December 7, 2018 by The Eastchester Review

Eastchester REVIEW THE

December 7, 2018 | Vol. 6, Number 50 | www.eastchesterreview.com

County renews shared services agreement with Tuckahoe

Saving the Sound Federal and state officials announced this week several grants aimed at improving and protecting the Long Island Sound watershed. For more, see page 6. File photo

Westchester passes Fair Chance to Work legislation On Dec. 3, the Westchester County Board of Legislators approved a measure to ensure that people with criminal records in their past have an opportunity to explain their circumstances when they’re looking for work. The “Fair Chance to Work” legislation, which passed by a vote of 11-5, eliminates questions about a job applicant’s criminal record on initial job applications, but it does allow for such questions to be asked in interviews. It also allows for background checks after initial application. The measure will give qualified people a foot in the door when they’re applying for work, even if they may have been convicted for a minor offense or are working to rehabilitate themselves after a criminal conviction. That’s because the first thing an employer will see will be the applicant’s qualifica-

tions, not a marked check box. “The point of this legislation is to give job seekers a chance to establish a dialogue with prospective employers, not to have any dialogue cut off before it can begin,” said board Vice Chairwoman Alfreda Williams, one of the co-sponsors of the legislation. “I am proud that this will be the law in Westchester County. This will make a positive impact on people’s lives, help people make a new start, encourage employment, give employers a wider pool of motivated, qualified workers and increase the tax rolls simultaneously.” Laws like this, popularly known as “ban the box” provisions, have been passed across the country—including in Kansas, Wisconsin, Connecticut and New York City—and companies like Pepsico, Microsoft, Home De-

pot, Target, Starbucks, Walmart and CVS have eliminated these questions from job applications. “I’m happy that Westchester County today has joined various states, cities and other municipalities in passing legislation of this sort. This legislation doesn’t limit background checks by employers, but it will allow job applicants an opportunity to tell their stories when they’re looking for work,” said county Legislator Catherine Borgia, the bill’s co-sponsor. “Eliminating questions of criminal background on initial application is a policy that has been adopted by companies across the political spectrum.” County Legislator Damon Maher, chairman of the board’s Labor and Housing Committee, said, “This is a good step toward ensuring that those who are charting a new course in their

lives have a path do to so. Better opportunities for employment will reduce recidivism as we hopefully put the era of mass incarceration behind us.” Employment is one of the most important factors in reducing recidivism rates, but when initial job applications include things like check-boxes disclosing past criminal records, workers often find themselves pre-emptively cut off from opportunities to rebuild their lives. School districts, employers of police officers, and other employers who are barred by law from hiring applicants with specific criminal convictions, would not be subject to the new measure, which goes to County Executive George Latimer for his signature. You can view the text of the legislation and the legislative history at bit.ly/2Rr0Pl8. (Submitted)

In an effort to save taxpayer dollars, Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced that the Westchester County Department of Public Safety will continue to handle 911 calls and dispatch duties for the Tuckahoe Police Department on the midnight shift under a renewed shared services agreement between the county and the village of Tuckahoe. The agreement comes at no cost to the county and saves Tuckahoe taxpayers from further personnel costs. “This agreement is a small example of how county government and local governments can partner in an effort to save taxpayer money,” County Executive George Latimer said. “My administration has made a more robust shared service plan a key in our efforts to reduce the burden placed on Westchester County taxpayers and this agreement with Tuckahoe can serve as a blueprint on how it is possible.” The five-year extension of the agreement, approved on Dec. 3 by the county Board of Legislators, allows Tuckahoe to continue to save money by not having a desk officer on duty at police headquarters on the overnight shift. “I am very pleased that County Executive George Latimer has agreed to extend this partnership for another five-year period,” Tuckahoe Mayor Steve Ecklond said. “This cooperative shared service between the county and the village has exceeded our expectations. The financial savings to our village residents has en-

