PRESORTED STANDARD PERMIT #3036 WHITE PLAINS NY
Vol. V No. XL
Westchester’s Most Influential Weekly
Why We Do What We Do on Halloween By Robert Scott, Page 9
Thursday, October 27, 2011 $1.00
The Shape of Things to Come Page 6
Cornell Dupree “I’m Alright” Page 14
Three One-”acters” Page 15
A Neighborhood Forgotten Page 18
Mayor French Charged with Building wihout Permits Page 19
Happy Endings That Almost Didn’t Happen Page 22
Majority Leader McDow Uses the Back Door to Get Into the Blue Door Art Gallery By Hezi Aris, Page 19
A Right to Be Preserved Page 22
Towns take on Corporate Bullies Page 23
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The Westchester Guardian
THURSDAY, octoBER 27, 2011
The Westchester Guardian
THURSDAY, octoBER 27, 2011
RADIO
Of Significance
Westchester Guardian Radio Network
NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Guardian Radio Network, WGRN, operated under the auspices of Hezitorial Absurdity, Inc. president Hezi Aris, continues to build its programing day on the Blog TalkRadio platform. In addition to Westchester On the Level with Richard Narog and Hezi Aris, are And Nothing But the Truth - Coast to Coast with Frank Vernuccio, Jr., and Larry L. Allison, and The Conservative Torch with Carmine Torchetti, Jr. Herein is the schedule for the week of October 24th – 28th, 2011.
Some of Richard Narog and Hezi Aris’ guests this coming week are: author Abby Luby, candidate Peter Tripodi,, artist Haifa Bint-Kasdi, candidate Dr. Terrence Murphy, candidate Christopher Johnson, and entrepreneur Michael Gedigk. Listen to our radio programs live by clicking onto the following hyperlinks: Westchester on the Level -http://www.blogtalkradio.com/westchesteronthelevel; And Nothing But the Truth – Coast to Coast –http://www.blogtalkradio.com/westchesteronthelevel/and-nothing-but-the-truth--coast-to-coast; and The Conservative the-conservative-torch.
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Torch
–http://www.blogtalkradio.com/westchesteronthelevel/
Each show may be heard live or on demand. Choose from an MP3 download option, or peruse our audio archives. The hyperlink to each respective interview becomes active within a half-hour of the ending of an interview so as to allow for on demand listening. Recognizing that we shamelessly solicit your participation, you are invited to participate by calling us toll-free at 1-877-674-2436. All we ask is that you stay on topic with regard to your question and / or your statement.
Community Section....................................................................4 Calendar....................................................................................4 Education..................................................................................6 Fashion......................................................................................6 Gaming.....................................................................................8 Health.......................................................................................8 Holidays....................................................................................9 Movie Reviews........................................................................13 Music......................................................................................14 The Spoof...............................................................................15 Eye On Theatre......................................................................15 Government Section................................................................16 Campaign Trail.......................................................................16 Economic Development.........................................................17 Environment...........................................................................18 Legal.......................................................................................19 OpEd Section............................................................................19 Hezitorial................................................................................19 Current Commentary.............................................................22 Ed Koch Commentary...........................................................22 New York Civic.......................................................................23 The Conservative Torch.........................................................24 Legal Notices.............................................................................25
Mission Statement The Westchester Guardian is a weekly newspaper devoted to the unbiased reporting of events and developments that are newsworthy and significant to readers living in, and/or employed in, Westchester County. The Guardian will strive to report fairly, and objectively, reliable information without favor or compromise. Our first duty will be to the PEOPLE’S RIGHT TO KNOW, by the exposure of truth, without fear or hesitation, no matter where the pursuit may lead, in the finest tradition of FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. The Guardian will cover news and events relevant to residents and businesses all over Westchester County. As a weekly, rather than focusing on the immediacy of delivery more associated with daily journals, we will instead seek to provide the broader, more comprehensive, chronological step-by-step accounting of events, enlightened with analysis, where appropriate. From amongst journalism’s classic key-words: who, what, when, where, why, and how, the why and how will drive our pursuit. We will use our more abundant time, and our resources, to get past the initial ‘spin’ and ‘damage control’ often characteristic of immediate news releases, to reach the very heart of the matter: the truth. We will take our readers to a point of understanding and insight which cannot be obtained elsewhere. To succeed, we must recognize from the outset that bigger is not necessarily better. And, furthermore, we will acknowledge that we cannot be all things to all readers. We must carefully balance the presentation of relevant, hard-hitting, Westchester news and commentary, with features and columns useful in daily living and employment in, and around, the county. We must stay trim and flexible if we are to succeed.
Westchester’s Most Influential Weekly
Guardian News Corp. P.O. Box 8 New Rochelle, New York 10801 Sam Zherka , Publisher & President publisher@westchesterguardian.com Hezi Aris, Editor-in-Chief & Vice President whyteditor@gmail.com Advertising: (914) 562-0834 News and Photos: (914) 562-0834 Fax: (914) 633-0806 Published online every Monday Print edition distributed Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday Graphic Design: Watterson Studios, Inc. www.wattersonstudios.com
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The Westchester Guardian
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THURSDAY, octoBER 27, 2011
calendar
News & Notes from Northern Westchester By MARK JEFFERS BOO! How’s that for an attention grabber… Happy Halloween and now that you have picked your apples and carved your pumpkins, it is time to pour yourself a cup of apple cider and sit back and enjoy another scary edition of “News and Notes…” Big news at the Blythdale Children’s Hospital in Valhalla… this December a new state-of-the art inpatient building will open. This cutting edge facility will certainly be a great Christmas present for the area children and their families who are suffering from illness. Pound Ridge’s own Stephen and Liz Alderman have been selected to receive the 2011 Presidential Citizens Medal, the nation’s second-highest civilian honor for their work internationally on mental health issues. The Senior Benefits Information Center in Peekskill is a great resource for people looking for Medicare plans, food stamp programs, tax relief (aren’t we all looking for that) and other benefits. Call 914-737-1212 for more information. Once again the Bedford Hills Chamber
of Commerce and the Bedford Hills Free Library will host their annual Halloween Trick-or-Treat Parade on Monday October 31st, for the spooky details call the library at 914-666-6472. Looking for a good cause or a good excuse to get out for a fall frolic? Think about joining the Fitz Family of Pound Ridge who have been ardent supporters of the Make-AWish foundation for many years. Join them and TEAM MARCUS as they walk or run in honor of all of the children fighting for their lives right now. On Sunday, November 6th at 8:30 am at FDR State Park in Yorktown, the foundation is hosting their 2011 Walk for Wishes 5K Run/Walk fundraiser. “Would you, could you, eat green eggs and ham,” if so then you won’t want to miss the John Jay High School presentation of “Seussical” on November 26th; call 914-2324043 for tickets. The United Way of Westchester and Putnam will once again host its Third Annual Run United, a 5K run at Purchase College on November 12th. Run for your health and the health of our children is this year’s theme, with all this running, I gotta sit down…
Annual “An Evening of Magical Miracles” Celebration Dinner-Dance CORTLANDT MANOR, NY -The young victim of a brain tumor, Jimmy “Jimm-boy” Arena, left his short-lived impact on the Westchester County area through his strength, perseverance and indomitable spirit while he was with us. From his tragedy grew an organization in his name dedicated to assisting sick and terminally ill children and the families. Help celebrate some of the special people who have made this year a success for many area families by attending the event on November 5, 2011. This year’s honorees include Mike Bennett and Kacey Morabito Grean of 100.7 WHUD’s Mike and Kacey in The Morning; Mary Delaney, Director of the Family Resource Center at the Maria Fereri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center; and Richard A. Dolce, a J.I.M.M.Y. Foundation 2011 Outstanding Volunteer.
A Silent Auction will take place before and during the event. All proceeds are used to assist children and their families in need. The event will take place at 7:00p.m. at The Colonial Terrace, 119 Oregon Road, Cortlandt Manor, NY.
The internationally acclaimed U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors will be presenting a free public performance at the Peekskill Middle School on Sunday, November 6th, for details call 914-779-1300. Congratulations to Mary Delaney, Richard Dolce, Mike Bennett and Kacey Grean as they all will be honored at the J.I.M.M.Y. Foundation annual dinner dance “An Evening of Magical Miracles” on November 5th at the Colonial Terrace in Cortlandt. The J.I.M.M.Y. Foundation was formed in memory of Jimmy Arena, a Westchester County child who succumbed to a brain tumor. The popular discussion series “Crosstalk” returns to the Katonah Library on November 17th with “Serums and Theorems,” featuring doctor/author Joseph Sacco and media theorist Douglas Ruchkoff. I’m still waiting for my chance to be a guest; the invite must be lost in the mail… Here’s a really cool thing to do, the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes are teaming up to deliver holiday cheer and greetings to service members, their families and veterans with their Holiday Mail for Heroes program. The public is invited to send a “touch of home” through holiday cards; the greetings should be sent before December 9th and addressed to: Holiday Mail for Heroes, P.O. Box 5456, Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456. I’m writing
Woes – Be Gone! He who sings scares away his woes.” -Cervantes Song catchers Inc. will host its semiannual “Spirit of Songcatchers” Brunch on Sunday, November 6, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. at Greentree Country Club in New Rochelle. Plan to join them as they celebrate 15 years of their After-School Music Program. They will also be honoring the following individuals who share the Songcatcher vision of reaching for peace through music: Dr. Marc and Terry Wagner Rabbi Amiel Wohl Camille Coppola and Billie Tucker The Soundettes
mine right now…
Turning to sports: Three cheers go out to former Kennedy High School track and field star Samantha Cohen as she has been elected into the Albany State Athletic Hall of Fame. In girls’ high school field hockey action, it was John Jay beating Somers 4 to 2 and Lakeland defeated Hen Hud 9 to 0. On the soccer turf, in boys’ action, Panas and Yorktown tied at 1 a piece and on the girls side it was Fox Lane over Harrison by the final score of 2 to 1. Okay, now let’s jump in the pool and take a quick look at high school swimming…Peekskill got by Putnam Valley 87 to 78 and Brewster splashed Yorktown 53 to 39. As a tragic event unfolded this past week here in northern Westchester, it is very important now more than ever to give your family and loved ones a great big hug and let them know you how much you care about them. See you next week… Mark Jeffers successfully spearheaded the launch in 2008 of MAR$AR Sports & Entertainment LLC. As president he has seen rapid growth of the company with the signing of numerous clients. He currently resides in Bedford Hills with his wife Sarah and three girls, Kate, Amanda and Claire.
Songcatchers began as a small children’s choir in 1979 and became an independent non-profit organization in 1994. The organization makes arts education affordable and accessible to nearly 300 children and youth through their music programs. Some of the seasonal programs include “Composers of the Future,” collaborative concerts with the Hugh A. Doyle Senior Citizen Choir and summer day camps for the After-School and Early Childhood Music Programs. For more information on Songcatchers or the “Spirit of the Songcatchers Brunch,” please call 914-6541178 or email songcatchers@gmail.com.
The Westchester Guardian
CALENDAR
Unbeatable Combination of Friends, Fine Art, Food and Wine! Pelham Art Center’s Studio Café
Frank & Candy Taubner, Barbara Russillo, Violeta Defeo, Anne Jacobi and Lisa Robb
The public is warmly invited to Pelham Art Center’s 14th annual favorite, the Studio Café, located at 155 Fifth Avenue, Pelham, NY, at 7:30pm on Saturday, Nov 5. Chaired by Lisa Daley and Judith Fishlow Minter, this fun and casual event will take place at the Art Center and in its tented courtyard. There are several tantalizing enticements to this particular evening. A valuable Ben Shahn ink drawing, “Businessman,” will be auctioned, among other exciting works. Rumor has it that the irrepressible Lisa Robb, the Art Center’s former director, might be auctioneering, assuring those gathered a lively and entertaining evening for all. There is a final delicious aspect to the evening: more than 25 local restaurants and caterers are donating food and desserts to the sumptuous buffet. If you are a person just starting to collect art, this is a great way to learn the ropes of participating in a live and/or silent auction of artwork. And you will be supporting an art center that continually gives back to its community with family-friendly free
exhibits, workshops, folk arts events, and performances. More than 20 works of art have been donated by local and national artists and donors including artists Chris Smith (featured in the Ocean Reglitterized exhibit) and Bruce Withers, and photographers Carey Weiss and Nick Kuskin. Guests will enjoy the food and also the live music and vocals. Bid in live and silent auctions of fine art and other unique and artful items. All proceeds support free and affordable programs for the general public. Tickets are $65 and $90 and are available by mail, in person and on line at www. pelhamartcenter.org/events. The night of the event, tickets will be available at the door for $75. For those who wish to donate but cannot attend, contributions can be made to Robin’s Art+Giving. Contact the Pelham Art Center at 914-738-2525 ext 111 or fallbenefit@ pelhamartcenter.org for an invitation and more information on Studio Café.
