RyeCity REVIEW THE
July 15, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 29 | www.ryecityreview.com
Rye heads toward public safety commissioner
THE SWEET SCIENCE
JAMES PERO Staff Writer
Irish featherweight Carl Frampton poses with Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino at Champs Boxing Club in New Rochelle on July 12. Frampton is training at Champs in preparation of his July 30 WBA title fight against Leo Santa Cruz at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. For story, see page 15. Photo/Bobby Begun
Killian campaign secures Independence line By JAMES PERO Staff Writer Rye City Councilwoman Julie Killian’s campaign for the New York state Senate has received the backing of both the Independence and Conservative parties. Bill O’Reilly, Killian’s cam-
paign manager, said the endorsements will be crucial to the success of her campaign going forward. “It’s always helpful to have the extra party lines,” he said. Killian, who announced her Senate run in early March, has already been nominated by the Republican Party and will
also run on the Reform line, a minor party. While incumbent Sen. George Latimer, a Rye Democrat, has yet to announce his campaign for re-election, it is expected that both he and Killian—who announced her bid for a Senate seat in New York’s 37th District in March—will battle it out
in the fall. Latimer has served two consecutive terms as a New York state senator. According to Latimer, while the Independence endorsement carries weight in Westchester County—it is the county’s thirdlargest political party—it is far KILLIAN continued on page 8
With a newly drafted charter in place and multiple public hearings concluding, the Rye City Council is expected to vote in favor of adopting a new position that would combine the roles of a police commissioner and a fire department administrator into one. Councilman Richard Mecca, a Republican, and a member of the city Fire Department Advisory Committee—a study group tasked with assessing the needs of the department—said that since there has been no pushback from council members and minimal public input on the issue, the council will likely close the public hearing and pass the measure on Wednesday, July 13, after press time. The resolution, which was introduced in late May, would be the first major step in creating the city’s first public safety commissioner, a position which would supervise both the city’s fire and police departments. In Westchester, the city of White Plains and the county are the only jurisdictions that institute a department of public safety. Councilwoman Kirstin Bucci, a Republican, spoke about the role at a council meeting in June, and said the combination of the two positions is being created in part to help streamline the departments’ oversight and free
up city funds to hire additional firefighters. Throughout the past several years, Fire Department members and former City Manager Frank Culross have highlighted the department’s decreasing number of volunteer firefighters and concerns over paid staffing levels as a major issue hindering the department’s efficacy. Because the public safety commissioner position would require alterations to the city’s charter, however, the creation of such a position would also be required to go to public referendum, allowing residents to vote on the upcoming November Election Day ballot. The position’s creation would also require the approval of both the New York state and Westchester County departments of civil service. Mecca said the deadline to submit to the county Department of Civil Service for consideration is in September. Currently, fire Lt. Kurt Tietjen—the highest ranking Fire Department member—takes care of much of the day-to-day administration of the department. According to Tietjen, the position is a “logical step” in getting the department back on track, despite the department still needing additional paid firefighters to help assist their current staff of 17. According to Mecca, the SAFETY continued on page 10
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We’re live.
The ryecityreview.com offers a modern approach to our digital component. It might sound cliché, but it really is new and improved.
RyeCityReview.com Enjoy the experience
July 15, 2016 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 3
From the editor’s desk: The launch of a new era By CHRISTIAN FALCONE Editor-in-Chief In print, I recently mentioned that we were embarking on a redesign of our current, and frankly, archaic-like website. And, if I remember correctly, I also told you that we were nearing the end of that lengthy revamp process and would be ready for launch in the not too distant future. Well, that time has arrived. And with it, the dawn of a new era for the Review. So, let me be the first to introduce you to the new, and vastly improved, ryecityreview.com. In a matter of transparency, the website is part of a largerpicture vision that I’ve had for quite some time here at the Review. After taking over the editor’s chair in April 2013, redesigning our print publications to reflect the Review identity was my No. 1 priority. But also on my checklist was creating a new and engaging website, and devising a more modern strategic approach to conveying news to our readership. People have told me I often use the word “vision.” They’re probably right. But, in my defense, I’m a strong believer in collectively having a singular focus to achieve a goal. My vision for what we’re hoping to do here at the Review hinges on a specific synthesis of a few things: our new digital product, a re-energized social media presence and our
A new modernized and intuitive website is the latest change that has come from the editor’s desk, pictured, since taking over the reins in 2013. Photo/Andrew Dapolite
traditional print publication. It’s an ambitious project that neither this company nor any other weekly news publication in the area, in my opinion, has implemented with real effectiveness. So, there’s a brief overview of what, I believe, are our tools for success. But the sum is only as good as its parts, and our success will be a credit to the small but hardworking staff I have at the Review. The goal: to be a catalyst for community engagement. We want to drive the talk of the town. Yet, how to achieve that type of success with an online model is something that has been often debated. Here’s how we plan to do it. Specific to our newly enhanced web product, we want to offer more content, more diversity in our coverage of the community and provide a brand new component to our arsenal:
news briefs specifically designed and exclusive to our online readership. Our overall goal is to supplement The Rye City Review with a now daily interactive website. Not an easy feat, considering the staffing limitations of weeklies. The new site will offer a modern feel—it actually looks like a newspaper website—it’s clean; interactive; engaging; and it offers new features and options that will likely make our readers forget about those clunky Review websites of old. Armed with this new product, the hope and belief is we will become timelier in our delivery of news to you, the readers. But besides all of that, we simply hope you enjoy the new site. We’re pretty proud of it. CONTACT: chris@hometwn.com
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.”
4 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • July 15, 2016
What’s going on... Rye Free Reading Room
the Woman’s Club of Rye/Children’s Philanthrophy Section.
Rye Arts Center Music School
For more information on summer hours and programs, visit ryelibrary.org.
Coffee with the City Council Residents are invited to join members of the City Council to discuss any topic of interest on Saturday, July 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Meeting Room. Mayor Joe Sack and Deputy Mayor Julie Killian will be in attendance, and refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public, and registration is not required.
