January 27, 2017

Eastchester REVIEW THE

January 27, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 4 | www.eastchesterreview.com

Hotel developer’s $1.2M in tax breaks expires

By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer

Center of attention

A two-day gun show at the Westchester County Center was embroiled in further controversy after pictures of pro-Nazi books and Confederate flags surfaced. The Review was also denied access to the weekend event in White Plains. For story, see page 6.

File photo

Tuckahoe resident, Yonkers teacher enters village race

By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer Tuckahoe resident Nicholas Naber, a teacher in the Yonkers school district, has told the Review that he plans to seek the Democratic nomination for village trustee in the upcoming March election.

Naber, 31, who has taught seventh- and eighth-grade history and social studies in Yonkers for 10 years, said that he’s been interested in politics and government since he was a teen, but that interest was invigorated by the recent presidential election. “I felt sort of empowered to make a move in politics and to make a difference on the side of Democrats,” he said. “I feel like Democrats were wrongly

labeled during this election; and I don’t think what we truly stand for was represented in the presidential election.

“Democrats stand for working families,” Naber added. “They stand for the middle class; they stand for the environment; they stand for unions. They stand for smart government.”

Naber, who has lived in Tuckahoe for four years, added that he wasn’t interested only in Democratic issues; he also hopes to focus on issues affecting the entire Tuckahoe community. “Obviously, [living] on Sagamore Road, I’m extremely close to Marbledale Road, and once I heard that they were going to build this hotel on a toxic landfill, I was obviously concerned,” he told the Review, re-

ferring to the site of a cleanup project proposed by a developer planning to build a Marriott, which has been approved by the New York state Department of Environmental Conservation.

“My platform really consists of making sure that this development is held to the highest environmental standards. Being a Democrat, I feel obligated to defend this village from big developments and big business.

That doesn’t make me against big business; I just want it to be done smartly and the right way,” he said.

Naber added that he thought his different perspective would balance out a Tuckahoe Board of Trustees, which is currently all-Republican. The village board has not had been home

to a Democrat since May 2015, when then-Trustee Stephen Quigley, a Democrat, died. Quigley was replaced on the board with appointee Antonio Leo, a Republican.

Three seats are available in this year’s election, which will be held on March 21. The mayor’s RACE continued on page 8

The development company planning to remediate a contaminated property in Tuckahoe to develop a Marriott hotel is no longer entitled to more than $1 million in tax breaks by Westchester County, the Review has learned.

The developer, Bilwin Development Affiliates LLC, had until the end of 2016 to accept the tax incentives offered by the county Industrial Development Agency, IDA. Now, Bilwin is forced to apply for an extension with no guarantee that further incentives will be granted toward the project.

In 2014, the IDA granted Bilwin an inducement for $1.2 million in sales tax exemptions and an additional $200,000 in mortgage recording tax exemptions toward a proposed 96,875-square-foot Marriott Springhill Suites Hotel project.

At the time, the county reported that the project would create 80 permanent positions and 200 temporary construction jobs.

According to a form the developer filed with the IDA in June 2014, Bilwin had originally estimated the project to be completed before November 2015 and the hotel to be operational the following month. The agreement between Bilwin and the county IDA stipulated that the right to tax benefits would expire on the last day of 2016.

IDA documents show that Bilwin had not taken any tax exemptions between the time he had been awarded them in 2014 and when they expired in 2016,

as construction on the hotel has not yet started.

Bilwin said he filed a document with the IDA on Jan. 16 stating that he did not accept any benefits in 2016, a copy of which was emailed to the Review. However, according to Bill Mooney, the director of the IDA, although the agency is in receipt of that document, Bilwin has not requested an extension, as of press time.

Hotel construction has been held up until Bilwin remediates the proposed site of the controversial project on Marbledale Road—formerly an industrial landfill—and gets approval from the New York state Department of Environmental Conservation, DEC, through the agency’s Brownfield Cleanup Program, which offers tax incentives to developers for cleaning up and redeveloping contaminated properties.

But while Bilwin’s access to county tax credits may be in question, the developer is still entitled to up to $35 million in tax incentives through the state’s Brownfield program. The developer must receive a certificate of completion from the DEC, and would then be entitled to tax breaks from the state as long as the remediation is finished before April 2026.

Bilwin’s access to county tax incentives could also be contingent on the DEC’s approval of the remediation project, as the IDA yields to agencies with jurisdiction on a project site, which would include the DEC and Tuckahoe’s building inspector.

CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com

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2 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • January 27, 2017

January 27, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 3

Town to build new senior center at Lake Isle

By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer Preparing for Lake Isle Country Club’s caterer, Mulino’s, to convert the current senior center into a full-scale restaurant, the town of Eastchester has hired an architect to design a new 5,000-square-foot senior center on the Lake Isle campus.

Anthony Colavita, the town

supervisor, said the new center would be an addition, not a stand-alone building; but it would have a separate entryway. The center would include a conference room, office space, restrooms, areas designated for special programming, and a kitchen for the town’s senior meal service program.

While the new center is being designed and built, Mulino’s,

the restaurant group which operates Lake Isle’s catering hall, will look to construct a fullscale restaurant expanding into the space of the existing senior center.

During a Town Council meeting on Jan. 17, Eastchester approved a proposal to solicit architectural services from Robert Stanziale, a New Rochellebased architect who has served

as chairman of the town Planning Board.

According to Colavita, the design services could cost up to $65,000. He also estimated that the eventual construction of the center would cost slightly more than $1 million. While the construction project has not yet gone out for bid, the supervisor said the town intends to have the work completed by the end of 2017.

The current senior center provides exercise classes, arts and crafts, games, classes and a meal service to resident and non-resident senior citizens with a suggested monetary con-

tribution of $3 and $4, respectively.

Colavita said that the town hoped the new building would become—more than a senior center—a community center.

“We really don’t have a community center in the town,” he added.

The supervisor said the construction of a new center would allow the town to expand the programs offered to seniors, as well as to develop new programs not exclusively designed for seniors. “Just about any sort of program people asked us if we can put in there, the answer is ‘yes,’” he told the Review. He

suggested that the town could look to provide group classes like Zumba and yoga at the center, which could also be used as an emergency shelter during inclement weather.

Colavita added that when the new center is not being used for programming, the town would likely allow Mulino’s to use the space for its catering events.

According to Colavita, senior programming will be held in the Lake Isle ballroom during construction.

Mulino’s could not be reached for comment as of press time.

CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com

New to the Review

Eastchester has proposed a new 5,000 square-foot senior center at Lake Isle, for which it will spend $65,000 on design. The town will allow Mulino’s which operates the catering hall at the country club, to open a restaurant in place of the current senior center. File photo

Taylor Brown joined the Review earlier this month as a general assignment reporter. Brown graduated from Iona College in 2014, where she received her B.A. in Mass Communication with a concentration in journalism. While attending Iona, Brown served as the features editor of Iona College’s only student newspaper, The Ionian. Brown also worked as

Taylor Brown

a freelance writer for New Rochelle Patch, and as an intern and freelance writer for iConcept Media Group with a focus on fashion, beauty, technology and business.

Brown currently resides in Wharton, New Jersey, and has a dog, two cats and a ball python snake.

You can reach Brown at 653-1000 ext. 30 or taylor@ hometwn.com.

4 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • January 27, 2017

What’s going on...

Eastchester Public Library

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

AARP Defensive Driving Course On Monday, Jan. 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Call the library at 793-5055 to register—spots are filling up fast.

