Skip to main content

April 28, 2017

Page 1

THE

CityREVIEW NewRochelle April 28, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 12 | www.cityreviewnr.com

Westchester in driver’s seat on Uber, Lyft policy

Liberty or death!

By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer

The New Rochelle Historical Association and Thomas Paine Cottage Museum hosted its annual Colonial Fair for children and their families on April 22. The event featured reenactments of colonial-era activities spanning the years of the American Revolutionary War. For more, see page 6. Photo/Jen Parente

Rye City files beginning stages of Playland appeal By JAMES PERO Staff Writer In an executive session late last week, the Rye City Council voted to file a notice of appeal that could mark the beginnings of another legal battle between Westchester County and the city of Rye over Playland. The notice of appeal, which was filed on April 21, comes as a result of a denial by a state judge in March who threw out an initial Article 78 filed by the city last year that sought lead agency status on planned capital projects at the park, which sits adjacent to some of Rye’s residential neighborhoods.

The notice serves as the first step toward filing an official appeal, and from that point the council will have approximately five months to finalize its decision to enter back into litigation with the county. Rye City Attorney Kristen Wilson said that while the city has been in consistent contact with the park’s new manager, Standard Amusements, including a recent executive session meeting between the two parties in the hopes of coming to some type of agreement, there has been little contact with representatives from the county. This week, Dan Branda, a spokesman for County Executive Rob As-

torino’s administration, reiterated the county executive’s hard stance against Rye’s litigation over Playland. “There’s no merit to the lawsuit, either then or now,” he told the Review. “The court’s decision was a decisive victory for the county and it’s not going to change. Westchester is continuing to move forward on Playland.” City Councilwoman Julie Killian, a Republican, said that the city looks to change the dynamic between parties, giving the city a more active say in the park’s future. “We would like to be more involved going forward and have PLAYLAND continued on page 8

While mobile ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft could legally expand their coverage areas across New York state by early summer, it will ultimately fall on Westchester County lawmakers to accept the state’s regulations, or to push for even tighter restrictions. Included in the state budget adopted earlier this month was a law allowing ride-hailing services like Lyft and Uber—which allow customers to order and pay for a ride with a few taps on a smartphone— to operate across New York state, expanding beyond New York City, where those companies have been operating through the city’s taxi and limousine laws since 2011. The state law would require a list of insurance coverage during different stages of the service, and would require drivers to undergo state background checks. Drivers are required to have at least $1.25 million personal liability coverage, and the same amount in supplemental uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. The state law also puts a 4 percent tax on ride revenue. But the ride-hailing legislation also allows the state’s counties and its largest cities to decide for themselves whether to accept the state’s provisions, to block the services altogether, or to further expand on the requirements made by the state. Any municipality with a population of 100,000 or more—in Westchester, that list includes only Yonkers and the county at large—has the option to accept or reject the state’s provision. According to county Legislator Ken Jenkins, a Yonkers Democrat who plans to run for county exec-

utive, county lawmakers are not certain whether Westchester will remain in or opt out of the program. He said the decision will be based on if the county can adjust the law to fit Westchester’s individual needs for fairness and safety. “The taxi and limousine folks would be at a competitive disadvantage,” Jenkins said, explaining that taxi and limo drivers pay state and county sales tax totaling more than 7 percent, higher than the 4 percent ride-hailing tax included in the new state law. Taxi groups like the Upstate Transportation Association have pushed to add fingerprinting to the list of requirements for Uber and Lyft drivers in fairness to taxi and limo drivers, who are fingerprinted as a requirement of taxi and limousine commissions across the state, including Westchester County. But that provision was not included in the final draft of the law. Dan Branda, a spokesman for Republican County Executive Rob Astorino, said the administration was reviewing the legislation while the state DMV works to release its official ride-hailing regulations. Meanwhile, he said, “Our focus continues to be on passenger safety, including that vehicles will be properly insured and maintained and that drivers will be vetted with fingerprint-based background checks and drug and alcohol testing.” Earlier this year, Jenkins proposed a county law which would have allowed ride-hailing in the Westchester. However, the state legislation fulfills nearly every provision recommended in that draft, which proposed that drivers maintain $1 million in personal liability insurance and undergo county

INSIDE A new spin on Italian food Story on page 7.

UBER continued on page 8


2 • THE CITY REVIEW • April 28, 2017


April 28, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 3

Officials tout free tuition despite fiscal uncertainty By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer With the passing of a proposal to provide free tuition for income-eligible residents statewide at SUNY and CUNY colleges and universities, several elected and school administration officials are weighing the forthcoming fiscal impact of the plan. On April 8, state leaders approved the plan known as the Excelsior Scholarship, which will cost more than $160 million a year

once the program is fully phased in. The proposal’s approval is part of the $153.1 billion 2017-2018 state budget that was passed on the same day, a week after its deadline. The plan, proposed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, will be carried out over a three-year period. Families and individuals earning up to $125,000 a year would qualify for the free tuition at public universities and colleges across the state. Despite support from several elected and school administrative

officials in the Hudson Valley region for the plan that’s a first of its kind in the country, it’s currently uncertain just how it will impact the state economically. While the state estimates spending $163 million a year on the program, based on the number of students enrolled in public universities and colleges, the allure of the program could potentially draw interest from more students. “We’re supportive and excited about the governor’s initiative, which will increase access to higher educa-

Even with its uncertain economic impact, several elected and school administrative officials in the Hudson Valley region support Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s recently approved plan to provide free tuition at public universities and colleges. File photo

tion, help with retention and graduation, and will relieve the burden of student debt,” said Thomas Schwarz, the president of Purchase College, one of two New York state schools located in Westchester County. “We believe the Excelsior Scholarship will have an impact on a very large segment of our student population, but the extent of the impact depends on how the program will be implemented.” The plan is expected to be implemented by borrowing capital from a number of tuition assistance programs the state already offers to low-income families, such as TAP, which provides nearly $1 billion in grants to college students statewide, according to Cuomo’s office. In the 2015-2016 fiscal year, more than 355,000 students were awarded more than $956 million in TAP funds with an average annual award of $3,302 per recipient. State Assemblyman David Buchwald, a White Plains Democrat, said the plan will work hand-in-hand with TAP, which saw a $19 million increase in the program. He added that TAP will now have an incentive for private colleges to provide additional aid to students. TAP will provide students with $3,000 in additional assistance with a match from private colleges. It would also require a freeze in student tuition for the duration of the award.