Summer Thursdays @ 11 series On Thursday, July 21 at 11 a.m. in the Meeting Room. “A Song to Remember” will be screened. Cornel Wilde plays Frederic Chopin in this lush, romantic film which highlights the famous composer’s relationship with the unconventional author George Sand. Running time: 113 minutes.
Summer Science Club with Irum Khan: Wind Turbines On Friday, July 22 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Meeting Room. This event is for kids in grades three to five only. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required for this workshop online. Go to ryelibrary.org, click on “Programs & Events,” then on “Kids,” click on the event date and then the “Register” button. Please use only one form for all family members. The first windmills were built more than 5,000 years ago to grind stone and pump water. Today, we use them to harness the wind. In this workshop, participants will make their own windmill and learn how to capture the power of the wind, one of the best renewable sources of energy. This program is proudly sponsored by the Auxiliary Board of the Rye Free Reading Room and
The Rye Arts Center will offer summer classes at their Music School, which offers opportunities for students to enhance their musical experience through recitals, community performances, practice marathons and student composition festivals. The Music School caters to more than 200 students during the school year, and holds weeklong sessions over the summer. For more information about The Music School, call Anne Bach Fumasoli at 967-0700 ext. 23 or email her at anne@ryeartscenter.org.
Rye Recreation For more information or to register, visit ryeny. gov/recreation.cfm or call 967-2125.
Field hockey camp On Monday to Thursday at 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., from Aug. 8 to Aug. 11. For grades three to six as of September 2016. This program will be held at the Rye Recreation Park. Rain date: Friday, Aug. 12. Fee: $95 for residents; $120 for non-residents. Players will develop their technique in dribbling, passing and shooting as well as an understanding of offensive and defensive plays.
Basketball camp On Monday to Thursday at 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., from Aug. 8 to Aug. 11. For grades one to three as of September 2016. This program will be held at the Rye Recreation Park. Rain date: Friday, Aug. 12. Fee: $145 for residents; $170 for nonresidents. Players will develop their dribbling, passing and shooting skills. Each day will end with small-sided games where coaches will encourage good sportsmanship and teamwork.
Momentum Madness On Monday to Friday at 9 a.m. to noon, from Aug. 15 to Aug. 19. For grades three to nine as of
September 2016. This program will be held at the Damiano Recreation Center. Fee: $270 for residents; $300 for non-residents. Zero to 60 in two seconds? How fast can an object go without compromising safety? Students in this camp will work with their Pit Crew to design and build vehicles, such as dragsters and hovering levitrons, which should able to withstand astonishing speeds. Fasten your seat belt, the race has begun.
are $150. Beach access is free for all permit holders. The more permit holders go to the beach, the more they save. MasterCard, Visa and Discover credit cards will be accepted for season permits. New resident permit holders will have to provide a proof of residence. For more information, call the park at 967-0965 or visit ryetownpark.org.
Rye Town Park
By popular request, the Bird Homestead nonprofit will hold over “On the Wing,” an exhibit of photographs of birds by Nadia Valla on view at the Meeting House, until Nov. 26. It was originally scheduled to close at the end of June. The exhibit features 80 beautiful photos of more than 50 species of birds from the local area. These range from elegant white egrets that wade and fish in the estuary to the brightly colored warblers that pass through during their migration. Valla often captures her subjects from a kayak where she can photograph wading birds and swimming ducks at eye level. The photographs are grouped by species to provide an educational experience, in addition to aesthetic enjoyment. Valla is a French-born photographer and a member of the Little Garden Club of Rye. The exhibit is open Saturday afternoons from noon to 3 p.m. Admission is free. Donations will be gratefully accepted. The Rye Meeting House is located at 624 Milton Road in Rye. For more information, email birdhomestead.meetinghouse@ gmail.com or call 967-0099.
Summer Stories at Rye Town Park On Tuesday, July 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at the park’s seaside pavilion. On your mark, get set, read. Celebrate summer with tales of parks, nature, sunshine, oceans and beaches, told by talented Rye Free Reading Room storytellers. Rye Town Park will charge a reduced parking fee for storytime attendees of $2. Please tell the parking attendant when you arrive you are attending this activity.
Twilight Tuesdays Concert Series On Tuesday, July 19 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Billy and the Showmen Band will be performing a concert at Rye Town Park as part of the park’s Twilight Tuesdays concert series. Founded by Billy Frenz, this 11-piece, Greenwich-based band has earned its reputation as one of the most enduring rhythm and blues bands. Their revue features the soulful vocals of the best singers in the Northeast, along with a strong horn section and a tight rhythm section. The concert will be held at the park’s south pavilion, located by the beach near the Dearborn Avenue entrance to the park. Admission to the concert is free, and parking at Rye Town Park is available after 4 p.m. Parking will be $4 for resident permit holders, and free for senior permit holders. Nearby residents are encouraged to walk to the concert. All concerts will be held rain or shine, except in case of thunderstorms. Attendees are welcome to bring blankets, chairs and picnics. For more information, call 967-0965 or visit ryetownpark.org.
Park season permits Discounted season permits are available for Rye City, Port Chester, Rye Brook, Rye Neck and Rye Town residents and non-residents alike. Season permits allow people to take full advantage of the beautiful Rye Town Park and Oakland Beach. Permit holders get “high tide” benefits for a “low tide” cost. Rye Town Park is a “stay-cation” bargain. The permits will be on sale Wednesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Permit Office in the Administration Building, Rye Town Park, 95 Dearborn Ave. in Rye. Parking-only permits
Rye Meeting House ‘On the Wing’ photo exhibit
Kirby Golf Outing The 27th Annual George J. Kirby Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, July 18 at the Griffith E Harris “the Griff” Golf Course in Greenwich, Connecticut. Every year, thanks to generous local business and individual sponsorships, more than 300 Rye senior citizens are able to participate in cultural, educational and health programs plus seasonal luncheon events. Become a lead sponsor by donating a check in the amount of $150 or more. All checks can be made payable to Rye Senior Citizens and can be sent to Jerry McGuire, 411 Midland Ave., Rye, NY 10580. To participate in the scramble format tournament and enjoy a barbecue dinner hosted by Kelly’s at the Rye Recreation Park, the cost is $175. For more information, to sponsor the event, or to make golf or dinner reservations, contact Tom Maloney at 310-7631 or Jerry McGuire at 490-8641. Deadline for our What’s Going On section is every Thursday at noon. Though space is not guaranteed, we will do our best to accommodate your listing. Please send all items to news@hometwn.com.
