June 30, 2017

Eastchester REVIEW THE

We

June 30, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 26 | www.eastchesterreview.com

did it!

Tuckahoe High School and Eastchester High School held graduation ceremonies to say goodbye to the Class of 2017. For coverage, see pages 6 and 10.

Photos/Taylor Brown, Corey Stockton

2 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • June 30, 2017

June 30, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 3

Vacant Tuckahoe property to become office building

The 2-story Durante Building is expected to be constructed on the vacant 85 Yonkers Ave. lot in the next eight to 10 months. Rendering courtesy Leonard Brandes

By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer A property which sits on the Tuckahoe side of the village’s border with Yonkers is prepared to undergo development, after being vacant for more than two decades.

Earlier this month, the abandoned service garage at 85 Yonkers Ave., was demolished, making way for a planned 2-story office building. The new building planned for that lot, designed

by Scarsdale architect Leonard Brandes, would encompass about 2,500 square feet of office space and an enclosed five-space parking area on the first floor.

Property owner Mario Durante purchased the property in 2007, according to Westchester County land records, and received village Planning Board approval to demolish the existing 1,000-squarefoot service station to make way for the office building in 2013.

But, according to Brandes, the construction was delayed for too long after Planning Board approval, and the project had to go through a second round before that board. The development was approved once again in July 2015.

According to Brandes, the building, called the Durante Building, will have two floors of usable space, but will have an additional level of architectural elements. Unlike the previous building, which had only taken up a small portion of the 0.1acre property, the Durante Building will cover most of the land, which sits at the corner of Yonkers and Scarsdale avenues and is backed up against the Bronx River.

The architect added that it will be a more suitable architectural fit than the neglected and crumbling building which had previously occupied the property. “It’s going to match in with what the

[village] is doing in terms of profile,” he told the Review.

Brandes said that construction on the building would begin this summer and would likely take between eight and 10 months to complete. “Right now, we’re just waiting for the final building permits to get to construction, and then we’re going to get to it immediately,” he said.

However, there are no tenants signed to the planned office space as of press time.

The architect added that the new office would blend in with Tuckahoe’s continuing development, and, sitting on a main thoroughfare into the village, alongside the 3-story Sterling National Bank building and 5-story Fountains at RiverVue complex, would create a nice entrance into Tuckahoe.

“It’ll be a nice gateway into the village,” he said.

CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com

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3 arrested in Kensington Road burglary

Jose Lebron

Eddie Carrasco

Pablo Morel

Bronxville police arrested three men on June 21 for allegedly stealing four televisions from a locked village apartment 10 days prior.

Police had been investigating the June 11 burglary of three 60inch TVs and one 55-inch TV from a condo unit at Villa BXV at 15 Kensington Road. All four televisions were recovered on

June 21, as Bronxville police arrested two men from Brooklyn and one from Tuckahoe.

Eddie Carrasco, 38, and Jose Lebron, 50—both from Brooklyn—and Pablo Morel, 39, of Tuckahoe, were each charged with one count of third-degree burglary, a felony, for stealing an estimated $6,000 worth of televisions.

Both Brooklyn natives, whose previous criminal records total 18 total arrests with 14 total convictions including 10 felonies, were remanded to the Westchester County Department of Corrections. Meanwhile, Morel was released on his own recognizance.

All three are due back in Bronxville Village Court on July 5.

-Reporting by Corey Stockton

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4 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • June 30, 2017

What’s going on...

Eastchester Public Library

contact Amelia Buccarelli at 721-8109 or abuccarelli@wlsmail.org.

Bronxville Public Library

For more information on hours and programs, visit eastchesterlibrary.org. The library will be closed on Tuesday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.

Bedtime Math Sign-up starts Monday, July 3 online or in person. For grades K–5. Bedtime Math’s Summer of Numbers is back again. Bedtime Math makes it super easy for caregivers and children to explore math together. Every night, you can solve one kid-friendly math problem and get prizes. For more information, visit the library website.

Teen Earring Making Workshop On Friday, July 7 from 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Join local Bling’s the Thing founder, Joan Lloyd, in making earrings for a cause. For every pair you make to keep, you make one to be donated to a women’s shelter. Right now, Lloyd donates about 900 pairs a month. The workshop is free and no previous jewelry-making experience is necessary. This is a teen event, but adults are welcome. Online registration is required, as space is limited. For more information,

For more information on library hours and programs, visit bronxvillelibrary.org. The library will be closed on Tuesday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.

Adult Reading Bingo This program runs through Aug. 31. Sign up at any time during these dates. Join the library for its annual Adult Summer Reading Program. The goal of this program is to broaden your horizons and read some books you would not normally choose to read on your own.

For every book you read, you will gain an entry to win one of four grand prizes: a Bow Tie Cinemas gift certificate; a Kindle Fire tablet; Park Place Bagel & Topps Bakery gift cards; or a wine and cheese gift basket Complete a row of bingo and you will also receive a smaller prize. To participate, sign up at the Reference Desk to receive your bingo card and blank raffle tickets or register online.

Build a Better World: Summer Reading Program The library is the perfect place for children and

families to become empowered to build a better world. Through books and STEAM—science, technology, engineering, art, and math—activities and programs, kids ages 3 to 8 will discover new ways of looking at the world around them. Additionally, children who log time spent reading this summer will earn a multitude of prizes. Registration is required online. Please provide child’s name and age in the comment box provided.

Baby Bee Reading Club Although your baby is years away from becoming a reader, he or she starts to develop the necessary skills for reading and writing at birth. The library’s early literacy program encourages your child to love language and books and most of all, to have fun. Parents or caregivers who participate will earn prizes for completing early literacy activities.