Woman’s Club of Mamaroneck
MAMARONECK, NY -- The Fine Arts Department of the Woman’s Club of Mamaroneck will hold a Tea Wednesday, November 9 at 12:30pm. The Tea will take place at the Club House, 504 Cortlandt Ave, Mamaroneck, NY. The presentation program will be “A Home on the Sound.” For reservations call Lucille Novotny 914-698-8878. Reservations close Monday, November 7.
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The Westchester Guardian
THURSDAY, octoBER 27, 2011
CELEBRATION
New Rochelle – La Rochelle: A 100-year Anniversary Celebration New Rochelle, NY and La Rochelle, FRANCE -- In honor of the 100th Anniversary of the gift by New Rochelleans in 1911 of the statue of Jean Guiton in honor of the Huguenot Mayor of La Rochelle who governed in1628, Mayor Noam Bramson and Sister City Convenor Peter Korn, welcomed the miniature to the Mayor’s Office.
A delegation from New Rochelle, headed by Councilmember Marianne Sussman, is visiting La Rochelle, France, this week to celebrate both the centenary of the gift and the Sister City relationship. The visit will be marked with a rededication of the monument, parade, art contest, plaque dedication to American soldiers stationed in La Rochelle
after World War II, and a wealth of community activities organized by the City of La Rochelle. City funds were not expended for this trip. All Sister Cit Committee members are volunteers.
EDUCATION
FASHION
New Rochelle’s Jefferson Elementary School to Implement “Learning On-The-Go” The Shape of Things
NEW ROCHELLE, NY -- As part of an FCC initiative announced in July, the City School District of New Rochelle (CSDNR) has received funding to implement a “Learning On-The-Go” wireless pilot project to support and advance digital learning. On Thursday, October 20, 2011, Jefferson Elementary School began Phase 1 of this project when a group of 5th grade students received Dell mini-laptops with Verizon Wireless broadband cards and a separate group of 4th grade students began to pilot mobile learning devices before wider deployment to other students. District officials, members of the Board of Education and representatives from Verizon were on hand as the CSDNR also presented a Community Service award to Verizon Wireless. The CSDNR has a particular focus for their initiative to target English language learners (ELL), economically disadvantaged students, lower-performing students and students with disabilities in 5th through 9th grade. New Rochelle is one of only twenty school districts from around the country selected by the FCC for funding. As the District’s official E-rate data plan provider, Verizon is a significant partner in this effort as all of the devices and data plans being
distributed to students have been purchased directly from Verizon. The technology will run on an encrypted mobile network, provided by Verizon, which will allow students to do work anywhere in a safe web environment. Additionally, school officials will have access to the equipment and the ability to completely deactivate any unit in the event that one is lost or stolen. “We’re proud to be a part of this cutting edge learning program,” said Pat Devlin, president of Verizon Wireless for the New York Metro Area. “Wireless technology creates an innovative learning environment that is fun and engaging for both students and teachers.” Another aspect of the “Learning On-The-Go” project includes the creation
of a learning “cloud” for students and teachers participating in the initiative. The nredlearn.org cloud is an interdisciplinary, project-based and research-driven online learning portal. The principle behind the cloud is that any computer or device can be connected to the same pool of applications and resources and the cloud operates as a safe filtered learning portal for students that extends teaching and learning far beyond the walls of a classroom and hours of a school day. “We are extremely grateful to both the FCC and Verizon for their support as we rollout this important initiative for our district,” said Dr. Christine Coleman, Director of Technology for the CSDNR. “Providing these students with an opportunity to engage with technology is crucial to their development and overall learning.” Phase 2 of the City School District of New Rochelle’s pilot project will entail the deployment of mobile learning devices to over 300 students at two other elementary schools as well as tablets at the middle school level and Netbook laptops to a group of high school students. In addition, 30-40 iPad devices will be distributed to students with disabilities.
to Come
By BARABRA BARTON SLOANE The two big things happening in fashion as we look to Fall are a tidal shift toward comfort and a more rational attitude toward glamour. To really nail the trend, channel the mid-century chic of Helen Gurley Brown, Cosmopolitan’s legendary editor, whose neat skirts and proper pumps defined what a high-powered woman looked like in the early ‘60s. Judging from this season’s runway offerings, the ‘60s spirit is alive and doing well. “It started with the idea of not having to think so much about clothes,” the designer Joseph Altuzarra explained, and it was a true 180 from the daring cone-busted sheaths and hyper-precise tailoring of his last collection. “I wanted something long and looser, something sensual and feminine but utilitarian at the same time,” he said. An easy, comfortable classic from Altuzarra was his brown leather bomber jacket topping a harlequin sweater in gray, black and white and paired with – yes- long, loose and utterly wearable charcoal trousers. Gals are going to be thinking seriously about how to get these clothes into their closets. Longer, looser, utilitarian…sounds like a plan, one that will make him very popular with retailers. We saw more of the utilitarian and functional theme. At 3.1 Phillip Lim, his satchel-full of references for Fall embraced this concept as well. “It’s about chic women who ride bikes to work, to brunch, to a cocktail party,” Lim said before his show. The question for him was how to make everything functional without sacrificing form. His answer was to splice functional-looking clothing with utilitarian elements, resulting in a chic urbanite Fall wardrobe of cropped pants and Continued on page 7
The Westchester Guardian
fashion
The Shape of Things to Come
Continued from page 6 smart coats. Inspired by Lim’s visual research of tribes and gangs, his swirling floral print top was a nod to Japanese yakuza tattoos. Encircled with a wide rust-colored cummerbund and skinny black trousers, the look was unexpectedly simple and lovely. Continuing this theme, at Alberta Ferretti, practical reared its welcomed head in imminently wearable daywear. Because the designer is convinced that women now want a definitive break-point in dayto-night wear, for evening we saw ethereal classic Ferretti dresses. The idea of a clear division was explicit from the outset with a desirable lady-like raspberryhued coat, demurely collared, self-belted and ending just above the knee – the antithesis of her sheer nude Blumarine chiffons paraded out last season. Thinking of Ferretti’s simple shifts and sweet-pea coats to her signature diaphanous looks embellished with a patina of sequins and crystals, it was hard to imagine how a woman’s day could begin one way and end so radically different, but as an act of faith in human adaptability, Ferretti’s show was oddly reassuring. And yet again: Alberta Ferretti at Blumarine, Anna Molinari’s rocker-chick studs, hyped-up colors and saucy prints of recent seasons have been replaced by something altogether sensible. In fact, the overall feeling was almost staid. A slew of models emerged en masse in simple, streamlined shapes, albeit in Crayola brights. One exception was a covetable beige shift marked only by a solitary black detail on the skirt. Demure, classic and yes, rational. Straight-out sportswear was being pushed by Blumarine this season, to the point where it elicited a comment from someone in the audience: “Bring back the leopard prints!” But now, we bid a firm goodbye to
sensible and utilitarian. Welcome Dennis Basso and his opulent chic. Mr. Basso clarified: “This season we went a touch masculine. Women like that.” For him, masculine meant fewer silk and organza cocktail frocks and more hand-knit cashmere sweater dresses. One decidedly dangerous outfit - a silver foxcollared coat ending in deep brown goat hair had a raw quality and sexy, textured depth. The tobacco-toned tunic and shiny brown
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Altuzarra
3.1 Phillip Lim
trousers continued the monochromatic look, a sure bet that women will like this, too. In the era of women’s liberation, visionaries like Helen Gurley Brown took small but powerful steps forward. Walking in those footsteps with strong and sure progress, as well as with Fall’s crisped-up, contemporary designs, we continue to move ever forward. Beauty / Fashion Editor Barbara Barton Sloane keeps us informed on the capricious and engaging fashion and beauty scene. As Travel Editor she is constantly globe-hopping to share her unique experiences with our readers; from the exotic to the sublime.
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THURSDAY, octoBER 27, 2011
GAMING
Electronic Baccarat is Latest Addition to Gaming Experience at Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway so Baccarat offers opportunities for all players from minimum bettors to high rollers. “Empire City continues to enhance the gaming experience for our players,” said Rooney. “Our new Electronic Baccarat machines, like earlier additions of video roulette and craps, presents exciting new gaming opportunities for our players.” The electronic table games includes a video display and video interface for each player along with a large high-definition LCD game play screen that can be viewed by all players. Baccarat features a dealer dealing two cards to the bank and player(s). The objective of the card game is to get closest to 9. Before speaking to the police... call Patrons are welcome George Weinbaum to experience the new ATTORNEY AT LAW games for themselves FREE CONSULTATION: from 10:00 a.m. until Criminal, Medicaid, Medicare 2:00 a.m. Sunday through Fraud, White-Collar Crime & Wednesday, and until 4 T. 914.948.0044 Health Care Prosecutions. F. 914.686.4873 a.m. Thursdays through Sunday. For information 175 MAIN ST., SUITE 711-7 • WHITE PLAINS, NY 10601
YONKERS, NY -- – Baccarat has arrived at the “Jackpot Next Door!” Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway, which already added video roulette and craps to its 5,300 slot machines in the past six months, and yet continues to enhance the gaming experience for its players with the addition of 20 Electronic Baccarat video gaming seats, announced casino President Timothy J. Rooney. The highly-popular electronic Baccarat, unveiled earlier this month, is up-and-running at Empire City. Additional tables will be added next year when the recently announced $40 million expansion is completed. The minimum bet is $5, and the maximum bet $500,
Strong Effective Leadership Mike will: Provide Fiscal Stability. Improve Our Schools. Protect Our Neighborhoods.
on upcoming promotions and events, visit yonkersraceway.com or call 914-968-4200. Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway is located at 810 Yonkers Avenue (at Central Avenue) in Yonkers, New York, Westchester County, (I-87 to Exit 2). Empire City Casino is open seven days a week from 10:00 AM to 2:00 AM Sunday through Wednesday, and until 4:00 AM Thursday through Saturday. For more information call 914.968.4200 or log onto www.empirecitygaming.com.
HEALTH
I Am Not Depressed By RICH MONETTI “This is what depression looks like,” says the Abilify commercial. As my blood boils, we see a pathetic looking person who looks simply like they’ve give up – thus validating what the strong have always inferred upon those who’ve been hit by mental illness. A $40 co-pay to see a therapist shouldn’t be a surprise then or that New York State’s public health plan does not cover mental illness. It doesn’t help either that “depression” suffices as a medical term, which misrepresents many who have experienced this condition. Let me clarify. Depression, to me, is a normal emotion tied to something unpleasant. We’ve all been there. For me, most memorably, it was my senior year of college. I was monumentally depressed. It suddenly occurred to me that college would end, and I’d be bound again to my hometown, where isolation surrounded everything I did (or didn’t do). There was also this girl - and like never before. Flatly, she would have none of that or me. May 4, 1986 was the rapture, and with every passing day, the four horses got closer. I was so despondent
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that strangers would stop me on the street and ask if I was OK. But I was not depressed by medical standards. I needed information not a pill (and some distance from the offending female). I started to see that classmates were planning lives in places like California, Washington. and Boston. Then my roommate dropped it on me. “Don’t worry,” he said, “we’ll all move to Manhattan and carry on as usual.” Life as we know it had not ended. As for the girl, I found that a job in New York City provided plenty just like her. I overcame my circumstance but also did a fair amount of feeling sorry for myself. The latter never sits well with others, and despite supportive friends, it was justified when my “choice” incurred their ire. This brings me back to “what depression looks like” and the magic pep pills a strong person wouldn’t need to get themselves off the couch. My behavior earned the tag in 1986 but now as the terminology inaccurately describes me, I’m yet another person who’s offended - sorry. In 2002, my insomnia had me sleeping about 10 hours a week. I went to my medical doctor and she told me it could be depression. Not offended, I assured her I was aggravated but not depressed. Nonetheless, I decided to see a psychologist. Using the current medical terminology she was correct, but it didn’t double to describe my mindset. Despite, a personal life that was slightly askew, this moment was far from depressing. Backing tracking first, my lack of vision in 1986 arose from a justified fear that I wouldn’t be able to find work in my major (computer science). As stated above, I managed to do so but computers were always a struggle. By 1999, I was out of the field and floundering in life. Continued on page 9
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wouldn’t have stressed me out at midnight but it did provide mortar for the wall. Growing up, I was the youngest and it seemed like I was the only one who screwed up. So at night, I’d tie the past to the present in writing and rationalize the erroneousness of my childhood thinking. For example, penning out, “I’m not the only one in the world or the family who makes mistakes” was the exercise in this case. In conjunction with the anti-depressants, which have nothing to do with making me drowsy (or happy), the process would make the wall fall and sleep soon followed. Unfortunately, if I couldn’t find that moment from the day’s events that tied to the past, sleep was scant, and all the holes in
my bedroom wall speak quite well to “what depression looks like.” By now, I’m an expert on me and sleep is mostly a given. The words matter because by labeling an illness with such an ambiguous term and showing “the pathetic” in TV ads, it compounds the stigma and makes a condition seem like a choice. Since sleep still requires medication, issues yet remain to be resolved in my mental illness. I’d like to be free of medication but a $40 payment per session means that will have to wait.
