Bronxville awaits FEMA green light for flood project By KILEY STEVENS Staff Writer
ROUNDS ON THE ROOF J.C. Fogarty’s in Bronxville is currently adding outdoor seating and a bar area to its roof. The bar and restaurant is looking to increase revenue in this rooftop trend that has recently hit Westchester County. For more, see page 9. Photo/Angela Jordan
Tuckahoe schools face likely tax cap gap By SARAH VARNEY Education Reporter For the Tuckahoe school district, the allowable tax levy increase of 0.12 percent for the 2016-2017 school budget means the district will receive $350,000 less in tax revenue than the amount it received for the 20152016 budget. The district’s total budget for last year was $32 million. District officials said they are likely to use a downward adjustment of employee title/salary levels for some job openings and a deeper dip into the district’s $4 million in reserves to cover any shortfall. Inflation is the main culprit of this change. The allowable school tax levy mandated by the
state’s tax cap law has decreased to a new low due to the current inflation rate of just 0.7 percent. The 2 percent tax cap has been neutered this budgeting season by the fine print in the legislation, which was signed into law on June 24, 2011 and implemented for 2012-2013 budgets. The law calls for the tax levy to be capped at either 2 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. “This [large decrease] is devastating for all of us,” Jim Reese, interim assistant superintendent for business, said. Coupled with the custodians/ secretaries/dietary/aides staff and teachers’ union contracts expiring on June 30, special education costs increasing by 3 percent and general enrollment
growing faster than projected, the district is facing significant constraints. There is no exemption to the tax cap for enrollment increases. This year, the district enrolled 36 new students it hadn’t planned for. Interim Schools Superintendent Dr. Charles Wilson attributes some of the unexpected enrollment increases to the allure of Tuckahoe for first-time house buyers. “Tuckahoe is a hot real estate market right now,” Wilson said. “We have more housing starts than expected and more three bedroom apartments than we were informed of when construction started.” However, there are some positive factors that Reese hopes will get the district over the budget
hump. According to school district officials, state aid will increase by 6 percent and the Tuckahoe district will receive $42,995 more as a result of the Gap Elimination Adjustment, GEA, beginning to loosen its grip on school funds. Billed originally as a temporary measure, the GEA was first instituted for the 2010-2011 state budget to help New York state close its funding deficit. Under the measure, a portion of the state’s funding shortfall was divided among all school districts in the state based on a formula and each district’s state aid was reduced. The money held back from TAX continued on page 11
The village of Bronxville is awaiting approval from FEMA to begin work on the first phase of a two-part construction project that will implement a muchanticipated flood mitigation system on the Bronxville School campus. The project has been in the planning stages since 2007, when severe storms devastated the campus, leaving 4 to 6 feet of water, $20 million worth of damages and students out of school for two weeks. FEMA originally approved funding for a $6.9 million project, and offered to pay 75 percent of the total cost, approximately $5 million. However, based on the construction costs, last updated in 2015 after a necessary topographical survey was conducted, the original price of the project rose by $1.7 million. “We’re going to be committing to a total of $8.63 million,” said Village Administrator James Palmer. He added that FEMA will still be funding $5 million of that total, leaving the village to increase its share of the project to roughly $3.6 million. According to Palmer, the village and the school district will expend more than $850,000 each to fund the remaining cost. Because of the increased cost of the project, the village agreed to split the construction into two parts, which they are referring to as “phase one” and “phase two.” After much deliberation, the village granted the construction of
the first part of project to the lowest bidder, Montesano Brothers Inc., a construction company based in New Rochelle that specializes in underground utilities, water treatment facilities and site development. Palmer said the village is awaiting FEMA’s approval of that portion of the flood project in order to begin work. The village administrator added that the village has been working closely with the State Emergency Management Office, SEMO, to review their cost benefit analysis. SEMO has requested FEMA approve the first phase of the project based on the revised project plans. Phase one includes the majority of the project, with the exception of installing three water pumps and their complete enclosure. According to Mayor Mary Marvin, a Republican, the primary components of the project include a storm water pump, which would deliver excess rainwater to the Bronx River; flow diversion structures, designed to redirect runoff; an underground stormwater piping network, which will be located beneath Hayes Field; and a force main pipe, a pressurized pipe that can carry captured runoff from the pump station to the Bronx River. Marvin also indicated that trees will be removed to install the necessary infrastructure, but that “three times as many trees will be replanted in a comprehensive landscape plan.” CONTACT: kiley@hometwn.com
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2 • The eastchester review • February 12, 2016
February 12, 2016 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEw • 3
MTA, Metro-North ban hoverboards over fire risk
EHS athletes commit to Division I colleges
Hoverboards have been banned at all Metro-North train stations and onboard its trains. The popular gadgets use lithium-ion batteries, which have recently been found to pose fire risks. File photo
By SIBYLLA CHIPAZIwA Editorial Assistant On Jan. 27, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced that possessing hoverboards aboard trains or buses or at stations of the New York City transit system is banned, including the Metro-North Railroad, which has three lines running through Westchester County. Hoverboards—a self-balancing two-wheeled board or electric scooter—became a must-have gadget last year, especially during the holiday season. They are controlled by the user standing on sensored platforms. They operate on lithium-ion batteries, which have recently been scrutinized for posing potential fire risks under certain conditions, according to the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration, with reports of the batteries getting too hot, short-circuiting or
simply being defective, causing some hoverboards to self-ignite. The administration regulates hoverboards because of the batteries they use. In a released statement, the MTA said that its safety rules have long banned the use of personal wheeled devices, like skateboards or scooters, in subway and train stations. Customers are also not allowed to have hazardous and flammable materials on public transport. The fire risk that lithium-ion batteries pose led the MTA to ban the devices. Hoverboards have already been banned on other transport systems, such as on most U.S. airlines and in other major cities. MTA Chief Safety Officer David Mayer said that riders’ and employees’ safety are always the MTA’s main concern. “For obvious reasons, it is not safe to use… personal wheeled vehicles
on station platforms. We’re equally concerned about the safety risk of bringing devices that pose fire hazards into the confined spaces inside trains and buses,” he said in a released statement. Peter Todd, of New Rochelle, works in Larchmont and sometimes takes the one-stop ride on the Metro-North New Haven line to get to work. He finds the outright ban a good thing, as he’s not a fan of hoverboards. He pointed out the fire risks, and added, “I think hoverboard users are worse than people walking and texting at the same time. They perpetuate a lazy lifestyle.” A representative from the Westchester County Department of Transportation, which operates the Bee-Line bus and ParaTransit systems, could not be reached for comment as of press time. CONTACT: sibylla@hometwn.com
Eastchester High School seniors Austin Capasso, left, and Andrew Schultz each signed a national letter of intent, a binding commitment to play collegiate sport at a Division I school. Capasso will be playing soccer at Fairfield University. Schultz has committed to playing football at Bryant University. Photo courtesy Eastchester school district
4 • The eastchester review • February 12, 2016
What’s going on... Eastchester Public Library
LEGO Club On Wednesday, Feb. 17 from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Build your own LEGO masterpiece to display in the Children’s Room. This month’s theme is robots. Recommended for ages 4 and up.
