Mamaroneck REVIEW THE
June 23, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 25 | www.mamaroneckreview.com
Village board to approve single-space meters By JAMES PERO Staff Writer
OFF TO THE RACES
The village of Larchmont held its annual Sprint to Flint, where members of the community participated in either a 1-mile or 5K race. For story, see page 6. Photo/Andrew Dapolite
Village mulls code revamp for micro-alcohol establishments By JAMES PERO Staff Writer Capitalizing on a burgeoning statewide craft alcohol industry, the village of Mamaroneck will consider carving out space for microbreweries, distilleries and brewpubs in its local code. Increased interest regarding smaller-scale breweries, winer-
ies and distilleries—which, statewide, have blossomed to three times the amount since 2012— has spread to the village over the past several years; evidenced most notably by projects from beer mecca Half Time Beverage, which announced that they would pursue the addition of a brewpub to its location on Hoyt Avenue earlier this year.
Now, prompted by applications like Half Time’s, the village Board of Trustees has started undertaking a potential code revamp to revise zoning districts in the village’s c-1 and c-2 areas; sections that encompass a large swath of village commerce. Alan Daniels, president of Half Time Beverage, said its plans for Mamaroneck will be a
waiting game. “These [zoning changes] just make good business sense and can have a very positive impact on the local economy,” he said. “One day, we hope we can satisfy Mamaroneck’s thirst for some outstanding local beer as well. Time will tell.” MICRO continued on page 10
After a recent recommendation from the village of Mamaroneck’s Ad Hoc Parking Committee and more than two years of analysis, four out of five members of the Board of Trustees plan to vote to install single-space smart meters on Mamaroneck Avenue. Trustee Keith Waitt, a Democrat, said the decision is long overdue. “My frustration is that we haven’t moved past second base on this one,” he said. “We [heard] the public’s request for single-space meters and that’s what we’re going to go with.” Trustee Victor Tafur, a Democrat, echoing sentiments by Waitt, said that after some additional input from village staff, the board will bring the matter to a vote. “What’s missing is a little bit of analysis on how it will be implemented and rolled out,” he said. “After that, it will be put to rest.” Earlier this month in a memo addressed to Village Manager Rob Yamuder, Mary Shiffer, capital projects manager, said the village will also mull the deployment of a mobile app payment system for parking on Mamaroneck Avenue that would help
reduce the village’s credit card merchant fees; costs that could total up to $100,000 annually. The app, according to Shiffer, would not necessitate the installation of new smart meters—the village currently utilizes coin-operated meters on Mamaroneck Avenue—and could be implemented with a significantly lower price tag to the village by cutting several costs associated with credit card usage, the purchase of new meters, and corresponding smart-meter technology. According to the memo, fees associated with smart meters’ transmission of information to a parking management system, as well as credit card information from its built-in card reader, can cost between $5 and $10 per transaction and total anywhere from $7,200 to $28,800 annually per Shiffer’s analysis. Waitt said that he views the mobile payment app as an additional payment method as opposed to a complete replacement for purchasing single-space smart meters. However, Trustee Leon Potok, a Democrat, said he is less certain about putting his full support behind single-space smart meters, standing as the only village board METERS continued on page 8
INSIDE Playland Pool to be rehabbed Story on page 5.
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June 23, 2017 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 3
County seeks lawsuit against Big Pharma By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer Westchester County Legislator MaryJane Shimsky has introduced a bill that would authorize the county attorney to file a lawsuit against large pharmaceutical companies for deceptive practices. The effort comes as a way to stem the tide of rising costs for government and public safety from a growing drug epidemic in Westchester County, which has seen opioid-related deaths increase by 60 percent in the last year, according to county Legislator Ben Boykin, a White Plains Democrat. According to the county Medical Examiner’s report, opioid and opiates, including heroin, were responsible for 83 percent of drug-related deaths in 2015. In that year alone, 107 Westchester residents died from overdoses. Shimsky, a Hastings-on-Hudson Democrat who first introduced the plan on June 19, told the Review the legislation would be directed against a number of pharmaceutical companies that
have used deceptive marketing of opioid painkillers, seeking punitive and compensatory damages for the costs already expended by Westchester County. The bill would allow Westchester to join several other counties that have already filed lawsuits or are investigating pharmaceutical companies for over prescribing prescription painkillers, including Dutchess, Rockland, Ulster, Nassau, Suffolk, Broome, Erie, Sullivan and Orange. Prescription overdoses are now responsible for killing more Americans than cocaine and heroin combined, and have moved past traffic accidents as the leading cause of death nationwide, according to Shimsky. “We are seeing an enormous rise in fatalities over the last few years as a result of opioid addiction,” she said, adding that there is currently no estimate for how much the county would be seeking in compensation. “Over-marketing of opioids has created a mess in our county and we really do need to make sure that we get compensated for what we have already tried to do to clean
up the problem.” And just this month, the federal Food and Drug Administration requested Endo Pharmaceuticals, an international pharmaceutical manufacturer, remove Opana ER—a semi-synthetic opioid painkiller—from the market after concluding the drug’s potential for abuse outweighed its therapeutic value. As part of Shimsky’s bill, which doesn’t take aim at any specific companies as of press time, Westchester would file its own lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies separate from those already filed by the other counties involved. The proposal—it’s currently awaiting approval in committee—piggybacks other legislation pitched by Shimsky relating to opioid abuse in Westchester, namely the Prescription Drug Stewardship Program law, which would require pharmacy chains with more than three stores in Westchester County to become locations to dispose of unused medications; that idea was proposed in late May. Jerry McKinstry, a spokesman for the Republican administra-
Westchester County Legislator MaryJane Shimsky has introduced a bill to authorize the county attorney to file a lawsuit against Big Pharma for deceptive marketing of opioid painkillers. Photo courtesy spine-health.com
tion of County Executive Rob Astorino, declined to comment on the new proposal since it is still being worked out in committee. However, he said that the Astorino administration is also
making an effort to deal with the opioid crisis with the launch of WORTHY: Westchester Opioid Response Teams Helping You, a program aimed at integrating the response of several county agen-
cies, local officials and community leaders in recognizing heroin as a growing problem across Westchester. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
4 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • June 23, 2017
What’s going on... Mamaroneck Public Library
a.m. in the Children’s Room. Read to therapy dog Mr. Pickles during this special storytime. Children—in grades K–5 only—will get an opportunity to read to the dog in 10-minute intervals. Parents are required to stay in the Children’s Room during the program. Registration required by calling 6305894.
