Mamaroneck REVIEW THE
April 21, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 16 | www.mamaroneckreview.com
Rosenblum candidacy for county board official
LIKE FATHER, LIKE DAUGHTER
By JAMES PERO Staff Writer
Meral Kathwari, of Mamaroneck, is the owner and director of Kathwari of Kashmir, a textile company she took over from her father after he unexpectedly passed away. For story, see page 6. Photo courtesy Meral Kathwari
Village PD to codify immigration policy By JAMES PERO Staff Writer With the recent issuance of a federal executive order muddying local police departments’ role in the deportation of undocumented immigrants, village of Mamaroneck police and elected officials will look to codify their own policy. According to Mamaroneck police Sgt. Sandra Diruzza, at an upcoming village Board of Trustees meeting, scheduled for April 24,
the Police Department will introduce its policy on what it describes as concerns over “immigration status.” Specifically, Diruzza told the Review that the Police Department hopes to address issues with detainer requests issued by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, which are not backed by judicial warrants. “The [police] department will not act upon an immigration detainer alone,” Diruzza said.
The department’s decision to solidify its stance on undocumented immigrants come as a response to a nationwide executive order signed this January by President Donald Trump, a Republican, which seeks to ramp up deportation efforts. According to a weekly report by ICE cataloguing noncompliance with the organization’s detainer requests, between Feb. 11 and Feb. 17, the last available report, there IMMIGRATION continued on page 11
Village of Mamaroneck Mayor Norman Rosenblum, a Republican, has solidified his decision to run for higher office against two-term incumbent Westchester County Legislator Catherine Parker, a Rye Democrat. “My decision to seek higher office is based on only one philosophy,” Rosenblum told the Review ahead of his official campaign announcement scheduled for Friday, April 21, after press time. “And that is, what position can I best represent my community and look to improve current situations?” Rosenblum’s decision to run for a county legislative seat will act as a leap forward from his helm as village mayor, a post he has maintained since 2009 on a mostly Democratic Board of Trustees. At 74, this will be Rosenblum’s first-ever bid for higher office, and potentially his toughest race yet. Parker, who served as a Rye City councilwoman between 2008 and 2013, won convincingly in 2015 against her previous opponent— Susan Watson, of Rye—securing 59 percent of the vote. On a Democratic-majority county Board of Legislators, Parker has often been a vocal critic of County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, many times aligning herself with the board’s staunchest Democratic lawmakers. When asked about facing off against the two-term incumbent Parker, Rosenblum said, “I am not running against anyone, I’m running for a position… If you like
what I do, vote for me.” Having served four terms as part of the political minority in Mamaroneck, Rosenblum is also no stranger to heated partisan politics. At times, relations on the village Board of Trustees have taken contentious turns, culminating this past year when Rosenblum unsuccessfully filed a lawsuit against board Democrats that sought to subdue a referendum against his powers of appointment. With the latest announcement that Rosenblum’s Deputy Mayor Louis Santoro will also not seek re-election to the village Board of Trustees, Democrats in Mamaroneck are jumping at the chance to take unanimous control of the board, with multiple candidates having surfaced in recent weeks. According to Rosenblum, among the issues compelling him to seek higher office are flood mitigation—a problem shared by communities across the Sound Shore region—and an ongoing opioid epidemic that has rippled across Westchester County. ROSENBLUM continued on page 8
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A look at Mamaroneck’s new village manager Q. Why did you decide to take this job? A. I thought it would be a good fit. I had been [in the village] seven years prior, so I know a lot of the people, places and projects. I’ve made a lot of lifelong friends. It was a comfortable dovetail and I look forward to working hard for Mamaroneck. Q. What was the biggest issue facing Pelham, the community you just came from? NAME: Rob Yamuder A. With the New York state tax AGE: 55 cap, I’d have to say the budget is EXPERIENCE: Village of Pelham the most critical function. Budgetadministrator; assistant manager ing is one of the bigger and more of the village of Mamaroneck; complicated issues of what we do, New York City Economic which affects everything; the serDevelopment Corporation vices, the streets, the maintenance. RESIDENCE: I’ve been situated for the One of the key things we did is— last 20 years in Hawthorne. As far as I we were maintaining the water sysknow, I’m staying. tem for the village of Pelham—we ONE THING THE AVERAGE RESIDENT managed to sell that back to SUEZ DOESN’T KNOW ABOUT YOU: In my water so we were able to free up spare time, if I can ever find any, I some time with our Department like bicycling and raising money of Public Works workers and just with long-distance bike riding. make them more efficient. At the end of May, Rob Yamuder will take the reins as the village of Mamaroneck’s new chief administrator, looking to make village operations safer and efficient. The following is an edited transcript of an interview conducted with him on Monday, April 17.
Q. What are your priorities for the village and where, in your opinion, are the biggest opportunities for improvement? Do you get into the job with a specific agenda to tackle? A. Right now, as I transition into it, I do have the benefit of knowing a few of the people, projects, and places; I’d like to know more
about the details of each department. I’m very big on efficiency. The taxpayers deserve a responsive and respectful administration. The staff are by far the most valuable resource of the village, so I’m big on training and safety. Q. What was the biggest project or controversy you’ve tackled as an administrator, and what was the lesson learned? A. A lot of the challenges are similar to the other municipalities in this region. Infrastructure is a big issue, we have a lot of tiered parking lots that need a lot of maintenance. I was successful in purchasing a slightly used vacuum that cleans out all the catch basins from debris. We got that a few years ago, and it has saved a lot of workers’ compensation. Instead of busting your back—having two or three guys out there digging through the silt—this machine does the work of many men, so it’s a lot more efficient and a lot safer. We’re always looking for those savings. Q. Have you had any conversations with your predecessor about the position you are taking on and can you summarize his advice? A. We met and went through dozens of projects, and many concerns large and small. It was a good calibrating session transitioning into
a new position. He didn’t have any advice [specifically]. We have a great network—administrators, managers, supervisors—and we all work together and see each other regularly to gain information on certain projects. Q. There has been a lot of talk about improving processes and protocol in the village Building Department. As village manager, how could you improve functions there? A. I plan to meet with the staff up there; code enforcement officials, the building and fire inspectors. We all have to work together. There’s a chain of command. I do respect everyone’s position, they’re very valuable in terms of experience and getting the job done for the health, safety, and welfare of the village. I became the building inspector years ago in Mamaroneck because they needed me immediately.... That was very rewarding and I do have a background in building and construction, so that was very helpful to me. I haven’t sat down with them to talk about details, but I look forward to doing that soon. Regular communication is helpful for both parties. Q. As a village manager, what are your thoughts in regard to an $80 million flood mitigation project from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that would widen swaths of the Mamaroneck and Sheldrake rivers? What
would your role be in that wide-scale project? A. This is an issue that is very near and dear to my heart. I was in Mamaroneck during some of the floods a few years ago, and the property damage and the potential loss of life is always pending in those flood zones. I was excited to hear from the mayor and other reports that, since I left Mamaroneck, the village is being strongly considered for that grant. I think the project will go a long way toward mitigating those storm events which seem to be happening more frequently and more severely. As this project comes down the pike, I consider myself an integral player, from cradle to the grave, to get the project in the ground. Q. In a municipality where politics can sometimes be divisive, is this something you’re cognizant of, and what might you be able to do to stay out of the fray? A. There’s no doubt that there are political issues abound in city, county, state and national government. Locally it’s more under the microscope. The best answer I can give is that my job is apolitical. I’m there to do a job as a manager; I’m appointed, not elected. I’ve worked well with many boards and many mayors, and I look forward to doing more of the same in Mamaroneck. -Reporting by James Pero
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What’s going on... Mamaroneck Public Library
Visit mamaronecklibrary.org for more information on library hours and programs.
