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Vol. 13/Number 19

Dam it!

Report details accidental shooting

By DANIEL OFFNER STAFF REPORTER dan@hometwn.com

County officials have closed the case surrounding a Harrison police lieutenant who accidentally discharged a .223 caliber assault rifle amid a high-profile sting operation last October, finding no basis for criminal prosecution.

During the arrest of three suspects who were wanted in connection with an interstate burglary ring, Harrison Police Lt. Vito Castellano—a 15year police veteran and county firearms instructor—accidentally fired two shots from his departmentissued LMT Guardian 2000 assault rifle, striking a suspect and a fellow officer in the fracas.

“The evidence indicates that Lt. Castellano fired his weapon accidentally and not intentionally,” said Westchester Public Safety Commissioner George Longworth.

According to reports obtained from the county Department of Public Safety, after Castellano deployed a flash bang grenade, he recognized that the safety of his weapon had accidentally been turned off.

Performing a “finger sweep” in an attempt to return the safety back on, he accidentally misfired.

The Oct. 17, 2012 felony vehicle stop that led to the arrests of Daniel DiBiase, Paul DiBiase and Jason Foskey was executed by members of the Harrison Police Department, FBI and other law enforcement agencies, which came together after a long-term investigation into a spree of residential burglaries across the region. Law enforcement surveillance including electronic GPS tracking and audio interception were conducted up to and including the time of the arrests.

Although citing probable cause

Harrison Police Det. Stephen Barone shows some of the injuries he sustained Oct. 17. He was treated at Greenwich Hospital for injuries to his left arm, left wrist, face and eyes.

for apprehending the suspects during the felony vehicle stop, county investigators blacked-out their reasoning from the reports.

Westchester County Police Captain Christopher Calabrese explained in a report on the officerinvolved shooting investigation, that based on the trajectory of the bullets into the seatback of the vehicle driven by the suspects, the rifle was at Castellano’s waist and not a shouldered position.

“This was an extremely high stress felony stop that presented the police with the very real possibility of encountering violently armed suspects,” Calabrese said.

“Castellano did not indicate that he had any reason or justification to fire at the suspects, but indicated that he, in fact, did not intend to fire.”

The investigation into the incident included ballistics reports, SHOOTING continued on page 9

Winner of a 2012 NYPA award for Feature Story

May 10, 2013

Flooding within the Brentwood Brook floodplain, seen here after Tropical Storm Irene, led town officials to investigate constructing three dams.

However, more than a year after approving the project, Harrison is yet to break ground.

For story, see page 5. File photo

Rye City councilwoman to run for county legislator

By CHRISTIAN FALCONE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF chris@hometwn.com

Rye City Councilwoman Catherine Parker, a Democrat, has decided to run for county legislator—and not Rye City mayor— seeking a seat that incumbent Judy Myers has held since 2005.

At a May 2 press conference in Mamaroneck, Myers, a Democrat, announced that she would not seek a fifth-term as county legislator, adhering to a self-imposed term limit.

Her term is set to expire at the end of 2013.

“I am term-limiting myself out,” Myers said. “I really do believe eight years is a terrific term length.

If it’s good enough for the president of the United States than it is good enough for the county board.”

Myers, 60, held court at the Mamaroneck Town Center to publicly pass the torch to Parker choosing to endorse her candidacy for county legislator. The two have become close allies and friends over the last two years.

County Legislator Judy Myers, left, stands beside Rye City Councilwoman Catherine Parker, a Democrat, during a May 2 press conference announcing she wouldn’t seek a fifth term in office. Instead, Myers, a Democrat, endorsed Parker’s candidacy to fill her seat. Photo/Bobby Begun

According to Parker, it was Myers, a Mamaroneck Town resident, who asked her to run for the county seat. And after some soulsearching and discussion with family, Parker came to the conclusion that she would best be able to serve Rye as a county representative.

Parker, 47, notified Rye Democrats via email on April 30 of her decision. She was long rumored to be considering a run for Rye mayor—something she confirmed last year—even more PARKER continued on page 11

2 • The HARRISON REPORT • May 10, 2013

May 10, 2013 • The HARRISON REPORT • 3

District concerned with high stakes curriculum

By DANIEL OFFNER STAFF REPORTER dan@hometwn.com

Harrison students in grades three through eight are breathing easy after completing the newly implemented state English Language Arts and Mathematics exams this past month.

But for administrators and faculty within the public school district, the pressure is on as the state Department of Education finalizes its assessments of the Common Core curriculum.

First adopted by the Board of Regents in 2010, the Common Core Learning Standards are designed to create a baseline to assess the knowledge and skills students must achieve within each grade to better prepare themselves for college and careers. The standards have been adopted in 45 states, the District of Columbia, four U.S. territories, and are the current standard used by the Department of Defense Education Activity, a federal program that provides education overseas in Europe and the Pacific regions as well as domestically.

“As a state, the percentage of students scoring proficient or above will likely decrease as a result of the more challenging expectations of the Common Core around careful analysis of text, writing with evidence from sources, applying math skills to real world problems and critical thinking,” said state Education Commissioner John King regarding the pilot run of the new state assessments.

In a presentation on April 24, Dennis Kortright, director of K-12 mathematics for the Harrison school district, explained that this did not mean a change in teaching methods, but that the depth of knowledge had deepened.

“What frames the Common Core is that it’s all about making meaning,” Kortright said.

“Lots of the conversation in today’s classroom involves what materials will [students] interact with…how will they own the work?”

But, while embracing the new standard of learning for students, the state evaluation additionally holds districts, teachers, and principals accountable based on student growth.

According to state education officials, they plan to calculate student growth patterns based on a comparison of the 2012-2013 assessments and students who had taken past English Language Arts tests, taking into consideration demographics.

Michael Greenfield, assistant superintendent of curriculum for the Harrison school district, said that, unlike past years of standardized testing, the state did not release the format for the newly implemented assessments.

“It’s an unfair situation,” said Greenfield. “[The Common Core assessments] are not written in a user-friendly way.”

Assistant Superintendent Michael Greenfield explains some of the processes Harrison Central School District underwent to adhere to new state standards. Photo/Daniel Offner

For Greenfield, the state’s adoption of the Common Core essentially tweaked the national model, making it more confusing while upping the stakes for both teachers and students in the district.

According to Harrison Schools Superintendent Louis Wool, the concerns with the Common Core assessments stems more from the state level and not the execution of the tests themselves. “[The assessments] can be problematic in the way it’s approached,” Wool said.

Wool said time limitations and rigorous questions will further impact the results.

Despite concerns from the district over funding from the Federal Race to the Top program, officials with the New York State Education Department have said that implementing the Common Core State Standards was and remains a state-led effort.

King, the state education commissioner, quelled concerns surrounding the evaluation process and potential penalties, which still loom over educators statewide.

“We’ve gone to great lengths to account for the increased difficulty of this year’s assessments in teachers’ growth scores—part of the multiple measures evaluation system the statewide teachers’ union helped to craft—so that teachers are not penalized,” King said.

“We have asked districts to be thoughtful in their use of the data from this first year of Common Core assessments when evaluating teacher performance, and we have every confidence that they will be.”

The final assessment data will be tabulated and posted online later this summer.