For grade six and up. Create custom blends of natural oils in pocket-sized roll-on glass bottles; a little bit of chemistry and a whole lot of fun. This is great for a Valentine’s gift to a friend, family member or yourself. Learn about the benefits of body oil and why natural ingredients are important. Each participant will get three different oils to make and take home, complete with their own designed laminated label and bag. Presented by Nikki Rodriguez, owner and formulator at Augisa Organics. Online registration is required as space is limited. For more information, contact Jonathan Heifetz at 721-8105 or jheifetz@wlsmail.org.

accepted. Here are a few things to consider: Books must be in good condition. No mildew, musty odors, stained pages, torn covers or pages, broken spines, excessive writing or highlighting. No textbooks, encyclopedias, magazines or workbooks, law or medical books. No books on technology, science or travel that are more than 2 years old.

Tuckahoe Public Library

Bronxville Public Library

Children’s play meeting On Wednesday, Feb. 1 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. For children in grades 3–5. Online registration is required as space is limited. For more information, contact Jonathan Heifetz at 721-8105 or jheifetz@ wlsmail.org.

An original script (working title: “The Sea Son’s Quest”) is currently being developed, and will be performed at the library. It is loosely based on Rick Riordan’s “The Lightning Thief,” the first in his bestselling Percy Jackson & the Olympians series of fantasy books rooted in Greek mythology.

This is the second year the library is offering this unique program, which combines the love of reading and creativity with public performance.

Participation in this project requires an eightweek commitment. All participants are also expected to read “The Lightning Thief.” There will be seven practices, mostly on Wednesday nights.

Tentatively there will be two public performances, one on Wednesday, March 29, with the second that following weekend.

Any child who is interested in participating is strongly encouraged to attend this initial meeting.

If they cannot make the meeting but still wish to participate, please contact Jonathan in the Children’s Room. Roles will be assigned at the discretion of the children who are writing and directing the play, as well as the children’s librarian. Additional roles such as crew and set design will be needed aside from acting roles.

DIY natural body oil workshop On Saturday, Feb. 11 from noon to 1:30 p.m.

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

AARP Tax Aide Program For more information on library hours and programs, visit bronxvillelibrary.org.

Intro to Opera On Sunday, Jan. 29 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. For ages 5 and up. Join the library for a family-friendly intro to opera course. Four arias from classic operas will be performed which involve participation from children. There will be a sign-up sheet ahead of time so each child can be assigned a role. There will be small props and small costume pieces. Register online as space is limited. Please add child’s name and age in the comment box provided.

Social Needlers On Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to noon. This is a weekly knitting and crochet hour. Socialize while making beautiful items which we donate to the Visiting Nurse Service of New York.

Book Donation Drop-off On Thursday, Feb. 2 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 4 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

She’s not crazy, her name just rhymes with it. Read Lenore Skenazy’s column every week in the Review.

A past contributor to the Daily News and the New York Sun, Skenazy has also appeared on “The Daily Show,” been profiled in the New Yorker and even had her own reality TV show, “World’s Worst Mom.”

Every Friday starting Feb. 3 through April 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Get your taxes done. No appointment necessary; first come, first served.

NewYork-Presbyterian/Lawrence Hospital The NewYork-Presbyterian/Lawrence Hospital is located at 55 Palmer Road in Bronxville. For more information, visit nyp.org.

Joint Replacement and Surgery Patient Education classes Every Wednesday from 9:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. in the NYP/Lawrence lobby Conference Room.

This free class will teach patients scheduled for joint replacement surgery what to expect before and after an operation. To register, call 787-2119.

The Reformed Church of Bronxville For more information, call 337-6776 or visit refromedchurch.org. The Reformed Church of Bronxville is located at 180 Pondfield Road in Bronxville.

La Cambiale di Matrimonio On Saturday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m., the Reformed Church of Bronxville will present a fully staged comic opera, with chamber orchestra and soloists, “La Cambiale di Matrimonio” by Rossini. Rossini’s music is enduringly popular, nearly two centuries after his death; it continues to lift up our spirits in laughter and fun. Perhaps it is the ear-to-ear grin created by each musical phrase, and whether an aria, a march, or a dance, each of Rossini’s works glow with a giggling light-heartedness that is rarely heard elsewhere. Come and warm up your winter blues with this fun-filled opera. The performance will be held in the church’s Edwards Hall, so please arrive early as seating is limited. Free admission.

Eastchester Recreation Winter Vacation Camp

ter Recreation Department offers weeklong minicamps for Eastchester, Bronxville and Tuckahoe residents in grades K–6. Activities will include arts and crafts, circle games, entertainment, trips and a lunch party. These camps are limited to 40 campers, and sign-up is taken on a first-come, firstserved basis up until the registration deadline of Friday, Feb. 10. The camps run from Tuesday, Feb. 21 to Friday, Feb. 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., or 5 p.m. for the extended day option. The camps will be held at Haindl Field House, 3 Gabriel Rescigno Drive in Scarsdale. Fee: $175 for sessions ending at 3 p.m.; $240 for sessions ending at 5 p.m. Make checks payable to the Town of Eastchester. To register and for more information, visit eastchester. org/departments/recreation.

Tuckahoe Village Conservative Committee Caucus Conservative candidates for village board There will be a caucus of the members of the Conservative Party of the village of Tuckahoe at the Tuckahoe Community Center, located at 71 Columbus Ave., on Monday, Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m.

The purpose of the caucus is to nominate candidates for Tuckahoe village mayor for a term of two years and two village trustees also for a term of two years.

The election will be held in the village on Tuesday, March 21, 2017.

Any candidates interested in running should contact Bob Fois, chair of Eastchester Town Conservative Committee, at 874-4429 or robertfois@ gmail.com.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester Adult Fans of LEGO Night Adult fans of LEGO Night at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester: Have you wanted to visit LEGOLAND, but don’t have any little ones in your life? Is the little kid in you looking for a fun night out? Do you need a night away from the kids, but want something different to do? Check out Adult Fans of LEGO Night for games, prizes, fun and more, on Thursday, Feb. 2. Build and share ideas with the Master Model Builder, LUG members and other adult fans of LEGO. Experience the center’s rides, 4-D theater and endless amounts of LEGO bricks. Must be 18 years or over to attend.

Cost: $15. Time: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; no entry after 8 p.m.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester is located at 39 Fitzgerald St. in Yonkers. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 866-2430770 or visit legolanddiscoverycenter.com/westchester.

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.

Over the school February break, the Eastches-

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January 27, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 5

New brewery may be coming to Mamaroneck

By JAMES PERO Staff Writer Half Time Beverage, a beer distributor in Mamaroneck, is cooking up something new; or more accurately, brewing.

The 20,000-square-foot bev-

erage mart, located on Hoyt Avenue, is looking to repurpose part of its existing storefront to accommodate both a brew pub where patrons could have a drink as well as a micro-brewery where they would be able to brew their own beer, accord-

Half Time Beverage distributors, located in the village of Mamaroneck, will look to expand its operations to include a micro-brewery and its own brew pub where patrons can sample the store’s wide variety of beers. Photo courtesy Half Time Beverage

ing to Village Manager Richard Slingerland.

If the proposal receives the necessary approvals from the village, Half Time would join a growing wave of craft breweries—brewers that produce under a certain threshold of distribution—across the country; a trend that has exploded in volume in recent years.

According to the Brewers Association, a nonprofit trade organization which consists of 3,500 brewers from throughout the U.S., the number of regional craft breweries rose from 97 to 178, a nearly 32 percent increase, between 2012 to 2015 alone.

Further, breweries overall saw an uptick of 15 percent nationwide over the same time period.

For Alan Daniels, co-owner of Half Time, which also operates a store in Poughkeepsie, the addition would mark a logical step for its successful Mamaroneck outlet.