The idea for the proposal came just after being championed by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, of Vermont, during his presidential primary for the Democratic nomination last year. State Sen. George Latimer, a Rye Democrat running for county executive, said he also supports the plan but is also unsure of just how it will impact state taxpayers. “My approach is that it’s an effort to deal with the changing reality and is in some ways an experiment,” he said. “If it does provide people the opportunity it’s supposed to, then it’s a good thing. I think it’s an experiment worth trying.” Latimer explained that the program won’t work as a “handout,” as some might expect. Rather, there will be stringent requirements for students to perform at a high level in order to keep the scholarship. “We want to give everyone the opportunity to succeed, but we’re also not going to pay for you if you fail,” he said. The scholarship would also mandate participating students to be enrolled at a SUNY or CUNY, two- or four-year college full time. It will however not cover the cost for room and board. Tuition, which does not include room and board, costs $6,470 at four-year SUNY schools and $6,330 at four-year CUNY schools. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com


4 • THE CITY REVIEW • April 28, 2017

What’s going on... New Rochelle Public Library

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

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

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 offer 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.

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)(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, first-served 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.

Greek music and dance performance On Sunday, April 30 from 3 p.m. to 4:15

p.m. in the Ossie Davis Theater of the main library. Authentic dances from various islands and main land Greece, as well as from the region of Asia Minor and Pontos, will be performed by costumed members of the Holy Trinity Dance Troupe, of the New Rochelle Greek Orthodox Church. Coordinated by Eirini Metaxas, the dance enthusiasts gather weekly to share their Hellenic heritage through dance. The troupe is led by Nick Gregory, who has been involved in Greek folk music and dance for more than 35 years. The dancers wil be joined by Leonidas Tsantiris, an internationally acclaimed Greek musician specializing in the folk traditions of the Greek mainland, Crete and the Aegean islands and Asia Minor. The event is free, with a suggested donation of $2.

‘Our Children, Our Artists’ exhibit The 36th annual “Our Children, Our Artists” exhibit will be on view in the Lumen Winter Gallery of the New Rochelle Public Library from May 1 through May 24. The artwork of students in the city’s seven elementary schools will be on display from May 1 through May 10; and the work of middle and high school students will be exhibited from May 17 through May 24. The exhibit is curated by Erica Bogin, artist and art teacher. A reception and awards ceremony for the elementary school students will be held on Wednesday, May 3 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The reception and awards ceremony for the middle and high school students will take place on Wednesday, May 17 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

State Board of Elections news Campaign finance seminar The New York State Board of Elections, NYSBOE, will host a campaign finance seminar for Westchester County on Wednesday, May 3. The seminar will include a presentation on campaign financial disclosure requirements as defined in New York State Election Law. Conducted by NYSBOE’s Compliance Unit, this seminar is designed to assist candidates and committees in understanding the law and the disclosure process. Members of the media and the public are welcome. Certified public accountants who pre-register and attend can receive three Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits. The seminar, which is free of charge, is held in partnership with the county board of elections. The information for the seminar is as follows: Wednesday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Westchester County Board of Elections, 25 Quarropas St. in White Plains. Tel.: 995-5700. Those interested in attending the seminar may register on the NYSBOE website at elections.ny.gov.

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.


April 28, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 5

Savor Westchester rebrands luxury mall

Savor Westchester, slated to open this month, will offer shoppers at The Westchester mall a much-needed food court upgrade. Rendering courtesy Simon Property Group

By SIBYLLA CHIPAZIWA Assistant Editor The food court at The Westchester mall has finally been upgraded, with Savor Westchester set to open by the end of the month. The new and improved fourth floor of the luxury mall will feature six trendy eateries, all the first locations of their kinds in Westchester County. Paula Kelliher, director of marketing at The Westchester, owned by the Simon Property Group, said that the new food court was part of a multi-million dollar renovation of the mall. “What we realistically tried to do was make Level 4 more of an experience for our guests,” she said, referring to the old dining options as “a food court of the ‘80s.” The Westchester is a considered a luxury destination, therefore it was

fitting to have the food court reflect that, according to Kelliher. “We felt that we owed it to our guests to really enhance and provide a new dining destination,” she said. There will be six new eateries, most of them from Manhattan with one coming from Connecticut. They were chosen through numerous visits to New York City to places that were considered “glamorous dining destinations,” Kelliher said, which were not in Westchester County. Bluestone Lane Coffee hops onto the trend of Australian-style coffee and café fare. Juice Generation will offer shoppers fresh and cold-pressed juices, smoothies and vegan food. Tomato & Co. is located in Milford, Connecticut, and will offer Neapolitan-style pizza. Mighty Quinn’s BBQ prides itself on being familiar

yet unique at the same time. Whitman’s offers burgers and seasonal fare that is locally sourced. And, coming this summer, Westchester County will have its first sushi burrito location with the opening of Hai Street Kitchen & Co. Savor Westchester will seat 350 patrons and will also feature an outdoor dining patio with a fireplace, which overlooks Tibbits Park that runs along North Broadway and Westchester Avenue in downtown White Plains. “It’s probably the first time that a consumer would actually see part of [the downtown] in a way they’ve never seen it before,” Kelliher said. Savor Westchester started this process by evaluating the whole property, with renovations beginning in February 2016. “While [the mall’s] structure looked amazing, investing in the property was a winwin for our retailers and our consumers,” Kelliher said. The goal was for The Westchester as a whole to be an experience. The eateries will also share the fourth floor with the new CONNECT lounge, which offers nine flat-screen TVs showing sports, news and entertainment along with complimentary iPads and charging stations; and the 2,300-squarefoot, interactive, educational PLAY area that incorporates STEAM

principles. Both amenities opened last December. “You always want to be trendiest and the most up-to-the-moment in what you present to the public,” Kelliher said. One shopper, Susan Esposito, mentioned that the old food court didn’t have anything new or current. “It didn’t have many options and became a haunted floor,” she said. “I don’t really go there, but maybe with healthier options, it will draw more people to it.” Another shopper, Kerween Gutman, felt the same way about the “outdated” Level 4. “I’m so happy, I have two kids and sometimes they want to go to the food court and at least they could pick something,” she said about Savor Westchester. “I’m really going to go and check it out.” Kelliher pointed out the residential development taking place in White Plains, especially on Bank Street and Maple Avenue, as a catalyst for The Westchester’s recent renovations. “You want to capture all these residents by providing them with a great place to shop,” she said. “White Plains has invested quite a lot into this redevelopment [of the city].” The Westchester already has three restaurants on its premises: Café Nordstrom, Mariposa and P.F. Chang’s, with Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, Godiva and Starbucks stores. For more information on Savor