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July 15, 2016 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 5
Letters to the Editor
The new addition? To the Editor, There is a beautiful addition at Rye High School. There appears a mold situation. There are several things to consider. First, all exterior applications from the framing out should be flush and butted together except, but not always, the exterior of the final application. This is true when the exterior is stone and masonry. When applying stone and masonry, metal screening should be nailed to the waterproof plastic sheathing and a coat of masonry applied. This allows for a strong exterior stone and masonry finish. Secondly, roofs should have a water retrieval and discharge system; flat roofs with a parapet should be papered and seams tarred. The paper should exceed the level of the height of collected water, and should include roof drains with cooper flashing and the cooper sealed with tar. A pitched slate tiled roof should have cooper under the bottom tiles where they meet the flat roof and the cooper placed under the paper of the flat roof as well as tarring the seam. Lastly, masonry should be applied when temperatures are above freezing. This prevents the masonry between the stones from freezing and later cracking. Also the masonry should not be applied when it is raining. This prevents flacking in the mortar between the stones. Applying the masonry on the metal screening properly and between the stones properly allows for proper curing. This provides continuing professionalism. Kent Iarocci, Rye
About Letters to the Editor Publication is not guaranteed. We reserve the right to edit letters for content or space, at our discretion, without notification from the company. We reserve the right to reject submissions at our discretion without notice to the author. Sorry, but we are unable to notify authors in advance if and when a letter will be printed. Deadline for submission is Friday before publication. The maximum length of letters that appear in our pages is 625 words, but letters are usually significantly shorter to accommodate space needs. The letter should be signed and include the
writer’s address and phone number for verification purposes. We will not publish letters that cannot be verified. Publication by frequent letter writers will be limited to one per month. The opinions of letter writers do not reflect those of this newspaper. Please submit via fax to (914) 653-5000 or email to chris@hometwn.com or via post to Home Town Media Group, C/O Letters to the Editor, 170 Hamilton Ave., Suite 203, White Plains N.Y. 10601. We do not accept unsolicited Op-Ed submissions, film reviews, or food reviews.
Police officer exam applications underway The Westchester County Department of Human Resources administers the police officer examination used to fill vacancies in the Department of Public Safety Services, the cities of Peekskill and Rye, and the towns and villages within the county. The next examination for police officers in English or Spanish will be held on Nov. 19. The last day to apply is July 25. Apply today. This exam is held every three to four years. All candidates for the examination must be a legal resident of Westchester County at the time of examination and for at least one month prior thereto, in this case Oct. 19, 2016. Candidates will be required to submit proof of residency upon request.
A study guide to the police officer examination “Entry Level Police Officer Series” is available on the New York State Department of Civil Service website, cs.ny.gov. Download the study guide, or it is available in hard copy form and can be obtained at the Westchester County Department of Human Resources Office, located at 148 Martine Ave. in White Plains. The cities of Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, White Plains and Yonkers each hold their own separate examination. Police officers are public officers and must meet all applicable provisions of the New York State Public Officers Law. Standards for police officers are established in accordance with Section 58
of the New York State Civil Service Law and the New York State Public Officers Law. Candidates who pass the written exam will be required to pass psychological screening, medical and physical agility standards set by the Municipal Police Training Council in order to achieve a permanent appointment as a police officer. Westchester County welcomes your interest in pursuing a career in law enforcement. Find out more about police departments in Westchester County by visiting publicsafety.westchester. gov. More information on the police officer exam can be found at humanresources.westchestergov. com. (Submitted)
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6 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • July 15, 2016
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Cryotherapy enters Westchester marketplace
of the various cryotherapies her business offers can reduce pain, increase metabolism, repair tissue damage, tighten skin, increase collagen production, reduce stress, help circulation, and burn up to 800 calories in a single session. Some of the claims touting the benefits of cryotherapy have not yet been adequately proven by scientific studies, but clients Nordic Cryotherapy, owned by Dr. Marie O’Connor, opened last month have traveled from across the as Westchester County’s first cryothereapy facility. county to experience this alteras cold as that because clients’ native medicine. By COREY STOCKTON Cryotherapy has gained popbodies are being sprayed with Staff Writer gas, rather than soaked in liquid. ularity and recognition from its “It’s a very dry cold,” she usage by athletes and celebriIt may be summer in Eastchester, but one facility on Mill said. “There’s absolutely no ties. Boxing greats Floyd Maymoisture in the air so it’s differ- weather Jr. and Manny PacRoad is freezing. quiao, and basketball star LeBNordic Cryotherapy, a com- ent than… an ice bath.” O’Connor offers three types ron James have all entered cryopany that opened in June, uses extremely cold liquid nitrogen of cold therapy: facial, localized saunas reportedly for its performance benefits. And while gasses to relieve pain, increase and whole body procedures. Nordic Cryotherapy uses O’Connor said she originally athletic performance and ima liquid nitrogen mask to tar- became interested in cryotheraprove aesthetics. The various machines at get the face, and a vacuum-like py to help people with aches and Nordic Cryotherapy apply gas- hose for a specific muscle or chronic soreness, she said the ses—ranging from negative 180 joint. O’Connor said the local- majority of her clients are interdegrees Fahrenheit to negative ized therapy sessions can last ested in the service for aesthetic 250 degrees—to clients’ skin between three and six minutes, benefits like skin tightening, infor as long as three minutes per depending on how much fat or creased collagen production and weight loss. muscle is in the targeted area. session. Many stars of the Bravo Clients can also enter a large Dr. Marie O’Connor, CEO and founder of Nordic Cryo- tank—called a cryosauna—to channel reality series “The Real therapy, the first liquid nitrogen receive a full-body treatment. Housewives of Beverly Hills” cryotherapy facility in West- Specialists at Nordic Cryother- have undergone cryotherapy chester County, compared cryo- apy require that patients wear on the show, which O’Connor therapy to taking an ice bath. gloves, slippers and underwear, said has contributed to the serAlthough ice baths only get as and their heads be entirely out- vice’s increased notoriety. She cold as about 40 degrees Fahr- side of the open top of the tank. said cryotherapy facilities have O’Connor claims that any even become a trendy first stop enheit, cryotherapy doesn’t feel