“Customers ask us all the time why don’t we brew our own beer,” he said. “The village of Mamaroneck deserves their own brewery.”

Half Time offers a large selection of beer and cider. Customers can even fill up a growler with fresh beer on tap. Photo courtesy pixabay.com

Currently, Daniels added, though the current proposal wouldn’t feature food, the prospect of offering small bites to eat may also be in the store’s future.

If seen to fruition, Half Time’s brewing venture wouldn’t be the village’s first taste of locally sourced craft alcohol, however.

Last year, residents of the village saw the introduction of Good Shepherd distillery—run

by Vincent and Carly Miata, a

local husband and wife team— which offers a selection of small-batch brandy, vodka, and soon, whiskey.

According to Andrew Spatz, chairman of the village Industrial Area Committee, which is tasked with revitalizing a defunct manufacturing district adjacent to Mamaroneck’s Washingtonville neighborhood, Half Time’s plan would act as another puzzle piece in transforming the

village economy for the future.

“I welcome something of this nature to the industrial area, and the peripheral areas,” said Spatz, regarding the potential brewery, which would fall just outside the geographic scope of the industrial area.

“It only opens the door to further possibilities for economic longevity.”

CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

6 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • January 27, 2017

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By JAMES PERO Staff Writer In the wake of County Executive Rob Astorino’s veto of legislation banning gun shows held at county-owned facilities, the Board of Legislators’ Democratic contingent will continue to work toward swaying Republican votes necessary for an override.

While Democrats’ criticism of the show had previously centered on the expo’s potential to facilitate potentially illicit sales of guns—a claim which has not been supported by the county’s commissioner of public safety—recent concerns have gravitated around vendors’ distribution of books pertaining to Adolf Hitler and Nazism in World War II. According to a statement released by the Democratic Caucus earlier this week, which included pictures allegedly taken at the show, copies of “Mein Kampf”—the autobiographical book by Hitler—and Confederate flags were among the items distributed by vendors.

“These symbols are symbols of hate and have no place in our county, let alone for sale in our facilities,” said Legislator Ken Jenkins, a Yonkers Democrat, who helped pen the legislation banning gun shows. Jenkins has already announced that he plans to seek the Democratic

nomination for county executive later this year.

The Review requested press credentials and authorization to take its own photos at the show but was denied by a representative from Westchester Collectors, the organization which hosts the event.

The impetus behind Democrats’ push to ban gun shows has centered primarily on the gun show held at the Westchester County Center on Jan. 21 and 22.

The show—which would have taken place regardless of a passed ban, due to contractual

Among those railing against Astorino’s veto at the hearing, which was held at the County Center, was White Plains resident Valerie Daniele, who has, throughout the last several months, galvanized hundreds of residents under the moniker Westchester Women of Conscience to speak in favor of the gun show ban.

“We reject the notion that there are no facts that support a continued ban and remind the county executive that the very facts that motivated him to cancel gun shows in the wake of

Despite a veto blocking a ban on gun shows held at county-owned facilities, Democratic lawmakers are working to shore up votes for an override. File photo

The latest gun show at the convention center marks the first time such an event has taken place there since 2010.

A gun show scheduled to take place in 2012 was cancelled following shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

Photo courtesy pixabay.com

obligations—featured vendors from across the state selling and displaying a range of pistols, rifles and various styles of knives, and marked the first time that such a show has taken place at the convention center since 2010.

Echoing Democratic sentiments, dozens of Westchester County residents came out on Jan. 24 to voice concerns over the rejection of a gun ban during a public hearing in White Plains on a separate piece of Republican legislation regarding the topic.

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Democratic lawmakers have criticized the latest gun show, held at the County Center on Jan. 21 and 22, for distributing literature pertaining to Nazism as well as Confederate flags. Photo courtesy Democratic Caucus

Sandy Hook exist today, four years and zero lawsuits later,” Daniele said.

On the other side of the aisle, Scott Sommavilla, president of the Westchester Firearms Association, who also attended the public hearing, said that cracking down on the distribution of items like Confederate flags could lead the county down an undesirable path.

“Would we rather [Nazi books] not be there? Yeah,” Sommavilla said. “But it is a First Amendment right. It’s a slippery slope; where does it stop and where does it start?”

The veto of the proposed gun show ban, which came a little more than a week after the legislation’s passage by all nine Democratic lawmakers, was an expected move by Astorino, a Republican, who, in tandem with Republican lawmakers, has condemned the law from its inception.

In response, according to Board of Legislators Chairman Michael Kaplowitz, a Yorktown Democrat, Democrats will keep

the prospect of overriding Astorino’s veto an open item.

“I will leave the option of overriding the county executive’s veto on the table for the remainder of the legislative term in hopes that a sufficient number of my colleagues will choose to join the majority who voted to ban the gun shows,” Kaplowitz said.

As it stands, Democrats— nine of which voted in favor of passing the ban earlier this month—would need to win over three Republican votes for a supermajority of 12 legislators in order to override the county executive’s veto. Board Democrats have a year to vote on an override, according to a spokesperson for the board’s Democratic Caucus.

A previously scheduled gun

show was cancelled in 2012 after the school shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, killed 26 people, 20 of them children.

The ratification of a ban on gun shows held at countyowned facilities would have revived a previous embargo that lapsed in 2010 when Astorino took the helm as county executive, ending a ban instituted by his predecessor, Andrew Spano, a Democrat, after the Columbine High School shootings.

Board Republicans have shown no signs of obliging Democrats in their push to institute a ban, but have instead introduced alternative legislation that would adopt various rules outlined in New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s Model Gun Show legislation.

Many of the laws would pertain to proper signage and diligence on background checks, many of which are already mandated through the New York state Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act of 2013.

Some Democrats, including Kaplowitz, have already expressed that they may vote in favor of those guidelines when the law makes its way to the legislative floor.

CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

January 27, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 7

8 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • January 27, 2017

It’s property assessment time BRONXVILLE TODAY Mayor Mary Marvin

It is that time of year again: the 2017 property assessment roll release and companion grievance opportunity. The process is entirely dictated by the state of New York and confusing at best.

Our assessor, Gerry Iagallo, must publish a “Tentative Assessment Roll” on Feb. 1. This represents his determination of fair market value for each of the approximately 1,700 parcels of real estate within the village.

This year’s evaluation resulted in 550 properties experiencing some change from their previous assessment. These homeowners will received a written notice in the first week of February detailing the extent of the change.

They, as well as any other village property owner who believes their value is not accurate, may file a grievance application (complaint) in the period between Feb. 1 and Feb. 21 by 7 p.m. Complaint applications are available for download from the village website, villageofbronxville.com, or may be picked up at the front desk at Village Hall, located at 200 Pondfield Road, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays.

The Bronxville Board of Assessment Review, BOAR, is required by New York state law to hear complaints once yearly on the third Tuesday of February.

This year, statewide Grievance Day is Feb. 21. On that day, the BOAR will entertain all oral and written arguments from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Village Hall. Grievances can be filed without any need for a personal appearance, should you be unable to attend.

No decisions are rendered that evening; rather, the board holds further private deliberations. All who filed will then receive a letter of decision in the first week of April. The decision will be reflected in the “Final Assessment Roll” published on April 1.

Anyone dissatisfied with the

decision of the BOAR has further judicial avenues to pursue if desired. Actions can be commenced at the county level by filing an application with the legal division of the Westchester County clerk’s office. This avenue of redress is a more detailed legal procedure and may require the services of an attorney.

