Eastchester REVIEW THE
July 20, 2018 | Vol. 6, Number 29 | www.eastchesterreview.com
Longhorned tick found in Westchester County lawmakers are considering passing a law that would restrict animals from taking part in circus performances or any entertainment purposes in Westchester due to a history of inhumane conditions and mistreatment of the animals. For story, see page 6. Photo courtesy Pixabay.com
Mamaroneck father sues village, PD over daughter’s death By JAMES PERO Staff Writer The father of a deceased toddler, Gabriella Boyd, is planning to sue Mamaroneck police and Westchester County claiming law enforcement failed to properly enforce a court order granting him custody of the child.The notice of claim, filed earlier this month, accuses Mamaroneck police officers of negligence in enforcing a court order that would have removed Boyd, 3, from the custody of her mother and suspected murderer Cynthia Arce, and is seeking monetary damages. As of press time, the exact amount of money sought has yet to be determined. In particular, the claim focuses on a home visit made by of-
ficers and Steven Boyd, the father, the day prior to his daughter’s death in which Arce, 28, slammed the door on officers attempting to gain custody. Subsequently, the officers decided to leave the Chestnut Avenue residence without the toddler. “Incredibly, the officers decided to leave the scene, apparently either unaware of what their duties were, in denial of them or in complete ignorance of them,” the notice of claim alleges. On April 28, the day after officers initially left Arce’s home without the daughter, a 911 call from a neighbor stating that the daughter was in need of medical attention sent them immediately back. At the scene, an injured Gabriella Boyd was rushed to
the hospital but was later pronounced dead. A violent altercation between Arce and police officers ensued, where she allegedly attacked two officers with a. In the aftermath, two officers were injured and Arce was sent to intensive care after being shot three times. Arce has recovered from her injuries and now faces charges that include two counts of attempted murder. The official cause of Gabriella Boyd’s death has yet to be released by the county medical examiner. In addition to the county— who originally issued the court order—and village Police Department, the village of Mamaroneck is also named in the claim, which will likely lead to a lawsuit. The incident is currently be-
ing investigated by the Child Fatality Review Team, an agency that combines members of the county departments of Health, and Social Services, the medical examiner, doctors and state officials, who will review the cause of the fatality and recommend methods of prevention. In May, District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, a Democrat, said the investigation may take months to conclude, and a pending autopsy will likely have a major baring on where the investigation will go. The village Police Department has repeatedly stood by its officers’ decisions prior to and during the incidents that lead to Gabriella Boyd’s death, stating that they acted within departmental guidelines. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
The longhorned tick has arrived in Westchester County. The New York State departments of Health, and Agriculture and Markets confirmed the presence of this tick, whose scientific name is Haemaphysalis longicornis tick, in the county. The tick is native to Australia, New Zealand and eastern Asian, but has been found recently in New Jersey, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Arkansas and now New York. While the longhorned tick has transmitted disease to humans in other parts of the world, more research is needed to determine whether this can happen in the U.S. County Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler is once again advising Westchester residents to protect themselves, their farm animals and pets against ticks. “It is always better to prevent tick bites whenever possible and to remove ticks as soon as possible, and the discovery of a new tick in our area gives us one more reason to be vigilant in performing tick checks on ourselves, our children and pets,” Amler said. “Farmers and livestock owners should consult with their veterinarians and continue to use the same preventive measures that work for other ticks.” State Health Department research scientists collaborated with researchers at Fordham University and at the Lyme Disease Diagnostic Center of New York Medical College to identify these ticks. The identifications were confirmed by the Rutgers University Center for Vector Biology and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This tick is a concern for the agricultural industry because it may pose a threat to livestock. The state and county Health departments advise farmers to work with their veterinarians to check their animals, particularly cattle, sheep and horses, for exposure to ticks and to ensure their par-
Westchester health officials have announced that the longhorned tick has made its way into the county, and is believed to have the ability to transmit diseases to humans.