All ages story and craft hour On Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon in the Children’s Room. No registration required. There will be stories to appeal to all ages of kids and their caregivers, and a craft simple enough for the little kids and creative enough for the big kids.
Bilingual Storytime / Hora del cuento bilingüe On Mondays from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. A drop-in Spanish and English storytime for children ages 6 months to 7 years old with siblings and caregivers. Lunes de 10:30 a.m. hasta 11 a.m. Una hora del cuento en español y inglés para niños de los 6 meses a 7 años con hermanos y cuidadores/as. On Friday, April 28, from 10:30 a.m. to
11 a.m., join the library for a special bilingual storytime co-sponsored by the WJS Parent-Child Home Program. The program will be followed by a library tour. The Week of the Young Child (April 24–28) is an opportunity to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and recognize the early childhood programs that meet those needs. Viernes, 28 de abril de 10:30 a.m. hasta 11 a.m. Únese con nosotros para una hora del cuento especial copatrocinado por el WJS Parent-Child Home Program. El programa será seguido por un tour de la biblioteca. La Semana del Niño Pequeño (el 24– 28 de abril) es una oportunidad para enfocar atención pública en las necesidades de niños jóvenes y sus familias y reconocer los programas de primera infancia que satisfagan esas necesidades.
Stars of the Sea On Monday, April 24 from 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. in the Children’s Room. These amazing creatures will visit the library during the new Stars of the Sea programming series. Explore what lives in the Harbor Island Park ecosystem just blocks away from the library. Participants will also replicate sea creatures with littleBits technology. The day’s star: the blue crab. Please call 630-5894 to register.
Math Help for Teens On Mondays from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Teen Library. Math Help follows the Mamaroneck school district schedule. If the
schools are closed, there will be no sessions. Call the Teen Library at 630-5875 for further details.
Teacher in the Library On Mondays from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Children’s Room. Free homework help for children in grades K–5 when school is in session. This program follows the Mamaroneck school district schedule.
Larchmont Public Library Visit larchmontlibrary.org for more information on library hours and programs. The library will be closed on Sunday, April 16 for Easter.
The Art of Daycations On Monday, April 24 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Michael P. Coords Activity Room. No registration required. A daycation is a getaway without the need to stay overnight. Approaching a daycation as a traveler would can help you discover authentic and fun options. Travel artisan Nina Lesiga will share how to design day trips and choose destinations to achieve that “gone away” feeling.
Battle of the Books interest meetings On Thursday, April 27 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the LOFT. For grades 6–9. No registration required. The Larchmont Public Library will compete in the countywide Battle of the Books event in October. Come learn more about the competition, the selected books and whether you want to participate. On Friday, April 28 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. For children entering grades 4–6 in September. Online registration required. Battle of the Books is a book-based trivia tournament for kids in Westchester County. This year Larchmont Public Library would like to form a team for children in grades 4–6. If you are interested in being part of the team, come to the meeting to learn more. Being part of Battle of the Books takes commitment. Parents are encouraged to attend.
LMCTV Annual meeting Larchmont-Mamaroneck Community Television Inc., LMCTV, the public access TV station serving Larchmont, Mamaroneck and Rye Neck, is holding its annual meeting of its board of directors on Monday, April 24 at 7 p.m. in Conference Room C on the first floor of the Town Center, 740 W. Boston Post Road in Mamaroneck. The public is welcome to attend. For more information, call Matt Sullivan, LMCTV chief operating officer, at 381-2002 ext. 202.
McMichael Yacht Brokers Annual spring boat show Join McMichael Yacht Brokers on Saturday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for its Spring Boat Show. Rain date: Sunday, April 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Browse the collection of new and used sail and power boats in a relaxed, low-key atmosphere. Brands include JBoats, MJM, Hanse, Re-
lease and Amel. McMichael Yacht Brokers is located at 447 E. Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck. For more information, call 381-5900 or visit mcmichaelyachtbrokers.com.
Town of Mamaroneck news Annual 5K Run and Lil’ Bunny Hop On Sunday, April 23, the town of Mamaroneck Recreation and Fire departments will be hosting the third annual 5K Run and Lil’ Bunny Hop at Memorial Park on Myrtle Boulevard in Larchmont. The Lil’ Bunny Hop is for ages 12 and under and will start at 8:30 a.m., with the 5K run starting at 9 a.m. Registration is online at townofmamaroneckny.org/recreation or in person at the Recreation Office at the Town Center, located at 740 W. Boston Post Road in Mamaroneck. For more information, call 381-7865.
Westchester County news Register for children’s summer camps Registration is open for Westchester County Parks’ popular summer camps for children and young people. Online registration is available at parks.westchestergov. com/activities/childrens-camps. For more information on any of the programs, visit the aforementioned website or call 2314673, unless stated otherwise. Perfect Pitch and Swing Baseball Camp, for ages 8 to 12, at V.E. Macy Park in Ardsley. Slam Dunk Basketball Camp, for grades 3–9, at Westchester County Center, White Plains. Girls Volleyball Camp, for grades 6–12, at Westchester County Center, White Plains. Challenger Sports Soccer Camp, for grades 1–9, at V.E. Macy Park, Ardsley. For more information, call 714-8601 or visit challengersports.com. Hole-in-One Junior Golf Camp, for ages 10 to 17, at the county courses: Dunwoodie and Sprain Lake, Yonkers; Hudson Hills, Ossining; Maple Moor, White Plains; Mohansic, Yorktown Heights; and Saxon Woods, Scarsdale. Children’s Summer Ecology Program, for grades 1–9, at Cranberry Lake Preserve, North White Plains; Marshlands Conservancy, Rye; and Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Cross River. Conservationists in Training, for grades 7–9, at Cranberry Lake Preserve, North White Plains, and Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Cross River. Muscoot Wranglers, for ages 4 and 5, and Muscoot Young Farmers, for grades 1–8, at Muscoot Farm, Katonah. For more information, call 864-7282. Summer Music Center, for grades 3–12, at Westchester County Center, White Plains. 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.