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HEALTH
I Am Not Depressed Continued from page 8 On the other hand, I realized that writing was a talent I could exploit, even if I wasn’t quite sure how. Staying afloat, I worked in a daycare as a teacher’s aide but not having any tangible place to hang my career hat was unsettling. Definitely depressing so maybe I had reached my limit and now sat up all night worrying about the failure that I was. The problem is that just as my insomnia was peaking, I was hooking on as a freelancer with a local newspaper. Finally nailing down a career was about the best thing that had ever happened to me.
You don’t have to be Freud to determine that the depression label didn’t correspond. Go figure that people of strength, because no bootstrap could have altered what night time meant to my brain. It wasn’t a stream of endless worries. In fact, my mind went blank at bedtime. Still, no matter how tired I was, when the lights went off, my brain switched to a state of alertness and toggling it off to sleep would have been like running through a brick wall. Simply said, my brain was malfunctioning and like a heart or kidney - medical attention was necessary. Therapy allowed me to determine the underlying misconceptions I had of myself. For example, a minor mistake at work
Rich Monetti lives in Somers. He’s been a freelance writer in Westchester since 2003 and works part time in the after school program at Mt. Kisco Childcare. You can find more of his work at www. happystories.info.
HOLIDAYS
Why We Do What We Do on Halloween
Of all the holidays we observe today, none has a stranger history than Halloween, whose obscure past holds the meanings of its curious rites and customs. Called Halloween because it is the eve of All Hallows Day, it marks the beginning of a solemn period in the religious calendar.
By ROBERT SCOTT
Celtic Beginnings Halloween’s roots lie shrouded in the mists of history. Born in prehistoric new year observances in Ireland and Scotland, Halloween is about death and people’s attempts to understand death and control it. Even today during this holiday, we joke about death, mock it and fear it. In the Celtic calendar, the first day of the new year was celebrated around the first of November. The Celts called this holiday Samhain (pronounced “Sow-en”), meaning “summer’s end.” Continued on page 10
Halloween! It is still a time when ghosts and goblins walk. Once it was a rowdy time for letting loose, for marking the end of the fruitful year and the beginning of winter. A time to howl, to rage, to scream. To raise the dead and frighten the living long into the dark October night and beyond. A time for raising hackles and goose bumps. A time when the cemetery on the hill in every town or village became the haunt of ghosts and goblins.
where are the thinkers who will foresee the forces of nature?
OPEN HOUSE Saturday November 12 and 19 10:00 a.m.
Changing the world requires revolutionary thinking that goes above and beyond, and at Vaughn College that’s the type of thinking we instill in you. Our students come with vision and expectations and leave ready to challenge the ordinary in the fields of engineering, technology, management and aviation. Vaughn offers an array of master’s, bachelor’s and associate’s degree programs — including one of the only degree programs in mechatronic engineering in the New York metropolitan area — and a faculty that is grounded in real-life experience. It’s no wonder that 95 percent of our graduates are employed or continue their education within one year of graduation. Set your sights on Vaughn College and start thinking above and beyond.
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AVIATION 10/19/11 1:38 PM
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HOLIDAYS
Why We Do What We Do on Halloween Continued from page 9 Two chief characteristics of ancient Celtic Halloweens were the lighting of sacred bonfires and the belief that this was the one night in the year when ghosts wandered about. Interestingly, the festival finds parallels in the seasonal holidays of other cultures and religions, including the Jewish autumn festival of Sukkoth. Halfway around the world in India, at around the time of Halloween, Hindus celebrate Divali, their five-day New Year holiday, For rural dwellers, Samhain marked the beginning of the winter half of the year. Unharvested crops--corn, hay, potatoes, turnips, apples--were gathered and stored. Cattle and sheep were returned from distant pastures where they had been brought during the summer to fatten. Excess animals and those too weak to withstand the rigors of the hard days ahead were slaughtered. As in many other early cultures, Celtic society was highly structured. In addition to the Druids (the religious intelligentsia), the hierarchy consisted of a warrior aristocracy (called the Fianna), outcast warriors, bards, brehons (lawyers), historians and other specialists, and landholders. Laborers, whether freeborn or slave, were at the bottom. To make this rigid stratification of society tolerable, it was useful to have an interval when order and structure were erased, and people could let off steam, however briefly. Samhain, which lasted for three days, was such a period.
A Time of No Time The Druids had a lunar calendar of 13 months of 28 days each, plus one extra day to make 365. From this comes our expression, “a year and a day.” The day before the extra day was the last day of the old year; the day after was the first day of the new year. The day between the years thus was a special day—literally, a time when time stood still, when people could act foolishly. Men and women cross-dressed. House gates were unhinged and suspended in trees. Owners found their livestock wandering in neighbors’ fields. Such mischief had a deeper meaning. The Druids believed that during these three days the veil between this world and that of their ancestors became thin. It was a magical period when the dead could revisit the living, and the future could be foretold through divination and prophecy. Instead of being feared, the departed were regarded not as the dead but as living spirits of loved ones. They were seen as repositories of the ancient wisdom of the clan--sources of guidance and inspiration to be honored and
feasted. The new moon (the time when the moon is virtually invisible) determined the timing of Samhain. During the dark of the moon, people believed it was easier to see into the other world. Fire, being a customary way of warding off evil spirits, played an important role in Celtic life. Samhain was one of the four great “fire festivals” of the Celts. On this night all hearth fires in Ireland were extinguished. A new sacred fire was rekindled at Tlachtga, near Athboy in County Meath, 12 miles from the seat of the Irish kings at Tara. Runners with torches then carried this new flame and relit hearths all over Ireland, symbolizing a fresh start for the new year. In Ireland and Scotland, Samhain was a time for traditional divination games about love and marriage, employing nuts or apples. People also went from house to house during Samhain. Failure to provide food and drink would result in practical jokes being played on the householder. One popular divination game, “bobbing for apples,” called for young unmarried persons to try to bite into an apple floating in a tub of water or hanging from a string. The first person to bite into the apple would be the next person to marry. Fairies--the “Sidhe” (pronounced “shee”), rather than witches and goblins--dominate Irish folklore. Although invisible, fairies are always about. Not as malevolent as witches, they can play tricks on mortals, although sometimes they are generous and helpful. One never throws dishwater or kitchen slops out of a house without first warning the fairies who might be passing and would resent being drenched. Pope Boniface IV introduced All Saints’ Day in the seventh century to honor all the saints. Initially observed on May 13, it was moved to the first of November in the next century by Pope Gregory III in an effort to replace Celtic pagan rites with the liturgy of the church. It also was known as All Hallows Day. October 31 became All Hallows Eve, and November 1, All Saints Day. November 2, became All Souls Day, when prayers were to be said for souls in Purgatory. In spite of these formidable surrogates intended to displace the three-day Samhain period, the old pagan practices persisted.
Halloween’s Traditions Merge The earliest settlers of the American colonies were mostly English, and Halloween was not among the traditions of the mother country. Instead, the colonists observed Guy Fawkes Day on November 5, an English holiday resembling Halloween.
For his role in the failed 1605 “Gunpowder Plot” to blow up the House of Parliament, Fawkes was quickly tried and hanged. His plan had been to kill the first Stuart King, James I, son of Mary Queen of Scots. To mark the event, the date of Fawkes’s arrest was made a day of thanksgiving still celebrated in Britain. For weeks before November 5, British children prepare masked effigies of Fawkes (called “Guys”) from old clothes stuffed with newspapers. These are set out on street Continued on page 13 Continued from page 9 corners, and passersby are asked to give “a penny for the Guy.” The night of November 4 is known as “Mischief Night” when children are free to play pranks on adults--and on each other. Finally, on the night of November 5, celebrants burn the effigies in giant bonfires and set off fireworks. When successive waves of rural Irish immigrants arrived on these shores beginning in the 1840s, they brought with them their traditional Halloween customs. Young girls remained indoors and played parlor games foretelling the future. Bands of boys roamed outdoors, where their ritualized pranks were often attributed to spirits abroad in the night. And the New World’s large pumpkins proved easier to carve into candlelit jack-o’-lanterns than the traditional turnips of the old country carved and filled with glowing coals. Even as celebrated today, Halloween is essentially still a Gaelic holiday that found a place in the American calendar of holidays. Oddly, two rituals of early America’s Halloween spread to other holidays: Election Day and Thanksgiving. To celebrate election victories, it became a custom to light towering bonfires. The practice eventually died out, probably because the chief fuel for such bonfires--discarded wooden barrels and crates--was no longer widely available. In New York, Thanksgiving Day was marked by public begging, a forerunner of trick-or-treating. Called “ragamuffins,” children dressed in old clothes or costumes asked passersby on the street, “Anything for Thanksgiving?” This ritual, too, has vanished from the Thanksgiving holiday.
The Holiday Turns Ugly For crowded urban dwellers, Halloween in the 20th century evolved into an outlet for letting off steam destructively. Mischief, once limited to rural pranks--overturning outhouses, removing gates, soaping windows, or switching shop signs--turned nasty. In the grinding poverty of the Great Depression, willful and malicious destruction of property became widespread. Even acts of cruelty to animals
and people were reported. Neighborhood committees, community organizations and the Boy Scouts mobilized to organize safer Halloween observances and offer alternatives to vandalism. School posters of the 1930s advocated a “Sane Halloween.” To discourage destructiveness, children were urged to go from door to door and ask householders and shop owners for treats. Surprisingly, the earliest use of the phrase “trick-or-treating” dates only from the early twentieth century. Immensely popular, these so-called “beggar nights” spread across the nation. The standard demand of “trick or treat” was soon incorporated into the vocabulary of Halloween, and the holiday became tame and commercialized. Not much steam is let off, however, when tiny tots in plastic dime-store costumes shuffle from door to door and mumble “trick or treat,” especially when a treat is almost always guaranteed. Window painting of Halloween motifs replaced the soaping or waxing of windows with candles. A giant step forward in artistic expression and creativeness perhaps, but not one calculated to relieve primal adolescent pressures.
The Roots of Trick-or-Treating Today’s custom of trick-or-treating has a complex history. During the Middle Ages children wearing masks would go “souling” from door to door and ask for soul cakes. These were flat, oval shortbread cookies made with currants, and flavored with cinnamon and nutmeg. The more soul cakes each beggar received, the more prayers that would said for the donors’ deceased relatives. Because participants wore masks, they were called “mummers” (from momeur, Old French for “one who wears a mask”). Also during the Middle Ages, parading, singing and dancing by costumed and masked mummers became popular in the British Isles at Christmas and May Day. One familiar character in many celebrations was the Hobby Horse--the figure of a horse worn attached to the waist of a mummer. Mumming is an ancient custom still associated with various holidays.In parts of Canada, for example, it continues at Christmastime. Our house-to-house Christmas caroling may be a vestige of Christmas mumming. Mumming is a feature of the New Orleans Mardi Gras (French for “fat Tuesday”), the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. In Philadelphia, mumming is the centerpiece of a New Year’s Day celebration in which elaborately costumed revelers dance and parade to the accompaniment of marching bands featuring stringed instruments. Continued on page 13
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Halloween curfew for those under 18 unaccompanied by a parent or guardian. The destructiveness takes especially virulent forms in big cities with decaying neighborhoods. During the 1980s and 1990s in Detroit and Camden, N.J., two cities with high rates of poverty and crime, the night of October 30th was called “Devil’s Night,” a time when anything goes. Dozens of houses--not always empty or abandoned--were torched by roving bands of looters or arsonists. The ability of firefighters to keep up with so many mindless random
acts was strained. Entire city blocks were vulnerable to destruction. Cities responded by razing empty buildings, towing abandoned cars, removing discarded tires and limiting sales of gasoline. Accelerated neighborhood awareness campaigns and watchful volunteer patrols during what is now called “Angel’s Night” have reduced the number of incidents, but the fires of resentment still smolder.
The Westchester Guardian
HOLIDAYS
Why We Do What We Do on Halloween Continued from page 10
Playfulness Gives Way to Mayhem Halloween still has its dark side. Beneath today’s comparatively bland holiday festivities lurks a wild and wonderful night of letting go. But, as if responding to a dormant folk memory, an ugly tradition has resurfaced, largely in cities. A throwback to the dangerous urban Halloween celebrations that led to trick-or-treating, mean-spirited outrage and property destruction have again
been substituted for Halloween’s earlier playful pranks. In community after community, mayhem has supplanted mischievousness. Cemetery headstones are overturned or smashed. Indelible spray paint substitutes for easily removed shaving cream. Discharge of firearms replaces traditional noisemakers. Roadside mailboxes are vandalized or destroyed. Windows are broken, and automobile tires punctured or slashed. So serious has the situation become, some communities declare a
Robert Scott, a semi-retired book publisher and local historian, lives in Croton-on-Hudson.
