Mamaroneck REVIEW THE
March 9, 2018 | Vol. 6, Number 10 | www.mamaroneckreview.com
40 Ocean Ave. faces renewed demolition efforts By JAMES PERO Staff Writer
Overtime heartbreak Shane Smith reaches for a loose ball during Mamaroneck’s Feb. 28 Class AA semifinal contest against Ramapo at the Westchester County Center. The Gryphons topped the Tigers 47-44 in overtime. For story, see page 15. Photo/Mike Smith
Larchmont candidate ready to challenge BOT status quo By JAMES PERO Staff Writer Shaped by a boisterous battle to help preserve the village of Larchmont’s historic homes, Sarah Bauer is running for a seat on the village Board of Trustees, becoming the first challenger of a board controlled by Democrats for more than a decade. According to Bauer, 40, who is running as an independent under the newly created “Preservation Party”—a political faction that Bauer says was created as a formality after entering the race late and miss-
ing the Democratic nomination process—reforming village land use laws through advocacy has been formative, but substantial change may need a more official approach. “I feel like I can make more of a difference from the inside than I can on the outside,” she said. “I’ve gone as far as I can, trying to affect change from the outside.” In 2016, Bauer, who works professionally as an attorney, became a major player in a movement dubbed “Preserve Larchmont” which set out to stem the tide of what the group viewed as rampant overdevel-
opment; particularly teardowns of Larchmont’s older homes in favor of new subdivided properties. In 2017, after a lengthy moratorium on residential development—one that rippled to neighboring communities—the village passed a slew of new zoning and planning laws that were designed to give the village board and local land use boards greater authority over potential demolitions. Bauer said that even after a year, whether those laws are achieving what trustees and concerned residents set out to do remains to be seen.
A pending application for a house located on 15 Bayard St. will be the first-ever potential teardown to trigger the village’s new zoning laws. “Do all the laws work together correctly; are there any loopholes; can they be interrupted in multiple ways?” asked Bauer of the new zoning regulations. “That’s the question.” But preservation isn’t the only issue on Bauer’s radar. She told the Review that among the major platform items on her agenda is addressing overcrowding in Mamaroneck’s CANDIDATE continued on page 8
The focal point of an anti-development movement in the village is facing the prospect of being demolished once again, even despite the passage of stricter zoning and planning laws meant to slow the progression of residential development in Larchmont. A century-old property on Ocean Avenue in the village of Larchmont was the subject of a special meeting of the village Planning Board last week, after a new application was filed by owners of the property, KOSL Building, who intend to raze the structure and 27 trees. No vote was held, however, on whether to allow the special permit for demolition after one board member was unable to attend the meeting. According to Sarah Bauer, a candidate for village trustee and historic preservation advocate, the four Planning Board members in attendance were divided over whether to grant the permit. While an original plan— which was retracted after a prolonged moratorium—would have demolished the on-site structures and subdivided the property into four separate buildings it’s not clear that KOSL will pursue the same plan, first telling the Planning Board that they would leave the lot empty, only to later admit that they may sell the property.
The private 40 Ocean Ave. residence, which has existed on the property for 122 years, sparked a full-on movement in 2016 when residents protested its potential demolition in droves. Subsequently, the village Board of Trustees and land use boards, with the help of a hired consultant, passed the moratorium on residential development and undertook a holistic revamp of its zoning and planning laws that were eventually passed last year. A residential advocacy group, Preserve Larchmont, which helped to spearhead a movement to blockade what they felt was a trend of overdevelopment in the village, is arguing that the demolition should trigger a positive declaration under the State Environmental Quality Review Act, SEQR. “The developers should be forced to provide alternatives to save the house before demolition is even considered,” the group said in a statement. “Our village leaders must require this mitigation effort be evaluated.” After the postponement of a decision by the Planning Board on the issue, a new meeting has been scheduled for March 20 at 7 p.m. in the courtroom of Village Hall. At that meeting, a vote on the permit application for 40 Ocean Ave. is expected to take place. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
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2 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • March 9, 2018
March 9, 2018 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 3
Killian opens campaign HQ in Eastchester
Utility companies in hot water over storms In a posting on social media this week, County Executive George Latimer, a Democrat, called for the resignation of Con Edison and New York State Electric and Gas Corporation heads after lackluster response to two major storms. “I realized that the local officials and I are always accountable at the next election, and the top level Con Ed management crew [is] barely accountable at all to their public,” Latimer stated in a Facebook post on March 7. “The top crew at Con Ed must go; a new team; new attitudes of cooperation; new flexibility to win back a disaffected constituency.” After two powerful and consecutive nor’easter storms that dumped more than a dozen
inches of snow in some areas of the county, thousands of Westchester residents are still without power. According to an outage map hosted on utility company Con Edison’s website, more than 29,000 customers are currently without power from Northern Westchester to New York City as of press time, while New York State Electric and Gas Corporation, NYSEG, is reporting that upwards of 17,000 customers are currently without power in the county. Con Edison stated on Twitter that it intends to have power fully restored to residents affected by the first storm by March 9, with outages from this Wednesday’s storm continuing into the
State Senate candidate Julie Killian, third from left, stands with supporters at the opening of her campaign headquarters in Tuckahoe on March 3. Contributed photo