Larchmont Public Library
All ages story and craft hour On Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon in the Children’s Room. No registration required. There will be stories 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.
Visit larchmontlibrary.org for more information on library hours and programs.
Wiggle and Rhyme Storytime
Stuffed Animal Sleepover
On Tuesday, June 27 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Children’s Room. Rhymes, stories galore and more for babies and caregivers with Marie. Registration required by calling 630-5894.
On Monday, June 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. For ages 3 to 8. Online registration required. Come to the library and bring your stuffed animal for some magical fun. There will be stories, snacks, and then you can tuck your stuffed animals in for the night. You can pick them up the next day along with a picture of the wild rumpus that might happen when the animals are left alone.
On Tuesdays from noon to 1 p.m. For children of all ages. No registration required; pack a picnic lunch and meet in the Children’s Room. Cold drinks will be provided.
Paws a While to Read On Thursday, June 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30
al year-round volunteers to drive older neighbors in Mamaroneck and Larchmont to errands, shopping or appointments. The local nonprofit supports adults who want to remain in their own homes as they age. Rides will be provided on weekdays, and volunteers can determine when and how often they drive. For more information or to become a volunteer, call 899-3150 or email athomeinfo@athomeonthesound.org.
DIY Kids: Popsicle Stick Flashlights
LMCTV
On Tuesday, June 27 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. For grades 3–5. Online registration required. Whether you use it to tell scary stories in the dark or to light you way, join the library for some science fun and make your own working flashlight.
Visit mamaronecklibrary.org for more information on library hours and programs.
Picnic Stories
available to you as a senior in Westchester County? Meet with a representative from the Westchester Community Opportunity Program (WestCOP) and get your questions answered. Information is available about housing, home care, transportation options, memory care, counseling programs, vision and dental services, and many other programs, benefits, and services that can help you save money and help in planning for your future.
Cupcake Construction
Ambassador for successful aging On Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the main floor tutor room. No registration required; walk-ins welcome. Are you aware of the benefits and services
On Wednesday, June 28 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. For ages 8 to 10. Online registration required. Build a fabulous, delicious structure using icing and cupcakes.
Great Courses: Turning Points in American History On Thursday, June 29 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Village Center. No registration required. Led by Professor Edward T. O’Donnell of College of the Holy Cross, these DVD lectures begin with the arrival of the first English colonists and continue to the chaos of the Civil War to the birth of the computer age and beyond. After each DVD lecture, there will be a brief discussion period. The topics for June 29 are “1873: Bloody Sunday – Ending Reconstruction” and “1876: How the West Was Won and Lost – Custer.”
At Home on the Sound
Tips on getting a good night’s sleep Knowing that many senior citizens have sleep issues, At Home on the Sound has invited Mark Adelman, an integrative health consultant, to advise on the subject Tuesday, June 27 at 4 p.m. His talk, “Sleep and Aging” concentrates on using the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—plus all aspects of lifestyle, as well as conventional and alternative therapies, to overcome insomnia. Adelman’s “Sleep and Aging” presentation describes the many physical factors, such as hormones and medications, and environmental ones like exercise and diet that may contribute to senior insomnia. Various lifestyle interventions that help manage the condition will be discussed and demonstrated. This program is open to the public without charge. It is preceded by refreshments at 3:30 p.m. at Russell Hall, Larchmont Avenue Church, 60 Forest Park Ave. in Larchmont. For more information, visit athomeonthesound.org.
