PRESORTED STANDARD PERMIT #3036 WHITE PLAINS NY
Vol. VI I No. V
Westchester’s Most Influential Weekly
Emotional Cries by Mother Confirmed!!! D.A. Janet DiFiore Covered Up Murder of Son DJ Henry’s Family Address Depositions from the Police By Nancy King and Sam Zherka, Page 22
Yonkers Inspector General Covill’s Report on Commercial Loans By Hezi Aris, Page 20
Thursday, January 31, 2013 $1.00
JOHN F. McMULLEN Where Are The Toll Takers? Page 4 SHERIF AWAD The Miscreants Page 5 RICH MONETTI Scientific Research by Fox Lane H.S. Students Page 6 AYMENN JAWAD al-TAMIMI
Anti-Islamism in an Islamic Civil War Page 8
BOB PUTIGNANO 2013 Delbert McClinton Sandy Beach Cruise Page 11 JOHN SIMON Crisis Dramaturgy Page 15 Governor Cuomo Outlines 2013-2014 Budget Page 15 CARLOS GONZALEZ Rockland Letter Suggests a Klein Revolt Page 21
rience fundraising, knowledge of what development entails and experience working with sponsors/donors; 2) Operations Manager- must have a good knowledge of computers/software/ticketing systems, duties include overseeing all box office, concessions, movie staffing, day of show lobby staffing such as Merchandise seller, bar sales. Must be familiar with POS system and willing to organize concessions. Full time plus hours. Call (203) 438-5795 and ask for Julie or Allison
THE WESTcHESTER GUARDiAn THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN THE WESTcHESTER GUARDiAn
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RADIO RADIO RADIO
Of Significance Of Significance
Community Section ...............................................................................4 Community Section ...............................................................................4 Business ................................................................................................4 Business ................................................................................................4 Calendar ...............................................................................................4 Calendar ...............................................................................................4 Charity ..................................................................................................5 Creative Disruption ............................................................................5 Charity ..................................................................................................5 Contest ..................................................................................................6 Cultural Perspective ...........................................................................7 Contest ..................................................................................................6 Creative Disruption ............................................................................6 Energy Issues .......................................................................................8 Creative Disruption ............................................................................6 Education .............................................................................................7 In Memoriam ....................................................................................10 Education .............................................................................................7 Fashion ..................................................................................................8 Medicine .............................................................................................10 Fashion ..................................................................................................8 Fitness....................................................................................................9 Najah’s Corner ...................................................................................11 Fitness....................................................................................................9 Health ..................................................................................................10 Movie Review ....................................................................................12 Health ..................................................................................................10 History ................................................................................................10 Music ...................................................................................................12 History ................................................................................................10 Ed Koch Movie Review ...................................................................12 Community ........................................................................................13 Ed Koch Movie Review ...................................................................12 Spoof ....................................................................................................13 Writers Collection.............................................................................14 Spoof ....................................................................................................13 Sports Scene .......................................................................................13 Books Sports Scene .......................................................................................13 Najah’s...................................................................................................16 Corner ...................................................................................13 People ..................................................................................................18 Najah’s Corner ...................................................................................13 Writers Collection.............................................................................14 Eye On...................................................................................................16 Theatre ..................................................................................18 Writers Collection.............................................................................14 Books Leaving on a Jet Plane ......................................................................19 Books ...................................................................................................16 Transportation...................................................................................17 Government Section Transportation ...................................................................................17 Government Section ............................................................................20 ............................................................................17 Campaign Trail ..................................................................................20 Government Section ............................................................................17 Albany Correspondent ....................................................................17 Economic Development....................................................................17 Albany Correspondent Mayor Marvin’s Column..................................................................20 .................................................................18 Education ...........................................................................................21 Mayor Marvin’s Column .................................................................18 Government .......................................................................................19 The Hezitorial ....................................................................................21 Government .......................................................................................19 OpEd Section .........................................................................................23 LegalSection ....................................................................................................23 OpEd .........................................................................................23 Ed Koch Commentary.....................................................................23 People ..................................................................................................24 Ed Koch Letters toCommentary.....................................................................23 the Editor ..........................................................................24 Strategyto...............................................................................................24 Letters Editor............................................................................25 ..........................................................................24 Weir Onlythe Human OpEd Section .........................................................................................25 Weir Only Human ............................................................................25 Legal Notices ..........................................................................................26 ..........................................................................................27 Legal Notices ..........................................................................................26
Advertising Sales Glenn Weissman: 347-353-6128 Nancy King: 914-831-1300 Hezi Aris: 914-562-0834
YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS AND COMMITMENTPrime OF GUARDIANSHIP AND CUSTODY Location, Yorktown HeightsOF THE CHILD FOR THE PURPOSES OF ADOPTION,1,000 ANDSq. MAYFt.: FILE BEFORE THE END OF THE 15-MONTH $1800. Contact Wilca: 914.632.1230 PERIOD.
Prime Retail - Westchester County UPON GOOD CAUSE, THE COURT MAY ORDER AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE NON-RESPONSENT PARENT(s) SHOULD BE Location CONSIDERED AS A RESPONDENT; Best in Yorktown Heights IF THE COURT DETERMINES THE CHILD SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM HIS/HER HOME, THE 1100 Sq. Ft. Store $3100; 1266 Sq. Ft. store $2800 and 450 Sq. Ft. COURT MAY ORDER AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE NON-RESPONDENT THURSDAY, 23, 2012 Store $1200. PARENT(s) FEBRUARY SHOULD BE SUITABLE CUSTODIANS FOR THE CHILD; IF THE CHILD IS PLACED AND Page 3 THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013 THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2012 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2012 Suitable any typeRECENT of business. ContactMONTHS, Wilca: 914.632.1230 REMAINS IN FOSTER CARE23, FOR FIFTEEN OFfor THE MOST TWENTY-TWO THE Page 3 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 A PROCEEDING. non profit Performing Arts Center is seeking two job positions- 1) DirecTHE CHILD NEGLECT OR ABUSE
HELP WANTED
Of Significancetor of Development- FT-must have a background in development or expe-
Westchester On the Level with Narog and Aris Westchester On the Level with Narog and Aris Aris and
A NON-CUSTODIAL PARENT HAS THE fundraising, RIGHT TO REQUEST TEMPORARY PERMANENT CUS- and experirience knowledge of whatOR development entails TODY OF THE CHILD AND TO SEEK ENFORCEMENT OF VISITATION RIGHTS WITH THE CHILD.
ence working with sponsors/donors; 2) Operations Manager- must have a
Community BY ORDER OF THE Section.............................................................................................. FAMILY COURT OFknowledge THE STATE of OFcomputers/software/ticketing NEW YORK good systems, duties3include
overseeing all box concessions, movie staffing, day of show .............................................................................................................. 3 lobby TO isBehavior. THE ABOVE-NAMED WHOoffice, RESIDE(S) ORtoIS12 FOUND AT [specify Westchester On the Level usually heard fromRESPONDENT(S) Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. staffing such as Merchandise seller, bar sales. Must be familiar with address(es)]: Calendar.............................................................................................................. 4 POS Noon on the Internet: http://www.BlogTalkRadio.com/WestchesterOntheLevel. system and willing to organize concessions. Full time plus hours. Call (203) Last known addresses: TIFFANY RAY: 24 Garfield Street, #3, Yonkers, NY 10701 Disruption. .......................................................................................... 4 Because of the importance Creative of a Federal court case438-5795 purporting corruption bribery and ask for Julie orand Allison Last known addresses: KENNETH THOMAS: 24 Garfield Street, #3, Yonkers, NY 10701 allegations, programming with be suspended for the days of March 26 to 29, 2012. YonCultural Perspective.......................................................................................... 5 Westchester On the Level is heard from Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 12 Noon kers Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor James Sadewhite scheduled guest Friday, An is Order to Show Cause under Article 10is ofour the Family Court Act having been filed with this Court 6 Education............................................................................................................ Westchester On the Level heard from Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 12 Noon on the Internet: http://www.BlogTalkRadio.com/WestchesterOntheLevel. Join seeking to modify the placement for the above-named child. March 30. on the Internet: by http://www.BlogTalkRadio.com/WestchesterOntheLevel. History................................................................................................................. 7 the conversation calling toll-free to 1-877-674-2436. Please stay on topic. Join YOUjury AREwill HEREBY SUMMONED to appear before this Court at Yonkers Family Court It is howeverby anticipated that the conclude its Please deliberation ontopic. either Monthe conversation calling toll-free to 1-877-674-2436. stay on Health. . ................................................................................................................. located at are 53Should So. Broadway, New York, on beginning the 28th day ofFebruary March, at 2;15and pm inending the 8on Richard Narog March and Hezi Aris your co-hosts. thewe week day or Tuesday, 26 or 27. that beYonkers, theIncase, will resume our regular201220th afternoon of said dayco-hosts. to answer the petition and tobeginning show causeFebruary why said child should not be 8on Richard Narog and Hezi Aris are your In the week 20th and ending International....................................................................................................... February 24th,schedule we haveand an exciting ofchild guests. programming announce fact on the Yonkers Tribune website. adjudicated to entourage bethat a neglected and why you should not be dealt with in accordance with the February 24th, we exciting entourage guests. Make ItArticle Fun.10.February ..................................................................................................... 10 provisions ofco-hosts theofFamily CourtKrystal Act. Richard Narog and Hezian Aris are ofof the show. Every Monday is have special. On Monday, 20th, Wade, a celebrated participant in http:// People. . ............................................................................................................... 10 PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that you have the right to be represented by a lawEvery Monday is special. On Monday, 20th, Krystal a celebrated participant in http:// www.TheWritersCollection.com is ourFebruary guest. Krystal Wade isWade, a mother of three who works fifty miles yer, and if the Court finds you are unable to pay forisa alawyer, you have the right to have a lawyer www.TheWritersCollection.com is our guest. Krystal Wade mother of three who works fifty miles Music. . ................................................................................................................ 11 from home and writes inassigned her “spare by thetime.” Court. “Wilde’s Fire,” her debut novel has been accepted for publication from home and writes ininher “spare time.” “Wilde’iss her Fire,” her debut novel has sbeen accepted for publication and should be available 2012. Not far behind second novel, “Wilde’ Army.” How does she do Police.................................................................................................................. 12it? PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that if you fail to appear at the time and place and available 2012. Not far behind is her second novel, “Wilde’ s Army.” How does she do Tuneshould in andbefind out. in noted above, the Court will hear and determine the petition as provided by law. Reading.............................................................................................................. 13it? Tune in and find out. Dated: January 30, 2012 ORDER OFof THE Real Estate......................................................................................................... 14 Co-hosts Richard Narog and Hezi Aris will relish the BY dissection allCOURT things politics on Tuesday, February 2 column CLERK1 column OF THE COURT Co-hosts Richard Narog and Hezi Aris will relish the dissection of all politicsfrom on Tuesday, February 21st. Yonkers City CouncilEye President Chuck Lesnick will share his things perspective the august inner on Theatre. ................................................................................................. 15 21st. Yonkers President Chuck Lesnick will share 22nd. his perspective from theEsq., august sanctum of theCity CityCouncil Council ChambersSection........................................................................................... on Wednesday, February Stephen Cerrato, will inner share Government 15 sanctum of the CityonCouncil Chambers on Wednesday, February 22nd. Esq.,bewill share Get his political insight Thursday, February 23rd. Friday, February 24th hasStephen yet to beCerrato, filled. It may a propiBudget. ............................................................................................................... 15 Noticed his political Thursday, February 23rd. Friday, February 24th has yet to be filled. It mayofbeThat a propitious day toinsight sum uponwhat transpired throughout the week. A sort of BlogTalk Radio version Was Financial............................................................................................................ 18 tious day toThat sumWas up what transpired throughout the week. A sort of BlogTalk Radio version of That Was The Week (TWTWTW). Mayor Marvin.................................................................................................. 19 The Week That Was (TWTWTW). For those who cannot joinCampaign us live, consider listening to the show by way of an MP3 download, or Finances. ........................................................................................ 20on For thoseWithin who cannot join us live, consider listening tofind the the show by wayinof anarchive MP3 that download, orlink on demand. 15 minutes of a show’ s ending, you can segment our you may WHYTeditor@gmail.com Albany Correspondent. .can ................................................................................. 21 demand. Within 15 minutes of a show’ s ending, you find the segment in our archive that you may link to using the hyperlink provided in the opening paragraph.Legal Notices, OpEd Section. ....................................................................................................... 22 to using the hyperlink Legal provided in the opening paragraph.Advertise Today Notices, Advertise Today The entire archive is available and maintained for your perusal. The easiest way to find a particular interview Investigation..................................................................................................... 22 The is available and maintained forfor yourtheperusal. easiest to findofa the particular interview is toentire searcharchive Google, or anyEd other search engine, subjectThe matter or way the name interviewee. For Koch Commentary................................................................................... 20For isexample, to search Google, or any otherAOL searchSearch engine,forforWestchester the subject On matter orLevel, the name of theRadio, interviewee. search Google, Yahoo, the Blog Talk or use the Before speaking to the police... call Help Wanted......................................................................................................... 20 example, hyperlinksearch above.Google, Yahoo, AOL Search for Westchester On the Level, Blog Talk Radio, or use the hyperlink above.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013
CommunitySection
De-Criminalizing Parenting Behavior By SHANNON AYALA An ad-hoc group including the Mount Vernon school board is adding to the annual “Parent Engagement Day” a forum on how parents could best prevent youth issues such as violence and suspensions from school. Parent Engagement Day is a 16-year-old tradition in Mount Vernon and in communities around the country. On the second Monday of Black History Month, February, parents go inside the schools to observe what goes on. This year, for the first time in Mount Vernon, parents who can make the school hours or not, can attend an evening event called, “De-Criminalizing Parenting Behavior.” “Parents need to take responsibility for their conduct when their children are getting in trouble,” said Elias Gootzeit, a trustee of the Mount Vernon School Board and facilitator for the conference. Gootzeit, who has a background in law, social work and the New York State Division of Mental Health Experts, said the topic evolved from conversations between the school board and other groups, and that the Mayor has allowed him to ask certain questions. He said he’s observed that parents face contradictions on how to discipline children. “If they permit things to happen, that’s called neglect, and if they’re punitive, that’s called abuse,” Gootzeit said. “And I am wondering as a facilitator if all the ways people get information about how to parent is inconsistent.” Rev. Darren Morton, Commissioner of Recreation, who will be at the conference said, “There’s a change in the way people are parenting today.”He said, “Laws have changed as to what parents can or cannot do.” The city police commissioner, Carl Bell, could not comment on incidents dealing with parents trying to discipline their kids. He said the conference seems to be more about a social issue than a police issue. He said the rate of violence in town has been static for several years and that it’s on par with similar cities. Community leaders say there has been an increase in violence and youth
tragedies over a longer period of time. In 1992, Wilma Frank’s son, Andre Frank was shot near her house on South Columbus Avenue just three days before Valentines Day. He was 16, a football player, a baseball player, and very popular, Wilma Frank said. After the tragedy Ms. Frank became an activist, participating in “Stop the Violence” marches and speaking at high schools, telling young people that they were important, she said. Within six months of Andre’s death, there were two more incidents involving teen on teen death from gun violence, a 1992 New York Times article mentioning Wilma Frank said. Over the years it has become seen as normal. “When Andre was killed, you rarely would hear a child got shot,” said Frank. “Now it’s an every month thing.” The issue of violence led to Mount Vernon’s participation in Parent Involvement Day. “It all came about as a result of our children dying on the street,” said Henry May, who has been involved in the tradition since the very beginning. In the late 1990s, he said, a group of women met regularly in the library, praying together for children to stop killing one another and dropping out of school. “There is a thing called a divine spirit all around us,” he said, and being noticed regularly in the library and knowing he was an activist, the women invited him into their circle. He then learned about the National African American Parent Involvement Day, and connected the group to that organization. NAAPID took off in 1996, inspired by the 1995 Million Man March, which mobilized to address African American issues. Joseph Doolin, a Catholic school principal in Detroit at the time, said he found a way to bring the march into his work. “The way to kids is through parents,” Doolin said. Parent Engagement Day, which happens in 49 states and several foreign countries, took off primarily to close the achievement gap but could be used to discuss other issues, said Joseph Doolin. “Parents play a vital part and I think Newtown in Connecticut proves that,” he said. Looking to NAAPID for guid-
ance, what started with a prayer group, turned into the Mount Vernon Parent and Community Forum on Education. May says it was completely grassroots, that it met more resistance from the school board than support. When May found that federal funds were available to take parents to a conference in Michigan, the board voted against using the funds. On top of that, there were no parents who were able to go, he said. Paying for his own way, May said, he attained the funds anyway for five male community activists to go. “When they came back they had a sense of how to make a difference,” May said. “All they had to do was be empowered.” There were a few more conferences, and women went. May said that the success of Parent Engagement Day was that over time, more parents went. He said it’s the only school district in Westchester that participates in it. That includes all 16 schools. In any one school, he said, you might see 200 parents. “In Mount Vernon, we have been successful on Mobilizing parents on that one particular day.” Joseph Doolin said that despite the widespread participation in the day, only 10 school districts in their whole, cel-
ebrate Parent Engagement Day. The school board has become a friend, said May, and this year’s conference is evidence of that. He said it’s “the first time that we’ve had people jump on board and say we want to do something in addition.” Despite the success, and other gatherings such as a Non-Violence Summit at Grace Baptist Church early last year, general violence has continued in Mount Vernon. Overall crime steadily decreased between 2002 and 2011 by 8.2 percent according to recent state report. But crimes classified as “violent” went up 12.9 percent in that period, the report said. As Commissioner Bell said, there was little variation in the latter few years. Earlier this year four people were killed at a brawl outside of a bar at 2 a.m. Recently, a fight broke out in the Mount Vernon High School cafeteria, and back-up police from other Westchester towns were called in. Wilma Frank attributes the issues in towns like Mount Vernon to larger aspects of society. “I would say that parents have to go back to the custom of it takes a village to raise child,” Wilma Frank said. “I think we lost that.” She said mothers often have to work, and children are left unattended, where others could step in. Frank is a member of Mount Vernon Heights Congregational Church
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where “De-Criminalizing Parenting Behavior” will be held, though she’s unaffiliated with the event. “This is a community church and that’s why I joined it,”she said. It hosts movie nights on Friday nights and teenagers attend, she said. Recently a delegation from her church went to Washington D.C. to support gun control legislation, but also to advocate against violence in the media and violent video games. As she said this, in another room a T.V. was on, and voices could be heard commenting on Barack Obama’s second inaugural address, on Martin Luther King Day, in her house a block south of Martin Luther King Boulevard, or Third Street. On her walls are pictures of Dr. King, Rosa Parks and the President. A few years ago, she continued her activism, and spoke at Mount Vernon High School after a boy was stabbed, she said. Everyone reached out to for this story was surprised by the title, “DeCriminalizing Parenting Behavior.” No one, not even Goodzeit, knows what’s going to happen. “It’s going to kind of take its own course,” Goodzeit said. Shannon Ayala is a 2013 student at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism. He also writes New York environmental news for www.Examiner.com. His work can be found at www.SEArchives.wordpress.com.