MOVIE REVIEW
Ed Koch Movie Reviews By Edward I. Koch
Movie Review: “Senna” (-)
This documentary about the Brazilian racecar driver Ayrton Senna will be very interesting to those who follow Formula One racing. The sport is devoted to the use of specially-built racecars and cannot be compared to NASCAR which involves souped-up regular commercial cars used by the public. I pretend no expertise or knowledge concerning either sport nor have I ever attended either event. Because of that lack of interest and knowledge, I found many of the old television news clips in the film to be boring. I did enjoy the occasional interview with Senna who was the Formula One champion on several occasions. He was clearly a highly intelligent individual, and his comments were delivered in a thoughtful, charming manner. Senna died during a race at the age of 34, and the accident was attributed to a defect in his racecar. One scene was particularly interesting. It showed Senna arguing with the president of Formula One about a regulation the president had personally put into effect to which Senna objected. The president of the association asked the drivers in attendance what they
Movie Review: “The Skin I Live In” (+)
Pedro Almodovar directed the film. The script, based on a novel by Thierry Jonquet entitled “Mygale,” was written by Pedro and Agustin Almodovar. Everything about this picture is a virtuoso performance: the script, directing and the acting. I won’t reveal much of the story because
IAA gave me a road map on getting into a nursing school and finishing my degree successfully. They helped me realize my dream to become a Registered Nurse. thought. The majority agreed with Senna and the president changed the regulation on the spot. It was a brilliant, candid moment showing the head of the organization to be very unhappy with the challenge to his leadership but, nevertheless, smart enough to give in to the drivers. Again, I don’t think moviegoers uninterested in the sport, and that includes me, will have an experience worth their time if they decide to see this picture. doing so would eliminate the surprises that make this such a marvelous movie. Antonio Banderas plays the role of a plastic surgeon, Dr. Robert Ledgard, who is brilliant, debonair, and sadistic. Some aspects of his career can be compared with Dr. Mengele of Nazi death camp fame. His sadistic aspects come to the fore to avenge the savage act of another. Continued on page 14
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MOVIE REVIEW
MUSIC
Movie Review: “The Skin I Live In” (+) A brief mention of others. Vicente (Jan Cornet), who assists his mother in a clothing boutique, is suddenly missing. The doctor’s housekeeper, Marilia (Marisa Paredes), has a dark secret which is revealed early on. Her story is one that Shakespeare might have used for one of his plays. Zeca (Roberto Alamo) is a very weird and dangerous fellow. The performance of every cast member is superb. The bizarre story held my attention from beginning to end. It will shock you and occasionally cause you to laugh. Overall, it is one that will have you thanking your lucky stars that you and your family are normal, whatever that means, and it does mean something. (In Spanish, with English subtitles.)
Continued from page 13
THURSDAY, octoBER 27, 2011
Watch Ed Koch’s Movie Reviews at www. MayorKoch.com. A woman of extraordinary beauty, Vera (Elena Anaya), is locked in a room in Ledgard’s luxurious mansion and visible to others on television screens in every room. We don’t know why she is locked up until the dénouement near the end of the film.
THE SOUNDS OFBLUE By Bob Putignano
Cornell Dupree “I’m Alright” www.DialtoneRecords.com “Cornell’s Final Flight is Definitely Alright!” Rating: 9 When I first heard about this recording I also learned that it was recorded approximately eight weeks prior to Cornell’s passing. I was hopeful for an appropriate finale, but I also had some concerns. Put those concerns to rest, as “I’m Alright” is one mighty fine recording, that finds Cornell on his game, and is backed some of Austin’s finest musicians. In total eleven tunes are included, four of which are authored by Dupree. It’s immediately apparent that “I’m Alright” is going to be good one with the opening “Doin’ Alright” (authored by Dupree) that also features the great George Porter Jr. on bass, Frosty’s second line drumming is right in the pocket and works smartly with Porter, Kaz Kazanoff sax fits right in, and
Dupree’s tone and two solos are dazzling.Tony Joe White’s classic “Rainy Night In Georgia”
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who closes this high-flying tune with a tasty and bluesy riff. Kudos to producer’s Randy Reagan and Eddie Stout for assembling a top notch band, (did I forget to mention Nick Connelly’s fine keyboard work throughout?) and for giving us one final top-shelf farewell to one of the most recorded guitarists of our time; Dupree has appeared on over twenty-five hundred recordings backing some of the music industry’s
biggest stars, yet only ten albums were previously credited to his name. Dupree’s eleventh “”I’m Alright” finds Dupree delivering his most blues-based recording, and perhaps his best overall album, saving his best for a (bittersweet) last, bringing us back home to where he started in Texas.
MUSIC
THE SOUNDS OF BLUE is drop dead gorgeous and sweet, as is the percolating Bill Withers’ cover of “Grandma’s Hands.” Kris Kristofferson’s “Help Me Make It Through the Night” seems appropriate, funky and tight. Cornell spikes the shuffling “I Ain’t Got You” in his best Texas blues fashion and displays some mesmerizing guitar flurries. Pee Wee Ellis’s “Ham” is immensely funky especially with Larry Fulcher’s solid
bass-lines, Kazanoff ’s soaring sax, and more of Frosty’s dazzling drumming. “CL Blues” is a haunting slow blues by Dupree that showoff Dupree’s Texas blues roots. The closing “K.C.” authored by organist Mike Flanigin is yet another blues romp the hums along in a “Compared To What,” “Listen Here” vamp, both tunes are related to the great Eddie Harris where Kazanoff is up to Harris’s tasks, as are Flanigan’s B3, and of course Dupree
THE SPOOF
A Bull Wanders into Irish Pub, Doesn’t Give It a Rave Review
TICKET PRICES INCLUDE A COMPLETE MEAL & SHOW
“‘ MY FAIR LADY ’ SHINES AT WBT …exuberantly sung and choreographed”
– David Begelman, NEWSTIMES.COM
By GAIL FARRELLY The sign on the door of a pub in County Cavan reads “A Thousand Welcomes,” but a bull who stopped there for a pint after a long day of grazing claims it’s false advertising. “I didn’t even receive ONE welcome,” he whined. The bartender claimed he didn’t serve him because he wasn’t of drinking age, but the bull’s not buying it. “That’s nothing but a lot of bull,” he said. The bull has told friends it wasn’t his kind of place anyway. The customers scattered far and wide when he entered their midst; not a friendly face in sight. “You’d think I was from Pamplona or something,” he complained. When he went to visit the restroom, he found it locked. The bartender refused to give him the key, claiming it was closed for its
Bob Putignano www.SoundsofBlue.com
ON STAGE NOW
DAILY cleaning. “More bull,” the bull said, adding, “Whoever heard of a pub restroom being cleaned on a daily basis, if at all?” And it annoyed him that one corner of the pub was set up for a game of darts, dominated by a huge bullseye at the center of the dartboard. This was accompanied by a sign, Hit the bullseye and get a free pint. “Quite politically incorrect in this day and age,” the bull reported, holding his head up high and blinking his large, gorgeous dark eyes. The bull has confided to friends, “I won’t be going back there, that’s for sure. But there’s a nice china shop next door that I’ll visit when I’m in the mood for a little browse and a nice cuppa.” Learn more about The Farrelly Sisters - Authors online.
“ BEAUTIFULLY ACTED AND HANDSOMELY STAGED”
– James F. Cotter, TIMES HERALD RECORD
Westchester Broadway Theatre Group WBT_theatre
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EYE ON THEATRE
Three One-“acters” By John Simon Americans love quantity. They prefer novels to short stories, symphonic to chamber music, feature films to short subjects. They put up with today’s, economics-induced favorite theatrical format, the 90-minute, intermission less play, only because that is mostly what there is. Well, now there is “Relatively Speaking,” a bill of three one-“acters.” The one-act play, never very popular, makes, when three are packaged together, a full-length evening. Moreover, this trio comes from respected sources. The first, item, “Talking Cure,” is by Ethan Coen, a sometimes playwright, but,
with his brother, a frequent and successful filmmaker. A Patient in a mental hospital is in a session with the Doctor. (They go by such generic names.) Doctor is having a tough time with the ornery and argumentative Patient, who has committed a dastardly attack on an old lady at the Post Office, where he works. Among other things, Patient wants to reverse the roles of patient and shrink. This soon yields to another couple, Father and Mother of the Patient. They are at the dinner table fiercely squabbling away, which is supposed to explain their grown offspring’s criminal behavior. There are a few sporadic laughs in both duologues, but only just more than hen’s teeth. As Patient, Danny Hoch is outstanding. Next comes Elaine May’s “George Is Dead,” the longest, indeed overlong, piece. It Continued on page 16
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EYE ON THEATRE
Three One-“acters” Continued from page 15 goes from repetitious and vastly exaggerated satire to shorter, unpersuasive pathos, with plausibility throughout barely minimal, though any form other than outrageous farce, could use a little more of it. Doreen, a spoiled rich bitch, bursts in on Carla, her erstwhile nanny’s daughter, in the middle of the night. In far-away Aspen, her husband has died in a skiing accident. She cannot squeeze out a single tear; what floors her is her panicky inability to make the necessary arrangements. She has an incessant stream of related and other escalating demands, including to be put up for the night in Carla’s one-bed apartment. The bullied friend obliges, even though she has her own problems with Michael, her new second husband, off giving a political speech. Returning, he is scandalized by Doreen’s usurping presence, which has unexpected consequences. Other far-fetched developments follow, making for even greater implausibility. Lisa Emery is wonderful as the tyrannized Carla, but Doreen, to be even a mite credible, let alone tolerable, would require a very great actress, which Marlo Thomas never was. As Michael, Grant Shaud is saddled with a ridiculous role, yet in the end we get another,
even less likely arrival. Woody Allen’s contribution, “Honeymoon Motel,” is more absurd yet, but being an unabashedly outrageous farce able to get away with it. It’s the immediate aftermath of a skewed wedding, where the groom’s father has stepped into his son’s shoes with the bride’s fervent cooperation. After that, every sort of cataclysm befalls the two involved dysfunctional Jewish families, plus the fantastical rabbi who performed the ceremony. If not much else, we get a number of pungent one-liners, and effective performances from, among others, Steve Guttenberg, Ari Graynor, Caroline Aaron, Julie Kavner, Richard Libertini and, as a philosophical pizza delivery man, once again Danny Hoch. John Tuturro ‘s breakneck direction aptly contributes to the torrential chaos, as does Santo Loquasto’s décor, climaxing in a marvelously tacky bridal suite. The piece clinches the desiderated quantity; the overall quality, however, is another matter. In “Sons of the Prophet,” Stephen Karam presents a somewhat different dysfunctional family: the Maronite Lebanese-American, financially challenged Douaihys, ever so distantly related to Kahlil Gibran. Father has died from aftereffects of a nocturnal car accident, a collision with a decoy stag that Vin, 18, a black football star, has mischievously planted mid-road.
Surviving are the two, often-confrontational sons, injured athlete Joseph, 29, and would-be college student Charles, 18 both gay. Also Uncle Bill, 74, mostly wheelchair-bound and hugely xenophobic and cantankerous. Joseph, who turns out afflicted beyond his sports injuries, works for Gloria, 59, a hugely eccentric widow who runs a book-packaging outfit, at a wholly unsuitable job solely for the medical insurance. There is also Timothy, 29, a journalist snowbound in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, where the action is laid, and any number of surrounding places have tantalizingly Middle-Eastern names. That emphasizes the conflicted ways of this double-bottomed family, complicated by Gloria’s comic but annoying meddlesomeness and Timothy’s unwelcome attempts to write up the Duaihys’s past and present. A judge delays the repentant Vin’s trial because the youth is needed for the impending important football game, and the siblings befriend him, which causes further trouble with non-P.C.Uncle Bill. There are other characters (doctor, physician’s attendants, college board members) all female, who contribute to the motley proceedings. “Sons of a Prophet” is often amusing, sometimes contrived, and always minor stuff. But Karam, clearly of Lebanese descent, brings in all sorts of ethnic and religious matters, even
bits of the ancestral language, to good effect. Peter DuBois has vividly directed on Anna Louizos’s cleverly shifting scenery, and with an on-target cast. Santino Fontana and Chris Perfetti as the very different siblings, Joanna Gleason as the droll nuisance Gloria, Yusef Bulos as the troublesome uncle, Charles Socarides as the prying Timothy, Jonathan Louis Dent as Vin, and Lizbeth Mackay and Dee Nelson in several roles, couldn’t be better. Make your expectations modest, and the play will amply reward you. John Simon has written for over 50 years on theatre, film, literature, music and fine arts for the Hudson Review, New Leader, New Criterion, National Review, New York Magazine, Opera News, Weekly Standard, Broadway.com and Bloomberg News. He reviews books for the New York Times Book Review and Washington Post. He has written profiles for Vogue, Town and Country, Departures and Connoisseur and produced 17 books of collected writings. Mr. Simon holds a PhD from Harvard University in Comparative Literature and has taught at MIT, Harvard University, Bard College and Marymount Manhattan College. To learn more, visit the JohnSimonUncensored.com website.
GovernmentSection CAMPAIGN TRAIL
New Forum Format for Candidates for New Rochelle City Council By PEGGY GODFREY The forum that the League of Women Voters chose for the New Rochelle City Council candidates on October 11 created a long, tedious meeting. Carolyn Stevens, president of the Scarsdale League, had been chosen as moderator to read the questions, which had to be submitted before the forum began. Candidates in each district were given questions. The audience was told the questions were randomly selected, but “inappropriate questions were screened.” Differences between the candidates and their political parties emerged as the questions were posed. District 6’s Republican candidate, Steve Mayo, was the first to introduce himself; giving his credentials as that of an attorney, entrepreneur and a creative problem solver.
