July 29, 2016 by The Rye City Review

RyeCity REVIEW THE

July 29, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 31 | www.ryecityreview.com

Rye threatens lawsuit over Playland redevelopment

THE

TRUMP

By JAMES PERO Staff Writer

CARD?

Donald Trump accepted the Republican Party’s nomination for president at its national convention in Cleveland on July 21. The four-day gathering brought out some of the party’s biggest names and supporters. For more, see page 6. Photo/Charles McLaughlin

Police establish anonymous crime tip program By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer In light of concerns over a drug surge in the city of Rye, the Police Department has established an anonymous crime tip program in an effort to promote crime prevention. On July 15, the department began allowing residents to submit crime tips multiple ways, including texting, emailing and via a link on the department’s website or Facebook page. The anonymous texting program allows residents to send

crime tips to the city Police Department by texting “RYEPD” and a message to 847411, in which the message will then be relayed through a third-party provider, Citizen Observer. The third party company will then remove all identifying information before transmitting the message to the police. Similar to the texting program, tipsters can also send their messages through a link on the department’s website or Facebook page. Through this method, the tip will be sent to the Police Department with a generic

ID number. Though not as reliable, as contact information is usually attached to a user’s email address, individuals can also send tips to tips@ryepd.ryeny.gov. The program was created in response to a recent citywide drug crisis, according to Rye City Manager Marcus Serrano. “Any source of information we can use, especially when it comes to arresting drug dealers or saving a child, is helpful,” he said. Since 2014, six former Rye High School students have died

of drug and alcohol-related causes, and there is growing concern that heroin use has rapidly increased in the area. Also, in June, the Rye Police Department began an investigation in search for an unidentified young woman who was burglarizing homes to allegedly find prescription drugs. The unidentified individual, who is still at large, is the suspect in connection with burglaries on Harbor Lane, Oakland Beach Avenue and Riverside View. TIP continued on page 10

A legal battle between Westchester County and Rye could be imminent after city officials threatened to sue for a say in the future of Playland. In a letter to County Attorney Robert Meehan dated July 18, Michael Gerrard, who was retained by the city of Rye, asserted that Rye, not Westchester County, should enjoy the status of lead agency for an upcoming round of capital projects at the amusement park. “Unfortunately, the county hasn’t followed the law,” said Rye Mayor Joe Sack, a Republican. “Months ago, apparently, the county had declared itself lead agency.” According to Sack, the county declared itself lead agency in May. Gerrard told the Review that if the county continues to ignore the city’s request for inclusion into the park’s process, litigation will be imminent. “I think [a lawsuit] would be a fair assumption,” he said. “We would only file a lawsuit if we thought we had strong grounds.” The city has set a July 28 deadline, after press time, for the county to respond before filing an Article 78 proceeding. According to Gerrard, the county has yet to respond, as of press time, but Ned McCormack, communications director for County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, said the

county will do so before Rye’s deadline. Gerrard contends that following an agreement transferring the management of Rye Playland struck between the management company Standard Amusements and Westchester County, the county has continuously skirted proper procedure. Among the concerns listed in Gerrard’s letter are several perceived SEQRA violations, as well as the county’s lack of communication on its intentions with Playland. Rye City Attorney Kristen Wilson told the Review that although the Article 78 has not been filed, the city could also ask for a temporary injunction on park projects, which would halt any work at the amusement park pending the outcome of the litigation. Wilson said that the city has not yet decided whether it will do that. County Legislator Catherine Parker, a Rye Democrat, said she understands the Rye City Council’s perspective. “There has been very little in way of communication to Rye to make Rye feel like it can have a seat at the table during discussions,” she said. “I would characterize the lack of communication as a hallmark of the Astorino administration.” In March, both the county and Standard Amusements agreed to a contract that would see both sides investing $30 LAWSUIT continued on page 8

2 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • July 29, 2016

August 2016

Planning ahead... SUNDAY

MONDAY City Council CIP presentation 7:30 p.m., City Hall

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Board of Education business planning session 6 p.m.

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Board of Education business planning session 6 p.m.

SATURDAY

Summer Olympics start

City Council meeting 7:30 p.m., City Hall

Board of Architectural Review 7:30 p.m., City Hall

Planning Commission 7 p.m., City Hall

Board of Fire Wardens 7:30 p.m., Locust Avenue firehouse

Boat Basin Commission 7 p.m., Damiano Center

Sustainability Committee 7 p.m., City Hall

Rye Golf Club Commission 7 p.m. Cable & Communications Committee 7 p.m., Rye TV studio

Senior Citizens Day

World Rowing Championships start Summer Olympics end

School administrators’ retreat starts

Women’s Equality Day

Board of Architectural Review 7:30 p.m., City Hall

School administrators’ retreat ends

World Rowing Championships end

U.S. Open starts

New teacher orientation starts

Landmarks Committee 7 p.m., City Hall

New teacher orientation ends

July 29, 2016 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 3

2 Republicans square off in county DA primary By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer Two Westchester County Republicans will run for their party’s nomination in a Sept. 13 primary before the winner goes on to face Democratic nominee Anthony Scarpino for the county’s district attorney seat. Bruce Bendish, 69, the candidate who is being backed by the county Republican Party, will face Mitch Benson, 56, in a primary as a result of Benson securing enough petition signatures for the county’s top prosecutor seat. According to information from the Westchester County Board of Elections, Benson earned approximately 2,700 signatures to trigger the primary. The minimum number of signatures required for a Republican candidate seeking a countywide position is 2,000. Bendish amassed more than 4,000 signatures of support. And during the Westchester County Republican Convention in April, Bendish received support from about 75 percent of the more than 1,000 Republican delegates. Bendish, a White Plains attorney who has served as assistant district attorney in Westchester for 14 years—which included a stint as the head of the homicide bureau—said the motto of his campaign is “experience matters.” Bendish said he has tried cases in each of the county’s courts, and hundreds of cases as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney. His experience as a prosecutor included working with the county’s judges, making decisions about the viability of cases, requesting wire taps, and working with each of the county’s police departments. “I have familiarity with all of them,” Bendish said. “I’ve dealt with all of them and I will easily have a working relationship with all of them.” Benson, of New Rochelle, was a prosecutor for two decades in

Mitch Benson, left, and Bruce Bendish will face off in a Sept. 13 primary to represent the Republican Party in the race for Westchester County district attorney, with the winner then going on to face Democratic nominee Anthony Scarpino on Election Day. File photos

Brooklyn and then a prosecutor for another 10 years in Nassau County. Like Bendish, Benson also addressed his experience as a key to his success. “When the voters have a choice either in the primary or in the general election, they will realize the importance of having a career prosecutor in the office of the district attorney,” he said. However, unlike Bendish, who has served as a defense attorney for years, Benson has minimal experience as a defense attorney. Both candidates plan to focus their time in office, if elected, on the county’s growing heroin epidemic. “The most immediate and pressing concern is to ensure that we bring all of the most important resources to the heroin epidemic, which means bringing aggressive prosecution to dealers, making alternative sentencing available to appropriate candidates and then partnering with community groups such as schools to ensure that we educate the public,” Benson said. Bendish told the Review that his plan is to establish local drug courts, claiming that a drug court in each individual jurisdic-

tion would minimize recidivism, or the rate at which one relapses into criminal behavior. In addition to establishing drug courts across the county, Bendish said he wants to establish a veteran’s court in Westchester. There are 18 veteran’s courts across New York state, but none yet in Westchester, although one has been proposed in Yonkers. Harrison native James McCarty, a Republican, has occupied the county seat since January, when former District Attorney Janet DiFiore, a Democrat, was appointed as chief judge of the New York State Court of Appeals by Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The elected district attorney will serve until 2017, filling out DiFiore’s unexpired term, but would have to run again in 2017 to earn a full four-year term. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com

4 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • July 29, 2016

What’s going on... Rye Free Reading Room

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

Summer Thursdays @ 11: Smoothie and soup mania On Thursday, Aug. 4 from 11 a.m. to noon in the Meeting Room. Learn what’s in smoothies and soups, why are they good for you and why they taste so good. Get the inside scoop about those healthful and delicious meals in a glass or bowl. Brianne Brathwaite of Mrs. Green’s Natural Market in Rye will offer samples and demonstrations.

Leaves, seeds and flowers come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. In this workshop, participants will examine plant structures and special adaptations, learn how humans and animals use plants, and do hands-on activities. This program is proudly sponsored by the Auxiliary Board of the Rye Free Reading Room and the Woman’s Club of Rye/Children’s Philanthropy Section.

Practice ACT On Saturday, Aug. 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. in the Meeting Room. Detailed score reports highlighting personal strengths and weaknesses will be available at applerouth.com the Friday after the practice test, Aug. 12. Both the exams and the reports are free. Space is limited, so register at applerouth.com/signup. For more information, call 371-8000 or email Jill Steinberg at jsteinberg@ applerouth.com. Test takers should bring water, a snack, pencils and a calculator.

Congregation Emanu-El

Summer Science Fun Club: PLANTastics

Wine tasting and temple tour

On Friday, Aug. 5 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Meeting Room. For children in grades three to five. Online registration is required for this workshop. Visit 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.

On Thursday, Aug. 4 at 7 p.m. Come for deliciously paired summer white wine and cheeses, tour the synagogue with Rabbi Howard Goldsmith, and get to know some current congregants in a relaxing social summer atmosphere. RSVP by email at doconnor@congregationemanuel.org or call 967-4382 ext. 11.

For more information, visit congregationemanuel.org. Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester is located at 2125 E. Westchester Ave. in Rye.

Wainwright House Yoga and movement workshops The Wainwright House Yoga Training Academy will hold the following programs this summer and fall: Introductory workshop to child/teen yoga teacher training on Aug. 20 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Course hours count towards RCYS certification and are led by Yoga Mountain training specialists. RYS 200 Weekend Series, a RYS 200 10-weekend series beginning Sept. 23 with yoga masters Paula Heitzner, Patty Holmes and Susan J. Wright. Anatomy Trains, an international training taught by Laurice Nemetz on Oct. 1 and Oct. 2, is an anatomy and physiology workshop open to movement therapists. Housing will be available. For fees and information, call 967-6080, email registrar@wainwright.org or visit wainwright.org.

Rye Recreation For more information or to register for the programs, 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.

movement. Students will explore and construct six different toys throughout the unit. The camp will run Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to noon during the week of Aug. 15 in the Damiano Recreation Center. The sports camp fee is $270 for residents and $300 for non-residents.

Rye Town Park Summer Stories at Rye Town Park On Tuesday, Aug. 2 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.

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 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 Meeting House

Basketball camp

‘On the Wing’ photo exhibit

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 non-residents. 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.

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.

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 stonishing speeds. Fasten your seat belt, the race has begun.

Engineering for Kids Camp Children in grades K-2 will be able to take junior mechanical engineering toys classes this summer. These classes will introduce children to the fundamental concepts of energy, materials and

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.

July 29, 2016 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 5

Historian with Rye roots donates Fort Jay letter About 17 years ago, inspired by the purchase of several volumes of a popular 19th century journal, John Adler had an idea: make the American narrative more accessible to the public. So upon his retirement, the former advertising executive launched a multi-year endeavor to create a database of articles, images and ads scanned from the iconic Harper’s Weekly Magazine. Harper’s was the premiere chronicle of political events and literary commentary of its day, and Adler’s invention would help readers navigate thousands of stories from 1857 to 1916. One could find everything from headlines about Lincoln’s election to Thomas Nast’s cartoons denouncing slavery. This online trove, christened “HarpWeek,” was further complemented by academic essays and materials for educators. In 2003, Adler’s searchable scholarship “HarpWeek Presents Lincoln and the War” won recognition from the prestigious Gilder Lehrman Institute and an E-Lincoln Prize. More recently, Adler’s de-

votion to making history accessible brought him to Rye. A friend of Adler’s attended the John Jay Medal for Service Dinner this past June; he told Adler about the Jay Heritage Center, its efforts to preserve John Jay’s legacy in his hometown, and its growing collection of Jay letters and artifacts. Adler had in his possession an original letter from Albany signed by Jay in his first term as governor of New York state. The manuscript had belonged to his parents, Helen and Morton Adler, who had lived for more than 40 years on Purchase Lane in Rye. Now a resident of Greenwich, Connecticut, John Adler decided to give the historic document to the Jay Heritage Center. His family and sister Dotsy Potter were enthusiastic about the decision. The letter, dated Jan. 19, 1797, helps illustrate Jay’s efforts to expedite funding for new military structures on Governor’s Island at a time when Americans feared a war with France. “For the information of the

