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CityREVIEW NewRochelle March 24 & 31, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 9 | www.cityreviewnr.com
Mayor: City is region’s ‘hottest emerging market’ By SIBYLLA CHIPAZIWA Assistant Editor
Local champs Heather Flaherty, 47, celebrates a victory in her in-ring debut at Champs Boxing Club in New Rochelle. Flaherty and a handful of her stablemates took part in an amateur showcase against Ireland’s Kinsale Boxing Club prior to Bryant “Pee Wee” Cruz’s pay-per-view bout against Ryan Martin on March 18. For story, see page 15. Photo/Mike Smith
Rye lawsuit over Playland thrown out by judge By JAMES PERO Staff Writer A lawsuit filed by the city of Rye seeking to overturn Westchester County’s authority over capital projects slated at Playland was thrown out by a state judge this week. The suit, filed by the city in August 2016, sought to overturn the county’s status as lead agency under the State Environmental Quality Review Act, SEQR, which would have given Rye a greater say in the approval of millions of dollars in improvements slated to take place at the park this year. The historic amusement park is located with-
in the city. “We gave it our best shot, but we didn’t prevail,” said Rye Mayor Joe Sack, a Republican. “One thing that has not changed is that the residents of Rye bear 100 percent of the quality of life impacts at Playland.” Sack added that the city will not appeal the judge’s decision due to cost and time constraints. While the city has consistently argued that projects at the park—which abuts Rye’s residential neighborhoods—should fall under the scrutiny of the City Council, a state judge ruled in favor of the county, which owns Playland as a part of the county parks system.
According to a decision by Judge Gretchen Walsh, among other things, the city failed to show reasonable evidence that its neighborhoods would be adversely impacted by the projects. In a statement, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, championed the decision to dismiss the suit. “This ruling means the county can get back to the business of saving Playland,” he said. “We are pleased with this ruling as it enables Standard Amusements, in collaboration with the county, to move forward on our plans to upgrade the grounds in support of our mission.”
As per an agreement struck in May between the county and the management company Standard Amusements—the new operators of the nearly 100-year-old amusement park—the park is set to undergo $60 million in capital improvements, the cost of which will be split between the two parties. Under the terms of the deal, Standard would manage the park for 30 years and also pay the county a fee that rises annually by 2 percent. The agreement punctuated years of failed negotiations between the Astorino administration PLAYLAND continued on page 8
In his 12th State of the City address, Democratic Mayor Noam Bramson highlighted not only the vast development coming to New Rochelle, but also that what makes the city great is its diverse population. Speaking to a standing-room only crowd, with a full overflow room, the March 8 address was held in City Hall for the first time. The New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce, which organized this and past addresses, decided that the once private event be made accessible to the public, especially ahead of what Bramson believes was his most optimistic address in his 20-year tenure as an elected local official in New Rochelle. “The city is making significant, measureable progress on our major priorities,” the mayor told the Review, pointing out downtown development, access to the waterfront at Echo Bay, and environmental sustainability. “We are moving in the right direction, including public safety and fiscal health.” In his address, Bramson spoke at length of plans for the downtown, something many community members have waited for years to improve. “I can report to you that New Rochelle has the hottest emerging market in the entire Hudson Valley,” he said to the audience. More than a dozen development projects are underway, including a new transit
district—an area designated to provide public transportation— at the Burling Lane triangle, just feet from the city transit center, and several residential projects targeting millennials. Bramson also revealed the advent of 24 free Verizon Palo kiosks at key locations citywide, which will provide access to high-speed Wi-Fi, maps, local attractions, charging ports and more. “A connected community is a strong community,” he said, adding that New Rochelle is now on par with even Manhattan’s ability. The Palo kiosks are a result of a request for proposals for a high-speed Wi-Fi service, and Palo was chosen after a competitive process. The kiosks come at no cost to the city since the financing will paid through advertising, according to city officials. Partisan politics have at times stood in the way of progress on the City Council. But today, Bramson pointed out how the current seven-member City Council has operated as a team in getting the ball rolling on development. The council managed to vote unanimously on the three pillars of sparking the upcoming changes to New Rochelle: creating and adopting a downtown plan; investing in infrastructure through a 10-year, $150 million capital program the council approved beginning with its 2017 city budget last December; and moving MAYOR continued on page 9
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March 24 & 31, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 3
County police still short-staffed despite new hires
On March 13, the Westchester County Department of Public Safety will add five new officers to its ranks, but union officials are worried it will not be enough for the department’s needs. Photo/Andrew Dapolite
By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer Westchester County police are set to add five officers, but it won’t be enough to meet the needs of the department, according to the union president. This year’s $1.8 billion county budget calls for funding for 292 police officers in the Department of Public Safety, but the department will still be 10 positions short of their budgeted staff size even with the addition of five new officers. The news comes with added significance, as County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, originally agreed to increase funding for hiring more officers during budget negotiations in December. Despite that agreement, there is currently no indication whether or not there will be any immediate action to hire more officers in the near future. And, as a result, Astorino’s political opponents have used the opportunity to criticize his leadership. “Spots for county police are not budgeted as a suggestion,” said county Legislator Ken Jenkins, a Yonkers Democrat who is hoping to receive the Democratic nod in the upcoming county executive race. “Five new of-
ficers [are] far from what Westchester needs.” The new officers, who come from the Mamaroneck, North Castle, Scarsdale and Mount Vernon police departments, are expected to begin on March 13. But, according to Micahel Hagan, the president of the county Police Benevolent Association, PBA, the additional positions will not fill the needs of the department, which has seen a number of departures in recent months. “I think this shows a complete lack of commitment to the department,” he said. “During the budget process, the department commissioner requested 292 police officers in order to complete our core mission, and the county executive agreed and funded that. Now they’re saying we’re fine running short. It’s very disingenuous.” The union president, who told the Review that 10 officers retire on average each year, said that four police officers retired in January, and the department is expecting more to come soon. “Several officers are already in the process of retiring,” Hagan said. “It’s very possible that some of them will be gone before the [new] officers are even trained, and then we’ll be stuck in the same void as we’re
in now.” Hagan also said the lack of staffing is likely to affect how the department will patrol county-owned parks, which currently have no oversight. He added that officers will patrol parks in the summer months as usual, but it’s probable that there will be less patrols and less hours during the day dedicated to that task. Westchester County police are responsible for watching over county-owned parks, local parkways, key county facilities such as the Westchester County Airport in Harrison, and the county office building in White Plains. The department is also known for aiding local municipal police departments. Last November, there weren’t any county police officers patrolling the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation when a female jogger was attacked by an unidentified man. As of press time, there have been no arrests related to that case. County Legislator David Gelfarb, a Rye Brook Republican, and Phil Oliva, the chief of staff for the county administration, could not be reached for comment, as of press time. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
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What’s going on... New Rochelle Public Library
fer homework help to assist elementary school students and middle school students up to grade eight in organizing homework needs, locating appropriate resources, and strengthening reading skills. The free Homework Help service is offered September through May, except during school vacation weeks. This program is s offered in conjunction with the Youth Bureau of the city of New Rochelle, Monroe College, and Westchester Library System.