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Mamaroneck THE
REVIEW
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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 | Lynne Starr ext. 29, lynne@hometwn.com Advertising Coordinator | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 27, ads@hometwn.com Staff Writers Corey Stockton, Franco Fino Staff Photographers Andrew Dapolite, Aaron Kershaw, Charlie McLaughlin Columnist Lenore Skenazy
Young entrepreneur takes over family business
By TAYLOR BROWN General Assignment Reporter After the loss of her father, Meral Kathwari, a junior in college at the time, made the decision to take over her father’s international business, Kathwari of Kashmir. In November 2014, Kathwari, who has lived in Mamaroneck for 10 years, was studying for her B.A. in mass communication and minor in speech communication at Iona College and was serving on two club executive boards when she found out her father, Tariq, had passed away. He was 61 years old when he was caught in a riptide while swimming in Goa, India. He was the owner and founder of Kathwari of Kashmir, a company based in Kashmir, India, that sells luxury textiles including rugs, carpets and clothing in a variety of colors, materials and styles. Kathwari, 22, is an only child, so at the time of her father’s death, she was the only person who would be able to carry on Kathwari of Kashmir. “I just remember thinking to myself,
Meral Kathwari takes a photo with camels in Dubai. Photo courtesy Brunettesecrets.com
‘What am I supposed to do,’” she told the Review. She made the decision to take over the business as its owner and director. When Kathwari, a Kashmiri-American, was younger, she moved away from her father in India—her asthma and the country’s
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Meral Kathwari poses with one of the many rugs that her business Kathwari of Kashmir sells. Photos courtesy Meral Kathwari
air pollution made it difficult for her to breathe—to Santa Fe, New Mexico, with her mother. From there, she and her mother moved to Rome, Italy, before finally settling in Mamaroneck in 2007. Growing up, although Kathwari didn’t live with her father, he would visit her whenever he had time. Kathwari wasn’t unfamiliar with her father’s business, having spent summers in Kashmir shadowing him throughout his workday, and helping him bring Kathwari of Kashmir into the digital age with social media accounts and a website in 2012. Growing up, she had spent a lot of time with her father in his showroom, saying how one of her favorite memories of him was how he interacted with clients. “That was where he was most passionate,” she said. When Kathwari and her father weren’t working to better the business, they enjoyed traveling together on road trips throughout the U.S. and all over India. In June 2012, she began documenting those trips on her blog Brunettesecrets.com that has since gained more than 1,600 followers. In her posts, she discusses must-see spots, travel tips, and life advice alongside vibrant photos of her destinations. Kathwari says in one blog post that she attributes her “travel bug” to her father. “[My father] says it’s important that I see the world and experience everything it has to offer before I settle down and start a family,” she wrote. “I will do this.” Kathwari turned her blog into a travel series that launched on
Meral Kathwari, owner and director of Kathwari of Kashmir, models one of her company’s embroidered wool coats.
Larchmont-Mamaroneck Community Television, LMCTV, a local community public access television station. “Since I’ve been traveling, I wanted to write [and] blog about my experiences and produce travels shows too,” she told the Review. As of now, one episode of the series has been released, “Brunette Secrets: Seville,” where Kathwari visits Seville, Spain. The series follows her around, while she brings viewers to three different locations in Seville: Plaza de Espana, Casa de Pilatos and the Seville Cathedral. During the first video, which is available on LMCTV.org and YouTube, she discusses local artwork, food, culture and architecture. Kathwari revealed that future episodes include trips to Barcelona, Madrid and Dubai. “My dream job would be [to be] like Anthony Bourdain or Christiane Armanpour, traveling and reporting on things and places people should know about that aren’t usually covered in the mainstream media,” she said. She said she also plans to go to Fordham University’s one-year public media program in the fall. Accomplishing more than your average 20-something, Kathwari has done this while also owning and running a business. But the work hasn’t come without sacrifices throughout her college career. “I wish I could’ve had more time to put towards everything individually,” she said. “[But] if you have people supporting you, and people around you that love you, you’re capable of doing anything you put your mind to.” CONTACT: taylor@hometwn.com
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Officials tout free tuition despite fiscal uncertainty By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer With the passing of a proposal to provide free tuition for income-eligible residents statewide at SUNY and CUNY colleges and universities, several elected and school administration officials are weighing the forthcoming fiscal impact of the plan. On April 8, state leaders approved the plan known as the Excelsior Scholarship, which will cost more than $160 million a year
once the program is fully phased in. The proposal’s approval is part of the $153.1 billion 2017-2018 state budget that was passed on the same day, a week after its deadline. The plan, proposed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, will be carried out over a three-year period. Families and individuals earning up to $125,000 a year would qualify for the free tuition at public universities and colleges across the state. Despite support from several elected and school administrative
officials in the Hudson Valley region for the plan that’s a first of its kind in the country, it’s currently uncertain just how it will impact the state economically. While the state estimates spending $163 million a year on the program, based on the number of students enrolled in public universities and colleges, the allure of the program could potentially draw interest from more students. “We’re supportive and excited about the governor’s initiative, which will increase access to higher educa-
Even with its uncertain economic impact, several elected and school administrative officials in the Hudson Valley region support Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s recently approved plan to provide free tuition at public universities and colleges. File photo
tion, help with retention and graduation, and will relieve the burden of student debt,” said Thomas Schwarz, the president of Purchase College, one of two New York state schools located in Westchester County. “We believe the Excelsior Scholarship will have an impact on a very large segment of our student population, but the extent of the impact depends on how the program will be implemented.” The plan is expected to be implemented by borrowing capital from a number of tuition assistance programs the state already offers to low-income families, such as TAP, which provides nearly $1 billion in grants to college students statewide, according to Cuomo’s office. In the 2015-2016 fiscal year, more than 355,000 students were awarded more than $956 million in TAP funds with an average annual award of $3,302 per recipient. State Assemblyman David Buchwald, a White Plains Democrat, said the plan will work hand-in-hand with TAP, which saw a $19 million increase in the program. He added that TAP will now have an incentive for private colleges to provide additional aid to students. TAP will provide students with $3,000 in additional assistance with a match from private colleges. It would also require a freeze in student tuition for the duration of the award.