Tuckahoe Public Library
cut portrait of Lennon by Bronx artist Saud Omran. The one-of-a-kind piece was generously donated to the Bronxville Women’s Club by the artist who will be present. Also on view will be the art exhibit by club members and their families in the art gallery. There is a suggested donation of $10 per person. Light refreshments and finger foods will be served. For more information or reservations, call 914-337-3252 or visit bronxvillewomensclub.org.
Board Game Afternoon On Wednesday, Feb. 17 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For young children through teens. Come to the library over the break for a special program with video games and board games. Stay for the whole time or stop by throughout the program. Bring your own games or play some of the ones set up. Light refreshments will be provided. Pre-registration is suggested but not required. Contact Elizabeth Portillo at 793-5055 or eportillo@wlsmail.org.
Movie screening to honor David Bowie On Thursday, Feb. 18 from 2 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. “Labyrinth” will be screened. Join the library for this David Bowie classic as a tribute to this rock giant. Featured are Jim Henson’s puppets and music by Bowie. Be mesmerized in many ways. Registration is not required. Suitable for families. Running time: 102 minutes.
Bronxville Public Library Visit bronxvillelibrary.org for more information on these and other events and programs. The library will be closed on Monday, Feb. 15 for Presidents Day.
Adult book discussion group On Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. The book to be discussed is “Circling the Sun” by Paula McLain. McLain’s new novel takes the reader to Colonial Kenya in the 1920s. It tells the story of Beryl Markham, a record-setting aviator caught up in a passionate love triangle.
Visit tuckahoelibrary.org for more information on these and other events and programs. The library will be closed on Monday, Feb. 15 for Presidents Day.
Special musical storytime with Dawny Dew On Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 11 a.m. For children from birth to 6 years old. Come during the winter break to welcome Miss Dawny Dew and her puppets to the library. Registration is required. Call the library at 961-2121 for more information.
‘Life and Times and Alexander Hamilton’ On Friday, Feb. 19 at 3 p.m. Presented by David Osborn of St. Paul’s Church in Mount Vernon. Come for a presentation and discussion about the public career and life of the inimitable Alexander Hamilton—founding father, political philosopher, and first secretary of the Treasury, to name just a few of his many contributions to our country’s legacy. Call the library at 961-2121 for more information.
Bronxville Women’s Club ‘John Lennon Love Fest’ The Bronxville Women’s Club and its art department invite everyone to come to the “John Lennon Love Fest” on Valentine’s Day, Sunday, Feb. 14, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The day will feature live performances of love songs from the Classical period to the Beatles and a singalong of some of the Beatles’ most popular songs. A highlight of the afternoon will be the auction of an original wood-
Programs for the disabled
The monthly business meeting of the Bronxville Women’s Club, located at 135 Midland Ave. in Bronxville, will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 1 p.m. Following the meeting, at approximately 1:30 p.m., the public is invited to hear the program. The speaker will be a representative from the Alzheimer’s Foundation in White Plains. Refreshments will follow the program. There is no charge and advance reservations are not necessary. For more information, call 337-3252 or visit bronxvillewomensclub.org.
The town of Eastchester welcomes the participation of all residents and recognizes the importance of providing recreational programs in the most integrated setting. If special accommodations are needed to assist in the meaningful participation and inclusion of a disabled participant, please call Sally Veltidi, Eastchester recreation superintendent, at 771-3311. The Recreation Department— serving Eastchester, Bronxville and Tuckahoe— is part of the South East Consortium for Special Services, a nonprofit organization which provides year-round therapeutic recreational programs for persons with disabilities. The organization offers a variety of weekly programs for disabled persons ages 5 and up. For further information, visit secrec.org or contact Jerry Peters at the South East Consortium, 740 W. Boston Road, Mamaroneck, NY 10543; by calling 698-5232 or emailing info@secrec.org.
Annual Philanthropy Luncheon and White Elephant Sale
Eastchester Little League 2016 spring season
Philanthropy is an important mission of the Bronxville Women’s Club. The club invites the public to its annual Philanthropy Luncheon and White Elephant Sale on Thursday, Feb. 18. The White Elephant and bake sale begins at 10 a.m., with the luncheon at noon. Everyone is invited to stay the afternoon for table games. Funds raised will support the Bridge Fund of Westchester, a program to support the working poor in the county. Admission is $25 per person. For more information, call 337-3252 or visit bronxvillewomensclub.org.
Despite the cold weather, registration for the town’s Little League spring 2016 season is in full swing. All boys (ages 4 to 16) and girls (ages 4 to 12) who reside and/or attend school in either Eastchester, Tuckahoe or Bronxville are eligible to register. For most age levels, the season starts in early April and runs through late June. Visit eastchesterll.org for more information on all of the tremendous programs the Little League offers for every age group and skill level. ELL strives to make the game fun and challenging for all children. Spring is just around the corner. Register today.
Monthly business meeting Visit eastchesterlibrary.org for more information on these and other events and programs. The library will be closed on Monday, Feb. 15 for Presidents Day.
Eastchester Recreation Department
Snow Angels program Volunteers needed The Snow Angels program needs volunteers to aid the elderly and disabled with snow removal. All requests from volunteers are matched up with a request from someone who lives near them and who has requested help with snow/ice removal. Volunteers will receive community service hours from the program coordinator. Those who are interested should contact Sheila Marcotte at tuckahoesnowangels@yahoo.com, and parents can contact her at 309-6947. Marcotte will then contact the program coordinator directly.
Eastchester Soccer Youth Association registration Let your child join the fun. Register now for the ESYA’s spring 2016 season. Visit sportssignup. com/eastchester.start or eysoccer.com for additional information and for online registration. 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.
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.”
February 12, 2016 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEw • 5
Cuomo announces $7M for chronic disease
Gov. Andrew Cuomo
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced $7 million will be awarded to four organizations that are working to prevent and control obesity, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. The grant, awarded by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, will be dispersed over the next three years. “The health and well-being of New Yorkers continues to improve every day and a large
part of that is the work of organizations promoting healthy living in their communities,” Cuomo said. “This funding helps strengthen these organizations in the battle against deadly but preventable diseases and helps pave the way towards a healthier New York.” The recipients of the four grants serve counties with high rates of chronic disease and/ or a more than 40 percent minority population. The funding will allow each organization to implement strategies in community and health care settings that promote health, support and reinforce healthful behaviors, encourage lifestyle change program participation, and link community programs to clinical services. This includes everything from increasing availability of healthy foods in small retail stores to implementing community plans that promote walking and increased engagement of health workers with their communities.