At a glance Beginning this month, Savor Westchester will offer six new dining options Bluestone Lane Coffee offers Australian-style coffee and café fare Juice Generation offers vegan food, juices and smoothies Tomato & Co. is a Neapolitan-style pizzeria Whitman’s offers burgers and locally sourced, seasonal ingredients Mighty Quinn’s BBQ offers fast-casual food Hai Street Kitchen & Co. will open this summer, offering the county’s first sushi burrito location

Westchester and the mall, visit simon.com/mall/the-westchester. -With reporting by Courtney Raguso

CONTACT: sibylla@hometwn.com


6 • THE CITY REVIEW • April 28, 2017 THE

CityREVIEW NewRochelle 170 Hamilton Ave., Suite 203 White Plains, N.Y. 10601 Tel: (914) 653-1000 Fax: (914) 653-5000

Publisher | Howard Sturman ext. 21, publisher@hometwn.com Christian Falcone Associate Publisher | Editor-in-Chief ext. 19, chris@hometwn.com Sports Editor | Mike Smith ext. 22, sports@hometwn.com Assistant Editor | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 25, sibylla@hometwn.com General Assignment | Taylor Brown ext. 30, taylor@hometwn.com 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

Re-enactment brings

colonial America to life mid cloudy skies and a light drizzle, The New Rochelle Historical Association hosted its annual Colonial Fair on April 22 at the Thomas Paine Cottage Museum in New Rochelle. Close to 150 New Rochelle residents, including many children, participated in the event which featured colonial face painting, a blacksmith demonstration, a fiddler providing music from the time period and Revolutionary War line marching. Actors playing the roles of fictitious colonial-era characters came from throughout the tri-state area, dressed in garb reflective of the era known for the American War of Independence, which lasted from 1775 through 1783. According to John Wright, the executive director of the New Rochelle Historical Society, the event was a large success and rivaled their

Little Ghouls and Goblins Haunted Colonial House held last fall. “We basically wanted to present a little bit of colonial life,” Wright said. This is what you would see on a village green, or at a small encampment during the Revolutionary War.” According to Wright, the New Rochelle Historical Society seems to have developed a niche with younger children who also visit the museum for assistance with research and various school projects. The Thomas Paine Cottage Museum is owned and operated year-round by the New Rochelle Historical Society with particular emphasis on Thomas Paine, one of the U.S. Founding Fathers. The Sophia Brewster Schoolhouse, located alongside the museum on the property, also holds historical value as the last remaining single-room schoolhouse in New Rochelle; the building was saved from demoli-

Staff Photographers Andrew Dapolite, Jen Parente Columnist Lenore Skenazy

Letters The community’s opinion matters. If you have a view to express, write a letter to the editor by email to chris@hometwn.com. Please include a phone number and name for verification purposes. Community Events If you have an event you would like to share with the community, send it to news@hometwn.com. Delivery For home delivery or to subsribe, call (914) 653-1000 x27. Classifieds & Legals To post your notices or listings, call (914) 653-1000 x27. Postmaster Send address changes to: The City Review New Rochelle c/o HomeTown Media Group, 170 Hamilton Ave., Suite 203 White Plains, N.Y. 10601

Actors playing the roles of fictitious colonial-era characters came from throughout the tri-state area, dressed in garb reflective of the colonial era.

Visit us online www.cityreviewnr.com

Follow us on Twitter, @cityreviewnr Follow us on Twitter, @cityreviewnr

The City Review New Rochelle (permit #16661) is published weekly by Home Town Media Group for an annual subscription of $45. Application to mail at the periodicals postage rate is approved at White Plains, N.Y., 10601. Periodicals postage paid at White Plains and additional mailing offices.

A textile weaver spins fabric harkening back to the colonial era for onlookers of the New Rochelle Historical Association’s Colonial Fair on April 22.

tion in the early 20th century and was physically relocated to where it sits today. While the Colonial Fair, sponsored by the United Veterans Memorial and Patriotic Association in New Rochelle, serves as an annual fundraiser for the museum, the museum is open free of charge, with only a suggested donation for admission, on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, and also by appointment. The New Rochelle Historical Association is also entirely self-funded, receiving no tax dollars from the community, relying solely on charitable donations. For more information on the museum or upcoming events, visit thomaspainecottage.org or call 633-1776. -Reporting by Andrew Dapolite

A colonial-era woman explains the process of candlestick making. Photos/Jen Parente


April 28, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 7

By SIBYLLA CHIPAZIWA Assistant Editor What do you do when you and your friend have been running a pizzeria for almost a decade, and are ready for the next challenge? You take over the space next door and open an Italian-themed kitchen and bar, of course. Republic owners Justin Fiore and Tommy Bennet, who is also a chef, have known each other for 16 years and run Pronto Pizza, also located at 134 North Ave. in New Rochelle. In the fall of 2015, they felt it was time for something new. “We did not want to be a run-ofthe-mill pizzeria restaurant that’s serving the same chicken parm that many other people are doing,” Bennet told the Review. “We knew we had to evolve, we had to be different.” Last April, Fiore and Bennet hired an architect and got to work on Republic. “We did a lot of the [woodwork] ourselves,” Fiore said, adding that some loyal customers of the pizzeria as well as friends and family also chipped in. The restaurant finally opened to the public in August 2016, and

Republic Kitchen & Bar, located at 134 North Ave. in New Rochelle, next door to Pronto Pizza, are both owned by Justin Fiore and Tommy Bennet.

Co-owners Justin Fiore, left, and Tommy Bennet, who is also a self-taught chef, wanted Republic to be a place for patrons of all ages.

one impetus for it, according to the owners, was the ongoing development that is currently underway in New Rochelle. “We knew that we wanted this place to be a sociable place for all ages,” Bennet said. “It was very important for us to have a look that would appeal to a lot of people, and a menu like that as well; we want this to be a fun, non-fussy dining experience.” As you enter 134 North, if pizza is your desire you can go right, or you can open the door to the left that enters into an Italian restaurant. If you choose the restaurant, you’ll see glass doors that open up to an outdoor patio; a large marble bar top; and black accents, including a black ceiling set off by gray bricks and a beam with string lights hanging down.

