PRESORTED STANDARD PERMIT #3036 WHITE PLAINS NY
Vol. VI No. II
Westchester’s Most Influential Weekly
Thursday, January 12, 2012 $1.00
A Gift from Pope Benedict XVI
By Archbishop Timothy Dolan, Page 17 Coming to a Computer Near You
One Road, Two Windfalls
Fighting Peekskill’s City Hall
Tekturna Drug Combination Found Harmful
This is Democracy at Work
Fifty Years On
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THURSDAY, January 5, 2012
The Westchester Guardian
Of Significance Community Section................................................................................4 Cyber Security......................................................................................4 Affordable Housing.............................................................................6 Books......................................................................................................6 Budgets...................................................................................................8 Calendar................................................................................................9 Najah’s Corner......................................................................................9 Charity.................................................................................................10 Cultural Perspective..........................................................................10 Economic Development...................................................................11 History.................................................................................................13 Medicine..............................................................................................14 Spoof.....................................................................................................14 Movie Review.....................................................................................15 Sports....................................................................................................16 Eye On Theatre...................................................................................16 Religion................................................................................................17 Government Section.............................................................................17 Message from the Mayor..................................................................17 Albany Correspondent.....................................................................18 Mayor Marvin’s Column..................................................................19 Current Commentary.......................................................................20 Government........................................................................................21 OpEd Section..........................................................................................20 Weir only Human..............................................................................24 Letters to the Editor...........................................................................25 New York Civic...................................................................................26 Legal Notices...........................................................................................25
Westchester’s Most Influential Weekly
Guardian News Corp. P.O. Box 8 New Rochelle, New York 10801 Sam Zherka , Publisher & President publisher@westchesterguardian.com Hezi Aris, Editor-in-Chief & Vice President whyteditor@gmail.com Advertising: (914) 562-0834 News and Photos: (914) 562-0834 Fax: (914) 633-0806 Published online every Monday Print edition distributed Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday Graphic Design: Watterson Studios, Inc. www.wattersonstudios.com
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RADIO
Westchester On the Level with Narog and Aris
Westchester On the Level with Co-hosts Richard Narog and Hezi Aris is heard from 10 am to 12 Noon, from Monday to Friday. Listen live at http://www.BlogTalkRadio. com/WestchesterOnThe Level and join the conversation by call toll-free to 1-877-674-2436. For those who cannot join us live, consider listening to the show by way of an MP3 download, or an on demand after 12:15 p.m., after every show at the link provided above, The highlight of the week of January 9-13, 2012, is expected to be spending Thursday, January 12th with New York State Assemblyman George Latimer. We will start the day at the Rye Metro North Station at the crack of dawn and continue to long after the sun will have set. Best of all, we will speak to Assemblyman Latimer during our normal broadcasting day to get his take on issues of concern to the district he represents. Co-host Richard Narog will be on foreign assignment. The entire archive is available and maintained for your perusal. The easiest way to find a particular interview is to search Google or any other search engine for the subject matter or the name of the interviewee
Mission Statement The Westchester Guardian is a weekly newspaper devoted to the unbiased reporting of events and developments that are newsworthy and significant to readers living in, and/ or employed in, Westchester County. The Guardian will strive to report fairly, and objectively, reliable information without favor or compromise. Our first duty will be to the PEOPLE’S RIGHT TO KNOW, by the exposure of truth, without fear or hesitation, no matter where the pursuit may lead, in the finest tradition of FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. The Guardian will cover news and events relevant to residents and businesses all over Westchester County. As a weekly, rather than focusing on the immediacy of delivery more associated with daily journals, we will instead seek to provide the broader, more comprehensive, chronological step-by-step accounting of events, enlightened with analysis, where appropriate. From amongst journalism’s classic key-words: who, what, when, where, why, and how, the why and how will drive our pursuit. We will use our more abundant time, and our resources, to get past the initial ‘spin’ and ‘damage control’ often characteristic of immediate news releases, to reach the very heart of the matter: the truth. We will take our readers to a point of understanding and insight which cannot be obtained elsewhere. To succeed, we must recognize from the outset that bigger is not necessarily better. And, furthermore, we will acknowledge that we cannot be all things to all readers. We must carefully balance the presentation of relevant, hard-hitting, Westchester news and commentary, with features and columns useful in daily living and employment in, and around, the county. We must stay trim and flexible if we are to succeed.
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CYBER SECURITY MATTERS
Coming to a Computer Near You in 2012 By ALAN HEYMAN Cyber crooks will target small businesses, social media attacks will be more common, and mobile security threats will reach an all-time high in 2012. This is from the Cyber Security and Information Assurance Division of Kroll, Inc, one of the largest security companies in the industry of Cyber security. Their annual security forecast highlights major areas to be vigilant about. The Kroll annual report states that no one is exempt from attack. Companies need to take a strategic and an aggressive approach to Cyber Security. That is all size companies. As a result the Security industry is growing very fast. Up until now, this was an industry of only big companies, IBM, Boeing, Raytheon, Locked, Northrup, Grumman, etc., since this is at the heart of the Defense Industry it will be at the center for major spending in the future. There goes the US Defense budget. The end result to the everyday citizen will be better security products and services, but the down side will be maniacal disruptions to the internet passed by overzealous legislatures and the militarization of cyber space. What to watch out for: Small Businesses are becoming the newest preferred target, especially ones that house large amounts of valuable data but lack the data security budgets of larger companies. The small businesses are weakened by postponed or overlooked upgrades and replacements; this becomes the path of least resistance for Cyber crooks. Social media among businesses is skyrocketing, and its popularity will serve as a conduit for social engineering attacks. Crooks will develop new tactics to coerce end-users into disclosing
sensitive data, downloading malware (short for malicious software) or both. Companies need to combat the risks with advanced technologies, data leakage prevention, enhanced network monitoring and log file analysis. Mobile technologies are changing and expanding at a record pace, many companies can’t keep up with the pace to secure these devices. As a result security threats will out strip the prevention capabilities of many organizations.Thieves are already waiting with new scams to attack employee’s applications. “Ransomware” can take mobile devices hostage. Ransomware is hacker software that infects a device and holds it hostage until a ransom payment is delivered. Lost and stolen devices will reach new higher levels of occurrence. Digital cameras used by medical facilities to document patient treatments are becoming attractive to thieves, with this loss of data potential HIPAA privacy law volitions will rise. Cloud Computing is also reaching new highs as many companies embrace this type of technology as are hackers. Cloud Computing is the ability to use computer services outside of your business and pay for the usage not the hardware or software required, capitalizing on the cost savings and the ease of use. Current surveys and reports indicate that many companies are also underestimating the security due diligence when it comes to investigating these suppliers. The projected increase of breaches in this area will highlight the need for more attention. Targeted Cyber Attacks will rise dramatically. The growing trend over the past years has been for more, and better planned and executed breaches utilizing customized malware. Hackers will continue their persistence of network footholds by attacking all other devices on a
company’s network from printers to routers since they don’t require the same level of investment by the hacker as attacking a supply chain with customized software. This will result in increasing occurrences of targeting senior executives or owners at all companies. A profile or comment on a social media platform even by a CEO or owner’s son or daughter, can help hackers build an information portfolio that could be used for future cyber attacks. Public–private relationships in security will increase as there becomes a global collaborative to develop takedowns of hacker networks. Cybercrime has the capacity to cripple almost every aspect of commerce from the largest corporation to the individual consumer. Similarly the security of the US infrastructure is being called into question in disturbing real ways. While banks, investment firms and other companies continue on the path to globalization, they become increasing inter-connected. A cyber security breach at one firm can create effects that greatly impact systemic risk in global markets. This collaboration will increase the private sector’s capacity to respond to large threats more effectively. Increased Regulatory Scrutiny will require more detailed breach guidelines for companies to report incidents that result or could result in Cyber attacks or a risk of compromising data. Companies overlook key vulnerabilities as regulatory compliance continues to drive organizational security. State and federal regulations will be the yardstick by which comprehensiveness of data privacy and security are measured. We should expect to see governing agencies offer specific guidance on risk assessments and standard IT security controls. There is also a growing segment of Cyber professionals who cynically see the regulatory approach as recently expounded by the new head of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Enforcement
Group, that “enforcement promotes compliance” as a means for the federal and state agencies to increase their income stream and their respective power base. Breach notification laws will gain greater traction outside the US as the US Congress is struggling to reach a consensus on a federal breach notification law. While 44 states in the US have such laws in place, the idea internationally is gaining momentum. The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has recently introduced guidelines for public companies that require companies to report breach incidents. Geolocation technology is the quintessential double edge sword. Consumers love the convenience of innovative mobile apps and services utilizing technology. On the other hand, the backlash against surreptitious tracking or disclosure can be swift and strong. Bills have been introduced in the US Congress for the protection of Geolocation information with privacy advocates urging businesses to adopt an opt-in or consumer consent model. This is a very fast moving and evolving industry, be on the lookout for more to come. Mr. Alan Heyman, xs2ltd@gmail.com ; Managing Director of Cyber Security Auditors & Administrators LLC (CSA2) and the principal of Xanadu Security Services, LTD, (XS2) located at 436 Pleasantville Rd, Briarcliff, NY 10510. His resume is comprised of 25 years in the data communication world, having started one of the first internet based Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) companies in the late 80’s. CSA2 is focused on cyber security issues on a national scale, and the auditing compliance requirements in the healthcare industry. Mr. Heyman’s expertize is a holistic/best practices approach to privacy needs, encompassing legal compliance, IT Engineering, Software, Social Engineering with a special emphasis on computerizing audit compliance issues. He is fully certified by the IBM Internet Security Solution’s Group in all phases of IT and cyber security.
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Affordable Housing
Media Has Become Affordable Housing’s New Battleground By ABBY LUBY
WHITE PLAINS, NY Westchester Country Executive Rob Astorino was last week slammed on the Sunday opinion page of the New York Times. Astorino, a Republican, was blamed for “stonewalling federal authorities over a longstanding housing desegregation case” in Westchester. The harsh criticism was, in part, blowback from Astorino’s recent opinion in The New York Daily News entitled “HUD’s Warped War on Westchester” where he blamed the federal department of Housing and Urban Development for consistently locking horns with the county. Astorino’s op-ed was not the first time he brought his claim of harassment to the media. The county executive has frequently appeared on both Sean Hannity’s FOX News and Capital Tonight reiterating his message of the feds’ unfair play. The crux of the dispute began with Westchester’s historic settlement of the AntiDiscrimination Center (ADC) 2009 lawsuit that stipulated the county build 750 units of affordable housing in predominantly white neighborhoods. The county has seven years to build the units in 31 eligible communities. But there have beencrucial roadblocks that have intensified the friction between Astorino and HUD. Part of the settlement agreement was to report any impediments to building the units, particularly income discrimination and
certain municipal zoning laws. James Johnson, the federal monitor overseeing the county’s compliance to the settlement, urged the county to move forward and to sue local governments if their zoning laws stood in the way of building affordable housing. Astorino balked at the idea. His spokesperson and senior advisor Ned McCormack targeted HUD for neglecting to understand the problems inherent with marching municipalities to court. “Communities are built through cooperation – not litigation,” said McCormack. “HUD would also like the county to dismantle local zoning by suing municipalities over what it perceives as exclusionary zoning. The problem is that HUD sees all zoning as exclusionary, including environmental protections to protect drinking water.” McCormack was quick to point out that the New York Times had no basis for accusing Astorino of “defending an ultra white status quo,” adding that “Westchester is the fourth most diverse county in New York in terms of Hispanic and African American populations, attested to in the 2010 U.S. Census. It is virtually tied with Manhattan, ahead of Staten Island and only trails Brooklyn, Queens and The Bronx. If Westchester were a state, it would rank seventh in Hispanic population and 14th in AfricanAmerican population.” Promoting Westchester’s diversity is seen as an unrelated promotional tactic by Westchester Country Chairman Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers).
“The contention that the county is diverse has nothing do to with the legal stipulation and agreement, which was to create and maintain fair and affordable housing.” Jenkins advocates working with HUD instead of blaming them for imposing certain mandates on communities. “This systematic bashing of people who need to work with the federal government is disingenuous and will cost Westchester residents in the long run.” McCormack especially brings the New York Times to task for misattributing a quote to Johnson from a letter that was actually authored by the regional HUD counsel, Glenda Fussa. The quote, which McCormack said was taken out of context referred to the country’s inability to build any affordable housing to date. Fussa actually begins by acknowledging the county’s successes and how HUD was “pleased to see that the county has made significant progress in meeting the benchmarks set forth and that there has been the first closing of a home development under the terms of the settlement.” The county has reported that the first closing was in November, 2011, and was a three family house in the Village of Pelham. McCormack backs that up. “The county is about a year ahead of schedule when it comes to meeting the housing settlement’s fundamental benchmark. The county has 206 units approved by the federal housing monitor; 182 have all financing in place; 108 units have building permits in place. Under the settlement, the
county needed only to have financing in place for 100 units and building permits for 50 units by the end of 2011.” Most of HUD”s five page letter was a lengthy tally of the country’s shortcomings as far as the settlement goes. McCormack said HUD is not satisfied to “simply see affordable housing built, HUD wants to socially engineer a straightforward contract into a utopian integration order. But toward what end?” Astorino stands by his claim that HUD has been unreasonable, especially after they rejected the county’s fifth housing report on “impediments,” and subsequently retracted about $4 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). In his Daily News opinion piece Astorino said HUD was unrealistic in their request for half of the 750 units to have three bedrooms, a requirement that would double the county’s cost, adding that HUD was taking advantage of the settlement to “dismantle local zoning” and was “oblivious to common sense.” The county executive has repeatedly said his office was powerless in working with the municipalities. “That’s the dichotomy,” said Jenkins. “What we need to do is develop a timetable of action with the municipalities. The stipulation is not about creating 750 units of affordable housing, it’s about creating a framework for fair and affordable housing forever in the county.” Abby Luby is a Westchester based, freelance journalist who writes local news, about environmental issues, art, entertainment and food. Her debut novel, “Nuclear Romance” was recently published. Visit the book’s website, http://nuclearromance.wordpress. com/.
BOOKS
The Pompey Hollow Book Club Celebrating the Heroism of Every American Family During Word War II In 1949, at the Delphi Falls cemetery, six unlikely heroes - eight to ten year olds, (five boys and a girl) racked their brains for a name to call their new “club of valor” to celebrate the first heroic odyssey they’d just completed, against all odds. “We need a special name,” Randy suggested. Dale Barber thought it up - The Pompey Hollow Book Club. It’s a club name no mom in the county would stop us from leaving the house for, even on a school night. Dale was eloquent. No objection; everyone spit and shook hands making the name law. Being as Mary could hit a mighty home run; the boys made her - to the best of their understanding, at the time - America’s very first girl president. It all made sense. As small children they witnessed a world at war on the Saturday picture show’s newsreels. They listened to the War in darkened living rooms on static-whistling radio broadcasts from London, North Africa
or the Pacific, with only their imaginations as the picture. They were ear witnesses to bravery, selflessness and sacrifices every single day for half their young lives. The first half, during a war that took 70 million lives throughout the world. Children of the 1940s learned right from wrong the easy way - and they learned by example that all things were possible when they all came together. It was the very ingenuity and spirit they witnessed in the 1940s and mimicked that made the imagination of the Pompey Hollow Book Club possible. The D Day invasion of 1945 was monument to the reverence the kids of the early forties, had for, those they called - their heroes - who fought and died for world freedom. D Day became their benchmark for the protection of freedom’s minimum standard. Living in a city (Cortland) for the duration, Jerry watched the impact of the War in every family window with a star or heart child drafted, killed or missing from that home. He couldn’t
read but he could count the lists of the names, of the dead, taped to shop windows each day. When Mary’s father returned from France and Italy, in uniform, after the War, she ran and hid under her grandmother’s bed, shaking in fear, not remembering his face - he had been gone so long. Randy and Bobby Mawson went through the War in shrouds of darkness, and were asked to take on certain adult responsibilities around the house, in their dad’s absences - while not being able to hear about the secrets their dads were working on at the Carrier plant in Syracuse - for submarines, bombers and tanks. Dale had to work the farm a little harder,
as a child, with the adults drafted. Bob Holbrook, the oldest boy of four at the time, had to step up to the plate at four - after his father was drafted to serve in Europe. He had to help his mother any way he could. Kids from the early forties didn’t take kindly to invasion and they had an even shorter tolerance for bullies of any kind. If you want to see an American child of that era become a Pompey Hollow Book Club flag bearer, just let anyone threaten their family, friends, or someone weaker and helpless. You will see D-day all over again. The Pompey Hollow Book Club by Jerome Mark Antil - aka J. A. Hoomus - is only the beginning of this author’s adventures. The novel was released Dec. 17 on amazon.com; Kindle; Nook and will be in bookstores in 2012. Jerome Mark Antil was born in Cortland, in 1941. The seventh child of a seventh son of a seventh son, Michael Charles Antil Sr., and Mary Rowe Holman Antil. He completed the first grade at the St. Mary’s Catholic school in Cortland, when the family moved to Delphi Continued on page 7
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BOOKS
The Pompey Hollow Book Club Continued from page 6 Falls, where he lived until just after finishing his eleventh grade in high school. Just before his senior year in high school the family moved from Delphi Falls, first to North Syracuse and then to Milwaukee as a result of a year his father had spent in a TB sanitarium, and subsequent failed businesses. He moved with his Mom and Dad and two of his brothers to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Antil graduated from St. John’s Cathedral in 1958 and went on to attend Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. His parents and younger brother James Joseph moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana where they remained. His career has been “writing” and “marketing” in the business world. He wrote marketing plans, sales and training movies and
commercials. He has lectured at Cornell University; The Johnson School; St. Edwards University; and Southern Methodist University. Antil was inspired to begin the career he always wanted, at the behest of his daughter, Worley Antil Coco and has spent twelve years researching for several books he is now working on. A note from her now adorns his wall, “Start Writing - Be Happy!” To Antil, his career is only beginning; he has so many memories and experiences to draw from. As he puts it, “If my daughter is my only audience, that would be fine with me.” He also mentions that a number of writers got a late start. His favorite authors are John Steinbeck; Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; and Mark Twain.