asite control plans are up to date and working. Symptoms of tickborne disease in cattle include fever, lack of appetite, dehydration, weakness and labored breathing. If longhorned ticks are suspected, farmers should consult with their veterinarians and can contact the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Division of Animal Industry at 518-457-3502 or dai@agriculture.ny.gov for more information. Tick prevention and removal tips are available at westchestergov.com/health and include: While hiking, working or spending time in wooded areas: Wear long pants and longsleeved shirts to protect against ticks and other biting insects. Check for ticks often while outdoors and brush off any ticks before they attach. Perform a full body check multiple times during the day, as well as at the end of the day to ensure that no ticks are attached. Consider use of repellents containing DEET, picaridin or IR3535, following label instructions. If you have been bitten by a tick of any kind, contact your health care provider immediately if you develop a rash or flu-like symptoms. (Submitted)
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Eastchester retains strong Moody’s rating On July 10, Moody’s Investors Services reaffirmed the town of Eastchester’s Aaa bond rating. The Moody’s Aaa rating is the highest rating a town can receive. Moody’s credit opinion stated, “The town benefits from strong fiscal management, ample reserves and liquidity, and a low debt burden but above average pension liability.” Moody’s also credited its healthy financial position to the town’s strong fiscal management and history of structural balance. “The town’s history of structural balance has been the result of management’s conservative budgeting of expenditures, a trend expected to continue,” the credit rating agency added in its opinion. “It has not been easy to secure this type of rating considering the recent economy, but our experience and leadership has helped greatly,” Town Supervisor Anthony Colavita said. “The direct result of securing the highest Moody’s rating is a savings of significant tax dollars. The interest we pay on capital improve-
The town of Eastchester will maintain its strong credit rating after Moody’s announced that it would reaffirm the municipality’s Aaa bond rating. File photo
ment projects, loans and other obligations is extremely low. Low
interest rates save money.” (Submitted)
Latimer signs order for probation advisory board
Westchester County is creating a nine-member Probation Advisory Board to provide guidance to the county Department of Probation. The county owns and operates the Westchester County Jail in Valhalla.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer has signed an executive order to establish a county Probation Advisory Board. The board will be comprised of a diverse group of members who have a deep knowledge of our local communities and criminal justice system, who can assist with providing guidance to the county Department of Probation. “The Probation Advisory
Board will work in tandem with the Department of Probation to ensure public safety, reduce recidivism and prevent overcrowding in our jails,” Latimer said. “The board can also promote the implementation of alternatives to incarceration, so that low risk criminal offenders can serve a sentence of supervised release rather than jail time.” Latimer will appoint six of the
Probation Advisory Board’s nine members, and the county Board of Legislators will recommend the remaining three. The commissioner of the county Department of Probation will also serve as an ex-officio member of the board, and will provide quarterly reports of the Department’s activity to the board members for review. The executive order takes effect immediately. (Submitted)
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What’s going on... 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
PROUD MEMBER of the
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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July 20, 2018 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 5
Historical Society honors Schulman award recipients The Westchester County Historical Society has announced the three recipients of the 2018 Sy Schulman History Award: Suzanne Clary of Rye, president of the Jay Heritage Center, the Friends of Bedford Burying Grounds and local historian George Pouder of North Castle. The awards were presented at the 144th annual meeting of the county Historical Society held on Saturday, June 16 at the Jay Homestead in Katonah. This award is given each year at the annual meeting to an individual or organization that has demonstrated a strong commitment to historical research, historic preservation and/or the teaching of local history, and has, as a result, elevated the public’s appreciation of the history of Westchester County. The award is named for former county Historical Society Trustee Sy Schulman and is given in his memory. Schulman, who died in 2012, was the county’s chief planner and planning commissioner during the 1960s. “In that capacity as well as many others, he had a significant role in shaping the county we know today,” said Katherine Hite, executive director of the county
Historical Society. “Throughout his life in Westchester, he championed the cause of preserving and promoting the history of the county.” The awardees were chosen by a committee of the county Historical Society board of trustees from a list of nominees submitted by the public. The first recipient was Suzanne Clary of Rye, president of the Jay Heritage Center which is headquartered at the former home of John Jay who grew up in Rye, and became one of our nation’s greatest Founding Fathers, a peacemaker, jurist and chief negotiator of the Treaty of Paris. The JHC is dedicated to transforming the 23-acre Jay Estate into a vibrant educational campus, hosting innovative programs about American history, social justice, architecture, environmental stewardship and landscape conservation. The JHC encourages people of all ages to understand, preserve and protect our shared heritage, natural and man-made, and to inspire the future historians, civic advocates and stewards of our fragile cultural and environmental resources. The center is one of five historic properties included in the 286-acre National Historic