When deciding whether to file an initial grievance, the issue can be distilled to “Has my home value disproportionately dropped in comparison to comparable homes?” and “Do I have creditable, unbiased property data to support this opinion of value?”

Independent appraisals at this juncture are extremely helpful.

As a reminder, New York state law dictates that co-ops and condos not be valued at fair market value, rather on their projected rental income stream.

Bronxville has zero say in this valuation method. Since many co-ops have never permitted rentals, the village has less concrete data to mount a defense.

The village has been aggressive in defending our values vigorously with detailed capitalization rates compiled with the assistance of CBRE. I ask our co-op boards to seriously question whether your share of taxes to provide village municipal services and schooling is truly inequitable and file a grievance for this reason alone, not because a non-resident attorney who has no stake in the ultimate equity of the final tax roll is willing to take the case.

There is no downside for the attorneys but a real downside for our village.

The entire field of property assessment is more an art than an exact science. As example, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms are not given a numerical value and then tabulated. Rather, their overall condition, location in the house and value of any upgrades are also factored in.

Other home characteristics, not as obvious, are also considered to arrive at an ultimate fair

market value. Is the lot level?

How much of the outdoor space is usable? Does the house front on a double yellow line street? Is it on a quiet cul-de-sac? Does it have central air? How close is it to desired amenities? Does it have a pool (which can cut both ways)?

The village is vigilant in yearly updates, so the ultimate tax burden is as equitable as possible. We also defend certiorari and small claims challenges aggressively as we are confident our data is defensible. As a result, our percentage of tax dollars “refunded” is extremely low when compared with all other Westchester communities, clearly bucking the current trend.

We also work hand in hand with our Building Department and yearly evaluate any home improvements that affect market value.

Legally, a home improvement can be only assessed for its additional value to the current home assessment. As example, if a home is valued at $1 million and adds a powder room valued as a $20,000 improvement, the tax assessor can only legally raise the assessed value to $1,020,000 even though the property may be currently “undervalued” with a fair market value closer to $1.5 million. In essence, one improvement cannot trigger an entire home revaluation. Sadly, in communities that do not constantly do full revaluations, undervalued homes receive the benefit in perpetuity, greatly affecting the equity of the tax roll.

By New York state law, an assessor’s decision is right until proven wrong—in essence, putting the burden of proof on the homeowner. However, for our village, the goal is fairness of value, not “winning or losing,” and we strive to make the process as non-adversarial as possible.

With that caveat, please do not hesitate to call our assessment office at 337-6500, ask any questions you have, or schedule a meeting prior to filing any protests. It will prove beneficial to all concerned.

RACE from page 1

seat, currently held by Steve Ecklond, a Republican, and two trustee seats held by Greg Luisi and Tom Giordano, both Republicans, are in play. All three incumbents plan to seek re-election.

The village’s Republican nominating caucus is scheduled for Jan. 30. The Tuckahoe Democratic Village Committee’s nominating caucus is planned for Jan. 31.

CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com

Tuckahoe resident Nicholas Naber will seek the Democratic nomination for trustee during the village’s March 21 election. Photo/Andrew Dapolite

Proposed Mamaroneck gun ban may lead to lawsuit With the Mamaroneck Town Council mulling a ban on firearm possession on any town property, local gun rights activists are ready to pull the trigger on a lawsuit.

According to Scott Sommavilla, the president of the Westchester Firearms Association, who attended a public hearing on Jan. 18 regarding the proposed local law, his organization will be watching the council’s decision closely.

“The [council] doesn’t have legal authority,” he told the Review. “We’re lawyered up.”

Trustee Tom Murphy, a Democrat who said that the entire Town Council, a board which is fully Democratic, is behind the ban, said the law is being put forward in an attempt to make Mamaroneck safer.

“We realize that the law will not stop every mad man with a gun,” Murphy said. “But the idea is that the less guns in a public area, from people who aren’t authorized, will make everyone safer.”

Even despite the threat of litigation, Town Supervisor Nancy

Legislation to ban firearms on municipal-owned and leased property in the town of Mamaroneck is making waves amongst local gun rights activists, who say that a lawsuit could be imminent if the proposal passes. Photo courtesy Flickr.com

Seligson, a Democrat, said the council is undeterred.

“We haven’t really discussed [the possibility of a lawsuit],” Seligson said. “We feel like we’re crafting a law within our given rights.”

The ban would amend an existing provision in the town code and impose a ban on both town property as well as town-leased property.

Under the proposed amendment, only police officers and “persons in the service of the United States” would be exempt from any such ban.

The penalty for violating the potential ban, as enumerated in a draft currently on the town’s website, would be a court-imposed fine between $500 to $1,000.

-Reporting by James Pero

January 27, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 9

Lawmakers ask ATF to audit Harrison gun store Chapel School celebrates computer science

Two Westchester County lawmakers have sent a letter to the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, asking the agency to audit the license to sell firearms issued to L&L Sports, a Harrison gun store which has drawn the attention of thousands of residents since it opened in November. File photo

A gun store in Harrison, which has drawn the attention of thousands of residents since it opened in November, now also has the attention of two Westchester County lawmakers.

Legislators Catherine Parker, a Rye Democrat, and Ben Boykin, a White Plains Democrat, whose districts each entail a portion of Harrison, wrote a letter to the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, ATF, in December requesting an audit of the license to sell firearms issued to Leesie & Lou Lou Inc., a corporation owned by Louis Zacchio, who owns the gun store on Halstead Avenue, L&L Sports.

“We just asked them to make sure that they were looking at the application and making sure

that everything was done properly,” Parker told the Review.

The letter was sent to the ATF on Dec. 12, 2016. Boykin and Parker said they had not yet received a response from the agency as of press time.

Some Harrison residents are likely to rejoice over news that county representatives have involved themselves in the saga.

Those same residents have protested to the Harrison Town Council the location of L&L Sports since it announced it would be opening in November.

Much of their concern is due to the shop’s proximity to an elementary school 500 feet away.

As of press time, an online petition has garnered almost 3,500 signatures decrying the store’s location.

In the letter from county lawmakers, specific questions and concerns related to Zacchio’s license to sell firearms were raised, and whether some of his practices invalidate that license.

The legislators referenced a license administered to Leesie & Lou Lou Inc., listing the premise of license as Zacchio’s home address on Orchard Place. The letter asks if Zacchio’s license had since been modified to allow him to operate at the Halstead Avenue storefront.

Boykin and Parker have also questioned Zacchio’s compliance with a local law in Harrison which requires those who sell used goods—including guns—to obtain a permit to do so from the town.

In early December, students at The Chapel School celebrated Computer Science Education Week with various technological activities. They participated in the Hour of Code, a global movement reaching tens of millions of students in more than 180 countries. The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify “code” to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. It has since become a worldwide effort to celebrate computer science, starting with one-hour coding activities but expanding to all sorts of community efforts.

According to its website, hourofcode.com/us, “Every student should have the opportunity to learn computer science. It helps nurture problem-solving skills, logic and creativity. By starting early, students will have a foundation for success in any 21st-

century career path.”

Middle school students taught the preschool and elementary school grades how to use the online coding program Lightbot. This cross-generational opportunity helped students share their coding knowledge to more than 350 participating students.

According to Matthew Martinez, The Chapel School technology teacher, “The turnout was great and so much more than expected.

I even ran out of certificates because of the high number of participants.” Visiting grades were also able to view a 3-D printer in action, experience virtual reality applications, tinker with Arduino, and observe a drone in flight.

Later in the week, Andy Iyer, senior software engineer at IAC Applications, visited and volunteered his time to speak to the students about his experiences while working at IACapplications. Iyer graduated with a degree in computer science and has

over 13 years of experience in computer software development.

