January 20, 2017

RyeCity REVIEW THE

January 20, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 3 | www.ryecityreview.com

11 companies interested in RTP food operation

Fresh and Fast Dig Inn, a popular Manhattan-based eatery, has touched down in Westchester. Located at the Rye Ridge Shopping Center in Rye Brook, the restaurant offers healthy, fast-casual bowls filled with grains, vegetables and protein, and more. For more, see page 6.

Photo courtesy Dig Inn

By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer

Council to retool local law prior to Crown Castle decision

By JAMES PERO Staff Writer A City Council decision on a controversial proposal from telecom contractor Crown Castle to install additional wireless equipment outside of city residences will be pushed back while the council attempts to reshape city telecommunications law.

At a City Council meeting two weeks ago, the city’s outside counsel, attorney Joe Van Eaton of the firm Best, Best, & Krieger, who was hired by the city to help navigate the proposal in July, explained that the city would be

undergoing a revamp of its local law governing the city’s authority over telecommunications.

According to City Attorney Kristen Wilson, the city’s law— Chapter 196 of the city’s code— will be reworked over the next month and then sent back to the council to undergo a round of public hearings.

The chapter, Wilson said, was originally written in the early 2000s and has not been updated since. The focus of the provisions retooling, according to Wilson, will be to give the city broader control of just what can and can’t happen in the city’s

“right of way”; a term that encompasses the areas containing city telephone poles, many of which are located just outside of residences.

Wilson said aesthetics will be among the factors dictating the city’s revamped laws.

“Our goal is to ensure that the new law applies to the right of way,” Wilson said. “And there will be a preference—to put it generically—the smaller, the better.”

Since the issue over Crown Castle’s proposal to install more than 60 nodes—wireless signalemitting equipment—boiled to

the surface in July 2016, potentially adverse impacts on property values have risen as the chief concern amongst opposition.

To help further quell any such impact on residents’ property values, Wilson said the city and its consultants will also attempt to divert the addition of any nodes away from private property, with a preference for public structures instead.

The idea to install new equipment on city-owned property was broached in a proposal given to the city by consultants CROWN continued on page 8

Despite the Rye Town Park Commission’s refusal to reveal any of the solicitors interested in managing some type of food operation at the park this year, the Review has acquired nine of the 11 proposals.

The respondents submitted offers to operate either one, some or all of the food facilities at the park, following the commission’s request for letters of intent, which was sent out by the commission in December.

According to Rye Town Supervisor Gary Zuckerman, a Democrat and president of the commission, he does not plan on releasing any details of the proposals any time soon. “At this time, I’m not sure we’re going to release them,” he said. “It could affect our contract negotiations.”

But the Review has learned that short-term restaurant proposals, which were due by Jan. 12, were submitted by the owners of Longford’s Ice Cream, of Rye; Walter’s Hot Dogs, in Mamaroneck; The Barley House, of Thornwood; Anthony’s NY Hot Dogs & More, of New Rochelle; the LI Sound Restaurant Group, which owns Trevi in the town/ village of Harrison; and the owners and operators of Sunset Grille and Valentino’s Cucina of Norwalk, Connecticut.

Additionally, the Spillane’s Restaurant Group—which owns venues throughout Westches-

ter County and New York City, including Molly Spillane’s in Mamaroneck and Mickey Spillane’s in Eastchester—in partnership with COFFEED Corporation, has offered to operate a traditional American restaurant called The Landing. COFFEED is a New York-based group that specializes in artisan coffee that owns 12 venues throughout the metropolitan area and one in Seoul, South Korea.

Homestyle Caterers Inc., which began with Morley’s Steak and Seafood Restaurant in Yonkers, has also submitted a proposal to operate the park’s restaurant. The group manages a number of establishments, including the food services at Yonkers’ Dunwoodie Golf Course, the Putnam National Golf Course in Mahopac, and the Westchester County Center in White Plains. Further, the group manages the food services at the Blue Hill Golf Course in Pearl River, in Rockland County, and owns two Nathan’s fast food franchises.

And there is also a submission from Westchester Food Service and International Snack Bar Company, which operates a handful of municipal venues throughout the county, to serve traditional New Englandstyle food, consisting of salads, wraps, burgers, fish tacos; there’s also an option to operate the restaurant’s beach bar.

RTP continued on page 9

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2 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • January 20, 2017

Month 00, 2016 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 3

Cuomo pins inflated taxes on local lawmakers

By JAMES PERO Staff Writer With a pit stop at SUNY Purchase College this week, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, completed another leg of his unorthodox statewide State of the State tour, criticizing Westchester lawmakers for cumbersome taxes.

On Tuesday, at the college’s Performing Arts Center, Cuomo addressed Westchester County constituents and lawmakers on both the current standing of the state as well as his vision for New York’s future, foregoing a usual singular address to the state’s Legislature for six smaller ones.

Cuomo touted the state’s success in passing marriage equality legislation and paid family leave, and the passage of a bill raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Reflection on the state’s significant spending cuts, however, took a front seat in his 45-minute address.

“New York state was spending more money than the people in the state were earning,” said Cuomo, standing in front of a projection showing previous governors’ rates of spending.

“Let me say that again; the spending increase in New York was higher than the increase in the wages of the people of the state of New York.”

According to the governor’s office, state spending has fallen to a generational low rate of 1.4 percent of inflation, compared to previous administrations—including that of Cuomo’s father, Mario Cuomo, a Democrat, and Republican George Pataki—which hovered around 6.5 percent.

The governor’s most pointed comments, however, were aimed at local and county-elected officials, who he criticized for levying burdensome property tax rates, which he stated are “killing this state.”