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4 • The HARRISON REPORT • May 10, 2013

Community Briefs Women’s Health Week at WESTMED WESTMED Medical Group, a Purchasebased multi-specialty group medical practice, will offer women in the Westchester community a full schedule of free programs during National Women’ Health Week, which kicks off on Mother’s Day, May 12 and is celebrated until May 18.

A variety of programs will be held at all four of WESTMED’s large offices: at 1 Theall Road, Rye, 210 Westchester Avenue, White Plains, 171 Huguenot Street, New Rochelle and Ridge Hill in Yonkers. The presenters will be expert WESTMED specialists and primary care physicians speaking on a wide range of topics from how to prevent varicose veins to taking nutritional supplements and secrets to anti-aging.

Women can view the full schedule of talks from May 13 through May 16 at http://www. westmedgroup.com/events.aspx. Registration is online or by calling 914 681-5274.

WESTMED Medical Group is a large, multi-specialty group medical practice with headquarters in Purchase, N.Y. It is staffed by a team of more than 250 physicians dedicated to providing coordinated, efficient, quality

patient care at its nine locations in central and lower Westchester County. WESTMED has medical offices in White Plains, Rye, Westchester’s Ridge Hill in Yonkers, Purchase, Scarsdale and New Rochelle. Connect with WESTMED online at www.westmedgroup. com. Enter WESTMED’s Women’s Health Week contest on Facebook at https://www. facebook.com/westmedgroup Adult tennis lessons The Harrison Recreation Department will offer two sessions of five tennis lessons for adults at the Harrison High School courts on Saturday or Sunday mornings. Session II classes begin May 11 or 12. Beginner and advanced classes available. Maximum of four students per class. Beginner class $150, advanced class $225. Contact Sollazzo Center, 270 Harrison Ave. at 914-670-3179 or Leo Mintzer Community Center, 251 Underhill Ave., West Harrison.

Harrison Public Library events “Where To?” Paintings and Pastels by Marion Schneider Harrison Public Library, 2 Bruce Avenue, May 10 to 31 with an opening reception on May 11 from 2 p.m.to 4 p.m.

As an art director who was influential in the graphic design and advertising world for more than 35 years, Marion’s strong design background has had a tremendous influence on her painting. It has formed a basic structure and way of seeing the world that dominates her work with bold design, a strong passion for color and unique space arrangement. Her

intense love of color, pattern, edge playfulness, and extreme light and shadow are strong themes that are always evident in her paintings.

The exhibit may be viewed Mondays and Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sundays 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

For info call the library at 914-835-0324 or see www.harrisonpl.org.

Meditation with Jim Rose Monday, May 13, 7:00 p.m.

If stress has you anxious, tense and worried, consider trying meditation. Jim Rose will teach participants how to maximize the benefits of this ancient practice.

“Malled: My Unintentional Career in Retail” by Caitlin Kelly.

Wednesday, May 15 7 p.m.

Join journalist Caitlin Kelly, a frequent contributor to the New York Times, as she describes working in the retail world. After working for over two years at The North Face and interviewing retail workers, managers and associates nationwide, Kelly makes clear what the true cost is to all of us when American workers are paid by the bare minimum.

Children’s events Monday, May 13 10:30 a.m. Jeffrey Friedberg Musical Program.

4:00 p.m. Board Games in the Children’s Room Wednesday, May 15 10:00 a.m. Circle Time for Tots with Miss Claudia 11:00 a.m. Circle Time for Tots with Miss Claudia Memoir writing seminar The Harrison Public Library will be hosting a program to assist older residents of the Harrison community in the writing and sharing of their personal memoirs. The program will consist of a series of writers’ workshops, titled “The Power of Memoir: Bringing Stories From Your Life to the World,” and will be held at the Harrison Public Library’s Community Room every Thursday from May 23 until July 20, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. This workshop is free of charge. Preregistration is required, please call 914-8350324.

Each workshop will be led by professional writer and educator Bill Wertheim and consist of meditative exercises, writing lessons, small groups, and the presentation of each

participant’s work to his/her classmates for feedback. As possible sources of inspiration for participants, music and imagery from the library’s various collections may also be incorporated into the workshops. In addition, a public reading will be held at the end of the series, during which participants will present their completed works to the community.

Greenburgh Nature Center events May weekday classes for young children Children and parents or caregivers come for an hour of nature fun. Dress for outdoor activity. Except in extreme weather conditions, a portion of each class is spent outdoors.

Admittance closes 15 minutes after the start of the program.

No pre-registration or pre-payment required.

Nature Bugs for 2 to 5 year olds Nature discovery for youngsters, with a parent or caregiver. Meet a museum animal each week, hear a story and do a craft or nature game.

Mondays: 1:30-2:30 p.m.

May 13, 20 Members: $5 adult; $4 child Non-members: $9 adult; $7 child Critters, crafts and kids for18 months to 5 years olds Enjoy wonderful spring days at the Center with walks, live animals, stories and crafts.

Wednesdays: 10:00 a.m. to 11 a.m.

May 15, 22, 29 Members: $5 adult; $4 child Non-members: $9 adult; $7 child Register for St. Vincent’s Spring Sprint 5k run/walk St. Vincent’s Hospital Westchester will hold the Marie and George Doty Memorial Spring Sprint 5k Run/Walk on Saturday, May 11, beginning on the hospital grounds at 275 North Street in Harrison. Check-in will begin at 8:00 a.m., and the event will begin at 9:00 a.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit the hospital’s mental health, chemical dependency and residential services for children, adolescents, and adults. For complete registration information, please visit the hospital’s website at www.stvincentswestchester.org or call the St. Vincent’s development office at (914) 925-5401.

Deadline for our Community Briefs section is every Friday at 12 p.m. Though space is not guaranteed, we will do our best to accommodate your listing. Please send all items to news@hometwn.com.

May 10, 2013 • The HARRISON REPORT • 5

More than a year later, little motion on Brentwood Dams

By DANIEL OFFNER STAFF REPORTER dan@hometwn.com

Since commissioning the preliminary survey and designs to construct three dams in the area surrounding the Brentwood Brook floodplain, Harrison has yet to begin any construction.

Estimated to cost $1.5 million to complete, the flood mitigation project was proposed, on February 29, 2012, in the aftermath of 2011’s Tropical Storm Irene with the hopes of reducing flooding to residents downstream. Now, after recent events caused by mother nature’s fury—including a hurricane, nor’easter and a blizzard—the project is only nearing the permit process to begin construction.

“The three dams project is progressing on schedule,” said Harrison Mayor Ron Belmont, a Republican, in his recent State of the Town address. “The project will utilize underdeveloped land to store and manage flood water flows during significant storms.”

The Brentwood Brook was pegged out of the four floodplains in town—including the Mamaroneck River, Blind Brook and Beaver Swamp Brook–since it would have the largest impact on residents, with 478 homes in the surrounding area. Additionally, the town decided to conduct the flood mitigation project along the Brentwood Brook since it is the only one of the four floodplains, which lies entirely within the Harrison borders.

Construction of the dams and stream diver-

sion will be situated within 25 acres of undeveloped land located between Genessee Trail and Harrison Avenue. Two of the dams—one on the Woodland Road Brook and another on Nelson Creek—could measure between 10 to 16 feet high and over 300 feet long, with a gradual slope up to the dams’ peaks. A third dam, designed to separate the two storage basins, would be constructed eight feet high and 200 feet long.