For newborns to age 2. Online registration required.

Please include child’s name and age in the comment box provided.

Tween and Teen Summer Reading Game Register in the Children’s Room. The Summer Reading Game has changed. Tweens (grades 4–6) and teens (grades seven and up) now join the SRG together.

How does the SRG (summer reading game) work? Sign up in the Children’s Room, grab a book log and some reading reviews, and start reading. Teens and tweens get a prize for every book and review form they complete. You also have a chance to earn raffle slips and win one of three grand prize baskets. Winners of the grand prize baskets will be announced the first week of September. For more information, visit bronxvillelibrary.org.

Construction Challenge From Saturday, July 1 through Monday, July 31.

Visit the Library, and look for the Makerspace Cart.

Use the materials found on the cart to design and build one of the following choices: a car, a treehouse, a robot, or a spaceship. Write your name, age, and phone number on an “inventor card” and turn it in with your project; one entry per day. Projects will be displayed each week in the Children’s Room (or you may bring yours home). Each week in July, one inventor card will be drawn from a raffle, and that child will win a prize.

Flower Pot Decoupage On Wednesday, July 5 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. For ages 3 and up. Decorate a small flower pot, and take home a pack of seeds to plant in it. Registration is required. Please include child’s name and age in the comment box provided.

Meet the Caterpillars From Wednesday, July 5 to Wednesday, July 12. Enjoy the wonders of nature. Observe the fascinating life cycle of the painted lady butterfly.

Stop by the Children’s Room desk daily to watch the library’s caterpillars—Ann, Stan, Dan, Jan, and Van—transform from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly.

Book donation drop-off On Thursday, July 6 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, July 8 from 10 a.m. to noon. Bring in your gently used books for the ongoing library book sale. All proceeds benefit the Friends of the Bronxville Library. Limit is 10 books per patron.

Books will be screened for suitability before being accepted.

Tuckahoe Public Library For more information on library hours and programs, visit tuckahoe.com/library. The library will be closed on Tuesday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.

Teen Summer Reading Program Teens can read and win all summer long. Fill in a log sheet, get a prize for every four books you read, and win gifts in raffles. Sign up with the teen librarian, or call the library at 961-2121 for more information.

Westchester County news Register for swim classes at county pools Online registration is now open for swimming and aquatic fitness classes at Saxon Woods pool in White Plains, Tibbetts Brook pool in Yonkers and Playland pool in Rye. For children and for adults just getting started with swimming, Learn-to-Swim lessons are offered for all ages and ability levels, from toddlers age 3 to senior citizens. Classes begin Wednesday, July 5, and run through Friday, Aug. 11. Lessons for adults ages 18 and older will be held only at Saxon Woods pool.

The schedule for classes at Tibbetts Brook and Saxon Woods is as follows: Children ages 3–6: Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Children ages 7–10: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Children ages 11–17: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Adults (ages 18 and up): Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. (Saxon Woods only).

Class schedule for Playland Pool is as follows: Children ages 3–6: Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Children ages 7–10: Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Children ages 11–17: Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Only online registration is accepted. The registration fee is $80, which includes pool admission fees for the participant. Adults and teens participating in the Learn-to-Swim program at Tibbetts Brook and Saxon Woods pools must present a valid Westchester County resident Park Pass on the first day of class; children under 12 registering for the lessons must be accompanied by a Park Pass-holding parent or adult guardian. A Park Pass is not required at Playland.

For swimmers who want a high-power, cardiovascular fitness workout, a six-session Aqua Zumba class will also be offered this summer. Classes will be held on Friday nights from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Saxon Woods Pool from July 7 through July 26; and on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Tibbetts Brook Pool from July 8 through July 27. Fee is $75. A Park Pass is not required but participants must be Westchester County residents. Only online registration is accepted.

For more information or to register for the programs, visit parks.westchestergov.com/activities/ swimming.

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.

June 30, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 5

County lawmakers have their say on Israel, Palestine

By JAMES PERO Staff Writer Westchester County lawmakers had their say in one of the world’s oldest and most divisive conflicts, Israel and Palestine, bringing international issues and bigotry to the forefront of its legislative chambers.

On June 19, stemming from a proposal by Legislator Ken Jenkins, a Yonkers Democrat, the Board of Legislators voted to adopt a resolution reaffirming lawmakers’ continued support of U.S. relations with Israel, while rejecting calls to divest from Israeli businesses by the movement Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions, BDS—a Palestinian faction that aims to pressure the state of Israel economically and politically through lobbying businesses and governments.

According to Legislator Jim Maisano, a New Rochelle Republican, pressure from constituents across the county has forced issues of both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia to the legislative floor.

Fueled in recent months by a slew of bomb threats to local Jewish Community Centers, includ-

ing in New Rochelle, Maisano said county lawmakers have been under increasing scrutiny to take a hard stance against bigotry.

“We were getting phone calls and emails from different sides and different issues,” Maisano said. “We felt that this was the best way to deal with these issues that normally aren’t county issues.”

In tandem with the resolution passed last week, the Board of Legislators also unanimously voted to adopt a resolution condemning hate crimes and bigotry across the county; a move Maisano said complements the body’s stance on BDS. While many legislators expressed their reticence toward involving themselves in issues beyond the scope of the county Legislature, Jenkins, who is also running for county executive, said the resolution didn’t go far enough.

A law drafted by Jenkins, that was ultimately rejected by his colleagues on both sides of the aisle, would have required a company’s bidding for contracts to agree not to support the BDS movement as a stipulation of doing business with Westchester.