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THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013
CALENDAR
News and Notes from Northern Westchester By MARK JEFFERS I watched all the festivities on Inauguration Day and not sure of the big fuss over Beyonce pre-taping her rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner,” she sounded great, live or otherwise, but in case you are wondering, I did not lip sync this column, so please enjoy this week’s “live” edition of “News and Notes.” Three cheers to Harrison High School as the Grammy Foundation’s Grammy Signature Schools program has named them as a semifinalist this year, finalists will be announced in March. A Jeffers family favorite is vanilla ice cream with maple syrup drizzled over the top. Now the folks at Westmoreland Sanctuary in Mount Kisco are inviting families to Adopt a Sugar Maple. If you have ever thought about making your own maple syrup now is
your chance. Adopt a sugar maple at Westmoreland and learn first-hand how to produce delicious syrup from maple sap. Families, groups, and individuals are welcome to adopt one of Westmoreland’s sugar maple trees for the sugaring season. Participants should plan to attend a series of programs on Feb. 3, March 3, and March 9 or 10. At SugarFest 2013, each family will receive free admission (4 people max.) and one bottle of maple syrup produced from Westmoreland’s maple trees, to get involved in this event call 914-666-8448 for more information. If you are like me and have already broken all your New Year’s resolutions all ready, here’s a chance to make a few new ones for your home…join Bedford 2020 as they present “New Year’s Resolution for your Home” on Saturday February 2nd at Brenner Builders in Bedford. New York State Police have created a toll-free number 1-855-529-4867 for residents who may have questions
about the state’s new gun laws. Our state was the first to pass new gun laws in the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting in December. You don’t have to love chasing Yogi or Booboo Bear to join this group, the Westchester County Department of Public Safety is accepting applications for seasonal park rangers to patrol county parks this summer, applications are due back by February 22nd. The Pound Ridge Theatre Company will be present “Doubt: A Parable” on Fridays and Saturdays this April, for tickets call 914-764-1902. My wife often calls our house a circus, but the real thing is coming to the Westchester County Center in White Plains as the Royal Hanneford Circus makes its annual Westchester appearance February 16-18. Congratulations to three local high school students, Jiaya Peng from Horace Greeley in Chappaqua, Daniel McQuaid from Ossining and Chris Traver from Croton-Harmon High
School for being named finalists in the Intel pre-college science competition, way to go… Happy Birthday to Grand Central as this historic building turns 100 next month; did you know that an estimated 750,000 visitors pass through the world’s largest train station each day; it would be quite a party seeing all the daily commuters celebrating this wonderful facility. Ruff Start Rescue is a Not-ForProfit organization dedicated to rescuing and finding homes for dogs that have been neglected, abused or are at risk of being euthanized at a high kill shelter, for more information reach out to them at www.ruffstartrescueny.org. I wish I could sing like these guys…the world renowned Vienna Boys Choir bring their 2013 tour to the Emelin Theatre in Mamaroneck on March 9th. Good luck and best wishes for a ton of fun for the brand new recreation center in Pleasantville after finally cutting the ribbon for its long awaited opening… A preschool fair with area nursery
and preschool representatives on hand will take place at the Katonah Library on February 2nd. The art gallery in the Pound Ridge Library has the “Hooked Rugs” exhibit running through February 23rd. Author Joan Gussow reads “Growing Older” at the Teatown Lake Reservation Nature Center in Yorktown on February 2nd, and no I did not get this book for my birthday… The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College presents the world famous ballet company Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal on February 9th. I can’t believe January has come and gone, I just paid my last credit card bill for Christmas and I have to start saving all over again…oh I almost forgot, I have a tax payment due on Jan. 31, so much for saving…see you next week. Mark Jeffers resides in Bedford Hills, New York, with his wife Sarah, and three daughters, Kate, Amanda, and Claire.
money into developing automated systems to eliminate employees or, at least, “dumb-down” job requirements so that greater productivity could be gotten with cheaper wages. Companies also make the customer part of the retail process, eliminating the jobs of envelope openers, data input operators, accounting clerks, etc. (when you pay a bill on line, the transaction goes directly into the company’s computer system, eliminating all of the afore-mentioned jobs). One can certainly build a case for these actions, other than simply greed, by pointing out that the international firms with whom US firms must compete are not encumbered with high US salaries, benefits, US safety and environmental regulations, strikes, etc. The only way, then, to be competitive is to either offshore to countries where workers do not have the same salaries, benefits, and protections that US workers have or to eliminate the need for workers altogether. We see – but may not take note of – this all around us. The use of ATMs have dramatically reduced the numbers of tellers in bank branches; more and more “self-checkout” systems are appearing in supermarkets and box stores, reducing the number of cashiers needed (and, as the public gets used to them, their use will continue to grow).The use of Amazon for printed books and the
Kindle and Nook e-book readers have put Border’s out of business and greatly decreased Barnes and Noble’s hardcover sales (only a few years after Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Border’s drove most small independent book stores out of business). Similarly, iTunes with its automatic low-priced downloads of singles and albums drove Tower Records, The Colony, and Sam Goody’s out of business (within decades of those stores killing the local music retailer). The movement to Digital photography has not only driven Kodak to bankruptcy but has eliminated all the film processing operations which dotted malls and drugstores throughout the country. The above happenings are simply what we could see around us, if we bothered to look. We read about robots automating manufacturing but that doesn’t seem close to home for many of us and we tend not to realize the unseen impact that technology has made around us. WalMart has made use of sophisticated warehousing, traffic management, and inventory control systems to streamline delivery of products to stores and eliminate jobs (while forcing suppliers to meet Chinese prices or lose the business). Banks have put in “expert systems” to screen out loan applications with poor credit, eliminating many loan officers. These are just examples of a continuing nationwide trend to auto-
mate and eliminate jobs. We add to the above the mergers of large companies to minimize the cost of computer processing (The Chase and Chemical Bank merger comes to mind) and the use of external technology firms, such as IBM and Hewlett-Packard, to take advantage of the “economy of scale” and further reduce jobs and we begin to see the massive employment shifts brought on by technology. The unemployment rates are only a partial indication of the economic impact that technology innovation has had. While many of those displaced may be permanently unemployable – too old, too uneducated, or, in some cases, too unintelligent to be retrained for new jobs – many higher level people are now employed but “underemployed” – the corporate manager or officer or film chemical engineer or bank loan officer now working in a 7-11 or as a clerk or any position far below the one that she / he previously had – these people may be working but, in many cases, they can’t make mortgage or automobile payments and are in danger of losing their assets. Even without such dire consequences, at a minimum, these individuals have had their discretionary buying power impacted severely. We have seen this on the lessening de-
CREATIVE DISRUPTION
Where Are The Toll Takers? By JOHN F. McMULLEN Driving south last Saturday to the Memorial Service for Aaron Swartz on the Saw Mill Parkway / Henry Hudson Parkway combination, I was surprised when I hit the Henry Hudson Bridge (put up in 1936 as an engineering marvel -- once one of the longest single arch bridges in the country -- and the bridge that I climbed on as a loony teenager) and saw that all lanes were “EZPass / “We will bill you.” Back in the days when the toll was .10, all lanes had collectors – then, as it increased over the years to the present, I believe $5.00, it went to some “Exact Change” with other manned lanes and then to some EZPass lanes and some manned lanes, and now no manned lanes. The question arises “what skill for other jobs does a person with 10 years experience as a toll collector have?” I know a fellow who retired years ago as a toll collector and gamed the system by working more overtime in his last few years to retire with a higher pension than the King of Saudi Arabia (http://www.nydailynews. com/archives/news/gravy-pensions-toll-taker-joins-rush-ot-ar-
ticle-1.685269). While that would certainly seem excessive in today’s world of austerity, it was legal then and, once publicized, the loophole was closed in subsequent agreements. The positive side of the story – if can find it – is that the money paid in pensions became port of middle class buying power and the person in question has homes in Long Island and Utah, an apartment in The Bronx, and does a great deal of charity volunteering in old age homes and food pantries. That is one of the anomalies of the present situation. Compared to the rest of the world, our middle class workers seemed to have been grossly overpaid – union workers, public servants, etc. – but much of their pay went back into the economy as they bought homes, automobiles, boats, electronic gear, etc. and our economy prospered. Now we are going the other way – we are eliminating jobs through not only “offshoring” (out of the country “outsourcing”) but, more and more, through technological innovation. Usually, when the economy is on the upswing as it has been, companies plow some profits into adding and training employees to meet new demands -- Not so today! Today, companies put
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CREATIVE DISRUPTION overall economy. The haves see the havenots as wanting to take their legitimately acquired wealth while the havenots blame the haves for their declining fortunes. How do we turn this around and get us all back on the path to prosperity? It is a very complex problem and I certainly don’t have all the answers but some things come to mind: Reach agreement that there is a problem – this is not as easy as it sounds, particularly when both recent presidential candidates stated that a more robust economy would solve the unemployment problem. Find a way to provide low-cost quality science and technology education to K-12 students. Convince the American public that we must have a Science and
Where Are The Toll Takers? Continued from page 4
mand for the new iPhone 5, the lack of impressive sales of new personal computers (although the unwieldy Windows 8 may have had something to do with that), and other disappointing sales of electronics and hobby items. Another negative impact of the employment shift is that, as we both reward technology experts for the new employee-elimination systems and eliminate or degrade jobs, we expand the “income inequality gap” that we read more and more about. This gap hardens lines between the “havealots” (or “haves”) and the “havenotmuch” or (“havenots”), making it much more difficult to arrive at equitable solutions to improve the
Technology effort analogous to our “Space Race” effort in the 1960s, when consolidated efforts by the government, industry, educational institutions, and the general public let us put Neil Armstrong on the moon. Convince industry leaders that leadership in science and technology is a path to higher profitability. Convince youth that its path to success is through science and technology. Develop government programs for “soft landings” for individuals displaced as a result of technological innovation. Find reasonable ways to fund this science and technology initiative. If possible, develop a government / private enterprise massive public works project to both repair our infrastructure and provide em-
ployment for the unemployed. These may not be the only answers – they may not be, in fact, reasonable or doable answers due to our dysfunctional political system – but, if you have any better solutions, send them along to johnmac13@gmail. com. Oh, and by the way, you don’t need EZPass or cash on the Henry Hudson Bridge any more – the Bridge will bill you. Creative Disruption is a continuing series examining the impact of constantly accelerating technology on the world around us. These changers normally happen under our personal radar until we find that the world as we knew it is no more. Comments, experiences and questions can be directed to johnmac13@gmail.com.
CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE
The Miscreants SHERIF AWAD Across the globe, the term ”no budget film” still applies to many cinema productions whose filmmakers try to defy the bureaucratic system and the lack of finance in order to carve their dream on celluloid. One of the up-and-coming filmmakers who succeeded to tour festivals with his feature-length debut entitled The Miscreants is the Moroccan- born Mohcine Besri who, in order to realize his full vision, refused to approach funding entities that sometimes interfere in the final creative aspect of their supported films. Having the permits of a short film because his small crew lacked the appropriate credentials to get one for a feature film, and casting actors who refused to be paid for their belief in his writings, Besri succeeded to wrap his controversial drama in record time across the Moroccan countryside. The Miscreants shed a light on the rising of fundamental Islam across the Arab world and most of all among the would-be promising generations of youngsters. In fact, Besri tries to show how fundamentalists consider artists to be miscreants through his story of three Islamists who kidnap a group of five free-spirited performers (three actors and two actresses) and throw them in a remote farmhouse in the
countryside. Because the captors and the victims are all in their twenties or their thirties, a tension generates between openness and oppression. While the kidnappers try to reach their leaders for further orders, the actors convince them to perform for them a segment of their plays in order to prove that art is not obscene. In shaping the characters of the captors and captives, Besri succeeded to make them all human and not to prejudge them. The captors are also victims entangled by the brainwash of their manipulative leaders. However, Besri’s biography doesn’t mention he was originally a banker who fell in love with cinema since his teens. “I got interested in screenwriting since I turned fifteen maybe because I was influenced by the career of my late father who was an actor on TV, theatre and film” he reveals. “In fact, at that early age, I composed my first script which I called Kafka, Dead or Alive to show my father that I can write too. But I remember that once my father read it, he tore it apart then yelled at me because he was afraid I end up in jail. Actually, at that time, we used to get home visitors called Control to check and censor anything against the system. This script eventually became one of early debuts as I succeeded to shoot it in 2006, as a seven-minute black and white short where I also played the main role. It opens on this young man from Morocco who was
Mohcine Besri as the Kafkaesque dreamer in his own debut.
telling a dream he had to his girlfriend while they are both sitting in a coffeshop. In his dream, the young man was watching Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator when the projector suddenly freezes and the image morphs to show the king of Morocco giving a speech where he promises freedom and a better life for the Moroccan people. But while the young man was telling his dream, the scene again dissolves to show him being interrogated in a dark room by a mysterious commanding voice”, explains Besri whose script was obviously paying homage to Kafka’s The Trial. Because he wasn’t encouraged by his father to venture into arts while he was growing up, Besri started to study something else but he was bit-by-bit enrolled into political activism while he was in the university, which is not good in some Arab countries. “I was chased down by both the Islamists and Marxists”,
laughs Besri who decided to fly to Switzerland in order to complete his studies in computer science. “After graduating, I worked in finance and private banking but I wasn’t fulfilled. Although I made a good living, I felt I don’t have the time to spend the money I earned. So, I slowly went back to cinema by going to casting calls in Switzerland and Morocco. I then succeeded to realize two films, a fifteen-minute short called Heaven with amateur actors then my early script Kafka, Dead or Alive.” While looking for an idea of a feature film, Besri was deeply concerned when hearing news about Terrorism and Islamist Groups in Europe and the States. “First, there was this script called Being Laden then another comedy set in France but neither of the two projects saw the light till now. But when I got to meet a director who invited me to work as production assistant in his new film
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CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE
The Miscreants Continued from page 5
shooting in Morocco, I got introduced to two actors who later became among the leads of The Miscreants. It was after a little chitchat about life and politics that they, alongside the rest of the cast,
decided to work with me without taking any fees”, said Besri who needed to go back to Switzerland to write a script. “There was an incident in Morocco that inspired many of the scenes and characters of The Miscreants”, remembers Besri. “While I was sitting with the actors and my two sisters in a hotel lobby, I noticed a bearded man who
Mohcine Besri on set.
was looking at us from afar. He seemed uneasy because my sisters were sitting on my lap and also when Rabii Benjhail, one of the actors, was imitating an ostrich in order to make us laugh. This incident and the memory of this young Moroccan suicide bomber who decided to let himself explode in the cemeteries, were resonant in my mind
when I started to write the film”.
Born in Cairo, Egypt, Sherif Awad is a film / video critic and curator. He is the film editor of Egypt Today Magazine (www.EgyptToday.com), and the artistic director for both the Alexandria Film Festival, in Egypt, and the Arab Rotterdam Festival, in The Netherlands. He also
Rabii Benjhail as an ostrich performing in front of the Islamists.
contributes to Variety, in the United States, and is the film critic of Variety Arabia (http://varietyarabia.com/), in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Al-Masry Al-Youm Website (http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/198132) and The Westchester Guardian (www.WestchesterGuardian.com).
The Islamist Captors.