Spending $260,000 in February 2012, the Town Council approved funding for preliminary survey designs and construction permits, which required assistance from four specialized engineering firms. The town hired Woodard and Curran for review of any applicable FEMA programs that provide additional funding as well as Thomas C. Merritts Land Surveyors for a geotechnical survey, Evans Associates to issue permits needed to proceed with the project and Leonard Jackson Associates for the subsequent construction designs.

Town Engineer Michael Amodeo said that although the department is still in the design phase, more than half of the designs have been prepared.

“We recently finished reviewing the design from our subsurface consultant,” Amodeo said.

“Hopefully soon we can try and get permits.”

But despite a $600,000 reimbursement from FEMA being used for this flood mitigation project, the Town Council has yet to address the additional $900,000 required to start phase

Louis M. Klein Middle School, pictured here, as well as several residences within the Brentwood Brook floodplain, experienced the impact of Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. File photo

two of the project.

The construction of all three dams requires they’re built with a concrete core to prevent water from seeping through—with no spillways—and the reservoirs behind them would be intended to fill with water only during storms.

According to Amodeo, the construction

of the three dams is expected to last eleven months after approving the construction documents. Although the town is reporting progress on the projects, it remains unclear when the project will get off the ground.

Calls to Thomas C. Merritts Land Surveyors and Leonard Jackson Associates were not returned as of press time.

6 • The HARRISON REPORT • May 10, 2013

County executive submits source of income legislation

By CHRIS GRAMUGLIA STAFF REPORTER chrisg@hometwn.com

County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, recently submitted source of income legislation to the county Board of Legislators after receiving a deadline to do so from the federal justice department.

The source of income issue has become a partisan one dividing the county’s executive and legislative branches of government.

County legislators set a public hearing for the proposed law for May 6, after press time.

The legislation, if passed, would effectively ban landlords from turning down rent payments that come from public assistance—specifically Section-8 vouchers—disability payments or other government income or private housing grants.

The same law was passed by the Board of Legislators in 2010, but was vetoed by Astorino soon after. The Department of Housing and Urban Development later informed Astorino that he was required by law to promote source of income legislation as part of the fair and affordable housing settlement reached in 2009 under then-County Executive Andy Spano, a Democrat. In March, HUD warned Astorino that he would be putting the county in jeopardy of losing $7.4 million of Community Block Grant Development funding if he did not aggressively promote the legislation.

“The county executive’s source of income

legislation needs to be advanced as quickly as possible to send HUD a message that we’re serious and eager about working together to follow the stipulations of the housing settlement,” Board of Legislators Chairman Ken Jenkins, a Democrat, said.

Jenkins made it clear that if the county did lose the $7.4 million in grant money, it would eventually wind up hurting taxpayers, who would likely have to absorb the financial burden. The federal government also threatened to fine the county nearly $500 million and hold Astorino in contempt of court.

The county recently filed an injunction against HUD that would prevent it from withholding funds from the county. A decision on that injuction is pending.

In his fourth and final State of the County address of his first term as county executive, Astorino said he refuses to give in to the remainder of HUD's demands.

“I have said from day one, that Westchester will comply with what is in the agreement, but we will not be bullied or threatened by HUD to do things that are not in the settlement,” he said.

Donna Greene, a spokesperson for Astorino, said that the issue really arose as a result of a disagreement between the county and the courts over what constituted adequate promotion of low-income housing. “The issue that was litigated through the courts was that the housing had to be promoted. [The county

County Executive Rob Astorino recently submitted new legislation that would effectively ban landlords from discriminating against potential homeowners based on sources of income. The legislation is part of the 2009 affordable housing settlement. File photo

executive took the position that he had accomplished it,” said Greene. “The courts ultimately disagreed.”

However in a 2011 a letter from John Trasvina, the assistant secretary for fair housing and equal opportunity at HUD to Deputy County Executive Kevin Plunkett, a Republican, Trasvina made it clear that promoting source of income legislation is part of

the settlement. “Under the terms of the settlement,” Trasvina wrote, “the County agreed to promote, through the County Executive, legislation currently before the Board of Legislators to ban source-of- income discrimination in housing.” The letter also says that Astorino's original decision to veto the legislation was a result of his desire for the county to gather more data on possible exclusionary zoning before taking any action.

Also a statement issued by the County Board of Legislators said that, “clear language in the fair and affordable housing settlement between Westchester County and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development states the county executive is bound by law to promote the legislation.”

Board of Legislators Vice Chairman Lyndon Williams, a Mount Vernon Democrat, said that passing source of income legislation will help a variety of different residents and that it should not have taken this long to come to fruition.

“This is legislation that will benefit countless Westchester residents, and I find it deplorable that they have had to wait years for the county executive to finally do the right thing for them,” he said.

Jenkins said that while the law should go into effect sooner rather than later, he plans on scheduling a Board of Legislators meeting to discuss with other legislators possible modifications to the law before it is officially signed.

Field of Honor benefits Wounded Warrior Project

The Harrison High School Marching Band opened the second annual Field of Honor among local dignitaries and distinguished members of the Harrison Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter.

The Field of Honor is a display of American flags representing donations made by parents, family and community members in honor of a veteran.

Coordinated by HHS band Co-Director Charles Briem and HHS senior Ray Corona, all donations received from this year’s Field of Honor will go directly to the Wounded Warrior Project.

The Wounded Warrior Project was established to raise awareness for veterans returning home from service and to enlist the public’s assistance to ensure veterans are receiving aid for injuries sustained in the line of battle.

Senior Ray Corona was able to talk directly with World War II veterans during the marching band’s journey to Pearl Harbor earlier this

year. He spoke passionately about his personal connection to these American heroes at the opening ceremony.

“At last year’s inaugural event, we did more than sell flags–we started a tradition,” said Corona. “We were able to tell the stories of veterans within and beyond our community and these flags stood strong on the front lawn of our high school.”

Other speakers at this year’s event included Harrison Central School District Superintendent Louis Wool, Harrison Mayor Ron Belmont, Deputy County Executive Kevin J. Plunkett and a district representative Bill Colona from Congresswoman Nita Lowey’s office.

Suggested donations for the American Flags are $40 and can be purchased by visiting the Harrison Central School District website. The flags will be showcased on the front lawn of Harrison High School until June 4, 2013.

(Submitted)

May 10, 2013 • The HARRISON REPORT • 7

Harrison has another go at hotel tax legislation

People staying at the Renaissance Hotel in West Harrison, pictured here, as well as other accommodations in the municipality may be required to pay more due to a proposed 3 percent tax on hotel occupants.

By DANIEL OFFNER STAFF REPORTER dan@hometwn.com

Making its fourth attempt to levy a 3 percent tax on hotel dwellers, members of the Harrison Town Council have adopted local home-rule legislation, which, if approved by state lawmakers, could provide the municipality with as much as $250,000 a year in non-property tax revenue.

“This is something long overdue,” said Republican Councilman Steve Malfitano, who sponsored similar legislation as town mayor in 2007.

After a failed attempt to pass the tax through both the state Senate and Assembly last year, Harrison officials have once again proposed

legislation in the hopes of relieving some of the tax burden from Harrison property owners.

