www.myharrisonreport.com
Vol. 13/Number 28
July 19, 2013
Harrison conservatives endorse four By DANIEL OFFNER STAFF REPORTER dan@hometwn.com
Due to long-standing capital needs, Harrison now faces a near $80 million debt. The Harrison Report takes an in-depth look at how the town got here. File photo
Murphy, Parker primary official By CHRIS GRAMUGLIA and ASHLEY HELMS HARRISON REPORT STAFF chrisg@hometwn.com ashley@hometwn.com
Democrats’ worst fears have become reality as Rye City Councilwoman Catherine Parker will, in fact, face a primary challenge in September from former Village of Mamaroneck Trustee Tom Murphy. The county Board of Legislators candidates are vying for the seat currently occupied by Legislator Judy Myers, a Democrat, who said she will not seek re-election in November. Both candidates collected more
than 700 signatures, easily surpassing the required petitions necessary to trigger a primary for the right to appear on the Democratic ballot in November’s general election. The deadline for filing petitions with the county Board of Elections was July 11. The two candidates will look toward September’s primary date, and two upcoming debates. For Parker, viewed as the frontrunner, it is a far cry from what she expected when she announced her entry earlier this year. Murphy’s surprise entry into the race seems to have ruffled some feathers within the party. According to sources, Myers and
several other prominent Democrats approached Murphy about not running for the seat. Myers has publicly backed Parker as her successor. Murphy said he shouldn’t have been asked to drop out of the race because he belongs to the Democratic Party and has the right to ask for a nomination. “If anyone should have dropped, it was the person who had to ask permission to run in the party,” Murphy said. The former Mamaroneck trustee garnered more than 500 petition signatures of registered Democrats in Rye, and said he knew he was going to primary Parker. PRIMARY continued on page 14
With five town officials up for re-election—the mayor, two town councilmen, town clerk, and receiver of taxes—members of the Harrison Conservative Committee have endorsed four of them for the upcoming 2013 elections. Selecting an all-incumbent list of endorsements, local conservatives will back Mayor Ron Belmont, Councilman Joseph Cannella, Town Clerk Jackie Greer, and Tax Receiver Nancy Masi on their respective reelection bids, leaving Republican Councilwoman Marlene Amelio as the proverbial odd man out. “We didn’t nominate another council seat,” said Conservative Committee Chairman Rocco Turso. “We didn’t cross nominate a Democrat either.” When questioned by The Harrison Report about whether the party plans to back four-year incumbent Amelio, Turso wouldn’t speak on the notion, stating the party had already filed its petitions for the 2013 local elections. “I am very disappointed,” Amelio said, upon learning that the conservatives had no intention of endorsing a fifth candidate. Although Amelio did not receive the conservative endorsement, she had plans of her own. With the requisite amount of signatures already collected, Amelio said she has filed an opportunity-to-ballot petition— an additional petition that enables candidates to primary—for the Conservative ticket. “Hopefully, the members of the Conservative Party will realize the error and vote for me,” Amelio said. This will be the first primary for the conservative ticket since 2009. Although third-party endorsements are typically a helpful boost at the polls, in Harrison, they have also been a source of contention amongst political candidates. In 2011, there was a primary between two mayoral candidates vying for the Independence Party nod. At first, members of the local Independence committee chose to endorse former-Democratic Mayor
Joan Walsh. But, after filing an opportunity-to-ballot petition, Ron Belmont—who is a non-affiliated voter—won the primary in a landslide, claiming more than 60 votes to Walsh’s 15. In 2009, during the last Harrison’s Conservative Party primary, former Harrison Police Chief David Hall, a Republican, cruised to victory over former Patrolmen Benevolent Association President Ralph Tancredi. A registered Conservative, Tancredi would later be kicked off the police force that same year for his involvement in an altercation at a local bar on Halstead Avenue in 2007. Republican council members Cannella and Amelio also won primary challenges for the conservative party line that year. While Amelio was left on the outside looking in this year, the conservatives endorsed the remaining four incumbents with the Belmont administration. “I’m excited to be endorsed by the Conservative Party,” said Belmont, who received the thirdparty nod earlier this month. “I think [the council and I] have been very conservative on some things… but I think we’re making all the right moves.” With the selection of four endorsees picked from the 10 candidates running this November, it seems doubtful either of the two Democratic candidates running for town council will look to primary against incumbent Amelio in September. For the first year in the town’s history, the local Democratic CONSERVATIVE continued on page 13
2 • The harrison REPORT • July 19, 2013
Clerk proposes selling E-ZPasses as town service people are still traveling a lot in the summertime. The E-ZPass “On-the-Go” system allows users to open liz@hometwn.com an account on the spot just Harrison may soon offer a new by purchasing the prepackconvenience to residents, which aged account kit for $25 at the could also be an unlikely generaclerk’s office, without waiting tor of revenue for the town: sellin line at a state office or filling ing E-ZPass tags. out an application. Through the New York State People can immediately use Thruway Authority, Town Clerk the tag in their cars and then Jackie Greer has positioned register it within 48 hours Harrison to become home to one by visiting the New York of the first town clerk offices in E-ZPass website at e-zpassny. the county to be a sales center for com or by calling a toll free that agency’s E-ZPass “On-the- Through the New York number: 1-800-697-1544. Go” tags. State Thruway Authority, Harrison Mayor Ron At the next Town Council Town Clerk Jackie Greer meeting, scheduled for July 18, will propose that Harrison Belmont, a Republican, explained that the sale of the Greer will request permission sell E-ZPass “On-the-Go” tags. File photo tags at Town Hall would only from the board to enter into an serve people who currently do agreement with the state Thruway Authority’s E-ZPass regional automatic toll not own an E-ZPass, saving them a trip to the collection program to sell the tags through her state Thruway Authority to purchase one. “This is a service we are providing for our local clerk’s office. The tags can be used at any toll collection station in the state or any of the residents,” Belmont said. “It’s not a big moneymaker for us.” other 14 states that accept E-ZPass. Belmont added that while the tags will now Sales of the device, which would begin in mid-August, will garner the town almost 17 be provided by Town Hall, adding more credit percent of the gross sales. Greer will also ask to one’s E-Z pass account will still need to be the board for approval for $525 to buy the first done through the state Thruway Authority. Greer said she elected to get involved in 25 passes. Greer said the start date is convenient since the program to provide a convenience for By DAN OFFNER and LIZ BUTTON HARRISON REPORT STAFF dan@hometwn.com
residents. In fact, she said, the nearby Henry Hudson Bridge now only takes E-ZPass and does not accept cash. “I’ve received information and I made some calls to [the New York State Thruway Authority], and I checked with other town clerks in Westchester,” Greer said. While they all expressed interest, none of the other clerks
are as involved in the process as Harrison, to the best of Greer’s knowledge. In addition to this new service, Greer said, the town uses a number of alternative ways to get additional revenue, like charging licensing fees to film companies to shoot in town, such as it did last week with the new film“The Other Woman” starring Cameron Diaz.
