February 24, 2017

RyeCity REVIEW THE

February 24, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 8 | www.ryecityreview.com

Rye Town Park finds new restaurant operator

By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer

CLOSE SHAVE! Katie Popp, left, and Teaghan Flaherty celebrate Rye’s 51-44 victory over Pelham in the first round of the Class A playoffs on Feb. 18. The Garnets battled back from a halftime deficit to send the Pelicans packing. For story, see page 15.

Photo/Mike Smith

City goes back to court with insurance carrier over golf club

By JAMES PERO Staff Writer The city of Rye will go back to court with its insurance carrier, Travelers Casualty & Surety Co., seeking more than $1 million as a result of the company’s failure to pay for winter storm damages at Rye Golf Club.

According to a lawsuit filed with the Westchester County Supreme Court on Feb. 10, the lawsuit stems from a winter storm in February 2015 during which heavy snow and ice accumulation allegedly damaged portions of the roof, windows, ceilings,

and floors at Rye Golf Club’s Whitby Castle.

The lawsuit alleges that the damage wasn’t discovered until June 2015, and a claim was filed with Travelers shortly thereafter.

As a result of what the city is alleging is Traveler’s failure to pay for the damages at the club, the city is now suing for breach of contract, which would include $1 million, interest, and additional damages as a result of the delay.

Controversy between the city and Travelers harkens back to a similar lawsuit settled last year that saw the club’s insurance

carrier award the city with $1.55 million in damages resulting from money embezzled from the club by former general manager Scott Yandrasevich.

The settlement—which was originally filed in 2013—capitalized a long and controversial saga following the revelation that Yandrasevich had stolen approximately $270,000 from the club.

Yandrasevich, who was convicted of grand larceny and falsifying documents in 2014, has since been released on parole after serving less than one year in state prison.

While the city has endured strained relations with Travelers, Councilman Terry McCartney, a Republican, who acts as a council liaison to the golf club, characterized the lawsuit as “routine.”

“There was a storm; we alleged ice damage to the roof; it should have been covered by insurance,” McCartney said. “It’s not on anybody’s radar, it’s a routine business thing.”

Rye Golf Club General Manager Jim Buanaiuto declined to comment.

CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

The Rye Town Park Commission has selected a company to manage its restaurant and snack and concession stands at the park this year, following a twomonth vetting process that began at the end of last year.

On Feb. 16, Homestyle Caterers Inc. was named as the next vendor to succeed Starfish Grill Inc., which owned and operated Seaside Johnnies, the park’s former beachfront restaurant that shut down at the end of 2016 after a 17-year relationship.

The company was selected among a pool of at least 11 candidates that submitted offers to operate either one, some or all of the food facilities at the park.

Homestyle Caterers has offered to pay $92,000 in rent to operate a steak, seafood and grill outlet in the vacated restaurant space and a Nathan’s Famous fast food chain in the concession space for 2017. John Ambrose and Sam Chernin, the owners of Seaside Johnnies, were paying the commission $100,000 annually to operate their restaurant out of Rye Town Park.

The catering company, which has two Nathan’s franchises located at the Westchester County Center in White Plains and at the Franklin D. Roosevelt National Park in Yorktown Heights, is proposing a one-year contract with $58,000 in capital improvements to the food spaces.

“We’re really excited that

INSIDE Brave the shave Story on page 6.

we’re going to have someone in there this season that will help the park financially, and much more importantly, will provide food and drink for parkgoers,” said Rye City Councilwoman Julie Killian, a Republican and member of the park commission.

“This is a really positive thing for the park, and we’re happy to get started with a licensee that seems to work really well with us.”

Homestyle Caterers, which has been in business for more than 25 years, started out running its first restaurant, Morley’s Steak and Seafood, located at 123 Lake Ave. in the city of Yonkers. After expanding to several other locations, the company now manages food services in a number of golf courses, including the Dunwoodie Golf Course in Yonkers, the Putnam National Golf Course in Mahopac, and the Blue Hill Golf Course in Pearl River. Homestyle Caterers also manages the food services at Sacred Heart School in Yonkers and the Lincoln Tech School in Whitestone in New York City.

Additionally, the company has locations in Lee Farms in Danbury, Connecticut, and Fort Skylar in New York City.

According to Al Ciuffetelli, the president of Homestyle Caterers, the company employs more than 80 people and has a net worth of $5 million annually.

The catering company was recommended by Tracy Lawler RESTAURANT continued on page 9

2 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • February 24, 2017

February 24, 2017 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 3

Council tables idea to change peddling law

On Feb. 15, the Rye City Council decided not to adjust its citywide provision that prohibits food vendors from peddling and soliciting in public spaces. It’s unclear how this will impact the Rye Town Park Commission’s potential plan for a food truck this season. File photo

By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer The Rye City Council is no longer planning to change its citywide clause that forbids vehicular food vendors from peddling in public places.

The idea was tabled on Feb. 15, after the city recognized it could accommodate the city Recreation Department and its second annual Rye Recreation Food Truck Festival at Rye Town Park by applying its current ordinance on parades and processions.

The law change was initially suggested by Sally Rogol, the superintendent of the Recreation Department, after realizing the city had accidentally violated the city code during its food truck festival last June; the Recreation Department never formally received approval for last year’s event.

According to Rye City Attorney Kristen Wilson, the city already has the jurisdiction to grant requests made by school or city organizations for one-day municipal sponsored events. She added that municipal entities can host events with food trucks by formally requesting a temporary permit obtained through the city clerk. Thereafter, any permit would have to be approved by the City Council.

On Feb. 15, the City Council approved the second annual Rye Recreation Food Truck Festival, which is scheduled to occur on June 24.

In last year’s inaugural event, eight local organizations attended and set up shop at the park, including Walter’s Hot Dogs, Longford’s, Arthur Ave. Pizza, Mykono’s Grill and Craftsman Ale House.

In wake of the decision to table any law change, it’s still unclear how it may impact the Rye Town Park Commission’s ongoing search for a new food service provider at the park, which began after the departure of the Seaside Johnnies restaurant at the end of 2016. The park is located in the city of Rye off of Forest Avenue.

At the beginning of the year, the park commission started its search to find a short-term solution to replace Seaside Johnnies, which operated at the park for the last 17 years.

In January, the park commission received 11 proposals to manage and operate the restaurant and snack and concession spaces at the park, which is jointly operated by the city and town of Rye. Four respondents, including Longford’s and Walter’s Hot Dogs, submitted offers that include options to manage a

mobile food service or truck.

Rye City Manager Marcus Serrano told the Review that there is currently no resolution on the table to pave the way for the park commission’s potential plans for a food truck operation at the park this year. “At this point, I don’t even know how the council will approach [that situation],” he said.

As of press time, any decision made by the park commission to commence a food truck operation at the park would still violate the city’s peddling law, which prohibits solicitors from standing in any public space or street for more than 10 minutes at a time, and restricts vendors from maintaining stationary booths or stands for selling food or merchandise.

“We would have to look at that a little more closely,” Wilson said. “If they want to place a food truck there for a whole season, we would have to somehow amend the [peddling] law.”

The park commission is anticipating commencing food operations on or around May 1.

