Eastchester REVIEW THE
January 13, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 2 | www.eastchesterreview.com
Anticipating hotel, Bronxville hires environmental firm By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer
A ban on gun shows held at county facilities was pushed forward by Westchester County lawmakers this week following a razor-thin 9-8 partisan vote, but County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, may have the final say, as a veto looms large. For story, see page 6. Photo/Aaron Kershaw
Bronxville has hired an environmental consultant to conduct additional monitoring of the air and groundwater conditions in the village in anticipation of the remediation of a toxic site less than a mile north in Tuckahoe. “It is within our purview to investigate whether there is any unsafe level of contaminants either in or coming into our village,” said Bronxville Mayor Mary Marvin, a Republican. Marvin said Bronxville is keeping close tabs on a project in Tuckahoe, which includes remediating a former industrial dumping ground under guidelines set by the New York state Department of Environmental Conservation, DEC, and turning that property into a 5-story Marriott hotel and restaurant. Tuckahoe area residents have organized to ask for additional testing on the site since the remediation plan was proposed in April 2016. Marvin said the village chose the firm, Ecosystem Strategies, represented the Greenville and because it was already familiar Hartsdale fire districts. with the Marbledale Road projWinter said that scrutinizing ect. In August, after the DEC the firm for its headquarters’ released its plan of action to relocation and its travel expensmediate the site, the Eastchester es was short-sighted, claiming school district hired that same that the firm’s familiarity with firm to conduct additional site municipal law, and labor and monitoring and testing on the employment law had saved the grounds of the Waverly School, district money in the past. He an early childhood center less lauded Coughlin & Gerhart for than a quarter of a mile from the its work in a recent contract neproposed hotel site on Marblegotiation with the Eastchester dale Road. Professional Firefighters Local Members of the Marbledale 916 union, which put an end Road Environmental Coalition, to the arbitration of a grieva group of petitioners demandance that could have cost the ing more testing on the site, have HOTEL continued on page 8 district more than $7 million over five years. During the meeting, his first Follow us on Twitter @eastchesterview as a commissioner, Rabin also
Town fire district reappoints Binghamton-based law firm By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer In a divided vote, the Eastchester Fire District Board of Fire Commissioners decided 3-2 to reappoint the Binghamton-based law firm Coughlin & Gerhart as the district’s attorneys. During the district’s reorganization meeting on Jan. 3, Anthony Lore, a fire district commissioner, questioned why the fire district was paying for a law firm located more than 150 miles from the town of Eastchester, and suggested, instead, looking to hire a firm located within Westchester County. Lore and newly elected Commissioner Stuart Rabin
voted against reappointing the law firm, but were outvoted by the remaining three commissioners on the board, including Dennis Winter, the board chairman. The firm charges $200 per hour for travel time, according to members of the board. Rabin said, while he wasn’t directly against re-appointing the law firm, he would have supported reviewing alternative local firms. “There’s always an opportunity for the board to take a second look and see if there are local firms that we can hire,” Rabin told the Review. The newly elected commissioner added that most municipalities have an attorney on the dais during public meetings to answer questions pertaining to
legal matters. According to a Google Maps estimate, the one-way travel time from the firm’s Binghamton address to the fire district headquarters in Eastchester could take three hours or more. The firm’s normal hourly rate is $255 per hour. The fire district’s budget for legal fees in 2017 is $270,000, the same as in 2016, and $60,000 less than in 2015.According to Jamie Hedstrom, the fire district’s treasurer, the district only spent about $225,000 from that fund in 2016. The Eastchester Fire District is not the only municipality in Westchester that employs Coughlin & Gerhart. The firm also represents Mount Vernon and New Rochelle, and has
raised concerns that toxins could be emanating from the site in soil vapors or groundwater. In May, Marvin wrote a letter to the DEC echoing the demand for more testing of the site, including additional testing of the off-site groundwater. In the DEC’s plan of action, the agency speculates that groundwater could not flow off-site because it flows into a layer of bedrock. That plan also recommends monitoring the flow of on-site groundwater during work on the site to see if the water flow changes course. In October, as part of its FEMA-funded flood mitigation project, the Bronxville school district tested groundwater on its campus. The test found high levels of heavy metals such as lead and iron, as well as high levels of some pesticides. Dan Carlin, the district’s assistant superintendent for business, said that the school district does not use that water for drinking or irrigation, adding that the area where the samples were taken would be turned into a parking lot. However, after reviewing its school district’s tests, the village of Bronxville decided to hire Ecosystem Strategies to review potential contaminants in the village’s soil and groundwater, according to Jim Palmer, Bronxville’s village manager. “Our feeling is, if there’s some concern in the community, let’s have someone independent come in and look at the data,” Palmer told the Review. Marvin said the village will be attentive to how the project in Tuckahoe could be affecting
FIRM continued on page 9
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2 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • January 13, 2017
January 13, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 3
Cuomo pins inflated taxes on local lawmakers By JAMES PERO Staff Writer With a pit stop at SUNY Purchase College this week, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, completed another leg of his unorthodox statewide State of the State tour, criticizing Westchester lawmakers for cumbersome taxes. On Tuesday, at the college’s Performing Arts Center, Cuomo addressed Westchester County constituents and lawmakers on both the current standing of the state as well as his vision for New York’s future, foregoing a usual singular address to the state’s Legislature for six smaller ones. Cuomo touted the state’s success in passing marriage equality legislation and paid family leave, and the passage of a bill raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Reflection on the state’s significant spending cuts, however, took a front seat in his 45-minute address. “New York state was spending more money than the people in the state were earning,” said Cuomo, standing in front of a projection showing previous governors’ rates of spending. “Let me say that again; the spending increase in New York was higher than the increase in the wages of the people of the state of New York.” According to the governor’s office, state spending has fallen to a generational low rate of 1.4 percent of inflation, compared to previous administrations—including that of Cuomo’s father, Mario Cuomo, a Democrat, and Republican George Pataki— which hovered around 6.5 per-
cent. The governor’s most pointed comments, however, were aimed at local and county-elected officials, who he criticized for levying burdensome property tax rates, which he stated are “killing this state.” To mend the growing strain the state’s property tax—the highest in the country, with Westchester County being the epicenter—has put on residents, Cuomo said it’s incumbent, not on the Legislature, but regional governments, to work together to bring costs down. “You pay high taxes, don’t be mad at me. I’m only the little yellow bar,” Cuomo said pointing to a bar showing the disparity between the median state income tax and local property taxes; $1,800 to $4,700, respectively. To reel in costs, Cuomo announced an initiative that would require every county outside of New York City to prepare a plan to help “streamline” government and cut waste. That plan, according to the governor’s synopsis, would be prepared by each county’s chief executive and would then be subject to public hearings, critiques from the county’s legislative body and local lawmakers, and ultimately a ballot vote by public referendum that would sign the plan into action. According to a statement from Cuomo’s office, the plan would need to “demonstrate real, recurring savings in costs and not simply shift burdens to other taxpayers.” “These 425 local governments in [Westchester] county very rarely come together, sit