E-ZPass tags, like the one pictured here, will soon be available for purchase at the Municipal Building on Heineman Place in downtown Harrison. The agreement with the state Thruway Department, once approved, will provide the town with 17 percent of the gross sales as well as provide a convenience for residents looking to skip a trip to the department’s offices. Photo/Daniel Offner
July 19, 2013 • The HARRISON REPORT • 3
WESTMED to build 85,000 sq. ft. office space in Purchase By DANIEL OFFNER STAFF REPORTER dan@hometwn.com
Last month, WESTMED medical group announced the county’s largest multi-specialty medical practices signed a lease to open its fifth outpatient office at 3030 Westchester Ave. in the Town of Harrison. The 85,000 square-foot office space, once constructed, will be the second WESTMED facility to call Purchase home. Officials with the medical practice have stated the new facility, which is not slated to be completed until 2014, will house several primary care physicians, specialty care services, an urgent care center, a clinical laboratory and advanced radiology services. “This transaction represents an expansion of our practice,” said Dr. Simeon Schwartz, president and CEO of WESTMED. “We’re happy to have the confidence and support of the community, and this new space will enable us to provide our coordinated, efficient and highestquality care to meet the needs of a growing number of patients.” But while the medial group prepares to construct its second facility in Purchase, it remains unclear if past conflicts will reemerge within the community as the developers begin construction. In 2011—when WESTMED first proposed the additional construction of a 98-space parking garage structure at its other location in Purchase—residents along Anderson Hill Road and other streets abutting the WESTMED property fought to block the proposed construction,
arguing that the medical facility’s expansion threatens to lower property values. During that time, Councilwoman Marlene Amelio, a Republican and a Purchase resident, expressed several concerns about the proposed construction of a garage, saying that, if the developers were to build the garage elsewhere along Westchester Avenue in a location that did not abut a residential neighborhood, she would have no issue approving a special use permit to build the structure. However, assuaging the issues raised by residents concerning the construction of the WESTMED parking facilities, the location of the new 85,000 square-foot office building is slated for a spot along Westchester Avenue at the border of Purchase and Rye Brook. “I’m not overly concerned,” Amelio said. “From what I’ve seen, it looks like it doesn’t impact any residential property.” Additionally, over the past year, members of the Harrison Town Council have pursued the approval of a new master plan—a non-binding zoning and development guidebook—with the primary focus of filling vacant office parks along Westchester Avenue, which, at one time, provided roughly 60 percent of the town’s overall tax base. The board’s year-long efforts to adopt a new master plan could potentially relieve some of the heightened property tax burden from Harrison residents and increase corporate tax revenue to the town. Harrison Mayor Ron Belmont, a Republican, even re-dubbed the I-287 corridor from the “Platinum Mile” to the “Medical Mile,” due to
What’s Your Beef? What’s bothering you today?
Collected on Halstead Avenue in Harrison “There aren’t a lot of pretty girls like you around.” Kevin Song,19, Harrison
“I’m unhappy with the way the government is being run now.” Tom Cannizzaro, 55, Harrison
-Photos and reporting by COREY BAUMER
“I hate drivers. People don’t know how to drive.” Dino Delsignore, 37, Harrison
“Inconsiderate people.” Francesca DePaso, 44, Harrison
the influx of medical and biotech corporations seeking additional office space. The new facility is currently under construction by Simone Healthcare Development and Fareri Associates within the Harrison Executive Medical Park complex, which now houses three office buildings. “The property at 3030 Westchester Ave. is the ideal location for today’s fast-growing medical practices, offering exceptional medical office space, first-class amenities and services, and a location that’s convenient to major
medical centers,” said Patricia Simone, vice president of leasing and operations for Simone Healthcare development. In addition to the WESTMED facility currently under construction—as well as the already-existent facility off Anderson Hill Road—major biotech and health care practices such as Memorial Sloan Kettering, Histogenics, and LifeTime Fitness have sought to fill Harrison’s vacant office parks by constructing new facilities in the Westchester Avenue corridor.
WESTMED medical group will soon construct its second facility in Purchase, which will accompany the one seen here at 3020 Westchester Ave. File photo
4 • The harrison REPORT • July 19, 2013
Community Briefs Harrison Public Library events Volunteers Needed for Summer Reading Program If you are 14 years old or older, you can share your love of reading with children this summer. Earn community service hours and feel good about helping others. Volunteer this summer to read with children and help make our summer reading program a success. Stop by the information desk at the downtown library to fill out an application. For info, call 914-835-0324. The Contemporary Watercolors of Michael Mendel Michael is a representational watercolorist, painting under the nom de plume of ZEPEL. His paintings focus on everyday objects and activities. He has participated in group exhibitions at The National Arts Club in New York City, The Lyme Art Association in Olde Lyme Conn., Woodstock Arts Fair and The Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit in New York City. The exhibit may be viewed Mondays and Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For info call the Library at 914-835-0324 or
see www.harrisonpl.org. Summer reading game‑Dig Into Reading Mondays, July 22, 29 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, July 24, 31 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Children will read books or have someone else read to them. Volunteers will listen or read to children who will then report on the books to earn great prizes, do crafts and have a lot of fun. Teen summer reading program‑Beneath the Surface Ages 13 to 17. Wednesdays, July 24, 31 from 2 pm. to 3 p.m.‑Explore the ancient arts of palmistry, tarot, gemstones, and numerology. Circle time for tots Ages 0 to 3.Wednesdays, July 24, 31 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and again 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Big Band music at Playland Swing and sway to the romantic music of the Big Band era played against the backdrop of moonlight streaming across Long Island Sound when the Milt Gerver Orchestra performs on Fridays, July 19, 26 and Aug. 2 on the boardwalk at Playland Park in Rye. Rain date is Aug. 9. From 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. each week, Milt and his orchestra will evoke the nostalgic music of the immortal bandleaders of the 1930s and 40’s, like Glen Miller and Tommy Dorsey, accompanied by his professional vocalists. Jive to the lively “In the Mood,” waltz to the beautiful strains of “Moonlight
