Eastchester REVIEW THE
May 20, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 21 | www.eastchesterreview.com
School budget passes, newbies take 2 board seats
MILE STONE WIN
By SARAH VARNEY Education Reporter
John Arcidiacono rushes upfield against Nyack on May 16. Arcidiacono scored three times and reached the 100-goal mark in Eastchester’s 13-2 Class B first round playoff win over the Indians. For more, see page 15. Photo/Mike Smith
Village, school district flood mitigation project to begin By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer After receiving a grant for $5.1 million from FEMA in 2012, the Bronxville Union Free School District has finally released a schedule for construction on its flood mitigation project. The work timeline for the project estimates the construction of the temporary parking lot on Meadow Avenue and the conversion of the upper elementary school lot into a construction site in May. However, most of the work is scheduled to be completed between June and October of this year. “We’re gearing up to do a lot
of work over the summer so we can avoid parking issues and problems like that,” said Dan Carlin, Bronxville school district’s assistant superintendent for business. The project, which aims to drastically reduce the amount of flooding on the Bronxville schools’ campus and its surrounding streets—Meadow Avenue, Willow Road and Midland Avenue—is scheduled in two phases. The first phase consists of installing trenchless piping which will run to a detention system beneath Hayes Field and the installation of two pumps to divert the water to the Bronx River. Hayes Field will be shut down
for the later portion of Phase I at the end of the fall sports season in 2016, and is expected to be fully functional with a new, fullsized synthetic turf field in time for fall sports in 2017. As the project—that looks to combat severe flooding in the lower lying area of the village— continues into the 2016-2017 school year, the district expects to maintain all school programs, including recess, physical education and athletics. Carlin predicted minor traffic congestion and short-term impact on the area during Phase I, but added, “If we can get the school not to flood anymore, that benefit is priceless.” Phase II, which would pro-
vide three additional pumps and a housing structure for all five pumps on Hayes Field, has not yet been scheduled. The entire project was initially estimated to cost around $6.9 million, 75 percent—$5.2 million—of which FEMA would provide. The remaining $1.7 million will be split evenly between the village of Bronxville and the school district. The project is now estimated at $11 million, with the first phase costing $8.6 million. Montesano Brothers, a New Rochelle-based construction company, was contracted for the project in March. CONTACT: corey@hoetwn.com
Voters in Eastchester cast 937 votes in favor of the $82 million 2016-2017 school budget, compared to 530 votes against it. The budget provides an increase of $1.9 million over the current budget and is based on a 1.63 percent tax levy increase. Included in the total is $2 million that will go toward replacing fuel tanks and repairing roofs and masonry at the district’s six schools. It will also enable the district to add 6.3 full-time teaching positions. But while the budget balloting ran smoothly with no surprises, the Board of Education election turned into a game of musical chairs. When the polls closed, first-time candidate Steve Projansky snagged a board seat with just three more votes than incumbent Judah Holstein. “We both counted it down to the wire,” Projansky said. He added that Holstein deserved kudos for his three years of service on the board. “I hope that at some time in the future, Judah makes it back onto the board,” Projansky added. Sally Veltidi, another first-time candidate, finished with the most votes, 1,002, of the five candidates. She was followed by incumbent Mary Messner Martin with 997 votes; interim incumbent Cheryl Smith with 885 notches; Projansky with 730 votes; and Holstein with 727 nods. According to board customs, Projansky was sworn in at the Wednesday, May 18 board meeting, after press time. The custom calls for the winning candidate with the lowest vote total to serve out the remainder of the unexpired term of any interim seat. Smith took over for John Curcio in January 2016 after he resigned, and she will now step aside and begin a full three-year
term. Curcio’s doesn’t expire until June 30, 2018. The rest of the elected and re-elected board members will be officially sworn in during a district reorganizational meeting this summer. Veltidi, 37, is single and has no children. She is currently superintendent of the town’s Parks and Recreation Department. “I’m delighted that the residents of the district showed their confidence in me,” she said. For current board President Mary Messner Martin, her reelection will enable her to continue oversight of the Eastchester High School construction project that was OK’d in October 2015. Construction is set to begin this summer. The project will focus on a 3-story addition with 12 new classrooms, nine science labs and six small group instruction spaces. Increased enrollment over the past five years has left the 1927 structure bursting at the seams, according to school district officials. When the project is completed in 2018, administrators will be able to reclaim gymnasium space surrendered to make temporary classrooms before the expansion. CONTACT: sarah@hometwn.com
At a glance $82M 2016-2017 school budget passes $2M will pay for new fuel tanks, masonry, roof repairs Eastchester High School addition project commences in June Board of Education takes on two new trustees: Projansky and Veltidi
2 • The eastchester review • May 20, 2016
May 20, 2016 • The eastchester review • 3
$46.5M Bronxville budget passes districtwide By SUZY BERKOWITZ Editorial Assistant The Bronxville Union Free School District’s proposed 20162017 budget passed with relative ease on Tuesday, May 17. The $46.5 million budget, which yields a tax levy increase of 0.24 percent and a budget-tobudget increase of 0.29 percent, passed with 73 percent of the vote; 184 voters supported the budget to just 62 who were opposed. Schools Superintendent Dr. David Quattrone attributed the budget’s passage to the community’s value and trust in the school system. This sentiment was echoed by Dan Carlin, the district’s assistant superintendent for business, who said the flat budgets that the district has been able to sustain over the past eight years has gained the confidence of the
voters that their tax dollars will be spent wisely. Quattrone said the budget will be used to sustain the district’s current programs and services, and will help the district begin to develop a five-year capital plan to improve facilities’ needs. “We’ve defined our mission as the Bronxville Promise that focuses on innovation, leadership, engaged citizenship and critical thinking, and we have a great team of teachers that help build that vision,” Quattrone said. “I’m looking forward to working with the faculty and the community to ensure that those values are instilled as part of the culture of the district.” Although this year’s budget managed to remain under the tax cap by a slim margin, Carlin said the district should only be so hopeful next year. The assistant superintendent attributes
the success of the budget to an increase in state aid and a reduction in teacher retirement, both of which allowed the district to save money. “We’re able to cope this year with what we anticipate to be one-time hits,” Carlin said. “This year’s budget isn’t much of an increase from the prior year, so we’re trying to continue the programs we offer, and we’re grateful to be able to do so.” The Bronxville Board of Education also added three newcomers as Jack Bierwirth, Tom Curran and Arleen R. Thomas all were elected in an uncontested race. Bierwirth, a recent retiree and 18-year-long Bronxville resident, ran on a platform dedicated to “developing a long-term facilities plan within a long-term financial plan within the capacity of the community to sustain.”