Landmark Boston Post Road Historic District which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Another recipient was the Friends of Bedford Burying Grounds, a non-profit organization founded in 2009 whose volunteers work toward the conservation and preservation of Bedford’s more than 30 private and public cemeteries. The volunteers clean and straighten stones, uncover buried stones, identify stones that will require professional repairs, do historical and genealogical research and take photographs, digitize cemetery records and add transcriptions of headstones, veteran war service and photographs. In addition, the Friends of Bedford Burying Grounds Foundation promotes public awareness of these sites by carrying out educational, civic and cultural programs, providing volunteer assistance for local cemetery projects, and engaging in fundraising activities to benefit local cemeteries. Among the burial sites that they have entirely or partially restored are the Buxton, Catholic, Chichester, Lake Marie, Lounsbury and Peck cemeteries. Accepting the award on behalf of the Friends of Bedford Burying
Suzanne Clary, center, was one of three recipient of the Sy Schulman award for historical research, preservation and/or teaching of local history. clary is the president of the Jay Heritage Center located on Boston Post Road in Rye. File photo
Grounds was its president, Jenny Weisberger. The last recipient was George Pouder of North Castle. A veteran of World War II, Pouder was involved with the town of North Castle Historical Society and the town Landmarks Preservation Committee. After retiring from his family’s nursery business, he undertook research projects of his own such as documenting the nearly 6,000 graves in North Castle, co-founding History Hounds club and documenting the ser-
vice of Revolutionary War and Civil War soldiers from North Castle. He completed research in 2015 for “Soldier, Rest”—the most complete study of Civil War servicemen for any town in Westchester County. He also teamed up with Nicholas Cerullo to research the response of North Castle to President Lincoln’s call for volunteers and draftees during the Civil War. In 2016, George completed the difficult project of obtaining tombstones, despite Department of Veterans Affairs
red tape and no family members of record for two Civil War veterans at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Armonk. Pouder also has the distinction of being the longest-recorded member of the county Historical Society, 19552018. Established in 1874, The Westchester County Historical Society is one of the oldest historical societies in America and the only organization that collects and promotes the countywide history of Westchester. (Submitted)
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Eastchester REVIEW THE
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Letters The community’s opinion matters. If you have a view to express, write a letter to the editor by email to chris@hometwn.com. Please include a phone number and name for verification purposes. Community Events If you have an event you would like to share with the community, send it to news@hometwn.com. Delivery For home delivery or to subsribe, call (914) 653-1000 x27. Classifieds & Legals To post your notices or listings, call (914) 653-1000 x27. Postmaster Send address changes to The Eastchester Review c/o HomeTown Media Group, P.O. Box 485 White Plains, N.Y. 10602 Visit us online www.eastchesterreview.com
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Legislators mull circus
animal ban Lawmakers in Westchester will consider legislation that would ban the use of circus animals in acts throughout the county in an effort to ensure more humane treatment. Specifically, the bill—sponsored by county legislators Mary Jane Shimsky, a Hastings-On-Hudson Democrat, and Margaret Cunzio, a Mount Pleasant Conservative—would ban exotic animals that were acquired for entertainment purposes from appearing in trade shows, petting zoos, carnivals and other live performances. “Studies have shown that conditions inherent to traveling performances, including constant travel, temporary and collapsible facilities, and the prolonged confinement and physical coercion of animals, subject exotic and wild animals to compromised welfare and chronic stress, and present public and worker health and safety risks not adequately addressed by current regulation,” reads a memorandum sent to members of the county Board of Legislators by the sponsoring lawmakers. According to the Human Society of the United States, mistreatment of circus animals has been well-documented and can include physical abuse, starvation and long periods of confinement. Though animals are protected under the federal Animal Welfare Act—which is enforced by the Department of Agriculture—animal rights’ groups have criticized the statutes for being poorly enforced and also under-penalizing those who are caught abusing animals. In addition to their potential mistreatment, circus animals have also been responsible for injuring or even killing crowd members during acts. According to Shimsky, interest in passing a countywide law comes from constituent feedback and legislators are now in the process of deciding what any future law should encompass. As a model, Shimsky said legislators are looking at an exotic and wild animal law already in place in the town of Greenburgh. Among the most notable instances was the case of Tyke the Elephant in 1994 when the animal performer killed a trainer and
Lawmakers will mull a law banning circus animals from participating in performances due to ethical concerns. Photo courtesy Flickr.com
charged through the audience injuring crowd members and romping onto the streets of Honolulu, Hawaii. If passed, the law—which is currently in committees on Parks,
Planning, and Economic Development and Legislation —will follow other protective already laws passed on the state and municipal levels over the past several years.