Law at the Library Visit nrpl.org for information on these and other events and programs.
Library hours Main library hours: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Huguenot Children’s Library hours: Mondays and Thursdays: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays: Closed.
Lunchtime Express Yoga On Mondays from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m., and Wednesdays from 1:15 p.m. to 2 p.m. Free sessions of easy yoga to help reduce stress and relieve tension continue to be offered during the lunch hour at the New Rochelle Public Library. Participants do not need to change out of work clothes, and mats will not be needed for these sessions of breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques. The drop-in sessions do not require advanced registration. This program is made possible by the Friends of the New Rochelle Public Library. Donations are gratefully accepted.
Homework Help From Mondays to Thursdays from 3 p.m. until 10 minutes before closing time at the main library. College students and volunteers are on hand to of-
On Monday, March 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the main library’s Meeting Room and Ossie Davis Theater. “Inside the New Rochelle City Court” will be the next presentation in the “Law at The Library” series sponsored by the New Rochelle Public Library Foundation and the New Rochelle Bar Association. City Court Judges Susan I. Kettner and Anthony A. Carbone will be the guest speakers. The presentation will cover the workings of the New Rochelle City Court, including landlordtenant issues, small claims, violations, criminal matters, and other areas within the jurisdiction of the local City Court. The free program, open to the public, will include light refreshments.
Friends of the New Rochelle Public Library Book Sales The Friends of the New Rochelle Public Library will be holding a mini book sale on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the main library lobby. The book sales include popular novels, mysteries and nonfiction in hardcover and paperback, to children’s books, CDs and DVDs. Proceeds from these sales allow the Friends of the New Rochelle Public Library to provide funding for quality children and adult programming, and will help the library by contributing to various projects and improving service to the community. The Friends welcome prospective volunteers. The volunteer executive board of the Friends, a 501(3)
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(c) organization, accepts donations of tens of thousands of books each year. With the help of active members, the group processes and sells the recycled books in the library’s lobby. Money realized from the sales go directly back to the library, as the funds are used to underwrite the library’s extensive public programs and for special projects not covered by the library’s operating budget.
Free programs for infants and preschoolers The New Rochelle Public Library and the Huguenot Children’s Library, HCL, are offering a great array of free programs for infants, toddlers and preschool children this winter-spring season. Participation is drop-in, on a first-come, firstserved basis. The free programs are made possible by the Friends of the New Rochelle Public Library and the Partnership for the Huguenot Children’s Library. Most do not take place on days the New Rochelle public schools are closed for vacations. Nursery Rhyme Time, for children ages 6 months to 2 years old, is a joyful blend of stories, songs and finger plays. It is held at the main library on Fridays, through May 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 9:50 a.m., and at HCL on Mondays, through May 22, from 10:30 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. Toddler Time, for children aged 2, are lively sessions that engage children and their parent or caregiver in music and games. It is held at the main library on Fridays, through May 26, from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., and at HCL on Wednesdays, through May 24, from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. 3, 4, 5’s - Stories & Crafts, for ages 3 to 5, are sessions of stories, songs, and a take-home craft inspired by seasons and picture book themes. A bilingual (English and Spanish) session takes place at the main library on Mondays, through May 22, from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Another session, in English, takes place on Thursdays, through May 25, from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Sessions at HCL take place on Tuesdays, through May 23, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m., and on Thursdays, through May 25, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Preschool Fun & Fitness, a program for children ages 2 to 5 and their parent or grandparent, is a fun-filled hour of movement, games and healthy eating and lifestyle tips, conducted by the health and fitness team from Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital’s Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Services. Registration is required. Call Ruben at the WIC office at 637-1677. The sessions will be held in the main library’s Meeting Room and stage on Mondays through June 19. Baby Steps, for newborns to children age 3 years old, are half-hour sessions of fun and early socialization through music, movement and finger games, with Nora Maher. They will take place on Saturdays through April 15, from 10 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the main library, and from 11:30 a.m. to noon at HCL. Yoga Tots, for children ages 2 to 3, is taught by Budding Buddhas Kids Yoga instructors. Tod-
dlers have fun “playing yoga” with puppets, props, songs, and games. The sessions will take place on Tuesdays through April 4, from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the main library, and from 11:30 a.m. to noon at HCL.
Free tax help On Tuesdays and Thursdays through April 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the main library’s Meeting Room on the first floor. Trained AARP volunteer counselors will be available to assist participants in preparing and filing their tax returns on a firstcome, first-served basis. You must bring: whatever tax-related materials are needed to complete your returns; an official photo identification and a Social Security card (or other comparable official documentation); for all other people who will be listed on the tax return, a Social Security card or other official documentation is required. The volunteer counselors must be able to confirm the Taxpayer Identification Number, SSN or ITIN, and the correct spelling of all names as recorded by the Social Security Administration, or they cannot complete the return.
Apostle O’dell Lyerly Foundation Inc. Memorial Scholarship Awards for school supplies The Apostle O’dell Lyerly Foundation Inc., AOLF, a nonprofit entity in New Rochelle, is currently distributing Memorial Scholarship Award applications for higher education school supplies to high school seniors. Applications are circulated to New Rochelle High School, Mount Vernon High School, and the New Rochelle Public Library. To receive a paper or electronic application, please call 563-9982 or email aolfinc@yahoo.com. Memorial Scholarship Awards are need-based. Completed applications with supporting documents are due by Sunday, April 30.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester Little Playtimes On Tuesday, March 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Little Playtimes at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester lets little LEGO lovers enjoy big fun. Activities include DUPLO Story Time, Farmer’s Workshop, and the newly added Animal Bingo. Appropriate for children under the age of 5. Cost: $22 for one adult and one child; additional children are $10 and children age 2 and under are free. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester is located at 39 Fitzgerald St. in Yonkers. For more information, call 866-243-0770 or visit legolanddiscoverycenter.com/westchester. Deadline for our What’s Going On section is every Thursday at noon. Though space is not guaranteed, we will do our best to accommodate your listing. Please send all items to news@hometwn.com.