Rye City Councilwoman Julie Killian, a Republican and member of the park commission, could not be reached for comment, as of press time.

CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com

Follow us on Twitter @ ryecityreview

4 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • February 24, 2017

What’s going on...

Rye Free Reading Room

overall health of the Rye school community with mindfulness.

Gizmos Science Fun Club

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

Teacher-in-the-Library On Mondays through Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Children’s Room. Rye teachers offer after-school homework help to students attending local public and private elementary schools in the Rye area. This is a free program sponsored by the Auxiliary Board of the Rye Free Reading Room, Woman’s Club of Rye/Children’s Philanthropy section, and the PTO of the Rye schools.

Healing Arts Collective Meeting On Thursday, March 2 from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Meeting Room. Mindfulness practice can help nurture stress reduction and clarity of mind. The Healing Arts Collective invites you to start your journey. Learn mind and movement practices to refocus and gain life tools.Presented

by The Healing Arts Collective, a nonprofit volunteer-based group of Rye moms/health and wellness professionals committed to supporting the

On Friday, March 3 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Meeting Room. For grades K–2. Please note child must be able to participate without an accompanying adult. Gizmos Science Fun Club offers children a chance to engage in hands-on, inquiry-based experiments. In this one-hour science workshop, participants will focus on a different STEM or STEAM activity each month with handouts to follow up at home. Through this program, children will begin to see that science, technology engineering, math, and the arts can be fun. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required online. Visit ryelibray.org, go to “Programs & Events,” “Kids,” the event date, and then “Register.”

Family Story Time and Craft On Saturday, March 4 from 11 a.m. to noon in the Children’s Room. For ages 3 1/2 and up and their grown-ups. This activity takes place on the first and third Saturday of each month. Children will listen to age-appropriate stories and participate in fun games, rhymes and other activities to develop pre-literacy skills and an interest in books and reading. Felt boards and other props are sometimes used to enhance stories and model future classroom experiences. A fun craft project is designed around the story theme or a seasonal topic. Parents and caregivers are asked to assist younger children using scissors, glue and other art materials.

Rye Library Writers On Saturday, March 4 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Ogden Nash Room. Share work and brainstorm with fellow writers and be encouraged in a welcoming and supportive environment. Discuss works in progress, writing topics, the writing process, and individual writing joys and challenges. Open to novice and experienced writers.

Computational Thinking for Teens On Thursday, March 9 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Raho Technology Center. For students in grades 6–12. Computational thinking is a process all computer programmers use to break down a complex problem into smaller problems, identify similarities and differences, and put it all together to write a program. Participants will solve a real world problem designing an online ordering system using Excel, while they learn computational thinking. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required online. Visit ryelibray.org, go to “Programs & Events,” the event date, and then “Register.”

ROBLOX Game-Making for Teens On Thursday, March 9 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Raho Technology Center. Find out how to create a game of your own using ROBLOX, a free online application. Designed for teenagers, users make games by coding and designing in a virtual world. All one needs to do is create a free ROBLOX account and bring his or her vision to life. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required online. Visit ryelibray.org, go to “Programs & Events,” the event date, and then “Register.”

Wainwright House Volunteer opportunities Wainwright House invites those interested in volunteering to join its volunteer enrichment program. Opportunities are available to train as docents, who would conduct tours of the beautiful mansion, and discuss the history of the house with visitors. Volunteers also help with special events throughout the year in various capacities.

Wainwright House is a learning center situated on 5 acres of lawns and gardens, overlooking Milton Harbor on Long Island Sound at 260 Stuyvesant Ave. in Rye. For more information, call Mary de Barros or Angela Sculti at 967-6080 or visit wainwright.org.

Rye Recreation Rye Youth Soccer spring 2017 registration Online registration is open through the Rye Youth Soccer website, ryeyouthsoccer.org, for spring intramural soccer for boys and girls in grades K–5. The season will begin Saturday, April 29 and end Saturday, June 17, with no games on Saturday, May 13.

Complete details on dates and times of the program can be found the aforementioned website. Questions? Contact Patti Adimari, registrar, at pattirys@ optonline.net or 967-5273. Scholarships are available upon request. Please note that coaches should also register to coach in their online account.

Rye Arts Center The Rye Arts Center is located at 51 Milton

Road in Rye. For more information or to register for a program, call 967-0700 or visit ryeartscenter.org.

Gallery exhibit “Nenne Sanguineti Poggi: An Artist Without Borders” will be on display through Saturday, March 4. Explore the works of painter, mosaicist, writer, and journalist Nenne Sanguineti Poggi, whose life and career brought her from Northern Italy to East Africa. There, she spent 30 years working on large-scale public projects, while absorbing African cultures, allowing it to permeate her work. Her paintings spanned from figurative post-impressionism to pure abstraction, drawing from countless influences.

Rye YMCA Program registration Program registration is ongoing for members and non-members. Dozens of programs are available for all ages. Visit ryeymca.org to view program guide and to view registration details.

Summer Camp registration Summer Camp registration has started for all campers. The Rye Y offers camps for ages 3 to 14.

New this year: early bird rates. Visit ryecamp.org to view the brochure and to register.

Rye Y Weight Watchers Join the Rye Y Weight Watchers—all are welcome. On Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. For more information, call Diana Vita at 967-6363 ext. 211.

Rye Historical Society Annual history luncheon On Thursday, March 2, the Rye Historical Society presents its annual spring history luncheon and boutique at the American Yacht Club, located at 500 Stuyvesant Ave. in Rye. Boutique shopping opens at 11:15 a.m. and lunch will be served at noon. The presentation, “A Century of Struggle: Women’s Suffrage in the Empire State,” begins promptly at 1:15 p.m.

2017 marks the 100th anniversary of New York state signing women’s suffrage into law—a full three years before the Unites States passed the 19th Amendment. This year’s guest speaker, Barbara Winslow, professor emerita of the women’s and gender studies program at CUNY Brooklyn College, will discuss the origins of the suffrage movement and the remarkable women who fought for and won the right to vote in New York state a century ago.

The cost of the program is $60 per person for members; $70 for non-members; and a table of eight is $460. Reservations are required and may be made by calling the Rye Historical Society at 967-7588 or visiting ryehistory.org.

The society offices and the Square House Museum, located at 1 Purchase St. in Rye, are open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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.

February 24, 2017 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 5

Rye Ridge Pharmacy opens in Rye Brook Rye Ridge Pharmacy celebrated its grand opening on Saturday, Feb. 11. Owners Charlene Jacobi and Abe Rutman were excited to join Rye Brook Mayor Paul Rosenberg for their formal ribbon cutting. The day of festivities continued with cotton candy, face painting, balloons and free raffles—raffling off a $400 Papyrus gift basket and

Archipelago Candles. They also had special guest Magic Dave entertaining kids and adults all afternoon. Lastly, meet supervising pharmacist Oana Blanaru and learn how easy it is to transfer and fill prescriptions.

Rye Ridge Pharmacy had a soft open right before the holidays and has already made a huge impact in the community.