New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, “We are delighted that CDC is recognizing the hard work by these organizations that are working to lower the rates of chronic disease in their communities. Encouraging New Yorkers to adopt healthier lifestyles is an ongoing challenge, but one that we must pursue if we are to turn the tide on these preventable diseases.” These awards are being administered through the New York State Department of Health’s Local Initiatives for Multi Sector Public Health Action, or Local IMPACT, program. This program supports goals to improve population health, transform health care delivery and reduce health disparities and aligns with current state health initiatives such as the Prevention Agenda, the state’s health care blueprint as well as the State Health Innovation Plan, Delivery System Reform Incentive
Payment and the Public Health Improvement Program. Chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer and asthma, are the leading causes of death, disability and rising health care
costs in New York state. Specifically, they account for approximately 60 percent of all deaths in the state and affect the quality of life for millions of New Yorkers. For additional information
on preventing chronic disease and the New York State Prevention Agenda 2013-2017, visit health.ny.gov/prevention/ prevention_agenda/chronic_ disease/. (Submitted)
The organizations receiving awards are: Organization
County/ies to be served
Funded amount
Albany County Department of Health
Albany
$879,880
Health Advancement Collaborative of Central New York (HealtheConnections)
Cayuga, Cortland, Herkimer, Oneida, Onondaga and Oswego
$2,053,020
Hudson River HealthCare, Inc.
Rockland and westchester
$2,053,020
P2 Collaborative of western New York
Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and wyoming
$2,053,020
6 • The eastchester review • February 12, 2016
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Mr. Whoodini preserves the magic in learning By SARAH VARNEY Education Reporter
Ask a 7-year-old to name a clown and chances are he or she will say “Ronald McDonald,” but back in the 1960s and 1970s, Bozo was king. “Bozo’s Big Top,” a TV show that ran seven days a week, starred Bozo and his sidekick, Mr. Whoodini. Only the youngest baby boomers remember Bozo the Clown today, and even fewer remember Mr. Whoodini.
Mr. Whoodini was played by Larry Johnson, an educator who taught in Livonia, Michigan. He’d gotten his start as a magician with his own show filmed at local station CKLW, based in Windsor, Michigan. After his two-year run as Mr. Whoodini on his solo show “The Magic Shop,” station producers
“The Amazing World of Light” used black light to wow students. Today, the same show includes laser lights. Photos courtesy Mobile Ed Productions
Larry Johnson today, in his office at his company’s headquarters in Redford, Michigan. He jokes that “one of these days I’ll find the time to retire.”
suggested he team up with Bozo, played by Larry Harmon, to become his sidekick. Johnson agreed and the two actors teamed up for “Bozo’s Big Top.” “Bozo’s Big Top” ran for eight or nine years, and as their show went on, Bozo became big business. Harmon franchised the Bozo name in the mid-1960s, and for a while, nearly every city had its own Bozo. At its height, Johnson said there were at least 43 Bozos, with each city having their own local show. While Johnson says he didn’t make “a ton of money” during his Mr. Whoodini years, he did make enough to get a business off the ground.
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Larry Johnson, founder of Mobile Ed Productions, performing as Mr. Whoodini, Bozo the Clown’s sidekick, circa 1960.
Offstage, Johnson worked at Whittier High School as the “activities administrator” where he sought out extracurricular presenters to give assemblies to the student body on a topic related to the curriculum. Finding quality “acts” was challenging. “I was kind of unhappy with some of the programs that the school was bringing in. I figured I could do a better job,” Johnson said. So he created a school assembly program called “The Amazing World of Light,” which demonstrated different types of light, including lasers and holograms. At the end of the program, he would roll out a “black art cabin”—a black light diorama with special effects— all with a flare. It was a hit. “Within the state of Michigan, I sold 60 programs that first year,” Johnson recalled. Its success proved his theory that children learn better when they’re having fun. “The best way to teach children is when they don’t know they’re learning,” he said. “The Amazing World of Light” kindled the inspiration for Mobile Ed Productions, which formally started in 1979. Today, the small Michiganbased company employs approximately 32 people and offers 28 different programs for schools. Mobile Ed “performers” give about 10,000 performances a year in approximately 3,500 schools across the country, Johnson said. Johnson, who refers to the programs as “acts” and the presenters
as “performers,” said the company tries to schedule appearances five days a week. Keeping up with changing school curriculums is always a priority. “Every year, we expand our programs and we add new effects,” Johnson said. “We try to provide things that schools can’t do on their own.” The program offers a living planetarium at a cost of $35,000 and robots for their STEM Science Fair, which cost $10,000 each. Although the shows are expensive, Johnson said the program tries to make them affordable for schools without resources. Most performers have been with the company for many years, Johnson said. Sometimes a costumed presenter or a live prop pops up at headquarters. Working at Mobile Ed is a lot of fun, he said. “Some days we’ll have someone dressed as Benjamin Franklin running around saying ‘hi’ to everyone,” he recounts with a chuckle. Performer Dick Buchholz has worked for Mobile Ed for 16 years. Based in Chicago, his animal act once featured an alligator. “Sometimes he’d come in and put an alligator on the floor,” Johnson said. “There’s nothing like having a 6-foot alligator wander into your office.” At 73, Johnson said he’s way overdue for retirement. His son Ryan, 29, is the only of his four sons involved in the business. CONTACT: sarah@hometwn.com
February 12, 2016 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEw • 7
8 • The eastchester review • February 12, 2016
Providing safer, smoother pedestrian and traffic flow County upgrades PD training, creates new crime lab BRONXVILLE TODAY Mayor Mary Marvin
Immediately following the upcoming winter break, the Bronxville school district, in cooperation with the village and the Police Department, will have off-duty police officers at the Bronxville School’s Midland Avenue and Pondfield Road entrances at morning drop-off and afternoon pickup times. The goal is to provide a much smoother traffic flow for parents and drivers using these two routes. Most importantly, the police presence will aid in the enforcement of vehicle and traffic laws that will contribute to the safety of all children near the school. The officers will be in uniform. Their main function will be to direct traffic flow and pedestrian passage. They are also able to discharge all of their duties if they observe other violations, including illegal texting, cellphone usage and jaywalking. Their presence will eliminate the double parking on Pondfield Road as well as the standing on Midland Avenue from Masterton Road to the Pondfield Road intersection. In conjunction with the roll out of this new plan, Police Chief Christopher Satriale discussed a host of safety issues with Bronxville School parents at the February Elementary School Council meeting. As an attendee at the meeting, I took note of all of the questions asked as I am certain the concerns of the parents attending echo those of the community at large. Topics included condition of
sidewalks, snow removal procedures to increase sightlines, speed bumps as traffic calmers, improved pedestrian passage at the Midland/Pondfield intersection, and enforcement of speed, cellphone usage and texting while driving laws. Regarding sidewalk maintenance, homeowners are responsible for all sidewalks that abut their property, including snow removal and re-pavement to facilitate pedestrian passage. If you notice a sidewalk needing attention, contact the village’s Building Department and staff will issue a “notice to cure.” No monetary penalties attach unless the notice is ignored. On the subject of snow removal, the village recently purchased a truck attachment that allows the operator to propel the snow via a chute off the right of way. The result is a wider clean road surface area and increased sight lines as banks of snow will be eliminated. The end result is an increase in visibility for drivers and pedestrians. Speed bumps as a traffic calming devices are not designed for our narrow village streets. Virtually every speed bump you see is improperly installed. Speed bumps that meet legal standards must be marked with a series of signs leading up to the bump itself and then the bump and adjacent lines must be painted in neon road paint—unsightly at best. After sustained observation, the police chief has determined they will not have the desired effect on our roads, rather increased speed enforcement is the preferred solution. Our most heavily traveled
intersection—at Pondfield and Midland—is currently under study by a traffic engineer hired by the village. The goal is a plan or configuration that will increase pedestrian safety while crossing, and with it hopefully encourage more walking to schools and the business district. We expect study recommendations to be delivered in early spring. During the approximately 30 days surrounding the recent holiday season, our police force added an extra officer and patrol car to increase enforcement of speeding, crossing double yellow lines, texting and cellphone use laws with a focus on the business district. Unfortunately, far too many tickets were issued for unsafe behaviors. This monthly enforcement concentration effort has been built into the village budget and other neighborhoods will become the focus going forward. In point of clarification, there were indeed three events involving pedestrian injury from Dec. 9 to Jan. 20. Two residents sustained bumps and bruises, while a third sustained significant injuries requiring hospital care. All of the accidents were in daylight with drivers traveling at low speeds and not related to double parking, traffic, inadequate signage or other street conditions or cellphone usage. Two accidents happened while the pedestrians were in marked crosswalks. That being said, one accident is one too many, and we remind drivers to be conscious of the school zones throughout the village and the many pedestrians in our walking village.
Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, left, and Public Safety Commissioner George N. Longworth address the media at the Westchester County Police Academy in Valhalla. Recruits from the 141st Session of Basic Recruit School also attend the presentation on the recent $9.3 million renovation of the academy.
Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino recently unveiled the newly renovated Westchester County Police Academy following a $9.3 million overhaul to upgrade training facilities and create a new state-of-the-art forensic crime lab. “This capital project is about much more than bricks and mortar,” Astorino said. “It is about ensuring that police recruits and veteran officers can receive the best training possible for decades to come. It is about ensuring that our crime lab has the sophisticated tools and technology to meet the evolving demands of modernday policing. It is about ensuring we are doing all we can to keep our people safe.” Astorino, who proposed the capital project in 2014, was joined at the ceremony by Public Safety Commissioner George N. Longworth and chiefs and commissioners from multiple departments in the county. Longworth noted that the academy is used by all police departments in Westchester to train their recruits to become police officers. Veteran officers return for lectures, seminars, supervisor school and other significant training throughout their careers. The county police crime lab is also utilized by all law enforcement in Westchester to process evidence and assist with criminal investigation and prosecution, he said. “This capital project is an investment that pays dividends to every city, town and village police department in Westchester along with the county police,” Longworth said. The Westchester County Police Academy, located at 2 Dana Road in Valhalla, was built in 1986. The building was shared
by the New York National Guard and the Westchester County Department of Public Safety until the Guard vacated in 2011. Under the recent capital project, the roof, boiler and windows at the 50,000-square-foot structure were replaced. The HVAC, lighting, fire alarm and sprinkler systems were upgraded and made more energy efficient. To enhance instruction and training, upgrades were made to the Police Academy classrooms, computer room and drill floor. Sophisticated audio-visual equipment was obtained for use by instructors to enhance learning and training. Two classrooms can now be opened up into a single, large room, which will enable the academy to host larger-scale lectures or training than previously. “Sometimes we had to turn people away because a class was filled to capacity,” Longworth said. “Now we have the means to accommodate everyone when that occurs.” Additionally, an interactive training area was created off the
drill floor to enhance training that recruits and tactical teams receive. The hallway-like setting enables scenario-based training for making entry into rooms or buildings and handling crisis-intervention situations and activeshooter incidents. An outdoor interactive training area and obstacle course is also being created on the academy grounds to improve physical and tactical training. The county police Forensic Investigation Unit, which operates the crime lab, was relocated from police headquarters in Hawthorne to the academy building. The expanded space will permit the crime lab to meet the evolving and rigorous standards required by its accrediting agency, The American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board. “Westchester County has always been a leader in utilizing forensic investigation to solve crime and hold criminals accountable,” Astorino said. “The new crime lab ensures that we can keep that commitment well into the future.” (Submitted)
Members of the Westchester County Police Special Response Team demonstrate a tactical training exercise in the police academy’s new scenario-based training room. Photos courtesy Westchester County
February 12, 2016 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEw • 9
Rye seeks to switch to LED streetlights, cut energy costs
J.C. Fogarty’s to add rooftop dining J.C. Fogarty’s, a bar and restaurant next to the Bronxville Metro-North station, is in the process of converting its roof to outdoor seating and adding a rooftop bar area. The pub, located on 60 Kraft Ave., has begun construction on the additions, which include a bar with 12 bar stools and an additional 32 outdoor seats. Currently, there is only one bar inside J.C. Fogarty’s with a handful of booths, and a separate dining area. J.C. Fogarty’s, which underwent a previous expansion several years ago along Kraft Avenue,
could potentially bring in additional revenue with its rooftop endeavor. Rooftop bars have become the trend in Westchester County recently. Just down the road in Eastchester, Mickey Spillane’s is also in the process of finishing a rooftop addition. And Maggie Spillane’s in the Fleetwood section of Mount Vernon already has a rooftop area that stretches down the length of the block. With a prime location, just 100 yards from the commuter train station, the bar is a local mainstay for commuters to stop in for
a drink on their way home. The downtown section of Bronxville has a competitive nightlife scene. There are at least 17 separate dining and entertainment-related businesses within the village, which is only 1 square mile in size, according to the Bronxville Chamber of Commerce. The owner of the pub, John Fogarty, could not be reached for comment as of press time. No representatives of the chamber of commerce were available for comment as of press time. -Reporting by Angela Jordan
The city of Rye may soon convert all its traditional streetlights to LED as an energy-saving measure. Pictured is Purchase Street in Rye on a recent Sunday night. Photo/Andrew Dapolite
The city of Rye is considering replacing all of the city’s streetlights with more energyefficient LED lights. The reasoning behind the idea is that an investment in LED lighting generally improves nighttime visibility, increases energy savings by 40 to 80 percent, and can cut street lighting maintenance costs by at least 50 to 75 percent. A representative for Lumen Light Solutions, a Yonkersbased company that specializes in municipal conversions to LED lighting, gave a presentation to the Rye City Council on
Wednesday, Jan. 27 about the company’s services. LED lights have become popular in many communities because they are significantly more cost-effective and more eco-friendly than other common kinds of streetlights, including mercury vapor lights, which Rye currently uses. According to City Manager Marcus Serrano, Rye has a little more than 1,700 streetlights. The upfront cost would be $624,000, with the city standing to save $163,000 per year by making the switch. He said the cost for the LED lights would break even in
less than four years. Serrano has previous experience facilitating a municipality’s transition to LED street lights from when he was working in Dobbs Ferry. In addition to New Rochelle and Dobbs Ferry, Yonkers, Bronxville, Eastchester, Elmsford, Hastings, Irvington, Ardsley, Tarrytown, Greenburgh and Ossining have already chosen to transition to LED lighting. If the city were to move forward on converting all of streetlights to LED, Serrano said it should realistically take about six or seven months, at most. -Reporting by Angela Jordan