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7Sisters Project gives young women a voice
Christian Falcone Associate Publisher | Editor-in-Chief ext. 19, chris@hometwn.com Sports Editor | Mike Smith ext. 22, sports@hometwn.com Assistant Editor | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 25, sibylla@hometwn.com General Assignment | Taylor Brown ext. 30, taylor@hometwn.com Graphic Designer | Arthur Gedin Graphic Designer | Jim Grasso Advertising | Lynne Starr ext. 29, lynne@hometwn.com Advertising Coordinator | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 27, ads@hometwn.com Staff Writers James Pero, Corey Stockton, Franco Fino Staff Photographers Andrew Dapolite, Aaron Kershaw, Charlie McLaughlin Columnist Lenore Skenazy Letters
By TAYLOR BROWN General Assignment Reporter The 7Sisters Project hosted its third LIVE Summit, bringing women from around the Manhattanville College campus together to discuss problems they see in society and ways we can empower women. “Everyone is talking about female empowerment, but no one’s actually doing anything,” said Marilyn Fezza, co-founder and CEO of the 7Sisters Project. On March 2, the Berman Center Theater of the Purchase-area college was filled with students and alumnae eagerly waiting to discuss topics like gender inequality, sexism and racism. Music pumped through the
speakers playing female-empowering songs like “Run the World (Girls),” by Beyoncé and “Independent Women,” by Destiny’s Child. The open-forum style summit encouraged the audience to shout out their answers to questions prompted by Fezza. “I want to hear from girls from different parts of the country who have had different experiences and different things to contribute,” Fezza said. The 7Sisters Project, which was started in 2010 by Marilyn Fezza and her daughter, Marisa Fezza, co-founder and associate producer, was inspired when Marilyn Fezza realized that young women weren’t being exposed to important issues in the news, and instead were more concerned with celebrity culture. Marisa Fezza made this realization after filming a documentary in her broadcast journalism class about the way pop culture consumes young girls’ lives.
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Marilyn Fezza and Daniel Ryan discuss his work with the Covenant House International. Photo/Taylor Brown
The “7Sisters” in the name, Marilyn Fezza explained, is for the seven continents, which she hopes to reach with the project’s effort. Marilyn Fezza said that she wants to help create a sisterhood that “[takes] back the conversation from the media, [and] factions in society that are trying to oppress women.” As the event went on, women from the audience were encouraged to sit in one of the five seats in the front of the theater to discuss their own experiences on topics suggested by the audience. Chanda Pen Sar, senior class president at Manhattanville College, spoke on the women in leadership panel and discussed her own struggles with seeing herself in a position of power. Pen Sar told the audience how when she first came to the school, she had dreams of becoming the student body president, but instead ran for a lower position, senior class president. She explained that she realized women minimize their goals all the time. Daneil Chambers, a freshman at Manhattanville College, told the Review she was interested in speaking on the panel about oppression. Chambers said that she came to the event to hear other people’s opinions, and hopefully form new ideas based on the conversations around her. “I just want to make sure that the voices
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From left, Julia Furlipa, Marilyn Fezza, Opal Vadhan, Chanda Pen Sar and Fallon Kirby discuss women in leadership. Photos courtesy Judy Klym
Marilyn Fezza, co-founder and CEO of the 7Sisters Project, gives her LIVE Summit opening speech on the project and what it means to her.
of those people who are usually oppressed are heard,” she said. Each panel provided a chance for women to connect to one another. During a panel on diversity, where students were encouraged to share their family traditions and values, students found themselves being able to relate to one another’s upbringing. Beyond the student-based panel, there were also five guest speakers who were invited by Marilyn Fezza. This included Opal Vadhan, who was on the original 7Sisters Project panel seven years ago; Daniel Ryan, development manager at Covenant House International, a nonprofit that works with homeless youth; Lauren Frazza, a career coach; Susan Lachs, an advance practice registered nurse; and Helen Rothlein, senior vice president financial advisor at The Compass Group at Morgan Stanley. Each speaker brought something unique to the conversation. Vadhan discussed her work with the 7Sisters project, as well as her own upbringing. Vadhan is a first-generation IndianAmerican and said growing up she didn’t feel represented in the media, and had wanted to change the way she looked to match what she saw around her. Vadhan explained that the work that the 7Sisters Project does is important “because I believe that girls and women should have a space where they can talk about issues that are
important to them.” Lachs provided the audience with tips on how to live healthier, less stressed lives. This included things like getting more sleep and exercise. Rothlein discussed her own work on Wall Street and how important it is for young women to understand and control their own finances. “Women are a financial force to be reckoned with,” she said. Marilyn Fezza said that within the past few months, “the 7Sisters Project has taken on a whole new meaning, because we’re now the only voice we know of that is talking to young women, who are pre-adult, who are saying ‘you matter.’” When asked about plans for future LIVE Summits, Marilyn Fezza said she wants to get enough people on board to “help us build this so that we can create a nationwide and eventually [a] global tour.” Marilyn Fezza explained that this would include going to more local community centers and schools, and to help girls from around the world share their experiences and contribute new things to the conversation. “The 7Sisters movement is one where the collective, all of you here today, transform the narrative,” Marilyn Fezza told the audience. “You right here and right now are creating the world you think we should be living in.” CONTACT: taylor@hometwn.com
March 24 & 31, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 7
Cuomo touts electric vehicles; unveils $4.8M plan By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer As part of a state initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the governor has announced a plan championing the use of electric vehicles. The plan, which will work hand-in-hand with several other projects already in progress, calls for a total commitment of $4.8 million that includes the installation of electric vehicle charging stations, incentives for employers to encourage employees to drive electric vehicles, and extensive public education and outreach. “With these actions, we are taking another step toward a cleaner, greener and more sustainable New York for all,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat. “This multi-pronged campaign will help in this administration’s efforts to fight climate change, strengthen infrastructure to support the use of electric cars, and help reduce New York’s carbon footprint on our roadways.” The goal of the campaign,
which supports the governor’s already occurring ChargeNY initiative, is to help the state reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030. Richard Kauffman, the chairman of Energy and Finance for New York, which governs the state’s Department of Public Service, Power Authority, and Energy Research and Development, said, “We can’t cut greenhouse gasses and reach our emissions reduction goals without also making inroads in the transportation sector.” The campaign will be overseen by the New York state Energy Research and Development Authority, which is responsible for finding and supporting innovative energy solutions for New York’s economy and environment. ChargeNY aims to install 3,000 plug-in electric vehicle, PEV, charging stations throughout the state and support an expected 30,000 to 40,000 PEVs on the road by 2018. Since the start of ChargeNY in 2013, New York state has installed nearly 500 charging sta-