The idea with Republic was to merge both dining and bar experiences for millennials, older clients and everyone in between. “Republic” is defined as any group of people that share a common quality or pursuits. The owners of Republic say that is represented in all the faces you’ll see there. “We want people to be comfortable and not feel rushed,” Bennet said. “If you’re ever here on a Friday or Saturday night, you’ll see people at one table talking to another table or people from across the room. After a while, everybody starts to know everybody.” Events are always in the pipeline, like Republic’s first beer tasting that took place earlier this month, featuring six brews from Manhattan Beer. Wine dinners, tap takeovers, and a clam bake and crab fest are around the corner, too. “We’re always doing something,” Bennet said. The food is considered “fine American pubfare.” The menu offers “Republic ribs” with a homemade barbecue sauce; seasonal fish baked in a foil pouch with white wine, arugula and cherry tomatoes, or pesce al cartoccio; old-fashioned spaghetti and meatballs; burrata served with friselle; and pot-o’-clams, steamed with hot sausage in a spicy tomato broth that you can (and will want to, repeatedly) dip bread into. The owners try their best to source their ingredients from local distributors. Fiore said, “There is nothing like this in New Rochelle.” CONTACT: sibylla@hometwn.com

Republic’s most recent event was a beer tasting featuring six brews from distributor Manhattan Beer. Photos/Jen Parente

134 North Ave., New Rochelle, NY 10801 576-9406 Facebook: Republic Kitchen & Bar


8 • THE CITY REVIEW • April 28, 2017

2017

PLAYLAND from page 1

Rosenblum ready to unseat Parker in county race By JAMES PERO Staff Writer

After the March rejection of an Article 78 over the environmental review of $60 million in capital projects at Rye Playland, the Rye City Council will position itself to file a future appeal against Westchester County. File photo

advanced notice of what’s going on at the park,” said Killian, who was the only councilmember not to back the notice of appeal after abstaining from the vote. “I feel confident that we’ll figure something out.” According to Killian, Rye is seeking to give itself more authority over an upcoming round of capital projects at the amusement park. Specifically, she said, the council will look to mitigate any impacts on traffic and ill effects on neighboring residences. “What happens with overflow parking?” Killian asked. “It makes sense that Rye would be involved with that and that our police commissioner would be more involved with that.” While construction of $60 million in capital projects—which materialized as a result of a management agreement struck last year between the county and Standard Amusements, an investment firm—have yet to start, Rye could also seek to file an injunction to indefinitely halt any progress of that work. The decision to file an injunc-

tion, however, could only come after the construction on the projects is underway. Wilson said that an injunction is always on the table, but for the time being, the city will move to negotiate any concerns over Playland out of court. “Right now we’re just trying to resolve any future litigation,” she said. Looming litigation between Rye and the county over Playland harkens back to a failed deal to transfer the management of Playland to Sustainable Playland Inc. in 2014. Eventually, due to growing scrutiny of an 87,000-square-foot field house in the Playland parking lot, which sits adjacent to Rye’s Ryan Park neighborhood, Sustainable Playland walked away from the deal with the county. Despite posturing, the 2014 feud never reached actual litigation. A deal between Standard Amusements and the county will see the injection of $30 million from both parties and will last for 30 years. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

Village of Mamaroneck Mayor Norman Rosenblum, a Republican, has solidified his decision to run for higher office against two-term incumbent Westchester County Legislator Catherine Parker, a Rye Democrat. “My decision to seek higher office is based on only one philosophy,” Rosenblum told the Review ahead of his official campaign announcement scheduled for Friday, April 21, after press time. “And that is what position can I best represent my community and look to improve current situations?” Rosenblum’s decision to run for a county legislative seat will act as a leap forward from his helm as village mayor, a post he has maintained since 2009 on a mostly Democratic Board of Trustees. At 74, this will be Rosenblum’s first-ever bid for higher office, and potentially his toughest race yet. Parker, who served as a Rye City councilwoman between 2008 and 2013, won convincingly in 2015 against her previous opponent—Susan Watson, of Rye—securing 59 percent of the vote. On a Democratic-majority county Board of Legislators, Parker has often been a vocal critic of County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, many times aligning herself with the board’s staunchest Democratic lawmakers. When asked about facing off against the two-term incumbent Parker, Rosenblum said,

“I am not running against anyone, I’m running for a position… If you like what I do, vote for me.” Having served four terms as part of the political minority in Mamaroneck, Rosenblum is also no stranger to heated partisan politics. At times, relations on the village Board of Trustees have taken contentious turns, culminating this past year when Rosenblum unsuccessfully filed a lawsuit against board Democrats that sought to subdue a referendum against his powers of appointment. According to Rosenblum, among the issues compelling him to seek higher office are flood mitigation—a problem shared by communities across the Sound Shore region—and an ongoing opioid epidemic that has rippled across Westchester County, and throughout New York state. “There are specific policies in the village of Mamaroneck that are just as pertinent to the whole Sound Shore,” said Rosenblum, referencing a committee on drugs he formed this past year to help combat opiate addiction. Westchester County’s 7th District encompasses the city of Rye, the town and village of Mamaroneck, the village of Larchmont, and portions of the city of New Rochelle and the town/village of Harrison. County legislators are elected to serve two-year terms with an annual compensation of $49,200. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

UBER from page 1

background checks, and that ride-hailing apps send photos of drivers to patrons. Jenkins’ law was sent to the county Public Safety and Social Services Committee on Feb. 13; it has not been officially discussed in committee, as of press time. Sen. George Latimer, a Rye Democrat who also plans to run for county executive in November, said that in the interim, the county should meet with other suburban counties like Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island, to ensure that the law to bring ride-hailing “upstate,” applies fairly to counties nearest New York City. Individual ride-hailing companies may decide which cities and counties will get the service first based on where the best markets are, although Westchester may appear an obvious choice given its proximity to New York City and the rate at which Uber and Lift drivers venture into, out of, and sometimes within its borders. While those services have not been legally available in Westchester, drivers have often operated here nonetheless, using the county airport as one of several hubs. By this summer, Uber and Lyft will be available—legally—in every state in the continental U.S. and ride-hailing officials are excited for the expansion. “Thank you to Gov. [Andrew] Cuomo and the New York state Legislature for working hard on a compromise that will bring more transportation options to the Empire State,”