New York State Senate candidate and former Rye Councilwoman and Deputy Mayor Julie Killian has opened her official campaign headquarters in preparation for the upcoming District 37 special election on April 24. The office is located at 335 Columbus Ave., Tuckahoe. “It is my mission to bring change to Albany,” Killian said. “New York has the most corrupt state government in the country and Westchester County receives the least school aid in New York state, so it is no surprise we have among the highest property taxes in the nation. We must send people with fresh ideas and fresh
perspectives to state government to objectively address the rampant corruption, stop wasting taxpayer money, and prioritize the programs that our citizens desperately need, like prevention, treatment and recovery funding to address the growing heroin and opioid epidemic. “My opponent was a lobbyist, a top aide to two Senate leaders who both went to prison and is currently a state assembly member who defended the Assembly speaker’s cover-up of the abuse and harassment of young women. Shelley Mayer can’t change Albany. She is Albany,” Killian added. “Westchester families
At a glance CE George Latimer has called on the heads of Con Ed and NYS Electric & Gas Corp. to resign over poor responses to storms As of March 8 at noon, more than 25K Con Ed county customers have been without power More than half of NYS Electric & Gas Corp. county customers remain without power as of March 8 at noon The area has been hit by two nor’easters in less than a week
can’t afford Albany corruption any longer. I will work hard each and every day to fight for the change Westchester families deserve.” Killian will run on the Republican, Conservative and Reform Party lines in the special election for New York state Senate District 37 on April 24. Senate District 37 includes the municipalities of Armonk, Bedford, Bronxville, Crestwood, Eastchester, Harrison, Katonah, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, North Castle, New Rochelle, Port Chester, Rye City, Rye Brook, Tuckahoe, White Plains and Yonkers. (Submitted)
With thousands of Westchester customers without power, utility companies are coming under fire for storm preparedness. Photo courtesy Con Edison
weekend. NYSEG has been providing customers a timeline based on their location. Other elected officials have also chimed in on the response from utility companies, including state Sen. Terrence Murphy, a Yorktown Republican, who has called for a hearing to evaluate companies’ level of storm preparedness. “Residents and our partners in government are beyond frustrated with the poor performance and deserve answers as to what steps were taken in preparation and what needs to be done in the future,” he said in a statement on March 6. Outages from last week’s storm persist even despite hundreds of additional contractors from across the Northeast brought in by both Con Edison and NYSEG. -Reporting by James Pero
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What’s going on... Mamaroneck Public Library
wind at the library. Turn off your phone, unplug your computer. Join in to experience the latest trend in relaxation: adult coloring. Coloring can have a calming effect on the adult mind and help promote overall wellness—and it’s fun. Join the library for an afternoon of music, refreshments, and relaxation. Drop in anytime. Coloring sheets and tools will be provided. Please be age 18 and up to attend.
Happy ‘Lappy’ Mommy & Me For more information on hours and programs, visit mamaronecklibrary.org.
All Ages Storyhour & Craft
On Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Program Room. Stop by to bond, play, and sing with your baby with Marie. For caregivers with babies from ages 6 months to 12 months old.
Wiggle and Rhyme Storytime
On Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon. Stories that will appeal to kids of all ages and their caregivers, followed by a craft simple enough for the little kids and creative enough for the big kids. This program is ongoing and requires no registration.
On Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Program Room. Rhymes, fun and more for toddlers and caregivers with Marie. For children 13 months to 24 months old. Registration required by calling 630-5894.
Self-Compassion: Who Knew It Was An Option?
ABC Preschool Storytime: Create, Grow, Learn
On Saturday, March 10 from 11 a.m. to noon in the Community Room. Research has shown that giving ourselves a break and practicing self-kindness is not only personally beneficial, but also increases the quality of life for our loved ones. An important element around self-compassion is “selftalk.” Ask yourself, “Do I talk to myself like I talk to someone I love?” Self-compassion and empathy are not default settings, they are skills we can learn that we can use to feel more connected, compassionate and courageous in our life. Come join this opportunity to explore the elements of creating a self-compassion practice. The conversation will be facilitated by Mary Bermingham, a licensed master social worker and certified Daring Way facilitator.
On Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. in the Program Room. This program consists of stories, songs, and science, art and math concept activities appropriate for children age 3 to 5 years old. Registration is required by calling 630-5894.
Bilingual Storytime – Hora del cuento bilingüe On Mondays from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Program Room. A drop-in Spanish/English storytime for children of all ages with caregivers. Join us every Monday for a Spanish-English storytime consisting of stories, songs and a craft. Los lunes de 10:30 a.m. a 11 a.m. en la sala de programas. Una hora de cuentos en español e inglés para niños de todas las edades con cuidadores/as. Únase a nosotros todos los lunes para contar historias en español e inglés con historias, canciones y una artesanía.
Coloring for Grown-Ups Monday, March 12 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room. Life got you stressed? Un-
Toddler Time – Hora de niñitos On Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Program Room. This is a 30-minute program consisting of picture books, songs, and movement appropriate for children 24 months to 36 months old. Caregivers are expected to attend and their participation is an important element of this program. Registration is required by calling 630-5894. Los miércoles de 10:30 a.m. a 11 a.m. en la sala de programas. Este es un programa de 30 minutos que consiste en libros ilustrados, canciones y movimientos apropiados para niños de 24 meses a 36 meses de edad. Se espera que los cuidadores asistan y su participación es un elemento importante de este programa. Se requiere registrarse llamando al 630-5894.
Weekly Wednesday Teen Art Project On Wednesday, March 14 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Teen Library. Create lilac paper flowers in a variety of colors. Open to grades 6–12; supplies are limited.