$31.9M Tuckahoe school budget approved By ANDREW DAPOLITE Contributor With a relatively low voter turnout and an uncontested race for the Tuckahoe Board of Education, voters of the Tuckahoe school district passed a $31.9 million school budget by a nearly 3-to-1 margin. This year’s budget was approved by 74.6 percent of the total 398 voters; 297 yes votes to 101 votes in opposition. The budget offered an overall decrease of 0.31 percent compared to last year’s budget and, according to interim Superintendent Charles Wilson, the budget includes plans to restore a diminishing fund balance. “In previous budgets, the district had been using fund balance to keep the increases down,” Wilson said. “But this year we found other means. That’s your rainy day account and you have to be very careful not to spend that.” Last year, the school district appropriated $419,526 of its fund balance in order to remain within the tax cap and avoid cutting programs and staff. This year, the administration sought to reverse the trend by reviewing specific accounts. During this process, they realized the amount of expenditure allocation in recent years was lower than the amount previ-
ously budgeted. “We budgeted closer to what we have actually been spending,” the superintendent said. “By anticipating lower costs you can find money without increasing taxes.” Wilson believes that the election results are a testament to the diligence of his staff and school board members. “It’s really a vote of confidence for the school district,” he said. “Regardless of the low participation, we were very happy with the results.” Some of the educational enhancements in next year’s budget include maintaining class sizes as well as the high school’s 10 Advanced Placement courses. The budget will also add 5.4 full-time equivalent staff members and expand the district’s Technology For All initiative, where students in grades three through 12 utilize Chromebook devices. But it will be up to Carl Albano, the newly appointed superintendent, to implement the
budget. Wilson, who previously served the district as a consultant, stepped into the role of interim superintendent for just one year. His contract expires in July. Dajan Prorokovic, vice president of operations for Watch Hill Wireless, ran for election to his first term on the board on the platform of expanding infrastructure and utilizing new technologies, particularly for special needs students. He also seeks to provide enhancements to the district’s current sports offerings. Prorokovic received 253 votes. Robert Sypher, vice president of operations at Altium Wealth, will also join the school board for the first time and plans on addressing the challenge of increased enrollment and maintaining class sizes in addition to implementing a social media policy in order to improve communication between the district and residents. Sypher received 285 votes.
2016-2017 School Budget and Board of Education Election Yes
297 votes
Robert Sypher
285 votes
No
101
Dajan Prorokovic
253
Total
398
Total
538
The Bronxville Union Free School District’s $46.5 million budget passed by a 73 percent margin during a vote cast on Tuesday, May 17. Three empty seats were also filled on the Board of Education in an uncontested race. File photo
Curran, a partner in a law firm based in New York City and eightyear-long Bronxville resident, believes some of the most pressing concerns currently facing the school district include providing students with a safe learning envi-
ronment and enabling the schools to best use technology as a tool for education. Thomas, senior vice president of Management Accounting and Global Markets at the American Institute of CPAs and 14-year-
long Bronxville resident, believes that the school district should prioritize developing a strategic plan to use as its guide to resource allocation. CONTACT: suzy@hometwn.com
Correcting the record A headline in the May 13 issue of the Eastchester Review read, “5 for 2 in Eastchester Board of Education race.” There were four open seats on the board.
4 • The eastchester review • May 20, 2016
What’s going on... Eastchester Public Library
money into credit default swaps. His actions attract the attention of banker Jared Vennett (Ryan Gosling), hedge fund specialist Mark Baum (Steve Carell) and other greedy opportunists. Together, these men make a fortune by taking full advantage of the impending economic collapse in America. Rated R; running time: 130 minutes.
Bronxville Public Library Visit eastchesterlibrary.org for more information on these and other events and programs.
Visit bronxvillelibrary.org for more information on these and other events and programs.
20-/30-Somethings Book Club
Teen makeup class
On Monday, May 23 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. This new book club for adults in their 20s and 30s will meet monthly and explore a variety of genres. This month’s book is “Orange is the New Black” by Piper Kerman. Join fellow 20- and 30-somethings for a book discussion of this popular New York Times-reviewed young adult book, led by 20-something librarian Elizabeth Portillo. Light refreshments will be served. Copies of the book are available at the circulation desk. Pre-registration is suggested online. Contact Portillo at 7935055 or eportillo@wlsmail.org.
On Tuesday, May 24 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. For ages 12 and up. Local makeup artist Melissa Warek will be coming to the library for a teen makeup class. She’ll be showing participants some tips and tricks about applying makeup. Just bring a clean face and get ready to be a pro before the end of the day. Online registration is required as space is limited.
EPL Film Series
Tots of Fun: Dance Party! On Wednesday, May 25 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Open to toddlers age 2. Join the library for a music-filled dance party. Children may follow along to the dance moves or make up their own.
Village Lutheran Church On Friday, May 27 at 1:30 p.m. “The Big Short” will be screened. In 2008, Wall Street guru MiWomen’s Bible study chael Burry (Christian Bale) realizes that a numThe women’s group will have their final meetber of subprime home loans are in danger of defaulting. Burry bets against the housing market ing for this year on Saturday, May 21 from 8:30 by throwing more than $1 billion of his investors’ a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Friendship Room. How can
we balance work and worship? How can we have a Mary heart in a Martha world? For spiritual and practical answers to those questions, please read chapters 11 and 12 in the study book. You might also discover some tips for developing your own quiet time with Jesus as the less hectic months of summer approach. There will be a new Bible study topic for the fall, so the group needs your input. Please wear purple for a photo of the group, bring a spring breakfast treat, your Bible and folder, and any prayer requests. Contact Deacon Wendy Krolides at 7226072 or Sharon Peterson Finster at 337-0207 ext. 1007 with any concerns. Village Lutheran Church is located at 172 White Plains Road in Bronxville.
Men’s Bible study The final meeting for this year will be on Saturday, May 21 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The group will continue the study of the book of Daniel. A new study will start up again in the fall. For information, contact Deacon Chuck Horvath at 664-3393. Village Lutheran Church is located at 172 White Plains Road in Bronxville.
Bronxville Women’s Club Featured artist exhibit The Bronxville Women’s Club, located at 135 Midland Ave. in Bronxville, announced that Dagmar Hartter is the featured artist for the month of May. Her works may be viewed Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays, through Friday, May 27; other times by appointment. There is no charge for viewing, and works are for sale. For more information, call the BWC at 337-3252 or visit bronxvillewomensclub.org. Samples of Hartter’s art can be found at dh-acrylics.com.
Midland Music series The final concert for the 2015-16 season of Midland Music, the professional music series of the Bronxville Women’s Club, located at 135 Midland Ave. in Bronxville, will take place on Sunday, May 22, at 3 p.m. Performing will be concert pianist Dr. Lisa Yui in a program entitled “Musical Exchange: Schumann’s Fantasy in C Major and Liszt’s Sonata in B Minor,” two of the greatest solo piano works of the 19th century. Yui is on the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music and she will explain the pieces she will be performing. BWC members: $18; general public: $25; seniors: $22; students: $5. For more information, call 3373252 or visit bronxvillewomensclub.org.
International Taste of Bronxville-Eastchester-Tuckahoe The Bronxville Women’s Club, located at 135 Midland Ave. in Bronxville, will be holding its fifth annual International Taste of Bronxville-Eastchester-Tuckahoe (and the surrounding communities) on Tuesday, May 24 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Restaurants include Angelina’s, Elia Taverna, Spice Village and The Bayou. Advance admission is $30 each; at the door, $35 each. There will also be a silent auction during the evening. For more information, call 3373252 or visit bronxvillewomensclub.org.