abled us to place these resources toward other areas of public safety. I also want to extend my gratitude to Commissioner Thomas Gleason of the Westchester County Department of Public Safety and his staff for the excellent ongoing support provided to our police department.” Westchester County police began dispatching Tuckahoe police officers on the midnight shift on Dec. 3, 2013, under an Inter-Municipal Agreement between the county and village. The IMA came about when Tuckahoe was facing the possibility of having to reduce its patrol coverage on the midnight shift. By eliminating the need for a desk officer, the Tuckahoe Police Department was able to keep the same number of officers on the street. All 911 calls or other telephone calls from the public to the Tuckahoe Police Department are handled by county police from midnight to 7:40 a.m., seven days a week. The county police also dispatch Tuckahoe officers as needed. Anyone who comes in person to the Tuckahoe Police Department headquarters during the overnight hours can contact county police through a telephone mounted at the front door. A Tuckahoe police officer is then dispatched to return to headquarters. The county can provide the service to Tuckahoe at no cost because the small volume of overnight calls in the village can be handled by current personnel. (Submitted)

All 911 calls or other telephone calls from the public to the Tuckahoe Police Department are handled by Westchester County police from midnight to 7:40 a.m., seven days a week, as per a shared services agreement between the two municipalities.

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Don’t fall for these common scams

To help taxpayers avoid being scammed, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance highlighted some common tactics used by identity thieves and cybercriminals.

To help taxpayers avoid being scammed, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance highlighted some common tactics used by identity thieves and cybercriminals. The strategies to steal sensitive personal data range from the simple to the complex, as described in the examples below. Threatening calls: Scam artists who use this tactic try to bully or trick victims into disclosing private information, or convince them to wire money to pay a tax debt or fine. If a caller, perhaps posing as a state Tax Department or IRS agent, threatens an arrest or fines, it’s a scam. Neither agency threatens taxpayers, and they

notify taxpayers by letter first before making any calls or sending any emails. Unusual emails: Phishing emails often contain links that can activate malware or lead to phony websites that request personal information. Misspellings or unfamiliar logos in the email or subject line are obvious clues that it’s a scam attempt, but some of the bogus emails and websites are convincing. Hovering over the links may reveal an unusual webpage address, URL, that confirms the sender’s true intent. To be safe, simply delete these emails and any that are unsolicited, and never click the links within them.

Remember, the Tax Department never requests personal or financial information by email. Offers to collect tax payment in person: If a caller claiming to be from the Tax Department or IRS offers to meet you at a specified location to collect a payment, it’s a scam. This is never an option with the IRS or Tax Department. End the call immediately. Request for a specific type of payment: If you’re being told to pay through a prepaid debit card or an iTunes gift card, this is a telltale sign of a scam. The Tax Department and IRS provide various payment options, but the use of gift cards isn’t one of them. (Submitted)

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Eastchester Public Library

and the Cottle School Field. Come join in for a funfilled season. Please visit tyabaseball.com to register your child, and email tyabaseball@yahoo.com with any questions.

Eastchester schools news For more information on hours and programs, visit eastchesterlibrary.org.

Bronxville Public Library For more information on hours and programs, visit bronxvillelibrary.org.

Social Needlers On Mondays and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to noon. Join the library for a knitting and crochet hour every Monday and Wednesday. Participants can chat and socialize while making beautiful items which will be donated to the Visiting Nurse Service of New York.

Adult Coloring Group On Mondays from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Coloring has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety. Come and be creative and meet new friends, all while listening to tranquil music. Coloring sheets and materials will be provided.

Tuckahoe Public Library For more information on hours and programs, visit tuckahoe.com/library.

Community news TYA Baseball spring registration Registration for the spring 2018 Tuckahoe Youth Association, TYA, recreation baseball season is now open. The program will offer baseball for the divisions/age groups listed below for children living in or attending schools in the Eastchester, Tuckahoe and Bronxville: - Tee Ball (boys and girls ages 4 and 5), fee: $135 - Rookies Baseball Division (boys and girls ages 6 and 7), fee: $175 - Youth Baseball Division (boys and girls age 8), fee: $175 - Minors Baseball Division (boys and girls ages 9 and 10), fee: $175 - Majors Baseball Division (boys and girls ages 11 and 12), fee: $175 The season will be from mid-April until late June. All divisions are based on the children’s ages as of May 1, 2018 (playing age). Games will be played at Labriola Field, Haindl Field, the Immaculate Conception School Field, Chester Heights Field