Riders cannot legally take Uber or Lyft rides within Westchester County until at least July, but a recent screenshot of Uber drivers available in White Plains shows that they’re here, regardless of the current restrictions. Photo courtesy Uber

said Josh Mohrer, Uber’s tri-state general manager. “We can’t wait to bring reliable, affordable transportation options to the entire state this summer.” The law allowing those services to operate in the state goes into effect on July 8, 90 days after it was passed, allowing time for the state Department of Motor Vehicles to establish regulations. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com


April 28, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 9

Hugh Doyle Center welcomes spring

Vincent Malfitano finds some eggs amid a flowering tree. Photos/Jen Parente

Rachel Humphrey serves a tennis ball at the Hugh Doyle Senior Citizens Center in New Rochelle.

Spring has sprung at the Hugh Doyle Senior Citizens Center in New Rochelle. On April 13, seniors enjoying the warm weather took to the outdoors to walk the property, play tennis, and hunt for Easter eggs in anticipation of the holiday. The Hugh Doyle Senior Citizens Center, which is operated by the city of New Rochelle, is a multi-service facility providing a full range of social, educational and recreational activities for

seniors in the community. Some of the classes offered include arts and crafts, choral singing, dancing, exercise, gardening, painting, clay arts and card playing. The center also offers games such as mahjong, bingo and pool. Professional speakers lecture on various topics in the areas of health, consumerism and nutrition. For more information on programs, contact the center at 2352363. -Review staff


10 • THE CITY REVIEW • April 28, 2017

Astorino vows no tax hikes in address By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer In his annual State of the County Address, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino renewed his promise not to raise county taxes, instead pointing to three private partnerships. “Government is limited to the amount of capital and expertise it has on hand,” Astorino, a Republican, said in his address on April 20. “So we have looked to entrepreneurs to join us in public-private partnerships, and there is significant progress to report.” Astorino vowed in his eighth address as county executive that for as long as he holds the county’s top political position, he would maintain his seven-year trend of not raising taxes, adding that in order to keep that promise, the county has had to be imaginative. “You also need to grow revenues,” he said. “And if it’s not going to be taxes—and it’s not—you have to look somewhere else.” Over the last several years, that governing philosophy has led the county to look at longterm property leases with private companies as a source of that revenue. Earlier this month, Astorino and the Democrat-led Board of Legislators unanimously agreed to sign 60 acres of county property—known as the North 60—to Fareri Associates for 99 years. Fareri plans to convert that property into a $1.2 billion biotech center, amounting to the largest public-private partnership in Westchester history. In his address, the county executive reiterated the anticipated benefits of the project: $9 million

in new real estate taxes, $7 million per year in rent, and 12,000 full-time and temporary jobs. And he repeated a statement from last year’s address: that the North 60 development would help position Westchester alongside Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Silicon Valley as a leader in innovation. But other Astorino plans to lease county property have faced significant opposition from county lawmakers. In November, the county executive announced plans to lease Westchester Airport to a private company for 40 years through a program run by the Federal Aviation Administration. Astorino said that participating in the program would allow the county to sidestep a federal law which requires that all revenue generated at the airport gets reinvested back into the airport; and he estimated that Westchester could generate at least $140 million in revenue from the airport deal that could be used for other areas of the county. Discussing the potential lease during his address, Astorino said, “The idea is to create a long-term revenue stream so that money is coming into the county’s budget for decades to come.” But lawmakers scrutinized Astorino for trying to forego a bidding process when initially presenting the plan to lease the airport property to Oaktree Capital Management, an investment management firm. “There was no way that the Board of Legislators would approve a deal of that scope and duration without first requesting bids from other operators,” said Board of Legislators Chairman Michael Kaplowitz, a moder-

“Since no good deed goes unpunished, some people say it’s now time to raise taxes,” said Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino in his annual address. “I say no.” Astorino is pictured embracing his mother prior to giving his State of the County address on April 20. Photo/Andrew Dapolite

ate Democrat from Yorktown, in his response to Astorino’s address. Democratic Majority Leader Catherine Borgia, of Ossining, further criticized the county executive in the Democratic response to Astorino’s State of the County address, calling the initial airport deal a shortsighted solution to “his own fiscal mismanagement.” She also criticized the Astorino administration for embracing the values of President Donald Trump, a common theme amongst Westchester Democrats and likely to be a focal point of this year’s county executive race. As a result of the lawmakers’ push, the county is now accepting bids; and it is expected to make a final approval in the fall. The partnership that seems to be the furthest along is the leasing out of the county-owned Rye Playland amusement park, an agreement Astorino touted as an example of successful corporate partnerships. He said the plan to lease and renovate the park, initiated in 2014, is nearing fruition. “Shovels are in the ground; and while the work is going on, Playland will be up and running on May 13 for its 89th season,” he said. As part of the 30-year lease with Standard Amusements signed in May 2016, Westchester and Standard will invest a total of $60 million into the park for capital improvements. The county will collect an increasing portion of Standard’s profits over the lease’s period. Westchester recently cleared a final hurdle in the deal, winning a court decision against the city of Rye, which sued the county

for cutting the city out of the decision. Meanwhile, the county executive has his own lawsuit in the works. He repeated his criticism of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s plan to close the Indian Point Energy Center by 2021. Cuomo, a Democrat, announced the upcoming closure in February; and earlier this month, Astorino asked the Board of Legislators to back him in a lawsuit against Cuomo for not conducting a review of the environmental and economic consequences of the shutdown. In his address, Astorino reiterated his call for the board’s approval; specifically, that of the board’s Democrats. “There is no excuse not to support it,” he said. “This isn’t about whether Indian Point closes; it’s about how it closes.” Kaplowitz previously said that the board would not back the suit, calling it “dead on arrival.” For board approval, the lawsuit would need to acquire at least one Democratic vote, as Democrats hold a one-seat majority on the Board of Legislators. Early in his address, Astorino made a plea for bipartisanship in the county in a time of increasingly hostile political dialogue. “No single individual, group or party has a monopoly on the best ideas and the right way to run things,” he said after referencing the contentious 2016 presidential election which has started to bleed into Westchester politics. “Westchester works best when we work together.” CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com

City of New Rochelle’s

Official Newspaper


April 28, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 11

May 2017

Planning ahead... SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

1

May Day National Cancer Research Month

WEDNESDAY

2

National Teacher Day World Asthma Day PTA Council budget meeting 6 p.m., NRHS

AP exams start

School board budget meeting 7 p.m., NRHS

7

8

Community Engagement Committee Noon, City Hall

9

City Council COW meeting 3:45 p.m.