together, plan together, cooperate together, and find out how to save money,” Cuomo said, prefacing his initiative. Though Cuomo has positioned the plan as a way of bringing voters and lawmakers together to cut costs, not all elected officials in attendance agreed with his characterization of their legislative processes. Town of Mamaroneck Supervisor Nancy Seligson, a Democrat, who attended Cuomo’s address, said Cuomo’s portrayal of fractious or withdrawn government operations was inaccurate. Seligson said local and county officials already hold a large number of events that aim to bring lawmakers together, including a monthly dinner organized by the Westchester Municipal Officials Association— which consists of 45 towns, villages, and cities countywide— where members discuss areas of mutual concern. Likewise, Chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators Michael Kaplowitz, a Yorktown Democrat who was also in attendance for Cuomo’s address, said the address to local lawmakers was “unproductive.” “The state creates many of the problems we face,” Kaplowitz told the Review. “A huge percentage of our budget is mandated, we don’t have the opportunity to control those costs.” Currently, 75 percent of the county’s budget comes from mandates from both the federal and state governments, the most substantial of which is the county’s contributions to Medicaid costs. Already, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, a
After announcing a new marquee initiative that would see the construction of the country’s largest multi-use trail, spanning 750 miles from Buffalo to New York City, Cuomo addressed burdensome property taxes, pinning the responsibility on regional and local governments. Photo courtesy Governor’s Office
In an unorthodox tour that will not feature a direct address to the state Legislature, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, continued his, six-event, statewide tour, at Purchase College this week. Photo/Andrew Dapolite
Republican, who stated that he did not receive an invitation to the governor’s address, has criticized Cuomo’s claim that county officials are responsible for ballooning property tax rates. “Mr. Cuomo blatantly suggested that my administration is responsible for state-driven property tax hikes,” said Asto-
rino in a statement following the speech. “I would remind the governor that I have never once raised the county tax levy—not for seven straight years—while Mr. Cuomo’s state mandates have ravaged county, municipal and school budgets.” In 2014, Astorino ran against Cuomo in a bid for governor but lost by a substantial mar-
gin. Pundits believe Astorino is again mulling another gubernatorial run in 2018. After press time, Cuomo will complete the final leg of his six-event statewide tour, making stops in Long Island, Syracuse, and a penultimate address in Albany. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
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What’s going on... Eastchester Public Library
For more information on hours and programs, visit eastchesterlibrary.org. The library will be closed on Monday, Jan. 16 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
20/30-Somethings Book Chat/Coloring Night On Wednesday, Jan. 18 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Join fellow 20- and 30-somethings for a book chat of this month’s book, while relaxing and coloring in some pictures. This month’s book is “Idiot Brain” by Dean Burnett. Copies of the books are available at the circulation desk. Pictures and colored pencils will be provided. Light refreshments will be served. This new program for adults in their 20s and 30s will meet monthly and explore a variety of genres. Registration is required online. For more information, contact Elizabeth Portillo at 721-8109 or eportillo@wlsmail.org.
Earring workshop On Wednesday, Jan. 25 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Join local Bling’s the Thing founder, Joan Lloyd, in making earrings for a cause. For every pair you make to keep, you make one to be donated to a women’s shelter. Right now, Lloyd donates about 900 pair a month. This workshop is free and no previous jewelry-making experience is necessary. Just bring your creativity. However, if anyone has any bead jewelry (including broken) that Lloyd can cut up and use for earrings, that is helpful for donations. This workshop is open to teens in sixth grade and up and interested adults. Each participant must register online individually as space is limited. For more information, contact Elizabeth Portillo at 721-8109 or eportillo@wlsmail.org.
Children’s play meeting On Wednesday, Feb. 1 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. For children in grades 3-5. Online registration is required as space is limited. For more information, contact Jonathan Heifetz at 721-8105 or jheifetz@wlsmail.org. An original script (working title: “The Sea Son’s Quest”) is currently being developed, and
will be performed at the library. It is loosely based on Rick Riordan’s “The Lightning Thief,” the first in his bestselling Percy Jackson & the Olympians series of fantasy books rooted in Greek mythology. This is the second year the library is offering this unique program, which combines the love of reading and creativity with public performance. Participation in this project requires an eightweek commitment. All participants are also expected to read “The Lightning Thief.” There will be seven practices, mostly on Wednesday nights. Tentatively there will be two public performances, one on Wednesday, March 29, with the second that following weekend. Any child who is interested in participating is strongly encouraged to attend this initial meeting. If they cannot make the meeting but still wish to participate, please contact Jonathan in the Children’s Room. Roles will be assigned at the discretion of the children who are writing and directing the play, as well as the children’s librarian. Additional roles such as crew and set design will be needed aside from acting roles.
Bronxville Public Library For more information on library hours and programs, visit bronxvillelibrary.org. The library will be closed on Monday, Jan. 16 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Social Needlers On Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to noon. This is a weekly knitting and crochet hour. Socialize while making beautiful items which we donate to the Visiting Nurse Service of New York.
10 Signs of Alzheimer’s On Friday, Jan. 20 from 11 a.m. to 11:25 p.m. This program provides information about memory loss versus normal aging. Learn about risk factors, the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s and resources to help. Registration is required. Call 337-7680 ext. 24 or email bronxvillelibrary@gmail.com.
cannot attend after registering, you must notify the library to free up a space.
Tuckahoe Public Library For more information on library hours and programs, visit tuckahoe.com/library. The library will be closed on Monday, Jan. 16 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Plant and Animal Defenses On Monday, Jan. 23 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Can you think of a plant and animal that both have spikes? How about a plant and animal that are both poisonous and smelly? Be amazed at how the plant and animal worlds are connected in the ways their inhabitants defend themselves. Through a collection of live animals, plants and nature artifacts, listen to a nature expert describe how similar the animal and plant kingdoms can be. Enjoy this participatory workshop with plenty of time for questions and the opportunity to meet the animals. Please visit or call the library at 961-2121 to register for this fun and informative program for teens. Presented by the New Canaan Nature Center.
NewYork-Presbyterian/Lawrence Hospital The NewYork-Presbyterian/Lawrence Hospital is located at 55 Palmer Road in Bronxville. For more information, visit nyp.org.