Like a statewide ban against featuring elephants in circuses passed last year that goes into effect in 2019, New York City also banned the inclusion of wild animals in circuses the same year.
If the proposal makes its way out of committee, it would then go back to lawmakers and be the subject of a vote of the full Board of Legislators. -Reporting by James Pero
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Tips for enjoying those summer days BRONXVILLE TODAY Mayor Mary Marvin
As one can immediately tell by the availability of parking on Pondfield Road, many villagers are off on vacation. Even if traveling for a short duration, it is important that one’s home look occupied. Despite stopping mail, phonebooks, flyers and Pennysavers in the driveway are all giveaways to a vacant house. Our Police Department advises homeowners to share your schedule with a neighbor, ask them to pick up items left near your home and park a car in your driveway. In addition, if you alert our police desk of your travels, they will add your home to the “dark house” list and drive by on a daily basis. Other safety tips from our police include: • Putting timers on televisions and radios as well as lights. • Phone ringers in apartments should be lowered as a persistently audible ringing phone is a sign of an empty dwelling. • Keep the garage doors locked and secure mowers, barbeques and bicycles inside. • Trim trees and shrubs to avoid creating a screen for intruders. • Don’t leave hidden keys. Burglars tend to know all the hiding places. • Be a good neighbor. If you notice anything unusual, call the police immediately. While you are awaiting their arrival, write down any license plate numbers or description of persons. • Take advantage of our E-Alert system to receive phone updates on any criminal activity in the village as well as real time updates
on critical incidents affecting the village, including power outages and weather warnings. The service is easily accessed by going to villageofbronxville.com • If you do return home and find a tampered door or window, do not enter your home. Go to a neighbors to use a landline or call from your cell phone a good distance away from your home. Do not touch anything until the police have inspected for evidence. Summer is also the ideal time for home repairs as the village is less busy in general. If you plan any major project kindly alert all your neighbors so they can adjust their outdoor plans accordingly. The village will be undertaking an expansive road repaving and curb restoration program as well. Residents will be notified in ample time to relocate cars or change outdoor plans. Streets slated to be repaved are: • Pondfield Road from Cedar Street to Midland Avenue • Tanglewylde Avenue from Willow Road to Park Avenue • Elm Rock from Oriole to Masterton Road • Sturgis Road from Homesdale Road to Route 22 • Forest Lane from North Road to Grove Lane • Middle Road from Forest Lane to Dead End • Kraft Parking Lot • Sections of Sagamore Road • Kensington Road from Beechtree Lane to Sagamore Road • Northway • Northwest Way Almost $500,000 will be spent on road resurfacing this summer. The decision as to which streets are repaved is determined by our Public Works Department. Crite-
ria include age of the road surface, amount of traffic, state of disrepair and village location. Even if your street is not on the repaving list, all potholes will be addressed. Continue to call Village Hall if you believe your street should be on the list going forward as we catalog all requests and inspect accordingly. Streets will be “milled” before repaving so the elevation is not affected and with it water flow and drainage. Now is also the time to put away the gas powered leaf blowers to enhance a peaceful summer. Kindly notify any gardeners as the fine is quite expensive and our police patrol enforce the ban. Gas powered leaf blowers are not only 40-70 percent louder than their electric counterparts, they circulate particulate matter including pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides that have a direct correlation to increased asthma and cancer occurrences, particularly in children. Yard waste and grass clippings will be picked up on a regular basis throughout the summer. We do encourage residents to “grass cycle” by leaving clippings on the lawn. Gardening experts recommend this practice as the clippings provide nutrients to the soil in a natural way. If you remove lawn or yard products, please bag for curbside pickup. The use of yard bags allows for more efficient pickup, eliminates the unsightly piles of debris and protects the storm drains from being clogged during rain events. Help us keep our village particularly beautiful and peaceful during the summer months and take advantage of outdoor dining, first run movies or a summer sale as your slide into that open parking space.