Volunteers needed At Home on the Sound is seeking addition-
Teen summer filmmaking workshops Make a movie at LMCTV this summer. Geared for young people age 13 and up, LMCTV’s summer filmmaking workshops are a tremendous opportunity to learn hands-on video and filmmaking skills. In their first week, participants are trained in filmmaking skills including scriptwriting, cinematography, lighting, and audio. During the second week, these skills are put right to use in the filming of a short movie and behind-the-scenes documentary. The final week is dedicated to using LMCTV’s state-of-the-art editing systems to put the finishing touches on the newest local masterpiece. Last year, Workshop I’s film “The Lord of the Bus Stop,” examined a societal breakdown in a modern telling of William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. Workshop II’s film “The 7th Day,” focused on three kids that have to survive a devastating annual storm without the help of adults. “The summer workshops are a wonderful opportunity for teenagers to obtain their ‘filmmaking chops,’” says LMCTV Chief Operating Officer Matt Sullivan. “It is amazing to see the thoughtful and skilled artistry of these young filmmakers and their ability to tell a complete story within the course of three weeks.” Every fall, LMCTV holds a screening of the finished films from the workshops at the Mamaroneck High School television studio. “This is one of our favorite events during the year,” Sullivan said. Each workshop is held Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for three weeks at LMCTV’s studio in Mamaroneck. Workshop I runs from July 3 to July 21 (no class on July 4) and Workshop II from July 24 to Aug. 11. Led by independent filmmaker and LMCTV staff member Dena Schumacher, the workshop is in its 17th year. Open enrollment is ongoing. Space is limited, so visit lmctv.org or call Sullivan at 3812002 ext. 202 to sign up today. 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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June 23, 2017 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 5
County approves $10M Playland Pool rehab
Westchester County lawmakers voted overwhelmingly this week to renovate Playland’s swimming pool, authorizing a bond for nearly $10 million in repairs. File photo
By JAMES PERO Staff Writer Advocates for retaining and renovating Playland’s historic swimming pool scored a major victory this week after Westchester County lawmakers, in a 15-2 vote, decided to inject nearly $10 million in capital improvements to bring the structure back up to par. The decision comes after more than a year of deliberations over the ailing pool’s fate, and for the time being, sinks a prospective plan to build a new seasonal dining area that proponents of pool renovations say would have exacerbated noise and aesthetics in surrounding Rye neighborhoods. Playland is owned by the county but is located within the city of Rye. “The reason we’ve been advocating so strongly is that the local community spoke out in favor of keeping the swimming pool as opposed to the other uses that were discussed with Standard [Amusements],” said county Legislator Catherine Parker, a Rye Democrat. The decision by the county Board of Legislators marks a reversal from an initial plan sent down by County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, that would have removed the pool completely, giving the amusement park’s co-managers of Playland, Standard Amusements, license to utilize the space as they
saw fit. Standard Amusements, an investment firm headed by Harrison native Nick Singer, who also formerly co-managed the hedge fund Standard General, was selected to operate the amusement park in a management agreement struck in May 2016. County Legislator Jim Maisano, a New Rochelle Republican and vocal critic of the plan to remove the pool, said, “I’m especially happy that those kids whose families can’t afford a membership at a club with a pool or for trips to the shore will have an easily accessible and affordable option to escape the brutal summer heat and humidity that we often have in the lower Hudson Valley.” Not all lawmakers were on board with saving the pool by injecting a hefty dose of capital, however. Board of Legislators Chairman Michael Kaplowitz, a Yorktown Democrat, and Republican Minority Leader John Testa, of Peekskill, accounted for the only opposition votes. At a June 20 meeting of the full legislative board, Kaplowitz said that he voted no due to his support of an alternate plan that would have installed a retractable platform over the pool that would have doubled as a dining area. As per a management agreement, Playland is set to be solely operated by Standard Amusements, after the county expends 50 percent of the money ear-
marked for capital improvements. The deal will see both parties pour $30 million each into various renovations, rides, and concessions over the course of 30 years. An initial payment of $1.5 million that Standard was expected to make to the county has been delayed and tied to a decision on the pool. Also holding up that payment has been ongoing litigation between the county and the city of Rye over jurisdictional authority on capital projects planned by Standard for the park. According to Dan Branda, a spokesman for the Astorino administration, the $1.5 million payment will not be received by the county until 60 days after a decision of the Rye lawsuit. Though Rye’s lawsuit was thrown out by a judge in March, the city has since launched the beginning stages of an appeal which will have to be fully submitted before August. Rye will also mull over filing an injunction on upcoming projects at the park that would immediately halt millions of dollars of improvements to park rides and infrastructure. According to county Legislator Mary Jane Shimsky, a Hastings-on-Hudson Democrat, from here, the design phase of the pool’s renovation will take up to 18 months, with the construction taking an additional 16 months. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
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Mamaroneck THE
REVIEW
170 Hamilton Ave., Suite 203 White Plains, N.Y. 10601 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
Sprint to Flint brings community together By TAYLOR BROWN General Assignment Reporter
Runners of all ages gathered in Larchmont’s Flint Park with the option to compete in either a 1-mile or 5K race to help raise money for the village Recreation Committee’s future events, and allow them the chance to score one of the coveted first-place titles. Formerly named “Larchmont Run,” Sprint to Flint first began in the 1970s, and has become an annual tradition. This year’s event took place on a rainy Friday night, and brought runners to-
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, Jen Parente Columnist Lenore Skenazy 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.