Joint Replacement and Surgery Patient Education classes Every Wednesday from 9:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. in the NYP/Lawrence lobby Conference Room. This free class will teach patients scheduled for joint replacement surgery what to expect before and after an operation. To register, call 787-2119.
Westchester Italian Cultural Center The Westchester Italian Cultural Center is located at 1 Generoso Pope Place in Tuckahoe. For more information, call 771-8700 or visit wiccny.org.
CPR/AED training class for adults
First Battle of the Lasagna
On Saturday, Jan. 21 from 10 a.m. to noon. This is an American Heart Association CPR/AED training class for adults and caregivers. This two-year certification covers child, infant and adult CPR and defibrillation. Advance registration online is a must, as the class is for 12 participants only. If you
On Saturday, Jan. 21 from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Celebrate a favorite traditional Italian dish made in different ways all over Italy. Indulge in delicious tastings of different recipes made by expert chefs; enjoy a chef’s demonstration and take home recipes; learn about the rich history and tradition of this favorite dish popular from North to South; vote for your favorite recipe; and John Mariani will present a Best Recipe Award. Must register in advance and prepay. Members $25; non-members $35. For upto-date information about participating chefs and restaurants, visit wiccny.org or call 771-8700.
She’s not crazy, her name just rhymes with it. Read Lenore Skenazy’s column every week in the Review. A past contributor to the Daily News and the New York Sun, Skenazy has also appeared on “The Daily Show,” been profiled in the New Yorker and even had her own reality TV show, “World’s Worst Mom.”
Eastchester Recreation Winter Vacation Camp Over the school February break, the Eastchester Recreation Department offers weeklong minicamps for Eastchester, Bronxville and Tuckahoe residents in grades K-6. Activities will include arts and crafts, circle games, entertainment, trips and a lunch party. These camps are limited to 40 campers, and sign-up is taken on a first-come, firstserved basis up until the registration deadline of Friday, Feb. 10. The camps run from Tuesday, Feb. 21 to Friday, Feb. 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., or 5
p.m. for the extended day option. The camps will be held at Haindl Field House, 3 Gabriel Rescigno Drive in Scarsdale. Fee: $175 for sessions ending at 3 p.m.; $240 for sessions ending at 5 p.m. Make checks payable to the Town of Eastchester. To register and for more information, visit eastchester. org/departments/recreation.
WestCop/ECAP Annual MLK Breakfast The 32nd annual MLK Breakfast will be held on Monday, Jan. 16 at 9 a.m. at the Reformed Church of Bronxville, located at 180 Pondfield Road in Bronxville. Tickets are $30 for adults, $15 for children age 12 and under. Call 337-7768 for more information.
Village Lutheran Church The Village Lutheran Church is located at 172 White Plains Road in Bronxville. For more information, call 337-0207 or visit vlc-ny.org.
Good News Christian Coffee House The next Good News Christian Coffee House will be held on Saturday, Jan. 14, featuring Baz McGuire. The Coffee House opens at 7 p.m. with coffee and pastries. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for students, $3 for children ages 5 to 12.
Men’s Bible Study Men’s Bible Study meets on the third Saturday of each month, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The next meeting is on Jan. 21. Attendees are invited to bring a breakfast item to share as the group studies 1 Corinthians.
Women’s Bible Study Meeting on Saturday, Jan. 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Please read the Book of Joshua Chapters 7 to 10, and the group will discover that the only failures the Israelites faced under Joshua’s leadership were when he neglected to seek God’s counsel in prayer. Bring a healthy dish to share.
Jewish Community Center in Scarsdale Alzheimer’s Association workshop On Tuesday, Jan. 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 pm. Know the 10 signs. If you or someone you know is experiencing memory loss of behavioral changes, it’s time to learn the facts. Early detection of Alzheimer’s disease gives you a chance to begin drug therapy, enroll in clinical studies, and plan for the future. This interactive workshop features video clips of people with Alzheimer’s. This workshop is hosted by the Jewish Community Center, located at 999 Wilmot Road in Scarsdale. For more information, call 472-3300. Visit alz.org/10Signs for more information on the Alzheimer’s Association. This program is supported in part by a grant from the New York State Department of Health. Deadline for our What’s Going On section is every Thursday at noon. Though space is not guaranteed, we will do our best to accommodate your listing. Please send all items to news@hometwn.com.
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Student-technicians offer support via help desk Teen technicians at Bronxville High School are part of an innovative full-year program and curriculum work that has emboldened them to pursue their interests in technology and apply their knowledge in reallife situations. As members of the Student Help Desk, they’re equipped to support the entire district and assist their peers and teachers in resolving a wide range of technology issues. The Student Help Desk program was offered as a course to 11 students this academic year after its introduction last fall to a handful of students who were the first ones to use the online Help Desk system called ServiceNow, which is used by professionally trained technicians. Through the program, the students are able to investigate a new educational topic each week, explore new interests and participate in troubleshooting throughout the district. In addition, students who participated in the program last year but were unable to fit the course into their schedules are still able to participate by attending meetings and assisting with projects.
“I’ve always had a fascination with hackers and how they could essentially do whatever they wanted on the Internet if they were good enough,” said sophomore Nicole Semenyuk, who enrolled in the program this year after studying coding and computer science her freshman year. So far, she’s been able to apply her coding knowledge to a series of online screencasts, which are instructional “how-to” videos designed to help people understand how technology works. Senior Liam Siegal, who enrolled in the course after studying coding and theater technology his junior year with instructional technology specialist Brad Ashley, said he joined the Student Help Desk because of his strong desire to help people while also enriching his technology skills and knowledge. “The Student Help Desk has taught me how to solve problems,” said Siegal, who answers assigned tickets such as connecting a TV monitor to the network, establishing a Wi-Fi connection, rebooting computers for students, and more. “Often, the
problems we have are a simple fix that we would never have thought of. So, you just have to be open-minded and creative with how you find a solution to your problem.” As part of the program, students are able to explore a wide range of interests that include troubleshooting, website development, computer science and programming, cybersecurity, film production and theater technology. Siegal, who remains involved in theater technology, said he has become proficient in operating the state-of-the-art lighting and sound booth in the district’s auditorium. “The coolest part was seeing how a small command can manipulate how the stage looks,” he said. “Lights and music can create a certain sense and vibe for people without anything else, which is the amazing part of how one basic [computer command] can make such a big impact.” Jennifer Forsberg, Bronxville School director of technology, said the program is designed to engage students in different aspects of technology and encour-
Bronxville High School sophomore Maddie Hanley and senior Liam Siegel operate the state-of-the-art lighting and sound booth in the district’s auditorium. Photo courtesy Bronxville school district
age them to be leaders and innovators in their school and greater community, which are skills closely aligned with the dispositions of the Bronxville Promise. They’re also able to enhance their leadership skills and think
critically when walking into a classroom to solve a problem. Forsberg said that the studenttechnicians, who don’t have access to proprietary information like passwords, maintain a blog on a number of computer science
topics and recently launched a Twitter account. For more information on the Student Help Desk, visit bxvshd. wordpress.com and follow the student-technicians on Twitter at @bxvhelpdesk. (Submitted)
6 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • January 13, 2017
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County lawmakers pass gun show ban
By JAMES PERO Staff Writer The tight passage of a bill banning gun shows at countyowned facilities by Westchester lawmakers this week may be all for naught as final approval is likely to be vetoed by the county executive. The bill, which was approved by a 9-8 partisan vote of the 17-member county Board of Legislators on Monday, Jan. 9, comes less than two weeks before a scheduled gun show at the County Center in White Plains; the occurrence of which was only made apparent late last month, according to some Democratic lawmakers. But according to County Attorney Robert Meehan, even if the bill were signed into law by County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, prior to the show, the county would be contractually obligated to let the expo go forward, or risk litigation. The show is poised to net $29,000, according to representative from the county Parks Department, and there are currently no other gun shows scheduled for this year. Following its approval, the bill will now go before Astorino where the county executive is
The Rev. Troy Decohen, of Mount Vernon Heights Congregation, spoke in support of the ban passed on Jan. 9. Just under two weeks ago, 13-year-old Shamoya McKenzie, a Mount Vernon resident, was killed by a stray bullet on New Year’s Eve.