Iyer said, “My main goal to volunteer for this initiative is to empower kids with technology.”

IAC has created many popular browser, mobile, and desktop applications including as TelevisionFanatic, WeatherLive and Emoji Keypad.

The Chapel School will also be partnering with Legends of Learning to expose students to the process a video game goes through before official release.

The students will be beta-testing games, aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards throughout the year.

The Chapel School is located at 172 White Plains Road in Bronxville, and has been named the 2016 best private school and best preschool in Westchester.

For more information about the school and its programs, call 337-3202 or visit thechapelschool.org. (Submitted)

-Reporting by Corey Stockton

Cuomo touts transparency law expansion As part of an ethics reform overhaul, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, announced that he would look to increase transparency in the state Legislature during his State of the State tour earlier this month.

The governor’s initiative seeks to make state lawmakers—as well as the state’s ethics commission—subject to the Freedom of Information Law, FOIL. “It protects the public,” Cuomo said, “and it protects the government official from anyone saying he or she did anything wrong.”

State FOIL laws allow the public to request access to documents and statistics kept by government agencies, with certain exceptions such as classified documents.

Currently, the general New York state FOIL laws apply only to state agencies, which do not include the Legislature or the courts. A specific section of the law applies to state lawmakers; but that section does not require that lawmakers make documents such as emails available to the public.

Assemblyman David Buchwald, a White Plains Democrat who has championed the FOIL laws, questioned Cuomo’s assertion that FOIL laws don’t apply to state lawmakers. “FOIL does apply to the state Legislature,” he said. “It just applies in a somewhat different way because most of our actions are already made available to the public.”

Buchwald added that he was open to any laws that would in-

crease transparency.

In November, the governor signed an amendment to the FOIL law sponsored by Buchwald which he had shot down the previous year, shortening the appeals process.

State Sen. George Latimer, a Rye Democrat who has also pushed for transparency laws, said he would welcome an expansion of FOIL to encompass state lawmakers, and reflected on his previous experience as an elected official on the Rye City Council and the Westchester County Board of Legislators. “I was under the rules of FOIL in those days and I never felt that that was a problem,” Latimer said. “We’re not at the level of dealing with national secrets.”

-Reporting by Corey Stockton

Myles is a 5-year-old handsome tuxedo and Pansy is a 2 1/2 year-old adorable black/white charmer. Amazingly these two found each other at our Kitty Cottage and have come to absolutely adore each other. They kiss, they cuddle and are happiest when together. Myles is sweet and friendly, but a wee bit shy. Pansy has a lively, impish personality and can be a mischief maker.

Knowing how much these two care for each other, it is preferred they be adopted together, but they can be adopted separately. Both are microchipped, in excellent health, and up-to-date with all vaccinations. The adoption fee for each is $100. To meet Myles and Pansy, please call 8353332 or visit NY-PetRescue.org. (Submitted)

10 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • January 27, 2017

Alexander Hamilton’s Eastchester connection HISTORICALLY SPEAKING Richard Forliano

In the turbulent days after the passage of the Intolerable Acts and over a year before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Alexander Hamilton, a 19-year-old collegiate at King’s College, was engaged in a series of debates in the New York City press with Samuel Seabury, the Loyalist minister of Eastchester’s only church, St. Paul’s. Even though Seabury was a prominent and highly esteemed colonial leader, Hamilton, in a series of brilliantly written articles, systematically refuted Seabury’s Loyalist arguments. His articles were not only read by people in Eastchester, but were influential in convincing people to support for the patriot cause.

Even though there is no record of Hamilton during the American Revolution of ever setting foot in Eastchester, there is good reason to believe that he was acquainted with what was

happening in the town and knew some of its residents personally.

The event that occurred in Eastchester that drew Hamilton’s attention was known as Sears’ raid.

Exactly eight months after the opening shots of the Revolution were fired at Lexington, Isaac Sears, a prosperous skipper who had worked the West Indian trade and amassed a small fortune as a privateer during the French and Indian War, had become a patriot militant. Sears gathered up a militia of nearly 100 horsemen in Connecticut, kidnapped the Rev. Seabury, the local judge named Jonathan Fowler, and a Westchester mayor. Seabury’s family and possibly Fowler’s were terrorized before Seabury was taken as a Tory trophy to New Haven, Connecticut, under military guard.

Seabury refused to confess that he was the “Westchester Farmer” whose essays had provoked Hamilton’s celebrated rebuttal.

Hamilton’s reaction to Sears’ raid in his private letters is very revealing. In a letter to the patriot John Jay, he stated that he found

Loyalist sentiment of men like Seabury and Fowler as “dangerous and pernicious.” Nevertheless, Hamilton felt obliged to condemn the lawless nature of Sears’ raid. In his letter to Jay he stated, “In times of such commotion as the present, while the passions of men are worked up to an uncommon pitch, there is great danger of fatal extremes.”

Even as a 20-year-old Hamilton favored the ideals of the Revolution, he also worried about the long-term effect of habitual disorder, especially among the uneducated masses. Hamilton believed in freedom within order. He clearly saw that greater freedom could lead to greater disorder that resulted in a loss of freedom. All his life he would try to balance the conflict between liberty and order.

His reaction to Sears’ raid foreshadowed his disgust with the reign of terror during the French Revolution. As a youth he had seen the firsthand the horrors of slave rebellions in the Caribbean. Many years later, this clash of ideals would cause a break with his fellow cabinet

member, Thomas Jefferson, who said, “The blood of tyrants must be spilled every 20 years.”

And there is the possibility of another Eastchester connection with Hamilton. The judge who was kidnapped along with Seabury was a prominent jurist and a member of Eastchester’s most prolific family, the Fowlers. The patriarch of that family, Henry, was a signer of the Eastchester Covenant. In the 75 years before the American Revolution, a member of the Fowler clan had served as town supervisor 24 times.

At the outbreak of the American Revolution, the leading figure of the Fowler clan was the Loyalist judge, Jonathan Fowler.

Sears had lawlessly kidnapped Judge Fowler along with Seabury. While there is no conclusive proof, Hamilton logically would have objected to the treat-

ment of Judge Fowler. Some historians believe that Fowler was forced to leave his native Eastchester and move to Nova Scotia.

A fascinating piece of information is that Judge Fowler’s son, Theodosius, had rejected the Loyalist cause and became an officer in George Washington’s Continental Army. Theodosius Fowler, who eventually rose to the rank of captain, fought in the Continental Army along with Hamilton in the battles for New York, Monmouth, and Yorktown, and shared the freezing cold at Valley Forge.

Both Fowler and Hamilton were Revolutionary War heroes. After the war, Theodosius had a business relationship and most likely a personal relationship with Hamilton.

It is possible that Theodosius Fowler, while willing like Ham-

ilton to spend the seven years of his life fighting for American independence, would have objected to the lawless behavior of Isaac Sears and his Connecticut militia who had so mistreated his father.

In the next article, the ways that the military careers of Hamilton and Fowler intersected in the cause of American independence will be described.

Gratitude goes to Ron Chernow for his masterpiece history “Alexander Hamilton,” that inspired Lin-Manuel Miranda to play Hamilton on Broadway, from which information about Sears’ raid was obtained.

Please contact us at historian@eastchesterhistoricalsociety.org about any comments or questions you might have about this column. Any questions about sources of information will be answered.

Town of Eastchester’s

Official Newspaper

11 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • January 27, 2017

Business Briefs Irwin joins Larchmont Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Realtor Timothy Irwin has joined the Larchmont office of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Westchester Properties. The announcement was made

by Mark Nadler, office leader.