Rye Ridge Pharmacy officially opened at the Rye Ridge Shopping Center in Rye Brook on Feb. 11. Photos/Lindsay Sturman

It offers an unparalleled level of customer service and maintain one of the industry’s most knowledgeable staff. The pharmacy prides itself on personalized care with fast, friendly service, and accepts most prescription plans and offers free delivery and convenient house charges.

In addition to being the go-to destination for home remedies, Rye Ridge Pharmacy strives to carry the latest health and beauty products, cards, toys, jewelry and gifts. Its extensive selection includes both fashionforward and traditional products that meet our customers needs and tastes. From the most stylish gems to the perfect frame, they are on the pulse of the latest trends.

Rye Ridge Pharmacy is an independently, family-owned boutique pharmacy nestled in the Rye Ridge Shopping Center in Rye Brook. Rye Ridge Pharmacy is a new location for Jacobi and Rutman, who are longtime partners in the muchloved Town Center Pharmacy in

Present at Rye Ridge Pharmacy’s ribbon cutting were, from left, supervising pharmacist Oana Blanaru, Rye Brook Mayor Paul Rosenberg, and pharmacy owners Charlene Jacobi and Abe Rutman.

Armonk, New York, and Bedford Pharmacy in Bedford, New York. Rye Ridge Pharmacy is a member of The Rockland-Westchester Pharmaceutical Society,

Independent Pharmacy Association, Pharmacist Society of the State of New York, and others.

Pharmacy hours: Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Satur-

day: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: 937-4444.

Fax: 481-4584. Free delivery is offered Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Submitted)

6 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • February 24, 2017

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ranked as the team with the top donations, having raised more than $2,000.

“If we can just help one child with the funds raised here… it’s great for everyone,” Carty said.

Carty explained that one of the reasons the charity appeals to him is that St. Baldrick’s provides you with a list of cancer fighters and survivors in your area so that you can sponsor your own St. Baldrick’s event.

This year, Molly Spillane’s is honoring 8-year-old Margaret Sheker from Larchmont. Sheker is a cancer survivor, having overcome acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which is a form of blood and bone marrow cancer.

Ashley Ferrara, co-organizer

By TAYLOR BROWN General Assignment Reporter Molly Spillane’s is hoping to bring the Mamaroneck community together to “brave the shave” at its first annual St. Baldrick’s event.

For the past eight years, Stephen Carty, owner of Mickey Spillane’s in Eastchester and Molly Spillane’s in the village of Mamaroneck, has hosted a St. Baldrick’s head-shaving event at Mickey Spillane’s to raise awareness for childhood cancer. Over this time, the bar has managed to raise more than $300,000.

With a new location scheduled this year, Carty is hoping for a high turnout and for Molly Spillane’s to raise $15,000. As of press time, they have raised more than $4,000.

The event will be held at Molly Spillane’s in Mamaroneck on Saturday, March 25.

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a nonprofit organization that aims to raise funds to help find cures for children with cancer, was started in 1999 by Tim Kenny, John Bender and Enda McDonnel, who came up with the idea to raise donations by promising to shave their heads.

The idea behind the event is to show solidarity with children who have lost their hair from chemotherapy. Leading up to the event, participants raise money to be donated to the charity.

In 2016, there were 1,233 St. Baldrick’s events held worldwide and more than $38 million raised.

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation prides itself on being “the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants.” Its website goes on to explain that 70 percent of the money raised every year goes toward research, 26 percent of funds goes toward fundraising for the events, and 4 percent goes toward the business side of the charity.

St. Baldrick’s attendees shave their heads to show solidarity with children who lose their hair from cancer treatment.

“As charities go, it’s one that I felt was so upfront, no question where the money was going,” Carty said.

Carty added that he intends to host St. Baldrick’s at Molly Spillane’s for eight years, and then switch back to Mickey Spillane’s for another eight.

The owner explained that Mickey Spillane’s had a lot of involvement from police and fire departments.

“Our first event [that] we had in Eastchester, it really was community driven,” Carty said.

To date, the Eastchester EMS has gotten involved with Molly Spillane’s and is currently The first St. Baldrick’s event was held on St. Patrick’s Day, making green a popular color at these events.

Photos courtesy St.Baldricks.org

Molly Spillane’s has a fundraising goal of $15,000. The money raised from these events goes toward cancer research grants.

of the event and director of banquets at Molly Spillane’s, said she is working on reaching out to another local child as well. This is Ferrara’s first year participating

in fundraising for St. Baldrick’s and although she doesn’t intend to shave her head, she has CONTINUED on next page

February 24, 2017 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 7 already raised $800 of her $2,000 goal.

The event has gotten everyone in the Molly Spillane’s family involved.

Jake Terenzi, a part-time bartender at Molly Spillane’s and co-organizer of the St. Baldrick’s event, said that getting on board with the event was an easy decision. He said that it sounded like a great idea, and wanted to help out as much as he could.

When he first got involved with the event he hadn’t planned on shaving his head, but has since changed his mind. “It’s for the kids, I mean why not. Hair eventually grows back,” he said.

Terenzi explained he has two goals for the event. One is to raise $2,000; he is currently at $525. His other goal is to get as many people to shave their heads as possible, which he explained has been harder than raising donations.

Last year, Mickey Spillane’s was able to get 38 “shavees”; Molly Spillane’s has a goal for this year of 40 people.

As of press time, Molly Spillane’s has more than 10 people signed up to shave their heads, including Carty’s wife, Geraldine Carty. “My wife, five years

ago, shaved off her hair,” Carty said, adding that she raised roughly $20,000, and now shaves her head every year for the event.

Ferrara said that Trendon Lynch and Liam Quinn, both bartenders, are also planning to have their heads shaved.

And as the event day nears, Carty is hoping to get more of the local police and fire departments, and even the mayor, to participate.

“We’d love everyone to get involved, [because cancer] has touched everyone’s life,” Carty said.

CONTACT: taylor@hometwn.com

Molly Spillane’s event 211 Mamaroneck Ave. Mamaroneck, NY March 25, 6 p.m.

In 2016, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation saw a total of 46,261 shavees. As of now, there are more than 13,900 shavees registered.

Photo courtesy St.Baldricks.org

8 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • February 24, 2017

It’s just health care math THE COUNCIL CORNER Councilwoman Kirstin Bucci

The week before last reminded me of one of the many reasons that I am grateful to live in Rye: our city employees.

The DPW workers had the roads cleared of nearly a foot snow by the time the storm ended. I’m convinced that they become more efficient with every storm. A few days later, high winds knocked down trees and power lines, leaving hundreds of Rye homes without power. My family and I live in one of those homes, and we are so appreciative of the firefighters and police officers who worked tirelessly through the night, keeping people safe from downed power lines and facilitating Con Ed’s efforts to restore power. Dedication and professionalism of the city’s employees is one of the reasons I am grateful to live in Rye. That was the easy part of my message. The next part is much more difficult.

Health care: The Math

Rye’s health care costs have risen 9 percent annually since 1999 compared to a 5 percent annual increase in property taxes over the same period. This is clearly unsustainable. I will go through the math below in an effort to convince readers that this isn’t an issue for conservatives or liberals or republicans or democrats. It’s just math.

And the math is troubling.