expected to veto its passage. At that point, the veto would be sent back to lawmakers who would then require a super majority vote to override the county executive’s veto. A super majority requires the vote of 12 members of the Board of Legislators. Majority Leader John Testa, a Republican, who spoke to the Review last week, said passage of the law—which would require an override of Astorino’s veto and three Republican votes—is unlikely. According to Joe Sgamatto, a spokesman for the Democratic Caucus, legislators will have up to a year to call for an override
in the event of a veto from Astorino. The bill, part of a Democratic initiative last discussed at a committee meeting in June 2016, looks to effectively reinstate a ban on gun shows originally imposed by former County Executive Andrew Spano, a Democrat, in 1999 which lapsed in 2010, the year Astorino first took office. More recently, public debate over the circulation of guns in Westchester reignited after a gun store opened in Harrison less than 1,000 feet from an elementary school late last year, spurring a torrent of backlash from residents, and an online petition garnering 3,500 signatures. Since then, at least one community, the village of Rye Brook, has begun drafting legislation regulating the operation of gun stores within a certain proximity to schools. The county proposal has already proven divisive in both the Legislature and amongst residents countywide who filled the legislative chambers in White Plains on Monday to show their support and objections to a potential ban. While Democratic lawmakers have characterized gun shows at the County Center as a liability and potential gateway for illeResidents from across the county gathered outside the Westchester County Office on Monday to hold a candlelight vigil for victims of gun violence in anticipation of a vote on gun show on county facilities. Photos/Aaron Kershaw
Westchester county residents on both sides of the debate came bearing signs showing support and opposition of the ban on gun shows held at county facilities.
gal “straw sales”—purchasers who pose as the actual owner of firearms—Republicans have called any such ban unconstitutional and ultimately ineffective in curbing illegal sales. Republicans have also introduced their own legislation regulating gun shows which would adopt a set of rules outlined by New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman through proposed local laws. Among other items, the rules would codify procedures on proper signage regarding background checks as well as proper procedure for federally licensed firearm dealers. Which agency would be responsible for enforcement, according to Sgamatto, remains to be seen. The Rev. Troy Decohen of Mount Vernon Heights Congregation, who also took part in a candlelight vigil for victims of gun violence held outside the legislative chambers on Monday,
echoed Democratic sentiments. “They claim that [the guns] get into the hands of only good people; people that are trying to do right,” Decohen said on Monday. “If one gun gets out from the gun show, it’s one gun too much; if one gets into the hands of the wrong person, it’s one too much.” On the other side of the aisle, residents like Scott Sommavilla, president of the Westchester Gun Owners Association, feel the ban, and rhetoric surrounding it, paints an unfair picture of how gun purchases in the county, and statewide, work. “You can’t just come in buy a gun and go home with it,” Sommavilla said. Because of requirements, like those outlined by the New York State Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement, SAFE, Act, Sommavilla said straw sales would be highly unlikely. “No one goes out into the parking lot and sells a gun,” he said, referencing strict licensing and serial number requirements. “If that gun is used in a crime, it’s coming back to you.” George Longworth, commissioner of county Public Safety, said at a joint Board of Legislators committee meeting last week that there are no recorded illegal gun sales that have been directly attributed to the gun shows recorded. Public hearings on the proposed rules are set to be held at the Westchester County Center’s Little Theater on Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. Speakers may sign up to give their input starting at 6:15 p.m. Ned McCormack, communications director for the county executive, could not be reached for comment as of press time. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
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The year ahead in Bronxville
HOTEL from page 1
BRONXVILLE TODAY Mayor Mary Marvin
This is the time of year that the village trustees, as many of you also do in your personal and business lives, evaluate the successes/failures/unfinished goals of the year just past and set the initiatives for the year ahead. The following are items on the trustees’ front burner to discuss in the coming months. Not all will be acted upon, but all will get a thorough vetting and evaluation to determine their priority, mindful of the tax implications.
Department of Public Works facility Bronxville has hired an environmental consultant, Ecosystem Strategies, to monitor air and groundwater conditions in the village while the DEC-supervised Brownfield Cleanup project begins 1 mile north in Tuckahoe. File photo
the contaminants in Bronxville. “Contaminated air and water don’t stop at village borders,” she said. The coalition has asked for support from surrounding communities since the DEC approved the project last July. Members of the group said
Bronxville’s interest in additional testing was a step in the right direction. “We were very pleased that Bronxville is taking safety action by hiring a consultant, and we’re hoping that the consultant will be permitted to work along with [the coalition’s indepen-
dent geologist],” said Rachel Zolottev, a member of the coalition. Paul Ciminello, president of Ecosystem Strategies, could not be reached for comment as of press time. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com
Not remodeled in any material way since its construction in 1942, it is woefully inadequate for 2017 needs and operations. Our equipment no longer fits in our bays. As a result, our mechanics have to repair equipment in the street on a public right of way or farm out jobs at a greatly increased cost to the village. Our very specialized equipment now sits outside 24/7, decreasing its useful life by one-third to one-half. The structure also leaks and storage space is nonexistent. But most importantly, our DPW staff deserves better working conditions than they currently enjoy.