Student employment opportunity Lake Isle is currently accepting employment applications for lifeguards. Download an application at lakeislecountryclub.com and submit it at the main office at Lake Isle. You must be at least 16 years old to apply. The contact person is George Papademetriou, the general manager at Lake Isle Country Club.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester LEGO City Builder Enjoy building city scenes with LEGO bricks at home? Let your creativity loose with LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester’s newest play space: LEGO City Builder. This is an interactive city that visitors can add their own elements and designs right into the display. The new play area includes skyscrapers, police and fire stations, cafes, suburban streets, beaches, a LEGO Friends section and more. Celebrate the grand opening of this exciting new space with photo opportunities and custom builds created by Master Model Builder Anthony Maddaloni. Admission starts at $16.95; children under age 2 are free. Opening hours are Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester is located at 39 Fitzgerald St. in Yonkers. For more information, call 844-740-9223 or visit westchester.legolanddiscoverycenter.com.

County news Golf course openings The six county-owned golf courses are now open, with the last of the snow melting. The courses are: Dunwoodie, 231-3490, and Sprain Lake, 231-3481, both in Yonkers; Maple Moor, 995-9200, in White Plains; Mohansic, 862-5283, in Yorktown Heights; Saxon Woods, 231-3461, in Scarsdale; and Hudson Hills, 864-3000, in Ossining. For more information, visit golf.westchestergov.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.

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Letters to the Editor

Come join in my holiday open house To the Editor, On Thursday, Dec. 13, from 4 to 6 p.m., I’ll be hosting my free annual Holiday Open House. This year’s celebration will take place at the Port Chester Senior Center behind the Port Chester Municipal Building at 222 Grace Church St. Neighborhood events, block parties and open holiday parties are a great way to build community and foster togetherness. I encourage old friends, new friends and those I have yet to meet to join me for a celebration of the holidays. We will have hors d’oeuvres and you can have drinks with your neighbors, local municipal officials, community leaders and me, your state senator for the 37th District. At this year’s event, I am collecting donations for Feeding Westchester. We suggest donations of diapers, toiletries and nonperishable food items. For a list of additional items Feeding Westchester suggests, visit their website at FeedingWestchester.org. If you would like to drop-off your donation before the Holiday Open House, you may do so at my district office located at 222 Grace Church St., Suite 300 in Port Chester. RSVP is required for the Holiday Open House so that we can plan appropriately for food and drinks. You may RSVP online at bit.ly/MayerHolidayOpenHouse, call the office at 934-5250 or email me at smayer@ nysenate.gov. Looking forward to catching-up with old friends and making new ones. Shelley B. Mayer, State senator

About Letters to the Editor Publication is not guaranteed. We reserve the right to edit letters for content or space, at our discretion, without notification from the company. We reserve the right to reject submissions at our discretion without notice to the author. Sorry, but we are unable to notify authors in advance if and when a letter will be printed. Deadline for submission is Friday before publication. The maximum length of letters that appear in our pages is 625 words, but letters are usually significantly shorter to accommodate space needs.

The letter should be signed and include the writer’s address and phone number for verification purposes. We will not publish letters that cannot be verified. Publication by frequent letter writers will be limited to one per month. The opinions of letter writers do not reflect those of this newspaper. Please submit via fax to (914) 653-5000 or email to chris@hometwn.com or via post to Home Town Media Group, C/O Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 485 White Plains, N.Y. 10602. We do not accept unsolicited Op-Ed submissions, film reviews, or food reviews.