tions, bringing the state’s total to more than 1,100. With the new initiative, which was announced on March 6, the state intends to install 450 charging stations in Westchester County, New York City, Long Island, and the cities of Buffalo, Rochester, Utica, and Albany. As of press time, there is no information about where the charging stations will be located within the county. State Assemblyman David Buchwald, a White Plains Democrat, said, “Having these charging stations in Westchester County makes sense because we have a very robust marketplace when it comes to electric vehicles.” Buchwald added that, while state officials are hopeful to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and although inroads have been made in making transportation greener, there’s still more work to be done. “We’ve already made significant progress as businesses are more efficient and are using less electricity than we have in the past,” Buchwald said. “But,
On March 6, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a plan to spend $4.8 million to support the use of and install 450 electric vehicle charging stations throughout the state. Photo courtesy Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office
we’ll need to take more steps like this one if we ever want to achieve that goal.” In 2014, the state Legislature passed a bill to allow Tesla Motors, an American automaker, to continue directly selling their clean energy cars in New York. Buchwald said the passing of that bill was another small victory needed to promote electric cars. Prior to that, state lawmakers proposed to end Tesla’s direct sale to consumers with a 2013 bill that would have mandated
vehicles be sold exclusively through dealerships. The motor vehicle company, which has locations in White Plains and Mount Kisco, is the only car manufacturer company in New York that sells directly to customers in retail stores, which is similar to the sales model of Apple, the consumer electronics company known for its iPhone. Other motor vehicle companies sell cars through local businesses based on a dealership contract, in which salespeople sell their vehicles.
Last fall, Cuomo allocated $3 million for rebates through the Environmental Protection Fund for municipalities to purchase or lease zero-emission vehicles, such as battery electric and hydrogen vehicles, for their fleets, which would include police cars, fire engines and sanitation waste units. State Sen. George Latimer, a Rye Democrat, could not be reached for comment, as of press time. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
8 • THE CITY REVIEW • March 24 & 31, 2017
Bill would strengthen DEC in wetlands protection
PLAYLAND from page 1
A lawsuit against Westchester County filed by the city of Rye was thrown out by a state judge on Monday, March 20, sinking its hopes of overseeing $60 million in capital improvements slated at Playland Park. File photo
State Sen. George Latimer has proposed legislation that would provide the state Department of Environmental Conservation more power in regulating freshwater wetlands statewide. Pictured is a small wetland area in the town/village of Harrison on Pilgrim Road that sustained an oil spill from an adjacent home in January. File photo
By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer In an attempt to combat proposed changes in federal law that will weaken protection of wetlands nationwide, New York state officials have introduced legislation that would expand their authority in identifying and protecting wetland areas. State Sen. George Latimer, a Rye Democrat, has proposed legislation to provide the Department of Environmental Conservation, DEC, with more regulatory authority over freshwater wetlands statewide. The act would amend the state’s current environmental conservation law, which established the DEC and authorizes its programs. The state agency is responsible for regulating the conservation, improvement and protection of New York’s natural resources and forest lands. The proposal would give the DEC the power over wetlands of 1 acre or more in size and others significant to local municipalities. As of press time, the environmental conservation law only protects wetlands that are 12.4 acres or larger in size. “This legislation will allow New York to play a greater role
in identifying wetland areas, an important part of watershed and habitats, and give state authorities the protection role that we anticipate the federal government is about to abdicate,” Latimer said. On March 1, President Donald Trump, a Republican, issued an executive order directing the federal Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to review and rescind the 2015 Waters of the United States rule, a document that defines which rivers, streams, lakes and marshes fall under the jurisdiction of the two federal agencies. The EPA is responsible for protecting human health and the environment by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by the federal government. Following the executive order, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, who was nominated by Trump as the head of the agency last December, said the new federal regulations would restore the states’ role in the regulation of water. As a result, several New Yorkbased advocates have led the charge in criticizing the Trump administration for the impending environmental changes.
“We’re less than two months into the Trump administration and it’s already clear that, to protect our waters, states have to lead,” said Liz Moran, the water and natural resources associate at Environmental Advocates of New York, an Albany-based organization that monitors state government and evaluates proposed environmental laws. “Wetlands are a natural filter for pollutants, and for many communities, the only natural barrier in times of flood.” Latimer’s bill, which is sponsored in the state Assembly by Steve Englebright, a Suffolk County Democrat and chairman of the Environmental Conservation Committee, would also update the state’s wetlands maps, most of which are more than 20 years old and do not reflect how development has affected wetlands statewide. Additionally, the proposed changes would provide further language for the protection and preservation of plant and animal species that are rare, endangered or vulnerable. As of press time, the bill is awaiting approval by the Environmental Conservation Committee. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
and prospective organizations or companies interested in managing the amusement park; most notably a previous deal brokered between Astorino and local nonprofit Sustainable Playland Inc., which dissolved in the wake of potential
litigation from Rye and growing public outcry over the size and scope of the plans, and in particular a sports bubble that was slated for Playland’s main parking lot. According to Dan Branda, a spokesman for the county ex-
ecutive, an engineer’s consortium to arrive at a construction schedule was held on March 1, but said the specifics of the schedule are “too premature” to discuss. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
NRHS student named Girls Inc. scholar Adriana Santiago, a member of Girls Inc. of Westchester County and student at New Rochelle High School, has been chosen as a 2017 Girls Inc. National Scholar and awarded a $5,000 Girls Inc. Lucile Miller Wright scholarship. She was selected for her outstanding academic achievements, community service work, and dedication to the Girls Inc. mission of inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Santiago is one of 19 Girls Inc. National Scholars selected in 2017 from more than 100 applications from across the United States and Canada. “Adriana is one of the most focused students I have ever worked with. She is truly a standout individual who will impress everyone she meets. She is talented, caring, intuitive, dedicated, and focused in her pursuits,” said Vanessa Santiago, director of programs. “There were so many deserving applicants that it is heartening to see Adriana successful in her application,” said Executive Director Catherine Lepone. “She is a born leader
Adriana Santiago, New Rochelle High School student and member of Girls Inc. of Westchester County, has been chosen as a Girls Inc. National Scholar. Photo courtesy Girls Inc.