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When was the last time you dealt with Lexington Capital Associates?
The Retired (Try To) Strike Back— Chapter 34 – The Commercial By ALLAN LUKS
While Myron participates downtown at the community debate for the city council race, his close friends meet at his apartment to discuss creating a commercial to promote his candidacy. “You know that Myron wants his candidacy to show his achievements but also that he’s running as a symbol of how much today’s seniors can accomplish as leaders,” says Mimi, his wife. “I don’t know how easy it is to capture his experience and need to produce change quickly and also have a symbolic message in a thirty-second TV commercial. But ideas?” The six friends and Mimi stay quiet, some nibbling on appetizers, as if their silence recognizes that this is their first effort to run a political campaign and they need more time to think. “I know Myron wants to show he represents a potential national movement of seniors becoming public leaders,” says Bob. “But the commercial has to sell him. He was an actuary at a giant insurance company, supervised hundreds of people, and knows how to track numbers to show how people are doing. His opponent, this young city attorney, she doesn’t have that background and there are other things about her that I can talk about later. I had a lot of years in advertising, I know commercials, and I told you I’ll direct this one—but I still say forget the symbol part. We’re looking for the best way to sell Myron.” Mimi sits tall and straight, her friends are in relaxed positions— “Idea,” says Kenny. “Reporters have gotten to all of us for background on Myron because
we’re his friends. I mentioned to one that I was on a list for a liver transplant, and the reporter put that in his article. But he also wrote, as you saw, that I believed Myron, because of me, was especially aware of protecting people’s health. So my idea: What if we include ourselves in the commercial, as his advisors and seniors, and discuss our problems? It wouldn’t be like the typical political ad on TV that records strangers saying they know the candidate cares about some issue. Viewers know these speakers on the street then walk away. But, as his advisors, we’d say we’re staying right next to Myron in the campaign. We become symbols for the leadership of seniors and Myron.” “We just have thirty seconds,” replies Bob. “I mean, Kenny—I hate to ask—but once an actor always an actor. You wouldn’t expect our quick commercial will get you an agent? I’m sorry, but that’s why my wife calls me cynical.” “I don’t think agents want to sign on an actor waiting for a liver transplant,” defends Kenny, staring at Bob— “Bob, please,” says Joan, his wife, “you are being the advertising cynic. I like Kenny’s idea. I wouldn’t mind saying I had breast cancer. I also wouldn’t mind holding our grandson and saying our son is looking to switch jobs, but is terribly hampered because we don’t have a lot of programs, like in other countries, paying businesses to hire and train new workers on the job. Then I’d say I’m part of Myron’s advisory team and will be close to him. And Myron can introduce himself at the end of the commercial reciting his experiences.” Continued on page 8
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BOOKS advertising cynic,” answers Bob. The friends smile at each other, more raising of coffee cups to each other— “But what if our commercial doesn’t increase the awareness of Myron to a public out there that’s judging in thirty seconds?” Bob asks. “What’s more important? To make sure people in our district recognize, and then tell others, that the country’s political polarization can be lessened by seniors, who if elected, need to make change happen soon? Or for Myron to beat an opponent who’s been a city lawyer living off
taxpayer money, ranked near the bottom of her law school class, and had a marriage lasting one week? Yes, I’ve been doing a little research. Tell me, with our limited budget, which commercial do we need?”
No Guarantees: One Man’s Road Through the Darkness of Depression Chapter Nineteen – Hiding in Plain Sight
first arrived at 24th Street, he was one of the kids from the “apartment house,” a working and lower middle class building filled with hundreds of families. The tenants were known for working hard, sending their kids to catholic schools and praying that their kids would not get in with the gangs that were prevalent during the late fifties and early sixties. The kids there were know for being tough and good athletes. I was neither. But , in time, after my arrival from my foster parents home I…one of the kids form the private houses up the street… would join them. When we were very young, say from age seven until about fourteen, Vince and I friends. We were destined to bond more closely later on when we both became hockey players, and more so still later when we shared intellectual and professional interests. You will learn much more about Vince as we move through these early weeks and when therapy focuses on the issues in my life. Throughout my life, this uncommonly intelligent man has been a teacher, a collaborator and an alter ego. It was Vince who helped me to stop verbally obsessing every day in my office or during our lunchtime walks along Nassau Street in Lower Manhattan. I still remember the day he turned to me with strident concern, “Hey Del (will talk about this name later), you have got to stop taking like this; you are making yourself worse. You have got to talk with your doctor.” That declaration, plus my doctor’s admonition that I bring the issues only to his office each week, was the first itty-bitty step in the long road to recovery. And so, my therapy began on week two.
for policy changes that often require years before they can help large numbers of people. But if grant awards were given for successful policy changes, so these advocates could be paid, social workers would be identifying small, new programs every day that cost nothing or very little and could improve life in every area— housing, health, schools, jobs. And I’d end up saying, ‘And I’m a Myron advisor too.’” “I like it, Bob,” says Mimi. “You amateurs are better than the old
The Retired (Try To) Strike Back Continued from page 7 “Well, my wife, the former radio commercial writer and then account executive who had to hold client hands, is finally moving over to TV creative,” says Bob. He smiles and raises his coffee cup to his wife—but then blows her a kiss. “I could do a few lines being the retired social worker,” adds Steven. “About how today social workers just want to be therapists because that’s what makes money, and don’t advocate
By BOB MARRONE The days between visits to my doctor during those first few weeks were driven by my need to survive, a goal complicated by the requirement to hide my condition and keep my job, while also dealing with a set of symptoms that grew in number and intensity. If you were to meet me in my office during those early days, you would have observed a person who appeared to alternate between the extremes of quiet intensity and manic agitation. You would have encountered someone who was constantly sweating, preoccupied and losing weight at a precipitous rate. You would also have noticed, had I not had an out of the way office, that I made at least thirty trips a day to the water fountain or men’s room.This last item was necessitation by my inability to sit still, persistent panic attacks and the need to urinate frequently that accompanied my anxiety problem. What you would not have seen was the agitation and impatience I was feeling to get closure on the obsessions, self-loathing, and doubt about everything I was or thought I was. You also would not have been aware that I was singularly terrified all of the time. I also endlessly talked about the issues I was obsessing about to anyone I thought could help me. I could not stop. This dynamic would create a great deal of damage before I was able to get it under control, a subject we will take up a little later in this chapter.
All I wanted to do was make the pain stop. I could not concentrate, nor did I care about my work in any genuine way. What I cared about was keeping my job and feeding my family. There were four circumstances of good fortune that enabled me to get through this stage of my illness. First, I had literally just changed jobs within my company, so no one in my new shop was familiar with the more outgoing and relaxed way I had carried myself before. Second, I began my new position as an instructor just when the Training Department was revising its curriculum and building new courses. As such, the emphasis was on design of lesson plans and manuals, rather than standup classroom instruction that wouldn’t pick up until the new courses were ready. Third, I had my own office, which enabled me to hide the worst of my symptoms and odd behaviors from superiors and coworkers, and to work on my instructional materials without having to interact with others. Interaction was also becoming a problem due to a worsening collection of phobias. The initial claustrophobia I experienced on the airplane ride a few weeks before had given way to other more debilitating fears and sensations. It was becoming ever more difficult to look people in the eye without feeling the need to pull my head to the side and/or have my voice crack with anxiety. I also was becoming unable to be travel in wide open spaces. A sense of paranoia that those around me might know what was going
on, or worse, thought that I was useless, also began to grow. One of the strangest and frightening set of feelings was what can best be described as hypersensitivity, a phenomena I mentioned earlier in the book. Light made me flinch. Heat made me broil. Wind felt like daggers against my skin, and sudden head movements exacerbated my anxiety and left me with vertigo. I also experienced what is called depersonalization, a syndrome where you feel that you are outside yourself. These symptoms interacted with the phobias in such a way that I had to carefully calculate where I went, and try and limit the number of people I would have to see. I mentioned earlier that there were four items of good fortune. The fourth and the best was the presence of my best friend, Vince, on the training staff. Vincent A. Russo, known as Vinny to most when we were younger, was born and raised in Brooklyn. As he entered the professional world of adulthood, his moniker morphed into the more mature and less ethnically based ‘Vince’. I cannot remember the last time I called him either name. He is and has been for decades Partner, Cuz, Norton, Mr. Fabersham, Pal, Mr. Harper ( the last four a reference to our mutual love of The Honeymooners ), with a few Scumbags or Douche-bags thrown in, the latter two an acknowledgement of our lives in South Brooklyn. We have been friends for almost fifty-five years, and close for about forty-five. When I
Allan Luks is anationally recognized social works leader and advocate for volunteerism. He is currently a visiting professor at Fordham university, where he teaches several courses in nonprofit leadership.Learn more at http://allanluks.com. Direct email to allan@allanluks.com.
Bob Marrone is the host of the Good Morning Westchester with Bob Marrone, heard from Monday to Friday, from 6 – 8:30 a.m., on WVOX-1460 AM.
BUDGETS
Are You Getting Your Fair Share of The State Budget? By FRANK VERNICCIO, Jr. Does Westchester receive its’ fair share of the state budget? A new report from the Rockefeller Institute reveals that it may not. According to the “Giving and Getting” study, released in December at the
University of Albany, the downstate suburbs, (Putnam, Rockland, Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk) with 21.7% of the population, provide about 27% of the state’s revenue, but only get back just over 17%. New York City also contributes more than it receives. Roughly speaking,
with 42.9% of the state population, NYC provides 45% of the state’s income, and gets 40% back. By contrast, the rest of the state (including the Capital Region, with 4.2% of the population, and upstate, with 31.2%) contributes 24% and gets 35% back. There are several ways in which the share of funds can be calculated, and some provide
a less unbalanced picture, particularly when federal funds are included. But most accounting methods concur that downstate doesn’t get back all that it sends. Over the years, New Yorkers from every region have expressed concern about the geographic distribution of state budget dollars. Upstaters often believe they subsidize downstate social welfare programs; downstaters believe they are not getting a fair share of education Continued on page 9
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BUDGETS
Are You Getting Your Fair Share of The State Budget? Continued from page 8 funds (and have sued the state on that issue.) Numerous subsidiary questions, such as the fair distribution of state prisons and state universities, and their effects on local economies, are often part of the debate. However the funds are apportioned, it is clear that New York as a whole must rethink both its level of taxation (3rd highest in the
nation) and its’ spending habits. The ink was barely dry on last year’s budget deal before many, including NYC’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg, labeled it a “rip off.” County governments from the far north to the extreme south groaned over the continuing burden of unfunded mandates. Homeowners, particularly in Westchester and Rockland, two of the highest taxed counties in the nation,
NAJAH’S CORNER
Creating a Monster, Part 1 By NAJAH MUHAMMAD As he lay there in bed, he began to regain consciousness. Eyes still closed; ears wide open. He began to sigh as he thought it feels good to listen. It was as if he could feel the sun rising by the sounds the Earth was producing. The wind whistled past as if it was calling the trees to adornment. The trees, oh, they sounded like ocean tide; swaying so abrasively yet sounding so soothing. The song of the trees seemed to be an alarm clock signaling the diurnal animals that their time has come. He heard the birds in all their euphonic commotion; each singing a different song. He heard bees descending, basking in the sunlight. He heard their wings fading as they probably foraged for pollen. Laying there in his shabby, rundown cot, posted against the left corner of his one-story wooden cabin, he lived vicariously through the mellifluous sounds of the creatures that came to pass. Night after night, day after day, whenever he could find a moment of rest he closed his eyes and faded into an inner utopia; inspired by the sounds of freedom around him. It was perfect each time, just like now. Perfect. Just as he began to fall back asleep a sharp wetness smacked his face. His lungs flooded as he took in a breath. Coughing as he opened his eyes he saw Mister standing over him with an empty bucket. The boy reached down and picked up a rag as he shivered from the coldness of the water. Mister was a tall gauntly looking man, thin from scarcity of food. He was an old man somewhere in his 50’s though his years of smoking aged him far past that. He was a feeble, wicked old bum whose back hunched over a bit. His skin, the color of a brown paper bag, was dull and wrinkly. The veins were visible on his hands and on his neck. His hands shook as he tried to hold himself up with his cane. His clothes were oversized. He was dressed in large black pants, a holey, off-white shirt, and tarnished grey boots. “Wake up boy!” he yells. “Yes, Uncle Roger,” the boy replies. “What did I tell you to call me?” “Yes, Mister,” the boy corrects himself. “You got five minutes to get dressed little boy; I’ll wait outside. And you know I won’t wait long. If you want
to eat, you better make it snappy.” The sink was parallel to the bed. The boy ran to it as Mister wobbled out the door. Hastily, the boy took a bird bath and had already used up about half of the time he was allotted. He was a handsome, young man; around fifteen years of age. He was tall as well, and slinky from that awkward stage of puberty. It was obvious he was not related to Mister at all. The roundness in his facial features and the shape of his eyes and nose were a clear indication. As he dressed in the same clothes he wore yesterday, he stopped, and took a couple of seconds to stare at his reflection in the dirty mirror over the sink. He noticed the richness of his brown skin and the darkness of his thick hair. Then he shook his head in dissatisfaction and headed out the door. “You took long enough boy,” says Mister in a condescending manner. The boy helped Mister finish getting the horses properly attached to the carriage. As they finish up Mister utters, “I don’t like you much boy, but I had much respect for your mother before she passed. She was smart. She was beautiful. Your mother was the only one of us who went to school. And she did well. You know what I loved about her? She dreamed of being rich. She did, and so did I. If your no good father were here I’d probably hate him as much as I hate you. Maybe more.” The boy put his head down in shame. “Do you want to know why I hate you boy? After all today is your birthday right? You’ve been with me from the time you were two, and now you are fifteen.” Now struggling to get onto the carriage Mister begins to tell his story. The boy is sitting next to him trying to keep balance as the rocky carriage moved forward. The breeze fluttered by and Mister turned to look at the boy, then the boy turned to look at Mister. The boy’s face spoke desperate curiosity. Najah Muhammad is a 17-year-old senior in high school. She plans to attend college next year majoring in communications.
remain deeply concerned over how to pay for ever increasing property taxes—even with the 2% cap. (In fact, according to the Public Policy Institute, the 15 counties with the worst property tax burdens are all located in New York.) Individuals attempting to prosper and grow businesses are frequently ignored by the State Senate and the State Assembly, whose members cater far too often to special interests. New York’s onerous personal income tax (which is highly progressive, imposing increasing burdens on those most likely to generate jobs or business) remains an incentive to leave the Empire State for more friendly jurisdictions.
The State Legislature begins its’ session on January 4, and is supposed to have enacted a new budget by April 1. Will Albany provide a fair and responsible budget by then, if at all? The fighting goes beyond Democrat / Republican, upstate vs. downstate. It is also a “politicians vs. the people” donnybrook. An equitable approach, equally acceptable to citizens from Niagara Falls to the sandy beaches of Long Island, must be adopted. For further information, contact Frank Vernuccio by directing email to: nycommunityaction@gmail.com.
calendar
Future of Jerusalem Topic of Upcoming Lecture the lecture and the community is welcome. Presenting an overview as well as a detailed analysis will be Shlomi Kofman,Deputy Consul General of Israel in New York, Israel’s largest mission, where his role is to coordinate the political work of the Consulate in the tristate area, developing relations with national, state and local Continued on page 10
What is the future of Jerusalem? A detailed examination of Israel’s vision for its ancient holy city and the city’s likely future prospects is the topic of a provocative four-part series at Temple Israel of New Rochelle. The second in the series, which is sponsored by The Israel Action Committee, will be held Tuesday, January 17 at 7:30 pm. There is no charge for
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The Westchester Guardian
THURSDAY, January 12, 2012
calendar
Future of Jerusalem Topic of Upcoming Lecture Continued from page 9 officials. He maintains regular contact with those following major foreign policy and strategic issues at think tanks and elite universities. Prior to his appointment, Kofman served as Foreign affairs Advisor to the Israeli Minister of National Infrastructures, and as head of the Department of Foreign Affairs in the Ministry of National Infrastructures. Before that he was
head of the Department of Foreign Affairs in the Knesset and served as Chief of Staff to ambassadors Sallai Meridor and Danny Ayalon at the Embassy of Israel in Washington, DC. He also served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Israel in Bangkok from 2003-2005 and directed Israel’s aid operations during and after the tsunami disaster of December2004. Earlier in his career, Kofman was officer of
the desk of Chinese and Korean affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and prior to that, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Consulate General of Israel in Shanghai. He earned an MBA from Webster University in St. Louis while serving in Shanghai. He also holds a BA in International and East Asian Studies from Hebrew University of Jerusalem, as well as an AS in Electronic Engineering and a teaching certificate. Kofman was born in Tbilisi, the capital of
the former Soviet Republic of Georgia in 1970. He moved to Israel with his family at the age of 9. Today he and his family live in New York. The remaining series’ segments will be held March 13 and May 22. Guests planning to attend are requested to RSVP to Barbara Kantor at the Temple office, (914) 235-1800. Temple Israel is located at 1000 Pinebrook Blvd, New Rochelle, New York.
keep your exercise resolutions going strong, consider signing up for the 26th Running of the Leatherman’s Loop 10k Trail Race at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. Registration for the Loop Lottery is open until January 16th. The actual event will take place on April 22nd at the Reservation. I’m starting my training right now! The Emergency Shelter Partnership is looking for donations of old bath towels, which I know we have…The Partnership provides food, shelter, and a shower to local people who need a place to stay for the night. Those in need register with the police department in Mt. Kisco and are then brought to area churches. The First Presbyterian Church of Katonah, which is the church we belong to, is hosting the Partnership January 16th to the 22nd. January 15th through February 19th the Katonah Museum of Art will be showing a Tri-State Juried Exhibition: Art to the Point. The Juror, Donald Sultan, is a distinguished American painter, printmaker, and sculptor. This exhibition focuses on clarity and vision in the simplest of terms and mediums. The idea is to get away from clutter and agendas, and concentrate solely on art. This is a great opportunity to view art in is simplest form, and no one knows simple better than me! For all pre-school and incoming kindergarten parents the Katonah- Lewisboro School
District is hosting a panel discussion to provide them with all the information they need to help their children prepare for school. This event was postponed in November, and will now be held on January 18th from 9:30-10:45am in the Increase Miller Elementary Cafeteria. After going through school with three teenage daughters I consider myself an expert! Jumping ahead about ten years, for those parents starting to think about their kids going off to college and their SAT/ACT scores, there is a free SAT/ACT combo practice test at the Fox Lane High School in Bedford on January 19th at 4:00pm. This combo test will help students figure out which exam might be a better fit. Bring a calculator, No. 2 pencils, and a snack for the marathon of tests. Did you know that 2012 is a Leap Year, an Olympic Year and an Election Year, with all that going on, the best advice I can offer is to make sure you pick up this wonderful publication each week to keep up on what’s happening…see you next week.
CALENDAR
News & Notes from Northern Westchester By MARK JEFFERS The weather outside hasn’t been frightful, but the fire is still delightful and since there’s no place to go…the area ski venues are singing “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow” and speaking of delightful…please enjoy this week’s “News and Notes.” Our northern Westchester neighbor Martha Stewart, one of Bedford’s most notable residents, will be losing her show on the Hallmark Channel at the end of the current TV season, maybe she should bake up a batch of her famous cookies and send some to the programming folks over at Hallmark... The White Plains Rotary Club and the city’s Fire Department are sponsoring a food drive through January 27th. Canned goods may be dropped off at the city firehouses in White Plains. Congratulations goes out to North Salem resident Nancy Pearson who was recently appointed the vice president of the board of directors of CAREERS for people with
Disabilities Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding productive employment for individuals with disabilities. The Briarcliff Manor Police Benevolent Association is holding a coat drive through January 30th. New or gently-used coats of any size can be dropped off at Police Headquarters on Pleasantville Road, for more information call 914-941-2130. Calling all beauty pageant aficionados starting on Saturday January 14th at 2:00 pm the Miss Teen New York USA pageant will be held at the Performing Arts Center at Purchase College. Now that winter is finally setting in, it is time to start curling up by the fire and reading a good book. The question is what to read…problem solved, on every second Friday of the month the Bedford Free Library hosts a brown bag book chat, where people can gather to discuss books you have liked, hated, old ones, new ones, and of course give recommendations. No registration is necessary just bring a bagged lunch. If you are looking for a way to help
CHARITY
CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE
Yonkers PBA to Make Donation to Seton Pediatric Center The Yonkers Police Benevolent Association announced they and Yonkers Fire Local 628 would present a check in the amount of $63,000 to the Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center. The presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, January 11th, at 11am. and will take place at the new state of the art Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center facility located at 300 Corporate Blvd. South, Yonkers, NY. The Yonkers PBA and Yonkers Fire Local 628 raised the money to be donated at
Mark Jeffers successfully spearheaded the launch of MAR$AR Sports & Entertainment LLC in 2008. As president he has seen rapid growth of the company with the signing of numerous clients. He resides in Bedford Hills, New York, with his wife Sarah, and three daughters, Kate, Amanda, and Claire.
the Yonkers Police vs. Yonkers Fire Toughman Competition, which was held on October 28th, 2011. “Yonkers Finest boxing Yonkers Bravest is one of the most popular and successful events in the City of Yonkers,” noted Det. Keith Olson, president of the Yonkers PBA, brimming with pride, The latest Toughman was the seventh event of the series and through the years has raised more than $400,000 for various local charities
Three Veils and More By SHERIF AWAD With only two feature films to her credit, Arab American writer-director Rolla Selbak made a name for herself as the up and coming feminist filmmaker among those in independent cinema. The self-taught Selbak succeeded in garnering funds for her early camera trials that made it onto festival circuits, first across the United States then to Europe. Rolla Selbak was born in the United States but moved to Abu Dhabi with her Palestinian parents when she was only four months old. Raised in the Emirates, she again returned to the United States as a teen when it was time for
her to complete her high school and university studies. After receiving a major in computer science, Rolla worked as a Linux programmer and was assigned in different European cities; places like Madrid and Berlin. When she moved back to the States, Selbak settled down in San Francisco, and then in Riverside. Day by day, her enthusiasm to move from science into art was growing. “My love for cinema started when I was a just a young girl playing with an old VHS camera to film my brother and sister in funny outfits. When I grew up, I started to write my first feature length scripts without taking any film courses. I even tried to sell some of my writings in those L.A. Seminars where scripts and pitches can be purchased for only 300 dollars,” remembers Rolla, who decided to shoot her first short film on weekends while keeping her Continued on page 11
THURSDAY, January 5, 2012
The Westchester Guardian
Page 11
CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE
Three Veils and More Continued from page 10 daytime job. “For up and coming filmmakers, finding some funds is not an easy task because right now many newcomers want to produce their scripts through independent companies because studio materials are mostly repetitive and recycled. But independent companies are finding it hard to satisfy the needs of everybody on the film scene due the current economic recession.” London Bridge was Rolla’s first short in which she reflected upon the sense of isolation felt by a middle-aged woman who, near the end of the film, commits suicide. “The film was so shocking to some viewers, including my parents who came to me thinking I was depressed,” laughs Rolla who kept on shooting short films until she wrote and directed her first feature Making Maya in 2003. The drama had a focus on female characters but this time, they were of younger age. The title character, Maya, was a beautiful high school graduate who dreams of a career in basketball. However, an unexpected romance with Sam, another attractive college girl changes Maya’s life forever. “I wanted to make an unconventional yet realistic story about young women, their friendship and their emotional inquisitiveness during their coming-of-age,” says Selback who succeeded to wrap the film with only a
budget of $6,000 Dollars. It would come to win a positive review in Variety after a time and was warmly received in Dances with Films Festival, Santa Monica, and Longbaugh Film Festival, Portland. Rolla Selbak showed an early talent in creating engaging lively characters in both films. She also went on to compose some of the tunes in the soundtracks heard in the films. The success of Making Maya was the cata-
women living in the U.S, each with her own personal story. Leila is engaged to be married, however as the wedding night approaches, she becomes less and less sure of how her life is playing out. Amira is a very devout Muslim, but is dealing with her deep repressions about her intimate feelings toward women. Nikki is acting out her promiscuity as she battles her own demons after a tragic death in the family. As the
Three Veils lyst that would drive Selbak to write and direct her second film, Three Veils, that earned more acclaim across the States and Europe in 2011. It was nominated for Best Film, Best Director and Best Screenplay at Arpa Festival, and received the Best Actress Award that went to Angela Zahra at the New York City International Film Festival last August. This time, Selbak worked within a bigger budget (around $100,000 Dollars) and notably, a more experienced cast and crew. The title is a metaphoric description of the boundaries around three young Middle-Eastern
Rolla Selback film progresses, all three stories unfold and blend into each other as connections between the three women are revealed. Both Making Maya and Three Veils had young women discovering their homosexuality. However, according to Selbak, it is still an uneasy subject to tackle on celluloid. In fact, many states are still conservative about this subject while others suffer from the obsession of American media about who is in and who is out of the closet. “Homosexuality and gay marriages are still touchy subjects in many American states.
Few want to bring the issue center stage, especially if he or she is running for political office. It is still taboo in a state as large as California, with large cities like Los Angeles and San Diego, whereas in countries like Spain, it is not a big deal,” she says. Although Selback presented true-to-life female characters in her two films, she thinks it was not because she is a woman. “The realistic portrayal of females does not depend on the gender of the filmmaker but on his or her ability to create vivid and believable characters on screen,” argues Selback. “For instance, The Hours, that starred Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore and Meryl Streep was directed by Stephen Daldry and based on a novel by Michael Cunningham. On the other hand, a director like Kathryn Bigelow has presented films with strong male characters, like her Oscar-winning film The Hurt Locker.” Selbak’s first wish for 2012 is for Three Veils to push the boundaries by being shown to an Arab population, native to cities she knows after the good rotation among various Western festivals. Born in Cairo, Egypt, Sherif Awad is a film/video critic and curator. He is the film editor of Egypt Today Magazine, and the artistic director for both the Alexandria Film Festival, in Egypt, and the Arab Rotterdam Festival, in The Netherlands. He also contributes to Variety, in the United States, and Variety Arabia, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Cintas Corporation Serving Westchester County, NY Relocates to New Facility in North Salem NORTH SALEM, NY - Cintas Corporation on Thursday, January 5, 2012, announced that its uniform rental facility serving Westchester County has moved from its former location at 1801 Rt. 22 in Brewster, NY, to a newly renovated facility located at 55 Fields Lane in North Salem, NY. The relocation took effect Monday, January 3, 2012. “We are very excited and fortunate to be moving to a new, state of the art facility that will better accommodate the growing needs of our customers,” said Adam Del Vecchio, General Manager. “Our employee-partners will be more comfortable and will be able to more rapidly serve the growing demands of the marketplace with the exemplary service our customers have grown to expect from Cintas,” he added. Cintas employs approximately 65 people at the Brewster facility and plans to hire approximately 10 additional
employee-partners after the move. The relocation will be transparent to Cintas’ existing customers. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas Corporation provides highly specialized services to businesses of all types primarily throughout North America. Cintas designs, manufactures and implements corporate identity uniform programs, and provides entrance mats, restroom supplies, promotional products, first aid, safety, fire protection products and services and document management services for approximately 900,000 businesses. Cintas is a publicly held company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS, and is a component of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index
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Page 12
The Westchester Guardian
THURSDAY, January 12, 2012
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
One Road, Two Windfalls for Peekskill’s Main Street
said Peekskill Councilmember Drew Claxton. “We want to make our main street safer and more pedestrian friendly.” By ABBY LUBY Along with rebuilding the retaining wall, the upgrade will PEEKSKILL, NY also include new sidewalks,handMain Street in Peekskill icapped ramps, more parking on is finally getting a facelift. the South side of Route 6, newly This historical river city painted crosswalks, new curbs has been knocking on funding doors for and landscaping. years and not only has the county appro“The city staff has also been priated monies, but so has the state. trying to get the County to agree Are the two projects on a collision to fund some safety improvecourse? ments at Benefield Blvd. and “There won’t be any conflict. We Dayton Lane,” said Peekskill are coordinating both projects,” said Mayor Mary Foster. “Also, Con Peekskill Planning Director Anthony Edison is coordinating a gas line Ruggiero. “We’ve worked before with replacement/repair project for Westchester County DOT (Department the same area. This project has of Transportation) and they are aware of Main Street Peekskill facing west, with retaining wall that is part of the many moving parts.” both projects.” The other “moving part” is Peekskill received some $665,000 new road project. Photo by Abby Luby and courtesy of Abby Luby Photo. a concurrent project funded by from the federal Department of down to cover High Street to Hamilton Avenue. the county to rehabilitate East Transportation budget, an award overseen by The city will be kicking in $200,000 towards the and West Main Street from Route 9 to Conklin the then Congressman John Hall. The funds project from its capital budget. Avenue (near the Hudson Valley Hospital). $2.8 will be distributed by New York State DOT. Of ongoing concern is the danger to pedesmillion was secured by County Legislator John Peekskill has for years wanted to replace the trians trying to cross the street by the retaining Testa (R-District 1) last October in a Bond Act rough, potholed Main Street/Route 6 that is the wall that stretches along Main Street because and will cover the cost of replacing the existing major welcoming thoroughfare into the city. The there is no sidewalk, just steps spilling out into road surface, installing reflective devices and original request was for $3 million to upgrade the street. pavement markings. The project will cover 2.14 the greater part of Route 6 in Peekskill, but since “We worry about children that are hidden in miles of Route 9 to Main Street, one of the most only $665,000 was awarded, the project is scaled the stairwell and then step right into the street,”
heavily trafficked roads in the area; averaging almost 10,000 vehicles a day and over a third of those vehicles are commercial trucks. Although Testa, who is also a former Peekskill mayor, said he wasn’t aware of the state project, he said he was anxious to see the county work start. “We are looking forward to improving the road, especially in the downtown area. We hope to get under way by spring or summer of 2012. Main Street and Route 202 have taken a beating over the years.” According to Ruggiero, the state project is now being reviewed by the NYSDOT. “The DOT has to make sure the project is up to their engineering standards before we get the grant funds.” The county is responsible for paving the road, while the state monies will take care of the retaining wall and everything else in the project not covered by the county. Ruggiero emphasized that the city was trying to make sure work between county and state wouldn’t overlap. “We intend to coordinate it so there is less burden to the commuting public. We don’t want to close the roads twice.”
Texas de Brazil to Open in Ridge Hill
from ages 3-5 the price is $5.00, and children 6-12 dine for half price. More information including the official opening date and private dining will be available shortly, in the meantime, please visit: www.texasdebrazil.com for information. Texas de Brazil is family owned and operated. Started in 1998, the company has quickly grown into one of the country’s premier Churrascarias, currently operating 20 domestic locations and three international locations. The restaurant’s menu consists of 15 grilled meats; all prepared in the traditional Brazilian method over an open flame and carved tableside by the restaurant’s authentically costumed Gauchos, as well as an elaborate salad area, wine list, dessert menu, full liquor bar and private rooms available for special functions. Future growth includes planned locations for Salt Lake City, Columbus, Pittsburgh, and Houston. For more information visit www.texasdebrazil.com. Special offer is available through February 29, 2012 and valid for up to eight guests per table/reservation, excluding February 14, 2012. Not valid with any other offers. Beverages, tax and gratuity not included, other restrictions may apply.
YONKERS, NY -- Texas de Brazil, the nation’s premier Brazilian steakhouse, has announced the grand opening of its 23rd restaurant at Westchester’s Ridge Hill on January 17. Offering an extensive menu of acclaimed Southern Brazilian cuisine with the generous spirit of Texas, Texas de Brazil’s vibrant atmosphere and extensive menu is sure to dazzle every guest. In honor of its opening, Texas de Brazil is offering guests a chance to experience the Churrascaria with full dinner and dessert included for $44.99 until February 29, 2012.* The dynamic menu at Texas de Brazil with extensive meat selections including Brazilian sausage, chicken breast wrapped in bacon, rack of lamb and the house specialty, picanha, all prepared in the traditional Brazilian method, over an open flame, and carved tableside by the restaurant’s authentically costumed Brazilian cowboys or “Gauchos.” Accompaniments with the cuts of meat include garlic mashed potatoes, Brazilian cheese bread, and sweet-fried bananas. The restaurant also features a gourmet salad area
containing more than 50 items, where items include but are surly not limited to, Brazilian black beans with pork, imported cheeses, marinated Portobello mushrooms, sushi, and artichoke hearts. Guests can conclude their dining experience with one of Texas de Brazil’s many dessert selections, relax with an after-
dinner drink, or a steaming espresso. New York residents can sign up immediately for the Texas de Brazil e-club and be one of the first receive important opening announcements, complimentary dinners for birthdays and anniversaries and special event invitations.
Log on at www.texasdebrazil.com and click on “Rewards”. Texas de Brazil at Westchester Ridge Hill will be open for dinner Monday – Thursday
from 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Friday from 5:30 p.m. – to 10:30 p.m., Saturday from 4:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. and Sunday from 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. The dining prices are $46.99 for Regular Dinner and $24.99 for Light Dinner (excluding beverage and dessert). Children under 2 are free,
Abby Luby is a Westchester based, freelance journalist who writes local news, about environmental issues, art, entertainment and food. Her debut novel, “Nuclear Romance” was recently published. Visit the book’s website, http://nuclearromance.wordpress.com/.
The Westchester Guardian
THURSDAY, January 5, 2012
HISTORY
EMPLOYMENT
Fighting Peekskill’s City Hall By ROBERT SCOTT The honeymoon of Chester Smith and the newly elected Mackay administration in 1940 was short-lived. As in many marriages, the split came
over money. During the campaign, Mackay and his Democratic Common Council candidates had promised economies in government. Once in office, however, they surprised Smith and other supporters by proposing a 1941 Peekskill budget that called for spending a whopping $766,777.06. Moreover, they proposed hefty raises for city officials: a 43% jump in salary for the city judge (from $2,800 to $4,000), a 33% boost for the corporation counsel (from $3,000 to $4,000), and a 20% increase for the city clerk (from $2,500 to $3,000). The administration also proposed to create the post of deputy comptroller with a salary of $3,600 for newly elected comptroller Albert E. Cruger. Democratic council members made another tactical mistake; this one fatal. Chester Smith tended to monopolize and even dominate council meetings. Council members began to ignore him and disregard his suggestions and requests. Smith’s Non-Partisan Citizens Committee declared its opposition to the new administration’s proposed budget. It bought newspaper advertising and mounted a direct-mail campaign that reached all 2,671 eligible voters.