Eastchester school district news Days off in May Given that no snow or emergency days have been
used to date this school year, it is anticipated that Thursday, May 26 and Friday, May 27 will now become school holidays. The High School Scholastic Awards Night has been moved to Monday, May 23. The New York state Grade 8 science performance assessment has also been rescheduled. Visit district.eastchesterschools.org for more information.
Eastchester Recreation Department Summer camps registration Visit eastchester.org/departments/recreation/index.html for more information on summer camps. These camps are also open to Tuckahoe and Bronxville residents. You can also reach the Parks and Recreation Department at 771-3311 or recreation@eastchester.org. Late registration rates are currently being charged. After Sunday, May 15, the department will only accept registrations if there are openings in your child’s age group; otherwise they will be put on a waiting list. If you have more than one child attending one of the camps, there is a $50 discount off the original camp price for each additional child in the same family; the first child pays full price.
Bronco Hoops summer basketball camp Bronco Hoops Basketball Camp is rooted in teaching the fundamental skills and strategy of basketball in a manner that is both fun and educational. Each day, athletes will participate in skill-based stations that focus on individual player development. Those skills will then be utilized in controlled game situations and scrimmages. Camp staff will work closely with each athlete to help them maximize their potential and ensure a positive experience. The camp is open to boys and girls ages 5 to 14, and will run from June 27 to July 7 at Bronxville High School, located at 177 Pondfield Road. Camp hours are 9 a.m. to noon, and the fee is $199. For more information, visit eastchester.org/ departments/recreation/index.html or email broncohoops@gmail.com.
Bronxville Sports and Science Camp The mission of the Bronxville Sports and Science Camp is to provide children with experiences in a variety of sports, enrich them in the field of science exploration, and empower them with decision-making skills. Blending the disciplines found in sports and academics with this life lesson theme provides children with a camp experience that will be both valuable and memorable. The camp is specifically designed for boys and girls entering grades K–6 and is presented by the Eastchester Recreation Department. There are four sessions, all in July. The camps will run weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon at the Bronxville School, located at 177 Pondfield Road. For more information, visit eastchester.org/ departments/recreation/index.html or email bronxvillesportsandsciencecamp@gmail.com. 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.
May 20, 2016 • The eastchester review • 5
EHS senior wins Chester for best film Eastchester High School students made a strong showing at the Westchester County Future Filmmakers Film Festival at the Pelham Picture House in April. Senior Bobby Martin took first place, winning the Chester award for Best Film.
The following students also had their films screened at the annual event: Daniel Cho, Ryan Gray, Brandon Marku, Kyle McKintyre, Jack Murtha, Keisuke Nojima, Jose Sala and Kevin Wingertzahn. The Future Filmmakers Film
Dale Hisiger of the Matthew Hisiger Foundation, sponsor of the Future Filmmakers Film Festival, looks on as Eastchester High School senior Bobby Martin addresses the crowd while holding his Chester for Best Film.
Festival showcases work from students from schools across Westchester County, providing up and coming filmmakers with a forum to display their short films, featuring a range of genres including narrative, documentary, comedy, drama and musicals. Films cannot exceed 10 minutes and must be rated PG. The festival culminated with the awards ceremony when the Chester, the Westchester equivalent of the Oscar, was awarded to the top three film submissions. Teacher and media production specialist Michael Goldstein said, “I am so proud of our students’ participation in this prestigious festival. I’m especially excited that Bobby received the best film award as the competition was keen, with all the finalists displaying a superior level of talent and creativity.” First-place winner Martin submitted companion films “A Guy’s Guide to Getting Girls – Every Guy Needs a Little Help to Find That Special Someone” and, not surprisingly, “A Girl’s Guide to Getting Guys – Every Girl Needs a Little Help to Find
From left, Eastchester High School students Kevin Wingertzahn, Bobby Martin, Daniel Cho, teacher Michael Goldstein, Kyle McIntyre and Keisuke Nojima pose with the Chester award Martin won for Best Film. Photos courtesy Eastchester school district
That Special Someone.” As Martin explains, “These films were made at first help me figure out how to get a girlfriend and when I did get a girlfriend, they helped me to try and figure out how the heck I did it.” He traces his interest in filmmaking back to elementary school when he and his friends would “goof off in front of a camera.” Then, as he became older, the
stories, and the process, became more complex. Martin also realized that he had a growing audience that appreciated his humor and the outlet he provided for his viewers to escape the pressures of everyday life and dive into what he calls a “world of hilarity and fun.” The appreciation cuts both ways, with Martin saying, “It makes my day to have some-
one come up to me and say how much they enjoyed my films and how they were able to relate with them so much.” He shares the credit for winning his Chester as well, adding, “Winning this award is a great honor for me but I couldn’t have done it without the help of my peers and my amazingly awesome film teacher, Mr. Goldstein.” (Submitted)
Saltaire:
6 • The eastchester review • May 20, 2016
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Modern, sustainable seafood delights
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Saltaire, located at 55 Abendroth Ave. in Port Chester, opened in late September at the former Willet House. Photos/Andrew Dapolite
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By SIBYLLA CHIPAZIWA Editorial Assistant As you approach the restaurant on Abendorth Avenue in Port Chester, you may catch the scent of the sea coming from where the Byram River empties into the Long Island Sound. Its handsome brick building bears navy blue signage with its name: Saltaire. Open for about seven months now, the location has become a renowned foodie favorite in the village’s continued expansion of its restaurant scene, As you enter, right above you is a roof painted the same navy blue; the last remnant of the Willet House, a popular steakhouse that closed in 2014. To your right, you find the dining room with its high ceiling, low chandeliers that take you back in time, and vintage maps of various regions known for their seafood. To your left is the bar room, with a brick wall, tin ceiling, high chairs and vintage photos of fishermen. Let’s not forget the fresh oyster
bar right at the bar’s edge, with an in-house shucker that will deftly scoop out whichever of the 12 varieties you prefer; just tilt your head back and slurp. Seafood, local produce and meats are delivered every weekday from New York City markets—all seasonal, sustainable, farm-raised and never frozen—with the menu printed in-house daily to feature only the best quality ingredients, simply prepared. There is no middle man; no phone calls to purveyors or wholesalers. Quality is of the utmost importance to both the owner, Les Barnes, and the executive chef, Bobby Will. If a fish doesn’t work out, it will be replaced on the menu the next day. “Frozen fish is a four-letter word,” says Barnes, a city of Rye resident. He knows seafood, having frequented fish markets since he was just 5. “I grew up in the fish and restaurant business; going to the Fulton Fish Market with my dad at 4 in the morning,” he adds.
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The main dining room features vintage chandeliers and maps from various regions known for their seafood.