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Owner Dr. Marie O’Connor receives a cryo-facial, a targeted form of cryotherapy claimed to help reduce acne, wrinkles and dark spots and increase collagen production. Photo courtesy Facebook.com
The cryosauna at Nordic Cryotherapy in Eastchester blasts clients with liquid nitrogen for up to three minutes, chilling their bodies at temperatures below negative 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Photos/Corey Stockton
for bachelorette parties, treating groups for three-minute sessions, with champagne waiting for them once they’ve warmed up. However popular the service has become, some cryotherapy practices can be dangerous if administered improperly. Last October, Chelsea AkeSalvacion, 24, died in a cryosauna in Las Vegas after entering a machine after business hours, getting locked inside and suffocating from the machine’s liquid nitrogen forcing the oxygen out of the air. O’Connor said her business administers strict protocol to ensure a similar accident does not occur, including using a brand of machine that does not lock. The machine’s door can be pushed open from the inside, and when open, all gasses stop flowing. O’Connor also stressed that nobody is allowed in the cryosauna alone, and that she always monitors her clients’ blood pressure before they enter the machine. Paul Okura, president of the Eastchester-Tuckahoe Chamber of Commerce, attended the June grand opening and entered the cryosauna for a three-minute session. He said he felt refreshed afterward. “Even after you get out of this device you feel rejuvenated
for the entire day,” Okura said. O’Connor said although most of her clients are not from the Eastchester area, she felt the town was the best location for this type of service because of its central location. Most of her clientele have traveled two hours for a session at Nordic Cryotherapy, as the two closest facilities are Elite Total Body Cryotherapy in Wayne, New Jersey, and KryoLife near Central Park in Manhattan. Although owners of cryotherapy facilities do not have to be licensed medical professionals, O’Connor, a registered nurse who has a doctorate in nursing practice, said it is helpful to have a medical background. “There is a medical component to it,” she said. “Your blood pressure does rise when you’re in there.” She explained that during the treatment, blood rushes from clients’ extremities to their most vital organs: the heart, lungs and brain. When the session ends, hyper-oxygenated blood rushes back to the extremities with better circulation. To enhance this effect, O’Connor recommends that clients use the facility’s stationary bike or treadmill for a few minutes to rewarm the body. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com
July 15, 2016 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 7
Judge mandates county hire housing consultant By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer A court ruling by a federal judge has mandated Westchester County to hire a consultant to help comply with a 2009 affordable housing settlement, despite the county executive’s disapproval. During a hearing on Friday, July 8, U.S. District Judge Denise Cote ordered the county to hire a consultant by Aug. 7 in order to complete a settlement-required analysis of impediment, AI, report, which highlights a municipality’s assessment of laws, regulations and procedures that affect a location’s availability and accessibility to fair and affordable housing units. The AI, according to Holly Leicht, the regional administrator of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD, is a relatively important part of the settlement that she believes the county has neglected to complete. A consultant, unlike the court-appointed monitor over-
seeing implementation of the housing settlement, Jim Johnson, will have a more hands-on role in completing the lengthy AI, according to Leicht. To date, the county has submitted eight reports that have each been rejected by HUD for a lack of adequate data. And even with a federal judge’s mandate, county Legislator Catherine Borgia, an Ossining Democrat, suggests that Republican County Executive Rob Astorino is determined to fight the ruling. “When you enter into a settlement you promise to fulfill your end, and the county executive has refused to do that,” she said. “He’s become more stubborn and willing to drag this out in court forever.” The affordable housing settlement that was agreed to by the county during the administration of then-County Executive Andy Spano, a Democrat, requires Westchester to promote fair housing, as well as build 750 units of affordable housing in 31 designated municipalities that lack minority populations
by Dec. 31, 2016. The settlement came on the heels of a lawsuit filed against the county by the Anti-Discrimination Center. Prior to the federal hearing, as many as three dozen activist groups from Westchester County rallied outside the federal courthouse in Manhattan, outraged by the county’s reluctance to comply with the settlement. Of the many activists to attend the rally, the Interfaith Clergy for Social Justice, one of the most outspoken social reform groups in Westchester, expressed concern for the lack of diversity within the county. The Rev. Troy DeCohen, chairman of the Interfaith Clergy for Social Justice, told the Review that Westchester is one of the most racially segregated counties in all of the country, with 19 municipalities having less than 3 percent people of color. “Our county executive, who was elected to serve all the people of Westchester, continues the practices of social injustices and immoral behaviors,” DeCohen said. “He had seven years
to work with all communities to end the practices of exclusionary zoning in which he has not.” According to Ned McCormack, director of communications for the Astorino administration, the county has submitted “extensive versions” of the AI report, and has complied with the settlement. “By any fair and rational basis, we feel that the county has met its obligation,” he added. In June, the county anticipated reaching the number of required affordable housing units six months ahead of schedule, but Westchester lawmakers failed to authorize funding for 10 affordable housing units in the Cambium development, located in the village of Larchmont. Now, with much anticipation of the Astorino administration’s next plan of action, county legislators are concerned that settlement requirements will not be met by the deadline on Dec. 31. “The deadline is right around the corner,” Borgia added.
