Mamaroneck REVIEW THE
February 23, 2018 | Vol. 6, Number 8 | www.mamaroneckreview.com
Building Dept. review recommends improvements
WILL POWER
By JAMES PERO Staff Writer
Will Sarkozi goes up for a layup in Mamaroneck’s Feb. 17 Class AA first round game against Ossining. Sarkozi had 26 points as the Tigers advanced with a 74-55 win. For story, see page 15. Photo/Mike Smith
Save the Sound says Beaver Swamp still polluted By JAMES PERO Staff Writer An annual report by environmental watchdog Save the Sound shows that despite overall progress, hot spots for dangerous pollution levels still linger in several of Mamaroneck’s waterways. According to the report, which was presented to the village of Mamaroneck Board of Trustees’ public meeting this month, Beaver Swamp Brook remains one of the most polluted waterways monitored throughout Westchester County. Beaver Swamp has been consistently named an area of concern by Save the Sound as far back as 2014, when the group first began to monitor Westches-
ter’s waterways. That same year, Beaver Swamp showed the highest levels of bacterial contamination in all of the sample areas countywide, clocking up to 17 times the limit benchmarked by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for safe recreation. The culprit behind high levels of fecal contamination found in Beaver Swamp Brook samples, according to the report, are decrepit county sewer lines that run adjacent to the waterway. Specifically, the report highlights a “softball-sized hole” found in one of the lines this year, through which raw sewage leached into the ground and eventually the brook. The highest pollution levels
were recorded in the city of Mount Vernon at an outfall located at Farrell and Beechwood avenues, which saw more than five times the amount of bacteria found in Beaver Swamp Brook. Most recently, Mount Vernon was fined $55,000 by the state in late December for its failure to repair leaking sewer lines, though pollution has been ongoing for at least two decades. Although Beaver Swamp Brook remains one of the key areas of concern on Save the Sound’s report, other sample locations in Mamaroneck, including Harbor Island Park and Shore Acres Yacht Club, have improved their scores over time, earning clean bills of health by the agency this year. Overall, the report
says that contamination of sample areas has dropped from 2016 levels, during which 49 percent of samples failed, to 2017 levels where 43 percent failed. Save the Sound’s crusade to clean up contamination in waterways and the Long Island Sound continues, however, as the agency works to settle lawsuits brought against 11 municipalities across the county in 2015 and establish timetables for critical sewer repairs. Last summer, both the villages of Mamaroneck and Port Chester settled their lawsuits with Save the Sound after years of bargaining, and have set timetables for their sewer repairs. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
After nearly a year in the making, an analysis of the village of Mamaroneck Building Department’s processes and practices has been submitted to the Board of Trustees. Among the consultants’ major suggestions are more training, a better submission process and handson legal counsel. Using interviews from village staff, land use boards and applicants, the report—carried out by Matrix Consulting Group—details more than two dozen areas of potential improvement with land use protocol and processes for a cost of $40,000. Of the 25 identified areas of improvement, 19 of them were listed as “high” priority matters, while the rest were designated as “medium.” Among the key suggestions highlighted by the group’s report were the immediate introduction of online submissions for applicants and the discontinuation of all submissions by mail. According to the report, the village does not currently allow for applicants appearing before land use boards to submit applications via the Internet. In addition to introducing new technology to expedite processes for applicants, the report also highlights the implementation of tracking metrics of village staff to monitor the review process and rate overall performance, on top of providing members of the village staff
and land use boards with more training. The long awaited report was spurred by several controversies related to the Building Department’s misclassification or mishandling of several local businesses. Among the most notable were the Westchester Sandbox Theatre and Ralph’s Italian Ices & Ice Cream, the latter of which was forced to shut down after being found non-compliant with village zoning code as the result of a retroactive zoning appeal. During its application process, Ralph’s—criticized for the traffic and noise it brought to the immediate vicinity of the East Boston Post Road neighborhood—was originally classified as a retail establishment, giving rise to claims that the Building Department had botched the process and paved the way for several unsuccessful lawsuits filed against the village. After being found operating a theater in a non-compliant zoning district and operating without a sprinkler system–a New York state violation–Westchester Sandbox Theatre has relocated to the village’s industrial area with the proper permitting. As part of these controversies, Building Inspector Dan Gray’s potential role in them also came under scrutiny last year. However, Gray accepted a raise to stay in his position with the village of Mamaroneck after receiving a job offer from the village of Tarrytown. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
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2 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • February 23, 2018
February 23, 2018• THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 3
Music Conservatory students perform at Carnegie Hall
White Plains community music school Music Conservatory of Westchester students Audrey Yusi Li, of Scarsdale and Patrick Stanton, of White Plains, took to the stage at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall on Sunday, Feb. 18, for the New York Celebration of Excellence Award Recital. Representing two of 48 performing students from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, Li was recognized as a Center Certificate of Excellence Winner, and Stanton as a National Gold Medal Winner. Presented by the Royal Conservatory of Music, this performance opportunity at the Celebration of Excellence recital is for music students taking private lessons who have reached a na-
tional standard for achievement, determined by periodic performance evaluations as part of the program. Piano student Li has been studying at White Plains community music school Music Conservatory of Westchester since 2013 under instruction of Jaejin Lee. “I’m turning 10 next week. I think it’s the perfect way to close being 9 years old,” Li said of her Carnegie Hall debut performing “Creole Lullaby” by Italo Taranta. Of her experience at the Music Conservatory of Westchester, Li said, “I started piano with Ms. Lee at the Conservatory from the kindergarten year. She helped me develop the fundamentals and musical sensitivity. There are lots of performance and audition
opportunities here that motivate me to work harder. I enjoy playing piano.” For his second time performing at Carnegie Hall, 12-yearold clarinet student, Stanton, performed “Clair de Lune” by Claude Debussy, accompanied by Music Conservatory of Westchester piano faculty member Song Gonzalez, at the New York Celebration of Excellence Award Recital. He studies clarinet at the Music Conservatory of Westchester with Dean of Students and Faculty, Dr. Douglas Bish. “Once I was accepted to the concert, I only had a month to prepare, and Dr. Bish helped me sort through the options I had to choose from and gave me practice suggestions that let me succeed.” Music Conservatory of Westchester Dean of Students and Faculty and Stanton’s clarinet instructor Bish, said, “Even the youngest of our students receive thorough training in the essential techniques of playing an instrument or singing, but also the musical insights and stage presence that allow them to communicate effectively with their audiences.” Recalling the “outstanding”
Music Conservatory of Westchester students Audrey Yusi Li of Scarsdale and Patrick Stanton of White Plains performed and won awards for their musical achievements encouraged by their teachers Jaejin Lee and Dr. Douglas Bish at Carnegie Hall on Feb. 18. Contributed photo
performances by Music Conservatory of Westchester students at Carnegie Hall, Bish continued, “This really is the world’s
grandest stage.” For more information about the Music Conservatory of Westchester, please contact Adriana
Rivera, Communications and Development Assistant, at adriana@musiced.org or 761-3900 x135. (Submitted)
4 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • February 23, 2018
What’s going on... Mamaroneck Public Library
bling income, etc.; health care information received from the Marketplace, if any; any other information concerning your income and deductions; photo ID and Social Security/ITIN cards; bank information, if direct deposit of refund desired.