From left, Larchmont Mayor Lorraine Walsh and Carolyn Lee, co-chair of the Recreation Committee in the village of Larchmont, give runners words of encouragement before the race.
gether for an evening of exercise while also encouraging families to live a healthier lifestyle. “I think it sets a really good example for all the kids, to see not only other kids being active, but also grown-ups being active,” said Larchmont resident Andrew Katz. “I think, you know, kids are heavily influenced by what they see, and what their parents do.” Participants in the event included families from Larchmont and its surrounding communities, as well as children in the Mighty Milers, a program that helps keep children in pre-kindergarten through middle school active. Over the last three years, Sprint to Flint has had a steady increase in participants. This year’s event, which took place on Friday, June 16 included more than 800 runners. “The event was an enormous success with record attendance,” said Carolyn Lee, co-chair of the village Recreation Committee. Of the two races, the 1-mile run was largely populated by younger runners, many of which were accompanied by family members. Danielle Klein, of Larchmont, explained that this was
Runners of all ages get together to run in either a 1-mile or 5K race.
Sprint to Flint runners take off down Locust Avenue. Photos/Andrew Dapolite
her second year participating in the event, and that she, her husband and daughter had come out to support their son, who’s in a running club at Mamaroneck Avenue School. Katz said that he also had two younger children who participate in the run every year. “It’s like their race,” he told the Review. Greg Grimaldi, also of Larchmont, expressed a similar feeling, saying, “My kids enjoy doing it, [and] I enjoy doing it with them.” Fellow resident Bernadette Latimer waited along the sidelines until it was time to line up for the 5K race. This was her first time participating in Sprint to Flint, attending
the event along with her family. “We’re a big running family,” she said. Latimer went on to explain that, “My dad’s birthday is on Saturday [June 17], and Father’s Day is on Sunday, so this is kind of our [family’s] present to him.” The races began on Locust Avenue, with the 1-mile race starting at 6:30 p.m., and the 5K beginning at 7:15 p.m. Before the start of the first race, Mayor Lorraine Walsh stood with Lee to give words of encouragement to the runners, while also offering them tips to stay safe during the race and inclement weather. Walsh said that Sprint to Flint was a wonderful community event, adding, “The point is, we want you to have fun and not get hurt.” CONTACT: taylor@hometwn.com
Sprint to Flint winners 1-mile race: Male: 11-year-old Maxwell Robinson (6:53) Female: 9-year-old Tess Bevilacqua (7:53) 5K race: Male: 45-year-old Luis Francisco (17:29) Female: 18-year-old Eliana Safer (21:01)
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Runners of all ages were encouraged to participate in Sprint to Flint.
June 23, 2017 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 7
CPW receives volunteer award
Cerebral Palsy of Westchester has been given the Volunteer Award for their participation in the BackPack Program. Contributed photos
The BackPack Program works to provide children with nutritious meals during weekends and school vacations.
On June 1, Cerebral Palsy of Westchester, CPW, was recognized at the 12th Annual Hunger Heroes Awards Breakfast. The Food Bank for Westchester awarded CPW with the Volunteer Award for their efforts in working to end hunger in the county. CPW has partnered with the Food Bank for Westchester since 2016 as part of the BackPack Program, which is designed to help alleviate child hunger by providing hungry and at-risk children with nutritious, easy-toprepare food on weekends and school vacations. CPW is the first off site location to assemble Backpacks. Each Backpack has six meals and includes; protein,
milk, fruit, grain and vegetables. In the Backpack there is also a recipe with nutrition information in English and Spanish. Vocational program participants and Port Chester High School students in transition assemble over 200 backpacks a month. This provides participants with the chance to develop social and interpersonal communication skills as well as employment readiness training. CPW’s Community Based Day Program then delivers the backpacks to children in need at local schools and community centers twice a month. For more than 65 years, CPW has been the leading non-prof-
it organization in Westchester County, providing essential services to children and adults with all developmental disabilities including autism, neurological impairments, intellectual disabilities, epilepsy and cerebral palsy. It has always been our purpose to help people realize their goals, build brighter futures, and lead more independent lives as members of their community. For more information about CPW or its programs please contact Joan Colangelo, director of development, at 937-3800 ext. 215 or email Colangelo at joan. colangelo@cpwestchester.org. (Submitted)
Cerebral Palsy of Westchester has worked with the Food Bank for Westchester since 2016 on the BackPack Program.
8 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • June 23, 2017
Comp. plan RFP fails to generate interest
Uniquely U. enters its 20th year By MAXENE FABE MULFORD
An update to the village’s comprehensive plan will be temporarily stalled as a recent RFP only elicited one proposal. File photo
An update to the village of Mamaroneck’s comprehensive plan has hit a road bump after a request for proposals yielded just one response. Earlier this month, the village finished what will—after an underwhelming response—be one of two rounds of a request for proposals, RFP, regarding an update to its comprehensive plan—a document guiding future development in the municipality—after receiving just one proposal from Nelson, Pope & Voorhis LLC, NPV, and BFJ Planning, who would act as a consultant. NPV specializes in environmental planning and has taken on projects in the Long Island area as well as the Hudson Valley. The budget proposed by the firm for drafting a new plan was estimated at $68,000. According to Assistant Village Manager Dan Sarnoff, a subsequent RFP has been issued after the underwhelming response and
questions on whether enough firms saw the proposal to begin with. At least one firm, contacted by the village Planning Department after the RFP had expired, was unaware of the request to begin with, according to Sarnoff. The second RFP went out late last week. The village’s update of its comprehensive plan will seek to refresh a document, last updated in 2012, in an effort to ensure best practices for environmental sustainability. This includes factoring in new development guidelines iterated in a recent update to the village Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, LWRP. An original comprehensive plan was first adopted in 1986. Priorities listed in the 2012 draft of the comprehensive plan include retaining the village’s historical character; expanding a retail base; developing workforce; and preserving the character of the village of Mamaroneck’s
neighborhoods in addition to preserving wetlands and water quality of the Long Island Sound. According to Trustee Victor Tafur, a Democrat, who has led the call for an update to the development doctrine, making sure the largest number of potential respondents see the RFP is crucial to the update’s success. “We know that there are more planning firms out there and it would be great to be able to have options,” he said. Tafur added that updates to the comprehensive plan, a process the village has slated for every five years since 2008, can sometimes drag on for longer than expected due to the RFP processes and overall complexity. For that reason, he said, it’s important to be proactive. “If you keep updating every five years, it’s easier,” he said. “It’s a worthwhile effort to try to keep in-tune with development.”
Do you know what it means for me to enter my 20th year of helping rising high school seniors with their college applications and essays? It means this summer I’m beginning to work with students who weren’t even born when I started Uniquely U. College Essay Consultants in the spring of 1998. Since then, the cost of college has almost tripled. Once worshipped colleges have fallen in the rankings, and been overtaken by a herd of dark horses. The Scholastic Aptitude Test has also watched its former fearsome power fade. And the once-anemic Common App has grown into a juggernaut electronically servicing more than 700 public, private and international schools. I remember it as a newsprint booklet students completed, as midnight neared, at Kinko’s, the last bastion of the typewriter. Has Uniquely U. also changed
over the years? I’ve perfected high-tech activity sheets with Instagram, audio and video links. My texting’s way better; I Skype and know the ins and outs of Google Drive. I’ve even got a world clock app for conference calls to China. Still, Uniquely U.’s core techniques—“Collect, Connect, Convey”—and my objective— to allow my students to choose the academic program—not the brand—that fits them best—has been there right from the start. As a result my students over the years have been accepted to 331 colleges and universities. This year alone, they gained admission to the United States Military Academy at West Point, Columbia University, the ultra selective Honors Program at McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas, University of Michigan, the University of Virginia, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Penn State, Chapman’s elite film
program, Georgia Tech, Boston University, Northeastern, and the College of Charleston. Though I’m most proud of my inner city students for whom making it to community college has been a major triumph. You should read their essays! People often ask me, “Are there any taboo topics?” None based on content. To me, an essay that lacks awareness of life’s gray areas does not meet the essential criteria—unless we see the writer acquire the capacity to re-see—literally “re-vise”— previous certainties, and further, with this newly defined maturity, envision and embark upon a fulfilling future. Just bear in mind: summer time is the right time to write your college essay. Are you ready to schedule your free consultation? Call toll-free at 1-866-8837729, email us at uniquelyu1@ gmail.com, or submit your information form at uuessay.com. (Submitted)
METERS from page 1
- Reporting by James Pero The possibility of a mobile app payment system will add a new layer to Mamaroneck Avenue’s parking meter update which has already been more than two years in the making. File photo
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trustee to voice concerns over the proposal. “I don’t want to say we’re committed to one path,” he said. “It’s possible that we’ll look at the numbers of what it costs [and] decide not to buy the single-space meters.” In the past, Potok has shown reticence toward moving forward with the parking committee’s recommendation of single-space smart meters, urging the village to study the deployment of multi-space meters instead. A study conducted by the parking committee last year, however, saw overwhelming public disapproval for multi-space me-