Serenade,” or just sit back and enjoy the music and moonlight. As an added bonus, you can watch the weekly fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. Admission to the Big Band performances on the boardwalk is free. Seating is limited; visitors can bring folding chairs. Parking is $5 on Friday evening, $1 for senior citizens with a Westchester County Park Pass. Playland Park is located on Playland Parkway in Rye. Go to RyePlayland.org or call (914) 813-7010. Summer art classes at Greenburgh Nature Center Enjoy a five-class series of art instruction. Learn, explore and create in the beautiful outdoor setting of the nature center. Students work independently and in groups, learning to use a variety of basic supplies, as well as simple sketching, painting and more. Each class focuses on a new technique, ranging from landscapes to portraits, cartoons to still-lifes. Instructor Jake Hurwitz is a fun, outgoing and experienced art teacher who relates well with young students. Session Dates: Saturdays, July 13 to Aug. 10 Sundays, July 14 to Aug. 11 Class Times: Group 1, ages 7 to 10: Saturdays 10 a.m. to noon Group 2, ages 7 to 10: Sundays 10 a.m. to noon Group 3, ages 11 to 14 plus: Saturdays 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Classes run for two hours and are held outdoors, weather permitting. In case of inclement weather, class held indoors. Pre-registration and pre-payment required online. See website to register and pay. Classes start promptly, so please arrive on time. Dress appropriately for outdoor activity. Session Fee, which covers five classes and all supplies: Members $150 Non-members $175 Shabbat on the Beach Community Synagogue of Rye invites families raising young Jewish children to attend “Shabbat on the Beach” at Oakland Beach in Rye on Friday, July 19 at 6 p.m. Join Rabbi Leora Frankel and Cantor Melanie Cooperman for a family-friendly, musical Shabbat service on the beach. After the service, families are invited to stay for pizza dinner and all are welcome to enjoy wine and light refreshments. We’ll be gathering in the covered pavilion next to the Rye Town Park administration building. Please RSVP to Diane Sacks, Clergy Assistant, at dsacks@comsynrye.org by July 15 to reserve a place, as space is limited. Visit Community Synagogue of Rye on the web at www.comsynrye.org and “like” our Facebook page at facebook.com/comsynrye. “Bare” at the White Plains Performing Arts Center and Harrison Summer Theatre The White Plains Performing Arts Center and Harrison Summer Theatre will present the
Westchester Regional Premiere of the 2004 version of the musical “Bare” from July 26 to July 28, 2013. “Bare” is directed by Jeremy Quinn with musical direction by Stephen Ferri, choreography by Lexie Fennell Frare and lighting design by Jamie Roderick. The cast includes Travis Amiel, Richie Barrella, Sarah Teresa Brown, David Cronin, Colin Earyes, Kaitlin Ferrara, Natalia Fogarty, Kerri George, Terri Ann Gordon, Aaron Michael Krueger, Darian Marchetto, Kurt McMannus, Triona O’Callaghan, Paulette Oliva, Thomas Oliverio, Sydney Parra, Analise Rios, Adam Salazar, Stephanie Savino, Melissa Trainor, and Adam Welsh. “Bare” has a Book by Jon Hartmere and Damon Intrabartolo with music by Damon Intrabartolo and Lyrics by Jon Hartmere. “Bare” will be live on stage July 26 to July 28, 2013, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., Sunday at 7 p.m. To purchase tickets: call 914-328-1600 or order online at www.wppac.com or visit the WPPAC box office at 11 City Place, White Plains, NY 10601. For group sales, please call 914-328-1600. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students 22 and under. Contribute to the 2014 The Feeley Fund The Eugene J. Feeley Harrison High School, Student Aid Fund, Inc., know as “The Feeley Fund,” has awarded grants to three Harrison High School 2013 graduates: Jennifer Choe, attending SUNY Oneonta, Patricia Jane Geller, attending Georgetown and Sara Purinton, attending Hamilton College. Headed by Christopher Tyler, the Faculty Selection Committee chooses students who are accepted at accredited colleges and are financially eligible. The Feeley Fund, established in 1967, is a continuation of the Harrison High School Scholarship Fund begun in 1947. Over the past 65 years, 1,180 students have received over $545,000 in financial aid. Lola Geiger, executive director of The Feeley Fund, ably assisted by Mary Riguzzi, thanks all Harrison residents, parents and faculty for providing the financial assistance for these worthy young people. Contributions may be sent to The Feeley Fund, 250 Union Avenue, Harrison, N.Y. 10528. The Class of 2014 may obtain information about The Feeley Fund from the Guidance Department of the Harrison High School. Kitten and cat adoption day Saturday, July 20 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. PetSmart, Port Chester Kohl’s Shopping Center 421 Boston Post Road www.NY-PetRescue.org petrescueny@aol.com 914-834-6955 Deadline for our Community Briefs section is every Friday at 12 p.m. Though space is not guaranteed, we will do our best to accom‑ modate your listing. Please send all items to news@hometwn.com.
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July 19, 2013 • The HARRISON REPORT • 5
Seaside Johnnie’s back off Rye City’s tax rolls By LIZ BUTTON STAFF REPORTER liz@hometwn.com
A recent court ruling that Seaside Johnnie’s, the privately-owned restaurant located in Rye Town Park, should revert back to tax-exempt status means the city will be forced to refund an undisclosed sum of money to Rye Town. In June 2011, Rye City Tax Assessor Noreen Whitty declared that Seaside Johnnie’s and the Tiki Bar, located at county-owned Playland amusement park, as well as the Wainwright House retreat center, should all be subject to city, county and school property taxes beginning in 2012. Prior to that, all three properties enjoyed tax-exempt status. A June 28 state Supreme Court ruling decided in favor of Rye Town, ruling that Seaside Johnnie’s should be taken back off the city’s tax rolls. Now the city owes thousands of dollars in back taxes to the Rye Town Park Commission, the intermunicipal council that oversees the park. Ironically, in this, the city will pay back almost half of the taxes to itself since it accompanies the town as a member of that governing body. The city and town both own and operate Rye Town Park. It has not been determined what amount the town will seek as a refund, according to town officials, but 2012 tax records show that the town paid more than $20,000 in property taxes on the parcel that year. The tax parcel is located within the bounds of the City of Rye, while the Town of Rye owns the land. The restaurant sits on the grounds at Rye Town Park, overlooking Oakland Beach. Currently, Seaside Johnnie’s owner John Ambrose, a city resident, pays a $95,000 lease that includes rent, garbage and maintenance fees to the commission, which is made up of leaders from both the town, city, Port Chester, Rye Brook and the Village of Mamaroneck. Rye Town operates a a taxing authority and umbrella government for the villages of Port Chester, Rye Brook and the Rye Neck section of the Village of Mamaroneck. Whitty’s determination to put the restaurant on the tax rolls was appealed by the town, in 2011, and subsequently upheld by the city’s
Board of Assessment Review later that year, after which the town filed a suit against the city. While Whitty said the restaurants’ uses are free-standing and have no relevance on their surrounding parks, Rye Town Attorney Paul Noto said the city’s assessor made a bad call. “The operation of Seaside Johnnie’s is very much part of the overall park experience,” Noto said; a restaurant has existed in the spot operating for the public’s benefit for more than a century. Parkland is parkland, Noto said, and should remain tax exempt. “People come to the park and are able to enjoy a restaurant experience,” he said, which was actually in Rye Town Park’s original plan. The Rye Town Park Commission essentially controls how the restaurant is run, which is a different setup from how Purchase Street restaurants pay taxes. According to Noto, the city has tried to argue that the situations are the same. “The city is looking for a way to generate revenue and that is understandable,” Noto said. “I just think the park is not costing the city additional money,” he said. “That’s another part of the absurdity of it,” Noto said, considering that, of both parts of the intermunicipal body that run Rye Town Park, the city pays 48 percent while the town pays 52 percent. Rye City Mayor Douglas French, a Republican, argued that taxpayer money should not have been spent on a lawsuit which could have resulted in a judgment that would have allowed Rye City to essentially tax itself, as part of the parks commission. “It should not have been litigated in the first place, so I do not anticipate spending more money on suing ourselves, but instead working collaboratively with the other mayors and supervisors,” he said. City Attorney Kristen Wilson said the case was not a traditional lawsuit, but a tax certortiari proceeding. At this point, the city can file an appeal if it so chooses. However, French said the city does not currently have any plans to appeal. Following Whitty’s 2011 determination, County Executive Rob Astorino, a
With Honors Christopher Malfitano of Harrison has graduated from Holy Cross with degrees in chemistry and economics. He also made the dean’s list in his final semester.