J.C. Fogarty’s, in Bronxville, is currently under renovation to add a rooftop bar and additional outdoor seating. Photo/Angela Jordan
10 • The eastchester review • February 12, 2016
Two important founders of town of Eastchester HISTORICALLY SPEAKING Richard Forliano
The men and women who settled in Eastchester between 1664 and 1682 left no written accounts of why they left Fairfield, Connecticut. They would establish a village called Eastchester 18 miles from Manhattan, still under the control of a foreign nation, Holland. Fortunately, history does provide us with fascinating insights and interesting stories about a few of those people who founded the town in the latter half of the 17th century. Let us first look at Eastchester’s most important and precious document, the Eastchester Covenant. Eastchester’s founding document envisioned a society based on goodwill, kindness, equality, honesty, shared burdens and economic sensibility. The Covenant, signed by 26 of the male heads of households between 1665 and 1682, served as a mission statement or blueprint about what type of community Eastchester was expected to be. The document offers a rare glimpse into the lives of the town’s early residents. Let us look first at two of those individuals. The first person to sign the Covenant was Phillip Pinckney. Pinckney, at age 47 along with James Everts, signed the deed from Thomas Pell, acquiring almost 7,000 acres of land that became Eastchester. All three
men were residents of Fairfield. In England, the Pinckney family was famous for its scholars in many walks of life. One can only imagine the dialogue between Pell and Pinckney convincing him and nine other families to take the risk to start a settlement in a wilderness filled with savage animals, in disputed territory, and near what the Puritans thought was a degenerate culture in Manhattan that was diametrically opposed to their values of order, proper behavior and upright character. Both Pell and Pinckney came from the English upper class. Pell’s brother John was a highly respected mathematician and linguist who in the 1650s became a trusted advisor of Oliver Cromwell, the ruler of England responsible for the execution of King Charles I. Pinckney was the second son of a prominent English minister and the brother of an influential banker. Pinckney proved to be a born leader. He, along with the other people who founded the town, was unhappy to a varying degree with their financial condition and the spiritual condition of his church. A year after signing the deed to acquire the settlement, he was the first person to sign the Eastchester Covenant. Highly respected for his piety, he would serve for years as bible reader for the newly formed community. Pinckney was picked by the people of the town to negotiate with the Native Americans over claims to the land, deal with the
royal governor along with others over disputes with the nearby town of Westchester, and agitate for the need for New York colonial legislature similar to that of other self-governing colonies. Twice in 1681 and 1683 he would be elected to the position of overseer, a position that after his death would be changed to town supervisor. But Philip Pinckney was only one person among equals. According to Article 7 of the Eastchester Covenant, “No that one shall have more than 15 acres, until all have that quality.” In Fairfield, the town from which they came, each family had 2.5to 3-acre home lots around the town square. But in Eastchester, home lots were at least five times as large, with available farm and pasture land plentiful in the surrounding countryside. According to the Eastchester town records, as of March 9, 1666, home lots for families, including the Pinckney’s, were all 10 acres. Why is so much known about the early beginnings of Eastchester? A man named Richard Shute was selected as the first recorder or town clerk. Shute meticulously detailed the resolutions from Eastchester town meetings until the end of the 17th century. His greatest legacy was his recording of the Eastchester Covenant. But his detailed description of town records leaves Eastchester with some of the oldest archives in America. These priceless records might have been lost
forever if not for two Eastchester women, Harriet Bianchi and Phyllis Knowles, who devoted years of study and analysis to transcribing—with original spelling and punctuation—hundreds of pages of Eastchester’s handwritten records dating back to the 1660s. It was recently brought to our attention that Bianchi, who was responsible for preserving our priceless archives, is a direct descendant of Shute. The largest number of the direct descendants of the original settlers who still live in Eastchester and lower Westchester are all descendants of Shute and his wife, Sarah Sanford.
THE FIRST TEN LOTS 1666
The next article will focus on the fascinating story of Sarah Sanford Shute, Nathaniel Brewster, Eastchester’s first minister, and the reaction to the witchcraft hysteria that was rummaging through New England in the second half of the 17th century. Please contact us at historian@eastchesterhistoricalsociety.org about any comments or questions you might have about this column.
According to original town records, as of March 1666, all lots were of equal size, 10 acres. Map based on original, David Tompkins, 1997. Photo courtesy Richard Forliano
Correcting the record In the Jan. 22 column entry by Richard Forliano, the headline read “Why the English came to New Amsterdam.” The article reflected why the English came to Eastchester.
February 12, 2016 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEw • 11 TAX from page 1
schools statewide will not be returned. Instead, the state will decrease the percentage of monies it holds back from schools each year. Over the last five years, some districts have been shorted as much as $3 million.
And the costs to school districts of funding both teacher and employee retirement funds is decreasing as well. The teachers’ retirement fund contributions—the portion that school districts are legally required to contribute—is expected to decline to 12 or 11 percent.
That rate has declined from the 17.5 percent required contribution for the 2015-2016 budget. Every point that the contribution rate decreases equates to $100,000 in savings for the district, Reese said.
Feds release flood plan for Mamaroneck
CONTACT sarah@hometwn.com
8-step formula to figure school budget tax cap X
+ — — X —
+ =
Tax levy in prior year
$14.4M
Tax base growth factor
1.0035%
PILOTS (payments in lieu of taxes) received prior year
$43,621
Torts judgements in prior year
0
Capital tax levy in prior year
$306,000
Allowable levy growth factor
1.02%
PILOTS receivables for current year
$451,870
Available carryover from prior year
0
TOTAL
$13.7M
In the chart above, the formula represents how a sample budget incorporates the tax cap levy figure. The figures are for illustration purposes only. As defined in the 2011 tax cap legislation, the allowable levy growth factor is the key figure in determining what the ceiling is on school budgets. It totals the rate of inflation factor or 2 percent, whichever is less. A proposed change before the New York state Assembly calls for making the factor equal to 2 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is more.