Already, Jenkins said, the county has a similar law regarding any economic ties with factions in Northern Ireland; specifically, groups labeled as terrorists and bad actors by the United Kingdom like the Irish Republican Army.

“You cannot utilize county funding to participate in what some view as an anti-Semitic activity,” Jenkins said. “The procurement law I proposed was very focused on what the county does. I looked at this as a human rights issue, and that’s why I proposed the law that way.”

Many of Jenkins’ Democratic colleagues, like Mary Jane Shimsky, a Hastings-on-Hudson Democrat, however, did not see eye to eye. “[Jenkins’ bill] struck many of us as violating people’s rights,” said Shimsky. “If an American citizen determines that they don’t want to buy goods from a certain country, that’s their choice.”

Shimsky said she feels the approved resolution, which she said is meant to encapsulate the sentiments of the Legislature, made a stance without forcing the county into rocky legal and diplomatic territory.

Calls from a Palestinian movement to divest in Israel sparked a legislative stance on a conflict between Israel and Palestine and bigotry at large. Photo courtesy Wikipedia.org

“There are things going on in Israel that even a lot of Jewish friends of mine have had serious issues with,” she said. “But by

isolating Israel and ignoring all the other bad actors in the world, you’re allowing a lot of negative attention to be directed at some-

one who is nowhere near as bad their adversaries are.”

CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

6 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • June 30, 2017

Eastchester REVIEW THE

170 Hamilton Ave., Suite 203 White Plains, N.Y. 10601 Tel: (914) 653-1000 Fax: (914) 653-5000

Publisher | Howard Sturman ext. 21, publisher@hometwn.com Christian Falcone Associate Publisher | Editor-in-Chief ext. 19, chris@hometwn.com Sports Editor | Mike Smith ext. 22, sports@hometwn.com Assistant Editor | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 25, sibylla@hometwn.com Reporter | Corey Stockton ext. 16, corey@hometwn.com Reporter | Franco Fino ext. 18, franco@hometwn.com General Assignment | Taylor Brown ext. 30, taylor@hometwn.com

THS celebrates graduating class On Thursday, June 22, the Tuckahoe High School senior class walked across the steps of the school for the last time to receive its diplomas.

Friends and family gathered on Sinoway Boulevard to cheer on the 68 graduating seniors from the Class of 2017. Included in the audience were members of the Class of 1967, who sat in the front row.

High school Principal Dr. Bart Lineman began the evening with

a speech where he encouraged the students to “think critically, behave positively, and feel compassionately.”

Lineman went on to remind students that their success comes from “hard work that creates prosperity.”

Of this year’s senior class, 15 students graduated with honors, and 29 students were inducted into the National Honor Society.

Salutatorian Adrianna Santorelli delivered a speech where

she told her classmates that de- Superintendent of Schools Carl spite the direction their life goes Albano offers advice to the Class after high school, they should of 2017. always take time to reflect. She encouraged students to ask themselves, “‘Is this really what I want to be doing?’ and if not, then change it.”

Midway through the ceremony, the graduating seniors delivered roses to their family members in the audience, while Tuckahoe High School’s senior chorus and band performed Josh Valedictorian Maria Kyriakakos offers remarks to her graduating classmates.

Graphic Designer | Arthur Gedin

Dr. Bart Lineman, Tuckahoe High School principal, delivers his speech to the graduating class.

Groban’s “You Raise Me Up.” The final student speech was given by Valedictorian Maria Kyriakakos, who concluded by offering words of encouragement to her classmates.

“I think we now have to say goodbye to being the senior Class of 2017, and hello to our futures.

I expect them to be bright,” she said.

-Reporting by Taylor Brown

Graphic Designer | Jim Grasso Advertising | Lynne Starr ext. 29, lynne@hometwn.com Advertising Coordinator | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 27, ads@hometwn.com Staff Writers James Pero, Franco Fino Staff Photographers Andrew Dapolite, Aaron Kershaw, Charlie McLaughlin Columnists Mary Marvin, Richard Forliano, Lenore Skenazy

Tuckahoe High School seniors deliver roses to their family members. Photos/Taylor Brown Letters

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Tuckahoe High School’s senior class receives their diplomas.

June 30, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 7

Tuckahoe High School Class of 2017

Julia Ann Aliberto

Elizabeth Mayell Liscio

Shirin Amir

Rosanna Lopergolo

Lexi Rose Arborn

Nicholas J. Marini

Brian Michael Baker

Kirsten Claire McCorry

Nicholas A. Bellantoni

Cassandra Marie McGrath

Gustavo Bovin

Dylan Ryan McMahon

Lauren Elizabeth Bradford

Anthony Michael Mondrone

Ariyana Caraballo

Jason Carp Jamon Murray

Julianna Marie Carraturo

Joshua Newman

Denise Castracucco

Adam David Pasterski

Jessie Sabini Hernandez Chavez

Jordan Chin Sean Steven Perez

Bianca Marie Cuccinello

Alexandra Petilli

Giancarlo Cutrupi

John Pfister

Devon D’Agostino

Sage E. Pregiato

Olivia Rose Day

Ann Sophie Raymond

Gjon Dedvukaj

John F. Reichelt

Nicholas John DePietro

Grant Reyes-Guerra

Kaylin C. Diaz

Gregory Rizzo

Kathleen J. Doherty

James Robert Rockhill

Cesar Carlos Dulanto

Cobo Jr. Daniela Rodriquez

Sheldon B. Fairweather

Zainah Salem

Sophia Geraci

Adriana Santorelli

Joshua Gilmour

Joseph A. Sasso

Nazae Warren Green

Arb Shoshi

Isaiah D. Gunther

Alexandra Sirabella

Terwon Harper

Michael P. Maximus Stellate

Aaliyah James

Marissa Stone

Adnan Kajoshi

Asia Michelle Thrower

Caitlin C. Kubiak

Jennifer Danielle Tommasino

Maria Kyriakakos

John Bruno Toppi

Giulia Lebrini

Alexandria Tucci

Jessica Marie Letizia

Sebastian Valdes

Jordan J. Lewis

Mia S. Yancy

Andrew Lin

Maurice Naquan Yarborough

8 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • June 30, 2017

Summer vacation safety tips BRONXVILLE TODAY Mayor Mary Marvin

This week’s column is season specific, as the school year has come to a close and many villagers begin to prepare for summer vacations.

