RyeCity REVIEW THE
March 31, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 13 | www.ryecityreview.com
National interest proves boon for local Dems By JAMES PERO Staff Writer
As part of a community service project, Rye Neck High School senior Camryn Sullivan hosted The Prom Collective, offering girls an opportunity to purchase their prom dresses. For story, see page 6. Photo/Andrew Dapolite
Man causes high-speed police chase; ICE issues detainer request By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer After a high-speed chase down Interstate 95, Rye police officers arrested a man who may now face deportation from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to the deputy county correction commissioner.
On March 24, Rye police arrested 36-year-old Anthony Haripersaud, of Maryland, after chasing him down I-95 and eventually arresting him in the Eastchester neighborhood of the Bronx. Around 10 p.m. on that Friday, Haripersaud, who drove a black Mercedes-Benz, was observed by Rye police being chased by
a New York state trooper after he exited the I-95 along Boston Post Road. According to Rye City Public Safety Commissioner Micahel Corcoran, two Rye police officers began chasing Haripersaud after spotting him by the Boston Post Road and Purdy Avenue intersection driving at a high rate of speed.
After blowing multiple traffic lights and stop signs down Boston Post Road, and speeding onto Oakland Beach Avenue to get to the southbound side of the I-95, off of Playland Parkway, the two officers continued their pursuit to stop Haripersaud, Corcoran said. Eventually, Haripersaud got CHASE continued on page 5
A boon in local volunteerism may position Rye City Democrats for a City Council takeover, as the future of many Republican incumbents remains uncertain. With four seats on the Rye City Council in play this political season, majority of the city’s governing board is at stake. According to Rye Democratic Party Chairwoman Meg Cameron, this year’s level of interest in city politics stands as an outlier, and though the effects are being realized locally, the impetus may be coming from the top-down. “A lot of people—and not just Democrats—are upset at the presidential election, and everything that has followed,” Cameron said. “They understand that good policies at the local level help ameliorate policies at the national level.” The result, according to resident Julie Souza—who is seeking the Democratic nomination for City Council this year—is a bevy of potential Democratic candidates. “They have more candidates than they have spots on the ticket,” Souza told the Review on Tuesday. Souza, a business development strategist for ESPN, like Cameron, cites national politics as a major influence on her decision to dive into the local political scene and formally request
the party’s backing at its caucus in June. “The larger political environment made me think about democracy,” she said. “Democracy maybe needs to be more of a verb than a noun. That means you need to be active.” As interest and momentum in the city’s Democratic circles grows with an eye toward November, the future of the council’s Republican guard remains uncertain. Of the four seats up for reelection this upcoming year, not one councilmember has yet to decide to run again. But firstterm Councilman Terry McCartney, a Republican, has told the Review that he will not seek reelection due to time constraints imposed from his work outside the council. McCartney is a trial attorney with a practice in Rye. “I’ve enjoyed my time,” McCartney said, “but it’s just too much.” Fellow councilmembers Julie Killian, a Republican, and DEMS continued on page 9
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Rye YMCA celebrates success The Wave Ryeders still have one more meet to go, but already have reason to celebrate. Since September, the team has won six out of seven dual meets. In early March, the Wave Ryeders won the Westchester Fairfield League Championships for the 12th year in a row. “As the defending champs for the past eleven years, we were nervous about the meet, but were able to have loads of great swims and come out on top,” said coach Kate Tiedmann. On March 17, the team traveled to Ithaca College for the New York State YMCA Championships, the largest YMCA swim meet in the country. The Wave Ryeders had their best finish in over 15 years, winning the girls division by 100 points and placing third overall out of 40 teams. “We had a spectacular meet, loads of best times, many finalists and lots and lots of state champions,” Tiedmann said. “The swimmers did a wonderful job.” As an added bonus, six swimmers qualified for the Sunkissed Invitational Junior/ Senior Championships in Charlotte, North Carolina. The goal of the Wave Ryeders program is to promote fun, camaraderie, new friendships, new skills, physical fitness and positive values that extend beyond the swimming environment. The Rye YMCA offers both a spring and fall swim team. The spring swim team tryouts are April 4 and 6
Rye YMCA swimmers celebrate their regional championships in March. Contributed photo
Individual State Champions Lieve Geelen, Lente Geelen, Zachary Pestikov, Nate Baumstark
Relay State Champions — 8 Girls Medley —
Kendall Konigsberg, Grayson Findley, Lieve Geelen, Lila Rupp — 10 Boys Medley —
Tripp Redd, Bas Van Berlo, Ethan Zhou, Zachary Pestrikov — 8 Girls Free —
Kendall Konigsberg, Lila Rupp, Grayson Findley, Lieve Geelen — 8 Boys Free —
Tyler Wels, Wilson Redd, Aidan Grant, Nate Baumstark — 10 Boys Free —
Tripp Redd, Bas Van Berlo, Ethan Zhou, Zachary Pestrikov from 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m., with practice running from April 17 to June 16. Pre-team
is also available for swimmers not yet ready for competition. (Submitted)
Rye Brook to hold hearing on gun ordinance The village of Rye Brook may become the first municipality in Westchester County to regulate the potential location and operation of gun stores. The village Board of Trustees has scheduled an April 25 public hearing for a draft local law originally proposed in December 2016. The law would regulate where a gun dealer could operate within the village. The most recent draft of the law sequesters gun shops to commercial properties outside of a 500-foot radius from schools, day cares, playgrounds and religious centers.
The law would also regulate some gun store procedures. Stores would not be allowed to display guns in storefront windows, and would have to keep all weapons locked behind the counter. When a store is closed, it would have to store its guns in a fireproof safe or vault. The law would further require the store to maintain alarm and video surveillance systems, and submit biannual inventory reports; it would preclude anyone ineligible to purchase firearms from entering the store and would allow law enforcement officials to inspect a store twice within a six-month period.
Rye Brook received advice from Allison Anderman of the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, a California-based nonprofit organization which helps municipalities draft gun legislation. Several municipalities have proposed some iteration of gun legislation since November 2016 when a firearms dealer opened in Harrison less than 1,000 feet from an elementary school. The controversial and sudden opening of the store drew protest from area residents, nearly 3,500 of whom have signed a petition as of press time. -Reporting by Corey Stockton
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What’s going on... Rye Free Reading Room
For more information on hours and programs, visit ryelibrary.org.
Teacher-in-the-Library On Mondays through Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Children’s Room. Rye teachers offer after-school homework help to students attending local public and private elementary schools in the Rye area. This is a free program sponsored by the Auxiliary Board of the Rye Free Reading Room, Woman’s Club of Rye/Children’s Philanthropy section, and the PTO of the Rye schools.
Read in Rye: Michael Kimelman On Tuesday, April 4 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Meeting Room. Author Michael Kimelman shares his gripping memoir, “Confessions of A Wall Street Insider,” capturing the rise and crash of his Wall Street journey. Hear how the experiences of Nov. 5, 2009 shaped his story, and his reflections on the criminal justice system.
How to Raise a Math-Confident Daughter On Thursday, April 6 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Meeting Room. Math can be an enormous source of parental anxiety, where even the most math-confident parents can find themselves stuck when it comes to supporting their own child. Make sure that math anxiety isn’t an obstacle to your child’s dreams. This talk/workshop will provide you with groundbreaking tools to build and nurture your child’s math confidence.