To mend the growing strain the state’s property tax—the highest in the country, with Westchester County being the epicenter—has put on residents, Cuomo said it’s incumbent, not on the Legislature, but regional governments, to work together to bring costs down.

“You pay high taxes, don’t be mad at me. I’m only the little yellow bar,” Cuomo said pointing to a bar showing the disparity between the median state in-

In an unorthodox tour that will not feature a direct address to the state Legislature, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, continued his, six-event, statewide tour, at Purchase College this week. Photo/Andrew Dapolite

come tax and local property taxes; $1,800 to $4,700, respectively.

To reel in costs, Cuomo announced an initiative that would require every county outside of New York City to prepare a plan to help “streamline” government and cut waste.

That plan, according to the governor’s synopsis, would be prepared by each county’s chief executive and would then be subject to public hearings, critiques from the county’s legislative body and local lawmakers, and ultimately a ballot vote by public referendum that would sign the plan into action.

According to a statement from Cuomo’s office, the plan would need to “demonstrate real, recurring savings in costs and not simply shift burdens to other taxpayers.”

“These 425 local governments in [Westchester] county very rarely come together, sit together, plan together, cooperate together, and find out how to save money,” Cuomo said, prefacing his initiative.

Though Cuomo has positioned the plan as a way of bringing voters and lawmakers together to cut costs, not all elected officials in attendance agreed with his characterization of their legislative processes.

Town of Mamaroneck Supervisor Nancy Seligson, a Democrat, who attended Cuomo’s address, said Cuomo’s portrayal of fractious or withdrawn government operations was inaccurate.

Seligson said local and county officials already hold a large number of events that aim to bring lawmakers together, including a monthly dinner organized by the Westchester Municipal Officials Association— which consists of 45 towns, villages, and cities countywide— where members discuss areas of

mutual concern.

Likewise, Chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators Michael Kaplowitz, a Yorktown Democrat who was also in attendance for Cuomo’s address, said the address to local lawmakers was “unproductive.”

“The state creates many of the problems we face,” Kaplowitz told the Review. “A huge percentage of our budget is mandated, we don’t have the opportunity to control those costs.”

Currently, 75 percent of the county’s budget comes from mandates from both the federal and state governments, the most substantial of which is the county’s contributions to Medicaid costs.

Already, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, who stated that he did not receive an invitation to the governor’s address, has criticized Cuomo’s claim that county officials are responsible for ballooning property tax rates.

“Mr. Cuomo blatantly suggested that my administration is responsible for state-driven property tax hikes,” said Astorino in a statement following the speech. “I would remind the governor that I have never once raised the county tax levy—not for seven straight years—while Mr. Cuomo’s state mandates have ravaged county, municipal and school budgets.”

In 2014, Astorino ran against Cuomo in a bid for governor but lost by a substantial margin.

Pundits believe Astorino is again mulling another gubernatorial run in 2018.

After press time, Cuomo will complete the final leg of his sixevent statewide tour, making stops in Long Island, Syracuse, and a penultimate address in Albany.

CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

4 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • January 20, 2017

What’s going on...

Rye Free Reading Room

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

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

Pajama Storytime On Thursday, Jan. 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Children’s Room. For ages 3 and up and their grown-ups. Come in your PJs and bring your favorite blankie and teddy bear and join the librarians for stories, songs, and a bedtime snack on the last Thursday of every month.

Ryebrary STEAMers Book Chat On Saturday, Jan. 28 from 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. in the Ogden Nash Room. All Ryebrary STEAMers in grades one and two are invited to join the librarians once a month to explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math through lively book discussions and hands-on activities. January’s book is “Redwoods” by Jason Chin. The STEAM activity will be constructing a tree sculpture from a brown paper bag. You can pick up a copy of the book in the Children’s Room and register at ryelibrary.org. Go to “Programs & Events,” “Kids,” the event date, and then “Register.”

Rye STEAM ROLLERS Book Chat On Saturday, Jan. 28 from 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. in the Ogden Nash Room. All Rye STEAM ROLLERS in grades three and four are invited to join the librarians once a month to explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math through lively book discussions and hands-on activities. January’s book is “The Librarian of Basra: A True Story From Iraq” by Jeanette Winter. You can pick up a copy of the book in the Children’s Room and register at ryelibrary.org. Go to “Programs & Events,” “Kids,” the event date, and then “Register.”

Wainwright House The Wainwright House is located at 260 Stuyvesant Ave. in Rye. For more information, call 967-6080 or visit wainwright.org.

Mediumship 101: History, Exercise and Messages

ism to pure abstraction, drawing from countless influences.

On Sunday, Jan. 29 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. With Joan Carra, psychic and medium. In this threehour workshop, you will: trace the history of mediumship, from the Oracle of Delphi to our modern day mediums; learn to access messages, feelings and images from spirit with exercises and techniques that will enhance your intuition; and listen to messages Joan has received and share messages you may have received. Register online by Wednesday, Jan. 25. Fee: $55 for members; $60 for non-members.

Pewter jewelry workshop

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

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

Rye Historical Society Tastes of Winter Children ages 6 and up are invited to the Square House Museum in Rye on Saturday, Jan. 28 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. to celebrate the season by preparing and enjoying old-fashioned treats and learning about popular winter flavorings such as chocolate, ginger and peppermint and their importance in American history. Participants will also create their own unique spiced hot chocolate mix to be enjoyed at home or given as a gift.

The cost for this fun and creative program, including the necessary supplies, is $10 per child.

Reservations are suggested as space is limited and can be made by calling the Rye Historical Society at 967-7588.