Barnes is also the owner of London Lennie’s, a seafood restaurant named after his father that has been serving patrons for more than 50 years in Queens. He took over the family business when he was just 23 years old after earning a degree in hospitality management. Barnes’ next step was set to be an oyster shack, until the Willet House space became available, that is. “Port Chester is a fairly popular restaurant town today, and it just made sense,” he says about the decision to create Saltaire. Where the name comes from makes sense, too. “There was an oyster I used to buy out of Canada called Salt Aire [from Prince Edward Island]; it reads like the salt air of the ocean, but [the restaurant name] is one word,” Barnes says. “It has a nice ocean feel to it.” Saltaire focuses on seasonal seafood and produce, not on a particular cuisine, according to Will, a Greenwich, Connecticut resident. Thanks to the young chef’s skills in the kitchen—he attended the Culinary Institute of America—and his knowledge of seafood from growing up on the Atlantic coast of Ipswich, Massachusetts, it seemed like fate when he met Barnes following a call from a recruiter while backpacking in Eastern Europe. “I literally got off the plane
from Turkey and in eight hours, was talking to Les over coffee in Tarry Market about the opportunity,” Will says. “It didn’t feel like an interview; it felt more like a discussion of what we liked and didn’t like… things just fell into place. “Fish has been a big part of my life—not just as a chef, but my overall life,” Will says, adding that his background has a great influence on how he deals with fish, particularly preferring to buy fish whole and butchering it himself. The idea is to see which ingredients complement the quality of the seafood, “what gives each dish its own characteristics and personality,” he says, adding that Saltaire is a “sea-and-farm-to-table restaurant with global inspiration.” One example is mussels with a Thai carrot and coconut broth, enhanced with grilled lime, white sesame and cilantro; a dish Will learned upon traveling to Thailand and learning how to make fresh
curry paste from scratch. Not your taste? There’s something for everyone, from steak lovers to kids, like the carbonara generously laced with fresh lobster that is still sweet to the taste, and a dessert featuring pie crust-flavored pop rocks for the tart at heart. “We want people to… feel like they can have a romantic date, but also come in on a Sunday with their family,” the executive chef says. “Les understands the idea that quality and the guests’ experience is the most important factor.” CONTACT: sibylla@hometwn.com
SALTAIRE OYSTER BAR AND FISH HOUSE 55 Abendroth Ave., Port Chester, NY 10573 939-2425 saltaireoysterbar.com
Saltaire’s lobster carbonara, considered a house specialty, is laced with bacon, sundried tomatoes and generous lobster chucks that are still sweet and tender. Photo/Sibylla Chipaziwa
May 20, 2016 • The eastchester review • 7
RTP, beach management search likely scrapped
About two months ago, six applications were submitted as requests for qualifications in regard to the management of Rye Town Park over the course of 20 years. Some commission members have now expressed interest in regrouping and starting over. File photo
By ANGELA JORDAN Staff Writer With an inability to come to a consensus and concerns over potential conflicts of interest, it seems the plan to seek out new management for Rye Town Park and Oakland Beach is going to fall by the wayside. The Rye Town Park Commission is still deliberating on the request for qualifications, RFQ, applications that were submitted almost two months ago, but the process likely won’t carry on much longer with some members of the park’s governing commission disagreeing on how to move forward. The Rye Town Park Commission is a six-member committee of representatives from the town of Rye, the villages of Port Chester and Rye Brook, the city of Rye, and the Rye Neck section of the village of Mamaroneck, which establishes policies and regulations for Rye Town Park, a 62-acre park located at 95 Dearborn Ave. in the city. The park is a shared asset between the city and town of Rye. In regard to the official status of the RFQ selection process, Rye Town Supervisor Gary Zuckerman, a Democrat, said it is still ongoing. “We are going to set up a work session or discussion to review the various submissions, and determine if any of them are worth pursuing,” Zucker-
man said. “Several members [of the commission] felt it would be unfair to dismiss some of the submissions without going over them and reviewing them first.” Port Chester Mayor Dennis Pilla, a Democrat, told the Review that the RFQ process has been “very broad and open-ended.” “We didn’t get input [on the management of the park] from constituents first,” Pilla said, referring to the RFQ sent out in January. “We put the cart before the horse.” Pilla suggested doing a request for proposals for the restaurant, which overlooks Oakland Beach, instead, since Seaside Johnnie’s lease, the current tenant, is up at the end of the year. Following that, Pilla mentioned then completing a master plan of the park with input from residents of the town and city of Rye before sending out another solicitation for new management of the park. Rye City Mayor Joe Sack, a Republican, also said that the committee should begin by putting out an RFP strictly for the restaurant, and then take more time to figure out management for the overall park. “It doesn’t seem like the responses we got are responses that we can work [with], except for the city of Rye’s response and perhaps Seaside Johnnie’s because they are already there,” Sack said.
However, the responses to the RFQ have led Sack and Zuckerman to clash on more than one occasion over potential conflicts. Sack is the mayor of the city of Rye, which submitted its own proposal for the park, while Zuckerman works as a legislative aid for the Westchester County Board of Legislators, which just approved an agreement with Standard Amusements for the right to manage Playland; United Parks, the managing company for Standard, also submitted a proposal to manage Rye Town Park. In total, there were six responses to the RFQ for the park submitted by a March 18 deadline, including one from Seaside Johnnies, who is exclusively interested in continuing to run the restaurant and snack bar/concession stands that they already operate, in addition to potentially managing the parking lot. The other applicants are all private developers. They include Biederman Redevelopment Ventures, which is known for redeveloping Bryant Park in midtown Manhattan; Caspi Development, which owns several properties in Westchester and New York City; and Southwest Capital, whose founder Salvatore Gizzo owned and managed the Surf Club, a catering hall in New Rochelle, between 1992 and 2013. -with reporting by Christian Falcone
CONTACT: angela@hometwn.com
Eastchester Town Hall puts on red noses
Some members of Eastchester Town Hall put on their red noses ahead of Red Nose Day USA, Thursday, May 26. Photo courtesy town of Eastchester
Red Nose Day is all about having fun, raising money and changing lives. Money raised through Red Nose Day will help transform the lives
of children living in poverty in the U.S. and internationally. Some of the members of Eastchester Town Hall, including the Parks Department,
had some fun and put on their red noses. The Red Nose Day special will air on NBC on Thursday, May 26 at 9 p.m. (Submitted)
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.”