FEMA flood mitigation project Massive in scope for our village and over $7million in cost, we will shepherd this to completion. The good news is, as of press time, it is both on schedule and on budget. The end result promises to protect the school and nearby residential environs from storms of the 75-year catastrophic event.
Lighting Still perfecting the lighting intensity in the Pondfield Road/Park Place neighborhood, we will be expanding the program focusing on the light quality, intensity and environmental benefit of changing fixtures
throughout the village. First on the docket will be on the West Side in the area of the train station and traffic circle. The upgrades will then extend into the residential areas. Mirroring our neighbors in Scarsdale who are undertaking same, we will try many different permutations and then solicit homeowner feedback. Unlike in the business district, we are not as constrained by illumination requirements in our residential areas.
Parking Coming as no surprise, our parking consultant—who was helping us with meter timing, allocating spaces among commuters, merchants and customers, and maximizing the use of the Kensington garage soon to come online—looked at our resources and determined our inventory is too small for our needs. As a result, we will be discussing the idea of a parking deck, the possibility of working with the Avalon to remove the former gas station in their lot to accommodate 20-plus more cars, and discussing with NewYork Presbyterian - Lawrence Hospital a possible public/private parking venture. We are also looking at maximizing the current inventory of spaces by experimenting with a dual use for some spaces. As example, a merchant might use a space until 5 p.m., and then a commuter would return home and occupy the same space until morning. It could be a winwin. The space cost would be reduced for both users while the village, in essence, doubles usable inventory.
Sewer infrastructure Given our aged infrastructure (some of the repairs I have witnessed have been on crumbling clay pipes with a marking of 1906!), the cleaning, televising and subsequent repairs of our pipes remains a high priority. Preventive maintenance is so much less costly than emergency repairs. The program is
expensive, disruptive and certainly the least sexy in the village, but most probably the most important going forward.
Comprehensive plan We have undertaken analysis of our codes/regulations as they relate to the business district in an effort to remain a competitive choice for opening new businesses in Westchester communities. As example, we are discussing whether it makes sense to limit service businesses to second floors on certain village streets. Should auxiliary services be allowed in first-floor stores that sell a complementary product? What is the right balance of outdoor dining and the display of merchandise on the sidewalks versus uncluttered wider passage? On the residential front, some of the issues open for discussion will be: • Do our floor area ratios currently allow for structures that are too large for our neighborhoods? • Are the time frames on building permits too long for the peace and enjoyment of a neighborhood by surrounding homeowners? • How do we regulate the increasing requests for yard generators and solar panels? • Should permit holders be required to alert neighbors when their work will be particularly disruptive? i.e., rock chipping, soil removal. As is evident, some of the initiatives are major in scope for our village, others require request for proposals and long lead times, and others are quality of life issues, small but evocative of how we care about our village. So while we discuss the “big” items, we will be washing benches, sidewalks and refuse cans, polishing brass plaques, trimming trees, and keeping all lights working in every neighborhood.
Town of Eastchester’s
Official Newspaper
January 13, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 9
Manhattanville changes bus service schedule
FIRM from page 1
The Manhattanville College administration has decided to reinstate its Valiant Express schedule to what it was before being changed in September 2015. Starting in 2017, the shuttle bus will once again pick up students in downtown White Plains as late as 2:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Photo courtesy Karina Cordova
By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer The Eastchester Fire District will retain its Binghamton-based law firm, Couglin & Gerhart, after two members of the board questioned whether the district would be better suited with a local firm during the year’s first meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners. File photo
criticized the board for its budget surplus—nearly $1.4 million in 2016—saying it was unfair to taxpayers to collect that much unexpended money. According to Winter, the district’s cash
reserves are collected to pay unpredictable expenses such as tax certioraris and contingencies. Winter added that over the last five years, the district has begun paying all of its tax
certioraris from cash reserves. Winter could not be reached for additional comment as of press time. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com
Former HUD monitor to run for NJ governor The housing monitor who was appointed to oversee Westchester County’s compliance with a 2009 affordable housing settlement before resigning in August 2016 will run in New Jersey’s Democratic primary this year, seeking the nomination to run for governor in November. James Johnson, a former federal prosecutor who also served in the U.S. Department of the Treasury under former President Bill Clinton’s administration, announced his candidacy for governor of New Jersey in late 2016. The news came 15 weeks after Johnson sent a letter to U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Denise Cote, resigning from his position as monitor overseeing Westchester’s compliance with a consent decree with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD. Johnson had served in that role for seven years. Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, had battled Johnson as the HUD monitor since taking
James Johnson, the former federal court-appointed monitor who oversaw Westchester County’s adherence to a 2009 affordable housing settlement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will run for New Jersey’s Democratic nominee for governor in 2017. Photo courtesy jimjohnson4governor.com
office in 2010, often accusing him of overreaching on behalf of the federal government. During a press conference on Dec. 27, while announcing that the county had met the terms of its
settlement with HUD to build 750 units of affordable housing before 2017, Astorino commented on Johnson’s plans to run for governor as a Democrat. “If that doesn’t tell you he was partisan from the very beginning, I don’t know what will,” he said. Johnson will challenge at least seven other candidates—including New Jersey state Assemblyman John Wisniewski—for the Democratic nominee in a statewide primary. There are currently three Republican candidates as well. Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican who ran in the presidential primary in 2016, cannot run for governor again in 2017 due to the state’s two-term limit. Astorino, who is in the final year of his second term as county executive, has also hinted at another run of his own for governor of New York state in 2018. He ran in 2014, losing to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, by a 14 percent margin. In New York state, there is no term limit on the governor’s office. -Reporting by Corey Stockton
The Manhattanville College administration has officially modified its shuttle bus service in response to criticism from the student body about the safety of its current schedule and in wake of the death of one of its students. On Wednesday, Dec. 14, Sharlise Smith Rodriguez, the college’s dean of students, sent a letter to the student body alerting them of upcoming changes in policy for the 2017-18 academic year. According to the memo, following discussions with students, faculty, staff and alumni, and parents, the college’s administration will reinstate the Friday and Saturday late night hours for the Valiant Express from the college to downtown White Plains; specifically, the 1:30 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. late night bus runs will be reinstated.