With residents traveling for extended periods of time, it is important that one’s home looks occupied. Even when mail is stopped, Pennysavers and phone books left in the driveway are a telltale sign of an empty house.

Our Police Department advises you to tell a neighbor of your schedule, ask them to pick up items left at your home and encourage them to occasionally park in your driveway. In addition, alert our police desk of your travels and they will add your home to the “dark house” list and have an officer go by on a daily basis.

Other safety tips from our Police Department for home security while traveling include: Putting timers on TVs and radios as well as lights so the house appears occupied.

Phone ringers, especially in apartments, should be lowered as an audible persistently ringing phone is a sign of an empty apartment.

Even when home, cars should always be locked and valuables removed from plain sight. The vast majority of our car thefts are not break-ins, rather crimes of opportunity when unlocked car doors are tried, opened and GPS, money and valuables taken.

If upon returning to your home you think something has been disturbed, do not enter your residence, rather dial 911 from the street or a neighbor’s home. If you enter your home, the intruder could still be inside and/or you might touch items and destroy anything of evidentiary value.

Our Police Department offers many safety services that add to the peace and security of village life.

As example: Residents can leave a house or apartment key at the Police Department where it will be stored in a secure and locked cabinet. It can be signed out for something as mundane as a lockout to being used by police and fire for emergency service. As illustration, just last week, a 90-year-old-plus resident fell during the night and could not reach the door. Because we had her key on file, the police did not have to smash in her door or call a relative or the super, and were able to get her medical aid immediately.

Our police will also do a security evaluation of residences, advising on door and window locks, whether more lighting is needed or if trees and hedges should be trimmed to enhance visibility.

Of late, the criminal pursuits in the village are now quite often being engineered through phone scams. The following have occurred repeatedly in the past few months: You receive a phone call from the representative helping your grandchild who has gotten in some sort of trouble and doesn’t want his parents to know but needs money for immediate representation, bail or traffic fines.

The caller instructs the grandparents to FedEx the money or buy a prepaid debit card and sent to a certain address ASAP. The perpetrator has researched the child in question through social media so information as to name, college, vacation destination is so accurate, it is quite believable.

The same MO is used to solicit funds for the relative who was “robbed” while on their current vacation.

On a variation of the same theme, callers representing our utilities call to say service will be cut off unless a prepaid debit

card (easy to purchase throughout the village usually as a Visa or the “Green Dot” company’s card), is purchased and then the code transmitted back to them by phone; the code being as good as cash. In point of fact, no legitimate utility will ever ask you for money by phone. It is so insidiously clever because your power stays on, you believe your previously mailed check may have been lost in the mail and it is only during the next billing cycle that you realize you essentially double paid.

For many people, the most unnerving call is the one from the “IRS” demanding a party under penalty of an arrest warrant.

Again, the IRS never discusses tax deficiencies by phone. Inquiries are also handled only with a hard copy letter.

As point of fact, our Bronxville Police Department or its Police Benevolent Association also never requests donations by phone. No money solicited from any organization representing to act on our police force’s behalf ever reaches our department.

The “latest” in scams is via the package delivery system. An individual will order an item, often laptops and iPhones with a stolen credit card and have it delivered to random addresses, often vacant homes up for sale. They then track the package and collect at the empty house. In several cases, a resident homeowner has received a wrong package, gets a call from the fraudulent recipient, who then comes by to retrieve it from a front step or porch. If this occurs or even if you see packages sitting too long at a neighbor’s, call the police desk immediately and they will review/confiscate the package.

As the police chief often shares with me, most crimes in the village are simply ones of opportunity and even a small ounce of prevention can dissuade a wouldbe perpetrator.

Seg is gorgeous German shepherd, about 6 to 7 years old and 74 pounds.

This regal gentleman is very sweet, on the quiet side, and is friendly with other dogs and people alike. He sleeps peacefully through the night, loves to be near you, does not jump on furniture, and is very respectful of all. He will make a wonderful companion!

Seg is neutered, vaccinated, dewormed and microchipped. Make him part of your family for an adoption donation of $300. To meet Seg, call 834-6955 or visit NY-PetRescue.org.

(Submitted)

June 30, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 9

Fifth-graders celebrate academic milestone Bronxville Elementary School fifth-graders celebrated the first of many milestones in their academic careers at the Bronxville School during a moving up ceremony on June 22. They will embark on the next phase of their educational journey as sixth-graders in the fall.

Assistant Principal Adrienne Laitman welcomed the guests and honorees before a student council representative led the

Pledge of Allegiance. Principal Tricia Murray said the moving up ceremony was a celebration of the students’ achievements and successes throughout their time in the elementary school; and also expressed gratitude toward the teachers for their dedication to the students.