8 • The eastchester review • May 20, 2016
Reviewing and modernizing our community plan BRONXVILLE TODAY Mayor Mary Marvin
The village trustees, in concert with the village Planning Board, create a policy guide or community plan for the village’s future development. The most recent community plan was adopted in 2009, and since then much has changed necessitating a further review in 2016–2017. The plan provides historical and current data on the physical, economic and social conditions of the village, discusses goals and objectives, identifies planning issues, and serves as a guide for future development. Bronxville’s first planning efforts date from 1922 when the village’s first zoning ordinance was adopted to guide land use and density. The code has been amended from time to time, most notably in 1958, 1971, 1980, 1985 and 1997. After a thorough review by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, as part of the federal housing settlement agreement, our code was found to meet muster per anti-discrimination laws. Our array of housing size and stock as well as no onerous minimum acreage requirements were a strong determinative. The community plans of 2002 and 2009 prompted the village to take action in many recommended areas including: • adoption of floor area ratio limits on residential buildings. • adoption of zoning amendments limiting square footage for central business district buildings, establishing regulations for dwelling units in central business A districts, extending the prohibition of street-level offices along Pondfield Road between Kraft Avenue and Cedar Street/Tanglewylde Avenue and on Palmer Avenue between Parkway Road and Paxton Avenue, and prohibiting street-level personal service establishments along Pondfield Road between Kraft Avenue and Cedar Street/ Tanglewylde Avenue. • completion of a villagewide property reassessment to bring
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assessed property values in line with current real estate values and land uses. Bronxville’s first real building boom that caused village elders to review land use coincided with the opening of the Bronx River Parkway in 1925, making automobile traffic highly accessible. By the end of the 1920s, most of the available land within the village had been developed. We have been only tinkering at the edges ever since. As we move forward to further analyze and perhaps modify the community plan and the complementary zoning code in light of 2016 realities, we are mindful of the underlying goals that were promulgated by very visionary forbearers. The overall purpose of our community plan is to maintain Bronxville as a small scale, attractive community in which the pattern and quality of land uses reflect the needs of residents, businesses, institutions and other interest groups within the village. To achieve this overall goal, the community must: • preserve and promote the special architectural character and appearance of existing buildings and neighborhoods. • maintain the natural landscape of the village. • retain the pedestrian scale of buildings, streets and open spaces that currently exist in the downtown area. • encourage development and land utilization that is appropriate to the existing pattern of development and which will help ensure the economic stability of the whole community. • control the impacts of flooding on residential and commercial properties within the village. Against this backdrop, the village will be reviewing issues that have come to the fore, both positive and negative, since the 2009 review. The following are examples of situations not existing and some not even imagined in 2009 that will need to be reviewed and analyzed in the coming months: • Even with a floor area ratio, are the home additions allowed in the village still too big and/or out of character with neighbor-
ing homes? • Given the recent flood issues, are our rules regarding permeable versus nonpermeable surface coverage adequate, i.e., the effect of black topped driveways or stone fencing that change water diversion? • Should very invasive construction such as drilling and blasting be further limited than the normal construction hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.? • Given the number of healthy trees removed to further property development, should the village have a tree ordinance restricting removal? • Are our central businesses district rules too restrictive, thus deterring new businesses; or are they in balance with other like communities who place emphasis on the aesthetics of their downtowns? • Should merchandise be allowed on sidewalks? If so, how can a code differentiate between “attractive” merchandise such as flowers versus snow shovels? • Should more/less outdoor eating be allowed? • Should the village government have more of a role when a project has potential impact on busy commercial streets or significant parking demands? • As an aside, there was much discussion about residential living as it related to the recently approved condominium project at 100 Pondfield Road. Every zoning code in our area allows/ encourages residential living above the first floor of commercial establishments and will continue to do so as the mixed use promotes vibrancy/lights/ safety in downtowns long after stores close. I can’t imagine the village without the Towers on Tanglewylde as example. To do otherwise would constitute illegal “spot zoning.” As times change, the village boards must remain proactive to ensure that our village retain its character and with it property values. It is a delicate balancing act that requires constant monitoring. I welcome any input from villagers who may encounter situations we may potentially miss in our review.
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HUD monitor recommends suing Harrison By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer In his third biennial report, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development monitor James Johnson suggested that the U.S. Department of Justice take legal action against seven municipalities, including the town/village of Harrison. As a result of a 2009 settlement with HUD, Westchester County must develop 750 affordable housing units in 31 predominantly white communities, including Harrison, by the end of 2016. Johnson’s report, released on April 29, concluded that the county had reached all of its annual benchmarks and is in compliance with the settlement, but listed seven municipalities whose zonings were considered exclusionary.
Johnson reported that these municipalities had zoning restrictions, lack of development incentives and an overall lack of progress in meeting the region’s affordable housing needs. In turn, the monitor suggested that the Justice Department pursue litigation against these communities. Westchester County Legislator David Gelfarb, a Rye Brook Republican who represents Harrison, said the monitor’s recommendation to file charges against a municipality was without legal merit. “The settlement, in the first place, never contemplated the [Department of Justice] suing individual towns,” he said. “Harrison has no obligations under the settlement because Harrison never signed the settlement.” Gelfarb added that while the settlement mandates details such
as how many units may be considered rentals or may be designated for seniors by age restriction, it does not specify how many units must be developed in each of the 31 municipalities. However, since Harrison is yet to make any inroads on the affordable housing front, the county recently stepped in. In September 2015, the county purchased a two-bedroom condo unit on West Street in Harrison to convert into an affordable housing unit. The county bought the unit for $296,355, and is listing it for $175,000. Harrison officials contend that The Avalon development planned near the Harrison Metro-North station is expected to deem 20 percent of its 143 units as affordable housing upon completion of the project. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com
Announcement
Ruby Rose Miggins Joseph and Melissa Miggins, of Hartsdale, New York, have announced the birth of their daughter Ruby Rose Miggins, born at 3:42 a.m. on April 20, 2016 at White Plains Hospital in White Plains, New York. Ruby weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces and measured 20 inches long at birth. Her paternal grandparents are Deborah Watson and Patrick Miggins from Putnam County and her maternal grandparents are Robert and Jean Vaccaro from Eastchester, New York. Ruby also has a great grandparent, Angela DeLucia, also from Eastchester. (Submitted)
May 20, 2016 • The eastchester review • 9
10 • The eastchester review • May 20, 2016
Something happening here HISTORICALLY SPEAKING Richard Forliano
On the evening of June 24, 2014 in the lobby of Eastchester Town Hall, something happened that might never have occurred before in the history of America. Elected officials in Eastchester, Bronxville and Tuckahoe signed a pledge renewing their dedication to the principles in the Eastchester Covenant written by the town founders 349 years before. As far as we know, none of the 100 communities in New England and other sections of the Northeast that had ever signed civil covenants recommitted themselves to the principles upon which their communities were founded. What are the beliefs that the original settlers committed our community to long before American democracy had been achieved? Implicit in the Covenant is the centuries-old ideal of governance by the people. Our most precious and important document states that this community would be based on fundamental moral and spiritual principles such as compassion, honesty, generosity, cooperation, governance by the people, and devotion to family, faith and community. Recent scholarship by prominent historians and political scientists rank our Covenant among some the most important documents in American history. That night, Town Supervisor Anthony Colavita stressed that “Eastchester’s foundation, its very bedrock, is the family. It was created by 26 families and to this day it has always existed as a collection of families.” In the 17th and 18th centuries, the families consisted of people of English and French Huguenot stock, mixed in with a number of African-American slaves and some free blacks. With the arrival of the railroad in the mid-19th century, Irish and German immigrants became the bedrock of the Tuckahoe and Eastchester communities. Later in the early 20th century, waves of Italians came to Tuckahoe and Eastchester followed by an influx of AfricanAmericans to Tuckahoe starting in World War I. Today, the town of Eastchester and its two villages—like our
the Harlem and New Haven railroads. The name that was given to this area was Mount Vernon, a village for 39 years in the town of Eastchester. The present day village of Tuckahoe is a unique example of how people from different ethnic and racial backgrounds got along so well long before the civil rights movement. A young man growing up in Tuckahoe after World War II commented, “This small village represented everything that was good and wholesome about small-town America. What made Tuckahoe unique was its cultural diversity long before the term was popular. Tuckahoe was a true melting pot of Italians, Polish, Jews and
African-Americans… and many others…. There were no jealousies or animosities.” There are many numerous examples of how people over the span of long history have followed the spirit of the Eastchester Covenant. Houses of worship, service and civic groups, scouting organizations, private charities and fundraising groups, volunteer organizations, and private acts of charity have enriched our community beyond measure. The people of Eastchester, including the villages of Tuckahoe and Bronxville, are bonded together by trust, compassion, honesty, generosity, family and faith. The origins of these noble qualities can be traced to the
signers of the Eastchester Covenant from 1665 to 1682. There are many other examples of these communities’ citizens adhering to the principles behind the Covenant, a document that most likely have never read but are part of Eastchester’s legacy. What better legacy can we pass on to our children than that the people of our community are still keeping the Covenant. Please contact us at historian@eastchesterhistoricalsociety.org about any comments or questions you might have about this column. Also, any questions about sources of information will be addressed.