At a glance During a federal hearing on July 8, U.S. District Judge Denise Cote ordered Westchester to hire an affordable housing consultant The judge charged that the county has not completed a settlement required analysis of impediment report The county has until Aug. 7 to hire the consultant. The county is appealing the judge’s ruling
But McCormack stressed that the county is working at “full speed” to ensure the settlement requirements are completed by the deadline. He also mentioned that there are currently affordable housing units in the pipeline for Harrison, Larchmont, New Castle, Lewisboro, Pelham Manor and Croton-on-Hudson. According to Leicht, the future of affordable housing in
the county is uncertain. “I have often said that if all that ends up happening is that the county builds these affordable housing units [to satisfy the settlement], and then never builds affordable housing again, this would not have been successful,” she said. The county administration has appealed the federal ruling to appoint a consultant. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
8 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • July 15, 2016
The City Council’s hot topics THE COUNCIL CORNER Councilwoman Danielle Tagger-Epstein
In spite of the sleepy summer months, the work of the City Council is heating up and several red hot topics have been occupying members in recent weeks. These topics have sparked the interest of many residents, understandably leading to differences of opinion, both among residents and between council members. Here is a quick rundown of two of the issues that I think require the closest attention: Deer population The increasing deer population is a polarizing one. Some see the deer as an issue of public safety, whether on the roads or through the spread of Lyme disease. Others see the deer as more than a nuisance, destroying our community’s ecosystem, eating saplings, plants and shrubbery that harm other species and, through sheer numbers, where residents have reported as many as 20 deer on their property. Still other people view management of the issue as a humane treatment of animals,
opposing hunting as “cruel,” versus those who see deer overpopulation as cruel to the deer that compete for dwindling sources of food. At last month’s council meeting, we heard an excellent and well-researched presentation by Hank Birdsall, who had been hired by the city to conduct deer counts and bring practical ideas about how to proceed. He noted the extremely high deer concentration, particularly in Greenhaven. Birdsall’s study, conducted in conjunction with the Deer Committee, which has been studying the issue since last February, is excellent, and for those of you who have not seen it, I urge you to do so. He is thoughtful and bright and cares about our community. You can find it online from our June 8 meeting at ryeny.gov/swagnew.cfm. Crown Castle’s wireless nodes Over the past few months, the council was made aware of the issues surrounding Crown Castle’s application to install 56 new wireless data cell nodes. Increased concerns about the process and various unknowns have been
expressed by residents at our last council meeting; I asked that we continue our due diligence and provide more opportunities for the public to weigh in on. Foremost among my convictions was that we need to hire experts in the field who can advise on the full implications of these installations for residents, their house values, the aesthetics of our city, health and safety of putting that extra weight on the poles, and who next is likely to be putting in requests for new installations. This information is your right as residents to fully understand all the technical and legal aspects of this growing wireless field. I am hopeful that the council will not rush into a decision in this matter, and give all the residents who may or may not yet know that they are affected an opportunity to educate themselves and weigh in. So while school is out, important issues are still being discussed. There will be several other hot topics coming your way soon. I wish you all a wonderful summer and encourage you to stay involved.
KILLIAN from page 1
With endorsements from both the Independence and Conservative parties, Rye City Councilwoman Julie Killian, a Republican, will now carry four ballot lines in her November state Senate race. File photo
from an unexpected developments in what many pundits are expecting to be one of the state races to watch this election cycle. “It’s not a surprise to me at all, they endorsed my two prior opponents,” he said. In 2012 and 2014, Republican candidates Bob Cohen, of Scarsdale, and Joe Dillon, of Yonkers, respectively, were both endorsed by the Independence Party, but were still defeated by Latimer. In past elections, the endorsement of the controversial party has oftentimes been a harbinger of success for many Westchester candidates. The Independence Party’s credibility, however, has come under scrutiny in recent years, following a feud between Giulio Cavallo, the party’s chairman, and Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican. After Astorino was elected county executive in 2009, a year
when he was endorsed by the Independence Party, he accused Cavallo of seeking patronage jobs for members of his party. Astorino won re-election four years later without the endorsement of the Independence Party, something no Republican had done running for the county’s top seat in 20 years. This year, despite Killian and Latimer coming from different sides of the political aisle, each intends to run with governmental reform as a major facet in their respective platforms. “We’re not getting the kind of reform we need out of the status quo,” Latimer said. “We need a change and a new construct; a bipartisan construct.” Similarly, Killian has already sponsored a bill to limit the amount of time state legislators can serve in elected office. “It’s this type of political careerism that creates a cozy atmosphere and gives way to
corruption,” O’Reilly said. “If you want to break the back of corruption in Albany, you need term limits.” The 37th District encompasses the cities of Yonkers, White Plains, New Rochelle and Rye, and the towns of Eastchester, Harrison, Mamaroneck, Rye, Bedford and North Castle. Candidates are elected to the Senate for two-year terms, with an annual base salary of $79,500. Killian could not be reached for comment as of press time. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
July 15, 2016 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 9
New design concept puts the ‘bar’ in Barnes & Noble By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer Westchester County will be home to one of a handful of concept stores being launched by Barnes & Noble this year. The former site of the Borders bookstore at the Vernon Hills Shopping Center in Eastchester will return to a hub for book and music sales with the building of a new Barnes & Noble. The bookstore chain will update the
location by being the first of its kind to also offer a restaurant and lounge along with its usual conveniences. The new location, on White Plains Road, is one of four new concept stores planned to launch this year offering dining and drinking services beyond the usual café. The other three stores are set to be built in Edina, Minnesota, Folsom, California, and Loudon, Virginia. The Eastchester location is
scheduled to open in October, with a full-service restaurant serving beer and wine, as well as a bocce court, an outdoor fire pit and patio seating. Along with the new design, Barnes & Noble will be launching a new mobile app to help customers navigate the store. Jamie Carey, Barnes & Noble president of development, said the app will provide users with a store layout and help them find books and other media they’re
The rear section of the new Barnes & Noble store in Eastchester is expected to have large seating areas and offer table-side service. Renderings courtesy AvroKO
The café in the new Barnes & Noble concept store will serve beer and wine; the bookstore will also have a large outdoor seating area with a fire pit and bocce court.
searching for. In a released investors meeting, Barnes & Noble CEO Ron Boire said that people are increasingly looking for a place to gather and be part of a community, adding that he hopes the new store concepts will be central to the locations they inhabit. Carey added that the new design would reinforce the community feel. “When customers come to our new stores, they’ll know it is a Barnes & Noble, but
it will be through a new experience,” he said. The new location will join three other Barnes & Noble storefront already in Westchester; the other locations are in White Plains, Yonkers and Mohegan Lake. The company has been closing locations throughout the country for several years, but only closed eight locations last year, which is the fewest number of store closings it has reported in 16 years.