The Square House Museum, located at 1 Purchase St. in Rye, is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit ryehistory.org or call 967-7588.

Rye Arts Center The Rye Arts Center is located at 51 Milton Road in Rye. For more information or to register for a program, call 967-0700 or visit ryeartscenter.org.

Gallery exhibit “Nenne Sanguineti Poggi: An Artist Without Borders” will be on display from Saturday, Jan. 21 through Saturday, March 4. There will be a reception on Jan. 21 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Explore the works of painter, mosaicist, writer, and journalist Nenne Sanguineti Poggi, whose life and career brought her from Northern Italy to East Africa.

There, she spent 30 years working on large-scale public projects, while absorbing African culture, allowing it to permeate her work. Her paintings spanned from figurative post-impression-

On Monday, Jan. 23 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. For adults. Create a one-of-a-kind ornamental valentine for your darling. Using tools to “draw” in pewter sheet metal, participants will work from the front and the back, stretching the metal over a soft surface, to create relief. Color will be added to your valentine with alcohol inks and/or patina. Please bring drawings, images, and ideas for your design, e.g., photographs of patterns in clothing, wallpaper, nature, etc., to inspire your work. An additional materials fee of $40 to be paid directly to instructor. Fee: $40; members receive a discount.

Acrylics lecture On Monday, Jan. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon. For adults. The Golden Acrylic lecture demo is a free, fun, fast-paced, informative two-hour lecture covering a technical review of acrylics and their varied application possibilities. The lecture demo will present information on pigments types, characteristics, heavy body, fluids, OPEN paints, gels, mediums, pastes, iridescents, and much more. Artists of all levels will come away from this lecture demo with fresh new insights to feed their creative expression.

All participants who register in advance online will receive free product samples and an extensive literature packet, including hand painted color charts and creative ideas using Golden products.

RAC Live! Coffeehouse On Thursday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The Rye Arts Center is bringing live music downtown, adding excitement to the nightlife of Rye. This fall, enjoy a series of performances at Le Pain Quotidien, 30 Purchase St. Each evening will introduce you to new singers, songwriters and bands who will share their unique sounds with you in this intimate setting. Come out for an evening for food, drink, and great live music. Cover charge: $10 for advance tickets; $12 at the door.

Painting with a Palette Knife On Saturday, Jan. 28 from 9 a.m. to noon. For adults. Working with Brazilian artist Fernanda “Fer” Caggiano, students will learn the technique of impasto and fat on lean. Using palette knives and brushes, they will create one finished piece during this workshop. Please bring inspiration images to class. Fee: $65; members receive a discount.

Fairy house workshop On Saturday, Jan. 28 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. For ages 10 to 12. During this two-hour workshop, participants will learn how to transform a simple glass jar into a beautiful fairy house using polymer clay. Learn how to layer clay onto a glass surface to make windows, flowers, leaves, wood grain door and roof. Fee: $40; members receive a discount.

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.

Month 00, 2016 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 5

Resident Henry King awarded distinction

By JAMES PERO Staff Writer “Recognize” is a word that most City Council members might use when referencing Henry King. King, by his own estimate, has attended more than 100 council meetings over the past several years.

Recently, however, that recognition took a more formal spin.

On Jan. 11, King, a longtime city resident, was the first-ever recipient of a newly established, first annual, John Carey Merit Award; a distinction which honors both of Rye’s longtime residents and community activists in one fell swoop.

The award—which carries the name of Rye’s former Democratic mayor who served the city for two terms from 1974 to 1982, in addition to six years as a Rye City councilman—honors those who have, in the words of current Mayor Joe Sack, a Republican, “made meaningful contributions to public life in the city.”

“Recently, Mayor Carey suggested I consider establishing an award presented by the mayor

to someone who embodies civic virtue. Based on his suggestion, I’m naming the award after John Carey,” Sack said.

The mayor went on to say that Carey wasn’t aware of his decision to name the award after his predecessor. “Knowing him, he probably won’t like I am doing this, but I’m doing it anyway,” Sack said. “Mayor Carey is one of Rye’s great citizens, and he has always been very generous with me with dispensing very good and sound advice.”

According to the mayor, King, 75, stood out as a candidate for this seminal distinction for a number of reasons. Among them, he said, are his commitment to the Rye Nature Center as well as issues relating to flood mitigation; Beaver Swamp Brook—which had been the subject of lengthy litigation between the city and the town/village of Harrison—runs through King’s backyard, which borders the two communities.

The battle over Beaver Swamp Brook spanned several years and centered on environmental concerns regarding Harrison’s pro-

posal to build a baseball field that Rye officials claim would exacerbate flooding in the area.

For Republican Councilman Richard Mecca, who has become familiar with King since joining the City Council in 2014, the recipient’s distinction is deserved, not just for involvement, but for demeanor.

“He volunteers his time in ways that are not very public,” said Mecca, adding that most of King’s commentary will come privately, after public meetings.

“He doesn’t trumpet what he does, he just does it. “[His comments] are more sympathetic, like ‘boy that was a tough night’ or ‘I don’t know how you’re going to come to a decision on that one.’ He’s observant and he gives us encouragement.”

Talking to King, one can’t help but notice the same sense of humility. When asked about why he thought he received the award, King’s answer was frank.

“I really don’t know,” he told the Review matter-of-factly. “I don’t know what the criteria was for the issuance of it.”

What is clear for King, how-

With a newly created John Carey Merit award, Rye Mayor Joe Sack, a Republican, honored local resident Henry King, right. Photo/Andrew Dapolite

ever, is his respect for those serving on the City Council.