Rye Recreation Summer camp information Summer camps in Rye will run from Tuesday, June 27 to Friday, Aug. 4. Registration is online only. Kiddy Camp registration is ongoing; call 967-2535 for availability. Lower and Upper camps and Camp 78 registration is ongoing. Kiddy Camp is specifically for children ages 3 to 5 (must be 3 by April 30, 2017, or 5 but not entering kindergarten). The camp is a six-week, half-day, classroom-based program. Every day, the children will participate in free play, story time, songs, outdoor play, art, sports, and much more. Special events and entertainment are held weekly to enhance the program. Lower Camp offers an active, supervised camp program for children enrolled in grades K–2 as of September 2017. Camp groups are co-ed by grade. Sports, group games, arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, field trips and special
theme days are just part of the fun planned for these campers. Upper Camp is specifically for children enrolled in grades 3–6 as of September 2017. Campers are grouped by gender and grade. This program gives campers the opportunity to participate in a variety of trips and programs, including sports, games, arts and crafts, indoor rec, a variety of special events and themed days. Camp 78 is for children entering seventh and eighth grade, and combines the best of sports, activities and cool trips. Have fun with old friends and make new ones while participating. Camp 78 starts on Monday, June 26. For specific camp information, fees, applications and other forms, visit ryeny.gov/recreation.cfm.
Rye Arts Center The Rye Arts Center is located at 51 Milton Road in Rye. For more information or to register for a program, call 967-0700 or visit ryeartscenter.org.
The Portal On view from Saturday, April 1 through Friday, June 30. An exciting new public art is coming to The Rye Arts Center: “The Portal,” by art and technology collective Shared Studios. Portals are gold spaces equipped with immersive audiovisual technology. When you enter a Portal, you come face-to-face with someone in a distant Portal, live and full-body, as if in the same room. Made possible through the generous support of Gail Harrison Roman, The Wallace Fox Foundation, and Sherry and Bob Wiener.
Poetry workshop On Thursday, April 6 from 10 a.m. to noon. Celebrate National Poetry Month with a workshop by Maureen Mancini Amaturo. In addition to in-class writing, participants will experiment with different poetry forms and prompt exercises so you can find the style that works for you and discover your voice. Fee: $40; members receive a discount.
RAC LIVE! Coffeehouse On Thursday, April 6, at 7 p.m.; doors open at 6:30 p.m. The Rye Arts Center is bringing live music downtown, adding excitement to the nightlife of Rye. Enjoy a series of performances at Le Pain Quotidien. Each evening will introduce you to new singers, songwriters, and bands who will share their unique sounds with you in this intimate setting. Come out for an evening for food, drink, and great live music. Cover charge: $10 advance tickets; $12 at the door.
Spring classes Spring art classes will begin Monday, April 17. Explore an array of classes spanning painting and ceramics, robotics and computer coding, and private and group music lessons. The Rye Arts Center’s award-winning program offers enriching and enjoyable opportunities for people of all ages. Hone your skills, feed your hobbies, and fill your
schedules with fun and creativity.
Wainwright House Musical Brunch Join Wainwright House on Sunday, April 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. as you celebrate spring with a performance by Rye’s own Gary Adamson and his Aquarius Jazz Trio—bringing a unique touch to pop classics and jazz standards—on a waterfront chateau set with sweeping views of Milton Point Harbor. Includes a sumptuous brunch by Corner Stone Caterers with mimosas, Bloody Marys and wine. $50 per person. For more information, call 967-6080 or visit wainwright.org.
Rotary Club of Rye Annual Crazy Legs Fundraiser The Rotary Club of Rye presents the second annual Crazy Legs Fundraiser supporting the scholarship fund and community grants program on Wednesday, April 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Whitby Castle, located at 330 Boston Post Road in Rye. Join neighbors and friends to help raise funds for the high school senior scholarship and community grants programs. This fun evening includes a buffet reception, unlimited beer, wine and soda, and the highlight—judging The Crazy Legs Contest as gentlemen contestants walk the walk and vie for the title of Best Legs and Best Costume. For event tickets and information about becoming a contestant, visit ryerotary.org or contact Pam Dwyer at 967-1679 or Angela Sculti at 671-1764.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester Ninjago City Adventure opening weekend Put your ninja skills to the ultimate test in the all-new LEGO Ninjago City Adventure—a 2-story, 2,300-square-foot Asian-inspired interactive play area at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester. Ninjas-in-training can test their balance, agility, strength and endurance with more than 20 interactive features on their quest to become a Spinjitzu master. Children in martial arts uniforms will receive $5 off their regular-priced admission ticket in the month of April. The adventure takes place from Friday, April 7 to Sunday, April 9. Starting at $15.95; children under age 2 are free. Hours: Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester is located at 39 Fitzgerald St. in Yonkers. For more information, visit legolanddiscoverycenter.com/ westchester or call 866-243-0770. 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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March 31, 2017 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 5
Westchester Airport deal ready to go to bid
A crucial deal privatizing the Westchester County Airport is readying to go out to RFP after being sidelined by county lawmakers during last year’s budget deliberations. File photo
By JAMES PERO Staff Writer A plan to privatize the county’s airport is ready to go through a more rigorous vetting process after lawmakers collectively pumped the breaks on a previous version by Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican. Earlier this month, consultants hired by the county presented a plan to send out a request for proposal, RFP, for a multi-million dollar deal privatizing the Westchester County Airport that was sent down by the administration late last year just before the passage of the 2017 county budget. Dan Branda, a spokesperson for the county, declined to say what type of interest the county has received for the airport, if any. Lawmakers plan to have the RFP out by the end of the month. Absent from the most recent version of the plan, however, is an exclusive deal with the investment firm Oaktree Capital Management, which was previously slated by Astorino in November 2016 to become the sole operator of the county-owned airport. After criticism from lawmakers who accused the Oaktree deal of skirting proper bidding
procedure, it was eventually sidelined from the county budget, but a new proposal, resulting from the RFP process, will be vetted by lawmakers who hope to finalize a plan before the passage of the 2018 budget later this year. According to a schedule proposed by the county’s hired consultants, all proposals to operate the county’s airport would have to be submitted by July with a final deal potentially in place by November 2017. Adding pressure on lawmakers will be $15 million in prospective revenue from the plan that was going to be used to help balance the 2017 budget; that money has become an increasingly critical piece of the county’s fiscal future amidst projections of waning sales tax revenue and burdensome health care costs. Lawmakers are still hoping to transfer extra revenue from any potential airport deal this year into the county’s general budget in order to deal with ongoing fiscal shortfalls. But in order to redirect revenue from the airport, lawmakers will have to register it through a Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, privatization program; a process that was initiated last year. Before the county can execute
on its plan, the FAA must approve the process. In some cases, approval processes have dragged on for years. Of the 10 airports that applied to the FAA’s program since its introduction in 1996, only one—Luis Muñoz Marín airport in Puerto Rico—has completed the process and has since remained privatized. Currently, under federal law, any revenue earned at the airport can only be used for airport-related purposes. Many of the county lawmakers, who had previously criticized the deal’s last minute introduction—it was sent down to legislators for approval less than a month before the budget deadline—and lack of bidding process, have since changed their attitudes toward the plan. “The Board of Legislators insisted that any deal to privatize our county’s airport had to result from a fair and open bidding process,” said Mary Jane Shimsky, a Hastings-on-Hudson Democrat, who initially opposed the privatization plan. “In my mind, only deals that properly address… the county’s long-term financial interests, the traveling public, the neighboring communities and the environment are worthy of consideration.” CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
CHASE from page 1
off the I-95 at Exit 13 in the Bronx and jammed his breaks, causing one of the Rye officers to crash into his rear. Corcoran said it at all ended on Hollers Avenue after Haripersaud tried to plow through the passenger side of one of the officer’s cars, which allowed police to barricade and pin the suspect. The two officers managed to pull the erratic driver out of his car to make an arrest. Haripersaud was accompanied by a woman in the passenger seat, who was unharmed. While no injuries were sustained to anyone involved, the Rye commissioner said the 36-year-old Maryland man tried to run the Rye officers off the road several times. Corcoran added that although there was nothing seemingly serious to flee at the time, it was discovered afterward that Haripersaud had a warrant for his ar-
rest in Dutchess County. “The timing played out in our favor for apprehending this guy. Realistically, a pursuit like this wouldn’t have gone as long if it was in the morning. Time is critical when it comes to these types of pursuits,” Corcoran said, adding had the incident occurred during the day, a high-speed chase would have been less likely due to the amount of traffic on the road. The pursuit comes with added significance, as Haripersaud’s inmate record at Westchester County jail, where he is being held on a $15,000 bail, shows he is also facing immigration charges with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE. According to Westchester County Correction Deputy Commissioner Justin Pruyne, ICE has issued a detainer request for Haripersaud. There is currently no further information regarding his immigration status.