In a statement Nadler said, “By making an industry leap to real estate from working at Gertex for nine years, Irwin sold his first home within five days of it being on the market. When looking to buy or sell a home in Westchester County, he will bring you as much experience, knowledge, and accountability there is.”

As a licensed realtor in Westchester County, Irwin provides strategic marketing and transaction management services to his clients. His business is built on dedication, communication, determination, and trust, while embodying the ability to cater and adapt to all of his client’s real estate needs.

A Larchmont native when he was younger, who went through the Mamaroneck school system, is now living with his wife just a block over from where he grew up with four sisters and a brother. Irwin enjoys the summers boating and fishing on the Long Island Sound, and he enjoys playing platform tennis in the Westchester league during the winter months.

Contact Irwin today for all of your buying and selling needs. Call 414-588-3510 or email TimothyIrvin@bhhswestchester.com.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England and Westchester Properties is a leading real estate brokerage firm with more than 1,800 realtors in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Westchester County. Selectively chosen by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and HomeServices of America, the global reach, financial strength and fresh brand make Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England and Westchester Properties the premiere real estate firm in the Northeast. Whether it be residential, commercial, corporate relocation, equestrian or waterfront living, the company and its realtors are local market experts committed to providing exceptional service to our clients. For more information, visit bhhsNEproperties.com.

Weichert, Realtors’ Larchmont office, associate win regional awards Nicholas Germak, regional vice president of Weichert, Realtors, announced that the Larchmont office was recognized for outstanding performance in November. The office led its Weichert sales region, which is comprised of offices throughout Orange, Dutchess, Westchester and Rockland counties in New York, and Fairfield County in Connecticut, for resale dollar volume.

In addition, sales associate Geubert Oliveira was individually recognized for his success during the month. As a top producer, Oliveira led the region for resale listings. Invite this talented neighborhood specialist in to learn about the real estate services that Weichert, Realtors has to offer. Oliveira can be reached at Weichert’s Larchmont office located at 2090 Boston Post Road, or call 833-0800 for more information.

Since 1969, Weichert, Realtors has grown from a single office into one of the nation’s leading providers of homeownership services by putting its customers first. A family of full-service real estate and financial services companies, Weichert helps

customers buy and sell both residential and commercial real estate, and streamlines the delivery of mortgages and home and title insurance. Weichert leverages its customer website, weichert.com, one of the most visited real estate websites in the nation, to help families and individuals realize the dream of homeownership through quick and easy access to listing information and the services of its real estate professionals nationwide. For more information, Weichert’s customer service center can be reached at 1-800-USA-SOLD (872-7653).

Food Bank for Westchester names new CEO, president; elects new board member Food Bank for Westchester, the leading organization providing programs for the 200,000 county residents who are food insecure, recently announced the appointment of Leslie B. Gordon as its new president and CEO effective Jan. 17.

Gordon, who has extensive experience at City Harvest developing initiatives to serve the hungry in New York City, succeeds Ellen Lynch who announced in September that she was stepping down.

“Leslie Gordon brings to Food Bank for Westchester a wealth of leadership experience and expertise to help us in our ongoing efforts to eradicate hunger in the county. Leslie has a proven record of success at City Harvest where she developed and implemented innovative programs to help feed people who face hunger. We are thrilled to have her on board as our new president and CEO,” said Maria Bronzi, board chair of Food Bank for Westchester.

“I am truly honored to have the opportunity to lead one of the region’s most admired organizations fighting hunger. I look forward to working with everyone on the Food Bank team—from our outstanding board and dedicated staff and volunteers, to our community agencies and donors—to continue the mission of creating a hunger-free environment in Westchester,” Gordon said.

As senior director of Program Strategy & Operations for City Harvest, Gordon served as a key executive leading its “Healthy Neighborhoods” plan to improve food access and nutritional behaviors for a 500,000 low-income residents and pioneering a new strategy that doubled the food distributed annually from 30 to 60 million pounds in five years. City Harvest collects nutritious food that would otherwise go to waste and delivers it free of charge to soup kitchens, food pantries and other community food programs across the five boroughs.

Prior to joining City Harvest in 2007, Gordon was under Anthony Kennedy Shriver, the state director of Best Buddies Pennsylvania, an organization that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Prior to that, she served as founding director of Made in Hudson Valley, which promoted products manufactured in the Hudson Valley, and served under Gen. Colin Powell as national director of America’s Promise-The Alliance for Youth, a foundation dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth from all socioeconomic sectors.

A lifetime Westchester and fourth-generation resident of Tarrytown, Gordon is a graduate of SUNY New Paltz where she majored in sociology. She is a frequent guest speaker at various

organizations addressing issues of hunger, including the National Conference on Emergency Feeding and the National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine on Seniors & Hunger. She is also a guest lecturer of Fordham University’s Non-Profit Leadership Graduate Program.

Food Bank for Westchester has also announced the election of Michael Cassidy to its board of directors. Cassidy is currently a partner at Team JMC, a firm recently launched to develop new businesses and acquire established companies.

Cassidy has significant experience in corporate branding, positioning and sales team development.

He believes in the importance of implementing a cohesive corporate culture and organized employee communications, always setting them as a top priority in his leadership roles.

“We are pleased to welcome Michael to our board and know he will be an asset in helping us achieve our goals for the Food Bank for Westchester,” board chair of Food Bank for Westchester. “His skills and insight will add great expertise to our already diverse committee of leaders.”

Prior to JMC, Cassidy founded and served as CEO and chairman of Undertone, a digital advertising technology company. Under his leadership, Undertone grew to more than $150 million in revenue and more than 300 employees before being acquired by Perion (PERI) in 2015. During his time there, the company was recognized numerous times as one of the Best Companies to Sell For. Cassidy was the recipient of the 2011 Ernest & Young NY Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

He currently serves as board vice president for Friends of Karen, a Westchester-based nonprofit supporting children and families with life-threatening illness.

A native of Mahopac, Cassidy received a bachelor’s degree in communications from Oswego State University, where he is a former member of the alumni board. He then became a resident of Manhattan for 10 years before moving to his current home in Rye with his wife, Jennifer, and three children.

For more than 27 years, the Food Bank for Westchester, FB4W, has led the fight against hunger in Westchester County, serving 330 frontline programs that provide food directly to the 200,000 county residents who are hungry or food insecure.

FB4W supplies 95 percent of all food distributed annually across the region’s food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and day care and residential programs—delivering more than 8.4 million pounds of food and 7 million meals to people. FB4W’s collaboration with major retailers and corporations, and its expertise in food procurement, storage, and distribution, turns every monetary donation into fresh food provided for communities.

For more information about the Food Bank for Westchester, visit fb4w.org.

The next Business Briefs section will run in February. Please send any submission for our February edition to news@hometwn.com, with “Business” in the subject line of your email.

Each submission may include one picture.

If you have any questions, email us at news@hometwn.com.

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12 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • January 27, 2017

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January 27, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 13

Where have all the singers gone?

The shower is where America does it—in private, with no one judging, just because it feels good.

I’m talking about singing, of course, that once universal pastime that uplifts the soul, reboots the body, and doesn’t demand a monthly fee. So why aren’t we singing all the time?

In “La La Land,” the hit movie that may sweep the Oscars, everyone on screen bursts into song. Yes, that’s what a musical is: an embarrassing admission that we’re all a-tingle with music, just waiting for the chance to explode. But aside from Disney, most moviemakers have not been pumping out songand-dance movies for, oh, about half a century. There’s a reason more Americans knew Carrie Fisher than her mom, Debbie Reynolds, star of “Singin’ in the Rain.” Musicals were once the most American of movies. Now, action movies are. But with the success of “La La Land,” that may be about to change—and maybe we’ll change, too.