“I attend council meetings, and I do that primarily because I respect everybody that’s on that council,” he said. “They put in a lot more time than just sitting [in] those meetings a couple times a month.”

While King isn’t quick to grandstand, or as he puts it “take the limelight,” he readily extols

the virtue of civic involvement.

“If you don’t pay attention to your government,” King explained, “you get what you deserve…. This is my little bit of participation.”

Even when Rye’s involvement in Beaver Swamp Brook concludes, the issue which propelled his commitment to council meetings to begin with, King said his attendance won’t waiv-

er; an example which he said others may be wise to follow.

“People come to the council meetings that they’re interested in; they state their issues and leave,” he said. “They aren’t there to just see how the council works, and how things are being done. Just being there makes a difference.”

CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

Dig Inn

6 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • January 20, 2017

RyeCity REVIEW THE

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Publisher | Howard Sturman ext. 21, publisher@hometwn.com Christian Falcone Associate Publisher | Editor-in-Chief ext. 19, chris@hometwn.com Sports Editor | Mike Smith ext. 22, sports@hometwn.com Assistant Editor | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 25, sibylla@hometwn.com General Assignment | Taylor Brown ext. 30, taylor@hometwn.com Reporter | James Pero ext. 20, james@hometwn.com Reporter | Franco Fino ext. 18, franco@hometwn.com Graphic Designer | Arthur Gedin Graphic Designer | Jim Grasso Advertising | Lindsay Sturman ext. 14, lsturman@hometwn.com Advertising Coordinator | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 27, ads@hometwn.com Staff Writer Corey Stockton

burrows

By SIBYLLA CHIPAZIWA Assistant Editor

Looking for a finer, healthier alternative to fast-casual dining?

Dig Inn, a popular Manhattanbased eatery, has opened its largest and first suburban location in Rye Brook.

With 12 locations in Manhattan and another in Boston, Dig

into Westchester

Inn focuses on seasonal vegetables that are “mindfully sourced,” according to Matt Weingarten, the franchise’s culinary director. The menu features bowls for breakfast, lunch and dinner, filled with grains, fruits and/or vegetables— a trend that has exploded onto the food scene over the last year. The restaurant also features “the Melting Broth,” made with no waste

ingredients and kombu seaweed.

According to Adam Eskin, founder and CEO of Dig Inn, unique to the new Rye Brook location, which officially opened its doors on Jan. 12, is a kids’ menu, a “chef’s table” menu featuring a cheese board and a vegetable charcuterie, a deli and open seating space. The kitchen area takes up most of the restaurant, and

Staff Photographers Andrew Dapolite, Aaron Kershaw, Charlie 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.

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Postmaster Send address changes to: The Rye City Review c/o HomeTown Media Group, 170 Hamilton Ave., Suite 203 White Plains, N.Y. 10601

Dig Inn CEO and founder Adam Eskin, left, lends a helping hand in preparing bite-sized samples from the chef’s table menu. Photos/Sibylla Chipaziwa

Popular Manhattan eatery Dig Inn has arrived in Westchester, opening its 14th location in the Rye Ridge Shopping Center in Rye Brook.

Pictured is the location’s 10-seat bar with a selection of beer, wine and cider. Photo courtesy Dig Inn

includes a barista station and an intimate, 10-seat bar with a selection of beer, cider and wine.

Weingarten said Dig Inn’s philosophy is the pleasure of food, and sharing it with loved ones. It is provides for six core menu changes over the course of the year.

While this more nutritional cuisine is vegetable-based, there are options for meat lovers as well, such as charred or herb-roasted chicken, wild Sockeye salmon and herb-grilled steak. The menu also clearly indicates which dishes are vegan and whether they contain soy, dairy, gluten or nuts.

There is an array of drink options as well, with espresso drinks, including a seasonal rosemary latte; the beans are courtesy of well-known Counter Culture Coffee. A lighter, refreshing option that may also catch your eye is the iced matcha from MatchaBar, another New York City favorite.

Eskin said he wanted to open a suburban location for some time, as he has friends who are Manhattan transplants that still work in the city but have moved to

Westchester County to raise their families; hence the kids’ menu and a family meal option that serves four to six people.

The question Eskin had in mind with the Rye Brook location was, “What is it we can do to have leverage in the area?” And the answer appears to be fresh, locally sourced food for all ages, at any time of the day.

CONTACT: sibylla@hometwn.com

The iced matcha, from MatchaBar, is a featured beverage on the restaurant’s menu and is also served hot.

Dig Inn

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305-8463 Dig Inn features bowls with an array of vegetables, grains and protein. From left, the Harvest bowl, a breakfast offering; a Marketbowl with herb-roasted chicken, and another with grilled organic tofu.

diginn.com

Month 00, 2016 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 7

Sack prioritizes master plan, public safety head

Fourth- and fifth-grade student government representatives from the Rye City School District’s three elementary schools observe Mayor Joe Sack’s State of the City address.

In his State of the City address on Jan. 11, Joe Sack highlighted a number of issues he’d like to tackle in his last year of his first mayoral term. Photos/Andrew Dapolite

By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer Entering his final year of his first term as Rye mayor, Joe Sack is hoping to address a number of issues that have lingered for years, while also knuckling down on some of the city’s current affairs.

According to Sack, a Republican, among many of the city’s concerns mentioned in his State of the City address, the City Council will prioritize a revision and update of the municipality’s master plan, which hasn’t been touched upon since its adoption in 1985. Sack’s agenda for this year was conveyed at Rye City Hall on Jan. 11.

The master plan—a comprehensive document which outlines the city’s goals on everything from historic preservation of architecture to flood mitigation—is supposed to be updated every 10 years, based on municipal standards, Sack said.