Haripersaud is charged with four felonies by Rye police, and two traffic and vehicles violations. He is charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, second-degree obstruction of government administration, third-degree unlawful fleeing a police officer, and first-degree reckless endangerment. He is due to appear in Rye City Court on April 4. According to Rye City Manager Marcus Serrano, there is currently no estimate for how much it will cost to fix one of the police department’s vehicles damaged in the chase. Corcoran added that the car is currently being evaluated and has been removed from service. “I want to commend our officers for all their actions during this pursuit,” Corcoran said. “It was chaotic and they handled themselves well under pressure.” CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
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Rye Neck student gives back through
The Prom Collective By TAYLOR BROWN General Assignment Reporter With prom season only a few months away, Camryn Sullivan, a senior at Rye Neck High School, created The Prom Collective, an event that helps make prom more financially accessible for students. On March 25, Sullivan held a four-hour shopping experience at Mamaroneck United Methodist Church that allowed girls in nearby Westchester communities to find their perfect prom outfit at an affordable price. While Sullivan did not charge for the dresses and accessories, customers were encouraged to make a small donation to benefit the church. “We were not expecting money but people felt like they wanted to contribute,” Sullivan told the Review. Sullivan founded The Prom Collective as part of her school’s Independent Learner Program, an elective class offered at Rye Neck High School, requiring students to conceptualize and implement their own community service project. Sullivan chose this project after recognizing that not all students are able to afford the everincreasing costs of prom night. “Prom [has gotten] so expensive over the years,” Sullivan said. According to a nationwide survey conducted by Visa in 2015, families in the U.S. planned on spending more than $900 for prom night. Expenses
typically range from purchasing a gown or tuxedo, event tickets, hair, makeup and nails, limousine rentals, as well as afterprom activities. Sullivan wanted to relieve some of this financial burden, by offering girls the opportunity to pick out a dress, accessories and makeup for prom. And the event went off better than expected according to Sullivan, who ended up receiving more dresses than she had originally anticipated. Sullivan said that she received donations from friends, church members and customers of her mother’s Larchmont-based store, Village Mercantile. Clothing racks were filled with more than 50 gently used gowns in all styles, sizes and colors. Tables displayed a variety of necklaces, bracelets and earrings, as well as eye shadow palettes, lipsticks and purses. Sullivan reported that by the end of the event more than half of the dresses donated had been taken home by shoppers. Jailene Almonte-Valerio, a senior at Port Chester High School, held up a blue gown, one of the two dresses she had chosen to bring home with her. “This one just [caught] my eye,” she told the Review. “I like the back [and] the straps are really cute.” The shoppers mostly consisted of girls in their senior year of high school that went into the event unsure of what they were looking for, but ended up
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Daisy Gutierrez looks at potential prom dresses available at The Prom Collective. Photos/Andrew Dapolite
leaving with a completed outfit. Sullivan explained that in doing this project, she wanted to combine her two passions: giving back and helping people in need. She said that to make The Prom Collective happen, she received assistance from her mother as well as Dr. Valerie Feit, her teacher from the Independent Learner Program, and Karen Burger, her pastor at Mamaroneck United Methodist Church. Sullivan, who is attending the University of Rhode Island in the fall, says she hopes that the event will continue on in future years, even if that means passing down the responsibilities to another student. Sullivan said that the collective donation made to the Mamaroneck United Methodist Church was just under $100, while numerous girls went home with a prom outfit they loved. “I definitely felt as if the event was a success due to the fact that a majority of the dresses were taken and the girls seemed very happy with what they got,” she said.
Camryn Sullvan, right, and her mother Vonnie, helped girls find affordable dresses and accessories for their upcoming prom nights at The Prom Collective, held on March 25 at the Mamaroneck United Methodist Church.
CONTACT: taylor@hometwn.com
Camryn Sullivan collected more than 50 donated dresses, along with accessories including shoes, purses, jewelry, and makeup for The Prom Collective.
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Homestyle Caterers hosts
The Westchester County Center was overflowing on March 25, literally, as Homestyle Caterers hosted the Beer Fest of Westchester. More than 1,200 lovers of beer and cider filed into the center to sample beverages from more than 300 breweries, some as far away as Iceland. Al Ciuffetelli, owner of Homestyle Caterers and event organizer, said his company wanted to improve on the previous year’s event at the center, which is located in White Plains, adding more food and entertainment in the form of Shilelagh Law, which claims to be New York’s thirstiest band. “There was somebody who did the [Beer Fest last year], but it didn’t work out,” Ciuffetelli said. He told the Review that people approached his company to host the beer fest this time around. “We [gathered] 300 craft beers, instead of 200,” he added. “There are some local wineries here as well.” The festival took six months of planning for it to ultimately come to fruition. “It wasn’t an easy job, it was very difficult because of the timing, especially after St. Patrick’s Day,” Ciuffetelli said of locating and organizing the different manufacturers. Ciuffetelli added that Homestyle Caterers, which operates a Nathan’s food truck out of the White Plains space, has hosted
many events at the County Center. “It’s a good thing for people to utilize this facility,” he said.