3

World Press Freedom Day

THURSDAY

4

SEPTA, We Are One Dinner

FRIDAY Cinco de Mayo

SATURDAY

5

6

SAT test Kentucky Derby

Our Children, Our Artists art show 4 p.m., NRPL PAVE I Vocal 7 p.m., LEK/NRHS ALMS Gr. 7 Spring Concert 7 p.m.

10

World Lupus Day

Historical Landmark & Review Board 7:30 p.m., 90 Beaufort Place

11

ALMS Gr. 8 Spring Concert 7 p.m.

12

AP exams end

13

NYSSMA Piano Festival Lakeland HS

School board candidate forum 7 p.m., NRHS library

Mother’s Day

14

15

Poetry Out Loud 7 p.m., Whitney/NRHS

16

School board election & budget vote En Plein Air 7:20 a.m., NRHS Webster Spring Concert 7 p.m. City Council regular meeting 7 p.m., City Hall

21

22

SEPTA general meeting 7:30 p.m.

23

17

Civil Service Commission 3 p.m., 90 Beaufort Place

18

Senior Acting Co. 7:30 p.m., LEK/NRHS

Our Children, Our Artists art show 4 p.m., NRPL

19

20

Bike to Work Day

Armed Forces Day

Senior Acting Co. 7:30 p.m., LEK/NRHS

Kite Day 11 a.m., Davenport Park

School board COW session 6 p.m.

24

NRHS National Honor Society inductions 7 p.m., Whitney

Spring Band/Orchestra concert 6 p.m., Ward

Planning Board 7:30 p.m., 90 Beaufort Place

NRHS Springfest Vocal 7 p.m., Whitney/NRHS

25

26

27

Ramadan begins

Hudson Park Beach opens

28

29

Memorial Day, schools and government offices closed

Memorial Day ceremony 10 a.m., Memorial Plaza Veterans Appreciation event Noon, Glenn Island

30

Shavuot begins

31

Senior Fitness and Wellness Day 10:30 a.m., Hugh A. Doyle Senior Center Corporation for Local Development 7:30 p.m., 90 Beaufort Place Industrial Development Agency 7:30 p.m., 90 Beaufort Place


12 • THE CITY REVIEW • April 28, 2017

The Classifieds • Advertising that gets results OUR RATES:

$42.50 for up to 4 lines. Each additional line $2.00. Classifieds ads appear in all five of our publications.

HOW TO REACH US:

Email: ads@hometwn.com Phone: (914) 653-1000 x27 170 Hamilton Ave., Suite 203, White Plains N.Y. 10601

AUCTIONS

REAL ESTATE

AU CTI O N LEWI S C O U NTY R EAL PROPERTY TAX FORECLOSURES. 30+ Properties May 10 @ 11AM. Elk’s Lodge #1605, Lowville, NY. 800-2430061 AAR, Inc. Free brochure: www. NYSAUCTIONS.com

Pinehurst, NC, 1,485+/- Acres For Sale, PUD plan available, Merchantable Timber, Lakes, Foxfire area with Equestrian/Golf, Road Frontage, Great Weather, Low Taxes, $6,632.00 Per Acre, $9,875 Million, Iron Horse Properties Broker, 910.997.2248

AUTO DONATIONS Donate your car to Wheels For Wishes, benefiting Make-A-Wish. We offer free towing and your donation is 100% tax deductible. Call 315-400-0797 Today! Donate your car to Wheels For Wishes, benefiting Make-A-Wish. We offer free towing and your donation is 100% tax deductible. Call 914-468-4999 Today!

COLLECTABLES TOP CASH PAI D I NSTANTLY FOR COLLECTIBLES! -WE BUY Baseball Cards, Autographs, Records, Silver Coins, Golf Items, Art, Jewelry, Comics Etc., Call Jim Today @ 914-310-5153

FINANCIAL Fix’n Flips, Hard Money/ Bridge Loans, No Documents- Stated Income Loans, up to 90% PP, 100% Rehab, PurchaseRefinance, One-Four Units, Mixed Use, Commercial Buildings, 888-565-9477

FOR SALE Privacy Hedges -SPRING BLOWOUT SALE 6ft Arborvitae (Cedar) Reg $129 Now $69 Beautiful, Nursery Grown. FREE Installation/FREE delivery, Limited Supply! ORDER NOW: 518-536-1367 www.lowcosttrees.com

HELP WANTED AIRLINE CAREERS Start Here ñGet trained as FAA certified Aviation Technician. Financial aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. Call AIM for free information 866-296-7094

LAND WANTED LAND WANTED: Cash buyer seeks large acreage 200+ acres in the Central/ Finger Lakes and Catskills Regions of NY State. Brokers welcome. For immediate confidential response, call 607-353-8068 or email info@ NewYorkLandandLakes.com

Waterfront Land Sell-Off! April 29th & 30th 16 Estate Sized Lakefront Tracts from $89,900! Buy at a Fraction of market price! Private wooded setting, spring fed lake with trophy bass! 3 hrs NY City! EZ Terms avail! Call 888-479-3394 to register NewYorkLandandLakes.com SOUTHAMPTON: Long Island Noyac Road, WATERFRONT with Dock on North Sea Harbor! 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath, with Sunroom & Deck! Incredible Sunsets! $1.1M Owner 917-291-3067 North Carolina Motor Speedway For Sale, Fastest 1 Mile Paved Race Track in the World, 250 ACres-34,000 Seats, Multiple Uses, New Cost $75 Million, Buy today for $3.750 Million, Iron Horse Properties Broker, 910.997.2248

VACATION RENTALS OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND. Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Resort Services. 1-800-638-2102. Online reservations: www.holidayoc.com

WANTED TO BUY Buying Diamonds, gold, silver, antique and modern jewelry, better furs, U.S. and foreign coins, paintings, bronzes, complete estates. Highest prices paid. Call 914-260-8783 for appointment.