Despite the city’s inability to address and update the document, the mayor said the master plan is still relatively important to Rye even though it hasn’t been adjusted for more than 30 years. “We had a lot on our plate this past year, but I think it’s important that we get it done right,

and without rushing,” he said.

As of press time, the city is soliciting the assistance of outside consultants in drafting the document; a request for proposals was released earlier this month.

Sack told the Review that until the city hires a consultant, the City Council will not discuss what specific aspects of the document there are that need adjustment.

“The most important thing is to make sure it has practical applications and actually guides us in making real decisions,” he said.

Among a number of topics briefly mentioned in the mayor’s address, Sack said the city is hoping to negotiate with three of its collective bargaining units to devise new union contracts with its Police and Fire departments, as well as its civil service employees, all of which are currently operating under expired contracts.

“Our goal is to get a deal done that fairly recognizes the work of our city employees, but also addresses the big problem of longterm health care commitment into retirement,” he said.

According to Sack, while he is no stranger to negotiating with unions—his administration previously bargained with the firefighters’ union for a new contract in his first year as mayor while

it had been operating under an expired contract for five years; the deal was made retroactively—there are several stipulations he’d like to include in any potential agreement.

He said he would favor a contract that requires new city employees to contribute more to health care for retirement.

Rye City Manager Marcus Serrano said that while that may certainly be an option, it will not immediately generate enough revenue to address some of the city’s recent staffing issues, which have affected the Fire Department. He added that even with a new contract, it would still be difficult to hire more full-time firefighters.

However, prior to any discussions occurring, the mayor told the Review that the City Council wouldn’t make any decisions regarding union contracts until its new public safety commissioner, a position that was recently added as a result of a citywide referendum, reviews the existing conditions of the Police and Fire departments.

On Election Day, residents voted in favor of establishing a Department of Public Safety for the purpose of consolidating oversight of the Police and Fire departments. Although the

individual will not be named officially until Jan. 25, Serrano told the Review Police Commissioner Michael Corcoran, who was hired last year, will be appointed to the new position.

The annual address was largely focused on the present detailing initiatives for the current year, but not much beyond that, and that was likely due to Sack’s tenure as mayor, which could be drawing to a close. Sack, in pos-

sibly his final State of the City address as Rye mayor, is up for re-election this year and told the Review that he hasn’t decided if he will run for another term.

Sack is entering his ninth year on the Rye City Council, having served two terms as a councilman, before being elected mayor in 2013. “When the time comes, I’ll make a decision,” he said.

“But right now it’s too early.”

According to Councilwom-

an Danielle Tagger-Epstein, a Democrat, there weren’t any negative drawbacks to the mayor’s address. “I can’t speak for everyone, but, from my perspective, I thought his speech made sense,” she said.

Councilwoman Emily Hurd, the other Democrat on the City Council, could not be reached for comment, as of press time.

CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com

8 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • January 20, 2017

Mamaroneck supports Green Light driving initiative At a glance

CROWN from page 1

hired by a group of concerned residents in November.

According to Councilwoman Emily Hurd, a Democrat, who has been vocal on the issue of Crown Castle from its start, the current regulations regarding the city’s right of way are extremely lax.

Though the city’s efforts to amend its telecommunications laws are under way, whether or not the city’s new regulations will apply to Crown Castle’s application—which comes out of a contract with Verizon Wireless—remains to be seen, according to Wilson.

Currently, the city is in negotiations with Crown Castle, and seeking compromise between the group and both council and residents’ concerns.

“Ideally whatever we work out with [Crown Castle] will be substantially similar to the new laws,” Wilson said.

For the city, the threat of litigation still looms large. Representatives from Crown Castle have consistently maintained that the project, which is in the process of undergoing an environmental review from the council, does not warrant a full

By SIBYLLA CHIPAZIWA Assistant Editor

A decision on a controversial proposal by telecom contractor Crown Castle will be pushed into March as the city retools its local laws governing telecommunications. File photo

environmental impact statement, EIS. Wilson, however, said she will recommend that the project be classified as “unlisted” under the State Environmental Quality Review Act, SEQR, which would make the necessity for a full EIS—and therefore much more stringent review—far more likely.

A decision on the project’s SEQR determination will coincide with the council’s overall vote on the project scheduled for March.

In the event that the matter

does descend into litigation between the two parties, Wilson said the results may not side in the city’s favor.

“If we end up in litigation with Crown [Castle], we’re not going to end up with a proposal that meets our new laws necessarily,” Wilson said. “We’re going to end up with what the courts tell us.”

Wilson declined to say whether she suspects the matter will end up in court.

CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

Following in the footsteps of the villages of Ossining and Port Chester, and with a robust Hispanic population, the village of Mamaroneck Board of Trustees unanimously voted to support undocumented immigrants’ ability to obtain driver’s licenses.

The initiative, referred to as the Green Light NY initiative, aims to gain equal access to New York state driver’s licenses regardless of one’s immigration status. The proposal, which was approved by the village board on Jan. 9, was first brought before the board in December by representatives of the local Community Resource Center, CRC, which was founded to help integrate immigrants into the community.

New York state currently prohibits hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants from obtaining driver’s licenses.

The common denominator amongst the three communities in Westchester County that have adopted the initiative is a large Hispanic contingent. According to 2010 U.S. Census data, Hispanics made up 41.4 percent of Ossining’s population; and in Port Chester, they comprise 59.4 percent. Both villages adopted the Green Light initiative in December 2016.

Meanwhile, in the village of Mamaroneck, just under a quarter of its population is Hispanic.