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$2.57M in grants awarded

to improve Long Island Sound Top federal and state environmental officials announced on Dec. 3, 36 grants totaling $2.57 million to local government and community groups to improve the health and ecosystem of Long Island Sound. Fourteen projects, totaling $586,000 directly benefit New York. The activities funded through the Long Island Sound Futures Fund, LISFF, show how projects led by local groups and communities make a big difference in improving water quality and restoring habitat around the sound watershed. This grant program combines funds from EPA and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, NFWF. “I know all of us share great excitement with, and are energized by, the depth and breadth of community commitment evidenced by these projects,” said Pete Lopez, EPA regional administrator. “They give New Yorkers the opportunity to support pollution prevention, stormwater control, wetland and habitat restoration, water monitoring and public education as effective ways to enhance long-term stewardship of Long Island Sound, while promoting its sustainable recreation-

al and economic uses.” The LISFF 2018 grants will reach more than 1.7 million residents through environmental education programs and conservation projects. Water quality improvement projects will treat 1.9 million gallons of water and collect 37,000 pounds of floating trash. The projects will open up six miles of river and restore 18 acres of coastal habitat for fish and wildlife. The grants will be matched by $3.09 million from the grantees resulting in $5.67 million in funding for on-theground conservation projects in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont. In New York, the $586,000 in grant funds will be matched with $999,000 from the grantees, resulting in $1.58 million in community conservation. “As co-chairman of the Long Island Sound Caucus, I understand that the Long Island Sound is a regional and national treasure, as well as a critical economic, recreational and environmental resource,” Congressman Lee Zeldin said. «The $2.57 million investment in these 36 programs around the Long Island Sound

Watershed will allow us to continue to improve the health and vitality of the sound. These community projects will make a real difference in continuing our progress towards cleaning up Long Island Sound.” The Long Island Sound Study initiated the LISFF in 2005 through EPA’s Long Island Sound Office and NFWF. To date, the LISFF has invested $19.6 million in 416 projects. With a grantee match of $36 million, the program generated $55.6 million for locally-based conservation. The projects have opened up 163 river miles for fish passage, restored 1,109 acres of critical fish and wildlife habitat and open space, treated 204 million gallons of pollution, and educated and engaged 4.7 million people. “The Long Island Sound is a precious natural resource whose value extends far beyond its many beloved beaches,” said Basil Seggos, commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. “While the sound is home to a rich array of wildlife and scenery enjoyed by visitors year-round, it also hosts habitats that provide enormous

ecosystem services to the surrounding communities. These ecosystems will continue to protect and inspire us for as long as we work to ensure their health.”Long Island Sound is an estuary that provides economic and recreational benefits to millions of people while also providing habitat for more than 1,200 invertebrates, 170 species of fish and dozens of species of migratory birds. Each of the grant projects contribute to a healthier Long Island Sound for everyone, from nearby area residents to those at the furthest reaches of the Sound. All nine million people who live, work and play in the watershed impacting

the Sound can benefit from and help build on the progress that has already been made. The Long Island Sound Study, developed under the EPA’s National Estuary Program, is a cooperative effort between the EPA and the states of Connecticut and New York to protect and restore the sound and its ecosystem. Chartered by Congress in 1984, the NFWF protects and restores the nation’s fish, wildlife, plants and habitats. Working with federal, corporate and individual partners, NFWF has funded more than 4,500 organizations and committed more than $3.8 billion to conservation projects. (Submitted)

SOME LONG ISLAND SOUND FUTURES FUND PROJECTS Planning and Coordination for Coastal Forest Habitat Management in Bronx Park Project Area: Bronx Park, Bronx, New York / LISFF Grant: $99,810; Matching Grant: $76K City Parks Foundation will develop a management plan for 170 acres of coastal maritime forest in the Bronx Park. This project will contribute to targeted restoration and management of coastal maritime forest in an important urban Long Island Sound watershed.

Producing and Implementing a Community-supported Long Island Sound Blue Plan Project Location: Coastal communities in Connecticut and New York that border Long Island Sound / LISFF Grant: $44,986; Matching Grant: $51,904 The Nature Conservancy, Connecticut will finalize the Long Island Sound Blue Plan in Connecticut and New York. The project will create a community-supported plan to protect marine life in Long Island Sound.

Sustainability Planning for the town/village of Harrison Project Area: town/village of Harrison, New York / LISFF Grant: $45K; Matching Grant: $45K The town/village of Harrison will develop a drainage manual. The project will set the stage for implementation of green infrastructure projects to address stormwater pollution into Long Island Sound.