“We’ve come close several times in the past,” said Councilman Joe Cannella, a Republican.

Unlike past attempts, this is the first time in recent years that the bill had been presented by state Assemblyman David Buchwald, a Democrat. “For me, it is a question of whether we can reduce the property tax burden for residents,” Buchwald said.

Initially, the tax was only applicable to cities in the state; however villages and towns would later join the fray. Surrounding cities of Rye, White Plains and New Rochelle all have an occupancy tax in place. Westchester County also implements its own hotel occupancy tax.

“The fact that numerous surrounding mu-

HHS senior named Merit Scholarship finalist Harrison High School senior Rajan Mehra has been named a finalist for the National Merit Scholarship program. Winners of this prestigious competition will be announced in May. The National Merit Scholarship program is an academic competition that began in 1955.

Over 1.5 million high school students enter the National Merit program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test each year. In September, roughly 50,000 of the initial applicants were notified that their high test scores had qualified them as either a Commended Student or a Semi-Finalist in the program. In addition to Mehra, seniors Jennifer Blum, Dylan Dobrenis, Lauren Jacobowitz, and Mikie Sakanaka were notified last fall that they had been recognized by the National Merit organization.

Mehra will graduate Summa Cum Laude in June, a Harrison High School distinction that recognizes students who have achieved a grade point average of 98.0 or higher through their high school career. Mehra has been a

leader of the model congress team, a competitor with the academic quiz show team, a member of both the National Honor and the National Foreign Language Honor Societies, and has spent many years conducting seminars with children and teens on human rights.

Mehra will be attending Duke University in the fall. (Submitted)

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nicipalities have the tax makes Harrison’s case stronger,” Buchwald added.

Buchwald’s predecessor in the Assembly, Republican Robert Castelli, refused to carry the bill last year, citing his opposition to raising taxes.

The lure of a hotel occupancy tax is the ability to generate additional revenue while shifting the tax burden away from property taxes. A tax is implemented on each hotel or motel room that is rented out. Within the boundaries of Harrison there are two hotels, which include the Renaissance Westchester Hotel on West Red Oak Lane, and the Hyatt House on Corporate Park Drive. Harrison tried to pass similar legislation through the Assembly in 2007 and 2010–when the Village of Rye Brook became the first village in the county to receive approval from the state to levy the 3 percent tax. Rye Brook estimates collecting $630,000 in revenue from its hotel tax in 2013-2014. The village collects tax revenue from the Hilton Westchester, located on Westchester Avenue, and Doral Arrowwood Country Club, on Anderson Hill Road.

According to former Democratic Mayor Joan Feinstein, it took the village three attempts before the bill passed both state legislative houses and was ratified by then Gov. George Patterson, a Democrat. “[2010] was a time when the economic downturn was such that it was difficult, and we were looking for ways to increase revenue

without taxing the taxpayers,” Feinstein told The Harrison Report last year.

However, in order for Harrison to implement the 3 percent occupancy tax, it not only must pass through both the state Assembly and Senate, but must also be ratified by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat who famously swore “no new taxes.”

State Sen. George Latimer, the former Democratic Assemblyman who volunteered to carry the non-partisan legislation for Harrison last year, said he anticipates it will be a tough sell under the Cuomo regime.

“I don’t know if the strategies are going to work…but I intend to make the best possible case,” Latimer said. “I certainly think the merit is there.”

Latimer, who helped carry the hotel occupancy tax for Rye City—the first community in Westchester granted authority to implement the tax—in 2006 and Rye Brook in 2010, said that he plans to make the case that the hotel tax is not new since it is currently in place in most of the surrounding communities and intends to advocate that it extend to include Harrison.

“What’s different is [Harrison] needs it more this year,” Latimer said.

Latimer said it took Rye Brook five to six years before the legislature approved the tax.

He added that should the bill be shot down for the fourth time in the state legislature, he will reintroduce it every year until it is approved.

8 • The HARRISON REPORT • May 10, 2013

Fire safety and sinking one for Artie harrison Happenings Mayor Ron Belmont

The N.Y. State Department of Environmental Conservation requires Harrison to issue an annual report to residents. This report, covering the reporting period from March 2012 to March 2013, was presented at the May 2 town board meeting by Assistant Town Engineer, Frank Balbi. Several domains were outlined, and the town board was able to provide comments, as well. Topics included construction site stormwater run-off control, illicit discharge detection and elimination and pollution prevention, to name a few. Requirements must be met by the town in order to be compliant with DEC regulations. Currently, our Department of Public Works continues to receive stormwater training and, within the reporting period, 176 cubic yards of debris have been removed from 288 municipal catch basins.

On Saturday, May 11, I will, once again, officiate the start of the St. Vincent’s Hospital Westchester Spring Sprint. This 5K run/walk will begin at the hospital, located at 275 North Street, and check-in time is at 8 a.m. There will be free refreshments and raffle prizes and awards will be distributed at the end of the race. Proceeds from this event will benefit the hospital’s mental health and chemical dependency programs for children, adolescents and adults. For more information call 914-925-5400 or visit www.stvincentswestchester.org.

Recently, I attended the Purchase Fire Department’s annual open house. The

community was given the opportunity to see the fire gear, fire trucks and the facilities in an effort to learn more about fire safety. Volunteer firefighters were on hand to explain what they do once a fire is reported. Tours and demonstrations were also featured. Fire prevention was discussed, and the entire day’s events were very informative and worthwhile.

I would like to bring your attention to the first annual Arthur J. Fusco, Jr. Memorial Golf Outing. Artie Fusco, an avid golfer, was a longtime Harrison resident and proudly served his country in both World War II and the Korean Conflict. This event will be held on Monday, May 20 at Willow Ridge Country Club, and proceeds will support the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization dedicated to assisting injured service members as they return to their homes and families. The cost is $250 per person and includes use of the driving range, lunch, on course refreshments, cocktail reception, culinary stations and cart/caddie fees. Caddie gratuities not included. Event fee for dinner only is $60.

Golf registration is at 11 a.m. and shotgun teeoff is at 12:30 p.m. The cocktail reception will begin at 5 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact Ken Fusco at 914-906-1163.

The next “Lunch with the Mayor” is on Friday, May 10 and I will be at Sofia’s Restaurant, located at 212 Harrison Avenue in Downtown Harrison. On Friday, May 17, I will be at China White located at 578 Anderson Hill Road in Purchase. I will be at these locations from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and look forward to meeting with residents and talking about issues facing our community.

In closing, I would like to wish you and your family a very happy Mother’s Day.

May 10, 2013 • The HARRISON REPORT • 9 SHOOTING from page 1

photographs from the scene, and written statements from 11 responding Harrison police officers, three suspects and one eyewitness whose name was redacted from the file.

According to several eyewitness accounts, Castellano called out that he had an “A.D.,” or accidental discharge, moments after firing his rifle, striking suspect Daniel DiBiase, 55, and Harrison Police Det. Stephen Barone.

Police Officer Steven Palais, who was positioned five feet be- The LMT Guardian 2000 used by Lt. Vito Castellano during a hind Lt. Castellano at the time, high-profile bust last October. told county investigators he witnessed the muzzle flash from Castellano’s the model of rifle Castellano—a left-handed rifle just seconds before Det. Barone fell to the shooter‑used is designed with a switch setup for right-handed shooters and does not offer an ground.