In September 2015, the college altered the campus bus route schedule for Friday and Saturday nights, which typically returned to campus as late as 3:30 a.m. Under the current bus schedule, the Valiant Express makes its final return to campus at 1:30 a.m. The change in the school’s bus service comes in wake of the death of 21-year-old Robby Schartner, who was killed in October while walking back from a night out in downtown White Plains during the early morning hours. Schartner was struck and killed by Emma Fox, of Rye, who police say was intoxicated at the time of the incident. At the time, police measured Fox with a blood alcohol level of 0.21; the legal limit in New York state is 0.08. It is unclear if the schedule change to the Valiant Express was made as a result of
Schartner’s death. “By not having those hours, you’re waiting for an accident to happen; and it may have already happened with the recent loss the school took,” said Gianni Mogrovejo, a Manhattanville senior. As part of the change, the college will discontinue the early morning runs that transport students from the college to and from White Plains from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Monday through Friday. J.J. Pryor, the college’s managing director of the office of communications, could not be reached for comment, as of press time. Fox, who is charged with an aggravated DWI and first-degree vehicular manslaughter, is currently scheduled to reappear in White Plains City Court on Jan. 6, 2017. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
10 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • January 13, 2017
Why we should be cautiously thankful in 2017 County to hold public hearing on Bee-Line fare hikes HISTORICALLY SPEAKING Richard Forliano
The Eastchester historical community in this new year have much to be thankful for. Five years ago, planning began for the 350th anniversary of the town of Eastchester in 2014. Over that time, we have learned more about the rich historical heritage of the community than in the preceding 370 years. Let us not forget that Anne Hutchinson in 1642 became our first resident 22 years before the founding of the town. Few communities in the United States can attest to so rich a history. In many ways, the birth of the American nation took place in Westchester County. Happily, Eastchester and its two villages has been able to avoid a growing national trend that has even reached some Westchester communities to dismantle or sell historic sites along with consolidating collections that are not available to the general public. In 2016, the Scarsdale Historical Society was forced to sell one of its historic buildings on its grounds, the Cudner-Hyatt house. The Eastchester Historical Society still maintains two buildings; a one-room school house that also serves as a museum and a research library and presentation center. Eastchester is blessed with not one but six historic agencies that document different aspects of our historic
heritage. Collectively, these organizations run excellent historical programs, and maintain websites filled with photographs, illustrations, maps, PowerPoint slide presentations, YouTube videos and interesting articles about our local history: • Eastchester Historical Society: eastchesterhistoricalsociety.org • St. Paul’s National Historic Site: nps.gov/sapa/index.htm • The Bronxville Conservancy: bronxvillehistoricalconservancy.org • The Tuckahoe History Committee: tuckahoe.com/ history-committee/pages/tuckahoes-history-photos • Westchester Italian Cultural Center: wiccny.org • The Anne Hutchinson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution: news. hrvh.org/ritage Taking into consideration the busy, hectic life of the 21st century, there is a concerted effort by these historical agencies to reach out in new ways to the larger community. One of the most exciting of initiatives, spearheaded by the Bronxville village historian Eloise Morgan, has been the digitization of 10 local newspapers dating from the beginning of the 20th into the 21st century. This massive project was financed by the profits from the sale of the first length book on Eastchester history, “Out of the Wilderness,” and a generous grant from the Bronxville Conservancy. Another national trend that important steps are being taken
to avoid is moving away from the teaching of local history in the schools to focus on standardized testing. The three school districts of Eastchester, Bronxville, and Tuckahoe are working at embedding local history into the curriculum of the respective school districts. Special emphasis will be placed on both the bonds that tie the three communities together and those qualities that make the town and its two villages unique. But while the Eastchester historical community has much to be thankful for, we face serious challenges. If these challenges are not met, the recent gains that have been made will be lost. The gains in the last few years come at a price in both time and money. The maintenance of buildings, utilizing technology, developing and running websites, putting on interesting programs, training staff and teachers, and communicating with the public are constant problems that require time and money. All of our historic agencies need your help. It would be great if individuals would add some new year’s resolutions. Become a member of at least one of the historical societies in town. Come to the excellent programs that elucidate our rich history. Volunteer to help the organization that you decide to join. Please contact us at historian@eastchesterhistoricalsociety.org about any comments or questions you might have about this column. Any questions about sources of information will be answered.
Westchester County’s Bee-Line bus service could increase its fares this year as part of the MTA’s financial plan through 2020, and may also make rate increase changes in 2019. Photo/Corey Stockton
By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer The cost to ride Westchester County’s Bee-Line bus service could increase in early 2017, following the outcome of a January public hearing. County officials have scheduled a public hearing for Monday, Jan. 23 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Westchester County Center, seeking input from residents on two MTA-proposed plans for MetroCard price increases, called Proposal 1 and Proposal 2. Westchester adopted the MetroCard system in 2007, tethering the Bee-Line prices to the prices for New York City buses and subways, but also allowing for a free transfer between the two systems. The MTA intends to increase its bus and subway fare this year as part of its long-term financial plan. Both Proposal 1 and Proposal 2 would increase the cost of the seven-day unlimited pass from $31 to $32 and would increase the 30-day unlimited pass from $116.50 to
$121. Only Proposal 2 would increase the single ride price, or base fare, from $2.75 to $3. That plan would also keep fares for senior citizens and riders with disabilities at half-price, while Proposal 1 would slightly reduce that rate. For those who purchase a 30-day pass each month, the annual cost increase would be $54 per year for either of the two new plans. Student MetroCard costs would increase by $2 on either proposal. However, the bus fare would not increase for the Westchester-Manhattan Express line; that fare costs $7.50 per ride. In July 2016, the county raised fares on its curb-to-curb Bee-Line service for those with disabilities, ParaTransit, from $4 per trip to $5. The Americans with Disabilities Act allows the county to charge twice the rate of normal bus fare for ParaTransit. According to Daniel Branda, a spokesman for the county administration, Westchester had the option to decline the MTA’s proposed fare hikes, but