His opponent, Democrat Shari Rackman, also an attorney, said she grew up in New Rochelle and believes in “giving back” to the community and working collaboratively. In District 4, Ivar Hyden, on the Democratic ticket said he had lived in New Rochelle sixteen years and felt underrepresented, adding he was “proud to be a Democrat.” His opponent, Republican Kevin Barrett, stated he had many years of public service and as a “symbolic act” of open and transparent government” wants to open the front door of New Rochelle City Hall. Ilyse Spectus, Republican candidate, District 5, talked about the “lack of progress in revitalizing the city,” and felt it was necessary to stop 30-year tax abatements so the schools can receive more tax money and remain strong. Councilman Barry Fertel, Democrat District
5, enumerated his record of deep commitment to New Rochelle and how he moved his law practice to New Rochelle. He reminded the group of the large vacant lots and empty storefronts that were once in downtown New Rochelle. Roberto Lopez, former Democratic Councilman and candidate for District 1, emphasized his long term commitments and felt he could bring New Rochelle together and “move the City forward.” Councilman Lou Trangucci, District 1, said previously he ran on a platform of fiscal responsibility and felt he had lived up to this promise. For example, his initiative to request Avalon land payments resulted in $9 million that was received by the City coffers. James Earvin, Republican candidate for District 3, who was a Staff Sergeant in
Vietnam and is presently a private detective, felt he was “forced to run” because of a horrible redistricting plan and the “give aways’ and lack of commercial development in New Rochelle. Democratic Councilman Jared Rice, District 3, spoke of his family and professional achievements. He felt his academic background and law degree form a basis for his deep understanding of how government works. Councilman Albert Tarantino, Republican, District 2, running unopposed said he was against reassessment and irresponsible development. In his view PILOTS (payments in lieu of taxes) should end and taxgenerating businesses should be sought along with waterfront revitalization. The audience posed numerous questions, and answers were given seemingly along political party lines. The first question asked was about long-term planning guidelines and sustainability. Lopez asked why his opponent had not voted for the GreenR sustainability plan, which he felt was one of the best things Continued on page 17
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unnecessary and indicated his opponent had nothing else to discuss in District 4. Arnold Klugman, chairman of the New Rochelle Democratic City Committee said each side is dealing with narratives. $7.5 to $8 million has been generated in taxes from Home Depot and the Weyman Avenue developments. The City of New Rochelle bonded for $29 million in 1989 to condemn property in the downtown and yet no development occurred. The Republican narrative is looking backward assuming everything would have been built without incentives which is totally unrealistic. You need incentives to be competitive with neighboring communities. Lorraine Pierce said she remembers that in the past there were several real estate brokers who had commercial businesses interested in coming to New Rochelle but when they asked, they were not given an appointment to present their plans. Mark McLean, chairperson of the
Concerned Citizens for Redistricting, felt Jared Rice’s claim about reassessment indicates he has no idea of the history of why the minority district was formed to protect AfroAmericans from the discrimination that was experienced with at-large districts in New Rochelle. The Councilman from District 3 should not be there to protect New Rochelle from a lawsuit but to create a district. Jared Rice’s plan was the most inferior. The lack of a lawsuit does not speak to fairness because a Federal lawsuit is very expensive and the Committee could not raise the resources to pay $10,000 for the lawsuit. The residents should not have to raise that money. The Councilman’s job is to prevent discrimination against Afro-Americans. Jim O’Toole summarized: “It was the same old stuff you hear every four years, a bunch of broken promises.”
CAMPAIGN TRAIL New Forum Format for Candidates for New Rochelle City Council Continued from page 16 that happened.Trangucci answered he had voted “no” because the plan dictated that the City join ICLEI, an organization that dictates how green initiatives should be completed. He asked, for example, if homeowners would like, at their own expense, having their water and sewer lines checked before they could sell their homes. The issue of how long Kevin Barrett, Republican candidate for District. 4, has lived in New Rochelle, despite Barrett’s recounting of his long history of public service elsewhere, continued to surface. In his closing statement, Hyden was “blown away” by these claims because he said Barrett only recently moved to New Rochelle. Reassessment was the topic of several questions. Rackman said there was a need for equalization on taxes, but it was a very expensive process. His opponent, Mayo, felt
the question was a distraction and thought the emphasis should be on a improving the quality of life and working on a master plan. When the question about the new parking rules which made it necessary to feed the street parking meters at night from 6 p.m. to Midnight and include an 100% increase in fees in the lots, Barrett said he did not support this change and that many businesses are upset by them. Hyden countered by saying that this parking problem was created when Avalon decided two years ago to charge for parking spaces and 1200 cars moved out onto the streets of New Rochelle leaving no choice but to charge more, or to issue overnight parking permits. As a result he added, his customers can now come downtown. After the forum, Laraine Karl said the question about how many times Kevin Barrett had voted in New Rochelle was totally
Peggy Godfrey is a freelance writer and a former educator.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Don’t Frack with New York MOUNT KISCO, NY -- Senator Greg Ball (R, C – Patterson) held a news conference on October 17, 2011, in Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s hometown of Mt. Kisco, N.Y., where he demanded the Governor take
immediate steps to protect New Yorkers from the potentially devastating effects of hydraulic fracturing. Senator Ball called on Governor Cuomo to tour Pennsylvania communities that have
ELECT
been ravaged by hydrofracking to see firsthand to befriend this powerful industry, but all what could happen in New York without I know is that I went to Pennsylvania and I the proper regulations. Ball also called on truly believe if the Governor did the same, he Governor Cuomo to further extend the public would put the brakes on his fracking express, comment period on hydrofracking in New taking time to get it right. Whether it be Dick York to 180 days. Cheney’s ‘Halliburton Loophole’ or Governor “Maybe Governor Cuomo is focused on Cuomo’s most recent expediting of a process Calvi Qtr. page-West. Guardian 5:08 PM 18 Page being President Cuomo and feels compelled10-4-11:Layout 1 10/5/11 Continued on page
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THURSDAY, octoBER 27, 2011
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Continued from page 17 for the convenience of billionaire gas execs, at the highest of levels this gas industry has undue influence. New York State should be leading the charge to regulate this industry, to protect private property owners, farmers, sportsman and our environment by learning from the devastation in other states. Instead the Governor is paving the way for fracking without installing necessary safeguards,” said Senator Greg Ball. Senator Ball is also calling for the passage of his recently drafted Property Owner’s Bill of Rights, which would set tough, new standards for safe hydrofracking in New York. The Property Owner’s Bill of Rights (S5879) includes the following measures: • Mandatory water and soil testing by an official government third-party for presence of chemicals used during the fracturing process prior to drilling. • All fracking companies must sign a Presumption of Causation Agreement with the State of New York. • Mandatory full reimbursement to property owners by negligent gas companies for 150% of the real estate’s market value of property, based on estimates prior to drilling, and 100% of the cost for full remediation of soil and water. The company will also be accountable for full reimbursement of the land owner’s legal fees. • Mandatory full remediation of soil and water, and free medical monitoring for
life. All settlements are not to be taxed. • Allow local governments to enact or enforce certain laws and ordinances relating to oil, gas and solution mining. • Mandatory adherence to an environmental impact assessment process, similar to New York’s SEQR Process, to assess the impact to the environment from hydraulic fracturing. • Mandatory disclaimers and warning statements on lease documents about the risk of contamination of soil and water, as well as the potential health effects, related to hydraulic fracturing spills. The genesis of the bill came in the wake of an August 2011 tour Senator Ball took to Bradford County, Pennsylvania, with Oscarnominated filmmaker Josh Fox.There, Senator Ball witnessed first-hand the negative effects that hydrofracking can have on communities. “Senator Greg Ball is one of the only politicians on either side of the aisle who has the heart to actually go and see firsthand the horrific and abusive conditions the gas fracking industry is forcing on citizens and one
of the only public servants with the conviction and the guts to stand up to the gas industry. Touring the gas lands of Pennsylvania should be required of every NY state representative,” said GASLAND Director Josh Fox. On the tour, Senator Ball met with several families who suffered 90% devaluation of their property value following the contamination of water wells due to hydrofracking. Among them was Craig Stevens of Silver Lake Township, Pennsylvania. “Thank you, Senator Ball for this Property Owner’s Bill Of Rights for my neighbors in New York. I have wondered for years why not one of our elected officials in Pennsylvania had the foresight to protect their constituents. Thank you for coming to Pennsylvania to see the other side of the story and not let money and greed cloud your judgment,” said Craig L. Stevens with Marcellus Patriots for Land Rights and a 6th generation landowner. In August 2011, Senator Ball held a hearing on hydrofracking in Katonah, N.Y. where he heard from leading experts on the issue. The Senator invited representatives
from the oil and gas industry to testify at that hearing. All invitations to oil and gas representatives were declined. “Senator Greg Ball is asking New York’s leaders all the right questions about industrial gas drilling and what widespread fracking will mean for our water and our communities,” said Robert Moore, Executive Director of Environmental Advocates of New York. “Before Governor Cuomo opens the Empire State to the gas industry, he should see for himself how fracking has impacted families in Pennsylvania. New York can learn from our neighbors’ mistakes.” “The decision to allow hydrofracking will forever adversely change our state. Governor Cuomo’s advancement of hydrofracking will contaminate water ways, pollute our air and lands, and cause an irreversible industrialization of rural NY. It would be a bold but imperative step for the Governor to tour communities in Pennsylvania, as is being requested by Senator Ball, to view firsthand the harmful results of hydrofracking. Ignorance isn’t bliss, ignorance is dangerous,” said Executive Director for Citizens Campaign for the Environment Adrienne Esposito. Senator Ball hosted a screening of the film GASLAND in Peekskill, N.Y. The Senator was joined by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Josh Fox for the viewing, which was free and open to the public.
A Neighborhood Forgotten—Yonkers Ludlow Park
sewage (wastewater) from three existing communities and a planned fourth, from his district to the Yonkers facility. This would be accomplished by tying those communities into a sewer system that would flow directly into the Yonkers plant. It is also noted that one of the communities currently houses a private on-site wastewater treatment plant. But the up county legislator and Department of Environmental Facilities (DEF) Commissioner Tom Lauro believe that the Yonkers Plant is capable to take the increased waste despite the facility operating above and beyond safety parameters designated years ago. Both gentlemen cite that complaints have been reduced to around nine this year and that they no longer process the sewage on the weekend when the vast majority of homeowners are home from work. Two legislators who have represented those residents aren’t happy with the prospect of having more poop piped into Yonkers but are doing little to prevent it from happening. Democrat Ken Jenkins and outgoing legislator Jose Alvarado actually proposed legislation for odor abatement treatment that was adopted and bonded but
is currently incomplete. This legislation, which gained passage by the Westchester County Board of Legislators (WCBoL), would include updates to heating, ventilation, and installation of an odor control system at the screen grit building. Two other bonded pieces of legislation were for an odor control system at the plant and at the Ludlow Street Pump Station, and the third and final chunk of bonded money would have repaired and upgraded the North Yonkers Pump Station. As of this date, it appears that none of these projects has ever been completed. In the meantwhile, residents of Ludlow Park still suffer a stinky problem. Residents’ claim to fame won’t be their pretty homes but the fact that they share their property with 84 million gallons of waste water that flows downwind of their homes. Environmental advocates will post stories about how great their tour of the facility was but they won’t print a single thing about the odor pollution in this neighborhood. Those tour takers only want to hear that much cleaner water is being dumped into the Hudson River. I do not suppose Continued on page 19
ENVIRONMENT
By NANCY KING Situated in the southwest quadrant of Yonkers, lies the neighborhood of Ludlow Park. A walk through the seven blocks that overlook the Hudson River has a bohemian feel to it that attracts an eclectic tapestry of homeowners. The streets are tree lined, the houses are a mix of turn of the century Victorians and stately Tudor homes and they have sidewalks! It’s a neighborhood that is home to young professionals who are looking for a suburban neighborhood with an easy commute to New York City and it is also the neighborhood to empty nesters who despite sky high taxes have chosen to remain in the very neighborhood where they raised their children. But Ludlow Park has had a stinky little problem that has endured for at least three decades: The Yonkers Joint Wastewater Sewage Treatment Plant. On a breezy October afternoon, the
smell comes in whiffs. It reminds one of those little stink bombs that seventh grade boys are so fond of throwing in a hallway filled with people. In this instance however, the stink never really dissipates, it just lingers. If you talk to any of the residents of Ludlow Park, they are quick to exclaim that the smell in October is bearable. All of them state that if you really want to experience the stench that you should come back in the heat of a summer day in July. Residents of this neighborhood also are emphatic about their feelings of abandonment concerning this quality of life issue by the elected officials in Yonkers and in Westchester County government as well. As usual, Ludlow Park and The Yonkers Joint Wastewater Sewage Treatment Plant are forgotten by their elected officials until a new election cycle rolls around. Earlier this month, Westchester County Legislative incumbent Mike Kaplowitz (D-Somers), proposed directing more
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THURSDAY, octoBER 27, 2011
Page 19
existence within those waters. The residents of Ludlow Park are however, informed and armed with informational studies that they paid for themselves. They know that the plant needs a new odor control system with enhanced ventilation ofthe screens at the grit building. They know that three low profile, multiscrubbers would reduce the odor and that using a combination of sodium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite would reduce odor emissions. Sadly enough, what they will end up getting is the poop from four
wealthier communities within Westchester. Two years from now there will be another mass election of the Westchester County Board of Legislators along with the re-election bid of County Executive Rob Astorino. It would be sad to think that we will be covering this story again in two years, but more than likely, we will. Like the old saying goes… poop always flows to the top… especially during an election year.