After being knocked to the ground from alternative setup for lefties.

“The complexity of a left-handed shooter the force of the shots, Barone was escorted to Greenwich Hospital, where he was treated for manipulating the left side selector switch with injuries to his left arm, left wrist, face and eyes. the trigger finger in a real encounter needs to Upon his return to police headquarters, be considered and weighed toward the actual Barone found holes in his raid jacket and bal- outcome of shots being fired,” Calabrese said. listics vest worn during the incident. After fur- “There is no basis for criminal charges against ther inspection, he found a bullet lodged in his Vito Castellano in this case...Case closed.”

Lucian Chalfen, a spokesman for the Kevlar jacket.

Although the ballistics report cited evidence Westchester County District Attorney, first told of discharge in the barrel of Castellano’s rifle, The Harrison Report last month that, after resenior firearms examiners reported that the bul- viewing the reports, the county has no basis to let and fragments recovered were “insufficient” move forward with criminal charges.

According to published reports, DiBiase sufto identify or eliminate whether the slug in fered a collapsed lung from the bullet and has Barone’s vest was from the rifle.

Manufactured by Lewis Machine and Tool filed a notice of claim in advance of an anticiCompany, a supplier of weaponry for U.S. mili- pated $5 million lawsuit against Harrison.

The three suspects have been charged in tary, law enforcement and government agencies, the .223 caliber Guardian 2000 that Castellano connection with a series of burglaries includcarried can interchangeably switch from semi to ing two notable incidents in Bedford and New Canaan, Conn., and are being held without bail fully automatic firing.

According to the report from Capt. Calabrese, as of press time.

Reports from the county Department of Public Safety show the positions of police vehicles and responders during the traffic stop on Oct. 17.

10 • The HARRISON REPORT • May 10, 2013

Norovirus sickens Hilton Westchester attendees

By LIZ BUTTON STAFF REPORTER liz@hometwn.com

A rash of gastrointestinal illness, known as Norovirus, in people who attended events at the Hilton Westchester over two weekends in April has prompted a full-scale investigation by the Westchester County Department of Health.

According to Caren Halbfinger, the health department’s communications director, isolated cases of Norovirus symptoms were first reported on April 9 from an event the previous weekend, which prompted initial investigations. After this first smattering of reports, two weeks went by without further incident.

The health department expanded its investigation when it received an influx of reported cases on April 24. In accordance with county health department recommendations, the Hilton Westchester, located on Westchester Avenue in Rye Brook, arranged for an outside contractor to provide an industrial cleaning of all hotel surfaces, with a special focus on the banquet halls.

While the hotel was never shut down at any point, the Hilton also contracted for corporate health staff and corporate sanitarians to be present in order to assure that staff members carried out all health department recommendations, county health officials said. The hotel discontinued service of uncooked foods prepared on site. In addition, health department

inspectors are currently reviewing sanitary procedures throughout the hotel.

“We are working closely and cooperatively with hotel management and are taking a series of aggressive steps to stop the spread of the virus,” said. Halbfinger.

As of press time, the health department was not releasing the number of reported cases of illness, although media reports have estimated the number as being anywhere from scores to hundreds.

“We do not have an estimate, nor do we expect to,” Halbfinger said. “Once we have two reports, that’s all we need to start our investigation. There was a significant amount of illness reported.”

When encountered in hotel settings, Norovirus is often found to be the cause for acute gastrointestinal discomfort and illness, according to county health officials.

Norovirus is a group of viruses that causes symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Rye Councilwoman Catherine Parker, a Democrat, was one of the victims of the illness, describing her symptoms during the experience as “Exorcist-like.”

Before she attended a Carver Center event at the Rye Brook hotel on Friday, April 26, Parker said a friend who called the county executive’s office told her conditions had been declared safe following the first cases of illness reported on April 24, which stemmed from large events held on April 20 and April

The Westchester County Department of Health has an investigation underway to address a recent rash of illness in people who attended events at the Hilton Westchester in Rye Brook.

Photo courtesy Hilton Westchester

21. Parker said she soon became sick after attending the April 26 event the following weekend.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, Norovirus is the leading cause of food born-disease outbreaks in the U.S. Food can get contaminated with Norovirus at any point when it is being grown, shipped, handled or prepared, especially foods that are eaten raw like fruits and vegetables.

While there is no treatment other than drinking plenty of fluids, most people usually recover in a couple of days after the illness has run its course. According to health department officials, one person was hospitalized due to symptoms, but it turned out to be for an unrelated illness.

The Hilton, in Rye Brook, also provided a

72-hour paid furlough to all banquet service and kitchen staff from April 30 through May 3.

Last weekend, the county Department of Health added its own staff, bringing in two sanitarians to preside over preparations for that weekend’s major event, which carried on despite recent circumstances. Hotel management will continue to notify organizers of upcoming events about the recent spate of illnesses, according to county health officials.

As for deciphering the disease’s origin, Halbfinger said, “We honestly don’t know and probably never will. Norovirus is in the community at-large‑there are cases every year.

We can speculate that it came in from the NOROVIRUS continued on page 12

May 10, 2013 • The HARRISON REPORT • 11 PARKER from page 1

so after incumbent Mayor Douglas French, a Republican, announced last month that he wouldn’t seek a second term in office. Parker said she has spent the last year coming to a decision on which seat to make a play for.

Her candidacy for county office now leaves Rye Democrats in need of a mayoral candidate for this year’s City Council elections.

“I was thinking I can continue to make a difference, and maybe even a bigger difference, to Rye, even though I won’t be sitting on the City Council any longer [if elected],” Parker told our sister paper, The Rye Sound Shore Review in an exclusive interview on May 1. “I can bring something very positive to the community [and] that weighed heavily on my decision.”

A fourth-generation county resident originally from Bedford, Parker said that is also at the root of her run. In recent times, she has taken an interest in more widespread county issues like the planned redevelopment of Playland. Since 1997, she has also owned a small travel store, Parker’s, located on Purchase Street in Rye. “It seems clear that I have a skill set that will bring positive change to the county,”

State Sen. George Latimer chats with longtime Larchmont Trustee Marlene Kolbert.

Talking with fellow Democrats, state Assemblyman Steve Otis was on hand for the Myers-Parker press conference. A former Rye City mayor, Otis spent 2008 and 2009 on the Rye City Council with Parker.

Parker said in her email to Rye district leaders. “I will bring my common sense, small business experience, and collegial nature to the new job.”

Parker, as a registered independent, was elected to the Rye City Council in 2007.

She was re-elected in 2011, this time on the Democratic line, and started her second term as the only Democrat in office. She failed in her first election bid in 2005.

Parker plans to focus her campaign on affordability while working to maintain services and keep property taxes down. She said her experience in Rye government with keeping property taxes low will serve her well going forward.

“Rye has been a great training ground for this,” she said.

Since winning a hard-fought 2011 reelection campaign against former Republican Rye City Councilwoman Suzanna Keith, Myers said she has been well aware she was approaching the end of the road. She began working closely with Parker “so she could seamlessly move into a position to represent

What’s Your Beef?