and it’s easy to see why the selection committee found her story compelling.” The Girls Inc. Lucile Miller Wright Scholarship program was created in 1992, when the female pilot and longtime supporter gave a bequest for scholarships for young women. Since 1993, more than $5.4 million in scholarships have made post-secondary education more accessible to more than 727 high school women
and has inspired them to succeed in school and consider a broad range of career possibilities. Girls Inc. of Westchester County is one of 82 affiliates in the 150 year old Girls Inc. network. The mission of the organization is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold through programs in college readiness, science, technology, life skills, and leadership. (Submitted)
March 24 & 31, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 9 MAYOR from page 1
New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson delivers his State of the City address in City Hall for the first time on March 8. Photo courtesy city of New Rochelle
the City Yard, the home of the Department of Public Works, to make the Echo Bay waterfront available for development. “We adopted an innovative, forward-looking framework,” Bramson said of his council colleagues, which includes a new municipal zoning code; a 90-day process that can get projects approved; and a completed environmental review on potential sites. “Those elements together make New Rochelle a very attractive environment for investment,” he said, touching on progress the city has previously made in the way of new restaurants, art galleries and a park opening up. “But
those improvements have not yet achieved a critical mass of positive change. This new framework is intended to build on and accelerate those positive trends.” What is New Rochelle trying to achieve? Bramson told the Review that citizens want a “walkable, exciting, diverse downtown” that is a “magnet for economic and cultural energy.” New Rochelle is often lumped in with White Plains, which is considered the most thriving city in all of Westchester County, benefiting from an ongoing development boon of its own. Bramson said that New Rochelle wants its own distinct
character. “There are both positive and negative lessons to be learned from many other communities,” he said. While there are aspects of White Plains, which also serves as the county seat, that New Rochelle would like to replicate, “New Rochelle will assert its own individuality,” he said. “And that’s how it should be.” Republican councilmen Louis Trangucci and Albert Tarantino could not be reached for comment as of press time. Bramson is up for re-election this year and has yet to announce if he plans to run for another term as mayor. CONTACT: sibylla@hometwn.com
Boat launches season to begin Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino announced recently that the county’s three public boat launch areas—located at George’s Island Park in Montrose, Croton Point Park in Croton-on-Hudson, and Glen Island Park in New Rochelle— will open for the season on Saturday, April 1. “Whether they prefer picturesque Long Island Sound or the majestic Hudson, boaters are always eager to return to the water after the long winter, and we are ready to help them have a spring and summer of fun,” Astorino said. George’s Island Park in Montrose provides access to the Hudson River and accommodates boats up to 21 feet in length. A Westchester County Park Pass is not required. Launching fees for car-top-carried boats are $5 with a park pass, and $15 without the pass. Fees for trailer-carried
boats are $15 with a park pass, and $25 without the pass. Season permits are available to park pass holders only for $100, plus a $5 daily parking fee from May through September. The ramp is open from 8 a.m. to dusk, seven days a week. For more information, call 737-7530. Croton Point Park also provides access to the Hudson River via the beach, for canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and sailboards. No motorized boats are allowed. The daily fee is $5 with a county park pass, and $10 without the pass. The launch is open from 8 a.m. to dusk, seven days a week. For more information, call 862-5290. Glen Island Park provides access to the Long Island Sound and can accommodate boats up to 21 feet in length. A resident county park pass is required to use this ramp. Car-top-carried
boats pay $5, and trailer-carried boats pay $15. Season permits are available to park pass holders only for $100, plus a $5 daily parking fee from May through September. The ramp is open from 6 a.m. to dusk, seven days a week. For more information, call 813-6720. Playland Park in Rye also provides access to Long Island Sound. Beginning Saturday, May 8, car-top carried boats may be launched through September. Call 813-7010. Inflatable boats are not allowed in any county park; if you have a question about the particular craft you would like to launch, please call the park ahead of your visit. For information about how to obtain a Westchester County resident Park Pass, visit parks. westchestergov.com or call 864PARK (864-7275). (Submitted)
Meet Red! This beautiful setter/collie mix is about 7 years young and very handsome. Red is looking for a calm, quiet home to hang out with his human family. He will alert you to people at your door and will happily go to his place so that you can welcome your guests. He likes playing with his toys and going for long walks. Red is neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, and microchipped. Make him part of your family for an adoption donation of $300 to Pet Rescue. To meet Red, call 834-6955, visit at NY-PetRescue.org, or meet him in person at 7 Harrison Ave. in Harrison. (Submitted)
10 • THE CITY REVIEW • March 24 & 31, 2017
Business Briefs Local real estate agent affiliates with Coldwell Banker
New Rochelle resident Melba Herrera Kelly has affiliated with the Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office in Larchmont. As a real estate salesperson, Kelly will provide residential real estate services in Larchmont and New Rochelle, as well as the surrounding communities of Mamaroneck, Rye Neck, Rye, Pelham and White Plains. Kelly has extensive experience in residential real estate sales. She has been a sales associate since 2008 achieving silver award status at her previous brokerage. “We are greatly pleased to welcome Melba to the Larchmont office. As a successful real estate professional, she brings with her a breadth of experience and a strong understanding of the local market,” said Alice Horowitz, senior managing director of the Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office in Larchmont. “I look forward to watching Melba continue to grow her business in the months and years to come.” As a member of the New Rochelle community, Kelly has been an active volunteer in the school system, including co-chairing the New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence Gala Auction Committee. Kelly can be reached at the Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office in Larchmont at 8347100. For more information, visit coldwellbankerhomes.com/tri-states.