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In 2011, Rye City Tax Assessor Noreen Whitty deemed that Seaside Johnnie’s—located in Rye Town Park—should no longer be tax exempt. The restaurant’s status was recently changed back to taxexempt in State Supreme Court. File photo
Republican, also prepared to sue Rye City, but the Democrat-led Board of Legislators barred the county attorney from filing a suit over the tax status fo the Tiki Bar. Subsequently, Ambrose, who also owns the Tiki Bar, was forced to file a suit on his own. Ambrose’s attorney, Jonathan Kraut, said
his client has a lawsuit over the city’s taxes on the Tiki Bar currently pending in court. “We hope for the same or similar results in this case as with Seaside Johnnie’s,” Kraut said. A phone call to Ambrose was not returned by press time.
6 • The harrison REPORT • July 19, 2013
Rye and Mamaroneck beaches closed due to seeping sludge By LIZ BUTTON STAFF REPORTER liz@hometwn.com
The Westchester Health Department closed down beaches along the Sound Shore on Monday, July 15, after sludge spilled into the Long Island Sound from a broken sewage main. The health department put out a boating and swimming advisory cautioning those seeking to cool off at the beach to avoid direct contact with the water at Rye Harbor, Milton Harbor, Greenhaven, and Mamaroneck Harbor. Officials said an underground “force main” break leaked an undetermined amount of sludge into the water where Blind Brook empties into the Long Island Sound near the Rye Marina, in the vicinity of Stuyvesant Avenue near Milton Road. A force main is a pressurized pipe that can carry water, sewage and other materials. It’s a pipe that works well in low-lying areas like the area’s beaches. Westchester’s Department of Environmental Facilities began repairs on the broken main Tuesday morning, July 16. The department turned the main off around 2:15 p.m. on Monday after the leak was discovered, but workers were initially unable to make repairs because of high tide. The health department barred visitors to beach clubs along the Sound Shore until further notice, including the Beach Point Club,
Orienta Beach Club, Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club, Shore Acres Pointe and Harbor Island Park Beach, American Yacht Club, Shenorock Shore Club, Coveleigh Club and the Greenhaven Association. According to a Shenorock Shore Club official, the club itself did not close down, but swimming at the beach was prohibited, and people used the pool instead. All the beaches in the Rye and Mamaroneck portions of the sound shore are private, according to Peter DeLucia, assistant commissioner of the county’s Bureau of Public Health Protection, and management at each beach club was quickly informed of the situation. In the meantime, county workers removed the sludge, which was taken in trucks to the Port Chester Wastewater Treatment Plant. No recreation department programs were canceled in the Village of Mamaroneck, but a Rye Recreation Center kayak trip was canceled. The health department also issued a heat advisory for the week along with the water advisory. The city’s municipal Boat basin director Peter Fox said the Rye marina, where boats dock in Rye’s Milton Harbor, was not affected, and business is usually slow during weekdays when people are at work, anyway. According to Donna Greene, deputy communications director to the county executive, workers found a hole in the top of the pipe,
The Westchester Health Department issued an advisory Monday to avoid contact with the Long Island Sound in the area of Rye and Mamaroneck harbors when a broken pipe caused sludge to leak into the Long Island Sound. Photo courtesy Donna Greene
and repairs were completed around 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Greene also said she was told the hole in the pipe was caused by gas pockets that corroded the pipe from the inside. The amount of sludge that spilled is unknown, she said, but since the hole was relatively small, it should not have been too much, especially with five to six feet of soil cover. As of press time, the health department’s water sample tests were scheduled for Tuesday
afternoon, with results due Wednesday. The department was testing for enterococcus, which the Environmental Protection Agency designates as the indicator organism for human fecal matter. DeLucia said the earliest people would be allowed to return to the water is late Wednesday afternoon, July 17, after press time. -With reporting by ASHLEY HELMS
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July 19, 2013 • The HARRISON REPORT • 7
Let’s get these vets a home and help them stay cool harrison Happenings Mayor Ron Belmont
Recently, I attended a press conference held by Sen. Charles Schumer outlining his efforts in urging the Veteran’s Association to raise awareness among returning veterans about property tax exemptions. Currently, thousands of veterans residing in Westchester County have not applied for the property tax benefits to which they are entitled. This exemption provides a significant savings to veteran homeowners and I want to make sure that Harrison veterans do not miss this opportunity. To be eligible, the applicant or his or her spouse must be a qualified veteran. A two-page application must be submitted to the local municipality’s assessor’s office along with a copy of the applicant’s DD2-14 proof of honorable discharge. In many cases, this exemption will assist young soldiers returning home from Afghanistan and Iraq in purchasing a home and establishing roots. The Town of Harrison has an abundance of talented students and athletes. I would like to recognize the 10-year-old Harrison Boys Travel/Tournament Baseball Team. With 11 victories, 2 losses and 2 no-hitters, the team recently won the Westchester Baseball Association championship. Congratulations to the boys, their families and all the coaches for a job well done. As I mentioned in my June 24 column, I had the pleasure of being interviewed and filmed for Cablevision’s “Meet the Leaders,” a program highlighting area municipal leaders and local officials. I believe the information presented is both valuable and informative. My segment will air on channel 18, not channel 78 as was previously indicated. Segments air at various intervals, throughout the week, so be sure to tune in. Recently, the Town/Village of Harrison participated in an energy efficiency program sponsored by Con Edison. Valuable information, regarding ways to save energy, reduce our carbon footprint and help consumers re-
duce energy costs, was shared. Con Edison offers a range of energyefficiency programs designed to increase cost savings. The utility company is offering $25 to residential customers who purchase an Energy Star room air conditioner between May 20 and Aug. 30. This air conditioner draws at least 10 percent less electricity than other models. For consumers with central HVAC systems, Con Edison is offering a free smart thermostat that controls room temperature remotely. With this thermostat, a customer can regulate the temperature via the Internet or with a smartphone and thereby conserve energy. Installation is free of charge for Con Ed customers. As the temperature rises, Con Edison offers the following money-saving conservation tips: -Turn off air conditioners, lights and other appliances when not at home, and use a timer to turn on your air conditioner about a halfhour before arriving home -Keep air conditioner filters clean for peak efficiency. -Set thermostats no lower than 78 degrees. Each degree lower increases cooling costs by 6 percent. -If you have a room air-conditioning unit, close off the rooms not being used. If you have central air, block the vents in unused or vacant rooms. -To reduce heat and moisture in your home, run appliances such as ovens, washing machines, dryers and dishwashers in the early morning or late at night when it’s cooler outside. Cook with a microwave or barbecue outside, if possible. -Keep shades, blinds and curtains closed. About 40 percent of unwanted heat comes through windows. -Try using fans instead of air conditioners, but leave your windows open for ventilation. Fans use as little as one-tenth the energy of air conditioners. The next “Lunch with the Mayor” is on Friday, July 19, and I will be at Emilio’s Ristorante located at 1 Colonial Place in Downtown Harrison. I will be at this location from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and look forward to meeting with residents and talking about issues facing our community.