Singing is so basic to human happiness, some scientists believe it might have evolved even before language. It was the way stories were passed down before writing, because it’s a lot easier to remember a song than a paragraph. And that’s why kids still sing their ABCs—our brains are built to embed music.

What’s more, when actual language eludes us—for instance, after a stroke—sometimes mu-

are in eighth grade, only a third are getting music. What’s more, there doesn’t seem to be much agreement on which songs to teach. So even though my kids went to public school, K–12, they don’t know “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” or even “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad.” You can argue that we have a wider world now, but sharing at least a few songs is an easy way for people to connect.

2. Stop trying to sing like Mariah. Nowadays when we sing, we think we have to sound like the professionals. (See: Karaoke.) But that’s like saying that anyone who wants to play basketball shouldn’t bother unless he’s got the word “Jordan” in his name. Singing is actually a skill that almost everyone gets better at the more they do it. (Not GREAT at. Just BETTER.) 3. Around the country, people are starting informal groups where people get together and sing. This sounds so fun that I’m thinking of starting one myself... provided everyone sings better than I do.

4. Meantime, find a place— church, community center, synagogue—where people are already singing and join in. In turn, whoever’s in charge should remember to promote the kind of songs the average person likes to sing—not too complex, not too soprano. There’s a reason folk songs lasted through the centuries. They’re written for the folks, not opera stars.

5. Start singing! Do it while waiting for the bus. And if I happen to be standing next to you, I just may join in.

We all know that the biggest star at the “Big Game” football party is the food. The American Heart Association, AHA, doesn’t want you to sack everyone’s healthy New Year’s resolutions with a party spread filled with fried, fattening, salty or sugary foods. Keep plenty of heart-healthy options in the starting lineup to give everyone healthy options while celebrating the big game.

“Offering healthy food choices can help people maintain a healthy weight, even at big parties. You can easily swap out unhealthy ingredients for healthier ones and adding more fruits and vegetables is a big game strategy that’s sure to score a touchdown for health,” said Carolyn Torella, AHA spokeswoman. “February is American Heart Month, and this is a great opportunity to kick off the month with healthier meals.”

First Half Strategy – First down: Start the game with salad and veggies. Fill up on the healthier foods first, then add in a few treats on your plate. Go with healthier appetizers like cut veggies and hummus, fat-free yogurt dips or guacamole made with avocados. According to research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, eating one avocado a day as part of a heart-healthy, cholesterol-lowering, moderate-fat diet can help improve bad cholesterol levels in overweight and obese individuals. Use baked, not fried and whole grain versions of your favorite chips and crackers. Try low-fat cheeses with whole grain crackers or toasts, and choose

assorted low-sodium or unsalted nuts, which are high in good fats and protein.

Halftime Rally – When planning your halftime buffet, throw the penalty flag on the worst party foods like fried Buffalo wings (up to 35 grams of fat per serving), takeout personal pepperoni pan pizza (more than 60 percent of sodium daily allowance), and nachos with cheese (30 percent of your daily fat). Opt for baked, not fried Buffalo tenders, whole wheat pizza with veggies, and chicken or beans and low-fat cheese burritos in a whole wheat wrap. With healthy foods, you’ll still have energy for that halftime touch football game. Try turkey or chicken and bean chili with lots of veggies cooked in, and low-fat cheese and low-fat sour cream on the side.

Second Half Plan – Offer seltzer and no sugar-added fruit juice beverages as “mockcocktail” alternatives to alcohol-based drinks. Alcohol can raise blood pressure and is full of empty calories. Make portion control part of your game plan.

Smaller plates and calorie counting apps can help you keep track of the foods you are consuming so you don’t go overboard.

Know your portions. For example, a serving of chicken breast (3 ounces) is about the size of a deck of cards, and an ounce of cheese is about the size of your index finger. A cup of pasta is the size of a fist, and half a cup of rice is a cupcake wrapper-full.

For more portion tips, check out heart.org/PortionDistortion.

The American Heart Association recommends a diet rich

in fruits, vegetables, wholegrain, high-fiber foods, and fatfree and low-fat dairy products.

Keep total fat intake between 25 and 35 percent of calories, with most fats coming from sources of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats such as fish, nuts, seeds and vegetable oils most often. Use naturally occurring, un-hydrogenated vegetable oils such as canola, safflower, sunflower or olive oil most often.

Why offer healthier options?

More than 149 million Americans, or 67 percent of adults age 20 and older, are overweight or obese. By 2015, experts projected that 75 percent of adults will be overweight, with 41 percent being obese. Nearly one-third of U.S. children and adolescents are overweight or obese and at higher risk for heart disease and stroke. Making small changes to diet and lifestyle can help prevent heart disease and stroke, the No. 1 and No. 5 killers nationwide.

The American Heart Association has partnered with the Walmart Foundation to offer Simple Cooking with Heart, a nationwide program aimed at changing the way people think about food. Try these healthy variations of classic party recipes and get more cooking tips and instructional videos from the American Heart Association at heart.org/simplecooking, including game day favorites chicken and ham jambalaya, baked flautas with mango salsa, spicy Asian salad cups, barbeque-glazed chicken tenders and oven fries, and tailgate chili.

(Submitted)

CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com

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INSIDE

RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy

sic doesn’t, since it is processed in another area of the brain. After my mom had lost almost all her memory, I could sing a few songs from her childhood and she could, out of the fog, join in.

The power of music is mysterious. One study of cancer patients found that an hour of singing boosted their immune proteins. It also lowers blood pressure. Even people with lung disease feel better when singing.

And of course, it’s bonding.

Sing with a group and you are one—a fact understood by anyone who has ever been in a choir, or the military, or the bus to summer camp.

But Americans (heck, humans) have been singing less and less ever since technology started to do it for us. While in the pre-Edison era most middle class families had a piano around with which to sing, the record player and radio made it easy to hear music anytime. The smartphone made it even easier.

And since the people singing on tape, TV and iTunes (but not necessarily YouTube) sing better than the rest of us, we started to believe that this is a task, like neurosurgery, best left to the professionals. So, barring the occasional “Jingle Bells,” or “Happy Birthday,” most of us sing only to ourselves if we sing at all. This is a loss of such gargantuan proportions; it’s as if we stopped walking, or dancing.

Which, come to think of it, we sort of have. Even the clergy report that congregants are singing less. What would it take for us to bring singing back into our everyday lives?

1. Make singing a regular part of school. By the time kids

Healthy snacks for the ‘Big Game’

INSIDE WESTCHESTER COUNTY

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14 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • January 27, 2017

SPORTS

Home court advantage after the junior varsity game and a Huguenot player was punched LIVE MIKE on his way back to the buses. AfMike Smith ter some deliberation between the two schools, the Huguenots There were a few moments in took steps to ensure the safety of Saturday’s showdown between the players in the two teams’ secNew Rochelle and Mount Ver- ond meeting, moving the game non that should have absolutely from Friday to Saturday and barbrought the roof down. Most of ring spectators aside from famithem came when the Knights’ ly members, team personnel and 6-foot-9 big man Greg Calixte members of the media. got the ball in the low post, then The move, of course, was the rose above the Huguenots’ de- right one. When it comes to stufense to throw down a thunder- dent safety, it’s always best to err ous, rim-rocking jam. on the side of caution.

These were the types of plays It’s just unfortunate that the that—in an ordinary game be- actions of a few knuckleheads tween the two bitter rivals— made the actions taken by the would have whipped the crowd schools necessary at all. into a frenzy.