Long Island Sound Beach Cleanup 2018 / American Littoral Society Project Area: Westchester, Bronx, Queens, Suffolk and Nassau counties, Long Island Sound Watershed, New York / LISFF Grant: $10K; Matching Grant: $376,498 American Littoral Society will deliver cleanups along 191 miles of shoreline at 58 sites in the Long Island Sound watershed of New York. This project will engage 5,000 volunteers to collect 35,000 lbs. of trash from shorelines, and to teach participants about preventing marine pollution into Long Island Sound.

Sound Effects: A Public Conservation Education Series The Whaling Museum Society Project Area: The Whaling Museum & Education Center, Cold Spring Harbor, New York / LISFF Grant: $9,998; Matching Grant: $5,050 The Whaling Museum Society will deliver a year-long public education series with hands-on learning and conservation-based activities to inform people about the effects of pollution on Long Island Sound. The project will teach 350 adult and elementary school audiences about actions they can take to improve the health of the Sound.

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Celebration of Long Island Sound at SUNY Maritime College Project Area: SUNY Maritime College, Throggs Neck, New York / LISFF Grant: $7,665; Matching Grant: $13,248 The SUNY-Maritime College will host “Celebration of the Long Island Sound” providing an array of educational, recreational on-the-water and stewardship activities to the community in Throggs Neck. The project will build awareness about and connect 500 students and residents to the Sound in an annual celebration.

Bringing Environmental Stewardship to the 2019 Play2Learn Festival Project Area: town/village of Harrison, New York / LISFF Grant: $6,750; Matching Grant: $7,500 The town/village of Harrison will expand the annual Play2Learn Festival to incorporate a Long Island Sound-based Play Zone. This project will introduce children to the sound using a series of educational stations to foster development of a stronger understanding of their relationship to the sound practical actions families can take to protect and restore it.

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The importance of shopping local BRONXVILLE TODAY Mayor Mary Marvin

As the holiday season heads into full swing, I again urge you to shop local. The village is now completely leased out and the new energy is palpable. Your keeping holiday dollars local will not only help our dedicated small merchants but materially affect the village’s next budget in April. The sales tax revenue component is key to the success of every local budget nationwide. Fully one third of the majority of state revenues, totaling more than $150 billion annually, come from the collection of a sales tax. For every $100 spent in a locally owned independent store, $68 returns to the home community. The same amount spent at a mall or chain store returns $48 “home” and if spent on the internet nothing comes back to the towns and villages. Because of the increase in nontaxed internet purchasing, the State of Massachusetts estimates they “lose” $335 million in sales tax revenue and California pegs its “losses” at more than $1 billion annually. On the village level, a very positive trend has emerged as our portion of sales tax revenue has risen for a recent total of $997,644. Without this infusion of cash, villages taxes, which move one point on every $80,000-plus change in added expenses or loss of revenue, would increase an astonishing 12-plus percent, which changes the competitive balances. There is no question that the Amazons of the world have made huge negative inroads into local tax revenues and as a consequence, increased municipal taxes and/or a decrease in municipal services. One of the major frustrations is the tax exemption many online purchases receive. As example, if a local merchant meets an Amazon item price of $100, they automatically must add $8.25 to the

purchase price. The matrix could change thanks to a 5-4 Supreme Court decision this past June in South Dakota v. Wayfair. The case overruled two prior Supreme Court decisions, and held that state and local governments can require remote retailers, with no physical presence in the state, to collect and remit sales taxes. The decision actually does not impose any new taxes, rather closes what many have considered an unfair tax loophole that has placed brick and mortar businesses at a permanent, competitive disadvantage. In South Dakota vs. Wayfair, the prevailing logic was that Wayfair’s “economic and virtual contacts” with South Dakota were enough to create a “substantial nexus” allowing the state to require tax collection. As the court pointed out in the majority opinion, state and local governments lose between $8$33 billion annually due to their inability to collect sales tax on purchases from out of state sellers. As background, the 1967 case of National Bellas Hess v. Department of Revenue Illinois held that the Commerce Clause requires a “physical presence” in order to collect taxes. Twenty-five years later in Quill v. North Dakota, 1992, the court reaffirmed the physical presence requirement but admitted that, “contemporary” Commerce Clause jurisprudence might not dictate the same result as the court had reached in Bellas Hess. By law, customers buying form remote sellers still owe sales tax and are supposed to include the yearly amount in their tax returns, however they rarely pay it when the remote seller does not actively collect it. Congress has had the authority to create a solution that would overrule Bellas Hess and Quill, but never did so. In Direct Marketing Association v. Brohl in 2015, Justice Kennedy wrote a concurring opinion stating that the “legal system should find an appropriate