Health care expenses totaled $1.2 million in 1999 compared to $6 million in 2017. A portion of the $6 million is funded by fee revenue from the Boat Basin and Rye Golf Club. If we exclude those funds, 2017 health care costs funded by taxes will be approximately $5 million. To put that in perspective, 22 cents of every tax dollar goes toward employee health care costs. If your family spent 22 percent of its income on health care, it wouldn’t leave room for much other spending, and your family would probably look to make changes in its expenditure.

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Rye’s property taxes rose 6.7 percent in 2017. If we exclude the transfer of paving costs from the general fund (the City’s savings account) into the operating budget, the property tax rate increase is roughly 4 percent. This is the city’s cost of doing business, its run rate.

Nearly all of the $23.8 million in 2017 property taxes will fund employee salaries and benefits. Other revenues (building permit revenues, sales tax, etc.) cover expenses related to materials, the library, paving, etc. If we plan to minimize property tax increases going forward, we will need to rein in expenses, focusing on what we can control. Employee health care and retirement health care costs represent the largest piece of the pie that we can control.

As City Council members, we have a responsibility to Rye’s 16,000 residents to use city funds efficiently. We never forget that we are spending other people’s money. Our challenge lies in balancing favorable salary increases and benefits for our dedicated city employees with the limited resources of our taxpayers.

What’s the solution?

Slowing the rate of growth of health care costs requires switching to a less expensive health care plan and/or increasing employee contributions.

City-provided health care coverage is considered generous: low copays, no in-network deductible, and employees are responsible for no more than 5 percent of the premium.

Rye’s firefighters recently transitioned to a different health care plan, saving the city a considerable sum. If all city employees were on a similar health care plan, it could save the city as much as $1 million per year. This is achieved primarily through slightly higher copays and a tighter network.

In addition to health care costs for current employees, the city also provides health care for its retirees, covering 100 percent of the retiree health care premium. Retirement health care has an additional cost driver: longevity.

Since these policies were initiated decades ago, average life expectancy has risen substantially. As our city employees spend more years in retirement, the total cost of providing their health care coverage will grow exponentially. The most recent increases in our unfunded health care liability were driven primarily by longevity.

The city recently began asking new employees in the APG and clerical groups to contribute to the cost of their retirement health care premiums when they retire. The second step in controlling the city’s health care costs is asking new employees in the other groups (police, fire, DPW) to contribute to retirement healthcare premiums.

Remember, any changes that we make now to retirement health care for new employees won’t have an effect on the budget for decades. (Police officers can retire after 20 years with full benefits, all other city employees 30 years.) The changes will, however, reduce the city’s long-term obligations and positively effect our $85 million unfunded liability.

It’s unpleasant to discuss and even more difficult to implement change. Combine that with the fact that changes to retirement health care for new employees won’t make budgeting any easier for the current City Council, and it’s no wonder that prior councils have not dealt with this issue. It’s a lot of unpleasantness with no nearterm benefit. It’s like asking city employees to eat less ice cream so that your neighbors can be svelte in 20 or 30 years.

So, it’s a two-part solution: rationalize current employee health care benefits and retiree benefits for new employees.

I’m optimistic that the combination of these two initiatives will favorably alter the math such that current and future councils can maintain services and contain tax rate increases while still providing generous benefits to the city’s valued employees.

Town of Mamaroneck gun ban put on ice

A ban on guns across town of Mamaroneck property has been tabled after trepidation over the law’s enforcement and its legality. Photo courtesy Flickr.com

By JAMES PERO Staff Writer A proposal from the Mamaroneck town board that sought to ban guns on town property has been shelved after vehement public backlash as well as trepidation over the law’s constitutionality.

“We were definitely wrestling with what kinds of protections can we really provide,” said Town Supervisor Nancy Seligson, a Democrat. “We decided that we would table it for now.”

Among the major discussions leading the board to sideline the initiative, Seligson said, was difficulty in deciding just how to enforce the law; specifically, whether the town had the resources to conduct adequate searches on members of the public entering a building.

“We started to think about what it would take to have some kind of search when people come into a building,” she said. “We decided we didn’t have the wherewithal to do that at this time.”

After some contentious dis-

cussion at a public hearing last month, the town board also realized that it could be facing several potential lawsuits if the proposal had moved forward.

That public hearing saw dozens of owners and activists voice their concerns. Among them was Scott Sommavilla, president of the Westchester Firearms Association, who told the Review that his gun rights collective was “lawyered up.”

Increasingly throughout the past several months, municipalities across Westchester County have begun to tackle the regulation of guns, following the controversial opening of a gun store in Harrison that operates less than a mile away from an elementary school. The store sparked widespread criticism throughout Harrison as well as an online petition to find a way to close the store that was signed by 3,500 people.

While the county Board of Legislators introduced legislation to ban gun shows in county-owned facilities—a law that

was later vetoed by County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, and has since been retooled and sent back to committees—the village of Rye Brook has taken preliminary steps to ban gun stores within a certain proximity of schools.

Currently on the county level, lawmakers will mull over the codification of a slew of provisions regulating gun shows countywide.

That discussion stemmed from the administration of County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, moving forward, last month, with a gun show at the Westchester County Convention Center; the first gun show held by the county since 2010; a previously scheduled show was canceled in the wake of the 2012 shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

Sommavilla could not be reached for comment as of press time.

CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

Rye City

Official Newspaper

CONTACT: kbucci@ryeny.gov

@linkedin.com/company/hometown-media

Rye Schools

February 24, 2017 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 9 RESTAURANT from page 1

The Rye Town Park Commission has selected Homestyle Caterers Inc. as the vendor to manage the restaurant and snack and concessions stands at the park this year. File photo

from JGL Food Service Consultants, which has also been commissioned to plan an extensive search for a long-term licensee beginning in 2018.

According to Port Chester Mayor Dennis Pilla, a Democrat and member of the park commission, Homestyle Caterers is expected to submit a long-term offer once a formal request for proposals is released. “They have an advantage because they’ll be in the space for a year, but it’s a double-edged sword because the other vendors wanted to spend more money for capital improvements,” he said.

Brooke Botwinick, a senior

associate at JGL, said the consulting company originally narrowed the pool of candidates down to five applicants. After two drop-outs, there were three companies to choose from.

The two runner-ups were among the few vendors that proposed to operate all of the food service spaces at the park, according to Killian.

Rye Town Supervisor Gary Zuckerman, a Democrat and president of the park commission, said, “There was a very thorough vetting of all of the proposals and the commission was unanimously pleased to pick [Homestyle].” He added

that the park commission is expecting to finalize the contract negotiations before the next meeting, which has not been scheduled as of press time.

Pilla said that, as part of recent contract negotiations, the park commission will benefit from an additional stipulation in the contract, in which the park will collect 10 percent on all revenue generated by the Homestyle Caterers that exceeds $750,000. He added that the catering company is expected to begin operations in May as planned.

CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com

Daniel Warren students celebrate 100 days Daniel Warren Elementary School kindergartners celebrated the 100th day of school on Feb. 14 by using the number 100 in a variety of ways. Through the meaningful and enriching activities, students commemorated how much they have grown and learned since September.