Town of Eastchester
Official Newspaper Linda Laird, Eastchester town clerk, holds up a page of the Eastchester Covenant, the town’s most important and precious document. Elected officials in the Eastchester, Bronxville and Tuckahoe communities resigned the Covenant on June 24, 2014. Photo courtesy Richard Forliano
ancestors over three centuries ago—provide a safe haven for families to raise their children in a place that, in the words of the town supervisor, are joined by a bond of “genuine respect and benevolence we share toward one another… family to family and neighborhood to neighborhood.” Eastchester is a caring community. After 9/11, hundreds of people in the town gathered with our political and religious leaders in front of Town Hall to mourn our collective loss. The words of then Town Supervisor Jim Cavanaugh still ring true today: “We are attacked not because we worship God, but because we allow worship of God in all ways. We are attacked not because we are rich, but because we refuse to believe that people must be poor. We are reviled by zealots not because we threaten their way of life, but because we are so successful in protecting ours. These men of dark and cold hearts oppose us not because we are oppressive, but we remain the world’s greatest refuge for every person who flees the tyrant.” If the ghosts of the men and
women who originally settled here more than three centuries ago heard those words, they would be proud. Overall, what the Eastchester Covenant says is that we must be compassionate, honest, generous and cooperative. Most important, we must stand together, support each other and act in a decent, kindhearted manner. Over Eastchester’s three and a half century history, there have been times when its citizens have followed the spirit of the Covenant. In 1850, John Stevens, a New York City merchant tailor, organized mechanics and laboring men from New York City to combine their resources, buy land and build houses of their own. Stevens’ plan was to allow people of sound moral character, mainly mechanics and laboring men, fleeing the exorbitant rents of New York City to buy affordable homes. Within six months he had a thousand subscribers, and the group began looking to buy land within a reasonable commuting distance from their city jobs. His group bought five adjoining farms in southern Eastchester consisting of 365 acres, positioned near the junction of
Eastchester Schools
Charlie is a gorgeous 2 1/2-year-old male tabby. He is great with other cats and would be happiest in a home with a young cat like himself who loves to play. He would also do best with school-aged children. He is neutered, up to date with all vaccinations, microchipped and ready to join your household. The adoption donation for Charlie is $80. To meet him, contact Larchmont Pet Rescue at 835-3332 or visit the Harrison Kitty Cottage during an open house and see his posting on NY-PetRescue.org. (Submitted)
May 20, 2016 • The eastchester review • 11
Mercury Transit makes way for total solar eclipse SUNSPOT MERCURY
Appearing as a small dot in relation to the sun, the Transit of Mercury is only viewable using specialized telescopes and occurs roughly 13 times per century.
By ANDREW DAPOLITE Contributor For the first time in nearly a decade, the planet Mercury passed between Earth and the sun on Monday, May 9, allowing people from across the globe to view our solar system’s smallest
planet from further than 50 million miles away. And while the excitement around the celestial event was palpable throughout North America and Europe, prime viewing locations for the phenomenon known as the Transit of Mercury, according to
Passers-by gaze up at the sun using solar eclipse glasses. The next total solar eclipse in the United States will occur on Aug. 21, 2017.
A young girl observes the planet Mercury’s trip across the sun on May 9. On average, Mercury is positioned 48 million miles away from Earth.
Charles Fulco, a NASA solar system ambassador, there are even more impressive celestial events to look forward to. Last year, Fulco left his post as a science teacher and planetarium director at Port Chester Middle School in order to promote one of the most significant astronomical occurrences ever observed from planet Earth: a total solar eclipse. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, fully blocking the sun from our earthly viewpoint. Last seen coast to coast in the United States in 1918, the phenomenon will be viewable on Aug. 21, 2017. Based on its latitude, New York state will experience only a partial solar eclipse, but nonetheless, it will be a significant sight to see. Fulco, an avid astronomer and science consultant with Westchester roots, was accepted by NASA as part of an outreach program. He is currently in the process of traveling along the 2017 solar eclipse’s path of totality—12 states between Oregon and South Carolina—meeting with school superintendents and teachers to explain the oncein-a-lifetime event. “Don’t keep the kids inside,” Fulco said. “Seeing the stars come out in the middle of the daytime and seeing the moon shadow coming at you at 2,000 mph, it’s amazing.” So far, Fulco has traveled through nine out of 12 states, also showing teachers the best methods for students to safely look at the sun. On May 9, as a precursor to the solar eclipse, Fulco provided views of the Transit of Mercury from the Playland Boardwalk in Rye. Equipped with specialized telescopes and solar eclipse glasses, onlookers witnessed the more common celestial event. The Transit of Mercury occurs roughly 13 times per century, however during the last occurrence in 2006, rain clouds blocked the sight. “I wasn’t sure if people would care, but the wow factor was through the roof [on Monday],” Fulco told the Review. “People were in such disbelief. I explained to some the mathematics of [the transit] but I told people to just appreciate it. You’re not going to see it again for a while.” According to Fulco, what
On Aug. 21, 2017, the United States will witness a total solar eclipse from the Pacific to Atlantic coasts for the first time since 1918. The vantage point on Earth where the eclipse can be seen is known as the path of totality, approximately 200 miles wide. Photo courtesy eclipse2017.org
people find most interesting is how small Mercury really is in relation to the sun. “The transit gives you a nice scale of our solar system and how fast Mercury moves,” he said. However, “fast” in astronomical terms is relative, as it took approximately seven hours for Mercury to cross the sun from our earthly vantage point. Fulco spent five hours on
the boardwalk with enthusiasts ranging from pre-kindergarteners to senior citizens, with the majority of stargazers from the local area. “I was very happy that the people from Rye were so excited and so inquisitive,” Fulco said. “To see a 4-year-old girl so interested, rattling off facts about the solar system was amazing.” Throughout the summer, Ful-
co will resume his travels to the remaining states along the solar eclipse’s path of totality for what he expects will be a thrilling event next year. “A total eclipse is the coolest thing you will ever see in your life,” Fulco said. “I’ve been to four continents chasing these things, so to have one happen in my own country is like the backyard for me.”