EDUCATION
Fox Lane High School Students Conduct Scientific Research By RICH MONETTI Scientists have found that excessive buildup of brain plaque brings on Alzheimer’s. If you’re a high school student with dreams of being a scientist, and the subject interests you, a high speed connection gives you access to unlimited amounts of information. Generating some data of your own, though, will unfortunately have to wait for advanced degrees and stewardship under a hierarchical team
of researchers. That’s unless you are enrolled in Fox Lane High School’s Science Research Program in Bedford. Chemistry teacher Erin Rent leads the class and the above example comes directly from, Charlotte Herber, one of her current students. “How can we get rid of the brain plaque, which are causing Alzheimer’s, but leave the brain intact,” she advises is Charlotte’s point of study. Just because Fox Lane is situated in a very affluent section of northern Westchester doesn’t mean the campus has a university level research center,
(L-R): Christopher Priestly-Milianta and his mentor Dr. Clyde Smith. Summer 2012 working on their project at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lab in California.
renowned scientists on staff, or even a small cache of afflicted brain tissue. Instead, as sophomores, in the three-year endeavor, students have reached out to an expert in hopes of gaining a needed mentor and the use of a research lab that would permit access and use through that mentor. “It’s completely driven by the student,” noted the Fox Lane faculty member Erin Rent. Before the process can be undertaken a student must hone in on an area of interest, distill and focus thereafter onto a specific topic within that discipline or field. So the summer after freshman year, students turn to popular magazines to learn about scientific study and bring a diverse collection of their favorites for the first day of the sophomore. “If you have a lot of computer science articles stacked up,” Ms Rent pointed out, “you’re obviously drawn there.” The students embark on their adventure excitedly by doing some more… reading? Delving into a multifoot high pile of scientific journals, Ms. Rent says, “may not seem so thrilling at first, but sometimes you have to take the long way around.” The student/scientists need to become conversant in the form and structure of journal articles – thus making the content decipherable. Once they can manage that, she believes it becomes a matter of being led by their individual passion and inter-
ests until the specifics emerge. Helping them pare down the broader topic, computer science may give way to artificial intelligence (AI). Then to complete their focus, Ms. Rent utilizes the interdisciplinary nature of science.
emerge and they then have something to talk about when the student reaches out to them. “That may lead to earning a position in their lab,” noted Ms. Rent. On the other hand, the collaboration could lay dead on arrival, but a healthy impression can have rewards. “If they can’t take them on, maybe the scientist can connect them to someone
Jay Fetter at the 2012 Junior Science and Humanities Symposia in front of his poster. The 2013 Symposia will take place on February 2, 2013. For example, a secondary interest in devices for the disabled merges nicely with the (AI). Combining the two interests, she says, “I guarantee, there’s a research project going on in that field.” A scientist should then likely
who can,” Ms. Rent said. Otherwise, once the connection is made teacher, mentor and student all meet to discuss the progression of the project, how the mentor will sup-
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Fox Lane High School Students Conduct Scientific Research Continued from page 6
port the student and what will be the agreed upon goals. “So together we
can create a learning experience where this is meaningful and special rather than just putting them in a lab and
hoping they’ll learn something,” she says. No matter how many iterations
(L-R): Sarah Cohen, Giuliette Pfeiffer, Camille Curry, Tiffany Kakkanatt, and Juliette Silverman. They are traveling on MetroNorth to Grand Central Station early one morning in 2012, holding up their science research notebooks.
it takes to land a mentor, it’s a lesson in persistence that is tantamount to a successful outcome – especially when the real heavy lifting is to come. “That’s a characteristic of a true scientist,” Ms. Rent shared. In scientific notation, this means seeing “negative results” as opportunities. “They are still results. They’ve just shown you something that doesn’t work and it doesn’t mean you’re completely wrong. It means you need to look at it in a different way. That’s what we do in science,” said Ms. Rent. The same goes for giving back, which is why mentors get involved, and the end result has actually had some of her students switching places.
“After three years, they all write a research paper like a journal article, and some have actually had their work published,” continued Ms. rent. Short of achieving a byline, the work introduces them quite nicely on college applications and goes even further in person. “They can use it as a point of conversation in an admission interview.” Ms. Rent gets a little something extra, too. “I couldn’t ask for a better position. I couldn’t have designed a better course. It is a dream come true,” Ms. Rent concluded. To learn more visit: www.flhsresearch.org Rich Monetti has been a freelance writer since 2003 and lives in Westchester.
CHRONICLES OF CROTON’S BOHEMIA
Crystal Eastman: Gone Too Soon By ROBERT SCOTT Crystal Eastman was “a natural leader,” recalled Roger Baldwin, a founder of the ACLU, with whom she had many differences. She was also “outspoken (often tactless), determined, charming, beautiful and courageous.” Crystal left her mark on the series of organizations she helped to start with her diligent attention to detail.
The Wisconsin Suffrage Campaign
Crystal Eastman’s 1911 marriage to insurance agent Wallace Benedict and the move to Milwaukee opened opportunities. Unable to find work in Milwaukee with a law firm as a labor
lawyer or with the state government in Madison were disappointments. The women in the Wisconsin suffrage movement recruited her for their cause. Between 1896 and 1910 no state had extended the vote to women, but in 1911 California suffragists won the right to vote. Buoyed by that victory, campaigns were launched in 1912 in six states: Arizona, Kansas, Oregon, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. Women’s suffrage would score a victory in three states: Arizona, Kansas and Oregon. Despite Crystal’s vigorous campaign, it was defeated in Wisconsin by an opposition heavily financed by brewery in- This photo of Crystal Eastman accompanied terests determined to protect the male her December 1923 Cosmopolitan article. bastion of the corner saloon. launched a new movement from a Congressional Union basement room in Washington, D.C. On January 2, 1913, Alice Paul, Their organization differed from tradiLucy Burns and Crystal Eastman tional suffrage groups in that it sought a
federal amendment rather than taking a state-by-state approach. Eastman and Lucy Burns approached the National Women’s Suffrage Association and persuaded it to adopt the new group. Reconstituted as the Congressional Union, it organized dozens of demonstrations in which many women were arrested and jailed.
The American Union Against Militarism
The work of the women’s suffrage movement was transformed in August 1914 when war broke out in Europe. Crystal and Max Eastman met with leaders of social reform like Lillian Wald in December 1915 to create the American Union Against Militarism (AUAM). Crystal Eastman was named executive secretary. Its purpose was to lobby Congress and to organize massive letter-writing campaigns. Widespread public acceptance of the AUAM should come
as no surprise; Germans made up the largest immigrant group in the U.S. Immediately upon United States entry in World War I, the AUAM was inundated with requests for aid to protect free speech, assembly and press which were threatened with restrictions and to defend the rights of conscientious objectors. A separate organization was needed to safeguard these rights, and the National Civil Liberties Bureau (NCLB) was established in the autumn of 1917 with Roger Baldwin as director. On Jan. 20, 1920, the NCLB became the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) with Roger Baldwin, Norman Thomas and Crystal Eastman as founders.
Crystal Marries Again
Crystal married British poet and antiwar activist Walter Fuller in 1916. Continued on page 8
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CHRONICLES OF CROTON’S BOHEMIA
Crystal Eastman: Gone Too Soon Continued from page 7 The New York Times for Nov. 14, 1916, reported that the marriage took place “some time ago.” It also reported that she had obtained a divorce from Wallace Benedict “last winter.” The following year she invited Roger Baldwin, then a St. Louis social worker, to manage the AUAM office while she took a brief maternity leave. A son, Jeffrey, was born on March 19, 1917. Roger Baldwin later remembered Walter Fuller as “extremely witty and totally pacifist and worked hard to make Crystal laugh--and, you know, Crystal loved to laugh.” When The Masses was forced to stop publication in 1917 by suspension of its second-class mailing privileges, the November-December issue effectively became the final issue. Crystal and Max immediately made plans for a successor. The first issue of The Liberator appeared in March 1918. Max readily admitted that Crystal “really ran” The Liberator. With the conclusion of the war, she resumed her women’s suffrage activities and organized the First Feminist Congress in 1919. After the successful approval of the 19th Amendment in 1920, Crystal Eastman continued to work for women’s rights. She was one
of the four authors of the unsuccessful 1923 Equal Rights Amendment. Walter Fuller had moved to London in 1922 to seek work. For the next five years Crystal and their two children traveled back and forth between the U.S. and England. She described their peculiar lifestyle in a magazine article in the December 1923 issue of Cosmopolitan with the title “Marriage Under Two Roofs.” In it she told readers the unusual arrangement had saved the marriage. In 1927, she returned to New York intending to stay permanently and eager to work in health insurance. Her husband was to join her when their finances permitted. Instead of his arrival, however, a cablegram came less than a month later told her of his sudden death of a stroke. Within ten months Crystal, too, would be dead, at the age of 47. The body she often referred to as “this good-for-nothing body of mine” gave out and succumbed to kidney failure. Crystal Eastman died at the home of her older brother, Dr. Ford Eastman, in Erie, Penn., on July 28, 1928. “All over the world there are women and men who will feel touched with loss, who will look on a world that seems more sober, more subdued,”
wrote Editor Freda Kirchwey in her tribute in the liberal weekly The Nation. “In her short life Crystal Eastman brushed against many other lives, and wherever she moved she carried with her the breath of courage and a contagious belief in the coming triumph of freedom and decent human relations. “Force poured from her strong body and her rich voice, and people followed where she led. She was to thousands of young women and young men a symbol of what the free woman might be.” Her death left her two children, son, Jeffrey, 11, and daughter, Annis, 7, parentless. Although Max Eastman was close to Crystal, he was disinclined to raise his sister’s orphaned children. Instead of taking them in, he selfishly found a foster home for them. Aversion to children was a pattern with Max. After he left his first wife, Ida Rauh, in 1912, it was twelve years before he visited his only child, Daniel. The boy grew up never really knowing his father and never forgave him for deserting him. Daniel Eastman married twice, but both marriages failed. By the age of 29, he had already unsuccessfully tried four different careers. At the age of 44, a troubled and recovering alcoholic, Daniel Eastman earned a Ph.D. at Columbia University. He became a practicing psychologist, and ultimately
an alcoholic. At the time of his death in 1969, he had given up being a therapist and was writing a book Fortunately, Crystal’s children found loving parents in Henry Goddard Leach, editor of the intellectual and literary magazine Forum and president of the American-Scandinavian Foundation, and his wife, Agnes Brown Leach, who took them in. On October 7, 2000, Crystal Eastman became one of that year’s 19 new women inductees into the National Women’s Hall of Fame. Headquartered at Seneca Falls, N.Y., midway between Rochester and Syracuse, Seneca Falls was the birthplace of the women’s rights movement in 1848. She joined such other previously inducted heroines as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Amelia Earhart, Eleanor Roosevelt and Rosa Parks. Although there have been many biographies about the pioneering feminists of America, no one has essayed a biography of the remarkable woman who was Crystal Eastman.
Epilogue
Born on March 19, 1917, Crystal’s son, Jeffrey Eastman Fuller, had an interesting life, albeit a short one like his mother’s. He graduated from Harvard in 1938 with a major in Slavic languages and history. Drafted in January 1941, he
wound up in the military police, followed by a stint at an infantry regimental headquarters. After attending officer candidate school, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in October 1942 and served as aide de camp to Major General D.H. Connolly, commanding general of the Persian Gulf Command. Fuller traveled extensively with the general and served as Russian and French interpreter for him. In May 1943 Fuller became liaison officer and civilian personnel officer in Qazvin, Iran, working closely with the Russian command. Recalled to the U.S. in October 1944 for training in military government and civil affairs in preparation for the occupation of Japan, he was tapped by the OSS in May 1945 and worked as a field operative in Berlin and Central Europe. Fuller was discharged from the Army in June 1946 with the rank of major, and remained in the Army Reserve. We can only wonder what Crystal would have said about his impressive military career. He joined the staff of the ACLU in 1948 and served until 1966. Jeffrey Eastman Fuller died of a heart attack on February 24, 1970, at the age of 53. Robert Scott is a semi-retired book publisher and local historian. He lives in Crotonon-Hudson, N.Y.
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and insisting that they proclaim that “there is no god except Bashar,” which reflects not so much cult-worship of Assad as a mockery of the Shahadah (Muslim declaration of faith, of which the first part goes “There is no deity but God”). A particularly striking observation is that these videos invariably show pro-Assad militiamen whose accents illustrate that they are Alawites. It may seem odd that Alawites — most frequently described in media reports
as either an offshoot of Shi’ite Islam or simply a sect of Shi’ism — would disparage Islam, but an examination of the history of Alawite identity in Syria will demonstrate that such an attitude towards Islam among pro-Assad Alawite militiamen and soldiers comes as no surprise at all. Until around the 1920s, Alawites were known to outsiders by the term “Nusayris” — named after Muham-
INTERNATIONAL
Anti-Islamism in an Islamic Civil War By AYMENN JAWAD al-TAMIMI Recently a video emerged in which proAssad militiamen can be seen beating and shooting a prisoner to death. What might seem remarkable is that the militiamen are insulting Islam in the
process, mocking the takbir — that is, the cry of “Allahu akbar” — the Islamic conception of paradise for martyrs. In the first half of the video, one of the executioners — disparaging Muhammad — shouts, “F—k you and your prophet.” Later, another of them yells, “Damn your God.” It may come across as odd that
pro-Assad militiamen would disparage the Islamic religion in such a crude manner, but it should be noted that there are many videos like this in which the anti-Islamic sentiment takes a more subtle form. Thus throughout in the course of the civil war there have been some videos of regime loyalists beating detainees
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INTERNATIONAL
Anti-Islamism in an Islamic Civil War
Continued from page 8
mad ibn Nusayr, the reputed founder of the sect in 9th-century Iraq — and they identified themselves by this name, content with a separate ethnic and religious identity that was essentially a “neither Shi’ite or Sunni” position, stemming from the highly syncretic nature of the traditional faith. Beginning with the establishment of the French Mandate in Syria and increasing contact with the outside world beyond the traditional rural homelands in the northwest mountains, several writers from the community began to emphasize that they were not “Nusayris” (a term they rejected as an invention of the sect’s enemies), but Alawites, emphasizing a supposed connection with mainstream Islam and Shi’ism in particular. Yet when it came to the question of whether the “Alawite State” would be united with the rest of the Mandate to form Syria, five Alawite community leaders — including Bashar’s grandfather — went to great lengths in a memorandum to the French Prime Minister in 1936 to emphasize distinctness from Islam, even as they consistently em-
ployed the term “Alawite” to describe themselves. Thus they affirmed that Alawites are considered “infidels” under Islam, and that a spirit of “fanaticism” is nurtured in Islam against non-Muslims. Despite some attempts by Shi’ite clergy in Najaf in the middle of the 20th century to reach out to Alawites and bring them closer to the fold of mainstream Twelver Shi’ite Islam, the fact is that since the end of the French Mandate in 1946, Alawism in Syria has come to be less associated with identification with an actual religion and more with a simple bloodline identity, just as many Jews might practice no religion at all but nonetheless identify as ethnically Jewish. This transition was the result of two factors. First, there was the rise of pan-Arab Ba’athist ideology, which according to Ba’ath party founder Michel Aflaq (a Greek Orthodox Christian) stipulated that Islam and Arabism should be inherently bound, but in practice translated to separation from a religious identity and served as an alternative for many Alawites seeking to advance themselves in the Syrian state.
Hence, even before the advent of the Assad dynasty, an Alawite officer named Ibrahim Khalas could write an article in 1967 disparaging religion and God as concepts to be confined to the dustbin of history, and trigger outrage from Sunni Muslim and Christian religious leaders, but not arouse a similar reaction in the Alawite community. Further, the ascent of the Assad dynasty with Bashar’s father Hafez being made president in 1970 led to a two-fold policy of (i) declaring that Alawites were nothing more than Twelver Shi’ites and (ii) implementing a process described by Joshua Landis as “Sunnification.”The latter meant trying to demonstrate that in religious practice Alawites were no different from orthodox Sunnis, with a number of mosques built in predominantly Sunni towns. State propaganda has been keen to portray the Assads as pious Muslims, with outlets like Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) always hailing the occasion on which the president prays in a prominent mosque to mark a Muslim festival. In fact, contemporary images of Bashar even emphasize how he prays in the Sunni manner, with his lower arms folded in prayer rather than by his sides as happens in the Shi’ite manner of prayer.
This policy was successful in convincing many Iraqi Shi’ites who worked in Syria that Alawites were simply fellow Shi’ites, even though Alawites have often been deemed by orthodox Twelvers in Iraq as “ghulat” — Arabic for “extremist” — on account of what is seen as veneration of Ali as a deity in the traditional Alawite faith. Conversely, many Sunnis in Syria came to see Bashar as a fellow Sunni — a perception strengthened by the fact that his wife Asma is Sunni. Even so, the “Sunnification” was no more than cosmetic in terms of the Alawites’ actual religious beliefs, and if anything only succeeded in distancing more of them from religion in general. The result is that there are many Alawites in Syria in particular who simply deem religion in general to be ridiculous, and are thus atheists, even if the issue of bloodline may seem important to them. Thus it should not be so shocking or incredible to see videos of proAssad Alawite militiamen and soldiers ridiculing Islam as they torture Sunni detainees. Indeed, with the constant emphasis by the Assad regime on a narrative of a jihadist opposition from the beginning of the unrest in Syria, hostility to Islam in line with the atti-
tudes expressed by Bashar’s grandfather is not to be unexpected. This anti-Islamic hostility in turn lends credence to the narrative of jihadist groups that the Assad regime and forces aligned with him are “waging war on Islam,” and thus gives legitimacy to the concept of a “defensive jihad” (to be distinguished from “offensive jihad,” which in much of traditional Islamic jurisprudence is the expansion of the domain of Islam through warfare by the caliph) to protect Muslim brethren from persecution. To reinforce this notion of “defensive jihad,” jihadist groups like the Saudi-backed Salafi jihadist Ahrar alSham and the al Qaeda-aligned Jabhat al-Nusra (JAN) are generally avoiding the tendency of militant Islamic organizations in other countries (e.g. the Islamist insurgents in Mali, Somalia, and Iraq, where a concept of “defensive jihad” is tenuous) to overtly brutalize ordinary fellow Muslims, and have devoted some effort to winning popular support with distribution of humanitarian aid, particularly bread. Indeed, recently Ahrar al-Sham released a propaganda video emphasizing this very aspect of their activities (accompanied by a benign-sounding
Continued on page 10
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THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013
INTERNATIONAL
Anti-Islamism in an Islamic Civil War Continued from page 9
nasheed) while allegations of looting on the part of groups recognizably operating under the banner of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) in Aleppo have become all too apparent. In this context, it should be noted, as Twitter user “Syrian_Scenes” (an account well worth following) points out, that Arabic news channel al-Jazeera has routinely misrepresented the likes of JAN, Suqur al-Sham, and Ahrar alSham as operating as part of the FSA, when in fact they are clearly separate from such identification. Indeed, it does not follow from an emphasis on “defensive jihad” that the jihadist groups are maintaining
trouble-free relationships with nonjihadist rebels opposed to Assad (or even among each other, for that matter). In fact, the tensions between JAN in particular and other rebel groupings are finally coming to more widespread media attention, with a number of northern rebels interviewed by Martin Chulov of the Guardian already speaking of the need for an Iraq-style Anbar Awakening (a key aspect behind the weakening of al-Qaeda’s power in Iraq from the days of 2005-6) against the likes of JAN. On occasion, hardline foreign fighters and al-Qaeda supporters have denounced the Free Syrian Army as “apostates” (takfir), contrasting with the complete rejection of takfir on the
part of other jihadist groups like Liwaa Islam (hat-tip: “Syrian_Scenes”). JAN has thus far refrained from invoking takfir against ordinary Sunni civilians, but that situation will probably change in a post-Assad environment if it finds people unwilling to accept strict imposition of Islamic law. In any case, JAN makes its antiAlawite sentiment clear, referring to Alawites as “Nusayris” — a term that is now considered offensive among Alawites. For instance, in this recent JAN video, the speaker in the middle of the video refers to Assad and the “Nusayri apostates [from Islam].” In short, the above evidence should illustrate that the notion of a Sunni-Shi’ite conflict is not the only perceived dichotomy at play in the Syrian civil war, significant as that concept
is in a number of respects. An Alawite identity mainly based on bloodline but with hostility to Islam is one strand at work here, and jihadist groups in Syria are well aware of it and have exploited it to bolster support for a struggle to overthrow Assad framed as a jihad to defend Islam. At the same time, one should not be sensationalist and conclude that a jihadist takeover of Syria is imminent after the fall of the Assad regime. At most, I expect jihadist groups to have a foothold in parts of the north and east (particularly Aleppo and Deir ez-Zor) similar to al-Qaeda’s foothold in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. Instead, the point is to look beyond single paradigms even when it comes to examining issues like Sunni-Alawite tensions. Further, the personal rivalries
among rival rebel groups — jihadist and non-jihadist — are becoming ever more intense, and will make the task of maintaining a united Syria after Assad’s fall all the more difficult. To paraphrase pundit Michael Weiss, a “civil war within the civil war” beckons, but media commentary has paid insufficient attention to this looming prospect. First published on January 24, 2013 in?The American Spectator, http://www.meforum.org/3435/syriaanti-islamism
astated. At what point did Bedford Falls give way to Pottersville? Granny never knew. We couldn’t spoil it for her. It was a beautiful dream and we heard her tell our children, “Someday, I’ll have your mom take us all over to The Blue Mouse.” Maybe there’s a Blue Mouse in your life; something you’ve always wanted to do, or be or have and it hasn’t happened. Maybe you can take a little time while the year is still fresh and re-examine your dreams. Maybe you’ve outgrown some of them. If you have heard yourself making the same promise to get organized over and over again, maybe you really don’t want to. Maybe you’ve allowed other people, television, magazines and movies to cause you to want things perfect and in your optimism, you were not realistic and you over dosed on the concept of getting organized. The beginning of a new year makes us think we can transform every fault into a virtue and every fantasy into
a reality, but there’s a side effect to that over dose. We can crash. The secret is to take each day as it comes and declare it a new beginning and celebrate it with the same fervor you celebrated on New Year’s Eve. So today, let’s dump any blue mice we’ve collected and start being easy with ourselves. Let’s enjoy who we are, where we are and who we’re with, just as it is right now and watch 2013 blossom into the best year of our lives.
Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi is a Shillman-Ginsburg Fellow at the Middle East Forum, and a student at Brasenose College, Oxford University.
MAKE IT FUN!
Do You Have a Blue Mouse in Your Life? By PAM YOUNG Here it is February already! Hopefully you are through ruining checks by writing 2012 instead of 2013 for the date? Scientists claim it takes 21 days to establish a new habit, so hopefully by now you’re getting used to this fabulous New Year. Did you have a New Year’s Resolution for 2013? Was it the same as what you wanted to happen in 2012, but it didn’t? If it was, maybe you’ve outgrown it. When I was young, Granny used to take my sister and me shopping in downtown Portland, Oregon. We’d catch the Greyhound bus out on the highway, (Granny didn’t drive), and it’d be an all-day outing. On the way home, the bus route always took us past an
incredible, grand old theater (the kind people like the Daughters of the American Revolution fight to restore). It had a huge marquis with millions of brilliant lights flashing out the word, THE BLUE MOUSE. It left us spellbound; but we were always tired and on our way home, so we couldn’t stop. Granny would say, “Next time we come to Portland we’re gonna go straight to The Blue Mouse and shop afterward.” The three of us pictured a non-stop medley of Walt Disney features: Pinocchio, Snow White, and Bambi, one right after the other. It would be an animated festival interrupted only briefly by Sylvester & Tweetie. I dreamt about it. I told Mom I was going. I saved for it. I waited, and waited and waited. Eventually, next time turned to someday. I still thought about it, but not as often. And every once-in-awhile Granny would say, “We’ve got to go to
The Blue Mouse!” Years passed. Granny’s feet were bothering her, so just my sister and I went shopping in Portland. We were both licensed drivers by then. “Wanna go to The Blue Mouse?” “No, I’ve got a date tonight.” “You wanna just drive by it?” “Sure, what street’s it on?” “It’s right after the bus depot and just past Manning’s Coffee Shop.” We saw the flashing lights in the distance. Maybe we could spare the time. As we got closer the lights caught less of our attention than the people lying on the sidewalk. “Sissy, lock your door!” The Blue Mouse had become an X-rated adult theater. Next door was a topless bar and a tattoo parlor. Across the street was a bookstore with black windows and a pawn shop boasting, Diamonds-Tackle-Guns. We were dev-
For more from Pam Young go to www. makeitfunanditwillgetdone.com. You’ll find many musings, videos of Pam in the kitchen preparing delicious meals, videos on how to get organized, ways to lose weight and get your finances in order, all from a reformed SLOB’s point of view. To listen to Pam’s essay while you do something productive with your hands: www. makeitfunanditwillgetdone.com
PEOPLE
Westchester Region of Hadassah Installs New President TARRYTOWN, NY -- On Monday evening, January 14, 2013 Deborah Wiskind, of Ardsley, NY, was installed as the 20th President of the Westchester Region of Hadassah. Deborah begins serving a three-year term of office. Prior to being installed as President, Deborah held the title of Executive Vice
President of the Region. Also installed that evening was Pam Hoffman, of Ossining, as the Region’s new Executive Vice President and Robin Herko, of Harrison, NY, as Recording Secretary. Each will serve a three year term of office. The installation ceremony and
dinner took place at the Double Tree Hotel in Tarrytown, NY. There were over 100 people in attendance who came to witness and celebrate this auspicious occasion. Representatives from Hadassah National were on hand to conduct the installation. Former Westchester Regional
Presidents Phyllis Hartstein of Chappaqua, NY, and Karen Everett of Larchmont, NY, were both on hand to speak and welcome Deborah, Pam and Robin into these coveted positions.
Deborah Wiskind of Ardsley, NY, was installed as the 20th president of the Westchester Region of Hadassah.
THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013
Page 11
MUSIC
THE SOUNDS 2013 Delbert McClinton Sandy Beach 19 January 5th-12th. OFBLUE Cruise Another great year of performances & there will be more! By Bob Putignano It was previously announced that this years Delbert cruise would be their last; thankfully there will be more, perhaps many more! As it was decided to outsource Ragena Warden’s Event Coordinator’s position, but this was not a corporate like decision as the (always wonderful) Ragena is retiring to travel the world with her husband. This years cruise brought back many familiar faces: Marcia Ball, Anson Funderburgh, Jimmy Hall, Big Joe Maher’s “4 Jaks,” Clay McClinton, The McCrary Sisters, Mingo Fishtrap, Gary Nicholson, Spooner Oldham, Lee Roy Parnell, Wayne Toups, Paul Thorn, Seth Walker, plus the return of Tab Benoit (who’s been absent for two years,) newcomers The Band of Heathens who I thoroughly enjoyed, and of course Delbert McClinton who continues to marvel and astound. Favorites included Wayne Toups excellent band with the burning Freddie Pate on guitar, Toup’s son Darrell on percussion, Chevy Foreman’s solid bass, Adrian Boudreaux’s keys, and Matt Janise who was very impressive and added much color on drums. The Toups’ band is not your
2013 Delbert - Gary Nicholson. typical zydeco band as they incorpo- and begging for more. Gary Nicholrate classic rock overtones into their son’s band was a big party with AnLouisiana based performances; they son Funderburgh and Colin Linden are especially fond of the Allman on guitars, it was a superb set, where I Bros. too. The highlight of their set enjoyed Nicholson’s fun tune “Pay Bo was when Lee Roy Parnell sat in and Diddley,” and much more. The band I called for “Ramblin’ Man,” “One Way saw last year with Big Joe Maher, AnOut,” and a rollicking “Sweet Home son Funderburgh, Kevin McKendree, Alabama,” all of which sizzled (espe- and Steve Mackey also dazzled, and cially Parnell and Pate’s dueling gui- they have a new Eller Soul album due tars,) which had the crowd cheering out titled “Deal With It,” and they
2013 Delbert - Big Joe Maher.
2013 Delbert - Tab Benoit.
now have a band name “The 4 JAKS” as in Joe, Anson, Kevin, and Steve; get it? Who doesn’t like Marcia Ball? Especially with guitarist: “Mighty” Mike Schermer, (who also has a new CD coming out,) and Red Young sitting in on B3 throughout. Tab Benoit (saw him three times) was on fire with the newly added Terrence Higgins on Drums (Dirty Dozen Brass Band,) who was in lockstep with the fabulous ex Chubby Carrier bassist Corey Duplechin, plus Johnny Sansone was called up to sit in and Tab never let him leave the stage, these Benoit sets were nearly the best I’ve ever seen him and his previous bands deliver! Delbert is so timeless (saw him three times too) and McClinton and his always solid band marveled. By the way; Delbert also has a new CD coming out in May on New West records with his old cohort Glen Clark titled “Blind, Crippled & Crazy.” Of special note I completely enjoyed the two sets that I witnessed by the “The Band of Heathens.” Even though these youngsters are in their early thirties they definitely have an affinity towards late sixties to mid
2013 Delbert - (L-R): Lee Roy Parnell - Wayne Toups.
2013 Delbert - Anson Funderburgh w- 4 JAKS.
seventies music. They are reminiscent of groups like The Band, Little Feat and other early seventies countryrock bands, but also write great tunes, vocalize well, and have a unique knack at listening to each-other when they jam. These young Heathens would have fit in playing the Fillmore East and West from back in the day, and left a very solid impression. Cary Baker also tells me that they too also have a new album due out later this year, look for it! Add to the mix the late night evening jams that produced all kinds of unsuspected and dynamite playing, Nick Connolly’s 5pm jams, The 4 JAKS four performances make for one heck of a noon to wee hours party. Running into Spooner Oldham on Grand Turk Island was also special for me to catch-up and chat with as he saw me wearing my Atlantic Records t-shirt, and wanted to know where he could get one. Spooner told me he was very proud of his Atlantic days, and it was an honor to shoot the breeze with this legendary musician. And the best news of all is it ain’t over, as there will be more Delbert cruises! After being horrified of the thought that this would be the last cruise, I am happy to report that you can signup right now for their twentieth at: www.Delbert.com or call 1800-Delbert. I hope to be back again in 2014, and look forward to seeing many of you on-board too! Bob
2013 Delbert - Anson Funderburgh on top of Gary Nicholson.
2013 Delbert - McClinton clapping.
2013 Delbert - Band of Heathens.
Putignano
Blue.com
www.Soundsof-
Page 12
THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013
POLICE
Yonkers Police Commissioner Gardner Announces Reduced Crime Figures for 2012 YONKERS, NY – Police Commissioner Charles Gardner announced a significant reduction in crime statistics for the year ending 2012 at the Thursday, January 24, 2013, press conference. Mayor Mike Spano, members of the City Council, Yonkers Police Department command staff, and patrol officers were in attendance. Most striking is that major crimes are down 13% in 2012 over the prior year. This is a seven-year low for the Yonkers Police Department; importantly, it is a citywide reduction with crime down in all four precincts. Commissioner Gardner credited the drop in crime statistics directly before the dedicated effort of the men and women of the Yonkers Police Department (YPD) , who scour the streets every day in their best effort to protect the people of the City of Yonkers (CoY). The Commissioner also thanked Mayor Spano for his support in providing the necessary resources for quality police services to the residents of Yonkers. Mayor Mike Spano said, “I want to congratulate the Police Commissioner for the strides he and the department have made in the last year. Our men and women put their lives on the line every day to ensure the safety and quality of life the residents of Yonkers. While these stats are encouraging, we still have a lot of a work ahead of us, but I am confident that our hard work on the streets will continue to keep our communities safe.” Commissioner Gardner pointed out that there was a significant reduction in every crime category with the exception of felony assaults. Only 4 murders were reported in 2012, a 43% decrease from 2011. Rapes are down 22%, and robberies are down 9%. The most serious felony assaults (both shootings and stabbings), are down significantly. Shootings are re-
2008 - 2012 Stabbing / Shooting Incidents City of Yonkers
Crime Statistice Press Conference. 2011 / 2012 UCR Part 1 Crime Comparison City of Yonkers
2012 Murder Rape Robbery Felony Assault Total Crime Against Person Burglary Larceny Stolen Auto Total Crime Against Property Total Part 1 Crimes
ported to be down 62% and stabbings are down 9%. The Commissioner attributed this to the multi-faceted apDatasource: YPD UCR Historical Statistics proach YPD CAU; 1.22.13 to guns and gun related crime including on-going crime analysis to quickly identify patterns involving these types of crimes. These initiatives include: Monthly Compstat meetings; Shot Spotter (acoustic gunshot de-
4 28 422 679 1133 534 1799 231 2564 3697
2011 7 36 463 591 1097 753 2123 298 3174 4271
Change -3 -8 -41 88 36 -219 -324 -67 -610
% Change -43% -22% -9% 15% 3% -29% -15% -22% -19%
-574
-13%
tection system); Gun-Tips Hotline; Active patrol force; Undercover gun buy operation (Street Crime Unit); SNUG Program; and Federal Agency Partnerships and investigations (97 known gang members arrested in two separate investigations).
In relation to property crimes, the Commissioner announced that in 2011 there was a spike in burglaries, Datasource: YPD UCR Historical Statistics which was a five-year high. Burglary YPD CAU; 1.23.13 was then identified as a priority crime in 2012 and a comprehensive strategy was developed to address this crime, including: Burglary Task Force was created; A focus on detailed preliminary reports with thorough canvassing of witnesses and the search for video and physical evidence; Public Education – last year the Department launched an extensive social media campaign to disseminate information to the public concerning crime patterns and various crime tips to combat crime, including target harden-
ing techniques; Detectives are now required to respond to all burglaries; and Comprehensive Crime Scene Unit (CSU) processing and the use of DNA detection techniques. Commissioner Gardner closed the press conference by noting that YPD’s successful achievements in reducing crime for 2011 are laudatory, “we are CLASSIFIED ADS cognizant of the fact that behind every crime there is a victim. Even though the City of Yonkers remains one of the safest large cities in the country, no level HELP WANTED of crime is acceptable.”
Page 26
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THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013
Page 13
READING
Photos of Life in New Rochelle By PEGGY GODFREY Steeped in the past and present, the book, “One Day. Photos of Life in New Rochelle, The l0-l0-l0 Project Book,” by Karen Hessel stands as a tribute to the City during its 325th Anniversary in 2013. Voluntary photographers in a unified effort on October l0, 2010, went to all parts of the City to visually record many examples of unrehearsed, unedited suburban views of life. “The photographers
New Rochelle’s historic Union Baptist Church, once located on the corner of Main Street & Franklin Avenue, since burned down in a devastating fire in February 2011. Photo taken by Joseph Henrico.
tographers completed their task by submitting over 4,000 pictures. How can anyone forget the photo of the Yankee fans returning from a victory of a playoff game? Many views of the ordinary, everyday and sometimes special activities of residents are portrayed. New Rochelle, the city of homes, schools and houses of worship is vividly portrayed with pictures of churchgoers outside a church, a wedding, baptism and even a picture of the Union Baptist Church which burned to the ground shortly after this venture. City His-
View of downtown New Rochelle looking north, featuring city’s new residential towers and other local landmarks. Photo by John Hessel; Pilot:, Dr. Robert Perler
Bergholz Lake, when bequeathed to the city, was renamed Glenwood Lake. It is 6 acres and has a park area with benches. Photo by: Karen Hessel
wanted,” according to the author, “to capture the people, places, events and activities, history and life in New Rochelle.” The volume does not disappoint readers. These pho-
torian Barbara Davis, called the volume “a kaleidoscopic view of this great City.” Schools are amply represented. New Rochelle High School, the two middle schools and the elementary schools were all shown at different times of the day. Amy’s Greenhouse,
Aerial photo of the waterfront San Souci neighborhood, also known as the ovals, with Hudson Park and Five Islands Park behind. Photo by: John Hessel: Pilot: Dr. Robert Perler
Baptism of Anthony Marrone at Holy Name Church in New Rochelle on 10-10-10. Photo by: Anna Piliero
at Henry Barnard School is a tribute to a 9/11 victim, a memorial and a reminder of how the history of New Rochelle is preserved. The waterfront shows the beaches, particularly Glen Island and Hudson Park. The statue of Christopher Columbus capturing Mayor Noam Bramson, Councilman Lou Trangucci and County Legislator Jim Maisano is a permanent reminder of how elected officials work together in the community. The southern section of the City has two significant religious pictures: one of School Board Member David Lacher’s daughter’s wedding, and another of the Vicar of the Sound Shore Vicariate, Father Martin Biglin, officiating at a baptism at Holy Name Church. The City of New Rochelle’s current 325th Anniversary is well represented in the West End and downtown areas. The long-standing Knickerbocker Press on Webster Avenue shines in its restoration with lofts for condominiums and live-work lofts. Other memorable buildings include the New Rochelle train station, I.B. Cohen’s which is
North Avenue near Eastchester Road because it is in range of 75% of the city, and it must service a large proportion of the City. The cottage of Thomas Paine who was the author of “Common Sense” is a constant reminder of the fame brought to the City from this man’s thinking. Views of Ward Acres and Glenwood Lake’s beauty grace the last few pages as does the street sign which gives us pause remembering another famous resident, Norman Rockwell. The sign announces to the world that New Rochelle is a city of schools, churches and houses of worship. Preserving all these treasures on film for future generations
Metal New Rochelle welcome sign commissioned in the 1920s by the New Rochelle Art Association. Photo by Anna Piliero the oldest store in New Rochelle, the Chase Bank building, Lamda is the gift of everyone who contribbuilding and the United States Post uted to this book. The book is for sale at the Office. In the middle or city core of Curtain Shop on Main Street in New Rochelle on North Avenue, the New Rochelle and at Anderson’s “flying nun” Police station and the Iona Dorms are evident. Indisput- Bookstore in Larchmont or online ably the historic district of Rochelle 101010nr.com which is also the Heights continues to be a reminder website. of the City’s glorious past. Peggy Godfrey is a freelance writer, a Finally the north end photos community activist, and former educadepict an important fire house on tor.
