Eastchester REVIEW THE
December 2, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 49 | www.eastchesterreview.com
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ASSIST In an attempt to shed light on the dangers and consequences of drug and alcohol use among teens, the Eastchester school district enlisted the aid of former NBA player Chris Herren, an ex-heroin addict who nearly lost his life battling the disease. For story, see page 15. Photo/Andrew Dapolite
Sarah Lawrence College president to step down in 2017 Karen R. Lawrence will step down as the 10th president of Sarah Lawrence College, following a decade of service, in July 2017. Having taken office in August 2007, Lawrence successfully led the college through the recession, national concerns over higher education affordability and accessibility, changes in enrolling students’ demographics, and attacks on the relevance of the liberal arts in a shifting economy. Under her leadership, the college has grown its enrollment, with the student body becoming more diverse and international; added new curricular offerings such as arts and technology and environmental studies; built upon its rigorous program in the sciences; created new opportuni-
ties for studying abroad; and expanded its community outreach, including the establishment of the Sarah Lawrence Center for the Urban River at Beczak. The college also joined Division III of the NCAA. “Karen Lawrence’s greatest legacy will be her leadership and fundraising success, which allowed the college to maintain the affordability of the distinctive Sarah Lawrence education, the hallmarks of which are small classes and on one-on-one interaction between students and faculty, during a period of national economic turmoil,” said John Hill, who chaired the college’s board of trustees from 2008 until May 2016. During her tenure, Sarah Law-
rence has undertaken the most successful fundraising campaign in the history of the college, with more than $120 million raised to date toward a goal of $200 million. This includes a $15 million gift from alumna Barbara Walters to help fund the college’s vision for a transformative new campus center. A search for the college’s 11th president is currently underway. An announcement is expected this winter. Founded in 1926 and consistently ranked among the leading liberal arts colleges in the country, Sarah Lawrence College is known for its pioneering approach to education, rich history of impassioned intellectual and civic engagement, and vibrant,
successful alumni. In close proximity to the unparalleled offerings of New York City, the historic campus is home to an inclusive, intellectually curious, and diverse community. Talented, creative students choose Sarah Lawrence for the opportunity to take charge of their education. In close collaboration with our dedicated, distinguished faculty, students create a rigorous, personalized course of study, conduct independent research, and connect a wide array of disciplines. They graduate knowing how to apply the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking necessary for life after college. For more information, visit sarahlawrence.edu. (Submitted)
Rye Brook considers law to regulate gun stores By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer The village of Rye Brook plans to propose a local law that would regulate where gun retailers would be allowed to open stores within the village. The pending legislation comes in the wake of the recent opening of a gun store in a contentious area in Harrison last month. According to Rye Brook Mayor Paul Rosenberg, a Democrat, that legislation “will seek to, on a local level, dictate where gun shops may be located within the village of Rye Brook.” Rosenberg told the Review that legislation could be proposed as early as the Dec. 13 village board meeting, and added that a first draft of that legislation had already been written. Both Rosenberg and Chris Bradbury, the Rye Brook village administrator, said the specifics are still being investigated by the village attorneys to prevent potential legal backlash of an overreaching law. Meanwhile, village officials have asked for collaboration from members of the Harrison town board in proposing the law. In a letter addressed to Harrison officials, Rosenberg asked them to join Rye Brook—and potentially other neighboring communities—in considering the adoption of legislation that would restrict the location of gun stores regionally. Bradbury and Harrison Mayor Ron Belmont, a Republican, said they have since discussed meeting. Similarly, the city of Rye has formed a gun safety committee
in response to the location of the Harrison shop. That committee could look to propose similar legislation to regulate where guns could be sold within the city. However, city officials have not collaborated with officials in Rye Brook as of press time. Rosenberg’s letter to Harrison expressed specific concern about the location of L&L Sports, the gun store at the center of controversy. The shop opened in early November on Halstead Avenue in Harrison, and is less than 1,000 feet from Parsons Memorial Elementary School. Its proximity to the school and also two churches has drawn concern from town residents and its neighboring communities; an online petition protesting the store’s location has garnered nearly 3,500 signatures, as of press time. However, Harrison officials have said that there is nothing they can to prohibit the business from operating. The federal Gun-Free School Zones Act prohibits someone from carrying a gun within 1,000 feet of a school unless the weapon is unloaded and kept in a locked case. However, that law has a provision that allows gun stores to operate within a 1,000foot zone. Westchester County Legislator Catherine Parker, a Rye Democrat, said she may also look to propose a countywide law regulating the location of gun stores, adding that local legislation could help generate interest. “As a precursor to doing something at a larger level, LAW continued on page 9
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