“That’s our goal, to make the County Center great again.” -Reporting by Sibylla Chipaziwa
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Bill would protect employee, student account info City mulls array of Disbrow Park improvements By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer In an attempt to adapt to an ever-changing landscape of social media and technology, state officials have introduced legislation that would prohibit employers and educational institutions from requiring workers and students to disclose personal online account information. On Feb. 21, state Assemblyman David Buchwald, a White Plains Democrat, proposed an amendment to the labor law aimed at protecting the privacy of students’, employees’ and prospective employees’ social media accounts. The bill, known as the Uniform Employee and Student Online Privacy Protection Act, would amend the state’s current labor law, which is enforced by the Department of Labor. The proposal would restrict employers from requiring employees and applicants to disclose any log-in names, passwords or other means of accessing a personal account or service through an electronic communication device, which includes computers, telephones and other personal gadgets. The act would also prevent higher educational institutions—colleges and universities—from requesting access to a student’s and applicants’ similar online accounts. “This is an issue that affects all Americans,” Buchwald said. “It’s already problematic when
government intrudes on our privacy. We want to make sure that there’s a basic principal at stake that says, just because you’re affiliated with a big business or a powerful educational institution, that doesn’t mean you’ve given away your privacy rights to them.” The act would restrict employers from penalizing or terminating employees that refuse to disclose any personal account information. The idea for the proposal came from the Uniform Law Commission, ULC, which provides nonpartisan uniform proposals to states throughout the nation. As of press time, only Hawaii and New York have introduced ULC’s proposal. “Cellphones and laptops are not just a means of communicating; they are now the essential place of storage for all details of a person’s life, personal as well as professional,” said state Sen. George Latimer, a Rye Democrat who endorsed the bill. “An individual’s constitutional rights extend, in this day and age, to modern technology which houses information as important as that which may found in their home residence.” According to the bill, the act would not prohibit an employer from complying with the federal Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, which allows companies to monitor employee
communication and screen applicants prior to hiring. In 2012, Maryland became the first state in the nation to prohibit employers from requesting personal username and password information. Similar legislation was proposed in 15 other states and was enacted in Illinois, Nebraska, Virginia and West Virginia last year, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, a bipartisan non-governmental organization that serves members and staff of state legislatures nationwide. Buchwald told the Review the bill would permit the state’s attorney general to bring civil action against an employer or educational institution for violating the law; the attorney general could also impose a $1,000 fine for each violation of the law up to $100,000. “This can be a very effective prevention device, and companies will think twice about violating the law,” he said. As part of the bill, employers would still be able to require workers to disclose non-personal account information, such as a password to a work-related email address. The bill has been referred to and is awaiting approval by the state Labor Committee, as of press time. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
New York state Assemblyman David Buchwald has proposed legislation that would restrict employers and higher educational institutions from requiring students, employees and prospective students and employees to disclose personal social media account information. Photo courtesy pexels.com
There have been ongoing discussions about revamping Disbrow Park’s facilities for years, including an update to the athletic fields to curb a drainage issue. Photo/Andrew Dapolite
By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer The city of Rye is considering several capital improvements to Disbrow Park in an attempt to improve safety, according to the city manager. Rye City Manager Marcus Serrano said that after years of ongoing discussion about revamping the park’s facilities, the city is moving closer to laying out a plan that will consolidate operations and replace some aged buildings. He said the city is also seeking to improve user safety by segregating the Department of Public Works, DPW, building from the active recreation areas and pedestrian activity at the 47acre park, which includes four baseball fields, a soccer field, a tennis court and a recycling drop off area. The park is home to a police storage facility and shooting range, and a Westchester County sewage treatment plant. The city manager said a consulting firm is currently reviewing a way to find a “more efficient” use of the land allowing for the expansion of both the DPW and recreation facilities. “Our DPW structures are in
bad condition and equipment is lying around outside,” Serrano said. “We need to protect the equipment and provide a better working environment for our employees. Nothing is set in stone right now, but we’re looking to hear from the community about what they’d like to see in that area.” Serrano added the city would also explore updating the park’s athletic fields, which have had their share of issues. In 2011, Rye hired Woodard and Curran Engineers, a consulting firm based in Harrison, to identify a solution to resolve the park’s drainage issues. The consultants prepared a study that determined installing a synthetic turf field, which included an overlapping baseball and softball field and a soccer field, could alleviate the problem for an estimated cost of $1.9 million. But, with an unusual combination of both sports and DPW facilities at the park, and without being able to determine if field improvements were more necessary than other areas of the park that needed upgrades, the plan never took off. Serrano told the Review the potential improvements could
intertwine with several other upgrades planned for the park, including a replacement of the DPW salt shed, which is estimated to cost $475,000, according to the city’s 2017-2021 Capital Improvement Plan released last August. Councilwoman Emily Hurd, a Democrat, said, “We have a mile-long list of capital improvements needed for the park, but safety is at the top of our priorities. There’s obviously no plan yet, but I would support the repairs to keep up the good work of the Department of Public Works.” Hurd explained that on occasion, the DPW shed runs out of space to store salt, which can cause concern during the winter. “There’s definitely a need to solve that,” she said. There is no timetable for when an official plan will be laid out, as of press time. However, Serrano said the City Council is expecting a public presentation on the matter in the coming months. Councilwoman Danielle Tagger-Epstein, a Democrat, could not be reached for comment, as of press time. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
March 31, 2017 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 9
Strengthening families one step at a time
April’s Child’s annual Strengthening Families One Step at a Time Walkathon will be held at Rye Playland on Sunday, April 30, at 9 a.m. Children and adults alike are welcome to participate in this fundraising event, and the first 200 registrants will receive a complimentary T-shirt and goody bag. There will be plenty of fun on hand: kids can try their luck at carnival games to earn prizes, and there will be activities and refreshments for all. Walkers can choose a 5K route or a 1/2-mile stroll all while admiring the scenery on a mid-spring morning. This event raises awareness about preventing child abuse and neglect in Westchester County for April’s Child Abuse Prevention Month. Previously DEMS from page 1
Kirstin Bucci, a registered Democrat who ran on the Republican line in 2013, have not yet announced publicly their intentions. Currently, the council is made up of a 5-2 partisan split, favoring Republicans. Danielle Tagger-Epstein and Emily Hurd, the lone Democrats who took two of three open seats in the 2015 city elections, will continue to serve the remainder of their first terms through 2019. Rye City Mayor Joe Sack, a Republican, who is also up for re-election told the Review earlier this month that it is “too
the Child Abuse Prevention Center, the agency’s new name, April’s Child, emphasizes the 90 percent success rate it has in helping parents create a loving and nurturing environment for their children. The walkathon will benefit April’s Child’s programs and services, which include a home visiting parent aide program, a 24/7 parent helpline, parenting
groups and workshops, and a speaker’s bureau. All community members are encouraged to participate and make a difference in a child’s life by walking, creating a team, donating or sponsoring the event. For more information, visit aprilschildwalk.dojiggy. com, call 997-2642, or email info@aprilschild.org with any questions or ideas. (Submitted)
Formally known as the Child Abuse Prevention Center, April’s Child is hosting a walkathon to raise awareness of child abuse and neglect. Photo courtesy aprilschild.org
early” to say definitively whether he will seek another term. For newcomers like Souza, just what shape their political activism will take in local politics has yet to materialize. Souza, who told the Review she hasn’t missed a City Council meeting since the general election this past November, said she will wait for the party’s official nomination to outline a specific platform. Among the most heated issues to cross the council dais over the past year is a controversial application by telecom contractor Crown Castle, which is proposing the installation of wireless