case for this court to re-examine Quill.” Following Justice Kennedy’s lead, a number of state legislatures, including South Dakota, passed laws requiring remote vendors to collect sales tax in order to challenge Quill, adding the provisos that tax only attached if a company does $100,000 worth of business or 200 transactions annually. In the 5-4 Wayfair opinion written by Justice Kennedy, the court offered three reasons for overturning Quill: “physical presence” is not a necessary interpretation to establishing a substantial nexus “with the taxing state; Quill created rather than resolved market distortions; and, Quill imposed a formalistic interpretation of the Commerce Clause that modern interpretations disavow.” Overturning precedent isn’t something the Supreme Court often does or lightly. But the court noted the internet’s “prevalence and power” have dramatically changed the national economy since 1992, the year of the Quill case. In 1992, less than 2 percent of Americans had internet access. Today, the number is 89 percent. In 1992, mail order sales in the U.S. totaled $180 billion. Last year, internet retail sales topped $453.5 billion. In 1992, it was estimated that the states were losing between $694 million and $3 billion per year in sales tax revenue. Now the estimate ranges as high as $33 billion. Gov. Cuomo has proposed legislation consistent with the Wayfair decision in his last three executive budgets, only to be thwarted at the state Senate level. When and if a New York State law is passed, an estimated $320 million will be added to state coffers and small retailers such as our loyal merchants will be put on equal footing. A purchase made in the village this holiday season sends thousands back to our school and village government and sends a message that you are investing in the future of our business district and all that it adds to our quality of life.

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County IDA approves incentives for Harrison project

The Westchester County Industrial Development Agency, IDA, has unanimously approved a resolution of intent to provide financial incentives for a $76.8 million transit-oriented, mixeduse residential project to be built next to the Metro-North train station on Halstead Avenue in Harrison. At its Nov. 29 meeting, the IDA Board approved $1.3 million in sales tax exemptions for Avalon Bay Communities to develop the three-building complex which consists of 143 rental units, seven affordable units, 27,000 square feet of commercial space and 758 on-site parking spaces. The project also includes two landscaped

plazas connecting the train station platform with Halstead Avenue. Monthly rents for the apartments are estimated at $2,500 for one bedroom and $3,000 for two bedrooms. The exterior design takes cues from existing storefronts opposite Halstead Avenue and will complement the Halstead Avenue streetscape. The project, which will be built in two phases over a 30-month period, is expected to create 410 construction jobs and eight permanent jobs. Avalon Communities is also constructing a parking garage on a lot adjacent to the residential building that is owned by the Metropolitan Transportation Association, MTA. The garage will

have 475 spaces owned by the MTA for commuters, 77 spaces for residents of the residential project and 46 spaces for commercial users. “The IDA is pleased to provide financial incentives to Avalon Communities for this innovative transit-oriented development that will bring new rental housing and retail space to downtown Harrison as well as improved access to the Metro-North train station. We are also pleased that this project will create more than 400 new construction jobs for the county,” said Bridget Gibbons, director of the Westchester County Office of Economic Development. (Submitted)

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US. News: Osborn earns top ratings The Osborn Pavilion skilled nursing and short-stay rehabilitation center is proud to be named one of New York’s top performing nursing homes by U.S. News & World Report. U.S. News evaluated more than 15,000 nursing

homes across the country, including 619 licensed facilities in New York State. Of those 619 in the state, The Osborn Pavilion was one of 19 that received the top rating in both categories, ‘Overall’ and ‘Short-Stay Rehabilita-

tion.’ In fact, The Osborn Pavilion was among only four facilities in Westchester County to receive this highest-performing rating in both categories. The 2018-19 report is the first time U.S. News has rated facil-