Being prohibited from obtaining driver’s licenses puts undocumented immigrants in a bind, as they cannot purchase or register a vehicle, or obtain car insurance, which affects one’s

Hispanic residents make up just under 25% of the village of Mamaroneck’s population The Green Light NY initiative aims to give all drivers access to a license, regardless of immigration status Undocumented immigrants’ quality of life, including getting to work, school or a hospital, can be adversely affected by not having a reliable source of transport

quality of life, including having difficulty getting to work and/or school, a hospital or a place of worship. There are concerns of high costs from accidents, safety on the roads from people driving without being licensed, and immigrants’ fears of being pulled over and ticketed for driving illegally.

Tainya Flores, a village of Mamaroneck resident of 18 years, said Green Light NY caught her interest due to the number of immigrants in the local community without a reliable form of transport. “So many people are afraid to even drive in the town of Mamaroneck,” she said.

The New York Immigration Coalition, a nonprofit organization with the aim to “unite immigrants, members and allies so all New Yorkers can thrive,” launched the Green Light NY: Driving Together campaign in 2016 to help undocumented immigrants outside of New York City. A similar initiative was launched in 2006; and in 2007, former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, a Democrat, signed an executive order allowing undoc-

umented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses, only to wilt under political pressure.

Currently, there are 12 states, including Connecticut and Vermont, which allow undocumented immigrants access to a driver’s license.

Following the vote, there were applause and smiles abound in the village of Mamaroneck Courtroom.

“We are completely relieved,” said Jirandy Martinez, a co-executive director of the CRC, “and so excited that the village of Mamaroneck stands with immigrants and understands our plight.”

Gail Vidales, another co-executive director of the CRC, said she hopes the approval by Mamaroneck will have a “trickling down effect” on other area municipalities.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done,” she added. “[We need to] encourage other municipalities and educate them about the importance of safety. That’s what it comes down to.”

CONTACT: sibylla@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.”

Month 00, 2016 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 9 RTP from page 1

The Rye Town Park Commission, which saw the departure of Seaside Johnnies beachfront restaurant, pictured, at the end of 2016, has received 11 proposals in total interested in managing the food services at the park. File photo

As of press time, there are two additional proposals that have been received by the commission, but whose identities have not been confirmed.

The interest in running food services out of Rye Town Park for this season comes in wake of the departure of Seaside Johnnies, the park’s beachfront restaurant overlooking the Long Island Sound which shut down at the end of 2016 after the owners failed to reach a short-term deal with the park commission.

Seaside Johnnies had operated

seasonally out of the park since 2000.

According to Rye City Councilwoman Julie Killian, a member of the commission, the park commission still has to decide whether the park is better served with a full-time restaurant or a concession-type service for 2017.

“The overriding question is what is the best interim direction for the park and what sets us up best for the long term good of the park and the citizens who enjoy it,” she said.

To aid in finding a short-term solution, the commission announced at its Jan. 17 meeting that it had hired Tracy Lawler from JGL Food Service Consultants at a cost not to exceed $6,000.

Lawler has also been commissioned to plan an extensive search for a long-term licensee beginning in 2018. That search is expected to begin once the commission releases a formal request for proposals.

CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com

Introducing the Art-o-mat Embracing the idea of “small works” and “affordable art,” the Rye Arts Center introduces the Art-o-mat. Collecting art has never been so easy or fun. Created by artist Clark Whittington in 1997, the Art-o-mat is a vintage cigarette vending machine that has been refurbished and filled with art for sale. Just drop a $5 token in and receive a unique piece of art.

Each artwork is the size of a cigarette carton or smaller. It may be a painting, a photograph, a piece of jewelry. The options are limited only by size.

Approximately 400 artists from 10 different countries provide the art for more than 100 active machines across the country, each with a unique aesthetic. There is currently only one other Art-o-mat in the New York metro area, at a bar in Brooklyn.

Other locations include museums such as The Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, as well as universities and libraries. There are also quite a few unexpected places like grocery stores and taco joints.

Meg Rodriguez, executive

The Art-o-mat, a vintage cigarette vending machine that has been refurbished and filled with art for sale, created by artist Clark Whittington in 1997. Photo courtesy Rye Arts Center

director of the Rye Arts Center, is excited to share the Art-o-mat with Rye. “It’s a clear and strong statement that art is for everyone, and is a healthy alternative to what these machines used to sell,” she said.

The Art-o-mat will be a part of the “Small Works Exhibition and Sale,” but will remain at the Rye Arts Center as a long-term installation. As the miniature masterpieces sell, they will be replaced with new $5 treasures.

Rodriguez adds, “This exhibition and especially the Art-o-mat

remind us that art isn’t simply for museums. You can buy it, enjoy it, gift it, and make it a part of your daily life.”

The Rye Arts Center is located at 51 Milton Road in Rye. Established in 1960, the Rye Arts Center is the largest multiarts center in the region. It is a community-based nonprofit dedicated to inspiring interest and maximum participation in the arts in and around Westchester. For more information, visit ryeartscenter.org or call 9670700. (Submitted)

10 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • January 20, 2017

Month 00, 2016 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 11

12 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • January 20, 2017

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Month 00, 2016 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 13

When in rage, blame the mom RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy

Remember the bad old days when a rape victim would show up in court and the defense attorney would say, “Why was her skirt so short?” As if the woman caused her own rape.

Only gradually did it dawn on us what was really going on: We were “blaming the victim.”

Basically, we’re all so afraid that something awful like this could happen to us or a loved one that we automatically come up with a way to reassure ourselves it never will. We tell ourselves, “We’re totally different, so we’ll be safe.”