8 • The harrison REPORT • July 19, 2013
By DANIEL OFFNER STAFF REPORTER dan@hometwn.com
Debt: Harrison’s history of borrowing
For more than a decade, Harrison has faced a growing crisis—a debt crisis. By the end of 2012, the town owed nearly $80 million. For a community of roughly 25,000, the Town/Village of Harrison’s debt level, which rivals some cities, has become a polarizing issue. Whether you find yourself exploring the hillside streets of West Harrison, or shopping in the central business district downtown, you’re sure to spot something, somewhere that was a contributing factor to the town’s financial plight. Take, for instance, the pool at Passidomo Park that bears current Mayor Ron Belmont’s name. Just two years ago, the town borrowed nearly $6 million to pay for the construction of it. But, the problem is not necessarily a new one. From the 1970s—when Town Hall at Heineman Place was built—through the turn of the century, Harrison saw to the completion of very few capital projects. And with years worth of upgrades to catch up on, the town turned to outside money. The issue has often turned political as debt levels doubled in the decade since the year 2000. Without accounting for interest, the town’s principal debt soared from $33 million in 2000 to $66 million by the end of 2010. “The people have questions about where the money is going, how it’s being spent, and how the town is going to generate money to pay back those bonds,” said Harrison resident Sam Navarra, 51. Although the average town resident does not have a say in the debt saga, he or she is responsible for helping to pay it off in the form of taxes. Taking on municipal credit helps provide local communities with borrowed money to upgrade infrastructure and purchase capital items. However, the money must be paid back in full with interest. The allure of bonding became even more enticing during the recent recession as interest
The Ron Belmont pool constructed in 2011 is a contributing factor in the town’s overall debt. The Town Council approved borrowing roughly $6 million for the project. File photo
rates on borrowing hit record lows. And, at a time when most communities didn’t have the cash on hand to pay for projects, this proved the most attractive alternative. Spanning the course of three successive administrations—two Republican and one continued on next page
In addition to capital construction projects, each year, municipal department heads present a budget of equipment and vehicles they wish to purchase, which requires the town to bond for the cost. Police motorcycles, like the one seen here, are but a small portion of the items for which the town has bonded for. Photo/Daniel Offner
July 19, 2013 • The HARRISON REPORT • 9
Democratic—the town has taken on significant amounts of long-term debt, primarily due to large-scale projects, like park renovations and streetscapes. Over the years, Harrison has also bonded for the likes of new police vehicles, highway resurfacing, the MTA courthouse project, construction of a fire training center at the Nike Base, Christmas decorations, sidewalk replacements, drainage improvement projects, construction of a pesticide storage shed, construction of a salt/sand dome on Park Lane, the Rye Lake treatment plant project and replacement generators. Across Harrison’s borders, the City of White Plains projects its debt to increase to $147 million this year. The City of New Rochelle owes approximately $81 million. However, more comparable communities to Harrison show substantially less municipal debt. In neighboring Rye City, there is roughly $19 million in debt on the books. The Town of Mamaroneck has accrued $13.4 million in long-term debt—not including $4.5 million in short-term bonds. A polarizing issue within town government, the growing amount of debt has become a political football for elected officials and candidates, who have looked to point fingers at one another during past election cycles. Any discussion in Harrison centering on debt often begins with former Republican Mayor Steve Malfitano—whose administration saw the town’s debt swell by more than $20 million during his six years in office—shouldering the blame. Malfitano, who was reinstalled to elected office in 2011 as a councilman, has beared the brunt of criticism. For West Harrison resident Laura Russo, the issue of the debt and spending leads back to the Malfitano administration. “He did a lot of stuff in Harrison with the parks,” said Russo, 48. “I’m concerned about the debt. It’s getting scary because there are no jobs.” During the Malfitano administration, the town initiated the Lake Street project—an aesthetic streetscape redesign of the West Harrison Business District. The 2006 project resulted in over $5.5 million in new debt. “I think it’s ridiculous. [The town] did it… when the economy went down and they followed through anyways,” said West Harrison business owner Monica Chimes about the expansive renovations. “Too many chiefs and not enough Indians…the goal was to bring in more business, but it didn’t do anything.” Although the project was conceived under Malfitano, after he lost the 2007 mayoral election to Democrat Joan Walsh, bonding for the work continued. According to Walsh, the various expenses associated with the project were an attempt to move utility wires on Lake Street. After several failures, Harrison ultimately decided to pay the high cost of moving the wires underground. Thus, $550,000 of the town’s total bonding issued in 2008 was expended for wire and cable relocation on the street. But some questioned Walsh’s decision. “I think Joan Walsh [is to blame]…I don’t think she knew what she was doing,” said one West Harrison resident regarding the debt built
up from the streetscape renovation project. In Walsh’s first year in office, back in 2008, the amount of capital spending reached its peak, hitting $16.5 million before it was pared down in future budget cycles. In 2009, the total debt—including interest—climbed to approximately $71 million. Since taking office in 2011, Mayor Belmont, a Republican, has taken a stance to limit borrowing to the equivalent of what the town expects to pay off by the end of the year, calling it “smart spending.” “We’re not spending money…we’re investing it in the town,” Belmont said. This year, the town approved bonding $4.5 million for the police and Department of Public Works, and for a $600,000 refund to Westchester County Club over a tax settlement. Conversely, approximately $4.6 million in debt is scheduled to come off the books, according to town officials. Councilman Joe Cannella, a Republican, said, “I’m committed…and certainly the town is committed, to not building more debt.” However, Cannella has been in office since 2002 and was there during the height of the town’s borrowing habit. Over that time, Harrison went through a period of eight consecutive operating budget deficits, between 2002 and 2009, which drove the General Fund reserves into the red, to a negative $3.8 million in 2009. But, Malfitano said that, some of the debt, stems from liabilities he inherited when taking over the mayor’s seat from Ron Bianchi, a Democrat, in 2002. “If we don’t spend on repairs, then we’ll have to make cuts,” Malfitano said. “These are capital investments that must be made on an annual basis…and cannot be expended as part of the operating budget.” Under the Malfitano administration, capital spending began to grow, stretching from $7.9 million in 2004 to $12.8 million in 2005. While Malfitano was in office, the debt increased from $33.3 million in 2002 to $54.2 million when he left office at the end of 2007. Those figures do not include compounded interest. For Walsh, compounding interest has had a vital role in the state of the town’s finances. “When you borrow something, you still have to pay interest,” Walsh said. “It’s not a matter of A=B…it’s A=B+C.” According to Moody’s Investors Service, a global firm providing municipal credit ratings, research, and risk analysis, Harrison has an Aa3 bond rating, which is one of the highest ratings possible. But in recent years, the town’s ratings were downgraded from Aa1 rating to the current rating of Aa3. Despite the Town Council’s current strategy of “smart spending,” bonding only for what they plan to pay off, it is the added interest that catapults the total bill to just under $80 million. The strategy is sure to be questioned and it’s likely that the issue of the town’s finances will again be a major focus as campaign season kicks into high gear. Mayor Belmont will try to defeat Joan Walsh for a second time and hang on to his seat for another two years. What the town’s debt will be in 2015 remains to be seen. -With reporting by Corey Baumer