Policing the actions of fans is Last weekend, however, the a tricky thing. After postgame two teams squared off at New violence marred a Harrison/Rye Rochelle High School in a football game a few years ago, closed gym in front of a decid- the two teams began playing edly muted crowd, and that’s a their games at 11 a.m., in order real shame. to curb pregame tailgating. In When the two schools 2014, the Tappan Zee athletic squared off three weeks ago at director kicked his own student Mount Vernon, violence erupted section out of the County Center

after they launched into a chorus of vulgar chants directed at the Dutchmen’s opponent.

In terms of Section I basketball, New Rochelle versus Mount Vernon is undoubtedly the pinnacle of the winter season.

Even if the games aren’t always close—and this one wasn’t, as Mount Vernon stormed out to a 71-46 win—the atmosphere can’t be replicated. I’ve seen loads of games between the two powers, including Mount Vernon wins, New Rochelle upsets, and the biggest of all, the Huguenots’ buzzer-beater victory at the Westchester County Center in 2013, and each time I walk away from those games wondering if any other high school sporting event could possibly match the level of intensity from both fans and players.

On Saturday, the crowd, while subdued, was still larger than many other schools draw, but, even so, there was no real electricity in the gym.

New Rochelle’s basketball team huddles up before their Jan. 21 game against Mount Vernon. Although meetings between the two teams usually lead to packed gyms, postgame violence three weeks ago led the Huguenots to close the gym and turn fans away. Photo/Mike Smith

Ultimately, the actions of a few misguided fans robbed players from both schools of the opportunity to take the court in a one-of-a-kind environment, and that’s unfortunate.

I’m all for fans getting loud, getting rowdy, and turning their home court into a place where visitors don’t want to play. But at the end of the day, even a showdown with your bitterest rivals

is still just a game. If fans can keep that in mind, we’ll all be better off.

Follow Mike Smith @LiveMike_Sports

Locals shine at counties

By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor On Saturday, Jan. 21, some of the top wrestlers in the area hit the mat at Yonkers High School to compete in the annual Westchester County Championships.

Perennial powerhouse John Jay won handily, outpointing second-place Horace Greeley by 117 points; but a number of local teams, including New Rochelle and Harrison, fared well, as the Huguenots and Huskies both secured top-10 finishes on the day.

New Rochelle tallied 93.5 points, good enough for seventh place on the day, and was led by another terrific outing from senior standout Jordan Wallace. Wallace stormed through the 170-pound bracket, pinning Ossining’s Charles Rios in the semifinals before topping Jacob Ferriera from Horace Greeley with a 9-3 decision in the finals.

Wallace’s win in the finals was his 155th career victory, moving him into first-place alltime for the Huguenots.

The Huguenots also had two

other wrestlers reach the semifinals, as Jhavon Canto lost a 6-3 decision to eventual 113-pound champ Brandon DiDomenico from Lakeland/Panas, and Eddie Maffia, wrestling at 152 pounds, lost to John Jay’s Connor Melbourne.

Harrison also fared well, as the team ended up with 73 points and a ninth-place finish. The showing was especially encouraging for head coach Vin Nicita, as the Huskies have been beset by injuries and illness and headed into the tournament missing three of their top upperclassmen.

Both Daniel Choe and Andrew Hollander are currently battling mononucleosis, while Fujita was hurt during the team’s winter trip to Disney World.

“To face the loss of those three guys and still come in ninth place out of 28 teams, that’s not bad,” Nicita said. “I think we had a pretty good showing.”

Rob Donohue, wrestling at 195 pounds, reached the finals, where he was pinned by Mount Vernon’s Jasmir Black after nearly scoring a pinfall of

his own in the bout’s opening minute.

“He had him on his back, he was just a little high on him,” Nicita said. “I know he was disappointed, but I think this was probably the best tournament [Donohue] has wrestled all year.”

Donohue’s teammates, Jay Martins and Tyler Joseph, both bowed out in the semifinals at 175 and 103 pounds, respectively.

Other local schools were in action as well, as Mamaroneck, led by a semifinal appearance from Crew Fullerton at 132 pounds, came in 13th place with 43 points. Eastchester, which scored 28 points, came in 24th, narrowly edging Rye, which finished just behind them with 24 points. Eastchester’s Steven Bilali advanced to the semifinals of the 152-pound bracket, where he was defeated by eventual champ Aaron Wolk from Horace Greeley.

Competitors from Harrison and New Rochelle square off in the early rounds. Photo/Mike Smith Teams will now shift their fo“Our regular season sched- get a chance to get our bodies our practices.” cus to the upcoming divisional meets, which will be held on ule is over and I kind of like it,” healed up and really focus on Nicita said. “Because now we some individual stuff during CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com Feb. 4 at various locations.

SPORTS

January 27, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 15

Eagles’ late run tops Huskies girls basketball league

EASTCHESTER 61 HARRISON 55 EASTCHESTER HS

1/18/17

Game Notes: • Eastchester’s Cassidy Mitchell scored 20 points; six came in the 4th • Harrison was led by Avery LaBarbera’s 22 • The Eagles overcame a 30-25 halftime deficit

By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor Over the last few years, the on-court feud between Harrison and Eastchester has produced its fair share of thrilling games and fantastic finishes. On Jan. 19, the Eagles wrote another chapter in the rivalry, riding a fourth-quarter surge to a 61-55 comeback win over the visiting Huskies.

Trailing 42-41 heading into the final quarter, the Eagles got a lift from standout Cassidy Mitchell, who scored six of her team-high 20 points in the final frame to give Eastchester its first lead since the first quarter.

The Eagles defense did the rest, as they outscored the visitors 20-13 in the fourth quarter to pull out the victory.

“In the fourth quarter, we just wanted to play good, hard defense,” Mitchell said after the game.

Harrison point guard Avery LaBarbera led all scorers with 22 points despite facing some extra attention from the Eagles’ defenders. LaBarbera’s play was a big reason for the Huskies’ success early on and helped her team head into halftime holding on to a 30-25 lead.

“We wanted to faceguard Avery and play tight,” Mitchell said. “They are one of our main rivals and we work hard in practice to get ready, and we probably bring more energy than we do in other games.”

Similar to the way the Eagles keyed on LaBarbera, Harrison head coach Louis Kail said his team came into the game looking for ways to slow down Mitchell.

But Mitchell’s strong showing, coupled with solid performances

Avery LaBarbera tries to drive past Cassidy Mitchell at Eastchester High School. LaBarbera and Mitchell scored 22 and 20 points, respectively.

from Julie Murtagh and Lauren Gresia, who combined to score 27 points, proved too much for the Huskies. “[Mitchell] is one of the best players in our league and we know that,” Kail said. “She came out and had a great game, and I give her a lot of credit, and they have a lot of other pieces that did a lot as well. We just need to be able to finish games.”

Eastchester and Harrison have both battled through a tough league campaign that also includes two other teams—Rye

and Pelham—that are ranked among the top 10 squads in Class A. According to Kail, these competitive league games should benefit all of the squads once the sectional playoffs begin in midFebruary.

“I’m friends with all the coaches in our league, and we all say it; it’s about whichever team shows up that day, that’s the team that’s going to win,” he said. “Today, it was Eastchester.”

Julie Murtagh rushes past Lindsay McConway on Jan. 18. Murtagh had 14 points in the Eastchester win.

CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com

Eastchester’s Fiona Tehan battles in the paint with Kendall Lefkowitz.

Kendall Lefkowitz goes up for a shot in the lane against the Eagles. Photos/Mike Smith

16 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • January 27, 2017