equipment citywide at the behest of Verizon Wireless. Residents have often attended council meetings in droves to oppose the proposal, citing potentially adverse health effects and the depreciation of property values among their chief concerns. A decision on the proposal— after various extensions—is slated to take place at a City Council meeting on April 5. Republican Party Chairman Tony Piscionere could not be reached for comment as of press time. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
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MPI Westfield to host industry day Meeting Professionals International, MPI, WestField Chapter, will host an event as part of the second annual Global Meetings Industry Day, GMID, on April 5. MPI will join forces with the advocacy coalition Meetings Mean Business, MMB, and meetings industry organizations worldwide to showcase the real impact that business meetings, conferences, conventions, incentive travel, trade shows and exhibitions have on people, business, and communities. The second annual Global Meetings Industry Day, MEETNOW 2017, will be held on Wednesday, April 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Doral Arrowwood, 975 Anderson Hill Road in Rye Brook. For more details or to register, visit mpiwc.org/meetinginfo.php. “Organizations such as MPI will help us demonstrate the crucial role meetings play in building personal relationships, driving positive outcomes, and supporting strong communities,” said Richard Harper, executive vice president at HelmsBriscoe and
co-chair of MMB. Meeting professionals organizations, association chapters, corporations, destinations, partners and other supporters are coming together to hold events supporting this international day of advocacy. Last year, events were held throughout North America, Latin America, South America, Europe, Africa and Australia, along with robust conversations online and more than 40 million social media impressions. Proclamations of support were issued by the governors of Maryland and Kentucky, along with the mayors of Ottawa, Edmonton, Phoenix, Baltimore, Buffalo and Mobile, Alabama. The Empire State Building and Niagara Falls were illuminated in blue in celebration of GMID. “GMID helps share the meetings industry’s value story, ensuring that the media, elected officials and general public understand the benefits of face-to-face,” said Paul Van Deventer, chief executive officer and president at Meeting Professionals International and co-chair of MMB. “Showcasing the industry’s strength through
this global movement allows us to better advocate and generate widespread conversation.” To learn more about GMID, visit meetingsmeanbusiness.com/ GMID. Follow and participate in the digital conversations at @ MeetingsMeanBiz on Twitter and by using the hashtags #MMBusiness with #GMID17. Meeting Professionals International is the largest meeting and event industry association worldwide. Founded in 1972, the organization provides innovative and relevant education, networking opportunities and business exchanges, and acts as a prominent voice for the promotion and growth of the industry. MPI has a global community of 60,000 meeting and event professionals, including more than 17,000 engaged members and its Plan Your Meetings audience. It has more than 90 chapters and clubs in 24 countries. MPI WestField is one of the local chapters of MPI, which covers Westchester County and Fairfield County, Connecticut. For more information, visit mpiwc.org. (Submitted)
10 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • March 31, 2017
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LEGAL NOTICES Notice of formation of KIA PENG PARTNERS, LLC. Articles of Organization filed New York Sec. of State (“NYSS”) 02/08/17. Office location: Westchester County. NYSS designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. NYSS shall mail a copy of any process to c/o The LLC, 28 Intervale Place, Rye, New York 10580. There is no specific date set for dissolution. Purpose: to engage in any lawful activity or act. Name and Business Address of Organizer is Adeline P. Malone, Esq., 6369 Mill Street, P.O. Box 510, Rhinebeck, NY 12572. Notice of Formation of PVE Consulting, LLC. Arts of Org. filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 2/26/2008. Office location Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 63 Brown Ave, Rye, NY 10580. Purpose: any lawful activity. Notice of Formation of NYXT, LLC. Arts of Org. filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 03/09//17. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: PO Box 814, Port Chester NY 10573. Purpose: any lawful activity. Notice of Formation of Lucy’s Garden Life LLC. Art. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/20/2017. Office: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: LLC, 387 Forest Ave., Rye, NY 10580. Purpose: any lawful business, purpose or activity.
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March 31, 2017 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 11
LEGAL NOTICES CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT OF RYE, NEW YORK RECOMMENDATION: BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION PROCEDURES-REVISED The proposed resolution relative to the 2017 Budget Vote and Election Procedures reads as follows: WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2604 of the Education Law, as amended, the City School District of Rye, New York was declared to be a single school election district by resolution of the Board of Education of said district adopted on March 21, 1952, and as provided by said Section 2604 the School Election District thus formed will continue in existence until modified by resolution of the Board of Education; and WHEREAS, other provisions for conducting the Annual School Election for the City School District of Rye, New York in May, 2017 should be the subject of further resolutions of the Board of Education; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That, as provided by Section 2602 of the Education Law, as amended, the Annual School Budget Vote and Election, for the City School District of Rye, New York, be held on May 16, 2017 and the polls shall be open from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.; and be it further RESOLVED: That the District Clerk of the City School District of Rye, New York, cause to be published in a newspaper of record the weeks of March 29, 2017, April 10, 2017, April 24, 2017 and May 8, 2017 a notice of the Annual School Budget Vote and Election to be held on May 16, 2017 in accordance with the requirements of Section 2605 of the Education Law, as amended, which shall state the day of the budget vote and election, the hours, and that an accurate description of the boundaries of the school election district comprising said City School District of Rye, New York is on file and may be inspected in the office of the Board of Education, 411 Theodore Fremd Avenue, Rye, New York, and the Rye Middle School where the election is to be held; and which shall include a Notice Of Registration and that such notice shall state that at a place and hour designated above for that purpose the Board of Registration shall meet to prepare the school election register, and that any person who did not register for said preceding general election or register thereafter, may, in order to be entitled to vote, present himself personally for registration on April 18, 2017 but no later than May 2, 2017; and which shall further state when the School Election District Register has been filed and the place at which it is on file and the hours during which it will be open for inspection on each school day up to May 16, 2017; and which shall include that all referenda to be petitioned for the ballot must be submitted, in the form and manner as required by Election Law, to the District Clerk of the City School District of Rye, New York, on behalf of the Board of Education of said District, no later than April 17, 2017; Recommendation: Election Procedure and be it further RESOLVED: That pursuant to Section 2607 of the Education Law, as amended, there be appointed at least two qualified voters per voting machine used residing in the school election district constituting the City School District of Rye, New York to act as Inspectors of Election in such School Election District, with compensation not to exceed the basic compensation paid at the preceding General Election per hour to each such inspector, and that the District Clerk be authorized and directed to arrange for the employment of such Inspectors of Election; and be it further RESOLVED: That the Board of Registration be and it hereby is directed to meet at the Administration Office, 411 Theodore Fremd Avenue, Suite 100S, Rye, NY on April 18, 2017 between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. for the purpose of adding registers for the City of Rye, New York, as prepared by the Board of Registration of said City for the November general election, as furnished by the Board of Elections, White Plains, New York, the names of such additional qualified voters who shall present themselves personally for registration for the Annual School Election to be held on May 16, 2017; and a) That said Board of Registration is directed to prepare for the City School District of Rye, New York Election District a register for said annual budget vote and election to be held May 16, 2017 which shall so far as is practicable be in the same form as registers of voters in an election district for a general election in a city or village having 5,000 inhabitants or more under the election law and shall be arranged alphabetically by the first letter of the surname, with a statement of the place of residence by street and number; there shall be used as the basis of such City School Election District Register, copies of the registers of the City of Rye, New York for the November, 2016 general election, as supplied by the Board of Elections, which copies of the registers shall be placed in the custody of the Board of Education of the City School District, and to which copies of said Board shall add the names, addresses and such other data as required by law of all other qualified voters who may present themselves personally for registration as provided in this resolution; it being provided, however, that