,” he said. “They showed up to play; they knew it was going to be a heated contest from Day One.” The Tigers’ defense, which was able to keep the Raiders out of the end zone save for the Bacchus touchdown, was also a positive.

“Scarsdale poses an interesting threat in that they run the triple option, and it’s hard to run that and mimic it in practice with the same speed and precision,” Vitti said. “We knew coming in that we were going to have to play good assignment defense,

Daniel O’Rourke looks for some running room against Scarsdale on Sept. 9. O’Rourke carried the ball 21 times for 135 yards in Mamaroneck’s loss to the Raiders.

Tommy Dillon looks for an open receiver against Scarsdale.

and our staff, especially our defensive coordinator David Smith, did a great job in preparing us to defend against the option.”

At 1-1 on the season, the Tigers will look to rebound from the Scarsdale loss when they travel up to Clarkstown North on Sept. 16 to take on the Rams.

Vitti believes that his team has

picked up some much-needed experience over the course of its first two games, which were both decided by a single point.

“It doesn’t matter whether it’s a win or a loss, you learn a lot from close games,” he said. “To be there right at the end, it steels you and it galvanizes you for later in the season.

“We met on Saturday after the game, had a good run, a good lift and we debriefed the game,” he added. “I expect us to have a great week of practice and we are going to try to get back on the left side of the win column.”

CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com

16 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • September 16, 2016