AARP Free Income Tax Preparation On Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Community Room. AARP membership is not required to take advantage of the free, income tax preparation service. Please bring the following documents with
you: copy of last year’s federal and state income tax returns; W-2 forms showing income from your employer; 1099-R forms showing pension or annuity income; SSA-1099 forms showing Social Security benefits 1099-DIV, -INT, -G, -MISC, -OID forms showing dividends, interest, NYS tax refund, gambling income, etc.; health care information received from the Marketplace, if any; any other information concerning your income and deductions; photo ID and Social Security/ITIN cards; bank information, if direct deposit of refund desired.
ing development diminish our native bird and pollinator populations, finding ways to regain habitable landscapes is increasingly important. This presentation will discuss the ongoing threats to birds and pollinators, as well as the plants and design strategies that will encourage them to return to our local gardens. A life-long gardener, presenter Lynn Becker received her certificates in horticulture and landscape design from the New York Botanical Garden in 2015 and studied at the Westchester Native Plant Center. No registration required.
Larchmont Public Library
Community news
For more information on hours and programs, visit larchmontlibrary.org.
Food waste reminder
Reader’s Theater: Dr. DeSoto On Saturday, March 10 from 3:30 p.m. to- 4:15 p.m. For ages 6 to 8. Join Paula Romeo and hear the tale of Dr. DeSoto, the wonderful dentist, and how the animals like going to him because they never feel any pain when he fixes their teeth. But can Dr. and Mrs. DeSoto help the dangerous fox while keeping himself and his wife safe? Come and find out. Participants will have fun picking their favorite parts of the story, creating dialogue for the characters, and then acting out dialogues for each other. Online registration required.
Be a Reading Mentor On Monday, March 12 and Wednesday, March 14 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Do you love reading? Enjoy working with younger children? Are you available for an hour on Monday and/or Wednesday afternoons in March and April? If you answered yes to these questions, please consider becoming a Reading Mentor. The library plans a fun weekly program for children ages 4 to 7. If you’re interested or want more information, contact teen librarian Kim Larsen at klarsen@wlsmail.org.
Home Renovation 101: Financing, Renovating and the Design Process On Monday, March 12 from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at the Village Center. No registration required. Listen to and ask questions of our expert panel while they discuss topics related to renovating, from financing, all the way through the design and construction process. If you’re considering any home renovation project, you won’t want to miss this opportunity. The panel will include: Theresa Viti-Finck, mortgage loan officer with TD Bank; Gregory Lewis, partner, Lewis & Lewis Architects; Nancy Davilman, principal, ND Interiors LLC; Nelson Segovia, owner, Nelson S. Construction; and Vincent Carilli, kitchen designer, Majestic Kitchens.
Creating Your First Resumé On Tuesday, March 13 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. For grades nine and up. Get ready for summer job applications with the help of professional job coach, Roseanne Amoils. Come with your life experience, leave with a resumé! Amoils is a career coach and job search specialist certified by the International Coach Federation since 2007. She leverages 20 years of business experience in marketing and sales to help people identify talents, market themselves, and overcome roadblocks to finding meaningful employment. Online registration required.
Inviting Birds and Pollinators into your Garden On Thursday, March 15 from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at the Village Center. As climate change and ongo-
The town of Mamaroneck’s collection crews have noticed food waste containers set out with regular garbage. Those participating in the food waste recycling program are reminded that all separated food waste must be taken to the Larchmont Mamaroneck Sanitation Commission Recycling Center at 40 Maxwell Ave. for disposal. The commission will not be collecting food waste at the home. Thank you for cooperation and participation in the Food Waste Program.
Village of Mamaroneck Private Sewer Lateral Law Please be advised that the village of Mamaroneck recently enacted a local law relating to the maintenance of private sanitary sewer laterals connecting homes to the village’s public sanitary sewer system. The Board of Trustees delayed implementation of this local law until Feb. 15, 2018 in order to make certain groups, including real estate agents and other professionals, aware of these new requirements. Although existing county and state laws already confirm that property owners are responsible for their laterals, the recently adopted local law requires the following: - Laterals shall be kept free from roots, grease deposits and other solids which may impede the flow or obstruct the transmission of sewage. - Laterals shall not exhibit any signs of infiltration. - Laterals shall not exhibit any sign of exfiltration or leakage. - Lateral pipe joints shall be tight and all lateral pipes shall be free of any structure defects such as breaks, openings, and voids. In order to implement this law, property owners will be required to obtain a Discharge Compliance Certificate upon the transfer of title, or issuance of a building/plumbing permit with construction valued at more than 50 percent of the assessed value of the property including improvements. In order to obtain such a certificate, the property owner must provide a Plumber’s Certification to the village including video submitted to the Building Department (either on CD or thumb drive) indicating the lateral is in proper working order. If a defect is found, property owners are responsible for making all necessary repairs within 60 days of becoming aware of such a defect. If a repair is not made in the requisite timeframe, the village may enter onto the property, cause the repair to be made and charge back the property owner as a lien on their tax bill. To view a copy of the local law, visit the village website at village.mamaroneck.ny.us. If you have any questions about the law, please call the village Building Department at 777-7731. 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.