only those whose names do not appear on copies of the register for the aforementioned, November, 2016 general election registers, shall be required to personally present themselves for registration in order to qualify for voting at said May 16, 2017 City School District of Rye, New York election. b) That the school election district register, prepared as provided above, shall immediately upon completion and not later than May 3, 2017, be filed in the office of the District Clerk, and thereafter, on Mondays through Fridays until May 16, 2017, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., school holidays excepted, shall be open to inspection by any qualified voter of the school district; and upon the filing of such register; Recommendation: Election Procedures and c) That any person who is duly qualified to vote and who registered for said preceding general election and whose name was by mistake, error or neglect of the Board of Registration omitted from the school election district register, may at any time, either before or during election day, request the District Clerk to place the name of such voter on the school election district register and the District Clerk shall then proceed as provided in Subdivision 7 of Section 2606 of the Education Law, as amended; and d) That challenges of voters prior to the day of election shall be made and dealt with as provided in Subdivision 8 and 9 of Section 2606 of the Education Law; and e) That the District Clerk is directed to cause the school election district registers to be delivered on May 16, 2017, before the opening of the polls to the Inspectors of Election; and f) That no person shall be entitled to vote whose name does not appear upon said school election district register; and that all persons whose names appear upon the register prepared for such elections as residing in such school election district shall be permitted to vote in such election. and be it further RESOLVED: That the manner of making nominations of candidates for election as members of the Board of Education at the annual school budget vote and election to be held May 16, 2017 for the purpose of preparing ballots for voting machines be as follows: Nominations of candidates for election of two (2) members of the Board of Education of the City School District of Rye, New York for a term of three years beginning July 1, 2017 shall be made in accordance with Section 2608 of the Education Law, as amended, by Petition directed to the Board of Education and signed by at least 100 persons qualified to vote at school elections in said City School District of Rye, New York. Each such petition shall contain the name and residence of the candidate to be so nominated, who shall be a qualified voter of the City School District of Rye, New York, and who has been a resident of said school district for a period of at least one year immediately preceding the date of the budget vote/election. Each such petition shall be filed with the District Clerk of the City School District of Rye, New York on or before April 26, 2017 and shall be available for inspection at all reasonable hours. Recommendation: Election Procedures If a candidate, after a petition in his/her behalf shall have been duly filed with the District Clerk, and prior to May 16, 2017, shall decline to accept the nomination, die, remove from the District, accept a City office, or become otherwise disqualified for such City School District office, a further petition may be filed with the District Clerk, nominating another candidate in his place and stead, which petition shall in all respects comply with the above requirements for petitions except that it may be filed at any time up to and including May 9, 2017. Prior to the day of said election, sample ballots shall be available containing the budget resolution and the names of all candidates nominated as above provided, and arranged in the order as determined by the drawing by lot, as will appear on voting machines together with suitable instructions. Voting machines shall be used for the recording of votes at the annual school budget vote and election to be held May 16, 2017 in the City School District of Rye, New York and the form of ballot for said voting machines shall be prepared, with the position of candidates on the ballot to be determined by lot with suitable instructions relating to the number of candidates for which a voter is permitted to vote, etc.; voting for candidates who have not been nominated as above provided; and be it further RESOLVED: That the Board of Education of the School District of the City of Rye, under the authority given to it in Section 2613 of the Education Law of the State of New York (added by Chapter 219, Laws of 1978) elects to provide for absentee ballots for the election of candidates to the Board of Education in accordance with the provisions of Section 2018-a of the Education Law, and it be it further RESOLVED: That the Clerk of the School District is directed to have ballots printed and made available for use in the budget vote/election of Board Members; and be it further RESOLVED: That the District Clerk be and she hereby is authorized and directed to make all necessary arrangements for the conduct of the May 16, 2017 Annual School Budget Vote and Election in the City School District of Rye, New York. Elaine M. Cuglietto Rye City school District, District Clerk
12 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • March 31, 2017
April 2017
Planning ahead... SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
1
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
2
3
April Fools’ Day
1
Autism Awareness Month NCAA Final Four
Children’s Book Day
2
Board of Architectural Review 7:30 p.m., City Hall
3
NCAA Championship Game
Planning Commission 7 p.m., City Hall
4
Rye City school board meeting 8 p.m., RMS Multipurpose Room
5
Rye Neck school board planning sessions 6 p.m., Admin. building
The Masters begin
6
World Health Day
7
8
Rye Rec Easter Egg Hunt 11 a.m., Rye Recreation
City Council meeting 7:30 p.m., City Hall
MLB opening night
9
Palm Sunday The Masters end
Easter
16
10
Spring break begins, all schools closed Passover begins
17
All schools reopen
Boat Basin Commission 7 p.m., Damiano Center Board of Architectural Review 7:30 p.m., City Hall
23
30
24
Board of Architectural Review 7:30 p.m., City Hall
11
Conservation Commission/Advisory Council 7 p.m., City Hall
Tax Day
18
12
Stanley Cup playoffs begin
19
13
Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Committee 7:30 p.m., City Hall
20
Passover ends
Rye Neck school board meeting 7 p.m., RNMS/HS Library
Rye Senior Advocacy Committee 8:30 a.m., City Hall
Planning Commission 7 p.m., City Hall
Rye Golf Club Commission 7 p.m., Whitby Castle
Rye City school board meeting 8 p.m., RMS Multipurpose Room
City Council meeting 7:30 p.m., City Hall
Rye Recreation Commission 6:30 p.m., McDonald building
25
26
RHS Band and Orchestra Concert 7:30 p.m., Auditorium
Good Friday
14
21
27
Earth Day
22
Rye council/school board joint meeting 9 a.m., City Hall Rye Little League Parade Noon, Purchase Street
Zoning Board of Appeals 7 p.m., City Hall
Human Rights Commission 7:30 p.m., City Hall
15
Jay Heritage Center daffodil workshop 2 p.m., Jay Heritage Center
Rye Neck PTSA Spring Fair 11 a.m., RNMS/HS
28
29
March 31, 2017 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 13
My pillow’s smarter than your pillow RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy
If you’ve been wondering what to do with all that extra cash you’re so sick of, I hope you hightailed it over to the Luxury Technology Show last week in Chelsea. Otherwise, you might not be aware of some of the must-haves coming soon, or already upon us, like the smart pillow. Now, a truly smart pillow would have a mallet that knocked you over the head every time you couldn’t sleep. (Well, every time you were in BED and couldn’t sleep. You wouldn’t want the pillow/mallet chasing you around the apartment.) But this smart pillow, the Zeeq, does things like detect when you are snoring. Then it gently vibrates so you’ll shift position. This is an improvement on the old “smart device” you may have employed, also known as “your spouse,” who would gently (or not) kick your shin when you started sawing logs. For $299, the Zeeq also streams music, and since it, like everything else in the world, is linked to your phone, which is linked to your life, Zeeq also keeps a record of how your sleep correlates with how much you ate, walked, ran, exercised, napped, drank wine and guzzled coffee during the day. Then, as you start trying to calculate out all the connections between those variables—hmm, five blocks of walking and one latte plus a nap minus a Chardonnay—you find your eyes swimming. And so, it works! Other booths were filled with
high-tech wrinkle reducers, headsets that look like iPhone earmuffs, apps to interact with your dog when you’re on the road, and earbuds that do everything but revive the dead. So it was refreshing to find stumble upon a booth selling something that didn’t seem too hard to operate. “OPEN CAN!” I commanded, and voila! The voice-activated garbage can opened up. This can is not actually on the market yet, explained Mia Fields, who works for simplehuman, a line of home goods found at Bed Bath & Beyond and beyond. But come May, you will at last be able to talk to your trash receptacle. And if you don’t feel like chatting, a wave of the hand opens it, too. I didn’t want to mention that there are already garbage cans on the market where you press a little pedal with your foot, no voice recognition or batteries are required. So I shut up (like a garbage can messing with its owner) and asked Fields about the other item on display: A light-up makeup mirror. The mirror’s lights are controlled by, what else? Your phone. But this is not a question of “off” and “on” or even “daylight” versus “Hollywood.” “There are 50,000 different light settings,” Fields said. So, for instance, “If you want to do your makeup based on the lighting in your office, you can take a photo in the app and mimic the same lighting on the mirror.” This struck me as the most first world solution to the most first world problem I’d ever heard. But when I mentioned the mirror to two of my friends, they both thought it sounded fantastic.