Charles Fulco, a NASA solar system ambassador and science consultant, provides views of the Transit of Mercury last Monday from the Playland boardwalk in Rye, utilizing specialized solar telescopes. Contributed photos
12 • The eastchester review • May 20, 2016
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May 20, 2016 • The eastchester review • 13
Sitting down with the swami next door RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy
When he was 19, Richard Slavin, a nice Jewish boy from the suburbs of Chicago, went backpacking in Europe for two months. “Hey,” I told him. “I have a son about to do the same thing.” “But,” Slavin added with a twinkle, “I never came back!” With that, he gave a hearty laugh, as jolly a sound as the ice cream man’s bell. Pure joy. He could laugh now—he was laughing now, in a conference room in Midtown for a book tour, because at 60-something and bald, he is no longer the wandering hippie he was in 1970. In fact, he is no longer even Richard Slavin. Today he is Radhanhath Swami, leader of the Hare Krishnas. The swami was dressed in coral-colored robes and a coral sweatshirt that he took off in the warm corporate office. His assistant jumped up to fold it for him, but the swami—spiritual leader to millions—nonchalantly did it himself. This is not a guy who lives a Kardashian life. He’s a monk. He sleeps on the floor. He rises at 4 every morning for chanting and meditation, and breakfast isn’t until 9! So how does a suburban American kid end up living in India, leading a congregation that feeds 300,000 impoverished kids a day, along with running a hospital, an orphanage, a handful of eco-villages and about a dozen schools for the very poor? The swami smiled and raised his eyebrows as I asked. He looked as surprised as me.
And by the way, in between all these India duties, the swami travels the world to lecture everywhere from Google to Harvard on things like spirituality and stress. “I have to admit to them that swamis have as much stress as them,” he chuckled. “It’s just a matter of how you deal with it.” The journey from footloose teen to spiritual leader is what his first book, “The Journey Home: Autobiography of an American Swami,” was about. It was a bestseller. His latest book, “The Journey Within: Exploring the Path of Bhakti,” is about the spiritual lessons learned along the way. The lessons did not come easily. After he landed in Europe, Slavin hitchhiked across the continent in search of truth. “I was going to cathedrals and synagogues to study, because I really believed in the unity of all religions,” he recalls. He studied Islam in Turkey and Iran. By the time he got to India to study the religions there, he “became a very serious ascetic. I would never sleep inside any building, because I considered that too luxurious. So I slept under trees, or in caves.” Now, readers, here I must confess something: This man grew up one suburb way from me. He went to my rival high school and is just about 10 years older. When we discussed our favorite childhood haunts, he gleefully recalled the local pancake house and summers on Lake Michigan, though, “As a swami, I can’t tell you what we used to do when we’d sneak onto the beach.” Another laugh. The point is, he comes from a background very familiar to me.
But most of us did not go off and sleep in caves. How on earth did his parents react? When he finally returned to America for the first time, he says, “It was a culture shock for me and a culture shock for them. My father and brother came to meet me at the airport. The only luggage I had was a begging bowl. They didn’t know what to think. But we adjusted to each other in a very sweet and wonderful way.” That’s probably because the swami was not the caricature that many of us had or even still have of the Hare Krishnas—lost souls in loose robes chanting in the streets and offering flowers, cult members. “In every religion, there’s wacky people,” the swami said matter-of-factly. Because the Hare Krishna religion was first established in America in 1966, right around the time of the counter-culture, the two got entwined in the public mind. Lost souls did join. So what? Hare Krishna is not an American fad. It’s an ancient Indian religion that says we are all one— humans, animals, all of us who seek sustenance here on earth. And when we chant the name of Krisha—God—we get closer and closer to realizing that connectedness. That doesn’t sound any dippier than going to church or temple. And if it makes people ready to build schools, respect nature and provide for the very poor, more power to it—and the former Richard Slavin. (But if my son is reading this, please note: Do not stay away for 40 years!) CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com
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Faith leaders address youth sentencings Dear Gov. Cuomo, Majority Leader Flanagan and Speaker Heastie, As faith leaders from many backgrounds, traditions and beliefs, we write to you united by our great concern for the future of children in our communities. Too many are being swept up into the adult criminal justice system and getting trapped in a cycle of poverty and crime. We all know children who have faced down difficult circumstances and rebuilt their lives. But the lack of age-appropriate interventions for 16- and 17-year olds in the adult system, as well as the heightened exposure they face to violence and abuse, is making it difficult and in many cases impossible for even the most intelligent and capable teens to become productive and successful members of our communities. As a state, New York is failing these children. Today, we humbly ask you to raise the age at which children are automatically charged as adults. Currently, New York is one of
two states where youth as young as 16 automatically end up in adult courts, jails and prisons. Passing the raise of the age proposal will enhance public safety and offer youth age-appropriate interventions (including, when necessary, incarceration). In 2013, nearly 34,000 16and 17-year olds were arrested and faced prosecution in the adult system—the vast majority for non-violent crimes.We should be better than that. Adult prisons do not focus on rehabilitation, and are not designed to meet the needs of children. National studies show that young people confined in adult facilities are much more likely to face traumatic physical and sexual violence than those in juvenile facilities. This lack of age-appropriate intervention and increased exposure to violence also leads to higher rates of recidivism and, as a result, higher costs for the
Respectfully, J. Bruce Baker, pastor, All Souls Parish/Presbyterian Church, Port Chester; Bob Berson, Ethical Culture Society of Northern Westchester; Rabbi Jonathan Blake, Westchester Reform Temple, Scarsdale; Rabbi Jeff Brown, Scarsdale Synagogue; Rabbi Aaron Brusso, Bet Torah, Mount Kisco; J. Cooper Conway, priest in charge, St Paul’s on the Hill Episcopal Church & Trinity Episcopal Church, Ossining; The Rev. Doris K. Dalton, Memorial United Methodist Church of White Plains; The Rev. Noelle Damico, Member United Church of Christ Metro Association; The Rev. Dr. Susan G. De George, Stated Clerk Hudson River Presbytery; The Rev. Dr. Gawain de Leeuw, OA, Rector St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, White Plains; The Rev Joyce Dugger, Protestant chaplain, Hofstra University; Wayne Francis, lead pastor, Authentic Church, White Plains; The Rev. Dr. Steven Meredith Garmon, Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation, White Plains; The Rev. Jeffrey A. Geary, White Plains Presbyterian Church; Rabbi David Greenberg, Temple Sharaay Tefila, Bedford; The Rev. Susan C. Harriss, Christ’s (Episcopal) Church, Rye ; The Rev. Sarah E. Henkel, White Plains Presbyterian Church; Rabbi Julie Hilton Danan, Pleasantville Community Synagogue; The Rev. Dr. David R. Holder, founder and senior pastor; Ministers Gregory Adegbola, Dierdra Clark,
justice system as a whole. Our current law sets young people up to become re-offenders: research has shown that young people who go through the adult system are much more likely to reoffend than those in the juvenile system. From a public safety perspective, raising the age is about being both smart on crime and tough on crime—an approach that numerous law enforcement officials from around the state have endorsed. By creating a path to more positive outcomes for more children, raising the age would lead to crime reductions and help foster safer, more livable streets throughout the state. Thank you for your consideration of this matter. We are ready to stand by you and move forward with this important policy change. It goes without saying that all New Yorkers will be better off under this approach.