ENVIRONMENT
A Neighborhood Forgotten—Yonkers Ludlow Park Continued from page 18 the health of the Hudson River is more important than the quality of life to those who live in Ludlow Park; nor does any party care to mention that the same methane gas that killed two men in Tarrytown is what the source of those two pretty torches burn off at the entrance of the plant. Elected officials don’t want the residents to know that the sludge overflow box doesn’t operate properly due to moisture build up. Those same officials don’t want residents to know
that when they get a spike in odor, that the digester pressure relief vents are full and that they will discharge slugs of odors. Officials also don’t want residents to know that there is often a back up in the relief valves and that the backup will result in the discharge of methane gas. Further still, when there is rain water runoff, effluence discharge is allowed to enter the so-called pristine Hudson River and to again pollute the environment and kill whatever life clings onto a precarious
Nancy King is a resident of Greenburgh, New York.
LEGAL
Rye City Mayor French Charged with Building without Permits By RAY TARTAGLIONE On July 1st, 2011, the Rye City Building Department issued violation number V0000758 to the owners of 13 Richard Place, Rye, New York. The violation lists “building without a permit” as its rationale. According to 2011 City of Rye Assessment Rolls, 13 Richard Place is designated as a two family home - with an unfinished attic - and no record of improvements of any kind since 1949. Yet in a recent public sale listing 13 Richard Place, the property is described as a one family residence featuring new skylights, a new eat-in kitchen, a new “electric box upgrade” installed in 2008, with a heating system and roof replacements dating from the mid 1990’s. No mention is made anywhere of the status of the home’s previous second kitchen, second entrance or other typical 2 family home elements. Rye City records indicate the owners of
the home are Douglas H. and Carrie French, who purchased it in November of 1992. An examination of mortgage records from their 1992 purchase indicate the couple apparently never disclosed to lenders that it was in fact a two family dwelling - instead attesting the property was “improved by a one family residence only.” Copies of the relevant above referenced official documents are attached hereto. Since 1992, when the French’s acquired the home, the City of Rye has written hundreds of violations for illegal construction activity within its city limits. Thousands of dollars of penalties and permit fees have been collected and the Rye City Tax Assessor has subsequently raised property valuations and thus tax collections for these improved structures. Many Rye homeowners now complain that even a doorknob cannot be changed without a city construction permit and that their property taxes have skyrocketed to unsustainable levels. In this instance, under Mayor French’s
direction, a home zoned for 2 families, secretly becomes a 1 family home, while the scope of the undisclosed illegal construction improvements is undeniably substantial. HealTheHarbor.com Executive Director Ray Tartaglione, who has led the investigation of this matter, made the following statement: “In the election of 2009, HealTheHarbor. com joined hundreds of other concerned Rye City citizens in helping elect Douglas French as Rye City’s Mayor based on his stated commitment to immediately enforce local environmental and building laws long completely ignored out on Rye’s offshore cottage community known as Hen Island. In Hen Island’s case, decades of secret illegal construction of home sanitary, household water, electric and other systems today threaten the health and safety of all Rye City residents using or living along the Long Island Sound. With this stunningly new revelation that Mayor French has himself allegedly
personally engaged in these exact same types of illegal, secret, unsupervised, un-inspected and untaxed construction activities for almost 2 decades in his own home, will lead many to suspect that we now know why he was unwilling to initiate promised enforcement actions out on Hen Island. Additionally, anybody or any group who has surreptitiously known about Mayor French’s history of personal secret illegal construction activities would have an allegedly powerful ability to pressure him behind closed doors to delay or halt any clean up and enforcement actions on Hen Island or elsewhere. This kind of public official who has much to hide is allegedly susceptible to a wide range of patronage and other political pressures - none of which accrue any benefits at all to the other honest citizen taxpayers of The City of Rye.” The findings revealed herein wree divulged before the Rye City Council meeting that transpired Wednesday, October 19, 2011 Ray Tartaglione is the executive director of HealTheHarbor.com.
OpEdSection Majority Leader McDow Uses the Back Door to Get Into the Blue Door Art Gallery By HEZI ARIS Yonkers City Council Majority Leader Patricia McDow has crossed the line again. She has stepped beyond the parameters defined for her and all other elected officials by the Yonkers City Charter. She has become involved in a side deal involving The Blue Door Art Gallery
by way of Blue Door Artist Association Director Luis Perlman, and herself that is unbeknown to the Yonkers City Council yet has been divulged without prior notice of intent, much less conclusion, by the alleged perpetrators. Attributed to Mr Perlman is the following in an October 17, 2011 Constant Contact email blast, which reads: “We are pleased to announce that in
collaboration with the City of Yonkers* we now have available for the use of our members a new art gallery in the Counsel Chamber of the City Council on the 4th floor of Yonkers City Hall.” *[Editor’s Note: There is no “collaboration” between The Blue Door Art Gallery and any formal government body of the City of Yonkers]. The above quote suggests that a venue
on the 4th floor was authorized to be given The Blue Door Art Gallery for its exclusive use. This verbal “agreement” was concluded behind a closed “blue door” without the knowledge of anyone in the City of Yonkers; without the knowledge of the Office of the Mayor of Yonkers; without the knowledge of the Yonkers City Council membership; Continued on page 20
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The Westchester Guardian
THURSDAY, octoBER 27, 2011
HEZITORIAL
Majority Leader McDow Uses the Back Door to Get Into the Blue Door Art Gallery Continued from page 19 and without other non-profits, schools, etc., being offered the opportunity for the use of the “available space” within Yonkers City Hall. Even so, Councilwoman McDow chose to “offer” the said property for the exclusive use of The Blue Door Art Gallery for the measly sum of fronting the money necessary to “lay down a carpet, and to install track lighting.” The Department of Public Works (DPW) would “pay” to pull out the carpeting, and Luis Perlman would front the cost for putting up the track lighting that would in time be reimbursed to him from the coffers designated to DPW. Also, a certificate of insurance would be incurred under the aegis of The Blue Dorr Gallery through Mr Perlman or DPW. Such a deal! And SO cheap! You go girl!!! No other likely interested party was contacted in any formal fashion to consider the “deal” offered by Councilwoman McDow. She simply “chose” a “Friend and Family” member to do her “thing!” No one has even heard of this “proposal.” There was no Request for Proposal, that is an RFP issued. How did this “agreement” come about? Did Councilwoman McDow approach Mr Perlman? Did Mr Perlman approach Councilwoman McDow? This “deal” is illegal. Councilwoman McDow has no purview over Yonkers City Hall property. She does not own the property. She possesses no deed to permit her the ability to “verbally,” or otherwise conclude a contractual agreement of any kind. She is governed by the tenets defined and delineated for her and all others who sit on the Yonkers City Council by the Yonkers City Charter. Yet despite Councilwoman McDow’s “inability” to conduct any “deal” on behalf of the City of Yonkers other than to propose a concept that would need to be vetted through the Office of the Mayor of Yonkers, and thereafter approved or denied approval by the Yonkers City Council, the Yonkers Tribune and The Westchester Guardian have learned that Yonkers Corporation Counsel is busily engaged in creating a so-called
“legal document” that would permit and ratify The Blue Door Art Gallery to manage all future exhibits within the property spoken above within City Hall proper. How can Yonkers Corporation Counsel conduct its business after the “fact?” The Blue Door Art Gallery space situated at 13 Riverdale Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10701, was space initially bequeathed to it by WestHab for no rental the first year, with subsequent future subsidies such as to demand rentals below market value for the purpose of featuring Yonkers artists. The initial concept has been left in the dust with the preponderance of artists exhibited being mostly from Hastings-on-Hudson, Dobbs Ferry, Irvington, and White Plains. Only artists who can afford the membership ($40) and exhibit fee ($25 35) may exhibit. Many Yonkers artists have left Blue Door because they were upset that it has been taken over by other artists when it was intended to support Yonkers artists. Only Luis Perlman is from Yonkers. Blue Door Art Director Arlé Sklar-Weinstein is from Hastings-on-Hudson. The River Towns, that is, Hastings-onHudson, Dobbs Ferry, and Irvington do not reciprocate by highlighting Yonkers artists in their galleries. The River Towns for the most part adhere to promoting resident artists who reside within their borders. It is disheartening though not shocking to learn of Yonkers City Councilwoman and Majority Leader Patricia McDow’s trespasses beyond the realm defined and delineated for her within the Yonkers City Charter. She is known to have stolen city services by parking her car for over 6 years at the Buena Vista Parking lot at no cost. The BMW she parked there for all those years was not adorned by a license plate, and did not have a valid inspection sticker inside the front window, only the expired inspection sticker, thereby proving the year in which the car was “stored” rather than “parked.” A call for an investigation by Yonkers Inspector General Dan Schorr had him drop the ball and deflect responsibility and a subsequent call for justice by the volunteer Board of Directors of the Yonkers Board of Ethics who chose to fine Councilwoman Patricia
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Please submit your Letter to the Editor electronically, that is by directing email to WHYTeditor@gmail.com Please confine your writing to between 350 and 500 words. Your name, address, and telephone contact is requested for verification purpose only. A Letter to the Editor will be accepted at the editor’s discretion when space permits. A maximum of one submission per month may be accepted.
McDow an alleged, though never divulged sum of $360 that was top have been paid the 2months on 2011. Councilwoman McDow has not paid the fine. Mind you the deliberation by the Yonkers Board of Ethics was discussed in Executive Session, that is, behind closed doors with no record to be had of the preceding. So much for transparency! Yonkers City Council Majority Leader McDow, presently “serving” Yonkers First City Council District, is term limited. Believing she is entitled to another political job, she has promoted herself and concluded “deals” to catapult her to the vacant “Democratic Party” designated post of Yonkers City Clerk. Should the Yonkers City Council resurrect a position for a Yonkers Clerk that would be a Democratic Party appointment, one must pray that the Yonkers Democratic City Committee with have the ethical demeanor and intestinal fortitude to deny a thief such a position. The posting will carry a remuneration of approximately $80 to $90,000 per annum. This is unlikely to happen since Yonkers Democratic City Committee Chairwoman Symra Brandon is part of the hushed plot to appoint Councilwoman Patricia McDow the Yonkers City Clerk position. Helping her in this “game” is candidate Chris Johnson, aide to New York State Senator Andrea-Stewart Cousins, and Democratic candidate designee to represent Yonkers 1st City Council Distrir, who is a carpetbagger to the City of Yonkers, no longer a virgin, concluding a “deal” in favor of Ms McDow, before he has been elected. Chuck Lesnick will roll under the push promoting Ms McDow to the position of Yonkers City Clerk for the simply reason that she is Black, and he will chose to be politically correct rather than spoil his opportunity for higher elected office. He has worked out his own deals that supercede the need to take a stand on this issue. Yonkers City Councilman Wilson Terrerro (2nd Yonkers City Council District) will also ingratiate McDow he lust for another political appointment. He too will do all he can to get along, in order to get along. One more vote and McDow is the next Yonkers Cuity Clerk. Who will cast the defining vote? Anyone? Everyone? Only in Yonkers folks. Only in Yonkers. Yonkers City Councilwoman and Majority Leader McDow presided over the debacle of the Father Pat Carroll Green Development within her district only to have it exposed by the Yonkers Tribune despite her attempts to hide the scam from public scrutiny. Thanks to the Yonkers
Tribune, the scam of taxpayer funds is presently before the court. Many will also remember the use of the City of Yonkers paid Constant Contact email blast service that had Councilwoman McDow use taxpayer funded software services to promote only Democratic candidates prior to the Primary Elections under the guise it was a reminder for the electorate to get out and vote. Once exposed, she went on recall those emails claiming her conduct was in error but the “crime” had occurred. There is no way to recall the happenstance. She knew what she was doing was incorrect. Had she not known, one would need to question her ethical concepts or even her competency as a elected office holder. She presided over ESPY, a non-forprofit formed to promote minority and women-owned businesses. Under her watch, the operation failed. There are allegations of impropriety among the auditors scrutinizing ESPY’s books. McDow has been good at keeping that debacle under wraps as well. Perhaps Yonkers City Councilwoman McDow needs to be defined for what she is. She is a thief. She has proven herself inept in serving the public good. She does not know her rightful place under the law and the parameters set forth for her under the Yonkers City Council. She is adept at covering up transgressions of developers who are quick to scamming taxpayers and homeowners alike. Who will facilitate this next travesty? Who will undersign their name in agreement in writing permitting The Blue Door Gallery the legal right before the fact ever comes before a protocol designed to protect The People of Yonkers. Is it even correct to give an entity that is not subject to public scrutiny in the The People’s House? How much more will Yonkers City Councilwoman and Majority leader Patricia McDow be allowed to steal? I wonder if Yonkers Inspector General Sn Schorr comprehends the temerity of this conduct and its illegality? Will he stop it? Will Yonkers Corporation Council backtrack and backdate circumstance not yet vetted or condoned or authorized. Are they not behaving outside of the law should a document attest to this “deal” before every protocol is followed as delineated within the Yonkers City Charter? When will this dysfunction and outrage end? How much more must Yonkersites endure. Why don’t these lame-ducks fly into oblivion; must they exact another pound of from the City of Yonkers. Help! Please!
THURSDAY, octoBER 27, 2011
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CURRENT COMMENTARY
Happy Endings That Almost Didn’t Happen By LARRY M. ELKIN News that Col. Moammar Ghadafi is dead brought jubilation across Libya and made it seem that the revolution’s success was predestined. Those old newsreels showing the celebration in Times Square on V-E day in 1945 produce the same feeling, at least for me. But these stories of an epic struggle between good and evil nearly lost their happy endings. Victory for the good guys was never a sure thing. It just feels that way because of hindsight bias, which allows our emotions to trump reason and memory. The revolt against Gadhafi’s madhouse police state began on Feb. 15. After some initial victories in which the rebels established their stronghold in Benghazi, Gadhafi’s forces rallied in a brutal counterattack. By late February, western leaders, including President Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, called for Gadhafi’s departure. While they took the matter to the United Nations Security Council, Gadhafi’s troops pressed on. The Security Council passed Resolution 1973 on March 18 (Libyan time), demanding a cease-fire and authorizing other nations to impose a no-fly zone and to “take all necessary measures… to protect civilians and civilian populated areas.” The vote was 10-0, with permanent
Council members Russia and China abstaining rather than using their vetoes. Also abstaining were India, Brazil and – to its shame, considering its NATO membership – Germany. NATO forces, led by British and French air power with extensive American support in the early stages, needed another 24 hours to swing into action. By that time it was almost too late. Gadhafi troops were inside the Benghazi city limits when 19 French jets took to the skies and stopped their advance with air-to-ground fire. It was a scene straight out of a movie script, with the cavalry arriving at the last minute to rescue the damsel in distress. History probably will record the Libyan uprising as a success for diplomacy backed by appropriate military muscle. Aided by an air umbrella and a naval blockade that ultimately encompassed 19 nations, including several Arab states, Libyans liberated themselves from a megalomaniac who subsumed their society for 41 years. It is a story of hope and courage, even though we may not know for a long time whether the Libyans can build a peaceful, prosperous and harmonious society on the ruins of the Gadhafi era. History does not tell us much about the roads not taken. Libya’s U.N. representative, Ibrahim Dabbashi, defected and called for a no-fly zone on Feb. 21,
less than a week after the uprising began. Other rebels called insistently for help in the weeks before the Security Council acted. A faster response, inside or outside the United Nations, might have meant a quicker and less bloody downfall for the regime. As it was, street demonstrations in Tripoli were put down by months of ruthless terror, the city of Misrata endured a lengthy and destructive siege, and atrocities mounted across the country. Faster action might have meant much less suffering. On the other hand, the lengthy delay allowed the rebels to organize a government-in-waiting in the form of the National Transitional Council, so there was at least a semblance of order as greater swaths of the country passed from Gadhafi’s control. A quick ouster of the dictator might have left chaos in its wake. We will never know. We tend to look back on historical events as though things could not have ended differently, but that is seldom the case. Strategic errors by Confederate generals helped Union troops win the Battle of Gettysburg at a point when Northern enthusiasm for the war was flagging. Had the battle gone the other way, the Civil War might have ended differently. Likewise, Adolf Hitler chose to break his nonaggression pact with Stalin’s Soviet Union in June 1941, before he had dealt with Great Britain on his western front. The British held on through the punishing Blitz, the Russians and their winter weather decimated Hitler’s army, and the Japanese pushed America into the war
by attacking Pearl Harbor. Though many setbacks lay ahead, the circumstances that produced eventual Allied victory were in place by early 1942 – but only thanks to a series of missteps by the opposition. D-Day could not have been launched without British bases. A Nazi triumph in Europe might have allowed Germany to help Japan with troops, supplies and science – rockets, certainly, and maybe atomic weapons. Victory in World War II was a much closer call than we tend to realize when we look back at those happy newsreels. We can still celebrate triumphs over evil. Perseverance and sacrifice are often rewarded – but not necessarily quickly, and not necessarily all the time. There is a greater element of chance than we often recognize. I believe in leaving as little to chance as possible.
Larry M. Elkin, CPA, CFP®, president of Palisades Hudson Financial Group a feeonly financial planning firm headquartered in Scarsdale, NY. The firm offers estate planning, insurance consulting, trust planning, crossborder planning, business valuation, family office and business management, executive financial planning, and tax services. Its sister firm, Palisades Hudson Asset Management, is an independent investment advisor with about $950 million under management. Branch offices are in Atlanta and Ft. Lauderdale. Website:www.palisadeshudson. com.
ED KOCH COMMENTARY
Non-Violent Civil Disobedience is Intended to Shock the Conscience and Change Public Policy A Right To Be Preserved By ED KOCH The “Occupy Wall Street” protests have been going on for about 4 weeks. The movement’s goals have never been clearly enunciated, except for one which relates to the unfairness of our economy. The protestors accuse many on Wall Street of unethical and criminal practices. They blame the banking industry for causing the Great Recession, beggaring the American middle class and many senior citizens to the extent that trillions in the assets of Americans in every sector of our society have been lost. Some Wall Streeters and bankers, who in many cases are responsible for
a massive loss in wealth to their fellow citizens, have come out of the Great Recession with government handouts and are richer than ever. There is a feeling across the nation that we have been had, taken to the cleaners by Wall Street and the banks, assisted by a Congress, both House and Senate, that protects the securities and banking industries because those industries fill their campaign chests with millions. Those marching in protest in New York City and in other major American cities all seem to have as one of their priorities the unfairness of it all. In addition, they, depending on who the reporter
is talking to, assert other causes, but through it all comes the priority issue of unfairness that one percent of the country can have so much wealth and power compared with the 99 percent who feel powerless. I suspect that many who are protesting have no real understanding of what happened. Of course, many do understand. The issues are so complicated. But they know that banks, Wall Street firms, car companies and even solar companies have been bailed out. In the case of the solar company Solyndra, it was given $535 million in federal funds without due diligence practiced by the
government. This huge public investment was shockingly subordinated to the stockholders’ private interests in the event of bankruptcy which, in fact, took place. The vast majority of the protesters, I believe, sense the unfairness of it all. Among those protesters are anarchists who are against any government, some of whom are looking to engage in violence with the cops; others are radicals on the far left whose causes I often deplore; and some are anti-Semites. The bona-fide economic protesters must make sure the anti-Semites and those seeking violence don’t muscle their way into the leadership Continued on page 23
The Westchester Guardian
THURSDAY, octoBER 27, 2011
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ED KOCH COMMENTARY
Non-Violent Civil Disobedience is Intended to Shock the Conscience and Change Public Policy Continued from page 22 and media and stigmatize the legitimate protesters and their goals. I believe in the right of non-violent civil disobedience and believe those engaged in it and arrested for, as an example, blocking auto access to the Brooklyn Bridge, should be fined at least $250 and not complain when and if that occurs. The exercise of non-violent civil disobedience intended to shock the conscience of fellow citizens and change prevailing policy and conditions is fundamental and must be safeguarded.
Cops are professionals and lack of responsible behavior by some in the crowd, with taunting of the cops goes with the job. When that behavior becomes criminal, of course, the violators should be arrested and hopefully courts will see the seriousness of the matter and mete out justice including jail time. What would I suggest be done in Zuccotti Park, focal point of the New York City protests? I would advise the Park’s owner to go forward with cleaning the park for health reasons – the health of the protesters as well as other users of the park. I would announce to the crowd
that at the end of the day after cleaning, all protesters will be permitted to reenter the park. I would rescind the ban on sleeping bags. My own personal view is that there is no reason to sleep overnight in the park and that it would be far better for everyone to go home at night, shower in the morning and come to morning protests in clean clothes. But that is a personal decision. The NYPD should insure against physical opposition to the cleaning of the park. I have no doubt that at the first snowstorm in November or December, many in the crowd will leave and at the second
snowstorm, most will be gone. I hope that the Attorney General of the U.S., Eric Holder, will by now have gotten the message. That message is that no one is too big to jail and those who committed criminal acts contributing to the Great Recession should be criminally pursued and not simply allowed to buy their way out by paying a civil fine which simply gets added to the cost of doing business. The Honorable Edward Irving Koch served New York City as its105th Mayor from 1978 to 1989.
NEW YORK CIVIC
Brief Interruption Ends; Commentary Will Resume By HENRY J. STERN Some of you may have wondered at the absence of commentary for the past few weeks. An explanation is in order. It is not that there is nothing to say about the city or that everything worth saying has already been said. It is not that we have despaired of improving the performance of government and have withdrawn from commenting out of a sense of futility. Nor is it that the affairs of the nation, state, and city are being so well handled by Mssrs. Obama, Cuomo, and Bloomberg - not to mention the legions of their adversaries, rivals, and detractors - that any commentary would be superfluous.
My relative silence is far more prosaic. Two weeks ago, I suffered a couple of falls, one while trying to avoid a rain puddle at the corner of 84th Street and 3rd Avenue, and the other while getting off an M86 bus. After these falls, and considering the possibility of another fall, which could easily have more serious consequences, I entered short-term rehab where I received physical therapy. Now that the course of therapy has been completed, I am returning home and I look forward to resuming my regular articles. I want to thank the people who called, wrote, visited, and otherwise inquired into my condition. I did not make a public statement on these matters, in part because I didn’t know how they would turn out.
Towns Take On Corporate Bullies By GLENN SCHERER
The town of Dryden, New York has banned fracking – the controversial practice of shooting high-pressure toxic chemicals and water underground to release natural gas. The anti-fracking ordinance was immediately challenged by an irate gas-drilling corporation, which is taking the town of 13,000 to the State Supreme Court. “The threat to our water supply is unconscionable,” declared Dryden resident Jack Edmonds at the town meeting that approved the ordinance. “Do we poison our water for the richness of a few?” Across the country other towns frustrated by the failure of federal and state authorities to regulate fracking are acting to protect property
rights, public health, and local economies. At least a dozen New York municipalities, including Buffalo, have banned fracking. In Peters Township, Pennsylvania, a judge has approved an anti-drilling referendum. In Morgantown, West Virginia, the city council passed a fracking ban – later overturned by the courts. Massillon, Ohio officials recently rejected a major gas-drilling lease. Citizens of Pinedale, Wyoming, are demanding that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency cut air pollution caused by fracking in the state’s Upper Green River Basin. South Park, Colorado, residents are seeking major curbs on gas exploration lease sales. South Lake, Texas, put a moratorium on Continued on page 24
I cannot be certain of what the future will hold, but I am eager to rejoin the conversation on public issues we have engaged in over these past nine and a half years. I look forward to hearing from you. With our new website you are able to comment on our articles publicly if you care to. Of course, if you wish to respond privately,
you may continue to call or email me personally. If you haven’t written before, please do not hesitate to do so. We give thanks for the strength that allows us to continue our work. Henry J. Stern writes as StarQuest. Direct email to him at mailto:StarQuest@NYCivic.org. Peruse Mr. Stern’s writing at New York Civic.