JCC names new director of development, donor engagement The Jewish Community Center of Mid-Westchester recently announced that Beth Grafman is its new director of development and donor engagement. Grafman, who has more than two decades of experience in community and nonprofit development and programming, joins the JCC of Mid-Westchester senior management team. “We are excited to have Beth join our team,” said Karen Kolodny, executive director. “Her deep experience building and funding community collaboration will inspire support for the important role we play in Westchester. Beth’s civic involvement and deep commitment to the Jewish community will help us continue our tradition of connecting with and serving the JCC’s diverse constituencies.” Roger Kahn and Helen Samuels, co-presidents of the JCC of Mid-Westchester’s board of directors, agree. “Beth Grafman is a wonderful addition to the dedicated team of professionals in place here at the JCC. Her experience at the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and ability to manage a
portfolio of philanthropic investments in over 80 communities throughout North America has certainly prepared her well to quickly build strategic relationships and support,” they said. Grafman lives in White Plains with her husband Allan and four children, where they have been active members of Temple Israel Center synagogue for nearly 20 years. A five-term Sisterhood president, she currently serves on the synagogue’s board of directors and is a former board secretary for Camp Young Judaea Sprout Lake. Born and raised in Chicago, Grafman earned her MBA from the University of Illinois at Chicago and Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She began her professional career at GE Capital in sales and marketing, and served for nine years on the faculty of Schechter Westchester in White Plains. “Westchester is a world-class community. It deserves to have a world-class JCC with broad-based support,” Grafman said. “Having spent more than five years helping to grow the PJ Library program throughout the country, I understand the incredible power of stories. Now I’m looking forward to sharing stories of the JCC’s impact as a true community convener. I’m confident these stories will inspire even greater participation in the JCC’s bright future.”
The Westchester names new general manager The Westchester has named a new general manager to oversee operations at Westchester County’s premiere shopping destination. Steven Sayers comes to Westchester from Brea, California, where he was the general manager of the Brea Mall, a super-regional shopping center in Orange County, California, that recently completed a multi-million dollar renovation. Sayers attended college at the State University of New York at Albany where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. “I am thrilled to return to the New York area and to be leading our team at a time when The Westchester has recently undergone a total transformation,” he said. “With the opening in April of Savor Westchester, our new dining destination, the transformation will be complete and The Westchester will have the most ambitious redesign of any mall in the region. I am very proud to be taking the helm during this exciting time.” Sayers joined Simon Property Group in 2010 as the assistant mall manager at Knoxville Center and West Town Mall in Knoxville, Tennessee. In 2011, he joined the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance, California, where he was involved in planning a major redevelopment of the property. Sayers moved to Paddock Mall in Ocala, Florida, in 2012 to lead the newly renovated asset and management team through a period of transition. The following year, Sayers was promoted to Square One Mall near Boston. Robert T. Guerra, regional vice president of Simon Property Group, said that Sayers’ experience
with the renovation at Brea Mall will be a tremendous asset to The Westchester as it completes its transformation. “Steven brings energy and highly relevant experience to us at The Westchester,’’ Guerra said. “We are most fortunate to have someone who understands today’s retail environment and who has recently been through a major renovation at his previous property.” The Westchester in downtown White Plains has recently completed a multi-million dollar enhancement with modernized elevators and lobbies; new facades at major mall entrances; new landscaping and store flooring with grey and beige Italian limestone tile; new carpeting, as well as soft seating areas with complimentary charging stations. In December, it opened two entertainment areas: PLAY, a 2,300-square-foot interactive, educational play area; and CONNECT, a technology lounge featuring nine flat screen televisions, complimentary iPads and phone charging stations.
The final piece of the renovation is a brand new 350-seat dining venue featuring seven eclectic eateries, including some of Manhattan and Connecticut’s most popular and notable casual dining hot spots, and an outdoor dining terrace overlooking downtown White Plains, scheduled to open in April. Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom have also recently completed major remodeling projects to their stores at The Westchester. “We look forward to having a fresh perspective as we begin this new chapter,” said Paula Kelliher, director of marketing for The Westchester. The next Business Briefs section will run in April. Please send any submission for our April edition to news@hometwn.com, with “Business” in the subject line of your email. Each submission may include one picture. If you have any questions, email us at news@hometwn.com.
March 24 & 31, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 11
New Rochelle Home Sales Listings provided by the office of Westchester County Clerk Timothy C. Idoni Photos courtesy Zillow.com, Trulia.com, Hotpads.com, Spotproperty.com & Maps.google.com
5 Somerset Road, New Rochelle $718,000 Sale Date: 2/1/2017
6 Soulice Place, New Rochelle $708,000 Sale Date: 1/26/2017
15 The Boulevard, New Rochelle $820,000 Sale Date: 1/30/2017
21 Sheldrake Lane, New Rochelle $1,150,000 Sale Date: 2/21/2017
26 Lafayette Avenue, New Rochelle $1,050,000 Sale Date: 11/14/16
31 Ward Drive, New Rochelle $750,000 Sale Date: 2/13/2017
33 Jerome Avenue, New Rochelle $1,475,000 Sale Date: 10/24/16
45 Bon Air Avenue, New Rochelle $670,000 Sale Date: 1/20/2017
68 Severn Street, Scarsdale $2,010,000 Sale Date: 1/30/2017
75 Donnybrook Road, Scarsdale $1,284,745.57 Sale Date: 1/18/2017
77 Shepherds Drive, Scarsdale $1,425,000 Sale Date: 2/3/2017
210 Drake Avenue, New Rochelle $900,000 Sale Date: 2/17/201
260 Lyncroft Road, New Rochelle $930,125 Sale Date: 1/30/2017
300 Church Street, New Rochelle $750,000 Sale Date: 2/13/2017
707 Weaver Street, Larchmont $2,126,472 Sale Date: 11/8/16
46 Carol Lane, New Rochelle $660,000 Sale Date: 2/3/2017
12 • THE CITY REVIEW • March 24 & 31, 2017
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March 24 & 31, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 13
The genetic crystal ball RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy
Congratulations, you’re going to have a baby! Would you like to know if, 50 years or so down the line, he or she might develop colon cancer? And by the way, the baby may also have a slightly increased risk of Alzheimer’s. Would you like to know about that, too? And how about the odds of acne? Aieee! These are not the questions any of us have ever had to answer… till now. But thanks to an ever-expanding arsenal of genetic testing, sometimes at birth, sometimes in utero, and sometimes even before the baby is conceived (that is, by testing the potential parents for genetic abnormalities), new dilemmas are headed to a pregnancy near you. The genetic tests being developed today are “revolutionizing what we can know about babies, and how we perceive and treat and prevent disease,” says Bonnie Rochman, the former health reporter at Time Magazine and author of the new book, “The Gene Machine: How Genetic Technologies Are Changing the Way We Have Kids – and the Kids We Have.” Back in 1971, when Rochman was an embryo, all her mom knew was that a baby was going to appear in about nine months. No one could test the gender, much less any genetic anomalies. But today, I myself have two sons who were tested back when they were eight-cell embryos for a genetic mutation they had a 50 percent chance of inheriting: Marfan syndrome. It’s a disease my husband has, which can cause things like blindness
and heart trouble. Thanks to Yale geneticist Dr. Petros Tsipouras, who located the gene and then figured out how to test for it even while our kids were still in test tubes, we “engineered” the Marfan syndrome out of them. This was not an easy or cheap process, but we are very grateful for the results—our Marfan’sfree sons. But today, 20 years later, genetic testing is even more widely available, for far more issues, and it is this expanding universe that Rochman dives into. “How much information do we want to know?” asks Rochman. That’s the heart of the matter. We already routinely test babies for certain diseases, “some of which may quickly prove fatal if not detected,” she says. Early detection leads to early intervention and “there’s little question that newborn screening has saved countless lives.” But now, if a new test shows that a baby has a slightly elevated chance of developing, say, schizophrenia, is that something parents would want to be aware of? Or would it simply make them worried? One mom Rochman interviewed in her book had a prenatal test where the doctor announced he’d found something abnormal, but added, “We don’t know what it’s going to mean.” So the woman had new information—something was “off”—but no clue as to whether it would affect her child’s life, or when, or how seriously. “This is going to happen more and more,” says Rochman, as science develops tests “so sensitive they can uncover information no one fully understands.” That is precisely the issue Dr. Tsipouras, our geneticist, is working on now, as CEO of a new company called Plumcare.
