September 9, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 37 | www.ryecityreview.com
Rye-ACT coalition awarded 5-year grant know we have more funding for the group, we can move forward and plan ahead,” Killian said. In May, Rye-ACT revealed The drug and alcohol prevention organization Rye-Action for the results of a 2014 statewide Children and Teens Community New York State Office of AlCoalition, Rye-ACT, has been coholism and Substance Abuse awarded a five-year, $125,000-a- Services, OASAS, survey of year federal grant to support public school students to collect work of the coalition and im- data around student attitudes and prove the group’s infrastructure, behavior regarding drugs and alRye running back Jamie following its application in mid- cohol. The survey reported that Chabot dives for an extra a startling amount of Rye High March. yard in a win against “People are overwhelming- School students indulge in inBeacon on Sept. 3. On ly thrilled about what we have creasing quantities of alcohol, Sept. 10, Rye will take on started,” said Julie Killian, a prescription medication and 2016 Vol. 4, Number | www.cityreviewnr.com Harrison in the annual rivalry September 9, Rye City|councilwoman and co-25marijuana. game. For more on ‘The Six former Rye High School founder of Rye-ACT. “I think Game’, visit our special there’s a sense of relief from ev- students have died of drug and section beginning on page eryone knowing that the group is alcohol-related causes since 16. Photo/Mike Smith 2014, and there is concern that here to help.” The drug and alcohol coali- drug use is increasing in the area. The Rye-based organization plans to use the grant money to specifically fund training pro- tion is comprised of individuals grams and support operations from the Rye City Police Dethat provide education and infor- partment, City Council, school mation to parents about drug use district, Rye Youth Council, loand abuse, according to Nancy cal clergy, and St. Vincent’s Pasquale, one of the organiza- Hospital Westchester, located in tion’s co-founders who also sits the town/village of Harrison. It on the Rye City Board of Edu- also has representatives from the Westchester County Department cation. Ryan Iarocci, the city’s other ing her quest to make it as a fireRye-ACT, which started as a of Health, local city businesses, recent hire, is also coming from fighter. conversation in 2011, and offi- health care-based prevention the now defunct department in “I think everyone faces their cially became a group in 2013, professionals, parents, memPort Chester. own obstacles,” she said. “But previously operated under the bers of the media, and advocates Fong, having been the only fe- there’s a lot of strength require- guidance of the Westchester from the YMCA. male firefighter to come through ments that may have been harder Community Coalition, a countyAccording to Pasquale, the the Westchester Academy and for me as a woman.” wide organization that oversees goal of the group is to help the only female firefighter in So far, both Fong and Iaroc- and mentors smaller drug and keep the Rye community safe Port Chester, is used to facing ci’s welcome from the rest of the alcohol prevention coalitions. and healthy by reducing underadversity, however. city Fire Department as well as Rye-ACT was awarded a one- age drinking and drug use, and “Being a woman, I didn’t the Rye City Council has been year federal grant to move from creating a more knowledgeable have anyone in my family that warm. a startup to an independent orgawas a firefighter,” she said, not“We were fortunate that we nization last year. “Now that we RYE-ACT continued on page 9 ing that the lack of connections were able to get fully trained can make it harder for one to se- firefighters,” said Councilman Follow us on Twitter @ryecityreview cure a job. Richard Mecca, a Republican. Strength training, Fong said, Like us on facebook.com/ryecityreview FD continued on page 11 has also been an obstacle dur-
GAME ON!
Rye Fire Department hires first female firefighter By JAMES PERO Staff Writer With the addition of two new paid firefighters to Rye’s roster, the city Fire Department isn’t just getting back up to snuff; it’s also making history. Cea Fong, one of two new additions to the Rye Fire Department after two firefighters retired in July, marks the first-ever career female firefighter to serve within the city’s ranks. “It’s a good feeling,” Fong said. “Being a firefighter is something I wanted my whole life. I worked really hard to get
that job the first time, so having a chance to stay with this career is great.” While Fong said she’s elated to join the department, her addition to the city roster comes after a brief but tumultuous stint following an abrupt cut to Port Chester’s paid firefighting staff, when she and three other staff members lost their jobs in May this year. “It was terrible what was done to them in Port Chester,” said John Castelhano, president of the Rye fire union. “But Rye stepped up and did something good.”
By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer