RyeCity REVIEW THE
April 21, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 16 | www.ryecityreview.com
DECISION POINT Weighing his political future, Joe Sack sat down with the Review to reflect on his time as mayor of the city of Rye, and what lies ahead for the moderate Republican. For story, see page 6. Photo/Jen Parente
Rosenblum ready to unseat Parker in county race By JAMES PERO Staff Writer Village of Mamaroneck Mayor Norman Rosenblum, a Republican, has solidified his decision to run for higher office against two-term incumbent Westchester County Legislator Catherine Parker, a Rye Democrat. “My decision to seek higher office is based on only one philosophy,” Rosenblum told the Review ahead of his official campaign announcement scheduled for Friday, April 21, after press time. “And that is what position can I best represent my community and look to improve current situations?” Rosenblum’s decision to run for a county legislative seat will act as a leap forward from his helm as village mayor, a post he has maintained since 2009 on a mostly Democratic Board of Trustees. At 74, this will be Rosenblum’s first-ever bid for higher office, and
potentially his toughest race yet. Parker, who served as a Rye City councilwoman between 2008 and 2013, won convincingly in 2015 against her previous opponent—Susan Watson, of Rye—securing 59 percent of the vote. On a Democratic-majority county Board of Legislators, Parker has often been a vocal critic of County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, many times aligning herself with the board’s staunchest Democratic lawmakers. When asked about facing off against the two-term incumbent Parker, Rosenblum said, “I am not running against anyone, I’m running for a position… If you like what I do, vote for me.” Having served four terms as part of the political minority in Mamaroneck, Rosenblum is also no stranger to heated partisan politics. At times, relations on the village Board of Trustees have taken
FD policy changes enacted; new chiefs installed By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer
contentious turns, culminating this past year when Rosenblum unsuccessfully filed a lawsuit against board Democrats that sought to subdue a referendum against his powers of appointment. According to Rosenblum, among the issues compelling him to seek higher office are flood mitigation—a problem shared by communities across the Sound Shore region—and an ongoing opioid epidemic that has rippled ROSENBLUM continued on page 8
The Rye Fire Department will rectify one remaining state violation with the addition of its newly elected fire chief, according to the city manager. Rye City Manager Marcus Serrano said the city has resolved the remaining violation relating to the training of the department’s volunteer fire chief with the promotion of David Larr to the post. Volunteer Capt. Dan Bochicchio, a member of the Milton Point Engine and Hose Company, one of Rye’s three fire companies, has also been promoted to assistant chief. The addition of Larr, who previously served in the department as the assistant fire chief prior to the appointment, marks the end of the city’s struggle to remedy 20
violations from the state Public Employee and Health Bureau, PESH, which provides policy guidance and conducts unannounced mandatory inspections for violations of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. In January, PESH, which covers all state and local government workplaces, determined the Fire Department was in violation of 19 serious procedural policy and operational standards. The department was also handed one minor violation. However, the announcement of a newly elected volunteer fire chief comes with added significance, as the department is also set to undergo several changes related to supervision, based on recommendations from the new Public Safety Commissioner Michael Corcoran. FD continued on page 11