Aesthetic renovations along Lake Street in West Harrison, pictured here, have contributed to the near $80 million in debt accumulated by the Town of Harrison. File photo
10 • The harrison REPORT • July 19, 2013
Rye native Jason Bateman films on Purchase Street By LIZ BUTTON STAFF REPORTER liz@hometwn.com
backdrop for their movies. For two consecutive Sundays last month, actor Jason Bateman, a Rye native, filmed Rye—Home to the iconic Playland amuse- scenes on Purchase Street and Mead Place for ment park, and an attractive suburban land- his new movie, “This Is Where I Leave You,” scape that includes picturesque ocean views, based on the 2009 novel by Jonathan Tropper sandy beaches, grand homes, verdant tree- co-starring Tina Fey, Jane Fonda and Timothy filled parks and quaint storefronts, the city has Olyphant. long been a draw for filmmakers to use as a Yet, when a film crew embeds itself in a public place, concerns can arise, such as disruption to the flow of business and potential public safety issues. It’s not all glitz and glamour; clearly, the city has a lot to consider each time it gets a proposal from Hollywood. According to Chapter 93 of the Rye City Code, it is the city’s intent to encourage, but not solicit, producers and others to use the city as a setting for movies, television shows, commercials and photographs. Eleanor Militana, an assistant to the city manager, said the Rye almost always realizes revenue from these projects, although it depends on Actor Jason Bateman rides down Purchase Street in the the size of the film company passenger seat of a black Porsche while filming a scene for his and the size of the producupcoming film “This is Where I Leave You.” The movie also stars tion. Usually, the film comTina Fey and Jane Fonda. Contributed photo
pany pays for the police officers that oversee the site. For this particular shoot, which took place on June 16 on Purchase Street and June 23 on Mead Place, the city’s revenue was enough to afford to buy two Big Belly Solar garbage cans for the Starbucks and Poppy’s storefronts on Purchase Street to catch excess trash. City officials usually use any funds from film shoots on Purchase Street to give back to the central business district in the form of various improvements on its main retail avenue, Militana said. The city clerk has the authority to issue filming permits once filming is approved by the city manager, according to city code. According to the city’s fee schedule, fees for filming on private property, a fee structure last modified in 2003, range from $400 to $450. Fees to film on public property, last modified in 2001, range from $1,600 to a maximum of $25,000. From Playland to Purchase Street, TV shows and movies have made good use of the city’s attractive attributes, including a recent episode of “Law & Order: SVU” that shot on Purchase Street in early May. In 2012, pilots were shot on Purchase Street for the new TV show “The Following” with Kevin Bacon and “The Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives.” But the biggest attraction for filmmakers has long been the iconic amusement park that overlooks the Long Island Sound. Movies that have shot scenes at Playland Park include the 1988 blockbuster “Big” starring Tom Hanks, for which the actor was nominated for an Academy Award. Playland Park was also transformed into a 1950s boardwalk for Woody Allen’s 1999 movie “Sweet and Lowdown,” chronicling the life of fictional jazz guitarist Emmet Ray, played by Sean Penn. Besides well-known uses of Playland like the fortuneteller scene in “Big,” film buff and lifelong Rye resident Scott Benowitz, 41, said there are many other movies that have used the park like “The Muppets Take Manhattan” in 1984, “Fatal Attraction” in 1987 and the 1998 film “Stepmom” starring Julia Roberts, Ed Harris and Susan Sarandon. Mariah Carey also shot her “Fantasy” music video, in which the pop star was seen riding the famed Dragon Coaster, there in 1995. Benowtiz said the worst movie ever filmed in Rye was an independent zombie horror movie called “Spookies” from 1986, some of which was shot at the Jay Heritage Center mansion off of Boston Post Road, when the building was still boarded up before its historic restoration. More recently, Benowitz, said he observed filming for “Robot and Frank” starring Frank Langella at the Rye Library. “I’ve seen a lot of camera crews around,” Benowitz said. “Most of the time, when you see a camera crew in Rye it’s usually for a commercial.” Many commericals are shot on private property as Rye has a preponderance of residences with long driveways and large, expensive homes, he said.
But when it comes to filming in public spaces, Purchase Street business owners are not always happy to host a film crew in their vicinity. Former Rye Chamber of Commerce president Sally Wright said she received only one formal inquiry from a store owner in connection with the Bateman film shoot. Wright said Rye police sent out a Nixle alert which the chamber forwarded to business owners a few days in advance. Since June 16 was Father’s Day weekend, filming threw a wrench in some families’ plans to take their dads out to eat at the restaurants on the strip, Wright said. The scene was crowded and noisy, with trucks pulling up at 5 a.m. and beginning shooting at 9 a.m., finally breaking down equipment at 9 p.m. On the other hand, the shoot brought a lot of shoppers to town, and, parking is an inescapable issue in Rye no matter what, she said. “The filming didn’t really influence our business, but the parking was an issue for our customers. I had a couple people who were getting annoyed with the lack of spots available,” said Lucille Saavedi of Patisserie Salzburg, 77 Purchase St. Deputy City Clerk Diane Moore, who handles the bulk of filming permits, said she received a call from Warner Brothers in the beginning of May and booked the two filming dates. “It took a lot of planning,” she said. “The project was larger in scope than we have had.” Moore said additional parking was needed, but the clerk’s office planned for extra spaces with the help of the city manager. At Rye Running Co., 37 Purchase St., Phil Pignato said the film project is great for the city. He even had a brief personal experience with one of the film’s stars. “I saw Jason Bateman driving around in a Porsche and ran out to wave at him, and he gave me a really warm and welcoming smile and wave,” Pignato said. “I waved back and realized, ‘Oh my gosh, a famous person just waved at me.’” -With reporting by J.C. Sites
This scene from “Big” starring Tom Hanks takes place on the Playland Boardwalk. It is considered the most memorable movie scene ever filmed in the City of Rye. Photo courtesy scoutingny.com
July 19, 2013 • The HARRISON REPORT • 11
Tattoos go mainstream in Westchester County Westchester wanderer Lisa Jardine
I’ll admit it. I’ve toyed with the idea of getting a tattoo several times in my life. Always around celebrating a momentous occasion—the birth of a child, a special birthday, or most recently when I was leaving Japan after living there for four years—it seemed like everyone was getting the Japanese characters tattooed somewhere on their body. But I’ve yet to pull the proverbial trigger. Statistically speaking, there aren’t as many people left in the United States without a tattoo. According to Pew Research Center, 24 percent of Americans between 18 and 50 years of age have at least
one tattoo. Tattoos are not just for bikers anymore. In fact, these days, you’re just as likely to see a mother and her daughter coming in for their first tattoos together as you will a guy on a Harley. “We actually had a customer recently come in about to celebrate his 80th birthday,” said Lou Di Monaco, a partner at Addicted To Ink in White Plains. And this is just what Di Monaco is counting on. He and his three partners at Addicted to Ink have taken over the Westchester County Center for three days, Sept. 27, 28 and 29 to host the first-ever tattoo convention in Westchester County. “It used to be that tattoo conventions were trade shows, only attended by people in
Ralph Giordano from Best Ink Season 2.
Tattoo in progress
the industry, but thanks to reality TV shows like “Best Ink,” “Ink Master,” “Inked,” “Miami Ink,” “New York Ink,” to name a few, most of the attendees these days are tattoo enthusiasts,” Di Monaco said. The partners have sent out more than 2,000 invitations to well-established tattoo artists in the tri-state area, and as far south as Florida, hoping to have all 200 booths filled at the September convention, the bulk of which will be artists who will be tattooing in the county center. About 4050 of the remaining booths will offer specially-selected apparel and other tattoo related merchandise. Entrance fees to the event will be kept relatively low at $20 for a single-day pass so that anyone with even a little interest can stop by and check it out. “Westchester has never been a hotbed for tattoos, but that is changing. It’s a wealthy county, ripe for change, very close to NYC. We picked this venue to hold our convention because the location is very centrallylocated,” Di Monaco said. The event will feature several famous tattoo artists, including two from his shop—Ralph Giordano from season two of “Best Ink” and Little Mike from season two of “Ink Master” as well as other members of both casts of these shows. While I was interviewing Lou at the Addicted To Ink location on Westchester Avenue, I spoke with a customer who lives in California who pre-booked an appointment with Ralph while she was visiting family here in NewYork. Most of the artists at Addicted to Ink are booked a month in advance and some up to six months. These men and women are real artists, some even classically trained. “Most of our artists come from a traditional artistic background—lifelong artists in different mediums, but they chose tattoo artistry because they are able to make a living as an artist. It’s one of the few artistic mediums where making money is pretty much guaranteed,” says Di Monaco. Be forewarned, like the name of their shop, once people get a tattoo, they keep
coming back for more. “A lot of our customers are repeat customers. Once they get over the fear, anxiety and inhibitions of getting a tattoo, the excitement takes over and you just want more,” Di Monaco said. The store’s website, www. addictedtoink.com, actually has a page dedicated to “addicts.” When I asked how one gets to become an official addict, Lou smiled. “You have to spend an incredible amount of time here. Those people are like our family—we would die for them. Most custom tattoos take a long time to create, which gives us a real opportunity to make long-lasting friends. They are diehard customers.” When I visited, it was a rainy Tuesday afternoon, but every chair was taken. The environment was welcoming and everyone seemed very relaxed. “We try to have as many distractions as possible and to make sure that the surroundings are comfortable. We en-
The artists of Addicted To Ink, from the upper left back row: Chris Wilcock, Lou Di Monaco, Cash Rodriguez, Sam Fiorino, Joe Troy. Middle row: Little Mike. Bottom Row: Ralph Giordano, Lindsay Baker. Photos/Lisa Jardine
courage people to bring along a friend for moral support,” Di Monaco said. Pain has always been an inhibitor for me, so I asked for advice from Lou about the best location for a tattoo in case one day I decide to actually make good on my thoughts of getting one. Di Monaco suggests, “you
should stay away from joints and bones–basically anywhere that hurts when you pinch it.” I’ve got a few spots that might just work out. To contact Lisa, email her at lisa@hometwn.com. And follow her on Twitter @westchesterwand.
12 • The harrison REPORT • July 19, 2013
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July 19, 2013 • The HARRISON REPORT • 13
Decisions, decisions, decisions the kitchen and bath insider Paul Bookbinder, M.I.D.©
I came home from work, made myself comfortable in my favorite chair and settled down to watch some TV. After 15 minutes or so, Liz passed by and asked me what I was watching, at which point I realized that I was still going through the channel guide and I was only up to 875. In fact, lately, I find myself spending more time looking to see what’s on, instead of watching what is on, because there are too many choices, even though there’s never anything on. This phenomenon is not limited to TV programming. In the kitchen and bath world, the choices are voluminous. Hundreds of styles, colors, shapes and sizes of cabinets, countertops, appliances and tiles have made decisionmaking very time-consuming for consumers, unless you’re one of the lucky few who knows exactly what you want. So, what can you do to narrow down the choices without losing too much sleep? Magazines, books and the Internet are great places to begin your selection process. Here you will usually see the “best of the biggest” projects, but even if your kitchen isn’t the size of a mansion, you can see what is available and popular today. As the style and color of the cabinets create the main focal point of the kitchen, this is probably your most important aesthetic choice. However, don’t rely on the colors in a printed piece‑or on a computer monitor‑because they tend to be less than accurate due to the reproduction process. There is no substitute to seeing the actual material. The same advice applies to countertops as well. The counter, and its counterpart, the backsplash, establish the second major focal point in the room. Contrasting the color of the counter with that of the cabinets is a popular solution, however, you may want a monochromatic look, which can be stunning. Some of the materials currently available for countertops CONSERVATIVE from page 1
committee have selected an all-female slate comprised of former Harrison Mayor Joan Walsh, former Town Councilwoman Elizabeth “Jimmi” Pritchard, and newcomers Rosemarie Verano, clerk candidate Maragaret
have a news tip? Contact your local reporter
are quartz, granite, marble, soapstone, concrete, wood, stainless steel, tile, PaperStone, IceStone and Formica. Once a decision on the counter is made, the backsplash should be next. The same materials for countertops are available for backsplashes, however, tile is probably the most beautiful and by far the most popular. The next big part of your future kitchen is the color and style of the appliances. Do you want them to stand out or fade into the background? Should they be stainless steel, a solid color, or should they match the cabinets? If you want them to match the cabinets you then need to decide whether the panels should be “framed”, “overlay”, or “flush inset”. Check out www. subzero.com to see examples of these options. And, while we’re making decisions, let’s not forget some other aspects of the space, like the floor, the walls, the molding, etc. For each of these components of the project there are also an abundance of materials and finishes to select from. Oh, and don’t leave out the hardware. Beautiful knobs can make or break the whole project, unless you want handles, instead of knobs. With all these decisions, if you’re not sure what you want, it pays to work with an experienced firm that will assist you with all these choices. Like the disclaimer you see on TV, “don’t try this at home.” I suggest that you don’t try this alone unless you are confident in your own ability to put together all the varied aspects of your remodeling project. And now, my day is almost over, and soon I’ll be going home to settle down and watch some TV. I know that I’ll commit too much time to the decision of what to watch, and the sad thing is it will probably be another rerun of “Law and Order.” Paul Bookbinder, M.I.D., C.R., is presi‑ dent of DreamWork Kitchens, Inc. located in Mamaroneck, New York. A Master of Design (Pratt Institute), and E.P.A. Certified Remodeler, he serves on the Advisory Panel of Remodeling Magazine. A member of the National Kitchen & Bath Assoc., he is also a contributor to Do It Yourself magazine. He can be reached for questions at 914-777-0437 or www.dreamworkkitchens.com. “Peg” Conover, and tax receiver candidate Maria Fiore. Should the Democrats decide to primary, Amelio would be pit up against either Pritchard or Verano, each of whom hope to acquire one of two open seats on the Town Council.