The idea for the proposal came just after being championed by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, of Vermont, during his presidential primary for the Democratic nomination last year. State Sen. George Latimer, a Rye Democrat running for county executive, said he also supports the plan but is also unsure of just how it will impact state taxpayers. “My approach is that it’s an effort to deal with the changing reality and is in some ways an experiment,” he said. “If it does provide people the opportunity it’s supposed to, then it’s a good thing. I think it’s an experiment worth trying.” Latimer explained that the program won’t work as a “handout,” as some might expect. Rather, there will be stringent requirements for students to perform at a high level in order to keep the scholarship. “We want to give everyone the opportunity to succeed, but we’re also not going to pay for you if you fail,” he said. The scholarship would also mandate participating students to be enrolled at a SUNY or CUNY, two- or four-year college full time. It will however not cover the cost for room and board. Tuition, which does not include room and board, costs $6,470 at four-year SUNY schools and $6,330 at four-year CUNY schools. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
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Westchester in driver’s seat on Uber, Lyft policy By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer While mobile ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft could legally expand their coverage areas across New York state by early summer, it will ultimately fall on Westchester County lawmakers to accept the state’s regulations, or to push for even tighter restrictions. Included in the state budget adopted earlier this month was a law allowing ride-hailing services like Lyft and Uber—which allow customers to order and pay for a ride with a few taps on a smartphone— to operate across New York state, expanding beyond New York City, where those companies have been operating through the city’s taxi and limousine laws since 2011. The state law would require a list of insurance coverage during different stages of the service, and would require drivers to undergo state background checks. Drivers are required to have at least $1.25 million personal liability coverage, and the same amount in supplemental uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. The state law also puts a 4 percent tax on ride revenue. But the ride-hailing legislation also allows the state’s counties and
Riders cannot legally take Uber or Lyft rides within Westchester County until at least July, but a recent screenshot of Uber drivers available in White Plains shows that they’re here, regardless of the current restrictions. Photo courtesy Uber
its largest cities to decide for themselves whether to accept the state’s provisions, to block the services altogether, or to further expand on
the requirements made by the state. Any municipality with a population of 100,000 or more—in Westchester, that list includes only Yonkers and the county at large—has the option to accept or reject the state’s provision. According to county Legislator Ken Jenkins, a Yonkers Democrat who plans to run for county executive, county lawmakers are not certain whether Westchester will remain in or opt out of the program. He said the decision will be based on if the county can adjust the law to fit Westchester’s individual needs for fairness and safety. “The taxi and limousine folks would be at a competitive disadvantage,” Jenkins said, explaining that taxi and limo drivers pay state and county sales tax totaling more than 7 percent, higher than the 4 percent ride-hailing tax included in the new state law. Taxi groups like the Upstate Transportation Association have pushed to add fingerprinting to the list of requirements for Uber and Lyft drivers in fairness to taxi and limo drivers, who are fingerprinted as a requirement of taxi and limousine commissions across the state, including Westchester County. But that provision was not included in the final draft of the law.
Dan Branda, a spokesman for Republican County Executive Rob Astorino, said the administration was reviewing the legislation while the state DMV works to release its official ride-hailing regulations. Meanwhile, he said, “Our focus continues to be on passenger safety, including that vehicles will be properly insured and maintained and that drivers will be vetted with fingerprint-based background checks and drug and alcohol testing.” Earlier this year, Jenkins proposed a county law which would have allowed ride-hailing in the Westchester. However, the state legislation fulfills nearly every provision recommended in that draft, which proposed that drivers maintain $1 million in personal liability insurance and undergo county background checks, and that ride-hailing apps send photos of drivers to patrons. Jenkins’ law was sent to the county Public Safety and Social Services Committee on Feb. 13; it has not been officially discussed in committee, as of press time. Sen. George Latimer, a Rye Democrat who also plans to run for county executive in November, said that in the interim, the county should meet with other suburban counties like Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island, to ensure that the law to bring ride-hailing “upstate,” applies fairly to counties
nearest New York City. Individual ride-hailing companies may decide which cities and counties will get the service first based on where the best markets are, although Westchester may appear an obvious choice given its proximity to New York City and the rate at which Uber and Lift drivers venture into, out of, and sometimes within its borders. While those services have not been legally available in Westchester, drivers have often operated here nonetheless, using the county airport as one of several hubs. By this summer, Uber and Lyft will be available—legally—in every state in the continental U.S. and ride-hailing officials are excited for the expansion. “Thank you to Gov. [Andrew] Cuomo and the New York state Legislature for working hard on a compromise that will bring more transportation options to the Empire State,” said Josh Mohrer, Uber’s tri-state general manager. “We can’t wait to bring reliable, affordable transportation options to the entire state this summer.” The law allowing those services to operate in the state goes into effect on July 8, 90 days after it was passed, allowing time for the state Department of Motor Vehicles to establish regulations. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com
Run for mayor, trustee in Mamaroneck Larchmont Ave. Church to hold rummage sale The village of Mamaroneck Democrats have formed an Endorsement Committee to seek and endorse candidates for open seats for mayor and trustee in November. The committee—which is being led by Democratic Party Vice Chair Gretta Heaney—
is seeking residents who are interested in working for strong, responsible local government. Those interested in running on the November ticket should contact the committee through Heaney at gheaneyvom@gmail.com by Friday, April 28. (Submitted)
ROSENBLUM from page 1
Rye, the town and village of Mamaroneck, the village of Larchmont, and portions of the city of New Rochelle and the town/village of Harrison. County legislators are elected to serve two-year terms with an annual compensation of $49,200.