Legislature I have the Honor of laying before you Copies of certain Papers on the Subject of Fortifying the Harbour of New York.” As governor of his state, Jay also served as admiral of the Navy for New York; his focus on protecting Manhattan’s port had been born during the Revolutionary War and remained a priority. On Feb. 24, 1797, still awaiting word from the Legislature and anxious about New York’s vulnerability, Jay wrote to a colleague, “I am strongly impressed with the importance of our being always in a state of defence.” Thanks to his unwavering commitment, construction of a military structure later bearing his name, Fort Jay, moved forward. Today, the star-shaped military post is part of a national monument and attracts thousands of tourists each year. John Adler’s meaningful gift is framed with another valuable artifact, a wax impression of the first Great Seal of New York. This official emblem was designed by John Jay, Gouver-

John Adler and his family at the Jay Heritage Center. Contributed photo

neur Morris and John Sloss Hobart, and frequently attached to important transmissions. Introduced in 1777 and used until 1798, the seal’s design features a rising sun over mountains; these very same elements appear on a shield that is part of the magnificent Trophée d’Armes sculpture that crowns the front gate of Fort Jay.

“I had public service in mind… I wanted to make this content available to people,” Adler explained to a reporter who asked about his inspiration for HarpWeek. Once again, with public service in mind, Adler’s generous gifts to the Jay Heritage Center make another chapter in U.S. history more accessible to the public.

The 1797 letter from Governor Jay and wax seal are now on display at the Jay Mansion and can be seen during tours on Sundays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. History explorers can find and enjoy HarpWeek at harpweek.com and another valuable database, The Papers of John Jay, at dlc.library.columbia.edu/jay. (Submitted)

6 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • July 29, 2016

RyeCity REVIEW THE

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Trump accepts GOP nomination in Cleveland

Republicans from across the nation descended on the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, from July 18 to July 21, to take part in the official nomination of Donald Trump’s candidacy for president. In just 13 months, Trump went from announcing his candidacy, which came as a surprise to most political pundits, to presumptive

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Delegates of the GOP filter into the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Photos/Charles McLaughlin

Columnists John Carey, Rye City Council, Lenore Skenazy, Joe Murphy Letters

The community’s opinion matters. If you have a view to express, write a letter to the editor by email to chris@hometwn.com. Please include a phone number and name for verification purposes.

Community Events

New York State Sen. Terrence Murphy, a Yorktown Republican, is all smiles at the Republican National Convention.

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Donald Trump gives the thumbs up sign to delegates as he accepts the Republican nomination for president.

Newt Gingrich, former speaker of the house, addresses the media during the Republican National Convention.

nominee to accepting the party’s nomination as the clear choice after knocking out 16 opponents in a lengthy GOP primary season. His ascension to the top of the Republican ticket proved to be one of the most historic rises in modern political history. Trump will now go on to face CONTINUED on next page

July 29, 2016 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 7 former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, in the general election. In receiving the nomination, which he concluded with a more than an hourlong speech on July 21, Trump’s appeal to voters was viewed as an anti-establishment candidate who is fed up with what he has termed a “rigged”

political system. Trump’s political run brought out the most Republican voters in the history of the party’s primaries. But his candidacy has not come without controversy due to his rhetoric, which has been viewed as divisive and hateful by several groups. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Calls to “Lock her up” were heard throughout the four-day convention as delegates set their sights on Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Photos/Charles McLaughlin

-Reporting by Christian Falcone

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Guiliani, left, shakes hands with Douglas Colety, chairman of the Westchester County Republican Party, right, while Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino looks on.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz drew one of the biggest reactions of the convention when he was cascaded with a chorus of boos for refusing to endorse Donald Trump’s candidacy.

Donald Trump, right, talks with Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, his vice presidential running mate.

Trump supporters rally for the nomination of Donald Trump as the Republican Party’s candidate for president on the convention floor.

8 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • July 29, 2016

An update of happenings in Rye SENIOR INFORMATION SUBJECTS JOSEPH MURPHY

Two months ago in May, the Rye Senior Advocacy Committee received a complaint from a number of tenants from Rye Manor Senior Housing complex that a commercial garbage company was emptying dumpsters at unconscionable hours. Sleep was disrupted. Why did this happen? Well, the owners of the commercial property adjoining the complex were allowing the garbage trucks to pick up the garbage at irrational hours. Pickup schedules started at 3:30 a.m. or at 6 a.m. Tenants were awakened in terror to the unforgiveable noise. This senior advocate met with tenants and learned of this unfair practice. The issue was addressed by visiting the city manager and assistant city manager to alert them of the problem and have them intervene. In addition, a senior tenant wrote Mayor Joe Sack about her concern. There were then three approaches by three different sources to stop this practice and safeguard the seniors. Mayor Sack learned that the dumpsters would be moved in July. Well, I visited the site by midJuly, only to learn that three of the four dumpsters were moved just 10 yards further from their original location, which to some, may have given the appearance of improvement. But what is the real story? Yes, three of the four dumpsters were moved away from their location near the Rye Manor building, but there is still a fourth dumpster sitting in its original location with an excessive amount of garbage. Obviously, someone is filling it. But who is it being filled by, and why aren’t its contents removed? Could it be those from Harrison’s multiple housing dwellings whose tenants must now pay for their garbage removal because of a law passed in Harrison to save

taxpayers’ expenses by stopping the commercial garbage collections in residential buildings? Whoever is filling this fourth dumpster is causing its contents to decay without sanitary intervention. Does anyone care about the health of the senior tenants or the irresponsible dumping of garbage from unknown sources? Will this continuing error of public safety be ignored by our municipal government and corporate neighbor on whose property these dumpsters are located? This reporter will keep you apprised of the developments and meeting with the tenants at Rye Manor to collect additional information to resolve the problem. Another sad occurrence was experienced by the congregants of the Church of the Resurrection. One of the most beloved priests was removed on a flippant excuse that foreign-born priests could only stay in the parish they are assigned to for six years. But Father Joseph Lim was invited to come to the parish by one of the priests to assist in their parish work. Father Lim came from Texas soon after he finished a tour of duty with the U.S. Air Force after 23 years of service and two tours in the Middle East. Now I ask our readers, how many priests have served in the armed forces at great peril to themselves as in the case of Chaplain Lim? He was an American hero, yet viewed as a foreign-born priest. This author considers him a true American, having served as a chaplain to protect and safeguard the faith of our military personnel. Father Lim was a true soldier, giving his congregants faith, hope, love and devotion, all attributes credited to his services. Even when he was in Rye, he impacted all of us at Resurrection parish. We lost a true priest who will be remembered forever and never forgotten by the parishioners for his devotion to so many of us. All one had to do to affirm Father Lim’s gifts to us was to attend his last Mass in Resurrection and listen to the applause offered to him for his many ser-