Once we recognized how cruel and clueless it to believe that only bad people get hurt, we became a more empathetic society.

Except when it comes to moms.

“Blaming Mothers: American Law and the Risks to Children’s Health” is a new book by Pace University law professor Linda C. Fentiman that looks at the way we have kept moms in the crosshairs of our condemnation. From pre-birth through adolescence, when something goes wrong with kids, often it is considered morally, and even legally, mama’s fault.

For instance, when a woman in Utah elected not to have a cesarean section and one of her twins was a stillbirth, she was charged with murder. The fact that stillbirths are fairly common didn’t matter. Nor did the fact that she had no intention of killing her child. All that mattered was the fact that, conveniently, there was someone to blame.

A South Carolina mom, Regina McKnight, was also con-

victed of homicide in the stillbirth of her baby, because she admitted to using cocaine when pregnant. I think we all agree it’s tragic that people get addicted to drugs. But the idea that cocaine causes stillbirth is not medically supported. Moreover, as a friend of the court briefing noted, “nicotine use, poor nutrition, lack of prenatal care, or other conditions commonly associated with the urban poor” are all sub-optimal. Does that mean we should prosecute any pregnant woman who’s not upper-middle-class “perfect”?

McKnight’s 20-year sentence was reversed seven years later by the state’s Supreme Court.

Fentiman also looks at the issue of child abuse. Often when a child is hurt or killed by a dad or the mother’s boyfriend, it is the mom who is prosecuted, for not stopping it. The completely unrealistic idea is that the moment a mother realizes her child is being abused, she must move out of the house and report the abuser to the police. Otherwise, she can be considered guilty for failing to act.

“The legal system is not taking into account all the structural barriers that impede women from leaving their husbands,” Fentiman said in a phone interview. For instance, sometimes the woman has no money to leave, or no place to go. Sometimes she is afraid that if she calls the cops, the abuser will become even more violent. But the law seems to believe a good mom should be a perfect mom, no matter what the obstacles.

How did we get so harsh?

Fentiman lists several unconscious biases at work: 1. Hindsight Bias: Once a tragedy has occurred, it’s impossible to look back and truly see

things the way we saw them before the bad event. Now that we know the sad truth, it feels like it must have been obvious. Why didn’t the mom predict and prevent it?

2. The Fundamental Attribution Error: This is the unconscious belief about karma—that bad things only happen to bad people. Naturally, if something bad happens to US, we understand all the variables that led to it—all the things beyond our control. But when something bad happens to someone ELSE, we think they could have stopped it but didn’t. Shame (and blame) on them.

3. The Reasonable Man Theory: In the olden days, negligence was determined by whether someone did what “the reasonable man” would have done in the situation, like not leaving a 4-year-old home alone for a weekend. But now that we think about “the reasonable woman,” the bar is higher. “A reasonable mother is supposed to be superhuman and always do anything to minimize the risk to her children and to selflessly never do anything for herself,” says Fentiman.

So if something bad happens to a child while the mom was, say, napping, she can be blamed for daring to shut her eyes.

4. Causation: The American legal system holds the primitive notion that there’s only one cause of any problem. So the child who is beaten to death is not a victim of some toxic combination of poverty, an abusive dad, and a broken CPS system.

The tragedy is simply the fault of a mom who didn’t save the child.

It’s easy and satisfying to blame the mom. Someday, we’ll also realize that it’s wrong.

CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com

Westchester’s newest family fun, camp event

Two kids try their hand at lacrosse with the help of Topside Lacrosse employees. Photo courtesy Davler Media Group

Westchester Parents Day is a full afternoon of fun and activities and classes for kids and information for parents on relevant local businesses and camps, where kids will be entertained and parents enriched—for one family admission. Featuring more than 50 exhibitors, Westchester Parents Day has expanded, from the former Westchester Camp Fair, to include a wide variety of exhibitors and amusement. It is produced by Westchester Parent, the authority that delivers superior choices about how to spend time and money to more than 1 million area parents each month, through its seven award-winning parenting magazines including Westchester Parent and its website, NYmetroparents.com. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Westchester Children’s Museum.

Westchester Parents Day will

take place Sunday, Feb. 5 from noon to 3 p.m. at Crowne Plaza, located at 66 Hale Ave. in White Plains.

Westchester Parents Day will offer many activities and classes to entertain children of all ages.

Classes booked so far include: a live animal encounter with Animal Embassy; music and movement with Bach to Rock; a museums without walls activity from Westchester Children’s Museum; a lacrosse clinic with Topside Lacrosse; and a crafts project and a soccer clinic with Mount Tom Day Camp.

In addition to many of the exhibitors and camps having activities at their booth space, painting, a photo fun booth, kids DJ dance party, a chocolate dipping fountain by Chocolate Works, costume characters, free cotton candy, a gaga pit, and more will also be offered. Every family gets a free gift bag, courtesy of

Westchester Parent and the exhibitors.

While the children play and learn, parents will be able to explore offerings from more than 50 camps, exhibitors and experts. They can meet providers for health care, after-school programs, nursery schools, birthday party places and many, many more.

Tickets to the event are $15 per family (two adults and up to four children) at the door, and there is an opportunity for free advance registration at westchesterparentsday.com with the coupon code “RELEASE.” Free tickets can also be found at the many places that Westchester Parent is distributed throughout the county—at play and activity centers, toy stores, pediatricians’ offices, etc.

For tickets and the latest news, visit westchesterparentsday.com. (Submitted)

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14 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • January 20, 2017

Brick the Knicks LIVE MIKE Mike Smith

With the Giants and Jets off for the winter and the Rangers marching slowly but steadily toward another appearance in the NHL playoffs, one might think that the back pages of local papers would be hurting for salacious sports stories.