EHS student to perform at Carnegie Hall Aryas Safaie, an Eastchester High School junior, will be singing an operatic selection in German at Carnegie Hall on Sunday, Feb.21. Safaie was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall with other top-scoring students as determined by the Royal Conservatory Music Assessment. He received the highest score in the nation at Level 4 in his discipline. The Royal Conservatory Music Development Program provides a recognized national standard of musical success and annually recognizes the exceptional achievements of
high achieving music students in both practical and theory assessments. Eastchester High School principal Dr. Jeff Capuano said, “Aryas is a tremendously gifted musician and has added much to our program. We’re very proud of him and his successes and look forward to hearing him perform.” In May, Safaie will be taking the Level 6 Royal Conservatory Music Assessment. He is also a member of the Eastchester High School Band and Jazz Band. (Submitted)
Eastchester High School student Aryas Safaie was chosen to sing an operatic selection at Carnegie Hall. Contributed photo
A study released this week by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recommends a $72 million plan aimed at mitigating flood risks in the vulnerable community of the village of Mamaroneck. Pictured is a section of Mamaroneck Avenue after Tropical Storm Irene. File photo
A long-awaited analysis by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, which studied projects aimed to mitigate flood hazards along the Mamaroneck and Sheldrake rivers, has been submitted to the village of Mamaroneck. According to the report, the cost of the projects altogether would total approximately $72 million. According to the report, projects included in the plan will center on modifying the Mamaroneck and Sheldrake rivers in a number of ways, including the widening, lengthening and deepening of some of the tributaries’ channels to allow a greater flow into the Mamaroneck Harbor. The cost of the project would be split between both federal and nonfederal sources; approximately $45 million from federal sources and the other $24 million
from nonfederal sources; namely, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Westchester County. Both the county and local governments have requested federal aid for such projects since the 1970s when two floods—one in 1972 and another in 1975—caused significant damage to the village of Mamaroneck and surrounding areas. The two floods, according to the report, caused $18 million and $92 million in inflation-adjusted damage, respectively. Despite the approval of the plan, which addressed such issues by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1989, the project was eventually stalled due to cost concerns from nonfederal partners, according to the study. According to the most recent report submitted by the Army
Corps, the efforts would have funded a number of large-scale projects to help mitigate flood damage, including the construction of 7,500 feet of retaining wall—about 21 football fields in length—and the replacement of several bridges in the area. Interest in the project was renewed in 2007, after two serious flood events resulted in a Presidential Disaster Declaration which ultimately necessitated the assistance of FEMA. Now, according to village of Mamaroneck Mayor Norman Rosenblum, a Republican, the project has a better shot than ever of actually coming to fruition; one particularly encouraging aspect of the recent proposal is that it costs $30 million less than its last iteration. -Reporting by James Pero
Meet Asia, a pretty tabby tortie mix. Asia is about a year old and loves to play. She will happily greet you and insist on being pet and played with. What a wonderful cat for a family that wants a fur-ever furry friend. Asia is spayed, in excellent health and up to date with all vaccinations. To meet Asia, contact Larchmont Pet Rescue at 835-3332/740-4072 or visit NY-PetRescue.org. (Submitted)
12 • The eastchester review • February 12, 2016
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Notice of Formation of Union Avenue 204 LLC. Arts of Org. filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 12/08/15. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 1955 Central Park Avenue, Yonkers, N.Y. 10710. Purpose: any lawful activity. LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Tuckahoe at the February 8, 2016 meeting did adopt Local Law #1 of the year 2016 - A Local Law allowing a property tax levy in excess of the limit established in general municipal law section 3-c. By Order of the Board of Trustees Camille DiSalvo Village Clerk February 9, 2016
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February 12, 2016 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEw • 13
There’s a reason ‘Cupid’ rhymes with ‘stupid’ RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy
There are holidays filled with joy, love, laughs and a gladdened heart. And then there’s Valentine’s Day. “I’m not sure he ever recovered,” recalls a friend I’ll call Clarissa, thinking of the Valentine’s Day when she was engaged to the man of her dreams, who gave her a pair of heart-shaped silver earrings. Nice, right? Wrong. “When I put them on, I realized they were tarnished. I went insane,” Clarissa said. “I thought, ‘This is the end of our relationship!’ I remember going down the street, crying my eyes out and calling my friend, ‘Matt bought me these tarnished earrings (sob) and I don’t want (sob) to speak to him again!’ It was like the tarnish was a metaphor for our relationship. I remember my family talking me down, ‘He doesn’t mean it. He loves you. It was inadvertent.’ But what kind of man gives a woman a tarnished gift?” A man who’s pretty worried about giving her a gift again, I’ll tell you that. Looking back—with her 30th anniversary coming up (yes, with Tarnish Man)—Clarissa can’t understand why she went so ballistic, but I do. Valentine’s Day is to relationships what pythons are to picnics. Another friend whose name I can’t use—do you sense a pattern here?—had been married for a few years and Valentine’s Day was upon him. “Of course, I was one of those last-minute shoppers,” he admits. “So I was
on Fifth Avenue and I just popped into a Victoria’s Secret to get her something.” He pauses. “I learned a lot that day.” Things you males out there may wish to note: 1. Buying lingerie for a woman is sometimes perceived, perhaps unfairly, as more of a gift for you. 2. Silk is an expensive material, long valued for its drape, feel and cost. 3. Polyester is a cheap, manmade material that can, to some benighted (ex) boyfriends/husbands, seem just like silk. 4. It’s not. Once my friend had learned this lesson the hard way, he never bought his wife any clothing again—not even a scarf. In fact, after that, it was mostly gift cards. “Let her handle it,” he says now, sounding a little shaken. Still married, but shaken. And then there was the “funny” Valentine’s Day that business guru Peter Shankman arranged for his date. They’d been going on five months. “Long enough for her to know my sense of humor,” he thought. So, he continues, “Did you know that on Valentine’s Day, White Castle takes reservations and puts out waiter service, placemats, candy hearts, etc.?” He told his girlfriend to dress up, “We’re going to someplace romantic.” They drove to Queens. They pulled into White Castle. The girlfriend assumed they just needed a place to park. But—surprise! During dinner, she cried. They broke up a week later. He has since married someone more fun. But of course, sometimes the gift a guy gives is actually quite perfect. That doesn’t mean all
goes as planned. “One year, I happened to get three bouquets delivered at work,” recalls Manhattan author and poet Elinor Nauen, who had been toiling at a women’s magazine. “Bouquet number one came from Johnny, my new boyfriend at the time. Bouquet number two was from a guy who worked there and had a hopeless crush on me.” The third bouquet was a thank you from a writer whose story she’d published. The gift just happened to arrive on Feb. 14. “I kept getting interrupted to go to the front desk for yet another delivery, and the small muttering that came at the second bouquet got pretty loud by the third,” says Nauen. And what were those co-workers’ mutters? “Everyone seemed to think I’d sent them all to myself!” So a day to revel in popularity became a day she realized all her coworkers thought she was a neutered, friendless narcissist. Gee, thanks! Luckily, she is still with Johnny—he bought bouquet number one—decades later. And the fact that he has never given her flowers since is something they’re both fine with. Considering that this is one of the happier stories I’ve heard, maybe the key is to simply sleep through the 14th, or do what my husband did in the early, giddy days of our relationship: buy your beloved a pound of bologna. Not as a metaphor. Just as a guilty pleasure that isn’t made out of polyester and can’t tarnish. It’s also unlikely your sweetheart will get three of those on the same day. CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com