vices. What else has occurred in Rye? Well, the city’s plan to open the Rye Golf Club, RGC, swimming pool to our seniors has been modified. Instead of the one-day per week plan, now our seniors can go swimming Monday through Friday, so long as they can show they are enrolled in the Rye Seniors group that meets at the Damiano Center from September to June. Any senior who enrolls in the Rye Seniors group for an annual fee of $10 will be permitted to use the golf club’s pool facilities, providing they pay a daily fee of $5 by check. This arrangement has been a long time coming, a good outcome which was announced at the Rye Senior Advocacy Committee meeting on July 21. This author now asks why a senior residing in Rye must be obligated to join a club to get approval to take advantage of the Rye Golf Club pool? It sounds a bit like subterfuge instead of giving the seniors the benefit of using the pool at a municipal club that they probably voted to approve the purchase of in 1964. So I ask the city fathers: why should seniors have to prove to an outside organization that they are “verifiable seniors” before they can take advantage of the pool facilities? Is this methodology a configuration of someone’s untrusting outlook, reminded by the criminal incident at the RGC fostered by a former employee who has since been indicted and imprisoned? While this program is quite an improvement, I would like to eventually see this arrangement modified. Ideally, senior residents who are not members of the Rye Seniors should be encouraged to join the RGC pool facilities directly by showing their personal identification to the RGC offices attesting to their personhood, as well as their residence in Rye, and once accepted, become members as seniors, providing they agree to comply with the procedure that they pay the daily rate of $5 by check. CONTACT: gunnerjpm@aol.com

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LAWSUIT from page 1

A legal dispute harkening to a previous disagreement in 2014 is brewing after the city of Rye retained attorney Michael Gerrard to address concern over the county’s declaration of lead agency at Playland Park. File photo

million in capital improvements to rides, facilities and the park’s ailing infrastructure, and would eventually transfer the sole management of the park to Standard. However, McCormack says that the county has the right to steer the future of Rye Playland, given its status as a county park. “The county is lead agency on reviews and all land use decisions,” he said. “And the logic for that is simple. If every county park is subject to municipal control, we wouldn’t have [a] county park system.” A debate over which body has agency over a review process and procedures regarding projects at the park harkens back to 2014, when both the county

and Rye battled over a controversial field house project that was eventually scrapped due to local opposition. The project, which was proposed by Sustainable Playland Inc., a prior management company that was selected by the county executive to manage the park, aimed to build an 82,000-square-foot field house on park grounds. As a result, Rye appealed to the DEC and both parties sought control over park projects’ official review. Eventually, after complications from the litigation as well as growing public opposition, Sustainable Playland withdrew its interest in the park.

Despite both battles being similar in nature, Sack says there is one key difference. While a prior dispute between the city and the county pre-empted a declaration of lead agency on Playland projects, the city is now working from behind. “At least the last time we became aware, therefore we were able to step in and protect our interests and preserve our rights,” the mayor said. “That’s what may necessitate the existence of the courts.” Representatives from Standard Amusements could not be reached for comment as of press time. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

July 29, 2016 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 9

HUD monitor resigns after 7 years

Ralph’s owner set to sue Mamaroneck

By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer The court-appointed monitor overseeing Westchester County’s compliance with a 2009 affordable housing settlement will resign seven years after accepting the assignment. James E. Johnson sent a letter to Judge Denise Cote on July 18, announcing his impending resignation, which he said would be on or before Aug. 10, his seven-year anniversary as monitor. Johnson did not disclose his reasoning for stepping down, but did say that he also retired from his law firm, Debvoise & Plimpton, in March. Johnson said he is committed to working with his replacement, who will be appointed by the U.S. Department of Justice following consultation with the county and approval by Cote. As a result of a 2009 settlement with the federal government under the watch of former County Executive Andrew Spano, a Democrat, Westchester agreed to build 750 units of affordable housing in 31 of its wealthiest communities by the end of 2016. However, Johnson’s letter suggested that he expected the terms of the settlement to continue beyond that timeframe. “Accordingly, the new monitor should recognize that the assignment may extend for months, if not years, beyond the end of this year,” he wrote. The relationship between Johnson and County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, has been shaky throughout the settlement. During his State of the County address in April, Astorino accused Johnson and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD, of making unfair demands of the county in order to provoke “a settlement that never ends.” Earlier in the year, Johnson had recommended that Cote hold the county in contempt of court and subject it to $60,000 fines. Ned McCormack, communications director for the county

The owner of a controversial business, Ralph’s Italian Ices and Ice Cream in Mamaroneck, may sue the village after the Zoning Board of Appeals voted to restrict the shop’s hours and impose a stricter review process. File photo

By JAMES PERO Staff Writer James E. Johnson, the court-appointed monitor who has been overseeing Westchester County’s compliance to a 2009 affordable housing settlement, will step down seven years after he was appointed to the post. Photo courtesy Debevoise.com

executive, told the Review, “The county’s position from the start is that Westchester will fully comply with its obligations under the settlement, but that the federal government has no right to expand the terms or the length of the agreement.” McCormack added that all the Astorino administration asks of the new monitor is that he looks at the terms of the settlement “objectively and fairly.” County Legislator Michael Kaplowitz, a Democrat and chairman of the county Board of Legislators, said he and the monitor have had a more cordial working relationship. He added that Johnson, while “far from perfect,” conducted his job professionally. “The monitor engaged in a very important study, the Huntington study, which has helped clear the way for a lot of communities to see that they do not have exclusionary zoning,” Kaplowitz said. In what turned out to be his final action as monitor, Johnson removed two communities from a list of seven which he recommended that HUD sue; Crotonon-Hudson, Harrison, Lewisboro,