The company will be sequencing newborns’ genomes, but he realizes a full-blown report is not something everyone is ready for. “My mother would say, ‘Don’t interfere with God’s plan.’ My wife would say, ‘What can I do with this information?’” says the doctor. But younger people, he believes, are more comfortable handling and assessing information. And frankly, they’re the ones doing the reproducing. So his company is developing a rubric of when and what information to share. The questions that must be answered before passing on any information are: 1. Is this information relevant to you, specifically? For instance, if a baby has a genetic variation, but it’s one shared by his completely healthy dad, uncle and grandpa, it probably won’t have any ill effects. 2. What are the odds? If seven out of 10 people with this genetic variation get seriously ill by age 5, that’s quite different from nine out of 10 living to a ripe old age. The odds must be taken into account. 3. When and how will this change affect the child? Is it in 10 years, or 70? Will it pack a wallop or is it often mild? The idea is not to freak parents out. It’s to alert them to problems before they occur, rather than reacting to them once they appear. Medically, it means we’re moving from curing diseases to prevention via prediction. “When we talk about the info tech revolution, this is the next stage,” says Rochman: Using deep data to understand and change our DNA destiny. “And,” she adds, “we’re only at the beginning.” CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com
Astorino announces keynote for fathering conference Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino recently announced that Mike Brady, president and CEO of Greyston, a leading social enterprise whose world-renowned Greyston Bakery provides employment opportunities that help lift people out of poverty, will be the keynote speaker at the third annual New York Fathering Conference taking place on Tuesday, April 4 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains. “Mike Brady offers a visionary approach to business growth and social empowerment,” Astorino said. “Greyston Bakery’s model of Open Hiring creates opportunities for everybody, regardless of their background or work history. It provides people who want to work with the employment, skills, resources and dignity they need to break the cycle of poverty while supporting the overall growth of the business. We are honored to have him as our keynote speaker at this year’s Fathering Conference.” The theme of this year’s event is “Ready to Work: Navigating Home, Job and Community.” The program will include 21 workshops on topics such as job retraining, hiring trends, navigating government programs, men’s health and wellness, parenting skills, and ways to better engage fathers. Up to 400 fathers and service providers are expected to attend, so please register in advance to secure your spot at readytowork. eventbrite.com. Registration is $45 and includes continental breakfast, lunch and beverages. The County Center is located at 198 Central Ave. in White Plains. For more information, please contact Joseph D. Kenner, deputy commissioner of social services, at jkenner@westchestergov.com. As president of Greyston Bakery in Yonkers for four years, Brady drove strategic business development with long-standing partner Ben & Jerry’s and with new partners such as Whole
Mike Brady, CEO and president of Greyston, will cover topics like hiring trends, men’s health, and ways to become a better father as the keynote at this year’s New York Fathering Conference. Photo courtesy linkedin.com
Foods Market. During this time, the bakery realized nearly 100 percent revenue growth and became New York state’s first registered benefit corporation. Brady recently took responsibility for all Greyston’s programs and businesses, including workforce development, community gardens, housing, health services and an early learning center. Brady’s passion lies in the integration of business and social good, particularly through the scaling of Open Hiring throughout the country. “Open Hiring has the potential to create opportunities all across the country for people facing barriers to employment,” Brady said. “Our commitment to the community and to the people is at the core of everything we do and I look forward to sharing our approach with everyone at the Fathering Conference.” Following the morning keynote address, a panel discussion will focus on the theme of the conference, “Ready to Work: Navigating Home, Job and Community,” featuring: Donald Somerville of The Children’s Village as moderator; Mike Brady, president and CEO of Greyston; Dion Drew,
Greyston Bakery employee and father; Rosa Boone, DSS deputy commissioner; and Alphonso Simmons, R.E.A.L. Parenting Program coordinator, of Family Services of Westchester. Organized by the New York Fathering Conference Planning Committee, a collaboration of government and nonprofit leaders, the conference is part of Astorino’s ongoing #DadBeThere fatherhood initiative. The goal is to target the full spectrum of fathers, from those who are present in the home to those who are not. One of the highlights of Astorino’s fatherhood initiative is the R.E.A.L. Parenting Program, which is helping participants to find and keep employment, manage their child support payments, improve their parenting and relationship skills and most importantly, to be the positive role models their children and families need. To learn more, please visit westchestergov.com/ dadbethere. “The role of a father is critically important,” Astorino said. “Families are stronger when a dad is actively involved, and society is stronger as a result.” (Submitted)
City of New Rochelle’s
Official Newspaper
SPORTS
14 • THE CITY REVIEW • March 24 & 31, 2017
The purest joy in sports LIVE MIKE Mike Smith
Shortly after Duke’s basketball team won the ACC tournament two weeks ago, a group chat between my buddies and I began blowing up. Our friend Phil, an avid Blue Devil fan, sent a litany of texts explaining in no uncertain terms that, as Duke was far and away the best college basketball team in the country, it would only be a matter of time before they’d be cutting down the nets once again as longtime coach Mike Krzyzewski took home his sixth national title. The messages were peppered with casual denigrations of the teams the rest of us supported and rooted for in the deep-seated sense of entitlement that Cameron Crazies—much like Yankee fans—seem to exude. So boy, did it feel good on Sunday night when the Dukies