March 9, 2018 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 5
Lowey addresses ongoing mail crisis in district U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey was recently joined by Lower Hudson Valley elected officials and residents to demand long-term solutions to the systemic issues plaguing the post office branches in Westchester and Rockland counties, including lost checks, missing bills and undelivered medications. Joining Lowey were village of Ossining Mayor Victoria Gearity; Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner; Cynthia Ferguson, an Ossining resident who has been subjected to significant breaks in delivery and late and missing mail, including bills; and Els van den Bosch, a Port Chester resident who had to pay a replacement fee for her green card that was lost in the mail. “When the postal service is not working efficiently, families and businesses can face serious consequences,” Lowey said. “Unfortunately, that’s the case for too many area residents. During the past five months, I’ve received dozens of postal service complaints which indicate a wide range of structural problems. The shortcomings in our local postal service are not merely inconveniences; they are threatening
the livelihood and well-being of some of our highest need constituents. It is unacceptable that New Yorkers would have to worry about missing a bill, not receiving a payment, or not having access to important documents or medication they need. I am committed to working with the community and the entire postal service team to find long-term solutions and rebuild trust in an institution that plays a pivotal role in this nation.” “Delivery failures directly impact the lives of people in our community,” Gearity said. “It is troubling that even after months of attempts, the postal service our residents rely on is still not fixed. We are grateful to Congresswoman Lowey for her efforts to address this ongoing issue.” “I am very pleased that Congresswoman Lowey is giving this her priority attention,” Feiner said. “The lack of reliable and dependable mail service is a crisis for our residents. I have received hundreds of complaints from residents and many of these complaints are very serious. Not receiving medication. Not getting checks they expect or bills. Mail being sent to the wrong address-
es. No mail deliveries for days at a time. We need to find a solution to the problem. I hope that the postmaster general of the United States will consider our invitation to visit Westchester, to meet with postal customers and local postal employees. We need results.” At the press conference, Lowey described the pervasiveness of mail service problems in Rockland and Westchester which affect communities throughout the 17th Congressional District, and highlighted a number of cases her office has received in recent months, including: A constituent from White Plains, who relies on the mail for her heart medication, only received her medication when her husband personally waited for the carrier and asked him to check a spot in the delivery vehicle the carrier had overlooked. A constituent from Nyack had her address changed without her consent. A credit card was opened in her name, and she was the victim of identity theft. A constituent from White Plains had to fight multiple battles because his nebulizer medication was lost in the mail. He and other seniors in his building
U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey, center, speaks on the challenges the USPS has experienced in recent months in communities in Westchester and Rockland counties. Contributed photo
consistently face missing mail and poor service. Lowey has been in frequent contact with USPS to resolve issues facing residents and to put pressure on the postal service to address these ongoing failures. In September 2017, Lowey met with United States Postal Service Deputy Postmaster General Ron Stroman to discuss the postal issues in Westchester and Rockland, bringing to his attention dozens of specific cases and demanding action. At the meeting, Lowey asked for a
report detailing the steps the post office has taken to fix these issues, and later sent a letter to Stroman to follow up on the report, which was vague and did not include a detailed plan. Since then, the postal office has yet to address every case brought to their attention by Lowey. At the beginning of March, Lowey sent a letter to Stroman describing the “wide range of structural issues” that continue to plague local mail delivery and urging him to use his upcoming
briefing session in White Plains not just as an opportunity to hear concerns, but as a platform “to announce solutions to the challenges we have repeatedly brought to your attention over the past five months.” Lowey will continue to bring cases directly to the post office officials in Washington, D.C., because the Westchester district postal service does not have an efficient way to work directly with Lower Hudson Valley residents. (Submitted)
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Mamaroneck THE
REVIEW P.O. Box 485 White Plains, N.Y. 10602 Tel: (914) 653-1000 Fax: (914) 653-5000
Publisher | Howard Sturman ext. 21, publisher@hometwn.com Christian Falcone Associate Publisher | Editor-in-Chief ext. 19, chris@hometwn.com Sports Editor | Mike Smith ext. 22, sports@hometwn.com Assistant Editor | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 25, sibylla@hometwn.com Reporter | James Pero ext. 20, james@hometwn.com General Assignment | Taylor Brown ext. 30, taylor@hometwn.com Graphic Designer | Arthur Gedin Graphic Designer | Jim Grasso Advertising | Lindsay Sturman ext. 14, lsturman@hometwn.com Advertising Coordinator | Nancy Kaplan ext. 27, ads@hometwn.com Staff Writer Franco Fino Staff Photographer Jen Parente
Letters The community’s opinion matters. If you have a view to express, write a letter to the editor by email to chris@hometwn.com. Please include a phone number and name for verification purposes. Community Events If you have an event you would like to share with the community, send it to news@hometwn.com. Delivery For home delivery or to subsribe, call (914) 653-1000 x27. Classifieds & Legals To post your notices or listings, call (914) 653-1000 x27. Postmaster Send address changes to: The Mamaroneck Review c/o HomeTown Media Group, P.O. Box 485 White Plains, N.Y. 10602 Visit us online www.mamaroneckreview.com
Follow us on Twitter, @mamaroneckview Like us on Facebook, facebook.com/mamaroneckreview The Mamaroneck Review (permit #16661) is published weekly by Home Town Media Group for an annual subscription of $45. Application to mail at the periodicals postage rate is approved at White Plains, N.Y., 10601. Periodicals postage paid at White Plains and additional mailing offices.