Page 14
THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013
READING
No Guarantees: One Man’s Road Through the Darkness of Depression Chapter Sixty-Two - Epilogue By BOB MARRONE Thirty years is a long time, don’t you think? Well, allow me to tell you that it is not. It has gone by in the blink of an eye. But much has happened in the world and in my life. My mother died in November of 1988. By her last years, I had become her closest friend and caretaker, with a huge assist from my wonderful niece Laura and her sister Jeanne. Mom and I shared many meals together and shared a lot about her life and mine. One of the great gifts of my therapy was learning to truly understanding my mother’s limitations and humanity. Some who have read the early drafts of this book have assumed that I must be angry with my mother. Sure, I wish that I did not have to live in the foster home or that I had a more conventional childhood. But my mom was who she was, and I love her still. A couple of years after she passed… it was to take that long… I finally sold the house on 24th Street, something I had vowed to do since I was nineteen. While there was love and shelter there for many, it also created a culture of dependency, irresponsibility, competition for love and emotional
stunting that limited the potential of many lives. Today, it gives me joy to observe the new generation of family who raise their own kids, in their own homes and accept their responsibilities. I will go to my grave with the satisfaction of having contributed, even in a small way, by selling that house. In 1997, after a few years of skating by myself or with my daughter, and another year getting into pick-up games hockey wherever I could, I decided to go back to playing competitive hockey. I was forty-seven years old. Other than coaching, it had been twenty four years since I gave up playing the sport I love, largely because of my illness. I had accepted that I would never play again, and maybe not ever skate again, and was at peace with it. I am happy to say that I am now in my sixteenth consecutive year back with no immediate plans to give it up. I sent the team photo of my first championship to Dr. Casarino. Professionally, in the first chapter of my work life, I worked my way up to the position of director at Merrill Lynch and later executive vice president in a division of Thomson Financial. I got to build some wonderful training schools and, later, spent several years as a communications executive and a speech writer and coach. I also got to
travel all over the world, becoming an accomplished public speaker on behalf of my employers. My daughter completed college and grad school and is now a successful micro-biologist, with a family and beautiful home of her own. Her children are an immense cause of joy in my life. Before some of my hockey games, my nine-year-old grandson skates with my team during the warm-up. If there is a heaven, this is it. I became partners in a business venture around the turn of the century. It was a combination land investment and restaurant. I lost my shirt and some other body parts, and learned a few lessons. This episode was just God awful, but at least it allowed me to add the title Acting Managing partner to my resume. Around that same time I decided to go back to school to study journalism and broadcasting. Ever since I was small I wanted to do talk radio. But in the culture in which I grew up, such notions were thought to be out of our league, and so they were never really pursued with any vigor. Additionally, the style of radio in the fifties and sixties was dominated by baritone voiced announcer types. Even my high school speech teacher felt that my tenor tones
would send me down a path to nowhere. But I always held out some hope and told anyone and everyone that when my daughter was on her own two feet, I would retire early and pursue the radio. Today, I have been a broadcaster for ten years, the last six as the morning host of the most popular morning show in Westchester. I also write columns for two local newspapers. I have been fortunate enough to achieve other things that I once only fantasized about. After years of hoping that I would get the opportunity, I finally apologized to Marianne about my ducking for cover thirty years before. I thought it was important for her to know that I was deeply in love with her, and that I was sorry I never told her back then. That my actions, or inactions, had been one of the triggers of my eventual depression was not lost on her. We remain friends. As I write this, I am still struggling to get my love life on the right path. I still like the road too much and feel out of place no matter where I am. I need, still, to trust enough to give all of myself. The ball is in my court. The important thing is that I am still working on it. The continuum... well… continues. I still carry some of the ticks of my struggle and doubtless will for the rest
of my life. I almost never wake up in the best of moods, and hate the midday morning unless I am sleeping or working. And in the morning, if I have not laid out everything I am going to wear, or if I fail to leave my keys and wallet in the same place to be picked up on auto-pilot, I am easily frazzled. I am ever fretful about forgetting something I have just said or planning to do, this as result of those years not trusting my memory. And because of my concentration level, now laser like as the result of over compensating for several years, I will appear as if startled from a deep sleep should you interrupt me while I am writing or thinking on a problem. These things are baked into my life and present no particular problem. And, so, to take the same door out that we came in. I am aware that depression is both insidious and stealth. During times of prolonged stress and turmoil, there is sometimes the chance that it will send a signal my way. Not very often, thankfully, the barbarian will be seen at the gate. I am ready for it. I look forward to my future. Bob Marrone is a freelance writer for The
Westchester Guardian and a radio talk show host.
REAL ESTATE
RE/MAX Prime Properties Commercial Division Director Reid Brokers Second Opengate Lease in Westchester Opengate Leases Space in Cardile Building on Main Street in Armonk to Better Serve Developmentally Disabled Adults Scarsdale, NY – RE/MAX Prime Properties Commercial Division, which opened in the fall, reported that Ron Reid, Director of Commercial Real Estate Services at the Scarsdale office has brokered a 7,620 sq. ft. lease at 357 Main Street, in Armonk. Reid was the sole agent representing Opengate, Inc., a 501(c)(3) private, not-forprofit residential and day program facility serving developmentally disabled adults since 1969. The leased space is in the Cardile Building is a 21,250 sq. ft. Class A building that is within walking distance to downtown Armonk. The search, which covered the upper half of the
county, took over six months. “While the search for the ideal space for Opengate to occupy took several months, I believe the time spent was well worth it. This nearly 8,000 sq. ft. space is in an excellent location and will support the services Opengate provides for their clientele,” said Ron Reid, Director of Commercial Real Estate Services at RE/MAX Prime Properties. The Armonk lease-transaction is the second major lease Reid has carried out on behalf of Opengate, Inc. In 2006, he negotiated an 11,000+ sq. ft. lease at Mack-Cali’s Mid-Westchester Executive Park in Hawthorne for Opengate’s Day
Habilitation program. “I commend Ron Reid for his professional approach in serving his
clients. The fact that this was his second transaction with Opengate demonstrates Ron’s understanding of the importance of going the extra mile to serve clients the first time around. RE/MAX Prime Properties since opening its Commercial Division just a few months ago is, already establishing itself as a prime resource for businesses and nonprofits seeking to purchase property or lease space,” said Henry Weber Regional director and President of RE/MAX of New York, Inc. Scott Benson, owner and principal broker of Benson Commercial Real Estate, is the exclusive agent for the two building complex at 355
and 357 Main Street, representing the ownership, Cardile Enterprises. Philip J. Onorato, Esq., represented Opengate, Inc., during the negotiations. Alan H. Rothschild, Esq., of the firm of Rothschild & Pearl LLC, represented ownership. For more information about RE/MAX Prime Properties, at 836 Scarsdale Avenue, Scarsdale, NY and its commercial and residential services, please visit http://www. remax-primeproperties-ny.com/ or call (914) 723-1212. For information about RE/MAX of New York, Inc. visit www.remax-ny.com.
THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN
EYE ON
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013
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THEATRE
Crisis Dramaturgy By JOHN SIMON Two kinds of playwrights make sense. Those who feel a passionate need to express what’s on their minds, and those who have an irrepressible wit or soaring imagination with which to engage us. What we don’t need are playwrights who can contrive a barely coherent plot and very nondescript dialogue. Representative of the latter, at least based on the current “Bethany,” is Laura Marks, described as a recent graduate of the Juilliard playwriting program. This is the not wholly credible story of Crystal, single mother of fiveyear-old Bethany (unseen), whom she wants to reclaim from foster care. In the exurbs of a small, unnamed city amid the economic crisis of 2009, she has been reduced, by loss of a better job, to saleswoman in a Saturn showroom and, having lost her home, to turning squatter in an abandoned building. This ground-floor apartment still has water and electricity on the plus side; on the minus, there is Gary, the upstairs squatter who is mildly bonkers, talks and moves oddly, and rants about the military-industrial complex and the
coming revolution. Not atypical of the dialogue is Gary’s reproaching Crystal with calling him Gary, as he gave his name, and responding to the amazed woman’s question about what, then, his real name is with “I don’t know.” Crystal desperately needs the bonus from selling a car, which, in the financial crunch, is unlikely. The only seemingly interested party is Charlie, an apparently affluent middle-aged professional pep-talk lecturer, and intermittent narrator of the play, propounding a specious doctrine of getting whatever you want so long as you are persistent in its pursuit. It transpires that what he wants even more than a Saturn is getting into Crystal’s pants. Repeated joint test drives lead to a dinner date and that, in turn, to the pursued pants. Crystal’s longing for her daughter could lead to that. What seems less likely is her ability to forge a lease on her apartment good enough to fool the experienced social worker, Toni, and eventually to something much more extreme. Improbable, too, is her going to bed with the obviously slippery Charlie without demanding payment in advance, and the subsequent visit of Patricia to the salesroom, revealing that she is Charlie’s wife, and that her husband has recently been pink-slipped and in no
Myra Lucretia Taylor, America Ferrera and Tobias Segal position to buy a new car. She, on the other hand, proves amenable to a 10, 000-dollar check for Crystal and her daughter to leave town. (Doesn’t that seem a bit too cheap?) If I go into so much plot it is because that is mostly what there is. Still, Gaye Taylor Upchurch has directed this Women’s Project production with tight efficacy on a spare kitchen set by Lauren Helpern, who, among other things, is a member of New Georges Theater’s Kitchen Cabinet. Overinsistent sound design by Leon Rothenberg is less welcome. Sarah J. Holder’s costume design, however, is laudable, especially as it
does what it can to mitigate the leading lady’s surplus of body and leg. America Ferrera, best known for TV’s “Ugly Betty,” is well cast as Crystal. She knows how to crunch up her face in a salesperson’s blithely assertive smile to conceal sweatiness under— way under—the collar, and carry on with a determination driven by despair. Tobias Segal is persuasive as the addled Gary, who can summon up some neighborly zeal as well some of a less wholesome kind. Emily Ackerman is amusing as Crystal’s sardonic boss, and Myra Lucretia Taylor is all too believable as a complacent social worker.
GOVERNMENTSection
As Charlie, the author’s husband, Ken Marks, has the right mixture of smugness and gaseous meliorism, and the orotundity that goes with it. Kristen Griffith excels as the high-handed yet insecure Patricia, but did rather sadden me. Fairly recently she still displayed the not inconsiderable remnants of her intense former beauty; here she exudes the pathos of intractable aging. We can face ordinary mirrors with alleviating self-deception. But onstage manifestations of lost looks somehow reflect back on us with incontrovertible asperity. Photos by and courtesy of Carol Rosegg. Theater and Box Office - City Center Stage II, 131 West 55th Street (btwn 6th & 7th), New York, NY 10019. CityTix® 212-581-1212. Limited Run through February 17, 2013. 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. 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 JohnSimon-Uncensored.com
BUDGET
Governor Cuomo Outlines 2013-2014 Executive Budget to Maintain Fiscal Responsibility and Continue to Invest in Economic Growth ALBANY, NY – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today unveiled the proposed 2013-14 Executive Budget and Management Plan that builds on two years of balanced, fiscally responsible budgeting and invests in economic development, education reform, rebuilding after Superstorm Sandy, provides support to local governments and school districts, and includes no new taxes or fees. “By making difficult decisions over the past two years we have brought stability, predictability, and common sense to the state’s budget process,” Governor Cuomo said. “For the third consecutive year we are closing the deficit with no new taxes or fees and putting forward a budget that holds spending growth under two percent. Two consecutive fiscally responsible budgets have drastically
reduced the deficit we face in this fiscal year and those we will face in years to come. As a result, we are able to make critical investments to build a worldclass education system, support job creating projects in all corners of the state, provide assistance to local governments, and rebuild communities that were hit hard by Superstorm Sandy.”
Highlights of the Executive Budget:
• Eliminates $1.3 billion budget gap with no new taxes or fees. The expected gap for 2013-14 was projected to be $17.4 billion prior to the last two responsible budgets. • Holds spending increases below 2 percent for third consecutive year. • Increases education aid by $889
million, or 4.4 percent, driving an average increase of more than $300/ student per year. • Targets economic development spending to accelerate the commercialization of new technology, launches a third round of the Regional Economic Development Councils, and markets the state’s tourism assets to bolster economic growth, especially Upstate. • Reforms the Workers’ Compensation system to save employers, local governments, and school districts more than $900 million. • Includes nearly $974 million in savings from government redesign and cost control efforts
• Builds on the significant mandate relief enacted in 2012-13 by providing a Stable Rate Pension Contribution Option to allow local governments and school districts to immediately realize Tier VI savings. • Raises the minimum wage from $7.25/hour to $8.75/hour.
The Executive Budget includes:
• All Funds spending of $136.5 billion in the fiscal year that begins April 1, 2013, an increase of $2.5 billion or 1.9% from 2012-13. All Funds include federal funds. • State Operating Funds spending of $90.8 billion, an increase of $1.4 billion, or 1.6 percent. State Operating Funds exclude federal
funds and spending.
long-term
capital
A Continued Commitment to Fiscal Responsibility
Governor Cuomo’s Executive Budget eliminates a budget gap of $1.3 billion in 2013-14 and further lowers the budget gaps projected in future years. • State Spending Growth Held Under 2% For Third Consecutive Year: The Executive Budget holds annual spending growth in State Operating Funds to 1.6 percent. All Funds spending increases by 1.9 percent from the level estimated for 2012-13. • No New Taxes or Fees: For the third consecutive year, the Continued on page 16
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BUDGET
Governor Cuomo Outlines 2013-2014 Executive Budget to Maintain Fiscal Responsibility and Continue to Invest in Economic Growth Continued from page 15 Executive Budget closes the budget gap with no new taxes or fees. • $974 Million in Savings from Government Redesigns and Cost Control Efforts: As a result of initiatives spearheaded by the Governor since he took office to streamline state agency operations, government is doing more with less. The state’s 2013-14 fiscal plan takes into account $974 million in savings from state agency redesign and cost-control efforts. Economic Development With state finances steadied, New York has the means to target new spending to grow the economy and create jobs and train students for the demands of the 21st Century workforce. The 201314 Executive Budget continues to invest in rebuilding New York’s economy by funding new initiatives and targeting spending to focus on accelerating the commercialization of new technology to create new businesses, providing additional resources for regional economic strategies guided by the Regional Economic Development Councils, and marketing the state’s tourism assets to bolster economic growth, especially Upstate. Major initiatives include: • Innovation Hotspots and Tech Transfer: The Executive Budget provides funding for a multi-faceted plan – outlined by the Governor in the 2013 State of the State Address – to foster the commercialization of innovative ideas from our academic institutions. The Budget provides the initial funding to launch: the Innovation Hot Spots program that will create or designate ten high-tech innovation incubators at locations affiliated with higher education institutions to encourage privatesector growth; a new $50 Million Innovation Venture Capital Fund that will provide critical seed and early-stage funding to incentivize new business formation and growth in New York State and facilitate the transition from ideas and research to marketable products; and the Innovation NY Network that will build collaboration among academics, venture capitalists, business leaders, patent lawyers and other professionals to facilitate and enhance the commercialization process. • Next Generation Job Linkage Program: The Budget includes $5 million in performance grants to incentivize community colleges to place students in high demand jobs. • Regional Councils: Since their launch in 2011, the Regional
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Economic Development Councils have leveraged close to $5 billion in total project investment, spurred by $1.5 billion in state funding. To build on this success, the Executive Budget includes $150 million for a third round of the Regional Council process. NY Works Economic Development Fund Program: The Executive Budget includes $165 million for capital grants that support job creation and retention and fund investments that facilitate business expansion and the attraction of new businesses. Market NY: To bolster Upstate economic growth, the Governor laid out in his State of the State address a multi-faceted marketing plan. The Executive Budget provides the funding needed to launch the Market NY program which includes the Taste-NY initiative and a new competitive grant program for regional tourism marketing. Commitment to Western New York: The Executive Budget provides $100 million in funding and Excelsior tax credits as part of the Governor’s ten-year $1 billion commitment to revitalize Buffalo’s regional economy, and $60 million as part of the state’s contribution to keep the Bills in Buffalo. NYSUNY 2020 and NYCUNY 2020: The Executive Budget includes $55 million for a third round of NYSUNY 2020 and $55 million for a new NYCUNY 2020 program. The competitive funding will support projects that link the knowledge and innovation of higher education to regional economic revitalization. House NY: To finance the creation and preservation of more than 14,300 affordable housing units, the Executive Budget initiates a five year, $1 billion investment, including the transfer of the Mitchell-Lama affordable housing asset portfolio from Empire State Development to Homes and Community Renewal.