Selling Your Mamaroneck Home
For more information on hours and programs, visit mamaronecklibrary.org.
All Ages Storyhour & Craft On Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon. Stories that will appeal to kids of all ages and their caregivers, followed by a craft simple enough for the little kids and creative enough for the big kids. This program is ongoing and requires no registration.
5 Women Artists You Should Know – Who Aren’t Frida Kahlo On Sunday, Feb. 25 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Community Room. Do we still need to talk about women artists? Only 27 women (out of 318 artists) are represented in the ninth edition of H.W. Janson’s survey, History of Art—up from zero in the 1980s. Women earn half of the MFAs granted in the United States, yet only account for 30 percent of artists represented by commercial galleries. We need to talk about women artists. Presented by Kathleen Reckling, who has managed more than 40 curatorial and public art projects at ArtsWestchester’s gallery and other spaces. She was curator of the NEA-grant funded exhibitions “Crossing Borders” (2015) and “SHE” (2016), as well as the NYSCA-grant funded exhibition “Give Us the Vote” (2017). In 2015, she was named one of Westchester’s most influential business leaders under the age of 30 in 914 INC’s Wunderkinds edition.
AARP Free Income Tax Preparation On Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Community Room. AARP membership is not required to take advantage of the free, income tax preparation service. Please bring the following documents with you: copy of last year’s federal and state income tax returns; W-2 forms showing income from your employer; 1099-R forms showing pension or annuity income; SSA-1099 forms showing Social Security benefits 1099-DIV, -INT, -G, -MISC, -OID forms showing dividends, interest, NYS tax refund, gam-
On Saturday, March 3 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Community Room. Join Melissa Marcello, a New York state real estate broker, for practical tips to maximize your home’s value when selling your home.
Larchmont Public Library For more information on hours and programs, visit larchmontlibrary.org.
Dungeons & Dragons On Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. in Michael P. Coords Activity Room. For grades nine and up. No registration required. Familiarity with Dungeons & Dragons is encouraged.
Turn Your Travels Into Adventures On Monday, Feb. 26 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Michael P. Coords Activity Room. No registration required. Join Adventure Travel specialist Heidi Sheldon, and learn how Adventure Travel has expanded beyond the national parks and beyond appealing only to elite athletes. Active travel companies now cater to a wide range of abilities and interests for people in every age bracket—including seniors—and are offered on every continent in nearly every country. Get off the beaten path and come learn what it means to be active on your vacation and how adventure is the new buzzword in the travel industry.
Full STEAM Ahead: Icy Science On Tuesday, Feb. 27 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. For ages 3 and 4. Participants will see if they can make a bubble freeze, explore what keeps bears warm in winter with blubber gloves, and create igloos out of sugar cubes in the fun exploration of the freezing cold. A ticket, available before the event, is required to attend.
New Year-Fresh Start: Women’s Financial Roundtable On Wednesday, Feb. 28 from 11 a.m. to noon at the Village Center. No registration required. Join wealth management advisor Julia Strayer and financial analyst Liz Maccarone for this three-part round-
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table discussion focused on maximizing financial resources for women. The topic for Feb. 28 is “Mutual Funds and Exchange Traded Funds.” If you have an investment or retirement account, you likely own mutual funds or exchange traded funds. These funds can make up all, or part, of your portfolio, track an index, track a market sector, and so much more. Strayer and Maccarone will talk about how they work, how to use them, and the “hidden” fees.
Stories and Crafts: What’s Cooking? On Thursday, March 1 from 3:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. For ages 5 to 7. Chopping, frying, mashing, baking… something smells good. Join the library for a food-filled storytime and make your own chef hat to take home. Online registration required.
1960s Denim Embroidery Starting Thursday, March 1 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in The LOFT; on Thursdays, March 8 and 15, in the Michael P. Coords Activity Room. For grades six and up. Embroidery on denim, popular in the 1960s, is trendy again. Join the library to make an embroidered fabric patch of your own design. Learn basic stitches and use your patch to embellish denim clothing or turn it into a small wall hanging. Online registration required; participants must be able to attend all three sessions.
Sci-Fri: Cork Launcher On Friday, March 2 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. For grades 3–5. Build a crazy cork launcher to send cork bits sailing. Online registration required.
Community news Food waste reminder The town of Mamaroneck’s collection crews have noticed food waste containers set out with regular garbage. Those participating in the food waste recycling program are reminded that all separated food waste must be taken to the Larchmont Mamaroneck Sanitation Commission Recycling Center at 40 Maxwell Ave. for disposal. The commission will not be collecting food waste at the home. Thank you for cooperation and participation in the Food Waste Program.
Call for Bands for Summer Concert Series The village of Mamaroneck Arts Council is seeking bands to play in the Summer Nights on the Sound Concert Series on July 15, 22, 29 and Aug. 5 in Harbor Island Park in Mamaroneck. Please send an email to vomartscouncil@gmail.com with your interest, which dates you are available and a sample of your music. Decisions are made in late February.