Roadblocks
The council countered with a series of high-handed tactics. Instead of scheduling the budget vote at the traditional location, the Peekskill High School gymnasium, they stirred up a hornet’s nest by choosing the inappropriate and much smaller three-year-old Municipal Building. To further discourage voter turnout, the council set the time of the voting for the brief 90-minute period between 7:30 and 9 p.m., Tuesday, December 3, 1940. Only two voting machines were installed. The new administration was obviously making it difficult for voters to show their feelings about the budget. The strategy backfired. Despite these roadblocks, 622 taxpayers turned out on a cold winter night. A line three-deep snaked its way out of the Municipal Building’s rotunda and down the curved staircase onto Main Street. Many waited for hours to vote; some gave up and returned home. To accommodate the waiting crowd, voting continued until after midnight. In the final tally, an overwhelming 80% said no. The actual numbers were 499 against the budget and only 123 in favor of it. “Last night’s election was a definite
Page 13
repudiation of the present city administration,” opined a Peekskill Evening Star editorial the next day. The paper followed this with another Chester A. Smith. Courtesy of Peekskill Museum. strong editorial calling for selfish political maneuvering to stop.
Fighting City Hall
Immediately after the vote, Chester Smith called upon Mayor James Mackay and council member Horton, who had both defended the budget, to resign. Mackay was no neophyte in politics--he had been Peekskill’s president in the mid-1930s when it was still a village. An executive with the Campbell-Ewald advertising agency at 10 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City, Mackay decided the game wasn’t worth the candle and stepped aside. In January of 1941, the weekly Highland Democrat hailed Chester Smith as its “Man of the Year.” Editor George E. Briggs praised him as both a “king maker” and a “king toppler.” The Common Council named a council member, 65-year-old banker William T. Horton, to serve out the remainder of Mackay’s term. Horton was the retired manager of the Fifth Avenue branch of the Corn Exchange Bank in New York City. He had chaired the committee that framed Peekskill’s city charter, had served on the Peekskill Board of Education and would later become Peekskill’s city historian in 1946. The resounding defeat of the 1941 budget had an instant salutary effect. A chastened Common Council suddenly found $19,010.90 that could be cut from the budget, reducing it to $747,766.16. Chester Smith and the Non-Partisan Citizens Committee quickly gave their blessing to the new budget. A second budget vote was scheduled for Monday, December 30, 1940. This time the high school gymnasium was the polling place, and remained open an ample eleven hours--from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Surprisingly, the same number of voters--622-turned out. Equally surprising, the split was again 499 to 123--only this time the majority approved the budget. The taxpayers had made their point. Budgets, of course, are an annual chore. In 1941, a 1942 budget totaling $705,280 was proposed by the Democrats. Again an unhappy Smith went into action, mounting an anti-budget campaign that called for a reduction of $65,772.80, cutting expenditures to $639,507.20.
Non-Partisan Citizens Committee advertising included a sample ballot pointedly showing voters which lever to pull down to vote against the proposed budget. The council stubbornly refused to reduce the budget.
The Voters Speak
But more than the budget was at stake. Each party also had a slate of candidates running for mayor, council members and other city offices. On Tuesday, November 4, 1931, 1,357 Peekskill residents went to the polls. A convincing 71% rejected the budget. Voters also voiced their displeasure with the Democrats. The entire Republican slate was swept into office, including 53-year-old Ralph F. Hopkins, a well-known local architect, as mayor, and six Republican council members. In addition to many local residences, Mayor-elect Hopkins had designed the village’s Colonial Revival-style Municipal Building in 1936, and such landmarks as the Masonic Temple (gutted by a disastrous fire on January 20, 2001), and the Guardian Annex. In 1950, he would design Genung’s department store, which later became the Howland department store and now houses offices. Before a new 1942 budget was put to a vote, Chester Smith reiterated his demand that $65,772.80 be cut. Knowing that the new administration would have to live within any Continued on page 14
Applications Being Accepted for Seasonal Park Rangers The Westchester County Department of Public Safety is accepting applications for seasonal park rangers to patrol county parks this summer. Applications are due by Feb. 24 and are available online at the Department of Public Safety’s web pages: http://www. westchestergov.com/ps<http://www.westchestergov.com/ps/>. Uniformed park rangers work under the supervision of county police officers to maintain a safe and enjoyable atmosphere in the county’s parks. To qualify, applicants must be a high school graduate, at least 19 years of age, a U.S. citizen, a resident of Westchester County and possess a valid New York State driver’s license by the time of appointment.
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Page 14
The Westchester Guardian
THURSDAY, January 12, 2012
HISTORY eventually alienated Chester Smith. In the 1947 election campaign, Chester Smith and his Non-Partisan Citizens Committee retaliated by backing the Democrats. Peekskill voters roundly rejected the Republicans in November. Under Mayor John N. Schneider, the Democrats were returned to power.
Fighting Peekskill’s City Hall Continued from page 13 budget approved by taxpayers, the lame-duck Common Council outdid themselves. They cut items totaling $77,838--18% more than Smith had demanded. Smith and his committee gave the reduced budget of $627,442 their blessing. Voting was set for Tuesday, December 23, 1941. Only 385 voters showed up at the polls, but 73% of them approved the budget. He was also instrumental in securing for the Field Library the 13-room Victorian house at 124 Union Avenue, the former Dwight Stiles Herrick residence. The house badly needed repairs, and taxes were owed by the owner, Mrs. Ida M. Adams. When Peekskill began an action because of nonpayment of taxes, Chester Smith raised the money to pay them by selling a portion of the property. He also raised $10,000 to renovate the house and an additional $13,500 as an endowment fund. After extensive repairs, the Herrick house--now the Peekskill Museum-was opened to the public on May 17, 1946. Mayor Ralph F. Hopkins would serve three two-year terms. The Hopkins administration
Golden Years
Chester Smith had always been a lover of books. A prolific author in his own right, he created dozens of pamphlets and brochures on a variety of subjects ranging from narrow local issues to the question of Prohibition. He began his writing career with a novel published in 1913. The American Comedy, about Putnam County’s political families, is now a collector’s item. Over the years, Chester Smith had been the prime mover in Peekskill’s Friendly Town Association. He donated two parcels of undeveloped land to the Association and convinced others to do the same. The result was seven privately owned parks open to the public. At the time, Peekskill only had six city parks. When Peekskill decided that the Association’s parks would have to remain on the tax rolls, he offered to give them to the city. Peekskill declined. Smith decided to sell the parklands he had contributed.
MEDICINE
Tekturna Drug Combination Found Harmful! By Dr. EVAN LEVINE A few years ago I received a call from my uncle, a diabetic, after he visited his endocrinologist. She had prescribed a new and expensive drug called Tekturna (Novartis) in addition to his other standard blood pressure medication, Avapro, to help reduce the amount of protein in his urine and possibly help reduce his risk of developing kidney failure. I had recalled the problems in heart failure patients when two similar drugs, although
they were not Tekturna, were added together. I reviewed the data, and told him not to take it. There was no long term studies with this Tekturna combination, no evidence that the combination of these two drugs, Tekturna with an ARB drug or an ACEI drug, could reduce kidney failure or reduce mortality, and I worried if the addition of this drug to his current medications might increase the chance of a dangerous elevated potassium level or a low blood pressure. But a month or so later my uncle called again. His endocrinologist assured him the
In 1954, the Drew Seminary for Young Women, a private secondary school in Carmel, N.Y., declared bankruptcy. Smith, a trustee of the Methodist school, was appalled that it was unable to pay its debts. Legally, the school was free of any obligation to pay, but he felt that the debt should be paid in full. “I got a good price for them,” he crowed. “But I could have done better. I insisted in putting in the deeds that the property never be used for the manufacture or sale of spirits. A lot of prospective buyers balked at that.” He added, “I couldn’t help it, though. I’m a good Methodist. Been fighting the liquor people all my life.” He used the proceeds, $43,000, to pay the unpaid portion of the Drew Seminary’s debt. To everyone’s surprise, in the mid-1950s, Chester Smith decided to become a lawyer. At the age of 74, he graduated from the New York Law School on June 18, 1959, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Following graduation, he was injured in an automobile accident, suffered a heart attack and twice failed to pass the bar examination.
Failing Health
and later his sister, Edith M. Smith, in 1950. On July 24, 1968, he fell in the basement of his home at 730 Hudson Avenue, after suffering what may have been a mild heart attack. Four years later, he died in the morning of September 29, 1972, at the West Ledge Extended Care Facility on East Main Street in Peekskill, less than two months short of his 88th birthday. His obituary made the front page of that day’s edition of the Peekskill Evening Star. It revealed that there were no immediate survivors, and burial would be in Peekskill’s Hillside Cemetery. Peekskill owes much to Chester A. Smith. Without his untiring efforts, it would not have come into existence as a city when it did. He left his mark on Peekskill in the form of numerous plaques and memorials to its famous citizens that dot the city. Chester Smith’s voluminous papers, including 88 diaries diligently-kept from 1897 to 1967, were deposited with the Syracuse University Library. If anyone could take satisfaction from a life spent in service to a community, it was Chester Allen Smith.
A lifelong bachelor, in his later years, Chester Smith lived alone after the death of his mother
drug was safe and that I could be responsible for causing his kidneys to fail one day. She even mentioned that her husband had been one of the physicians who did the research on the drug and again assured him he was making a big mistake by listening to me. This week the data and monitoring committee for a major trial, known as the Altitude trial, a trial that put patients on the same combination of drugs my uncle would have taken, had I not intervened, closed the trial. They noted an increased incidence, after 18 to 24 months, of non-fatal stroke, renal complications, high potassium levels, and hypotension in those taking the drug Tekturna with the same type of drug my uncle was on. The unfortunate and frightening results of this trial led Novartis to stop promoting the use of Tekturna with the drugs like my uncle is
taking. If you are taking Tekturna with drugs known as Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) or Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEI), I urge you to call your physician immediately. There are likely thousands of patients on this harmful combination of medication and they need to know that they might be at risk. Perhaps I should find the e-mail of my uncle’s endocrinologist and send her this newspaper. Evan S. Levine, MD FACC is the author of “What Your Doctor Won’t (or Can’t) Tell You” and a practicing cardiologist in Westchester and The Bronx. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center. Dr. Levine can be reached at 914-237-1332 or direct mailto:VaNLeV@aol.com.
THE SPOOF
Ten Comments from Experts about the Possible Ending of the World in 2012 By GAIL FARRELLY What’s the skinny on this scary prediction? Here’s a sampling of comments: Martha Stewart: “Be prepared. Pack yourself some nice take-out meals that travel REALLY well.” Queen Elizabeth II: “I’m not leaving without my tiara, my royal robes, and my purse.” Entrepreneur Donald Trump: “I STILL
may run for president.” Twitter executive: “Send some good-bye tweets, but remember to keep them to 140 characters or fewer. The rules don’t change, just because the world is ending.” Chicken (The Sky is Falling) Little: “I told you so! I told you so! You should have listened to me a long time ago.” Lady Gaga: “A least I got to kiss Mayor
Bloomberg before my trip. It was better than wearing a meat dress or riding around in an egg.” Dick Clark: “I’ll be back next New Year’s Eve.” Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos: “Buy an Amazon Kindle and pack it with books for your trip.” John Boehner, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives: “You know what Lesley Gore says: It’s my party, and I’ll cry if I want to...”
Gail Farrelly, spoof writer: “If you were foolish enough to make New Year resolutions, break them right now and have a blast doing it. Happy New Year!” Learn more about The Farrelly Sisters - Authors online.
The Westchester Guardian
THURSDAY, January 5, 2012
Page 15
MOVIE REVIEW
Ed Koch Movie Reviews By Edward I. Koch
Movie Review: “The Iron Lady” (+) This film is about Margaret Thatcher, a brilliant and extraordinary woman. She was the daughter of a grocer who overcame huge obstacles and rose to become Prime Minister of England. The scriptwriter, Abi Morgan, begins the story with Thatcher’s retirement and dementia. Regrettably, her dementia covers a third or more of the movie, reducing her brilliant moments and successes (shown in flashbacks) to a much smaller depiction that she deserves. A friend of mine with whom I served in government for more than 40 years, John LoCicero, also saw the film. When discussing the picture he said, “They would not have spent so much time on the dementia if the picture was about Ronald Reagan.” He is
absolutely right. Nevertheless, watching Thatcher rise in British conservative politics and win the position of prime minister on three occasions is a joy to behold. Thatcher is portrayed by Meryl Streep, who does a brilliant job, as she always does. Thatcher’s husband, Denis, is portrayed as a young man by Harry Lloyd, who is a joy to behold. During Thatcher’s retirement, Denis is played superbly as a ghost by Jim Broadbent. (Denis died in 2003.) Streep captures Thatcher’s voice, bearing, imperious look and disdain for the incompetence of people in her government. Her fellow conservatives turned against her and forced her out of office. At one point in the film, I got the impression that she was failing in intellect and had lost touch with reality. It was clear that a change in personality was setting in by the way she crudely and insultingly
Movie Review: “War Horse” (-) Never have I been as disappointed in a film as I was after seeing this one. I saw the play at Lincoln Center on which this movie is based and recall thinking during the first act, “magic.” I was referring to the staging and, in particular, the horses constructed of wire and cloth, which were operated by humans who brought them to life. Steven Spielberg, director of the film, turned the stage production into a Disney anthropomorphic picture and a depiction of World War I trench warfare. It was not enough to add up to a solid war movie. The main characters include a farming family in England consisting of the father, Ted (Peter Mullan), his wife, Rosie (Emily Watson), and their teenaged son, Albert (Jeremy Irvine). Ted, an alcoholic and stubborn man, goes to an auction intending to buy a farm horse but foolishly in competition with his landlord spends 30 guinea, a fortune for him, to buy a beautiful halfThoroughbred which Albert names Joey. The war begins and Joey is sold to the Army and sent off to France. Albert is heartbroken and vows to find Joey and return him to the family farm. Some of the trench warfare scenes are sensational as are the beautiful panoramic views of the English countryside but much of what takes place, including dialogue not in the stage production, is ridiculous. I love horses. I’m in awe of their large strong bodies supported by four narrow legs, their
beautiful faces and eyes, and the soft, inquiring touch of their nuzzle. I have a collection of horse statues, mostly reproductions from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and others from China and Portugal. Because of that feeling, my disappointment in the film was even greater. Many critics gave this movie a superb review. I believe some did so simply because they could not admit that Spielberg, who has directed a long list of first-rate films, had failed with this one. If you read The New York Times review, you are led to believe that he created an extraordinary work of art. I came away feeling that he had destroyed a great work of art that I had seen at Lincoln Center.
treated one of her government ministers. (Half of the people at the age of 80 will be victims of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.) I met Margaret Thatcher in 1979 when I was mayor. She came to New York City shortly after her first election to speak at a Foreign Policy Association luncheon which I believe was held at the Hilton Hotel. She sat between Governor Hugh Carey and me before she took to the stage to speak and answer questions, which she did flawlessly and without notes. During the luncheon I said to her, “I know they call you the Iron Lady. Does that mean what I think it does?” She replied, “It certainly does, young man.” It is very sad that Margaret Thatcher, who resides in England, has been touched by dementia. But she is still the talk of the town, hers and mine. God bless her. Henry Stern said: generation for the male population of Europe to Not having seen the play, I am unable catch up with the females. By then Hitler was in to compare it with the movie. I liked the film, power and World War II, in which entire famialthough it was somewhat pretentious for a lies, not just soldiers, were murdered at the orders horse opera. Joey, of course, is a beautiful animal. of a psychopath. If they had ballet for horses, he would be a star. The Honorable Edward Irving Koch served as a The human lead is as likeable as they come, and member of Congress from New York State from he and Joey are devoted to each other. 1969 through 1977, and New York City as its 105th Much of the movie is devoted to the horrors Mayor from 1978 to 1989. of combat in World War I. I kept thinking how much more efficient we have become in killing other people in the last 85 years. WWI was essentially fought over nothing but European pride and alliances which triggered armies to march forth to kill their cousins. It resembled the frenzied trading which led to the stock market crash and the world depression that ensued, which in turn led to World War II, THE ROMA BUILDING history’s greatest tragedy 2022 Saw Mill River Rd., Yorktown Heights, NY of human behavior – so far. Office & Store Space for Rent Most of the characPrime Yorktown Location ters in the film are good Office Space 965 sq ft.: Rent $ 1650/mo. people, taken from their Store Karl Ehmers: 1100 sq ft- $3100/mo. Store in back: 1300 sq ft. $2650/mo. families and conscripted into a charnel house. 914.632.1230 As a result, it took a
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The Westchester Guardian
RP Weschester Guard dec 22_Layout 1 12/22/11 9:06 AM Page 1
THURSDAY, January 12, 2012
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By MARK JEFFERS Welcome to this edition of “Sports Scene,” where we take a look at the sports action here in Westchester County… Let’s start off this week’s action on the ice…Horace Greeley’s hockey squad beat Nyack/Tappan Zee by the final score of 5-2. Greeley was led by Owen Gatto who had two goals and an assist for the winners. At the Ice Hutch in Mount Vernon, New Rochelle shutout Byram Hills 5-0. Exciting news for Irvington senior Brett Pesce as he was called up to fill in on the USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program’s 18-U team against Minnesota State in a 3-3 tie and against Wisconsin in a 4-3 loss. Even though it hasn’t snowed much yet, except for that crazy storm in October, the area high school ski teams are gearing up to race down the local slopes, Both Yorktown boys and girls skiers look strong again this season. Also, keep an eye of the team from Fox Lane...I’ll be out there covering all the action, so, if you see me on the bunny slopes please fly by and say hi. In boy’s basketball, Horace Greeley scored a win over Harrison 54-49, Brett Klein and Harrison Brown each had fourteen points for the winners. Rye beat Port Chester 60 to 48 with Mike D’Antoni leading all scorers with 19 including 6 for 9 from three-point range.