“We are so very proud of the care and compassion that you have shown for your community by taking the initiative to help

Bronxville Elementary School fifth-graders are honored for their hard work on their volunteer projects during the semester.

others,” Murray told the graduates. “We are so very proud of the level of persistence and perseverance that you have shown this year.”

Murray reflected on an inquiry project the students completed this year, which encouraged them to investigate a problem in their school, community or world, complete extensive research, think critically and work collaboratively in order to take social action and make a difference in the world.

A group of students, who researched homelessness, volunteered at a local soup kitchen; while others volunteered at a local animal shelter. Students, who researched the effects of Alzheimer’s, encouraged others in the school to make cards for those affected by this disease before visiting a home for Alzheimer’s patients. Another group of students enlisted the help of a local business to provide the Bronxville community with an easy way to support people in need of school supplies. Students also mailed cards to veterans; while others mailed a petition to a state representative to ban smoking in public areas.

“This is a very special group

Bronxville Elementary School students celebrate the completion of their fifth-grade at the Bronxville School during a moving up ceremony on June 22. Photos courtesy of the Bronxville school district

of students,” Murray said. “Many of them went the extra mile and on their own time, decided to help a group of people affected by their social issue. They took these actions because they wanted to make a difference and they did.”

Murray acknowledged that the students are ready to meet new challenges and embark on an exciting new journey as they move up to middle school. Signifying the conclusion of one chapter and the beginning of another, the students were called one by one to accept their certificates, which were handed out by their teachers. (Submitted)

Bronxville Elementary School fifth-graders are given certificates marking their completion of elementary school.

10 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • June 30, 2017

Eastchester Eagles Class of 2017 takes flight Eastchester High School held its 89th annual commencement on a gray and humid Friday morning, but educators and student-leaders who addressed the Class of 2017 were all focused their hopes for a bright future.

On June 23, school district officials awarded 213 diplomas to its newest class of graduates, and joined the class’ distinguished students in saying goodbye and good luck. The ceremony, held in a tent on the high school’s Dom Cecere Field, included speeches

by Eastchester Supervisor Anthony Colavita, Board of Education President Michelle Kissel, Superintendent Dr. Walter Moran, and high school Principal Dr. Jeffrey Capuano, who compared the student’s futures to hiking up a mountain, and reminded them not to live their lives through a phone or computer screen.

The school band and concert choir, which both included graduates, each took turns preforming to send off the graduates; the choir sang “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkle, and the band played a medley of instrumentals from the musical “Grease.”

When the ceremony ended, the graduates walked out of the tent where they had received their

From left, EHS principal Dr. Jeffrey Capuano, Moran and Board of Education President Michelle Kissel await a group of students with diplomas in hand.

Class president Tereza Shkurtaj addresses the Class of 2017 as they sit together for the last time.

Photos/Corey Stockton

Dr. Walter Moran, Eastchester school district superintendent, sings a few lines from “Tapestry”

by Carole King, reminding students to embrace the time at hand.

diplomas and toward the eagle statue placed at the center of the field. The weather broke momentarily, and it started to rain; but before the field was clear, the sun was shining again.

-Reporting by Corey Stockton

Class Salutatorian Matthew Roche reflects on the meaning of the titles valedictorian and salutatorian, saying hello and goodbye to his classmates.

Eastchester High School’s newest graduates applaud their former principal after his farewell address.

June 30, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 11

EastClass chesterofHi2017 gh School HIGH HONORS GRADUATES

George Lumanas

Margaret Dipasquale

Isabella Mangeri

Franco Ruvolo

Daniel Mancusi

John Doherty

Evan McPhail

Madelyn Sabatino

Hiroko Abe

Sarafina Mancuso

Eric Dollinger

Justin Meduri

Aryas Safaie

Joseph Belmonte

Kureha Masuda

Jenna Donnadio

Jessica Mendes

Benedict Salanitro

Dakota Browne

Sophia Ottaviano

Brendan Eckstein

Katiana Michalski

Robert Salisbury

Skylar Capasso

Tracy Saracino

Nkechi Eke

Nicholas Milo

Daniella Salvi

Kristen Conti

Tereza Shkurtaj

Luke Elson

Yuka Minami

Julianna Santana

Cassandra DiLeo

Megan Sinanis

Angela Esposito

Moeka Mitachi

Madison Santoro

Karly DiSanto

Chase Tomasino

Kelly Fahy

Alexis Moncini

Carlos Santos

Jack Francisco

Jacqueline Verge

Luca Fava

Paul Moran

Ayana Sarro

Chase Goldberg

Brianna Williams

Nicole Ferrara

Victoria Muriel

Jessie Satterfield

Kelly Flynn

Aidan Murphy

Liam Schuler

Amanda Graham Lauren Gresia

GRADUATES

Nicholas Genova

John Tietje Murphy

Laurie Seney

Duhee Han

Muhammad Abdullah

Kimberly George

Kristen Murray

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June 30, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 13

LEGAL NOTICES

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF TAX LIENS BY PROCEEDING IN REM PURSUANT TO ARTICLE ELEVEN OF THE REAL PROPERTY TAX LAW

BY THE TOWN OF EASTCHESTER petition and notice of foreclosure Index No. 2411/16 The above-captioned proceeding is hereby commenced to enforce the payment of delinquent taxes or other lawful charges which have accumulated and become liens against certain property. The parcels to which this proceeding applies are identified on Schedule A of this Petition, which is annexed hereto and made a part hereof.

This document serves both as a Petition of Foreclosure and Notice of Foreclosure for purposes of proceeding.