Village of Mamaroneck Private Sewer Lateral Law Please be advised that the village of Mamaroneck recently enacted a local law relating to the maintenance of private sanitary sewer laterals connecting homes to the village’s public sanitary sewer system. The Board of Trustees delayed implementation of this local law until Feb. 15, 2018 in order to make certain groups, including real estate agents and other professionals, aware of these new requirements. Although existing county and state laws already confirm that property owners are responsible for their laterals, the recently adopted local law requires the following: - Laterals shall be kept free from roots, grease deposits and other solids which may impede the flow
or obstruct the transmission of sewage. - Laterals shall not exhibit any signs of infiltration. - Laterals shall not exhibit any sign of exfiltration or leakage. - Lateral pipe joints shall be tight and all lateral pipes shall be free of any structure defects such as breaks, openings, and voids. In order to implement this law, property owners will be required to obtain a Discharge Compliance Certificate upon the transfer of title, or issuance of a building/plumbing permit with construction valued at more than 50 percent of the assessed value of the property including improvements. In order to obtain such a certificate, the property owner must provide a Plumber’s Certification to the village including video submitted to the Building Department (either on CD or thumb drive) indicating the lateral is in proper working order. If a defect is found, property owners are responsible for making all necessary repairs within 60 days of becoming aware of such a defect. If a repair is not made in the requisite timeframe, the village may enter onto the property, cause the repair to be made and charge back the property owner as a lien on their tax bill. To view a copy of the local law, visit the village website at village.mamaroneck.ny.us. If you have any questions about the law, please call the village Building Department at 777-7731.
Village of Mamaroneck railroad parking Resident and non-resident railroad parking permits are expiring on Wednesday, Feb. 28. If you have an existing permit, a renewal was mailed to you on Feb. 13, 2018. You must renew on or before Feb. 28 to be guaranteed that you will get a 2018/19 permit. Please note that there was an issue with the printing of the permits, therefore they will not be given out or mailed until Monday, Feb. 26. There will be a two-week grace period given by the village Police Department. Tickets will not be issued to those vehicles with a 2017/2018 sticker until after Wednesday, March 14, 2018. As the village Board of Trustees has limited the number of permits that can be sold at 490, any remaining that have not been renewed by Feb. 28 will be sold to the public beginning on Thursday, March 1, 2018 at 9 a.m. at 123 Mamaroneck Ave. A copy of the car registration and valid driver’s license must accompany your application. If you are a resident and your license and registration does not have your village address, you will also need proof of residency, i.e., deed, rental agreement, Con Edison bill. If you have any questions, you may call 777-7722.
Larchmont-Mamaroneck Interfaith Council The Larchmont-Mamaroneck Interfaith Council will meet on Thursday, March l at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church in the Chapter Room. The church is located at 4 W. Fountain Square in Larchmont. Rosemary Parendelis will present “Breathing In - A Spirit And Calmness.” All are welcome at this free event. Bring a friend. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call Jan Rising at 632-7735. 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.
February 23, 2018• THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 5
Westchester BOL mourns loss of former chairwoman CE Latimer signs executive order on chaplains
The Westchester County Board of Legislators’ first female and African-American chairperson, Lois Bronz, right, passed away on Feb. 12. She was 90. Photo courtesy Westchester County Legislature
The Westchester County Board of Legislators’ first female and African-American chairperson, Lois Bronz, passed away last week. Bronz was 90 at the time of her death on Feb. 12. “We are extremely saddened to hear of the passing of former chairwoman of the Board [of Legislators] Lois Bronz,” said current board Chairman Ben Boykin, a White Plains Democrat, in a released statement. “Lois was a dear friend and colleague who was a trailblazer at
the [BOL].” Bronz was elected to the board in 1994, after serving 16 years on the Greenburgh town board. In 2002, she was nominated as the BOL’s chairperson, becoming both the first woman and African-American to serve in that capacity. Bronz served on the board until 2009. County Legislator MaryJane Shimsky, a Hastings-on-Hudson Democrat, said Bronz’s “graciousness” made an impression on her because she always wanted “to include everyone at the
great table of government” and was a “great spiritual force for good in our community and in our world.” Bronz was involved in a number of civic groups, including the Westchester Community Opportunity Program, the Children’s Village Board in Dobbs Ferry, the Westchester Coalition and United Way of Westchester. Originally from New Orleans, she was an educator for 32 years and a mother of three children, who are all adults -Reporting by Franco Fino
Democratic County Executive George Latimer has added restrictive rules on the appointing of Westchester County police chaplains after a federal corruption probe brought the issue under scrutiny late last year. File photo
County Executive George Latimer, a Democrat, will increase scrutiny on hiring police chaplains after a federal probe into corruption. An executive order signed on this month will require chaplains to be active clergy members and also live in Westchester County. The order comes in response to a federal probe into whether former County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, offered a chaplain position in exchange for campaign contributions. Last year, Westchester County Police chaplains Jeremy
Reichberg and Jona Rechnitz were suspended after an investigation called into question campaign contributions to Astorino’s re-election—specifically, a $15,000 contribution made in the same month that Reichberg was appointed chaplain by Astorino. Neither of the two chaplains in question was a priest or a rabbi. Under a recently signed executive order, all requests to become a chaplain would now go before the Commissioner of Public Safety. Additionally, the order mandates that a list be
provided to the county executive and Board of Legislators of all the chaplains biannually—in July and again in January. Rechnitz’s donations in particular came under scrutiny during the county executive campaign last year, when the former chaplain testified that he had helped Astorino procure a used Rolex watch in Manhattan’s Diamond District. Despite Astorino’s attempts to rebut claims from Rechnitz, the incumbent was soundly defeated by Latimer. -Reporting by James Pero
6 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • February 23, 2018
Mamaroneck THE
REVIEW P.O. Box 485 White Plains, N.Y. 10602 Tel: (914) 653-1000 Fax: (914) 653-5000
Publisher | Howard Sturman ext. 21, publisher@hometwn.com Christian Falcone Associate Publisher | Editor-in-Chief ext. 19, chris@hometwn.com Sports Editor | Mike Smith ext. 22, sports@hometwn.com Assistant Editor | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 25, sibylla@hometwn.com Reporter | James Pero ext. 20, james@hometwn.com General Assignment | Taylor Brown ext. 30, taylor@hometwn.com Graphic Designer | Arthur Gedin Graphic Designer | Jim Grasso Advertising | Lindsay Sturman ext. 14, lsturman@hometwn.com Advertising Coordinator | Nancy Kaplan ext. 27, ads@hometwn.com Staff Writer Franco Fino Staff Photographer Jen Parente
Letters The community’s opinion matters. If you have a view to express, write a letter to the editor by email to chris@hometwn.com. Please include a phone number and name for verification purposes. Community Events If you have an event you would like to share with the community, send it to news@hometwn.com.