A male friend has a similar reaction when I tried to describe the “Fizzics” geegaw at the show. “If you take a can or bottle of beer and do a normal pour”—the Fizzics demonstrator proceeded to pour a can of beer into a plastic cup—”the bubbles are all different sizes. You lose the flavor and aroma.” You do? I didn’t want to drink the beer, so the demonstrator obliged by drinking it for me and shaking his head to indicate this sub-optimal beer experience. BUT, put your can or bottle into the “Fizzics” machine, and the ultrasound technology controls things so precisely that when you press a lever and the beer comes out, the bubbles are perfect and the head is more impressive than the snow on Mount Fuji. The demonstrator drank this beer for me too, exclaiming at its creaminess and aroma. “The micro-foam locks all the flavor in!” His eyes looked slightly glassy as the next customer came up to ask for a demonstration. But it was a happy glassy. And then there were the folks selling the LumiDiet—a belt the size of the one you get if you’re heavyweight champion of the world (no pun intended), except it’s lined with red LED lights. When the lights are on, the belt melts the pounds away. The marketing specialist, Jay Lee, said, “We recommend you use it prior to exercise, for better, faster results.” Yes, I’ll bet that helps. “Can I eat while I wear it?” I asked, causing Lee to snap, “You can’t eat five hamburgers a day and still lose weight.” Maybe technology still can’t do everything we need it to. CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com
Earth Day photo contest announced
Aspiring student photographers and artists who demonstrate their talent and knowledge about how the power of the sun can help our planet can win some great prizes in the “Are You a Solar Superstar? Make a Difference One Ray at a Time” contest. Sponsored by Sunrise Solar Solutions LLC, the contest calls for entries that show how solar power makes the Earth a better place. “Earth Day [April 22] isn’t just about promoting renewable energy, it’s about demonstrating our support for the protection of the environment,” said Doug Hertz, Sunrise Solar Solutions president. “We are committed to the communities we serve here
in the Hudson Valley, and we want to help educate children and their parents about the power of renewable energy.” The contest is open to all middle and high school students attending schools in Westchester and Rockland counties. The contest calls for students to create an original piece of artwork or a photograph that demonstrates how solar power makes our Earth a better place and how it can help us save energy and reduce our carbon footprint. Entries should be submitted as a JPEG file via email to earthday@sunrisesolarllc.com by Friday, April 14. Two grand prize winners will be selected; one from the high
school and one from the middle school category. Each of the top winners will receive a $200 Amazon gift card. Two second-place winners will also be selected and will each receive a $100 Amazon gift card. In addition, all entries may be showcased in a traveling public gallery display, as well as on the Sunrise Solar Solutions website, Facebook page, and in Sunrise Solar Solutions marketing materials and/or advertisements. For more information about the “Are You a Solar Superstar? Make a Difference One Ray at a Time” contest, call 747-2500 or email earthday@sunrisesolarllc. com. (Submitted)
Edward, about 5 1/2 years old, is the sweetest cat ever. He never hisses, swats, growls or even bats an eye, no matter what. He is a handsome boy with distinctive “black cat” markings: fascinating gray eyebrows, a gray/black tabby tail, and amazing light golden eyes. Edward has been diagnosed with diabetes and is receiving two injections a day to properly treat it. An easy kitty to medicate, he is fine with nonaggressive cats and has lived with dogs comfortably. Currently in short-term foster care, he is now ready for a long-term foster home with possibility to adopt. Edward is neutered and up-to-date with all vaccinations. To meet Edward and to learn about fostering this very special cat, contact Pet Rescue at 835-3332 or 835-4133 or visit NY-PetRescue.org. (Submitted)
14 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • March 31, 2017
The first pitch LIVE MIKE Mike Smith
The Major League Baseball calendar is set to kick off on April 3, and while every team’s fan base comes into the season with a host of questions about playoff chances, roster spots and divisional races, I’ve got another question as we wait for Opening Day. Will President Trump throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Nationals Park? Now, before huge swaths of readers begin to turn the page, alarmed at politics creeping into the sports section, fear not; this isn’t a politically charged column. But for some reason, presidential first pitches have always been an interest of mine, and after hearing reports this week that Trump was considering making the long walk out to the mound this year, I’m wondering
if he will go through with it. There’s a long history of presidential first pitches, dating all the way back to William Howard Taft in 1910. Every sitting president since then has undertaken the task at least once, be it before Opening Day, the MLB All-Star Game or a World Series contest. The degrees of success have been, well, varied. Franklin Delano Roosevelt famously hit a newspaper camera back in 1940. In 2009, Barack Obama made waves for his first pitch at the All-Star Game in St. Louis, and was derided for his decision to wear jeans, and worst of all, a Chicago White Sox pullover. George W. Bush, on the other hand, fired a perfect strike from the mound before the first World Series game in New York City following the events of 9/11 in what even his most ardent critics would agree was a moment that transcended our national pastime.
So what will President Trump do? I have no idea. There’s no doubt that the president has a long history with baseball. He played the game in high school and was a longtime fixture at Yankee Stadium when the Bronx Bombers were owned by his pal George Steinbrenner. He fashions himself as a man of the people, and what better way to demonstrate that by participating in a century-old tradition that is about as American as it comes? On the other hand, he similarly revels in the idea of being an iconoclast, of breaking away from the trappings of the presidency, so maybe he will forgo the pitch? Not to mention, the crowd in Washington, D.C.—a city in which Trump drew just 4 percent of the vote in the presidential election—might not give him the warmest reception, something that might also scare him away from stepping on the field.
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SPORTS
Major League Baseball’s Opening Day is coming up on April 3. Sports Editor Mike Smith wonders if our newly elected president will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. Photo/Mike Smith
But if he’s reading—he isn’t— I’d urge him to get out there on Monday, throw out the first pitch, and let us get on with the baseball season as if was simply business as usual in the Capitol.
It may not fix the problems facing this country, it may not bridge any political divide between our citizens, but it will, for at least a few minutes, possibly distract us from the grave
problems facing our nation. And at its core, isn’t that what baseball is all about?
Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports
SPORTS
Lennon, Rye look to future By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor
Alex Goldstein leaps to make a save. Goldstein and George Ross will be competing for the goalie job this season.
Dylan Concavage bodies up on a Bronxville attacker. Photos/Mike Smith
Coming into his first year at the helm of the Rye lacrosse program, head coach Steve Lennon wanted to make one thing clear: when it came to playing time, whatever Garnet players had done in the past simply wouldn’t matter. Over the last few weeks, he said, that sentiment has paid off well as Rye’s players have come into the preseason with something to prove. And with the season starting this week, the Garnets will have to keep on proving. Lennon, who took over after five stellar years at league rival Eastchester, said that the intensity he has seen so far in practice bodes well for the 2017 season. With a roster full of players looking to impress a new coaching staff, the competition for starting spots has been fierce. “I made it a point to talk to all the guys who were already leaders and I told them that they kind of had to earn that role all over again,” Lennon said.