would have had to renegotiate its agreement with MTA to use the MetroCard, which he said would have been impractical. According to the MTA’s 2016–2019 financial plan, the bus fare increase would take place on March 1, coinciding with rate increases across several of the MTA’s services, including the New York City subway system. The same financial plan suggests a similar fare increase in March 2019. The transit authority has planned rate increases every odd year since 2009, most recently in March 2015, when the price of a single ride increased by 25 cents to the current rate. During that price change, the seven-day and 30-day passes increased by $1 and $4.50, respectively. In addition to the public hearing, the county is also soliciting written comments through email at beeline@westchester. gov or by mail to the county Department of Transportation, but will not accept written comments submitted after Jan. 25. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com
Town of Eastchester
Official Newspaper Following a national trend, the Scarsdale Historical Society has sold one of their historic buildings, the Cudner-Hyatt house. Photo courtesy Richard Forliano
Eastchester Schools
January 13, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 11
12 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • January 13, 2017
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LEGAL NOTICES Notice of Formation of Kayefe, LLC. Arts of Org. filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 8/02/16. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Kenneth F. Eichler, 134 Seton Drive, New Rochelle NY 10804. Purpose: any lawful activity. Notice of Formation of LEONE ONE LLC. Art.of Org. filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 11/30/16. Office location : Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 9 Cedar St. Tuckahoe. NY 10707. Purpose: any lawful activity. NOTICE OF FORMATION of Frayne Associates, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on October 4, 2016. Location: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent for service of process on LLC. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to Frayne Associates, LLC located at 84 Summit Ave., Bronxville, NY 10708. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Todd Huttunen, duly appointed Assessor of the Village of Tuckahoe, N.Y. has filed with the Village Clerk the Tentative Assessment Roll of the Village of Tuckahoe upon which taxes for fiscal year June 1, 2017 to May 31, 2018 will be levied. Also, the Board of Assessment Review and the Assessor will meet for the purpose of completing said Roll and hearing determining complaints in relation thereto at Village Hall Meeting Room (65 Main Street) on the 21st day of February 2017, between the hours of 5 P.M. and 9 P.M. A copy of the Tentative Assessment Roll may be seen at the Office of the Village Clerk, Room, 206, Village Hall, and 65 Main Street during the business hours of 8:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. Monday to Friday from the date of February 1, 2017 until February 21, 2017. Grievance Forms may be obtained at the office of the Village Clerk. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Camille DiSalvo, Village Clerk Dated Tuckahoe, N.Y. January 5, 2017
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January 13, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 13
Attention, passengers RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy
To celebrate the opening of the Second Avenue subway, we have commissioned the first New York Guide to Subway Jargon. Here it is—98 years in the making! Sick Passenger (noun): Patently lame excuse for lateness. e.g., “I meant to call you on your birthday, but there was a sick passenger on the train ahead of us.” Zizmor (noun): A blemish or disfiguration that causes the stomach to lurch. e.g., “When I finally pulled the leech off my nose it left an oozing Zizmor.” Hand Shame (verb): To accidentally grab the pole where someone else is already grabbing it. Kinky Pinky (verb): To deliberately grab the pole where someone else is already grabbing it. Hangry Birds (noun, plural): Hunger pangs activated by the smell of someone else’s fried chicken. See also: “Colonel Knowledge” (knowing that someone on the train is carrying KFC, but not being visually able to locate the source). Instant Grampification (noun): The shock one feels upon being offered a seat by someone you thought was your age. (fem: Grammafication) Doork (noun): Dork who blocks the door without realizing it. Joork (noun): Jerk who knows he’s blocking the door but keeps standing there, watching people
maneuver around him. Bunwich (noun): The very tight space between two other commuters. Snudge (noun): A real nudge pretending to be inadvertent. Train Traffic Ahead (noun): Colloquial for, “Brace yourself for bad news.” e.g., “The boss called a special meeting for 3 o’clock today. Could be train traffic ahead.” Nod Squad (noun, plural): Two or more passengers napping on the same bench. Warm Shoulder (noun): The shoulder a stranger has fallen asleep on. Sniff & Run (noun): An extremely under-populated car surrounded by extremely overcrowded cars. Grudge Budge (noun): The grimace made by a person who must move over an inch to make room for you. Grudge Buddies (noun, plural): The bonding emotion felt by former grudge budger and grudgee when they must make room for someone else. BBB (adj.): Short for “Baby Bump Blindness.” To not notice an eight-months’ pregnant woman holding onto the strap in front of you while you sit playing Candy Crush. Blobstacle (noun): Escalator rider who stands on the left side, not moving. ROTFL (noun): Anything “Rolling on the Floor Loudly,” e.g., an empty Snapple bottle. Point and Shoo (verb): To indicate a wet or sticky spot on the seat before someone sits down. New Natives (noun, plural): People who got on just one stop
before you, but act as if they own the seat. L-and-Back (noun): A hipster. Literally, someone who takes the L back and forth to their coding job. Tooth Squad (noun, plural): Individuals dedicated to blacking out the teeth of smiling news teams on subway ads. Bubbleheads (noun, plural): Individuals who add word and thought bubbles to posters, usually referencing the president, police or private parts. NJ Devils (noun, plural): Young people from New Jersey who drink in Greenwich Village then add devil horns to PATH train posters before vomiting and heading home. Box Shock (adj.): To be suddenly awakened by a boom box and someone’s sneakers near your nose. Family Dollar (verb): To give a single dollar to a subway performer or performers on behalf of all the members of your family. Post-a-Boo (verb): To sneak a peek at your neighbor’s Post. Peek-a-News (verb): To sneak a peek at your neighbor’s Daily News. A.M. Mayhem (noun): Being offered an A.M. New York by three or more people on your way into the train. Suspicious Package (noun): Male standing too close. Second Avenue (verb): To take longer than anyone thought possible. e.g., “I ordered my burger at 4 and they Second Avenued it at 11!”