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Latimer to sue Mount Vernon over field saga
County Executive George Latimer asked lawmakers to approve a lawsuit against the city of Mount Vernon for years of mismanagement of Memorial Field. The county Board of Legislators obliged on July 16 authorizing the lawsuit by a vote. Photo courtesy Wikipedia
Westchester will enter into a legal spat with the city of Mount Vernon after County Executive George Latimer, a Democrat, asked county lawmakers to consider legislation that would authorize a lawsuit for its botched efforts to renovate Memorial Field. The lawsuit, which was authorized unanimously by the county Board of Legislators on Monday, July 16, will individually sue embattled Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas, a Democrat, as well as Comptroller Deborah Reynolds, also a Democrat. Issues surrounding Memorial Field—which has been in a static state of disrepair for a decade— date back to 2008 when the county agreed to devote nearly $9.7 million toward $13 million in repairs. However, after for-
mer Mount Vernon Mayor Ernie Davis, a Democrat who pleaded guilty to federal tax evasion in 2015, changed plans for the field to build adjacent tennis courts without the county’s consent, renovations were derailed. The field is currently in a state of disarray, with the grandstands undergoing a complete demolition in May. As a result of the change of plans, the county withheld $6 million of the $9.7 million that it had originally devoted to the project. Prior to escalating the issue to a lawsuit, Latimer had sent a letter to the city demanding the remaining $700,000 of a $3.4 million advance paid to the city be returned to the county. “For a number of reasons, the city has materially defaulted in performing its obligations under
the IMA,” Latimer wrote in the letter. “The city deviated from the approved plans. More than seven years after the IMA was executed, the project is still not completed.” Compounding matters surrounding the field, the state Department of Environmental Conservation fined the city $10,000 for failing to remove contaminated soil that has sat unmoved on the property since renovations began. Among the contaminants in the soil are coal, ash and other debris. Last month, the Mount Vernon City Council voted to turn over the reconstruction of the field to the county. According to Latimer, the county will work to ensure that the project is completed after a decade in limbo. -Reporting by James Pero
July 20, 2018 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 9
Delegation tours county jail’s mental health program On Tuesday, July 17, several members of Westchester’s state Assembly delegation toured Westchester’s correctional complex, and gained a first-hand account of the issue of mental illness and its interplay with county jails. “Instead of heading to state prison, most inmates in our county jail will return home to Westchester—whether its Yonkers, Port Chester, Briarcliff or North Salem,” said County Executive George Latimer, who attended the tour. “People with criminal histories and mental illness often feel that the deck is stacked against them. Through our departments of Correction and Community Mental Health, Westchester is actively trying to change that dynamic.” Over several years, Westchester’s jail population has steadily declined to its current census of approximately 1,000 inmates in custody, its lowest level since 1986. While the jail’s census has declined, the individuals in custody present significant challenges from a medical, mental health or behavioral perspective. Approximately 30 percent of the jail’s population receives mental health
services while in custody, and many suffer from serious mental illness, chemical dependency and histories of significant trauma and abuse. Correction Commissioner Joseph Spano said, “Regardless of the size of a facility—whether it’s Westchester, Rikers Island or a 40-bed jail on the Canadian border—all 62 counties face similar challenges in addressing inmates’ serious mental illness. In Westchester, our nationally recognized treatment program has a two-fold mission: to provide inmates with critical services, while at the same time enhancing the safety of our staff members.” At the county jail, facility intake is a critical “first encounter” with newly admitted inmates, who are screened for suicidality, injuries, illness and other issues requiring immediate response. A statewide model, the Department of Correction’s inmate database communicates with the Department of Community Mental Health, DCMH, which then sends the jail an alert if the inmate has been receiving mental health services in the community. Thereafter, a mental health ‘scoring system’ developed by the jail’s
inmate health service provider classifies inmates according to their needs and risks. In 2014, Westchester County received a start-up grant of $50,000 from the state to further evidence-based jail mental health practices. Using this grant, corrections, DCMH and the jail’s inmate health service provider developed the Community Oriented Reentry Program, CORE, which provides focused group programming for adult male inmates suffering from serious mental illness. “What is truly unique about CORE is the wide array of community-based services that come into the jail to work with this population,” said Michael Orth, DCMH commissioner. “In Westchester, discharge planning begins at intake. We recognize that inmates with serious mental illness need intensive programming to increase their odds of reintegrating into the community.” All inmates involved in CORE do so voluntarily—no one is mandated by a judge or jury to attend. They participate in programs such as art therapy, yoga, guest speakers and journaling. Partners hail from all corners
Members of Westchester’s state delegation tour the county jail in Valhalla to see the status of the facility’s mental health program. Photo courtesy westchester.gov
of the county and include both mental health organizations as well as spiritual care providers, like churches and mosques. The program has since been expanded to other “special needs” populations, such as inmates under the age of 19 and females. Once CORE was up and run-
ning, the jail saw serious incidents involving its participants drop drastically, including far less inmate assaults, requests for protective custody and general misbehavior. Westchester is home to the only state jail with dual national accreditation and, in 2017, CORE was selected by
the National Commission on Correctional Health Care as its “Program of the Year.” Receiving this award over 300 other member organizations nationwide, the CORE program has also been recognized by the state and the U.S. Department of Justice as truly groundbreaking. (Submitted)
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Annual Dick McGuire Trot nears
On Friday, July 27, Yonkers Raceway will host its annual Dick McGuire Trot in honor of the New York basketball legend.