“There are specific policies in the village of Mamaroneck that are just as pertinent to the whole Sound Shore,” said Rosenblum, referencing a committee on drugs he formed this past year to help combat opiate addiction. The 7th District encompasses the city of
CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
The Larchmont Avenue Church will hold its annual rummage sale from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29. Huge crowds are expected. Contributed photo
The Larchmont Avenue Church announced today that it will hold its annual rummage sale April 27–29 at the Larchmont Avenue Church, LAC. The hours of the LAC Rummage Sale are: Thursday, April 27, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, April 28, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; and Saturday, April 29, 9 a.m. to noon. Donations will be accepted beginning Sunday, April 23 between 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., through Wednesday, April 26 at noon. This much anticipated annual event has drawn huge crowds for more than 30 years, because of its large assortment of new and gently used items at low prices. People line up early to get the best selection of clothing, jewelry, sporting goods, furniture, toys, linens, and many other items. The annual event draws bargain hunters and savvy shoppers from all over Westchester County. The Rummage Sale is a great recycling tool. Jane Land, who has worked the Rum-
mage Sale for many years, and chaired the event for three years, said, “It’s great seeing things get a second life with people who need them, rather than ending up in the trash.” All this hard work pays off, not only for happy purchasers, but also for the organizations that benefit from the results of the sale. The LAC Rummage Sale is the biggest fundraiser of the year, and this year’s proceeds will supplement the LAC Community Fund, the purpose of which is to lend support to LAC’s community outreach efforts. Some of the mission partners benefiting from this fund include the Community Resource Center, H.O.P.E, Larchmont/Mamaroneck Hunger Task Force, Larchmont/Mamaroneck Community Counseling Center, and The Sharing Shelf. The Larchmont Avenue Church is located at 60 Forest Park Ave. in Larchmont. For more information about the rummage sale or the church, call 834-1800 or visit lacny.org. (Submitted)
April 21, 2017 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 9
10 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • April 21, 2017
Business Briefs Weichert, Realtors promotes Siracusa to head of residential sales James Weichert Jr., president of Weichert, Realtors and co-president of the Weichert Companies, is pleased to announce that Carlo Siracusa has been named head of residential sales for Weichert, Realtors, one of the largest family-owned-and-operated real estate companies in the nation. In this role, Siracusa will be responsible for leading sales production and sales force growth for Weichert, Realtors, while delivering Weichert’s full-service value proposition to all of its customers. “We are both proud and excited to promote Carlo to head of residential sales,” Weichert said. “His proven track record of developing sales associates and sales managers into market leaders positions Carlo extremely well for growing Weichert’s residential real estate presence.” Siracusa brings 17 years of real estate experience to his new role, most recently serving as regional vice president for Weichert’s Middlesex, Ocean and Monmouth County, New Jersey, sales offices. Siracusa joined Weichert as a sales associate in 2000 and quickly became a top producer in the corporate headquarters sales office. In 2005, Siracusa became the sales manager in Clifton, New Jersey, and was promoted to lead the corporate headquarters sales team in 2007, where he was a repeat recipient of the Regional Manager of the Year award. In 2015, Siracusa was promoted to regional vice president, and in 2016, he led his team of 20 sales managers to their most successful year since 2008. Since 1969, Weichert, Realtors has grown from a single office into one of the nation’s leading providers of homeownership services by putting its customers first. A family of full-service real estate and financial services companies, Weichert helps customers buy and sell both residential and commercial real estate, and streamlines the delivery of mortgages and home and title insurance. Weichert leverages its customer website, www.weichert.com, one of the most visited real estate websites in the nation, to help families and individuals realize the dream of homeownership through quick and easy access to listing information and the services of its real estate professionals nationwide. For more information about Weichert, Realtors or to find your local office, please visit weichert.com.
GDC celebrates debut of The Metro in White Plains Ginsburg Development Companies, GDC, the area’s leading developer of luxury rental apartments, joined with White Plains officials last month to celebrate the debut of GDC’s first residential rental property in downtown White Plains. The 124-unit, 12-story building, formerly known as Halstead White Plains, was recently purchased from DSF Group for $35.25 million and is being rebranded as The Metro by GDC. “These are exciting times for downtown White Plains which is undergoing a dynamic transformation with several major residential and retail projects under way. GDC is delighted to be part of the excitement with the debut of The Metro,” said Martin Ginsburg, principal and founder of GDC. “Transit-oriented developments, such as The Metro, are a driving force in today’s multi-family market, especially with millennials. With its easy access
to Manhattan and vibrant retail and restaurant scene, White Plains has all the ingredients for continued economic growth,” he added. “We are seeing tremendous investment in our city and Ginsburg Development’s investment in 34 South Lexington Avenue is an important part of that. This property is in the heart of the White Plains transit district, an area for which we have recently completed extensive study and which we will soon begin to address short and long term improvements,” said White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach. “Like us, Ginsburg Development clearly recognizes the potential of the transit district as an integral node of our downtown and the importance of White Plains as a regional business, retail, and entertainment hub. I welcome their investment in our city and look forward to working with them,” he added. The Metro becomes GDC’s fourth luxury rental building and its first acquisition that is located with easy access to Metro-North train service. Last year, GDC completed Harbor Square, a 188-unit luxury rental located on the Hudson, next to the Ossining train station. Harbor Square features a public park, waterfront promenade and restaurant. The new restaurant is scheduled to open this month. In Yonkers, GDC is currently completing the construction of River Tides at Greystone, a 330-unit luxury rental in Yonkers overlooking the Hudson River and Palisades. The project features a direct walkway to the nearby Greystone Metro-North train station. GDC is also building 1177@Greystone, a 55-unit luxury rental apartment building located one block north of River Tides with similar easy access to the Greystone train station. Founded in 1964 by principal Martin Ginsburg, Ginsburg Development Companies is a premier residential developer in the northern suburbs of New York City. With 50 years of experience and market leadership, GDC has built many of the region’s most successful and prestigious luxury developments, many with a Hudson River and/or transit-friendly focus, including Harbors at Haverstraw, Livingston Ridge in Dobbs Ferry, Ichabod’s Landing in Sleepy Hollow, Mystic Pointe in Ossining, Marbury Corners in Pelham, and Christie Place in Scarsdale. GDC’s developments have won numerous design and community planning awards. In addition, GDC owns and manages a portfolio of commercial properties, located primarily in Westchester County.