“Every day in our morning meeting we count the days of school, which builds a number sense for the kindergartners,” teacher Connie Levin said. “One hundred is a very big number to them and the activities helped make it into something concrete and much more tangible.”

Throughout the day, the students practiced counting to 100 by ones and 10s, solved puzzles, constructed necklaces and shared their creative art projects,

Daniel Warren Elementary School kindergartners celebrated the 100th day of school on Feb. 14. Photo courtesy Rye Neck school district

which were made out of 100 items, for the milestone event.

Besides having fun on their 100th day of school, the stu-

dents also gained a better understanding of place value and numbers through the activities.

(Submitted)

Harper is a sweet and friendly boy, about a year old and 30 pounds.

He knows some basic training, loves playing in the yard with all his furry friends, and seems to be housebroken, too. He would do best in a home with a fenced-in yard and older children due to his lively, puppy-like personality.

Harper is neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, and microchipped. Make him part of your family for an adoption donation of $300 to Pet Rescue.

To meet Harper, call 834-6955, visit NYPetRescue.org, or meet him in person at 7 Harrison Ave. in Harrison. (Submitted)

10 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • February 24, 2017

Business Briefs BioInc@NYMC forum focuses on growing, supporting innovation

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino offered congratulations and thanks to Danone North America, which recently announced it will remain in Westchester County and move its headquarter offices and accessory food laboratory to downtown White Plains. The new location at 100 Bloomingdale Road will become home to more than 400 Danoners beginning early next year during a move to a re-imagined space that previously served as a retail location.

“Danone North America is a terrific company,” Astorino said. “Westchester is proud to be a past partner and is excited to be part of its future success. Many thanks to Danone for its continuing investment in Westchester.”

Danone’s North American companies, which include well-known brands such as Dannon and Evian, said in a press release that it recognizes that today’s talent prefers to be in an open and flexible working environment that inspires creativity and inclusiveness. Key factors in the relocation decision were the development of a modern, flexible workplace that will fully leverage technology, enhance collaboration, and align with the company’s unique culture and global brand, along with the location in a vibrant community accessible via mass transit.

“We prioritized efficient and flexible design solutions for the changing style of our workplace that we envision for our future,” said Dessislava Miteva, the company’s chief people officer and vice president of human resources. “Increasingly we are working in open and flexible spaces that can adapt to the continually evolving needs of our company and our people. We want as much open space as possible to maintain the sense of community we currently have, to encourage informal and ad-hoc communication, and to ensure as much freedom and autonomy as possible in an energetic and exciting workplace. Additionally, being within walking distance to restaurants, shopping and mass transit are important for our company.”

Economic viability of the needed construction and ongoing operating and tax considerations were also factors in the site selection, the company said.

Danone North America has been working closely with the state of New York, Westchester County and the city of White Plains to secure the assistance needed to help support Danone North America’s growth agenda. Pivotal to Danone North America’s plans were the approval of a zoning amendment by White Plains to allow the company to move its accessory food laboratory, as well as the financial assistance awarded by the county’s Industrial Development Agency and by the state of New York, Empire State Development through its Excelsior Jobs Program and Capital Grant programs. This support will allow the company to expand its operations, attract new talent, update its office design, and retain its research and development team’s innovative accessory food laboratory.

“We are deeply grateful for the support and patience of the city, county and state, which have helped to keep our company in the area and allow us to significantly update and upgrade the setting in which we work, which will allow us to continue to be a significant contributor to community stability and growth here in White Plains,” Miteva said.

Innovative industries, including biomed and tech, have put the Hudson Valley on the map and attracted researchers, entrepreneurs, and startups to New York state. Expert panelists shared their thoughts on growing innovation in New York, the impact it has on the economy, and obstacles that researchers and inventors face. As 2017 begins, these industries look to Congress to protect their intellectual property rights to their inventions, technologies, and advances in medicine that make them successful job-creators in the Hudson Valley.

The panel was held at BioInc at New York Medical College, BioInc@NYMC, and moderated by Randi Schwartz, director of BioInc@NYMC and associate dean for academic administration at New York Medical College School of Medicine. The panel featured experts including Larry Gottlieb, president and CEO of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation, HVEDC; Amy Gallup Klann, Ph.D., counsel at Leason Ellis; Marc Zemel, managing director at MKM Ventures, CEO and co-founder of MOE Medical Devices and Retia Medical; Josephine Young, associate at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP; and Brian Pomper, executive director of the Innovation Alliance. Nathan Tinker, executive director of NewYorkBIO, was a guest speaker.

The health care industry in the Hudson Valley, which includes pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical companies, is the largest area employer, as with 2015 data gathered by the HVEDC reporting 158,707 jobs. Additionally, area medical research universities like panel host New York Medical College provide a highly skilled workforce, and also fuel a need for inventors in the life sciences.

“BioInc@NYMC is like no other resource in the Hudson Valley. We’re proud to offer biotech entrepreneurs and startups a place to launch successful businesses. We welcome the Innovation Alliance to New York, in an ongoing effort to connect our local innovators with a strong network and up-to-date information on issues that impact them directly,” Schwartz said.

“Innovation isn’t a linear concept. Even though we wish it were to be as simple as having an idea, executing a plan, and seeing success, to be truly competitive and successful in 2017 we must take many factors into consideration. Knowing the regulatory policies in place, the patent system to protect our work, the latest in academia and research, how to connect with investors—innovators take an idea and create so much more. Like any attentive constituency, the Innovation Alliance exists to help educate and advise from a first-hand perspective, and we are proud to be here today in the Hudson Valley alongside such great talent,” Pomper said.

“New York is home to a bioscience community that is unparalleled—not only do we have one of the largest communities in the world, but the strongest in terms of resources, jobs, academia, clinical trials, and innovators. NewYorkBIO exists to support the development and growth of New York’s life science industry and today’s discussion explored some of the most important issues to our members, including protecting intellectual property rights and supporting patent holders.

I’ve had a chance to meet some of the Hudson Valley’s inventors and patent holders at today’s

event, and I’m happy to be here at BioInc at New York Medical College to visit their innovative space,” Tinker said.

“Today’s panel demonstrated not only the variety in talent in the Hudson Valley, but the variety of opportunities and resources available to entrepreneurs, innovators, and researchers. My experience in biology, coupled with my current legal practice focus on the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors, has allowed me to experience many important proceedings and analyses,” Gallup Klann said.

Zemel shared his story of innovation and growth as an entrepreneur here in the Hudson Valley. As the CEO and co-founder of two startup, he knows the challenges of developing specialized technology and growing a business. Since 2011, he has helped oversee the advancement of MOE Medical Devices, a startup developing nanosecond pulsed electrical plasma treatments for dermatology, and Retia Medical, a cardiovascular monitoring company, in his role as CEO. Additionally, Zemel holds 18 patents (issued or pending) and understands the importance of the U.S. patent system.

“I’m a patent-holder, and I have worked long hours over the years to bring my ideas to fruition.

I’m proud to call the Hudson Valley home, and to be surrounded by support I need to survive. Our elected officials must hold the highest priority in protecting the small inventors, like me, who contribute to the American economy. This includes voting against legislation that weakens our patent system—for without the patent system, I wouldn’t be here today,” Zemel said.