The Borders, which had previously rented the Eastchester space, closed in 2011, after the corporation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The storefront has been vacant ever since. The Barnes & Noble café will not be the only one in the Eastchester plaza to serve alcohol. The Starbucks in the Vernon Hills Shopping Center also serves beer and wine. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com
10 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • July 15, 2016
Rye picks up proposal to decrease dropped calls
SAFETY from page 1
THE COUNCIL CORNER Mayor Joe Sack
The Rye City Council is expected to move forward with the creation of a new branch of city service—the Department of Public Safety—which will be charged with oversight of both the police and fire departments. File photo
advisory committee is still recommending that the department allot money for four additional firefighters in the city’s upcoming 2017 budget in order to help what many in the department view as a subpar staffing. Tietjen told the Review that those firefighters, however, will be contingent upon the vision
of whoever assumes the public safety commissioner role. To fill the new hybrid role overseeing the fire and police departments, the city is expected to turn to Police Commissioner Michael Corcoran, who was hired in February. Corcoran told the Review that no one has yet formally
approached him for the role, but said he works in conjunction with the Fire Department frequently. Bucci and John Castelhano, president of the local firefighters’ union, could not be reached for comment as of press time. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
BOE appoints interim assistant superintendent The Rye City School District recently named Sheryl “Sherri” Goffman as interim assistant superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment. Goffman was appointed by the Board of Education on June 7, and assumed her post on July 1, although she had already begun consulting with the district to transition into her new role. Goffman served as the interim assistant superintendent for Academic Services for the Ossining Union Free School District for the 2015-16 school year, and as interim director of Educational Services for the Peekskill City School District for the 2013-14 school year. She retired in 2010 from her position as deputy superintendent at Mineola Union Free School District, where she also served as assistant superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. Goffman succeeds Dr. Betty Ann Wyks. Wyks left at the end of the 2015-16 school year to pursue other professional endeavors. Superintendent Frank Alvarez said, “In her 40 years in
public education, Ms. Goffman has been a highly successful interim assistant superintendent, a deputy superintendent, a school-level administrator, a college instructor and a classroom teacher. We are pleased she will bring to the district the steady hand of experience while we continue our efforts to recruit a permanent professional.” “I am honored to lead the Rye City School District Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Department during this transitional period,” Goffman said. “The focus of the department will continue to be on the academic success of our students and the professional development of the district’s excellent faculty.” From 2002 to 2010, Goffman worked in the Mineola school district as the deputy superintendent, the assistant superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, the assistant superintendent for Elementary Education and the director of Elementary Education. Goffman began her career
as a special education teacher in the Boston Public Schools, Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District and Pearl River school districts before becoming an assistant principal in the Monroe-Woodbury Central School District and a principal in the Valley Central and North Rockland Central school districts. She has been an adjunct instructor in Special Education and Early Childhood at the City University of New York Rockland Teachers Center, and an adjunct instructor in Special Education and Reading at Mount St. Mary College in Newburgh, New York. Goffman has a B.S. summa cum laude from Boston University’s School of Education. She has an M.A. from the University of Michigan in Special Education, an M.Ed. From Teacher’s College at Columbia University in Special Education/Administration, and has undertaken doctoral studies in Special Education/Administration, also at Teacher’s College, Columbia University. (Submitted)
With remarkable advances in technology, and with hand-held wireless devices now serving as both telephones and personal computers for large segments of the population, cell and data usage has increased exponentially, not only in Rye, but across the country. You may well be reading this column on your own wireless tablet or smartphone. To meet the demands of these breathtaking developments, carriers have been busy expanding and upgrading their wireless service networks. In Rye, Verizon Wireless— through its partner Crown Castle—already has a network which includes transmitters affixed to already-existing utility poles. This provider has plans to add more of these transmitters in order to improve and increase coverage and capacity. As mayor, one of the complaints that I receive quite frequently from residents is about the less than optimum wireless service in the city. The updated network will certainly address that complaint. Moreover, under federal and state law, Verizon is deemed a public utility, and has a right to
use these utility poles in the public right of way for this purpose. Other utilities similarly access the right of way both above and below ground. For example: Con Edison runs both electrical wires and transformer boxes on the utility poles, and gas lines under the roads. Cablevision and Verizon Fios run not only hard cable lines, but also wireless Wi-Fi transmitter boxes on utility poles and in the streets. The Suez water company runs water mains in the earth, as well as transmitters atop poles which wirelessly send billing information from individual home meters to a central location. Regardless, some residents have raised honest concerns about whether or not the existing or proposed expanded Verizon Wireless networks pose any undue health risks. Significantly, no evidence has been presented that show the transmitters pose any undue health risk, especially given the highly regulated and relatively low emission levels. Notably, the emissions from the Verizon Wireless transmitters amount to approximately one half of 1 percent of what the federal government allows under the law. The City Council asked Crown Castle to include relevant reports and information regarding this and related issues on a dedicated website. Please visit crowncastle. com/projects/rye-ny.aspx for a better understanding of the facts.
Some have also expressed opinions about the aesthetics of the transmitters. Certainly, utility poles—and there are thousands of them that line Rye’s streets— may not be deemed by many as pretty objects, although they serve a needed function. But in most cases, utility poles also go unobserved in everyday life. Further, the transmitters were reviewed by Rye’s citizen volunteer Board of Architectural Review and approved. In addition, a perspective has been advanced by some that the transmitters may be prohibited by existing city zoning or other code. However, federal law holds that utilities may not be treated in a disparate manner. No other utilities have been so prohibited. The public discussion of the above information has been ongoing at City Council meetings for many months. To the extent that some discussions in other forums may not include this information, it is important for this information to be repeated here. Moreover, it is important to maintain at all times an even and level discussion of the matter. The council will take up this matter again at its next meeting on Wednesday, July 13 at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, after press time. Thank you for your participation in Rye public affairs and for your thoughtful consideration.