Lazarakis earns certification as health educator, advocate The National Institute of Whole Health, NIWH, established in 1977, is pleased to announce that Danielle Lazarakis has earned the designation of certified patient health educator and advocate after meeting the eligibility criteria and successfully completing a rigorous certification training and examination in whole health education. Lazarakis has been a health care professional for nearly two decades. She graduated cum laude from Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry in 1995. She went on to earn a certificate in 1996 and became a new state licensed diagnostic medical sonographer in 2007. Later, she studied homeopathy for two years. Throughout her career, Lazarakis has honored the philosophy that patients should always come first. Her caring bedside manner has comforted thousands of patients through-
out her 19 years as a registered medical sonographer. After working with a multitude of cancer patients, Lazarakis decided she wanted to be more involved in the prevention and healing of health conditions. This strong desire propelled her to further her education and become a health educator and advocate from the National Institute of Whole Health, in Boston, Massachusetts. She became the founder of Remedyourlife, a health education service based in Westchester County. “The NIWH Patient Health Educator and Advocate certification program has created greater visibility and application skills for the disease prevention, patient and specialty health field. Graduates are qualified to provide patient health education along with behavioral change advocacy”, states Dr. Georgianna Donadio, program director of NIWH. The most recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics identifies patient and community health educators as one of the fastest growing careers in the US with a 21 percent growth projection over the next 10 years. Credentialed, trained patient health educators assist primary care physicians and medical specialists in complying with health care reform mandates to focus on disease prevention, patient wellness and health education. There are now more than 5,000 NIWH certified patient health educators and health advocates in the United States. Many hospitals, medical centers, private medical practices and health-related businesses have recognized the importance of this training and certification, and reimburse their licensed health professionals for this professionally accredited continuing education and professional devel-
opment program. NIWH is dedicated to excellence in the field of patient health education and health advocacy. Established in 1977, NIWH has pioneered the fields of Whole Health Education® and Whole Person Health Care ™. For more information, visit niwh.org.
Best Feet Reflexology opens in Harrison Best Feet Reflexology is now open in Harrison. Located at 225 Harrison Ave., the new facility offers professional foot massages as well as Asian body work. Foot rubs start with a soak while the upper back and neck area are massaged for 15 minutes. Next, patients are reclined in an oversized cozy chair where a therapist works their magic on the feet and lower legs. Full body massages are also available. Best Feet Reflexology offers clients a relaxing, quiet environment with soft lighting. Whether you choose a 40-, 60- or 90-minute session, you will certainly leave considerably more relaxed than when you arrived. Discounted packages are now available. Hours of operation are from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. For an appointment, call 718-864-8536. The next Business Briefs section will run in May. Please send any submission for our May 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.
April 21, 2017 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 11
School board adopts budget amid staffing cuts By JAMES PERO Staff Writer With a unanimous vote by the Board of Education, the Mamaroneck Union Free School District has adopted a $135 million budget, overriding the New York state tax
cap, and continuing staffing cuts. The budget, adopted April 18, will raise the tax levy by 2.25 percent—a 1.46 percent levy increase over the current budget—and will mark the first year since the adoption of a state-imposed tax levy cap in 2011 that the district has chosen
to override it. The cap limit this year for school districts is 1.15 percent. According to Schools Superintendent Dr. Robert Shaps, the levy increase—which will the allow the district to collect an additional $1.19 million in taxes over the cur-
A budget adopted by the Mamaroneck Board of Education on April 18 will continue staffing cuts and override the tax levy cap for the first time since its adoption by the state Legislature in 2011. Contributed photo
IMMIGRATION from page 1
are about a dozen police jurisdictions—several of which are located in New York City— throughout New York state and California that refuse to comply with detainer requests on a consistent basis. Mayor Norman Rosenblum, a Republican, told the Review that the village will stand firm in its policy to respond to undocumented workers, only when criminal acts are involved. “The reality is that nothing has changed in the village of Mamaroneck,” Rosenblum said. “Unless you are a criminal, you have nothing to fear.” An official response by the Police Department will come as a result of several meetings between the mayor, police Chief Christopher Leahy, and members of the Community Resource Center—a nonprofit that serves thousands of immigrants in the Mamaroneck community—to address the growing concerns of the village’s Hispanic population. According to U.S. Census data from 2010—the latest information available—just under a quarter of the village’s population is Hispanic or Latino. According to Diruzza, the meetings, which were attended by immigrants in the community, were held to try and assuage concerns over future Police Department policy. The decision to enact a local policy comes in the wake of various other actions by local communities and on a Westchester County level that have surfaced due to questions over the legality of the Trump’s executive order. A similar immigration policy proposal being discussed by the Rye City Council has already roiled a heated debate between some residents and elected officials.
rent budget—will seek to address the district’s ever-increasing enrollment, which relative to other school districts in Westchester County, has exploded since 2010. “Only a few districts have seen steady enrollment growth, and our growth is extreme,” Shaps said. According to data from the school district, enrollment has grown by 9 percent over the past six years while per pupil expenditure has remained static at a about $24,000 per student. Shaps said that this budget’s adopted levy increase has come in part as a result of those two trends, and an increase will help the district “maintain and invest” in its future. This year’s budget will continue a trend of staffing cuts, with the school board voting to retain an original iteration of the budget that will see a net loss of 4.5 certified teaching positions. Among the position cuts are teaching positions for art, music and special education. In particular, the extra help program APPLE, which stands for A Place People Learn Excellence, and caters to students with greater need for academic and emotional support, will experience the broadest position cuts in what the district is calling a program “redesign.” According to Shaps, APPLE, which will see its director and math, science, English and social
studies teachers cut, will send students and teachers in the program back into mainstream classes—formerly, the 47 students were sequestered into smaller classes—but will still offer students access to other resources, like a full-time academic liaison and a psychologist. Shaps said students caught in the scope of the district’s redesign will still receive academic help— according to the superintendent, they will check in with their academic liaison on a daily basis—and in many cases, students in APPLE will continue to be instructed by retained APPLE instructors who have been moved to mainstream classes. Position cuts to the program were among the more divisive in this year’s budget deliberations and were the subject of an online petition which circulated on Change. org, garnering 792 signatures as of press time. From here, the adopted 20172018 budget will go to a referendum by the public where it will be required to pass by a super majority of 60 percent due to its override of the tax cap. That vote is scheduled to take place on May 16. If the budget were to fail to pass two consecutive referendums, the district will be required to adopt a contingency budget that does not raise the tax levy. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
She’s not crazy, her name just rhymes with it. Read Lenore Skenazy’s column every week in the Review. A past contributor to the Daily News and the New York Sun, Skenazy has also appeared on “The Daily Show,” been profiled in the New Yorker and even had her own reality TV show, “World’s Worst Mom.” The village of Mamaroneck Police Department is joining a growing wave of local law enforcement agencies codifying their own policies on immigration after a controversial federal executive order handed down by President Donald Trump has raised legal questions. File photo
The proposal, which would look to avoid the detention of individuals without the backing of a judicial warrant, and steer local police officers away from potential discrimination, is currently being vetted by the City Council. Similarly, last month, county lawmakers proposed their own immigration policy that would give law enforcement a greater say in whether to comply with detainer requests by ICE. Diruzza did not respond to requests by the Review for details of the village policy proposal. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
12 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • April 21, 2017
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April 21, 2017 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 13
A whole lot of girls RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy
If you’re thinking of writing a bestseller, I’ve got one word of advice for you: Girl. Put “Girl” in the title and you almost don’t have to do anything else, except figure out a plot, some twists and an ending. And don’t forget to put a girl character in there, of course. She can be doing anything: Kicking a hornet’s nest or sporting a dragon tattoo, like Stieg Larsson’s epic sellers. Or she can be on a train, like Paula Hawkins’ bestseller (turned into a leaden movie described by one Rotten Tomatoes reviewer as “Less like hopping on board a train and more climbing onto the bandwagon of dozens of Lifetime movies”). (Note, that didn’t stop it from making $170 million.) Or the girl can be gone, like Gillian Flynn’s chilling thriller. Or she can have pearl earring, or marry a lion, or fall from the sky, chase the moon, play with fire, or be interrupted. She can also love Tom Gordon. And recently I really enjoyed “The Girl You Left Behind,” by Jojo Moyes. All those girls made it big on the bookshelves.