Sky Williams had twenty points, five rebounds, five steals, and four assists to lead Tuckahoe to an 81-43 victory over Solomon Schechter. This senior guard also scored his 1,000th career point…with the assist from his best friend, Tyler Freire, it was a most memorable event. On the girls’ side of the court, Horace Greeley defeated Harrison 56 to 46, despite a great game from Harrison’s Gia Mancini who had 15 points, five assists and five steals. Byram Hills defeats Mahopac 55-44, Sarah Goldring had 17 points and Beatriz Williams had 15 points for the Byram Hills Bobcats. Blind Brook shot by Valhalla 43 to 20 and Kennedy scored a victory over Putnam Valley 42 to 31. Congratulations to Bronxville High School’s senior running back Christian Conway as he was named the Class C state player of the year by the New York State Sportswriters Association. North Salem and John Jay both strike out in their bowling matches against Panas and Lakeland respectively. Total pins down for John Jay was 733 versus 2,104 for Panas; Angela DiRenno of Panas had the high game with a score of 204. For Lakeland they had a total of 2,078 pins and North Salem had 1,299 total pins. Rebecca Velasquez of Lakeland had the high game with a score of 181. My hat goes
off to all the bowlers, I myself have gained the nickname twinkle toes, but I am not a graceful bowler and certainly rely on the lane bumpers being up! Moving to the mats, the North Rockland wrestling team defeated Scarsdale 53-21, Mahopac was victorious over John Jay 54-33, and Horace Greeley pinned Rye 43-19. Jumping into the pool in Rockland County…Clarkstown continues their undefeated season by defeating Suffern with a 97-89 victory, Suffern was also previously unbeaten. On the diving board, Clarkstown’s senior Sean Piacente scored 317.2 points in the six-dive format to break the Rockland County record. Piacente is hoping to win the sectional title and a shot at state championships. Way to go guys, if you need a cannonball expert, let me know! Turning to squash…the girls from Hackley lost to the Chapin School 5-2. My daughter Kate and I are going to give squash a try this week while she is home from college, wish me luck, and if I haven’t broken anything I’ll see you next week.
of one of South Africa’s finest plays by its best playwright, Athoi Fugard, at The Roundabout Theatre Company, with the stellar cast of Jim Dale, Carla Gugino and Rosemary Harris. Still later there’ll be a Fugard retrospective by the Signature Theatre Company, in their new building by Frank Gehry, housing three separate stages. First on offer will be “Blood Knot,” about two bothers, one of lighter and one of darker skin, and the difference that makes in their lives. Another exciting revival will be the Manhattan Theatre Club’s “Wit,” Margaret Edman’s rousing play about a professor of literature’s courageous facing of terminal cancer. Amazingly, this is not a depressing play, but a triumphantly transporting one. Originally starring the admirable Kathleen Chalfant, it should be no less satisfying with Cynthia Nixon. Quite another matter is “Carrie,” which you may recall as a novel by Stephen King, a movie by Brian DePalma, or a colossal stage flop that nevertheless became legendary, partly also through Ken Mandelbaum’s amusing book about memorable fiascos, Not Since Carrie.. The musical has been reworked by its original creators, and it will be interesting to see how it
does as a silk purse. A surefire revival will be John Osborne’s history-making play, “Look Back in Anger,” which back in 1956 turned around British theater into something entirely different. Reintroducing the first Angry Young Man playwright of half a century ago, it should speak as eloquently to and about today’s rebels. Among things I don’t look forward to, there is what I consider one of the most overrated plays in the American, if not world, theater, Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” It will star Philip Seymour Hoffman (who should do better than Dustin Hoffman in a previous revival, though probably not than Brian Dennehy more recently) and the always reliable Linda Emond Similarly unpromising for me is a revival of one of Edward Albee’s least satisfying efforts, “The Lady from Dubuque.” I am, however, curious about “An Iliad,” a modernization of the Homeric epic by Lisa Paterson and Denis O’Hare, respectively good director and gripping actor. There will also be a new play by John Patrick Shanley, “Sleeping Demon,” which closes the trilogy felicitously Continued on page 17
Mark Jeffers successfully spearheaded the launch of MAR$AR Sports & Entertainment LLC in 2008. As president he has seen rapid growth of the company with the signing of numerous clients. He resides in Bedford Hills, New York, with his wife Sarah, and three daughters, Kate, Amanda, and Claire.
EYE ON THEATRE
Coming Attractions By John Simon My last column was a retrospect—the best and the worst of 2011—this week it is a prospect: a preview of what to look forward with intent to catch, and what with intent to avoid. It represents, of course, my taste, which may not totally coincide with yours. But one must make allowances for all criticism, which includes the pleasure of bemoaning even a favored critic’s hobbyhorses and blind spots. The next thing I’ll be reviewing here is the musical—or is it an opera?—“Porgy and Bess,” now entitled “Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess,” which is rather like calling something “Shakespeare’s Hamlet” or “Shaw’s Pygmalion.” But never mind; a rose by any name . . . you know the rest. In a while you should also be reading about Kevin Spacey in “Richard III,” a part that fits him like a glove, and is Shakespeare at his most universally popular. Later there will be a revival
THURSDAY, January 5, 2012
The Westchester Guardian
Page 17
EYE ON THEATRE
Coming Attractions Continued from page 16 begun with “Doubt,” and leas auspiciously continued with “Defiance.” The letter D that presides over it can spell both delight and disappointment. Also coming is “The Early History of Fire,” a new play by the gifted David Rabe, absent for too long, and starring his daughter Lily Rabe, a critics’ darling, though emphatically not one of mine. A family play in revival will be Tina Howe’s “Painting Churches,” about her somewhat eccentric but endearing parents, the pseudonymous Mr. and Mrs. Church. (So you need not fear anything ecclesiastic.) Kathlleen Chalfant and Richard Easton should do it ample justice. Another promising revival is Paula Vogel’s best play, “How I Learned to Drive,” discreetly dealing with incest. This time round it will feature Elizabeth Reaser and the incomparable
Norbert Leo Butz, one of our finest actors. And most appropriately for an election year, we’ll be getting Gore Vidal’s “The Best Man,” what we may call a backstage comedy in the theater of political drama, brilliantly capturing the intrigues surrounding any presidential election. The interesting playwright Kate Fodor will be represented by “RX,” about the antics involving an antidepressant; the somewhat less interesting David Adjmi will bring us”CQ/CX,” about a journalistic scandal. Titular capitals seem definitely in. Hunter Bell and Jeff Bowen, who annoyed me with their intimate musical “[title of play],” will doubtless annoy me again with a new intimate musical, “Now. Here. This.” (again cutely titled). They are author/actors with whom I have no desire to be intimate, although they have quite a following with people who feel otherwise. A number of major musicals will be revived, notably “Evita” and “Jesus Christ Superstar,” as well as “Newsies” new to Broadway. Totally new
will be “Ghost the Musical,” and some others. “Once,” the Off Braodway musical based on the cult movie, comes to Broadway, though I myself have no use for it either on screen or on stage. But one musical I really look forward to is “February House,” if, that is, it can live up to its marvelous subject. It concerns a house in Brooklyn Heights in the 40s, no longer extant, but then simultaneously inhabited by W. H. Auden, Paul Bowles, Benjamin Britten, Peter Pears, Gypsy Rose Lee, Richard Wright, and a few other worthies. Returning also is Neil Simon’s “Lost in Yonkers,” as are works by Shakespeare (“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” with Bebe Neuwirth) and Bertolt Brecht (“Galileo,” with F. Murray Abraham0. Also Goldoni’s immortal farce, usually known as “A Servant of Two Masters,” but in this London import as “One Man, Two Guvnors.” At least they are not calling it “Goldoni’s One Man, Two Guvnors.”
By this time your mouth should already be watering, and I must stop before it becomes a flood. The above are only a few of the plums and less plummy others from the coming pudding, which contains a good many more. I shall, of course, be reviewing them in due time, and look forward to your continued readership. Let me also seize this opportunity to wish you a very happy new year, not only in the theater, but also outside it, in the world.
him on the honor of the presidency. “Thanks,” John Kennedy replied, “but I don’t look at it so much as an honor as a call to higher service.” My sentiments exactly.This is not about privilege, change of colors, hats, new clothes, places of honor, or a different title. Jesus warned us about all that stuff. No: this is about an affirmation of love from the Pope to a celebrated archdiocese and community, and a summons to its unworthy archbishop to serve Jesus, His Church universal, His vicar on earth, and His people better. I’ll try to do that…but I sure need your prayers. Adding to our sense of joy, is the news that another native New Yorker, my brother bishop and good friend, Archbishop Edwin O’Brien, until recently Archbishop
of Baltimore and now the Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, has also been elevated to the cardinalate. The Cardinal-designate was ordained a priest for this Archdiocese in 1965, and he is still warmly remembered for his service here as a priest, secretary to Cardinals Cooke and O’Connor, Rector of Saint Joseph’s Seminary, and auxiliary bishop. Thanks so much for your good wishes.
John Simon has written for over 50 years on theatre, film, literature, music and fine arts for the Hudson Review, New Leader, New Criterion, National Review,New York Magazine, Opera News, Weekly Standard, Broadway.com and Bloomberg News. Mr. Simon holds a PhD from Harvard University in Comparative Literature and has taught at MIT, Harvard University, Bard College and Marymount Manhattan College. To learn more, visit the JohnSimon-Uncensored.com
RELIGION
A Gift from Pope Benedict XVI By ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY DOLAN On this “Twelfth Day of Christmas” the traditional celebration of the Epiphany, I have received a gift from Pope Benedict XVI, as he announced just a couple of hours ago at the end of Mass in Saint Peter’s Basilica that I would be among those to become a cardinal in Rome at the consistory of February 18th. Yes, I am honored, humbled, and grateful, …but, let’s be frank: this is not about Timothy Dolan; this is an honor from the Holy Father to the Archdiocese of New York, and to all our cherished friends and neighbors who call this great
community home. It’s as if Pope Benedict is putting the red hat on top of the Empire State Building, or the Statue of Liberty, or on home plate at Yankee Stadium; or on the spires of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral or any of our other parish churches; this is the successor of Saint Peter saying to the clergy, sisters, brothers, lay faithful of this archdiocese, and to all of our friends and neighbors of New York: Thank you! Keep up the good work! You are a leader, an inspiration, to the Church and to the world. Over the Christmas holy days I finished a biography of President Kennedy, and recalled his reply to someone who sincerely congratulated
GovernmentSection MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
You Have Question; We Have Answers By PETER SWIDERSKI For a change of pace, I thought it would be fun in this holiday season to post out to the village ten of the many questions that I, the Police Chief, the DPW or Village Clerk hear day to day. This will become an ongoing feature as we share some of the pragmatic, curious and sometimes unusual questions we get. Thanks to Village Clerk Sue
Maggiotto, Police Chief Bloomer, Ann Scholl and Mary Ellen Healy for help on this compilation. 1. QUESTION: Is it true that the Police Department has a firing range in the basement and holding cells for prisoners? ANSWER: Yes to both. 2. QUESTION: Who made the sculpture in front of the library? ANSWER: Jacques Lipchitz,
world-famous sculptor, friend of Picasso, devotee of Modigliani, neighbor of Brancusi, modeler of Gertrude Stein – and a fixture at the Center Restaurant. Lipchitz lived in Hastings on Warburton Avenue from 1947 until 1971 and maintained a studio on Aqueduct Lane. He gave the bronze sculpture, “Between Heaven and Earth,” to Hastings in 1966. 3. QUESTION: Can I get a marriage license in Hastings? How do I get married in Hastings? ANSWER: No. Villages do not issue Continued on page 18
Timothy Dolan was installed as archbishop of New York by the pope on April 15, 2009. The formal announcement that the church would elevate 22 prelates to cardinal was made by the pope during a midday Mass at the Vatican. The newly-named cardinals will be recognized at a consistory called in Rome on Feb. 18, 2012.
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The Westchester Guardian
THURSDAY, January 12, 2012
MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR answers to many other parking related questions here [Link] http://www. hastingsgov.org/Pages/Parking_Issues 5. QUESTION: What’s with those loud civil defense horn blasts we frequently hear? ANSWER: The horn, based on the Municipal Building, will blast five times if there is a fire alarm and three times for an ambulance call. It is intended to call fire department volunteers to service. All volunteers are issued radio phones which also sound an alarm, but they aren’t always either on the volunteer’s person or the volunteer is in a radio dead zone. The horn is intended as a back-up to the radio phones. 6. QUESTION: How do I get a handicappedparking permit? ANSWER: Get an application form from the Village Clerk’s office or here [Link] http://www. hastingsgov.org/Pages/HastingsNY_WebDocs/ handicapapp.pdf Have your doctor complete it and then bring it to the Village Clerk’s office. Both permanent (blue) and temporary (red) permits are available. 7. QUESTION: My neighbor is using a leaf
You Have Question; We Have Answers Continued from page 17 marriage licenses, only towns and cities.The Town of Greenburgh, Yonkers, White Plains, are New York City are closest but you can go to the clerk’s office in any town or city that’s convenient. To arrange to be married in a civil ceremony, contact the Hastings Village Court to make arrangements with the judge, who can officiate at weddings anywhere in the state. Or contact me and I can perform wedding ceremonies within Hastings. You need to have your license in hand 24 hours prior to the marriage ceremony. 4. QUESTION: Can I get a parking permit or sticker even if I don’t live in Hastings? ANSWER: No, you can’t get a resident sticker, but yes, you could get a permit for the parking spots on the west side of the tracks (on River Street) across from the tennis bubble. Those spots are theoretically available for out-of-towners (they are owned by MetroNorth, which requires that they be made broadly available), but they also happen to be sold out now as well. There are
blower. Is that allowed? ANSWER: Leaf blowers are permitted between October 15th and May 15th and during the rest pf the year if you can demonstrate that you are physically unable to rake. Call the Village Clerk for details. 8. QUESTION: Who makes the decision to cancel school? ANSWER: Typically, the decision is made by the School Superintendent, sometimes based on the recommendation of the Village police or fire department depending upon their assessment of public safety. 9. QUESTION: Why is the waterfront taking so long to clean up? ANSWER: In short, the site is one of the most contaminated sites in the northeast, both on- and off-shore, with quantities of metals and PCBs, including forms of PCB literally not found elsewhere. Furthermore, the contamination is hard to get to and cannot be easily excavated or dredged without potentially causing a collapse of part of the waterfront. As a result, the engineering and science involved in determining how to clean it up is complex and unique and it has taken the NY State
Department of Environmental Conservation years to sort out how to clean the site up. We have a plan for the land portion and we just got a proposed plan from the State for the off-shore portion of the site. We can expect to see remediation begin in 2013 and take five years to complete. 10. QUESTION: What do I do with my bulk garbage? ANSWER: All bulk waste is picked up by appointment only. Call 478-3400 ext. 613 or 478-2170. Everything must be brought to the curb. Bulky non-metal waste (furniture, carpets, etc.) is picked up on your regular garbage day. Bulky metal waste (appliances, scraps, pipe etc.) is picked up on Fridays. E-waste (TVs, computers) is picked up on the first Wednesday of each month. If you have questions you would like to see answered in future articles of this sort, please feel free to send them to me and I will try to ensure they are answered in due course. On this slightly off-beat note, Happy New Year and all the best in 2012.
Cuomo also advocated several measures to help the poor and dispossessed such as better access to food stamps, new offices to protect tenants’ rights and help homeowners avoid foreclosure, establishing a health insurance exchange and improving care for disabled adults. He acknowledged that some New Yorkers need more than jobs. “We still have, in this state, children who go hungry,” Cuomo said, noting that one in six live in homes without enough food. He said 30 percent of New Yorkers eligible for food stamps, about 1.4 million people, don’t get them, leaving more than $1 billion in federal funds unclaimed annually, and the state should help remove barriers and stigma and end fingerprinting as a requirement. Cuomo also proposed making the state the first in the country to take mandatory DNA samples from anyone convicted of a crime, including relatively lesser offenses. “I will propose a bill requiring the collection of a DNA sample from any person convicted of a felony or Penal Law misdemeanor,” said Cuomo, a former federal prosecutor and New York state attorney general. Cuomo said that applying DNA collection
to all criminals would both help law-enforcement bodies fight serious crime and protect against wrongful convictions. Current exclusions include “numerous crimes that are often precursors to violent offenses,” he said. “As a result, we are missing an important opportunity to prevent needless suffering of crime victims. We are also failing to use the most powerful tool we have to exonerate the innocent,” he said. On education, Cuomo proposed a bipartisan commission to address how to make schools and teachers more accountable. The new commission would be charged with developing a plan this year to overhaul New York’s education system, though Cuomo did not provide many details in his speech. He proposed the Legislature and his office make appointments to the panel. The governor also said school districts have to be held more accountable for the money they spend, and the state should put a managementevaluation system in place. Some school districts are managed well, but others are not, he said. Continued on page 19
Peter Swiderski is mayor of the Village of Hastingson-Hudson. Direct email to: mayor@hastingsgov.org.