Daniel offner
dan@hometwn.com
Pet Rescue Darsey is a beautiful chocolate lab mix. She is close to 60 lbs. and about two years old. She is a really good girl but strong on the leash. Darsey is mostly housebroken, knows how to sit on command, gets along with other nice dogs, though she’s not a rough player, and mainly likes to be around people. She is a bit of a leaner, so be sure you have good footing when you pet her. Darsey wants nothing more than to find a forever home where she can shine. She is spayed, vaccinated, dewormed, heartworm tested and micro-chipped. The adoption donation for Darsey is $250. To learn more, please contact Larchmont Pet Rescue at 914-834-6955 or on the web at www.NY-PetRescue.org. (Submitted)
14 • The harrison REPORT • July 19, 2013 PRIMARY from page 1
“There was never any doubt in my mind that we were going to get the signatures,” Murphy said. “I think Catherine is going to be a formidable opponent,” Murphy served on the Village of Mamaroneck
Board of Trustees for six years. In 2009, he resigned because of personal matters. Upon news that she would officially be facing a Democratic challenger, Parker, a two-term councilwoman, said she expected
Former Village of Mamaroneck Trustee Tom Murphy was able to collect enough signatures to primary Rye City Councilwoman Catherine Parker. Parker is still considered the favorite, with support from a number of prominent Democrats. File photos
Murphy to get his name on the primary ballot and is ready to face him in September. “I was ready for a campaign two months ago and having a primary doesn’t change that,” Parker said. “What’s most important is that I’m ready to serve.” Parker, who received the party’s nomination earlier this summer, comes with the backing of several high-profile local Democrats including Myers, state Sen. George Latimer, Assemblyman Steve Otis and New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson, the party’s candidate for county executive. “My support goes with Catherine Parker because I’ve spent a long time working with her,” Myers said. “I think the better legislators are those who can hit the ground running. I feel more confident that we will have a seamless transition with Catherine.” Parker, who is a registered independent, petitioned the county Board of Elections to run on the Democratic line in November. Parker was listed as a non-affiliated voter according to her 2006 registration card, but after filing a Wilson Pakula—an authorization that allows the party to decide if the candidate is still suitable even if he or she is not affiliated with the party—with the Westchester County Democratic Party, she was given permission to run on that line. Parker has switched her registration to Democrat but missed an
October 2012 deadline. Myers’ legislative district includes Rye, Mamaroneck, Larchmont and portions of New Rochelle and Harrison. Her county seat—in which legislators serve two-year terms—has been in Democratic hands since 1992 and is considered to be a stronghold for the party. Whichever candidate survives, the winner will face Republican challenger John Verni, in the general election. Verni, a New Rochelle resident, wasn’t surprised that Murphy was able to gather enough signatures to primary. “I don’t know Catherine, but I know Tom,” Verni said. “He’s an energetic guy, so I’m not surprised that he got the petitions.”
Sports Putting the “star” in All-Star Every year in mid-July, the Major League Baseball schedule takes a break and, on one night, fans get to turn out to the ballpark to see the stars take the field for an exhibition game of great pomp and circumstance. It’s game that, while it’s place and merits have been disputed, is an event that takes me back to some of my fondest childhood memories. I’m not talking about the Major League All-Star game, by the way. The game I always look forward to is the AllStar Legends and Celebrities Softball Game. This year, WFAN hosts Craig Carton and Boomer Esiason led two teams of actors, luminaries and former major leaguers on the field to compete in a five-inning softball showdown that 99.9% percent of the television audience couldn’t give two hoots about. But for some reason, I do, and I think a lot of it has to do with Dan Cortese. As a child of the 90’s and an admitted baseball and pop culture junkie, few things were in my wheelhouse quite like MTV’s Rock and Jock softball games. The premise was simple—fill two teams with popular stars and athletes the young generation admired, pre-script enough hijinks to keep 10-yearolds glued to the television, and boom; you’ve
got a hit show. Think of it as something of a descendant of “Battle of The Network Stars” that were popular with audiences in previous decades. I can’t tell you why I loved these programs so much. Part of it was watching the two worlds, sport and celebrity, colliding and seeing how these Hollywood stars handled themselves at the plate. Dean Cain and George Clooney, if I recall correctly, were more than live mike able ballplayers. David Mike Smith Faustino—not so much, but obviously, the draw wasn’t the actual competition. Being an MTV sponsored event, the set pieces were of the upmost importance. Mike Piazza loading the bases full of grandmas with walkers, and hitting the first ever “Granny Slam.” Roger McDowell, wearing a kilt, throwing a fastball behind Corbin Bernsen in mock anger. Tone Loc picking a Bill-and-Ted-era-Keanu Reeves off first base. These are the things that resonated with 9-year-old me. It’s my memories of these shows that make me a devoted viewer of any celebrity softball game. Which major leaguers will show up? What actors will take the game far too seriously?
WFAN’s Craig Carton makes a toss from his knees at a charity softball game on June 27. On July 14, Carton captained a team of ex-big leaugers and other celebrities at Citi Field as part of AllStar Weekend festivities. Photo/Mike Smith
Usually Kevin James. Am I the only one who cares about these games? Probably. But like those high arcing balls
served up by the games’ pitchers, it’s just so hard to lay off. Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports
Sports
July 19, 2013 • The HARRISON REPORT • 15
Former Clippers standout to open gym in New Rochelle grueling obstacle course runs. The rush, he said, is quite similar to the one he felt when staring down college hitters. “I’ve been competitive my whole life, and, as I gave up baseball, I transferred it into CrossFit,” he said. “So many of its aspects translate.” Now, however, Gorvetzian is taking his challenge a step further. Along with two partners, the former Clippers hurler is coming back to the Westchester area and opening a CrossFit gym in New Rochelle. “We wanted to get away from the corporate world,” he said. “And going to college up here, I know the area really well.” But, while CrossFit training may have supplanted baseball for Gorvetzian, he does admit that one of his goals is to develop a training regiment that can be used by future ballplayers. “Over the next couple of months, I want to build that,” he said. “Other sports have begun to adopt CrossFit, but, when you look at them, it’s mostly the power sports. But it can definitely be applied to baseball as well.” According to Gorvetzian, the chance to turn CrossFit into a tool for athletes, at both the college level and below, is something that he and his partners hope will be one of the functions of the new space. “Each CrossFit gym has its niche,” he said. “We’re all from athletic backgrounds, we’re really looking to get into training younger athletes. That’s something we’d love to be able to do.”
Over the next several months, Mike Smith will examine the growing, and diversifying, fitness trends gain‑ ing popularity around Westchester County. By his own admission, Bobby Gorvetzian has always been a competitor. A college baseball standout at Concordia College, the Queens native looked for his next challenge after his baseball career ended. He found it in fitness. Gorvetzian, like many in recent years, gravitated to the world of CrossFit, a functional strength-based exercise. Through the ESPN-televised competitions, Gorvetzian saw a new outlet for his competitive nature and joined the CrossFit movement. CrossFit specializes in brief, yet intense workouts that implement various components such as cardio and Olympic lifts. Competitions are often held between gyms—known as boxes—that turn workouts into serious affairs. The televised national championships are held each July involving athletes from around the country who qualify at various regional tournaments. “I remember thinking I was in shape” Gorvetzian said. “Then I saw [CrossFit] on TV and realized I wasn’t.” Since 2011, however, Gorvetzian has been with CrossFit NYC, competing with his fellow box members
Bobby Gorvetzian holds a front-rack at the Tri-State Games CrossFit competition in June. Gorvetzian, a former collegiate athlete, has shifted his desire to compete from the ballfields to the weight room. Contributed photos
Reach Mike at sport@hometwn.com
at competitions all around the TriState area. In fact, Gorvetzian and his cohorts take part in a number of fitness-related events, including
This empty 580 North Ave. building will soon house a gym dedicated to CrossFit training. Photo/Bobby Begun
Gorvetzian carries cinderblocks at a competition at MetLife Stadium in April. Gorvetzian and two partners are opening a CrossFit gym in New Rochelle later this year.
16 • The harrison REPORT • July 19, 2013