Pelham Manor and Larchmont remain on the list. Both Kaplowitz and McCormack said that the county lawmakers and the administration, respectively, would work to meet but not exceed the terms of the settlement before the end of the year. But according to Cote, the county is currently in breach of the settlement. On July 8, Cote ruled that the county was violating two terms of the agreement. She claimed that the county failed to introduce and implement an affordable housing public education campaign, and that it failed to develop and submit an approved Analysis of Impediments, AI, a document which lists possible systemic roadblocks in creating affordable housing. The county has submitted eight AIs since the settlement, each of which has found no exclusionary zoning. HUD has rejected each of the county’s analyses. As a result of Cote’s ruling, the county was ordered to hire a consultant to help them complete the analysis. The county, however, has appealed the ruling. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com

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The owner of a controversial new Mamaroneck business, Ralph’s Italian Ices and Ice Cream, has threatened to sue after restrictions were tightened on the shop’s hours and zoning classification. “They allow you to open a business and then make decisions without any kind of due diligence,” said Scott Rosenburg, a Long Island resident and owner of Ralph’s. “I’ll file an appeal and I’ll sue them.” The impetus for Rosenburg’s suit comes after a determination by the village zoning board on Monday, July 18 that reduced the business’ hours and also mandated that Rosenburg apply for a special permit by Aug. 17, otherwise he could face the revocation of his certificate of occupancy. Prior to the zoning board’s decision, the business’ hours of operation ranged from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Satur-

day and 11 a.m. to midnight on Sunday. New stipulations by the zoning board dictate that until Rosenburg applies for the permit, Ralph’s will have to close at 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11:30 p.m. on weekends. When making their decision, zoning board Chairman Barry Weprin, who spoke to the Review regarding Ralph’s, said board members acknowledged that Ralph’s—which is currently classified as a retail establishment—should not be classified as such under the village’s zoning code. “The consensus among the board is that [Ralph’s] meets the definition of food service establishment,” he said. Village of Mamaroneck Mayor Norman Rosenblum, a Republican, who has attributed many of the problems spurred by Ralph’s to the business’ unforeseen success, said that if the situation comes down to litigation, it could be bad for everyone. “He has the same option as

the residents to sue,” Rosenblum said. “Neither side is going to be happy.” Potentially, Rosenburg could file an Article 78, which would appeal the zoning board’s decision and possibly end up in court. However, despite a potential lawsuit looming, Democratic Trustee Leon Potok said that the village always takes precaution to guard itself against litigation. “The outside attorneys retained to work with the [zoning board] and the other land use boards do a good job protecting the village,” Potok said. Fervor over Ralph’s has bubbled to the surface over the past several weeks after what residents have highlighted as onerous traffic conditions, unsightly garbage, and disruptive noise levels as a result of the business’ opening in May. While Ralph’s must apply for the special permit before Aug. 17, it has been permitted to stay in business in the interim. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

10 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • July 29, 2016

The City Council has got issues

The City Council of the city of Rye regularly convenes for public meetings at City Hall about twice a month, except during summer months, when the council meets once a month. These meetings are televised live on Cablevision on Channel 75, and Verizon on Channel 39. The meetings are also streamed live, and are available on demand via the city website at RyeNY.gov. The city of Rye regularly sends out email notifications to the city ListServe. These email notifications include published agendas in advance of council meetings, and announcements of special events and topics of interest. To sign up to receive these email notifications, please go to “E-Mail Subscriptions” on the left-hand side of the city website’s home page. Simply enter your email address and a password, and click on the subscriptions you would like to receive. Matters which have been discussed, and will continue to be discussed, at council

engage a professional planner to assist the city with a revision and update of the city’s “Master Plan.” • Rye Town Park Commission’s Request for Proposals to solicit proposals for continued operation of the restaurant facility adjacent to Oakland Beach. • The consideration of the expansion of the Port Chester-RyeRye Brook EMS/ambulance service to include the town/village of Harrison. • The study of the deer population in the city of Rye and potential methods to appropriately control that population. • The planned renovation of the central business district streetscape near the intersection of Purchase and Smith streets. • The city’s potential acquisition of the “Thruway Property” across the Post Road from Rye Country Day School for use as field space, and the city’s potential partnership with RCDS in doing so. These are just some of the dozens of issues that the City Council has on its plate. As always, the council encourages all residents to attend and participate at meetings, and to contact the council members directly.

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CityREVIEW T Harrison NewRochelle REVIEW THE

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INSIDE

THE COUNCIL CORNER Mayor Joe Sack

meetings include: • Crown Castle’s proposal for its partner Verizon Wireless to place 64 wireless antennas on various telephone poles in the city of Rye. A map of these locations and more relevant background information can be found attached to recent agendas on the city website, or by clicking on a special link on the home page. • A public referendum item approved by the City Council, to appear on the ballot on Election Day in November, which would amend the City Charter to create a new position of commissioner of public safety to oversee both the Rye police and fire departments. • Starwood Capital’s application before the Port Chester Village Board of Trustees to amend Port Chester’s zoning code to allow for the redevelopment of the former United Hospital site. • The New York State Thruway Authority’s plan to proceed with the “Last Mile” project along and including Interstate 95, from approximately the Interstate 287 interchange to the Connecticut border. • Westchester County’s plan to make certain improvements at Rye Playland. • The City Council’s efforts to

INSIDE WESTCHESTER COUNTY

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CONTACT: jsack@ryeny.gov

TIP from page 1

While the Police Department is entertaining more modern ways to allow residents to submit crime tips, it will also continue to maintain an anonymous tip hotline at 760-4243. In previous years, and under a different police administration, the Police Department was not keen on accepting anonymous tips, according to Serrano, but that has since changed. “People are more comfortable giving [tips] anonymously than giving their name and addresses,” he said. The city manager also credited the rise of social media as a means of obtaining information from younger individuals about potential crimes. “This day and age, with kids, social media and texting are useful,” he said. According to Serrano, Police Commissioner Michael Corcoran, who took over the position in February, has assigned a team of individuals that will be responsible for checking daily submissions that will then be rerouted to a division commander who will respond to the crime tip. Serrano

On July 15, the city of Rye Police Department began allowing residents to submit crime tips through a new program that incorporates anonymous texting, emailing and the department’s website. File photo

added that the tip program is the Police Department’s way of actively engaging the community. “Hopefully it works out well,” he said. It is also important to note that while there will be a police official administering the anonymous tips program, and a desk

officer monitoring the hotline, the anonymous submissions will not replace 911 calls for emergencies. Corcoran and police Lt. Robert Falk could not be reached for comment as of press time. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com