ters that were derided as not user-friendly and time consuming. Potok said that the village staff is set to present cost breakdowns of single-space smart meters to the Board of Trustees at an upcoming work session. Last year, Maria DeRose, the chairwoman of the parking committee who is also running this year for trustee as a Republican, said the total costs of purchasing single-space smart meters—one of which would have to be installed in each of Mamaroneck Avenue’s 240 spaces—would hover around $245,000. Mayor Norman Rosenblum, a Republican, also showed his
support for purchasing single-space smart meters on Mamaroneck Avenue., but said the matter has been stalled by partisan politics. “The potential of slowing it down and it being a political issue is certainly there,” he said. Potok refuted Rosenblum’s claim of partisanship. “That’s silly,” he said. “ We’re looking to make an informed decision, and we’re waiting on staff to make an informed decision.” Shiffer could not be reached for comment as of press time. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
June 23, 2017 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 9
10 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • June 23, 2017
Lions clubs collect donated glasses
MICRO from page 1
The introduction of micro-alcohol in the village of Mamaroneck may be a major topic of discussion as village officials mull expanding the code for craft beverages. File photo
However, according to Trustee Keith Waitt, a Democrat, the Board of Trustees’ Democratic majority, while supportive of the premise, has remained cautious on wholesale alterations to the village code. “I support micro-alcohol establishments and what the state is doing to encourage them,” Waitt said. “But they should not be approved for C-2 or C-1 locations.” Waitt, who is also a member of the village Industrial Area Committee, said that among his concerns regarding the introduction of micro-alcohol establishments to those zones are environmental impacts and lack of parking. For Waitt, the timing of the Planning Board’s decision to look at zoning code governing micro-alcohol establishments is noteworthy, as it coincides with an application from Half Time Beverage, who would benefit from more permissive zoning laws around breweries. “My view is that we don’t just make a zoning change to meet this particular applicant’s requirements,” he said, adding that the zoning change has been supported most prominently by Mayor Norman Rosenblum. “What we’re trying to do as a [village] board is look at this in a more strategic way.” Ad hoc zoning, Waitt said, has already lead the village to contentious situations with the likes of the Westchester Sandbox Theater and Ralph’s Italian Ices & Ice Cream—both of which face
potential shutdowns after being found noncompliant with local zoning code. Across the aisle, however, Republican support for a decision to loosen restrictions on C-1 and C-2 districts has been more straight forward. Rosenblum said he’s in favor of Half Time beer expanding. “It certainly makes sense,” he said. “I would agree with going forward with the suggestion of the Planning Department.” Rosenblum, however, refutes any claim that he has attempted to fast track the zoning alteration. “No single person can fast track anything,” he said. “It would have to be a majority of the [village] board and the Planning Board.” Nonetheless, Rosenblum said he still supports taking a hard look at the ripple effects of a potential zoning change. “We have to see what the consequences, or unintended consequences, are if you change that,” he said. Additionally, in a memo from Village Planner Greg Cutler, the Planning Department acknowledges that lack of literature on micro-alcohol establishments makes their processing a more challenging task. “Without clear definitions and use permissions, building officials are forced to make ad hoc use interpretations that can delay or even prevent otherwise desirable development,” Cutler states in his memo to the
Board of Trustees. A more apt location for establishments manufacturing alcohol, Waitt said, is the village’s industrial area, which the committee has recently rebranded as the “Maker Zone.” There, the trustee said—a zoning overlay which is being pursued by the committee to allow for a broader scope of businesses outside of manufacturing operations to set up shop in the district—businesses would have the room and environmental stability to operate without disrupting traffic or neighborhood conditions. The overly, he said, could even be extended to encompass Half Time, if necessary, given the proximity. Whether or not the village opens up its code for micro-alcohol businesses, the time appears to have arrived. In Mamaroneck, the Good Shepard Distillery—which distills a number of different spirits including Brandy and Vodka— has already been open for more than a year, while neighboring municipalities like the village of Port Chester, where StilltheOne Distillery makes its own American whiskey, have gotten ahead of the curve, updating their code to make conditions more conducive for craft alcohol businesses. A call to Good Shepherd Distillery seeking comment went unreturned as of press time. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
The Larchmont and Mamaroneck Lions Clubs collected more than 850 pairs of glasses for those in need. Contributed photo
The Larchmont and Mamaroneck Lions Clubs, along with local businesses and administrations in both communities, carried out an eyeglass recycling campaign during the month of May. The result of the communities’ donations was more than 850 pairs of usable glasses. These glasses will be provided to two sources who will distribute them to those in need. Mamaroneck’s Apple of Your Eyes will distribute to those in the United States and the Lions Eye Glass Recycling Center will distribute them outside the United States. Glasses are inspected, cleaned and sorted by prescription
EYEGLASS RECYCLE LOCATIONS: LARCHMONT: Antonio’s Barber Shop Foley’s Hardware Hunan Larchmont Restaurant Larchmont Library Larchmont Post Office Larchmont Town Center Larchmont Vision Care Raymond Opticians
strengths and are then packed and shipped. They will be matched to the users based on their prescription need. The Larchmont and Mama-
MAMARONECK: Apple of Your Eye Opticians DeCiccio’s Supermarket Hommocks Middle School Nurses Office Mamaroneck Chamber of Commerce Mamaroneck Library Mamaroneck Town Center Trotta’s Pharmacy