Publish your LLC notice in our newpapers! New York State law requires that all LLC companies publish a Notice of Formation within 120 days of forming or else your LLC will be suspended. All five of our newspapers are designated by the Westchester County Clerk for this urpose. Allow us to guide you through what can be an unnecessarily complicated process. We provide the template for your publication along with the notarized affidavit signed by the publisher.

For more information email us at

ads@hometwn.com.

MISC FOR SALE KI LL B E D B UGS! Harris Bed Bug Killers/ KIT Complete Treatment System. Available: Hardware Stores. The Home Depot, homedepot.com. Try Harris Guaranteed Roach Killers Too!

MISCELLANEOUS SAWM I LLS from only $43 97.00MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill- Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship! FR E E Info/ DV D : w w w. N o r w o o d S a w m i l l s . c o m 1-800-578-1363 Ext.300N

Follow us on Twitter

@cityrevienr

DEADLINE:

Placement, correction or cancellation of an ad may be phoned in any time before noon on Monday for publication


April 28, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 13

Is bottled water really safer? RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy

Charming, handsome and homeless, the 25-year-old we’ll call Bruce and I were eating dinner at the small downtown shelter where I volunteer once a month. We were both enjoying the pasta provided by another volunteer, but only one of us was drinking a $3 bottle of water. “WHAT?” I exclaimed when Bruce told me how much he’d paid for the bottle he’d bought earlier that day. “How can you possibly spend that much on water? How can anyone? Tap water is FREE!” Bruce just started an $11 an hour job in Brooklyn. He’s got to save up for a room, and taking out $3 chunks for a liquid that flows freely just doesn’t make sense... to me. But to him? It’s vital. “This water is safe,” he said, picking up his bottle. “So is water from the sink,” said I. His friend, a young woman who is also in the workforce and also homeless (never assume that homeless = not working) stood up for him. “The water from the tap has all sorts of chemicals in it.” “The water in bottles IS tap water!” an older shelter guest chimed in, laughing heartily. Bruce just shrugged. “I got to stay healthy.” So allow me, as a public service, to ask the questions that need answers, beginning with: Is bottled water really better for us than tap? “In general, the municipal water supply of any given area has more rigorous environmental standards and controls than the water supplies used by private bottlers,” said Richard Murdocco, a local columnist who writes on urban planning issues and has worked with environmental and housing groups. What’s more, the water Bruce was dissing—New York City’s—is not just ANY hometown’s H2O. It’s a roaring, rushing paragon of purity, said Murdocco. “The water supply is so pure that it went unfiltered for decades until federal law mandated New York City filter the water, a move city officials thought was unnecessary.” So why are people afraid of it? For starters, because bad news always gets more attention than—yawwwwwwn—anything that’s fine. “Headlines [are] about bad tap water, especially in locations like Flint, Michigan,” said Jacob Hatch, author of the Hydration Any-

where blog. People remember fuzzy factoids about plastics and pipes and toxins and leaching, but, “In general, water quality is something people know little about,” Hatch said. With so much quasi-info floating around, we THINK we heard something terrible about something, not quite sure what, and we not only believe it’s true, we believe it’s going to kill us all right here, right now. In point of fact, Hatch continued, studies show that “bottled water is not, on average, any cleaner or safer to drink than tap water.” Where bottled and tap are NOT equal is when it comes to polluting. Producing a bottle of water actually uses about six times more water than is contained in the bottle itself. And THEN there’s the energy used to make the bottle, label the bottle, fill the bottle, transport the bottle (sometimes across entire oceans) and shelve the bottle. Then there’s the energy WE burn driving to and from the store to schlep the bottles home. What’s more, 80 percent of the 50 BILLION plastic water bottles purchased in the U.S. every year do not end up recycled. Off they go to landfill. (More schlepping.) “So if you need the convenience of a water bottle,” I said to Bruce, “or if you love that particular bottle, at least reuse it. Just fill it with more water tomorrow.” Oh no, no, no, no, came the reply. “Refill it and the plastic breaks down and gets into your blood.” “That’s patently untrue,” says Michael Cervin, author of “Our World of Water: The Good, the Bad & and the Ugly of Earth’s Most Critical Resource,” and blogger at This World of Water. If you are using the same bottle for years and years, Cervin said, then yes, it can start wearing out, the way Tupperware gets tired after 10 or 15 years. But refilling it for weeks on end is no threat to anyone’s health, so long as you wash the bottle out with soap and water from time to time. Remember, Cervin added, we’re not EATING the bottle, “we’re merely using it as a vessel to consume a beverage.” I didn’t have all this info at my fingertips at the shelter, but I did have some sheets of paper, so I taught Bruce and his friend how to make an origami cup the next time they’re thirsty and don’t want to spend $3. They we filled the cups with tap water, toasted to better times and drank deep. Somehow, all three of us survived. CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com

Forks, Corks & Cocktails is back

Björn & Company will kick off the summer season with the fourth annual Forks, Corks & Cocktails—a food, wine and cocktails event serving the LGBTQ community of Westchester and Lower Hudson Valley—taking place on Friday, May 5 from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Ritz-Carlton Westchester, located at 3 Renaissance Square in White Plains. Voted The Best LGBTQ Initiative by Westchester Magazine, the lineup is set and the talented chefs are eager to #GetForkd. Returning to Forks, Corks & Cocktails 2017 are Polpettina, Cedar Street Grill, The Dessertist, Roc-n-Ramen, Coriander Modern Indian, Mason Sandwich Co., and more. Björn & Company is also excited to welcome BLT Steak, DeCicco & Sons, Simply Hailee, and the Food Network show “Cooks vs. Cons” contender Chef Jessica Woodford to the family of chefs and vendors, among many more. Seasonal wines sponsored by Via OneHope Wine and Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits, and cocktails are sponsored by the award winning Anestasia Vodka and beverage partner Voss Water. The range of talent and cuisine is very exciting for event founder and creative director of Björn & Company. “This is our fourth

year and the level of support has been overwhelming. This truly is a community event,” he said. With just a week until the big night, Björn VW promises more announcements to be made. “We are working with sponsors to create an amazing experience for everyone, especially some extra treats for those choosing a VIP experience.” All guests will be treated to a walk-around tasting, highlighting local restaurants with food from more than a dozen chefs, seasonal cocktails, and wines, all while mingling and dancing to some great DJ-powered music. This evening is one for the food enthusiasts of New York. All are welcome to attend. Attendees must be ages 21 and up, and be dressed to impress. Sponsorship opportunities are still available and more announcements are on their way in the coming days. Björn & Company promises a full sensory experience and perfect night for the LGBTQ community to eat, drink, and party. Look for #GetForkd on social media to stay up-to-date. General admission tickets are $75 and VIP tickets are $125. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit getforkdny.com or call Björn & Company at 646-524-6342. (Submitted)