By TAYLOR BROWN General Assignment Reporter Dubrovnik Restaurant is expanding its menu with a brunch section. Named for the city in Croatia where Zeljko Tomic, owner of Dubrovnik, was born, the restaurant offers a variety of Croatian-inspired dishes including roasted meats and grilled fishes and slow-cooked produce. “People are traveling from Connecticut, New Jersey and Long Island to eat in this restaurant because it is the only authentic Croatian restaurant in the metropolitan area,” said Judy Klym, of Stamford, Connecticut. New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson said that he’s always had a wonderful experience at the restaurant, and that Dubrovnik is one of the best reviewed and most enjoyed restaurants in the city. “[Dubrovnik has] clearly has attracted happy customers from throughout the region,” Bramson said. Dubrovnik is located at 721 Main St. in New Rochelle, and the brunch menu, titled “Nona’s All-Day Sunday Buffet,” is served from noon to 2 p.m. on
The wood burning fire is in the back of the Dubrovnik restaurant.
Fish is purchased from the market daily.
Sundays for $45 per person. For an extra $15, customers get unlimited mimosas. Nada Bernic, general manager of Dubrovnik, said the new buffet-style brunch menu was designed to give customers a chance to try a variety of Croatian dishes
Delivery For home delivery or to subsribe, call (914) 653-1000 x27. Classifieds & Legals To post your notices or listings, call (914) 653-1000 x27. Postmaster Send address changes to: The Mamaroneck Review c/o HomeTown Media Group, P.O. Box 485 White Plains, N.Y. 10602 Visit us online www.mamaroneckreview.com
Follow us on Twitter, @mamaroneckview Like us on Facebook, facebook.com/mamaroneckreview The Mamaroneck Review (permit #16661) is published weekly by Home Town Media Group for an annual subscription of $45. Application to mail at the periodicals postage rate is approved at White Plains, N.Y., 10601. Periodicals postage paid at White Plains and additional mailing offices.
Homemade cheesecake is part of Dubrovnik’s new brunch buffet menu.
for a fixed price. “We want people to experience our flavors,” Bernic said. “We thought… if we offer that in a buffet menu, [customers] would have a chance to explore and taste different things.” The new menu consists of dishes like grilled wild salmon, marinated anchovies and teleći ordrezak, sautéed veal cutlet with arugula. Along with the main courses, the Mediterranean-inspired menu includes breakfast bread, homemade desserts, soups and salads. “[Dubrovnik is] attracting many people originating from the same Mediterranean region because of the popular, healthy, coastal Mediterranean cuisine,” Klym said. What really makes these dishes so unique is how they are prepared. Fresh fish is purchased daily from the market, and the food is cooked on an open wood burning fire in the back of the restaurant, which Bernic says adds to the authenticity of the dishes. “Croatians cook meals on the open wood burning fire, and it gives a unique flavor to the fish,” Bernic said.
Mussels “Buzara,” with a sauce of garlic, white wine and parsley. Photos/Taylor Brown
Homemade chicken soup with Croatian grits dumplings.
Antonio Selendic, executive chef at Dubrovnik, leads the kitchen, where dishes are prepared with olive oil, parsley, garlic, salt and pepper. Bernic said they try to not include anything in their dishes that would add more calories. While the fish is prepared over the fire, produce is cooked “under the belt” for three hours.
This is a slow cooking process, where produce is put in a cast-iron dish with olive oil, salt and pepper. “The food comes out so juicy, so flavorful, [and] so delicious,” Bernic said. For a full list of what Dubrovnik has to offer, visit dubrvonikny.com. CONTACT: taylor@hometwn.com
February 23, 2018• THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 7
Puppy mill law introduced to state Senate By JAMES PERO Staff Writer A move by Mamaroneck lawmakers to blockade against the sale of pets from so-called
“puppy mills” has gained traction on the state level, after a new piece of legislation was proposed last week. Much like a law passed by the village of Mamaroneck in 2016,
the bill, introduced to state lawmakers by Sen. Michael Gianaris, a Democrat, on Feb. 15, would ban retail pet stores from buying their pets at for-profit breeders with the hope of cur-
tailing the operation of “puppy mills,” mass breeders with a reputation of over-breeding and treating pets inhumanely. “With thousands of good animals in need of homes, there is no need for notorious puppy mills to supply pet stores,” said
Gianaris in a released statement. “Our four-legged companions should be treated with respect, not like commodities.” When the village of Mamaroneck’s local law passed in 2016, it became the first local municipality in all of New
Years after the village of Mamaroneck’s passage of a local anti-puppy mill law, the initiative has gained traction on the state level, with new legislation proposed earlier this month. File photo
York state to prohibit the sale of for-profit pets through what was dubbed by local activists as a “puppy mill law.” The ban was in response to a now-shuttered local business called Best Breeds, owned by Richard Doyle, who has since been barred from selling animals in New York state after falsifying records and mistreating animals at his store. Since then, the village of Port Chester has also passed its own puppy mill law, and an initiative on the county level to ban the sale of pets from puppy mills was introduced in 2016, but wasn’t brought to a vote. California became the first state in the country to enact such a ban on a statewide level in October 2017. Under the proposed state law, pet stores would only be allowed to acquire their pets from rescue shelters and humane societies but would be allowed to retain a portion of the adoption fees usually charged by a shelter during an adoption process. Currently, the state bill has no sponsor in the Democratic-majority Assembly and will still have to make its way through a Republican-controlled Senate. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
8 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • February 23, 2018
Maisano steps down; accepts role in administration By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer Westchester County Legislator Jim Maisano, a New Rochelle Republican, has resigned from his post to take a role in County Executive George Latimer’s administration. Maisano, the longest-serving Republican on the county Board of Legislators, announced his resignation on Feb. 16 to become the new commissioner of the county Department of Consumer Protection. “I can’t even tell you how excited I am about this opportunity,” Maisano said. “I’m ready for a new challenge and a new experience. It was incredible that [the county executive] reached across party lines to show that really the most important thing is the county of Westchester.” Maisano has served 21 years as a legislator and previously as the Board of Legislators’ vice chairman from 2014 to 2017. “The only standard that mat-
ters with people that we bring into this administration is that they [are] talented, and they have the ability to material advance the interest of the people of Westchester County,” Latimer said. “In appointing Jim Maisano, I have appointed the best person I could find for this position. His party affiliation is not relevant to me.” With Maisano’s departure from the board, Democrats, who currently have a 12-5 supermajority in the county Legislature, will have an opportunity to further strengthen their control of the board. According to the county Board of Elections, Democrats outnumber registered GOP voters by approximately 8,000 in District 11, Maisano’s former district which covers New Rochelle, Pelham and Pelham Manor. A special election will now have to be called to replace him. The special election must be held within 90 days, according
Opinion-Editorial
Racist, disgraceful behavior at Queens school By CLIFFORD JACKSON
Westchester County Legislator Jim Maisano, a New Rochelle Republican, has resigned to become the new commissioner of the county Department of Consumer Protection within the administration of Democratic County Executive George Latimer. Photo courtesy weschesterlegislators.com
to county law. As of press time, Maisano is expected to begin his new position on Monday, Feb. 26. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
Malcolm Xavier Combs, an honors student at Christ the King High School in Queens, New York, wanted to have his quasi namesake, Malcolm X, detailed on the back of his high school sweater. The assistant principal, Veronica Arbitello, pulled Mr. Combs out of his class and denied his request to have Malcolm X’s name attached. She further ridiculed him, in front of her husband who is a basketball coach there, and said to him, “You should not be associated with Malcolm X.” This racist and flagrant disre-
spect to this honors student and the legacy of Malcolm X—who in my view was the greatest leader that we have ever had that railed against this country’s racist and criminal history—has become putative especially in the milieu of today. It also is an effort, as Atillah Shabazz, Malcolm X’s eldest daughter, has said, “to erase him from the history books.” This incident goes way beyond the issue of “cultural sensitivity.” It is a larger fact that the racism and pure evil that is going on in this country, that the very people who embody this evil are the progeny of what Malcolm X was fighting
against 54 and 55 years ago. He summed it up eloquently in his famous debate at Oxford Union in Cambridge in England in December 1964, that I encourage everyone reading this to see. Malcolm Xavier Combs is a brave young man to protest this type of injustice like his namesake was, and he and his parents have my support and the support of millions around the world looking to keep the legacy of El Hajj Malik El Shabazz (Malcolm X) alive today. Clifford Jackson is a resident of Larchmont. The views expressed are his own.
February 23, 2018• THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 9
Manhattanville to offer graphic novel workshops
PROUD MEMBER of the The MFA Creative Writing Program at Manhattanville College presents graphic narrative and novel writing workshops for adults and teens. Photo courtesy Manhattanville College
The MFA in Creative Writing Program at Manhattanville College aims to become a hub for graphic narrative and novel instruction, starting with its graphic novel writing workshops to be held on Saturday, March 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. These workshops are targeted at aspiring youth and adult graphic novelists. The adult workshop features instruction by Paul Levitz, past president of DC Comics and Manhattanville College MFA program adjunct professor, and will apply an advanced look at story construction, emphasizing character and story. Barbara Slate, author of “You Can Do a Graphic Novel,” will teach a youth workshop for ages 10 to 18 focusing on the mixing of drawings and words. Artistic ability
is not a requirement for participants nor are supplies or drawing talent needed. A special guest keynote presentation will be made by Colleen Doran, whose graphic novel adaptation of the Neil Gaiman story, “Troll Bridge,” became a New York Times bestseller. Doran’s talk at 1 p.m. is free and open to the public. “There’s a real need for advanced educational programs to support the creative growth of the graphic novel field, and I hope that Manhattanville’s MFA program can provide a good home for one, taking advantage of the New York area comics community as a resource and integrating them into their long-standing literary programs,” Levitz said. “These workshops are a great entryway for someone to intro-
duce themselves to the mechanics of graphic narrative and novels,” said Lori Soderlind, director of the MFA in Creative Writing Program at Manhattanville College, who is spearheading the program’s graphic novel instruction. “When word and image are combined, we have a new narrative that takes the reader on a completely different journey. We are seeing steady demand for these programs and have brought leaders in the graphic novel space to Manhattanville for this workshop, our summer writers week program, and plan to introduce year-round graphic novel instruction.” Registration for each day-long workshop is $75 and includes a brown bag lunch. To register and for more information, visit mville.edu. (Submitted)
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10 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • February 23, 2018
Hampshire presents club development plans By JANET O’CONNELL Contributor On Feb. 13, Dan Pfeffer, representing the owners of Mamaroneck’s Hampshire Country Club, appeared before the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Local Summit to present his company’s plans for developing the club property. He was joined by his colleague Susan Goldberger, as well as David Cooper from the law firm Zarin Steinmetz, and Michael Junghans of the engineering firm Kimley-Horn. Pfeffer and his associates bought the bankrupt golf club in 2010. Two years later, they proposed building 121 one- and two-bedroom condominiums on top of the existing club house. They envisioned selling these condos to empty nesters, and the plan did not involve changing the foot print or the height of the existing buildings. Because the club’s property is zoned for single-family residences, the condo plan meant that the zoning laws had to be changed. But the plan met with local opposition, and the village of Mamaroneck voted against revising the zoning laws. Opponents cit-
ed concerns about increased traffic, additional children in area schools, and issues with the club’s proximity to the Long Island Sound and wetlands. Pfeffer noted that Hampshire tries to be a good neighbor and citizen. The golf teams of both Mamaroneck and Rye Neck high schools practice at the club, and a number of organizations use the club’s facilities for their benefits. The proposed plan included a bike path and a kayak launch for community use. The goal had been to maintain as much open space as possible, while providing the condominium residents with amenities including a screening room, a lap pool, and, of course, golf. Pfeffer noted that there would have been very little impact on the schools since the plan was to sell the condos to people aged 55 and older. He admitted that there would be some additional traffic but probably not during school hours, and he noted that people are already using the club’s roads as a cut through. The proposed condos were expected to pay about $1.5 million in school taxes. After the village zoning board turned down the original plan, the
owners prepared a new project to build 44 single-family homes and 61 town houses. Junghans said that the new plan would necessitate shortening the golf course from 18 holes to nine, relocating the tennis courts, putting in a new road out to Boston Post Road, and bringing in enormous amounts of land fill to build the new houses above the flood plain. This plan for 105 additional houses meets current zoning requirements and does not need the approval of the village Board of Trustees. But it does require permission of the village Planning Board. Hampshire Recreation has submitted a 2000-page state-mandated environmental impact study, and the Planning Board is currently evaluating the data. On Feb. 14, the evening after this Local Summit program, Hampshire representatives made their presentation at a village of Mamaroneck Planning Board session. Pfeffer concluded his remarks by saying that his preference is still to go with the original plan of constructing condominiums above the existing club house. He said that all that they are asking for is a change in the zoning laws to permit this.