Talking Business: With Jennifer Graziano By IRA ELLENTHAL Meet Jennifer Graziano, who, with admirable gusto, has been helping to lead the Coxe & Graziano Funeral Home operation through its fourth generation. Notably, the company recently opened a state-of-the-art facility in Greenwich, Connecticut, as part of an expansion move. And, of course, it’s business as usual at its flagship in Mamaroneck where, in a separate, adjacent building, Zion Memorial Chapel, the only independent all-Jewish funeral home serving Westchester County, continues to flourish. We had gotten together to talk about Zion specifically, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and where, according to Jen, who’s also a non-practicing attorney, things are going swimmingly. “We’re right where we want to be at this point in time and we expect to keep growing at a fast clip,” she said with enthusiasm. Ten minutes into our conversation, I began to feel like a slacker as Jen ticked off what seemed like an endless list of charities, nonprofits and service organizations to which she willingly gives her time and energy. “It makes for a long, pressurefilled day, but I welcome the challenge,” she said. With a wide smile, a longtime friend commented, “Color her a tornado or a cyclone if you want, but mostly color her smart because she’s building inestimable goodwill for her business, at the same time as distinguishing herself as an outstanding corporate citizen.” Another person who knows her well added, “Jen’s in perpetual motion, sort of a mobile public relations, advertising and marketing juggernaut rolled into one—and I admire her greatly for all that she’s accomplishing.” Jen said that several rabbis who knew her father, Vincent, appreciated him for his character and professionalism, and were instrumental in convincing him to open Zion to fill the void in the marketplace. “He showed his appreciation by creating an environment in which understanding and empathy for the families we serve is never in short supply. I think of him as my role model and I have tried to emulate him in every way possible. I still do, in fact,
Funeral Director Jennifer Graziano. Photo/Andrew Dapolite
because he remains active in the business,” she said. Clearly comfortable in her own skin, Jen adds a woman’s touch to the business that, for obvious reasons, no man could bring. “No doubt there’s truth to that, but my father has taught me so much, like never to rest on my laurels and the importance of staying current and relevant in order to grow.” And something else: “He told me that the first day it becomes a job for me is the day I should leave, but that’s not likely to happen. I mean it,” Jen said. By the time I got around to raising the question of what it’s like for an Italian woman to run a Jewish funeral home, she was more than prepared for it. “It’s absolutely no problem at all,” she said. “I grew up with as many Jewish friends as any other kind. Like my father, I have always had great respect for Jewish traditions. And, let’s face it, Jews and Italians have a lot in common, including their love for food, faith and family.” Slim bordering on sleek, Jen is an attractive divorcee and the mother of a 4-year-old daughter, Mia, whom she adores. “She’s a hoot, the most important person in my life,” she said. “I spend as much time with her as possible and I want her to grow up to believe that any goal is attainable if you love what you do.” Since she has been working for her father since her early teens, I wanted to know what she would do differently if she was afforded a “mulligan,” or a second chance,
as they say in golf. “Absolutely nothing—except perhaps grabbing some more sleep and being a little more trusting that things would turn out well,” she said. Detecting signs of micromanagement, I asked if she runs her business that way. “Over the top, guilty as charged,” she laughed. “But I’m working on it, although I’m the first to admit that I still have a way to go.” As our hour together wound down, I was determined to throw her my best fastball with my final question, a real spur-of-themoment toughie designed to make her think long and hard. “When the moment arrives for you to meet your maker, what words would you like inscribed on your tombstone?” I asked. After the briefest of pauses, she said, “She did it all and she did it well.” Foiled again. I was impressed and, as I packed to leave, I complimented her for being so interesting. Tongue-in-cheek, she quipped, “I want you to understand that it’s never dull when a Graziano is in the room.” That clinched it: I was on the verge of telling her that I would like her to handle my funeral arrangements when my time came. But, not wanting her to think that I was an easy mark, I figured I could hold off for a few days before giving her the order. Ira Ellenthal is the executive vice president of Home Town Media Group.
14 • The eastchester review • February 12, 2016
The best defense LIVE MIKE Mike Smith
On Feb. 7, the Denver Broncos topped the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50, and although it may not have been the most exciting game in the NFL’s history, I bet the memories of that game will live on for quite a while for one simple reason: youth coaches will love it. Regardless of the sport, coaches at every level—except maybe Mike Martz, that is—preach the importance of good defense. They’re almost clichés at this point: “A good defense beats a good offense,” and “Offense wins games, but defense wins championships.” These sayings seem to be rote platitudes taught on the first day of coach training. But here’s the thing: it’s pretty much true. On Sunday, it wasn’t the Broncos’ Hall of Fame-bound
quarterback that led them to a Super Bowl win; it was an allworld defensive effort led by MVP Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware, and a host of other Broncos who harassed and bullied the explosive Cam Newton from start to finish. The result was 19 hurries, seven sacks and one huge upset that nobody—including myself—saw coming. Coming into the game, most pundits saw this as a probable one-sided Carolina win. Newton was too dangerous, the Panthers’ receivers were too fast, and the Carolina offense was too balanced for Denver to possibly have a shot, right? And then the Broncos’ defense proved us wrong. If young kids get into sports dreaming of scoring touchdowns or hitting buzzer-beating shots, the first thing that most coaches want to instill in us is a healthy respect for what happens on the other side of the ball. It’s pretty easy to understand
SPORTS
why. Defense is the one thing, especially at lower levels, that isn’t about how fast you are, or how high you can jump; it’s about effort, toughness and buying into the system. Sure, Miller is an exceptional athlete. Heck, every player on that Broncos defense is a top 1-percenter. But the way that Denver, in just two short years, was able to remake themselves from an offensive juggernaut into a team led by its defense speaks volumes to the ability of a coach to change the culture of a ballclub just by focusing on the defensive side of things. If the offense scores the points, it’s the defense that supplies the backbone. When I was 9 years old, I had a CYO basketball coach who organized a team night where we all piled into our point guard’s living room to watch a game featuring NBA prospect Joe Smith. Smith would go on to play 16 years in the league, never
quite reaching the heights that some of his draftmates, notably Kevin Garnett, did. But that coach didn’t want us to watch Smith’s athleticism or knack for scoring; rather, his effort on defense and on the glass, and his ability to set the tone and make his teammates better through his hard work on the floor. Given their preference, I’m sure youngsters would much rather tune in to watch Newton flip into the end zone, Odell Beckham make one-handed grabs, or Golden State Warriors’ guard Stephen Curry drain shots from beyond the arc. That stuff is fun, it’s entertaining, and for lack of a better term, it’s sexy. But some days, like last Sunday, those phenoms run into a brick wall, a defense that’s simply unwilling to bend. For a coach at any level, that sort of commitment to a defensive game plan is more gratifying than all the touchdowns in the world.
Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports
On Feb. 7, Von Miller and the Denver Broncos’ defense stymied the Panthers and Cam Newton en route to a 24-10 victory in Super Bowl 50. For youth coaches, the game will long remain a great example of the importance of defense. Photo/Jeffrey Beall
UJA hosts 10th annual Sports Talk New York Yankees Manager Joe Girardi served as guest speaker at UJA-Federation of New York’s 10th Annual Sports Talk on Jan. 28 at Mulino’s at Lake Isle Country Club in Eastchester. The event drew nearly 250 guests who came to support UJA-Federation’s life-changing work and hear from Girardi,
who has guided the Yankees to five playoffs and one World Series Championship since being named manager in 2007. A Purchase resident, Girardi successfully translated the skills he learned during his 15 years as a Major League Baseball catcher into his winning career as manager. As a major league catcher,
From left, John Tolomer, of Chappaqua, Joe Girardi and Mitchell Ostrove, of New Rochelle. Photos courtesy UJA-Federation of New York
he played for the Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals and Yankees. He also dedicates much of his time to philanthropy, particularly his Catch 25 Foundation, which provides support to those afflicted with ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and fertility issues. Guests had the opportunity to hear about the work of UJA-Federation, which over the course of its 99-year history has become the largest local philanthropy in the world, supporting a network of nearly 100 nonprofit organizations that serve every population from early childhood to old age, and that offer critical assistance in almost every life circumstance. “It’s amazing how we’re immediately on the ground, whether that’s here in New York during Hurricane Sandy, in Israel during last summer’s rocket attacks, in Japan following the earthquake, or in Ukraine when the Jewish community came under threat. The impact we make is extraordinary,” said event chair Ken Fuirst, of Chappaqua. “But the difference we make isn’t
From left, Richard Leroy, of Briarcliff, Budd Wiesenberg, of Mamaroneck, Jamie Schwartz, of Mount Kisco, and Michael Grossman, of Waccabuc.
only in France or Israel or even downtown New York. We touch lives right here in Westchester.” Event chairs were Barbara
Bel, of Scarsdale, Carl Finger, of Scarsdale, Ken Fuirst, of Chappaqua, Jeff Kapelus, of New Rochelle, David Perlmutter, of
Chappaqua, and Scott Zemachson, of Scarsdale. Richard Leroy, of Briarcliff Manor, served as auction chair. (Submitted)
SPORTS
February 12, 2016 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEw • 15
Eagles shine at qualifiers By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor On Feb. 6, local wrestlers competed in the Section I qualifying meet, taking their first step toward potentially winning a sectional title and moving on to represent the area in the New York State Wrestling Championships on Feb. 26. For some schools, including Eastchester, the day was a runaway success that will allow the season to continue, at least for another week. The qualifying meet was held at four different venues, including Carmel, John Jay, Horace Greeley and Sleepy Hollow high schools, from which the top four wrestlers in each weight division earned berths in the Feb. 13 sectional meet at Arlington High School. Eastchester standout Nunzio Crowley continued his quest to repeat at 170 pounds, besting the field at Horace Greeley High School in impressive fashion. Crowley secured pinfall wins in the semifinals and champion-
ship rounds with victories over Zach Varco and Riley Wilson, both of whom hail from RC Ketcham. Coming into the competition, Crowley admitted that his previous success in the 170-pound division meant that he knew that other wrestlers would be gunning for him this year. This year, Crowley became Eastchester’s all-time wins leader, and he is currently eying another deep postseason run. “I had a pretty good year last year, and you always want to do better, so I kind of have a lot of pressure on me,” Crowley said after his first-place finish on Saturday. “You know what’s coming up with sectionals and I’ve definitely felt like I’ve had a bit of a target on my back.” Crowley wasn’t the only Eastchester wrestler to make the cut, however, as four of his teammates will also be heading to the sectional championships. Matt Occhicone beat Dom Reale of Ketcham 4-0 to capture third place in the 285-pound
division, while Jeyfer Chacon scored a major decision over Avery Glass to take third at 145. Phil Capriglione and Steve Biliali also had top-four finishes at 160 pounds and 132 pounds, respectively. The five Eastchester wrestlers will be in action for the opening rounds of sectionals on Feb. 13. The championship rounds will be held the following day at Clarkstown South High School. The Eagles will spend much of the week preparing for sectionals, traveling to Harrison High School to take part in joint practices alongside the Huskies and several other local teams. “It’s very exciting especially because in the last two years, we’ve had multiple people qualify for sectionals,” Crowley said. “It’s exciting for the guys who are going for the first time, it’s fun to work out with your teammates, and I’m just excited that I’ve got some people to work out with this week.”
Nunzio Crowley locks up with Ketcham’s Riley Wilson on Feb. 6. Crowley earned another trip to sectionals with a top finish at last weekend’s qualifying event.
CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com
Jeyfer Chacon tries to escape a Scarsdale opponent at Horace Greeley High School. Photos/Mike Smith
An Eastchester wrestler takes down an opponent at Horace Greeley High School.
Phil Capriglione tangles with a Yorktown opponent on Feb. 6.
16 • The eastchester review • February 12, 2016
SPORTS
Huskies top Eagles again By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor Although Harrison came into Friday night’s game against Eastchester without head coach Louis Kail on the bench, the setback didn’t derail the Huskies’ hopes for a league win over the Eagles. Despite falling behind early, Harrison climbed back into contention and came away with a double-digit win, topping Eastchester 74-62 on the road. Kail, who picked up two technical fouls for questioning rough play during the JV contest preceding the varsity showdown, had to serve a one-game suspension in the nightcap, leaving coaching duties to assistant coach Scott Clough. According to Clough, however, stepping into the unfamiliar role was made much easier by the Huskies’ experience and commitment to the game plan. “I think when it comes down to it, we just play our game; it can be Eastchester, it can be Pelham,” he said. “We’re going to play our way and if we can do
Harrison assistant coach Scott Clough talks to his players during a timeout. Huskies’ head coach Louis Kail was forced to serve a one-game suspension after picking up two technical fouls during the JV game.
that, we’re supremely confident that we’re going to come out on top.” Although Eastchester started quickly, finding the net four
times from behind the arc in the first quarter to open up a 21-12 lead, Harrison battled back in the second to tie the game heading into the half.
Avery LaBarbera drives to the hole on Feb. 6. LaBarbera had 19 points in Harrison’s 74-62 win over Eastchester.
Gina Nuvoloni rushes past an Eagles’ defender at Eastchester High School.
According to Huskies’ point guard Avery LaBarbera, who finished with a game-high 19 points—15 of which came from foul shots—it simply took Harrison a few minutes to find its bearings. “Coach Clough is a great coach, but to have [Coach Kail] thrown out right before the game, it was kind of a wakeup call,” said the sophomore. “I think in the second quarter, that’s when we started playing as a team.” Harrison’s commitment to rebounding and its ability to defend Eastchester standout Cassidy Mitchell paid dividends in the final three quarters of the game. Mitchell had nine points in the first quarter, but was held to just one basket from the field for the remainder of the game. “We had to shut [Mitchell] down,” Clough said. “She killed us at Harrison, so we knew if we could take her away this game, we’d have a good chance to win.” With playoffs scheduled to begin after press time, Harrison is hoping that its strong showing against the Eagles will translate into postseason success. The
Cassidy Mitchell makes a move near the sidelines on Feb. 6. Mitchell led Eastchester with 14 points. Photos/Mike Smith
Section I seeds should be announced on Feb. 10, with outbracket games scheduled to be played the following day. “This was an awesome win because Eastchester is a great
team,” LaBarbera said. “To know that we’re as good as them is a great thing for us heading into the playoffs.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com