• Minimum Wage Increase: As called for in the Governor’s State of the State address, the Executive Budget increases the minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.75 an hour, bringing it more in line with the cost of living. The change would take effect July 1, 2013. Over 705,000 workers would be affected and total wages would increase by an estimated $1.01 billion per year. • Major Reform of Workers’ Compensation System: The Executive Budget includes a sweeping reform of the state’s complex and inefficient Worker’s Comp system that will provide $900 million in savings to employers, local governments, and school districts without affecting the rights of workers. The reform plan will allow the State Insurance Fund to release reserves no longer needed to fund future liabilities, which will be used to fund job-creating capital projects and help reduce the state’s debt. • Unemployment Insurance Reform: The Executive Budget proposes substantial reforms that will decrease costs to employers and modernize the Unemployment Insurance system. For UI claimants, reforms will increase both minimum and maximum weekly benefit rates. For employers, reforms will lower total costs, with a savings of $400 million over ten years. • Enhance New York Film Production Tax Credit: The Executive Budget extends the Empire State film production tax credit of $420 million a year for an additional five years. Restrictions on claiming the post-production portion of the credit will be reduced and additional reporting will be required to document the effectiveness of the credit in creating jobs. • Extend Historic Commercial Properties Rehabilitation Credit: To provide assurance to developers who are rehabilitating historic commercial property, or are considering doing so, the Budget extends the existing $5 million per project tax credit for five years (2015-2019) and makes the credit refundable beginning in tax year 2015.
Reimagining Government
The 2013-14 Executive Budget allows New York to take the next steps in reimagining state government, allow for even greater transparency and efficiencies, and improve citizen engagement.
A new website – www.OpenBudget. NY.gov – has been launched to provide New Yorkers with unprecedented access to information and resources regarding the state budget. • Implement the Justice Center: The Executive Budget implements the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs by transferring Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities operations to the new Justice Center. • Improve DMV Customer Service. The Executive Budget proposes a comprehensive customer service improvement initiative at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that is designed to reduce office wait times to 30 minutes or less by early 2014, increase the number of transactions serviced via technology outside of DMV offices by 50 percent, and put in place Saturday hours in certain offices. • Continue Right-Sizing Prison Capacity: To realign the prison system’s capacity with continuing declines in the offender population and to achieve recurring savings for taxpayers, the Executive Budget recommends the closure of two prisons – Bayview in Manhattan and Beacon in Dutchess County. The closures are expected to reduce bed capacity by more than 432, and will save $18.7 million in 201314 and $62.1 million in 2014-15. Closure of the facilities will impact 273 employment positions, all of which can be absorbed in the current system. • Improve the Workforce Development System: The state’s current workforce development system fails to train individuals to fill existing job openings, and is not equipped to prepare New Yorkers for the jobs that will be in demand over the next five to ten years. State agencies will adopt consistent and high performance standards for workforce training and development, in conjunction with and certified by the State Department of Labor. • Improve Services to Veterans: The Executive Budget enables the New York Employment Services System to be expanded to serve as a centralized statewide case management system for services to veterans, funded through a federal grant. • Government Consolidation and Mergers: The Executive Budget provides for a series of consolidations and mergers to make government more efficient and save taxpayer
dollars: o Consolidate all of the state’s Medicaid administration activities into the Department of Health o Transfer the Homeless Housing Assistance Program – which finances construction of housing units for homeless individuals – from the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to Homes and Community Renewal to give affordable housing developers a single point of contact and oversight o Merge the Office of the Welfare Inspector General into the Office of the Inspector General. o Merge the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations with the Department of Civil Service to create a single State Employee Workforce Development Center o Coordinate and consolidate public health and environmental labs functions which are currently operated by five agencies. o The Department of Health and the Department of Civil Service will adopt a common strategy for purchasing health insurance and medical services that could save taxpayers $50 million annually. o Consolidate disparate state agency print facilities into designated anchor facilities, based on proximity and common printing capability. This will reduce the number of print shops by 63 percent (from 24 to 9), and improve services and consistency while saving taxpayer dollars. o Consolidate warehouse functions, beginning with new policies to ensure a sound and reliable inventory system.
Mandate Relief and Local Government Aid
Building on the significant mandate relief enacted in 2012-13, the Executive Budget provides local government officials with additional tools to manage their finances in a responsible manner. The 2013-14 Budget contains several new proposals to continue to assist localities during this difficult economic period. • Stable Rate Pension Contribution Option: With Tier VI in place, there is now an opportunity to adopt an alternate pension funding mechanism – a Stable Rate Pension Contribution Option to allow local governments and school districts to lock in long-term, stable rate pension contributions for a period of years that would dramatically reduce near-term payments but still achieve full funding in each system over the Continued on page 17
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BUDGET
Governor Cuomo Outlines 2013-2014 Executive Budget to Maintain Fiscal Responsibility and Continue to Invest in Economic Growth Continued from page 16 long-term. These immediate and significant savings will provide immediate access to the savings of Tier VI and offer local governments and school districts needed relief, improving their ability to maintain necessary services to their residents and students. Local governments who opt in would avoid significant volatility in contribution rates and be better able to plan for the future. The option is voluntary and requires approval from the Comptroller’s office. • Local Sales Tax Rate Renewals: The Executive Budget allows counties to renew their existing sales tax authority without action by the State Legislature. The current process creates unpredictability that makes it difficult for local officials to manage their budgets. Any proposed rate increase would continue to require State Legislative approval. • Unnecessary Reporting Requirements: All local government and school district reporting requirements would be eliminated on April 1, 2014 unless the Mandate Relief Council approves continuing them. This will place the burden of proof on state agencies and authorities to justify continuing a report. • Reform Early Intervention Program: The Executive Budget recommends a series of modifications to the Early Intervention Program that will expand insurance coverage and streamline eligibility determinations, without impacting services, to provide significant fiscal and administrative mandate relief to counties and generate savings totaling more than $60 million over five years. • Enhance General Public Health Work Program: The General
Public Health Work program provides state aid reimbursement to Local Health Departments for a core set of public health services. Reforms associated with the first major overhaul of this program since its enactment will promote state health priorities, incentivize performance, and provide administrative relief to counties. The Budget will achieve $3.5 million in savings in 2014-15 and provide mandate relief for local governments of more than $16 million over five years. • Reforms to Preschool Special Education: To increase the incentive for local governments to find and recover fraudulent and inappropriate spending by providers, counties and New York City would be allowed to keep 75 percent of all recoveries from local audits, nearly double the 40.5 percent that they are currently allowed to retain. In addition, New York City will be given the authority to establish rates with approved Preschool Special Education providers. • School District Mandate Relief: As recommended by the Mandate Relief Council, the Executive Budget will create a new waiver process which will allow school districts to petition the State Education Department for flexibility in special education requirements. In addition, the burdensome requirement of maintaining an internal auditor for school districts with fewer than 1,000 students will be eliminated. Parental input will be included as part of the waiver process. • Local Government Assistance: Consistent with 2012-13, the Executive Budget would maintain $715 million in unrestricted aid (AIM) to cities, towns and villages. In addition, funding for a series of
local government efficiency and citizen empowerment programs will be extended.
Sandy Relief
The Executive Budget provides support for Superstorm Sandy recovery and rebuilding projects, programs, and other initiatives. Specifically, the Budget includes appropriations of $21 billion for disaster-related recovery, rebuilding and mitigation. An estimated $30 billion of Federal aid will flow through these appropriations or be directly administered by the Federal government, local governments and other entities. • Community Reconstruction and Mitigation Plans: Communities that were hit hard by Superstorm Sandy, Superstorm Irene and Tropical Storm Lee will be eligible for rebuilding and mitigation grants. • The Recreate NY Smart Home and Recreate NY Home BuyOut Programs: The programs will ensure that New York rebuilds to modern building standards and, in locations where rebuilding is impractical, provide a voluntary home buyout alternative. • Rebuilding and Hardening of Critical Infrastructure: Investments will be made in the areas of transportation, fuel supply, water supply, wastewater treatment systems, and electric distribution and flood protection systems. • Repair and Build Natural Infrastructure to Protect Coastal Communities: Address the need to restore damaged beaches, dunes, and berms, and build new natural infrastructure including wetlands, reefs, dunes, and berms to reduce the impact of wave action, storm surges, and sea level rise. • Restore Healthcare Facilities: Improvements will be made at hospitals, nursing homes and clinics to ensure these critical facilities are more resilient to future storms. • Universal Protocols for
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Emergency Response: To improve coordination among state and local emergency response professionals, the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services will collaborate with SUNY to develop a training program which covers incident command, response, recovery, and state emergency protocols. A New Resilient Information System: Existing mobile messaging and social networking technologies will be leveraged to integrate disaster planning, preparedness and response. This will include “NY-TEXT”, a program to allow mass text messages to be sent to all wireless phones in a chosen area. Specialized Training for National Guard Members: Training will be provided in key emergency response categories such as power restoration, search and rescue, heavy equipment operation, and crowd management. During Sandy, more than 4,500 Guard members provided relief and accelerated the recovery. With additional training and skills, these Guard members can have an even greater impact when responding to disasters. Pre-positioned Stockpiles of Essential Equipment: Critical equipment such as generators, water tankers, chainsaws, piping, light towers, and pumps will be purchased and pre-positioned in anticipation of the next emergency. A Statewide Volunteer Network: Establishment of a network if individuals, non-profit organizations and corporations will help the state meet critical needs in disaster relief efforts by matching volunteers with opportunities to assist. A Citizen Education Campaign: This program will better prepare New Yorkers by providing information, resources and supplies,
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reducing the number of families in need during a disaster and allowing first responders to focus greater attention on those who are most vulnerable. Establishment of Vulnerable Population Databases: First responders, outreach workers, and healthcare and human services personnel will have access to information to help find and serve those who may need assistance. Energy Sector Worker Training: This new program will ensure availability of skilled professionals to quickly diagnose and replace damaged components and maintain a state of good repair. Design-Build for Sandy Relief: The Executive Budget also authorizes Design-Build – a proven way to reduce costs and speed completion – for agencies that will implement disaster recovery projects. Strengthening the Public Service The Budget Commission: implements the Moreland Act Commission recommendations to strengthen the oversight and enforcement mechanisms of the Public Service Commission to ensure public utility companies are held accountable and responsive to regulators and customers. Implement Community Focused Plans: Counties affected by Sandy, Irene and Lee eligible
Education
The 2013-14 Executive Budget reflects a continued commitment to supporting improved student outcomes, sustainable cost growth, and equitable distribution of aid. It builds on the foundational work of prior years, and begins the implementation of key recommendations of the New NY Education Reform Commission. The total year-toyear increase in aid for education is $889 million, or 4.4 percent. Continued on page 18
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THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013
BUDGET
Governor Cuomo Outlines 2013-2014 Executive Budget to Maintain Fiscal Responsibility and Continue to Invest in Economic Growth Continued from page 17 • Full-Day Pre-kindergarten Program: The Executive Budget provides $25 million to support a full-day pre-kindergarten program targeted toward higher need students in lower wealth school districts via a competitive process. • Extended Learning Time: In order to provide increased learning opportunities, $20 million will be prioritized to support highquality extended school day or extended school year programs, with academically enriched programming. Schools that apply to participate in the program must agree to expand learning time by 25 percent. The grant will cover the full cost of expanding learning time for students. • Community Schools: The Executive Budget supports an innovative program designed to transform schools into community hubs that integrate social, health and other services, as well as afterschool programming to support students and their families. • Reward High-Performing Teachers: The Executive Budget provides $11 million to offer $15,000 in annual stipends for four years to the most effective teachers, beginning with math and science teachers. • Early College High School Programs: The Executive Budget provides $4 million in new state funding, bringing the state’s total investment in Early College High School programs to $6 million, to improve college access and success. • Bar Exam for Teachers: To ensure the best and brightest are teaching our children, the State Education
Department will increase the standards for teacher certification to require passage of a “bar exam,” in addition to longer, more intensive and high-quality student-teaching experience in a school setting. • Target School Aid Increases to High-Need School Districts: The Executive Budget provides a $611 million increase in School Aid. High-need school districts will receive 75 percent of the 2013-14 allocated increase and 69 percent of total School Aid. The aid includes $272 million for general support, $289 million for increased reimbursement in expense-based aid programs, and $50 million for a new round of competitive grants. • Provide Fiscal Stabilization Funding for School Districts in the 2013-14 School Year: In recognition of extraordinary increases in fixed costs, including pension contributions, the Executive Budget provides $203 million in one-time financial relief to school districts. • Maintain the Commitment to Teacher Evaluation Reform: The Executive Budget will continue to link increases in State Aid to compliance with the teacher evaluation system to ensure implementation and accountability for improving student performance. School districts will not be eligible for aid increases unless they have fully implemented the teacher evaluation process for the 2013-14 school year by September 1, 2013.
Program Overview
Environment and Energy: The Executive Budget increases support for critical environmental protection and energy programs. The Environmental
Protection Fund (EPF) will be increased by $19 million to $153 million. The Cleaner, Greener Communities program, administered by NYSERDA to fund energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, will be supplemented by a net $10 million in new state funding. To address a backlog of environmental capital needs, the Budget includes $135 million of new funding for DEC, OPRHP, the Department of Agriculture and Markets, and the Olympic Regional Development Authority under the NY Works program. In addition, the Budget provides the financial platform to implement the Moreland Commission recommendations that will strengthen the oversight and enforcement mechanisms of the Public Service Commission. Health Care: The Executive Budget maintains the Medicaid spending cap enacted in 2011-12 and recommends funding consistent with its provisions. The Budget achieves $125.3 million in savings from public health and aging programs through program reforms, enterprise-wide efficiency measures, and general cost-control efforts in public health and aging programs. In addition, the Executive Budget continues the state’s implementation of the New York Health Benefit Exchange that will serve as a centralized marketplace for the purchase and sale of health insurance, in accordance with the Affordable Care Act. Higher Education: To ensure New York’s students are prepared for the jobs of today and tomorrow, the Executive Budget changes the approach to funding community college workforce and vocational programs. Instead of funding based solely on enrollment, in order to receive State support for these programs, community colleges will be expected
to partner with local employers and the Regional Economic Development Councils to identify job training needs. In addition, the Budget provides new funding to community colleges based on performance in measures of student success, including job placement. Human Services: The Executive Budget provides core supportive services for needy populations and expands upon the 2012-13 Close to Home initiative for youth from outside of New York City to be placed in facilities closer to their home communities. The Executive Budget authorizes the state to undertake up to $100 million over the next five years for “Pay for Success” initiatives, also known as Social Impact Bonds. The program will attract private funding for preventative programming with repayment to investors made only if performance standards are achieved and savings exceed program costs. Mental Hygiene: Proposed actions for the Mental Hygiene agencies include reforming and restructuring state and local programs and administrative practices, establishing regional centers of excellence for state-operated inpatient psychiatric facilities, enhancing community mental health services, utilizing less costly and more effective in-state community residences, placing aggressive cost controls on agency operations, and maximizing payments from third-party payers. The Executive Budget invests $10 million to ensure that individuals receiving court-ordered services and those being discharged from State psychiatric hospitals have access to services in the community to ensure continuity of care. Public Safety: The Executive Budget helps to implement the NY SAFE Act, including creating a database for gun permits to allow the state to identify those with a firearms license
who no longer legally qualify to possess a firearm. The Budget proposes that an existing $11.4 million in funding for Alternatives to Incarceration be restructured as a competitive grant program targeting the highest risk offenders. The Budget includes legislation to reform the traffic adjudication process will help improve public safety and help reduce the loss of $58 million annually in state revenue that is caused by the existing process. Revenue Action and Tax Reform: There are no new taxes or fees in the Executive Budget. The Budget proposes to strengthen the state’s already robust tax enforcement efforts to ensure all individuals pay their fair share. These provisions, as well as the extension of existing revenue sources, would generate an additional $403 million in collections on an All Funds basis. Transportation: The Executive Budget includes $300 million of new transportation capital funding under the NY Works program. In addition, the Budget provides operating support totaling $4.7 billion to mass transit systems. The MTA will receive over $4.2 billion, an increase of more than $358 million from 2012-13, and other transit systems will receive over $454 million, which reflects an increase of $23.5 million. The Budget includes $307 million in General Fund support for the MTA to fully offset the revenue impact of the reform of the MTA payroll tax that the Governor signed into law in 2011. The Executive Budget includes approximately $85 million in funding assistance for the Thruway Authority, including the state takeover of costs of the Division of State Police Troop T, that helped eliminate the need for a substantial commercial toll increase.
FINANCIAL
Yonkers Mayor Spano Recommends Inspector General’s Office to Investigate Commercial Loan Program City’s Inspector General Releases Report on Findings of Over $650,000 in Defaulted Commercial Loans Provided by Previous Administration YONKERS, NY – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano today announced that he recommended the City’s Inspector General (IG) to investigate into 11 outstanding commercial loans, all of which are currently in default totaling over $650,000. The commercial loans, approved by the prior administration’s Office of Economic Development, were given to local small businesses in Yonkers. Today, the Department of Inspector General released its findings into the investigation. “Upon entering office, the negligence of these outstanding loans became
very apparent to me,” said Mayor Spano. “My administration quickly turned this case over to the Commission of Inquiry on the City of Yonkers’ Finances and then to the IG so she could thoroughly investigate the status and oversight of this program. I want to thank the City’s Inspector General for researching this and putting forward meaningful recommendations so that the City can continue to assist our local businesses in an efficient and properly managed way.” All of the entities that are in default are now either being sued or are in the process of being sued by the City of
Yonkers for repayment of what is currently owed. Mayor Spano added, “Once again, it has become apparent that some businesses took advantage of the generosity of the City and are not paying its fair share back to the Yonkers taxpayers. It is time for this well-intended program to get back into shape so that our businesses can thrive here in Yonkers.” As noted by the IG, while overseen by the Office of Economic Development, the commercial loan program was not sufficiently managed and organized, and often missing crucial documenta-
tion, conflicting terms for commitment of the loan and even confusing language regarding repayment. As a result of these and additional findings, the Inspector General today issued recommendations that will ensure a more responsible and effective program. Mayor Spano has already made necessary changes in the way the commercial loans will be managed and operated by the Office of Planning and Development and looks to makes additional changes as recommended by the Inspector General.
THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN
MAYOR Marvin’s COLUMN
GOVERNMENT
Guidance Regarding Emergency Generator Installations By MARY C. MARVIN
One of the predictable consequences of Hurricane Sandy was a marked increase in the number of inquiries and permit applications for generators. In a similar pattern to the several prolonged power interruptions over the past few years, a significant number of generator permit requests came in the weeks following the event. Last year more than two dozen generator applications were processed by the Building Department. Recognizing that the requests will most probably continue given the fragility of Con Edison’s overhead supply network, the Trustees and I asked the Building Department to memorialize in regulations what has been done in practice regarding the installation of these units. These regulations are necessary to insure that future installations are done safely and with the minimum disruption to surrounding properties. Generator application forms and information packets are available on the Village website, and in the Building Department
form rack in Village Hall. Copies can also be mailed upon request. The following Q and A is intended to highlight the major requirements of the regulations and is intended to provide general guidance regarding the installation and use of emergency generators in residential areas of the Village. Is a generator permit required for all generator installations? A permit is required for all permanently installed emergency standby generators. Portable temporary generators are only required to have a permit if they are connected directly to the building’s electrical distribution system and/or to the building’s fuel gas system. Portable temporary generators which are connected using extension cords are not required to have a permit but are subject to the noise limitations outlined below and are to be used in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements regarding their placement, connection and operation. What information is required for a generator permit request? A completed Emergency Generator Permit Application with a filing fee of $100, and a permit fee
based on the size of the generator or estimated cost of the installation is required prior to permit release. Three complete submission sets including the following information is required: A copy of a current land survey. A site plan drawing, drawn to scale and based on a current survey showing location of generator from property line, combustible walls and any openings in a building. Location of gas meter and generator fuel supply piping as well as location of electric meter. Catalog cut sheets of the proposed generator including sound data. In addition, completed electrical and plumbing permit applications are to be filed by a Westchester County licensed tradesmen. The installer’s Westchester County License and/or certificate of insurance are also required before a permit can be issued. Mary C. Marvin is the mayor of the Village of Bronxville, New York. If you have a suggestion or comment, consider directing your perspective by directing email to mayor@vobny.com.
BUDGET
Governor Cuomo Unveils 2013-2014 Executive Budget By BARY ALYSSA JOHNSON New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo unveiled this week his 2013-2014 Executive Budget and Management Plan, a thorough and all-encompassing plan that Democratic members of the Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) say they embrace and support. “By making difficult decisions over the past two years we have brought stability, predictability and common sense to the State’s budget process,” Cuomo said in a statement. “For the third consecutive year we are closing the deficit with no new taxes or fees…Two consecutive fiscally responsible budgets have drastically reduced the deficit we face in this fiscal year and those we will face in years to come.” Highlights of the Executive Budget include a number of core components. A primary component is what Cuomo has coined Continued Commitment to Fiscal
Responsibility. Evidence to support this commitment include the elimination of the $1.3 billion budget gap with no new taxes or fees, holding spending increases below 2 percent for the third year in a row, a savings of nearly $974 million from government redesign and cost control efforts and the raising of minimum wage from $7.25/hour to $8.75/hour. Another core component of the 2013-2014 Executive Budget is in the area of Economic Development. The new budget was created to fund projects and targets spending to focus on the increasing commercialization of new technology to create new business as well as marketing state tourism interests to increase economic growth. Among the major initiatives in this component are: Innovation Hotspots and Technology Transfer, which was created in order to foster commercialization of new ideas from academic institutions, and enhance collaboration among academics, business leaders, venture capitalists and other professionals.
A second initiative is called the NY Works Economic Development Fund Program. Cuomo’s budget includes $165 million for capital grants that support job creation and fund investments that facilitate business expansion and attraction of new businesses. “The impact of the Governor’s 2013-2014 State Budget will be a positive one for county residents and business owners, who will benefit both in the short- and longterm from a plan that cuts costs and makes investments in the right places,” Democratic leaders of the BOL said in a statement. Reimagining Government, the next core component of the budget, offers funding that will allow for greater transparency and efficiencies in government and to improve citizen engagement with government. The first major initiative in this component is to improve the Workforce Development System by encouraging state agencies to adopt consistent, high-performance standards for workplace training Continued on page 20
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013
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THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013
BUDGET component, Cuomo seeks to support improved student outcomes, sustain cost growth and provide equitable distribution of aid. Among the prime Education initiatives: $25 million in support of a full-day Kindergarten program targeted toward higher needs students in lower wealth school districts. The Extended Learning Time initiative will receive $20 million in funding to support highquality extended school day or school year programs. Another initiative under the Edu-
cation component of the budget is to reward high-performing teachers. As such, the budget provides $11 million to offer $15,000 annual stipends for four years to the most effective teachers. “The challenges ahead are significant, but we must stay committed to investing in our infrastructure, which Governor Cuomo certainly understands and recognizes in this budget,” Democratic leaders of the BOL said. “The Governor’s decision to increase funding for education – to better our human infrastructure – deserves support and approbation as it will help many school districts struggling with their budgets.”
Cuomo’s 2013-2014 budget has additional highlighted programs that have been created in the areas of Environment and Energy, Health Care, Higher Education, Human Services, Mental Hygiene, Public Safety, Revenue Action/Tax Reform and Transportation. “Since taking office, Governor Cuomo has balanced fiscal responsibility and smart spending initiatives with efforts to spur economic growth and create jobs,”Democratic members of the BOL said. “The 2013-2014 State Budget that he presented today maintains this course.”
dridge, founder of Protect Our Democracy, on my local public access television show, “Speak Out,” to discuss how his organization is working towards changing New York State’s campaign finance laws. More recently on “Speak Out,” I hosted Rachael Fauss, who authored the Citizens Union report entitled Fair Elections for New York State: How Public Matching Creates Greater Voter Choice and Competition, (the full report is available on the Citizens Union homepage at www.citizensunion.org) and Ian Vandewalker from the Brennan Center to discuss the issue. Now, I have asked some of these good government groups to join me
on Saturday, February 2nd from 12:152:15pm at Desmond-Fish Library, 472 Route 403 in Garrison (Snowdate, Sunday February 3rd), for a panel discussion. The panelists are Dick Dadey, Executive Director, Citizens Union of the City of New York; Jesse Laymon, Downstate Campaigns Manager, Citizen Action of New York; and Susan Lerner, Executive Director, Common Cause / NY. Anyone interested may also come at 11:00am for a short town hall meeting on general issues in the state. I will be hosting more of these general meetings around my district next week and the following week. Call my office or visit my Assembly website for more
information. I encourage you to join my guests and me at the Desmond-Fish Library on February 2nd to discuss campaign finance reform. I am sure it will be an interesting conversation and that there will be ample statistics provided that will illustrate the benefits of changing the campaign finance system from what it is currently to something that creates greater equity, transparency, and choice in elections and in government.
Governor Cuomo Unveils 2013-2014 Executive Budget Continued from page 19 and development as certified by the New York State Department of Labor. The second initiative of note in this component is in regard to a series of Government Consolidation and Mergers, created in a bid to make government more efficient and save taxpayer dollars. A third component of Cuomo’s new budget provides support for Superstorm Sandy recovery and rebuilding projects. It includes $21 billion to be used toward disaster relief in conjunction
with $30 billion in Federal aid money. Among the Sandy Relief initiatives are: Community Reconstruction and Mitigation Plans, which will offer rebuilding grants to eligible communities. The Repair and Build Natural Infrastructure to Protect Coastal Communities initiative will address the restoration of damaged beaches, sand dunes and berms and work to reduce the impact of wave action, storm surges and sea level rise. A final core component of Cuomo’s 2013-2014 budget is Education. In this
CAMPAIGN FINANCES
Campaign Finance Reform By SANDY GALEF Since we have all just experienced an election cycle with one of the highest price tags ever, I thought it would be helpful to discuss alternative approaches to financing campaigns. Last year, I polled my constituents about their feelings on public financing of campaigns. I was surprised that only about 50% were in favor of full or partial public financing. I feel there are great benefits to be realized with some form of public financing,
and I think it would be helpful for everyone to learn more about how such models have worked effectively elsewhere. Campaign financing plays a pivotal role in the choices voters have at the polls. Studies, including one recently released by Citizens Union of the City of New York, identify a higher percentage of contested elections in both primary and general elections when full or partial public financing is available to candidates and when contribution limits are strictly enforced. Last September, I hosted Sean El-
GOVERNMENT
Yonkers Inspector General Covill’s Report on Commercial Loans By HEZI ARIS Yonkers Inspector General Kitley Covill unraveled lax standards and protocol in the process of reviewing Yonkers Commercial Loan portfolio. She advises of the “eleven commercial loans outstanding; four of those loans are current, one entity recently became delinquent on its loan and six loans are in default”. A glaring concern from which I.G. Covill did not recoil is her mention that at the “start of the I.G. review not all of the entities that were in default were being sued, but as of the date of this report [January 23, 2013], all of the entities in default are now being sued or in the process of being sued by the City for repayment of what is currently owed.” Most importantly, I.G. Covill was not shy in making
mention that,“All of the commercial loans were made by the prior Administrations’ [e.g. former Mayor Phil Amicone’s] Office of Economic Development. Ms Covill cites the “City of Yonkers Office of Economic Development (this department was folded into the Department of Planning in 2012), Commercial Loan Policies & Procedures manual that specifies everything that should be reviewed prior to making a commercial loan.” She points out the manual states, “Every loan must have two ways out. The first way out is cash flow.The second way out is collateral. In all cases however, collateral must be adequate to secure the obligation. Noting the precarious financial circumstances that has befallen the nation, and likewise the City of Yonkers, she shares her belief that, “It is not surprising that a number of the business en-
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tities have had financial challengs and are gaving trouble repaying the City.” Ms Covill findings are telling. She learned that the files kept by the Department of Planning (DoP) require documents that referenced the application and financial review of the borrower and the proposalfor use of the loan proceeds, the commitment and loan terms for issuance of the loan,the closing and disbursement of the loan, and the servicing of the loan with the City’s bank. The simplicity of those standards were found by I.G. Covill to be “completely disconnected in the file, handled by different people, the files were themselves somewhat organized but incomplete, and oftn missing crucial documentation, including signed copies of the Promissory Note, conflicting terms for commitment of the loan as opposed to what appeared in the closing documents and even confusing language regarding payment.” On top of that, “The files included haphazard communications concerning loan status and litigation. Often it was not clear from the official DoP file who
handled the closing and what arrangements were made to set up the payment of the City’s bank. In one case, when a City employee inquired as to the status of the loan, the bank employee handling the payments noted that the principal wasn’t due for ten years. The information was incorrect as principle payments were to have commenced one or two years after the loan was disburse.” A Promissory Note states the loan is for ten years, interest only is payable for the first two years, and the principle is amortized over nine years. Making matters more obtuse, despite the City always obtaining joint and several personal guarantees, the examina-
Sandy Galef represents the 95th Assembly District comprising the residents of the Towns of Cortlandt, Ossining, Kent, Philipstown, Putnam Valley and the City of Peekskill.
tion of personal financial statements was not thorough, and the City’s collateral for these loans were not always as outlined. In one loan the commitment required the City’s loan to be placed in second position after the primary lender, but apparently the City’s loan ended up being placed in fourth position, and this placement was known prior to the loan closing and disbursement.” Another one of Amicone’s “wink, wink” contract. “In one of the lawsuits filed before 2012, it is unclear from the City’s files what collection efforts were made, even when judgments against the guarantors were obtained.” I.G. Covill delineated 8 specific standards and protocols that need be followed in the future… refer to PDF In default are:
FIRM
Loan
Contract
Due
C-telli Food Corp
$48,000
Default
$11,174.30
Action Press
$14,248
Default
$ 2,016.91
Infinity IV LLC /Lejends IV
$100,000
Default
$65,890.76
The Pizza Place
$ 90,000
Default
$54,297.95
Zendom, Inc. d/b/a Chartreuse Bistro
$ 97,417.46
Default
$82,546.29
Body & Soul Essentials, Inc. d/b/a Wholesome Goodness $150,000
Default
$149,964.33
T.G.I.F Corp
Default
$ 25,012.49
$ 35,000
THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013
Page 21
PENSION
Budget Division Releases Potential 5-Year Savings for Counties and Localities Under Stable Rate Pension Contribution Option ALBANY, NY -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo last week detailed the potential savings over the next five years for counties and cities across New York State that could be realized under the Stable Rate Pension Contribution Option. Last year, Governor Cuomo and the Legislature put in place Tier VI, a new pension plan for all state and local government employees hired after June 2012. With employees hired under Tier VI requiring a lower pension contribution rate by local governments, as new employees replace retiring workers, localities will see total pension contribution rates significantly decline and realize significant savings over the longterm.
The Stable Rate Pension Contribution Option, outlined by the Governor in the 2013-14 Executive Budget, allows local governments, including counties, cities, towns, villages, and school districts to access the savings of Tier VI immediately. Under the plan, localities are given the option for a stable pension contribution rate that significantly reduces near-term payments but still keeps the pension systems fully funded over the long term. Local governments who opt in would avoid significant volatility in contribution rates and be better able to plan for the future. Though the locality receives short term relief, because the contribution rate remains fixed, the total amount paid in to the fund by the locality would not be diminished over the life
of agreement, thereby maintaining the fiscal stability of the pension fund. These savings will better enable local governments and school districts to maintain necessary services to their residents and students. The option is voluntary and requires approval from the appropriate trustee - either the Comptroller’s office or Teachers’ Retirement Board. “The difficult financial pressures facing localities are well-known here in Albany, and my administration from day one has been committed to helping local governments meet their budgetary obligations as well as continue to provide critical services to their residents,” Governor Cuomo said. “While the Tier VI reforms were a major step toward helping local governments deal with the pen-
CITY Albany Buffalo Mount Vernon New Rochelle Peekskill Poukeepskie Schnectady Syracuse White Plains Yonkers
FY 2014 $8.3 19.2 5.5 5.4 2.0 2.7 3.7 12.0 8.0 21.4
5 YR TTL $29.9 69.4 19.7 19.4 7.1 9.7 13.3 43.5 28.6 77.6
The estimated savings are as follows $10.2 for Counties (number in millions) Albany $35.6 11.4 Dutchess 39.6 Erie Monroe Nassau Rockland Westchester
23.5 22.5 88.9
16.7 40.1
81.6 78.2 317.3 58.2 140.3
sion crisis, we understand that more help is needed. For this reason, the Executive Budget proposed the Stable Rate option to offer local governments and schools a bridge to the long-term savings of Tier VI, as well as greater predictability.” The estimated savings are as follows for Cities (numbers in millions):
THE ALBANY CORRESPONDENT
Rockland Letter Suggests a Klein Revolt By CARLOS GONZALEZ ALBANY, NY – The Executive Committee of the Rockland County Democratic Committee released a stunning letter this week to Senator David Carlucci, which poses new problems for Westchester’s Senator Jeff Klein. Carlucci is a
rebel IDC member who helped Senator Jeff Klein form a coalition government with Senator Dean Skelos and the Republican Conference. The release was lock-and-step with the predications made by The Westchester Guardian in previous articles of an increasing movement against Klein and the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) culprits.
“We felt blindsided upon your election in 2010 when you deserted the Democratic Conference, prior to getting sworn in as Senator.” released the committee.“Many of us worked hard for you in 2010 and again in 2012. We gathered petitions, knocked on doors, donated money, hosted house parties, and talked to neighbors and friends. We assuaged people’s fears that you weren’t up to the
task or ready for the job. We were there when you needed us, and now you have again turned your backs on us. “We cannot guarantee you our support in the future if you continue to buck the Democratic Party,” the statement continued. “We will not be used as a tool for your personal political gain.” The Rockland County committee is the first known committee to voice opposition against Klein’s IDC coalition and outlined consequences. “Enough is enough,” said a high-
ranking member of the committee to The Westchester Guardian. “It’s time for other counties to rise up and put pressure on these renegades for making a mockery of our party.” Carlucci’s office and Klein’s office did not return calls. Gropeless Lopez Assemblyman Keith Wright of Manhattan has been officially appointed to replace groping Assemblyman Vito Lopez as the chairman of the chamber’s
Continued on page 22
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THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013
THE ALBANY CORRESPONDENT
Rockland Letter Suggests a Klein Revolt Continued from page 21 powerful housing committee.
Silver officially stripped Lopez of his committee chairmanship and other power perks in late August after the Assembly Ethics Committee found sexual harassment accusations brought by two former staffers were credible against the once powerful political icon. Wright is also Gov. Cuomo’s handpicked co-chairman of the state Democratic Party. Where’s the resolution? Factions of two Democratic conferences sparred in the Senate this week over a resolution that would have commemorated the 40th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court ruling Roe v. Wade. The mainstream Democrats this week pushed the resolution in the hopes of pressuring the coalition of Republicans and five rebel Democrats in the Independent Democratic Conference on expansing the reproductive rights of women.