New York’s Irish soldiers battle-tested in WWI trenches
This was written by Col. Richard Goldenberg of the New York National Guard. March 7, 1918 was the day the New York National Guardsmen of the 69th Infantry Regiment, New York City’s “Fighting 69th,” experienced their first major combat loss. A German artillery barrage landed directly on a dugout position of the regiment’s 2nd Battalion, killing 21 soldiers and launching a frantic rescue effort to recover survivors buried 40 feet below ground. As part of the Army’s 42nd Infantry “Rainbow” Division in World War I, the troops, redesignated for wartime service as the 165th Infantry, the regiment’s first combat duties in March 1918 marked their first casualties and combat actions for the troops in the Lunneville sector of the Western Front in a woods known as the Rouge Bouquet. Those first weeks of combat service provided cause for both celebration and sorrow for the regiment’s Irish heritage on St. Patrick’s Day in 1918. The Irish regiment, along with other infantry forces of the Rainbow Division, were serving in the line alongside French divisions of the French VII Corps throughout March 1918 in order to gain practical experience before the division would take command of its own sector later in the spring. The 165th Infantry had been in the trenches of Lunneville since Feb. 28. After more than a week of missions, the regiment’s 1st Battalion, led by Maj. William Donovan, rotated to the rear and the 2nd Battalion, commanded by Maj. William Stacom, entered the line March 7. The initial week had been a tremendous experience for the New York soldiers, recalled regimental chaplain Father Francis Duffy in his 1919 autobiography “Father Duffy’s Story.” “The trenches at last!” he recorded in his diary on March 1, 1918. “We have all read descriptions of them and so had our preconceived notions. The novelty is that we are in a thick woods.” Duffy was referring to the Rouge Bouquet, where the battalions would rotate forces to conduct raids, patrols and master the tactics and techniques of trench warfare on the Western Front. “Their main sport is going out
An entrance to a typical WWI dugout. Some had timbers to protect the soldiers and numerous turns down a stairwell to the entrance. Photo courtesy NYS Division of Military & Naval Affairs on patrols by night or day to scout through “No Man’s Land,” to cut wires, and stir things up generally,” Duffy wrote of the tactical operations. “With our artillery throwing over shells from the rear and our impatient infantry prodding the enemy, the sector will not be long a quiet one.” Father Duffy’s concern was prescient. German forces provided a violent welcome for the 2nd Battalion once they entered the trenches on March 7. “At about 3:20 p.m. the enemy launched a barrage of shells in the 2nd Battalion’s position for about an hour,” wrote Richard Demeter in his 2002 history of “The Fighting 69th.” With the majority of troops below ground in hardened dugouts for protection, tragedy struck when a German shell land-
ed on and collapsed the dugout for 1st Lt. John Norman, a regular Army officer and his two dozen soldiers of 1st Platoon. The dugout was some 40 feet below ground, with timbers to protect the soldiers and numerous turns down a stairwell to the entrance. “Tons of earth and stone cascaded,” recalled Pvt. Alf Helmer, a native of Norway and one of the few survivors of the barrage, explained in the 2008 Stephen Harris book “Duffy’s War.” “I remember only the crash. Thoughts ceased. I only know that I found myself in the doorway of the forward entrance, hands extended over my head.” Maj. William Donovan, commander of the regiment’s 1st Battalion, was visiting the 2nd
Battalion command post after the relief in place when the barrage struck. Allowing Stacom to continue his defensive preparations in case of a German attack, Donovan volunteered to make an assessment and assist in the rescue efforts of the imperiled 1st Platoon. Initial efforts were able to recover seven soldiers, two alive and five dead. Donovan and a rescue team could still hear other survivors, including Lt. Norman, from the crater of earth and timber. Not all of the New York soldiers perished in the initial blast that collapsed the dugout, Helmer would later recall in the Harris book account. Half the platoon had survived, but with little space for air and tons of earth and debris, Helmer expected everyone to die, using his own helmet to scoop away dirt and create space to breath. “Choking dust and gas stench filled the suffocating darkness,” Helmer’s son recalled for an interview for the Harris book. “I gave myself to prayer and making my peace with God, I was no longer afraid.” Under intense German artillery fire, including a gas attack, the frantic efforts to dig into the crater and save their fellow soldiers continued, assisted by the regiment’s engineers of the pioneer platoon. Led by one of the estimated 60 to 80 Jewish soldiers serving in the Irish regiment, Sgt. Abram Blaustein continued rescue efforts. “The pioneers were called out to try to rescue these men,” recalled Al Ettinger in his account to his son in the 1992 book “A Doughboy with the Fighting 69th.” “All night long we labored. Two lieutenants have general direction but it was Abe Blaustein who really took charge and led by example. The men worked in relays, but Blaustein always took the most dangerous position,” Ettinger said. For his heroic actions, Sgt. Blaustein received the French Croix de Guerre and the moniker “Blaustein of the Irish.” Donovan also received the Croix de Guerre for his actions in leading rescue efforts under fire. The trauma of the loss and the determination to act even touched the survivors. Pvt. Helmer, once rescued, moved on to the medical aid station and the battalion command post to report on the tragedy. Then, according to Harris in “Duffy’s War,” he requested permission to return to the site to assist with rescue efforts. “I knew that unless I was the thing through,” Helmer said, “I would never again be able to look
my comrades in the face.” As rescue efforts the following morning became too dangerous under the German artillery barrage, and no further sounds coming from the dugout, it was decided to halt work and leave the remaining 14 soldiers and 1st Lt. Norman where they were buried. The regiment placed a marker and moved on. Sgt. Joyce Kilmer, present at the scene and a famous poet assigned to the regimental Intelligence Section, penned an account of loss for the 21 soldiers in a poem simply titled “Rouge Bouquet.” “On St. Patrick’s Day that year (1918),” Demeter wrote, “The 165th Infantry celebrated as the Old 69th had always done. Father Duffy said mass for each of the three battalions, the afternoon was given over to sport and the evening to music and entertainment.” But mass for the Irish in 1918 was a special observance as Father Duffy read the Kilmer poem to the assembled troops to honor their recently fallen friends. Three days later, March 20, 1918, the Irish launched a surprise attack against the German trenches, with a green banner marked with a golden harp and the Irish motto, “Erin Go Bragh,” roughly Ireland Forever, attached to a soldier’s bayonet as he went over the top. It would be further embroidered with the name Rouge Bouquet and carried into battle for the remainder of the war. The Irish regiment, like the rest of the 42nd Rainbow Division, had learned its combat lessons and would carry them through their battles ahead, notes New York state military history director Courtney Burns. Soldiers learned the skills to survive and succeed at Lunneville, mourn their losses of the Rouge Bouquet and move forward to their mission. The entire division would form and take its full place in the line in its own sector in Baccarat, France on April 1 and confront the final German offensive of the war. In the summer of 1918, the Rainbow would go on the offensive, with the 165th Infantry often in the lead. “Thrown into the trenches in late February 1918, the 165th (Old 69th) successfully held the line at Rouge Bouquet, Baccarat and Champagne against the great German Spring Offensive,” Burns said. “In the Aisne-Marne and Meuse-Argonne Allied offensives of the summer and fall, the 165th excelled at small unit tactics and movement, often leading the advance to seize and control German-held territory and positions.” (Submitted)
March 9, 2018 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 7
8 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • March 9, 2018
Latimer names county corrections dept. commissioner County Dems proposing to raise smoking age to 21
County Executive George Latimer, at podium, has named Joseph Spano, second from left, as commissioner and Louis Molina, furthest left, as first deputy commissioner of Westchester’s Department of Corrections. Photo courtesy Westchester County
County Executive George Latimer, a Democrat, has named Westchester’s new commissioner of the county Department of Corrections. Joseph Spano, who previously served as the head of the department from August 2008 until January 2010, has been named to fill the position of commissioner once again. During the past eight years, Spano has worked in the private sector as a consultant for planning and development related to New York state jails. He previously worked as a Westchester County corrections officer beginning in 1982 and was the president of the corrections officer
union from 1996 to 2004. “I am excited to come back to the place where my career began,” Spano said. “My first tenure as [the] commissioner prepared me for this role and I am eager to help move the jail and its prospects forward.” In addition to Spano’s hiring, Latimer has named Louis Molina as the department’s first deputy commissioner. Molina previously served as the first deputy chief of New York City’s Taxi and Limousine Commission’s Enforcement Division, and the chief internal monitor and acting assistant commissioner of the Nunez Compliance Unit of New York City’s Department
CANDIDATE from page 1
aimed at redistributing students to other schools. While taxes, development and overcrowded schools are the three main items on Bauer’s agenda, her decision to run has also been a personal one. “If ever there was a time for change, it is now,” she said. “If I waited two years from now to do this again, I would have missed an opportunity. I want to take the time to change the status quo and bring a perspective.” Incumbents trustees Peter Fanelli and Carol Miller, both Democrats, could not be reached for comment as of press time.
school system and balancing Larchmont’s increasingly strained budget. “I don’t necessarily view what the mayor and trustees are doing negatively. But they’re all older and they don’t have kids in the school district,” she said, noting that two of her children attend area schools. The Mamaroneck school district, which encompasses the village of Larchmont, is currently facing a severe lack of space, with Board of Education members mulling several solutions that include modular, off-campus classrooms and redistricting
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of Corrections. “Both Joe and Lou will work to make the Westchester County Jail a nationwide model facility,” Latimer said in a released statement. “These are serious men, taking on a serious job.” Spano will replace Kevin Cheverko, who vacated the position when Latimer became the county executive at the beginning of this year. As of press time, the county executive is also yet to name a new commissioner of the county Department of Public Safety, after former Commissioner George Longworth retired earlier this year. -Reporting by Franco Fino
Sarah Bauer, running for village board as an independent, will become the first candidate to challenge village Democrats in a Larchmont Board of Trustees race in more than a decade. Photo courtesy Sarah Bauer
Westchester Democrats are proposing to raise the minimum age to be able to purchase cigarettes and other tobacco-related products to 21. Photo courtesy Ken Hawkins
The Westchester County Board of Legislators’ Democratic caucus is aiming to tighten regulations on smoking with a bill that proposes to raise the age for those allowed to purchase tobacco products. At tonight’s county Board of Legislators, BOL, meeting, Democrats will sponsor a bill to restrict any person under 21 years of age from buying tobacco or related products, like e-cigarettes, rolling papers, or pipes. The bill would not be imme-
diately voted on. It will have to make it through committee and discussed during a public hearing before being brought to a vote by the legislature. Democrats proposed to raise the smoking age last April, but the legislation failed to gain any support. As of press time, the Democratic caucus holds a 12-4 supermajority on the BOL. If approved this time, the legislation would follow what other counties have passed in their respective municipalities.
New York City and ten other counties in the state, such as Suffolk, have already outlawed the sale of cigarettes to those less than 21 years of age. Nassau County restricts the sale of tobacco products to those less than 19 years of age. According to the state Department of Health, smoking kills about 28,000 New Yorkers each year and there are roughly 750,000 in the state living with a serious smoking-related illness. -Reporting by Franco Fino
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rator Bartholomew Bland about the preparation of the exhibition from concept to completion (March 14), a performance of songs by Gilbert and Sullivan (March 18), and guided tours and talks by artists and the museum’s curatorial staff. For more information, visit hrm.org.
The Review, in collaboration with ArtsWestchester, offers a rundown of art-related events throughout Westchester County. You can find our Arts in the Area page each month.
Pop-up shopping in downtown White Plains
this month in ArtsWestchester’s downtown White Plains gallery. The “Teen Tuesdays” initiative is designed to engage teenagers in the arts through interaction and discussion. On March 20, students will work with a professional artist to learn basic illustration techniques as they draw a clothed model. Additional workshops will be held on April 10 and 24, May 8 and June 5. For more information, visit artsw.org/teentuesdays.
redefining traditional posters with women’s faces instead of men’s. Artist Baseera Khan combines symbols that represent Islam with those referenced by gay activists during the AIDS epidemic. These and other exhibiting artists embrace and reject traditions, adapting them into an engagement with issues of modern relevance. While the exhibition is on view through June 17, the museum will present various programs that respond to topics referenced in the exhibited works. On March 10, a teen workshop includes an exhibition tour and hands-on arts activities with a master calligrapher. On March 25, “Family Day” celebrates the Persian New Year, which marks the beginning of spring. Families will view performances of classical Persian dance and music, as well as artistic demonstrations of Iranian calligraphy, miniature painting and mosaic crafting. For more information, visit katonahmuseum.org.