Effect of filing: All persons having or claiming to have an interest in the real property described in this Petition are hereby notified that the filing of this Petition constitutes the commencement by the Tax District of a proceeding in the Court specified in the caption above to foreclosure each of the tax liens therein described by a foreclosure proceeding in rem.

Nature of proceeding: This proceeding is brought against the real property only and is to foreclose the tax liens described in this Petition. No personal Judgment will be entered herein for such taxes or other legal charges or any part thereof.

Persons affected: This notice is directed to all persons owning or having or claiming to have an interest in the real property described in this Petition.

Such persons are hereby notified further that a duplicate of this Petition has been filed in the office of the Enforcing Officer of the Tax District and will remain open for public inspection up to and including the date specified below as the last day for redemption.

Right of redemption: Any person having or claiming to have an interest in any such real property and the legal right thereto may on or before said date redeem the same by paying the amount of all such unpaid tax liens thereon, including all interest and penalties and other legal charges which are included in the lien against such real property, computed to and included the date of redemption.

Such payments shall be made payable to Rocco N. Cacciola, Receiver of Taxes, Town of Eastchester, 40 Mill Road, Eastchester, New York 10709; (914) 771-3346.

In the event that such taxes are paid by a person other than the record owner of such real property, the person so paying shall be entitled to have the tax liens affected thereby satisfied of record.

Last day for redemption: The last day for redemption is hereby fixed as the 28th day of July, 2017.

Service of answer: Every person having any right, title or interest in or lien upon any parcel of real property described in this petition may serve a duly verified answer upon the attorney for the Tax District setting forth in detail the nature and amount of his or her interest and any defense or objection to the foreclosure.

Such answer must be filed in the Office of the County Clerk and served upon the attorney for the Tax District on or before the date above-mentioned as the last day for redemption.

Failure to redeem or answer: In the event of failure to redeem or answer by any person having the right to redeem or answer, such person shall be forever barred and foreclosed of all his or her right, title and interest and equity of redemption in and to the parcel described in this Petition and a judgment in foreclosure may be taken by default.

FORECLOSURE LIST

Name Name Name Name Yoshiyuki Fukuda Yoshiyuki Fukuda Yoshiyuki Yoshiyuki Fukuda Fukuda

FORECLOSURE LIST SCHEDULE A FORECLOSURE LIST FORECLOSURE LIST FORECLOSURE LIST Schedule A Schedule A Schedule A A Year Tax MapSchedule No. Tax Tax Map No. Tax Year Tax Tax Tax Map Map No. No. Tax Year Year 33-3-1-0905 2012 33-3-1-0905 2012 2013 33-3-1-0905 2012 33-3-1-0905 2012 2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2015 2014 2015 2014 TOTAL LIENS 2015 TOTAL LIENS 2015 2016 Town TOTAL LIENS 2016 Town TOTAL LIENS 2016 School 2016 Town 2016 School Town 2016 2017 School Town 2016 2017 School Town 2016 TOTAL DUE 2017 2017 Town Town TOTAL DUE TOTAL TOTAL DUE DUE

Name Name Name Name J & B Gruntkowsi J & B Gruntkowsi JJ & &B B Gruntkowsi Gruntkowsi

Tax Map No. Tax Map No. Tax Tax Map Map No. No. 80-F-1-3 80-F-1-3 80-F-1-3 80-F-1-3

J & B Gruntkowski J & B Gruntkowski JJ & &B B Gruntkowski Gruntkowski

80-F-1-8 80-F-1-8 80-F-1-8 80-F-1-8

Name Name Name Name Douglas Weirens Douglas Weirens Douglas Douglas Weirens Weirens

Tax Map No. Tax Map No. Tax Tax Map Map No. No. 9-2-1 9-2-1 9-2-1 9-2-1

Name Name Name Name Lisa Madocs Lisa Madocs Lisa Lisa Madocs Madocs

Tax Map No. Tax Map No. Tax Tax Map Map No. No. 66-L-1-261 66-L-1-261 66-L-1-261 66-L-1-261

4/18/2017

Dated: ______________________ TOWN OF EASTCHESTER

By:

Rocco N. Cacciola, Receiver of Taxes

) STATE OF NEW YORK ) ss.: COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER )

I, Rocco N. Cacciola, being duly sworn, depose and say: I am the Enforcing Officer for the Town of Eastchester. I have read this Petition which I have signed, and I am familiar with its contents. The contents in this Petition are true to the best of my knowledge, based upon the records of the Town of Eastchester. I do not know of any errors or omissions in this Petition.

Rocco N. Cacciola, Receiver of Taxes Sworn before me this 18 day of April,

Notary Public

Christa D’Angelica, Esq. CERUSSI & SPRING Attorneys for Town of Eastchester One North Broadway White Plains, New York 10601-1700 Tel. No. (914) 948-1200

2017

Amount (Base Plus Amount (Base Plus Interest/Penalties/Fees) Amount Amount (Base (Base Plus Plus Interest/Penalties/Fees) $10,960.01 Interest/Penalties/Fees) Interest/Penalties/Fees) $10,960.01 $7,732.83 $10,960.01 $10,960.01 $7,732.83 $9,852.90 $7,732.83 $9,852.90 $7,732.83 $9,118.92 $9,852.90 $9,118.92 $9,852.90 $37,664.66 $9,118.92 $37,664.66 $9,118.92 $2,183.78 $37,664.66 $2,183.78 $37,664.66 $6,021.54 $2,183.78 $2,183.78 $6,021.54 $1,994.59 $6,021.54 $1,994.59 $6,021.54 $47,864.57 $1,994.59 $1,994.59 $47,864.57 $47,864.57 $47,864.57