The Roe v. Wade resolution was introduced last week but was not taken up by the Senate. The decision to not take action on the resolution prompted reaction from Sen. Liz Krueger, D-Manhattan. “Every member of the Independent Democratic Conference is pro-choice and two IDC members signed on as cosponsors of the resolution. The leaders of the Senate must join the rest of us in the 21st Century and allow this conversation.” Not so, said IDC Leader Jeff Klein, who shares the Senate presidency with Republican Leader Dean Skelos, who pushed back forcefully against any implication that he’s opposed to women’s rights. “Every member of the IDC wholeheartedly supports a woman’s right to choose. But as pro-choice Democrats, we need to face the facts: there are not 32 prochoice Democrats in the New York State Senate. This sad reality is directly attributable to the membership of the Senate
Democratic Conference. “If you’re a real Democrat—a real New York Democrat—then you must defend a woman’s inherent right to choose. Make no mistake, there are certain issues that strike at the core of the ideals we stand for and the equality we fight for as Democrats. This is one of those issues. Moving forward, I believe it is no longer acceptable for Democrats to support Senate candidates who want to call themselves democrats—and pound their chests like democrats—while actively undermining a woman’s right to choose. The Democratic-led Assembly, meanwhile, quickly passed its own resolution recognizing the Supreme Court case today before adjourning until next week. Now that’s pushing it! Senate Majority Co-Leaders Dean Skelos and Jeff Klein are now fundraising together, literally. The Westchester Democrat and Nassau County Republican will share honors at an Albany fund-raiser on March 4 to benefit the Manhattan GOP,
according to party Chairman Dan Isaacs. “I am also pleased to announce that the New York Republican County Committee will be making history: The firstever fundraiser featuring the Co-Leaders of the Senate Majority Coalition, Senator Dean G. Skelos and Senator Jeffrey D. Klein, in recognition of their leadership and bipartisanship,” Isaacs wrote. No reaction from the Senate Minority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins office on the $1,000 per plate mingle. “This is no longer bipartisan,” said a high ranking Democratic Senator. “This is exploitation of Democratic efforts.” A sad chamber. Former state Senate Deputy Minority Leader Emanuel Gold, whose decades-long public service career included the crafting of New York’s “Son of Sam” law, died Thursday after a bout with cancer. He was 77. Gold’s service with the state Legislature began in 1965. Gold, known as “Manny,” served as an Assemblyman before his 1971 special
election to the Senate, where he served as deputy Democratic conference leader from 1978 to 1994. He became ranking member of the powerful Finance Committee in 1996, a post he held until his 1998 retirement. Gold sponsored the groundbreaking “Son of Sam”law, which blocked criminals such as serial killer David Berkowitz from making money by peddling their stories. Gold is survived by his wife, Judith (Silberfein) Gold; children Sue Gold of Guilderland, NY and Steve and Bonnie Gold of Glenmont, NY; and granddaughters Emily Borst and Jaclyn (Jackie) Gold. He was predeceased by sons Jeffrey and Adam. A funeral service was held Sunday, January 27, 2013, at 12:45 p.m., at Parkside Memorial Chapel, 98-60 Queens Boulevard, Rego Park, NY. Carlos Gonzalez pens The Albany Correspondent column. Direct comments and inquiry to carlgonz1@gmail.com.
OP EDSection INVESTIGATION
Emotional Cries by Mother Confirmed!!! D.A. Janet DiFiore Covered Up Murder of Son DJ Henry’s Family Address Depositions from the Police BY NANCY KING and SAM ZHERKA TA R R Y T O W N , NY -- 829 days have passed since Pace University student Danroy DJ Henry was shot to death by Mount Pleasant P.D., in Thornwood, New York, following what should have been a homecoming celebration with family, friends and classmates. Those 829 days are equal to 118 weeks; 118 weeks that a family has had to come to grips with the sad fact that their child was shot by police officers who were only supposed to be responding to a bar fight. Those 829 days are equal to 27 months; 27 months that a family has searched for an answer as to why their child died at the hands of a police officer with a gun. Those 829 days are equal to 2 years, 3 months and 6 days, the amount of time that we, along with the Henry family have waited for depositions; depositions that are hoped to shed some light on those horrible 20 seconds 829 days ago when DJ Henry was shot to death. Those 829 days of waiting have proven what some of us have known all along, and that is that
the Mount Pleasant Police Department and the attorneys for Pleasantville Police Officer Aaron Hess, covered up the truth about Danroy Henry Jr.’s murder. In the last few weeks, some of those depositions have been released by the Sussman and Watkins law firm based out of Goshen, NY. Wordy and tedious, those depositions clearly show that DJ Henry was indeed shot and killed by Pleasantville Police Officer Aaron Hess as he clung to the hood of DJ’s car. The testimony given by retired Mount Pleasant Police Officer Ronald Beckley clearly indicates Hess was the aggressor, throwing himself onto the hood of DJ Henry’s car and that Officer Beckley shot Hess in the knee after witnessing this aggressive lunge and in the darkness was unaware that he had shot a fellow police officer. All that Beckley did was shoot at an individual, who in the darkness was never identified as a police officer. More importantly that in the dark, and in the confusion, Beckley was able to see that Hess fired into the windshield of DJ Henry’s car and did so at point blank range. There we have it… the truth, attested to by only one person, a police officer who was called to quell a melee and who had never discharged his weapon on anything other than a sick raccoon during his 30
years on the job; testifying that he had shot a man who he perceived as the aggressor, a man he believed lunged at and threw his body onto the hood of a car; the man he saw fire a shot point blank at DJ Henry through the windshield. It has taken 829 days to finally get someone to tell the truth; while his superiors tried desperately to cover that truth up. The January 24, 2013 press conference conducted at the Doubletree Inn in Tarrytown, NY, presented the printed evidence, taken from former Officer Ronald Beckley’s sworn deposition that he knew that he shot P.O. Hess. Hess was never run over by DJ’s car causing his knee injury; he was shot by Beckley. Beckley admitted it to Mount Pleasant Lt. Brian Fanelli, and Fanelli and Chief Lou Alagno created a spin that pinned the blame entirely on the shoulders of a dead 20-year-old. People “heard” DJ was drunk, and “heard” he used his car as a lethal weapon… that’s what the Mount Pleasant Police wanted “us” to believe. Rather than tell the world the truth, they concocted a story and ran with it. They never told Police Officer Beckley their “concocted story”; he merely told the truth under oath. Though this sort of spin isn’t surprising or even unusual, it is sad. Sadder still is that Westchester County District
Attorney Janet DiFiore and two of her investigators were aware of this spin just eight hours after the shooting. This is the same District Attorney who hugged the Henry Family, looked them in the eye and told them she would be careful, considerate, and would find the truth. What she did instead was to just make that “thin blue line” a little bit thicker and protected her own. Of course, DA DiFiore’s investigation never held Police Officer Hess culpable and of course, always sided with law enforcement. It was disappointing 2-years ago, but now we’ve come to expect cover-ups from that office. After all, in the time since DJ’s murder, we’ve watched her trump up charges against former White Plains Mayor Adam Bradley, and call the police shooting of Kenneth Chamberlain, Sr. justified, and lets not forget about Nannygate. Governor Andrew Cuomo designated Janet DiFiore Director of the Board of JCOPE, the New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics, placing her in charge of his ethics committee so nothing is surprising about her decisions at this juncture. It’s all just so damn sad…. During the Grand Jury testimony, a twenty-year-old kid with no life experience whatsoever was presented as an irresponsible underage drinker who was using his car as a weapon. The truth,
which 829 days later was proven by the testimony of Officer Beckley is that DJ Henry was nothing more than a scared and confused kid who was told one thing by one cop and told another thing by another cop and ended up getting shot to death by yet another cop who never bothered to communicate with his fellow officers. There you have it; DJ Henry was in essence, killed by miscommunication. And, this miscommunication was covered up by the Mount Pleasant Police Department and corroborated by Westchester Councy District Attorney Janet DiFiore, Board Director of JCOPE. 829 days later, I had a brief moment with Angella Henry, DJ’s mom. We hugged, and we cried. Our children started Iona together with the greatest of dreams. For the time being, mine gets to fulfill her dreams while Angella and Dan Sr. get to visit a headstone. For a brief moment, we were just two moms in a room sharing a “mom’s embrace” but I won’t renege on my promise to her…,” I’ll see this through with you until the end and the truth is finally revealed”. Nancy King is a freelance reporter for The Westchester Guardian and Sam Zherka is its publisher.
THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013
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OP-ED
Obama is Sinking America By MATT BARBER Although it certainly wasn’t Oscar material, I still love the 1989 film “Erik the Viking,”starring, among others, Tim Robbins,Mickey Rooney,Eartha Kitt and John Cleese. It’s a campy British comedy-fantasy about a band of misfit Vikings on a quest to reach Valhalla. In one scene, the motley mob finds its way to the island of Hy-Brasil, a happy, peaceful, sunlit land populated by whiterobed, free-loving, uber-pacifist morons. You know, liberals. Through a series of immaterial events, the island begins to sink into the ocean. As it does, Erik and crew evacuate and re-board the ship while Hy-Brasil’s inhabitants blithely remain, singing out of tune and playing harps, horns and other instruments badly. As the crest of the island dips beneath the sea, King Arnulf – a blundering buffoon played by Terry Jones of Monty Python fame – exclaims: “Everyone, stay calm. This is not happening.” It’d be funny if it weren’t true, but America has become Hy-Brasil, Barack Obama King Arnulf and liberals of every stripe his white-robed, mind-numbed, sy-
cophantic subjects. Our enemies, both foreign and domestic – some of whom have “The Honorable” before their names – are laughing themselves silly. Indeed, “progressives” are a caricature of themselves, fully given over to pseudoutopian, relativist ideals that remain ludicrous – hopelessly unattainable – by any objective standard. Still, our patchouli-wearing, pervertpride-prancing, “pay-for-my-abortion”shrieking friends are anything if not determined. They’ll let neither reality nor the U.S. Constitution stop them. Nothing, it seems – especially not those mealymouthed puddin’ pops running the GOP – can keep this ship of fools from sinking a once great nation. Problem is, they’re taking us all down with them. How do you stop skyrocketing debt and deficits that even liberal economists admit, if left unchecked, spell America’s doom? You don’t. You print trillions more and spend it like game tokens at Chuck E. Cheese. The party must go on or the kiddos get cranky. Sugar Daddy Barack’s got hungry mouths to feed. How do you stop evil nutjobs pumped full of psychotropic drugs from shootingup “gun free zones”? Why, by leaving them heavily armed, of course. By uncon-
stitutionally grabbing guns from the very law-abiding citizens positioned to tap two in the body and one in the head whenever these death-culture byproducts start killing. Liberal logic: “Up is down, down is up, we’ll make it so and we won’t give up!” In sum, you spend your way out of debt, tax your way to higher employment, fornicate your way disease-free, abort your way to non-violence and unilaterally disarm your way to national security. Any questions? Now, some of you may say, “But wait, Obama knows exactly what he’s doing. He’s no buffoon.” I both agree and disagree. Yes, the “progressive” dogma that courses through his veins – a mind-altering hallucinogen that gives liberals the munchies for power – is, indeed, inherently sinister. Still, he believes it with every ounce of his nicotine-shriveled heart. By deliberately deconstructing America’s constitutional republic – our free-market form of government – and replacing it with a Euro-socialist, moral relativist amalgam of his liking, this misguided anticolonialist radical thinks – truly believes – that he’s doing the right thing. Such are the ways of the well-meaning tyrant. People sometimes ask me how it is that I manage to stay so optimistic – to maintain deep joy as we watch our nation’s foundations crumbling around us like the
walls of Jericho. They wonder how it is that I’m able to pick up and carry on with a smile as America heads careening toward cliff’s edge. It’s easy. First, I put my full faith and trust in the Sovereign Creator of the universe who is the same yesterday today and forevermore: Christ, God incarnate, who is always faithful to those who have faith in Him. Then, I laugh at them; liberals, that is. I make fun of their dull-witted, self-defeating, abjectly wicked worldview. I follow God’s example. Of those who align themselves against His laws and His nature, Psalm 2:4 says,“He who sits in the heavens laughs.The Lord scoffs at them.” How can you not scoff at the silly twaddle they’re hocking? Ultimately, I’ve read the end of the book. I know what happens. The good guys win.That keeps me smiling no matter what goes down on the culture-war front. It keeps me snickering. Still, once I stop laughing, I get about the business of trying, with every fiber of my being, to defeat them. Not reason with them, not compromise with them, not suck up to them and certainly not trust them. Defeat them. Oh, I’ll love them. I must. I’m commanded to by the Lord I serve. I’ll pray for them, too. Do it all the time. But I’ll never, ever, under any circumstances, trust them. You may be surprised to learn that, in
various forms, I get dozens – sometimes hundreds – of pieces of hate mail each week. My recent favorite came from a delightful bloke with the email handle synth84@aol. com. “Someday, someone may just choose to use their second amendment right (sic) to put a bullet in your worthless head. You are a disgusting waste of life you uneducated, non-human, uncivilized, evil, parasitic Nazi maggot. Shame on you.” Right. Shame on me. How do you reason with, compromise with, suck up to or trust that? You don’t. You defeat it. Abraham Lincoln, a man of deep faith, forecast nearly a century-and-a-half ago our current state of the union: “America will never be destroyed from the outside,” he said. “If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” President Obama sits atop the highest perch of a nation fast-sinking. “Everyone, stay calm. This is not happening,” he assures us. But it is happening. We’re destroying ourselves from within. We’re going down, and the only way to stop it is to utterly defeat those responsible. In the meantime, they sure are fun to laugh at.
for starters, each senator is given a $500,000 budget to hire up to three legislative assistants. A seat in Congress comes with a lot of office space. Not only do members move into an office on Capitol Hill, they maintain space in their home districts and states too. For senators, this benefit has a pretty high cap, up to 8,200 square feet.The CRS report said there is “no restriction” on the number of offices they can open in federal buildings in their home states. Plus senators get to shop at the equivalent of Congress’ IKEA, furniture supplied through the Architect of the Capitol. Every senator gets $40,000, and potentially more, for furniture in their home-state offices. Members of Congress can deduct up to $3,000 for expenses while outside their home districts or states. House and Senate members (but not their families) are eligible to receive care at military hospitals. For outpatient care, there is no charge at the Washington, D.C., area hospitals (Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center).Inpatient care is billed at rates set by the Department of Defense. Members of Congress began paying into Social Security in 1983, as part of a government-wide pension overhaul. This is a requirement, and Members may not
opt out of it. They then have the option of participating in one of two pension plans, depending upon when they were elected. If elected before 1984, they participate in the Civil Service Retirement System; if elected 1984 and after, they participate in the Federal Employee Retirement System. These two plans are also offered to rank and file federal employees, EXCEPT that the Congressional plan’s benefit is calculated on a more generous formula than that offered to most other government workers. The “accrual rate” is much higher, and lawmakers tend to be able to retire earlier with benefits than other federal workers (as early as age 50). All members of Congress can sign up for the same health plan and life insurance policy available to other federal workers. But there’s more. In an age when the 401k often becomes a substitute for a pension, representatives and senators enjoy access to both. First, members of Congress can sign up for a 401k style “Thrift Savings Plan,” a tax-deferred investment in which members’ contributions are matched up to 5 percent. Then there’s the pension plan. The pension payments and eligibility vary; in a nutshell, members are eligible for an immediate, full pension at age 62 if they’ve served five years or more; they’re eligible at
age 50 if they’ve served 20 years; and they’re eligible at any time after they’ve served 25 years. The annual amount of the pension depends on a lawmaker’s salary and the number of years he or she served, typically the amount is considerably less than a lawmaker’s outgoing salary. Overall, members of Congress saw their personal wealth grow by more than 16 percent during the worst economic downturn in the United States since the Great Depression, according to financial disclosures submitted by lawmakers. In the final analysis, Congressional pension benefits are 2-3 times more generous than what a similarly-salaried executive could expect to receive upon retiring from the private sector. The median personal wealth for members of Congress grew to $911,510 in 2009, up from $785,515 in 2008, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Nearly half of the members of Congress are millionaires. Did you find any entitlements you would like Congress to cut?
Matt Barber (@jmattbarber on Twitter) is an attorney concentrating in constitutional law. He serves as Vice President of Liberty Counsel Action . (This information is provided for identification purposes only.)
leadership
A View from the Middle By BILL NUCKEL We are hearing from the left, we are hearing from the right but we usually don’t hear from the middle. It’s my firm belief that most Americans see their politics from the middle. When President Eisenhower was criticized for ruling from the middle, he replied, “People talk about the middle of the road as though it were unacceptable. Actually, all human problems, excepting morals, come into the gray areas.Things are not all black and white.There have to be compromises. The middle of the road is all of the usable surface. The extremes, right and left, are in the gutters.” Isn’t that where today’s Congress has ended up, in the gutter? You listen to Conservative talk and they’re telling you how bad the Democrats are and Congress needs to cut entitlements. If you listen to liberal talk they are telling you how bad republicans are and we need to raise taxes. Instead of looking to cut “our” entitlements or raise “our” taxes I hear no pundits talking about Congress cutting their entitlements, as a show of good faith. What does Congress have to pick from?
The base salary for a member of Congress is $174,000. But all members enjoy access to a separate piggy bank known as their “allowance.” This funding generally goes toward maintaining their offices and building up a legislative entourage. A costof-living-adjustment (COLA) increase takes effect annually unless Congress votes to not accept it. In the House, representatives are allowed to spend more than $900,000 on salaries for up to 18 permanent employees. They get about a quartermillion dollars more for office expenses, including travel, and additional funding for a well-known congressional perk known as “franking.” Franking is the term for the mass constituent mail sent out by members of Congress and paid for courtesy of the taxpayer. Senators enjoy the same privilege but get a much bigger allowance for their office expenses. According to a Congressional Research Service report, the average allocation for fiscal 2010 was more than $3.3 million. Personnel money varies depending on how big of a state a senator represents; a senator from New York is going to get more than a senator from Montana. But
Bill Nuckel’s resume of accomplishment spans 30 successful years in communications and logistics, as a former Yonkers City Councilman, and presently as an Adjunct Business Professor at Rockland Community College.
ence working with sponsors/donors; 2) Operations Manager- must have a good knowledge of computers/software/ticketing systems, duties include overseeing all box office, concessions, movie staffing, day of show lobby staffing such as Merchandise seller, bar sales. Must be familiar with POS system and willing to organize concessions. Full time plus hours. Call (203) 438-5795 and ask for Julie or Allison
Page 24
THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN
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 THURSDAY, 31, 2013 AGENCY MAY BE REQUIREDJANUARY 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 addresses: TIFFANY RAY: 24 Garfield Street, #3, Yonkers, NY 10701 Last known addresses: KENNETH THOMAS: 24 Garfield Street, #3, Yonkers, NY 10701 An Order to Show Cause under Article 10 of the Family Court Act having been filed with this Court seeking to modify the placement for the above-named child. YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to appear before this Court at Yonkers Family Court located at 53 So. Broadway, Yonkers, New York, on the 28th day of March, 2012 at 2;15 pm in the afternoon 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: January 30, 2012
BY ORDER OF THE COURT CLERK1 column OF THE COURT
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