THE ALBANY CORRESPONDENT
Cuomo’s Ambitious 2012 Agenda
jobs program including a massive road and bridge effort to include a new Tappan Zee By CARLOS GONZALEZ Bridge; $1 billion in incentives to lure jobs ALBANY, NY -- After a first to Buffalo; voluntary public financing of polityear widely praised as both ical campaigns; mandatory DNA samples of fiscally conservative and progrescriminals. sive and for tackling years of “Let’s build the largest convention center in political gridlock, Governor Andrew Cuomo the nation, period,” Cuomo said. “We’ll go from delivered his second State of the State speech last No. 12 to No. 1 because that’s where we deserve Wednesday in front of the legislature and a sizable to be, the No. 1 state in the nation.” crowd of 2,000. An almost 4 million-square-foot convenThe near hour-long speech outlined an tion center, along with up to 3,000 hotel room aggressive agenda to boost New York’s economy. would be built on state-owned land, but paid for “Our challenge for 2012 is this: How does by a company that already operates a casino at the government spur job creation in a down economy proposed location in Queens, New York. while limiting spending and maintaining fiscal What would be known as the Aqueduct discipline?” Cuomo said. “It all comes down to convention center would replace the Javits jobs. ... That’s what people need in this state.” Convention Center in Midtown West, which, The speech titled “Building a New New York though undergoing renovation at the cost of $463 with You” includes plans for a $4 billion convenmillion, is considered subpar within the genre. As tion center and hotel complex at the Aqueduct part of the governor’s proposal, Javits would be racetrack in Queens to be built by a private develreplaced by a residential and commercial developoper; a new commission to force an overhaul of ment of some sort, modeled on Battery Park City. public education, including teacher evaluations; a
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THURSDAY, January 5, 2012
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THE ALBANY CORRESPONDENT increasing the size of government and the Senate, Cuomo didn’t mention the two most controversial issues facing the Legislature: Independent redrawing of election districts, and the regulation of “hydrofracking” for natural gas upstate that concerns Assembly Democrats and environmental groups. Both, however, were part of his written talking points. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said after the speech that he strongly supported Cuomo’s proposals for a new lower pension tier for future public workers, taking DNA samples from all convicted criminals and cutting unfunded municipal mandates, and he agreed New York City needs a bigger convention center noting “Aqueduct would probably make a decent location.” Senator Jeffrey Klein (D-Westchester/ Bronx), who initially issued a report back in 2009 calling for an expansion of the DNA database said, “New York has the dubious distinction of having more than 10 percent of the country’s cold cases, and less than 5 percent of criminal DNA profiles in the U.S. That’s why I sponsor legislation that would expand New York State’s DNA Databank. I applaud Governor Cuomo for making DNA Databank expansion a priority this legislative session. By expanding the Databank, we will give law enforcement one more tool to bring criminals to justice, clear those who have been wrongly accused, and prevent more New Yorkers from becoming future victims of horrible crimes. “Much of what Gov. Cuomo laid out in his State of the State matches the IDC’s 2012 agenda,”Klein stated.“From streamlining government to meet 21 Century needs, to protecting our most vulnerable citizens and providing mandate relief to our schools and local governments, these are the priorities that will keep New York on the right track.” After the State of the State address, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) delivered the “Senate Democratic Conference’s 2012 Session Message.” The video may be found at www.nysenate.gov/senator/ andrea-stewart-cousins. Readers may also find Senate session
Cuomo’s Ambitious 2012 Agenda Continued from page 18 Cuomo also returned to a top campaign objective by calling for voluntary public financing of political campaigns. If Cuomo has his way, he would also lower the amount of top donations. The measure was applauded by by goodgovernment groups who cite that campaign financing reform is key to curbing the influence of lobbying money on state officials. The measure aims to address Albany’s notorious pay-to-play culture, where lobbyists can legally press their issues with the governor or lawmakers and then make large campaign contributions. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who addressed the group prior to the speech, said one of the Assembly’s top priorities will be to raise the minimum wage, stuck at $7.25 an hour for years, or about $15,000 a year for full-time work. The minimum wage in three neighboring states ranges from $8 to $8.47. Silver also proposed eliminating taxes for working families earning less than $25,000. Republican Senate leader Dean Skelos also spoke, calling Cuomo his friend, and noted their successful relationship last year is because many of the Democrat’s goals were long-time goals of Republicans. “Let’s make this session even more productive than the last one,” Skelos said. One day prior to the speech, Skelos stated to the media that there’s a “good chance” the Legislature’s upper house will be expanding, with a redistricting committee seriously considering the creation of a 63rd seat. The GOP currently holds a razor-thin 32-29 majority in the Senate, with one seat currently vacant in Brooklyn. Creating another “safe” district for Republicans would help keep them in the majority. According to Republican sources, a 63rd seat would also eliminate the possibility of a tie, which happened during a 2009 Senate coup, in which two Democratic lawmakers briefly sided with Republicans, temporarily paralyzing the chamber at 31-31 when one of the Democrats returned to his original conference. The move to 63 has angered Senate Democrats and good-government groups, which have blasted the GOP for its reluctance to hand over redistricting duties to an independent panel. “This confirms everyone’s worst fears and proves that legislators are incapable of drawing their own districts in a fair manner,” said Mike Murphy, Senate Democratic Conference spokesperson. “What the Senate Republicans are doing is illegal and no reading of the State Constitution would allow a new seat to be created. We are witnessing the depths that the Republicans will go to hold onto power. They are playing a dangerous game with the state constitution and the redistricting process. Unfortunately, the Senate GOP has made it clear that they care more about protecting their partisan interests than the people of New York State.” Despite Skelos’ suggestion on Republicans
comments by going to www.nysenate.gov. Assembly Speaker Silver’s video comments may be viewed by visiting www.assembly.state.ny.us. In closing, here are highlights points of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s State of the State Address: – Infrastructure: A New York Works Fund and Task Force to leverage public and private funds to repair roads and bridges, including the Tappan Zee Bridge. – Energy: An “Energy Highway” system to use excess fossil-fuel energy from western New York downstate and tap into upstate’s potential for renewable energy. A $2 billion plan that includes solar power expansion. – Hydrofracking: Not mentioned in speech, but in briefing book to lawmakers, Cuomo says state is reviewing comments and continuing to study the controversial drilling practice. – SUNY: Sixty campuses can compete for three $20 million grants. – Crime: A bill to require the collection of a DNA sample from any person convicted of a felony or penal law misdemeanor. – Taxes: A Tax Reform and Fairness Commission to propose changes to corporate, sales, and personal-income tax systems. – Campaign finance reform: Proposed public
MAYOR Marvin’s COLUMN
funding of elections and lower contribution limits. – Women’s rights: Support for Reproductive Health Act, which protects a woman’s right to choose. – Pension and mandate reform: A new pension tier for new state workers. A mandaterelief council will hold public hearings and make recommendations this year. – Education: A bipartisan commission to strengthen teacher accountability and student achievement and bolster efficiency. – Gambling: A constitutional amendment to legalize non-Indian casinos, along with a $4 billion plan for the largest convention center at Aqueduct racetrack in Queens. – Economic development: A $1 billion package for Buffalo and a pledge to continue $200 of regional economic development awards. – Independent redistricting: Not mentioned in speech, but in briefing book Cuomo says he would veto any lines for legislative districts not independently drawn. Share your thoughts with Carlos Gonzalez, The Albany Correspondent, by directing email to carlgonz1@gmail.com.
GOVERNMENT
Issues Germane to the Season By MARY C. MARVIN As we begin the New Year, I want to thank all the residents for their volunteerism, helpful suggestions and generous support. Your contributions made 2011 in the Village a successful and positive year. In the spirit of the new year, I want to address issues/questions that are particularly germane to the season. The following is a compilation thereof. Unfortunately, January is also synonymous with taxes. Tax payments were due due by January 3rd without penalty. Payment after that
date incurs penalties that escalate depending upon the payment month. Several years ago, the Trustees and I decided to send out just one paper bill with two payment stubs in an effort to save staff time, paper and postage money and ultimately taxpayer dollars. The common practice in most municipalities is to send one yearly bill similar to the way we pay our Eastchester taxes. Because of the large Village tax bill, village leaders in the past began the practice of a two payment system. We continue to send multiple electronic reminders via our new e-alert system Continued on page 20
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The Westchester Guardian
MAYOR Marvin’s COLUMN
GOVERNMENT driveway and have a friend pick up items such as Pennysavers and phone books that cannot be cancelled by calling the Post Office or the provider. Should the snow fall in the coming months, and from a budgetary, not a beauty perspective, I pray not, regulations are triggered to provide for safe sidewalk passage. In the Village’s business district, sidewalks must be cleared of ice and snow by 9AM and 4PM of each day whether or not the snow is still falling. On residential streets, snow and ice must be removed within 12 hours of the cessation of snowfall. As a reminder, sidewalk maintenance and repair, irrespective of the season, is the responsibility of the homeowner or landlord. During snowy weather, residents often ask us to clear paths or “shortcuts” that have been carved out of hillsides or alleyways. We cannot maintain these areas, however well used, because our maintenance would condone the use of paths that are neither sidewalks nor safe passage. The holiday season also brought an increase in door-to-door solicitations. Individuals selling goods cannot do so legally without first receiving a permit from the Village. Do not hesitate to call
Issues Germane to the Season Continued from page 19 and I urge you to sign up to help avoid missing any important Village deadlines. Some residents have wanted to pay taxes via credit card given the benefits associated with card usage. Appreciating the logic of this option, we have tried to find a bank that would waive the attendant 2 – 4% transaction costs in exchange for our business with no success. Given the dollar amount of most of the tax bills, neither the homeowner nor the Village can currently absorb the transaction fees. January is also the month for renewal of home alarm permits. The annual fee is $50.00 and due by January 1, 2012 with a grace period until February 1, 2012. Residents will receive a renewal notice only via e-alert, the cable TV scroll and newspaper announcements. Paper notices will be sent out only as a last resort. All homeowners are allowed two false alarm responses by the police before a $25.00 fee is charged. In addition to registering alarms, other safety precautions should be taken if extended travel is planned. Ask neighbors to park in your
THURSDAY, January 12, 2012
the police department if the salesperson cannot produce their permit. Upon investigation, the police have found that some of the charities that were purported to benefit from our purchases were non-existent. The First Amendment does protect all those “selling” an idea or cause so groups such as the Jehovah Witnesses or Greenpeace do not need permission to ring your bell. To limit this kind of visit, a small “No Solicitation” sign near the front door has proven effective. As a reminder, Village Hall issues birth and death certificates, but pet licenses are now issued by the Town of Eastchester at Town Hall at 40 Mill Road. Only children born at Lawrence Hospital can receive birth certificates at Village Hall. Residents born in New York City can apply for certificates at www.nyhealth.gov/ vital_records. Many residents have inquired as to Village rules governing the hours of operation for construction companies working in the Village. Home improvement work that requires a building permit can only occur on weekdays between 8AM and 6PM. Work not requiring a permit such as house painting or lawn care
may be done on weekends. However, any work producing a great deal of noise may be in violation of the Village noise ordinance, whether done with or without requiring a building permit. Finally, two of our most recent initiatives undertaken late in the year, have proven quite successful. Our police officers on foot patrol detail were received so positively by merchants and residents alike. Not only did the officers make new connections with residents, they were also on hand to issue tickets to drivers crossing the double yellow line on Pondfield Road, a source of frustration to every patient and law abiding parker in the Village. Thanks to the Green Committee’s “Leave the Leaves” initiative, we never picked up a single leaf on Village Hall property, rather mulching them in place. Not only did we save time and money, but the lawn has never looked better. I wish you all a new year full of promise, health, family, laughter and kindness.
Romney is worst-suited of the candidates to take this position because, as Massachusetts governor, he supported and signed a state law with the same provision. Erstwhile top challenger Newt Gingrich is running away from his record as a supporter of Romney’s Massachusetts law. Former Sen. Rick Santorum was out of Congress when the federal law was passed, but Santorum’s stock in trade is arguing that the government should be telling Americans how to behave in all manner of private affairs, because that’s what his religious beliefs call for. Rep. Michele Bachmann and Texas Gov. Rick Perry have the same problem. Jon Huntsman’s problem is that nobody in his own party really cares what he thinks about this issue or any other, even though he is, to my mind, the most thoughtful candidate in the field. (For the record, Huntsman has attacked Romney for introducing a forerunner to “Obamacare,” as Republicans like to call it.) Only Sen. Ron Paul, who apparently doesn’t believe the government should ever tell anyone to do anything, possibly including stopping at red lights, comes to his position against the dreaded health insurance mandate with clean intellectual hands. But the Republican faithful, the rank-andfile foot soldiers of the party, have somehow persuaded themselves that the big problem with the Obama health reform is the mandate. Are they correct that Congress lacks constitutional authority to make everyone buy health insurance? We may find out sometime in the next six months, since the Supreme Court has taken up the matter. But there are almost certainly four solid votes on the Court’s liberal wing to uphold the law. This means, at best, opponents can hope for a narrow majority in their favor. A 5-4 ruling to strike down the statute won’t necessarily persuade swing voters
in the presidential race that Obama was wrong, and anything less is going to be seen as a victory for the president and, in effect, an endorsement of the law and its terrible policy choices. If they want to win in November,Republicans need to recognize that their challenge is not to motivate hard-core GOP voters, who will oppose Obama no matter what. Their task is to persuade independent voters to show up and vote for new leadership. They won’t do that with arguments that ring false because the candidates making those arguments have taken opposite positions in the past, only to swing with the political fashion of their party. Republicans did pretty well on taxes through most of 2011, only to fall apart with the lastminute two-month extension of the president’s Social Security tax cut. The president broke the myth of the Social Security trust fund. To serve his own political interests, he is draining hundreds of billions of dollars from the program, and, in the process, making the retirees who are an important part of his own political base extremely nervous. By the time Obama is done milking the FICA cash cow, the program will be reduced politically to what it always has been actuarially: a cashtransfer welfare program. Republicans ought to let him go right ahead and do this. If he asks for a 2-percentage-point cut in FICA taxes, Republicans ought to offer him 3 points, or 4, and extend it to employers as well as employees. Will this drive up the deficit? You bet, but Republicans can immediately counter with offsetting spending cuts. If you want more Social Security, you get less defense, or environmental protection, or antitrust enforcement. The bottom line of this exercise would be to Continued on page 21
Mary C. Marvin is the mayor of the Village of Bronxville, New York. If you have a suggestion or comment, consider directing your perspective by email to: mayor@vobny.com.
CURRENT COMMENTARY
Republicans Limp Out of the Gate By LARRY M. ELKIN I hate to rain on somebody’s parade, especially somebody I’ll probably support in November, but Republicans do not have much to crow about as they emerge from yesterday’s Iowa caucuses. Granted, the process has already winnowed two uninspiring candidates, Tim Pawlenty and Herman Cain, from the field vying to challenge President Obama. This leaves Mitt Romney, who can feel pretty good about his prospects as he heads into next week’s New Hampshire primary, and six other hopefuls who all lack the money and organization to stay with Romney through the primary marathon to come. For Republicans who really care about unseating Obama, Romney is not a bad choice, even if he lacks the raw appeal of charismatic (but unvetted) non-candidates like governors Chris Christie of New Jersey or Mitch Daniels of Indiana. A former Massachusetts governor, Romney can put Northeastern states like Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania in play. This should force Obama to play defense on what should be his strongest turf, and should drain his resources from battleground states like Florida, Ohio and Wisconsin, which the president must carry to have any realistic chance of being re-elected. Many Republicans feel confident about their chances in November. I agree that the Electoral College map is stacked against the incumbent and should give him an uphill fight this year. But Obama has an ace in the hole that could level the
playing field, allowing voters to forget his colossally wasteful spending, terrible economic record and nasty rhetoric. Obama’s secret weapon is the Republicans’ own determination to shoot themselves in the foot on two of the biggest issues of the campaign: taxes and health care reform. There are many valid reasons to attack the Affordable Care Act that Obama and fellow Democrats rammed into law in 2010. It will drive up costs that are already out of control by increasing demand for care without making care more abundant or efficient. It will ruin the economic foundation of health insurance by allowing millions of people to pay relatively insignificant penalties while they wait until they get sick before purchasing insurance. It will discourage businesses from hiring U.S. workers, who must either receive health coverage or trigger penalties against the employers. The bill will raise taxes to pay for the substantial new subsidies for low- and middle-income insurance buyers, who will be sicker than average because, again, they won’t need to buy coverage while they are still healthy since insurers will be required to accept all applicants. All of these arguments are winners for GOP candidates. But do they make these arguments? Nope. Instead, they twist themselves into verbal knots to attack one of the law’s more logical requirements – that all Americans who can afford to do so either buy health insurance or pay a penalty.
The Westchester Guardian
THURSDAY, January 5, 2012
Page 21
CURRENT COMMENTARY on steroids, with a debt big enough to bring the whole financial world crashing down and a character small enough to actually do it. If presented with this option, voters will probably choose to leave a financially viable nation to their grandchildren instead. But Senate Republicans decided their Christmas vacation was the top priority, so they helped pass the Democrats’two-month extension, and overshadowed the House’s earlier vote for a full-year continuation of the FICA tax cut, which the House paid for with cuts the Democrats did not want to accept. Thus, Republicans got on the
Republicans Limp Out of the Gate Continued from page 20 make it crystal clear that the Treasury does not have a magic fountain of money, unless you count foreigners’ willingness to keep lending trillions as our national debt mounts to monstrous levels, or unless you assume the Federal Reserve will ultimately print the cash to make all this debt go away, along with what’s left of the dollar’s value. Obama would not turn us into the next Greece, which is too small to really matter in the scheme of things. He would turn us into the next Italy,
wrong side of an issue that should have been their strong suit. Now we have to watch as they struggle to wrest control of the Social Security tax debate back from Obama and his party. It won’t be pretty. A few Republican candidates will tell us how well they did in Iowa last night. Don’t believe it. Unless they stop shooting themselves in the foot, no Republican candidate is going to run a particularly good race this year.