#WestchesterSmart mobile app bowl returns Have an idea for a mobile app? Learn from the best, turn your idea into a reality and compete against the region’s top young techies at the third annual #WestchesterSmart Mobile App Development Bowl. Register your high school or college team today to guarantee a spot in the contest. Registration required no later than Monday, Jan. 30. There is no entry fee to compete. To learn more about the contest, sponsorship opportunities or how to be a judge, send an email to MobileAppContest@pace.edu. “The #WestchesterSmart Mobile App Development Bowl is a fun way to foster the talents of our students and push the boundaries of their potential,” said County Executive Rob Astorino. “At the same time, the contest is focused on creating apps that improve life for senior citizens, adding an intergenerational component. I want to thank Pace University for its continued partnership in making this competition possible.” The contest is a joint initiative of Astorino’s Office of Economic Development and Pace University’s Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems. The purpose is to challenge students to put themselves on the “MAAP” by creating “Mobile Apps for Aging Populations.” Specifically, apps are being sought that improve an aspect of daily life for people
ages 65 and older. Cash prizes, paid internships and tech gear are all up for grabs for the winning teams. Last year, more than 250 students from the tri-state region participated in the contest. “We’re proud to again cosponsor and host the annual #WestchesterSmart Mobile App Development Bowl,” said Dr. Jonathan Hill, dean of the Seidenberg School. “This contest helps motivate students to develop an interest in STEM and provides the tri-state area’s most ambitious high school and college students an opportunity to learn how Pace University can help shape them into the next generation of coders, innovators, and technology leaders.” Students must compete in teams (two-person minimum). More than one team from the same school is permitted. Students may form and register independent teams without school affiliation. Students can also register as individuals, and Pace will assist them in forming a team. Students and team coaches will work to develop mobile apps that will be judged on creativity, functionality and usability. Free technical support will be offered to all participants via an online system, so no question will go unanswered for more than 24 to 48 hours. Teams will be invited to several contest workshops and celebrations—including a kickoff
pep rally, design and development workshops, and the judging and awards ceremony. In April, a panel of expert judges will score and determine the top mobile apps. Winners will be announced and prizes will be awarded during an event at Pace University’s Pleasantville Campus. Important dates: Kickoff Pep Rally and Workshops, Feb. 3, 2017, at Westchester County Center, White Plains. This celebratory pep rally will officially announce the commencement of the #WestchesterSmart Mobile App Development Bowl and will introduce student teams. Design and development workshops will follow. Mobile App Testing and Assessment Workshop, March 3, 2017, at Pace University, Pleasantville. Student teams will present their apps to evaluators to determine the app’s effectiveness and viability. These evaluators will include content and technical experts from academia, and private and public industry. Mobile App Judging and Awards Ceremony, April 28, 2017, at Pace University, Pleasantville. This celebratory event will recognize the contributions and efforts of all involved. It will also serve as a platform whereby judging takes place and prizes for the top teams will be announced. (Submitted)
CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com
Rocky is a gorgeous boy, about 2 years old. He is special needs because he has a heart condition which requires daily meds, which he easily takes. He is a love and just as sweet as can be, and is lively and fun! Rocky’s health is good and his heart condition under control with his medication. He is neutered, up-to-date with all vaccinations and microchipped. The adoption donation for Rocky is $100. To meet this handsome, distinctive boy, please call Pet Rescue at 835-3332 or 835-4133, or visit NY-PetRescue.org. (Submitted)
14 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • January 13, 2017
SPORTS
Championship glory LIVE MIKE Mike Smith
When I came into the office on Monday morning, I was all set to vent about the New York Giants. The frustration of watching Big Blue—and its boat-partying wide receiving corps—struggle at Lambeau Field, coupled with the fact that I would undoubtedly have to suffer through a few snide remarks from my Cowboyfan editor, meant that I didn’t want to think too much about football outside of devoting my column space to the overwhelming space of sports anguish. It’s a good thing I procrastinated, however, because Monday night made me forget all about Odell Beckham Jr. If you’ve read my column, you have probably gleaned that I’m not a huge college football fan. There are too many teams to follow, too many players to keep track of, and, coming from New
York, there isn’t one dominant program that automatically demands my allegiance. But watching Clemson stun Alabama in the final seconds of the National Championship Game on Jan. 9, none of that mattered at all. Now, I’m all for being a fan. My undying allegiance, say, to the Boston Red Sox, makes it possible for me to spend three hours in May watching an interleague game against the Padres. But sometimes, the best sporting events are the ones that don’t even require you to have a rooting interest. In truth I was rooting against Alabama, but not because of some innate hatred I have of the program, but because, all things being equal, how can you not root for the underdog against a program as dominant as Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide? So watching the Tigers move down the field, trailing by three points as time ticked off the clock on Monday night, I found myself filled with the same emotions
that I didn’t get to feel on Sunday. I clapped my hands with delight each time Deshaun Watson escaped pressure to deliver a strike to a receiver downfield. I audibly questioned Clemson’s clock management—showing you how ill-equipped I am to be a head coach—and when Watson finally hit former walk-on Hunter Renfrow for the winning score, I burst up off my couch, did a fist pump and felt, for a second, as though I was a Clemson lifer. And that’s what sports can do. If you strip away all the fandom, all the built-in rivalries and the circus surrounding the whole deal, you’re left with two teams, locked in an athletic struggle, that has the power—if only for a minute—to provide some kind of escape for the viewer. And that’s a beautiful thing. And it never hurts to watch Saban sulk, either. That’s really just the icing on the cake.
Follow Mike Smith @LiveMike_Sports
On Jan. 9, the Clemson Tigers topped Alabama 35-31 to win the NCAA College Football National Playoff. That game helped Sports Editor Mike Smith forget about the weekend’s big Giants loss. Photo courtesy NCAA.com
TO COVER LOCAL SPORTS, YOU NEED A
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SPORTS
January 13, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 15
Broncos led by resurgent ‘D’ BOYS BASKETBALL
league
BRONXVILLE 68 KEIO ACADEMY 28 BRONXVILLE HS
1/9/17
Game Notes: • Jack Reilly led Bronxville with 15 points • The Broncos held Keio to under 30 points, which is one of the team’s goals • The win puts Bronxville at 5-5 on the season By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor Coming off a disappointing loss to rival Tuckahoe last week, Bronxville’s basketball team knew that in order to turn things around, they would need to tighten up their play on the defensive end. In the two games following the Tuckahoe defeat, the Broncos seem to have taken that message to heart, posting convincing wins over league foes Rye Neck and Keio Academy. Encouraged by his team’s recent performance, Bronxville head coach Brian Senior is hoping to see that same defensive commitment from his team as the second half of the season rolls on. “We had a meeting earlier on
Brian DePaul makes a baseline move against the Unicorns.
Jerry Frost brings the ball up the floor. Frost and the Broncos have won two straight games.
in the week to talk about our energy level on the court and on the bench, and how it was correlating to whether we were making baskets or not,” Senior said. “There are going to be peaks and valleys offensively, but we had to keep making defensive stops and keeping our energy level up.” Against Rye Neck on Jan. 6, it appeared as though the Broncos and Panthers were geared
didn’t buckle down defensively,” the head coach said. “In the second quarter we stopped hitting shots, but our defense kept us in the game.” It seems to be a lesson the Broncos have taken to heart. Bronxville followed up its victory over Rye Neck with a 6828 thrashing of Keio on Jan. 9. Reilly again led the Broncos, netting 15 points in the win, and Matt Toal and Alston Tarry each had 13. “Our goal, if it’s possible, is to hold teams under 30 points,” Senior said. “I think our guys are starting to understand that what happens on the defensive end can translate into our offense.” Bronxville will see both Rye Neck and Keio again this week, after press time, before facing a still test against Edgemont on Jan. 17. On Jan. 9, Edgemont overpowered Clark Academy, topping the Knights 83-55. “We get all of our advance scouting done early in the season, but as far as the team goes, we keep it game by game,” Senior said. “But we will start putting things in place in practice now where it comes down to defensive communication, and hopefully see that transition into points on the offensive end.”
up for a wild shootout, as the first quarter ended with Bronxville holding onto a 20-16 lead. But the Broncos soon began to pull away from their hosts behind a 21-point effort from Jack Reilly and through a high-pressure defensive effort that forced several Panther turnovers. The Broncos would go on to win 62-34. “Early on, we were content with trading baskets and we
Jack Reilly beats a Keio defender off the dribble on Jan. 9. Reilly led the Broncos with 15 points.
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Matt Toal goes for a layup. Photos/Charlie McLaughlin
16 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • January 13, 2017