ArtsWestchester announces the launch of its Shop & Sip Third Wednesdays event series. The happy hour pop-up shopping experience will take place in the organization’s gallery in downtown White Plains from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month. Guests will enjoy a drink and discover local artists and designers, whose handcrafted items will be on display and for sale. The series became permanent after the success of a Shop & Sip event earlier this winter. The March 21 event will celebrate Women’s History Month with a selection of female artists and designers. Proceeds benefit ArtsWestchester’s vibrant exhibition programming. For more information, visit artsw.org/shopsip.
JBFC presents annual Jewish Film Festival
Hudson River Museum modernizes Gilded Age Through May 13, the Hudson River Museum presents more than 20 artists whose works are inspired by aesthetics of the 19th century Victorian era but also comment on contemporary social issues. “The Neo-Victorians: Contemporary Artists Revive Gilded-Age Glamour” is largely referential of the Gilded Age, masking reflections of today’s concerns with overt beauty and ornate design sensibilities. For instance, the museum’s teaching artist-in-residence Ebony Bolt introduces modern illustrations of homeless people that were drawn on the subway into digitally rendered patterns inspired by designer William Morris. Artist Troy Abbott inserts a digital screen depicting an animated bird inside a Victorian-style birdcage. The Hudson River Museum embraces the theme of its exhibition by fully immersing it with the museum’s resources. Several “Neo-Victorians” installations are incorporated into Glenview, the museum’s Gilded Age home; its planetarium presents “Victorian’s Guide to the Galaxy,” a new show that relates to the overall exhibition theme. An array of programs incorporate Victorian themes as well. Those events include a talk by cu-
The Jacob Burns Film Center, JBFC, presents the 17th annual Westchester Jewish Film Festival, which will take place from March 13 through March 29. During these two and a half weeks, the center will screen 41 documentaries, narratives and television episodes, from Israel, Morocco, Hungary and more. The films collectively explore the diversity of the Jewish experience. The festival opens with “Itzak,” a documentary about the life of violinist Itzak Perlman, which will be followed by a reception and Q&A with filmmaker Alison Chernick. Additional screenings range from sobering documentaries to depictions of heartwarming relationships. “An Israeli Love Story” tells of the real-life love affair between a Palestinian actress and the son of Israel’s second president (March 15). In “The Last Laugh,” director Ferne Pearlstein asks top comedians and prominent Jewish figures, including Mel Brooks and Sarah Silverman, whether a traumatizing event can be used as a framing device for a joke (March 16). “Persona Non Grata” is based on the true story of a Japanese diplomat who saved thousands of Jews from the Nazis (March 27). One of this year’s features will be a showcase of work by actor Alan Arkin, who will participate in Skype Q&As after several of the screenings. Special Q&As with filmmakers will also take place after select screenings. For more information, visit burnsfilmcenter.org.
Tuesday workshops engage teens in arts Two “Teen Tuesdays” programs will take place
A celebration of Classical, Romantic works
Museum explores visual traditions of Islam In the Katonah Museum of Art’s current exhibition, 31 artists of Middle Eastern and South Asian descent draw from centuries-old forms, such as calligraphy and geometric patterning, to examine contemporary subjects of religion, politics and identity. More than 50 works showcased in “Long, Winding Journeys: Contemporary Art and the Islamic Tradition” demonstrate that history does not sit in the past. Instead, it informs the present and is inherited by future generations. These visual traditions of Islam provide contemporary artists with a way in which to address their current experiences. On using traditional forms in her work, artist Shahzia Sikander said in the exhibition’s catalogue: “I recognized it as a path to expanding the medium [of miniature painting] from within… in order to open up possibilities for dialogue.” Artist Shoja Azari redefines the historical definitions of the political and religious hero by
The Hoff-Barthelson Music School, HBMS, will hold its “Spanning the Centuries” festival from March 10 through March 19. The festival is part of HBMS’s “Festivals in Style” series, which introduces students to music from specific time periods. This weeklong celebration will feature music composed between 1750 and 1900—the Classical and Romantic periods—and will spotlight music of Germanic composers like Haydn, Beethoven and Schubert. An HB Cello Virtuosi event on March 14 features members of the school’s cello faculty, accompanied by pianists, who will perform a program of works by Brahms and Schumann. On March 16, pianist and artistic director at Copland House Michael Boriskin, pictured above, will present “Ludwig van Beethoven: Madman? Genius? Both?” during which he will speak about the life and works of Beethoven. “Spanning the Centuries” also includes instrumental and choral concerts from the HBMS’s ensembles—Suzuki strings, chamber choir, festival orchestra and more—as well as nine student recitals. Locations vary in White Plains. For more information, visit hbms.org.
These articles appear in the March 2018 issue of ArtsNews, ArtsWestchester’s monthly publication. ArtsNews is distributed throughout Westchester County. A digital copy of the full issue is also available at artsw.org/artsnews.