Meet Neely and Francie. Neely, the boy, is hilarious. He likes to nap all spread out with his little pot belly showing. Francie is a bit shyer, but quickly becomes your friend, you just have to let her sniff your fingers. These two 17-week-old kittens will play with anything they can putt-putt around the room. They chase each other and roll around the room like fuzzy little tumble weeds and also purr like mad—they sound like coffee pots on high. Francie always looks nice and tidy, and Neely’s just like a little boy—hair all crazy looking and disheveled, but in a very cute way. Neely and Francie can be adopted individually. They are both spayed/neutered, in excellent health, microchipped and up to date with all vaccinations. The adoption donation for each is $80. To meet these two darlings, contact Larchmont Pet Rescue at 835-3332 or 835-4133 or visit NY-PetRescue.org. (Submitted)

July 29, 2016 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 11

Harrison to roll out addiction program The Harrison Police Department has announced the creation of a program called Heroin Opiate Prevention Effort, HOPE, created to reach out to residents suffering with addiction. The program was announced during an emotional July 19 press conference held by state Sen. George Latimer, a Rye Democrat, and state Assemblyman David Buchwald, a White Plains Democrat, to honor the Police Department for its efforts to combat heroin use. “I am personally saddened by the events that led us here,” Harrison police Chief Anthony Marraccini said. “It’s time for law enforcement to reach out and be able to offer real assistance to people who suffer from addictions.” Last month, Harrison police arrested prominent heroin dealer Jeffrey “Flee” McCaskill, 27, and five others following the June deaths of Harrison residents Mark Rubinstein, 26, and Lauren Greer, 29. According to Marraccini, the department will open its doors to individuals seeking to combat their addiction with HOPE beginning as early as September. The program will allow addicts to surrender drugs and drug paraphernalia without the threat of incarceration. Marraccini said the Police

Legislator: Standard breached contract

Harrison police Chief Anthony Marraccini announced the creation of an addiction help program called Heroin Opiate Prevention Effort, HOPE, on July 19. Photo/Andrew Dapolite

Department has partnered with SOBA College Recovery, an addiction help organization located in New Brunswick, New Jersey, that will provide residents with addiction help counseling and proper rehabilitation. “I pray that something gets done today, and changes are made,” said John Greer, the father of Lauren Greer. “The drugs that are out there are so dangerous that if something is not done, more people are going to die right in this town.” John Greer also warned that if the judicial system failed to “send a message” to the arrested drug dealers, more residents

would lose the battle to drugs. Peter Rubinstein, father of Mark Rubinstein, alluded to the ongoing battle against narcotics as a deadly disease that develops over time. “Kids are impressionable from kindergarten through college,” he said. In June, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, signed legislation that aims to address the ongoing heroin and opioid crisis statewide. According to Latimer, the state will provide $141 million for efforts to combat heroin addiction, plus an additional $25 million in funding for state-operated treatment centers. -Reporting by Franco Fino

An agreement transferring control of Rye Playland struck between Westchester County and Standard Amusements in March is facing some scrutiny after the management company was granted an extension of its first significant payment to the county. The reason for the extension, according to county officials, is a looming decison over the fate of the Playland pool, pictured. Photo/Chris Courtney

By JAMES PERO Staff Writer According to one Westchester County lawmaker, less than three months into a 30-year deal transferring control of countyowned Rye Playland to management company Standard Amusements, the private group has already breached contract, failing to make its first payment to the county. “[Standard] missed their first contractual payment,” said county Legislator Ken Jenkins, a Yonkers Democrat. “We’re just giving away too much control.” According to Jenkins, who opposed the contract that turned control of the amusement park over to Standard, the company’s first payment of $1.75 million—$250,000 of which was already paid to the county upon the contract’s approval in March—was due on June 15. Specifically why the rest of the payment wasn’t made, Jenkins said, is still unbeknownst to him and his fellow lawmakers. “There has been no information as to why they did not make the payment,” Jenkins said. “It’s possible that they didn’t know what we were going to do with [Playland’s] pool.” On July 21—more than a month after the initial payment was due—a letter from Deputy County Executive Kevin Plunkett to Standard granted the company an extension for its

first payment until Sept. 30; a date that coincides with the county Board of Legislators’ revised deadline for deciding the fate of the Playland pool, a decision that was initially supposed to be finalized by July 31. Matt Richter, communications director for the board, who described Jenkins’ characterization of a “missed payment” as inaccurate, said that negotiations about the pool have played a central role in the decision to grant Standard an extension. “[Standard] was worried about the fate of the pool,” Richter said, adding that both parties had maintained communication over the issue prior to the June 15 payment deadline. “There was never any discrepancy; never an expectation that wasn’t met.” Richter said that both parties agreed that if a payment extension was imminent, wiring the $1.5 million to the county wouldn’t be necessary. Currently, the future of Playland’s pool is under scrutiny by the Board of Legislators, which will consider several bond acts to either renovate the pool— which continues to leak significant amounts of water daily—or to remove it completely. According to Board of Legislators Chairman Michael Kaplowitz, a Yorktown Democrat who spoke about the pool last month during a committee meeting, Standard has little

interest in keeping the pool. But for county Legislator Catherine Parker, a Rye Democrat, the pool’s removal is a deal breaker for her. “If that was [Standard’s] intention to demolish the pool, the Board of Legislators should have been told that upfront,” Parker said. “A decision like that could’ve cost support for the agreement.” Currently, according to a Standard Amusements representative, the company envisions the site of the pool as a spot for “light refreshments” and an “open veranda.” A contract between Standard and the county, however, leaves the future of the site open to interpretation by the company. Projections put the cost of filling and removing the pool at approximately $2.7 million, while estimates to rehabilitate the pool have come in at $9.5 million, according to a recent county Labor, Parks, Planning and Housing Committee meeting. Now, the Board of Legislators will have approximately 60 days to come to a decision over what it wants to do with Playland’s ailing pool, otherwise Standard has the option to exit the agreement as per the contract. Representatives for Standard Amusements could not be reached for comment as of press time. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

12 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • July 29, 2016

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July 29, 2016 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 13