“Even though I respect what they had done in years prior, it was going to be a big thing for this team to have guys make first impressions, fighting for a fresh start.” And on paper, the Garnets should be set up nicely. The squad brings back eight players who started for last year’s 12-6 team, led by a handful of stars who have already committed to play at the next level. Lennon said that the offensive facets of the game plan have fallen into place quickly, thanks in part to the play of attackers like Brendan Dugan and Will Kirkpatrick. He has also been impressed with the early play of Teddy Aquilino, who could play a significant role this year. “[Teddy] was one of those cases where we heard one thing, he ran some middie last year, but
he’s been such a great surprise early on,” Lennon said. “I think he can be a 20-goal scorer and a really important part of our offense.” The midfield, which should also be a strength, will be highlighted by brothers Peter and Billy Chabot, who are signed on to play at Colgate and Dartmouth, respectively, after they graduate. Defensively, the Garnets will rely on the play of Syracusebound Owen Hull, a physical presence who will be asked to shutdown the opposing team’s best player. “He’s a big, athletic, aggressive guy,” Lennon said. “But he also does everything the right way.” In the net, Lennon has been utilizing two goalies in the preseason, junior George Ross and sophomore Alex Goldstein. Lennon has been impressed with both netminders early on, and says that the positional battle has been emblematic of the approach he’s been seeing from all of his players in the last few weeks. “That’s been the best thing going forward, I don’t think I’ve ever seen this type of intensity from a group in my years of coaching,” the coach said. “And with the two goalies, they
March 31, 2017 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 15
Peter Chabot wins a face-off in a scrimmage against Bronxville on March 24. Chabot could emerge as one of the top face-off men in the section this year.
both know that if they’re not being a leader out there, if they aren’t vocal, it could be the other guy who steps up.” Rye’s season began with a 12-5 win against Mamaroneck on March 28, and Lennon said that he’s hoping to see his team build on that result in the coming weeks. “We aren’t setting goals like ‘win a section title,’ but it’s more about the process,” he said. “We set numbers for ourselves in practice on clearing, shooting percentage, stuff like that, and we’re really seeing the guys buy in.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com
Brendan Dugan looks for an open target against the Broncos. Dugan is an important cog in the Garnets’ attack.
2017 RYE CITY REVIEW NCAA TOURNAMENT CHALLENGE
16 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • March 31, 2017
ROUND 2
ROUND 3
REGIONAL SEMIFINALS
REGIONAL FINALS
March 16-17
March 18-19
March 23-24
March 25-26
1 Villanova 16 Mount St. Mary’s
Wisconsin Virginia Tech
8 Wisconsin 9 Virginia Tech 5 Virginia 12 N.C Wilmington 4 Florida 13 E. Tennessee St. 6 SMU 11 Prov/USC 3 Baylor 14 N. Mex. St. 7 South Carolina 10 Marquette 2 Duke
Villanova
Virginia
1 Gonzaga 16 S. Dakota St. 8 Northwestern 9 Vanderbilt 5 Notre Dame 12 Princeton 4 West Virginia 13 Bucknell 6 Maryland 11 Xavier 3 Florida St. 14 Fla Gulf Coast
March 18-19
March 16-17
South Carolina
FINAL FOUR April 1
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Michigan Louisville
Kentucky
N. Carolina N. Carolina
Gonzaga
Xavier Maryland
N. Carolina
Middle Tenn St. Minnesota
West Virginia Bucknell
Butler
Oregon 3 Iona 14 Michigan 7 Oklahoma St. 10 Louisville 2 Jacksonville St. 15 N. Carolina 1 Texas Southern 16 Arkansas 8 Seton Hall 9 Minnesota 5 Middle Tenn St. 12 Butler 4
Butler
WEST
SAN JOSE
1ST
71 PTS.
MEMPHIS
Cincinnati
UCLA Villanova Gonzaga Kansas Kentucky
St. Mary’s Arizona
Wichita St. Kentucky
Gonzaga Kentucky
Kentucky
NATIONAL CHAMPION
3RD
68 PTS.
FINAL FOUR
4TH
67 PTS.
UCLA 3 Kent St. 14
Kentucky
CHAMPIONSHIP
Arizona
Cincinnati 6 Kansas St. 11
UCLA
FINAL FOUR
Xavier Arizona
Winthrop 13
SOUTH
N. Carolina Kentucky
Gonzaga
Xavier Maryland
Florida St.
FINAL FOUR
Creighton 6 Rhode Island 11
Arkansas Gonzaga
West Virginia Bucknell
Michigan Louisville
Northwestern
Notre Dame
Rhode Island Oregon
Oregon Louisville
Gonzaga
Vermont 13
MIDWEST Oregon
South Carolina Duke
Purdue 4
Purdue
KANSAS CITY
Gonzaga
Iowa St. 5 Nevada 12
Purdue.
NEW YORK
Gonzaga
Miami (FL) 8 Michigan St. 9
Iowa St.
Oregon Kansas
South Carolina Villanova
EAST
South Carolina Duke
Kansas 1 NCCENT/UCD 16
Kansas
Florida Virginia
Dayton 7 Wichita St. 10 Kentucky 2 North Kentucky 15
Gonzaga
FINAL FOUR
5TH
64 PTS.
FINAL FOUR
6TH
63 PTS.
FINAL FOUR
Villanova West Virginia Kansas N. Carolina
Duke Arizona Oregon N. Carolina
Villanova Arizona Kansas N. Carolina
Villanova Gonzaga Louisville Kentucky
Villanova Arizona Kansas N. Carolina
West Virginia Kansas
Duke Oregon
Villanova Kansas
Gonzaga Kentucky
Villanova N. Carolina
CHAMPIONSHIP NATIONAL CHAMPION West Virginia
FINAL FOUR
CHAMPIONSHIP
Sports Editor MIke Smith
8TH
59 PTS.
Florida Maryland Louisville N. Carolina
CHAMPIONSHIP NATIONAL CHAMPION Louisville
NATIONAL CHAMPION Duke
FINAL FOUR
CHAMPIONSHIP
Publisher Howard Sturman
9TH
57 PTS.
Mayor Joe Sack
NATIONAL CHAMPION Villanova
FINAL FOUR
CHAMPIONSHIP
CHAMPIONSHIP
Councilwoman Julie Killian
10TH
53 PTS.
NATIONAL CHAMPION Gonzaga
FINAL FOUR
Councilman Terry McCartney
11TH
48 PTS.
NATIONAL CHAMPION N. Carolina
FINAL FOUR
Duke Xavier Oregon Seton Hall
Marquette Northwestern Michigan N. Carolina
Duke Arizona Kansas UCLA
Duke Arizona Kansas UCLA
CHAMPIONSHIP
CHAMPIONSHIP
Duke Oregon
Northwestern N. Carolina
Duke Kansas
Duke UCLA
CHAMPIONSHIP
Florida Louisville Editor-in-Chief Christian Falcone
March 23-24
Michigan St.
Councilwoman Kirstin Bucci
60 PTS.
March 25-26
Baylor
15 North Dakota
7TH
ROUND 2
Kansas
Baylor
2 Arizona
Reporter James Pero
ROUND 3
Florida Villanova
Prov/USC SMU
10 VCU
69 PTS.
REGIONAL SEMIFINALS
Kansas
Florida
7 St. Mary’s
2ND
REGIONAL FINALS
Wisconsin Villanova
Duke
15 Troy
THE COUNCILWOMAN’S BRACKET
NATIONAL CHAMPION Duke
Councilwoman Emily Hurd
NATIONAL CHAMPION Northwestern
Reporter Franco Fino
NATIONAL CHAMPION Kansas
CHAMPIONSHIP
Councilwoman Danielle Tagger-Epstein
NATIONAL CHAMPION
UCLA