To make it big on TV, apparently all a girl has to do is hang out with a bunch of her tormented friends who are trying to grow up, like “2 Broke Girls,” “New Girl,” or Lena Dunham’s squad. Or she can have grown up so long ago that now the “girl” part is ironic. (See “Golden Girls,” which, come to think of it, may have started something.) Just a few years before all this girlishness, the book trend was “wife,” as in “The Paris Wife,” “The Time Traveler’s Wife” (best book ever), “The Kitchen God’s Wife” (also the best book ever, weirdly enough). Not to mention, on TV, “The Good Wife.” But clearly the wives have been ditched for someone younger. Last year, an author named Emily St. John Mandel looked at 810 non-children’s books with the word “Girl” in the title. She crunched some numbers and found that 79 percent of those were written by women, and yet 65 percent of the time the “girl” in the title is actually a woman. So why call the woman a girl? One theory holds that when we see the word “girl” we automatically feel protective and worried— more than we’d feel about a grown woman. But another theory is that mega bestsellers tend to inspire
publishers to copy them slavishly and often. So once you have “Gone Girl” PLUS “Girl on a Train,” nobody’s going to bother with a “The Comedienne With the Lower Back Tattoo,” or, “Young Female in Hyacinth Blue.” St. John Mandel noticed one other trend: When women write “Girl” books, the girl ends up alive 90 percent of the time. When men put “Girl” in the title, only 68 percent make it out alive. Gee thanks, guys. Anyway, if you’re looking for a title for that bestseller of yours, I’ve got some suggestions: • The Girl Last Seen Running Away from a Bunch of Angry Hornets • The Girl with the Misspelled “Pougkeepsie” Tattoo • The Little Dumber Girl • The Girl You Left in the Dairy Section
• The Girl Eating Cheese-Its on the Bolt Bus • The Girl Who “Forgot” to Call Her Mother’s Friend’s Super-Nice Son • The Girl Whose “Be Mindful” Lulu Lemon Tote Took Up a Whole Seat • The Girl with the Greenish Incisor • The Girl Who Mistook Her Hat for My Hat • A Girl Named Sue • Gone Girl Comes Back • Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Girl • The Girl from Iwo Jima • The Hardy Girls • I Am the Coppertone Girl • The Girl with the Squirrel Earring • The Squirrel with the Girl Earring • The Girl with the Wagon Tattoo: A Laura Ingalls Wilder Update • The Other Other Boleyn Girl • The Little Mulch Girl • Even Cowgirls Get Sick of Beans
• The Girl Who Chased Viggo Mortensen (And Who Can Blame Her?) • I Am Melania: The Story of a Girl Who Stood Up for Trump • Too Many Girls, Not Enough Kombucha (from the Wild in Williamsburg series) • The Girl on the D Train • The Girl STILL on the D Train, Because of a “Sick Passenger” on the Train Ahead of Her • Girl Meets Girl • Girl, Interrupting • The Girl Who Knew Too Much about the Kennedy Assassination • The Girl Who Slugged the Beehive • The Girl Who Stuck her Head into a Wasp’s Nest • The Girl Who Sat on a Mound of Scorpions Because She Was Livestreaming Her Desert Vacation • The Girl Who Couldn’t Sit Down CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com
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Westchester top performer in health statewide Health dept. to combat mosquito growth, disease Westchester again ranked among the state’s top performers for health outcomes and health factors, including a first place ranking for healthy behaviors, according to the County Health Rankings released recently by the eighth annual national County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation program. “We always talk about the great quality of life we enjoy in Westchester,” said Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino. “It’s gratifying to know that our residents are taking the steps to enhance and extend their lives, which is a testament to the messaging coming out of our Department of Health.” The Westchester County Department of Health, headed by Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler, is committed to disseminating advice and strategies for healthy living. “Westchester County continues to rank near the top of the state in health factors and outcomes, which is very positive news,” Amler said. “The results underscore the ability of our health care providers to supply our residents with the medical, educational and outreach resources they need to maintain and improve the quality of their lives.” The county ranked fourth for health outcomes, which is based on health behaviors and clinical care, and fourth for health factors, which measure the ways our social and economic factors and environment affect our future health. Westchester was in the top five last year, too. “This report also demonstrates that many
of our residents are eating healthier, exercising more and avoiding tobacco,” Amler said. “Residents who need support to make these healthy lifestyle changes can reach out to the health department for encouragement and help.” The rankings were developed by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The report shows how counties compare within the state in terms of how healthy people feel, how long they live and how their health is affected by factors such as tobacco use, obesity and access to health care. The report demonstrated that Westchester residents have better than average access to primary care physicians, dentists and mental health providers, lower unemployment, fewer children living in poverty and a better educated population than the state as a whole. Westchester also had a lower rate of adult smokers, adult obesity and physically inactive residents than the state. For more information, contact the Westchester County Department of Health at 8135000 or visit westchestergov.com/health. You can also follow the department on Twitter @wchealthdept or like its Facebook page at Facebook.com/wchealthdept. (Submitted)
To eliminate mosquito breeding sites and prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, such as West Nile virus, the Westchester County Department of Health will offer free minnows, mosquito dunks and educational materials to residents on four upcoming Mosquito Control Days at the Westchester County Airport, 2 Loop Road in West Harrison. Health department staff will be available to answer questions and give out “Keep Healthy and Bug Off” brochures, which offer advice on how residents can prevent mosquito bites and eliminate standing water around their homes to keep mosquitoes from breeding—and biting—nearby. Mosquito Control Days are scheduled for: • Friday, April 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Saturday, April 22, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. • Friday, May 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Saturday, May 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Residents with ornamental ponds should add fathead minnows to the water to keep it from becoming a mosquito breeding site. The dunks serve the same purpose in birdbaths, rain barrels and unused pools. Residents who plan to pick up minnows should bring a bucket or pail; minnows will be distributed in watertight plastic bags, and residents should plan to bring them straight home and release them immediately into ponds with at least 8 inches of water. To eliminate breeding sites, the health department will begin to apply larvicide to catch basins that hold standing water but are