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GOVERNMENT
Independent Democratic Conference Releases 2012 Legislative Agenda NEW YORK, NY - The Independent Democratic Conference released its 2012 legislative agenda Thursday aimed at strengthening New York’s economy, improving the lives of New York residents, and preserving New York’s progressive tradition. The agenda was released on the anniversary of the IDC’s formation and after a successful year that saw many of the conference’s 2011 priorities made into law. “We put progress over partisanship last year and because of it, New
York shined,” said Senator Jeffrey D. Klein, (D-Bronx/ Westchester.) “The Independent Democratic Conference is committed to keeping this momentum going by focusing our 2012 agenda on issues that matter most to New Yorkers. By working to improve the lives of all New Yorkers, we continue to move this state forward.” The IDC’s 2012 agenda includes: - Cutting Red Tape, Allowing Small Business to Thrive & Helping our Economy
Grow - Improving Upon the Toughest AntiForeclosure Laws in the Country - Identifying Government Waste and Creating Government Efficiency - Standing Up for Our Most Vulnerable Populations - Delivering Mandate Relief for Local School Districts and Municipalities: - Protecting Reproductive Rights in New York Continued on page 22
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The Westchester Guardian
THURSDAY, January 12, 2012
GOVERNMENT
Independent Democratic Conference Releases 2012 Legislative Agenda Continued from page 21 - Strengthening New York’s Agricultural Economy - Combating the Rise of Prescription Drug Abuse We’re looking to help those who need it most. We want to help small businesses , local governments, and schools lower costs and lower taxes. In short: We want to help New York,”
said Senator David Carlucci, (D-Rockland/ Orange). “We accomplished a lot last year, but there’s more work to do.” In its inaugural year, the Independent Democratic Conference, Senators Klein, Carlucci, Diane Savino, (D-Staten Island/ Brooklyn), and David J. Valesky, (D-Oneida), passed 68 bills, 32 of which became law and issued 21 legislative reports detailing how to
save more than $1 billion, reform Albany, and improve the lives of New Yorkers. Additionally, IDC legislative priorities, including the implementation of a property tax cap, marriage equality, ethics and MTA tax reform, were made law. “This is year two of the Empire State restoration project,” Senator Savino said. “As we work to rebuild our economy, we must also make sure
that our rights remain protected and our most vulnerable don’t fall through the cracks.” “The only way we can move forward is by building upon our strengths,” Senator Valesky said. “With this agenda to help our farms, our small business owners and our residents, the IDC is focusing on what makes this state great and what we believe is needed to keep New York on the right track.”
INVESTIGATION
Stamford Fire, Blazing Lesson for Rye Mayor French and other Officials By RAY TARTAGLIONE With the recent tragic loss of five lives in a roaring Christmas Day house fire in Stamford, CT, anyone sane might question the wisdom of allowing an illegally converted residential attic to serve as a bedroom with no fire escape, sprinklers or egress sized windows. But if you are the Mayor of The City of Rye New York, jeopardizing the lives of rental property tenants (and potentially firefighters) is apparently no big deal - since records indicate that the Mayor himself secretly made just such an illegal attic conversion over a decade ago - and then rented out the house to the general public, taking in over $50,000 a year with this new attic bedroom featured as a benefit according to MLS records. And, to add insult to injury, apparently since its Mayor Douglas French’s own rental house that has now come under the spotlight, senior Rye City officials have stepped up sharply to his defense by denying that this structure has any violations of state or local building or fire codes at all. Yet a newly released local investigative documentary film, viewable on YouTube.com, about Mayor French’s investment property entitled
“13 Richard Place” lays out an entirely different view of the matter - along with much evidence of apparent municipal code wrongdoing by the Mayor. In the film, Rye City Manager Scott Pickup and Rye City Corporation Council Kristen Wilson are seen publicly and repeatedly claiming that the Mayor’s rental property at 13 Richard Place has no official notice of violations of local and state building codes. However as film viewers can see, Jordan Glass an attorney for Heal the Harbor.com, addressed The Rye City Council at a regularly scheduled council meeting on October 18th, 2011, and made the following revelations about Mayor French’s rental / investment property located at 13 Richard Place. “It has a bedroom completed and advertised on the 3rd floor attic, although there is no fire escape as required by local and state law. The City of Rye has been deprived of a house in compliance with its code placing residents of Rye, presumably including children since it is advertised as a 4-bedroom house, in unnecessary and reckless peril. This 2 family house was illegally converted to a 1 family house with construction and permitting codes for fire, safety,
electrical, gas, plumbing and water all violated, flouted and ignored.” In the months after the October 18th council meeting, the City of Rye has taken no official action to stop the rental of this illegal home to the public nor has it brought any fines or sanctions on Mayor French for his past illegal and secret construction practices. And while the senior public officials in Rye continue to deny that there are any building or fire code violations at 13 Richard Place, Mayor French was subsequently forced to publicly acknowledge that he “might” have erroneously taken an illegal STAR tax exemption (valued at over $10,000) on the rental property for over 10 years - and has asked the Rye City Tax Assessor to investigate the situation and report about it to him and the city council. In the meantime, as we now all know, the horrific Christmas Day fire that claimed the lives of 5 people, 3 of them small children, in nearby Stamford specifically included a 3rd floor bedroom for the children that played a critical and fatal role in the tragedy. And, as of this writing, the Stamford Building Department is investigating if the house was even legal for
occupancy given it’s under reconstruction status. The Stamford Advocate quotes Stamford Mayor Michael Pavia as saying - “Our heart goes out for the family, friends of these people, as well as the firefighters and emergency medical people, police department and all that were on the scene and are, frankly, suffering as a result. Our heart goes out to them and we hope they find peace soon. It’s Christmas Day. There probably has not been a worse Christmas Day in the City of Stamford.” So is Rye’s Mayor French - along with Rye City Manager Pickup and Rye City Attorney Wilson - even interested in public safety? Or was just another alleged Rye City cover-up exposed - and the usual public relations damage control is now underway? To view the new documentary go to YOUTUBE.com and insert “13 Richard Place” in the search feature or just copy and paste (http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=W6nWzVM99R8) in your browser. To the collection of public documents about Mayor French’s Secret Illegal Rental Property go to HEALtheHARBOR.com or copy and paste (http://www.healtheharbor.com/happenings. shtml) in your browser. Ray Tartaglione is executive director of HEALtheHARBOR.com
GOVERNMENT
A New Council and the Possibility for a New Direction for New Rochelle By PEGGY GODFREY As a result of the 2011 New Rochelle elections, the future of the city is now in the hands of five Democrats and two Republicans. What does this mean for New Rochelleans? The two political parties espoused emphasis over disparate issues during their separate and respective inaugural ceremonies on January 1, 2012, at City Hall. Republicans installed their two re-elected councilmen first. Later that afternoon, the Democrats followed with a re-elected mayor and four councilmembers,
two of who were re-elected. Their philosophy and the direction the city should take emerged as each member of this new council made their acceptance speech. The Chairman of the New Rochelle Republican Party, Doug Colety, set the tone for his party’s installation by divulging that both re-elected Councilmen Al Tarantino, D. 1, and Lou Trangucci, D. 2, would continue their fight for the taxpayers that both initiated in their first first term in office. Both “Al and Lou bring real world and business experience to the Council,” said Colety. He then thanked Councilman
Richard St. Paul for his service. After being sworn in by New York State Supreme Court Justice Ken Rudolph, Trangucci thanked his supporters, and especially his wife, Theresa, calling her “the best campaign manager anyone can have.” He said he would continue to be a strong advocate for quality of life issues.Trangucci cited the courage and contribution of employee Pat Pappalardi for making a difference by his observations leading to the indictment of a city employee. Trangucci blamed the major financial difficulties of the city on the lack of results of the
strategies followed by the administrations of the last 15 years. It is Trangucci perspective that New Rochelle cannot continue to increase in population and still reduce services because all residents suffer. Acknowledging the large Latino population in his district, Trangucci assured them they will be supported and their concerns would be addressed at his association meetings. After County Legislator James Maisano administered the oath of office to Councilman Tarantino, Tarantino recounted how the years Continued on page 23
The Westchester Guardian
GOVERNMENT
A New Council and the Possibility for a New Direction for New Rochelle
Continued from page 22 he has lived in New Rochelle had undergone “monumental changes.” He was grateful for his parents’ strong values and the support given him by his wife and six children. While the landscape of New Rochelle had changed, he feels we need to ensure “more than the skyline will be enhanced.” His view was that no concern was too “trivial” to be entertained. He reinforced his concept with a reference to a question he had asked voters at a large gathering in previous campaigns, that is, “Did they think their quality of life had improved?” but he said “no hands went up.” Later that afternoon, the Democrats held their Inauguration Ceremony. Their host, Westchester County Clerk and former Mayor Tim Idoni, was also Master of Ceremonies. He noted January 1st was a new beginning for New Rochelle. Outgoing Councilwoman Marianne Sussman said she was hopeful for the future of the city and announced the names of all the dignitaries in the audience as had Colety similarly done at the Republican installation. Mayor Noam Bramson was administered the oath of office by Judge John Colangelo. In the acceptance speech that followed, Bramson said it was a day of new beginnings and that he was extending his hand to both parties. Mass transit, the appeal of the shoreline, and greener practices are the focus for the future. He noted the hardest choices can produce the greatest rewards, reinforcing the best days of New Rochelle are “still to come.” Senior Councilman Barry Fertel, D. 5, was administered the oath of office by City Judge Susan Kettner. Fertel stated New Rochelle was a city of diversity “with it own Space Shot.” Residents have expressed dissatisfaction to him
about the city’s budget. Thoughtful choices he said will have to be made in the future; such as, “Do we make the necessary capital improvements?” He felt transit orientation was not the city’s salvation but it could move the City forward. Shari Rackman, Councilwoman D. 6, after being given the oath of office by Stephen Jerome, a principal of Monroe College, said “she had lived in New Rochelle since she was a teen-ager. She was “thrilled” with the small neighborhoods, which created a “beautiful mosaic” in the city. She urged residents to take advantage of the whole city. She said, downtown was a “city-wide” priority. The tax base, she thought, needed to be strengthened. Councilman Jared Rice’s Mother, Judge Gail Rice, administered his oath of office. Acknowledging the help of his campaign committee, his family, wife and parents, brother and daughter, he said he was committed to this “journey.” He cited his input for the new district lines and his Beautification Day, and said he was looking forward to the changes for Hartley House. Ivar Hyden, Councilman D.4, was the last one to be administered the oath of office by Zoning Board Chairman Richard Sosis. After he acknowledged support of his wife Diane, he thought the city would be brighter with a new council, adding, “The Ivar you know is the Ivar you will get.” Hyden said he was looking forward to bringing new ideas and new approaches to city government. He promised he “will take the city in a new direction.” Only time will tell how these differences in approach will allow the city to move forward. Peggy Godfrey is a freelance writer and a former educator.
Retirement Brunch For Westchester County Legislator William Burton OSSINING, NY -- A retirement brunch for Westchester County Legislator William Burton will be held on Sunday, January 22, from 10 am to 12 Noon at the Atria, 321 North Highland Avenue (Route 9) in Ossining. Legislator Burton served the 9th Legislative District on the Westchester County Board of Legislators for six years. The brunch is open to the public with a cost of $50 per person, which includes a special gift. Checks should be made payable to Richard Wishnie/Burton Party and mailed to Richard Wishnie, 47 Briarbrook Drive, Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510. For questions about the event please call 914-953-8297.
THURSDAY, January 5, 2012
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THURSDAY, January 12, 2012
GOVERNMENT
Why I Voted Against the 2012 Town of Ossining Budget By PETER TRIPODI IV There are serious financial issues with the 2012 operating budget for the Town of Ossining, and there is also a larger “meta” concept of kicking the can down the road. The Town of Ossining has numerous accountability issues. The first of these is the former tenant/theater company at Cedar Lane Park. This tenant of the Town owes $17,000.00 for 2010 rental arrears to the taxpayers of the Town of Ossining. I have been the only official that has demanded the Town sue and collect the money owed from this former tenant. However, my colleagues have wavered on the issue of suing this tenant. In fact, every time the issue is raised my colleagues claim “something” still needs to be worked out before we proceed. But, as you can guess, we never do proceed. In reality, that is an excuse for the lack of leadership in the Town of Ossining, which has forced the taxpayers to eat a $17,000.00 loss. If this were not enough, earlier last year the former Supervisor unilaterally let the tenant that owes the money, come back to the Town’s property and retrieve their belongings! Some of these items included expensive theater lights and stage equipment - equipment that could have been taken and sold to pay taxpayers back for the money owed to them. In addition to not making any real effort
towards retrieving that money owed to the taxpayers of the Town of Ossining, there has also been a promised inventory of the Town’s assets. This was in direct response to the loss of $5,000.00 of Town-owned scrap metal. This metal and the money it could have generated have still not been recovered. Safe to say the inventory has not been done either. The Mid-Hudson Ambulance Tax District needs fine tuning before I will approve any budget for the district. Serious personnel issues have been brought to the attention of Town officials numerous times yet the Town has never met with OVAC leadership to discuss these issues. This again is a complete lack of leadership and ignoring of serious problems. In addition, The Mid-Hudson Ambulance Tax District has repeatedly violated New York State’s Open Meeting Law Section 104- Public Notice of Meetings. Even fellow elected officials are not notified of when or where they meet and these meetings are also not filmed. Other irresponsible and blatant abuse of taxpayer funds is the following: The Town-owned police station (which costs taxpayers roughly $350,000.00 annually) still remains Town owned and County police used.The County pays nothing for the use of the facility while using it for countywide services. In addition, Ossining taxpayers pay for electricity, copy machine costs, internet, phone
OP EDSection
service, bottled water, and numerous other services that the County utilizes for free. Effectively, the 2012 budget continues the practice of using Ossining taxpayers to foot the bill for services all Westchester County residents benefit from. This was an often-discussed campaign issue and the taxpayers were promised that something was going to be done. As yet there has been no move to do that, however, with a new board I do remain optimistic about this issue. The Town of Ossining pays the Village of Ossining $359,000.00 for payroll, accounting, and data services.The Town of Ossining has a roughly $13 million budget (this includes all budgets, funds, and tax districts). The Town of Ossining has approximately 50 employees. The Village of Briarcliff Manor has a budget of roughly $19 million and employs about 70 employees. The finance department of the Village of Briarcliff Manor performs the same services of payroll, accounting, data services, in addition to water and tax bill collection. The total spending of their treasurer’s department for these services is roughly $264,000.00.This amount is far less than what the Town of Ossining pays the Village of Ossining for fewer services and for fewer employees. Is that a fiscally responsible contract? Court Consolidation is another area in which cost savings was touted but never realized. In fact, a letter from the Deputy State
Comptroller stated Court Consolidation was a $460,000.00 increase in new spending for the Town of Ossining. The Village of Ossining’s tax cap limit was then lowered from 2% to 1.4% because of Court Consolidation. In short, Court Consolidation cost the Town more money, the Village of Ossining was penalized, and no one saved any money. But the nonsense we hear in our taxpayer funded mailers is quite the opposite and more accurately…wrong. To conclude, please don’t believe the political hyperbole. We have constantly heard about how great the Town of Ossining’s finances are, but were you ever told Moody’s lowered the Town of Ossining’s bond rating in August 2010 from Aa2 to Aa3? No one has ever mentioned this downgrade in any financial report or otherwise. The Village of Briarcliff Manor, both Ossining and Briarcliff School Districts, and even surrounding municipalities such as Croton on Hudson and Cortlandt Manor have Aa2 bond ratings. Even the Village of Ossining has a Aa2 bond rating, but the Town of Ossining was lowered because, “The downgrade reflects the town’s limited financial flexibility following a trend of operating deficits, resulting in a narrow undesignated Operating Fund balance and limited financial flexibility.” (Moody’s, August 2010) Peter Tripodi IV is Ossining Town Councilman. Learn more about him at www.PeterTripodi. Com. Direct email to electpete@gmail.com, or call (914) 774-0373.
WEIR ONLY HUMAN
This is Democracy at Work! By BOB WEIR
There’s more than a bit of irony in the recent consumer uproar over a proposed $2 “convenience fee” by Verizon Wireless that was planned to go into effect on January 15. The company, the largest U.S. mobile carrier, wanted to charge the $2 fee for bills paid online or by phone. But, after a mere 24-hour period and thousands of emails and phone calls from outraged customers, Verizon succumbed to the backlash and canceled the new policy. The irony comes from the fact that Verizon is a leader in the communications industry, and consumer access to that industry, in the form of active and conscientious users, was enough to force the company to back off. In addition, the controversy came to the attention of the Federal Communications Commission, which has now decided to investigate. The New Jersey based company said they
wanted the fee for users who make single bill payments on a month-to-month basis by phone or online. Faster than you can say, “predatory practices,” customers began criticizing Verizon on Twitter and Web forums, with some setting up online petitions and calling for consumers to boycott the carrier. That’s when the FCC got involved, saying it was “concerned” about the plan and would make an official inquiry. Before the communication revolution, companies were able to arbitrarily impose fees and other unpopular policies with impunity. Not anymore! These days, there are myriad ways to combat the inequity large corporations once held over the lone individual. In a matter of hours, hundreds of thousands of people can be mobilized to criticize and send a message to an overbearing company that they will lose their customer base if they don’t capitulate. It’s possible, but highly unlikely, that this consumer victory could have happened so quickly a generation ago, if in fact it could have happened at all.