Startups have found success in Westchester County due to its close proximity to New York City, the opportunity to collaborate with other small and mid-sized businesses in the area, and the business-friendly environment fostered by the HVEDC. The Hudson Valley manufacturing industry is an integral partner of the area’s biomed and tech innovators and has contributed 44,800 jobs in the region, according to a 2016 NYS Labor Department Report. This industry innovates new processes and technologies that help area businesses produce a more advanced product for the client, in a shorter amount of time.

“The Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation is proud of how far our region has

come, in terms of innovation and job growth. NY BioHud Valley is a great example of how we’ve taken a cluster and turned it into a strong network of biomed and biotech companies—and it is vital we stay on the cutting edge of policy changes and proposals to help our members succeed and bring jobs to New York,” Gottlieb said.

In 2016, the U.S. Department of Commerce found that intellectual property industries supported 45 million jobs and contributed $6 trillion dollars to the U.S. gross domestic product. Yet also in 2016, legislation was introduced in Congress that proposed broad changes to the patent system that would hinder the ability for inventors to protect their intellectual property rights. At the BioInc@ NYMC panel, innovators and patent-holders in the Hudson Valley voiced their concern for potentially harmful legislation in 2017.

A working paper conducted by Harvard Business School and New York University professors for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 2016 found that innovation and startups benefit immensely from the protections patents offer. Obtaining a patent sets a startup up for long-term success: employment growth increases by 36 percent after the first patent is approved, and sales growth increases by 51 percent over the next five years.

The study also found that patents help many innovators reach the ultimate financial goal. A startup with a patent approval is twice as likely to end up listed on the stock exchange.

American innovators, abundant in the Hudson Valley, look to lawmakers to prioritize policies that protect and promote their work.

Although much remains to be seen as the new incoming administration sets its legislative priorities, innovation remains the backbone of the Hudson Valley and the U.S. The BioInc@NYMC panel and event offered a unique opportunity for interaction and discussion between experts, experienced entrepreneurs, and small inventors alike.

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.

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

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Astorino thanks Danone for continued Westchester investment

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February 24, 2017 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 11

Sudden onset unattractiveness RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy

When you go to the periodontist for oral surgery and all you’re worried about is the potential pain, you may forget to ask whether you will spend the next couple of weeks looking like a chipmunk beaten up by a gang of biker squirrels.

Or at least I forgot to ask.

So now when I look in the mirror, I see a face with golf ball bulges turning purple, lips stretched wide like taffy and my jaw the shape of a juice box.

On the subway, I wrap my scarf as high as I can and try to ignore the fact that now when I breathe, I fog up my glasses.

When I dared to venture out to the bakery (perhaps the source of this whole problem), I ran into an acquaintance and had to act like I wasn’t melting from shame (and the boiling scarf).

“It’s, uh, great to see you too!

Bye!” Even at home, I am surprised to feel sickeningly selfconscious around those nearest and dearest. Surely, beauty is not purplish-skin deep?

Or is it? Being suddenly disfigured, even temporarily, made me wonder how other people— the gashed, pocked and bloated—face the world. So I asked around.

My Upper East Side friend Mandy recalled the time she went to a fancy restaurant for lunch and ate something that made her feel like her throat was closing up. “Then I looked at my arm and there were all these blotches on it and I was starting to panic,” she said. “So

I staggered across the street and bought a big bottle of Benadryl and the pharmacist told me to take a double dose right now, and I was like, ‘Okay.’”

The problem was, that night she was meeting a new guy.

They had tickets to “An American in Paris.” So she ran home, changed into clothes that covered as much of her as possible, and met her date at the theater.

The show, as far as she can recall, was delightful. “But I fell asleep and the guy kept elbowing me gently to wake me up, till my head lolled back on the seat again,” she said. Each time she fell back asleep, she snored.

“And every time I would wake up, I was furiously itching myself all over.”

It may not come as a huge surprise that they did not date again. But for Mandy, at least, the sudden onset unattractiveness was short-lived.

Marisa, a grant writer in Manhattan, went through chemo 12 years ago, just a year after her husband died. Their son was in second grade. Today she is the proud mom of a college freshman, but the permanent loss of her eyelashes and eyebrows still smarts. “I get called sir a lot, then they look and go, ‘Oh, sorry,’” she said. What surprised Marisa most was how hard it has been to adjust. “I can be as vain as the next person, right?”

Of course, right! It’s not just you, Marisa! It’s all of us. When entrepreneur Kathryn picked up MRSA, the antibiotic-resistant illness, the disease manifested itself in black holes on her face the diameter of a pencil eraser.

As she noted matter-of-factly, even when psychological researchers show very young kids

pictures of people with some kind of physical imperfection, the kids “attribute that they’re stupid, lazy, dishonest, evil— things that are all truly NOT indicated by how somebody looks.” We are a culture hardwired, it seems, to distrust the imperfect, no matter how dumb and cruel that is.

Genevieve fainted at the Herald Square subway station last August, breaking all her front teeth. “Luckily for all the other passengers, I was off the train before it happened,” she said.

Yes, she’s a comedian—for real.

But going out in public wasn’t funny. That first week, “Even with the check-out person at Duane Reade, I was talking with as little space between my lips as possible, trying to hide these jagged teeth.”

Gone was the perk that noncelebrities and the non-disfigured take for granted: The ability to be invisible. Genevieve stopped going out, “until I woke up one day and realized: I don’t see people anymore!”

She decided to bite the bullet (as well as she could) and go back onstage. “After six months of hiding from the public, I told the audience that I had broken all of my front teeth. Then I immediately covered my mouth,” she said.

THAT got their attention. So she told them, “That’s a fun trick you can use on first dates. Mention you have a terribly unattractive physical impediment, and then hide it. You will hold their attention the rest of the night.”

And then, if they can see beyond whatever it is, you’ve got a winner.

CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com

Astorino highlights African-American heritage trail

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino highlights the county’s African-American heritage trail and announces the 2017 Trailblazer Award winners at the Jay Heritage Center in Rye on Feb. 13.

Photo courtesy Westchester County

In celebration of Black History Month, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino was joined on Feb. 13 by Barbara Edwards, chair of the Westchester County African American Advisory Board, at the Jay Heritage Center in Rye to unveil the new Westchester County Guide to African-American History and Heritage and to announce this year’s Trailblazer Award winners.

“Black History Month is a time to celebrate and reflect on the many contributions African Americans have made throughout the United States,” Astorino said. “Westchester County is home to several unique sites for visitors to observe this important month and our updated Guide to African American Heritage and History is a roadmap to discover the rich African-American culture in our backyard.”

The guide, produced by the Westchester County Office of Tourism & Film, maps various historical destinations throughout the county that date back to the 17th century, and can be found online at westchestergov. com. Natasha Caputo, director of the Office of Tourism & Film, said this guide is designed to give visitors and residents the best way to explore the county’s historical landmarks.