Fortunately for us drama enthusiasts, however, we still have the Knicks.

It’s hard to say exactly where this season went wrong for the Knicks. After all, this was a team that, just a few weeks ago, looked like it might be one of the five best teams in the Eastern Conference. With Kristaps Porzingis emerging as the team’s franchise player, Derrick Rose offering some rare glimpses of his MVP days, and role-players like Kyle O’Quinn or Mindaugus Kuzminskas providing the occasional spark off the

bench, the Knicks may not have been contenders for the Larry O’Brien trophy, but they were at least fun to watch.

Since the end of December, however, the Knicks have been fun to watch for a different reason. Starting with a Christmas Day loss to the Celtics, the Knicks have undergone a mid-winter swoon, dropping 11 of their last 13 games. As one might expect, the drought has been marked by some pitiful basketball; lackluster defensive efforts, an inability to close games out late—all marks of a bad team.

But it has been the Knicks’ off-court issues that have really made this latest stretch feel “special.”

You have Knicks’ president Phil Jackson—who has shied away from the public eye since his early-season comments about LeBron James that were tinged with racial insensitivity—sniping at Carmelo Anthony through team-friendly

SPORTS

reporters. You have Anthony— whom I have defended in the past—openly musing about waiving his no-trade clause and clearly going out of his way to get ejected from games the Knicks needed to win. Rose went AWOL for a game, flying back to Chicago to visit his family with nary a headsup to the organization.

I’ll say this about the Knicks: if they’re going to go down in flames, they are going to do it in the biggest way possible. This is New York, after all.

And honestly, if they’re not going to turn their play around, I don’t mind the dysfunction.

While I feel bad for head coach Jeff Hornacek, who, at this point, must certainly be rethinking his decision to come to New York, if the Knicks are going to be bad, they had better be entertainingly bad.

If I had my druthers, Carmelo would park himself on the offensive end and refuse to pass half-court until the Knicks fi-

TO COVER LOCAL SPORTS, YOU NEED A

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

Over the last month, the New York Knicks have become the joke of the NBA. Sports Editor Mike Smith thinks that they might as well embrace their status. Photo courtesy Knicks.com

nally ship him off to Cleveland; Rose would post random Instagram shots from Las Vegas as the Knicks battle the Pacers in Indiana; and Porzingis would continue to nurse his Achilles in-

jury until someone in the Knicks organization figures out what the heck is going on with this team.

If the Knicks are going to be a laughingstock, they might as well embrace it.

This way, we’ll have something to talk about until the hockey playoffs start in April.

Follow Mike Smith @LiveMike_Sports

SPORTS

January 20, 2017 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 15

Titans sweep Sabres ice hockey

league

RTH TITANS SNS SABRES RYE PLAYLAND

5 4 1/16/17

Game Notes: • Jackson Schultz had a hat trick • The Titans are 8-3 on the season • On Jan. 21, the Titans will host White Plains in the first-ever Mayor’s Cup Hockey Fundraiser

By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor The first time Rye Town/Harrison met Somers/North Salem on the ice this year, the result was a lopsided one; the Titans came away with a 10-1 win as they outskated—and outshot— the Sabres from start to finish. On Jan. 16, the two teams squared off again, and although Somers showed a marked improvement, the Titans pulled out another victory, edging Somers 5-4 at Rye Playland.

According to Titans coach Jason Head, Somers’ defensive efforts paid off in the second goaround as the Sabres were able

Jackson Schultz fires a shot for his first goal of the night against Somers/North Salem. Schultz had a hat trick and is currently the Section I points leader.

to cut the Titans’ previous goal total in half.

“First of all, their goalie was playing better, and I think as a whole, they just adjusted to our style,” Head said. “They trapped us better in the defensive zone, and that was effective against some of the systems we were

running out there.”

Jackson Schultz led the way offensively for the Titans, netting a hat trick and adding to his section-leading point total. Coming into the week, Schultz had 35 points (15 goals, 20 assists) and has been adept at both finding the net and creating scoring chances

Jack Shapiro battles for the puck behind the net on Jan. 16. Photos/Mike Smith

Max Chalfin uses his skates along the boards against the Sabres.

for his teammates. “[Schultz] has stepped up huge and he’s seeing the ice really well this year,” Head said.

“When you have a hot player like that, one who is a team player; he makes everybody around him better.”

At 8-3, the Titans have won five games by at least four goals this year, but Head believes that contests like Monday’s game against Somers will ultimately be more beneficial to the team as the playoffs approach.

“You find out a lot more about your team in a game like this,” he said. “I wasn’t happy with the way we played in the first two periods, but I was very happy with the way we played in the third; I think games like this prove very valuable.”

The Titans have a full week ahead, with four games in six days starting with a Jan. 20 showdown with Brewster. On Saturday, the Titans will host White Plains in the inaugural Mayor’s Cup Hockey Fundraiser on a twin bill that will also feature a contest between the New York Rangers Sled Hockey Team and the Connecticut Wolfpack. Proceeds from the games

Jack Shapiro winds up for a shot against Somers/North Salem. Shapiro had one goal in the Titans’ 5-4 win.

will go to the Wheelchair Sports Foundation, which provides opportunity for people with physical disabilities to compete in adaptive sports.

“This is a huge week coming up with some really big games,” Head said. “We are go-

ing to have to see how we make in-game adjustments because we’re not going to have a lot of practice time, so if we can do that, just see what’s in front of us, we will be successful.”

CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com

16 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • January 20, 2017