Gregory Millings, Marlon Simpkins, Alex Smith, Sherin Swift, John Udochi, New York Covenant Church, New Rochelle; Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe, Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester, Chappaqua; Jone Johnson Lewis, clergy leader, Riverdale-Yonkers Society for Ethical Culture and Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture; Rabbi Chaim Marder, Hebrew Institute of White Plains; Rabbi Shira Milgrom, Congregation Kol Ami, White Plains; The Rev. Darren M. Morton, Ed. D., Macedonia Baptist Church, Mount Vernon; The Rev. Dorothy Muller, Hudson River Presbytery; Pastor Jim O’Hanlon, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Rye Brook; The Rev. Dr. Lillian F. Reynolds, minister for Community Based Programs, Grace Baptist Church, Mount Vernon; The Rev. Dr. Bonnie Rosborough, Briarcliff Congregational Church Apostle A.S. Rose Upon this Rock Ministries Inc., Mount Vernon; The Rev. Erwin Lee Trollinger Jr., Baptist Church, White Plains; The Rev. Dr. Verlin D. Williams, Union Baptist Church, White Plains; Dr. Edward O. Williamson, pastor-teacher, Bethel Baptist Church, White Plains; The Rev. Claire Woodley, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Mohegan Lake; Perry Wootten, pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Ossining; Bart Worden, clergy leader, Ethical Culture Society of Westchester; The Rev. Dr. Robert E. Young, Mount Olivet Baptist Church, Peekskill. (Submitted)
SPORTS
14 • The eastchester review • May 20, 2016
A day at the old ballpark LIVE MIKE Mike Smith
At 31 years old, I’ve come to the realization that I’m not a spring chicken anymore. That being said, I wouldn’t call myself “old,” unless I was comparing myself to the crowd at Governor’s Ball. On Sunday, however, I felt every bit the geriatric ward resident at the place I was most afraid of it happening: the baseball field. For the last 10 years, my buddies and I have spent most of our weekends in the spring and summer lacing up our cleats to compete in one of New York City’s adult baseball leagues. In that time, I’ve seen us grow from a team filled with young, post-college upstarts into a ballclub stacked with wizened vets who get by on guile more than athleticism. But Sunday, man, did we look old.
We’ve gotten off to a good start this year. We came into the weekend 9-2, fresh from beating a couple of hurlers who spent the last few years pitching in the minor leagues. But this weekend, we squared off against the kryptonite of just about anyone over 25 years old: teenagers. I knew we were in trouble as soon as we got to the field. We straggled into the park about 45 minutes before game time, which is about as much time as we normally need to stretch and cajole our aching joints into something resembling baseball shape. But our opponents, average age 18, had been there for over an hour, playing a pickup game before we were set to play a double header. They spryly bounced around the turf, chattering loudly, whipping the ball around the infield. It was way too much energy for someone my age to see that early in the morning. The game played out pretty predictably: they just never let up.
Every time they got on base, they’d take another, forcing our catcher—who’s squatted behind the plate for 95 percent of the 2,100 innings we’ve played in the last decade—to throw over and over again with a labrum he hasn’t had since 2012. Even when we took the lead, nothing could dampen their enthusiasm. They simply put together good at-bat after good atbat, tiring out our aged pitching staff, myself included, until they ended up coming out on top in both games. But our humiliation on the field was nothing compared to the way we felt afterward. On Monday, I was too sore to tie my shoes. Our catcher said he was typing left-handed at work, as the pain in his shoulder had his throwing arm dangling uselessly at his desk. Our first baseman, whose balky hamstrings once again became an issue during a rundown play, worked from home, as he was unwilling—or unable—to get off his
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On Sunday, Sports Editor Mike Smith’s baseball team lost a tough double header to a bunch of teenagers. This week, Smith is really feeling his age. Photo courtesy Mike Smith
couch in the morning. We’d been beaten by better teams, but never by teams who simply “out-youthed” us. It was a sobering moment, indeed. But the great thing about playing once a week is that old
guys like us have plenty of time to recover. The next time we play these whippersnappers will be in June. We’ll know their tendencies, remember what they did last weekend and hopefully use our minds to strike a winning blow
for all the geezers out there. Or maybe we’ll just get lucky and they’ll all be at Randall’s Island, grooving to Kanye.
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SPORTS
May 20, 2016 • The eastchester review • 15
Eagles cruise in first-round game LACROSSE
class b 1
BRONXVILLE 13 NYACK 2 EASTCHESTER HS
5/16/16
Game Notes: • Eastchester was led by a combined seven goals from John Guido and John Arcidiacono rcidiacono scored his •A 100th career goal in the playoff win •T he Eagles will take on No. 5 seed Tappan Zee after press time
By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor Over the last several years, Eastchester’s lacrosse program has made great strides, the evidence of which was on display Monday, May 16, when the No. 4 seed Eagles routed No. 13 Nyack 13-2 in the first round of the Class B sectional playoffs. With a balanced attack and plenty of experience against some of the area’s top clubs, Eastchester could be poised to make its deepest postseason push in recent memory. After a measured start, the Eagles began piling the goals on in the first quarter, eventually amassing a 5-0 lead over the Indians by halftime. By the time the final whistle sounded, John
Nick Genova fires a shot from the outside against Nyack. Genova finished with two goals and two assists on the afternoon.
Guido racked up four scores and John Arcidiacono added three—including his 100th career goal—to help Eastchester come away with a one-sided win. Nick Genova scored twice for Eastchester and Nick Milo, Joe Michalski, Paul Moran and Ryan Blume all found the net as well. According to head coach Steve Lennon, breaking down the Nyack defense by allowing Eastchester’s playmakers to utilize their athleticism was one of the key components of the game plan heading into Monday’s matchup. “We definitely came out and played the game that we wanted to play,” Lennon said. “They came out in a zone, and after a couple of minutes we were able to get a few goals so they switched to man, and it played right into
what we wanted to do.” Monday’s win over the Indians was the continuation of a hot streak for Eastchester, which finished the regular season with a record of 11-5 and good showings against several top teams to its name. “Every year, we want to end up above .500 while playing the best teams that we can,” Lennon said. “This year has been our hardest schedule so far, and we’re rolling right now.” The Eagles will look to continue their torrid play on May 18, after press time, when they host No. 5 seed Tappan Zee in second-round action. The Dutchmen, who advanced on Monday with an 11-7 win over a game Ossining team, fell 11-2 to the Eagles on March 5, but Lennon said the Eagles are preparing for a stronger showing from Tappan Zee this time around. “We may have [beaten] them by nine, but they have some wins over good teams this year,” the head coach said. “We’re going to look at their tendencies, look at what worked against them last game, and make sure that we’re doing everything right on our end. Every year, we seem to win our first round game and then lose in the second round. But our goal is to get further in the playoffs and make it to the championship.” Contact: sports@hometwn.com
John Guido makes a move against a Nyack defenseman on May 16. Guido scored four times in Eastchester’s 13-2 Class B first round win over the Indians.
Ryan Blume carries the ball across midfield on May 16. Photos/Mike Smith
Austin Capasso blows past a Nyack player at Eastchester High School. Capasso had two assists in Eastchester’s win over the Indians.
16 • The eastchester review • May 20, 2016