The ninth annual Dick McGuire Trot, which was inaugurated in 2010 to pay tribute to the legendary Knicks and St. John’s point guard and basketball Hall of Famer, is set for Friday, July 27, at Empire City Casino’s historic Yonkers Raceway. The New York Sire Stakes is for three-year-old colts and geldings. The “McGuire” remembers the ardent $2 horse player who starred at St. John’s and then at the Garden with the Knickerbockers as one of the game’s greatest playmakers. Members of the McGuire family expected to be on hand include Dick’s wife Teri, sons Scott and Michael, daughter Leslie Dwyer, and an assortment of grandchildren. Casino and Raceway president and CEO Timothy J. Rooney,
president and CEO of Empire City and Yonkers Raceway, and COO Bob Galterio put their stamp of approval on the McGuire Trot for its inaugural rendition in 2010 soon after McGuire’s passing, and it has become a fixture on the summer stakes schedule for New York-bred sophomore trotters. McGuire was a racing devotee, and could be regularly found at harness and thoroughbred tracks across the country, including the venerable Yonkers half-mile oval, and wherever his Knicks scouting missions and training camps might take him. “We are truly delighted and privileged to continue to honor one of New York’s greatest sportsmen, and an avid racing fan, with the ninth annual Dick McGuire Trot,” Rooney said. “Yonkers Raceway looks for-
ward to continuing this tradition for many years to come, and to having Dick’s family, friends and many fans honor his memory at our historic track during the height of our summer stakes season.” Born in the Bronx, a product of the Rockaways and a long-time Dix Hills resident, McGuire was a part of the Knicks organization for 53 seasons as a player, coach and scout before his passing on Feb. 3, 2010 at age 84. The St. John’s University star was one of the most selfless players in NBA history. The deft-passing McGuire was a five-time NBA All-Star and led the Knicks to three straight NBA Finals in the’50s. His number 15 was retired to the Madison Square Garden rafters in 1992, and he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame the following year. (Submitted)
12 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • July 20, 2018
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July 20, 2018 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 13
14 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • July 20, 2018
SPORTS
Celebrity softball’s big night LIVE MIKE Mike Smith
With Major League Baseball contests suspended for a few days because of the All-Star break, there’s no denying that this week represents a remarkably fallow time for professional sports. Just last week, we had the World Cup, Wimbledon, the MLB regular season and the NBA summer league in full swing. This week? Crickets. But while sports fans often lament the dearth of action over these few days, most flock to the Home Run Derby or the All-Star Game itself to slake their thirst during the sports drought. I’m one of the few, however, who gets his kicks from another slice of ESPN programming: the celebrity softball game. Each year, as part of the AllStar festivities, Major League Baseball invites a group of C-list celebrities, retired baseball players and regular-Joe contest winners to participate in a softball
game that, without fail, airs just after the culmination of the Home Run Derby. The softball isn’t good, the celebrities are generally actors I haven’t heard of from shows I don’t watch, and the entire production is given the least attention from ESPN’s executives. So why do I continue to watch it each year? Nostalgia. When I was growing up in the 1990s, MTV would hold an annual event called the “Rock N’ Jock Diamond Derby,” which featured some of the biggest names in baseball at the time—guys like Jose Canseco, Ken Griffey Jr., Mike Piazza and Dwight Gooden—taking the field alongside some honest-to-goodness celebrities; you had music stars like Jon Bon Jovi and MC Hammer, film stars like Kevin Costner and Keanu Reeves, and TV personalities including Michael Richards (at the height of his fame). The entire thing felt like a real event. Keep in mind, this was back in the day before reality TV shows like “Celebrity Big Brother” and
network competitions like “Dancing With the Stars” began to take hold in American society, so seeing famous people from different mediums crossing paths. Was it cheesy? It sure was— this was MTV in the 90’s after all—but it was fun, it was goofy and immensely re-watchable. The game put on by MLB, predictably, is a little more corporate, without zany on-field antics by players and celebs alike, which may explain why nobody except me decides to tune in. But it’s never too late to turn things around; next year, I’m hoping that the All-Star break features a celebrity softball game more inline with the Rock N’ Jock experiences of my youth. And if they’re hurting for celebrity involvement, I’m sure they could enlist Flava Flav to reprise his role as the starting catcher/mouthpiece for one of the teams. I’d bet all that I own that he’s got nothing else going on anyway.
Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports
The MLB All-Star Game festivities seemed a bit boring this year, but Sports Editor Mike Smith has an idea to bring a little more heat to one of the most overlooked events of the week. Photo courtesy MLB.com
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SPORTS
Campana a hit in USPBL By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor It didn’t take long for Nick Campana to make an impact on the professional level. On July 4, in the second at bat of his minor league debut, the outfielder laced a single up the middle to record his first professional hit. But although the moment was an indelible one for the Eastchester native, Campana, who graduated from Eastchester High School in 2014, is hoping that there will be plenty more as he embarks on his pro career. “My first at bat wasn’t too good, I was a little nervous and grounded out,” Campana told the Review. “I just had to clear my mind out, remember it’s still the same game and get rid of those nerves; it was a pretty cool experience.”
Eastchester native Nick Campana. Contributed photos
thought I was going to hear my name called,” he said. “But when that didn’t happen, I just continued to train and knew that I had to work hard to get to where I Campana had signed with the wanted to be.” Birmingham Bloomfield Beavers Just a few weeks later, he got of the United Shore Professional a phone call from Chris Newell, Baseball League a few days ear- the manager of the Birminglier, fresh on the heels of wrap- ham Bloomfield Beavers, one ping up a standout career at the of four teams who play in the University of Hartford. Detroit-based United Shore ProAs a member of the Hawks’ fessional Baseball League, an program, the speedy outfield- Independent Minor League orgaer’s 2018 campaign was one for nization, and knew that his dream the record books. Campana hit was still alive. .385—good enough for 21st in “When I heard from [Coach the nation—and set school re- Newell] I knew that this was an cords for both total bases (127) amazing opportunity,” Campaand stolen bases (22). na said. “So I just needed to keep Campana’s play, which earned working hard in the hopes that this him Division I Second Team can turn into something bigger.” All-American Honors, was so That “something bigger,” good, in fact, that he believed there Campana admits, is catching the was a chance he would be select- eye of one of the Major League ed in the 2018 MLB Draft, which organizations that passed on him took place between June 4-6. in June’s amateur draft. So far, “When the Major League he’s off to a torrid start as the BeaDraft came around, I had been vers’ leadoff hitter, batting .400 talking to some scouts and I and driving in five runs in his first
July 20, 2018 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 15
three games as a professional. “In terms of maturing, my baseball IQ has gotten better, my power has gone up, and I’m seeing the ball well,” he said. “By the end of college, my strikeoutto-walk ratio was better than it’s ever been.” But early successes aside, Campana knows that making the jump to affiliated baseball won’t be easy. While several of his Beavers’ teammates are—like himself—younger players hoping to catch their first break, some of the team’s veterans are trying to get back to that level. “There are guys on the team who have gone as high as Double-A ball in the Yankees and Cardinals organizations, and they say it’s a great time,” he said. “But they also talk about how much of a struggle it is, so I know that I’ve got to keep on improving.” And while Campana understands the path forward won’t be easy, he said he has been appreciative of all the support he’s
Nick Campana swings the bat for the University of Hartford during the 2018 collegiate season. Campana’s strong senior campaign led to him being named a 2018 second-team All-American.
received from well-wishers back home. Texts from friends, family and former coaches have helped to motivate him on his quest, but he also wishes he could have shared his success with legendary Eastchester baseball coach Dom Cecere, who passed away in 2017 at the age of 75. “It’s 100 percent bittersweet because Coach Cecere was like a second father to me and did so much for me in my life and career,” Campana said. “But I know he’s looking down and smiling.” No matter how his journey to the big leagues turns out, Campana said he’s one day hoping to come back and encourage young local ballplayers to aim high. “I’d love to come back some day and work with kids, older or younger, it doesn’t matter,” he said. “Those kids are looking up to you and I’d like to teach them that living out your dreams is attainable.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com
16 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • July 20, 2018