roneck Lions are part of The Lions Clubs International, the largest service Organization in the world that celebrated its 100th Birthday in June. (Submitted)
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Business Briefs Sotheby’s International Realty releases first quarter 2017 market report
A report detailing market results for the first quarter of 2017, including Westchester County, New York, has just been released by William Pitt and Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty, the company recently announced. The report found that most markets posted increases in both sales volume and unit sales compared to the same period last year. Westchester County saw quarter over quarter increases of 13 percent in dollar volume and 7 percent in units, with the southern region up by 10 percent in volume and 4 percent in units, and the northern region by 22 percent and 14 percent in volume and units, respectively. Similarly, sales in Fairfield County were higher countywide than they were at this time last year, with dollar volume rising quarter over quarter by 7 percent and unit sales by 9 percent. Up on the Connecticut shoreline, comprising New Haven, Middlesex and New London counties, sales were very steady versus the first quarter of 2016, with dollar volume standing 1 percent higher than this time last year and unit sales 1 percent lower. In the Berkshires, Massachusetts, sales results were very much on par with the exceptionally robust first quarter of last year, with volume 1 percent above that period and units 10 percent higher. The first quarter of 2016 had seen enormous gains over the same time the previous year. Lastly, Litchfield County exhibited a strong performance this quarter with significant closings in the high end driving a 29 percent increase in dollar volume over the first quarter last year, and unit sales demonstrating a 9 percent increase. The report commented that buyers have been entering the marketplace in droves, prompted by the Federal Reserve’s recent rate hikes and projected further increases for this year. The changes have caused mortgage rates to tick upward and motivate real estate intenders to act before they get much higher. Additional factors supporting a strong real estate market include the first quarter rally on Wall Street, the U.S. unemployment rate falling to a ten-year low in early April, and the consumer confidence level climbing to its highest peak since December 2000 at 125.6 (1985=100), as reported by the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index. The report also found that most markets are reporting increases in properties going into contract com-
pared to this time last year, pointing to further gains in the second quarter. “If consumer confidence is traditionally the leading indicator in real estate, then we can confidently state we are well positioned for another great year,” said Paul Breunich, president and chief executive officer of William Pitt and Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty. “With the markets so active, pending sales increasing year over year and the prime real estate season just around the corner, we have every reason to believe the momentum will persist throughout the second quarter and the remainder of the year.” The 2017 first quarter market watch is available for download on the firm’s website, williampitt.com. 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 24 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 28th-largest real estate company by sales volume in the United States. 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. Sotheby’s International Realty’s worldwide network includes approximately 19,000 sales associates located in approximately 850 offices throughout 65 countries and territories. For more information, visit williampitt.com.
Berman joins Westchester Parks Foundation board Westchester Parks Foundation, which engages the public to advocate for and invest in the preservation, conservation and use and enjoyment of Westchester County parks, just announced a new member to its board of directors: Marc J. Berman, a local expert in the finance sector. Berman currently serves as a senior advisor with Macquarie Group and has more than 25 years of experience in financial services focused on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising and providing strategic and financial advice primarily to insurance industry clients. Most recently, he founded the U.S. Insurance Investment Banking Group for RBC Capital Markets, which he built and led for six and a half years. Prior, he was a managing director and spent 14 years at J.P. Morgan and also worked for Goldman Sachs. Berman started his career as an insurance broker with Marsh & McLennan. “Marc brings a wealth of experience to our board and we are so glad to have him on our team as we continue to advocate for our county parks,” said Joanne Fernandez, board chairperson for Westchester Parks Foundation. “He will bring great insight to our organization that will help us continue to keep our parks thriving.” Berman, who currently resides in West Harrison, graduated with an MBA from Columbia Business School and a B.A. from the University of Michigan.
He also serves on the executive committee of Temple Israel Center, White Plains. As the leading organization advocating for the county park system, it is the mission of Westchester Parks Foundation, formerly known as Friends of Westchester County Parks, to encourage continued investment in Westchester County’s parks, trails and open spaces. Since its inception in 1977, the nonprofit organization has held close to the notion that it is critical to provide ongoing support for maintenance, civic improvement and access to nature. Westchester Parks Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, philanthropic organization which provides private support to preserve the county’s park system and improve the quality of life in our communities. Westchester Parks Foundation’s mission is to engage the public to advocate for and invest in the preservation, conservation, use, and enjoyment of the 18,000 acres of parks, trails, and open spaces within the Westchester County Parks system. For more information about Westchester Parks Foundation, visit thewpf.org or follow it on Facebook.com/WestchesterParksFoundation, Twitter @ FriendsofParks and Instagram.com/thewpf.