“This guide gives visitors and residents alike a comprehensive way to follow our AfricanAmerican trail and explore the great historical landmarks we have here in Westchester,” Caputo said. “Not only does the guide have information about each destination on the trail, but we have included a map, information on events, art exhibits, notable Westchester residents and information on transportation and accommodations.”

Astorino also highlighted four landmarks on the trail: • The Jay Heritage Center, located in Rye, not only is the childhood home of Founding Father John Jay, but it was the home of several generations of people, both free and enslaved, who worked for the Jay family.

Jay was the founder of the Manumission Society of New York, which advocated for the abolition of slavery and established schools to educate free AfricanAmericans. The Jay Heritage Center houses various artifacts, including a manumission document declaring freedom for a Westchester slave.

• Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow, a property of Historic Hudson Valley, is a nationally significant late 17th- and early 18th-century milling and trading complex that was part of a vast 52,000-acre estate owned by the Anglo-Dutch Philipse family.

Enslaved individuals of African descent operated the commercial center of the estate in what is now the village of Sleepy Hollow.

• Philipse Manor Hall in Yonkers, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, served as the Lower Mill complex for Philipsburg Manor in the 17th century and contributed significantly to the development of New York’s commercial life.

The records of their business and lives indicate that enslaved Africans were vital to their success and the development of Westchester.

• St. Paul’s Church in Mount Vernon, a National Historic Site, was the center of community life in the 18th and 19th century.

Many of the 9,000 interred in the cemetery are persons of African descent buried here in the 19th and 20th centuries. The church records at St. Paul’s include the

sexton’s book and burial records denoting the race of those entered into the historic graveyard.

In addition to promoting the history and heritage of AfricanAmericans in Westchester, Astorino and Edwards announced the honorees for this year’s Trailblazer Award ceremony.

For the past 18 years, Westchester County honors individual African-Americans each year with this award for their commitment to service, and generous use of their talent, which together create a bright future for us all. Edwards, who has worked with the county to coordinate the Trailblazer Awards for the past 18 years, spoke about the significance of the award and how it has shaped the county.

“The history of AfricanAmericans in Westchester has significantly shaped the development and richness of Westchester County,” Edwards said.

“The 2017 Trailblazers, who will be honored this next week, inspire us by continuing the legacy of our ancestors’ perseverance, while making a positive impact for future generations.”

The 2017 Trailblazer Awards winners are: • The Elizabeth Catlett Award for Arts and Culture – Vinnie Bagwell • The Betty Shabazz Award for Civic Engagement – Eddie Mae Barnes • The Rev. L. Alger Adams Award for Publishing – Sandra Blackwell • The Robert C. Weaver Award for Housing – Mack Carter • The Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award for Human Services – Nathaniel Fields • The Dr. Valiere Alcena Award for Health Services – Judith Watson, RN (Submitted)

12 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • February 24, 2017

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SPORTS

Highs, lows of the postseason LIVE MIKE Mike Smith

There’s no question when it comes to postseason athletes, the intensity and pressure for our coaches and student-athletes get ratcheted up tenfold. And while that may be all well and good 99 percent of the time, creating indelible moments for our local sports stars, win or lose, sometimes the

grand stage of the playoffs can shine a light on some more negative aspects of the game.

Don’t get me wrong; there has been no shortage of absolutely fantastic moments over the last week. Kate Robbins’ third-quarter buzzer-beater against Pelham that propelled Rye to a come-frombehind win over the Pelicans; the Harrison boys’ team putting together an unheard of upset of Ardsley from their spot as the No. 24 seed; heck, even the atmosphere

in Scarsdale High School’s gym as Mamaroneck’s boys tried— and ultimately failed—to rally back from a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter of their Class AA playoff game against the Raiders; these moments all represent sports at its finest.

But there have also been a handful of moments over the last week or so that kind of make you scratch your head.

One early playoff story that has gotten a fair amount of press

February 24, 2017 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 13

has been the brawl that transpired between members of the Peekskill girls’ basketball team after a hard-fought loss to Tappan Zee on Feb. 18. According to observers, Red Devils’ players began arguing with one another following the game, leading to a fracas involving fans, parents and punches. Police were called and one woman was hospitalized, turning an already disappointing end to the season into something much worse for the Red Devils.

I can’t speak to the underlying tensions that led to the fight, but one would have to assume that the pressure cooker of postseason

Following his team’s double-overtime loss to New Rochelle on Saturday, White Plains basketball coach Spencer Mayfield took to Twitter to voice his displeasure with the officiating. When it comes to the postseason, even great games can be marred by controversy. Photo courtesy twitter.com

Rye pounds Pirates On Feb. 18, the Garnet boys’ basketball team won its firstround Class A playoff game, beating No. 19 Pearl River 6043 at Rye High School.

Charlie Nagle led the way

for Rye, scoring a game-high 17 points, but a number of Garnets got in on the offensive action as well. Michael Carty had 14 points and Max Samberg added 11 as the No. 3

seed advanced to the quarterfinal round.

Rye will host No. 6-seeded Albertus Magnus on Thursday, Feb. 23, after press time.

-Reporting by Mike Smith

play factored into it somehow.

Of course, not all scandals— for lack of a better word—are quite as dramatic.

That same day, in a first-round meeting between league foes New Rochelle and White Plains, the Huguenots escaped with a thrilling double-overtime win over the Tigers in what, if you just looked at the box score, one would assume was a classic showdown.

But White Plains coach Spencer Mayfield took to Twitter after the game to fire back at the officials for what he saw as an uneven performance in which New Rochelle accumulated 32 chances at the foul line to his Tigers’ scant five.

Did the referees cost White Plains the game? I couldn’t tell you. But I can say that, from a coaching standpoint, it’s impossible not to get frustrated when the numbers are that skewed.

And sometimes, the ire of fans is directed at the governing body of local sports.

When the leading scorer on Scarsdale’s hockey team, Ben Schwartz, was ejected from the final game of the regular season, Raider fans expected him to serve his mandatory one-game sus-

pension during the team’s firstround playoff game against Rivertown—which most expected to be an easy win for Scarsdale, even without the standout winger on the ice. But Rivertown forfeited the game, and Schwartz’ suspension was carried over into the highly-anticipated quarterfinal matchup between Scarsdale and No. 2-seeded Suffern, despite vocal protests from the Raider faithful. Many felt that Section I misinterpreted the rule and believed that the decision to hold Schwartz out for the Suffern game put an asterisk next to the Mounties’ 5-3 win on Feb. 21.

No matter what happens in the postseason, no matter who wins, no matter how games go, there’s going to be grousing, complaining, and, in some instances, some undignified behavior.

But as the playoffs continue, let’s just hope that the good moments outweigh the bad, and even those tough losses and bad situations provide our athletes— and our coaches—with some valuable life lessons.

Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports

Rye Athlete of the Week SPENCER HUNT

By ISABEL CASTRO Contributor This week’s Athlete of the Week is Spencer Hunt of the RHS boys’ varsity squash team. Hunt has been a co-captain of the team since sophomore year, and has held the No. 1 seed all three years. His start to the season was seriously delayed after he ruptured his appendix in November, but nothing has stopped him from getting back on the court.

Hunt worked hard to come back better than ever after his surgery, and proved it by beating the No. 1 player from Fordham 3-0. The scores of the match were 11-6, 11-7 and 11-3.