The Osborn Pavilion skilled nursing and short-stay rehabilitation center in Rye was named one of New York’s top performing nursing homes by U.S. News & World Report. U.S. News evaluated more than 15,000 nursing homes across the country, including 619 licensed facilities in New York State.

ities on Short-Stay Rehabilitation, assessing a facility based on whether the amount of rehabilitation provided was determined by reimbursement or by patient-centered needs. The Osborn Pavilion is an 84bed skilled nursing facility, with all-private rooms, that provides skilled nursing care, as well as both short–term inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. The Pavilion is an integral part of The Osborn’s continuum of care. The U.S. News & World Report Nursing Home Finder draws on public data provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, CMS, as the basis for its Nursing Home Compare rating system. The Osborn has the highest overall quality rating of five stars from CMS, based on quantitative assessments of state-conducted health inspections. These rigorous inspections assess general cleanliness, food preparation processes, infection control, medication management and residents’ overall quality of life. The U.S. News survey places additional emphasis on staffing, specifically the amount of time that nursing staff spends with each patient. The Osborn received the five-star rating from

CMS for both total nurse staffing and registered nurse staffing. “We understand that nurse staffing is among the most important predictors of nursing home quality,” said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis at U.S. News. “With our new methodology and Short-Stay Rehabilitation rating, we have taken several steps to ensure that nursing homes that consistently provide high quality care to residents are highlighted.” Sources like the Nursing Home Finder and the CMS website can be helpful to families in the process of evaluating longterm skilled nursing or shortterm care facilities for their loved ones, especially if distance is a factor. These free tools allow users to search for highly-rated nursing homes by location, insurance coverage, memory care and size. While quantitative data is an important part of the decision process, the reputation of a facility is an important reflection by those with first-hand experience. Interested families are encouraged to visit a community they are considering early in the process, to observe the quality of care and the daily interactions between residents and staff.

The Osborn is a private,non-profit retirement community which is accredited by CARF and has a Fitch A- rating. As a continuum of care community, The Osborn is focused on giving our residents choices for both lifestyle and healthcare services that are carefully matched to their individual needs and interests. The Osborn offers a selection of beautiful residences in Independent Living and Assisted Living, including Memory Care. For those needing additional care, The Osborn Pavilion, our five-star licensed facility, provides long-term skilled nursing care, short-term inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. Central to life at The Osborn is the WellSpring program that offers myriad opportunities for all members of the community to live life to the fullest. All of its residential and health care facilities are conveniently situated on The Osborn’s 56-acre campus in Rye. To learn more about The Osborn Pavilion, call 925-8203. For outpatient rehabilitation, call 925-8261. To arrange a tour of Independent or Assisted Living residences at The Osborn, please call 9258243. (Submitted)

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SPORTS

A bad night for boxing LIVE MIKE Mike Smith

On Saturday night, fight fans got a reminder about everything the sport of boxing can be—for better or worse. In short, Showtime’s fight card from the Staples Center in Los Angeles shined a light on everything right—and wrong—with the sport today. As far as boxing cards go, the Dec. 1 offering was a more robust one than fans have been used to as of late. Headlined by a much-anticipated heavyweight title fight between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder—the hype for which far exceeded other recent fights in the division— the card featured well-known veterans and some up-andcoming stars for a spectacle that seemed to harken back to the days when boxing still held some real estate in the public’s consciousness. When I was growing up,

heavyweight title fights were events. I remember the hey day of Iron Mike Tyson and the trilogy between Bowe and Holyfield as nights that transcended the sport. And I got that same feeling in the lead up to Saturday night’s showdown between the two unbeaten fighters. Boxing may be a niche sport now, but mentions of the impending clash on ESPN and other news outlets served to lend an air of mainstream credibility to the proceedings. And for once, a much-ballyhooed heavyweight bout lived up to the hype. The awkward Fury soundly out-boxed the American for much of the night, but Wilder’s immense power proved a game-changer, as he floored the Gypsy King in the 9th and 12th rounds. The second knockdown appeared to end the fight before Fury miraculously beat the 10-count and went on to fire away at Wilder until the final bell sounded. It was a wonderful fight that showcased each fighter’s