Tax Year Tax Year Tax Tax Year Year 2014 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 TOTAL LIENS 2015 TOTAL LIENS 2015 2016 Town TOTAL LIENS 2016 Town TOTAL LIENS 2016 School 2016 Town 2016 2016 School Town 2017 School Town 2016 2016 2017 School Town 2014 2017 Town 2017 Town 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 TOTAL LIENS 2015 TOTAL LIENS 2015 2016 Town TOTAL LIENS 2016 Town TOTAL LIENS 2016 School 2016 Town 2016 2016 School Town 2017 School Town 2016 2016 2017 School Town TOTAL DUE 2017 2017 Town Town TOTAL DUE TOTAL TOTAL DUE DUE

Amount (Base Plus Amount (Base Plus Interest/Penalties/Fees) Amount Amount (Base (Base Plus Plus Interest/Penalties/Fees) $3,468.23 Interest/Penalties/Fees) Interest/Penalties/Fees) $3,468.23 $5,014.79 $3,468.23 $5,014.79 $3,468.23 $8,483.02 $5,014.79 $8,483.02 $5,014.79 $1,627.49 $8,483.02 $1,627.49 $8,483.02 $2,881.13 $1,627.49 $2,881.13 $1,627.49 $1,494.83 $2,881.13 $2,881.13 $1,494.83 $26,945.89 $1,494.83 $1,494.83 $26,945.89 $39,029.94 $26,945.89 $39,029.94 $26,945.89 $65,975.83 $39,029.94 $65,975.83 $39,029.94 $12,703.51 $65,975.83 $12,703.51 $65,975.83 $22,488.76 $12,703.51 $22,488.76 $12,703.51 $11,668.01 $22,488.76 $22,488.76 $11,668.01 $127,322.58 $11,668.01 $11,668.01 $127,322.58 $127,322.58 $127,322.58

Tax Year Tax Year Tax Tax Year Year 2014 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 TOTAL LIENS 2015 TOTAL LIENS 2015 2016 Town TOTAL LIENS 2016 Town TOTAL LIENS 2016 School 2016 Town 2016 School Town 2016 2017 School Town 2016 2017 School Town 2016 TOTAL DUE 2017 2017 Town Town TOTAL DUE TOTAL TOTAL DUE DUE

Amount (Base Plus Amount (Base Plus Interest/Penalties/Fees) Amount Amount (Base (Base Plus Plus Interest/Penalties/Fees) $26,834.49 Interest/Penalties/Fees) Interest/Penalties/Fees) $26,834.49 $22,092.19 $26,834.49 $22,092.19 $26,834.49 $48,926.68 $22,092.19 $48,926.68 $22,092.19 $8,137.48 $48,926.68 $8,137.48 $48,926.68 $12,019.76 $8,137.48 $8,137.48 $12,019.76 $7,474.17 $12,019.76 $7,474.17 $12,019.76 $76,558.09 $7,474.17 $7,474.17 $76,558.09 $76,558.09 $76,558.09

Tax Year Tax Year Tax Tax Year Year 2014 2014 2015 2014 2014 2015 TOTAL LIENS 2015 TOTAL LIENS 2015 2016 Town TOTAL LIENS 2016 Town TOTAL LIENS 2017 Town 2016 Town 2017 Town 2016 TOTAL DUE 2017 2017 Town Town TOTAL DUE TOTAL TOTAL DUE DUE

Amount (Base Plus Amount (Base Plus Interest/Penalties/Fees) Amount Amount (Base (Base Plus Plus Interest/Penalties/Fees) $23,179.13 Interest/Penalties/Fees) Interest/Penalties/Fees) $23,179.13 $21,038.23 $23,179.13 $23,179.13 $21,038.23 $44,217.36 $21,038.23 $44,217.36 $21,038.23 $19,272.05 $44,217.36 $19,272.05 $44,217.36 $17,602.55 $19,272.05 $17,602.55 $19,272.05 $81,091.96 $17,602.55 $17,602.55 $81,091.96 $81,091.96 $81,091.96

14 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • June 30, 2017

SPORTS

And Zen there were none LIVE MIKE Mike Smith

On Wednesday morning, New York basketball fans awoke to the news that the Knicks were parting ways with team president Phil Jackson, putting an end to the Zen Master’s tumultuous tenure in the Big Apple.

But even if we admit Jackson’s three-year stint in New York was an unmitigated disaster, I have to give him this; at least it was entertaining.

I may have had high hopes when the Knicks announced their partnership with the basketball guru back in 2014. I, like many Knicks fans, thought that bringing in a proven winner like Jackson—even if he wouldn’t be handling the day-to-day coaching responsibilities—would be a boon for a franchise that really couldn’t claim too many victories over the last 20-some-odd years.

At the very least, I figured, the man with 11 NBA championship rings would bring a little bit of professionalism to the Garden.

Boy, was I wrong.

Two solid draft picks (Kristaps Porzingis and Willy Hernangomez) aside, there wasn’t a whole lot that Jackson got right. But at least his mistakes were anything but boring. And when you have a team such as the Knicks, who wouldn’t have sniffed a conference title even if everything had broken their way, if you’re not going to be good, you might as well be interesting.

I’m not talking about Phil handing out bad contracts to injury-prone veterans like Joakim Noah. That’s just garden-variety mismanagement. Where Phil really made his mark on the back pages of New York papers was with his stubbornness to let go of the triangle offense and a seemingly endless string of beefs with everyone from the best player in the NBA to the Knicks’ own stars.