What’s bothering you today?

Collected on Purchase Street in Rye “How ineffectual the U.S. Congress is as a whole.”

Michael Hoffman, Rye Brook, 65

“The House recently passed a bill called CISPA which would give government more control over the Internet.”

Nikola Bulatovic, Harrison, 22

“Governor Cuomo’s 2 percent property tax levy cap. It’s not good for schools or municipalities.”

Kendall Egan, Rye, 46 -Reporting and photos by LIZ BUTTON

“Taxes have gone up a crazy amount.”

Daniel Powierski, Rye Brook, 29

the 7th district.” “[Parker] has definitely sharpened her teeth at the [Rye] City Council level,” Myers said, referring to the controversy and political infighting that has plagued the Rye City Council over the last two years. “I think she is more than ready to take on the Board of Legislators.”

Now in her ninth year in county office, Myers won a special election in 2005, filling the seat vacated when incumbent George Latimer, a Democrat, moved into the state Assembly. That November, Myers won a general election, securing her first full-term as a legislator; she would cruise to victories in 2007 and 2009.

Prior to being elected to the county Board of Legislators in 2005, Myers served six years as a Mamaroneck Town councilwoman.

She plans to fill out her term by helping Parker get elected as well as help Democratic county executive candidate Noam Bramson, the mayor of New Rochelle, win in November.

Myers said she also hopes to join Bramson’s transition team were he to defeat County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican.

Myers has been part of a Board of Legislators Democratic majority that has repeatedly butt heads with Astorino’s administration since the county executive took office in 2010.

The legislator said her legacy is in a bill that requires fast food establishments in the county to provide calorie counts. She also helped earn stimulus money for nitrogen removal in the Long Island Sound and secured $4.5 million in flood mitigation funding in the wake

of the 2007 floods that devastated Rye and Mamaroneck.

However, Myers seemed most proud of her vote in favor of settling an affordable housing lawsuit that has pit county Republicans and Democrats against each other in recent months.

For Rye, a Parker victory would mean the city would be home to the county’s legislative seat and representatives in both state houses.

Myers’ legislative district includes Rye, Mamaroneck, Larchmont and portions of New Rochelle and Harrison. The county seat has been in Democratic hands dating back to the beginning of Latimer’s tenure in 1992. The county GOP has yet to announce any challenger to the seat this year.

County legislators are elected to serve twoyear terms.

New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson, a candidate for county executive, stands alongside Mamaroneck Town Councilwoman Jane Elkind-Eney. Photos/Bobby Begun

12 • The HARRISON REPORT • May 10, 2013

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community to several staff members and spread from there.”

To help determine the source of the illness and to identify any new cases, public health nurses have reached out to those who may be affected, according to department officials. Parker said she got a call from the health department asking her how many days she was ill.

According to some county elected officials, however, budget cuts have shed doubt on the county health department’s ability to adequately handle the situation. County Legislator Judy Myers, a Democrat, said the department has 22 percent fewer employees in 2013 than it did in 2010 and conducted 9 percent fewer inspections.

But Peter DeLucia, the health department’s assistant commissioner, said that the 22 percent reduction refers to administrative staff overall, not field inspectors in the environmental health division, who handle inspections.

And a possible explanation for the lower number of routine inspections could be that health inspectors disrupted their normal schedule to visit thousands of restaurants during Tropical Storm Irene in 2011 and Hurricane Sandy last year to do emergency sanitation, according to DeLucia.

“We always have enough staff to make sure we make all of our state mandates,” DeLucia said.

Assistant Commissioner DeLucia said County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, and the county’s health commissioner are always adamant that the department has enough staff and resources to protect public health to the utmost degree.

But, DeLucia said, “no matter how many staff you have, nothing could prevent what happened recently at the Hilton Westchester,” nor could any number of inspections.

Health department officials said the Hilton Westchester got the OK after the department’s last two inspections in December 2012 and January 2013. For the foreseeable future, DeLucia said, the hotel will now be held to an even more frequent inspection schedule.

May 10, 2013 • The HARRISON REPORT • 13

Playland ready to open for the season

Happy Mother’s Day: A greeting to all mothers

By Cindy Inman

Rye Playland

Get ready to zoom, spin, splash, swing and soar your way through acres of amusement park rides, from the cooling log flume to the famous Dragon Coaster and all your other favorites as Playland Amusement Park in Rye hosts its opening day, Saturday, May 11.

The fun gets underway with a parade and entertainment beginning at 11 a.m. and rides opening at noon.

Special opening day admission is $15, which is good for unlimited rides until the park closes at 7 p.m. Admissions go on sale at 10:30 a.m.

The opening celebration begins with strolling entertainment at the Fountain Plaza at 11 a.m., followed by the traditional parade with the Port Chester High School Marching Band accompanied by local dignitaries, staff and Playland’s mascot, Coaster the Dragon.

Grab a seat in front of the Music Tower Theater stage to hear the band Reunion perform hit sounds from the 50’s,60’s and 70’s. at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Unique, science-based entertainment will leave children and their families laughing and mesmerized at “Mad about Science,” the featured act in Kiddyland for two shows at 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Playland’s Kiddyland DJ will also entertain with the “Play it DJ” show, in four performances at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Kids will move, groove and be smooth as our DJ plays their favorite dance tunes.

Admission Prices: $15 weekends: May 11,

12, 18 and 19: $15 unlimited rides; $15 Junior (under 48”) Starting Friday, May 24: $30 unlimited rides; $20 Junior (under 48”) Westchester residents with acceptable proof of residency are eligible for a $5 discount on these prices. Spectator admission, which does not include access to rides, is free for Westchester County residents and $10 for nonresidents.

Season Passes: $95 for unlimited rides all season, with a $15 discount for Westchester residents. $35 for spectator admission all season (no rides), for non-residents of Westchester County.

Acceptable proof of Westchester residency is a Westchester County Park Pass; New York State driver’s license or non-driver I.D., or a photo I.D. or report card from a Westchester County school.

Playland’s pre-season schedule is noon to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays until Memorial Day weekend, after which the spring schedule begins. For the season schedule, go to ryeplayland.org or call the park at 914-813-7000. Use the website link to join the Playland E-Club and receive valuable discounts all season long.

Parking is $5 weekdays, $7 weekends and $10 on holidays.

Rain date for opening day is Saturday, May 18.

Playland is located at the end of Playland Parkway in Rye. (Submitted)

With great joy I celebrate a mother’s role on this planet.

The gift of motherhood is joyous, gracious, and busy. We love our children, and our children love us, but with everyone’s varying personalities and busy habits, we can become an overwhelmed household of love.

Let’s look at this through Ask Cindy’s eyes; a place for everything and everything in its place. That’s nice, but what about the overflow of stuff?

Purge and get rid of some stuff. There, I said it. We think we need so much of many different things. We do not. Let’s energize our home space with a renewed focus on household order.

Currently, women are being celebrated and recognized as leaders throughout the world. It is a slower process than we might like, but it is happening. Additionally, we are the leaders in the home, as quiet as it is kept. Gently stated, ladies, you know of what I speak.

The dilemma is whether an entire home can be pulled together after all of these years of co-habitation without best practices. Yes, it can happen. This renewal home cleaning and organization of personal content will erase the past and start a new agenda of best practices. This will serve all well.