14 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • March 9, 2018
Another slow start LIVE MIKE Mike Smith
I’ve got a serious question for all my baseball and softball-playing compatriots who make their homes in the Northeast: why the heck don’t you just move down to Florida? On March 7, Winter Storm Quinn rolled through the area, dumping inches of dense, wet snow on the ground and reminding us that, while it may have been 70 degrees outside just a few weeks ago, winter isn’t quite done with us yet. And while the storm caused a lot of logistical nightmares, especially for those still recovering from last week’s nor’easter, I can’t help but think about how this will impact our local denizens of the diamond. Nobody really knows how long the snow will be on the ground—or if we’re going to get another storm before spring gets here to stay—but the fact is undeniable; high school base-
ball and softball teams don’t have a ton of wiggle room when it comes to inclement weather during the season. On Wednesday, at the height of the storm, the Twitter account of the Bronxville varsity baseball squad raised an interesting point. Most teams, at the time of the nor’easter, had had just two full practice sessions and with the regular season slated to end on May 19, that means just 73 days remain for baseball and softball. So any disruption to the schedule, like any future winter storms, can have a tremendous impact on the spring ahead. Last year, area teams, especially on the baseball side, had a very similar experience. March snowstorms, combined with new pitching rules that dictated more rest days for pitchers, saw most teams scrambling to play a condensed regular season schedule that often saw them play as many as three games in four days. That might be fine for a major league club, but for high school teams— with a limited number of arms at their disposal—that can create all
SPORTS
sorts of problems. If you take away the pitching aspect, these early-season storms can simply hamper the preparation of ball clubs; the less time you have out on the field prior to opening day, the longer it’s going to take for your team to play crisp baseball or softball. So it’s no surprise that local squads often opt to spend spring break down south in order to get their work in. But when they come back? It’s always a rude awakening to return to blustery 45-degree days, where even a middling fastball in on the hands can be about as unpleasant an experience as one can have. So while we all may be stuck in the Northeast for now, I’ve got plans to come back as a ballplayer from Florida in my next life. Sure, they’ve got alligators down south, but at least I’d get to get on the field before May. So I’d say it’s worth the risk.
Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports
On March 7, Winter Storm Quinn blanketed the area with snow just as high school baseball and softball teams were beginning their preseasons. But Sports Editor Mike Smith knows that for area teams, delayed springs are an all-too-common occurrence. Photo courtesy twitter.com/bxvillebaseball
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March 9, 2018 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 15
Tigers fall in Class AA semis BOYS BASKETBALL
class a
SEMIFINALS
RAMAPO
47(OT) MAMARONECK 44 COUNTY CENTER
2/28/18
Game Notes: • Anthony Simon had 14 points & 8 rebounds to lead Ramapo • This was the Tigers’ first postseason appearance at the County Center since 1971 • Mamaroneck finished season with an 18-5 record By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor Mamaroneck’s dream season came to an end on Feb. 28, as the No. 3 Tigers fell to No. 18 Ramapo 47-44 in overtime of the Class AA semifinals at the Westchester County Center. But even though the Tigers couldn’t do enough to stop the upstart Gryphons on the court of Westchester’s most famous arena, head coach Ty Carver is still in awe of what his club was able to accomplish this winter. The Tigers (18-5) seemed poised to push on through to a finals showdown with Mount Vernon, holding a 41-36 lead over the Gryphons with just 22 seconds left in regulation. But Brian Aldeus was perfect from the line after he was fouled on a 3-point attempt and Anthony Simon tied the score moments later with a floater in the lane to send the game into overtime. That late game push would be all the momentum Ramapo would need down the stretch, as they punched their ticket to an improbably Class AA finals appearance. According to Carver, the Tigers came into the game well aware that Ramapo’s 10-14 record didn’t accurately represent the Gryphon’s abilities. “There were absolutely no surprises for us, we were aware of their athleticism and their grit even prior to their run,” the coach said. “I just felt like we never got in rhythm and it’s disappointing because it was probably the worst game we played all year in what was a remarkable season.” Remarkable is one way to describe the Tigers’ 2017-18 campaign; historic may be another. In securing a Class AA semifi-
James Manetta looks for an open teammate during a semifinal loss at the Westchester County Center.
nal appearance, this Mamaroneck squad played its first postseason game at the County Center since 1971, and posted its best overall record since 1974. “We thought we had the pieces in place to have a good season,” Carver said. “But without a doubt, this group exceeded my expectations and I want to thank them for everything they gave.” Carver was especially pleased with the play of his three senior starters, James Manetta, Isiah Thomas and Jared Bader, who will all graduate this spring. Over the course of the trio’s career, the Mamaroneck program has improved by leaps and bounds, something Carver attributes to his veterans’ team-first attitude. “Over the last couple of years, this group has had a lot of upsand-downs on the varsity level,” Carver said. “But to see what they’ve been able to accomplish, especially in their senior year, that speaks volumes about their character and the huge impact they’ve had.” As the Tigers look to the future, a number of players who contributed to this year’s run will be asked to step into leadership roles next season, as players like Shane Smith, Tommy Martin, Ethan Renner and Thomas Plunkett are all set to return. Also returning will be junior center Will Sarkozi, who emerged as a top front-court threat this season and will likely serve as the focal point for Mamaroneck’s offense next year. “He developed a lot this year, but in order to move forward, he
knows he’s going to have a target on his back,” Carver said of Sarkozi. “He’s going to have to shoulder the load of being ‘The Man.’” The big man’s newfound attention, added Carver added, will likely mirror the way teams on the schedule approach the Tiger squad next year. “When you have a season like this, you can’t sneak up on anyone, people start to recognize you,” the coach said. “The bar has been raised, and we’re going to have to work twice as hard to have this kind of success.”
Isiah Thomas steps back against the Gryphon defense on Feb. 28. Photos/Mike Smith
CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com
Jared Bader goes up for a shot against Ramapo on Feb. 28. Bader is one of three senior starters who helped lead Mamaroneck to an 18-5 record.
Tommy Martin attempts a layup against the Gryphons. Mamaroneck fell to Ramapo 47-44 in overtime.
16 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • March 9, 2018