Of course, there were his comments about LeBron James’ “posse,” which led to swift rebukes from those accusing the Knicks president of using racially coded language. There was Jackson, publicly sniping at his two biggest stars in Carmelo Anthony and Porzingis, leading to

the latter completely skipping his end-of-the-year exit meeting with the front office. There were reports of Jackson hijacking head coach Jeff Hornacek’s practices to teach the tenets of his outdated offensive system. Heck, the guy even fell asleep during a pre-draft workout for a top NBA prospect!

In a way, I think it’s exactly what Knicks fans needed. Sure, the franchise has been bad over the last 20 years, but they haven’t been bad in the same manner as the Nets, who are just a run-of-the-mill bad basketball team. It’s these constant crises, initiated by Jackson and, before him, Isiah Thomas, that have kept the Knicks relevant through their on-court mediocrity—albeit for all the wrong reasons.

I don’t know where the Knicks go from here, but it would be tough to see how it could possibly get any worse.

But then again, if the Knicks have taught me anything during my 32 years on this earth, it’s that it can always get worse.

And it probably will.

Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports

On June 28, the New York Knicks fired team president Phil Jackson, right. Even if the Zen Master’s stay in the Big Apple wasn’t a success, at least it was entertaining. Photo courtesy Wikipedia.org

TO COVER LOCAL SPORTS, YOU NEED A

LIVE MIKE! Follow Mike Smith @LiveMike_Sports stats • recaps • commentary Follow @eastchesterview for Mike’s live, in-game action updates

SPORTS

June 30, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 15

Local sailors reach Bermuda

Eli Lapkin and father Drew, center, stand with Eli’s grandfather Barry Feldman, second from left, after finishing the 2017 Marion-Bermuda Race on June 14. The boat, Scarlet, finished the course in four days, 17 hours, eight minutes and 31 seconds.

By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor A local sailor got his first taste of open-water competition last week, as Harrison resident Eli Lapkin completed the biannual Marion-Bermuda Race aboard a 47-foot yacht named Scarlet.

The five-day journey, which saw Lapkin chart a course from Massachusetts to Bermuda, was a true family affair, as the rising Harrison High School junior sailed alongside his father, Drew Lapkin, and

maternal grandfather Barry Feldman in what he believes will be the start of a long life on the high seas.

Scarlet set out from Marion, Massachusetts, on June 9 and docked in St. David’s Head, Bermuda five days later, earning the local seamen a third-place finish in the 40th iteration of the famed yachting race. But for Eli Lapkin, the finish wasn’t nearly as important as the journey itself.

Eli Lapkin, who began his love affair with boating at an early age, said that he

Scarlet, second from right, begins the Marion-Bermuda Race on June 9.

had set his sights on competing in the Marion-Bermuda Race for quite some time.

“I’ve been interested in this for a while, my grandfather has had a boat for as long as I have been alive,” he said. “He had done the race six or seven times, my uncle did it, my father had done three or four races, so it was something I wanted to do.”

Although his own experience was limited, in large part, to sailing on smaller boats closer to shore, Eli Lapkin’s

Scarlet navigates the water following the start of the Marion-Bermuda Race. The boat was crewed by three generations of local sailors. Contributed photos

enthusiasm for this undertaking was apparent from the outset, according to his father, Drew Lapkin.

In the lead-up to the race, which was marked by hours of sailing courses and safety preparation, Drew Lapkin noted that his 15-year-old son seemed to grasp the importance of the pre-race preparation, assuaging any fears he might have had about undertaking the grueling course.

“I think he understood the seriousness of it,” Drew Lapkin said. “In the safety-at-sea courses, [Eli] was putting as much energy and attention into that as he would into his schoolwork, so I knew he would be ready.”

But despite all of his preparation, Eli Lapkin admits that he was a bit awestruck when the race kicked off and he found his boat in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean with no land in sight.

“Once we couldn’t see any other boats, with no land on the horizon, it’s different,” he said. “It really feels like you are all alone, in the middle of nowhere, just going across the ocean.”

With a crew of six working in shifts around the clock, Scarlet finished the race in four days, 17 hours, eight minutes and 31 seconds, covering a distance of more than 740 miles. But the trip was an eventful one, as bad weather at the start of the race, a faulty rudder and some calm seas toward the finish line made for a complicated voyage.

“It was definitely a tale of two races; the first 2 1/2 days we had big swells, rough seas and about three of our six crewmembers got seasick,” Drew Lapkin said. “We were making great time,

but it was exhausting, and Eli did quite well in those conditions.”

The winds quieted down the homestretch, leading some on the boat to wonder if they would be able to reach their destination without turning on the boat’s motor and risking a disqualification. But on the fifth day, the finish line came into sight.

“It was so exciting, the wind picked up a bit in the morning and we could see Bermuda on the horizon,” Eli Lapkin said. “It was so close and we almost thought we weren’t going to make it.”

“It’s a great feeling,” Drew Lapkin added. “You can think back to what the early explorers went through as you are crossing that finish line; you know that your hard work and cooperation is what got you there because ocean sailing is all about adapting to any crises that are thrown your way.”

As for the quieter moments, Drew Lapkin said, it gave him, his son and his father-in-law a great chance to bond.

“It was special, especially considering the fact that it was three generations,” he said. “You’re completely detached from the real world, your cellphones aren’t working, and it just gives you a chance to get away from the dayto-day of life and have meaningful conversations.”

“Some people say that the longer you are on a boat, the smaller it gets,” Eli Lapkin said. “And I think I definitely grew closer to my dad and grandpa; it was so much fun to be able to do it with them.”

CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com

16 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • June 30, 2017