got eliminated by South Carolina. The Blue Devils were trailing by 10 in the final minutes when we started letting Phil have it. Memes of Duke guard/villain Grayson Allen tripping random opponents, images of Blue Devils with Jordan Crying-Faces superimposed on them, secondby-second updates of a score that was increasingly going the Gamecocks’ way; we were pouring it on thick. Thirty minutes after the game, Phil finally responded to us, although both AP Style and common decency pretty much prohibit me from telling you what he said. Outside of watching your own team win (my Villanova squad was similarly eliminated in the second round on Saturday), seeing the teams you despise—especially when your friends root for them—can provide some of the purest joy in the sports world. I don’t think it makes me a bad guy to take such delight in the failures of my buddies’
teams, but that’s just the nature of sports. Heck, that kind of schadenfreude even caused me to root against my own selfinterests. I had Duke advancing to the finals in most of my tourney pools, but it was absolutely worth having my brackets busted in order to see Coach K get bounced by a No. 7 seed. As it turned out, this weekend turned out to be a veritable cornucopia of petty fandom on my part. On Saturday night, the USA knocked the Dominican Republic out of the World Baseball Classic, and although I was proud that the Stars and Stripes lived to play another day, thanks in part to a spectacular home run-robbing catch by Adam Jones, I was positively cackling at the idea of being able to twist the knife a little bit when I saw some of my friends from San Pedro the following morning. I had a litany of “Plátano Power” jokes lined up to go, and suffice it to say, I used them all. Maybe it’s an ugly part of
TO COVER LOCAL SPORTS, YOU NEED A
LIVE MIKE! Follow Mike Smith @LiveMike_Sports stats • recaps • commentary Follow @cityreviewnr for Mike’s live, in-game action updates
On March 19, the Duke Blue Devils got eliminated in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Despite it ruining his bracket, Sports Editor Mike Smith couldn’t be happier. Photo courtesy Duke.edu
sports fandom, maybe it’s spiteful, but honestly, right now, I don’t care, because I got the chance to gloat.
Just please don’t make fun of me when the Red Sox finish third in the American League East this year. That would be
supremely uncool.
Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports
SPORTS
March 24 & 31, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 15
Local fighters take the stage By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor Only hours before prizefighter Bryant “Pee Wee” Cruz stepped through the ropes at Madison Square Garden on March 18, his stablemates at Champs Boxing Club in New Rochelle had a local showcase of their own as they faced off against a squad of boxers from Ireland at the club’s Division Street gym. And although Cruz was ultimately unsuccessful in his attempt to challenge for a lightweight title that evening, Champs’ owner Ryan O’Leary feels that the day was a runaway success—both for his professional pupil and for his newer charges who got the chance to compete in front of a packed house earlier in the day. Although fighters from Champs often take part in events throughout the tri-state area, Saturday’s seven-fight card gave several pugilists—including many first timers—a chance to compete in the familiar confines of the club’s New Rochelle gym. Opponents on the afternoon
Heather Flaherty, right, embraces opponent Rebecca Weiss and trainer Ryan O’Leary following a 130-pound Masters bout at Champs Boxing Club. Flaherty took the decision.
included a handful of fighters from Ireland’s Kinsale Boxing Club who often travel to the states to take on international competition. “This was in the works for about three months, we mostly had some younger boxers and some of the older, senior boxers,” O’Leary said. “We
generally fight all over the [New York] boroughs so to have it here, in our small space with a lot of fans, it really was an impressive time.” “I just think that for those having their first fight, this was the most comfortable place it could have happened,” he added. The Champs squad earned a
Elvis Cardenas fires a straight right hand during his 135-pound bout against John O’Brien.
Brittany Plummer from Champs Boxing Club lands a right hand against Denice O’Leary from Ireland on March 18. Plummer was victorious in her first amateur fight.
clean sweep over Kinsale’s fighters, and a few others, including Heather Flaherty, found success against domestic competition as well. Flaherty, a 47-year-old mother of three from Greenwich, Connecticut, outpointed Rebecca Weiss from Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn in her in-ring debut, much to the delight of a boisterous throng of fans from her hometown who traveled down to New Rochelle to watch the fights. “[Flaherty] comes in every day and works her head off, and she must talk to everyone, because she had a group of people there who all had shirts with her name on it,” O’Leary said. “And she was in there against a good experienced girl, it was nonstop action and that was a huge victory.” Elvis Cardenas, a 16-yearold New Rochelle resident, who won his first bout as a member of Champs, beating 135-pounder John O’Brien from Ireland, said that getting the chance to show off his skills in front of a rabid home crowd made all of the work that he has put in over the last two years worth it. “It’s exciting when people come in, it’s exciting for everyone,” Cardenas said. “When the bags
Champs coach Keith Brown waits for the decision after his fight against Kinsale Boxing Club’s Will Rosall. Photos/Mike Smith
are here, you’re working, but getting the chance to spar, it’s just more, more, more.” After the afternoon bouts concluded, several members of the club headed down to Madison Square Garden where Champs professional Pee Wee Cruz got a chance to battle for the WBC Continental Americas Lightweight Championship against undefeated prospect Ryan Martin. The fight was Cruz’s first since returning to O’Leary’s gym a few months ago, and marked the longest layoff of his professional career as the Port Chester native had not had a bout since last April’s win over Moises Delgadillo. Though Cruz was game, the undefeated Tennessean stopped
him in the eighth round of the first televised undercard of the Gennady Golovkin versus Danny Jacobs pay-per-view. Despite the loss, O’Leary was happy with the way Cruz shook off some of the ring rust. “[Martin] was really tough and Pee Wee hadn’t fought in a year, so I thought he did some really good things,” O’Leary said. “The most important thing is that [Cruz] knows that he belongs there now. If we’d had more training, he definitely would have gone the distance, so we’ll just have to tweak some things and hopefully we will be back there, fighting for another title.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com
16 • THE CITY REVIEW • March 24 & 31, 2017