The home base must be our positive energy source. Otherwise, where will we get our day-today positive charge to continue the required grind? Our home base allows us to exhale, to relax, and to enjoy a customized environment within. This serves as our haven from the outside world.

So let’s de-clutter, clean up every room’s surface, large and small appliance, floors, floor grout lines, light fixtures, recessed lighting, décor furniture pieces, and decorative items in the home. Let’s do one room at a time. Get excited with the fact that a new dawn for the home can be yours.

Moms, a clean and orderly homestead enhances everyone’s leadership skillsets as well. All of this is a gift that keeps giving because we love our family.

Hopefully, this friendly lead-in for all of this renewal can be the aha moment. Let’s give it a shot. Organization and cleaning collectively will energize and enhance everyone’s well being. I guarantee this. The “Ask Cindy How” monthly column should become required reading.

If you need me to help with the initial how-to process just call me. I will come without judgment and with a smile.

Happy Mother’s Day! Warmly, Cindy, your friend in the house cleaning industry.

Pet Rescue Queenie is an adorable 18-month-old female Border Collie Mix around 45 lbs. She is shy and fearful around new people. Because of her fearful side, she should probably not be in a home with children. Since she is most comfortable around other dogs, we are hoping for a home that has another dog. Queenie enjoys her frequent trips to the dog park or the beach. She is in a foster home with a senior cat and gets along very well with him (although outdoor cats and squirrels are advised to keep their distance). Queenie has a typical Border Collie personality. She would love to be adopted by someone interested in training her in agility, flyball, herding, etc. That’s not a requirement, but true to her breed, she would thrive. She ultimately just needs some TLC, time, and patience from someone. Queenie is spayed, vaccinated, dewormed, heartworm tested and micro-chipped.

The adoption donation for Queenie is $250. To learn more, please contact Larchmont Pet Rescue at 914-834-6955 or on the web at www.NY-PetRescue.org. (Submitted)

LEGAL NOTICE Notice to Parents & Taxpayers of the Harrison Central School District The Harrison Central School District intends to request an exemption from the requirements to implement a school breakfast program in September 2013. The exemption request will be on the lack of need. Parents and taxpayers who wish to share their concerns may do so by calling or writing Jane Kelleher in the Business Office, 50 Union Avenue, Harrison, NY 10528, 914-630-3010.

14 • The HARRISON REPORT • May 10, 2013

City passes on deer bow-hunting; contraception still an option

By LIZ BUTTON STAFF REPORTER liz@hometwn.com

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Rye—When it comes to the increasing deer population in neighboring Rye, the City Council is not ready to commit to a model bow-hunting program for thinning herds currently used and advocated by the Westchester Audubon Society.

While severely endangered since the 1800s, American white-tailed deer populations have seen massive growth over the past 10 to 15 years. In recent years, the Rye City Council has received complaints from residents that the local deer population has become unmanageable.

While considering the bow-hunting proposal, first presented earlier this year, as a method of culling deer, the city identified three areas that might benefit from such a program: the Rye Golf Club, which is owned by the city, and two pieces of county parkland that lie adjacent to each other: the Jay Heritage Center and the Marshlands.

Earlier this year, the city was in preliminary discussions with the county about their hunting program, according to Peter Tartaglia, the county’s deputy parks commissioner department’s director of marketing and public relations. Tartaglia said the parks department has noticed a decrease in the deer population since the 2008 inception of their program, which now covers four of the county’s northern parks.

While Rye City officials took the steps to meet with the department and get some of their expertise, Tartaglia said, “these programs are not something that should be rushed into,” without doing sufficient research about deer population density and habits.

Residents of the Greenhaven section of the city, near the Mamaroneck and Harrison

borders, have identified the deer problem as particularly acute in their area, near where a mass preponderance of deer seek refuge in the nearby Jay Heritage Center and Marshlands.

When food runs out there, the population overflow is forced over to residential lawns, where deer make an easy meal of the grass and vegetation they find.

City residents also cite additional hazards caused by overpopulation, including deer causing car-on-deer collisions as well as carrying Lyme disease-bearing ticks and attracting coyotes to residential areas.

Former Rye resident Susan Porto, who serves as executive director of Westchester’s League of Humane Voters, presented her case to the city at a recent meeting for a contraception approach. Porto argued that bow-hunting is inhumane, as it often takes the deer a long time to die from bow and arrow wounds.

Councilwoman Catherine Parker, a Democrat who has done some research on the topic, said she recently reached out to the Greenwich Audubon Society, which has run a deer population control program for nine years that works with hunters, who give the meat from the deer they kill to food banks.

“What seems really clear,” Parker said, “is that we need to know a lot.”

A contraception plan would only work on a “closed population,” where deer cannot migrate to other communities, Parker said.

Municipalities’ typical concern about deer birth control measures is the cost, which can reach up to $500 per deer. The birth control option is still on the table, though, Parker said.

Porto said that Hastings Mayor Peter Swaderski has agreed to implement immuno-contraception for deer there. In 2014, Hastings will issue tranquilizer darts so deer can be injected with the birth control vaccine, which contains a pig protein called PZP.

The Rye City Council has decided it is not prepared to commit to the bow-hunting program proposed by the Westchester Audubon Society for culling deer herds.

If bow-hunting were implemented as a joint pilot program with the Marshlands and Jay Heritage, it is possible the deer problem in Greenhaven would only get worse, not better, she said, if deer migrate to the outskirts onto neighborhood properties.

According to Councilwoman Parker, John Baker, the county parks conservation director, will meet with Greenhaven residents next month to further discuss their deer concerns.

City Manager Scott Pickup said the city is currently looking for partners to share in doing a flyover program using infrared equipment to map actual deer populations from the air, measuring the density per acre.

The city used flyover programs with infrared technology in the summer of 2010, when coyotes attacked young children in separate incidents over a four-day span. But Pickup said the deer work would take more specialized equipment than that used with coyotes.

Pickup said the research would likely cost $10,000 to $20,000.

A plan is expected to come before the City Council by the summer.

Students turn a negative into a positive Elementary school math students know that two negatives create a positive, and that is what S.J. Preston students set out to do.

On Monday April 15, 2013, Principal Jeremy Barker and teachers Susan Spieholtz, Marissa Coulehan, Timothy Poole-DiSalvo and Jennifer Burkhardt had the students of S.J. Preston Elementary participate in their own marathon to raise money for the DanaFarber Cancer Research Institute. Members of the Green Key Service Club helped organize “loose change” donation drives and raffled a signed baseball donated by the ever-gracious Harrison resident Yankee pitcher Mariano Rivera. The students collected over $3,000 for the worthy cause.

Barker pledged the donation, on behalf of his students, to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through his childhood friend, Ty Powers, who was running in his first ever marathon‑the 2013 Boston Marathon. Powers was running in memory of his father, who lost his battle with cancer, and in support of his wife, who was recently diagnosed. The students of Preston participated in their own marathon on

that day and tracked Ty’s progress via GPS. History would be written that fateful day and Powers was turned away by police at the 25.5 mile mark of his 26.3 mile journey.

Barker persuaded Powers to finish the race at Preston school with members of the Green Key Service Club at his side. The students presented Powers with his official Boston Marathon medal for finishing the race along

with a jumbo-sized check.