A representative from Mamaroneck’s Hampshire Country Club holds up renderings of plans for developing the club’s property. Contributed photo
The Larchmont-Mamaroneck Local Summit is an informal community council that seeks to make life better in the tri-municipal area. The summit meets monthly at the Nautilus Diner in Mamaroneck at 7:45 a.m., usually on the third Tuesday of the month. The next breakfast meeting will take place on March 20. Please join the summit to learn about the impact that recent health care legislation will have on the communities
February 23, 2018• THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 11
Business Briefs United Way new hire to help forge future path
United Way of Westchester and Putnam, UWWP, announced that Drew Coburn has joined the organization as chief impact officer. In this newly created role, Coburn will be responsible for working with president and CEO Alana Sweeny to advance the mission of United Way and take the organization into the future. “I was looking for someone with fresh eyes, someone who could help me and our team examine every aspect of what we do here—from programs, to communications, to bringing the different functions of the organization into more effective relationship with one another,” Sweeny said. “Of all those we interviewed, I felt Drew had the right demeanor, the right intellect, an unusual ability to listen to others, and equally an ability to facilitate the kind of teamwork we need to really gel and gain momentum.’’ Coburn comes to United Way after nearly 20 years in large advertising and branding agencies on Madison Avenue, where he worked on a variety of client businesses spanning North and South America. Most recently, He was director of strategy at Cubism Group, where he worked on brand and marketing issues of mission-based organizations from higher education to social service, including Abbott House, Yonkers Partners in Education, Children’s Village and Mercy College. He currently serves as New York state chairman of Destination Imagination, a creative problem solving organization for K–12 students. “After a 90-minute first interview, I was all in,” Coburn said. “The people were too good to be true… everything was right out there on the table— the opportunities and challenges, not just for United Way, but for our counties. And with each member of the team I met thereafter, the picture just got better and better. I ask you, how lucky am I?” Coburn said that he has already delved into the culture and the mission of United Way of Westchester and Putnam and finds that his investigations are helping him to better understand the organization and its role in the community. “I think we find ideas and answers as professionals, fathers, spouses, friends… by listening, listening, listening to others,” he said. “Our brains grow quiet and function much better when we do less talking and more listening.” Coburn is a graduate of Princeton University and holds two Masters degrees from Columbia University School of International Affairs and Mercy School of Counseling. Coburn says that his family is at heart of his inspiration, and adds that he is “simply mad” about his wife of 35 years, Julie, a teacher in Edgemont, and his kids, Matt and Sarah, now living the life out West, and “dearly missed out East.” UWWP works with agency partners, government, business and education leaders to solve complex community problems. It work to support children, parents and families living on the edge, to get them the support they need to become self-sufficient and thrive to the benefit of the entire community. UWWP is located at 336 Central Park Ave.,
White Plains, NY 10606. For more information, call 997-6700, visit uwwp.org, facebook.com/UnitedWayWP, and Twitter @UnitedWayWP.
autism consulting, mentoring, and college coaching services for individuals on the autism spectrum. “Amy was diagnosed with autism when she was 11 years old, and so her perspective and skills as a Keane & Beane names managing member self-advocate will be a huge asset to our organization as well as to our trainees,” Madfis said. Keane & Beane, P.C. is pleased to announce that Gravino shares her personal experiences and Judson Siebert has been named managing member professional expertise as a national speaker. She of the firm. Siebert will serve as the third managing has given two TED talks and presented to numermember of Keane & Beane, P.C. since its formation ous audiences about autism and sexuality; preventin 1980. He succeeds David Glasser, who has led ing and ending bullying; issues related to girls and Keane & Beane since 2000, and Edward Beane, a autism; growing up on the spectrum; and autism founding member of the firm. and transitioning to secondary education. “It is a distinct honor to be selected by my colGravino’s writing has been published in a varileagues, particularly in light of the example set, and ety of outlets, including the textbook “Exceptional legacy established, by my predecessors,” said Sie- Children: An Introduction to Special Education,” bert on his appointment. the Reader’s Digest book “The Best Life Stories,” According to Glasser, “Jud exemplifies the core Autism Spectrum Quarterly magazine, the official values underlying the success of Keane & Beane, blog of Autism Speaks, and more. She is now auP.C., a steadfast commitment to client service and thoring “The Naughty Autie,” a memoir of her exadherence to the principles of teamwork and colle- periences with dating, relationships, and sexuality giality. His intellect, character, confidence and hu- from the firsthand perspective of a woman on the mility will provide strong leadership to the firm in autism spectrum. the years to come.” Gravino serves on the board of directors of the Siebert joined Keane & Beane, P.C. as an asso- Golden Door International Film Festival of Jersey ciate following his graduation from law school in City and co-facilitates the Morris County chap1985. His practice is devoted to land use, real prop- ter support group meetings for ASPEN-NJ. She erty litigation, municipal administration and litiga- received the Advocates for Adults with Autism tion and real property tax issues. Raised in Indiana, Award from Yes She Can in 2017. he is a graduate of Purdue University and the ElisYes She Can Inc. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizaabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. He tion, founded in 2013 to address the unemployment resides in Somers, New York. crisis of adults with autism: only 2 in 10 adults with Glasser will remain in charge of Keane & Beane’s autism are employed. Yes She Can created and imtransactional real estate and business groups, and plements a unique job skills development program continue his practice in trusts and estates. based on intensive experiential learning in an au“Our success is the product of our people,” said thentic business setting. The organization operates Siebert, “most of whom, like me, have spent a sig- Girl AGain boutique in White Plains, New York, nificant portion of their careers at Keane & Beane. where trainees are coached by clinical professionThis longevity is the result of a firm culture that als and prepare and sell used American Girl dolls emphasizes collective effort to advance our clients’ and accessories while learning business processes, interests.” workplace social interactions and emotional reguWith its main office in White Plains, New York, lation. Girl AGain boutique is located at 4 Martine Keane & Beane, P.C. has provided legal services Ave., White Plains, NY 10606. to businesses, municipalities, school districts, nonFor more information, visit yesshecaninc.org. profit organizations, individuals and families since Sotheby’s names Fugere its formation in 1980. The firm serves the New manager of the year York City metropolitan area and Hudson Valley region with practice areas that encompass business Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s Inand corporate transactions, municipal and educaternational Realty recently antion law, elder law, trusts and estates, labor and emnounced that Carolyn Fugere, ployment, land use, environmental and real estate manager of the firm’s Larchmont law, with a litigation practice complimenting these brokerage, has been named the fields, including client representation in commercompany’s 2017 Manager of the cial, private and public labor and employment, Year. Fugere was chosen from guardianship, estate, real property, tax certiorari among 16 brokerage managers Carolyn Fugere and environmental disputes. Keane & Beane, P.C. for the honor, winning the award further serves its clients through its