Hunt is convinced that the future of boys squash at Rye is bright. “There are a lot of promising underclassmen that have more seasons left on the team. I can’t wait to see the great things that they all do for the next couple of seasons,” he said. “I will definitely miss the team, but I’ve made so many great memories over the past four years.”

For past three summers, Hunt has helped rebuild homes that were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. He has also received student of the quarter awards for 12 different classes throughout his high school career. He is also the co-president of Adopt-a-Grandfriend and Adopt a U.S. Soldier,

and has been a member of the golf team the past two years, but will be going back to lacrosse this spring.

Hunt will be attending Vanderbilt University next fall, where he plans to be a member of the squash club.

Sponsor: www.PiazzaPizzaRye.com We Deliver Matt Tepedino drives to the hole against Pearl River during Rye’s first round Class A playoff game on Feb. 18. The Garnets topped the Pirates 60-43. Photo/Mike Smith

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SPORTS

14 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • February 24, 2017

Garnets sink Sailors ICE HOCKEY

division ii

FIRST ROUND

RYE 7 HEN HUD 0 RYE PLAYLAND

2/20/17

Game Notes: • Seamus Carroll recorded his first career hat trick • Jack Petrucelli made 19 saves • The Garnets will play top-seeded Pelham on Feb. 22, after press time

By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor Coming into the Division II playoffs, Rye head coach Pete Thomas knew that if his team was going to be successful, they would have to put points on the board. In Rye’s first-round game against Hendrick Hudson on Feb. 20, the Garnets took that message to heart, pouring it on early and often and outclassing the Sailors for a 7-0 win.

The Garnets drew first blood on a Declan Lavelle goal just five minutes into regulation, and Rye headed into the first intermission with a 2-0 lead, thanks to a goal by Ryan Kirkpatrick.

“Anytime you are in a playoff game, it’s important to get on the board first, especially when you’re the home team,” Thomas said. “If you’re the visitor, and you go in tied 0-0 at the end of the first, you consider that a win, but because we got on the board, we were able to set the tone and force Hen Hud to play our game.”

The Garnets only added to their lead once the defensemen got in on the act. Seamus Carroll, who scored just three regular season goals, exploded against the Sailors, netting his first career hat trick. According to Thomas, the Garnets were making a concerted effort to incorporate the defensemen into the offense.

“One of the things we had talked about doing to create

chances for us was to let our defense get engaged in the offense,” he said. “[Carroll] is probably our best defenseman.

He’s one of our best players, and he came up big.”

But despite the Garnet defense’s work in the offensive zone, Rye was able to limit the Sailors’ chances on the other end. Jack Petrucelli made 19 saves to keep a clean sheet on the day, but was rarely tested aside from a few possessions in the second period.

“One of the things we talked about all season long was making the defense the hallmark of this team,” Thomas said. “And we were able to do that and really just continued executing [against Hendrick Hudson].”

The Garnets will look to keep their momentum going in the Division II quarterfinals against a Pelham team that is currently ranked among the top teams in the state. The Garnets will head to the Ice Hutch in Mount Vernon on Feb. 22, after press time, to take on the Pelicans for the third time this season. In the two previous meetings, Pelham has outscored Rye 14-1, but Thomas is confident that his team is currently playing better than they were earlier in the season.

“Obviously Pelham is a very talented team playing at a high level, but at the same time, our guys are pretty confident too,” he said. “If we go in there and play the game we’re capable of playing, we think we have as good a shot as anyone in the state to beat them.”

CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com

Seamus Carroll controls the puck against Hendrick Hudson on Feb. 20.

Carroll scored three goals to record his first-ever hat trick in Rye’s first-round win.

Will Hynson brings the puck up the ice against the Sailors.

Jack Petrucelli makes a save against the Sailors. Petrucelli made 19 stops to preserve the shutout. Photos/Mike Smith

Ryan Kirkpatrick beats Hendrick Hudson’s Pete Gianatiempo with a wrister.

SPORTS

February 24, 2017 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 15

Robbins, Rye bury Pelham GIRLS BASKETBALL

class a

FIRST ROUND

RYE 51 PELHAM 44 2/18/17

RYE HS

Game Notes: • Katie Robbins led Rye with 19 points • The Garnets trailed 24-19 at the half • Rye will play No. 2-seed Somers on Feb. 23, after press time

By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor The buzzer-beating shots that get remembered, more often than not, are the ones that change the outcome of games as time expires in regulation. On Feb. 18, in the first round of the Class A playoffs, Rye’s came a little bit earlier.

As the No. 8-seeded Garnets struggled to climb back into contention against the No. 10 Pelicans on Saturday, their comeback hopes were aided greatly by a thrilling half-court heave by Katie Robbins as time expired in the third quarter. The shot put the Garnets, who had trailed by as many as eight points, to within two. More importantly, it gave the Garnets some much-needed momentum as they headed into the final minutes of the game, propelling Rye to a 10-2 run and an eventual 51-44 win.

“I practice that half-court shot sometimes; I try to get a dribble off and then the shot,” Robbins said after the game. “And I just shot it with confidence, that’s the only way you have a chance.”

Robbins led the Garnets with 19 points on the afternoon

A Pelham defender does her best to disrupt a Katie Popp drive. Popp finished with 12 points in Rye’s win.

Katie Robbins celebrates a buzzer-beating half-court shot at the end of the third quarter. Robbins’ shot gave the Garnets momentum heading into the final quarter.

and was able to put the game away late in the fourth quarter, going 4-for-4 from the foul line with under two minutes to play.

But no basket loomed larger than the one at the end of the third quarter.

“We’re a team that prospers off of momentum, and I think sometimes we lag a little bit if we’re not hitting our shots,” she said. “But when there’s a play like that, we capitalize on it and I think that’s what they needed.”

Pelham earned a split with Rye during a two-game regular season series and seemed to have the Garnets’ number in the early part of Saturday’s game, heading into halftime with a 24-19 lead. But by focusing their attention on Rye’s prolific scorer Katie Popp (12 points), chances opened up in the second half for both Robbins and

[Robbins] and [Flaherty] were really making plays, hitting shots, making the extra pass.”

With a hard-fought firstround win behind them, the Garnets now turn their eyes to their next test, a showdown with No. 2-seeded Somers on Feb. 23, after press time. The Tusk-

Teaghan Flaherty (eight points).

“Pelham has athletic, tough kids, and we knew they were going to take [Popp] away, and that we had to have a good pace on offense. Early on, we didn’t do that,” Rye coach Dennis Hurlie said. “But we had a better flow in the second half because

ers are gunning for their first Class A final four appearance, while the Garnets, the reigning section champs, are hoping that their momentum will carry them back to the Westchester County Center.

“This gives us incredible confidence moving forward,

and we’re a confident team to begin with,” Robbins said.

“We’re defending section champs and we plan on going back and winning the championship for a second year in a row.”

CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com

Ellie Dailey fights for a rebound against Pelham on Feb. 18.

Photos/Mike Smith

Teaghan Flaherty looks for an open teammate against Pelham.

16 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • February 24, 2017