SPORTS

14 • THE CITY REVIEW • April 28, 2017

Rain, go away LIVE MIKE Mike Smith

If you happened to get a look at a high school coach’s wish list, I bet there would be certain things you would expect to find; a talented, devoted group of players, a supportive administration, and parents who get involved—but not so much so that they start to overstay their welcome. But while I was covering a varsity softball game on Monday afternoon, a local coach let me in on one more request that more than a handful of teams find themselves hoping for this year: a dome. Even though springtime sports in the Northeast are always sort of touch-and-go for the first few weeks, this year—it has to be said—has been worse than most. Just this week alone, Tuesday and Wednesday were washouts, almost across the board. The final weekend in April has hardly been an outlier; every week since the start of the season in late March has had at least one day that resulted in a slate of games being wiped

off the schedule. The weather has impacted every sport, from track to golf and even lacrosse, which is usually fairly immune to weather-related cancelations. But few sports have been hit as hard as baseball and softball. Five weeks into the baseball season, a quick glance at teams’ overall records shows just how much chaos the spring rains have caused. A few squads have played as many as 11 games, while others have only played six. With the schedule coming to an end around May 15, barring an extra day or so being tacked onto the regular season, that gives some teams just over two weeks to make up 13 or 14 games; a daunting task, even for professionals. Now, I know there is nothing that Section I officials can do about the weather. I mean, that’s outside of the purview of even the most powerful governing body in area athletics. But there are some things that should at least be considered. Perhaps the Section I preseason could start a little bit earlier in 2018. This year, area teams started a week after the rest of

the state, forcing teams to play condensed schedules, even in the best of weather. Starting a week earlier may be able to mitigate some of the concerns about rainouts. Other ideas, like shortening the regular season, may seem doable, but will ultimately rob student-athletes of valuable experience, so they probably won’t get much consideration. One last idea, which—given my baseball-purist leanings—seems like a necessary evil is this: have school districts invest in turf fields over the next decade or so. We’ve seen schools construct new turf fields to replace grass ones already, but mostly the all-purpose ones used for endeavors like field hockey, football, soccer and lacrosse. However, baseball and softball fields have lagged far behind in that department. The result is that heavy rains on a Thursday can often mean no baseball on a Friday, which is a shame. Trust me, I haven’t run the numbers, but I know it will be costly for districts. I also know that it’s unwise to overreact to one year of bad weather and spend boatloads

Mamaroneck’s Gianna Magrino throws a pitch against New Rochelle at City Park on April 18. Sports Editor Mike Smith wonders if this season’s inclement weather will force schools to look at the option of more turf fields, like City Park. Photo/Mike Smith

of cash that can go to other areas. And to be honest, I hate the idea of kids growing up without memories of the smell of a freshly-cut grass ball field.

But it’s better than not getting on the field at all.

Follow Mike Smith on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports

TO COVER LOCAL SPORTS, YOU NEED A

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


SPORTS

April 28, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 15

THE ROUNDUP BASEBALL

New Rochelle 4 Mamaroneck 2 At City Park

4/18/17

The Tigers dropped their second-straight league contest last week, falling to the Huguenots. Sachin Nambiar pitched well for the Tigers, but his counterpart, John Rodopolous, held the Tigers at bay over the course of 6.1 innings. Matt Almonte came on in relief to earn his fourth save of the year.

New Rochelle 4 Scarsdale 1 At City Park

4/24/17

John Rodopolous and Matt Almonte shined in another big league win for the Huguenots on Monday, as the duo combined to shut down the Raiders and help the Huguenots to improve to 8-2 on the year. Rodopolous got the start and turned in 6.2 innings of one-run baseball, while Almonte came on for the final out to nail down yet another save.

Peter Gregory steals home against Mamaroneck. Photos/Mike Smith

John Rodopolous throws a pitch against the Tigers on April 18. New Rochelle topped Mamaroneck 4-2.

Offensively, Jayson Rodopolous was the Huguenots’ top option, driving in two runs for New Rochelle. At 5-0 in division play, the Huguenots are currently sitting atop the Conference I League B standings, just ahead of White Plains, which boasts a 4-1 league record. The Huguenots and Tigers will start a two-game series on Tuesday, May 2.

SOFTBALL

Mamaroneck 4 New Rochelle 0 At City Park

A New Rochelle pitcher throws a pitch against Mamaroneck.

4/18/17

Mamaroneck’s Gianna Magrino turned in yet another gem last week, firing a complete game two-hitter to lead the Tigers. The Tiger hurler tallied 14 strikeouts over the course of seven innings and drove in a run on a sacrifice fly to help Mamaroneck win its third-straight game. According to head coach Sue Hannon, Magrino has been integral to the Tigers’ 4-2 start. “She’s doing a great job hitting her spots,” Hannon said. “And her fastball is coming in at a pretty good clip, and that helps.” Mia Steinberg scored three runs for Mamaroneck and got the Tigers on the board with a second-inning home run, while Josie Steinberg answered with another.

Mamaroneck’s Gianna Magrino throws a pitch against New Rochelle on April 18. Magrino had 14 strikeouts to lead the Tigers to a 4-0 win.

Mamaroneck 12 New Rochelle 5 At Central School

4/20/17

The Huguenots and Tigers both turned in better offensive performances in the second-straight meeting between the two teams on Thursday, but once again, Mamaroneck came out on top, beating New Rochelle at home.

Mia Steinberg again proved the sparkplug for the Tiger offense going 2-for-3 at the plate and scoring three runs. Both Josie Steinberg and Emma Goldberg tripled with two RBIs for the winners. At 6-2 on the season, the Tigers have established themselves as one of the top teams in the area. -Reporting by Mike Smith


16 • THE CITY REVIEW • April 28, 2017


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
April 28, 2017 by The City Review New Rochelle - Issuu