clear of debris starting May 8. Larvaciding teams will evaluate all catch basins on county and municipal roads over the next few months and treat as needed. To help prevent mosquitoes from breeding and biting, residents should eliminate standing water from around their properties, especially after it rains. Large areas of standing water on public property that cannot easily be removed should be reported to the health department at 813-5000. To learn more about mosquito prevention, visit the health department’s website at westchestergov.com/health, like it on Facebook at facebook.com/wchealthdept or follow it on Twitter @wchealthdept. (Submitted)
14 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • April 21, 2017
Buyer, beware LIVE MIKE Mike Smith
It may suggest a major character flaw on my part, but I’m the kind of guy who doesn’t have a whole lot of sympathy for people who allow themselves to get duped. Now, I’m not a monster; I’m not talking about old people who get bilked out of their Social Security checks by insidious phone scams and the like. But when it comes to easily avoidable situations? You’re kind of on your own. Last week, there were probably many sports fans who were taken aback when it was reported that two-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback Eli Manning was caught requisitioning “2 helmets that can pass as game used” from Giants’ equipment manager Joe Skiba. The information, which came out due to an ongoing legal battle between three collectors, Manning, and New Rochelle-based sports memorabilia company Steiner Sports, may have been shocking to
the type of person who reserves a special place in their living room to proudly display a wad of Red Man chewed by David Wells during his 1998 perfect game. For the rest of us, however? Sometimes you get what you pay for—and sometimes you don’t. Now I’m not casting blame here. Steiner Sports is claiming that the lawsuit is a frivolous attempt to discredit their business and that Manning’s communiqué was taken out of context. They stand by their authenticity verification process, which, if you are in the business of sports memorabilia, is obviously the key component to their whole operation. But even if everything is on the up and up, I still don’t get the allure of shelling out mega bucks for what is, lets face it, an inanimate hunk of plastic that’s worth about 60 bucks on the street. It used to be that a true piece of sports memorabilia had some sort of inherent value. The bat that Hank Aaron used to belt his 715th homer; the stick Bobby Orr used in the 1970 Stanley Cup Finals win; these are priceless sports artifacts that belong in museums and
SPORTS
Brandon Steiner, right, speaks with ESPN Radio Personality Brandon Tierney during a 2009 event in New Rochelle. Steiner’s company, Steiner Sports, is currently embroiled in a legal battle over the authenticity of the sports memorabilia it sells. Photo/Mike Smith
Halls of Fame. They do not belong as a conversation piece in Joe Blow’s sports den. But increasingly, the only true value of game-used gear is whatever price tag that the memorabilia companies decide to slap on it. You want to pay $600 for a small piece of LeBron James’ shorts from a mid-January game against the
Clippers? It’s all yours, as long as you also spring for shipping and handling. As an Eli Manning fan, I hope these accusations aren’t true. During his tenure under center for Big Blue, Manning has been a class act and a terrific postseason performer, and I would hate to see something like this tarnish his rep-
utation. But for all those collectors out there, let this be a lesson. You never know exactly what you’re buying. And in most cases, whatever you think you’re buying isn’t worth it anyway.
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SPORTS
April 21, 2017 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 15
THE ROUNDUP SOFTBALL
Mamaroneck 2 White Plains 1 At Central School
4/17/17
In a meeting between two tough Tiger teams, a pitchers’ duel broke out as White Plains and Mamaroneck fought tooth and nail for seven innings. In the end, it was Mamaroneck and Gianna Magrino that would come out on top, as the Mamaroneck ace allowed just one run and fanned 12 batters to help Mamaroneck to the win. Sophie Autorino was the offensive star, going 2-for-3 with a triple and a double.
Mamaroneck 4 New Rochelle 0 At City Park
4/18/17
Gianna Magrino turned in another gem on Tuesday, firing a complete game two-hitter to lead the Tigers. The Tiger hurler tallied 14 strikeouts over the course of seven innings and drove in a run on a sacrifice fly to help Mamaroneck
Gianna Magrino throws a pitch against New Rochelle on April 18. Magrino had 14 strikeouts to lead the Tigers to a 4-0 win.
win its third-straight game. According to head coach Sue Hannon, Magrino has been integral to the Tigers’ 4-2 start. “She’s doing a great job hitting her spots,” Hannon said. “And her fastball is coming in at a pretty good clip, and that helps.” Mia Steinberg scored three runs for Mamaroneck and got the Tigers on the board with a second-inning home run, while Josie Steinberg answered with another. The Tigers will be back in action on April 20 in a rematch with the Huguenots, after press time.
Peter Gregory steals home against Mamaroneck.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Mamaroneck 15 Scarsdale 9 At Mamaroneck HS
4/18/17
The Tigers improved to 6-0 on the year with a dominant performance against their league rivals on Tuesday afternoon. Mamaroneck jumped out to an
11-4 lead in the first half and never allowed Scarsdale the chance to get back into the game, winning 13 of 20 draws on the day. Madeline Riordan scored four goals for the Tigers and Tyler Zidlicky had a gamehigh five goals in the win. The Tigers will be back in action on April 20, after press time, when they travel to New Rochelle to take on the Huguenots. -Reporting by Mike Smith
BASEBALL
New Rochelle 4 Mamaroneck 2 At City Park
Sachin Nambiar throws a pitch against the Huguenots on April 18. New Rochelle topped Mamaroneck 4-2.
4/18/17
The Tigers dropped their second-straight league contest on Tuesday, falling to the Huguenots. Sachin Nambiar pitched well for the Tigers, but his counterpart, John Rodopolous, held the Tigers at bay over the course of 6.1 innings. Matt Almonte came on in relief to earn his fourth save of the year. Mamaroneck is now 2-7 on the year, while the Huguenots improved to 4-1 with the win.
A Mamaroneck player throws to first on a groundball out. Photos/Mike Smith
16 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • April 21, 2017