strengths and should’ve ended up with Fury being crowned the unified heavyweight champ. This being boxing, however, the judges had a different idea and fans around the world voiced their displeasure when the split-decision draw was announced. But curious judging—long an obstacle to boxing’s legitimacy—was not the only troubling situation to arise from Saturday’s fights. In the undercard, 41-yearold light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson suffered a particularly brutal 11th round knockout at the hands of Oleksandr Gvozdyk. Things got scary after Stevenson got back to his locker room, where he collapsed and was transported to a hospital where he was placed in a medically induced coma. As of Wednesday, he was still in the hospital, as doctors determined he was suffering from a severe traumatic brain injury. His in-ring career likely over, boxing fans now hope for a re-

Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury embrace after fighting to a split-decision draw on Dec. 1. The two heavyweights headlined a fight card that showcased the best—and worst—of professional boxing. Photo courtesy Wikipedia.org

covery for a man who had held the light-heavyweight belt since 2013. Of course fans are attracted to boxing because of the violence, and knockouts are one of the main draws. But watching the replays of Stevenson slumped against the ropes, being pounded into submission, is a sobering

reminder of the dangers inherent in the sport. It remains to be seen if Saturday night’s card will do anything to restore boxing’s popularity among the more casual fans, or if spectators will be turned off by shady judging and another all-too-poignant example of the razor-thin line between sport

and savagery. These are tough waters to navigate as a boxing fan. And despite the flashes of brilliance we saw on Saturday, the maelstrom of unfortunate events won’t be easy to forget.

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December 7, 2018 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 15

Huskies win Rye invitational

The Harrison wrestling team celebrates a season-opening win at the Bernie Miller Invitational at Rye High School.

By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor In their first test of the 20182019 campaign, Harrison’s wrestlers acquitted themselves well, taking top honors at the annual Bernie Miller Invitational Dual Meet at Rye High School on Dec. 1. With a perfect 5-0 record at the tourney and a number of contributions up and down the lineup, the Huskies hope that their strong season debut will translate into further success as the schedule begins to pick up this month. The Huskies knocked off St. Joe’s by the Sea, Rye, Scarsdale and Lakeland to advance to the tournament finals, where they defeated Eastchester 54-33. According to head coach Vin Nicita, depth played a big role in the Huskies’ victories on Saturday, as Harrison proved it was anything but top-heavy. “Obviously it’s great to start off with a win, and it was a real

team effort,” Nicita told the Review. “The guys we count on did what we expected them to do, but some of the other guys came through with key wins in big spots. So we will build from there.” Sophomore Tyler Joseph went 5-0 on the day to take home Most Outstanding Wrestler honors, but Zach Finn, Vito DeFonce, Giambucca Zadniak, Noel Alam and Sam Estroff-Liberti all played a big role in the Huskies’ march to a first-place finish. “We knew we had some big guns, but we needed some newer wrestlers to step into that role,” Nicita said. “I’m really happy with the way those newer guys, and for some other guys, they now see what will be expected of them.” One newcomer who shined in particular was eighth grader Cole Joseph—Tyler’s younger brother—who went 5-0 in the 105-pound weight class to be

named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Freshman. “It was a great debut for Cole, he shows a lot of potential and his technique is great for an eighth grader,” Nicita said. “He doesn’t get phased out there and he has the potential to really go out and make some noise.” The Huskies hope to parlay Saturday’s victories into success in the first round of the Section I dual meet championship, which is scheduled for Dec. 5, after press time. Harrison will compete at John Jay Cross River in the first round against the Indians, who are traditionally one of more powerful teams in Section I. “It’s going to be a nice test for us on Wednesday, John Jay is always a tough team,” Nicita said. “This is a great starting point for us, and hopefully we can continue to close up some of the holes.”

Cole Joseph goes for a takedown against Rye on Dec. 1. Joseph scored five wins at the Bernie Miller Invitational and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Freshman. Photo/Mike Smith

CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com

Vito DeFonce locks up with a Rye grappler at the Bernie Miller Invitational. DeFonce and Joseph provide the Huskies with a solid duo at the lighter weights. David Crozier tangles with an opponent on Dec. 1.

16 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • December 7, 2018