Fishkill, New for the second time in her career with the firm. York, and New York City offices. “Carolyn continuously proves an amazing asset For more information, contact Barbara Durkin at to our company with her outstanding support and bdurkin@kblaw.com or visit kblaw.com. leadership,” said Paul Breunich, president and chief executive officer of William Pitt and Julia B. Fee SoAustism self-advocate joins theby’s International Realty. “She is resourceful and Yes She Can Inc. board always finds ways to work through any issue, large Marjorie Madfis, president of or small. Additionally, Carolyn is a superb teacher Yes She Can Inc., is delighted to and role model, especially to new agents. Her pheannounce that Amy Gravino has nomenal training and educational programs encourjoined its board of directors. Yes age new agents and give them the ability to confiShe Can Inc. is a Westchester dently work with both buyers and sellers. I am proud County-based nonprofit dedicatto recognize Carolyn as our Manager of the Year.” Under Fugere’s leadership, the Larchmont broed to helping young women with kerage has for four consecutive years witnessed an autism spectrum disorders develAmy Gravino increase in the average sale price of transactions in op the necessary skills for employwhich it has participated. The brokerage has also ment and greater independence. Gravino is a certified autism specialist and the increased its market share in the Mamaroneck president of A.S.C.O.T. Coaching, where she offers school district each year during Fugere’s tenure,
outperforming the market by 20 percent in 2017. Breunich attributed the accomplishment to Fugere’s boutique style of operations and hands-on guidance and support of her sales force. “Carolyn has placed an emphasis on attracting and developing new talent in the industry and providing education in the office on a daily basis,” he said. “It is hardly a surprise to see a correlation in increased productivity among new sales associates with the company.” Fugere’s commitment to the community extends beyond the Larchmont brokerage. Upon moving into the Larchmont managerial role in 2014, she immediately volunteered to serve on the Larchmont Chamber of Commerce board, where she was appointed to the role of president. Fugere worked to increase their funding by more than 400 percent after reviving their membership from a dozen active members to well over 100. “It is an honor to be named Manager of the Year,” Fugere said. “The Larchmont brokerage could not have achieved its success without our amazing group of agents, who bring deep knowledge of current real estate conditions and our communities, as well as a dedication to focusing on what is best for our clients and building relationships that will grow for generations. If we believe that everyone deserves the exceptional, then we have to be exceptional, which is why we are focused on consistently improving ourselves and giving our clients the best service possible. In conjunction with our brand’s reputation and global reach, I am confident my team will realize continued success in 2018.” Fugere, who has been in the real estate industry for more than a decade, initially led William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty’s operations in Litchfield County, Connecticut, and the Berkshires, Massachusetts. During her time in this region, the firm’s sales volume grew at a rate that far exceeded the general market growth, leading the company to become the largest brokerage in total dollars and units in Litchfield County. Today in Larchmont, Fugere manages 67 agents serving Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Rye Neck and other communities throughout Southern Westchester County. Founded in 1949, William Pitt and Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty manages a $3.9 billion portfolio with more than 1,000 sales associates in 26 brokerages spanning Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Westchester County, New York. William Pitt and Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty is the largest Sotheby’s International Realty affiliate globally and the 31st largest real estate company by sales volume in the United States. Sotheby’s International Realty’s worldwide network includes approximately 20,000 sales associates located in approximately 880 offices throughout 70 countries and territories. A full-service real estate firm headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, William Pitt and Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty provides ancillary services including commercial services through its affiliation with Building and Land Technology, a second-generation development company based in Stamford, Connecticut; William Pitt Insurance Services; and an award-winning global relocation division. For more information, visit williampitt.com and juliabfee.com. The next Business Briefs section will run in March. Please send any submission for our March 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.
12 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • February 23, 2018
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SPORTS
February 23, 2018 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 13
The fault in our (MLB) stars LIVE MIKE Mike Smith
On Monday, Major League Baseball unveiled its latest attempt to speed up the sport’s pace of play, announcing new rules it will implement in the 2018 season to shorten game times and, hopefully, stem the tide of dwindling viewership. But in looking at the MLB’s new changes, which include limiting time between innings and putting a cap on the number of mound visits per game, I have to wonder; is any of this going to help? It’s no secret that over the last 20 years or so, baseball hasn’t been able to tap into the psyche of the nation’s youth the way it once had. The growing popularity of the NBA and NFL certainly have had something to do with the decline, as has the purported lack of action in the game, especially when compared to the other major sports or the myriad other things that kids today can pull up on
their TV, computer screens or smartphones. And as baseball—which remains the American sport most rooted in its history and traditions—struggles to connect with a younger audience, several pundits and league executives have opined that the biggest factor in baseball’s diminishing fan base is that younger spectators, by and large, are turned off by the length of games. The average game, which clocked in at around 2 hours and 30 minutes back in 1965, today runs more than three hours. Now, a popular opinion among MLB decision-makers seems to be that tweaks to the way the game is played can help shorten the duration of a contest, thereby attracting more fans. But in my mind, the problems of the sport range far beyond shaving a few minutes off a game. The biggest problem facing Major League Baseball right now is the fact that the league has not found a way to market its stars. Baseball’s biggest names, guys like Mike Trout and Bryce Harp-
er, don’t seem to move the dial the way that, say, NBA greats like LeBron James and Stephen Curry do. And that’s as much a function of the way the two sports are played, as it is a lack of an attempt on the part of baseball to sell its top guys to the general public. If you tune into a Cavs-Warriors showdown, be it in the regular season or the NBA Finals, you know you’re going to get a healthy dose of Curry and James. NBA stars drive the action of a game, constantly have the ball in their hands, and, by and large, have a bigger impact on each contest than do their baseball counterparts. If you’re watching an Angels game, on the other hand, you’ll probably see Trout—who is well on his way to Cooperstown— step up to the plate four times and maybe have a few defensive chances when his team is in the field. That means there’s less of a chance that a player like Trout can influence the game, be it with a mammoth home run blast or a stellar defensive play. And the sad thing for baseball is that there’s really no way to
On Feb. 19, Major League Baseball announced new rules aimed at shortening game times in 2018. Sports Editor Mike Smith thinks the MLB would be better served to learn how to market young stars like Aaron Judge. Photo courtesy Wikipedia.org
work around that, unless you are willing to drastically change the very fabric of the game. Of course, this isn’t to say that I mind the way baseball is now. As a true baseball fan, I relish the periods of inactivity before the pitch, if only because of the way it contrasts with the truly dramatic moments of a game in order to make it more compelling.