Hospice of Westchester announces new officer, board members
Hospice of Westchester, HOW, has voted in a new officer and five new members for its 2017-2018 board of directors. George Whitehead, of Hopewell Junction, has been named treasurer after joining the board in 2016. He joins current board officers Susan Yubas, chair; Kathleen McArdle, vice chair; and Joanne Ciaramella, secretary. William F. Flooks, Jr., Mary Gadomski, Barbara Gaughan, Michele Geller, and Michael Vitale have been named the newest board members. Gadomski is the director of Business Development and Community Relations at Westchester Visiting Nurse Services Group Inc., in White Plains, a position she’s held since 2012. An experienced home health care executive, Gadomski brings with her a background in clinical program development, clinical operations, community relations, strategic
planning, and revenue growth. She has been involved with numerous organizations in the county, including Westchester County Public Private Partnership, Westchester County Domestic Violence Council, and Livable Communities of Central Westchester. Gaughan most recently served as administrator and vice president for Operations at St. Cabrini Nursing Home in Dobbs Ferry, a position she held for more than 12 years. Gaughan has also previously worked at numerous medical facilities, including Kateri Residence in New York City, Jansen Memorial Hospice in Tuckahoe, and Kings Harbor Care Center in the Bronx. Gaughan is a licensed nursing home administrator and registered nurse. Vitale serves as senior managing director and senior vice president of Sterling National Bank in White Plains, providing commercial lending services to middle market clients, with focus on commercial real estate, nonprofit, and medical practice sectors. Previously, Vitale worked at The Westchester Bank and JPMorgan Chase. He was both coach and treasurer for Knights Basketball of Westchester from 2008 to 2015, and was previously an assistant coach for St. Augustine’s CYO basketball in Ossining and Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains. Flooks and Geller return to the HOW board, having served in previous years. Flooks has been involved with HOW since 2004, and is a former board chair. He is the owner and proprietor of Beecher Flooks Funeral Home Inc. in Pleasantville. Geller has been involved with HOW for more than 22 years, initially volunteering as a patient visitor. Currently, she is a trustee and board member for the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation. Flooks and Geller both currently serve as members of HOW’s Leadership and Development Council and Board Development Committee. Hospice of Westchester is located at 1025 Westchester Avenue, Suite 200, White Plains, NY. For additional information, visit hospiceofwestchester. com or call 682-1484. The next Business Briefs section will run in July. Please send any submission for our July 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 • June 23, 2017
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14 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • June 23, 2017
SPORTS
No ‘Money’ for Mayweather LIVE MIKE Mike Smith
There was a big announcement in the fight world last week, as a date has been set for the crosssport super fight between UFC champion Conor McGregor and undefeated boxing great Floyd Mayweather. It was the rare kind of news in the sports world in that it transcended boxing, or MMA, and found itself splashed across homepages of every sort of news and pop culture website. It was a doozy of an announcement, for sure, but as a boxing fan, I can’t help but yawn. I’ve been watching Mayweather fight for a long, long time. He made his debut in 1996, right when a 12-year-old me was just beginning his long descent into boxing fandom. I remember his early fights against guys like Angel Manfredy, Emmanuel Burton and Diego Corrales—fights that established him as one of boxing’s biggest up-and-coming stars around the
turn of the century. I remember tuning in to watch an older Mayweather outpoint other greats like Shane Mosley, Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya. I’ve spent hundreds upon hundreds of dollars watching the greatest defensive fighter of all time—at least since Pernell Whitaker—ply his trade in the ring, and no matter the opponent, the result was always the same; a convincing—and disappointing—win for Team Money. Floyd is the kind of fighter that is easier to appreciate than he is to root for. His bouts lack the drama of most prizefights—the idea of one punch changing the complexion of a contest—because, simply put, nobody ever hits him. As a result, most of his fights— especially the ones you shell out big bucks for on pay-per-view— are clinical showcases; and major league snooze fests. Which brings us to McGregor. I’m not a huge fan of UFC, but it’s undeniable that McGregor has become a huge draw in the
MMA world. His trash-talking rivals that of Mayweather; he’s a brash, cocky brawler with a punch that could knock down walls. And while I have no love for the sport, there’s no doubt that his fights are wonderful spectacles, usually punctuated by a quick and violent finish. So it’s no surprise that McGregor has earned himself a healthy following among the UFC crowd, especially those that would like to see one of their own knock off a celebrated boxer like Mayweather, something that would cement MMA’s legitimacy in the sports world. Unfortunately, I’ve got a better chance of batting cleanup for the New York Yankees. “All he needs to do is land one punch,” the MMAers say. “Floyd has never faced a puncher like this before!” Funny, I seem to remember similar things being said before Money’s fights against De La Hoya, Pacquiao, Canelo Alvarez and Carlos Baldomir. And those guys, at the very least, were actual boxers.
June 23, 2017 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 15
McGregor may be a talented fighter, but he doesn’t have the ring skills—or the experience—to pose any real threat to Mayweather’s legacy, and that’s a very important fact that we all seem to be willfully overlooking. I imagine this fight will have the same basic pacing as most of Mayweather’s fights. He’ll come out, score with a few quick punches, make McGregor chase him wildly around the ring for a few rounds while pot-shotting the Irishman until he settles in for an easy win on points. It’s the way every Floyd fight goes, after all, and it’s certainly not worth breaking the bank for. Alas, people love a circus, and I’m sure the promoters will tout other stunning upsets in the lead up to the fight, like Douglas over Tyson or Rahman over Lewis. But just because anything can happen in the ring, it doesn’t mean it will. I have a sneaking suspicion than on Aug. 27, there is going to be an awful lot of people who feel like they’ve been duped. I just don’t plan on being one of them.
Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports
On Aug. 26, undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather will come out of retirement to take on UFC knockout artist Conor McGregor in a crosspromotional bout that figures to be one of the biggest draws of all time. But Sports Editor Mike Smith won’t be watching. Photo courtesy Wikipedia.org
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16 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • June 23, 2017