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The Westchester Guardian
THURSDAY, octoBER 27, 2011
OPED
Towns Take On Corporate Bullies
of residents.” Pittsburgh’s City Council sent a copy of Continued from page 23 their ordinance to every municipality in the state, urging adoption of similar laws. While these ordinances may go against state and federal rules, gas-drilling companies must comment on every ordinance, and are forced to bring court challenges, significantly slowing their ability to drill. Fracking companies have responded to this local revolt by threatening litigation intended to bankrupt and break the will of towns standing in Drill rig with air pollution (Photo by and courtesy of Sharon Wilson) their way. Communities are hanging tough because fracking to consider new ordinances protecting stakes are high. Fracked wells that leak pollute property owners. Dish, Texas, paid to do their drinking water. Toxic, radioactive frack wasteown air pollution study after doubting industry water, stored in open pools, pollutes the air results. They were right, finding the air seriously and groundwater, and it overwhelms sewage polluted by fracking emissions. treatment plants. Tank trucks that transport Fracking has been outlawed in both the millions of gallons of freshwater needed Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh for fracking clog and ruin scenic country roads. ordinance condemns fracking as a “significant Fracking industrialization hurts rural econothreat to the health, safety and welfare of resimies dependent on tourism. dents and neighborhoods within the city… Unfortunately, defending communities [Drilling] allows the deposition of toxins into from fracking is an uphill battle.Federal and state the air, soil, water, environment and the bodies
laws are stacked against fleshand-blood property owners in favor of profit-obsessed fossil fuel companies. Under the Bush administration, Congress exempted fracking from the Safe Drinking Water Act. Thirty-nine states allow “private eminent domain,” forcing landowners to surrender drilling rights to corporations. This legal outrage, known as “forced pooling” compels landowners who hold out against a fracking company to join in gas-leasing agreements with Natural gas drill rig (Photo by and courtesy of Sharon Wilson) willing neighbors. recognized corporations as super citizens The trend toward local sovereignty is – backed by wealth and political influence – quickly morphing into a municipal environmunicipalities have no choice but to sound mental movement in direct counterpoint to the battle cry and expend limited resources to Congressional Republican efforts to shut down prevent corporate bullying. the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, This is their established right! Towns pass and state schemes to gut environmental regulaordinances to keep dogs on leashes to prevent tions and strip agencies of power and funding. them from defecating in your front yard. It is no As a result, towns often stand alone to different – and more imperative – to require the protect citizens’ rights – ranging from corpoleashing of aggressive corporations who pose a rate threats such as the Keystone XL pipeline greater threat to private property, public health, in Atkinson, Nebraska; mountaintop removal local economies, and our American way of life. in Stephens, West Virginia; the pollution of drinking water by agribusiness in Seville, Glenn Scherer is Blue Ridge Press Senior Editor, California; and the depletion of aquifers by and lives in Montpelier, Vermont. © 2011 bottled water companies in Newfield, Maine. www.blueridgepress.com. Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has
THE CONSER VATIVE TORCH
Now It’s Our Time
the oath of office, President Obama has failed and disappointed virtually every prospect, pundit, By CARMINE J. TORCHETTI, JR. and desire. He has failed Political parties often to stimulate the economy, look for leadership in times of failed to create jobs, failed to decrease our “political oppression,” as I like national debt, and failed as a general leader. to call it. When one party is During the 2008 campaign, I warned so many in command for a prolonged of this man’s lack of credibility and credentials. period of time, the opposite party is determined The “hope and change” was, as I used to say, to take control with their new leader and move“all fluff and no stuff.” Nobody would listen ment-creator. During the 2004 Democratic to me, nor to anyone else attempting to open National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts, the eyes of so many caught up in Obamathe sought leader for the new wave of libermania. However, now that his presidency has alism was introduced to the public. He gave come upon us, now that his leadership ability a passionate and resonating keynote address has come into full view, I feel as if I have been and was named Barack Hussein Obama. This validated. Now, as we stand on the precipice young, very inexperienced politician would rise of history by attempting to correct this nation, in prominence throughout the nation and the we can witness the political downfall of the liberal movement. He was touted as a future liberal leader sought after for decades. Carter presidential nominee. His run for the White wasn’t strong enough to grab the nation’ attenHouse in 2008 was unprecedented in terms of tion, Reagan was Reagan in all his greatness, sheer popularity and stamina. He was untouchGeorge Bush Sr. was to the left of Reagan but able and once that Democratic nomination was far too conservative for any liberal, Bill Clinton in place, I was convinced he was our next presigoverned as a moderate, and we all known how dent no matter who the Republican nominee liberals felt about George W. Bush. So, Barack was. The momentum behind him was too Obama was the desired liberal leader for so strong for anyone to political defeat. many and who was waited for. Now, after almost three years since taking Now, it’s our time. The time has come for
the conservative movement to look towards the future and dream big for our party, our convictions, and most importantly, our country. I often say on my radio show on WGRN that the liberals have had their time, they have had their shining star and he was a failure. The Conservatives can now look for our rising star, our leader, and our hope. Who is the star? I can almost guarantee you that the 2012 election cycle will be the set-up for the Conservative’s desired reality. It is not Mitt Romney, who has many issues with conservatives, such as his altering views on abortion and his healthcare program. It is not Rick Perry, as he can’t resonate with the people and lead the needed movement, it is not Gingrich, nor Huntsman, nor Bachmann, and it is not Ron Paul. That leaves one. Herman Cain, in my view, is the most conservative member of the 2012 G.O.P. race. Can he lead the new movement? He can certainly be the preamble to it. The Ronald Reagan of the 1964 Republican National Convention was the precursor to President Reagan of the 1980’s. Similarly, Herman Cain is the pre-cursor to the 2016 or 2020 presidential election. A Cain election can mean fiscal responsibility, independence from any and all foreign aid, strong Conservative social implementations, and the upholding of traditions. If Cain were to win and whether it is for one
term of two terms, our “farm system” will be ready to blossom in either 2016 or 2020. Coming through the line we have rising republican stars such as Chris Christie, Allen West, Nikki Haley, Bobby Jindal, and Marco Rubio. The future of Republican-Conservative’s is bright, strong, and very deep in credibility. Like it or not, whether you identify yourself as Liberal, Conservative, Socialist, Libertarian, or Moderate, nobody can deny the rising future of the Conservative movement. The liberal’s rising star has risen and faded; their time has come and gone. Our rising star is just about to be born. The future of the movement for 2016 or 2020 is bright, and it can and should be ushered in by Herman Cain. Why? Only next week’s edition will tell. Be Safe and Be Well. Carmine J. Torchetti, Jr. is the host of The Conservative Torch Radio Program on WGRN, the Westchester Guardian Radio Network. Although very successful thus far, Carmine seeks to take his conservative message national in the future, in the hopes of aiding the cause of implementing common sense, “right” solutions to solve the problems of the nation. Currently, Carmine is a senior at Iona College in New Rochelle, N.Y. and is a Mass Communications major. For more information on the radio program and on Carmine, please visit www.theconservativetorch.com.
The Westchester Guardian
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LEGAL NOTICES FAMILY COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER In the Matters of Chelsea Thomas (d.o.b. 7/14/94), Cheyenne Thomas (d.o.b. 2/1/96) and Michael Thomas (d.o.b. 5/18/98), Children Under 21 Years of Age Adjudicated to be Neglected by Tiffany Ray and Kenneth Thomas,
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE INQUEST NOTICE (Child Neglect Case) Dkt Nos. NN-10514/15/16-10/11a NN-2695/96-10/11A NN- 2695/96-10/11A NN-7129-10/11A FU No.: 22303
Respondents. NOTICE: PLACEMENT OF YOUR CHILD IN FOSTER CARE MAY RESULT IN YOUR LOSS OF YOUR RIGHTS TO YOUR CHILD. IF YOUR CHILD STAYS IN FOSTER CARE FOR 15 OF THE MOST RECENT 22 MONTHS, THE AGENCY MAY BE REQUIRED BY LAW TO FILE A PETITION TO TERMINATE YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS AND COMMITMENT OF GUARDIANSHIP AND CUSTODY OF THE CHILD FOR THE PURPOSES OF ADOPTION, AND MAY FILE BEFORE THE END OF THE 15-MONTH PERIOD. UPON GOOD CAUSE, THE COURT MAY ORDER AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE NON-RESPONSENT PARENT(s) SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS A RESPONDENT; IF THE COURT DETERMINES THE CHILD SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM HIS/HER HOME, THE COURT MAY ORDER AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE NON-RESPONDENT PARENT(s) SHOULD BE SUITABLE CUSTODIANS FOR THE CHILD; IF THE CHILD IS PLACED AND REMAINS IN FOSTER CARE FOR FIFTEEN OF THE MOST RECENT TWENTY-TWO MONTHS, THE AGENCY MAY BE REQUIRED TO FILE A PETITION FOR TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS OF THE PARENT(s) AND COMMITMENT OF GUARDIANSHIP AND CUSTODY OF THE CHILD FOR THE PURPOSES OF ADOPTION, EVEN IF THE PARENT(s) WERE NOT NAMED AS RESPONDENTS IN THE CHILD NEGLECT OR ABUSE PROCEEDING. A NON-CUSTODIAL PARENT HAS THE RIGHT TO REQUEST TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT CUSTODY OF THE CHILD AND TO SEEK ENFORCEMENT OF VISITATION RIGHTS WITH THE CHILD. BY ORDER OF THE FAMILY COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK TO THE ABOVE-NAMED RESPONDENT(S) WHO RESIDE(S) OR IS FOUND AT [specify address(es)]: Last known address: AND Last known address:
TIFFANY RAY c/o Sharing Community 1 Hudson Street Yonkers, NY 10701 KENNETH THOMAS 14 Intervale Place, Apt, #2B Yonkers, NY 10705
The petitions under Article 10 of the Family Court Act having been filed with this Court alleging that the above-named children are neglected children. YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to appear before this Court at Yonkers Family Court located at 53 So. Broadway, Yonkers, New York, on the of November 28, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. in the forenoon of said day to answer the petition and to show cause why said child should not be adjudicated to be a neglected child and why you should not be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Article 10 of the Family Court Act. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that you have the right to be represented by a lawyer, and if the Court finds you are unable to pay for a lawyer, you have the right to have a lawyer assigned by the Court. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that if you fail to appear at the time and place noted above, the Court will hear and determine the petition as provided by law. Dated: October 6, 2011
BY ORDER OF THE COURT _______ /s/ ________________ CLERK OF THE COURT
THURSDAY, octoBER 27, 2011
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The Westchester Guardian
THURSDAY, octoBER 27, 2011
LEGAL NOTICES TRE FIGLI LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 8/30/2011. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to C/O Patricia G. Micek, Esq. 2180 Boston Post Rd. Larchmont, NY 10538. Purpose: Any lawful activity. Sitecompli LLC Authority filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 6/10/09. Office location: Westchester Co. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 11/12/08 SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Ross Goldenberg 116 Storer Ave New Rochelle, NY 10801. DE address of LLC: 1220 N. Market ST STE 808 Wilmington, DE 19801. Arts. Of Org. filed with DE Secy. of State, PO Box 898 Dover, DE 19903. Purpose: Any lawful activity. Z METRO POLLIS LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 8/24/2011. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to The LLC P.O. Box 376 Great Neck, NY 11021. Purpose: Any lawful activity.. PUBLIC ADJUSTER DAILY LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 7/21/2011. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process C/O United States Corporation Agents, Inc. 7014 13th Ave. Ste. 202 Brooklyn, NY 11228. Purpose: Any lawful activity. Registered Agent: United States Corporation Agents, Inc. 7014 13th Ave. Ste. 202 Brooklyn, NY 11228
JSM VENTURES LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 7/27/2011. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Joanna S. Moran 709 Warburton Ave. #8B Yonkers, NY 10701. Purpose: Any lawful activity. NOTICE OF FORMATION OF Evofit LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/05/2011. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. The Post Office address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him is Albert Maldonado, 280 Collins Ave Mount Vernon, NY 10552. Purpose of LLC: To engage in any lawful act or activity. BEDBUG DETECTION OF WESTCHESTER, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 10/4/2011. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process C/O Salvatore M. Di Costanzo McMillan, Constabiler Et Al 2180 Boston Post Rd. Larchmont, NY 10538. Purpose: Any lawful activity. ALL THROUGH THE TOWN, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 7/19/2011. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to The LLC 10 Union Ave, Ste 5 Lynbrook, NY 11563. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
229 Bedford-Banksville, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 7/28/11. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to The LLC 229 Bedford-Banksville Road Bedford, NY 10506. Purpose: Any lawful activity. SUZANNE CALKINS, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 4/20/2011. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process The LLC 18 Wildwood Circle Larchmont, NY 10538. Purpose: Any lawful activity. Notice of formation of 339A North High Street LLC Articles of the organization were filed with the SSNY on 9/13/11. Office location WESTCHESTER COUNTY designated as agent of LLC whom process against may be served. SSNY shall mail process to LLC at POB 643 Bronx NEW YORK 10466. QUICK CASH PAWN USA LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 9/12/2011. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process The LLC 2712 E. Tremont Ave. Bronx, NY 10461. Purpose: Any lawful activity. REELWOMAN ASSETS, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 8/10/2011. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process The LLC 57 Worthington Rd. White Plains, NY 10607. Purpose: Any lawful activity
CLASSIFIED ADS DENNING PROPERTIES, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 8/4/2011. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process C/O Mr. Philip Denning 191 Beech St. Eastchester, NY 10709. Purpose: Any lawful activity. TLHM CONSULTING LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 8/2/2011. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process The LLC 15 Plymouth Rd. Chappaqua, NY 10514. Purpose: Any lawful activity. NOTICE OF FORMATION OF Slips Enterprises, LLC. Arts of Org filed with the Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 8/26/11. Office loc: WESTCHESTER Cty. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail a copy of any process to the principal business address: 1505 Nepperhan Ave. Yonkers, NY 10703. Purpose: any lawful acts. QUICK CASH OF WESTCHESTER AVE. LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 2/18/2009. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to The LLC 2712 East Tremont Ave Bronx, NY 10461 Purpose: Any lawful activity. Uchimsya, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 08.29.2011. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Uchimsya LLC PO Box 523 Yonkers NY 10705. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
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The Westchester Guardian
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