“For me, it was a real moment of pride,” said Barker. “To see our school community embrace this worthy cause and a person who is a great friend was a moving experience. I am so proud of our Green Key Service Club’s efforts and pleased with the overwhelming response from the entire community of West Harrison.” (Submitted)

Sports

May 10, 2013 • The HARRISON REPORT • 15

Teams to watch Rye Neck baseball Over the course of the season, the Rye Neck Panthers have established themselves as perhaps one of the top teams in all of Class B. The Panthers have an astounding 12-2 record.

What makes the Panthers fun to watch however, is that they aren’t led by one dominant player, but instead have bought into the concept of “team baseball.” They’ve gotten solid performances out of starters like Matt Franks and Matt Garcia, they don’t make many mistakes in the field, and they’ve shown a real knack for getting timely hits. The Panthers aren’t going to beat themselves, which means few other teams are either.

The Tigers have been led by starter Cassie McGrath, who has picked up all 13 wins and boasts a sub-2.00 ERA. Offensively, Tuckahoe is hitting .466 as a team and are again led by McGrath, who is hitting .592.

Tuckahoe softball At 13-0, the Tigers are enjoying their best season in recent memory and turning heads around Section I. Amy DeSalvio’s squad has matched up with bigger schools and never backed down.

Bronxville/Rye girls lacrosse The race for the Class C crown will be a hotly contested one, and two hometown teams are definitely in the mix. The Broncos, led by Gretchen Richter started off strong but went

Mamaroneck girls lacrosse Mamaroneck has been playing well as of late, with players like Keira Taussig providing an offensive boost in the second half of the season. As the reigning league champs, the Tigers will likely have a chance to defend their title on the field on May 9, when they take on Scarsdale. The winner of that tilt will likely claim the 2013 throne.

Chris Cascione hits against Woodlands on April 1. The Panthers have racked up an 12-2 record thanks to inspired team play. Photo/Bobby Begun

through a mini-slump in mid April, dropping games to Lakeland-Panas, Scarsdale and Mahopac. The Garnets have been playing well but are coming off a tough loss to Ossining.

Although there are other teams who could make a case for winning the section this year, it looks like the Broncos and Garnets are on a collision course.

Huskies take top honors at leagues

By MIKE SMITH SPORTS EDITOR sports@hometwn.com

Coby Lefkowitz runs the 110m hurdles at the Fulton Invitational on April 17. Lefkowitz was named league champion in the same event on May 1. Photo/Mike Smith

On May 1, the Harrison track team captured league titles in both boys and girls competition, thanks to some outstanding–and gutsy–performances by the Huskies stars.

Facing stiff competition, the Huskies were able to eek out wins with margins of just 7 points for the girls and 9 points for the boys. With the league titles under their belt, the Huskies will look ahead to this weekend’s Loucks games and the county meet on May 18.

Though Harrison had no shortage of standouts at the league meet, few could have shined brighter than senior sprinter Hannah Hochman.

On the first day of the meet, Hochman won 200m dash, but, in stretching out to edge her competitor at the finish line, took a nasty spill and bruised her knee, elbow and shoulder.

Although there was some concern that she might miss the following day’s events, Hochman soldiered on and excelled, tying the school record with a 12.5 time in the 100m dash.

“I don’t think I ever thought I was going to miss the second day,” said Hochman. “This was important to me, as a senior competing at the league championship.”

According to coach Dominic Zanot, although Hochman’s desire and commitment to her sport were never in question, he was uncertain if the Huskies’ star would be ready to compete on the second day

of the event “We like to think all of our athletes would do that,” said Zanot. “She had never been in a position like that before, but I did know that she takes pride in her competitiveness.”

Of course, Hochman’s heroics would have meant little in the grand scheme of things, had the rest of her teammates not fared as well as they did. Amanda Friedman took first place in the triple jump, while Sam Shopovick carried the long jump.

On the boys end, Deven Jacobi won both the long and triple jumps, Brandon Merluccio took top honors in the discus throw, Hunter Sable won the pentathalon and Coby Lefkowitz finished first in the 110m hurdles. In one of the more surprising finishes, freshman Matt Konigberg shaved 4 seconds off his personal best in the 400m hurdles to place first.

“We knew he would hit that time,” said Zanot.

“We just didn’t know when he would get there.”

With the league hierarchy decided, Harrison’s full squad will again be in action on May 18 when they go up against Westchester’s top teams at the County Championship. According to Hochman, the team is hoping to use the momentum from the past week as they get ready for its next test.

“This was definitely exciting, a lot of people hit personal records, and that was cool,” said Hochman. “At counties, we’re just trying to score as many points as we can and come as close to winning as possible.”

16 • The HARRISON REPORT • May 10, 2013

Sports

Young Huskies look to close out season on high note

By MIKE SMITH SPORTS EDITOR sports@hometwn.com

On May 3, the Harrison Huskies played well from wire-to-wire in a hard-fought win over Clarkstown South. Two days later, their focus waned as they suffered a one-sided loss to Pleasantville. For the 5-9 Huskies, the up-and-down nature of the last few games has been par for the course this season, but in their bright spots, the Huskies have shown why they will be a team to be feared as their players continue to mature.

Harrison outlasted Clarkstown South 10-6 in a game that showcased the many talents of the young Huskies team. Of the team’s 10 points, only two were scored by an upperclassman as senior Kevin Nathanson scored twice. Sophomore Kyle Davidoff led with 3 goals, while Jake Marino and Owen van Tongeren both added 2. Junior Charlie van Tongeren had a goal and an assist.

But head coach Jason Rabinowitz was mostly happy with the defensive effort of his squad against the Vikings, as the defense was active, contesting shots in front of sophomore goalie Steven Forrest, who had 6 saves.

“In the past, sometimes we’ve had a tendency to watch the ball on defense,” said Rabinowitz. “We definitely didn’t do that against Clarkstown, and we did a good job clearing out the crease.”

Robert Mackenzie forces a Viking attacker to get rid of the ball on May 3. The Huskies kicked their defense into high gear against Clarkstown.

Junior Jake Marino tries to get around a Viking defender on May 3. Marino scored twice in the win.

Against Pleasantville, however, the Huskies weren’t able to recreate the performance as they fell 13-6 in a game that saw them tally just 3 goals before the start of the fourth period.

According to Rabinowitz, although the game was definitely a step backwards, it was an aberration in a season which has seen his young team make great strides.

“With the exception of the Pleasantville game, I think we’ve been starting to make better decisions on the field,” said the head coach. “If you look at our goals against, that’s been pretty good, our biggest problem has been finishing when we get the opportunities.”

Harrison will close out the regular season on May 9 with a rematch against rival Rye, who downed the Huskies earlier in the season. According to Rabinowitz, regardless of wins and losses, the Huskies program is headed in the right direction.

“I’ve been happy with the level of play. We’re definitely young, but we’ve got a lot of skill,” he said. “We’ve had a tough schedule and some disappointing games, but these guys are playing together for the first time this year, and I’ve seen a lot in some good games.”

Kyle Davidoff looks to make a move against Clarkstown South on May 3. Harrison beat the Vikings 10-6 Photos/Mike Smith