I don’t want to see pitch clocks, wacky extra-inning rules or other gimmicks introduced in order to make the game more palatable to prospective fans. But if the MLB can’t start to find better ways to market its up-and-coming players, especially ready-made stars like Aaron Judge, it’s going to run into even bigger problems in the years ahead.
So I, for one, hope Judge blasts a bazillion homers this year, gets his familiar gap-toothed smile all over the airwaves and vaults into position as a true sporting icon. And if he can do it all while the Yankees still miss the playoffs? Even better.
Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports
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14 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • February 23, 2018
SPORTS
Tigers top Titans in quarterfinals ICE HOCKEY
DIV-1
QUARTERFINALS
MAMARONECK 8 RTH 3 HOMMOCKS ICE RINK
2/19/18
Game Notes: • Harrison Schreiber led Mamaroneck with 4 goals & 2 assists • The Tigers amassed a 7-2 lead heading into the 3rd period • Mamaroneck will play North Rockland on Feb. 22, after press time By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor Mamaroneck didn’t waste any time lighting up the net on Feb. 19, scoring four first-period goals en route to a decisive 8-3 Division I quarterfinal win over RyeTown/Harrison. As the No. 2-seeded Tigers continue their jaunt through the playoffs, this latest offensive outburst over the No. 7 Titans should serve as a reminder to the rest of Section I that Mamaroneck (17-2-3) is still one of the best teams around. Harrison Fried got the scoring started just two minutes into the game, but it was Harrison Schreiber who stole the show early
Mamaroneck’s Chris Watroba lays a hit on Rye Town/Harrison’s Joey Harrison on Feb. 19.
on, as the junior winger netted a first-period hat trick to help the Tigers head into the intermission with a 4-2 lead. Mamaroneck—which tallied 40 shots on goal—would tack on three more goals in the second to put the game out of reach.
Charlie Dente fires a shot on net. Photos/Mike Smith
According to Chiapparelli, getting off to a quick start against the Titans was especially important, given Rye Town/Harrison’s own ability to put the puck in the net. “They’re a very good offensive team,” Chiapparelli said. “So we needed to come out strong and put them on their heels right away.” Scoring early and often has one of Mamaroneck’s strengths in the team’s two playoff contests, as the Tigers have outscored their opponents 21-4 in the postseason. According to Chiapparelli, team speed has been integral to the Tigers’ success this season and it is starting to pay huge dividends in the playoffs. “Do you see how fast we’re skating right now?” he said. “We’re playing really well, we’re a defensive team but we’re getting free [in the offensive zone].” Though Chiapparelli did identify some areas he would like his skaters to improve upon— namely tightening up the defense and avoiding trips to the penalty box—he added that the Tigers have played clean hockey all season long and doesn’t believe that the whistles that went against his squad on Monday speak to any larger issues. “We’ve only had 16 penalties in 20 [regular season] games, and we gave them five power plays
Harrison Schreiber beats a Titans’ defender to the puck. Schreiber had four goals and two assists on the night.
The Tigers celebrate a first period goal against the Titans.
tonight,” said the head coach. “Sometimes when you’re up, the refs will make calls that go the other way.” Next up for the Tigers is a semifinal showdown with No. 6 North Rockland (16-4) on Feb.
22, after press time. The Red Raiders steamrolled Rivertown 9-1 in their quarterfinal matchup but fell to the Tigers 5-3 in a previous matchup between the two teams on Jan. 19. “They’re four deep, four lines,
good offensive team,” Chiapparelli said. “We’ve gotta take advantage of the transition game, go the other way and get as many shots on their goalie as we can.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com
SPORTS
February 23, 2018 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 15
Tigers earn win over Ossining BOYS BASKETBALL
class aa
FIRST ROUND
MAMARONECK 74 OSSINING 55 MAMARONECK HS
2/17/18
Game Notes: • Junior Will Sarkozi had 26 points & 6 rebounds for Mamaroneck • The Tigers established a 10-point lead by halftime • Mamaroneck will play No. 6 Spring Valley on Feb. 23
By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor On Feb. 17, Mamaroneck shined in its first postseason contest, as the No. 3-seeded Tigers trounced No. 14 Ossining 7455 at home to keep their season alive. As the team celebrated its win in front of a raucous home crowd, head coach Tyrone Carver admitted that throughout the Tigers’ inspired regular-season campaign (17-4), the chance to host a game at the Palmer Gymnasium served as one of the team’s main motivations. “It was really amazing for us
Will Sarkozi goes up for a layup against Ossining on Feb. 17. Sarkozi led all scorers with 26 points.
to be able to have the support like we did,” Carver said. “And that’s why you play the regular season, for one—or two—home playoff games. That was one of the goals.” And the Tigers certainly didn’t disappoint. Led by a terrific performance by junior center Will Sarkozi, who scored a game-high 26 points and nabbed six rebounds, Mamaroneck had little trouble with the upstarts from Ossining, building a 36-26 lead by halftime. Sarkozi has been integral to the team’s success this season, and has been impressive since returning from an illness that cost him six games earlier in the year. Jared Bader and Isiah Thomas provided a nice complement to Sarkozi’s work in the paint, with both players adding 12 points of their own. “[Ossining] really didn’t have an answer for Will in the interior and that was a huge advantage for us,” Carver said. “We weren’t surprised that he had a big game, but we were glad that he had one of his best games of the year.” Despite winning with relative ease, the Tigers were tested in the first half as Ossining began to heat up from beyond the arc and cut into Mamaroneck’s early lead. But Carver was pleased with the way his squad responded to the challenge as they had clearly regained control of the game in the waning moments of the second quarter. “We talk a lot about how each game will bring a bunch of adversity and how you have to fight through that,” he said. “We expected Ossining to make that run, and the key thing for us was that we just had to settle down.” The Tigers will be back in action on Feb. 23 when they host No. 6 Spring Valley in the Class AA quarterfinals. On Saturday, Spring Valley orchestrated a fourth quarter comeback to beat No. 11 Mahopac 64-54. In the days leading up to the game, Carver said he hopes to iron out some of the mistakes from his team’s win over Ossining. “There were a few things I didn’t like, mostly clock management and poise,” the coach said. “But it’s always a great feeling to have some issues in a game and still have the chance to work on those in practice.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com
Isiah Thomas, who had 12 points for the Tigers, soars to the hoop.
Jared Bader looks for an open teammate.
James Manetta drives into the lane against Ossining. Photos/Mike Smith
16 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • February 23, 2018
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