Amazons, Prime RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy

Years ago, when Marcia Zug read a GQ magazine article about mail-order brides, she was revolted. A high-flying New York City photographer, fed up with all the demanding models he was dating, wanted to find a subservient woman to make him happy. So he ordered a pretty bride from a foreign country. When the bride got here, he found her annoying, too, so he sent her home—pregnant with his child—and went back to dating models. Zug never forgot that piece. And even after she left her hometown of Manhattan to become a professor of family and immigration law at the University of South Carolina, she felt she had to expose the evil men who get their brides by mail. She delved into her research and guess what? Now she’s married to a very different narrative. “I’m not suggesting that this is the marital path for everybody,” Zug said in a phone call. But in her new book, “Buying a Bride: An Engaging History of Mail-Order Matches,” she presents “the exact opposite idea” she went in with. Far from depressing and degrading, mailorder matrimony “can actually be a very good choice for certain people in certain situations.” Yes, even for the women. The book starts at the very dawn of mail-order love: Jamestown, Virginia, circa 1600. Unlike New England, which was settled by families, Jamestown was settled by men. Not only were conditions horrendous—one settler described it as “hell, a misery, a death”—there weren’t even any English-speaking women to

commiserate with. Some men high-tailed it home; others married Native American women and went to live in their villages. (Far comfier than Jamestown!) In desperation, the Virginia Company decided to try attracting Englishwomen. The incentive was to pay their dowries. For young women toiling as servants just to save up enough to marry, the offer was liberating, and about 140 came over. They got to choose their husbands and seem to have been treated quite well, thanks to the laws of supply and demand. In fact, real laws were written to keep them happy. They could, for instance, legally break an engagement—something they couldn’t do back in England. Fast-forward to the western frontier a couple hundred years later, when once again, American men were heading out, and women weren’t. As much as these men needed wives, some women back east needed husbands, including women appalled by the local prospects, like the gal who placed this ad in a Missouri paper in 1910: “Attractive women, not a day over 30, would be pleased to correspond with eligible man…. Would prefer one with property, but one with a good paying position would be satisfactory. The young lady is of medium height, has brown hair and gray eyes, not fat, although, most decidedly, she is not skinny. Her friends say she is a fine looking woman. Object matrimony. Reason for this advertisement, the young woman lives in a little dinky town, where the best catches are the boys behind the counters in the dry goods and clothing stores, and every one of ‘em is spoken for by the time he is out of his short pants.”

Gosh, I’d marry her—what spunk. Zug found little evidence of exploitation or mistreatment of these brides, and if you fastforward to the current day, the same still holds. Today, American men seeking brides can go on the computer and meet prospects as easily as online dating. Most of the women live in Asia or Eastern Europe. And while it seems like a terrible imbalance—seemingly any schlub with U.S. citizenship can attract a desperate catch from overseas—what’s really happening is a better marriage market for everyone. “The women come from countries where their prospects are not great,” says Zug. Some live where they’re not allowed to pursue a career. Some live where they are worthless if divorced, widowed, already have children, or are simply too old, at perhaps 25. These ladies look to America, and the path to get here is marriage. “The part that’s overlooked,” says Zug, “is that these men are often much more attractive to them than the men they see in their countries.” For their part, the men are not allowed to marry women sight unseen. Legally they must meet at least once before they marry, and the mail-order sites organize trips to meet the prospects. Once here, says Zug, the brides not only have far rosier prospects than back home, they often make the men shape up, too. As in, “I’m learning a whole new language. Go get your GED!” And unlike the GQ article, many of these couples live happily ever after—maybe even happier than most, since everyone likes to get a surprise in the mail. CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com

Rye City

Official Newspaper Rye Schools

Be prepared for summer safety: Learn CPR School’s out and summer is finally here. If your summer safety plan consists of stocking bandages, anti-bacterial spray and sunscreen, you might be missing an important lifesaving tool—CPR. If a family member, friend or infant in your care had a cardiac emergency, could you recognize the signs and respond quickly and appropriately? This summer season, the American Heart Association, AHA, encourages families to be prepared for summer safety by learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR. With the swimming season and hot weather upon us, people should be prepared to act in case of a medical emergency. Accidents, choking and drowning are leading causes of death in children. Every day, about 10 people die from unintentional drowning, according to the Centers for Disease Control, CDC. Of these, two out of the 10 are children aged 14 or younger. Children ages 1 to 4 have the highest drowning rates. The fatal drowning rate of African-American children ages 5 to 14 is almost three times that of white children in the same age range. Learning CPR can help save lives in cases of drowning. Pool safety like locking gates, pool alarms, and closely monitoring children near pools and bodies of water are key to preventing drowning. Children and beginner swimmers should take swimming lessons and never swim alone. Find a local Heartsaver CPR class at cpr.heart.org. CPR is also vital when sudden cardiac arrest—a leading cause of death in America— strikes without warning. Nearly 326,000 out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrests occur annually in the United States. According to the American Heart Association, 90 percent of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die. But CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival. Since 2008, the American

The man pictured is performing hands-only CPR, an important lifesaving tool for those having a cardiac emergency. Photo courtesy American Heart Association

Heart Association has recommended that when you witness an adult or teen suddenly collapse to use hands-only CPR— CPR without breaths. Hands-only CPR teaches basic steps: First, call 911 and then push hard and fast on the center of the chest until professional help or an AED arrives. By using handsonly CPR, bystanders can still act to improve the odds of survival, whether they are trained in conventional CPR or not. The AHA encourages everyone to view a one-minute hands-only CPR video at heart.org/handsonlycpr. Here are 10 pool and swimming safety tips from the CDC, the American Heart Association and PoolSafety.gov: • The American Heart Association recommends that if you have a swimming pool, learn CPR. Find classes at cpr.heart.org. • Install pool safety like selfclosing and self-locking gates, and pool alarms—and use them all the time. Latches should be out of reach of children. • Closely monitor children near pools and bodies of water to prevent drowning. No adult supervision? No swimming! Everybody out of the water!