July 15, 2016 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 11
12 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • July 15, 2016
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July 15, 2016 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 13
Z truth about young folks and food RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy
You can tell a person’s age by their teeth. No, not by whether they’re missing or yellowed (or, if they’re really old: wooden!). They key is what the teeth are sinking into. “Generation Z”— the folks born after 1995—have already established different eating patterns than the rest of us. At least, so said an article I was reading in Nation’s Restaurant News. (Yes, I love reading trade magazines!) Fascinated, I called up the editor to ask, first of all, what new food trends are coming down the pike, and second of all—ye gads—does the generation born after 1995 really have a name already? The answer to the second question is apparently yes. And the answer to the first, according to editor Sarah E. Lockyer, is that Gen Z is even more Millennial than the Millennials. “We always believed that Millennials were the first digital natives,” she says. “But they really weren’t. They weren’t born with a phone in their hand. They got them at 10 or 12.” That makes them practically pterodactyls compared to the Z’s. The newest kids on the block want to eat what they see on social media, and they want to put on social media whatever they eat. That’s not news. Food porn is possibly more popular than good old-fashioned porn.
What’s news is how the restaurants are responding. Take Taco Bell, for instance. “Taco Bell used to be food that you ate at 2 a.m.” Lockyer said. “You really didn’t think about it. And while that still happens today, now you can go on the Taco Bell app and you can add guacamole and take off sour cream and add extra cheese. It’s very mobile friendly. You order on your phone, you pay on your phone, you go pick it up.” Restaurants that are completely interactive in that way are the ones that are going to win, she added. So are the ones that allow you to, in the words of an ancient Burger King jingle, “Have it your way.” Even McDonald’s is jumping on that trend. My husband went to the tricked out Mickey D’s near Bloomingdale’s and ordered from a kiosk rather than a human at the counter. He was served a giant, juicy burger slathered in chipotle mayo that made the Big Mac look like the meat equivalent of a flip-phone. Maybe even a landline. Burgers themselves are still cool, but Gen Z is not eating as many of them as their elders. The Z’s prefer chicken, pizza and food that is ostensibly “clean,” a word that is both holy and amorphous. Ask me, it roughly translates to “$1 extra.” YPulse, a New York market research firm specializing in young people, calls this trend the “healtifying” of fast food. Young folks aren’t rejecting milkshakes or cheeseburgers; they just want them organic, or locally sourced,
or something more “pure” (i.e., labor intensive). So “clean food,” light-colored, ostentatiously healthy restaurants are winning out, as are places that feel communal: You walk in and sit at a big table with people you don’t know. Maybe you don’t actually strike up a conversation, but at least you feel like you’re not alone. (Except if everyone else is having a great time and you’re poking at your oatmeal.) Communal tables are popular with older folks, too, particularly those willing to forgo a few car payments to afford a cup of soup at Le Pain Quotidien. But for young people, communal eating is not a new concept, it’s just the way they expect to eat: in groups and sharing food. And then comes the sharing food experience. Everything is documented to the point where showing friends what you ate is almost like showing them your closet or (I’m dating myself again) your bookshelf. So if you wonder who the Gen Z kids are and what are they bringing to the table (as it were), it’s organic ingredients, hypercustomized entrees, lots of sharing each other’s food without getting (visibly) annoyed about it, and phones busy every step of the way, from finding the restaurant to videoing the very last drop of Sriracha dipping sauce. This generation may still be too young to earn a living, but the way they’re going, they better start soon.
‘In The Heights’ takes the stage
“In the Heights,” Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first Tony awardwinning musical, will play the WPPAC stage from July 29 through July 31, and from Aug. 5 through Aug. 7. This show tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York City’s Washington Heights, a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions to take, and which to leave behind. “In The Heights” is directed by Jorge Acosta with musical direction by Katie Luekens Chan Chee and choreography by Anthony Murphy. Scenic design by Travis George, costume design by Molly Seidel, and lighting design by JiYoung Chung. Music and lyrics by Lin-
Manuel Miranda, book by Quiara Alegría Hudes, conceived by Lin-Manuel Miranda. The cast is headed by Edsel Romero as Usnavi, Sam Stein as Benny, Angelika Anastasio Beltran as Nina, and Shaunice Alexander as Vanessa. Supporting cast includes Robin Aléman, Dennis Polanco, Jessica Lynn Ford, Nerice Gerena, Daisy Guevara and Kevin Cusi. The cast also features Kelly Ainsworth, Alex Arlotta, Haleigh Brown, Heather Rubin Cabrera, Anthony Fante, Halle Mastroberardino, Michelle Morris, Leighann Navarro, TJ Newton, Harrison O’Callaghan, Keith Odums, Phil Ordonez, Yukari Osaka, Arianna Pallens, Manuel Piedra, Luis G. Quintero Jr., Jonathan Rodriguez, Brenda Schoenfeld, Katharine Vaccaro and Sierra Meshele Williams. Director Acosta said, “‘In The Heights’ is a musical story of a neighborhood, a group of people who love each other, who struggle together to take the
next step in life. In the end, the show is an affirmation of what it’s like to find yourself at home, wherever that happens to be.” “In the Heights” will be performed on Friday, July 29, Saturday July 30, Friday, Aug. 5 and Saturday, Aug. 6 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, July 31 and Sunday, Aug. 7 at 2 p.m. at the White Plains Performing Arts Center, located at 11 City Place in White Plains. Tickets start at $25. To purchase tickets, visit the theater’s box office Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., purchase tickets online at wppac.com or call 328-1600. For group sales, contact boxoffice@wppac.com. “In The Heights” is produced by STAGE 2, a program created by WPPAC to bridge the gap between its Conservatory and MainStage, giving college, graduate school, and community performers the opportunity to work in a professional regional theatre under the guidance of professional artists. (Submitted)
CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com