In this case, Verizon Wireless customers started more than 35 petitions against the fee on a web site known as Change.org. One petition was signed by more than 95,000 people within hours. As more people become involved with their laptops, iphones, ipads, etc., a larger, more powerful and more involved form of body politic will emerge. It was only about a month ago that a consumer backlash led to Bank of America Corp. canceling a $5-per-month fee for debit card users. In that case, too, consumers used online campaigns to pressure the company. One manager at a consumer rights organization said people power has never been more formidable because the average person no longer feels that fighting back against corporate giants is a waste of time. It’s really just a numbers game. In the past, when a company decided to raise their prices, change their products, or institute other policy changes that might adversely affect their customers, they might receive some phone calls to the home office, but not enough to make them submit to the pressure. If the John Smith and Jane Doe of 25-years ago lived in the same
neighborhood and were upset by a price increase in a product or service, they might talk to each other at a social gathering and each write a letter to the company the next day. The company, although expecting some dissatisfaction from customers, would probably relegate the scant few complaints to the circular file. Thanks to mass communication, disgruntled citizens can write a letter, click an icon and round up a huge posse, via cyberspace, which will come to their defense and bring those would-be violators of the public trust to justice. Moreover, social networking sites like “Facebook” have changed the opinion-making dynamic of global communications. Opinions may be like bellybuttons in that everybody has one; however, the inveterate FB user may be exposed to hundreds of opinions daily, which is very likely to have a profound influence on his own. The Internet, which began as merely a point-to-point communication between mainframe computers and terminals, has become one of the most significant examples of democracy in action. Continued on page 25
The Westchester Guardian
THURSDAY, January 5, 2012
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WEIR ONLY HUMAN
This is Democracy at Work! Continued from page 24 The voice of the people, which hitherto, could only be heard on Election Day or when letters to editors were published in newsprint, has blossomed to the level of a mountain-sized megaphone. Citizens can affect the way their
city, state, or federal government serves, or disserves them. Undoubtedly, there are bureaucrats in Washington who are actively seeking ways to insinuate a tax on emails, blogs, and other forms of electronic communications. The fact that they haven’t already done so is indicative of the massive influence the public has on any politician that would dare support
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear Mr. Aris:
The City of New Rochelle is again entertaining the idea of developing Echo Bay. In my opinion development of this property would forever remove it as a recreational area. It would also jeopardize the surrounding area which abuts this site being considered for development. I frequently go to both Five Islands Park and Davenport Park during the Spring, Summer and Fall months. Five Islands Park is enjoyed by
ZYGGE HANDYMAN, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 10/20/2011. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process Corporation Service Company 80 State St. Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful activity. Registered Agent: Corporation Service Company 80 State St. Albany, NY 12207 SAGES LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 10/19/2011. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process The LLC 152 Mildred Pkwy. New Rochelle, NY 10804. Purpose: Any lawful activity. Notice of Formation USA 2 LLC Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY 12/13/2011.
many. They have picnics, a playground for children and a place for wedding parties. At times it is so crowded that individuals like myself can’t get in. We need more areas like this in order to provide a healthy, wholesome area for our people who struggle all week to earn a living. We don’t need department stores or restaurants. The problem with the City is that it can only think in a narrow-minded fashion. By expanding our waterfront for recreation we will do a good thing for our people and also increase revenue at the same time since these same people will also patronize the local businesses. Sincerely, George Imburgia New Rochelle, New York
Off. Loc.: Westchester Cnty. SSNY designated as agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: c/o The LLC, 457 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, NY 10605. Purpose: all lawful activities. GEORGIO FAMILY III LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 12/5/2011. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process C/O Patricia G. Micek, Esq. 2180 Boston Post Rd. Larchmont, NY 10538. Purpose: Any lawful activity. THE FARM FOODIE, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 11/28/2011. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process C/O
such legislation. Let’s hope we can stay one step ahead of those bean-counters who would, once again, use the power to tax as a way to limit our freedom. Bob Weir is a veteran of 20 years with the New York Police Dept. (NYPD), ten of which were performed in plainclothes undercover assign- ments. Bob began
The Folly of God-denial By MATT BARBER As the political season heats up it occurs to me that, as important as elections are, unless the hearts of men are changed, the heart of a nation cannot awaken. Our nation is experiencing heart failure. It needs an awakening – a spiritual awakening. Desperately. Every year secular-“progressives” and obnoxious atheist pressure groups exponentially ramp up demands that all traces of Christianity be purged from the public sphere; particularly at Christmas time. This is like demanding the
LEGAL NOTICES
Stern Keiser & Panken, LLP 1025 Westchester Ave. Ste. 305 White Plains, NY 10604. Purpose: Any lawful activity. B8 ENTERPRISE LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 12/7/2011. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process Justin Jaikaran 9 Holly St. Yonkers, NY 10704. Purpose: Any lawful activity. SIGNATURE PUBLIC RELATIONS, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 10/27/2011. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process C/O Randal B. Hayes 101 Ellwood Ave. 1E Mt. Ver-
a writing career about 12 years ago and had his first book published in 1999. Bob went on to write and publish a total of seven novels, “Murder in Black and White,” “City to Die For,” “Powers that Be,” “Ruthie’s Kids,” “Deadly to Love,” “Short Stories of Life and Death,” and “Out of Sight.” He also became a syndicated columnist under the title “Weir Only Human.”
non, NY 10552. Purpose: Any lawful activity. LIGHTCHARTS LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 12/20/2011. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process C/O Patricia G. Micek, Esq. 2180 Boston Post Rd. Larchmont, NY 10538. Purpose: Any lawful activity. ALBERT E. ALEXANDER FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 12/1/2011. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LP upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process C/O Stern, Keiser & Panken, LLP 1025 Westchester Ave. Ste. 305 White Plains, NY 10604. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
abolition of penicillin during an outbreak of Typhoid Fever. I’ve never quite understood this. Scripture admonishes: “The fool has said in his heart ‘there is no God.’” Secularists need to relax.They already have their own holiday: April First. Albert Einstein, who is often falsely characterized as having been an atheist, once said of non-believers: “The fanatical atheists are like slaves who are still feeling the weight of their chains which they have thrown off after hard struggle. They are creatures who – in their grudge against traditional religion as the ‘opium of the masses’ – cannot hear the music of the spheres.” Indeed, Psalm 19:1 observes: “The heavens Continued on page 26
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2 column
HARLEM LINE MEDIA, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 11/14/2011. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process Corporation Service Company 80 State St Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful activity. Registered Agent: Corporation Service Company 80 State St Albany, NY 12207
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THURSDAY, January 12, 2012
OPED
The Folly of God-denial Continued from page 25 declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Einstein addressed the inherent hubris associated with God-denial: I’m not an atheist. I don’t think I can call myself a pantheist. The problem involved is too vast for our limited minds. We are in the position of a little child entering a huge library filled with books in many languages. The child knows someone must have written those books. It does not know how. It does not understand the languages in which they are written. The child dimly suspects a mysterious order in the arrangement of the books but doesn’t know what it is. That, it seems to me, is the attitude of even the most intelligent human being toward God. We see the universe marvelously arranged and obeying certain laws but only dimly understand these laws. Although there is no evidence that, in life, Albert Einstein accepted the lordship of Jesus Christ, when asked if he believed in Jesus the historical figure, he responded: “Unquestionably! No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life.” Undeniably, Jesus’ existence, teachings – even many of the miracles He performed while on earth – are corroborated through a multitude of non-Christian historical sources. Still, the mere belief in a creator God, or an admission that Jesus walked the earth, is altogether insufficient to recompense the debt owed for the fruits of wickedness, sown and harvested throughout our lives. As James 2:19 declares: “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and shudder.”
So there is a question of principal importance to every human, and it is this: Is Jesus who He claimed to be: God, Creator of the heavens and earth; the singular path to salvation? Or was He something else? As with any yes-or-no question, there is a yes-or-no answer. There must be. As author and Christian apologist C.S. Lewis observed, Christ could have been only one of three things: A lunatic, a liar, or – as He often claimed and as billions have believed – the sovereign Lord and Creator of the universe. Lewis wrote in “Mere Christianity”: A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic – on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg – or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God; or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to. I write this with complete confidence: Albert Einstein presently acknowledges the deity of Jesus Christ. Every atheist, Muslim and Buddhist; every Wiccan, Hindu and Jew; every man, woman and child will bow before His nail-pierced feet. Whether we do it in this life or the next may determine where and how we spend eternity. Philippians 2:10-11 assures us, “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” John 3:36 warns: “Whoever believes in the Son [Jesus] has eternal life, but whoever rejects
the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” Christ was both tolerant and intolerant – utterly exclusive and wholly inclusive. He said in no uncertain terms: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6) Note that, rather conspicuously, Jesus did not say: “No one comes to the Father except through me, the Buddha, Muhammad, Ganesh or L. Ron Hubbard.”
Utterly exclusive.
Yet He also promised us this: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-29) Romans 10:13 is even more direct: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Wholly inclusive.
The Bible is one of two things: it’s either simply an ancient text chock-full of creative tales and loose philosophies no more relevant to our daily lives than a Tony Robbins self-help book, or it is what it says it is: the inerrant, inspired Word of God. It can be nothing else. If it is the former, then today’s secular fundamentalists have it right. The Bible should be taken with a grain of salt, enjoyed simply for its literary and historical value, or ignored altogether. However, if it is the latter – if the Bible really is the inerrant, inspired Word of God as it purports to be – then we ignore or reject it at our own peril. Any philosophy that embraces relativism is a philosophy in conflict with objective, universal
truth. A society that demands all things “inclusive” and enshrines unqualified “tolerance” for all cultures, behaviors or faith traditions has run afoul of reality. Pluralism and truth are incompatible. Now, I’m very sorry that most liberals, universalists and non-believers feel that Christianity is deficiently “tolerant” or “inclusive” of various manmade religions, attitudes of materialism or lifestyle choices. But it’s not our call.Truth remains that, regardless of whether we choose to acknowledge it. Christ Himself reveals over and again that the pathway to heaven is a very narrow one, requiring membership in an exclusive corporate body – membership of which belief in Him and repentance from sin are the only requirements. But they are requirements. We are on notice. We have no excuse. The end of our temporal lives marks the beginning of our eternal ones. We each have a choice. We either choose to spend eternity bathed in the magnificent glory that is the light of Jesus Christ; or we choose complete separation from Him. We choose indescribable hopelessness; darkness without end; eternal torment of a kind our finite minds cannot fathom. John 3:16 reveals the greatest gift ever offered unto man: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” If you have yet done so, I pray in the New Year that you will resolve to accept the gift of eternal life. With it, you are reborn. With it, a great nation is reborn. Matt Barber (@jmattbarber on Twitter) is an attorney concentrating in constitutional law. He serves as Vice President of Liberty Counsel Action. (This information is provided for identification purposes only.)
NEW YORK CIVIC
Fifty Years On
By HENRY J. STERN Fifty years ago today, I was appointed and sworn in as Secretary of the Borough of Manhattan. That elegant title did more than justice to my actual duties, which were those of a staff assistant to the Borough President of Manhattan, at the time Edward R. Dudley. Judge Dudley had won the Democratic primary for Borough President over Assemblyman Lloyd Dickens in a race that was a sidebar to the city-wide contest for the Mayoralty which followed Mayor Wagner’s break with Carmine DeSapio, leader of Tammany Hall, the regular Democratic organization. Mr. Dickens is the father of Inez Dickens,a City Councilmember from Harlem who has been mentioned as a candidate for Council Speaker in 2013. The Liberal Party, under the leadership of Alex Rose, supported Wagner and was influential in his primary victory.The Democratic county leaders had supported State Comptroller Arthur
Albany, but his career in elective office ended when he lost a race for Congress in 1966 to incumbent Ted Kupferman. Wilson later became a successful attorney in New York City. A reform Democrat who was also a reasonable person, he would have made a fine County Leader. The small Liberal Party, which had supported Dudley, was divided in its choice. The executive director of the Party favored an official who had been his employee at party headquarters. Wilson and younger staff members, as well as the Liberal Party vice chairman, liked me. The Borough President made the final decision, and did not regret it. Two years later, Dudley was elected to the State Supreme Court. He advanced in the court system and remained until he retired. He was succeeded,eventually,by Constance Baker Motley, a civil rights attorney who had been elected to the New York State Senate. In 1966, she became the first African-American woman to become a United States District Judge. She was appointed to the bench by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The Secretary of the Borough was one
Politics Can Help Cities to Prosper If Leaders Are Honest and Wise Levitt, a regular Democrat from Kings County. Dudley ran on Wagner’s ticket, which carried Manhattan easily. When it came time to select the staff for his new term, Dudley found a dispensable Democratic district leader, Florence M. Ferguson of Inwood, who held the title of Secretary of the Borough of Manhattan. Ms. Ferguson, an affable woman whose husband was an optometrist from 207th Street, resigned, leaving a timely vacancy. To fill it, Dudley chose a 26-year-old government buff who at the time was serving as law clerk to a State Supreme Court Justice, Matthew M. Levy. That is how I entered the full-time profession of politics. To fill Ms. Ferguson’s spot, Borough President Dudley relied on several members of his senior staff. Perhaps the most influential was Jerome L. Wilson, his press secretary. Wilson, a man of unusual ability and high principle, was later elected to the State Senate, representing East Harlem and Yorkville. He served two terms in
of a staff of about a hundred who conducted the business of the office. Some were ‘political’, others were civil servants. They varied in ability and industry but were loyal to their work and to their employer. Over the years, the Borough President’s office was sharply reduced in size as its line functions were transferred to operating agencies, primarily the Department of Highways. The maintenance and repair of streets, a function or the Borough President for a century, was in the process of professionalization and depoliticization, a task that would take years to complete. By the year 1962, much of the Borough President’s work dealt with community relations, and acting as liaison between community boards and public agencies. The Borough President is also involved in city planning, economic development, and zoning issues. I both represented the Borough President at meetings and reported to him on community sentiment. Public service is a privilege. If it is done honestly and well, it can substantially benefit the people. Over the years, that is what I have tried to do. Henry J. Stern is the founder and president of New York Civic (www.NYCivic.org).
THURSDAY, January 5, 2012
The Westchester Guardian
Page 27
Yo n k e r s D o w n t o w n
International Restaurant Week Saturday January 21
~ to~ Sunday January 29
Take a fabulous culinary trip around the world when the Yonkers Downtown BID presents its very first International Restaurant Week. You will have the opportunity to dine in some of Westchester’s best restaurants at an incredible discount for lunch and dinner.
a 20% discount on lunch & a 25% discount on dinner.
Select menu items. Prices do not include alcoholic beverages, gratuity and taxes. To receive your discount, you MUST acknowledge “Yonkers International Restaurant Week” when calling to book your reservation at the restaurants of your choice listed below. Online reservations will NOT receive this special offer.
Visit our Website Now To Receive Your Discount Voucher
YonkersRestaur antWeek.com
“
S t eph en San so n e Executive Director Yonkers Downtown BID
Participating Restaurants (At time of publication. Other restaurants to be announced.)
C’mon downtown to Yonkers and
join us for our First International Restaurant Week. Enjoy some
of Westchester’s most critically
acclaimed restaurants serving up
international cuisines by some of the
”
X 2O - XAVIAR’S ON THE HUDSON 71 Wat er G r ant S t . (914 ) 96 5 -1111 x aviars. c o m Excludes Sunday Brunch
ZUP PA R E S TAUR ANT AN D LOUNG E 5 9 M ain S t r ee t (914 ) 376-6 5 0 0 z up p ar es taur ant . c om
LA BELLA HAVANA 3 5 M a i n S t r ee t ( 914 ) 9 2 0 - 97 7 7 l a bel l a hava n a .co m
most celebrated chefs in the region at amazing discounts. Bon Appétit!
KHANGRI JAPANESE AND ASIAN 2 2 Warb ur to n Av e. (914 ) 96 8 -213 4 khangr i jap anese r es taur ant . c o m
GIOVANNI’S IV 2 5 M ain S t r ee t (914 ) 37 5 -14 2 9 giovannis4 . c o m
D O LPH I N R E S TAU R A NT Van D er D o n ck S t. (914 ) 7 51 - 817 0 do l p h i n rbl .co m
Entertainment
THE PIZZA PLACE 9 2 M a i n S t r ee t ( 914 ) 7 0 9 - 10 5 0 t hep i zza p l a ce in c.co m
Musical entertainment will take place at restaurants throughout the week. Visit YonkersRestaurantWeek.com for information and updates. 15 M a i n S t r e et , Yonke r s , N Y 1 0 7 0 1 ( 9 1 4 ) 9 6 9 -6 6 6 0 w w w. Yo n k e r s D o w n t o w n . c o m
Page 28
THURSDAY, January 12, 2012
The Westchester Guardian
Inaugural Voyages of Riviera Your World. Your Way. Oceania Cruises is the world’s only upper-premium cruise line and offers and unrivaled combination of the finest cuisine, elegant accommodations, personalized service and extraordinary value. And aboard the brand new Riviera, and her sisiter Marina, you’ll experience the most elegant ships to debut in the past 50 years.
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1st guest Was $12,598 $ Now 10,598 2nd guest FREE
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*All advertised fares already reflect all discounts. Any applicable shipboard credits or special amenities shown are per stateroom based on double occupancy. All advertised fares and offers are per person based on double occupancy, are subject to availability at time of booking, may not be combinable with other offers, are capacity controlled and may be withdrawn without prior notice or remain in effect after the expiration date. All fares listed are in U.S. dollars, per person, based on double occupancy and include Non-Commissionable Fares. Cruise-related Gov- ernment Fees and Taxes of up to $19.50 per guest per day are additional. Cruise Ship Fuel Surcharge may apply and, if applicable, is additional revenue to Oceania Cruises. 2 for 1 and Special Offer fares are based on published Full Brochure Fares. Full Brochure Fares may not have resulted in actual sales in all cabin categories, may not have been in effect during the last 90 days and do not include Personal Charges and Optional Facilities and Services Fees as defined in the Terms and Conditions of the Guest Ticket Contract which may be viewed at OceaniaCruises. com. Full Brochure Fares are cruise only. “Free Airfare” promotion does not include ground transfers and applies to economy, round-trip flights only from the following Oceania Cruises Primary Air Gateways: ATL, BOS, ORD, DEN, DFW, EWR, IAH, LAX, MIA, IAD, JFK, MCO, PHL, PHX, SAN, SEA, SFO, TPA, YUL, YYC, YYZ, YVR. Airfare is available from all other U.S. & Cana- dian gateways at an additional charge. Any advertised fares that include the “Free Airfare” promotion include airline fees, surcharges and government taxes. Some airline-imposed personal charges, including but not limited to baggage, priority boarding and special seating, may apply. Oceania Cruises reserves the right to change any and all fares, fees and surcharges at any time. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Complete terms and conditions may be found in the Guest Ticket Contract. Ships’ Registry: Marshall Islands. Pisa Brothers strongly recom- mends the purchase of travel insurance. We reserve the right to correct errors and omissions. For complete terms and conditions contact Pisa Brothers.
www.westchesterguardian.com