• Because drowning occurs quickly and quietly, adults should not be involved in any other distracting activity (such as reading, playing cards, talking on the phone or mowing the lawn) while supervising children, even if lifeguards are present. • Supervisors of preschool children should provide “touch supervision,” be close enough to reach the child at all times. • Air-filled or foam toys are not safety devices. Don’t use air-filled or foam toys, such as “water wings,” “noodles” or inner-tubes, instead of life jackets. These toys are not life jackets and are not designed to keep swimmers safe. Plastic “water wings” or “floaties” can fall off while the child is in the water. • Never use floatation devices in lieu of supervision. • Watch children near any water, even in small plastic pools of less than 2 inches of water. • Children and beginner swimmers should take swimming lessons and never swim alone. • Avoid alcohol. Avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming, boating, or water skiing. Do not drink alcohol while supervising children. (Submitted)

@ ryecityreview

14 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • July 29, 2016

SPORTS

The first cut is the deepest LIVE MIKE Mike Smith

The great thing about sports is that, even when you think you’ve seen it all, the game always finds a way to surprise you. Whether it be an epic upset, an improbable catch or an impressive pitching performance, the one underlying fact about sports is that it has the ability to make you think, “What in the heck did I just see?” And it doesn’t always have to be on the field, either. On Saturday night, White Sox ace Chris Sale was slated to take the mound against the Detroit Tigers, in what many speculated to be his last start for Chicago’s north-side club before he was shipped off to a contender at the trade deadline. Shortly before the game was scheduled to begin, however, news came down that Sale had been removed from the lineup. At this time of year, a late

scratch like that generally only means one thing: The White Sox and a Sale-suitor were obviously close to hammering out a deal for the lanky left-hander. But this weekend, truth was stranger than fiction indeed. The reports came flying in on Twitter: Sale was traded, Sale was hurt, Sale had the flu. But then, the truth came out. Sale, unhappy with the White Sox’s decision to play the game in the team’s ugly, collared, throwback uniforms, did the only logical thing a rational human being would do in that scenario: he went into the clubhouse during his team’s batting practice session, grabbed a knife, and sliced up all the jerseys. I’ve been a sports fan all my life; I’ve seen all manner of clubhouse disputes find their way past locked doors, but this one? This one is a real doozy. However, as with all clubhouse explosions, one would have to imagine this goes a bit deeper than the sartorial choices of the

White Sox. Sale has been at odds with the Sox management all season long. From the flap about team officials asking Adam LaRoche to limit the amount of time his son spent in the clubhouse—a move that led to LaRoche’s retirement and some protestations from White Sox players, including Sale—to his displeasure with the team’s general inability to win games, and the swirling trade rumors, this was a potential maelstrom just waiting to boil over. Add to that, the reports that Sale had previously asked the White Sox to forgo the throwbacks on days he was pitching. He said it interfered with his delivery, and this became a perfect storm of frustration. Does that make Sale’s slashhappy actions justified? Definitely not, but it at least puts them in perspective. So what happens now? In 2008, when Manny Ramirez was in the midst of his acrimonious departure from the

On July 23, White Sox pitcher Chris Sale was scratched from Chicago’s lineup after cutting up his team’s jerseys prior to the game. As far as wacky clubhouse disputes go, Sports Editor Mike Smith thinks this might be a first. Photo courtesy Keith Allison

Red Sox, it was his mid-summer altercation with a clubhouse attendant that proved to be the final straw. A few weeks later, the right-handed slugger had his bags packed and was on his way to Los Angeles. I would imagine the same will

be true for Sale. The White Sox suspended him for five games, which, given the schedule for a starting pitcher, is more symbolic than anything else. But I bet that he’ll be shipped off to greener pastures before his spot in the rotation comes around again.

I don’t know where he’s going to end up, or what the White Sox are going to get for him, but let’s hope they can snag a new batch of throwback uniforms in return.

Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports

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

SPORTS

Ott breaks county mark By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor On July 25, the Westchester County Swimming Association kicked off its 91st annual County Championships at Lake Isle Country Club in Eastchester. Over the next two weeks,

swim and dive teams from all across the area will vie for a county championship, but on the event’s opening day, it was Rye resident Devon Ott who shined the brightest, as the diver set a new county record with a terrific performance. Ott, diving for the Shenorock

Devon Ott looks on as her name is announced as the first-place finisher at the 91st annual 13U Westchester County Swimming and Diving Championships on July 25. Ott edged her close friend and teammate Maddy Seltzer to claim the title.

Julia Hricay prepares to enter the water on July 25. Photos/Mike Smith

Shore Club, scored an impressive 214.30 on Monday—which was enough for a first-place finish in the 13U division—and shattered the previous record of 205.25, which was set by Westchester Country Club’s Carolina Sculti in 2012. The Shenorock diver has been competing at Counties for the past three years. “I’m really happy, I expected to make it, but I didn’t expect to get first,” she said. “I felt like I had a good chance, but I wasn’t quite sure.” According to the 13U champ, it was especially important to execute correctly on Monday because of the stiff competition. Ott’s Shenorock teammate Riley Vincent took fourth place with a score of 150.80, Yasmin Hill from the Briarcliff Country Club placed third with a score of 153.20, and Scarsdale’s Madelyn Seltzer took Ott right to the limit, scoring 212.60. “Maddy and I both dive at the Greenwich YMCA and we’ve both been diving competitively for three years now,” Ott said. “We’re close friends too, and we’ve been so supportive of each other, so it’s been really fun.” If Ott’s performance represented the pinnacle of success

at Counties, however, there are a number of other divers looking to eventually make their mark on the competition. Lauren DeLucia, 11, from Lewisboro, entered into Monday’s event as the day’s youngest participant and finished ninth with a score of 138.35. She said she was happy with her first experience at the County Championships and hopes to do better next year. “I think I did well for my age,” DeLucia said. “I finished ninth and the top eight get medals so next year, I’m going to work harder to get a better place.” The results were announced for the girls’ competition on Monday, and the boys’ competition resumed the next day due to the rain. August Hibler from Pound Ridge won the boys 13U event. The 14 to 17 divers competed on July 26, after press time, and the swimming portion of the County Championships will be held on Aug. 1 to Aug. 5 at the Rye Playland pool. As dive champs, both Hibler and Ott have earned the chance to head to Playland and cheer on their teammates next week. “I’m excited,” Ott said. “I’m excited to see what happens next and everything that goes forward.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com

July 29, 2016 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 15

Devon Ott from the Shenorock Shore Club prepares to dive at Lake Isle Country Club on July 25. Ott broke the county record in the 13U competition, scoring a 214.30.

Lauren DeLucia from the Lewisboro Town Swim Team soars through the air.

16 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • July 29, 2016

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