Meet wonderful Wilton, a very handsome, red and white male kitty who is searching for a loving forever home! He loves being petted and brushed and hopes for a family that will give him belly rubs and a nice window seat. Wilton is very playful but also content to be a lap cat when it’s time to relax. An added plus: he also gets along with dogs. Wilton is about 9 months old, neutered and up to date on all his shots. The donation for Wilton is $80. To meet this delightful boy, please call Pet Rescue at 835-3332 or 835-4133 or visit NY-PetRescue.org. (Submitted)
14 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • July 15, 2016
Slam Duncan LIVE MIKE Mike Smith
On Monday, July 11, one of the greatest basketball players to ever step onto an NBA court announced his retirement after 19 seasons as one of the most productive and reliable big men of all time. There was no season-long farewell tour, no primetime press conference, no pomp or circumstance. It was just Tim Duncan being Tim Duncan. The numbers are unimpeachable: 19 seasons, 15 All-Star appearances, two MVP selections and five NBA titles. But the most remarkable thing about Duncan’s career was just how unremarkable he was. It’s not that Duncan wasn’t a phenomenal basketball player; of course he was. But it’s the way that he went about his job that made him stand out. In a league that relies on star power,
explosive, flashy players flying through the air and churning out impressive acrobatic plays that find their way into countless highlight tapes, Duncan was an anomaly; a 7-footer who was best known for hitting 15-foot bank shots with the precision of a robot. Even his nickname, “The Big Fundamental,” spoke to substance over style. If you think of the greatest players in the history of the sport, they all have a signature moment—or 12. Dr. J’s graceful baseline scoop; Jordan taking off from the foul line and his tongue-wagging; Hakeem Olajuwon’s “Dream Shake.” For Duncan? It’s that simple 15-foot bank shot. Lakers’ star Kobe Bryant— who once scored 82 points in a game—also retired this year. Unlike Duncan, Kobe made his decision known early on and, as a result, got the kind of farewell tour that is all too common for the retiring stars of today.
SPORTS
I don’t begrudge him the tour; he earned one last season in the limelight. But Duncan always marched to the beat of his own drum. His only acknowledgement that the end might be near? After his Spurs fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals, he walked back toward the visitor’s locker room with one finger pointed to the ceiling. There’s going to be a lot of talk in the next week or so about Duncan’s legacy and where he stacks up against the NBA’s alltime greats. In my mind, he’s clearly a top 10 guy. But his real legacy, I feel, will be as an example for coaches. For nearly 20 years, Duncan played basketball the right way. He was steady, fundamentally sound, made his teammates better, and did all the little things that coaches hope to see from their charges. Sure, Kobe’s game might be the one that kids want to emu-
On July 11, San Antonio Spurs star Tim Duncan announced his retirement. In a league filled with infinitely flashier players, “The Big Fundamental” emphasized substance over style. Photo courtesy ozwallpaper.com
late, but if you asked a high school coach, I bet they’d tell you they wish they had more players like Duncan. So farewell, Timmy. You may
not have been the most exciting player the league has seen, but you were definitely one of its best. And you made the bank shot
fun. Which is just about as cool as it gets.
Follow Mike on Twitter @livemike_sports
SPORTS
July 15, 2016 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 15
Top pros hit ring in New Ro By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor Featherweight boxing contender Carl Frampton might hail from Belfast, Northern Ireland, but he will be making Westchester County his home for the next few weeks as he trains for his upcoming bout with Leo Santa Cruz at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. On Tuesday, July 12, Westchester officially welcomed the undefeated fighter, as County Executive Rob Astorino met with Frampton at Champ’s Boxing Club in New Rochelle and proclaimed July 12 to be Carl Frampton Appreciation Day. Frampton, 22-0, will challenge Santa Cruz for the WBA Super World Featherweight Belt on July 30, and will use the Division Street gym in New Rochelle as the base of operations for his training camp. His only previous fight in the United States took place in El Paso, Texas, last year. “I wanted to come to New York early, get used to the heat, and get my sparring in,” Frampton said. “My team did all the research and picked this place
Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, left, works on the heavy bag with Irish boxer Carl Frampton at Champs Boxing Club in New Rochelle on July 12.
out in New Rochelle, and it’s a great spot.” Frampton’s trainer, Barry McGuigan, said that he was hoping to plant a seed within the local Irish community to stir up some interest in his fighter. “We only have three weeks to kick up the dust, so we wanted to find a place that had an Irish community,” he said. “We particularly wanted to get the Irish
fans on board.” And although Frampton still has a demanding training schedule leading up to the fight, he said he’s going to make an effort to connect with the locals. “We have a few things planned,” he said. “We’re going to see the consulate, probably hit up a few Irish pubs as well and shake a few hands and try to drum up a bit of interest.
Champs Boxing Club owner Ryan O’Leary, center, poses with Carl Frampton, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino and others on July 12. Photos/Bobby Begun
I know that people over here, not just the Irish community, but New Yorkers, they’re big boxing fans, and I’m hoping they’ll all
Carl Frampton signs a pair of boxing gloves as County Executive Rob Astorino issues an official proclamation to welcome the fighter to Westchester.
get on my side.” Astorino predicted that Westchester boxing fans will be pulling for the 29-year-old Belfast native. “On behalf of the 1 million people of Westchester, [there are] many boxing fans and a great storied history of boxing, including at the County Center,” Astorino told Frampton. “So we’re wishing you luck.” Ryan O’Leary, who runs Champs Boxing Club, said that even though Frampton and his team have only been in town for about a week, their arrival has transformed the local gym. In addition to Frampton and his stablemates, Australian middleweight Sam Soliman is
also training at the New Rochelle gym in preparation for his July 21 fight with Sergiy Derevyanchenko, which will be held at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. Having so many accomplished pro fighters around, O’Leary said, has been a blessing for his own boxers. “They can’t get over it, it’s amazing,” he said. “We’re a little gym on a side street in New Rochelle, and now we have a world champion from Ireland and a world champion from Australia in here, and the kids are blown away.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com
Carl Frampton, right, poses for a photo with Sam Soliman, a ring veteran who is also training at Champs Boxing Club in New Rochelle.
16 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • July 15, 2016